JP2019125428A - Electronic equipment with cable withdrawal detection function - Google Patents

Abstract

To provide electronic equipment with cable withdrawal detection function capable of electrically detecting whether or not the terminal part of a signal cable has been inserted into the insert structure on the intermediary service electronic apparatus side easily with simple structure.SOLUTION: Electronic equipment 0200 with cable withdrawal detection function includes a print circuit board 0201, a signal processing circuit 0202 provided on the print circuit board and processing signals acquired from the outside via a signal cable 0206 and an enclosure provided on the print circuit board and mechanically holding the terminal part of the signal cable when it is inserted. The electronic equipment includes an insert structure 0203 having an opening or a notch at a part of a portion of the enclosure on the print circuit board side, a light emission part 0204 for emitting light toward the inside of the enclosure at the opening or the notch of the insert structure, a reflection light detector 0205 for detecting the light emitted from the light emission part and reflected, and power supply parts 0207, 0208 for supplying power from the print circuit board to the light emission part and the reflection light detector.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to an electronic device with a cable insertion / removal detection function, and more particularly to an electronic device with a cable insertion / removal detection function suitable for detecting whether or not a terminal portion of a signal cable is inserted into an insertion port structure.

  Conventionally, there are hubs, switching hubs, routers, wireless LAN routers, media converters, switches, etc. as intermediary electronic devices for mediating communication to connect communication cables, and a plug structure of these electronic devices (for example, Use electronic equipment (for example, a computer, etc.) for which one of terminal parts (for example, modular plug etc.) of both ends of the communication cable is inserted into modular jack etc) and terminal parts (for example modular plug etc.) of the other end are used for communication Communication is enabled by plugging into a socket structure (e.g., a modular jack or the like) of a telephone set or the like. That is, a computer or the like and a hub are connected via a communication cable (for example, a LAN cable or the like), and for example, homepage browsing, internet shopping, internet search, etc. on the Internet via a communication device at the tip of the hub. You will be able to do it.

  In such an intermediary electronic device, it is possible to view a list of utilization electronic devices such as a computer connected via the intermediary electronic device by communication via the intermediary electronic device. This makes it possible to know the computer etc. connected via the intermediary electronic device.

  When the number of computers connected to the intermediary electronic device becomes large, a list of computers connected when it is necessary to check the status such as the number of ports to which the using electronic device can be connected to the intermediary electronic device It is also conceivable to know the number by looking at. However, such a situation is assumed because the use electronic device is not listed as a list when the use electronic device (computer or the like) connected is not powered on or when communication is not ready. In the case where it can be done, it was necessary to actually go to the place where the intermediary electronic device was installed for visual observation.

  As an idea to avoid such a complication, a plug detection device is disclosed which detects an insertion by pressing a switch on the insertion plug side with a modular plug to be inserted (see Patent Document 1: Paragraph No. 0039, FIG. 4).

  As another example, in the switching hub, a switch for detecting an unused port in the connector of the modular jack as the insertion port structure is provided in the inside of the connector, and the cable connector of the LAN terminal is inserted and removed. A system for detecting that has been disclosed (Patent Document 2).

  Furthermore, as another example, as a device for detecting the insertion state of the power supply cable and the insertion plug, a mechanism provided on the insertion plug side, which emits light to the plug receiving side, and There is disclosed a configuration provided with a light receiving unit that receives a part of the reflected light from the plug receiver (Patent Document 3).

JP, 2012-13872, A JP, 2009-49732, A JP, 2014-207075, A

  In the examples of Patent Documents 1 and 2, since the insertion / removal detection switch is built in the modular jack as the insertion port structure, there is a problem that the system configuration becomes complicated.

  In the example of Patent Document 3, since the insertion / removal detection function is not installed on the intermediary electronic device side, information processing is difficult. That is, it is difficult to use for the purpose of knowing how many use electronic devices are connected to the intermediary electronic device.

  An object of the present invention is a cable having a simple structure and a simple electrical detection of whether the insertion / extraction detection mechanism of whether or not the terminal portion of the communication cable is inserted into the insertion port structure on the intermediary electronic device side. An object of the present invention is to provide an electronic device with an insertion / removal detection function.

  In order to solve the above problems, the present invention provides the following electronic device with a cable insertion / removal detection function. That is, as a first invention, a printed circuit board, a signal processing circuit provided on the printed circuit board for processing a signal obtained from the outside through a signal cable, and a terminal portion of the signal cable provided on the printed circuit board A socket structure provided with a housing for mechanically holding a terminal portion of a signal cable by being inserted and having an opening or a notch in at least a part of a part of the housing on the printed circuit board side; A light emitting portion for emitting light toward the inside of the case at the opening or notch portion of the mouth structure, a reflected light detection portion for detecting reflected light of light emitted from the light emitting portion, a light emitting portion and reflection An electronic device with a cable insertion / removal detection function having a light detection unit and a power supply unit for supplying power from the printed circuit board to the light detection unit (corresponding to claim 1).

  In addition to the above features, the light emitting unit and the reflected light detection unit are parts of the printed circuit board cut out to provide an electronic device with a cable insertion / removal function that is a photo sensor structure provided approximately flush with the printed circuit board ( Claim 2).

  In addition to the above features, there are a plurality of insertion port structures on the printed circuit board, and a detection result output unit that outputs the detection result of the reflected light detection unit in association with an insertion port identifier that identifies the insertion port structure. An electronic device with an insertion / removal detection function (corresponding to claim 3).

  In addition to the above-mentioned feature, the detection result from the detection result output unit is transmitted via a signal cable inserted into an insertion port different from the insertion port identified by the insertion port identifier associated with the detection result. An electronic device with an insertion / removal detection function (corresponding to claim 4), further comprising an output control unit for outputting the signal to the outside.

  In addition to the features described above, an electronic device with an insertion / removal detection function (corresponding to claim 5) having a wireless output unit that wirelessly outputs the detection result from the detection result output unit.

  An electronic apparatus with an insertion / removal detection function (corresponding to claim 6), further comprising an alarm unit for alarming the detection result from the detection result output unit with any one or more of light, sound and vibration in addition to the above-mentioned feature.

  In addition to the above-mentioned feature, the housing is an electronic device with an insertion / extraction detection function (corresponding to claim 7) in which a signal cable to be inserted forms a space suitable for a signal cable whose bottom portion of the portion to be inserted is flat.

  As a method invention, a printed circuit board, a signal processing circuit provided on the printed circuit board for processing a signal obtained from the outside via a signal cable, and a terminal portion of the signal cable provided on the printed circuit board A receptacle structure for mechanically holding a terminal portion of a signal cable by being inserted, and having an opening or a notch in at least a part of a part of the housing on the printed circuit board side, and the receptacle A cable insertion detection function having a light emitting portion that emits light toward the inside of the housing at an opening or a notch portion of the structure, and a reflected light detection portion that detects the reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitting portion A method of operating the attached electronic device, comprising: a light emitting step of emitting light by the light emitting portion; a reflected light detecting step of detecting reflected light of the emitted light; intensity or / and wavelength of the reflected light Therefore, an operation method of an electronic device with a cable insertion / removal detection function having a determination step of determining whether the terminal portion of the signal cable is inserted into the insertion port structure and a determination result output step of outputting the determination result. Correspondence).

  According to the above-described configuration, the insertion / removal detection mechanism as to whether or not the terminal portion of the communication cable is inserted into the insertion port structure on the side of the intermediary electronic device can be simply electrically detected with a simple structure. It is possible to provide an electronic device with a cable insertion / removal detection function. As a result, it is possible to confirm remotely how many vacant openings of the intermediary electronic device.

Conceptual diagram of the electronic device with the cable insertion and removal detection function of the first embodiment Functional block diagram of the electronic device with cable insertion / removal detection function of the first embodiment Enclosure structure diagram of the electronic device with a cable insertion and removal detection function of the second embodiment Functional block diagram of the electronic device with cable insertion / removal detection function of the third embodiment Functional block diagram of the electronic device with cable insertion / removal detection function of the fourth embodiment Functional block diagram of the electronic device with cable insertion / removal detection function of the fifth embodiment Functional block diagram of electronic device with cable insertion / removal detection function of embodiment 6 The figure which shows the example of the signal cable connected to the electronic device with a cable insertion / extraction detection function of Embodiment 7. The figure which shows the space of the housing | casing of the electronic device with a cable insertion / extraction detection function of Embodiment 7. Insertion and removal detection operation flowchart of the electronic device with cable insertion and removal detection function of the first embodiment The electronic device with a cable insertion / extraction detection function of Embodiment 1 is a figure which shows the example of a switching hub. A diagram showing an example of a network management screen using an electronic device with a cable insertion / removal detection function in the first embodiment.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited to these embodiments at all, and can be implemented in various modes without departing from the scope of the invention.
First Embodiment
<Overview>

FIG. 1 is a conceptual view of the vicinity (the back plate 0107 side) of a cable insertion port of an electronic device with a cable insertion / removal detection function according to the present invention as observed from the cable insertion side. As shown in this figure, the electronic device with a cable insertion / removal detection function has a socket structure 0101 at the end of the printed circuit board 0100 on which the signal processing circuit is mounted. A light emitting portion 0103 for providing insertion or removal of the terminal portion 0102 of the signal cable (communication cable) 0106 to the insertion port structure 0101 by providing a notch or opening 0105 in the portion and reflection of light emitted from the light emitting portion The cable insertion / removal detection mechanism is realized as a simple structure provided with a reflected light detection unit 0104 for detecting
Embodiment 1 Configuration

FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram of the present embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the electronic device 0200 with a cable insertion / removal detection function according to the first embodiment includes a printed circuit board 0201, a signal processing circuit 0202, a socket structure 0203, a light emitting unit 0204, and a reflected light detecting unit And 0205 and power supply units 0207 and 0208. The terminal portion 0206 of the signal cable 0209 is inserted into the insertion port structure 0203.
<Description of the configuration of the first embodiment>
Embodiment 1 Printed Circuit Board

  The “printed circuit board” 0201 is mounted with various devices for realizing the main functions of the electronic device 0200 with a cable insertion / removal detection function. Since the electronic device of the present application assumes an intermediary electronic device, circuits for managing the state of communication, such as a router circuit, a switching circuit, and a repeater circuit, are configured on the printed circuit board. However, the electronic device of the present application is not strictly limited to the intermediary electronic device, and is a personal computer, a smartphone, a mobile phone, a tablet terminal, a game terminal, a television monitor, a recording device (hard disk recording device, DVD recording device), It also includes a recording device, a control table provided in a studio, etc., a video switching device provided in a television broadcasting station, a television broadcasting vehicle, etc. Therefore, all or part of the circuit for realizing these functions is formed on the present printed circuit board.

As described later, the printed circuit board located below the insertion port structure may be partially cut away, and the light emitting portion and the reflected light detection portion may be separately disposed, or the printed circuit board may be cut out. Alternatively, the light emitting unit and the reflected light detecting unit may be arranged. However, in either case, a part of the casing of the insertion port structure is cut away, so the shielding effect of the external noise is weakened accordingly. Therefore, it is preferable to provide a copper shield surface etc. in a printed circuit board instead, or arrange a copper shield surface etc in the part of the printed circuit board which carries the light emission part and reflected light detection part arranged separately.
Embodiment 1 Signal Processing Circuit

A “signal processing circuit” 0202 is provided on the printed circuit board 0201 and processes a signal acquired from the outside via the signal cable 0209. A signal processing circuit 0202 controls communication between a computer and communication devices such as a switching hub. Hereinafter, the electronic device 200 will be described on the assumption of a switching hub or a hub. The signals include data signals, audio signals, image signals, video signals and the like. Further, the signal processing circuit 0202 includes a configuration in which a signal input via one plug-in structure is processed and then output to another plug-in structure. The processing may include editing of packet payload information as well as editing of packet header information.
Embodiment 1 Insertion Port Structure

  The “insertion port structure” 0203 is provided on the printed circuit board 0201 and is inserted into the terminal portion 0206 of the signal cable 0209 to mechanically hold the terminal portion of the signal cable (see FIG. 3 described later). It has an opening or a notch in at least one part of the part by the side of a printed circuit board among the housings. The insertion port structure 0203 has a housing as shown in FIG. 3 described later, and a thin metal plate material is mainly used for the outermost surface of the housing. In addition, the inside of the thin plate has a structure that can mechanically hold the terminal part to be inserted, and this part is a plus stick material, a metal material that exchanges signals with the signal cable, and a signal. It is configured of a metal terminal or the like for contacting the printed circuit board 0201 which passes the signal acquired from the cable 0209 to the signal processing circuit 0202.

The socket structure 0203 mechanically holds the terminal portion 0206 of the signal cable 0209 and plays a role in protecting the signal in the signal cable from extraneous noise. The housing of the insertion port structure 0203 is provided with an opening or a notch in a part of the portion on the printed circuit board 0201 side, and the installation location is preferably the end of the printed circuit board 0201. This is because the plug-in portion of the signal cable 0209 is optimal for the insertion / removal detection of the terminal portion 0206. The housing of the insertion port structure 0203 is preferably connected to an earth line disposed on the printed circuit board 0201 when it is made of metal.
Embodiment 1 Light Emitting Unit

  The “light emitting unit” 0204 emits light toward the inside of the housing of the opening or cutout portion of the insertion port structure 0203. When the terminal portion (plug) 0206 of the signal cable 0209 is inserted into the insertion port structure 0203 and when it is not inserted, the reflectance of light emitted from the light emitting portion 0204 is different. By using this difference in reflectance, insertion and removal of the signal cable 0209 can be detected. The terminal portion 0206 of the signal cable 0209 may be transparent or colored with white, black, blue or the like. The light emitting unit 0204 is typically configured of an LED. Further, the emission direction is configured such that the emission light is directly emitted in the direction in which it does not enter the reflected light detection unit 0205. In addition, it is configured to be incident on the terminal portion 0206 of the signal cable 0209 at an angle of 30 degrees to 60 degrees. Furthermore, when the emitted light impinges on the ceiling portion inside the insertion port structure 0203, it is preferable to emit the reflected light in a direction that does not reach the reflected light detection unit 0205 as much as possible.

In addition, it is preferable that the wavelength detected by the reflected light detection unit 0205 be a wavelength that does not occur in indoor lighting or a small amount occurs. Therefore, it is also conceivable to use the blue region, the near ultraviolet, and the ultraviolet region. Further, in order to prevent noise, it may be configured to be turned on / off at a predetermined cycle. In this case, the reflected light detection unit 0205 is also configured to detect only the component of the reflected light synchronized with this and to determine the presence or absence of reception of the reflected light. The predetermined cycle is about 1 second to several seconds, for example, about 1 second to 3 seconds. One second ON, one second OFF, one second ON, three seconds OFF may be used. Alternatively, the reflected light detection unit 0205 is always in the light reception state, and is configured to delete noise by subtracting the light reception information outside the light emission timing from the light reception information of the light emission timing of the light emission unit 0204 May be
Embodiment 1 Reflected Light Detection Unit

The “reflected light detection unit” 0205 detects the reflected light of the light emitted from the light emitting unit 0204. The light emitting unit 0204 and the reflected light detection unit 0205 constitute a photosensor structure (see FIG. 3 described later). That is, it constitutes a reflection type photo sensor. When the intensity of the reflected light is low, a plurality of photosensors are used, or a large-area photosensor is used. Further, in the case where the intensity of the reflected light is small, the reflected light detection unit 0205 is installed at a position as close as possible to the inserted terminal portion 0206. For example, the distance is about 2 mm to 3 mm. In addition, it is preferable to provide a convex lens on the light emitting portion, and the LED and the photo sensor portion of the reflected light detecting portion. This is to make it difficult for dust to accumulate so that dust does not accumulate and performance does not deteriorate.
Embodiment 1 Power Supply Unit

The “power supply units” 0207 and 0208 supply power from the printed circuit board 0201 to the light emitting unit 0204 and the reflected light detection unit 0205. The power supply unit 0207 supplies power to the light emitting unit 0204, and the power supply unit 0208 supplies power to the reflected light detection unit 0205. The power supply is supplied from the printed circuit board 0201, that is, from the intermediary electronic device which is the main body of the present invention, so it does not depend on the cable as in Patent Document 3 and it is not battery-operated. Be reliable in order to function. The power supply unit is preferably configured to supply power also to a “detection result output unit”, an “output control unit”, and a “wireless output unit” described later in another embodiment. The power supply unit directly supplies power from the public power line, as well as a battery provided in the electronic device with a cable insertion / removal detection function and a capacitor supplied with power from the public power line. It may be configured to perform the function within a certain time even if the power is unavailable.
<Embodiment 1 Other Configuration Signal Cable>

“Signal cable” 0209 is a signal cable for communication for data communication.
At both ends of the signal cable, there are terminal portions 0206 to be inserted into the insertion port structure 0203. When the signal cable 0209 is a LAN cable, it has an R45J connector. When the signal cable 0209 is a modular cable for telephones, it has an RJ11 connector.
Embodiment 1 Cable Insertion and Removal Detection Method

  As shown in FIG. 10, in the operation method of the cable insertion and removal detection function-equipped electronic device, cable insertion and removal detection is performed as follows in the cable insertion and removal detection function-equipped electronic device shown in FIG.

  First, a light emitting step of emitting light by the light emitting unit 0202 is performed (step 1001).

  Next, a reflected light detection step of detecting the reflected light of the light emitted by the reflected light detection unit 0205 is executed (step 1002).

  Next, a determination step is performed to determine whether the terminal portion 0206 of the signal cable 0209 is inserted into the insertion port structure 0203 based on the intensity or / and the wavelength of the reflected light detected by the reflected light detection unit 0205 (step 1003) .

  Next, a judgment result output step of outputting the judgment result is executed (step 1004).

  In the following, when the communication port shown in FIG. 12 is a 7-port hub as an intermediary electronic device (identification number: 0317), and a plurality of PCs as use electronic devices are connected, use of the insertion port (port) It will be described that the situation can be detected even if the electronic device is powered off. FIG. 12 shows, for example, a screen in which a network administrator displays a list of usage statuses of PCs connected via a network on a monitor of the server. Here, according to the first embodiment, the communication port NO1 indicates that the PC 03 is in operation, and the insertion port of the insertion port structure is also connected to the terminal portion of the signal cable. Since the communication ports NO3 and NO6 are in the power OFF state of the PC and it is unclear whether the receptacle (communication port) is actually vacant in the conventional method, the cable insertion / removal detection mechanism of this embodiment physically communicates the terminals of the signal cable. Since the part (plug) is detected, it can be understood that the communication ports NO3 and NO6 are not vacant.

  As described above, cable insertion / removal detection is performed, and it can be seen that only the communication ports NO4 and NO7 are actually open (communication port). Thus, the cable insertion / removal detection function is realized with a simple structure, and the usage status of the communication port can be known regardless of the operating status of the PC. Furthermore, it is also possible to grasp the situation where the use electronic devices that occupy the communication port but are not operating are connected. This is to be understood by combining and analyzing the packet test (PING communication test) via the intermediary electronic device and the information on the physical usage of the socket obtained by the present invention.

  Therefore, the plug-in identified by each plug-in identification information in the detection result acquisition unit of the detection result from the electronic device with the cable insertion / removal detection function of the present application and the operation status information acquisition unit of the computer via the intermediary electronic device It is convenient to use an analyzer that analyzes each time. In particular, when there is no operation status information (cannot be acquired) of the PC with respect to one of the insertion ports identified by the insertion port identification information, if the terminal portion of the signal cable is not detected by the insertion port, If it can be determined that the plug can be used by other electronic devices, and there is also no operating status information of the PC (it can not be acquired), and the terminal portion of the signal cable is detected at the plug, the point It is possible to obtain information that the electronic device is connected to the device and the electronic device is not in operation.

As described above, according to the first embodiment, the insertion / extraction detection mechanism as to whether or not the terminal portion of the signal cable is inserted into the insertion port structure on the intermediary electronic device side has a simple structure and is simple It is possible to provide an electronic device with a cable insertion and removal detection function that can be As a result, it is possible to confirm remotely how many vacant openings of the intermediary electronic device.
Second Embodiment
<Overview>

As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic device with a cable insertion / removal detection function of the second embodiment is based on the first embodiment, and cuts out a part of the printed circuit board opposed to the opening or notch provided in the housing. The light emitting unit 0305 and the reflected light detection unit 0306 are provided. The light emitting portion 0305 and the reflected light detection portion 0306 can be a photo sensor structure 0307 provided in the cut-out space substantially flush with the printed circuit board 0301. As a result, it is installed in a narrow space with a simple configuration, and the photosensor structure has an integrated configuration of the light emitting portion and the reflected light detecting portion.
Embodiment 2 Configuration

As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic device with a cable insertion / removal detection function according to the second embodiment includes a printed circuit board 0301, a signal processing circuit 0302, a socket structure 0303, a housing 0304, and a light emitting unit 0305. It has a reflected light detection unit 0306, a photosensor structure 0307, and power supply units 0308 and 0309. The photosensor structure 0307 detects whether or not the terminal portion of the signal cable (not shown) is inserted into the insertion port structure 0303. In the following, the description of the same configuration as that of the first embodiment is omitted, and the characteristic configuration of the second embodiment will be described.
<Description of the configuration of the second embodiment>
Second Embodiment Photosensor Structure

  The light emitting unit 0305, which is a “photo sensor structure” 0307, and the reflected light detection unit 0306 are disposed substantially flush with the printed substrate 0301 by cutting out a part of the printed substrate 0301. Specifically, the light emitting unit 0305 and the reflected light detection unit 0306 of the photosensor structure 0307 may be integrated or separated. In the case of an integral reflection type photo sensor, the light emitting surface and the reflected light detecting surface (reflected light receiving surface) are provided on the same side and formed substantially on the same surface, so the cable insertion / extraction detection mechanism is compact and narrow It can be installed. Since the power supply units 0308 and 0309 are provided in the sensor structure 0307, power may be supplied from the printed circuit board 0301 or the cable insertion / removal detection function may be realized using an external power supply (not shown).

  When the cable insertion / removal detection function is realized from an external power supply, it can be detected whether or not the terminal portion of the signal cable is inserted into the insertion port structure 0303 even if the power of the electronic device is not turned on. In order to increase the detection sensitivity of the reflected light of the housing 0304, it is preferable to apply a black paint to the surface of the back side of the housing 0304 (which reflects the light from the light emitting portion). Further, in order to detect a half-passage state of the signal cable, it is desirable to dispose the arrangement of the light emitting unit 0305 and the reflected light detecting unit 0306 on the back side of the insertion port structure 0303.

According to the present embodiment, a part of the printed circuit board is cut out and the upper surface of the photo sensor structure is aligned flush with the printed circuit board, so that new functions are realized without major design change when improving the conventional model. it can. A large design change is a change in the positional relationship between the printed circuit board of the electronic device and the housing of the electronic device itself.
Embodiment 3
<Overview>

The electronic device with a cable insertion / removal detection function according to the third embodiment is based on the first and second embodiments and is provided with a plurality of socket structures on a printed circuit board, and a socket identifier for identifying each socket structure. And a detection result output unit that outputs the detection result of the reflected light detection unit.
<Third Embodiment Configuration>

As shown in FIG. 4, the electronic device 0400 with cable insertion / removal detection function of the third embodiment includes a printed circuit board 0401, a signal processing circuit 0402, and a socket structure 0403 having a light emitting portion and a reflected light detecting portion. 0404, a detection result output unit 0405, power supply units 0408 and 0409 of the socket structure 0403, and power supply units 0410 and 0411 of the socket structure 0404. The terminal portion 0406 of the signal cable 0412 is inserted into the insertion port structure 0403, and the terminal portion 0407 of the signal cable 0413 is inserted into the insertion port structure 0404.
<Description of the configuration of the third embodiment>
<Third Embodiment Multiple Penetration Structure>

The “plurality of insertion port structures” 0403 and 0404 respectively have a light emitting portion and a reflected light detection portion on the printed circuit board 0401. The socket structure 0403 has power supply units 0408 and 0409, and the socket structure 0404 has power supply units 0410 and 0411. The arrangement of the light emitting unit and the reflected light detecting unit is the same as that shown in FIG.
<Third Embodiment Detection Result Output Unit>

  The “detection result output unit” 0405 outputs the detection result of each reflected light detection unit in association with the insertion port identifier for identifying the insertion port structures 0403 and 0404. The socket identifier indicates a communication port number (NO) or the like. The detection result output unit 0405 outputs the detection result to the signal processing circuit 0402 together with the communication port NO of the insertion port identifier as to whether or not the signal cable 0412 or 0413 is inserted in the insertion port structure 0403 or 0404. The signal processing circuit 0402 can notify the detection result to the outside by outputting the detection result to a host device or outputting the detection result to a later-described alarm unit in the electronic device 0400.

As described above, according to the third embodiment, in addition to the first and second embodiments, a plurality of insertion port structures are provided on the printed circuit board, and a cable insertion / removal detection function is provided for each of the insertion port structures. Therefore, insertion and removal of the signal cable can be detected for each communication port. Since the configuration of the cable insertion / removal detection function is simple, even when applied to a hub or switching bab having a large number of ports, the cable insertion / removal detection function can be mounted while suppressing the cost of parts.
Fourth Embodiment
<Overview>

The electronic device with a cable insertion / removal detection function according to the fourth embodiment is based on the third embodiment, and a plug-in identified by the plug-in identifier associated with the detection result from the detection result output unit. It is characterized in that it further comprises an output control unit for outputting to the outside via a signal cable inserted into an outlet separate from the outlet.
<Fourth Embodiment>

As shown in FIG. 5, the electronic device 0500 with a cable insertion / removal detection function of the fourth embodiment is a socket structure 0503 having a printed circuit board 0501, a signal processing circuit 0502, a light emitting portion, and a reflected light detecting portion. 0504, a detection result output unit 0505, power supply units 0509 and 0510 of the insertion port structure 0503, power supply units 0511 and 0512 of the insertion port structure 0504, and an output control unit 0506. The terminal portion 0507 of the signal cable 0513 is inserted into the insertion port structure 0503, and the terminal portion 0508 of the signal cable 0514 is inserted into the insertion port structure 0504. The arrangement of the light emitting unit and the reflected light detecting unit is the same as that shown in FIG.
<Description of the configuration of the fourth embodiment>
<Embodiment 4 Output Control Unit>

  The “output control unit” 0506 has the detection result from the detection result output unit 0505 inserted into an insertion port different from the insertion port identified by the insertion port identifier associated with the detection result. Output to the outside via a signal cable. An output control unit 0506 is provided between the detection result output unit 0505 and the signal processing circuit 0502. For example, the terminal portion (insertion plug) of the signal cable 0513 is connected to the insertion port of the insertion port structure 0503, and the terminal portion of the signal cable 0514 (insertion plug) to the insertion port of the insertion port 0504 When 0508 is connected, the light emitted from the light emitting portion of the insertion port structure 0503 is reflected by the terminal portion 0507, the reflected light reflected is detected by the reflected light detection portion, and the detection result is output as the detection result It is sent to the part 0505. The detection result output unit 0505 outputs the detection result in association with the insertion port identifier of the insertion port structure 0503. The detection result is sent from the detection result output unit 0505 to the output control unit 0506, and is output to the outside through the signal cable 0514 from the insertion port (communication port) of the insertion port structure 0504 through the signal processing circuit 0502. Be done.

  When the signal cable 0513 is not connected, the terminal portion of the signal cable 0513 (insertion into the insertion port (communication port) of the insertion port structure 0503 by the cable insertion / extraction detection mechanism including the light emitting portion and the reflected light detection portion Plug) 0507 is not connected to the detection result is output to the detection result output unit 0505. The detection result output unit 0505 outputs, to the output control unit 0506, information indicating that the connection is not made together with the insertion port identifier (for example, the insertion port communication port number). The output control unit 0506 outputs the signal processing circuit 0502 to the outside from the socket (communication port) of the socket structure 0504.

  In the fourth embodiment, two examples of the insertion port structure are shown. However, as shown in FIG. 11, the present invention can be similarly applied to the case where the insertion port structure is a large number of switching hubs. Here, the printed circuit board may have a one-stage configuration. This is because the cable insertion / removal detection mechanism becomes complicated when the printed circuit board has two or more stages. In the present embodiment, “the detection result from the detection result output unit is a signal inserted into an insertion port different from the insertion port identified by the insertion port identifier associated with the detection result. Output to the outside through the cable. ”Of course, output to the outside through the signal cable connected to the port identified by the port identifier associated with the detection result. And may be configured to output detection results to all the outlets.

As described above, according to the fourth embodiment, in addition to the third embodiment, the detection result from the detection result output unit is output from the output control unit to the outside via the signal cable inserted into another outlet. Therefore, the higher-level device (for example, a server etc.) located at a remote place (or away from the intermediary electronic device) knows whether or not the terminal part (plug plug) of the signal cable is physically inserted. Can. That is, the network administrator can also remotely confirm the actually available communication port of the intermediary electronic device.
Fifth Embodiment
<Overview>

The electronic device with a cable insertion / removal detection function according to the fifth embodiment is characterized in that a radio output unit for wirelessly outputting the detection result from the detection result output unit is based on the third or fourth embodiment.
<Fifth Embodiment>

As shown in FIG. 6, the electronic device 0600 with a cable insertion / removal detection function of the fifth embodiment includes a printed circuit board 0601, a signal processing circuit 0602, and a socket structure 0603 having a light emitting portion and a reflected light detecting portion. 0604, a detection result output unit 0605, power supply units 0609 and 0610 of the insertion port structure 0603, power supply units 0611 and 0612 of the insertion port structure 0604, and a wireless output unit 0606. The terminal portion 0607 of the signal cable 0613 is inserted into the insertion port structure 0603, and the terminal portion 0608 of the signal cable 0614 is inserted into the insertion port 0604. The arrangement of the light emitting unit and the reflected light detecting unit is the same as that shown in FIG.
<Description of Configuration of Fifth Embodiment>
Fifth Embodiment Wireless Output Unit

  The “wireless output unit” 0606 wirelessly outputs the detection result from the detection result output unit 0605. The wireless output unit 0606 is provided downstream of the signal processing circuit 0602. The reflected light detection result associated with the insertion port identifier from the detection result output unit 0605 is converted into a wireless signal format by the signal processing circuit 0602, and is output from the wireless output unit 0606 to the outside. An example of this type of intermediary electronic device is a wireless LAN router. In the fifth embodiment, since the detection result of the reflected light detection unit can be externally output without using the socket of the socket structure 0603 or 0604, the signal cable can be connected to the socket (communication port) of the socket structure. Regardless of whether or not the terminal portion of the connector (insert plug) is inserted, it is possible to check the use status of the insert.

As described above, according to the fifth embodiment, in addition to the third or fourth embodiment, the detection result from the detection result output unit is output to the outside wirelessly from the wireless output unit. An upper device (e.g., a server or the like) at the location of (1) can also know whether or not the terminal portion (plug plug) of the signal cable is physically inserted. That is, the network administrator can also remotely confirm the actually available communication port of the intermediary electronic device.
Embodiment 6
<Overview>

The electronic device with a cable insertion and removal detection function of the sixth embodiment is based on the third to fifth embodiments, and further includes an alarm unit that warns the detection result from the detection result output unit with one or more of light, sound, and vibration. It is characterized by the point it has.
<Sixth Embodiment>

As shown in FIG. 7, the electronic device 0700 with a cable insertion / removal detection function of the sixth embodiment is a socket structure 0703 including a printed circuit board 0701, a signal processing circuit 0702, a light emitting portion, and a reflected light detecting portion. 0704, a detection result output unit 0705, power supply units 0710 and 0711 of the insertion port structure 0703, and power supply units 0712 and 0713 of the insertion port structure 0704, and further, alarm units 0706 and 0707 . The terminal portion 0708 of the signal cable 0714 is inserted into the insertion port structure 0703 and the terminal portion 0709 of the signal cable 0715 is inserted into the insertion port 0704. The arrangement of the light emitting unit and the reflected light detecting unit is the same as that shown in FIG.
<Description of Configuration of Sixth Embodiment>
Embodiment 6 Alarm Unit

  The “alarm units” 0706 and 0707 alert the detection result from the detection result output unit 0705 with one or more of light, sound, and vibration. The alarm unit 0706 or 0707 is provided in the insertion port structure 0703 or 0704, respectively. When the alarm unit 0706 or 0707 is light, the alarm unit 0706 or 0707 is formed of an LED display member, and is provided at a position outside the electronic device 0700 where the use status of each insertion port structure can be confirmed from the outside. In the case of sound, for example, a buzzer may be used, or an audio message may be output from a speaker. The sound source of the voice message may be stored in advance in the EEPROM, or a voice message of a fixed pattern may be burned on the ROM in the sound source IC, and the voice message may be output according to the detection result from the detection result output. The voice message may be output with a message such as “in use” or “vacant” together with the socket identifier (communication port number) so that the socket (communication port) can be distinguished. When the alarm unit 0706 or 0707 is a vibration, an object connected to the alarm unit may be provided for each of the insertion port structures, and the notification may be given by vibrating and moving the object. These alarm units may be configured by only one, or may be used in combination.

  In the sixth embodiment, the use of whether or not the terminal portion (insertion plug) 0708 or 0709 of the signal cable 0714 or 0715 is inserted into the insertion port (communication port) of the insertion port structure 0703 or 0704 Situation confirmation can be done by light, sound, vibration, etc.

As described above, according to the sixth embodiment, in addition to the third to fifth embodiments, the alarm unit warns the detection result from the detection result output unit with any one or more of light, sound, and vibration. A network administrator near the device can easily know whether the terminal portion (plug) of the signal cable is physically inserted in the intermediary electronic device.
Seventh Embodiment
<Overview>

The electronic device with a cable insertion / removal detection function of the seventh embodiment is based on the first to sixth embodiments, and the housing is a space suitable for a signal cable in which the bottom portion of the portion into which the signal cable to be inserted is inserted is flat. It is characterized in that it forms
<Seventh Embodiment Configuration>

  As shown in FIG. 3, the electronic device with a cable insertion / removal detection function according to the seventh embodiment includes a housing, and a bottom portion of a plugging portion (terminal portion) of a signal cable 0801 to be plugged in as shown in FIG. A space suitable for the signal cable having a planar shape 0802 is formed. That is, as shown in FIG. 9, a space 0902 is formed such that a part of the housing 0901 has a notch or opening and the terminal portion of the signal cable 0801 is inserted exactly and accommodated in the housing. . Here, the housing 0901 is actually provided with a signal line acquisition contact electrically connected to the terminal portion of the signal cable, and when the signal cable is a LAN cable, there are eight signal line acquisition contacts and it is for telephone In the case of (2), the signal line acquisition contact has two pins, four pins, and six pins, which are omitted in the drawing.

  Thus, according to the seventh embodiment, in addition to the first to sixth embodiments, the housing forms a space suitable for a signal cable in which the bottom portion of the portion into which the signal cable to be inserted is inserted is flat. The cable insertion / removal detection operation by the light emitting portion and the reflected light detection portion of the insertion opening structure is favorably performed.

  Thus, according to the first to seventh embodiments, the insertion / removal detection mechanism as to whether or not the terminal portion of the signal cable is inserted into the insertion port structure on the intermediary electronic device side has a simple structure and is simple The present invention can provide an electronic device with an electrically detectable cable insertion detection function. As a result, it is possible to confirm remotely how many vacant openings of the intermediary electronic device.

0100, 0201, 0301 Printed circuit board 0101, 0203 Insertion port structure 0102 Terminal part 0103, 0305 Light emitting part 0104, 0306 Reflected light detecting part 0200 Electronic device with cable insertion detection function 0202, 0302 Signal processing circuit 0204 Light emitting part 0205 Reflected light detection unit 0206, 0801 Signal cable 0207, 0208, 0308, 0309 Power supply unit 0303 Insertion structure 0304, 0901 Case 0307 Photosensor structure 0405, 0505, 0605, 0705 Detection result output unit 0506 Output control unit 0606 Wireless output unit 0706, 0707 Alarm unit 0802 Bottom surface 0902 Space 1001 Light emission step 1002 Reflected light detection step 1003 Judgment step 1004 Judgment result output step

Claims (8)

Printed circuit board,
A signal processing circuit provided on the printed circuit board and processing a signal acquired from the outside via a signal cable;
An enclosure is provided which is provided on the printed circuit board and the terminal portion of the signal cable is inserted by inserting the terminal portion of the signal cable mechanically, and an opening or cutting is made in at least a part of a portion of the enclosure on the printed circuit board side. A socket structure having a notch,
A light emitting portion for emitting light toward the inside of the housing of the opening or the notched portion of the insertion port structure;
A reflected light detection unit that detects reflected light of light emitted from the light emitting unit;
A power supply unit for supplying power from the printed circuit board to the light emitting unit and the reflected light detection unit;
Electronic equipment with cable insertion detection function.   The electronic device with a cable insertion / removal detection function according to claim 1, wherein the light emitting portion and the reflected light detection portion are a photo sensor structure which is provided on a surface substantially flush with the printed circuit board by cutting out a part of the printed circuit board. . There are a plurality of receptacle structures on the printed circuit board,
The electronic device according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising a detection result output unit that outputs a detection result of the reflected light detection unit in association with an insertion port identifier that identifies the insertion port structure.   The detection result from the detection result output unit is output to the outside through a signal cable inserted into an outlet other than the outlet identified by the outlet identifier associated with the detection result. The electronic device with the insertion / removal detection function according to claim 3, further comprising an output control unit.   5. The electronic device with insertion / removal detection function according to claim 3, further comprising: a wireless output unit configured to wirelessly output a detection result from the detection result output unit.   The electronic device with the insertion / extraction detection function according to any one of claims 3 to 5, further comprising an alarm unit which warns the detection result from the detection result output unit by any one or more of light, sound and vibration.   The electronic device according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the housing forms a space suitable for a signal cable in which a signal cable to be inserted has a flat bottom surface of the portion to be inserted. machine. Printed circuit board,
A signal processing circuit provided on the printed circuit board and processing a signal acquired from the outside via a signal cable;
An enclosure is provided which is provided on the printed circuit board and mechanically holds the terminal portion of the signal cable by inserting the terminal portion of the signal cable, and at least a part of the enclosure on the printed circuit board side is opened. Or a socket structure having a notch,
A light emitting portion for emitting light toward the inside of the housing of the opening or the notched portion of the insertion port structure;
A reflected light detection unit that detects reflected light of light emitted from the light emitting unit;
A method of operating an electronic device with a cable insertion and removal detection function,
A light emitting step of emitting light by the light emitting unit;
A reflected light detection step of detecting reflected light of the emitted light;
Determining whether the terminal portion of the signal cable is inserted into the receptacle structure based on the intensity or / and the wavelength of the reflected light;
A judgment result output step for outputting the judgment result;
Method of operating an electronic device with a cable insertion and removal detection function having:

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