CA2204048A1 - Electronic appliance equipped with optical communication function - Google Patents
Electronic appliance equipped with optical communication functionInfo
- Publication number
- CA2204048A1 CA2204048A1 CA002204048A CA2204048A CA2204048A1 CA 2204048 A1 CA2204048 A1 CA 2204048A1 CA 002204048 A CA002204048 A CA 002204048A CA 2204048 A CA2204048 A CA 2204048A CA 2204048 A1 CA2204048 A1 CA 2204048A1
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- optical communication
- cable
- electronic appliance
- unit
- communication unit
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
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Classifications
-
- H—ELECTRICITY
- H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
- H04B—TRANSMISSION
- H04B10/00—Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
- H04B10/11—Arrangements specific to free-space transmission, i.e. transmission through air or vacuum
- H04B10/114—Indoor or close-range type systems
- H04B10/1143—Bidirectional transmission
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- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Electromagnetism (AREA)
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
- Signal Processing (AREA)
- Optical Communication System (AREA)
- Connector Housings Or Holding Contact Members (AREA)
Abstract
An electronic appliance equipped with an optical communication function is arranged by a main body, an infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit for transmitting and/of receiving information by way of light, and a cable for connecting this main body with the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit. This electronic appliance is further arranged by a cable storing unit provided with the main body, for storing therein the cable by rewinding this cable. when the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit is drawn from the cable storing unit to be set, the optical communication can be carried out with a counter party existing in an arbitrary direction.
Description
ELECTRONIC APPLIANCE EQUIPPED
WITH OPTICAL COMMUNICATION FUNCTION
Background Of The Inventlon 5 1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to an electronic appliance equipped with an optical communication function. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a technique capable 10 of firmly performing optical communications among a plurality of electronic appliances.
WITH OPTICAL COMMUNICATION FUNCTION
Background Of The Inventlon 5 1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to an electronic appliance equipped with an optical communication function. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a technique capable 10 of firmly performing optical communications among a plurality of electronic appliances.
2. Description of the Related Art In general, home appliances, personal computers, terminal units, and the like are known as 15 electronic appliances equipped with optical communication functions. A home appliance is constructed of a main body unit and a remote controller. This main body unit is controlled in response to infrared light transmitted from the 20 remote controller. Also, a personal computer and a terminal unit execute optical communications with another personal computer, or another terminal unit by utilizing infrared light.
Fig. 1 schematically represents one example 25 of the conventional electronic appliance equipped with the optical communication function. As shown in Fig. 1, one infrared light transmitting/receiving CA 02204048 l997-04-29 element unit 52 is provided with one electronic appliance 51, and another infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 54 is employed with another electronic appliance 53. The infrared 5 radiation communications are carried out between these infrared light transmitting/receiving element units 52 and 54, so that the required information may be transmitted/received between the electronic appliances 51 and 53.
In those electronic appliances, the infrared light transmitting/receiving element units 52 and 54 are fixed on housings of the electronic appliances 5 and 52, respectively. As a result, in order to perform the infrared communications between the 15 electronic appliances, as represented in Fig. 1, the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 52 must be positioned opposite to the other infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 54. For instance, while such an infrared communication is 20 carried out during conference, or meeting time, there is no problem when communication parties are positioned opposite to each other. However, when these communication parties are not located opposite to each other, the f ollowing problem will occur .
25 That is, since the setting directions of the electronic appliances are limited only to the above-explained conditions, the very difficult operations/setting of these electronic appliances are required .
Another example of the conventional electronic appliance equipped with the optical 5 communication function is described in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No.4-185098 opened in 1992.
This conventional electronic appliance is arranged by the infrared remote controller 1 and the main body 2, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The infrared light 10 generator 4 is connected via the cable 3 to the remote controller 1. In this electronic appliance, the main body 2 located outside the interference subject is controlled by the infrared remote controller 1. In this case, the infrared light 15 generator 4 connected via the cable 3 to the infrared remote controller 1 is installed near the main body 2. Thus, the optical communications are carried out by way of the infrared light between the main body 2 of the electronic appliance and the infrared remote 20 controller 1 ( infrared light generator 4 ) . In this conventional electronic appliance, when there is no need to use the cable 3 during the infrared communication, there is such a drawback that this cable 3 may cause an obstruction during the infrared 25 communication.
To avoid such an obstacle cable, the various rewinding mechanisms have been proposed, f or instance, a rewinding mechanism for a power supply cable of an electronic vacuum cleaner, and a rewinding mechanism for an earphone cable of a radio.
For example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No.7-107148 opened in 1995 discloses the portable telephone equipped with the rewinding mechanism. In this portable telephone, the cable is rewound on the reel, so that this cable can be stored into the housing .
Summary Of The Invention The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional drawbacks, and therefore, has an object to provide an electronic appliance equipped with an optical communication function and operable in an easy manipulation, while a cable gives no obstruction during optical communications .
An electronic appliance equipped with an optical communication function, according to the present invention, is arranged by:
a main body;
a light communication unit for transmitting and/or receiving information by way of light;
a cable for connecting the main body to the light communication unit.
The main body may be arranged by including a CA 02204048 l997-04-29 cable storing unit for storing therein the cable.
The cable storing unit may be constituted by that the cable is stored by rewinding this cable. Also, the main body may be constructed by including a light 5 communication unit storing unit for storing the light communication unit. When the cable is stored into the cable storing unit, the light communication unit storing unit causes the light communication unit to be stored into the light communication unit storing 10 unit. The light used in the light communication unit is infrared light. In this case, the light communication unit may be constituted by the infrared light transmitting/receiving element. Furthermore, the light communication unit may be arranged by 15 having a coupling means for coupling this own light communication unit with another light communication unit .
In accordance with the present invention, the following effects can be achieved. Since one end of 20 the cable is connected to the housing, and the other end thereof is connected to the optical communication unit, this optical communication unit is drawn and set to an arbitrary position so as to perform the optical communication. Therefore, the light 25 transmission/reception range can be simply varied, and furthermore, the optical communication can be done over the wider range, and this optical communication can be carried out with easy manipulation. Also, when the optical communication unit need not be drawn from the housing, the cable is rewound so that the light transmitting/receiving unit 5 is stored into the housing. Further, there is another merit that this cable never obstructs the optical communication.
Brief Desorlptlon Of The Drawings A more complete understanding of the teachings of the present invention may be acquired by referring to the accompanying figures, in which like reference numbers indicate like features and wherein:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view for showing the arrangement of one conventional electronic appliance equipped with the optical communication function:
Fig. 2 is a side view for indicating the arrangement of another conventional electronic appliance equipped with the optical communication function:
Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram for an arrangement of an electronic appliance equipped with an optical communication function, according to an embodiment of the present invention:
Fig. 4 is a perspective view for showing an outer appearance of the electronic appliance equipped with the optical communication function according to this embodiment, i . e ., a condition such that an infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit is stored into a housing Fig. 5 is a perspective view for showing an 5 outer appearance of the electronic appliance equipped with the optical communication function according to this embodiment, i . e ., a condition such that the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit is derived out from the housing:
Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a structural example of the cable rewinding mechanism of the electronic appliance shown in Fig. 3 Fig. 7 is an illustration of an infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit as a 15 modification employed in the electronic appliance equipped with the optical communication function according to the embodiment of the present invention:
and Fig. 8 is an illustration for explaining a 20 coupling condition of the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit shown in Fig. 7.
Detalled Descrlptlon Of The Preferred Embodiments Referring now to drawings, various embodiments 25 of the present invention related to an electronic appliance equipped with an optical communication function will be described in detail. Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram for indicating an arrangement of an electronic appliance 11 equipped with an optical communication function, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this 5 drawing, the electronic appliance 11 equipped with the optical communication function, according to this embodiment of the present invention, is constituted by employing a cable 13 whose one end is connected to a housing llA of this electronic appliance 11, an 10 infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12 functioning as an optical communication unit connected to the other end of this cable 13, and a cable rewinding mechanism 14 for rewinding the cable 13. It should be noted that the cable 13 can be 15 freely drawn as indicated by an arrow A.
Further, the electronic appliance 11 having the optical communication function according to this embodiment is constructed by using a user interface 18 for inputting/outputting information to be 20 communicated; a modem unit 16 for performing the modulating operation and the demodulating operation a control unit 17 for controlling the user interface 18 and the modem unit 16 and an infrared light transmitting/receiving circuit unit 15 for supplying 25 the signal outputted from the modem unit 16 to the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12, and also for supplying the signal outputted from g the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12 to the modem unit 16.
It should be understood that although the optical communication is carried out by utilizing the infrared light in this embodiment, other light may be apparently employed so as to perform such an optical c ommun i c a t i on .
With employment of the above-described arrangement, information transmitting operation is performed as follow. First, information inputted from the user interface 18 is modulated by the modem unit 16 under control of the control unit 17. Then, the signal obtained by modulating the information is supplied from the infrared light transmitting/receiving circuit unit 15 via the cable 13 to the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12, and thus, this information is transmitted in the form of the infrared light from this infrared light element unit 12.
Information receiving operation is performed as follow. First, infrared light transmitted from another electronic appliance as a counter party ( not shown in detail) is received by the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12, and supplied to the modem unit 16 via the cable 13 and infrared light transmitting/receiving circuit unit 15, and thereafter demodulated by the modem unit 16. Then, the demodulated signal is outputted to the user interface 18 under control of the control unit 17.
As indicated in Fig. 7, it should also be noted that a convex portion 12A and a concave portion 5 12B may be formed on the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12 in order that this infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12 is coupled with the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit provided as the 10 counter party by using these convex and concave portions 12A and 12B. For instance, as indicated in Fig. 8, coupling of these two infrared light transmitting/receiving unit is carried out in accordance with the following manner. That is, one 15 infrared light transmitting/receiving unit 12 is moved along a direction of an arrow f. Subsequently, the convex portion 12A of one infrared light transmitting/receiving unit 12 is inserted into the concave portion 12B of the other infrared light 20 transmitting/receiving unit 12. With employment of such a convex/concave arrangement, the optical communication can be firmly carried out between the two sets of electronic appliances.
Next, a description will now be made of a 25 method for using this electronic appliance 11 equipped with the optical communication function.
Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are perspective views for showing an outer appearance of the electronic appliance 11 according to this embodiment.
As indicated in Fig. 4, the electronic appliance 11 has a concave portion 21 on a portion of 5 an outer surface of a housing llA. Then, the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12 is stored into the concave portion 21 under normal condition. Further, as shown in Fig. 5, this infrared light transmitting/receiving unit 12 can be 10 separated to be drawn from the housing llA. At this time, this infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12 is connected to the housing llA of the electronic appliance 11 by way of the cable 13.
As a result, this infrared light 15 transmitting/receiving element unit 12 may be set at such a position that the optical communication can be performed with the counter party, and also at an arbitrary position.
Also, in the case that the inf rared light 20 transmitting/receiving element unit 12 need not be drawn, but also is stored into the concave portion 21 after being drawn, this infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12 is stored into a concave portion 21 formed in the outer surface of 25 the housing llA of the electronic appliance 11, as indicated in Fig. 4 by using a cable rewinding mechanism ( will be explained later ) . As apparent CA 02204048 l997-04-29 from the foregoing description, the infrared communication can be performed even under such a condition. Reference numeral 32 of Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 indicates a rewinding operation button.
Then, the cable rewinding mechanism 14 will now be explained with ref erence to Fig . 6 .
The cable rewinding mechanism 14 shown in Fig. 6 contains a cable rewinding reel 30 for energizing the cable 13 along a direction of a rewinding arrow a, an engaging claw 30C formed on this cable rewinding reel 30, and engaging plate 38 engaged with the engaging claw 30c, for stopping the cable rewinding operation, and also a rewinding operation button 32 for releasing the engagement between the engaging plate 38 and the engaging claw 30C. A rib 40 is formed on the inside of the housing llA of the electronic appliance 11, while being positioned opposite to the engaging plate 38. Then, a tip portion of the engaging plate 38 is depressed against an outer peripheral surface of an upper side of the reel 30 by way of a spring 41 arranged between this rib 40 and the engaging plate 38.
As a consequence, when the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12 to which one end of the cable 13 is connected is drawn by using a hand of an operator, the reel 30 is rotated as indicated by an arrow d, so that the cable 13 can be drawn only by a desirable length thereof. Then, when this cable drawing operation is stopped, the tip portion of the engaging plate 38 is engaged with the engaging claw 30c. As a result, the drawn cable 13 5 can be held under this condition. Also, when the rewinding operation button 32 is slid along the direction shown by the arrow b with respect to the engaging plate 38, the tip portion thereof may cause the engaging plate 38 to be depressed along a 10 direction opposite to the depressing direction of the spring 41. Accordingly, as shown by an arrow c, the tip portion of the engaging plate 38 is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the reel 30. As a consequence, since the rewinding operation button 15 32 is slid, the cable 13 may be rewound on the reel 30, and the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12 is stored into the concave portion 21 of the electronic appliance 11.
As previously described in detail, the 20 electronic appliance equipped with the infrared light communication function, according to this embodiment, contains the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit separably provided with the main body thereof, and this infrared light 25 transmitting/receiving element unit is connected via the cable to the main body of the electronic appliance. As a consequence, the infrared light CA 02204048 l997-04-29 transmitting/receiving element unit can be set along any of the communication directions desired by the user, so that the infrared light communication can be simply performed without changing the direction of 5 the main body of this electronic appliance.
Also, the electronic appliance of this embodiment is equipped with the cable rewinding mechanism f or rewinding the cable used to connect this electronic appliance with the infrared light 10 transmitting/receiving element unit. Accordingly, in such a case that the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit need not be drawn from the main body, but the cable is stored inside the electronic appliance, while the cable is 15 automatically rewound by merely manipulating the rewinding button, this infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit can be stored into a portion of the outer surface of the housing of this electronic appliance. As a consequence, such a 20 cumbersome operation when the cable is stored can be eliminated, and also very easy operation of the electronic appliance can be achieved.
As previously explained, according to the present invention, since one end of the cable is 25 connected to the housing, and the other end thereof is connected to the optical communication unit, this optical communication unit is drawn and set to an CA 02204048 l997-04-29 arbitrary position so as to perform the optical communication. Therefore, the following advantages of the present invention could be achieved. That is, the light transmission/reception range can be simply 5 varied, and furthermore, the optical communication can be done over the wider range, and this optical communication can be carried out with easy manipulation. Also, when the optical communication unit need not be drawn from the housing, the cable is 10 rewound so that the light transmitting/receiving unit is stored into the housing. Further, there is another merit that this cable never obstructs the optical communication.
Fig. 1 schematically represents one example 25 of the conventional electronic appliance equipped with the optical communication function. As shown in Fig. 1, one infrared light transmitting/receiving CA 02204048 l997-04-29 element unit 52 is provided with one electronic appliance 51, and another infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 54 is employed with another electronic appliance 53. The infrared 5 radiation communications are carried out between these infrared light transmitting/receiving element units 52 and 54, so that the required information may be transmitted/received between the electronic appliances 51 and 53.
In those electronic appliances, the infrared light transmitting/receiving element units 52 and 54 are fixed on housings of the electronic appliances 5 and 52, respectively. As a result, in order to perform the infrared communications between the 15 electronic appliances, as represented in Fig. 1, the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 52 must be positioned opposite to the other infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 54. For instance, while such an infrared communication is 20 carried out during conference, or meeting time, there is no problem when communication parties are positioned opposite to each other. However, when these communication parties are not located opposite to each other, the f ollowing problem will occur .
25 That is, since the setting directions of the electronic appliances are limited only to the above-explained conditions, the very difficult operations/setting of these electronic appliances are required .
Another example of the conventional electronic appliance equipped with the optical 5 communication function is described in Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No.4-185098 opened in 1992.
This conventional electronic appliance is arranged by the infrared remote controller 1 and the main body 2, as illustrated in Fig. 2. The infrared light 10 generator 4 is connected via the cable 3 to the remote controller 1. In this electronic appliance, the main body 2 located outside the interference subject is controlled by the infrared remote controller 1. In this case, the infrared light 15 generator 4 connected via the cable 3 to the infrared remote controller 1 is installed near the main body 2. Thus, the optical communications are carried out by way of the infrared light between the main body 2 of the electronic appliance and the infrared remote 20 controller 1 ( infrared light generator 4 ) . In this conventional electronic appliance, when there is no need to use the cable 3 during the infrared communication, there is such a drawback that this cable 3 may cause an obstruction during the infrared 25 communication.
To avoid such an obstacle cable, the various rewinding mechanisms have been proposed, f or instance, a rewinding mechanism for a power supply cable of an electronic vacuum cleaner, and a rewinding mechanism for an earphone cable of a radio.
For example, Japanese Laid-open Patent Application No.7-107148 opened in 1995 discloses the portable telephone equipped with the rewinding mechanism. In this portable telephone, the cable is rewound on the reel, so that this cable can be stored into the housing .
Summary Of The Invention The present invention has been made to solve the above-described conventional drawbacks, and therefore, has an object to provide an electronic appliance equipped with an optical communication function and operable in an easy manipulation, while a cable gives no obstruction during optical communications .
An electronic appliance equipped with an optical communication function, according to the present invention, is arranged by:
a main body;
a light communication unit for transmitting and/or receiving information by way of light;
a cable for connecting the main body to the light communication unit.
The main body may be arranged by including a CA 02204048 l997-04-29 cable storing unit for storing therein the cable.
The cable storing unit may be constituted by that the cable is stored by rewinding this cable. Also, the main body may be constructed by including a light 5 communication unit storing unit for storing the light communication unit. When the cable is stored into the cable storing unit, the light communication unit storing unit causes the light communication unit to be stored into the light communication unit storing 10 unit. The light used in the light communication unit is infrared light. In this case, the light communication unit may be constituted by the infrared light transmitting/receiving element. Furthermore, the light communication unit may be arranged by 15 having a coupling means for coupling this own light communication unit with another light communication unit .
In accordance with the present invention, the following effects can be achieved. Since one end of 20 the cable is connected to the housing, and the other end thereof is connected to the optical communication unit, this optical communication unit is drawn and set to an arbitrary position so as to perform the optical communication. Therefore, the light 25 transmission/reception range can be simply varied, and furthermore, the optical communication can be done over the wider range, and this optical communication can be carried out with easy manipulation. Also, when the optical communication unit need not be drawn from the housing, the cable is rewound so that the light transmitting/receiving unit 5 is stored into the housing. Further, there is another merit that this cable never obstructs the optical communication.
Brief Desorlptlon Of The Drawings A more complete understanding of the teachings of the present invention may be acquired by referring to the accompanying figures, in which like reference numbers indicate like features and wherein:
Fig. 1 is a perspective view for showing the arrangement of one conventional electronic appliance equipped with the optical communication function:
Fig. 2 is a side view for indicating the arrangement of another conventional electronic appliance equipped with the optical communication function:
Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram for an arrangement of an electronic appliance equipped with an optical communication function, according to an embodiment of the present invention:
Fig. 4 is a perspective view for showing an outer appearance of the electronic appliance equipped with the optical communication function according to this embodiment, i . e ., a condition such that an infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit is stored into a housing Fig. 5 is a perspective view for showing an 5 outer appearance of the electronic appliance equipped with the optical communication function according to this embodiment, i . e ., a condition such that the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit is derived out from the housing:
Fig. 6 schematically illustrates a structural example of the cable rewinding mechanism of the electronic appliance shown in Fig. 3 Fig. 7 is an illustration of an infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit as a 15 modification employed in the electronic appliance equipped with the optical communication function according to the embodiment of the present invention:
and Fig. 8 is an illustration for explaining a 20 coupling condition of the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit shown in Fig. 7.
Detalled Descrlptlon Of The Preferred Embodiments Referring now to drawings, various embodiments 25 of the present invention related to an electronic appliance equipped with an optical communication function will be described in detail. Fig. 3 is a schematic block diagram for indicating an arrangement of an electronic appliance 11 equipped with an optical communication function, according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this 5 drawing, the electronic appliance 11 equipped with the optical communication function, according to this embodiment of the present invention, is constituted by employing a cable 13 whose one end is connected to a housing llA of this electronic appliance 11, an 10 infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12 functioning as an optical communication unit connected to the other end of this cable 13, and a cable rewinding mechanism 14 for rewinding the cable 13. It should be noted that the cable 13 can be 15 freely drawn as indicated by an arrow A.
Further, the electronic appliance 11 having the optical communication function according to this embodiment is constructed by using a user interface 18 for inputting/outputting information to be 20 communicated; a modem unit 16 for performing the modulating operation and the demodulating operation a control unit 17 for controlling the user interface 18 and the modem unit 16 and an infrared light transmitting/receiving circuit unit 15 for supplying 25 the signal outputted from the modem unit 16 to the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12, and also for supplying the signal outputted from g the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12 to the modem unit 16.
It should be understood that although the optical communication is carried out by utilizing the infrared light in this embodiment, other light may be apparently employed so as to perform such an optical c ommun i c a t i on .
With employment of the above-described arrangement, information transmitting operation is performed as follow. First, information inputted from the user interface 18 is modulated by the modem unit 16 under control of the control unit 17. Then, the signal obtained by modulating the information is supplied from the infrared light transmitting/receiving circuit unit 15 via the cable 13 to the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12, and thus, this information is transmitted in the form of the infrared light from this infrared light element unit 12.
Information receiving operation is performed as follow. First, infrared light transmitted from another electronic appliance as a counter party ( not shown in detail) is received by the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12, and supplied to the modem unit 16 via the cable 13 and infrared light transmitting/receiving circuit unit 15, and thereafter demodulated by the modem unit 16. Then, the demodulated signal is outputted to the user interface 18 under control of the control unit 17.
As indicated in Fig. 7, it should also be noted that a convex portion 12A and a concave portion 5 12B may be formed on the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12 in order that this infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12 is coupled with the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit provided as the 10 counter party by using these convex and concave portions 12A and 12B. For instance, as indicated in Fig. 8, coupling of these two infrared light transmitting/receiving unit is carried out in accordance with the following manner. That is, one 15 infrared light transmitting/receiving unit 12 is moved along a direction of an arrow f. Subsequently, the convex portion 12A of one infrared light transmitting/receiving unit 12 is inserted into the concave portion 12B of the other infrared light 20 transmitting/receiving unit 12. With employment of such a convex/concave arrangement, the optical communication can be firmly carried out between the two sets of electronic appliances.
Next, a description will now be made of a 25 method for using this electronic appliance 11 equipped with the optical communication function.
Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 are perspective views for showing an outer appearance of the electronic appliance 11 according to this embodiment.
As indicated in Fig. 4, the electronic appliance 11 has a concave portion 21 on a portion of 5 an outer surface of a housing llA. Then, the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12 is stored into the concave portion 21 under normal condition. Further, as shown in Fig. 5, this infrared light transmitting/receiving unit 12 can be 10 separated to be drawn from the housing llA. At this time, this infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12 is connected to the housing llA of the electronic appliance 11 by way of the cable 13.
As a result, this infrared light 15 transmitting/receiving element unit 12 may be set at such a position that the optical communication can be performed with the counter party, and also at an arbitrary position.
Also, in the case that the inf rared light 20 transmitting/receiving element unit 12 need not be drawn, but also is stored into the concave portion 21 after being drawn, this infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12 is stored into a concave portion 21 formed in the outer surface of 25 the housing llA of the electronic appliance 11, as indicated in Fig. 4 by using a cable rewinding mechanism ( will be explained later ) . As apparent CA 02204048 l997-04-29 from the foregoing description, the infrared communication can be performed even under such a condition. Reference numeral 32 of Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 indicates a rewinding operation button.
Then, the cable rewinding mechanism 14 will now be explained with ref erence to Fig . 6 .
The cable rewinding mechanism 14 shown in Fig. 6 contains a cable rewinding reel 30 for energizing the cable 13 along a direction of a rewinding arrow a, an engaging claw 30C formed on this cable rewinding reel 30, and engaging plate 38 engaged with the engaging claw 30c, for stopping the cable rewinding operation, and also a rewinding operation button 32 for releasing the engagement between the engaging plate 38 and the engaging claw 30C. A rib 40 is formed on the inside of the housing llA of the electronic appliance 11, while being positioned opposite to the engaging plate 38. Then, a tip portion of the engaging plate 38 is depressed against an outer peripheral surface of an upper side of the reel 30 by way of a spring 41 arranged between this rib 40 and the engaging plate 38.
As a consequence, when the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12 to which one end of the cable 13 is connected is drawn by using a hand of an operator, the reel 30 is rotated as indicated by an arrow d, so that the cable 13 can be drawn only by a desirable length thereof. Then, when this cable drawing operation is stopped, the tip portion of the engaging plate 38 is engaged with the engaging claw 30c. As a result, the drawn cable 13 5 can be held under this condition. Also, when the rewinding operation button 32 is slid along the direction shown by the arrow b with respect to the engaging plate 38, the tip portion thereof may cause the engaging plate 38 to be depressed along a 10 direction opposite to the depressing direction of the spring 41. Accordingly, as shown by an arrow c, the tip portion of the engaging plate 38 is separated from the outer peripheral surface of the reel 30. As a consequence, since the rewinding operation button 15 32 is slid, the cable 13 may be rewound on the reel 30, and the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit 12 is stored into the concave portion 21 of the electronic appliance 11.
As previously described in detail, the 20 electronic appliance equipped with the infrared light communication function, according to this embodiment, contains the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit separably provided with the main body thereof, and this infrared light 25 transmitting/receiving element unit is connected via the cable to the main body of the electronic appliance. As a consequence, the infrared light CA 02204048 l997-04-29 transmitting/receiving element unit can be set along any of the communication directions desired by the user, so that the infrared light communication can be simply performed without changing the direction of 5 the main body of this electronic appliance.
Also, the electronic appliance of this embodiment is equipped with the cable rewinding mechanism f or rewinding the cable used to connect this electronic appliance with the infrared light 10 transmitting/receiving element unit. Accordingly, in such a case that the infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit need not be drawn from the main body, but the cable is stored inside the electronic appliance, while the cable is 15 automatically rewound by merely manipulating the rewinding button, this infrared light transmitting/receiving element unit can be stored into a portion of the outer surface of the housing of this electronic appliance. As a consequence, such a 20 cumbersome operation when the cable is stored can be eliminated, and also very easy operation of the electronic appliance can be achieved.
As previously explained, according to the present invention, since one end of the cable is 25 connected to the housing, and the other end thereof is connected to the optical communication unit, this optical communication unit is drawn and set to an CA 02204048 l997-04-29 arbitrary position so as to perform the optical communication. Therefore, the following advantages of the present invention could be achieved. That is, the light transmission/reception range can be simply 5 varied, and furthermore, the optical communication can be done over the wider range, and this optical communication can be carried out with easy manipulation. Also, when the optical communication unit need not be drawn from the housing, the cable is 10 rewound so that the light transmitting/receiving unit is stored into the housing. Further, there is another merit that this cable never obstructs the optical communication.
Claims (20)
1. An electronic appliance comprising:
a main body:
an optical communication unit for transmitting information by way of light:
a cable for connecting said main body to said optical communication unit: and a cable storing unit provided with said main body, for storing therein said cable.
a main body:
an optical communication unit for transmitting information by way of light:
a cable for connecting said main body to said optical communication unit: and a cable storing unit provided with said main body, for storing therein said cable.
2. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein said cable storing unit includes a cable rewinding mechanism.
3. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein said main body includes an optical communication unit storing unit for storing said optical communication unit.
4. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 3, wherein when the cable is stored into said cable storing unit, said optical communication unit storing unit, said optical communication unit storing unit causes said optical communication unit to be stored into said optical communication unit storing unit.
5. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein the light used in said optical communication unit is infrared light.
6. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 1, wherein said optical communication unit includes a coupling means for coupling the own optical communication unit with another optical communication unit.
7. An electronic appliance comprising:
a main body:
an optical communication unit for receiving information by way of light: and a cable for connecting said main body to said optical communication unit.
a main body:
an optical communication unit for receiving information by way of light: and a cable for connecting said main body to said optical communication unit.
8. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 7, wherein said main body includes a cable storing unit for storing said cable.
9. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 8, wherein said cable storing unit includes a cable rewinding mechanism.
10. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 8, wherein said main body includes an optical communication unit storing unit for storing said optical communication unit.
11. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 10, wherein when the cable is stored into said cable storing unit, said optical communication unit storing unit causes said optical communication unit to be stored into said optical communication unit storing unit.
12. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 7, wherein the light used in said optical communication unit is infrared light.
13. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 7, wherein said optical communication unit includes a coupling means for coupling the own optical communication unit with another optical communication unit.
14. An electronic appliance comprising:
a main body;
an optical communication unit for transmitting and receiving information by way of light: and a cable f or connecting said main body to said optical communication unit.
a main body;
an optical communication unit for transmitting and receiving information by way of light: and a cable f or connecting said main body to said optical communication unit.
15. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 14, wherein said main body includes a cable storing unit for storing said cable.
16. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 15, wherein said cable storing unit includes a cable rewinding mechanism.
17. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 15, wherein said main body includes an optical communication unit storing unit for storing said optical communication unit.
18. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 17, wherein when the cable is stored into said cable storing unit, said optical communication unit storing unit causes said optical communication unit into said optical communication unit storing unit.
19. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 14, wherein the light used in said optical communication unit is infrared light.
20. The electronic appliance as claimed in claim 14, wherein said optical communication unit includes a coupling means for coupling the own optical communication unit with another optical communication unit.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| JP8110001A JPH09298510A (en) | 1996-05-01 | 1996-05-01 | Electronic device with optical communication function |
| JP110001/1996 | 1996-05-01 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA2204048A1 true CA2204048A1 (en) | 1997-11-01 |
Family
ID=14524591
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA002204048A Abandoned CA2204048A1 (en) | 1996-05-01 | 1997-04-30 | Electronic appliance equipped with optical communication function |
Country Status (4)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| JP (1) | JPH09298510A (en) |
| AU (1) | AU1992697A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA2204048A1 (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2312800A (en) |
Families Citing this family (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GB9701756D0 (en) * | 1997-01-29 | 1997-03-19 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Data transfer apparatus for an electronic device |
| GB9701786D0 (en) * | 1997-01-29 | 1997-03-19 | Minnesota Mining & Mfg | Electronic device having a protective framework |
| GB2369736A (en) * | 2000-12-01 | 2002-06-05 | Martin Lawrence | Using cylindrical lenses to facilitate optical communications with moving devices |
| JP6490165B2 (en) * | 2017-08-29 | 2019-03-27 | シャープ株式会社 | Remote receiver |
Family Cites Families (6)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| US3705986A (en) * | 1971-01-25 | 1972-12-12 | Computer Transmission Corp | Optical data transmission system |
| US4764984A (en) * | 1986-08-18 | 1988-08-16 | Ibm Corporation | Fluorescent sensors for infrared free-space links in data communication systems |
| US5295212A (en) * | 1992-10-29 | 1994-03-15 | Eldec Corporation | System for transmitting signals between optical transceivers |
| US5450226A (en) * | 1993-01-29 | 1995-09-12 | Morrison Knudsen Corporation | Inter-car optical coupling |
| BE1007227A5 (en) * | 1993-06-18 | 1995-04-25 | Allseas Eng Bv | Method and apparatus for communications under water. |
| US5465038A (en) * | 1993-11-24 | 1995-11-07 | Dell Usa, L.P. | Battery charging/data transfer apparatus for a handheld computer |
-
1996
- 1996-05-01 JP JP8110001A patent/JPH09298510A/en active Pending
-
1997
- 1997-04-29 AU AU19926/97A patent/AU1992697A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-04-30 CA CA002204048A patent/CA2204048A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 1997-04-30 GB GB9708855A patent/GB2312800A/en not_active Withdrawn
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB9708855D0 (en) | 1997-06-25 |
| AU1992697A (en) | 1997-11-06 |
| JPH09298510A (en) | 1997-11-18 |
| GB2312800A (en) | 1997-11-05 |
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Legal Events
| Date | Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| EEER | Examination request | ||
| FZDE | Dead |