Multimedia device integration system

• US 20070015486A1
• Filed: 06/27/2006
• Published: 01/18/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 12/11/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Blitzsafe Texas, LLC (Ira Marlowe)
• Original Assignee: Ira Marlowe
• Inventors: Marlowe, Ira
• Granted Patent: US 8,155,342 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/345
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/025 'Virtual' control panels, e.g. Graphical User Interface [GUI]
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/034 Portable transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/082 to be used in vehicles H04B1/086 takes precedence; holding or mounting accessories B60R11/02
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/20 for coupling gramophone pick-up, recorder output, or microphone to receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3822 specially adapted for use in vehicles H04B1/3827 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2146 located in mass transportation means, e.g. aircraft, train or bus flight-deck installations for entertainment or communications B64D11/0015; arrangements specially adapted for transportation systems in broadcast systems H04H20/62; moving wireless networks H04W84/005
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4222 Remote control device emulator integrated into a non-television apparatus, e.g. a PDA, media center or smart toy remote control device for a television receiver integrated into a mobile phone H04M1/72415
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/426 Internal components of the client ; Characteristics thereof H04N5/44 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/436 Interfacing a local distribution network, e.g. communicating with another STB or one or more peripheral devices inside the home
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/478 Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/775 between a recording apparatus and a television receiver
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/85 on discs or drums

Abstract

An multimedia device integration system is provided. One or more after-market audio or video devices, such as a CD player, CD changer, digital media device (e.g., MP3 player, MP4 player, WMV player, Apple iPod, portable media center, or other device) satellite receiver (e.g., XM or Sirius receiver), DAB receiver, video device (e.g., DVD player), cellular telephone, or any other device or combinations thereof, is integrated for use with an existing OEM or after-market car stereo or video system, wherein control commands can be issued at the car stereo or video system and data from the after-market device can be displayed on the car stereo or video system. Control commands generated at the car stereo or video system are received, processed, converted into a format recognizable by the after-market device, and dispatched to the after-market device for execution. Information from the after-market device is converted into a format recognizable by the car stereo or video system, and dispatched to the car stereo or video system for display thereon. One or more auxiliary input sources can be integrated with the car stereo or video system, and selected using the controls of the car stereo or video system. A docking station is provided for docking a portable audio or video device for integration with the car stereo or video system. Wireless integration between the portable audio or video device and a car stereo or video system is provided, and voice recognition and speech synthesis capabilities are provided in the portable audio or video device or the car stereo or video system.

Claims

1. A multimedia device integration system comprising:

a car audio system having a display associated therewith;

a portable device external to the car audio system;

a first wireless interface in communication with the car audio system;

a second wireless interface in communication with the portable device, the first and second wireless interfaces establishing a wireless communications link between the car audio system and the portable device; and

an integration subsystem for generating a device presence signal for maintaining the car audio system in a state responsive to the portable device, wherein the integration subsystem transmits the device presence signal to the car audio system, channels audio from the portable device to the car audio system using the wireless communications link, processes video information generated by the portable device into a format compatible with the car audio system, and transmits the processed video information to the car audio system using the wireless communications link for displaying the processed video information on the display of the car audio system.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the integration subsystem processes data generated by the portable device into a format compatible with the car audio system and displays the processed data on the display of the car audio system.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the integration subsystem receives control commands issued at the car audio system and transmitted over the wireless communications link, processes the commands into a format compatible with the portable device, and dispatches the processed commands to the portable device for execution thereby.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the integration subsystem further comprises a voice recognition subsystem for processing spoken control commands issued by a user.

5. The system of claim 4, wherein the integration subsystem retrieves an audio file or a video file from the portable device in response to a spoken command.

6. The system of claim 4, wherein the integration subsystem further comprises a speech synthesizer for generating synthesized speech corresponding to data generated by the portable device.

7. The system of claim 1, wherein the car audio system comprises an OEM car audio system.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the car audio system comprises an after-market car audio system.

9. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable device comprises a portable receiver.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable device comprises a portable digital media player.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the portable digital media player comprises a video device, a portable media center, a portable media player, an MP3 player, an MP4 player, a WMV player, an Apple iPod, or an Apple video iPod.

13. The system of claim 1, wherein the portable device comprises a cellular telephone.

14. The system of claim 1, further comprising a non-wireless connection established between the car audio system and the portable device for exchanging data, commands, audio and video signals between the car audio system and the portable device.

15. The system of claim 1, wherein the integration subsystem is positioned within the portable device.

16. The system of claim 1, wherein the integration subsystem is positioned within the car audio system.

17. The system of claim 1, wherein the video information comprises a video file stored on the portable device.

18. The system of claim 1, wherein the video information comprises a picture stored on the portable device.

19. The system of claim 1, wherein the video information comprises a television signal received by the portable device.

10. The system of claim 10, wherein the portable receiver comprises a digital audio broadcast (DAB) receiver, a high-definition (HD) radio receiver, or a satellite receiver.

20. A multimedia device integration system comprising:

a car video system having a display associated therewith;

a portable device external to the car video system;

a first wireless interface in communication with the car video system;

a second wireless interface in communication with the portable device, the first and second wireless interfaces establishing a wireless communications link between the car video system and the portable device; and

an integration subsystem for generating a device presence signal for maintaining the car video system in a state responsive to the portable device, wherein the integration subsystem transmits the device presence signal to the car video system, channels audio from the portable device to the car video system using the wireless communications link, processes video information generated by the portable device into a format compatible with the car video system, and transmits the processed video information to the car video system using the wireless communications link for displaying the processed video information on the display of the car video system.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the integration subsystem processes data generated by the portable device into a format compatible with the car video system and displays the processed data on the display of the car video system.

22. The system of claim 20, wherein the integration subsystem receives control commands issued at the car video system and transmitted over the wireless communications link, processes the commands into a format compatible with the portable device, and dispatches the processed commands to the portable device for execution thereby.

23. The system of claim 20, wherein the integration subsystem further comprises a voice recognition subsystem for processing spoken control commands issued by a user.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the integration subsystem retrieves an audio file or a video file from the portable device in response to a spoken command.

25. The system of claim 23, wherein the integration subsystem further comprises a speech synthesizer for generating synthesized speech corresponding to data generated by the portable device.

26. The system of claim 20, wherein the car video system comprises an OEM car video system.

27. The system of claim 20, wherein the car video system comprises an after-market car video system.

28. The system of claim 20, wherein the portable device comprises a portable receiver.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the portable receiver comprises a digital audio broadcast (DAB) receiver, a high-definition (HD) radio receiver, or a satellite receiver.

30. The system of claim 20, wherein the portable device comprises a portable digital media player.

31. The system of claim 30, wherein the portable digital media player comprises a video device, a portable media center, a portable media player, an MP3 player, an MP4 player, a WMV player, an Apple iPod, or an Apple video iPod.

32. The system of claim 20, wherein the portable device comprises a cellular telephone.

33. The system of claim 20, further comprising a non-wireless connection established between the car video system and the portable device for exchanging data, commands, audio and video signals between the car video system and the portable device.

34. The system of claim 20, wherein the integration subsystem is positioned within the portable device.

35. The system of claim 20, wherein the integration subsystem is positioned within the car video system.

36. The system of claim 20, wherein the video information comprises a video file stored on the portable device.

37. The system of claim 20, wherein the video information comprises a picture stored on the portable device.

38. The system of claim 20, wherein the video information comprises a television signal received by the portable device.

39. A multimedia device integration system comprising:

a car audio system;

a portable device external to the car audio system;

a docking slot formed in the car audio system for receiving the portable device and establishing electrical communication between the car audio system and the portable device; and

an integration subsystem for generating a device presence signal for maintaining the car audio system in a state responsive to the portable device, wherein the integration subsystem receives data generated by the portable device, processes the data into a format compatible with the car audio system, and transmits the processed data, the device presence signal, and audio signals to the car audio system.

40. The system of claim 39, wherein the processed data is displayed on a display of the car audio system.

41. The system of claim 39, wherein the integration subsystem processes a video file stored on the portable device into a format compatible with the car audio system and transmits the video file to the car audio system for displaying the video file on a display of the car audio system.

42. The system of claim 39, wherein the integration subsystem receives control commands issued at the car audio system, processes the commands into a format compatible with the portable device, and dispatches the processed commands to the portable device for execution thereby.

43. The system of claim 39, wherein the integration subsystem further comprises a voice recognition subsystem for processing spoken control commands issued by a user.

44. The system of claim 43, wherein the integration subsystem retrieves an audio file or a video file from the portable device in response to a spoken command.

45. The system of claim 43, wherein the integration subsystem further comprises a speech synthesizer for generating synthesized speech corresponding to data generated by the portable device.

46. The system of claim 39, wherein the car audio system comprises an OEM car audio system.

47. The system of claim 39, wherein the car audio system comprises an after-market car audio system.

48. The system of claim 39, wherein the portable device comprises a portable receiver.

49. The system of claim 48, wherein the portable receiver comprises a digital audio broadcast (DAB) receiver, a high-definition (HD) radio receiver, or a satellite receiver.

50. The system of claim 39, wherein the portable device comprises a portable digital media player.

51. The system of claim 50, wherein the portable digital media player comprises a video device, a portable media center, a portable media player, an MP3 player, an MP4 player, a WMV player, an Apple iPod, or an Apple video iPod.

52. The system of claim 39, wherein the portable device comprises a cellular telephone.

53. The system of claim 39, wherein the integration subsystem is positioned within the portable device.

54. The system of claim 39, wherein the integration subsystem is positioned within the car audio system.

55. A multimedia device integration system comprising:

a car video system;

a portable device external to the car video system;

a docking slot formed in the car video system for receiving the portable device and establishing electrical communication between the car video system and the portable device; and

an integration subsystem for generating a device presence signal for maintaining the car video system in a state responsive to the portable device, wherein the integration subsystem receives data generated by the portable device, processes the data into a format compatible with the car video system, and transmits the processed data, the device presence signal, audio signals, and video signals to the car video system.

56. The system of claim 55, wherein the processed data is displayed on a display of the car video system.

57. The system of claim 55, wherein the integration subsystem processes a video file stored on the portable device into a format compatible with the car video system and transmits the video file to the car video system for displaying the video file on a display of the car video system.

58. The system of claim 55, wherein the integration subsystem receives control commands issued at the car video system, processes the commands into a format compatible with the portable device, and dispatches the processed commands to the portable device for execution thereby.

59. The system of claim 55, wherein the integration subsystem further comprises a voice recognition subsystem for processing spoken control commands issued by a user.

60. The system of claim 59, wherein the integration subsystem retrieves an audio file or a video file from the portable device in response to a spoken command.

61. The system of claim 59, wherein the integration subsystem further comprises a speech synthesizer for generating synthesized speech corresponding to data generated by the portable device.

62. The system of claim 55, wherein the car video system comprises an OEM car video system.

63. The system of claim 55, wherein the car video system comprises an after-market car video system.

64. The system of claim 55, wherein the portable device comprises a portable receiver.

65. The system of claim 64, wherein the portable receiver comprises a digital audio broadcast (DAB) receiver, a high-definition (HD) radio receiver, or a satellite receiver.

66. The system of claim 55, wherein the portable device comprises a portable digital media player.

67. The system of claim 66, wherein the portable digital media player comprises a video device, a portable media center, a portable media player, an MP3 player, an MP4 player, a WMV player, an Apple iPod, or an Apple video iPod.

68. The system of claim 55, wherein the portable device comprises a cellular telephone.

69. The system of claim 55, wherein the integration subsystem is positioned within the portable device.

70. The system of claim 55, wherein the integration subsystem is positioned within the car video system.

71. A method for wirelessly integrating a portable device for use with a car audio system comprising:

establishing a wireless communications link between the car audio system and the portable device;

generating a device presence signal for maintaining the car audio system in a state responsive to the portable device;

transmitting the device presence signal to the car audio system over the wireless communications link;

processing video information generated by the portable device into a format compatible with the car audio system;

transmitting the processed video information and audio signals generated by the portable device to the car audio system over the wireless communications link;

displaying the processed video information on a display of the car audio system; and

playing the audio signals over the car audio system.

72. The method of claim 71, further comprising processing data generated by the portable device into a format compatible with the car audio system.

73. The method of claim 72, further comprising transmitting the processed data over the wireless communications link to the car audio system.

74. The method of claim 73, further comprising displaying the processed data on a display of the car audio system.

75. The method of claim 71, further comprising transmitting control commands issued by a user at the car audio system over the wireless communications link.

76. The method of claim 75, further comprising receiving the control commands at the portable device and processing the control commands into a format compatible with the portable device.

77. The method of claim 76, further comprising dispatching the processed control commands to the portable device for execution thereby.

78. The method of claim 71, further comprising receiving spoken control commands with a voice recognition subsystem and processing the spoken control commands into a format compatible with the portable device.

79. The method of claim 78, further comprising dispatching the processed control commands to the portable device for execution thereby.

80. The method of claim 71, further comprising generating synthesized speech corresponding to data generated by the portable device.

81. A method for wirelessly integrating a portable device for use with a car video system comprising:

establishing a wireless communications link between the car video system and the portable device;

generating a device presence signal for maintaining the car video system in a state responsive to the portable device;

transmitting the device presence signal to the car video system over the wireless communications link;

processing video information generated by the portable device into a format compatible with the car video system;

transmitting the processed video information and audio signals generated by the portable device to the car video system over the wireless communications link;

displaying the processed video information on a display of the car video system; and

playing the audio signals over the car video system.

82. The method of claim 81, further comprising processing data generated by the portable device into a format compatible with the car video system.

83. The method of claim 82, further comprising transmitting the processed data over the wireless communications link to the car video system.

84. The method of claim 83, further comprising displaying the processed data on a display of the car video system.

85. The method of claim 81, further comprising transmitting control commands issued by a user at the car video system over the wireless communications link.

86. The method of claim 85, further comprising receiving the control commands at the portable device and processing the control commands into a format compatible with the portable device.

87. The method of claim 86, further comprising dispatching the processed control commands to the portable device for execution thereby.

88. The method of claim 81, further comprising receiving spoken control commands with a voice recognition subsystem and processing the spoken control commands into a format compatible with the portable device.

89. The method of claim 88, further comprising dispatching the processed control commands to the portable device for execution thereby.

90. The method of claim 81, further comprising generating synthesized speech corresponding to data generated by the portable device.

91. A docking station for docking and integrating a portable device for use with a car stereo, comprising:

a base portion;

a bottom member connected to the base portion;

a top member removably connected to the base portion, the base portion, bottom member, and top member defining a cavity for receiving a portable device; and

an integration device connected to the base portion for integrating the portable device with a car stereo.