Abstract:
Disclosed herein is a function expanding apparatus, including: a mounting base section adapted to receive an information processing apparatus placed thereon solely or together with a battery mounted on a bottom face of the information processing apparatus; and a first connector movable in response to presence or absence of the battery until the first connector is connected to the information processing apparatus.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    The present application claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. JP 2010-281449 filed in the Japanese Patent Office on Dec. 17, 2010, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    The technology disclosed herein relates to a function expanding apparatus and an electronic apparatus system. 
         [0003]    A docking apparatus (hereinafter referred to as function expanding apparatus) which can expand a function of an apparatus (hereinafter referred to as information processing apparatus) such as a notebook type personal computer is known and disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2010-20506. The function expanding apparatus includes a connector mechanically and electrically connectable to a connector of the information processing apparatus. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0004]    Incidentally, to a portable information processing apparatus such as, for example, a notebook type personal computer, a separate battery is sometimes connected in order to increase the capacity of a cell. Such a battery as mentioned above sometimes has a shape of a plane table and is mounted such that it covers over a substantially overall area of the bottom face of an information processing apparatus. 
         [0005]    However, in the case where such a plane table type battery is mounted on the bottom face of an information processing apparatus, if the information processing apparatus is placed on a function expanding apparatus while it is in a state in which a battery is mounted thereon, then such a situation that a connector of the information processing apparatus cannot be connected to the function expanding apparatus occurs. 
         [0006]    Therefore, it is desirable to provide a novel and improved function expanding apparatus and electronic apparatus system wherein an information processing apparatus and the function expanding apparatus can be electrically connected to each other irrespective of whether or not a battery is mounted on the bottom face of the information processing apparatus. 
         [0007]    According to an embodiment of the disclosed technology, there is provided a function expanding apparatus, including: a mounting base section adapted to receive an information processing apparatus placed thereon solely or together with a battery mounted on a bottom face of the information processing apparatus; and a first connector movable in response to presence or absence of the battery until the first connector is connected to the information processing apparatus. 
         [0008]    The function expanding apparatus may further include an actuator adapted to move the first connector; and a sensor adapted to detect whether or not the battery is mounted on the information processing apparatus; the actuator moving, when it is detected by the sensor that the battery is mounted on the information processing apparatus, the first connector until the first connector is connected to the information processing apparatus. 
         [0009]    Or, the function expanding apparatus may further include an operation section adapted to move the first connector in response to an operation thereof by a user. 
         [0010]    Or else, the function expanding apparatus may configured such that it further includes a spring adapted to bias the first connector in an upward direction, and that the first connector is connected, when the information processing apparatus in a state in which the battery is mounted thereon is placed on the mounting base section, to the information processing apparatus in a state in which the first connector is biased in the upward direction by the spring, but is moved, when the information processing apparatus is placed solely on the mounting base section, downwardly by own weight of the information processing apparatus and is connected to the information processing apparatus. 
         [0011]    The function expanding apparatus may be configured such that the battery has an opening provided at a position thereof corresponding to the first connector, and when the information processing apparatus in the state in which the battery is mounted thereon is placed on the mounting base section, the first connector is connected to the information processing apparatus through the opening. 
         [0012]    According to another embodiment of the disclosed technology, there is provided an electronic apparatus system, including: an information processing apparatus having a second connector provided on a bottom face thereof; a battery adapted to be mounted on the bottom face of the information processing apparatus; and a function expanding apparatus including a mounting base section adapted to receive the information processing apparatus placed thereon solely or together with the battery mounted on the information processing apparatus, and a first connector movable in response to presence or absence of the battery until the second connector is connected to the first connector. 
         [0013]    The function expanding apparatus may further include an actuator adapted to move the first connector; and a sensor adapted to detect whether or not the battery is mounted on the information processing apparatus; the actuator moving, when it is detected by the sensor that the battery is mounted on the information processing apparatus, the first connector until the first connector is connected to the second connector. 
         [0014]    Or, the function expanding apparatus may further include an operation section adapted to move the first connector in response to an operation thereof by a user. 
         [0015]    Or else, the function expanding apparatus may further include a spring adapted to bias the first connector in an upward direction, and the first connector is connected, when the information processing apparatus in a state in which the battery is mounted thereon is placed on the mounting base section, to the second connector in a state in which the first connector is biased in the upward direction by the spring, but is moved, when the information processing apparatus is placed solely on the mounting base section, downwardly by own weight of the information processing apparatus and is connected to the second connector. 
         [0016]    The information processing apparatus may include a ground terminal adapted to be connected to the battery or the function expanding apparatus, and the battery and the function expanding apparatus may include a ground pin adapted to be connected to the ground terminal of the informant processing apparatus. 
         [0017]    The battery may have an opening provided at a position thereof corresponding to the second connector, and when the information processing apparatus in the state in which the battery is mounted thereon is placed on the mounting base section, the first connector may be connected to the second connector through the opening. 
         [0018]    With the function expanding apparatus and the electronic apparatus system, the information processing apparatus and the function expanding apparatus can be electrically connected to each other irrespective of whether or not the battery is mounted on the bottom face of the information processing apparatus. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view showing a personal computer and a port replicator in an electronic apparatus system according to a first embodiment of the disclosed technology; 
           [0020]      FIG. 2  is a schematic view illustrating a manner in which the personal computer is placed on the port replicator in a state in which a battery is mounted on the personal computer; 
           [0021]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  are schematic views showing a configuration of the battery; 
           [0022]      FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the bottom of the personal computer as viewed from below; 
           [0023]      FIGS. 5A ,  5 B,  6 A and  6 B are schematic views showing a configuration of the port replicator; 
           [0024]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  are schematic views showing the electronic apparatus system in a state in which the personal computer is placed solely on the port replicator; 
           [0025]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  are schematic views showing the personal computer placed on the port replicator in a state in which the personal computer and the battery are combined; 
           [0026]      FIGS. 9 ,  10 A and  10 B are schematic views showing a mechanism for moving a connector installation section upwardly and downwardly by an operation of a lever; 
           [0027]      FIGS. 11A and 11B  are schematic right side elevational views showing a configuration of an electronic apparatus system according to a second embodiment of the disclosed technology; and 
           [0028]      FIGS. 12A and 12B  are schematic right side elevational views showing a configuration of an electronic apparatus system according to a third embodiment of the disclosed technology. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0029]    In the following, preferred embodiments of the disclosed technology are described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted that, in the present specification and drawings, components having similar function are denoted by like reference symbols to avoid redundancy. 
         [0030]    It is to be noted that the description is given in the following order: 
         [0031]    1. First Embodiment
       (1) Example of the Configuration of the Electronic Apparatus System   (2) Particular Example of the Configuration of Connection between the Personal Computer and the Port Replicator       
 
         [0034]    2. Second Embodiment 
         [0035]    3. Third Embodiment 
       1. First Embodiment  
     (1) Example of the Configuration of the Electronic Apparatus System 
       [0036]    First, a configuration of an electronic apparatus system according to a first embodiment of the disclosed technology is described with reference to  FIGS. 1 ,  2 A and  2 B. The electronic apparatus system according to the present embodiment includes a notebook type personal computer (PC)  100 , a port replicator (PR)  200  which is a function expanding apparatus, and a battery  300 .  FIG. 1  particularly shows the personal computer  100  and the port replicator  200  in the electronic apparatus system. 
         [0037]    The personal computer  100  is placed in a folded state on the port replicator  200  and is electrically connected to the port replicator  200  through a connector. The port replicator  200  includes a plurality of terminals such as a USB terminal on a rear face thereof and functions as a function expanding apparatus for expanding functions of the personal computer  100 . 
         [0038]    The battery  300  of a thin plate shape can be placed over a substantially overall area of the bottom face of the personal computer  100 .  FIGS. 2A and 2B  illustrate a manner in which the personal computer  100  is placed on the port replicator  200  in a state in which the battery  300  is mounted on the personal computer  100 . Here,  FIG. 2A  shows the personal computer  100  and the battery  300  placed on the bottom face of the personal computer  100 . Meanwhile,  FIG. 2B  illustrates a manner in which the personal computer  100  is placed on an upper face or mounting base section  201  of the port replicator  200  in a state in which the battery  300  is mounted on the personal computer  100 . 
         [0039]      FIGS. 3A and 3B  show a configuration of the battery  300 . More particularly,  FIG. 3A  shows the battery  300  as viewed from obliquely upwardly, and  FIG. 3B  shows the battery  300  as viewed from the right side. Referring to  FIGS. 3A and 3B , the battery  300  has a plane table shape substantially same as that of the personal computer  100 . The battery  300  is mounted on the bottom face of the personal computer  100  by engaging hooks  302  shown in  FIG. 3B  with engaging portions on a rear face of the personal computer  100  and engaging hooks  304  with front portions of the personal computer  100 . 
         [0040]    By mounting the thin battery  300  having a plane table shape same as that of the personal computer  100  on the personal computer  100  in this manner, the cell capacity of the personal computer  100  can be increased without damaging the operability and the maneuverability. 
         [0041]      FIG. 4  shows the bottom face of the personal computer  100  as viewed from obliquely downwardly. Referring to  FIG. 4 , a connector  102  for being electrically connected to the port replicator  200  is provided on the bottom face of the personal computer  100 . Further, ground terminals  104  for being connected to the port replicator  200  or the battery  300  are provided on the bottom face of the personal computer  100 . 
         [0042]    As described above with reference to  FIGS. 2A and 2B , in the present embodiment, the personal computer  100  is placed on the port replicator  200  in the state in which the battery  300  is mounted on the personal computer  100 . Therefore, in the present embodiment, the personal computer  100  and the port replicator  200  are configured such that they can be electrically connected to each other in any of a state in which the personal computer  100  is placed solely on the port replicator  200  and another state in which the personal computer  100  in the state in which the battery  300  is coupled thereto is placed on the port replicator  200 . 
         [0000]    (2) Particular Example of the Configuration of Connection between the Personal Computer and the Port Replicator 
         [0043]    In the following, electric connection between the personal computer  100  and the port replicator  200  is described in detail with reference to  FIGS. 2A to 7B .  FIGS. 5A to 6B  show a configuration of the port replicator  200 , and particularly  FIGS. 5A and 6A  show the port replicator  200  as viewed from the right side while  FIGS. 5B and 6B  show the port replicator  200  as viewed from obliquely upwardly. 
         [0044]    As seen in  FIGS. 5B and 6B , a connector installation section  202  is provided on an upper face of the port replicator  200 , and a connector  204  for being connected to the connector  102  of the personal computer  100  is provided on the connector installation section  202 . As an example, the connector  204  is a male type connector, and the connector  102  is a female type connector. 
         [0045]    The connector installation section  202  is configured for upward and downward movement by an operation of a user.  FIGS. 5A and 5B  show the connector installation section  202  moved down to a position same as that of the upper face  201  of the port replicator  200 . Meanwhile,  FIGS. 6A and 6B  show the connector installation section  202  moved up to a position higher than that of the upper face  201  of the port replicator  200 . 
         [0046]    As seen from the right side elevational views of  FIGS. 5A and 6B , a lever  203  for moving the connector installation section  202  upwardly and downwardly is provided on a side face of the port replicator  200 . The lever  203  is configured for sliding movement in the forward and backward direction of the port replicator  200 , that is, in the leftward and rightward direction in  FIGS. 5A and 6A . 
         [0047]    If the user moves the lever  203  rightwardly as seen in  FIG. 5A , then the connector installation section  202  is moved down until an upper face  202   a  of the connector installation section  202  and the upper face  201  of the port replicator  200  lie substantially in flush with each other. 
         [0048]    On the other hand, if the user moves the lever  203  leftwardly as seen in  FIG. 6A , then the connector installation section  202  is moved upwardly until the upper face  202   a  of the connector installation section  202  comes to a position higher than that of the mounting base section  201  of the port replicator  200 . Consequently, the connector installation section  202  projects upwardly farther than the mounting base section  201  of the port replicator  200 . Here, the upward projection amount of the connector installation section  202  corresponds to the thickness of the battery  300 . 
         [0049]    Meanwhile, an opening  306  of a shape corresponding to the shape of the connector installation section  202  is provided at a position of the battery  300  corresponding to the connector installation section  202  such that it extends through the battery  300  as seen in  FIGS. 2A and 3A . 
         [0050]    If the personal computer  100  is placed solely on the port replicator  200 , then the position of the connector installation section  202  is set in such a state as seen in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . Consequently, the bottom face of the personal computer  100  is contacted with the mounting base section  201  of the port replicator  200  and the upper face  202   a  of the connector installation section  202 , and the connector  102  is connected to the connector  204 . 
         [0051]    On the other hand, if the personal computer  100  is placed on the port replicator  200  in the state in which the personal computer  100  is combined with the battery  300 , then the position of the connector installation section  202  is set to such a state as seen in  FIGS. 6A and 6B . Consequently, if the personal computer  100  in the state in which the battery  300  is mounted thereon is placed on the port replicator  200 , then the connector installation section  202  extends through the opening  306  and the connector  102  of the personal computer  100  is connected the connector  204  of the port replicator  200 . 
         [0052]    Accordingly, in both of a state in which the personal computer  100  is placed solely and another state in which the personal computer  100  on which the battery  300  is mounted is placed, the connector  102  of the personal computer  100  and the connector  204  of the port replicator  200  can be connected to each other by changing over the heightwise position of the connector installation section  202 . 
         [0053]      FIGS. 7A and 7B  show the electronic apparatus system in a state in which the personal computer  100  is placed solely on the port replicator  200 . More particularly,  FIG. 7A  shows a perspective view of the electronic apparatus system and  FIG. 7B  shows a right side elevational view of the electronic apparatus system. As described hereinabove, in the state illustrated in  FIGS. 7A and 7B , the position of the connector installation section  202  is set in the state illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B . Accordingly, the connector  102  and the connector  204  are connected to each other by placing the personal computer  100  on the port replicator  200 . 
         [0054]      FIGS. 8A and 8B  show the electronic apparatus system in a state in which the personal computer  100  combined with the battery  300  is placed on the port replicator  200 . More particularly,  FIG. 8A  shows a perspective view of the electronic apparatus system and  FIG. 8B  shows a right side elevational view of the electronic apparatus system. In the state in which the battery  300  is mounted on the personal computer  100  as seen in  FIG. 8B , the bottom face of the personal computer  100  is displaced by a distance corresponding to the thickness of the battery  300  from the mounting base section  201  of the port replicator  200 . Thereupon, in the state illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the position of the connector installation section  202  is set to a state illustrated in  FIGS. 5A and 5B  as described hereinabove. Since, in the state illustrated in  FIGS. 8A and 8B , the connector installation section  202  projects upwardly by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the battery  300 , the connector  102  of the personal computer  100  and the connector  204  of the port replicator  200  can be connected to each other with certainty. 
         [0055]      FIGS. 9 ,  10 A and  10 B show a mechanism for moving the connector installation section  202  upwardly and downwardly by an operation of the lever  203 . More particularly,  FIG. 9  shows an internal mechanism of the port replicator  200  with an upper housing removed. Referring to  FIG. 9 , the lever  203  is connected to an arm  206 . The arm  206  is coupled at an end portion thereof remote from the lever  203  to an arm pivot shaft  208  such that it can be pivoted around the arm pivot shaft  208 . 
         [0056]    A slide part  210  is connected to the arm  206 . If the lever  203  moves in the forward or backward direction, then the arm  206  is pivoted around the arm pivot shaft  208  in response to the movement of the lever  203 . The slide part  210  moves in the forward or backward direction of the port replicator  200  similarly to the lever  203  in response to the pivoting movement of the arm  206 . 
         [0057]    The slide part  210  has a pair of left and right arm portions  212  extending to the opposite sides of the connector installation section  202 . A pair of ribs  214  are provided on each of the arm portions  212  such that they extend toward the connector installation section  202 . 
         [0058]      FIGS. 10A and 10B  illustrate the shape of the ribs  214  provided on one of the arm portions  212  and upward and downward movements of the connector installation section  202 . More particularly,  FIG. 10A  shows the connector installation section  202  in the downwardly moved state corresponding to  FIGS. 5A and 5B , and  FIG. 10B  shows the connector installation section  202  moved upwardly corresponding to  FIGS. 6A and 6B . 
         [0059]    Referring to  FIGS. 10A and 10B , two inclined faces  214   a  and  214   b  are provided. Further, two cylindrical projections  202   b  and  202   c  are provided on a side face of the connector installation section  202 . Here, the projection  202   b  is received by the inclined face  214   a  while the projection  202   c  is received by the inclined face  214   b.    
         [0060]    In the state illustrated in  FIG. 10A , the projections  202   b  and  202   c  are positioned at a lower portion of the inclined faces  214   a  and  214   b,  respectively. In this state, the connector installation section  202  is positioned at the lowest position and the upper face  202   a  of the connector installation section  202  and the mounting base section  201  of the port replicator  200  are substantially in flush with each other as described hereinabove. 
         [0061]    If the user pulls the lever  203  to the front side of the port replicator  200 , that is, to this side in the state illustrated in  FIG. 10A , then also the slide part  210  moves forwardly of the port replicator  200 , that is, toward this side in response to the pivoting movement of the arm  206 . At this time, the projections  202   b  and  202   c  ride on the inclined faces  214   a  and  214   b  in response to the movement of the inclined faces  214   a  and  214   b,  respectively, and move in an upward direction. Then, in a state in which the lever  203  is positioned on the front side of the port replicator  200 , that is, on this side, or in other words, in the state illustrated in  FIGS. 6A and 6B , the projections  202   b  and  202   c  are placed on a flat portion at an upper end of the inclined faces  214   a  and  214   b,  respectively. Consequently, the connector installation section  202  is in a state lifted upwardly by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the battery  300 . 
         [0062]    On the other hand, if the lever  203  is pulled to the rear side of the port replicator  200 , that is, toward the interior side in the state illustrated in  FIG. 10B , then also the slide part  210  moves to the rear side of the port replicator  200 , that is, toward the interior side, in response to pivoting movement of the arm  206 . At this time, the projections  202   b  and  202   c  ride down on the inclined faces  214   a  and  214   b  in response to the movement of the inclined faces  214   a  and  214   b,  respectively, and move downwardly. Then, in a state in which the arm pivot shaft  208  is positioned on the rear side of the port replicator  200  or interior side as seen in  FIGS. 5A and 5B , the projections  202   b  and  202   c  are positioned at the lowermost portion of the inclined faces  214   a  and  214   b,  respectively. Consequently, the position of the connector installation section  202  is lowered and the upper face  202   a  of the connector installation section  202  is positioned in flush with the mounting base section  201  of the port replicator  200 . 
         [0063]    The position of the connector installation section  202  can be changed over by an operation of the lever  203  in such a manner as described above through the mechanism shown in  FIGS. 9 ,  10 A and  10 B. 
         [0064]    Now, connection of the ground terminals of the personal computer  100 , port replicator  200  and battery  300  is described. As described hereinabove, the ground terminals  104  are provided on the bottom face of the personal computer  100 . The ground terminals  104  are formed from a metal plate provided on the inner side with respect to the surface of a housing which configures the bottom face of the personal computer  100 . Further, as shown in  FIGS. 5A to 6B , ground pins  220  are provided at positions of the upper face  201  of the port replicator  200  corresponding to the ground terminals  104 . The ground pins  220  are each biased in an upward direction by a compression coil spring not shown. 
         [0065]    If the personal computer  100  is placed on the port replicator  200 , then the ground terminals  104  contact with an end of the ground pins  220  and the coil springs which bias the ground pins  220  in the upward direction are compressed. Consequently, the ground pins  220  are contacted at the end thereof closely with the ground terminals  104  by the biasing force of the compression coil springs, and the grounds, that is, the ground potentials, of the personal computer  100  and the port replicator  200  are connected commonly. 
         [0066]    Further, as shown in  FIGS. 3A and 3B , ground pins  320  are provided at positions also on an upper face of the battery  300  corresponding to the ground terminals  104  of the personal computer  100 . Similarly to the ground pins  220 , also the ground pins  320  are biased in an upward direction by compression coil springs. If the battery  300  is mounted on the personal computer  100 , then the ground terminals  104  contact with an end of the ground pins  320  and the coil springs which bias the ground pins  320  in the upward direction are compressed. Consequently, the ground pins  320  are closely contacted at the ends thereof with the ground terminals  104  by the biasing force of the compression coil springs, and the grounds or ground potentials of the personal computer  100  and the battery  300  are connected commonly. 
         [0067]    Also on the bottom face of the battery  300 , ground terminals  330  are provided at positions corresponding to the ground terminals  104  similarly to the ground terminals  104  of the personal computer  100 . The ground terminals  330  on the bottom face of the battery  300  are electrically connected to the ground pins  320  on the upper face of the battery  300 . If the personal computer  100  and the battery  300  in a combined state are placed on the port replicator  200 , then the ground terminals  330  on the bottom face of the battery  300  are contacted with an end of the ground pins  220  of the port replicator  200  and the coil springs which bias the ground pins  220  in the upward direction are compressed. Consequently, the ground pins  220  are closely contacted at the ends thereof with the ground terminals  330  on the bottom face of the battery  300  by the biasing force of the compression coil springs, and the grounds or ground potentials of the battery  300  and the port replicator  200  are connected commonly. Accordingly, the grounds or ground potentials of the personal computer  100 , battery  300  and port replicator  200  are connected commonly. In this manner, by providing the ground pins  320  and the ground terminals on the battery  300 , similarly as in the case where the personal computer  100  is placed on the port replicator  200 , even in the case where the personal computer  100  in the state in which the battery  300  is combined with the bottom face thereof is placed on the port replicator  200 , connection of the grounds can be established. 
         [0068]    As described above, with the first embodiment, the connector installation section  202  provided on the port replicator  200  is mounted for upward and downward movement by a user operation to set the connector installation section  202  to a different height. Consequently, in both of a case where the personal computer  100  is placed solely on the battery  300  and another case where the personal computer  100  in the condition in which the battery  300  is mounted thereon is placed on the port replicator  200 , the personal computer  100  and the port replicator  200  can be electrically connected to each other. 
       2. Second Embodiment  
       [0069]    Now, a second embodiment of the disclosed document is described.  FIGS. 11A and 11B  show a configuration of an electronic apparatus system according to the second embodiment as viewed from the right side. More particularly,  FIG. 11A  shows the electronic apparatus system in the case where a personal computer  100  in the state in which a battery  300  is mounted thereon is placed on a port replicator  200 , and  FIG. 11B  shows the electronic apparatus system in the case where the personal computer  100  is placed solely on the port replicator  200 . 
         [0070]    In the second embodiment, a compression coil spring  230  for biasing the connector installation section  202  in an upward direction is provided. Therefore, in a state in which the personal computer  100  is not placed on the port replicator  200  as seen on the left side in  FIG. 11A , the connector installation section  202  biased in the upward direction by the biasing force of the compression coil spring  230  projects upwardly farther than the mounting base section  201  of the port replicator  200 . Thereupon, the projection amount of the connector installation section  202  corresponds to the thickness of the battery  300 . 
         [0071]    The right side figure of  FIG. 11A  illustrates a state in which the personal computer  100  in the state in which the battery  300  is mounted thereon is placed on the port replicator  200 . At this time, since the connector installation section  202  projects by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the battery  300  from the upper face  201  of the port replicator  200 , the connector installation section  202  is inserted in the opening  306  of the battery  300  and the connector  102  of the personal computer  100  and the connector  204  of the port replicator  200  are connected to each other. 
         [0072]    On the other hand, when the personal computer  100  is placed solely on the port replicator  200  as shown in  FIG. 11B , the connector  102  on the bottom face of the personal computer  100  is first contacted with the connector  204  of the connector installation section  202  as shown in the central figure of  FIG. 11B , and the connector  102  and the connector installation section  202  are connected to each other. Thereafter, by the own weight of the personal computer  100 , the compression coil spring  230  is compressed to push the connector installation section  202  downwardly. Then, as seen from the right side figure in  FIG. 11B , the connector installation section  202  is pushed down to a position at which the upper face  202   a  thereof and the upper face  201  of the port replicator  200  are in flush with each other, and a state in which the personal computer  100  is placed on the mounting base section  201  of the port replicator  200  is established. 
         [0073]    In such a configuration as described above, if the personal computer  100  is placed solely, then the connector installation section  202  moves downwardly in response to the own weight of the port replicator  200 . However, if the personal computer  100  is placed in the state in which the battery  300  is mounted thereon, then the connector installation section  202  maintains the position thereof in which it is biased by the compression coil spring  230 . Accordingly, the user itself need not set the position of the connector installation section  202 . Consequently, only by placing the personal computer  100  solely or placing the personal computer  100  on which the battery  300  is mounted on the port replicator  200 , the connector  102  and the connector  204  can be connected to each other. 
         [0074]    As described above, with the second embodiment, the connector installation section  202  is biased in an upward direction by the compression coil spring  230 . Therefore, if the personal computer  100  in a state in which the battery  300  is mounted thereon is placed on the port replicator  200 , then the connector installation section  202  is inserted into the opening  306  of the battery  300 , and consequently, the connector  102  and the connector  204  can be connected to each other. On the other hand, if the personal computer  100  is placed solely on the port replicator  200 , then the connector  102  and the connector  204  are connected to each other and the compression coil spring  230  is compressed by the own weight of the personal computer  100 . Consequently, the upper face  202   a  of the connector installation section  202  is moved down to the position of the upper face  201  of the port replicator  200 , and consequently, the personal computer  100  can be placed on the upper face  201  of the port replicator  200 . 
       3. Third Embodiment  
       [0075]    Now, a third embodiment of the disclosed technology is described.  FIGS. 12A and 12B  show a configuration of an electronic apparatus system according to the third embodiment as viewed from the right side. More particularly,  FIG. 12A  shows the electronic apparatus system in the case where a personal computer  100  in the state in which a battery  300  is mounted thereon is placed on a port replicator  200 , and  FIG. 12B  shows the electronic apparatus system in the case where the personal computer  100  is placed solely on the port replicator  200 . 
         [0076]    In the third embodiment, a motor or actuator  240  for driving the connector installation section  202  to move upwardly and downwardly is provided. Further, a sensor section  250  is provided on an upper face of the port replicator  200  while a sensor section  350  is provided on a lower face of the battery  300 . 
         [0077]    As seen from the left side figure in  FIG. 12A , in a state in which the personal computer  100  or the battery  300  is not placed on the upper face of the port replicator  200 , the connector installation section  202  is positioned at a lowermost position. If the port replicator  200  is placed in a state in which the battery  300  is mounted on the personal computer  100  as seen in the central figure of  FIG. 12A , then the sensor section  250  detects the sensor section  350 . Consequently, it is detected by the sensor section  250  of the port replicator  200  that the battery  300  is placed on the port replicator  200 . 
         [0078]    If it is detected that the battery  300  is placed on the port replicator  200 , then the motor  240  is driven to move the connector installation section  202  in an upward direction as seen from the right side figure of  FIG. 12A . Consequently, the connector installation section  202  moves up by an amount corresponding to the thickness of the battery  300 , whereupon the connector installation section  202  is inserted into the opening  306  of the battery  300  to connect the connector  102  of the personal computer  100  and the connector  204  of the port replicator  200  to each other. It is to be noted that the mechanism for driving the connector installation section  202  is configured such that a worm wheel is provided on a driving shaft of the motor  240  while a worm gear is provided on the connector installation section  202  such that the connector installation section  202  is driven to move upwardly or downwardly by rotation of the motor  240 . 
         [0079]    On the other hand, if the personal computer  100  on which the battery  300  is mounted is removed from the port replicator  200 , then since the sensor section  250  does not detect the sensor section  350  any more, the port replicator  200  detects that the battery  300  is removed. Consequently, the motor  240  is driven to move the connector installation section  202  in the downward direction. Consequently, the connector installation section  202  is moved down to its lowermost position shown in the left side figure of  FIG. 12A . 
         [0080]    Now, operation when the personal computer  100  is placed solely on the port replicator  200  is described with reference to  FIG. 12B . In a state in which the battery  300  is not placed on the upper face  201  of the port replicator  200  as seen from the left side figure of  FIG. 12B , since the sensor section  250  does not detect the sensor section  350 , the connector installation section  202  is positioned at a lowermost position. If the personal computer  100  is placed solely on the personal computer  100 , then the connector  102  and the connector  204  are connected to each other. Also in this state, since the sensor section  350  is not provided on the bottom face of the personal computer  100 , the sensor section  250  of the port replicator  200  does not detect the sensor section  350 . Accordingly, the connector installation section  202  is not driven to move by the motor  240 , and the connector installation section  202  assumes the lowermost position as seen from the right side figure of  FIG. 12B . Consequently, the personal computer  100  is placed on the upper face  201  of the port replicator  200 . It is to be noted that the type and the position of the sensor sections  250  and  350  are not restricted particularly, and any sensor may be used only if it can be detected that the battery  300  is mounted on the personal computer  100 . For example, an optical sensor, a magnetic sensor and so forth can be used. 
         [0081]    It is to be noted that, in the second and third embodiments, the configuration of the ground terminals and the ground pins for obtaining a ground potential is similar to that in the first embodiment. 
         [0082]    As described above, with the third embodiment, if the personal computer  100  in the state in which the battery  300  is mounted thereon is placed on the port replicator  200 , then the sensor section  250  detects the sensor section  350  and the connector installation section  202  is moved up. Consequently, the connector installation section  202  is inserted into the opening  306  of the battery  300  to allow the connector  102  and the connector  204  to be connected to each other. 
         [0083]    On the other hand, if the personal computer  100  is placed solely on the port replicator  200 , then since the sensor section  250  does not detect the sensor section  350 , the connector installation section  202  is maintained at the original position. Accordingly, it is possible to place the personal computer  100  on the port replicator  200  in the state in which the connector  102  of the personal computer  100  and the connector  204  of the port replicator  200  are connected to each other. 
         [0084]    It is to be noted that, while, in the embodiments described hereinabove, the connector installation section  202  is inserted into the opening  306  of the battery  300 , the configuration is not limited to this. For example, a cutaway shape may be provided at a side portion of the battery  300  such that the connector installation section  202  is inserted into the cutaway shape. Or, the battery  300  may be configured smaller than the personal computer  100  such that the connector installation section  202  is moved upwardly or downwardly toward and away from the bottom face of the personal computer  100  which is not covered with the battery  300 . 
         [0085]    It should be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications, combinations, sub-combinations and alterations may occur depending on design requirements and other factors in so far as they are within the scope of the appended claims or the equivalents thereof.