WO2005090126A1

WO2005090126A1 - Audio device interface system

Info

Publication number: WO2005090126A1
Application number: PCT/EP2005/003242
Authority: WO
Inventors: Langdon Hill
Original assignee: Hill Europe Ag
Priority date: 2004-03-23
Filing date: 2005-03-23
Publication date: 2005-09-29

Abstract

The present invention is related to an audio device interface system comprising an input control box (24) provided with at least one audio input socket for attaching an audio device, a relay box (22) connectable to said input control box (24) and a Y-adapter cable (20) connected/connectable to said relay box (22), said Yadapter cable further provided with at least two connectors (1, 2) .

Description

AUDIO DEVICE INTERFACE SYSTEM

Field of the invention [0001] The present invention is related to an audio device interface system for use in automotive applications.

State of the art [0002] Today's consumer market has thousands of different personal audio products. However, there is currently no suitable product that allows these audio products to be attached to the existing automotive audio and CD changer systems. Existing products for this purpose all have compromises in what they offer. Some provide poor sound reproduction, while others are not interchangeable and finally others require the consumer to throw away existing hardware that came with their cars. These designs either do not produce quality sound or they create waist as they are not adaptable to other car models. [0003] The cassette type audio input devices are not attractive as they have wires that hang out from the radio, which presents both an optical and possibly a safety concern. The cassette adapter connects the audio signal via a conductive metal head that has a static physical contact to the radio's internal tape player head from the 3.5mm headphone plug. This connection offers a variable signal quality with marginal quality of signal transmission. The radio must be set to play the cassette tape in order to get audio signal . [0004] A popular connection means of auxiliary audio devices is via a small FM radio transmitter, which is plugged into the headphone jack of an audio player. The FM radio transmitters provide a very weak signal in order that the signal will not interfere with other radios in a close proximity. The signal may also intercept interference from transmission frequencies that may share the same signal that the weak broadcast is using. When driving this is very possible and creates a possible hazard as the driver will be adjusting two devices, being the transmitter and the receiver. In that process he will not be able to have as much attention on driving as may be required. Again this weak signal provides an incomplete reproduction of the music being input into the OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturers) audio system, producing a poor quality sound through the car's audio system. The lower and popular deep bass signals are most often lost as well as the higher frequencies of music. The full audio spectrum new digital players provide is totally lost in the cassette or FM modulated connections.

[0005] Plug in type connector products exist but none of these allows the dual use of both the original automobile's factory CD changer with an auxiliary source. These plug in designs are often limited to the data ready automotive radios and will not operate on an existing analog radio. The plugs in adapter's designs are not universal . They are specific for each car and must be discarded when a vehicle change is made. They cannot be easily switched from one car to another. Eventually car manufacturers will include auxiliary input connections into their factory radios and audio systems, making this technology obsolete. It is further to be noted that such solutions have a closed system architecture as they terminate any other possible connection. [0006] In some prior art solutions a data wire is provided that supplies a signal that is to be recognised as a CD signal when there is no CD signal actively present.

The radio then looks for the data line to accept and play CD tracks . [0007] US patent application US 2003/0215102 discloses an audio device integration system, allowing the integration of e.g. a CD player, a MP3 player or a DAB receiver. Control commands can be issued and responsive data from the audio device can be displayed on the car stereo. One or more auxiliary input sources can be integrated with the car stereo and selected between, using the controls of the car stereo. This approach however does not allow the reuse of the factory CD player. Neither it provides a relay to switch between the factory radio or audio control systems and original factory audio source accessories such as a CD changer or other vehicle original components. Again this product represents a closed architecture and is therefore undesirable.

Aims of the invention [0008] The present invention aims to provide a user- friendly open architecture audio device interface system allowing to attach audio devices to existing car audio components, thereby overcoming the problems of the prior art solutions.

Summary of the invention [0009] The present invention relates to an audio device interface system comprising an input control box provided with at least one audio input socket for attaching an audio device, a relay box connectable to said input control box and a Y-adapter cable having a first connector connectable to said relay box, said Y-adapter cable further being provided with at least a second and a third connector.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment the audio device interface system further comprises a cable connecting the input control box with the relay box. The cable is preferably provided with a plug and socket interface . In an alternative embodiment the connection between the input control box and the relay box is established by using some wireless technology, like e.g. Bluetooth. [0011] The relay box further advantageously comprises at least one USB port and/or at least one RCA connector. [0012] In a preferred embodiment the Y-cable is further provided with an RCA connector. [0013] In an advantageous embodiment the input control box comprises a selector switch arranged for controlling the relay box. The input control box may further comprise a display. [0014] In a specific embodiment the input control box is arranged for communication with a remote control unit . [0015] Optionally the input control box further comprises at least one USB port and/or at least one RCA connector. [0016] In a further embodiment the input control box further comprises holding means for holding the audio device . [0017] The audio device can also be a recording device. The audio device advantageously is a MP3 player, a MP3 recorder or a CD changer device. [0018] In an alternative embodiment the audio device interface system is provided with a plurality of input control boxes . [0019] Optionally the audio device interface system is further arranged for connecting a vehicle telephone kit.

Short description of the drawings [0020] Fig. 1 represents the system according to the invention. [0021] Fig. 2 represents an alternative wherein the factory CD changer cable is used. [0022] Fig. 3A to 3C represent in detail the main components : the ^λY' adapter cable (Fig.3A), the relay box (Fig.3B) and the input control box (Fig.3C). Fig.3C further shows the optional remote control unit. [0023] Fig. 4 represents an alternative ^!Y' adapter cable with an additional RCA connection.

Detailed description of the invention [0024] A device for universal audio source attachment to existing in circuit OEM audio components is disclosed. Today's analog audio components do not have options to add other signals. An attractive input control device with visual feedback provides a connection to one or more after-market audio devices, such as a MP3 player, portable DVD player, portable CD player, cassette player, notebook computer, satellite receiver or similar. It is connected via a standard 3.5mm headphone socket through a switch allowing the user to easily switch between the original CD changer and an external audio device . [0025] The device according to the invention (see Fig.l) comprises a visibly attractive small input control box (24) , which may include a remote control of some configuration, a relay box (22) , optionally a cable (7) to connect the two boxes (24) and (22) and a ^λY' -shaped adapter cable (20) that is configured for specific requirements for the different automobile manufacturer's CD changer plugs and sockets. Both the input control box (24) and the relay box (22) comprise a printed circuit board (5) that possibly includes one or more daughter cards. The ^λY' adapter cable allows to obtain an open system architecture, in that it allows an original factory CD or a factory MP3 player or an additional ^λY' adapter cable be connected to the original factory configuration. This is in contrast with the prior art closed system architectures that do not allow products to be added to the original cable. Fig.2 shows an alternative solution where the factory CD changer cable is used between the ^λY' adapter cable and the CD changer plug.

[0026] The input control box (24) (see also Fig.3C) contains input sockets, including the popular 3.5mm audio stereo jack as well as other possible plug designs. This box also contains a switch (9) that controls the relay box

(22) , thereby switching the input signal from the original equipment manufacturer's factory CD changer to an auxiliary signal that is supplied to the device via a plug (8) (a 3.5mm jack or another audio/data input plug) in the input control box (24) . The input control box (24) may incorporate a mounting feature to hold the auxiliary audio source such as an MP3 player. The holder feature would position the auxiliary audio device in a safe and convenient location in an automobile. The holder may be adjustable, e.g. by using little pads.

[0027] The input control box (24) is connected to the relay box (22) (in detail in Fig.3B) via a cable (7) that may have multiple wires. This cable (7), which should have good shielding properties, may be permanently connected or make its connection with an appropriate plug and socket interface (6 and 11) . Alternatively, a wireless (e.g. Bluetooth) connection between the input control box (24) and the relay box (22) may be provided. The ^λY' adapter cable (20) (see Fig.3A) has at least two dedicated connectors (1,2) for establishing a connection to an audio device or an additional ^λY' adapter cable. These connectors may be connected to a connection at the back of the radio or where the CD changer harness is connected to the radio's harness (see Fig.2) . It is connected to the relay box via (3) and (26) . Fig. 4 shows a configuration of a ^λY' adapter cable additionally comprising a RCA connector. An RCA connector (also known as a phono plug and jack) is a plug and a jack designed for use with coaxial cable for frequencies ranging from the very lowest up to several MHz .

[0028] The relay features of this design may also be utilized to send audio information from the radio to some portable recording equipment. The signal from the radio would then be acquired by having a configured *Y' harness bridge the radio's connection to its speaker harness. In this configuration the radio's signal can be sent both to the speakers and to an output signal jack located on the input control box or boxes (in case more than one input control box is used) or relay box. This would enable the operator to record information that was being played over the radio, such as news, financial or sport event information. In the relay box a switch may be provided that allows the Y-cable to operate without a device (e.g. a CD changer) present. This situation could be dealt with alternatively by providing a plug, possibly embodied in the printed circuit board of the relay box, the plug assuring the connection to the Y-cable that otherwise the CD changer would make . [0029] Any recording device, such as a cassette player or a recording MP3 , can be connected to the input control unit (24) via a socket Aux OUT (see Fig. 3C) . When a record or send button (see Fig.3C) is pressed provided on the input control box (24) or its remote control feature (4) , said recording device would then be capable of recording a signal, the device being switched to a recording mode activated by an audio signal (such as a voice record mode) . [0030] The relay box (22) can be adapted to contain switching features needed for digital as well as for fiber optic information in addition to the analog switching capacities. Variations on the input control box (24) conceivably include more than one input channel, RCA, USB and other cable-plug combinations. These can be selected via an input switch (9) on the input control box (24) that scrolls through the relayed input jack locations connecting through the set of choices available. The selector switch (9) may also have an adjacent display that indicates the input source selected. Each time the selector is pressed a small electric LCD, LED display may read e.g. AUX 1, AUX 2, CD, DVD, MP3 and Sat Radio. There may also be a LED (10) or similar illumination in the same proximity as the selected audio jack or source indicating a visual reference to the relay's switching route selected. [0031] The switching program of the relay could have future features and utilize flash programming as well as direct programming. An example could be that either the relay box (22) or the input control box (24) could be connected to a personal computer by a USB (2220) or similar cable (see Fig.3B, where the relay box is arranged for this purpose) . The connected device (22 or 24) could be configured to the user's specific application. A software program either supplied or available as a download would allow the user to have a visual display of the routing the relay and input control box were desired to have. The same software would also allow the user to define the digital messages displayed in the input control unit's visual feedback. When potentially selecting a source, an audible message indicating a channel selection designation could also be sent over the audio system, in addition to the visual display. Signal volume would include automatic signal volume attenuation when the channels are changed. This would reduce the loud blast of possibly undesired sound. [0032] The input control box (24) may incorporate a wired or IR remote feature (4) (see Fig.3C), placing the controls of the switch box in a more convenient location. The input control unit or its remote control may also have incorporated a mute feature, allowing the music source to temporarily be silenced in the case that a driving situation requires more attention. As phones become more integrated into automotive interior assets, a cellular phone feature may be incorporated into the configuration. The relay box should therefore in a specific embodiment also be arranged for the introduction of mobile vehicle telephone signals, e.g. by allowing to connect a handsfree car kit. The latter feature may alternatively be provided by the input control box. The relays would then for example channel the incoming portion of calls to the automobile's audio system via the input control box. The input control box may further include an ^λ automatic' feature, allowing through pre-configured programming .either by the user or the manufacture, to have an automatic or manual mode button. When in manual mode the user would control each specific relay action, whereas in automatic mode, predetermined - programmed connections are used.

[0033] The switching of car audio signals is not limited to only analog via the 3.5mm plug and relay combination. The switching can be applied to any signal coming from an auxiliary source to the automobile's audio system, as well as the inverse, sending the automobile's audio information to the auxiliary device. Variations also include sending one auxiliary source to another and then to the automobile. For example, one could send in an audio signal to the control box channel A. The device in channel B could be recording the audio signal from channel A while the audio signal is also sent to the automobile's factory audio system.

[0034] The relay based hardware allows existing products to take advantage of the growing market of personal audio products, allow them to be connected and operated in a safe method. It thereby allows consumers to retain all of their automobile's original features and to have a product that can be moved from car to car and produces excellent quality music reproduction. Advantages over other products include the attractive visual control unit, universal installation, control of signal to other devices, functions with analog and digital hardware, sound quality, ease of installation. It further reduces waist as it can be installed on many different cars while retaining the original car's components. It has economical advantages as one does not have to purchase an additional CD changer as the original still functions. It also looks attractive as cables and mounting control box have a clean look and there are no dangling wires.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Audio device interface system comprising an input control box (24) provided with at least one audio input socket for attaching an audio device, a relay box (22) connectable to said input control box (24) and a Y- adapter cable (20) having a first connector (3) connectable to said relay box (22) , said Y-adapter cable further provided with at least a second and a third connector

(1,2) .

2. Audio device interface system as in claim

1, further comprising a cable (7) connecting said input control box (24) with said relay box (22) .

3. Audio device interface system as in claim

2, wherein said cable (7) is provided with a plug and socket interface.

4. Audio device interface system as in claim 1, wherein said relay box (22) is connected to said input control box (24) with a wireless connection.

5. Audio device interface system as in any of claims 1 to 4, wherein said relay box (22) further comprises at least one USB port .

6. Audio device interface system as in any of claims 1 to 5, wherein said relay box (22) further comprises at least one RCA connector.

7. Audio device interface system as in any of the previous claims, wherein said Y-cable (20) is further provided with an RCA connector.

8. Audio device interface system as in any of the previous claims, wherein said input control box (24) comprises a selector switch (9) arranged for controlling said relay box (22) .

9. Audio device interface system as in any of the previous claims, wherein said input control box (24) comprises a display.

10. Audio device interface system as in any of the previous claims, wherein said input control box (24) is arranged for communication with a remote control unit.

11. Audio device interface system as in any of the previous claims, wherein said input control box (24) further comprises at least one USB port.

12. Audio device interface system as in any of the previous claims, wherein said input control box (24) further comprises at least one RCA connector.

13. Audio device interface system as in any of the previous claims, wherein said input control box (24) further comprises a holder for holding said audio device.

14. Audio device interface system as in any of the previous claims, wherein said audio device is a recording device .

15. Audio device interface system as in any of the previous claims, wherein said audio device is a MP3 player, a MP3 recorder, a CD changer device or a satellite radio receiver.

16. Audio device interface system as in any of the previous claims, provided with a plurality of input control boxes (24) .

17. Audio device interface system as in any of the previous claims, provided with a plurality of relay boxes (22) .

18. Audio device interface system as in any of the previous claims, further arranged for connecting a vehicle telephone kit .