Apparatus and method for outputting audio signal of laptop computer coupled with docking station

An apparatus for selectively outputting an audio signal to at least one first speaker in a main device and to at least one second speaker in an external device said apparatus comprising:

• first audio circuit means in said main device for processing an audio input to produce a first audio output regardless of whether said main device is coupled to said external device;
• second audio circuit means in said main device for processing said audio input to produce a second audio output only when said main device is not coupled to said external device;
• and
• third audio circuit means in said external device for processing said audio input to produce a third audio output only when said main device is coupled to said external device;
• wherein said main device is a laptop computer and said external device is a docking station.

An apparatus for selectively outputting an audio signal to at least one first speaker in a main device and to at least one second speaker in an external device, said apparatus comprising:

• first audio circuit means in said main device for processing an audio input to produce a first audio output regardless of whether said main device is coupled to said external device;
• second audio circuit means in said main device for processing said audio input to produce a second audio output only when said main device is not coupled to said external device;
• and
• third audio circuit means in said external device for processing said audio input to produce a third audio output only when said main device is coupled to said external device;
• wherein said at least one speaker in said main device and said at least one speaker in said external device are positioned in a common plane when said main device is coupled to said external device;
• and
• wherein said external device further comprises at least one additional speaker positioned in a plane perpendicular to said common plane when said main device is coupled to said external device.

A method for selectively outputting an audio signal to at least one first speaker in a main device and to at least one second speaker in an external device, said method comprising:

• (a) processing an audio input to produce a first audio output regardless of whether said main device is coupled to said external device;
• (b) processing said audio input to produce a second audio output only when said main device is not coupled to said external device;
• and
• (c) processing said audio input to produce a third audio output only when said main device is coupled to said external device;
• wherein step (a) comprises high pass filtering, and steps (b) and (c) comprise low pass filtering;
• said method further comprising the step of mixing said first and second audio outputs to obtain a mixer output for provision to said at least one first speaker.

A method for selectively outputting an audio signal to at least one first speaker in a main device and to at least one second speaker in an external device said method comprising:

• (a) processing an audio input to produce a first audio output regardless of whether said main device is coupled to said external device;
• (b) processing said audio input to produce a second audio output only when said main device is not coupled to said external device;
• and
• (c) processing said audio input to produce a third audio output only when said main device is coupled to said external device;
• wherein said main device is a laptop computer and said external device is a docking station.