JP2000194459A - Optical data transmission mechanism and electronic device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical transmission mechanism in which electromag netic interference is small at low costs. SOLUTION: This optical transmission mechanism is applied to a notebook- sized personal computer and is provided with a reflector M whose reflecting surface S is located at the position where the optical axis of emergent light LOUT emitted from a transmitting part 11 and the optical axis of incident light LIN made incident on a receiving part 12 cross. And, an angle control mechanism controlling the reflector M is provided. The angle control mechanism controls the angle of the reflector M so as to make an angle including a reflecting surface made between the optical axis of the emergent light LOUT and the surface S to be 1/2 angle made between the optical axis of the light LOUT and the optical axis of the light LIN. Even if the receiving part is arranged at any degree, an optical signal from thetransmitting part is correctly transmitted to the receiving part.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical transmission mechanism applied to a movable section, and more particularly to an optical transmission mechanism suitable for transmitting an optical signal between a main body of an integrated personal computer and a display section, and the optical transmission mechanism. The present invention relates to an electronic device using a computer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Unnecessary radiation from a hinge portion in data transmission from a main body to a display portion has become a problem as electronic devices such as a notebook personal computer have improved image display capability.

Conventionally, various methods have been devised for preventing electromagnetic interference accompanying the transmission of image data. For example, a monthly FPD Intelligence 1998, 4, pp. 65-70 describes an invention in which a parallel signal is converted into a serial signal and transmitted as a differential signal at a low voltage. 62-123698
And Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. H5-27891 describe a technique in which an optical fiber is used for transmitting image data as optical communication which is strong against disturbance without electromagnetic radiation.

[0004]

However, with the above-mentioned prior art, sufficient measures against electromagnetic interference have not yet been achieved.

Although the low-voltage differential transmission system can reduce unnecessary radiation to some extent, it cannot be said to be an effective method in the future in recent years when the resolution of the display is increasing more and more.

Although the use of optical communication is effective in preventing electromagnetic interference, optical transmission in a movable portion such as a notebook personal computer poses a problem. In such a case, if an optical fiber is used, it is difficult to ensure high reliability due to stress applied to a movable portion for a long period of time.

Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide an optical transmission mechanism and an electronic device which can prevent electromagnetic interference with a simple structure in order to solve such a problem.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an optical data transmission mechanism, which is capable of changing the optical axis direction of light emitted from a transmission unit and emitting the light as incident light incident on a reception unit. An optical path conversion element, and an angle control mechanism that rotates the optical path conversion element in accordance with a change in the angle between the optical axis of the light emitted from the transmission unit and the optical axis of the light incident on the reception unit. An optical data transmission mechanism comprising:

In the present invention, the "transmitting unit" emits light to transmit the light to the receiving unit, and its configuration does not matter. It is sufficient that the “receiving unit” can also receive light, and its configuration does not matter. The “optical path conversion element” is sufficient if it has a function of optimally changing the optical axis direction of light from any direction and causing the light emitted from the transmission unit to be incident on the reception unit. Various optical elements such as a mirror and a prism can be considered as the “optical path conversion element”, and a reflector having a reflective surface is particularly preferable. When a reflector is used, the reflection surface may be a single-layer mirror surface and may be a reflection film such as a dielectric multilayer film. `` Angle control mechanism ''
Is a mechanism capable of changing the emission direction of the incident light to the receiving unit in the optical path conversion element. When the optical path conversion element is a reflector, various speed change mechanisms, such as a transmission mechanism using a combination of gears, a friction wheel transmission, and a winding transmission, that can change the angle of the reflection surface are conceivable. Includes those configured to be able to adjust the angular velocity using two types of circles having different diameters.

According to the present invention, there is provided an electronic apparatus provided with the above optical data transmission mechanism, wherein the optical data transmission mechanism is applied to a movable part which relatively moves the receiving part and the transmitting part. Electronic device.

In the present invention, the "electronic equipment" is not limited to a type such as a portable telephone, a pager, an electronic organizer, a portable information terminal device such as a notebook personal computer, a camera finder, and a display unit such as a liquid crystal television. .

[0012] The electronic device includes a first unit having a transmission unit for transmitting an optical signal, the relative position of each of which fluctuates with each other;
A second unit having a receiving unit for receiving the optical signal, and an electronic device for transmitting optical data between the first unit and the second unit, wherein the light emitted from the transmitting unit An optical path changing element configured to be capable of changing the optical axis direction and emitting as incident light incident on the receiving unit, and an angle formed between an optical axis of the light emitted from the transmitting unit and an optical axis of the incident light on the receiving unit; And an angle control mechanism for rotating the optical path conversion element in response to the change in the electronic device. Specifically, the first unit may be an information processing device, and the second unit may be a display device that displays information transmitted from the information processing device.

In the above invention, for example, the angle control mechanism sets the rotation angle of the optical path conversion element to a change amount of an angle between an optical axis of light emitted from the transmitting unit and an optical axis of light incident on the receiving unit. At a fixed ratio. Here, the optical path conversion element is a reflector whose reflection surface is located at a position where the optical axis of the light emitted from the transmitting unit and the optical axis of the light incident on the receiving unit intersect. In this case, the angle control mechanism sets the reflection surface of the reflector to an amount of change in the angle between the optical axis of the light emitted from the transmitting unit and the optical axis of the light incident on the receiving unit.
/ 2. This reflector may have a concave reflecting surface. The angle control mechanism further includes a first vehicle that supports the reflector, and a second vehicle that supports one of the transmission unit and the reception unit.
A configuration is conceivable in which the radius of the pitch circle of the vehicle is set to be twice the radius of the pitch circle of the second vehicle. Either one or both of the first vehicle and the second vehicle may not form a perfect circle. Note that an optical element that refracts the emission light and / or the incident light may be provided at any position on the optical axis. The “optical element” includes an arbitrary element such as a collimator lens or a condenser lens.

The present invention also relates to an optical data transmission mechanism for transmitting data between a transmission unit and a reception unit whose relative position fluctuates, wherein the optical data transmission mechanism comprises: And an optical path conversion element configured to be able to emit as incident light incident on the receiving unit, and either one of the optical axis of the light emitted from the transmitting unit or the optical axis of the incident light on the receiving unit and a predetermined An angle control mechanism that rotates the optical path conversion element around the optical axis of the light emitted from the transmission unit in response to a change in the angle formed by the plane, and an optical data transmission mechanism characterized by comprising: is there.

[0015] The present invention also provides a first unit having a transmission unit for transmitting an optical signal, whose relative positions fluctuate with each other;
A second unit having a receiving unit for receiving the optical signal, and an electronic device for transmitting optical data between the first unit and the second unit, wherein the light emitted from the transmitting unit An optical path changing element configured to be capable of changing the optical axis direction and emitting as incident light incident on a receiving unit, and one of an optical axis of light emitted from the transmitting unit and an optical axis of incident light on the receiving unit; And an angle control mechanism for rotating the optical path conversion element around the optical axis of the light emitted from the transmission unit in response to a change in the angle between the light path and the predetermined plane. It is. Specifically, the first unit may be an information processing device, and the second unit may be a display device that displays information transmitted from the information processing device.

In the above invention, the "predetermined plane" is a plane of a real or rowing place in which the relative angle with respect to either the outgoing light or the incident light can be changed, and for example, constitutes a unit having a transmitting unit or a receiving unit. Corresponding to a single plane or a plane on which the unit is installed.

In the above invention, the angle control mechanism determines a rotation angle of the light emitted from the optical path conversion element about the optical axis of either the optical axis of the light emitted from the transmitting unit or the optical axis of the light incident on the receiving unit. The angle is changed at a fixed ratio with respect to the amount of change in the angle between one of them and a predetermined plane. This constant ratio is, for example, 1:
It is one. Here, an optical element for refracting the emitted light and / or the incident light may be provided at any position on the optical axis.

[0018]

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings. (Embodiment 1) Embodiment 1 of the present invention is one in which the optical transmission mechanism of the present invention is applied to a hinge portion of a notebook personal computer (hereinafter referred to as a "notebook computer"). FIG. 1 is a side view illustrating the structure of a notebook computer including the optical transmission mechanism of the present embodiment. This is a conceptual diagram of a state in which the display unit is opened, observed from the side of the notebook computer.

In the notebook computer 1, a main body 11 and a display section 12 are rotatably connected via a hinge section 15. The main body 11 houses an information processing device 13 which is a main body of an electronic circuit of a computer. The display unit 12 houses an information processing device 14 including a display and its peripheral circuits.

The optical transmission mechanism of the present invention constitutes a transmission path of an optical signal between the main body 11 and the display unit 12, and includes a light emitting element LD, a collimator lens LN1,
Angle control mechanism (see FIG. 2), reflector M, condenser lens LN
2 and a light receiving element PD. The optical signals from the information processing device 13 are emitted for the number of bits of the parallel data or multiplexed to such an extent that no timing error occurs. The optical transmission mechanisms for transmitting these optical signals are arranged in the width direction of the notebook computer by the number of the optical signals. However, as for the reflecting mirror M, if one having a long width is used, all the optical signals can be reflected by one sheet.

The light emitting element LD is sufficient if it can convert electric energy into light energy and emit it as an optical signal, and any light emitting diode, semiconductor laser or the like can be used. The collimator lens LN1 is an optical element that converts light emitted from the light emitting element LD into parallel light. The reflecting mirror M is an optical element in which the reflecting surface S forms a flat mirror surface and can reflect incident light. The condenser lens LN2 is an optical element that converges the parallel light reflected on the reflection surface S of the reflection mirror M to the surface of the light receiving element PD. It is sufficient that the light receiving element PD is capable of detecting an optical signal and outputting electric energy corresponding to the light energy, and an arbitrary element such as a photodiode or a phototransistor can be adopted. Both the emission direction of the optical signal on the main body side and the incident direction of the optical signal on the display unit side are arranged so as to face the reflecting surface S of the reflecting mirror M of the hinge unit 15.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory view of the angle control mechanism of the present invention. The angle control mechanism is housed in the hinge part 15 and its periphery. The angle control mechanism includes an output light LOU
The angle δ between the optical axis of T and the reflecting surface S of the reflecting mirror M is the angle θ (the angle of the intersection angle on the side including the reflecting surface) between the optical axis of the outgoing light LOUT and the optical axis of the incident light LIN. The angle of the reflecting mirror M can be controlled in accordance with a change in the angle between the optical axis of the outgoing light LOUT and the optical axis of the incident light LIN so as to be 1/2. That is, as shown in FIG. 2, the angle control mechanism includes a gear 16 that supports the reflecting mirror M, a gear 17 that supports one of the transmitting unit and the receiving unit (here, a receiving unit having a display unit), and A gear 18 for changing the rotation direction is provided. The radius R of the pitch circle of the gear 16 is
Is set to be twice the radius r of the pitch circle at. The gear 18 has the same diameter r as the gear 17 for the sake of simplicity. Such an angle control mechanism may be combined with more gears. The gears 16 to 18 need not be in the form of pinions meshing with each other, but may be a friction wheel, a pulley used for wrapping conduction, or the like. Either one or both of them may not form a perfect circle.

In the above configuration, the electric signal output from the information processing device 13 is converted into a corresponding optical signal by the light emitting element LD and emitted. The light LOUT emitted from the light emitting element LD is converted into parallel light by the collimator lens LN1 and enters the reflecting mirror M. The reflecting mirror M reflects the incident light at the same reflection angle as the incident angle. The reflected parallel light reaches the collimator lens LN2, is converged by the collimator lens LN2, and is incident on the light receiving element PD as incident light LINT to the receiving unit. The light receiving element PD converts an incident optical signal into an electric signal and supplies the electric signal to the information processing device 14.

Now, it is assumed that the user moves the display unit 12 about the hinge structure of the hinge unit 15 in order to adjust the angle of the display unit 12. When the display unit 12 is moved, the gear 17 coaxial with the rotation axis of the display unit rotates. When the gear 17 rotates, the other gear 16 meshing therewith also rotates. The gear 16 has a reflecting mirror M, and rotates coaxially with the rotation axis of the reflecting mirror.
As the gear 16 rotates, the angle δ between the reflecting surface S of the reflecting mirror M and the emitted light LOUT also changes. At this time,
Since the gear 16 has twice the diameter of the gear 17, the gear 17
Rotate by half the rotation angle of. As can be seen from FIG. 2, the angle δ between the optical axis of the emitted light LOUT and the reflecting surface S is 1/1 / θ of the angle θ between the optical axis of the emitted light LOUT and the optical axis of the incident light LIN.
When the value is 2, the optical signal is correctly transmitted to the receiving unit.
Therefore, no matter what angle the display unit 12 is bent, the emitted light LOUT
The change in the angle .theta. Between the optical axis of the incident light LIN and the angle .theta. Between the optical axis of the incident light LIN and the change in the angle .delta. M is rotated, and the above relationship is maintained. That is, the rotation angle of the reflecting mirror changes one-to-one with the change in the relative angle between the information processing device 14 and the display unit 12, and the above relationship is maintained. Therefore, according to the present embodiment, it is possible to transmit an optical signal correctly.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, light transmission is enabled by controlling the angle of the reflecting mirror provided in the hinge portion, so that information can be transmitted while preventing electromagnetic interference by optical communication. is there.

Further, according to the first embodiment, since optical fibers are not used even for optical transmission, there is no need to consider the deterioration of the fibers due to long-term operation, and high reliability can be maintained. Further, since no optical fiber is used, the structure is simplified.

According to the first embodiment, since the angle control is performed by the gear, the light reflection direction can be controlled with high accuracy.

(Embodiment 2) Embodiment 2 of the present invention relates to a modification of the optical transmission mechanism in Embodiment 1 described above. As shown in FIG. 3, the light transmission mechanism of the second embodiment includes a light emitting element LD, an angle control mechanism (see FIG. 2), a reflecting mirror M, a condenser lens LN3, and a light receiving element PD. In the present embodiment, since the collimator lens is not provided on the transmission unit side unlike the first embodiment, the light reflected by the reflecting mirror M is radiated light. The condenser lens LN3 is configured to convert the radiated light into convergent light by strong refraction and converge it on the light receiving element PD. This condenser lens LN
3 may be provided at any position on the optical path. Other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment. The angle control mechanism is the same as in the first embodiment.

According to this configuration, since no optical element is provided between the light emitting element LD and the reflecting mirror M, the emitted light LOUT
Are reflected by the reflecting surface S as emitted light. However, regardless of whether the light incident on the reflection surface S is a radiated light or a parallel light, the angle control function operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment, so that the optical axis of the emitted light LOUT and the reflection surface S make up. Angle δ
Is の of the angle θ between the optical axis of the emitted light LOUT and the optical axis of the incident light LIN, and the optical signal is correctly transmitted to the receiving unit. Therefore, no matter what angle the display unit 12 is bent, according to the present optical transmission mechanism, it is possible to transmit an optical signal correctly. As described above, according to the second embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, the number of optical elements can be reduced, and the cost can be further reduced.

(Embodiment 3) Embodiment 3 of the present invention relates to another modification of the optical transmission mechanism in Embodiment 1. The optical transmission mechanism of the third embodiment, as shown in FIG.
Light emitting element LD, angle control mechanism (see FIG. 2), reflector M1
And a light receiving element PD. Reflector M1
Has a concave reflective surface S. This concave surface
The radius of curvature is set so as to focus on the light receiving point on the light receiving element PD side. Other configurations are the same as in the first embodiment. The angle control mechanism is the same as in the first embodiment.

According to this configuration, since no optical element is provided between the light emitting element LD and the reflecting mirror M1, the emitted light LOU
T enters the reflecting mirror M1 as infinite radiation light. However, since the reflecting mirror M1 is a concave mirror, even the emitted light can be converted into convergent light and converged on the light receiving element PD. At this time, since the angle control function operates in the same manner as in the first embodiment even if the light incident on the reflecting surface S is radiation light, the angle δ between the optical axis of the emitted light LOUT and the reflecting surface S is formed.
Is の of the angle θ between the optical axis of the emitted light LOUT and the optical axis of the incident light LIN, and the optical signal is correctly transmitted to the receiving unit. Therefore, no matter what angle the display unit 12 is bent, according to the present optical transmission mechanism, it is possible to transmit an optical signal correctly.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, the number of optical elements can be further reduced and the cost can be reduced.

(Embodiment 4) Embodiment 4 of the present invention relates to a modification of the angle control mechanism in Embodiment 1 described above.
As shown in FIG. 5, in the angle control mechanism of the fourth embodiment, one end P of the reflecting mirror M rotates at a point (on the main body 11 side) on a circle having a constant radius from the rotation axis O of the hinge at the hinge portion 15. It is freely supported. The display side of the reflecting mirror M is slidably locked. As shown in the figure, the position is adjusted so that the rotation axis O comes to the middle point of the entire length (width) of the reflecting mirror M.

In the above configuration, when the display unit 12 rotates about the rotation axis O, the other end of the reflecting mirror M, which is not supported by the shaft, is pushed by the wall surface on the display unit 12 side, and the reflecting mirror M The angle between the reflection surface S and the main body 11, that is, the installation surface of the notebook computer changes. At this time, the angle δ between the reflection surface S and the main body 11, that is, the installation surface is 面 of the angle θ between the display unit 12 and the installation surface. Angle θ between the optical axis of emitted light LOUT and reflection surface S
Is の of the angle between the optical axis of the emitted light LOUT and the optical axis of the incident light LIN, and the optical signal is correctly transmitted to the receiving unit. Therefore, no matter what angle the display unit 12 is bent, according to the present optical transmission mechanism, it is possible to transmit an optical signal correctly.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained, and further, the structure of the angle control mechanism can be further simplified and the cost can be reduced.

(Embodiment 5) Embodiment 5 of the present invention shows still another embodiment of the optical transmission mechanism of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a side view illustrating the structure of a notebook computer including the optical transmission mechanism of the present embodiment. This figure is
FIG. 3 is a conceptual diagram of a state in which a display unit is opened, which is observed from the side of a notebook computer.

As shown in FIG. 6, the main body 21 and the display section 22 of the notebook computer 4
5 so as to be freely rotatable. In the main body 21,
A board 23 on which an information processing circuit which is a main body of an electronic circuit of the computer is mounted is housed. Display unit 22
Accommodates a substrate 24 on which a display and its peripheral circuits are mounted.

The optical transmission mechanism of the present invention constitutes a transmission path of an optical signal between the main body 21 and the display section 22, and includes a light emitting element LD, a collimator lens LN1,
Angle control mechanism (see FIG. 2), reflector M2, condenser lens L
N2 and a light receiving element PD are provided. The basic structure is the same as that of the first embodiment. However, since the light emitting direction and the incident direction to the main body and the display unit are different from those of the first embodiment, the setting angle of the reflection surface M2 is also different. The light emitting element LD in the present embodiment is installed directly on the substrate 22, such as a surface emitting laser, and emits light perpendicular to the substrate surface. Collimator lens L
N1 is an optical element that converts light emitted from the light emitting element LD into parallel light. In the reflecting mirror M2, the reflecting surface S forms a flat mirror surface, and the emitted light L
An optical element capable of reflecting incident light, wherein a reflection surface is positioned at a position where an optical axis of OUT intersects with an optical axis of incident light LIN incident on the receiving unit. Condensing lens LN2
Is an optical element that converges the parallel light reflected by the reflection surface S of the reflection mirror M2 on the surface of the light receiving element PD. Light receiving element P
D is directly installed on the substrate 24 such as a photodiode,
Light from a direction perpendicular to the substrate surface is detected.

As the angle control mechanism of the reflecting mirror M2 in this embodiment, basically, the mechanism used in each of the above embodiments can be adopted. However, as shown in FIG.
Of the optical axis of the outgoing light LOUT and the incident light LIN such that the incident angle δ of the optical axis of the The angle of the reflection surface S can be controlled according to the change in the angle between the reflection surface S and the optical axis. When the angle of the reflection surface S is controlled in this manner, the light is correctly applied to the light receiving element PD according to the angle change, regardless of the angle of the display unit 12 being bent. The signal can be transmitted correctly to the receiving unit.

In this embodiment, the mechanism for light transmission, including the light emitting element LD and the light receiving element PD, can be arranged in a plane on the substrate. Since the positioning in the manufacture of the substrate can be performed with high accuracy, it is possible to increase the positional accuracy of each element by arranging each element of the optical transmission mechanism on the substrate.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, the same effects as those of the first embodiment can be obtained. In addition, the fifth embodiment can be easily applied to a structure in which a hinge portion is provided on a main body as seen in some notebook computers. It is possible to do.

(Embodiment 6) Embodiment 6 of the present invention shows still another embodiment of the optical transmission mechanism of the present invention.
FIG. 8 is a side view illustrating the structure of a notebook computer including the optical transmission mechanism of the present embodiment. FIG. 8 (a)
FIG. 8B is a plan view of the notebook computer with the display unit opened, and FIG. 8B is a side view. For easy understanding of the structure, the display unit and the hinge unit are shown by broken lines except for the optical transmission mechanism. The illustration of the information processing apparatus is omitted for simplicity.

As shown in FIG. 8, the main body 31 and the display section 32 of the notebook computer 5
5 so as to be freely rotatable. The optical transmission mechanism of the present invention constitutes a transmission path of an optical signal between the main body 31 and the display unit 32, and includes a light emitting element LD, an angle control mechanism (see FIG. 9), a reflecting mirror M3 and a light receiving element PD.
It is comprised including. A condenser lens may be further provided on the main body side and / or the display section side. Reflector M3
Is such that the reflection surface S is located at a position where the optical axis of the emitted light LOUT emitted from the transmitting unit and the optical axis of the incident light LIN incident on the receiving unit intersect, and the emitted light LOUT can be incident on the receiving unit. It is designed to reflect. Light L emitted from the light emitting element LD
The optical axis direction of OUT is installed so as to be parallel to the axial direction of the hinge structure between the main body 31 and the display unit 31.
As shown in FIG. 9, the angle control mechanism rotates the reflecting shaft M3 around the axis of the emitted light by rotating a rotating shaft 36 provided in the axial direction of the emitted light LOUT by a known rotation control mechanism such as a gear. It is to rotate. This angle control mechanism
The reflecting mirror M3 can be rotated around the optical axis of the incident light in accordance with a change in the angle between the incident light LIN to the receiving unit and a predetermined plane, that is, the installation surface of the main body 31. I have. The rotation angle by the angle control mechanism is controlled to change in accordance with the angular velocity between the main body surface and the display surface. With the display unit 31 completely closed, the reflecting mirror M3 is arranged as shown by the broken line in FIG.

In the above configuration, when the display unit 31 is closed, light from the light emitting element LD is reflected by the reflecting mirror M.
The light is reflected at 3 and reaches the light receiving element PD. When the display unit 31 is opened from this state, the rotating shaft 36 rotates in proportion to the angle between the display surface and the installation surface, and the reflecting mirror M3 is rotated in the direction of the arrow in FIG. That is, the change in the relative angle between the display surface and the installation surface corresponds one-to-one with the change in the angle of the reflecting mirror M3. As a result, the light emitting element LD
Is reflected toward the light receiving element PD that moves with the display surface. Therefore, even if the display unit 32 is bent at any angle, the light is correctly applied to the light receiving element PD, so that the optical signal from the transmitting unit can be correctly transmitted to the receiving unit.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, in addition to the same effects as those of the first embodiment, when the mounting density of the components of the main body portion is high and the optical structure cannot be arranged, the light emitting element is provided in the hinge portion. And reflectors can be provided,
It is possible to provide an advantageous form for saving space.

(Other Modifications) The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but can be applied in various modifications. For example, the optical element in the optical path connecting the light emitting element to the light receiving element is not limited, and can be further changed within the range of a known technique. An angle-controllable reflecting surface according to the gist of the present invention may be provided at a portion where the optical axes from the transmitting unit and the receiving unit intersect.

The angle control mechanism can be considered in various ways, and is not limited to the above embodiment.

The application of the present invention is not limited to the notebook computer as described above. That is, the present invention is applicable to an electronic device having first and second units whose positions are relatively changed, and in which optical signals are transmitted and received between these units. For example, the present invention can be applied to any electronic device having a movable portion between both units and having an application for performing optical communication through the movable portion. Further, the present invention is not limited to electronic devices, and can be applied to an apparatus that transmits light via a movable unit.

[0049]

According to the present invention, since the reflector and the angle control mechanism are provided so that the light emitted from the transmitting section can be constantly reflected toward the receiving section, the light which can prevent electromagnetic interference with a simple structure is provided. It is possible to provide a transmission mechanism and an electronic device.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an explanatory diagram of an optical transmission mechanism according to a first embodiment.

FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram of an angle control mechanism according to the first embodiment.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram of an optical transmission mechanism according to a second embodiment.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram of an optical transmission mechanism according to a third embodiment.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram of an angle control mechanism according to a fourth embodiment.

FIG. 6 is an explanatory diagram of an optical transmission mechanism according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram of an angle control mechanism according to a fifth embodiment.

FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram of an optical transmission mechanism according to a sixth embodiment.

FIG. 9 is an explanatory diagram of an angle control mechanism according to a sixth embodiment.

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁷ Identification symbol FI Theme coat ゛ (Reference) H04B 10/22 F term (Reference) 2H043 BB04 CA01 CB02 CD03 CE00 5B019 BC06 EA10 5K002 AA01 AA03 AA07 BA02 BA13 BA21 DA05 FA04 GA07

Claims (25)

[Claims] An optical data transmission mechanism for transmitting data between a transmission unit and a reception unit whose relative position fluctuates, wherein the optical data transmission mechanism changes the optical axis direction of light emitted from the transmission unit and receives the data. An optical path conversion element configured to be able to be emitted as incident light incident on the unit, and corresponding to a change in an angle between an optical axis of light emitted from the transmitting unit and an optical axis of light incident on the receiving unit, An optical data transmission mechanism comprising: an angle control mechanism for rotating the optical path conversion element. 2. The angle control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a rotation angle of the optical path changing element is set to a change amount of an angle between an optical axis of light emitted from the transmitting unit and an optical axis of light incident on the receiving unit. 2. The optical data transmission mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the optical data transmission mechanism is changed at a constant rate. 3. The light path conversion element is a reflector whose reflection surface is located at a position where an optical axis of light emitted from the transmitting unit and an optical axis of light incident on the receiving unit intersect. 2. The optical data transmission mechanism according to 1. 4. An angle control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein said reflecting surface of said reflector is formed with respect to an amount of change in an angle between an optical axis of light emitted from said transmitting unit and an optical axis of light incident on said receiving unit. The optical data transmission mechanism according to claim 3, wherein the change is performed by a change amount of 1/2. 5. The optical data transmission mechanism according to claim 3, wherein said reflector has a concave reflecting surface. 6. The angle control mechanism includes: a first vehicle that supports the reflector; and a second vehicle that supports one of the transmission unit and the reception unit. The optical data transmission mechanism according to claim 4, wherein a radius of the pitch circle is set to be twice a radius of the pitch circle of the second vehicle. 7. The optical data according to claim 1, further comprising an optical element for refracting the outgoing light and / or the incident light at any position on the optical axis. Transmission mechanism. 8. An electronic apparatus comprising the optical data transmission mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the optical data transmission mechanism moves the receiving unit and the transmitting unit relatively. An electronic device, wherein the electronic device is applied to a movable part to be driven. 9. An optical data transmission mechanism for transmitting data between a transmission unit and a reception unit whose relative position fluctuates, wherein the optical data transmission mechanism changes the optical axis direction of light emitted from the transmission unit and receives the data. An optical path conversion element configured to be able to emit as incident light incident on the unit, and forming a predetermined plane with one of the optical axis of the light emitted from the transmitting unit or the optical axis of the incident light on the receiving unit. An optical data transmission mechanism, comprising: an angle control mechanism that rotates the optical path conversion element around an optical axis of light emitted from the transmission unit in accordance with a change in the angle. 10. The angle control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the rotation angle of the light emitted from the optical path conversion element around the optical axis is set to one of an optical axis of the light emitted from the transmitting unit and an optical axis of the light incident on the receiving unit. The optical data transmission mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the optical data transmission mechanism is changed at a fixed ratio with respect to a change amount of an angle between one side and a predetermined plane. 11. The angle control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein the rotation angle of the light path conversion element around the optical axis of the emitted light is set to one of an optical axis of the emitted light from the transmitting unit and an optical axis of the incident light to the receiving unit. 10. The optical data transmission mechanism according to claim 9, wherein the optical data transmission mechanism is changed by an amount equal to an amount of change in an angle between one of the planes and a predetermined plane. 12. The optical data transmission mechanism according to claim 9, further comprising an optical element for refracting the outgoing light and / or the incident light at any position on the optical axis. . 13. A first unit having a transmitting unit that transmits an optical signal, the first unit having a transmitting unit that transmits an optical signal, and a second unit having a receiving unit that receives the optical signal, wherein the first unit has a first position and a second unit.
An electronic device for transmitting optical data between a unit and a second unit, wherein the optical path conversion is configured to change an optical axis direction of emission light emitted from a transmission unit and to emit the incident light incident on a reception unit. And an angle control mechanism that rotates the optical path conversion element in accordance with a change in an angle between an optical axis of light emitted from the transmitting unit and an optical axis of light incident on the receiving unit. Electronic equipment characterized by the above. 14. The angle control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a rotation angle of the optical path conversion element is set to a change amount of an angle between an optical axis of light emitted from the transmitting unit and an optical axis of light incident on the receiving unit. 14. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the electronic device is changed at a fixed ratio. 15. The optical path conversion element according to claim 13, wherein a reflection surface is located at a position where an optical axis of light emitted from the transmission unit and an optical axis of light incident on the reception unit intersect. An electronic device according to claim 1. 16. The angle control mechanism according to claim 1, wherein a reflection surface of the reflector is formed with respect to an amount of change in an angle between an optical axis of light emitted from the transmitting unit and an optical axis of light incident on the receiving unit. The electronic device according to claim 15, wherein the change is performed by a change amount of ２. 17. The electronic apparatus according to claim 13, further comprising an optical element for refracting the emitted light and / or the incident light at any position on the optical axis. 18. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the reflector has a concave reflecting surface. 19. The angle control mechanism includes: a first vehicle that supports the reflector; and a second vehicle that supports one of the transmission unit and the reception unit. The radius of the pitch circle is 2 of the radius of the pitch circle in the second vehicle.
The electronic device according to claim 16, wherein the electronic device is set to double. 20. The electronic device according to claim 13, wherein the first unit is an information processing device, and the second unit is a display device that displays information transmitted from the information processing device. 21. A first unit having a transmitting unit that transmits an optical signal, the first unit having a transmitting unit that transmits an optical signal, and a second unit having a receiving unit that receives the optical signal.
An electronic device for transmitting optical data between a unit and a second unit, wherein the optical path conversion is configured to change an optical axis direction of emission light emitted from a transmission unit and to emit the incident light incident on a reception unit. An element, and transmitting the optical path conversion element to the optical path conversion element in accordance with a change in an angle between one of an optical axis of light emitted from the transmission unit or an optical axis of light incident on the reception unit and a predetermined plane. An angle control mechanism for rotating the light emitted from the unit around an optical axis of the light. 22. The angle control mechanism according to claim 16, wherein the rotation angle of the light emitted from the optical path changing element around the optical axis is set to one of an optical axis of the light emitted from the transmitting unit and an optical axis of the light incident on the receiving unit. 22. The electronic device according to claim 21, wherein the electronic device is changed at a fixed ratio with respect to a change amount of an angle between one of the surfaces and a predetermined plane. 23. The angle control mechanism according to claim 16, wherein the rotation angle of the light emitted from the optical path conversion element around the optical axis is set to one of an optical axis of the light emitted from the transmitting unit and an optical axis of the light incident on the receiving unit. 22. The electronic device according to claim 21, wherein the angle is changed by the same amount with respect to the amount of change in the angle between one and the predetermined plane. 24. The electronic apparatus according to claim 21, further comprising an optical element for refracting the outgoing light and / or the incident light at any position on the optical axis. 25. The electronic apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the first unit is an information processing device, and the second unit is a display device that displays information transmitted from the information processing device.