JP3381912B2 - Optical communication repeater and electronic equipment - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical communication repeater and electronic equipment.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a method for performing data communication between a plurality of electronic devices, there are an ASK method, a cordless communication method standardized by IrDA (International Infrared Data Communications Association), and the like. Among the electronic devices, portable information devices such as a notebook personal computer (hereinafter referred to as "notebook PC") include wired communication ports such as serial and Centronics, and infrared communication ports corresponding to various communication rates. It is possible to perform infrared communication based on the serial communication standard, Centronics communication standard, etc.

By the way, in theory, the portable information equipment does not require a wired communication port, and if the infrared communication port alone is mounted, the portable information equipment can be downsized. However, of the wired communication port and the infrared communication port, the wired communication port is mainly used, and the infrared communication port is rarely used. Further, in a wristwatch-type portable information device equipped with a wired communication port and an infrared communication port, the metal part of the communication contact is exposed as the wired communication port is installed, and thus the portable information device. Not only is the water resistance of the communication contact deteriorated, but it also becomes difficult to secure the corrosion resistance and dust resistance of the communication contacts. And, for example, if the communication contacts corrode,
Communication reliability is reduced. As described above, it is preferable that each portable information device is not equipped with the wired communication port but is equipped with only the infrared communication port.

By the way, since the portable information equipment equipped with only the infrared communication port has a wireless optical communication function without using a cable, it is possible to use the mobile device while moving, but the portable information device can be used on a desk. A user who often uses the device or a user who is not used to using the portable information device may feel uneasy. This is done by visually checking whether or not the portable information device and the other electronic device are oriented in the optimal direction with respect to each other, or whether the portable information device and the other electronic device are surely communicated with each other. This is because it is difficult to judge.

Therefore, various communication assisting devices utilizing an optical cable have been provided to assist wireless optical communication (Japanese Patent Laid-Open Nos. 8-191493 and 9-3).
18852 and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-258072).

In the "light receiving mechanism for remote operation" described in Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 8-191493, unidirectional optical communication is performed in a remote control device provided as an accessory to AV equipment such as a video camera. It is possible to assist. In this case, for example, since the AV equipment is remotely operated from the front, the optical communication port built in the AV equipment is usually arranged on the front surface of the AV equipment. Therefore, in the above-mentioned "light receiving mechanism for remote operation", one end of the light guide is attached to the optical communication port, the other end is bent, and the other end is attached so as not to interfere with the remote operation from the front of the AV device. The feature is that the optical communication can be received in any direction, and the optical communication can be received in the direction. However,
In the above "light receiving mechanism for remote operation", the material and structure of the light guide are not specifically described.

Further, in the "infrared communication adapter" described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-318852, the optical communication by radio between electronic devices is assisted by the adapter. In this case, the infrared transfer section is arranged at both ends of the optical cable having a predetermined length, and the optical cable and the electronic device are connected via the infrared transfer section. The optical cable is formed by bundling a plurality of optical cable strands, and a bidirectional optical signal passes through each optical cable strand. However, with the adapter,
There are restrictions on the relative positions of the light emitting element and the light receiving element on the substrate of the electronic device. In addition, if a plurality of optical cable strands are bundled, portability will be reduced.

In the "connector for optical data transmission" described in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 9-258072,
Wireless optical communication between electronic devices is assisted by a connecting device. In this case, the connection device is arranged at both ends of the optical cable having a predetermined length, and the optical cable and the electronic device are connected via the connection device. Also,
An optical cable is provided for each direction of communication so that bidirectional communication can be performed, and one end of the optical cable is connected to a light emitting element and the other end is connected to a light receiving element. However, when the connection device is used, it is necessary to use a special connector corresponding to the electronic device, or the relative position of the light emitting element and the light receiving element on the substrate of the electronic device is restricted.

As described above, in the techniques described in the above publications, since the cross section of the optical cable is several mm at the maximum, it corresponds to the electronic device when the optical cable and the electronic device are to be connected. It may be necessary to use a special connector, or it may be necessary to change the mounting positions of the light emitting element and the light receiving element on the substrate of the electronic device so as to be suitable for wired optical communication. Therefore, the cost of the communication assistance device or the electronic device increases. Further, if a special connector is used or the mounting positions of the light emitting element and the light receiving element are changed, the communication auxiliary device or the electronic device becomes large in size, so that it is difficult to apply each of the above techniques to the portable information device. Become.

On the other hand, by forming the electronic device and the optical communication device separately, and connecting the electronic device and the optical communication device with a metal cable, it is possible to easily perform wireless optical communication. The technologies described above are provided (see Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Nos. 9-160672, 9-298510 and 10-112744). However, in the technique described in each of the above publications, the optical communication device is not built in the electronic device, and thus is likely to be damaged. In particular, in the "telephone" described in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 10-112744, there is a possibility that the infrared light emitting and receiving module and the communication cable may be pulled out, and the cost for restoring when pulled out becomes high. Will end up.

Further, in addition to an optical communication device, a communication device capable of performing communication by radio waves can be mounted on electronic equipment, but since the wavelength band of radio waves varies depending on the country or region, standardization is difficult. . Also, radio waves may affect other electronic devices in the vicinity.

[0012]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention can solve the problems of the conventional electronic devices described above, reduce the cost, use a special connector, and attach a transmitter and a receiver. An object of the present invention is to provide an optical communication repeater and an electronic device that do not need to change the position.

[0013]

Therefore, in the optical communication repeater of the present invention, each optical communication device is provided,
At least one of the optical communication devices connects a plurality of electronic devices having a wireless optical communication function. The optical signal is provided with an incident surface on which an optical signal sent from a transmission unit of a predetermined optical communication device is incident, and at least a part is formed by one or more optical fibers. And a radiating section which is provided with a radiating surface which radiates the optical signal and sends it to the receiving section of another optical communication device, and which comprises an optical fiber. At least one of the incident portion and the radiating portion has a cross-sectional area that increases with increasing distance from the main body portion, and at least a portion thereof is formed by bundling a plurality of optical fibers having different end surface areas.

In this case, since a plurality of electronic devices can be connected by the optical communication repeater, whether or not the electronic devices are oriented in the optimum direction, or the electronic devices are surely communicated with each other. It is possible to visually judge whether or not there is. Therefore, there is no possibility that a user who often uses an electronic device on a desk or a user who is not used to using an electronic device feels anxiety.

At least one of the incident portion and the radiating portion has a cross-sectional area that increases with increasing distance from the main body portion, and at least a part of them is formed by bundling a plurality of optical fibers having different end surface areas. Therefore, it is not necessary to use an adapter, a special connector, or the like in order to connect a plurality of electronic devices by an optical communication repeater, and also, a transmitter and a receiver are provided on the substrate of the optical communication device. There is no restriction on the relative position. Moreover, since the electronic devices of various standards can be connected to each other, the versatility of the optical communication repeater is enhanced.

As a result, the cost of the electronic equipment and the optical communication repeater can be reduced. Further, since the electronic device and the optical communication repeater can be downsized, a portable information device can be used as the electronic device. Further, since each optical communication device is built in the electronic device, the possibility of damage is reduced.

In still another optical communication repeater of the present invention, the bundle of optical fibers is further formed by being divided into a plurality of stages.

In still another optical communication repeater of the present invention, a connecting portion is further arranged between the main body portion and at least one of the incident portion and the radiating portion. In this case, even if the optical communication device has a special size and shape,
The incident part or the radiating part can be replaced with one corresponding to the optical communication device.

In another optical communication repeater of the present invention,
Furthermore, the area of at least one of the incident surface and the radiation surface is substantially equal to the area of the communication surface of the optical communication device.

In still another optical communication repeater of the present invention, the emitting surface has a size and a shape enough to emit an optical signal over a communication angle conforming to the optical communication standard. Further, the incident surface has a size and a shape such that at least a communicable optical signal from an optical communication device opposed to each other within the communication angle and the communication distance is incident.

In still another optical communication repeater of the present invention, the optical communication device further includes a transmitter and a receiver. Then, at least a part of the optical communication path formed by the main body section, the incident section and the radiating section is separated into two independent optical communication paths. In this case, the optical signals do not become noise when the optical signals are sent in both directions.

In still another optical communication repeater of the present invention, a converging lens is attached to at least one of the incident surface and the emitting surface. In this case, the energy loss of the optical signal can be reduced.

In still another optical communication repeater of the present invention, at least one of the electronic equipment and the optical communication repeater is provided with positioning means for positioning the optical communication repeater with respect to the electronic equipment. To be done.

In still another optical communication repeater of the present invention, at least one of the incident part and the radiating part is built in the electronic device.

An optical communication device capable of switching communication directions according to the present invention includes an optical communication device and an optical communication repeater. The optical communication repeater connects at least one of the optical communication devices between a plurality of electronic devices having a wireless optical communication function, and an optical signal sent from a transmission unit of a predetermined optical communication device. Is equipped with an incident surface on which
In addition, the incident part made of an optical fiber, at least a part of
A plurality of optical fibers, a main body portion that passes the optical signal, and a radiation surface that emits the optical signal and sends the optical signal to a receiving portion of another optical communication device; Have. At least one of the incident portion and the radiating portion has a cross-sectional area that increases with increasing distance from the main body portion, and at least a portion thereof is formed by bundling a plurality of optical fibers having different end surface areas.

The electronic equipment of the present invention comprises an optical communication device and an optical communication relay device connected to the optical communication device. The optical communication repeater connects at least one of the optical communication devices between a plurality of electronic devices having a wireless optical communication function, and an optical signal sent from a transmission unit of a predetermined optical communication device. Is provided with an entrance surface, and an entrance part composed of an optical fiber, at least a part of which is formed by one or more optical fibers, a main body part for passing the optical signal, and radiating the optical signal,
It has a radiation surface for sending to a receiving portion of another optical communication device, and has a radiation portion made of an optical fiber. At least one of the incident portion and the radiating portion has a cross-sectional area that increases with increasing distance from the main body portion, and at least a portion thereof is formed by bundling a plurality of optical fibers having different end surface areas.

[0027]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a usage state of an optical communication repeater according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is an end surface of an entrance / exit section of an optical communication path according to the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a side view of the incident / radiating portion of the optical communication path according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is an optical communication repeater and electronic equipment according to the first embodiment of the present invention. It is a figure which shows the connection method with.

In the figure, reference numeral 1 is an optical communication repeater having a wired optical communication function, 20a and 20b are first and second electronic equipment, and the first and second electronic equipment 20a and 20b.
The first and second optical communication devices 21a and 21b such as infrared communication ports each having a wireless optical communication function are built in b. In this case, the first and second electronic devices 20a and 20b are portable information devices. The first and second optical communication devices 21a and 21b can be installed in advance in the first and second electronic devices 20a and 20b, or can be installed additionally. Each of the first and second optical communication devices 21a and 21b includes a transmitter, a receiver, and a communication surface (not shown), and a panel that transmits infrared rays and blocks ultraviolet rays, visible light, and the like is arranged on the communication surfaces. Set up.
In the present embodiment, the optical communication relay device 1 is configured to connect the first and second electronic devices 20a and 20b, but to connect three or more electronic devices. You can also Further, 13 is provided with a main body 13a and a radiation unit 13b connected to both ends of the main body 13a via connecting portions 15, and the first and second electronic devices 20a, 20 are provided.
The optical communication path 13 is a connection path between the b and the optical communication path 13. The optical communication path 13 bidirectionally passes an optical signal to assist the optical communication.

The entrance / exit unit 13b causes an optical signal to enter or radiate between the first and second optical communication devices 21a and 21b. Therefore, each radiation unit 13b is held so as to face the first and second optical communication devices 21a and 21b, and is brought close to or in contact with the communication surface. In the present embodiment, the first optical communication device 21a
The optical signal sent from the transmitting section of the main body 1 is made incident on the incident surface 11 and is converged in the entrance / exit section 13b.
After passing through 3a, passing through the entrance / exit section 13b, the emitting surface 1
It is emitted from 2 and is sent to the receiving unit of the second optical communication device 21b. In the present embodiment, the radiation unit 13b facing the first optical communication device 21a is an incidence unit, and the radiation unit 13b facing the second optical communication device 21b is used as an incidence unit.
Functions as a radiation part.

By the way, the entrance / exit section 13b has a tapered shape, and has a structure in which the cross-sectional area increases with increasing distance from the main body section 13a. The area is made larger than the cross-sectional area of the main body 13a. The area of the incident surface 11 is made sure that the optical signal sent from the transmitter of the first optical communication device 21a is incident, and the area of the emitting surface 12 is the area where the emitted optical signal is the second light. The reception unit of the communication device 21b is set so as to be surely received. In the present embodiment, the areas of the entrance surface 11 and the radiation surface 12 are made substantially equal to the area of the communication surface. Since the optical signal is converged and diffused in the optical communication path 13, when the transmitter and the receiver are integrally formed in the first and second optical communication devices 21a and 21b, the transmitter and the receiver are formed. Radiator 1 for the department
Even if the position of 3b varies, the optical signal can be reliably incident on the incident surface 11 and the optical signal can be reliably emitted on the emission surface 12. Therefore, data communication can be reliably performed. In addition, in this Embodiment, although all the radiation | emission parts 13b have a taper shape, even if at least one of the radiation parts 13b has a taper shape. Good.

The main body 13a is formed by an optical cable composed of one or more optical fibers, that is, an optical fiber cable, and has a bendable diameter. Therefore, since the optical communication path 13 can be bent easily, when the first and second electronic devices 20a and 20b are used on a desk, the first and second electronic devices 20a and 20a
The degree of freedom of installation such as the orientation of 20b can be increased.

In the present embodiment, the entire radiation unit 13b is formed by bundling a plurality of optical fibers made of glass, plastic material or the like.
At least a part of the radiation unit 13b may be formed by bundling a plurality of optical fibers. Alternatively, glass, plastic material, or the like may be formed into a hollow pipe shape, and the inner wall may be covered with a material having a low infrared reflectance such as a clad so that an optical signal passes through the air in the hollow pipe. Therefore, in the radiation unit 13b,
It is possible to reduce the energy loss of the optical signal caused by reflection, scattering and the like.

As the material of the optical fiber cable forming the main body 13a, it is preferable to use plastic which is more resistant to bending than glass. An optical fiber made of a conventional plastic material has remarkable harmonic absorption in the wavelength range of 850 to 900 [nm] according to the IrDA optical communication standard, and has a transmission loss of 1000 [db / km]. However, recently, an optical fiber obtained by replacing hydrogen atoms with fluorine atoms, that is, a fluorinated plastic optical fiber has become known. The fluorinated plastic optical fiber has almost no absorption of higher harmonics in the above wavelength range and has a transmission loss of several to several tens [db / k].
m]. Therefore, in the present embodiment, an optical fiber cable forming the main body 13a,
Further, a fluorinated plastic optical fiber, particularly a perfluorinated plastic optical fiber was used as a material for the optical fiber forming the incident / radiation portion 13b.

By the way, generally, the shapes of the transmitting section and the receiving section of the optical communication device vary considerably depending on the electronic equipment. Therefore, in the present embodiment, the main body 13a and each of the radiation units 13b are detachably connected to each other via the connection unit 15, so that the first and second optical communication devices 21a,
Even when 21b has a special size and shape, each radiation unit 13b can be replaced in correspondence with the first and second optical communication devices 21a and 21b. The main body 13
When a is formed by an optical fiber cable, the energy loss of the optical signal in the vicinity of the connection portion 15 can be reduced by heating the both ends of the optical fiber cable and slightly expanding the pressure by applying pressure. Further, the main body portion 13a and each of the incident / radiation portions 13b can be connected without the connection portion 15.

The entrance / exit section 13b is formed by bundling a plurality of optical fibers having different end surfaces. As a result, since the optical communication path 13 is divided, it is possible to reduce the energy loss of the optical signal due to reflection or the like from when the optical signal is incident on the incident surface 11 to when it reaches the main body 13a. In the present embodiment, each optical fiber is formed in a hexagonal honeycomb shape so as to be easily bundled, but it may be formed in another shape. The radiation unit 13b can also be formed by a single optical fiber.

The optical fiber loupe technique is used to make the areas of both end faces of the optical fiber different from each other. A fiber optic loupe was used to visually magnify the image and was developed as an alternative to a lens loupe where part of the image is distorted. The optical fiber loupe is formed by bundling a plurality of glass optical fibers at a high density, heating them, and then stretching and processing them into a taper shape, and each optical fiber has a hexagonal honeycomb shape. The area difference between both end surfaces of the optical fiber loupe is made about 5 times.

Then, when the end face having the smaller area of the optical fiber loupe is brought into contact with the object without any gap, the light incident from the end face having the larger area is reflected on the surface of the object. The light is emitted from the end face having the larger area in an orderly manner according to the arrangement of the optical fibers. As a result, the image is visually magnified and collected to form an image. Thus, the optical fiber loupe functions as an expanding loupe.

Incidentally, in the present invention, the entrance / exit section 13b.
Since the optical signal is guided to the main body portion 13a by the above, it is not necessary to form an image of the light reflected by the surface of the object unlike the optical fiber loupe. Further, in the present invention, it is necessary to converge the optical signal while passing through the main body 13a, regardless of which part of the incident surface 11 the optical signal is incident on. Further, in the present invention, it is not necessary to use tens of thousands of thin optical fibers like the optical fiber loupe and to suppress the area difference between both end surfaces of the optical fiber loupe to about 5 times.

By the way, the optical communication repeater 1 is installed in the first and second
It is necessary to position the electronic devices 20a and 20b. Therefore, a mounting tool for mounting the optical communication relay device 1 to the first and second electronic devices 20a and 20b is arranged near the incident surface 11 or the emission surface 12 of the optical communication relay device 1, or The mounting portion may be arranged at a position corresponding to the mounting device in the second electronic device 20a, 20b. At least one of the mounting tool and the mounting portion constitutes the positioning means.

Next, a method of connecting the optical communication repeater 1 and the first and second electronic devices 20a and 20b will be described.
Since the first and second electronic devices 20a and 20b have the same configuration, the first electronic device 20 of the optical communication repeater 1 is the same.
Only the method of connecting with a will be described.

In FIG. 4, reference numeral 16 is a frame member as a positioning means and a defining portion, and the frame member 16 sets the relative position between the optical communication repeater 1 and the first electronic device 20a. As the positioning means, the frame member 1
Although a mechanical means such as 6 is used, instead of the mechanical means, for example, a magnet or the like is used, and the radiation unit 13b is attached to the case of the first electronic device 20a by the magnetic force of the magnet. You can choose to let them do it.

By the way, in order to reduce the energy loss of the optical signal, the first optical communication device 21a and the optical communication line 1 are connected.
The converging lens 14 is disposed between the lens and the lens 3.
In this embodiment, a converging lens 14 is attached to the entrance surface 11. In this case, the first optical communication device 2
In order to reduce the clearance between 1a and the optical communication path 13, a Fresnel lens having a small thickness is used as the converging lens 14.

In the present embodiment, the case where the first and second electronic devices 20a and 20b communicate with each other via the optical communication repeater 1 has been described. However, among the three or more electronic devices. It is also possible to communicate. In this case, for example,
Using one electronic device as a master unit and the remaining electronic devices as slave units, all communication is performed via the master unit, and one end of the optical communication path that constitutes the optical communication repeater is connected to the master unit. Then
The optical communication path is branched into a plurality of optical communication paths on the way, and the other end of the branched optical communication path is connected to each slave. In this way, a part of the optical communication path is separated into a plurality of optical communication paths. The branch portion of the optical communication path is preferably shaped so that the optical signal sent from each slave unit side can be sent to the master unit side without causing energy loss.

As described above, the first and second electronic devices 20
Since a and 20b can be connected by the optical communication repeater 1, it is determined whether or not the first and second electronic devices 20a and 20b are arranged in the optimal directions with respect to each other, or the first and second electronic devices. It is possible to visually determine whether or not the communication is reliably performed between the devices 20a and 20b. Therefore, the first and second electronic devices 20a,
A user who often uses 20b on a desk, or first,
It eliminates the possibility that a user who is not used to using the second electronic devices 20a and 20b feels uneasy.

In addition, the first and second electronic devices 20a, 20
It is not necessary to use an adapter, a special connector, or the like to connect between b by the optical communication repeater 1, and the transmitter and the receiver are provided on the substrates of the first and second optical communication devices 21a and 21b. There is no restriction on the relative position of the parts. Moreover, since the electronic devices of various standards can be connected, the versatility of the optical communication repeater 1 is enhanced. As a result, the first and second electronic devices 20a and 20b
Also, the cost of the optical communication repeater 1 can be reduced. Further, the first and second electronic devices 20a and 20b and the optical communication relay device 1 can be downsized. Furthermore, since the first and second optical communication devices 21a and 21b are built in the first and second electronic devices 20a and 20b, the possibility of damage is reduced.

Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a method for connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 13a is a main body portion, 15 is a connecting portion, 116a is a locking member as positioning means and a first defining portion, 116b is a locking groove as positioning means and a second defining portion, and 120 is The electronic device 121 is an optical communication device, and the radiation member 13b is provided by the locking member 116a.
Is retained. Then, the optical communication relay device 1 can be positioned with respect to the electronic device 120 by inserting the locking member 116a into the locking groove 116b.

Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a method of connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 13a is a main body, 220 is an electronic device, and the electronic device 220 is a wristwatch type portable information device. Further, 221 is an optical communication device, 216 is a crocodile-shaped clip as a positioning means and a defining portion, and the clip 216 holds the radiation section 13b. In this case, with the electronic device 220 worn on the arm,
Alternatively, the optical communication repeater 1 can be positioned with respect to the electronic device 220 by engaging the clip 216 with the belt 223 even when the electronic device 220 is removed from the arm.

Next, a fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a method for connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 13a is a main body, 316 is a holding case as a positioning means and a defining section, and the holding case 316 has a recess 318 for accommodating a wristwatch type portable information device as an electronic device (not shown). The main body 317 is formed, and a lid body 319 is disposed so as to be swingable with respect to the main body 317. The lid body 319 holds the entrance / exit portion 13b. In this case, the portable information device is set in the recess 318, and the lid 319 is inserted.
By closing the, the optical communication repeater 1 can be positioned with respect to the portable information device.

Next explained is the fifth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 8 is a first diagram showing a method of connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 9 is an optical communication repeater according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. It is a 2nd figure which shows the connection method of an electronic device.

In the figure, 401 is an optical communication repeater, and 4
Reference numeral 15 is a connection unit, and 421 is an optical communication device. In the optical communication device 421, a transmission unit 431 and a reception unit 432 are arranged separately from each other. In this case, when transmitting the optical signals bidirectionally, at least a part of the optical communication path 413, in the present embodiment, the entire optical communication path 413 is an independent first so that the optical signals do not become noises to each other. , And the second optical communication paths 433 and 434 are separated. If the optical communication device 421 uses an optical cable and has a wired optical communication function, connection becomes easier.

Next, a sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an entrance / exit section of an optical communication line according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 515 is a connection device, 531 is a main body, 532 is an entrance / exit section, 533 is an entrance section, and 534 is a radiating section. Generally, it is easy to radiate an optical signal from a radiation surface over a communication angle conforming to the optical communication standard, but the amount of an optical signal incident from the outside substantially depends on the projected area of the incidence surface with respect to the light source. Therefore, the area of the incident surface 535 of the incident portion 533 needs to be sufficiently secured with respect to the area of the emitting surface 536 of the emitting portion 534.

Therefore, in the present embodiment, the area of the entrance surface 535 is made sufficiently larger than the area of the radiation surface 536. That is, the emitting surface 536 has a size and shape enough to emit an optical signal at a communication angle conforming to the optical communication standard or more, and the incident surface 535 is opposed to the communication angle and the communication distance (not shown). The size and shape are such that at least a communicable optical signal from the optical communication device is incident.

Next explained is the seventh embodiment of the invention. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a method for connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to the seventh embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 601 is an optical communication repeater, and 6
13 is an optical communication path composed of an optical cable or a metal cable,
Reference numeral 620 is an electronic device, 621 is an optical communication device, and the optical communication device 613 is provided with entrance / exit units 631 and 632. In this case, the electronic device 620 is a notebook PC. Also, the optical communication repeater 601 and the optical communication device 621.
Is embedded in the back surface S1 of the electronic device 620,
It is formed integrally with 20. The optical communication path 613
Is opposed to the communication surface of the optical communication device 621, or directly opposed to the transmitter and the receiver. Further, the end surface of the entrance / exit section 632 constitutes an entrance surface or an exit surface, and performs optical communication with an electronic device equipped with another optical communication device (not shown) in a communication range conforming to the optical communication standard. Has as much area as possible.

Next, an eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a method for connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to the eighth embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 611 is an optical communication repeater, and 6
43 is an optical communication path composed of an optical cable or a metal cable,
620 is an electronic device, 621 is a transmitter 622 and a receiver 6.
23 is an optical communication device, and the optical communication path 643 includes entrance / exit units 633 and 634. In this case, the optical communication path 643 is separated into the first and second optical communication paths 645 and 646. The optical communication relay device 611 and the optical communication device 621 are embedded in the back surface S1 of the electronic device 620,
It is formed integrally with the electronic device 620. The end surface of the radiation unit 634 constitutes an incident surface or a radiation surface, and performs optical communication with an electronic device equipped with another optical communication device (not shown) in a communication range conforming to the optical communication standard. Have as much area as you can.

By the way, in the seventh and eighth embodiments, the radiation unit 63 is provided on one side surface of the electronic device 620.
Since 2, 634 are provided, the communication direction for the electronic device 620 is limited. Therefore, a ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described in which the communication direction with respect to the electronic device 620 can be changed. FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a method for connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to the ninth embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 601 is an optical communication repeater, and 6
13 is an optical communication path composed of an optical cable or a metal cable,
Reference numeral 620 is an electronic device, 621 is an optical communication device, and the optical communication path 613 is provided with an entrance / exit section 632. In this case, the optical communication relay device 601 and the optical communication device 621 are embedded in the back surface S1 of the electronic device 620 and formed integrally with the electronic device 620. Therefore, three grooves 651 to 65 are provided between the optical communication device 621 and the three side surfaces of the electronic device 620.
3 is formed, and the optical communication repeater 601 is selectively embedded in one of the grooves 651 to 653.

In this case, since the radiation unit 632 can be arranged on any one of the three side surfaces of the electronic device 620, the communication direction with respect to the electronic device 620 can be changed. Therefore, since the communication direction with respect to the electronic device 620 is not limited, the direction in which the electronic device 620 is arranged can be arbitrarily set. The end surface of the radiation unit 632 constitutes an entrance surface or a radiation surface, and performs optical communication with an electronic device equipped with another optical communication device (not shown) in a communication range conforming to the optical communication standard. Have as much area as you can.

When the optical communication path 613 is separated into the first and second optical communication paths, the radiation unit 632 is the radiation unit 532 (FIG. 10) in the sixth embodiment.
It has the same structure as.

Next explained is the tenth embodiment of the invention. FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a method for connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to the tenth embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 601 is an optical communication repeater, and 6
13 is an optical communication path composed of an optical cable or a metal cable,
Reference numeral 620 is an electronic device, 621 is an optical communication device, and the optical communication path 613 is a main body portion 638 and incident / radiation portions 631 and 63.
2, the main body 638 is meandered or wound in the electronic device 620. In this case, the optical communication relay device 601 and the optical communication device 621 are embedded in the back surface S1 of the electronic device 620 and formed integrally with the electronic device 620. Then, the radiation unit 632 can be pulled out from the electronic device 620. Therefore, even if another electronic device (not shown) is arranged at a remote place, the electronic device 6
The optical communication of 20 can be performed with other electronic devices. The end surface of the radiation unit 632 constitutes an entrance surface or a radiation surface, and performs optical communication with an electronic device equipped with another optical communication device (not shown) in a communication range conforming to the optical communication standard. Have as much area as you can.

By the way, for example, while the cross section of the optical fiber cable forming the main body portion 13a (FIG. 1) in the first embodiment has a diameter of 2 to 3 [mm] at the largest, , First and second optical communication devices 21a, 21
The size of the transmitter or receiver of b is 2 [cm] × 1 [c
m]. Therefore, the area of the transmitting section or the receiving section is about several tens to 100 times the cross-sectional area of the optical fiber cable, which makes it difficult to integrally form the bundle of optical fibers forming the radiation section 13b. Will end up. Therefore,
An eleventh embodiment of the present invention will be described in which a bundle of optical fibers is divided into a plurality of stages to be formed.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing an entrance / exit portion in the eleventh embodiment of the present invention. In the figure, reference numeral 15 is a connecting portion, 113 is a bundle of first to third optical fibers 114 to 1
This is an entrance / exit unit consisting of 16. The bundles 114 to 116 of the first to third optical fibers are formed such that the areas of both end surfaces thereof are different from each other, and are bonded in the optical signal sending direction.

In this case, a plurality of optical fibers are bundled, heated and pressed to bond them together, and then the bundle of optical fibers is rolled and cut at a predetermined position, so that each of the first to third optical fibers is cut. Optical fiber bundles 114-116 can be formed. In addition, when a plurality of optical fibers are bundled, heated, and pressed, an adhesive may be used if necessary.

Next, a twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In addition, about the thing which has the same structure as 1st Embodiment, the description is abbreviate | omitted by giving the same code | symbol. FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a method for connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to the twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

In the figure, 716 is a cradle as a positioning means and a defining unit, 720 is a mobile phone as an electronic device, and 721 is an optical communication device built in the mobile phone 720. The cradle 716 is a mobile phone 720.
Has an accommodating portion 717 for accommodating the. In this case, when the mobile phone 720 is set in the housing portion 717, the optical communication repeater 1 can be positioned with respect to the mobile phone 720.

Next, a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an electronic device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a method for connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention. .

In the figure, 1 is an optical communication repeater, 13 is an optical communication path, 13a is a main body, 820 is a public telephone as an electronic device, and a hole as a positioning means and a defining portion is provided on the front surface of the public telephone 820. 822 is formed and the hole 822 is formed.
An optical communication device 821 is swingably supported therein.
In this case, by inserting the radiation part 13b into the hole 822, the optical communication repeater 1 and the public telephone 820 can be connected, and the optical communication repeater 1 can be connected to the public telephone 82.
It can be positioned with respect to zero. Note that each of the above-described embodiments can be applied to a case where wide area communication is performed between a plurality of electronic devices, as well as a case where communication is performed between rooms in a home, for example. Then, by making the tip of a part of the fiber network such that wireless communication can be performed, wide area communication or communication at home can be supported.

Further, in each of the above-mentioned embodiments, the entrance / exit portion 13b and the main body portion 13a are formed separately, but the entrance / exit portion and the main body portion may be formed integrally. In this case, for example, the entire optical communication repeater is tapered, and the cross-sectional area is increased from one entrance / exit section to the other entrance / exit section. Then, optical communication by wire can be performed by causing the radiation unit on the side having a small cross-sectional area to face the transmission unit and the reception unit of the optical communication device. Further, the optical communication repeater is arranged in the electronic device, and the entire optical communication repeater is swingably arranged around the connecting portion between the entrance / emission part having the smaller cross-sectional area and the optical communication device. Can be installed. In that case, not only the direction of communication can be secured more widely, but also the optical communication repeater does not project outside the electronic device, so the durability of the optical communication repeater can be improved.

[0075]

INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY The present invention can be used in an optical communication repeater device that assists data communication between two or more electronic devices. [Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a usage state of an optical communication repeater according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an end face of an entrance / exit unit of an optical communication path according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an entrance / exit unit of the optical communication path according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a method for connecting the optical communication repeater and the electronic device according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a method for connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a method for connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing a method for connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a first diagram showing a method for connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a second diagram showing a method of connecting the optical communication repeater and the electronic device according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an entrance / exit section of an optical communication path according to a sixth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a method for connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to a seventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a method for connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to an eighth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a method for connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to a ninth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a diagram showing a method for connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to a tenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a diagram showing a radiation unit according to an eleventh embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a diagram showing a method of connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to a twelfth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a diagram showing an electronic device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a diagram showing a method for connecting an optical communication repeater and an electronic device according to a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention.

Claims (4)

(57) [Claims] 1. An optical communication relay device, each of which is provided with an optical communication device, wherein at least one of the optical communication devices connects a plurality of electronic devices having a wireless optical communication function, wherein: (a) a predetermined optical communication; An incident surface on which the optical signal sent from the transmitter of the device is incident, and an incident portion formed of an optical fiber, and (b) at least a part of which is formed by one or more optical fibers, and the optical signal is transmitted A main body section, and (c) a radiation section that emits the optical signal and sends the optical signal to a reception section of another optical communication device, and includes a radiation section that is composed of an optical fiber. At least one of them has a cross-sectional area that increases with increasing distance from the main body, and at least a part of the cross-sectional area is formed by bundling a plurality of optical fibers having different end surface areas. That optical communication relay device. 2. The optical communication repeater according to claim 1, wherein the bundle of optical fibers is formed in a plurality of stages. 3. An optical communication device formed by an optical communication device and an optical communication repeater, capable of switching communication directions, wherein: (a) at least one of the optical communication repeaters is a wireless optical communication device. A plurality of electronic devices having a communication function are connected, and an incident surface on which an optical signal sent from a transmission unit of a predetermined optical communication device is incident is provided,
In addition, the incident part consisting of an optical fiber, at least a part of which is 1
A plurality of optical fibers, a main body portion that passes the optical signal, and a radiation surface that emits the optical signal and sends the optical signal to a receiving portion of another optical communication device; And (b) at least one of the incident part and the radiating part has a larger cross-sectional area with increasing distance from the main body, and at least a part of the plurality of optical fibers has different end surface areas. An optical communication device capable of switching communication directions characterized by being formed. 4. An electronic device comprising an optical communication device and an optical communication relay device connected to the optical communication device, wherein: (a) at least one of the optical communication relay devices is wireless. According to the above, while connecting a plurality of electronic devices having an optical communication function, an incident surface on which an optical signal sent from a transmission unit of a predetermined optical communication device is incident is provided,
In addition, the incident part consisting of an optical fiber, at least a part of which is 1
A plurality of optical fibers, a main body portion that passes the optical signal, and a radiation surface that emits the optical signal and sends the optical signal to a receiving portion of another optical communication device; And (b) at least one of the incident part and the radiating part has a larger cross-sectional area with increasing distance from the main body, and at least a part of the plurality of optical fibers has different end surface areas. An electronic device characterized by being formed.