Patent ID: 8014540

Claim:
An aftermarket stereo control interface device adapted to be installed in a vehicle and to facilitate communication between a local stereo control configured to produce signals in a first format and a stereo receiver configured to receive signals in a second format, the aftermarket stereo control interface device comprising: a receiver adapted to receive at least one input signal, the at least one input signal compnsing a control signal in the first lormat configured to control the stereo receiver; a transmitter adapted to produce and broadcast to the stereo receiver an output signal in the second format, the output signal being based on the input signal; and a memory; wherein: the local stereo control is mounted in the vehicle at a location remote from the stereo receiver; the aftermarket stereo control interface device translates signals in the first format to signals in the second format so that the local stereo control can be operated to control the operation of the stereo receiver via the aftermarket stereo control interlace, and the aftermareat stereo control interlace is programmable to store in the memory output signals corresponding to the local stereo control such that subsequent activation of the local stereo control results in the aftermarket stereo control interface recalling from the memory at least one output signal corresponding to the local stereo control and wherein the stereo receiver is an after-market stereo receiver and wherein the aftermarket stereo control interface is programmable so that the interface can be adapted for use with a plurality of different types of aftermarket stereo receivers.