GB2508331A

GB2508331A - Docking station with rotating connector for media player

Info

Publication number: GB2508331A
Application number: GB1217706.9A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas O'brian; Douglas James Standen; Morten Villiers Warren
Original assignee: B&W Group Ltd
Current assignee: Bowers and Wilkins Group Ltd
Priority date: 2012-10-03
Filing date: 2012-10-03
Publication date: 2014-06-04
Anticipated expiration: 2032-10-03
Also published as: GB2508331B; GB201217706D0

Abstract

Disclosed is an audio reproduction system 2 a docking station 4 with a connector 14 that can move when a portable media player 6 is connected to the connector. The docking station has a support structure, eg recess 16 and the adjoining upper surface 18, positioned proximate to the connector such that movement of the connector brings the portable media player into contact with a portion, eg edge 17, of the support structure. The connector may rotate and may be resiliently biased, eg by a spring, for movement towards the support structure. Also disclosed are methods of connecting and disconnecting a media player to the docking station.

Description

Docking Station

Technical Field

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for docking a portable media player in a docking station.

Background of the Invention

Docking stations for reproducing audio files stored on a portable media player are well known. Typically a docking station has a fixed connector for operably connecting the portable media player to the speakers contained within the docking station, for example via an amplifier and/or digital signal processing unit. Such connectors have become increasingly standardised in recent years allowing a variety of portable media players to be used with the same docking station. The connector often serves as the only means of supporting and holding the portable media player in position.

Many portable media players require a user to exert a force on the player in order to control its operation (for example by pressing a button or interacting with a touch-screen interface) . This force may cause the portable media player to move relative to the connector and/or to exert an undesirable load on the connector. Excessive movement or loading of the portable media player relative to the connector may result in damage to either the player or the connector.

This can be avoided either by (i) the user supporting the portable media player with one hand while controlling the device with the other or (ii) providing a supporting structure to constrain movement of the player once docked. The latter option would be preferred as users would find employing both hands to operate the portable media player cumbersome.

However, providing a support structure capable of constraining movement of the portable media player limits the dimensions of the portable media player that may be used in such a docking station and could result in only a single design of portable media player being able to be accommodated. As many consumers own a variety of portable media players it is desirable to provide a docking station with a connector and support structure which can accommodate a variety of portable media players having differing dimensions.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided an audio reproduction system comprising a docking station including a connector mounted for movement in a first direction and a portable media player connected to the connector, wherein the docking station further includes a support structure positioned proximate to the connector such that movement of the connector in the first direction brings the portable media player into contact with a portion of the support structure.

By providing a movable connector that acts to bring the portable media player into contact with the supporting structure, embodiments of the present invention prevent excessive movement of the player (for example, during use, when docked) and/or aid support of the portable media player, whilst allowing a single docking station to accommodate a variety of differently dimensioned portable media players.

The audio reproduction system, of the first aspect of the invention, comprises a docking station and a portable media player. Portable media players are devices capable of storing and reproducing audio files, particularly digital audio files, such as the MP3 and F4P4 formats. A portable media player may be in the form of a dedicated audio device. The term "portable media player" may also refer to devices such as smart phones or tablet computers which may have other functions beyond those expected of a dedicated audio device.

The invention has particular application in relation to the iPod series of portable media players manufactured by apple, Inc., and also the iPhoneTM mobile phone devices.

The docking station includes a connector and a support structure. The docking station may include a main body on which the connector is mounted. The docking station may include speakers for producing sound. The speakers may be mounted on the main body. The speakers may be mounted on the front of the main body. Speakers, if provided, may alternatively be considered as part of the audio reproduction system.

The connector advantageously operably connects the portable media player to the docking station such that audio files stored on the portable media player may be reproduced by the docking station.

The connector is conveniently a multi-pin connector. For example, the connector may have multiple parallel conducting paths that interface with separate parallel conducting paths of the corresponding connector of the portable media device.

There are preferably S or more pins in the connector. The connector may be a 30-pin connector. The connector may be an 8-pin connector. The connector may comprise an integrated connector member (one that is clearly an integral part of the docking station, and not designed for ready removal by the user) and a removable and/or interchangeable adaptor. The audio reproduction system may be provided with a plurality of such adaptors to allow different types of portable media devices to be attached to the docking station.

The connector may include a path for the transmission of power between the docking station and the pcrtable media player. The connectcr may include cne or mcre paths for the transmission of audio signals between the portable media player and the docking station. The connector may include a first path for the transmission of audio signals in a first format. The connector may include a second path for the transmission of audio signals in a second format (different to the first format) . The connector may include one or more paths for the transmission of data signals between the portable media player and the docking station. The connector may include a path for the transmission of control signals between the docking station and the portable media player. The connector may include at least one path dedicated for input to the audio reproduction system. The connector may include at least one path dedicated for output from the audio reproduction system.

The portable media player will typically have a front surface and a rear surface. The front surface of the portable media player may be generally planar in shape. The front surface of the portable media player may contain a display.

The front surface of the portable media player may contain a user interface. For example the user interface may be a touch-screen. The rear surface of the portable media player may be on the opposite side of the player to the front surface, for example being generally planar and substantially parallel to the front surface. rchefl connected to the connector the front of the portable media player may face in the same direction as the front of the main body of the docking station. The portable media player may have one or more dimensions, including for example, a length, a width and a thickness. The portable media player may have a shape that is generally cuboidal, with a rectangular front face and a thickness that is significantly less than the length and width of the front face. The width of the portable media player may be less than 100 mm. When connected to the connector, the width of the portable media player may be generally horizontal. The length of the portable media player may be less than 150 mm. The thickness of the portable media player may be less than 20 mm. The weight of the portable media player may be less than 200 grams.

When viewed in plan the docking station may be generally oblong in shape, for example having a footprint that is generally elliptical. The footprint may be generally rectangular, for example with rounded corners. The longer dimension of the footprint may be about 500mm or less. The shorter dimension of the footprint may be greater than 50mm.

The shorter dimension of the footprint may be less than 250mm.

The height of the audio reproduction system may be about 300mm or less. The height of the audio reproduction system (without any player docked) may vary. The height of the main body of the audio reproduction system at its greatest may be between 100mm and 250mm.

The connector is mounted for movement in at least the first direction. The audio reproduction system is advantageously arranged such that the portable media player, when connected to the connector, moves with the connector.

For example, the portable media player may move in the first direction when the connector moves in the first direction.

The connector may be mounted for movement in the first direction from a first position towards a second position. The connector may have a range of motion between the first position and the second position. The first position may be defined as a position which the connector assumes when the user attaches the portable media player to the connector. The complete range of motion of the connector may extend beyond the first position. The first position may be defined as the position in which the connector is furthest from the support structure. The first position may be defined as the position in which the distal end of the connector is furthest from the support structure. The second position may be defined as the position in which the connector is closest to the support structure. The second position may be defined as the position in which the distal end of the connector is closest to the support structure. The first position may be defined as the position in which the connector is closest to the front of the docking station. The first position may be defined as the position in which the distal end of the connector is closest to the front of the docking station. The second position may be defined as the position in which the connector is closest to the rear of the docking station. The second position may be defined as the position in which the distal end of the connector is closest to the rear of the docking station. The distal end of the connector when the connector is in the second position may be closer to the support structure than when the connector is in the first position. The connector may not reach the second position before the portable media player connected to the connector contacts a portion of the support structure. It will be understood that the definitions of the first and second positions that refer to being closest or furthest to a particular thing should be interpreted in the context of the permissible movement of the connector during normal use. One or more stop mechanisms may define the extreme positions of movement of the connector during normal use.

The connector may be mounted for movement in a second direction. The second direction may be opposite to the first direction. The connector may move in the second direction during connection of the portable media player.

Movement of the connector in the first direction may bring the rear surface of the portable media player into contact with a portion of the support structure. The distance moved by the connector in the first direction may be determined by the dimensions of the portable media player connected to the connector. The point of contact between the portable media player and the support structure may be less than halfway along the length of the portable media player from the point of connection to the connector. For example, the point of contact between the portable media player and the support structure may be less than 50 mm from the point of connection to the connector. There may be a portion of the portable media player that is between (a) the point of contact between the portable media player and the support structure and (b) the point of connection to the connector, wherein the portion is not in contact either with the support structure or the connector. Such an unsupported portion may separate (a) the point of contact between the portable media player and the support structure and (b) the point of connection to the connector by at least 10mm. The point of connection to the connector may be taken as a point that is on the intersection between the notional envelope of the portable media player and the notional envelope of the connector -i.e. typically a point in the region of the opening of a socket on the player provided for insertion of the connector. If there is a line of contact then the point of contact may be taken to be the centre of the line of contact. If there is an area of contact then the point of contact may be taken to be the centre of the area of contact.

The portable media player may be inclined relative to the vertical axis of the docking station when the rear surface of the player contacts the support structure. This improves the visibility of the screen of the player to the user. This is particularly advantageous for touch screen portable media players which require good visibility of the screen for effective operation.

The connector may be mounted for rotational movement.

Mounting the connectcr for rotational movement allows the connector to be located close to the support structure thereby reducing the surface area of the docking station occupied by the connector assembly. The range of angular rotation between the first position and the second position may be not more than 45 degrees. The range of angular rotation between the first position and the second position may be not more than 30 degrees. The range of angular rotation between the first position and the second position may greater than 10 degrees.

For example, in the first position the connector may be substantially vertical. In the first position the connector may be substantially vertical or inclined to the vertical by no more than about 5 degrees. In the second position the oonnector is preferably inclined at an angle to the vertical, for example by an angle of at least 5 degrees, and more preferably at least 15 degrees.

Alternatively the conneotor may be mounted for translational movement. For example, the first direction may be in a direction that translates the portable media player in a generally backwards direction (relative to the direction in which the front of the portable media player faces) . The first direction is, in such a case, preferably at an angle of between 5 and 45 degrees to the direction in which the rear of the portable media player faces (or, at an angle of between and 175 degrees to the direction in which the front of the portable media player faces) The connector may be resiliently biased in the first direction. Resiliently biasing the connector to move in the first direction allows the portable media player to be brought into contact with the support structure, with little or no intervention from the user. The connector may continue to move in the first direction until the reaction force produced by the supporting structure on the portable media player is equal to the biasing force acting on the connector. The connector may be resiliently biased towards the second position. The connector may be resiliently biased away from the first position. Alternatively, or additionally, the connector may be biased for movement away from an intermediate position located between the first and second positions. For example, the bias may act to move the connector towards either the first or second positions and away from an intermediate position. The second position may be defined as the position occupied by the connection as a result of the bias. The connector may be in the second position when the portable media player is not connected. The connector may move from the second position to the first position during connection of the portable media player.

The connector may be resiliently biased by a spring. For example the connector may be resiliently biased by a torsion spring. The connector may be resiliently biased by an over-centre spring.

The shape of the docking station will typically be defined by one or more surfaces, typically rigid/solid surfaces. The audio reproduction system may include a housing.

The housing may for example accommodate one or more of a battery compartment, one or more loudspeaker drive units, an amplifier, an electronic control unit, and a power transformer. The housing may be considered as forming, at least in part, a portion of the docking station. The support structure may be formed by a surface. Such a surface may be one which defines, at least partly, the housing. Using such a surface to define the support structure reduces the number of -10 -components required by the docking station and thereby simplifies manufacture. The support structure may be formed by a recess in such a surface, for example a recess in the housing. Using a recess to form the support structure may allow for a design perceived as more attractive and/or elegant by a user. The support structure may be defined by a protrusion defined by a surface. The support structure may be defined by an edge defined by the surface. The edge may have a generally concave shape. The support structure may project away from a surface of the docking station. The support structure may be in the form of one or more components separate from the main body of the docking station.

The connector may be mounted within a recess, for example a recess in the form as described above. The recess may be located in the top surface of the docking station. The recess when viewed from above may be in the shape of a polygon.

Alternatively, the recess when viewed from above may have curved sides. The recess when viewed from above may have a shape that is substantially oval, for example in the form of an ellipse. A portion of the portable media player may be accommodated in the recess when the portable media player is connected to the connector.

The support structure may include a generally concave curved surface, for example defining an edge arranged for supporting the portable media player. The edge that defines the support structure may be gently curving without any abrupt changes in curvature. Alternatively, the edge that defines the support structure may include one or more abrupt changes in curvature, for example to suggest the compatibility of the docking station with two or more differently dimensioned devices. The curved surface of the support structure (and/or of the recess) may be such that a wider portable media player requires less movement in the first direction to bring it into -11 -contact with the support structure than a narrower portable media player. The width of the reoess (the dimension of the reoess that is parallel to the width of the portable media player) may be greater than 50mm. The width of the recess may be less than 150mm. The horizontal depth of the recess (the dimension of the recess that is perpendicular to the width of the portable media player and parallel to the width of the portable media player) may be greater than 20mm. The horizontal depth of the reoess may be less than 75mm.

As mentioned above, the audio reproduction system may include a housing. Such a housing may have an upper surface.

The connector may be positioned nearer to the upper surface than to the lower surface. The upper surface may be positioned above the connector. The upper surface may be generally flat and horizontal (it being understood that this does not preclude the upper surface having a slope or slightly curved surface) . The docking station may include a wall that extends, upwards, from a position that is substantially level in the vertical direction with the connector. The docking station may be arranged such that the wall of the docking station and the upper surface of the housing meet at an edge, which may be an edge which defines the portion of the support structure with which the portable media player is brought into contact. Such an edge may be 10 mm or more vertically above the base of the connector. Such an edge may be 50 mm or less vertically above the base of the connector. The edge which defines the portion of the support structure with which the portable media player is brought into contact may form part of a longer edge, for example one that defines the boundary of a recess. The longer edge may have a height (in the vertical direction) that varies along its length.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of docking a portable media player in a -12 -docking station. The method may comprise a step of providing a docking station as described and claimed herein in relation to the first aspect of the invention. The method may comprise a step of providing a docking station with a connector and a support surface. The method may comprise a step of connecting the portable media player to the connector. The connector may be mounted on the docking station. The method may comprise a step of effecting relative movement in a first direction (for example, along a predetermined path) between, on the one hand, (a) the connector and the connected portable media player and, on the other hand, (b) the support surface. Such movement may result in the portable media player then being supported and held in position by a combination of the connector and the support surface. The relative movement may be in a direction that is substantially transverse to the plane of the display screen and/or front surface of the device.

During the relative movement, the support surface may remain stationary relative to the docking station. For example, the movement may be effected by moving the connector in a first direction until the portable media player is in contact with the support structure.

The method may be performed such that the connector supports and holds the portable media player at a first location in the region of the bottom of the portable media player. The support surface may contact and support the portable media player on a back surface thereof at a second location spaced apart from the bottom of the portable media player. The method may be performed such that there is no contact between the portable media player and the docking station between the first and second locations.

When the portable media player is supported and held in position by the connector and the support surface, the portable media player may remain unsupported by the docking -13 -station at all points on the surface of the top half of the portable media player. Such a feature may be of benefit, because it may allow for the user to grasp readily the upper half of the portable media player, to faoilitate easy docking and undocking of the portable media player. When the portable media player is supported and held in position by the connector and the support surface, the portable media player may remain unsupported by the docking station, other than by the connector, at all points on the surface of the front half of the portable media player (including the frontmost edges of the portable media player) . Such a feature may be of benefit, particularly in relation to portable media players having a touch-screen on the front surface, because it may allow for ready access to the front screen of the portable media player.

The method may further comprise the step of effecting relative movement in a second direction, different from the first direction, (for example, along a predetermined path) between the connector and the support surface to facilitate connection/disconnection of the portable media player to/from the connector. For example, there may be a step of moving the connector in a second direction and connecting the portable media player to the connector. The step of effecting relative movement in a second direction may be performed before the step of connecting the portable media player to the connector.

Immediately after connecting the portable media player to the connector, the portable media player may be spaced apart from (and not in contact with) the support surface.

The method may include a step of undocking the portable media player. After the portable media player has been supported and held in position by the combination of the connector and the support surface, relative movement may be effected (for example in the second direction) between the -14 -connector and the support surface allowing for the subsequent disconnection of the portable media player from the connector.

The process of docking and undocking a portable media player from the docking station may include performing one or more of the steps set out below: * The connector is in the second position when the portable media player is not connected; * The connector moves in the second direction in order to facilitate connection of the portable media player. The connector may move in the second direction as a result of force exerted on the connector by the user. The connector may move in the second direction as a result of force exerted on the connector by the portable media player; * The connector is in the first position following cnnnectHon of the portable media player; * The user releases (lets go of) the portable media player following connection; * The connector moves in the first direction after the user releases (lets go of) the portable media player; * The connector moves in the first direction until the portable media player contacts the support structure; * The connector moves in the first direction as a result of a spring bias; * The user disconnects the portable media player from the connector; * Following disconnection of the portable media player the connector moves in the first direction.

It will be appreciated that one or more of the above steps/features may be optional and that some only may be present in certain embodiments of the invention.

-15 -In the absence of a portable media player, the method may be such that the connector moves in the first direotion until it reaohes the seoond position.

The steps of the method of the present invention as described herein may be used with portable media players having differing dimensions. Accordingly there may be provided a method of docking a first portable media player in a docking station and then subsequently docking a second portable media player in the docking station, wherein the dimensions of the first portable media player differ from the dimensions of the second portable media player. The docking of the first portable media player may result in the connector and support surface being in a first configuration. The docking of the second portable media player may result in the connector and support surface being in a second configuration (different from the first configuration) . For example, the first media player may be narrower in width than the second media player and that may cause the connector to be moved further in the first direction to the first configuration than the movement of the connector in the first direction to the second configuration.

The present invention also provides a docking station as described and claimed herein but provided separately from the portable media player(s) with which it is (designed to be) used. Such a docking station may thus include a connector and a support surface mounted for relative movement, preferably along a predetermined path. The support structure is preferably positioned proximate to the connector and is so shaped and configured to allow for support of and contact with a portable media player.

The audio reproduction system of the first aspect of the invention may be provided separately from the portable media player. The present invention thus further provides an audio -16 -reproduction system so arranged as to be suitable for use as the audio reproduction system of the first aspect of the invention, when attached to a portable media player.

Any features described with reference to one aspect of the invention are equally applicable to any other aspect of the invention, and vice versa.

Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying schematic drawings of which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of the audio reproduction system in accordance with the first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the docking station of the audio reproduction system of the first embodiment without the portable media player connected; Figures 3a and 3b are sectional views of the section denoted by the line X-X in Figure 2 of the top surface, connector, recess and rotating member of the audio reproduction system of the first embodiment; Figure 4a and 4b are perspective views of the top and bottom, respectively, of the connector in accordance with the first embodiment; and Figure 5 is a flow chart showing the stages of connecting and disconnection a portable media player to a docking station in an audio reproduction system of the first embodiment.

-17 -

Detailed Description

Figure 1 shows an audio reproduction system 2 including a docking station 4 and a portable media player 6. The portable media player 6 has a screen 7 on the front of the player 6 and a back surface (not shown) opposite the front surface. In this case, the portable media player 6 is in the form of Apple Inc's "iPhone 4" device. The docking station 4 includes a main body 8 which houses speakers 10 at the front. The top surface 18 is generally horizontal, but has a sloping surface such that the rear of the system 2 has a height of about 180 mm and the front edge of the system 2 has a height of about mm. The top surface 18 is generally flat but has a concave curved shape. The main body 8 forms a recess 16 in which a rotatable connector 14 is located. Tn this case, the connector 14 is a 30-pin connector. The surface which forms the recess 16 departs from the concave surface of the top surface 18 at edge 17 (see Figure 2), which defines a shape generally in the form of an ellipse. The recess 16 has curved side walls that extend generally vertically and inwardly to the base of the recess which therefore has a smaller footprint than the footprint of the elliptical edge 17. The base of the recess defines a hole in which the connector assembly housing the connector 14 is accommodated. The vertical distance between the rearmost point of the upper edge of the recess 16 and the rearmost point on the edge defining the hole in the base in which the connector is located is about 20 mm. The vertical distance between the foremost point of the upper edge of the recess and the foremost point on the edge defining the hole in which the connector is located is about 12 mm. The edge 17 is therefore between about 10 mm and 20 mm vertically above the base of the connector, depending on point on the edge concerned. The distance, as resolved in the horizontal -18 -direction, from the axis of rotation of the connector to the rearmost point on the edge 17 on the top surface 18 is about 19mm. The distanoe, as resolved in the vertical direction, from the axis of rotation of the connector to the rearmost point on the edge 17 on the top surface 18 is about 16 mm.

The connector has a height of about 12mm as measured from its axis of rotation to the tip.

When viewed in plan the audio reproduction system 2 is generally elliptical in shape having a longer dimension of about 320 mm and a shorter dimension of about 100 mm. As mentioned above, the height of the audio reproduction system varies between about 145 mm and 180 mm.

In the present embodiment the generally oblong portable media player 6 is connected to the connector 14 at the lower end of the player 6 such that a portion of the portable media player 6 sits within the recess 16 and the screen 7 faces the front of the docking station. The perimeter of the recess 16, when viewed in plan, is elliptical in shape, having a long axis of about 81 mm and a short axis of about 27 mm. The height of the wall defining the recess 16 varies from about 10 mm to about 20 mm.

In use the portable media player 6 is operably coupled to the speakers 10 via the connector 14 such that audio content stored on the portable media player 6 may be reproduced by the speakers 10. The connector 14 provides power to the device, and allows for data to pass in both directions between the player 6 and the audio reproduction system 2.

Figures 3a and 3b show two cross-sections along the line X-X (see Figure 2) . The main body 8 of the docking station 4 is not included in either figure. Both Figures show the connector 14 fixed to a cylindrical rotating member 20 which is mounted near the bottom of the recess 16 formed in the top surface 18. Figures 3a and 3b show the connector 14 in a -19 -first position P1 and a second position P2 respectively. In P1, as shown in Figure 3a, the connector 14 is in alignment with the vertical axis of the docking station 4. The distal end of the connector 14 is located directly above the axis of rotation of the rotating member 20. In P2, as shown in Figure 3b, the connector 14 is inclined away from the vertical towards the rear side of the recess 16. The distal end of the connector 14 is closer to the side of the recess 16 when the connector is in P2 when compared to P1.

When connected to the connector 14 the body of the portable media player 6 is necessarily aligned with the connector. Conseguently, when the connector is in P1 (vertical) the body of the portable media player 6 is also aligned with the vertical axis of the docking station 4.

Once the portable media player 6 is connected to the connector 14, the rotating member 20 is rotated such that the connector 14 moves in a first direction, clockwise, away from P1 towards P2. The portable media player 6 which is connected to the connector 14 also rotates as a result. The rotating member 20 continues to rotate clockwise until the rear surface of the portable media player 6 contacts the edge 17. In this configuration the portable media player 6 remains connected to the connector 14 but is inclined at an angle of about 30 degrees to the vertical such that the screen on the front of the player 6 may be easily used by the user, while the player 6 is supported by a support structure in the form of edge 17.

The rotation of the connector 14 is limited between two extreme positions by stops (not shown), preventing the connector from rotating too far in either direction.

Figure 4a and 4b show top and bottom views respectively of the connector assembly 22 which includes the connector 14 mounted on rotating member 20. The rotational Figure 4b shows the cylindrical rotating member 20 which has a mounting pin 26 -20 -at each end. The cylindrical mounting pins 26 are located in mounts 28 (see Figure 4a) . The mounting pins 26 are surrounded by and attached to a torsion spring 24. An output connector 30 is located on the opposite side of the rotational member 20 to the connector 14. The output connector 30 connects to a flexible cable (not shown) , which allows for rotation of the connector 14 and connection to the appropriate control circuitry and the like of the audio reproduction system 2.

The structure of the mounts 28 is such that translational movement of the mounting pins 26 is prevented whilst axial rotation is possible (the structure in which the pins are located is not shown here for simplicity, such structures being well known) When the portable media player 6 is not connected, the connector 14 is in position P2 (urged to that position by the torsion spring 24) . When connecting the portable media player 6, the force exerted on the connector 14 by the user, either directly or via the portable media player 6, causes the connector 14, and therefore the rotational member 20, to rotate in a second direction (anti-clockwise), opposite to the first direction and away from position P2 (as shown in Figure 3b) towards position P1 (as shown in Figure 3a) . The torsion spring 24 is arranged such that the force it exerts on the mounting pins 26 biases the connector 14, via the rotational member 20, towards position P2. consequently, once the player 6 is connected to the connector 14 and the user releases (lets go of) the player 6 the force exerted by the torsion spring 24 causes the connector 14 and therefore the portable media player 6, to rotate clockwise away from position El towards position P2. This rotation continues until the rear surface of the portable media player 6 contacts the edge 17. At this point the reaction force of the edge 17 on the player 6 balances the force generated by the torsion spring 24. The -21 -portable media player 6 is therefore held in position, inclined to the vertical and supported by a combination cf the edge 17 and the ccnnector 14. The angle through which the rotational member 20, connector 14 and portable media player 6 rotate is determined (for a given docking station 4) by the dimensions of the portable media player as rotation continues only until contact is made between the portable media player 6 and the support structure (curved edge 17, defined by the elliptically shaped recess 16) . A wider media player makes contact sooner (less angular movement from the vertical position) than a narrow media player of the same thickness (assuming that the connector 14 interfaces with each device in a similar manner) . Digital audio signals from the portable media player 6 pass via the connector 14, the output connector 30 and flexible cabling (not shown) to circuitry (not shown) contained in the docking station 4 for amplification by an amplifier and subsequent reproduction via the speakers 10.

Figure 5 is a flow chart showing the steps of docking and undooking a portable media player 6 from the docking station 4. When the portable media player 6 is not connected the connector 14 is in the second position P2. When the user begins connecting 104 the portable media player 6 to the connector 14, the connector 14 rotates 106 anti-clockwise from P2 towards P1. Once connected 108, the user releases 110 the portable media player 6. The connector 14 then rotates 112 clockwise, until the portable media player contacts 114 the supporting structure (edge 17) . When the user removes 116 the player 6, the connector rotates 118 clockwise until it reaches P2.

Whilst the present invention has been described and illustrated with reference to particular embodiments, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that the -22 -invention lends itself to many different variations not specifically illustrated herein.

For example an over-centre spring may be used in place of the torsion spring.

The connector could be a replaceable item, for example allowing for use with different portable media players having different connection reguirements. Apple's iPhone 5 device for example has different connector (the Lightning"' connector) reguirements being in the form of a 8-pin top and bottom reversible connector.

Where in the foregoing description, integers or elements are mentioned which have known, obvious or foreseeable equivalents, then such eguivalents are herein incorporated as if individually set forth. Reference should be made to the claims for determining the true scope of the present invention, which should be construed so as to encompass any suoh equivalents. It will also be appreciated by the reader that integers or features of the invention that are described as preferable, advantageous, convenient or the like are optional and do not limit the scope of the independent claims.

Claims

-23 -Claims 1. An audio reproduction system comprising a docking station including a connector mounted for movement in a first direction, and a portable media player connected to the connector, wherein the dooking station further includes a support structure positioned proximate to the connector such that movement of the connector in the first direction brings the portable media player into contact with a portion of the support structure.
2. Au audio reproduction system according to claim 1, wherein the connector is mounted for rotational movement.
3. An audio reproduction system according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the connector is resiliently biased in the first direction.
4. An audio reproduction system according to any preceding claim wherein the connector is resiliently biased by a spring.
5. An audio reproduction system according to any preceding claim, wherein the audio reproduction system includes a housing and the support structure is formed at least in part by a portion of said housing.
6. An audio reproduction system according to claim 5, wherein the support structure is formed at least partly by a recess in said housing.
7. An audio reproduction system according to claim 6, wherein the connector is mounted in the recess.

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8. An audio reproduotion system acoording to any preceding claim, wherein the support structure includes a generally concave curved surface so that a wider portable media player requires less movement in the first direction to bring it into contact with the support structure than a narrower portable media player.
9. An audio reproduction system according to any preceding claim, wherein a. the audio reproduction system includes a housing having an upper surface in the region of the connector, the upper surface being positioned above the connector and being generally flat and horizontal, b. the docking station includes a wall that extends from a position that is substantially level in the vertical direction with the connector, and c. the wall of the docking station and the upper surface of the housing meet at an edge which defines the portion of the support structure with which the portable media player is brought into contact.
10. An audio reproduction system according to claim 9, wherein the edge is between 2cm and 10cm vertically above the base of the connector.
11. A method of docking a portable media player, wherein the method comprises the steps of: a. providing a docking station with a connector and a support surface, b. connecting the portable media player to the connector; c. effecting relative movement in a first direction along a predetermined path between, on the one hand, (a) the connector and the connected portable media player and, -25 -on the other hand, (b) the support surface, so that the portable media player is supported and held in position by a combination of the connector and the support surface.
12. A method of docking a portable media player in a docking station according to claim 11, wherein during the relative movement the support surface remains stationary relative to the docking station.
13. A method of docking a portable media player in a docking station according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the connector supports and holds the portable media player at a first location in the region of the bottom of the portable media player and the support surface contacts and supports the portable media player on a back surface thereof at a second location spaced apart from the bottom, such that there is no contact between the portable media player and the docking station between the first and second locations.
14. A method of docking a portable media player in a docking station according to any of claims 11 to 13, the method further comprising the step of: effecting relative movement in a second direction, different from the first direction, along a predetermined path between the connector and the support surface to facilitate connection/disconnection of the portable media player to/from the connector.
15. A method of docking a portable media player in a docking station and then undocking the portable media player, wherein the method comprises the following steps: -26 -a. performing the method according to any of claims 11 to b. before the step of connecting the portable media player to the connector effecting relative movement in a second direction, different from the first direction, along a predetermined path between the connector and the support surface, so that immediately after connecting the portable media player to the connector the portable media player is not in contact with the support surface, a. after the portable media player has been supported and held in position by the combination of the connector and the support surface, effecting relative movement in the second direction between the connector and the support surface, and then d. disconnecting the portable media player from the connector.
16. r method of docking a first portable media player and a second portable media player in a docking station, wherein at least one dimension of the first portable media player differs from that of the second portable media player, the method comprising the steps of: docking the first portable media player in accordance with any of cThims 11 to 15, the connector and support surface being in a first configuration, removing the first portable media player from the docking station, and docking the second portable media player in accordance with any of claims of claims 11 to 15, the connector and support surface being in a second configuration, different from the first.

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17. A docking station suitable for use as the docking station in any preceding claim.
18. An audio reproduction system substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.
19. A docking station substantially as described herein with reference to the drawings.