Multimedia Device Integration System

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.

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 . 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.   
   
   
       3 . 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.