JP7279644B2 - Connectors, electronics and methods of controlling electronics - Google Patents

Description

The present technology relates to connectors, electronic devices, and electronic device control methods, and more particularly to connectors and the like for optical data transmission.

In recent years, with the rapid increase in communication capacity, it has been proposed to perform optical data transmission (see Patent Document 1). In the case of optical data transmission, high power transmission is required to improve the transmission quality, but ensuring safety when the connector is pulled out is a problem.

JP-A-2003-043296

An object of the present technology is to enable good optical data transmission without causing damage or malfunction of connected equipment.

The concept of this technology is
a signal electrode and a ground electrode respectively provided at positions corresponding to the signal electrode and the ground electrode of the mating connector;
An optical section provided at a position corresponding to the optical section of the mating connector,
When mating with the mating connector is performed, after the optical portion contacts the optical portion of the mating connector, the signal electrode of the mating connector is connected to the ground electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector. contact the signal electrode,
When the mating with the mating connector is released, the signal electrode is separated from the signal electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector. located in the connector that separates it from the optical part of the

In the present technology, the connector is provided with a signal electrode and a ground electrode at positions corresponding to the signal electrode and the ground electrode of the mating connector, respectively, and is provided with an optical section at a position corresponding to the optical section of the mating connector. there is When mating with the mating connector, after the optical part contacts the optical part of the mating connector, the signal electrode contacts the signal electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector. be done. Further, when the mating with the mating connector is released, the signal electrode is separated from the signal electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector, and then the optical portion is separated from the optical portion of the mating connector. be made to

For example, the optical section is movably provided, and the optical section is connected to the mating connector so that the signal electrodes are separated from the signal electrodes of the mating connector when the optical section starts contacting the optical section of the mating connector. It may be configured such that it further comprises an urging portion that urges it to the side. In this case, for example, the connector may further include a locking portion that holds the state in which the signal electrode is in contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector against the biasing force of the biasing portion. Also, for example, the signal electrodes are composed of a first signal electrode for supplying a connection detection signal to a mating connector and a second signal electrode for receiving a connection detection signal from the mating connector. good too.

As described above, in the present technology, when mating with the mating connector is performed, the signal electrode is brought into contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector after the optical portion is brought into contact with the optical portion of the mating connector, and the signal electrode is brought into contact with the mating connector. When unmating occurs, the optical portion is separated from the optical portion of the mating connector after the signal electrodes are separated from the signal electrodes of the mating connector. Therefore, when the signal electrode is in contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector, it is guaranteed that the optical section is in contact with the optical section of the mating connector. High control makes it possible to ensure safety, and optical data transmission can be carried out satisfactorily.

Further, in the present technology, when mating with the mating connector is performed, the signal electrode is brought into contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector, and the mating connector is mated with the mating connector. When unmating occurs, the signal electrodes are separated from the signal electrodes of the mating connector with the ground electrodes in contact with the ground electrodes of the mating connector. Therefore, the potential between the connected devices can be stabilized, the influence of static electricity can be reduced, and damage and malfunction of the connected devices can be prevented.

Another concept of this technology is
a signal electrode and a ground electrode respectively provided at positions corresponding to the signal electrode and the ground electrode of the mating connector; a connector having an optical section provided at a position corresponding to the optical section of the mating connector;
a transmission unit that converts transmission data into an optical signal and supplies the optical signal to the optical unit;
a detection unit that detects whether or not the signal electrode is in contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector based on a signal obtained from the signal electrode;
a control unit for controlling the power of the optical signal supplied from the transmission unit to the optical unit based on the output of the detection unit;
The connector above
When mating with the mating connector is performed, after the optical portion contacts the optical portion of the mating connector, the signal electrode of the mating connector is connected to the ground electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector. contact the signal electrode,
When the mating with the mating connector is released, the signal electrode is separated from the signal electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector. located in the electronics, separate from the optical part of the

In this technology, an electronic device includes a connector having a signal electrode and a ground electrode provided at positions corresponding to the signal electrode and the ground electrode of the mating connector, and an optical section provided at a position corresponding to the optical section of the mating connector. I have. The transmission section converts transmission data into an optical signal and supplies the optical signal to the optical section. The detection unit detects the presence or absence of contact between the signal electrode and the signal electrode of the mating connector based on the signal obtained from the signal electrode. The controller controls the power of the optical signal supplied from the transmitter to the optical unit based on the output of the detector.

When the connector is mated with the mating connector, after the optical portion contacts the optical portion of the mating connector, the signal electrode contacts the signal electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode contacts the ground electrode of the mating connector. be made to Further, when the connector is disengaged from the mating connector, after the signal electrode is separated from the signal electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector, the optical portion is connected to the optical portion of the mating connector. separated from the department.

For example, the optical section is movably provided, and the optical section is connected to the mating connector so that the signal electrodes are separated from the signal electrodes of the mating connector when the optical section starts contacting the optical section of the mating connector. It may be configured such that it further comprises an urging portion that urges it to the side. In this case, for example, the connector may further include a locking portion that holds the state in which the signal electrode is in contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector against the biasing force of the biasing portion.

Further, for example, the controller controls the power of the optical signal to the first power when the output of the detector indicates contact between the signal electrode and the signal electrode of the mating connector, and the output of the detector controls the signal electrode. and controlling the power of the optical signal to a second power lower than the first power when indicating that there is no contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector. Further, for example, the signal electrodes of the connector are composed of a first signal electrode for supplying a connection detection signal to the mating connector and a second signal electrode for receiving the connection detection signal from the mating connector. and detecting contact between the signal electrode and the signal electrode of the mating connector when receiving the connection detection signal from the second signal electrode.

As described above, according to the present technology, the power of the optical signal supplied from the transmission section to the optical section is controlled based on the detection output of the presence or absence of contact between the signal electrode and the signal electrode of the mating connector. When mating with the mating connector, the signal electrode is brought into contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector after the optical portion is brought into contact with the optical portion of the mating connector, and when the mating with the mating connector is released, the signal electrode is separated from the signal electrode of the mating connector, the optical portion is separated from the optical portion of the mating connector. Therefore, when the signal electrode is in contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector, it is guaranteed that the optical section is in contact with the optical section of the mating connector. High control makes it possible to ensure safety, and optical data transmission can be carried out satisfactorily.

Further, in the present technology, when the connector is mated with the mating connector, the signal electrode is brought into contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector, and the connector is connected to the mating connector. When the connector is unmated, the signal electrodes are separated from the signal electrodes of the mating connector with the ground electrodes in contact with the ground electrodes of the mating connector. Therefore, the potential between the connected devices can be stabilized, the influence of static electricity can be reduced, and damage and malfunction of the connected devices can be prevented.

According to the present technology, it is possible to perform optical data transmission satisfactorily without causing damage or malfunction of connected equipment. The effects described herein are merely examples and are not limiting, and additional effects may also occur.

1 is a block diagram showing an overview of an AV transmission system as an embodiment; FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of an optical data transmission system; FIG. FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the optical data transmission system; FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another configuration example of the optical data transmission system; 2A and 2B are diagrams showing configuration examples of an optical connector (receptacle) and an optical connector (plug); FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an optical connector (receptacle) and an optical connector (plug); FIG. Each state when the optical connector (plug) is inserted into the optical connector (receptacle) and mating is performed, and each state when the connector (plug) is removed from the optical connector (receptacle) and mating is released It is a figure for explaining. Each state when the optical connector (plug) is inserted into the optical connector (receptacle) and mating is performed, and each state when the connector (plug) is removed from the optical connector (receptacle) and mating is released It is a figure for explaining. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an optical connector (receptacle) and an optical connector (plug); FIG. 10 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of inserting an optical connector (plug) into an optical connector (receptacle) and starting optical data transmission. 4 is a flow chart for explaining the operation of removing the connector (plug) from the optical connector (receptacle) and stopping the optical data transmission. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of plugs and receptacles for enabling reversible connections; FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of a configuration of plugs and receptacles for enabling reversible connections; FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a disc player as a specific example of a transmission side device; 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of a television receiver as a specific example of a receiving device; FIG.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the invention (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described. The description will be given in the following order.
1. Embodiment 2. Modification

<1. Embodiment>
[Configuration of AV transmission system]
FIG. 1 shows an outline of an AV (Audio and Visual) transmission system 10 as an embodiment. This AV transmission system 10 is composed of a Main Stream Link 60 and a Sub Stream Link 70 .

The main stream link 60 mainly transmits audio/video signals. A plurality of videos and audios to be transmitted, metadata accompanying them, and the like are packed for each stream by a data packing unit (Data Packing) 601 . Further, the division ratios for reproducing the video and audio clocks from the carrier clock are provided as video clock recovery information (VCR) and audio clock recovery information (ACR) respectively by a VCR/ACR generator (VCR/ACR gen) 602. generated by

A frame generator 603 generates a lane frame containing the packed transmission data and the generated recovery information. Lane frames obtained by the frame generation unit 603 of a plurality of systems are combined into one by the multi-stream construction unit (Multi-stream Constructor) 604, and further, the channel mapping unit (Channel Mapper) 605 individual transmission paths (Physical Channels) and transmitted.

Lane frames transmitted on individual transmission lines are demapped by a channel demapping unit (Channel De-Mapper) 606, and further multi-stream decomposing unit (Multi-stream De-Constructor) 607, lane frames of a plurality of systems. is decomposed into Then, in each system, a packet generator 608 extracts packets containing video, audio, accompanying metadata, etc. from the lane frame.

A data de-packing unit (Data De-Packing) 609 extracts video, audio, accompanying metadata, and the like from packets containing video, audio, accompanying metadata, and the like. A video/audio clock section (Video0/Audio Clock) 610 extracts the recovery information (VCR, ACR) from packets containing the recovery information, and uses it to reproduce the video and audio clocks.

On the other hand, the substream link 70 bi-directionally transmits control information, such as control signals (Control), Ethernet data (IP data), plug-and-play data (PnP neg), and the like. Control information and the like are packed by data packing units (Data Packing) 701a and 701b. A lane frame including packed control information is generated by frame generators 702a and 702b and transmitted through physical channels.

Packet generators 703a and 703b generate packets containing control signals (Control), Ethernet data (IP data), plug-and-play data (PnP neg), etc., from lane frames transmitted on transmission lines. taken out. Data de-packing units 704a and 704b extract control signals (Control), Ethernet data (IP data), plug-and-play data (PnP neg), etc. from the extracted packets. be.

In this AV transmission system 10, the transmitting side device and the receiving side device are connected by optical cables in each of the mainframe link and the subframe link, and optical data transmission is performed.

FIG. 2 shows a configuration example of the optical data transmission system 20. As shown in FIG. This optical data transmission system 20 comprises a first electronic device 100, a second electronic device 200, and an optical cable 300 for connecting these electronic devices.

The first electronic device 100 has an optical connector 101 forming a receptacle, a transmission/reception section 102 , a connection detection section 103 and an optical output control section 104 . The second electronic device 200 has an optical connector 201 forming a receptacle, a transmission/reception section 202, a connection detection section 203, and an optical output control section 204. FIG. The optical cable 300 has an optical connector 301 as one end plug and an optical connector 302 as the other end plug.

An optical connector 301 of the optical cable 300 is provided with an optical portion 301a, and further provided with signal electrodes 301b and 301c and a ground electrode 301d. The optical connector 302 of the optical cable 300 is provided with an optical portion 302a, and further provided with signal electrodes 302b and 302c and a ground electrode 302d. The optical section 301a and the optical section 302a are connected by an optical transmission line (optical fiber, optical waveguide, etc.) 303 . The signal electrodes 301b, 301c and the signal electrodes 302c, 302b are connected by electrical transmission paths (metal wires) 304, 305, respectively. Further, the ground electrode 301d and the ground electrode 302d are connected by an electrical transmission path (metal wire) 306. FIG.

The optical connector 101 of the first electronic device 100 is provided with an optical section 101a, and further provided with signal electrodes 101b and 101c and a ground electrode 101d. The optical portion 101a, the signal electrodes 101b, 101c, and the ground electrode 101d are positioned corresponding to the optical portion 301a, the signal electrodes 301b, 301c, and the ground electrode 301d of the optical connector 301 of the optical cable 300, which is the mating connector to be connected. is provided in

When the first electronic device 100 is a transmitting device, the optical section 101a constitutes an optical output section, and correspondingly, the optical section 301a of the optical connector 301 constitutes an optical input section. On the other hand, when the first electronic device 100 is a receiving device, the optical section 101a constitutes an optical input section, and correspondingly, the optical section 301a of the optical connector 301 constitutes an optical output section.

Here, when the optical connector 101 and the optical connector 301 are mated, after the optical portion 101a contacts the optical portion 301a, the signal electrodes 101b and 101c are in contact with the ground electrode 301d. Contact with electrodes 301b and 301c. On the other hand, when the coupling between the optical connector 101 and the optical connector 301 is released, the signal electrodes 101b and 101c are separated from the signal electrodes 301b and 301c while the ground electrode 101d is in contact with the ground electrode 301d. separates from the optical section 301a.

When the first electronic device 100 is a transmission side device, the transmission/reception unit 102 inputs data (transmission data), converts it into an optical signal, and transmits the optical signal through the optical transmission line 105 to the optical unit. 101a. On the other hand, when the first electronic device 100 is the receiving device, the transmitting/receiving unit 102 obtains data (received data) from the optical signal supplied from the optical unit 101a through the optical transmission line 105, and to output

The connection detection unit 103 receives a signal from the signal electrode 101c through the electrical transmission line 106, and detects whether or not the signal electrode 101c (signal electrode 101b) and the signal electrode 301c (signal electrode 301b) are in contact based on this signal. . In this case, it is assumed that the optical connector 201 of the second electronic device 200 and the optical connector 302 of the optical cable 300 are already mated.

The connection detection unit 103 receives a signal of 0 V, for example, when the signal electrode 101c and the signal electrode 301c are not in contact with each other. Receives a connection detection signal (for example, +5V signal) supplied from the side. Therefore, the connection detection unit 103 can detect the presence or absence of contact between the signal electrode 101c and the signal electrode 301c based on the signal received from the signal electrode 101c.

This connection detection signal is generated by the connection detection unit 203 of the second electronic device 200, supplied to the signal electrode 201b through the electrical transmission line 207, and further through the signal electrode 302b of the optical cable 300, the optical transmission line 305, and the signal electrode 301c. , is supplied to the signal electrode 101c. The connection detection unit 103 generates a connection detection signal and supplies it to the signal electrode 101b through the electrical transmission path 107. FIG.

When the first electronic device 100 is a transmission side device, the optical output control unit 104 controls the light supplied from the transmission/reception unit 102 through the optical transmission path 105 to the optical unit 101a based on the detection output of the connection detection unit 103. Control the power of the signal. In this case, the optical output control unit 104 controls the power of the optical signal to the first power (power capable of high-quality optical data transmission) when the detection output indicates contact, while the detection output indicates non-contact. When indicated, the power of the optical signal is controlled to a second power lower than the first power (safety enough low power that does not cause health hazards to the user).

An optical connector 201 of the second electronic device 200 is provided with an optical section 201a, and further provided with signal electrodes 201b and 201c and a ground electrode 201d. The optical portion 201a, the signal electrodes 201b, 201c, and the ground electrode 201d are positioned corresponding to the optical portion 302a, the signal electrodes 302b, 302c, and the ground electrode 302d of the optical connector 302 of the optical cable 300, which is the mating connector to be connected. is provided in

When the second electronic device 200 is a transmitting device, the optical section 201a constitutes an optical output section, and correspondingly, the optical section 302a of the optical connector 302 constitutes an optical input section. On the other hand, when the second electronic device 200 is a receiving device, the optical section 201a constitutes an optical input section, and correspondingly, the optical section 302a of the optical connector 302 constitutes an optical output section.

Here, when the optical connector 201 and the optical connector 302 are mated, the signal electrodes 201b and 201c are in contact with the ground electrode 302d after the optical portion 201a contacts the optical portion 302a. Contact with electrodes 302b and 302c. On the other hand, when the coupling between the optical connector 201 and the optical connector 302 is released, the signal electrodes 201b and 201c are separated from the signal electrodes 302b and 302c while the ground electrode 201d is in contact with the ground electrode 302d. separates from the optical portion 302a.

When the second electronic device 200 is a transmission device, the transmission/reception unit 202 receives data (transmission data), converts it into an optical signal, and transmits the optical signal through the optical transmission path 205 to the optical unit. 201a. On the other hand, when the second electronic device 200 is the receiving device, the transmitting/receiving unit 202 obtains data (received data) from the optical signal supplied from the optical unit 201a through the optical transmission line 205, and to output

The connection detection unit 203 receives a signal from the signal electrode 201c through the electrical transmission line 206, and based on this signal, detects whether or not the signal electrode 201c (signal electrode 201b) and the signal electrode 302c (signal electrode 302b) are in contact. . In this case, it is assumed that the optical connector 101 of the first electronic device 100 and the optical connector 301 of the optical cable 300 are already mated.

The connection detection unit 203 receives a signal of 0 V, for example, when the signal electrode 201c and the signal electrode 302c are not in contact, but when the signal electrode 201c and the signal electrode 302c are in contact, the first electronic device 100 Receives a connection detection signal (for example, +5V signal) supplied from the side. Therefore, the connection detection unit 203 can detect the presence or absence of contact between the signal electrode 201c and the signal electrode 302c based on the signal received from the signal electrode 201c.

This connection detection signal is generated by the connection detection unit 103 of the first electronic device 100, supplied to the signal electrode 101b through the electrical transmission line 107, and further through the signal electrode 301b, the optical transmission line 304, and the signal electrode 302c of the optical cable 300. , is supplied to the signal electrode 201c. The connection detection unit 203 generates a connection detection signal and supplies it to the signal electrode 201b through the electric transmission line 207. FIG.

When the second electronic device 200 is a transmission device, the optical output control unit 204 controls the light supplied from the transmission/reception unit 202 to the optical unit 201a through the optical transmission path 205 based on the detection output of the connection detection unit 203. Control the power of the signal. In this case, the optical output control unit 204 controls the power of the optical signal to the first power (the power with which high-quality optical data transmission can be performed) when the detection output indicates contact, and on the other hand, the detection output indicates non-contact. When indicated, the power of the optical signal is controlled to a second power lower than the first power (safety enough low power that does not cause health hazards to the user).

FIG. 3 shows a configuration example of the optical data transmission system 20A. This optical data transmission system 20A comprises a first electronic device 100A, a second electronic device 200A, and an optical cable 300 for connecting these electronic devices. In FIG. 3, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the first electronic device 100 of the optical data transmission system 20 shown in FIG. 2, a connection detection signal (for example, a signal of +5V) is supplied from the connection detector 103 to the signal electrode 101b through the electrical transmission path 107. However, in the first electronic device 100A of the optical data transmission system 20A, a +5V signal is supplied as a connection detection signal from the +5V power source to the signal electrode 101b through the electric transmission line 107. FIG. Others of the first electronic device 100</b>A are configured similarly to the first electronic device 100 .

In the second electronic device 200 of the optical data transmission system 20 of FIG. 2, the connection detection signal (for example, +5V signal) is supplied from the connection detection unit 203 to the signal electrode 201b through the electrical transmission path 207. However, in the second electronic device 200A of the optical data transmission system 20A, a +5V signal is supplied as a connection detection signal from the +5V power supply to the signal electrode 201b through the electrical transmission line 207. FIG. Others of the second electronic device 200A are configured in the same manner as the second electronic device 200. FIG.

FIG. 4 shows a configuration example of the optical data transmission system 20B. This optical data transmission system 20B comprises a first electronic device 100B, a second electronic device 200B, and an optical cable 300 for connecting these electronic devices. In FIG. 4, parts corresponding to those in FIG. 2 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof will be omitted.

In the first electronic device 100 of the optical data transmission system 20 shown in FIG. 2, a connection detection signal (for example, a signal of +5V) is supplied from the connection detector 103 to the signal electrode 101b through the electrical transmission path 107. However, in the first electronic device 100B of the optical data transmission system 20B, a +5V signal is supplied as a connection detection signal from the +5V power supply to the signal electrode 101b through the electric transmission line 107. FIG. The rest of first electronic device 100</b>B is configured in the same manner as first electronic device 100 .

In the second electronic device 200 of the optical data transmission system 20 of FIG. 2, the connection detection signal (for example, +5V signal) is supplied from the connection detection unit 203 to the signal electrode 201b through the electrical transmission path 207. However, in the second electronic device 200B of the optical data transmission system 20B, the connection detection signal (eg, +5V signal) obtained on the electrical transmission line 206 is supplied to the signal electrode 201b through the electrical transmission line 207. It is configured. Others of the second electronic device 200B are configured in the same manner as the second electronic device 200. FIG.

Here, a detailed configuration example of the optical connector (receptacle) 101 of the first electronic device 100 (100A, 100B) and the optical connector (plug) 301 of the optical cable 300 will be described. A detailed configuration example of the optical connector (receptacle) 201 of the second electronic device 200 (200A, 200B) and the optical connector (plug) 302 of the optical cable 300 is the same as that of the optical connector 101 and the optical connector 301. Since it becomes a structure, the description is abbreviate|omitted.

FIG. 5A schematically shows an example of the configuration of an optical connector (receptacle) 101. FIG. 5B schematically shows an example of the configuration of the optical connector (plug) 301. As shown in FIG. The configurations shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B are merely examples, and the configurations of the optical connector (receptacle) 101 and optical connector (plug) 301 are not limited to the illustrated examples.

An optical connector (plug) 301 shown in FIG. 5B will be described. The optical connector 301 has a body portion 311 having an opening 312 in the center of the insertion side. An optical section 301 a is provided in the body section 311 so that the end face can be seen from the bottom surface of the opening 312 . Signal electrodes 301b and 301c and a ground electrode 301d are provided on the main body 311 so as to be exposed to the outer periphery. A lock hole 313 constituting a lock mechanism is provided on the outer peripheral surface of the body portion 311 .

6B shows a schematic perspective view of the optical connector (plug) 301. FIG. Signal electrodes 301b and 301c and a ground electrode 301d are arranged on the outer peripheral surface (upper surface in the figure) of the body portion 311 with the same length, and the signal electrodes 301b and 301c are present on both sides of the ground electrode 301d. A lock hole 313 is arranged on the outer peripheral surface (the side surface in the drawing) of the body portion 311 .

The optical connector (receptacle) 101 shown in FIG. 5A will be described. The optical connector 101 has a body portion 111 having an opening 112 on the optical connector 301 side. An optical section 101 a is provided at a position corresponding to the optical section 301 a of the optical connector 301 of the main body section 111 . That is, the optical portion 101 a is provided so that the end portion protrudes from the center of the bottom surface of the opening 112 .

This optical section 101a is provided so as to be movable in the direction of the arrow. A coil-shaped spring member 113 constituting an urging portion is provided on the side of the optical portion 101a opposite to the optical connector 301 side. When the optical connector 301 is not inserted, the optical portion 101a is biased by the spring member 113 and placed at the illustrated position.

Signal electrodes 101b and 101c and a ground electrode 101d are provided at positions corresponding to the signal electrodes 301b and 301c and the ground electrode 301d of the optical connector 301 of the main body 111, respectively. That is, the signal electrodes 101b and 101c and the ground electrode 101d are provided so as to partly protrude from the side surface of the opening 112 . Further, a locking portion 114 made of a spring member in a mountain-folded state constituting a locking mechanism is provided so as to partially protrude from the side surface of the opening 112 .

FIG. 6A shows a schematic perspective view of the optical connector (receptacle) 101. FIG. Signal electrodes 101b and 101c and a ground electrode 101d are arranged on the outer peripheral surface (upper surface in the drawing) of the body portion 111, and the signal electrodes 101b and 101c are present on both sides of the ground electrode 101d. In this case, the ground electrode 101d is longer than the signal electrodes 101b and 101c, and the ground electrode 101d projects toward the optical connector (plug) 301 from the signal electrodes 101b and 101c. It is also possible to project the ground electrode 101d toward the optical connector (plug) 301 from the signal electrodes 101b and 101c without making the ground electrode 101d longer than the signal electrodes 101b and 101c. A locking portion 114 is provided on the outer peripheral surface (side surface in the drawing) of the body portion 111 .

7 and 8, each state when the optical connector 301 (plug) is inserted into the optical connector (receptacle) 101 and mating is performed will be described. FIG. 7A shows a state in which insertion of the body portion 311 of the optical connector 301 into the opening 112 of the optical connector 101 is started by user's operation.

FIG. 7B shows a state in which the main body portion 311 of the optical connector 301 has been further inserted into the opening 112 of the optical connector 101, and the optical portion 101a of the optical connector 101 has started contact with the optical portion 301a of the optical connector 301. is shown. In this state, signal electrodes 101b, 101c and ground electrode 101d of optical connector 101 are not yet in contact with signal electrodes 301b, 301c and ground electrode 301d of optical connector 301, respectively.

In FIG. 8(c), the insertion of the body portion 311 of the optical connector 301 into the opening 112 of the optical connector 101 progresses further against the biasing force of the spring member 113, and the ground electrode 101d of the optical connector 101 is in contact with the ground electrode 301d. In this state, the signal electrodes 101b and 101c of the optical connector 101 are not yet in contact with the signal electrodes 301b and 301c of the optical connector 301, respectively.

In FIG. 8D, the main body 311 of the optical connector 301 is further inserted into the opening 112 of the optical connector 101 against the biasing force of the spring member 113, and the optical connector 301 is inserted into the opening 112 of the optical connector 101. shows a fitted state in which the insertion of the body portion 311 of is completed. In this state, signal electrodes 101b, 101c and ground electrode 101d of optical connector 101 are in contact with signal electrodes 301b, 301c and ground electrode 301d of optical connector 301, respectively. Also, in this state, the lock member 114 is inserted into the lock hole 313 and this fitted state is maintained against the biasing force of the spring member 113 .

7 and 8, each state when the optical connector (plug) 301 is removed from the optical connector (receptacle) 101 and the mating is released will be described. The operation in this case is the opposite operation to the case where the optical connector 301 (plug) is inserted into the optical connector (receptacle) 101 and mating is performed.

When the user pulls out the optical connector 301 (plug) from the opening 112 of the optical connector (receptacle) 101 from the fitted state shown in FIG. 8D, the lock is released. By releasing the lock, the optical portion 101a of the optical connector 101 is moved by the biasing force of the spring member. In the state shown in FIG. 8C, the optical portion 101a of the optical connector 101 is in contact with the optical portion 301a of the optical connector 301. , 301c.

Then, from this state, the optical portion 101a of the optical connector 101 is further moved by the biasing force of the spring member, resulting in the state shown in FIG. 7(b). In this state, the optical portion 101a of the optical connector 101 is in contact with the optical portion 301a of the optical connector 301, but the signal electrodes 101b and 101c and the ground electrode 101d of the optical connector 101 are in contact with the signal electrodes 301b and 101d of the optical connector 301, respectively. 301c and ground electrode 301d. FIG. 7A shows a state in which the user has further operated the optical connector 301 from the optical connector 101 in the direction of pulling it out. In this state, the optical portion 101 a of the optical connector 101 is separated from the optical portion 301 a of the optical connector 301 .

In the above description, the ground electrode 101d of the optical connector (receptacle) 101 protrudes toward the optical connector (plug) 301 from the signal electrodes 101b and 101c. Even if the ground electrode 301d of the connector (plug) 301 protrudes toward the optical connector (receptacle) from the signal electrodes 301b and 301c, the same operation is performed.

In the optical data transmission system 20 shown in FIG. 2, when the first electronic device 100 is the transmitting side device and the second electronic device 200 is the receiving side device, the optical connector (receptacle) 101 is connected to the optical connector 301 ( The operation of inserting a plug) and starting optical data transmission will be described with reference to the flow chart of FIG. In this case, it is assumed that the optical connector 201 of the second electronic device 200 and the optical connector 302 of the optical cable 300 are already mated. The operation of the optical data transmission systems 20A and 20B shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is the same as that of the optical data transmission system 20, so the description thereof will be omitted.

When the body portion 311 of the optical connector 301 is not inserted into the opening 112 of the optical connector 101, the signal electrodes 101b and 101c of the optical connector 101 and the signal electrodes 301b and 301c of the optical connector 301 are not in contact with each other. The optical output from the unit 102 is in an OFF or Power-down state (initial state) (step ST1). In this state, the power of the optical signal supplied from the transmitting/receiving section 102 to the optical section 101a of the optical connector 101 is at the second power (sufficiently low power that ensures safety and does not cause health damage to the user). .

From this state, the insertion of the main body portion 311 of the optical connector 301 into the opening 112 of the optical connector 101 is started by the user's operation (see FIG. 7A). and the optical portion 301a of the optical connector 301 start contacting each other (see FIG. 7B), that is, the optical coupling starts (step ST2).

Then, when the insertion proceeds from this state, the ground electrode 101d of the optical connector 101 and the ground electrode 301d of the optical connector 301 are brought into contact to establish electrical connection (step ST3, see FIG. 8(c)). is advanced (step ST4). Finally, the optical connector 301 is fitted to the optical connector 101 (see FIG. 8(d)).

Based on the output of the connection detection unit 103, the optical output control unit 104 determines whether the connection is detected, that is, the contact between the signal electrodes 101b and 101c of the optical connector 101 and the electrodes 301b and 301c of the optical connector 301 ( connection) is determined (step ST5). When judging that the connection is detected, the optical output control section 104 turns the optical output from the transmission/reception section 102 on (ON) or powers up (step ST6). In this state, the power of the optical signal supplied from the transmitting/receiving section 102 to the optical section 101a of the optical connector 101 becomes the first power (the power that enables high-quality optical data transmission).

An optical signal with the first power is supplied from the transmission/reception section 102 to the optical section 101a of the optical connector 101, and optical data transmission is started (step ST7). In this case, the optical signal supplied from the transmitting/receiving section 102 to the optical section 101a of the optical connector 101 passes through the optical section 301a of the optical connector 301 of the optical cable 300, the optical transmission line 303, and the optical section 302a of the optical connector 302 to the second optical signal. 2 is supplied to the optical portion 201a of the optical connector 201 of the second electronic device 200. FIG. The optical signal supplied to the optical unit 201 a is further supplied to the transmission/reception unit 202 .

Next, when the first electronic device 100 is the transmitting device and the second electronic device 200 is the receiving device, the optical connector (receptacle) 101 and the optical connector (plug) 301 are fitted. 8(d), the optical connector 301 is removed from the optical connector 101 to stop the optical data transmission from the state in which the optical data transmission is performed as described above. , with reference to the flow chart of FIG.

When the optical connector 301 is fitted to the optical connector 101, the signal electrodes 101b and 101c of the optical connector 101 are in contact with the signal electrodes 301b and 301c of the optical connector 301, respectively. is in the ON or Power-up state (initial state) (step ST11). In this state, the power of the optical signal supplied from the transmitting/receiving section 102 to the optical section 101a of the optical connector 101 is at the first power (power capable of high-quality optical data transmission).

From this state, removal of the main body portion 311 of the optical connector 301 from the opening 112 of the optical connector 101 is started by the user's operation (step ST12). Based on the output of the connection detection unit 103, the optical output control unit 104 determines whether the connection is detected, that is, whether the electrodes 101b and 101c of the optical connector 101 are in contact with the electrodes 301b and 301c of the optical connector 301. (step ST13).

When determining that the connection is not detected (see FIG. 8(c)), the optical output control unit 104 turns the optical output from the transmission/reception unit 102 off (OFF) or in a power-down state. (step ST14). In this state, the power of the optical signal supplied from the transmitting/receiving section 102 to the optical section 101a of the optical connector 101 becomes the second power (sufficiently low power that ensures safety and does not cause health damage to the user). .

After the optical output from the transmitting/receiving section 102 is turned off or powered down, optical data transmission is stopped (step ST15). Removal proceeds from this state, and the ground electrode 101d of the optical connector 101 and the ground electrode 301d of the optical connector 301 are separated (step ST16, see FIG. 7B). Removal is further advanced from this state, and the optical portion 101a of the optical connector 101 and the optical portion 301a of the optical connector 301 are separated (step ST17, see FIG. 7A).

In this embodiment, the plug 301 can be reversibly connected to the receptacle. Here, the receptacle 101 of the first electronic device 100 and the plug 301 of the cable 300 will be described as an example. Although detailed description is omitted, the other receptacle and plug portions have the same configuration, and the plug can be reversibly connected to the receptacle.

FIG. 12 shows an example of the configuration of receptacle 101 and plug 301 for reversible connection of plug 301 to receptacle 101 . FIG. 12(a) schematically shows a front view of the receptacle 101. FIG. FIG. 12(a') schematically shows a rear view of the receptacle 101. As shown in FIG. FIG. 12(b) schematically shows a rear view of the plug 301, and shows the signal electrodes 301b and 301c and the ground electrode 301d in a see-through state. FIG. 12(b') schematically shows a front view of the plug 301, and shows the signal electrodes 301b and 301c and the ground electrode 301d in a see-through state.

The receptacle 101 has signal electrodes 101b, 101c and electrodes 101b and 101c on both the two opposite sides of the housing, that is, the first side (upper side in the figure) and the second side (lower side in the figure), respectively. A ground electrode 101d is installed. In the illustrated example, the electrodes 101b, 101d, 101c placed on the first side are referred to as electrodes 101b-1, 101d-1, 101c-1, and the electrodes 101b, 101d, 101c placed on the second side. are shown as electrodes 101b-2, 101d-2, 101c-2.

In this case, the arrangement of the electrodes 101b-1, 101d-1, 101c-1 on the first side and the arrangement of the electrodes 101b-2, 101d-2, 101c-2 on the second side are point symmetrical. is placed in Electrodes 101b-1 and 101c-1 on the first side are then interconnected with 101b-2 and 101c-2 on the second side, respectively, in the receptacle or on the substrate, as indicated by dashed lines. It is

On the other hand, the plug 301 is provided with signal electrodes 301b and 301c and a ground electrode 301d on one of the two sides of the casing of the plug 301 corresponding to the two sides of the receptacle 101 described above. . As mentioned above. Since the signal electrodes 101b and 101c and the ground electrode 101d are respectively installed on the first side (the upper side in the drawing) and the second side (the lower side in the drawing) of the receptacle 101, the plug 301 are inserted into the receptacle 101 with their upper limits reversed, each electrode can be connected, that is, a reversible connection is possible.

FIG. 13 shows another example of the configuration of receptacle 101 and plug 301 for reversible connection of plug 301 to receptacle 101 . FIG. 13(a) schematically shows a front view of the receptacle 101. FIG. FIG. 13(a') schematically shows a rear view of the receptacle 101. As shown in FIG. FIG. 13(b) schematically shows a rear view of the plug 301, and shows the signal electrodes 301b and 301c and the ground electrode 301d in a see-through state. FIG. 13(b') schematically shows a front view of the plug 301, and shows the signal electrodes 301b and 301c and the ground electrode 301d in a see-through state.

The plug 301 has signal electrodes 301b and 301c on two opposite sides of the housing, that is, on both the first side (upper side in the figure) and the second side (lower side in the figure), respectively. A ground electrode 301d is installed. In the illustrated example, electrodes 301b, 301d, 301c located on the first side are referred to as electrodes 301b-1, 301d-1, 301c-1, and electrodes 301b, 301d, 301c located on the second side. are shown as electrodes 301b-2, 301d-2, 301c-2.

In this case, the arrangement of the electrodes 301b-1, 301d-1, 301c-1 on the first side and the arrangement of the electrodes 301b-2, 301d-2, 301c-2 on the second side are point symmetrical. is placed in Electrodes 301b-1, 301c-1 on the first side are then interconnected in a plug or cable with 301b-2, 301c-2 on the second side, respectively, as indicated by dashed lines. It is

On the other hand, the receptacle 101 is provided with signal electrodes 101b and 101c and a ground electrode 101d on one of the two sides of the housing of the receptacle 101 corresponding to the two sides of the plug 301 described above. . As mentioned above. Since the signal electrodes 301b and 301c and the ground electrode 301d are respectively installed on the first side (the upper side in the drawing) and the second side (the lower side in the drawing) of the plug 301, the plug 301 are inserted into the receptacle 101 with their upper limits reversed, each electrode can be connected, that is, a reversible connection is possible.

[Configuration example of disc player]
FIG. 14 shows a configuration example of a disc player 11 as a specific example of the transmission device. This disc player 11 has a main stream link transmission section 425 , a substream link transmission section 426 and a substream link reception section 427 .

Main stream link transmission unit 425 and sub stream link transmission unit 426 include optical connector 101, transmission/reception unit 102, and connection detection in first electronic devices 100, 100A, and 100B in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, respectively. A unit 103, an optical output control unit 104, and the like are included. Note that the optical output control unit 104 may be configured by a CPU 404, which will be described later. Also, the substream link receiving section 427 includes the optical connector 101, the transmitting/receiving section 102, and the like in the first electronic devices 100, 100A, and 100B of FIGS.

The disk player 11 also includes a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 404, an internal bus 405, a flash ROM (Read Only Memory) 406, an SDRAM (Synchronous Random Access Memory) 407, a remote control receiver 408, and a remote control transmitter. has a machine 409.

The disc player 11 also has a SATA (Serial Advanced Technology Attachment) interface 410 , a BD (Blu-Ray Disc) drive 411 , an Ethernet interface (Ethernet I/F) 412 and a network terminal 413 . The disc player 11 also has an MPEG (Moving Picture Expert Group) decoder 415 , a graphics generation circuit 416 , a video output terminal 417 and an audio output terminal 418 .

Further, the disc player 11 may have a display control section 421 , a panel drive circuit 422 , a display panel 423 and a power supply section 424 . "Ethernet" and "Ethernet" are registered trademarks. CPU 404 , flash ROM 406 , SDRAM 407 , SATA interface 410 , Ethernet interface 412 , MPEG decoder 415 and display controller 421 are connected to internal bus 405 .

The CPU 404 controls the operation of each section of the disc player 11 . The flash ROM 406 stores control software and saves data. The SDRAM 407 constitutes a work area for the CPU 404 . The CPU 404 expands software and data read from the flash ROM 406 onto the SDRAM 407 , activates the software, and controls each section of the disc player 11 .

The remote control receiving unit 408 receives a remote control signal (remote control code) transmitted from the remote control transmitter 409 and supplies it to the CPU 404 . The CPU 404 controls each part of the disc player 11 according to the remote control code. In this embodiment, a remote control unit is shown as a user instruction input unit, but the user instruction input unit may be other configurations such as a switch, a wheel, a touch panel unit for inputting an instruction by proximity/touch, a mouse. , a keyboard, a gesture input unit that detects instruction input with a camera, a voice input unit that performs instruction input by voice, or the like.

The BD drive 411 records content data on a BD disc (not shown) as a disc-shaped recording medium, or reproduces content data from this BD. This BD drive 411 is connected to the internal bus 405 via the SATA interface 410 . The MPEG decoder 415 decodes the MPEG2 stream reproduced by the BD drive 411 to obtain image and audio data.

When transmitting image and audio data from the disk player 11 to an external device (receiver), the MPEG decoder 415 supplies the image and audio data to the main stream link transmission unit 425 . In this case, the image and audio data may be either compressed data or uncompressed data.

The graphics generation circuit 416 performs graphics data superimposition processing and the like on the image data obtained by the MPEG decoder 415 as necessary. A video output terminal 417 outputs the image data output from the graphic generation circuit 416 . An audio output terminal 418 outputs audio data obtained by the MPEG decoder 415 .

The panel drive circuit 422 drives the display panel 423 based on video (image) data output from the graphics generation circuit 416 . The display control unit 421 controls display on the display panel 423 by controlling the graphics generation circuit 416 and the panel drive circuit 422 . The display panel 423 is composed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), an organic EL (Organic Electro-Luminescence) panel, or the like.

In this embodiment, an example in which the display control unit 421 is provided in addition to the CPU 404 is shown, but the display on the display panel 423 may be directly controlled by the CPU 404 . Also, the CPU 404 and the display control unit 421 may be a single chip or multiple cores. The power supply unit 424 supplies power to each unit of the disc player 11 . The power supply unit 424 may be an AC power supply or a battery (storage battery, dry battery).

The operation of the disc player 11 shown in FIG. 14 will be briefly described. At the time of recording, content data to be recorded is acquired via a digital tuner (not shown) or via the Ethernet interface 412 from the network terminal 413 . This content data is input to the SATA interface 410 and recorded on the BD by the BD drive 411 . Depending on the circumstances, this content data may be recorded on an HDD (hard disk drive) (not shown) connected to the SATA interface 410 .

During reproduction, the content data (MPEG stream) reproduced from the BD by the BD drive 411 is supplied to the MPEG decoder 415 via the SATA interface 410 . The MPEG decoder 415 decodes the reproduced content data to obtain uncompressed image and audio data. The image data is output to the video output terminal 417 through the graphics generation circuit 416 . Also, the audio data is output to the audio output terminal 418 .

During reproduction, the image data obtained by the MPEG decoder 415 is supplied to the panel drive circuit 422 through the graphics generation circuit 416 according to user's operation, and the reproduced image is displayed on the display panel 423 . Also, the audio data obtained by the MPEG decoder 415 is supplied to a speaker (not shown) according to the user's operation, and audio corresponding to the reproduced image is output.

When transmitting image and audio data from the disc player 11 to an external device (receiver) during this reproduction, the MPEG decoder 415 transmits the image and audio data (uncompressed data or uncompressed data) to the main stream link transmission unit 425. data) is supplied and transmitted to an external device (receiver) on the main stream link.

When the content data reproduced by the BD drive 411 is transmitted to the network during reproduction, this content data is output to the network terminal 413 via the Ethernet interface 412 . Here, before the image data is output, it may be transmitted (transmitted) after being encrypted using a copyright protection technique such as HDCP, DTCP, or DTCP+.

[Configuration example of television receiver]
FIG. 15 shows a configuration example of a television receiver 12 as a specific example of the receiving device. The television receiver 12 has a main stream link receiving section 533 , a substream link receiving section 534 and a substream link transmitting section 535 .

The main stream link reception unit 533 and the sub stream link reception unit 534 include the optical connector 201, the transmission/reception unit 202, and the like in the second electronic devices 200, 200A, and 200B of FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, respectively. is The substream link transmission unit 535 includes the optical connector 201, the transmission/reception unit 202, the connection detection unit 203, the optical output control unit 204, etc. in the second electronic devices 200, 200A, and 200B of FIGS. It is included. Note that the light output control unit 204 may be configured by a CPU 521, which will be described later.

The television receiver 12 also has an antenna terminal 505, a digital tuner 506, an MPEG decoder 507, a video signal processing circuit 508, a graphics generation circuit 509, a panel driving circuit 510, and a display panel 511. there is

The television receiver 12 also includes an audio signal processing circuit 512, an audio amplifier circuit 513, a speaker 514, an internal bus 520, a CPU 521, a flash ROM 522, and an SDRAM (Synchronous Random Access Memory) 523. there is The television receiver 12 also has an Ethernet interface (Ethernet I/F) 524 , a network terminal 525 , a remote control receiver 526 and a remote control transmitter 527 . The television receiver 12 also has a display control section 531 and a power supply section 532 . "Ethernet" and "Ethernet" are registered trademarks.

The CPU 521 controls the operation of each section of the television receiver 12 . The flash ROM 522 stores control software and saves data. The SDRAM 523 constitutes a work area for the CPU 521 . The CPU 521 expands software and data read from the flash ROM 522 onto the SDRAM 523 , activates the software, and controls each section of the television receiver 12 .

The remote control receiver 526 receives a remote control signal (remote control code) transmitted from the remote control transmitter 527 and supplies the signal to the CPU 521 . The CPU 521 controls each part of the television receiver 12 based on this remote control code. In this embodiment, a remote control unit is shown as a user instruction input unit, but the user instruction input unit may be other configurations, such as a touch panel unit for inputting instructions by proximity/touch, a mouse, a keyboard, and a camera. It may be a gesture input unit that detects an instruction input with a voice, a voice input unit that performs an instruction input by voice, or the like.

A network terminal 525 is a terminal for connecting to a network, and is connected to the Ethernet interface 524 . The CPU 521 , flash ROM 522 , SDRAM 523 , Ethernet interface 524 , MPEG decoder 507 and display control unit 531 are connected to internal bus 520 .

Antenna terminal 505 is a terminal for inputting a television broadcast signal received by a receiving antenna (not shown). The digital tuner 506 processes the television broadcast signal input to the antenna terminal 505, selects a partial TS (Transport Stream) (TS packets of video data, TS packet).

Also, the digital tuner 506 extracts PSI/SI (Program Specific Information/Service Information) from the obtained transport stream and outputs it to the CPU 521 . The process of extracting a partial TS of an arbitrary channel from a plurality of transport streams obtained by the digital tuner 506 is obtained by obtaining packet ID (PID) information of the arbitrary channel from PSI/SI (PAT/PMT). It becomes possible.

The MPEG decoder 507 obtains image data by decoding video PES (Packetized Elementary Stream) packets composed of TS packets of video data obtained by the digital tuner 506 . The MPEG decoder 507 also decodes audio PES packets composed of TS packets of audio data obtained by the digital tuner 506 to obtain audio data. The MPEG decoder 507 also decodes content data (image data and audio data) supplied from the network terminal 525 via the Ethernet interface 524 to obtain image and audio data.

The video signal processing circuit 508 and the graphics generation circuit 509 perform scaling processing (resolution conversion processing) on the image data obtained by the MPEG decoder 507 or the image data received by the main stream link reception unit 533 as necessary. , superimposing processing of graphics data, and the like.

A panel drive circuit 510 drives a display panel 511 based on video (image) data output from the graphics generation circuit 509 . The display control unit 531 controls display on the display panel 511 by controlling the graphics generation circuit 509 and the panel drive circuit 510 . The display panel 511 is composed of, for example, an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a PDP (Plasma Display Panel), an organic EL (Organic Electro-Luminescence) panel, or the like.

In addition, in this embodiment, an example in which the display control unit 531 is provided in addition to the CPU 521 is shown, but the display on the display panel 511 may be directly controlled by the CPU 521 . Also, the CPU 521 and the display control unit 531 may be a single chip or multiple cores. The power supply unit 532 supplies power to each unit of the television receiver 12 . The power supply unit 532 may be an AC power supply or a battery (storage battery, dry battery).

The audio signal processing circuit 512 performs necessary processing such as D/A conversion on audio data obtained by the MPEG decoder 507 or audio data received by the main stream link receiving section 533 . The audio amplifier circuit 513 amplifies the audio signal output from the audio signal processing circuit 512 and supplies it to the speaker 514 .

Note that the speaker 514 may be monaural or stereo. Also, the number of speakers 514 may be one, or two or more. Also, the speaker 514 may be an earphone or a headphone. Also, the speaker 514 may be compatible with 2.1 channels, 5.1 channels, or the like. Also, the speaker 514 may be wirelessly connected to the television receiver 12 . Also, the speaker 514 may be another device.

It should be noted that, for example, when the received content data is sent to the network, this content data is output to the network terminal 525 via the Ethernet interface 524 . Here, before the image data is output, it may be transmitted after being encrypted using a copyright protection technique such as HDCP, DTCP, or DTCP+.

The operation of the television receiver 12 shown in FIG. 15 will be briefly described. A television broadcast signal input to the antenna terminal 505 is supplied to the digital tuner 506 . This digital tuner 506 processes the television broadcast signal and outputs a predetermined transport stream corresponding to the channel selected by the user. is extracted and the partial TS is supplied to the MPEG decoder 507 .

In the MPEG decoder 507, video data is obtained by decoding video PES packets composed of TS packets of video data. The video data is subjected to scaling processing (resolution conversion processing), graphics data superimposition processing, etc., as required in the video signal processing circuit 508 and the graphics generation circuit 509, and then supplied to the panel driving circuit 510. be. Therefore, the display panel 511 displays an image corresponding to the channel selected by the user.

Also, in the MPEG decoder 507, audio data is obtained by decoding audio PES packets composed of audio data TS packets. This audio data is subjected to necessary processing such as D/A conversion by an audio signal processing circuit 512 , amplified by an audio amplifier circuit 513 , and then supplied to a speaker 514 . Therefore, the sound corresponding to the channel selected by the user is output from the speaker 514 .

Content data (image data, audio data) supplied from the network terminal 525 to the Ethernet interface 524 is supplied to the MPEG decoder 507 . After that, the operation is the same as that when receiving the television broadcast signal described above, an image is displayed on the display panel 511 , and sound is output from the speaker 514 .

When the television receiver 12 receives image and audio data from an external device (transmitter), the image and audio data received by the main stream link receiver 533 are processed by the video signal processing circuit 508 and the audio signal, respectively. It is supplied to processing circuitry 512 . After that, the operation is the same as that when receiving the television broadcast signal described above, an image is displayed on the display panel 511 , and sound is output from the speaker 514 .

As described above, in the optical data transmission systems 20, 20A, and 20B shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, when the optical connector (plug) is inserted into the optical connector (receptacle) and mating is performed, the optical After the signal electrodes are brought into contact with each other, when the optical connector (plug) is pulled out from the optical connector (receptacle) and the mating is released, the optical parts are separated after the signal electrodes are separated. be done. Therefore, when the signal electrode is in contact with the electrode of the mating connector, it is guaranteed that the optical section is in contact with the optical section of the mating connector, and only in this case the power of the optical signal supplied to the optical section is high. Safety can be ensured by being controlled, and optical data transmission can be performed satisfactorily.

In the optical data transmission systems 20, 20A, and 20B shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 4, when the optical connector (plug) is inserted into the optical connector (receptacle) and mated, the ground electrodes are When the signal electrodes are in contact with each other and the optical connector (plug) is removed from the optical connector (receptacle) and the mating is released, the signal electrodes are separated with the ground electrodes in contact with each other. Therefore, the potential between the connected devices can be stabilized, the influence of static electricity can be reduced, and damage and malfunction of the connected devices can be prevented.

<2. Variation>
In the above-described embodiment, when mating with the mating connector is performed, the ground electrodes are brought into contact after the optical portions are brought into contact with each other, and then the signal electrodes are brought into contact with each other. When the mating is canceled, the signal electrodes are separated from each other, the ground electrodes are separated from each other, and then the optical portions are separated from each other. However, when mating with the mating connector, it is not necessary that the ground electrodes contact each other after the optical portions come into contact with each other, and when mating with the mating connector is released, the ground electrodes do not necessarily need to contact each other. There is no need to separate the optics after separation.

The point is that when mating with the mating connector, the signal electrodes are in contact with each other while the ground electrodes are in contact with each other. Any configuration may be employed as long as the signal electrodes are separated from each other while they are in contact with each other. As a result, the potential between the connected devices can be stabilized, the influence of static electricity can be reduced, and damage and malfunction of the connected devices can be prevented.

In the above-described embodiments, an example in which an optical connector (receptacle) of an electronic device and an optical connector (plug) of an optical cable are fitted together has been shown. Configurations are also conceivable.

Further, in the above-described embodiments, the disk player 11 (see FIG. 14) is shown as a specific example of the transmitting device, and the television receiver 12 (see FIG. 15) is shown as a specific example of the receiving device. However, the transmitting side device and the receiving side device are of course not limited to these.

Moreover, this technique can also take the following structures.
(1) a signal electrode and a ground electrode respectively provided at positions corresponding to the signal electrode and the ground electrode of the mating connector;
An optical section provided at a position corresponding to the optical section of the mating connector,
When mating with the mating connector is performed, after the optical portion contacts the optical portion of the mating connector, the signal electrode of the mating connector is connected to the ground electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector. contact the signal electrode,
When the mating with the mating connector is released, the signal electrode is separated from the signal electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector. A connector that separates the optical part of the
(2) the optical unit is movably provided,
In a state where the optical portion starts contacting with the optical portion of the mating connector, the biasing unit biases the optical portion toward the mating connector so that the signal electrodes are separated from the signal electrodes of the mating connector. The connector according to (1), further comprising a force portion.
(3) The connector according to (2), further comprising a locking portion that holds the signal electrode in contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector against the biasing force of the biasing portion.
(4) The signal electrode comprises a first signal electrode for supplying a connection detection signal to the mating connector and a second signal electrode for receiving the connection detection signal from the mating connector. The connector according to any one of (3) to (3).
(5) a connector having a signal electrode and a ground electrode respectively provided at positions corresponding to the signal electrode and the ground electrode of the mating connector, and an optical section provided at a position corresponding to the optical section of the mating connector;
a transmission unit that converts transmission data into an optical signal and supplies the optical signal to the optical unit;
a detection unit that detects whether or not the signal electrode is in contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector based on a signal obtained from the signal electrode;
a control unit for controlling the power of the optical signal supplied from the transmission unit to the optical unit based on the output of the detection unit;
The connector above
When mating with the mating connector is performed, after the optical portion contacts the optical portion of the mating connector, the signal electrode of the mating connector is connected to the ground electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector. contact the signal electrode,
When the mating with the mating connector is released, the signal electrode is separated from the signal electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector. electronic equipment.
(6) the optical unit is movably provided,
The connector above
In a state in which the optical portion starts contacting the optical portion of the mating connector, the biasing unit biases the optical portion toward the mating connector so that the signal electrode is positioned so as not to contact the signal electrode of the mating connector. The electronic device according to (5), further comprising a force portion.
(7) The connector is
The electronic device according to (6), further comprising a locking portion that holds a state in which the signal electrode is in contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector against the biasing force of the biasing portion.
(8) The control unit
When the output of the detection section indicates that the signal electrode is in contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector, the power of the optical signal is controlled to a first power, and the output of the detection section detects the contact between the signal electrode and the signal electrode of the mating connector. The electronic device according to any one of (5) to (7) above, wherein the power of the optical signal is controlled to a second power lower than the first power when indicating that there is no contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector. .
(9) the signal electrode of the connector comprises a first signal electrode for supplying a connection detection signal to the mating connector and a second signal electrode for receiving the connection detection signal from the mating connector;
Any one of (5) to (8) above, wherein the detection unit detects that there is contact between the signal electrode and the signal electrode of the mating connector when receiving the connection detection signal from the second signal electrode. The electronic device described in .
(10) a connector having a signal electrode and a ground electrode respectively provided at positions corresponding to the signal electrode and the ground electrode of the mating connector, and an optical section provided at a position corresponding to the optical section of the mating connector;
a transmission unit that converts transmission data into an optical signal and supplies the optical signal to the optical unit;
a detection unit that detects whether or not the signal electrode is in contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector based on a signal obtained from the signal electrode;
a control unit for controlling the power of the optical signal supplied from the transmission unit to the optical unit based on the output of the detection unit;
The connector above
When mating with the mating connector is performed, after the optical portion contacts the optical portion of the mating connector, the signal electrode of the mating connector is connected to the ground electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector. contact the signal electrode,
When the mating with the mating connector is released, the signal electrode is separated from the signal electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector. A control method for an electronic device separated from the optical part of
When the output of the detection section indicates that the signal electrode is in contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector, the power of the optical signal is controlled to a first power, and the output of the detection section detects the contact between the signal electrode and the signal electrode of the mating connector. A method of controlling an electronic device, wherein the power of the optical signal is controlled to a second power lower than the first power when indicating that there is no contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector.

Reference Signs List 10 AV transmission system 20, 20A, 20B Optical data transmission system 60 Main stream link 70 Sub stream link 100, 100a, 100B First electronic device 101 Optical connector (receptacle)
DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 101a... Optical part 101b, 101c... Signal electrode 101d... Ground electrode 102... Transmission/reception part 103... Connection detection part 104... Optical output control part 105... Optical transmission path DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 106, 107... Electric transmission line 111... Main-body part 112... Opening 113... Spring member 114... Lock member 200, 200A, 200B... 2nd electronic device 201... Light Connector (receptacle)
201a optical section 201b, 201c signal electrode 201d ground electrode 202 transmission/reception section 203 connection detection section 204 optical output control section 205 optical transmission path 206, 207... Electrical transmission line 300... Optical cable 301, 302... Optical connector (plug)
301a, 302a... Optical section 301b, 301c, 302b, 302c... Signal electrode 301d, 302d... Ground electrode 303... Optical transmission line 304, 305, 306... Electric transmission line 311... Body part 312... Opening 313... Lock hole 404... CPU
405... Internal bus 406... Flash ROM
407 SDRAM
408... Remote control receiver 409... Remote control transmitter 410... SATA interface 411... BD drive 412... Ethernet interface 413... Network terminal 415... MPEG decoder 416... Graphic generation Circuit 417 Video output terminal 418 Audio output terminal 421 Display control unit 422 Panel drive circuit 423 Display panel 424 Power supply unit 425 Main stream link transmission unit 426 Sub-stream link transmitting unit 427 Sub-stream link receiving unit 505 Antenna terminal 506 Digital tuner 507 MPEG decoder 508 Video signal processing circuit 509 Graphic generation Circuit 510 Panel drive circuit 511 Display panel 512 Audio signal processing circuit 513 Audio amplifier circuit 514 Speaker 520 Internal bus 521 CPU
522 Flash ROM
523 SDRAM
524 Ethernet interface 525 Network terminal 526 Remote controller receiver 527 Remote controller transmitter 531 Display controller 532 Power supply 533 Main stream link receiver 534. .. sub-stream link receiving unit 535 .. sub-stream link transmitting unit

Claims (10)

a signal electrode and a ground electrode respectively provided at positions corresponding to the signal electrode and the ground electrode of the mating connector;
An optical section provided at a position corresponding to the optical section of the mating connector,
When mating with the mating connector is performed, after the optical portion contacts the optical portion of the mating connector, the signal electrode of the mating connector is connected to the ground electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector. contact the signal electrode,
When the mating with the mating connector is released, the signal electrode is separated from the signal electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector. from the optics of the
The signal electrode comprises a first signal electrode for supplying a connection detection signal to the mating connector and a second signal electrode for receiving the connection detection signal from the mating connector,
The connector, wherein the ground electrode is arranged at a position sandwiched between the first signal electrode and the second signal electrode . wherein the first signal electrode, the ground electrode and the second signal electrode are respectively located on both first and second opposing sides of the connector housing;
An arrangement of the first signal electrode, the ground electrode and the second signal electrode on the first side and an arrangement of the first signal electrode, the ground electrode and the second signal on the second side The rows of electrodes are placed in a point-symmetrical relationship
A connector according to claim 1. The optical unit is movably provided,
In a state where the optical portion starts contacting with the optical portion of the mating connector, the biasing unit biases the optical portion toward the mating connector so that the signal electrodes are separated from the signal electrodes of the mating connector. 2. The connector of claim 1, further comprising a force portion. 4. The connector according to claim 3 , further comprising a locking portion that holds the signal electrode in contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector against the biasing force of the biasing portion. a signal electrode and a ground electrode respectively provided at positions corresponding to the signal electrode and the ground electrode of the mating connector; a connector having an optical section provided at a position corresponding to the optical section of the mating connector;
a transmission unit that converts transmission data into an optical signal and supplies the optical signal to the optical unit;
a detection unit that detects whether or not the signal electrode is in contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector based on a signal obtained from the signal electrode;
a control unit for controlling the power of the optical signal supplied from the transmission unit to the optical unit based on the output of the detection unit;
The connector above
When mating with the mating connector is performed, after the optical portion contacts the optical portion of the mating connector, the signal electrode of the mating connector is connected to the ground electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector. contact the signal electrode,
When the mating with the mating connector is released, the signal electrode is separated from the signal electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector. from the optics of the
the signal electrode of the connector comprises a first signal electrode for supplying a connection detection signal to the mating connector and a second signal electrode for receiving the connection detection signal from the mating connector,
The ground electrode is arranged at a position sandwiched between the first signal electrode and the second signal electrode,
The electronic device, wherein the detection unit detects contact between the signal electrode and the signal electrode of the mating connector when receiving the connection detection signal from the second signal electrode. the first signal electrode, the ground electrode and the second signal electrode of the connector are respectively located on both first and second opposing sides of the connector housing;
An arrangement of the first signal electrode, the ground electrode and the second signal electrode on the first side and an arrangement of the first signal electrode, the ground electrode and the second signal on the second side The rows of electrodes are placed in a point-symmetrical relationship
The electronic device according to claim 5. The optical unit is movably provided,
The connector above
In a state in which the optical portion starts contacting the optical portion of the mating connector, the biasing unit biases the optical portion toward the mating connector so that the signal electrode is positioned so as not to contact the signal electrode of the mating connector. The electronic device according to claim 5, further comprising a force portion. The connector above
8. The electronic device according to claim 7, further comprising a locking portion that holds a state in which the signal electrode is in contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector against the biasing force of the biasing portion. The control unit is
When the output of the detection section indicates that the signal electrode is in contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector, the power of the optical signal is controlled to a first power, and the output of the detection section detects the contact between the signal electrode and the signal electrode of the mating connector. 6. The electronic equipment according to claim 5, wherein the power of the optical signal is controlled to a second power lower than the first power when indicating that there is no contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector. a signal electrode and a ground electrode respectively provided at positions corresponding to the signal electrode and the ground electrode of the mating connector; a connector having an optical section provided at a position corresponding to the optical section of the mating connector;
a transmission unit that converts transmission data into an optical signal and supplies the optical signal to the optical unit;
a detection unit that detects whether or not the signal electrode is in contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector based on a signal obtained from the signal electrode;
a control unit for controlling the power of the optical signal supplied from the transmission unit to the optical unit based on the output of the detection unit;
The connector above
When mating with the mating connector is performed, after the optical portion contacts the optical portion of the mating connector, the signal electrode of the mating connector is connected to the ground electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector. contact the signal electrode,
When the mating with the mating connector is released, the signal electrode is separated from the signal electrode of the mating connector while the ground electrode is in contact with the ground electrode of the mating connector. from the optics of the
the signal electrode of the connector comprises a first signal electrode for supplying a connection detection signal to the mating connector and a second signal electrode for receiving the connection detection signal from the mating connector,
The ground electrode is arranged at a position sandwiched between the first signal electrode and the second signal electrode,
The method for controlling an electronic device, wherein the detection unit detects contact between the signal electrode and the signal electrode of the mating connector when receiving the connection detection signal from the second signal electrode,
When the output of the detection section indicates that the signal electrode is in contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector, the power of the optical signal is controlled to a first power, and the output of the detection section detects the contact between the signal electrode and the signal electrode of the mating connector. A method of controlling an electronic device, wherein the power of the optical signal is controlled to a second power lower than the first power when indicating that there is no contact with the signal electrode of the mating connector.

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