Aftermarket head unit interface and protocol converter cartridge
An aftermarket vehicle head unit integration cartridge for use with an aftermarket head unit is provided. The aftermarket head unit preferably includes a dedicated slot for insertion of the cartridge. The cartridge preferably supports communication between a plurality of electronic components in the aftermarket head unit and a plurality of electronic components in the vehicle. The plurality of electronic components in the aftermarket head unit may include, for example, an audio processing system, a video processing system, an analog I/O and/or a digital I/O. and/or a plurality of electronic components. The plurality of electronic components in the vehicle may include an audio system, an analog I/O, a digital I/O/databus, and/or a steering wheel control unit. The cartridge may include a flashable memory for use in reconfiguring the cartridge. The cartridge may be configured to capture and condition the signals from at least one of the plurality of the vehicle-based electronic components. The conditioned signals from the vehicle-based electronic components may be conditioned for use by the aftermarket head unit.
1. A cartridge replaceably installed on an aftermarket component installed in a vehicle, the cartridge comprising:
a circuit board including a processing unit configured to condition a format of an audio signal received by the aftermarket component from an audio system of the vehicle, condition an output level of the audio signal, or both; and
a mechanical locking mechanism configured to lock the cartridge to the aftermarket component of the vehicle.
2. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is configured to fit in a slot of the aftermarket component.
3. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein, when installed on the aftermarket component, a portion of the cartridge is flush with a body of the aftermarket component.
4. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical locking mechanism includes a projection mounted on an exterior surface of the cartridge.
5. The cartridge of claim 4 , wherein the projection is retractable.
6. The cartridge of claim 5 , wherein the projection configured to engage a detent within a body of the aftermarket component.
7. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein a portion of the circuit board is configured to engage a receptable within the aftermarket component.
8. The cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising a connecting pin configured to connect to a contact on the aftermarket component.
9. The cartridge of claim 8 , wherein the contact is positioned within a slot on the aftermarket component.
10. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge is installed on the aftermarket component using one or more rails disposed on the aftermarket component.
11. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the mechanical locking mechanism includes one or more screws.
12. The cartridge of claim 11 , further comprising one or more flaps extending from a side of the cartridge configured to receive the one or more screws.
13. The cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising a memory.
14. The cartridge of claim 13 , wherein the memory includes flashable memory.
15. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is configured to augment functionality provided by the aftermarket component.
16. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the processing unit is configured to wirelessly communicate with a component remote from the vehicle via a wireless communication component.
17. The cartridge of claim 16 , wherein the wireless communication component is included in the cartridge.
18. The cartridge of claim 1 , further comprising an expansion connector including a port for connecting an external device.
19. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the aftermarket component is a head unit.
20. The cartridge of claim 1 , wherein the cartridge includes a port configured to receive signals from a databus of the vehicle.