Vehicle remote control interface for controlling multiple electronic devices
An interface device for interconnecting fixed controls of a vehicle to electronic devices. 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 the electronic devices. In one aspect, the device is programmable such that the interface device emits signals corresponding to the same signals that would be emitted from a handheld remote control sold in conjunction with the different electronic devices. In one embodiment, the device is an interface between the fixed controls and a replacement stereo receiver. In another embodiment, the device is capable of recognizing spoken voice commands and generating corresponding IR signals in order to control the electronic devices. In still another embodiment, the device is an interface between the fixed controls and multiple electronic devices, such as an audio and video component.
1 . An entertainment system for a vehicle, the system comprising:
a first component positioned within the vehicle so as to provide a first plurality of entertainment signals to occupants within the vehicle;
a second component positioned within the vehicle so as to provide a second plurality of entertainment signals to the occupants within the vehicle;
a plurality of occupant activated switches positioned within the vehicle, wherein the occupant activated switches produce control signals in response to occupant activation that control the operation of the first component; and
an interface device positioned within the vehicle that receives the control signals from the plurality of occupant activated switches, wherein the interface device can be activated by an occupant so as to use the control signals produced by the plurality of occupant activated switches to control the operation of the second component in response to the occupant selection of the second component.
2 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first component comprises at least one of an audio component that provides sound signals to occupants within the vehicle and a video component having a display screen so as to provide video signals to the occupants within the vehicle.
3 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the interface device is activated by an occupant depressing a user activated select switch.
4 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of occupant activated switches are located adjacent the steering wheel of the vehicle and are originally electrically connected to a factory-installed stereo component of the vehicle.
5 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the interface device is adapted to produce a plurality of wireless control signals corresponding to the plurality of control signals received from the interface device.
6 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the wireless control signals are infrared (IR) signals.
7 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the wireless control signals are radio frequency (RF) signals.
8 . The system of claim 5 , wherein the interface device includes a wireless receiver and a wireless transmitter so that the interface device receives the first wireless signal from the handheld remote control and stores a corresponding signal in the memory such that the interface device recalls the stored signal and thereby generates a wireless signal corresponding to the control signals.
9 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the interface device includes a first program mode of operation, wherein the interface device is programmed by a programmer activating the first function key on the first handheld remote control.
10 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the interface device includes a second program mode of operation, wherein the interface device is programmed by a programmer activating the second function key on the second handheld remote control.
11 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the first component is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) entertainment component selected from the group consisting of an audio component and a video component.
12 . The system of claim 1 , wherein the second component is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) entertainment component selected from the group consisting of an audio component and a video component.