AUDIO REPRODUCTION APPARATUS COMPRISING PORTABLE DOCKING STATION AND BASE UNIT

摘要

An audio reproduction apparatus comprises a base unit and a separable portable unit, the portable unit comprising a source of battery power, at least one input connector for an external audio source, at least one loudspeaker, at least one electronic interface, and audio circuitry capable of receiving an audio signal via the input connector and presenting audio signals to the at least one loudspeaker and to the at least one electronic interface, the base unit comprising an external power input, at least one further loudspeaker and at least one electronic interface that is mateable with the electronic interface of the portable unit, and being adapted to present an audio signal received via the input connector and the electronic interfaces to the further loudspeaker, the portable unit being operable in a first mode independent of the base unit in which an audio signal from the external audio source is played via the at least one loudspeaker and in a second mode in which an audio signal from the external audio source is played via the at least one loudspeaker and via the at least one further loudspeaker. In this way, the invention provides an apparatus that can have the necessary range of loudspeakers to provide a high quality audio output, but which can be converted to a portable apparatus by taking only the portable unit and accepting the sound quality available from the loudspeaker(s) but not the further loudspeaker(s). The base unit can be adapted to present a power supply to the portable unit via the electronic interface to allow recharging of the source of battery power. The at least one loudspeaker and the at least one further loudspeaker will ideally have different audio properties. Typically, the at least one further loudspeaker will have a lower frequency response than the at least one loudspeaker. Loudspeakers for low frequencies are often more substantial and thus are more suited to the base unit. In such an arrangement, the base unit can include at least one bass reflex air vent. The portable unit and the base unit are preferably physically interconnectable, with the respective electronic interfaces of the base unit and the portable unit being mated by physically interconnecting the units. This allows the portable unit to clip onto or dock with the base unit, thereby being supported.