Vehicle-loaded audio device having a common controller

• US 6,675,232 B1
• Filed: 06/01/1999
• Issued: 01/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/12/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Alpine Electronics Incorporated (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: Alpine Electronics Incorporated (Alps Alpine Co., Ltd.)
• Inventors: Sato, Katsunori, Izumi, Koichi, Ouchida, Kenji
• Primary Examiner(s): Gaffin, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): SORRELL, ERON J
• Application Number:
  US09/323,713
• Time in Patent Office: 1,680 Days
• Field of Search: 710/2, 710/8, 710/317, 361/368, 361/801, 340/425.5, 381/86
• US Class Current: 710/8
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 31/00 Arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus with cameras or projectors G03B31/00 ; recording/reproducing of music for electrophonic musical instruments G10H1/0033; automatic arrangements for answering calls or for recording messages for absent subscribers H04M1/64; telephonic communication systems adapted for combination with dictation recording and playback systems H04M11/10; connection of TV recorder with other related apparatus, e.g. TV camera or receiver, in which the TV signal is significantly involved H04N, e.g. H04N23/00, H04N5/765; combination of radio or TV with other apparatus, e.g. with vehicles H05K11/00
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/12 Disposition of constructional parts in the apparatus, e.g. of power supply, of modules

Abstract

When manufacturing several types of player having different functions, as many components as possible are used in common to all the types of player so that the production cost is reduced. A main control circuit, including a flash ROM, and other common circuits are mounted on a main board. No programs are written in the flash ROM in the state where the player to be produced is not yet specified. In the manufacturing process for one of a cassette tape player, a CD player and an MD player, a corresponding one is selected from among drive mechanisms for those various players, a corresponding one is selected from among front panels, and a program for operating the selected drive mechanism and front panel in an adapted manner is written into the flash ROM. The selected drive mechanism, the selected front panel and the main board are attached to a main chassis. A connector for the drive mechanism and a connector for the front panel, the connectors being both provided on the main board, are connected to respective connection terminals of the drive mechanism and the front panel.

Claims

1. A vehicle-loaded audio device comprising one selected from among drive mechanisms for various players, a front panel having an insertion opening for a medium corresponding to said selected one of the drive mechanisms, a main chassis for supporting said front panel and said drive mechanism, and a main board attached to said main chassis,

said main board including a connector for connecting said main board and said drive mechanism, a writing unit into which a program for operating said selected drive mechanism is written, and a circuit unit common to said various players.

2. A vehicle-loaded audio device according to claim 1, wherein at least one control key for operating said drive mechanism is disposed on said front panel, and said front panel is connected to said main board with a front panel-mated connector provided on said main board.

3. A vehicle-loaded audio device according to claim 1, wherein said drive mechanism is attached to said main chassis through an intermediate bracket.

4. A vehicle-loaded audio device according to claim 1, wherein at least two of said drive mechanisms for the various players are attached to said main chassis at different mount positions, and when the mount position of said selected drive mechanism differs from a preset mount position, said selected drive mechanism is attached to said main chassis through an intermediate bracket.

5. A vehicle-loaded audio device according to claim 1, wherein said drive mechanism is connected to said main board with a connector through a flexible cable.

6. A vehicle-loaded audio device according to claim 1, wherein at least two of said drive mechanisms for the various players are connected to said main board at different positions, and when the connecting position of said selected drive mechanism differs from a preset connector position on said main board, said selected drive mechanism is connected to said main board through a flexible cable.

7. A vehicle-loaded audio device according to claim 1, wherein said writing unit is formed of a flash ROM allowing the program to be written therein at least once.

8. A vehicle-loaded audio device comprising one selected from among drive mechanisms for various players, a front panel having an insertion opening for a medium corresponding to said selected one of the drive mechanisms, a main chassis for supporting said front panel and said drive mechanism, and a main board attached to said main chassis,

said main board including a drive mechanism-mated connector for connecting said main board and said drive mechanism, a front panel-mated connect or for connecting said main board and said front panel, a writing unit into which a program for operating said selected drive mechanism is written, and a circuit unit common to said various players.

9. A vehicle-loaded audio device according to claim 8, wherein at least one control key for operating said drive mechanism is disposed on said front panel.

10. A vehicle-loaded audio device according to claim 8, wherein said drive mechanism is attached to said main chassis through an intermediate bracket.

11. A vehicle-loaded audio device according to claim 8, wherein at least two of said drive mechanisms for the various players are attached to said main chassis at different mount positions, and when the mount position of said selected drive mechanism differs from a preset mount position, said selected drive mechanism is attached to said main chassis through an intermediate bracket.

12. A vehicle-loaded audio device according to claim 8, wherein said drive mechanism is connected to said main board with a connector through a flexible cable.

13. A vehicle-loaded audio device according to claim 8, wherein at least two of said drive mechanisms for the various players are connected to said main board at different positions, and when the connecting position of said selected drive mechanism differs from a preset connector position on said main board, said selected drive mechanism is connected to said main board through a flexible cable.

14. A vehicle-loaded audio device according to claim 8, wherein said writing unit is formed of a flash ROM allowing the program to be written therein at least once.

15. A vehicle-loaded audio device comprising one selected from among drive mechanisms for various players, a front panel having an insertion opening for a medium corresponding to said selected one of the drive mechanisms, a main chassis for supporting said front panel and said drive mechanism, and a main board attached to said main chassis,

said main board including a connector for connecting said main board and said drive mechanism, a writing unit, and a circuit unit common to said various players,

said writing unit storing a predetermined program for operating said selected drive mechanism that is written therein after said drive mechanism has been selected.

16. A vehicle-loaded audio device according to claim 15, wherein said writing unit is formed of a flash ROM allowing the program to be written therein at least once.

17. A method for manufacturing a desired one of a plurality of audio devices having certain common components, comprising:

providing a main chassis that is common to said plurality of audio devices;

providing a main board that is common to said plurality of audio devices, said main board being attachable to said main chassis; and

selecting a drive mechanism for the desired audio device from among the drive mechanisms for said plurality of audio devices, said selected drive mechanism being attachable to said main chassis and electrically connectable to said main board;

wherein said main board includes a writing unit into which a program for operating said selected drive mechanism is written.

18. A method according to claim 17 further comprising:

selecting a front panel for the desired audio device from among the front panels for said plurality of audio devices, said selected front panel having an insertion opening for a medium corresponding to said selected drive mechanism and being electrically connectable to said main board.

19. A method according to claim 17 wherein said selected drive mechanism is attachable to said main chassis through an intermediate bracket.

20. A method according to claim 17 wherein said selected drive mechanism is connectable to said main board through a flexible cable.

21. A method according to claim 17 wherein said writing unit is a flash ROM.