US5774793A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
System and method for interfacing diversely controlled devices to a bus connector having a common signal format
Assignee: ORA ELECTRONICS Inc A CORP OF
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Filing: 1994-12-22
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Granted: 1998-06-30
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Expires: 2014-12-22
Abstract
Abstract A system for connecting a plurality of cellular telephones, each responsive to device-specific command signals for its operation, to an automotive electronics and communications system through a bus connector having a known universal signal format, includes a docking station having a cradle member shaped for receiving at least one cellular telephone. An interface unit contains the hardware and firmware drivers necessary for controlling the selected cellular telephone. A user selected cable having a specific signal path configuration selects the needed drivers. A second cable connects the interface unit with the bus connector for communicating signals therebetween.
Inventors
- 👤 Gershon N. Cooper
- 👤 Andrew Holman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 21:53
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04W; H04W88/00; H04W88/02; H04B; H04B1/00; H04B1/38; H04B1/3827; H04B1/3877; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S439/00; Y10S439/955
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 45
Claim 1
Independent Claim
341 words
A system for connecting a plurality of cellular telephones, each responsive to device-specific command signals for its operation, to an automotive electronics and communications system through a bus connector having a known universal signal format, comprising: (a) interface means for processing data transferable over a selected cellular telephone, and operating in accord with an interface data control program, said interface means further having a plurality of hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for controlling the selected cellular telephone, said interface data control program operating in accord with a specific signal path configuration to select a desired one pair of said hardware and firmware drivers, said interface control program further having universal bus connector hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for operating in accord with signals received from the bus connector in the known universal signal format; (b) first external signal path means connecting said interface means with the selected cellular telephone for communicating control signals therebetween for controlling and/or monitoring the operation of the selected cellular telephone, said first external command signal path means further having a selected signal path configuration chosen from a plurality of such configurations, each configuration adapted to select one pair of said hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for controlling the selected cellular telephone to communicate command signals over said first external command signal path means in response to said selected pair of hardware and firmware drivers to permit the control of the selected cellular telephone; (c) second external signal path means connecting said interface means and the bus connector for communicating signals therebetween; (d) means for generating and applying a signal to the bus connector that is useful for controlling other devices connected to the automotive electronics and communications system based upon the status of the selected cellular telephone; and, (e) means for receiving a power signal from the bus connector and applying said power signal to the selected cellular telephone for charging the selected cellular telephone.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
341 words
A system for connecting a plurality of cellular telephones, each responsive to device-specific command signals for its operation, to an automotive electronics and communications system through a bus connector having a known universal signal format, comprising: (a) interface means for processing data transferable over a selected cellular telephone, and operating in accord with an interface data control program, said interface means further having a plurality of hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for controlling the selected cellular telephone, said interface data control program operating in accord with a specific signal path configuration to select a desired one pair of said hardware and firmware drivers, said interface control program further having universal bus connector hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for operating in accord with signals received from the bus connector in the known universal signal format; (b) first external signal path means connecting said interface means with the selected cellular telephone for communicating control signals therebetween for controlling and/or monitoring the operation of the selected cellular telephone, said first external command signal path means further having a selected signal path configuration chosen from a plurality of such configurations, each configuration adapted to select one pair of said hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for controlling the selected cellular telephone to communicate command signals over said first external command signal path means in response to said selected pair of hardware and firmware drivers to permit the control of the selected cellular telephone; (c) second external signal path means connecting said interface means and the bus connector for communicating signals therebetween; (d) means for generating and applying a signal to the bus connector that is useful for controlling other devices connected to the automotive electronics and communications system based upon the status of the selected cellular telephone; and, (e) means for receiving a power signal from the bus connector and applying said power signal to the selected cellular telephone for charging the selected cellular telephone.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
62 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said means for generating and applying a signal to the bus connector that is useful for controlling other devices connected to the automotive electronics and communications system based upon the status of the selected cellular telephone comprises, means for generating a signal useful to mute a radio connected to the automotive electronics and communications system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as in claim 1 further comprising a docking station having means for connecting the selected cellular telephone to an external antenna.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
A system as in claim 3 wherein said docking station has a plurality of cradle members, each being shaped for receiving and releasably retaining at least one of the plurality of cellular telephones therein.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said first external signal path means comprises a cable having on a first end a first connector adapted to mate with an Input/Output port of said interface means and, on a second end, a second connector selected by a user and adapted to mate with the selected cellular telephone.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as in claim 5 wherein said first connector is a multiple pin connector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 6 wherein said multiple pin connector is a 25 pin D-type subminiature connector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
153 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said first external signal path means comprises a multi-line cable means having a first jack means at one end thereof compatible with an Input/Output port of said interface means and a second jack means compatible with the selected cellular telephone at another end thereof for operably connecting said second jack means to the selected cellular telephone; said first and second jack means each connected to the cable lines to provide a configuration at each jack means for providing external signal connection paths as required to operably connect the selected cellular telephone with said interface means to select one pair of said hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for controlling the selected cellular telephone to communicate signals over said cable lines in response to said selected pair of hardware and firmware drivers to permit the control of the selected cellular telephone.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 8 wherein said first and second jack means are multiple pin connectors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as in claim 9 wherein at least one of said multiple pin connectors is a 25 pin D-type subminiature connector.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said interface means further includes memory means and said firmware drivers are retained in said memory means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said memory means are non-volatile memory means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
76 words
A system as in claim 1 wherein said means for generating and applying a signal to the bus connector that is useful for controlling other devices connected to the automotive electronics and communications system based upon the status of the selected cellular telephone comprises, means, connected to the cellular telephone and to the bus connector, for generating a signal useful for passing the audio output of the cellular telephone to the automotive electronics and communications system.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
30 words
A system as in claim 1 further including means, remote from but connected to said interface means through the bus connector, for generating a signal to control the cellular telephone.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
40 words
A system as in claim 14 wherein said means for generating a signal to control the cellular telephone further comprises: speech recognition circuit means for generating an electrical signal representative of a user spoken command for controlling the cellular telephone.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A system as in claim 14 wherein said means for generating a signal to control the cellular telephone further comprises: speech generation circuit means for generating an audio speech signal representative of said electrical signal generated to control the cellular telephone.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
29 words
A system as in claim 1 further including means, connected to the cellular telephone, for displaying the status and the display information of the cellular telephone to a user.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as in claim 1 further including: a docking station having a cradle member shaped for receiving and releasably retaining at least one of the plurality of cellular telephones therein.
Claim 20
Independent Claim
338 words
A system for connecting a plurality of cellular telephones, each responsive to device-specific command signals for its operation, to an automotive electronics and communications system through a bus connector having a known universal signal format, comprising: (a) interface means for processing data transferable over a selected cellular telephone and operating in accord with an interface data control program, said interface means further having a plurality of hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for controlling the selected cellular telephone, said interface data control program operating in accord with a specific signal path configuration to select a desired one pair of said hardware and firmware drivers, said interface control program further having universal bus connector hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for operating in accord with signals received from the bus connector in the known universal signal format said interface means further comprises means for generating and applying a signal to the bus connector that is useful for controlling other devices connected to the automotive electronics and communications system based upon the status of the selected cellular telephone that further includes means for generating a signal useful to mute a radio connected to the automotive electronics and communications system; (b) first external signal path means connecting said interface means with the selected cellular telephone for communicating control signals therebetween for controlling and/or monitoring the operation of the selected cellular telephone, said first external command signal path means further having a selected signal path configuration chosen from a plurality of such configurations, each configuration adapted to select one pair of said hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for controlling the selected cellular telephone to communicate command signals over said first external command signal path means in response to said selected pair of hardware and firmware drivers to permit eh control of the selected cellular telephone; (c) second external signal path means connecting said interface means and the bus connector for communicating signals therebetween.
Claim 21
Independent Claim
338 words
A system for connecting a plurality of cellular telephones, each responsive to device-specific command signals for its operation, to an automotive electronics and communications system through a bus connector having a known universal signal format, comprising: (a) interface means for processing data transferable over a selected cellular telephone and operating in accord with an interface data control program, said interface means further having a plurality of hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for controlling the selected cellular telephone, said interface data control program operating in accord with a specific signal path configuration to select a desired one pair of said hardware and firmware drivers, said interface control program further having universal bus connector hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for operating in accord with signals received from the bus connector in the known universal signal format said interface means further comprises means for generating and applying a signal to the bus connector that is useful for controlling other devices connected to the automotive electronics and communications system based upon the status of the selected cellular telephone that further includes means for generating a signal useful to mute a radio connected to the automotive electronics and communications system; (b) first external signal path means connecting said interface means with the selected cellular telephone for communicating control signals therebetween for controlling and/or monitoring the operation of the selected cellular telephone, said first external command signal path means further having a selected signal path configuration chosen from a plurality of such configurations, each configuration adapted to select one pair of said hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for controlling the selected cellular telephone to communicate command signals over said first external command signal path means in response to said selected pair of hardware and firmware drivers to permit eh control of the selected cellular telephone; (c) second external signal path means connecting said interface means and the bus connector for communicating signals therebetween.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
A system as in claim 19 further including: a docking station having a cradle member shaped for receiving and releasably retaining at least one of the plurality of cellular telephones therein.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
38 words
A system as in claim 19 wherein said interface means further comprises: means for receiving a power signal from the bus connector and applying said power signal to the selected cellular telephone for charging the selected cellular telephone.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
23 words
A system as in claim 19 further comprising a docking station having means for connecting the selected cellular telephone to an external antenna.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
56 words
A system as in claim 19 wherein said first external signal path means comprises a cable having on a first end a first connector adapted to mate with an Input/Output port of said interface means and, on a second end, a second connector selected by a user and adapted to mate with the selected cellular telephone.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as in claim 23 wherein said first connector is a multiple pin connector.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 24 wherein said multiple pin connector is a 25 pin D-type subminiature connector.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
153 words
A system as in claim 19 wherein said first external signal path means comprises a multi-line cable means having a first jack means at one end thereof compatible with an Input/Output port of said interface means and a second jack means compatible with the selected cellular telephone at another end thereof for operably connecting said second jack means to the selected cellular telephone; said first and second jack means each connected to the cable lines to provide a configuration at each jack means for providing external signal connection paths as required to operably connect the selected cellular telephone with said interface means to select one pair of said hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for controlling the selected cellular telephone to communicate signals over said cable lines in response to said selected pair of hardware and firmware drivers to permit the control of the selected cellular telephone.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 26 wherein said first and second jack means are multiple pin connectors.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as in claim 27 wherein at least one of said multiple pin connectors is a 25 pin D-type subminiature connector.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as in claim 19 wherein said interface means further includes memory means and said firmware drivers are retained in said memory means.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 19 wherein said memory means are non-volatile memory means.
Claim 33
Independent Claim
354 words
A system for connecting a plurality of telephone network access devices, each responsive to device-specific command signals for its opeation, to an automotive electronics and communications system through a bus connector having a known universal signal format, comprising: (a) interface means for processing data transferable over a selected telephone network access device, and operating in accord with an interface data control program, said interface means further having a plurality of hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for controlling the selected telephone network access device, said interface data control program operating in accord with a specific signal path configuration to select a desired one pair of said hardware and firmware drivers, said interface control program further having universal bus connector hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for operating in accord with signals received from the bus connector in the known universal signal format said interface means further comprises means for genrating and applying a signal to the bus connector that is useful for controlling other devices connected to the automotive electronics and communications system based upon the status of the selected telephone network access device and further includes means for generating a signal useful to mute a radio connected to the automotive electronics and communications system; (b) first external signal path means connecting said interface means with the selected telephone network access device for communicating control signals therebetween for controlling and/or monitoring the operation of the selected telephone network access device, said first external command signal path means further having a selected signal path configuration chosen from a plurality of such configurations, each configuration adapted to select one pair of said hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for controlling the selected telephone network access device to communicate command signals over said first external command signal path means in response to said selected pair of hardware and firmware drivers to permit the control of the selected telephone network access device; (c) second external signal path means connecting said interface means and the bus connector for communicating signals therebetween.
Claim 34
Independent Claim
354 words
A system for connecting a plurality of telephone network access devices, each responsive to device-specific command signals for its opeation, to an automotive electronics and communications system through a bus connector having a known universal signal format, comprising: (a) interface means for processing data transferable over a selected telephone network access device, and operating in accord with an interface data control program, said interface means further having a plurality of hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for controlling the selected telephone network access device, said interface data control program operating in accord with a specific signal path configuration to select a desired one pair of said hardware and firmware drivers, said interface control program further having universal bus connector hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for operating in accord with signals received from the bus connector in the known universal signal format said interface means further comprises means for genrating and applying a signal to the bus connector that is useful for controlling other devices connected to the automotive electronics and communications system based upon the status of the selected telephone network access device and further includes means for generating a signal useful to mute a radio connected to the automotive electronics and communications system; (b) first external signal path means connecting said interface means with the selected telephone network access device for communicating control signals therebetween for controlling and/or monitoring the operation of the selected telephone network access device, said first external command signal path means further having a selected signal path configuration chosen from a plurality of such configurations, each configuration adapted to select one pair of said hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for controlling the selected telephone network access device to communicate command signals over said first external command signal path means in response to said selected pair of hardware and firmware drivers to permit the control of the selected telephone network access device; (c) second external signal path means connecting said interface means and the bus connector for communicating signals therebetween.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
A system as in claim 31 further including: a docking station having a cradle member shaped for receiving and releasably retaining at least one of the plurality of telephone network access devices therein.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
42 words
A system as in claim 31 wherein said interface means further comprises: means for receiving a power signal from the bus connector and applying said power signal to the selected telephone network access device for charging the selected telephone network access device.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
25 words
A system as in claim 31 wherein said docking station further comprises means for connecting the selected telephone network access device to an external antenna.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
58 words
A system as in claim 31 wherein said first external signal path means comprises a cable having on a first end a first connector adapted to mate with an Input/Output port of said interface means and, on a second end, a second connector selected by a user and adapted to mate with the selected telephone network access device.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
15 words
A system as in claim 35 wherein said first connector is a multiple pin connector.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as in claim 36 wherein said multiple pin connector is a 25 pin D-type subminiature connector.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
163 words
A system as in claim 31 wherein said first external signal path means comprises a multi-line cable means having a first jack means at one end thereof compatible with an Input/Output port of said interface means and a second jack means compatible with the selected telephone network access device at another end thereof for operably connecting said second jack means to the selected telephone network access device; said first and second jack means each connected to the cable lines to provide a configuration at each jack means for providing external signal connection paths as required to operably connect the selected telephone network access device with said interface means to select one pair of said hardware and firmware drivers having, respectively, the operating circuitry and commands necessary for controlling the selected telephone network access device to communicate signals over said cable lines in response to said selected pair of hardware and firmware drivers to permit the control of the selected telephone network access device.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as in claim 38 wherein said first and second jack means are multiple pin connectors.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as in claim 39 wherein at least one of said multiple pin connectors is a 25 pin D-type subminiature connector.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
24 words
A system as in claim 31 wherein said interface means further includes memory means and said firmware drivers are retained in said memory means.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
A system as in claim 31 wherein said memory means are non-volatile memory means.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2001-06-29 | 2001-12-29 | 2002-06-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2005-06-29 | 2005-12-29 | 2006-06-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2009-06-29 | 2009-12-29 | 2010-06-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |