WIRELESS AUDIO ADAPTER

• US 20090082890A1
• Filed: 09/24/2008
• Published: 03/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/23/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vinci Brands LLC
• Original Assignee: Griffin Technology
• Inventors: Griffin, Paul P. JR.
• Granted Patent: US 8,185,222 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 700/94
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6091 including a wireless interface

Abstract

An adapter for receiving a wireless digital signal that includes an audio signal and audio metadata concerning the audio signal from a portable electronic device has a Bluetooth wireless receiver for receiving the wireless digital signal from the portable electronic device in a Bluetooth digital format. A microprocessor having format conversion software converts the Bluetooth formatted audio signal in the wireless digital signal into a satellite radio formatted audio signal. Satellite metadata generating software generates satellite radio formatted metadata based upon the received Bluetooth formatted audio metadata. A switch electrically couples an output of the adapter to a satellite radio input of an audio system when the Bluetooth transceiver detects a Bluetooth transmission. The adapter provides the satellite radio formatted audio signal and metadata to the audio system such that the audio signal is reproduced by an audio output of the audio system and the metadata is displayed on a display of the audio system. The adapter can also include an FM modulator that produces a frequency modulated output based upon the received Bluetooth formatted audio signal and metadata.

Claims

1. An adapter for receiving a wireless digital signal that includes an audio signal and audio metadata concerning said audio signal from a portable electronic device, said adapter comprising:

a Bluetooth wireless receiver for receiving the wireless digital signal from the portable electronic device in a Bluetooth digital format;

a microprocessor having format conversion software for converting the Bluetooth formatted audio signal in said wireless digital signal into a satellite radio formatted audio signal;

satellite metadata generating software for generating satellite radio formatted metadata based upon said received Bluetooth formatted audio metadata;

a switch for electrically coupling an output of said adapter to a satellite radio input of an audio system when said Bluetooth transceiver detects a Bluetooth transmission;

wherein said adapter provides the satellite radio formatted audio signal and metadata to the audio system such that said audio signal is reproduced by an audio output of said audio system and said metadata is displayed on a display of said audio system.

2. The adapter of claim 1 further comprising an FM modulator that produces a frequency modulated output based upon the received Bluetooth formatted audio signal and metadata.

3. The adapter of claim 2 further comprising an FM transmitter for broadcasting the frequency modulated output.

4. The adapter of claim 1 wherein said adapter is connected in series between a satellite radio receiver and a car stereo.

5. The adapter of claim 4 wherein the adapter is powered through a connection to an automobile electrical system.

6. The adapter of claim 1 wherein said satellite radio data is in an XM or Sirius satellite radio format.

7. The adapter of claim 1 wherein said adapter has a housing configured to fit in a 12-volt car outlet.

9. The accessory of claim 1 further comprising a switch for electrically coupling an output of said accessory to an input of the car radio receiver when the accessory detects a wireless transmission from the mobile phone.

8. An accessory for receiving a wireless digital signal that includes an audio signal and audio metadata concerning said audio signal from a mobile phone, said accessory comprising:

a wireless receiver for receiving the wireless digital signal from the mobile phone in a first digital format;

a microprocessor having format conversion software for converting the audio signal in said wireless digital signal from said first format into a radio receiver format;

metadata generating software for generating radio receiver formatted metadata based upon said received audio metadata from the mobile phone;

wherein said accessory provides the radio receiver formatted audio signal and metadata to the audio system such that said audio signal is reproduced by the radio receiver and said metadata is displayed on a display of said radio receiver.

10. The accessory of claim 8 further comprising verification software or hardware that verifies the accessory or mobile phone is authorized.

11. The accessory of claim 8 wherein the wireless digital signal is in a Bluetooth format.

12. The accessory of claim 11 further comprising an FM modulator and FM transmitter for modulating said formatted audio signal and metadata to said radio receiver.

13. The accessory of claim 8 wherein said format conversion and metadata generating software converts said audio signal and metadata into compact disc format.

14. The accessory of claim 8 wherein the radio receiver is a home radio system further comprising a wall plug and a pair of audio outputs for coupling the radio receiver formatted audio signal and metadata to the home radio system.

15. The accessory of claim 12 wherein the radio receiver is a car radio further comprising a housing configured to fit in a 12-volt car outlet and a power supply connection for receiving power from the 12-volt car outlet.

16. A method of transferring audio data and associated audio metadata from a portable electronic device to a radio receiver, said method comprising the steps of:

detecting and receiving a wireless digital signal containing audio data and metadata relating to said audio data from the portable electronic device;

converting the received audio data and audio metadata to a format capable of being received by the radio receiver; and

coupling the converted audio data and metadata to the radio receiver such that an audio output is produced by said radio receiver based upon the audio data and the audio metadata is displayed on a display of the radio receiver.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said wireless digital signal is transmitted in accordance with a Bluetooth protocol.

18. The method of claim 16 further comprising the step of disconnecting an external device from a signal input of the radio receiver and coupling the converted audio and metadata to the signal input when a wireless digital signal from the portable electronic device is detected.

19. The method of claim 16 wherein the portable electronic device is a mobile phone with a Bluetooth transceiver.

20. The method of claim 16 wherein said radio receiver is a car satellite radio receiver.