Removable front panel for an entertainment device
First Claim
1. An automobile entertainment device comprising:
- (a) a main processing station- for receiving control parameters and for playing entertainment content to provide an output signal to an output terminal thereof; and
(b) a front panel removably connected to the main processing station for providing control parameters to the main processing station, the front panel including a panel memory for storing the entertainment content, whereby the entertainment content of the panel memory is provided to the main processing station for output.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
An entertainment device is provided. The entertainment device includes a main processing station which provides an output signal. The main processing station includes a control interface. A front panel is removably connected to the control interface. The front panel includes a memory for storing multimedia content. The front panel provides control parameters to the main processing station. The content of the memory is provided to the main audio processing station for output. In addition, the front panel processes and presents the stored multimedia content as a portable device. Both control parameters and multimedia (e.g. audio or video) information may be exchanged between the front panel and the main processing station. The front panel also includes a telecommunications device and an alarm transponder.
111 Citations
28 Claims
-
1. An automobile entertainment device comprising:
-
(a) a main processing station- for receiving control parameters and for playing entertainment content to provide an output signal to an output terminal thereof; and
(b) a front panel removably connected to the main processing station for providing control parameters to the main processing station, the front panel including a panel memory for storing the entertainment content, whereby the entertainment content of the panel memory is provided to the main processing station for output. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
-
-
11. A removable front panel for controlling the operation of an automobile sound system, the automobile sound system including a main memory, the front panel comprising:
-
(a) a panel memory for storing audio content;
(b) an audio processor operably linked to the memory;
(c) a control interface for providing control parameters to the audio processor and the automobile sound system; and
(d) a content interface for transferring audio content between the panel memory and the main memory. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
an independent power source for powering the front panel.
-
-
15. The front panel of claim 14, further comprising:
a sound device interface for operably linking a sound producing device.
-
16. The front panel of claim 14, wherein the panel memory is configured for secured storage.
-
17. The front panel of claim 16, wherein panel memory implements an algorithm for content protected secured media (CPRM) to provide secure storage of the audio content.
-
18. A removable front panel for controlling the operation of an automobile sound system, the automobile sound system including a main memory, the front panel comprising:
-
(a) audio processing means for coding and decoding audio content;
(b) panel memory means for providing stored audio content to the audio processing means;
(c) communication means for contacting a remotely located party;
(d) control means for providing control parameters to the audio processing means for operating the communication means; and
(e) interface means for linking the front panel to an automobile radio and providing control parameters to the automobile radio, whereby, the audio content of the panel memory is provided to the automobile radio for output and/or storage in the main memory. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
an input means for accepting data to be communicated by the communication means.
-
-
20. The front panel of claim 19, wherein the input means includes an alpha-numeric keypad.
-
21. The front panel of claim 20, wherein the input means includes a microphone.
-
22. The front panel of claim 21, further comprising:
output means for providing data transmitted to the communication means from the remote location.
-
23. The front panel of claim 22, wherein the output means includes and LCD display.
-
24. The front panel of claim 22, wherein the output means includes a sound producing device.
-
25. The front panel of claim 19, wherein the communication means is a cellular communications transceiver.
-
26. The front panel of claim 19, further comprising:
global positioning means responsive to global positioning signals for indicating the geographic location of the front panel via the LCD display.
-
27. The front panel of claim 18, further comprising:
a transponder for communicating with an automobile car alarm.
-
28. The front panel of claim 27, wherein the transponder provides an audible signal upon detection of a signal from the automobile car alarm.
Specification