Selectable Audio Device for Docking Station

Abstract

Disclosed is a system for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device including a docking station, a first plug on the docking station positioned to interface with a first port on the electronic device, a second plug on the docking station positioned to interface with a second port on the electronic device, a first audio device in the docking station, a second audio device in the docking station, and a selector to selectively enable one of the first audio device and second audio device.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A system for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device, the system comprising:
 a docking station;   a first plug on the docking station positioned to interface with a first port on the electronic device;   a second plug on the docking station positioned to interface with a second port on the electronic device;   a first audio device in the docking station;   a second audio device in the docking station; and   a selector to selectively enable one of the first audio device and second audio device.   
     
     
         2 . The docking station of  claim 1  wherein the first audio device is connected via a universal serial bus interface and the second audio device is connected via PCI interface. 
     
     
         3 . The docking station of  claim 1  wherein a first audio output signal of the first audio device is connected to a 3.5 mm headphone port on the docking station and wherein a second audio output signal of the second audio device is connected to a mini DisplayPort style port of the docking station. 
     
     
         4 . The docking station of  claim 1  wherein the selector is a software application on the electronic device. 
     
     
         5 . The docking station of  claim 1  further comprising
 a third audio device in the electronic device; and 
 wherein the selector can further selectively enable the third audio device. 
 
     
     
         6 . A system for attaching a plurality of external connectors to an electronic device, the system comprising:
 an electronic device comprising:
 an audio device; 
 an internal speaker; 
 an analog audio port; 
 a plurality of other ports; 
 wherein the electronic device configured to receive an analog audio plug and, upon insertion of the analog audio plug, reroute an audio output signal of the first audio device from the internal speaker to the analog audio port; 
   a docking station for interfacing with the electronic device;
 a plug on the docking station positioned to interface with one of the plurality of other ports on the electronic device; 
 a second audio device in the docking station; and 
 a selector to selectively enable one of the first audio device and second audio device. 
   
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 6  wherein the docking station is not connected to the analog audio port of the electronic device. 
     
     
         8 . The docking station of  claim 6  wherein the selector is a software application on the electronic device. 
     
     
         9 . The docking station of  claim 6  further comprising
 a third audio device in the docking station; and 
 wherein the selector can further selectively enable the third audio device. 
 
     
     
         10 . A system for reproducing an audio signal generated by an electronic device, the electronic device having an analog audio port and a plurality of other ports, the system comprising:
 a docking station;   a plug on the docking station positioned to interface with one of the plurality of other ports on the electronic device;   a first audio device in the docking station;   a second audio device in the docking station; and   a selector to selectively enable one of the first audio device and second audio device.   
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the docking station is not connected to the analog audio port of the electronic device. 
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 10  wherein the selector is a software application on the electronic device. 
     
     
         13 . The system of  claim 10  further comprising
 a third audio device in the electronic device; and 
 wherein the selector can further selectively enable the third audio device.