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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 s

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.

대표청구항 ▼

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] 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) interfac

[ What is claimed is:] [1.] 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.