Abstract: A speaker docking station for an iPad has a housing having a seat for supporting the iPad resting thereon in either portrait or landscape position, a dock connector, an operating circuit for processing an audio signal from the iPad via the connector, and two speaker drivers for reproducing sound based on an audio signal from the iPad and processed by the operating circuit. The connector is connected to the operating circuit by a cable extending outside the housing. The seat has a void, e.g., hole or recess, for accommodating the connector when the iPad is supported by and resting on the seat in the portrait position. The cable is of a sufficient length such that the connector will remain in connection with the iPad when the iPad is turned and supported by and resting on the seat in the landscape position.

Abstract: A docking station for an iPad or the like, having a base, a support on the base for releasably holding an iPad, an operating circuit for amplifying an audio signal received from the iPad, and speakers connected to the operating circuit for reproducing sound based on the audio signal amplified by the operating circuit. The support is movable between two angular positions for supporting the iPad in portrait and landscape orientations. The support is also movable to change the direction in which the iPad faces, between left and right orientations.

Abstract: A media player has a body, and an operating circuit with speakers. A support is attached to the body for movement between a retracted position, retracted at least partially within the body, and an extended position, extending from the body. The support incorporates a connector for, in the extended position, mechanically connecting and supporting a media playing device adjacent the body and electrically connecting an internal playing circuit of the media playing device to the operating circuit of the media player for operation of the media playing device via the operating circuit of the media player. A holder attached to the body engages the media playing device connected to the support, holding the media playing device in position.

Abstract: A docking station for an iPad or the like, has a base, a support connected to the base and holding an iPad, a signal connector, an operating circuit for amplifying an audio signal received from the iPad via the connector, and speakers for reproducing sound based on an audio signal amplified by the operating circuit. The support is movable relative to the base between an erected position for operation of the docking station and a collapsed position when the docking station is not in use and is, in the erected position, movable between two angular positions, supporting the iPad in portrait and landscape orientations. The base has a recess for receiving at least part of the support in the collapsed position, and providing an unobtrusive profile to the docking station in the collapsed position of the support.

Abstract: A docking station for an iPad or the like, having a base, a support on the base for releasably holding an iPad, an operating circuit for amplifying an audio signal received from the iPad, and speakers connected to the operating circuit for reproducing sound based on the audio signal amplified by the operating circuit. The support is movable between two angular positions for supporting the iPad in portrait and landscape orientations. The support is also movable to change the direction in which the iPad faces, between left and right orientations.

Abstract: A docking station for an iPad or the like, has a base, a support connected to the base and holding an iPad, a signal connector, an operating circuit for amplifying an audio signal received from the iPad via the connector, and speakers for reproducing sound based on an audio signal amplified by the operating circuit. The support is movable relative to the base between an erected position for operation of the docking station and a collapsed position when the docking station is not in use and is, in the erected position, movable between two angular positions, supporting the iPad in portrait and landscape orientations. The base has a recess for receiving at least part of the support in the collapsed position, and providing an unobtrusive profile to the docking station in the collapsed position of the support.

Abstract: A media player has a body, and an operating circuit with speakers. A support is attached to the body for movement between a retracted position, retracted at least partially within the body, and an extended position, extending from the body. The support incorporates a connector for, in the extended position, mechanically connecting and supporting a media playing device adjacent the body and electrically connecting an internal playing circuit of the media playing device to the operating circuit of the media player for operation of the media playing device via the operating circuit of the media player. A holder attached to the body engages the media playing device connected to the support, holding the media playing device in position.

Abstract: A display has a housing with a front side having a display panel, and an opposing rear side including a recess. A disc player is received in the recess. Hooks and cooperating lips, together with fasteners, connect the disc player to the display. A sector-shaped window in the housing cooperates with a sector-shaped portion of the disc player to enclose a visible sector of a disc in use in the player.

Abstract: A display has a housing with a front side having a display panel, and an opposing rear side including a recess. A disc player is received in the recess. Hooks and cooperating lips, together with fasteners, connect the disc player to the display. A sector-shaped window in the housing cooperates with a sector-shaped portion of the disc player to enclose a visible sector of a disc in use in the player.

Abstract: A portable DVD player has a flat base unit for use in an upstanding position, a playing mechanism in the base unit, a front panel connected to the base unit, and a screen on the panel. The base unit has a bottom part on which it stands on a support surface. The panel is connected to the base unit for relative pivotal movement between an upper position lying adjacent the base unit to close a disc loading bay of the playing mechanism and present the screen, and a lower position extending from the base unit to reveal the loading bay. The panel has a bottom part that is engageable with the support surface during at least part of the movement of the panel between the upper position and the lower position.

Abstract: Telephone apparatus comprises a telephone and a remote controller separate therefrom. The telephone has a built-in keypad and an internal operating circuit including a control circuit connected with the keypad for accepting keying signals therefrom to process a telephone call. The remote controller includes a built-in keypad for generating keying signals and an internal signal transmitter for transmitting said keying signals in a wireless format. There is a signal receiver located internally of the telephone and connected to the control circuit for receiving said wireless keying signals from the signal transmitter and relaying the same to the control circuit for processing a telephone call. The remote keypad represents a second keypad for convenience.

Abstract: A multiple disc player comprises a turntable for holding twenty discs upright in an annular arrangement, a playing mechanism for playing a selected disc from the turntable, and a disc slider for moving the selected disc from the turntable to the playing mechanism and later back to the turntable. A motor-driven drive mechanism operates the turntable, the playing mechanism and the disc mover. The turntable includes twenty disc brackets for supporting the discs thereon respectively, each support being slidable radially from and to the turntable. The disc slider is releasably engageable with a disc support supporting the selected disc for moving the disc by the support.

Abstract: A CD/cassette playing mechanism includes a CD playing module and a cassette playing module supported on a chassis. The CD playing module includes a CD spindle for supporting a CD and a laser head on one side of the CD spindle for reading the CD. The cassette playing module includes a compartment for receiving a cassette tape, a pair of tape spindles for running the cassette tape, and tape playback and recording heads. A part of the cassette playing module is accommodated in the space on a side of the CD spindle other than the side where the laser head is located and partially opposite a CD in the CD playing module.

Abstract: A combined CD/cassette playing mechanism formed by a CD playing module and a cassette playing module supported on a chassis. The CD playing module comprises a capstan for supporting a CD and a laser head on one side of the capstan for reading the CD. The cassette playing module comprises a compartment for receiving a cassette tape, a pair of spindles for running the cassette tape and tape playback and recording heads. A part of the cassette playing module is accommodated in the space on a side of the capstan other than the laser head side and immediately behind the CD in use for space-saving.

Abstract: A portable music and/or video disc player which has a body housing a playing mechanism. The playing mechanism includes a spinning capstan for supporting and rotating a disc and a laser head for reading the disc. The body has a lid pivotably connected to a side of the body for movement between a closed position lying flat against the body and an open position revealing the capstan. The lid has a transparent area and flanges with ribs defining a volume for holding a sheet-like insert, such as a leaflet including lyrics which comes with a disc. The insert is viewable through the transparent area.