Remote control interface for replacement vehicle stereos

• US 7,020,289 B1
• Filed: 04/21/2000
• Issued: 03/28/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/17/1998
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: AAMP of America
• Original Assignee: P. B. Clarke & Associates
• Inventors: Riggs, Brett D.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): GRAHAM, ANDREW R
• Application Number:
  US09/552,981
• Time in Patent Office: 2,167 Days
• Field of Search: 381/110, 381/86, 381/302, 369/2, 701/36, 704/275, 710/64, 710/67, 710/72, 710/73
• US Class Current: 381/86
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 19/027 Remotely controlled remote control systems in general G08C
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/202 by remote control

Abstract

An interface device for interconnecting fixed controls of a vehicle to a replacement stereo. The interface device is capable of receiving control signals from fixed controls, such as steering wheel controls, backseat controls, handlebar controls, and the like, and then transmitting corresponding control signals to a replacement stereo. In one embodiment, the output signals from the interface device are comprised of wireless signals, such as IR signals. In another embodiment, the interface device is programmable such that the interface device can be programmed to emit signals corresponding to the same signals that would be emitted from a handheld remote control sold in conjunction with an after-market stereo receiver. In another embodiment, the interface device is capable of recognizing spoken voice commands and generating corresponding IR signals in order to effect control of a replacement stereo.

Claims

1. A voice control interface device adapted to be installed in a vehicle as an aftermarket product hardwire connected to at least one or more local stereo control buttons that receives at least one voice command and at least one command from one or more local stereo control buttons positioned within the vehicle in a first format and produces at least one wireless output signal to a replacement aftermarket stereo receiving lacking voice command capability and installed in the vehicle to replace an originally installed stereo receiver so that either of the at least one voice command or the local stereo control button command can be used to control the operation of the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver, and wherein the one or more local stereo control buttons were originally installed in the vehicle to control the originally installed stereo receiver that was responsive to signals in the first format.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the voice control interface device outputs at least one wireless signal to the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver corresponding to the at least one voice command or the local stereo control button command.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein the voice control interface device receives a first wireless signal from a handheld remote control upon a user depressing a first function key on the handheld remote control to change a first function of the operation of the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver and wherein the voice control interface produces a signal corresponding to the first wireless signal in response to a user speaking a first voice command or input of the one or more local stereo control button commands.

4. The device of claim 3, wherein the voice control interface device includes a memory and is programmable so as to store wireless signals corresponding to the at least one voice command and local stereo control button command such that subsequent speaking of the at least one voice command or input of the one or more local stereo control button commands results in the corresponding wireless signal being sent to the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver.

5. The device of claim 4, wherein the memory is rewritable and the voice control interface device further comprises a switching device to enable the user to selectively reprogram voice commands.

6. The device of claim 5, wherein the voice control interface device includes a wireless receiver and a wireless transmitter so that the voice control interface device can receive the first wireless signal from the handheld remote control and store a corresponding signal in the memory such that the voice control interface device can recall the stored signal and thereby generate a wireless signal corresponding to the first wireless signal so as to change the first function of the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver.

7. The device of claim 6, wherein the voice control interface device is further provided with outputs to control at least one operational aspect of the vehicle.

8. A stereo system for a vehicle comprising:

one or more local stereo control buttons originally mounted in a first location on the vehicle that is adapted to send local control signals in a first format to an original stereo receiver to control the operation of an original stereo receiver,

a replacement aftermarket stereo receiver lacking voice control capability and adapted to replace the original stereo receiver, wherein the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver is mounted in a first location on the vehicle and wherein the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver is adapted to receive wireless remote control signals to control the operation of the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver; and

an aftermarket interface device that is adapted to be positioned within the vehicle connected to the one or more local stereo control buttons so as to be able to receive voice commands and commands from the one or more local stereo control buttons in the first format and, in response to receiving the voice commands or commands in the first format, send output wireless control signals corresponding to the wireless remote control signals so as to control the operation of the replacement stereo such that either the voice commands or the local stereo control button commands can be used to control the replacement stereo via the interface device.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the voice control interface device receives at least one command and outputs at least one wireless signal to the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver corresponding to the at least one command.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the voice control interface device receives a first wireless signal from a handheld remote control upon a user depressing a first function key on the handheld remote control to change a first function of the operation of the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver and wherein the voice control interface produces a signal corresponding to the first wireless signal in response to a user speaking a first voice command or actuating a first local stereo control button.

11. The system of claim 10, wherein the voice control interface device includes a memory and is programmable so as to store wireless signals corresponding to the at least one command such that subsequent occurrence of the at least one command results in a corresponding wireless signal being sent to the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the memory is rewritable and the voice control interface device further comprises a switching device to enable the user to selectively reprogram voice commands.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the voice control interface device includes a wireless receiver and a wireless transmitter so that the voice control interface device can receive the first wireless signal from the handheld remote control and store a corresponding signal in the memory such that the voice control interface device can recall the stored signal and thereby generate a wireless signal corresponding to the first wireless signal so as to change the first function of the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver.

14. The system of claim 9, wherein the voice control interface device is further provided with outputs to control at least one operational aspect of the vehicle.

15. A stereo system for a vehicle comprising:

one or more local stereo control buttons originally mounted in a first location on the vehicle that is adapted to send local control signals in a first format to an original stereo receiver to control the operation of an original stereo receiver,

a replacement aftermarket stereo receiver lacking voice command capability and adapted to replace the original stereo receiver, wherein the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver is mounted in a first location on the vehicle and wherein the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver is responsive to at least one wireless remote control signal such that upon receipt of the at least one wireless remote control signal, the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver alters the operation of the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver; and

an aftermarket interface device, positioned within the vehicle and connected to the one or more local stereo control buttons that is responsive to at least one voice and one local stereo control button command signal from a person in the vehicle, wherein the aftermarket interface device wirelessly transmits a functional equivalent of the at least one wireless remote control signal to the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver upon receiving the at least one command signal.

16. The stereo system of claim 15, wherein the vehicle comprises a motorcycle and the at least one command signal comprises a signal from at least one switch positioned adjacent the handlebars of the motorcycle.

17. The stereo system of claim 15, wherein the interface device is adapted to receive the at least one command signal and is further adapted to produce a wireless signal to the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver corresponding to the at least one command signal.

18. The stereo system of claim 15, wherein the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver is adapted to receive a first wireless signal from a handheld remote control upon a user depressing a first function key on the handheld remote control to change a first function of the operation of the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver and wherein the interface device produces the functional equivalent remote control signal to correspond to the first wireless signal in response to the at least one command signal.

19. The stereo system of claim 18, wherein the interface device includes a memory and is programmable such that the interface device can sequentially store wireless signals corresponding to the at least one remote control signal such that subsequent reception of the command signal results in a corresponding wireless signal being transmitted to the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver.

20. The stereo system of claim 19, wherein the interface device includes a program mode wherein the interface device can be programmed by a programmer.

21. The stereo system of claim 20, wherein the interface device includes a wireless receiver and a wireless transmitter so that the interface device can receive the first wireless signal from the handheld remote control and store a corresponding signal in the memory such that the interface device can recall the stored signal and thereby generate a wireless signal corresponding to the first wireless signal so as to change the first function of the replacement aftermarket stereo receiver.