Abstract: An information handling system plays audio provided from a portable audio device at an information handling system audio subsystem in operating and powered down states of the information handling system. In the operating state, digital audio information is communicated from the portable audio device through a serial link for rendering at the information handling system into an analog audio signal presented by the audio subsystem. In the powered down state, digital audio information is rendered at the portable audio device and communicated as an analog audio signal through the serial link to the information handling system. A system module at the information handling system selectively switches the serial link to interface with the audio subsystem and play the analog signal as audible sounds. The system module supplies power to the audio subsystem to support playing the analog signal with the information handling system in the powered down state.

Abstract: An information handling system plays audio provided from a portable audio device at an information handling system audio subsystem in operating and powered down states of the information handling system. In the operating state, digital audio information is communicated from the portable audio device through a serial link for rendering at the information handling system into an analog audio signal presented by the audio subsystem. In the powered down state, digital audio information is rendered at the portable audio device and communicated as an analog audio signal through the serial link to the information handling system. A system module at the information handling system selectively switches the serial link to interface with the audio subsystem and play the analog signal as audible sounds. The system module supplies power to the audio subsystem to support playing the analog signal with the information handling system in the powered down state.

Abstract: An apparatus including an audio data processor is connected to a data bus to receive encoded digital audio signals. The audio data processor decodes the encoded digital audio signals, and transmits the decoded digital audio signals in different output formats to an audio output jack. The jack includes a first contact portion that receives one of the digital audio signals in one SPDIF format from the audio data processor. The jack also includes a second contact portion that receives another digital audio signal in another SPDIF format from the audio data processor. The jack receives a plug that includes at least two portions. A first portion of the plug receives one of the digital audio signals from the audio data processor, and a second portion of the plug receives the another of the digital audio signal from the audio data processor. The jack transmits one of the digital audio signals to the first portion of the plug, and the other of the digital audio signals to the second portion of the plug.

Abstract: An apparatus including an audio data processor connected to a data bus to receive encoded digital audio signals. The audio data processor decodes the encoded digital audio signals, and transmits the decoded digital audio signals in different output formats to an audio output jack. The jack includes a first contact portion that receives one of the digital audio signals in one SPDIF format from the audio data processor. The jack also includes a second contact portion that receives another digital audio signal in another SPDIF format from the audio data processor. The jack receives a plug that includes at least two portions. A first portion of the plug receives one of the digital audio signals from the audio data processor, and a second portion of the plug receives the another of the digital audio signal from the audio data processor. The jack transmits one of the digital audio signals to the first portion of the plug, and the other of the digital audio signals to the second portion of the plug.