JPH02132780A - Device for preventing erroneous connection of signal cable - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE:To prevent erroneous connection of signal cables, by providing identification code producing means for producing a predetermined proper identification code for each signal cable when each of the signal cables is connected to a system. CONSTITUTION:Identification code producing means 13 is provided on the side of signal cables 31 and, when each signal cable 31 is connected to a system, produces a proper identification code predetermined for each signal cable. A code signal cable 41 receives identification codes from the identification code producing means 13 and transmits the codes to the system. Identification code decoding means 23 is provided on the side of the system and decodes identification codes transmitted via the code signal cable 41 so as to identify the kind of each of the signal cables 31, and, in accordance with the results of identification performed by the identification code decoding means 23, signal connection controlling means 23 controls cutting-off or passage or selective passage of signals including required information to be transmitted between the system and external system. It is thus enabled to prevent malfunction and/or inoperative conditions of the whole of the system due to erroneous connection of the signal cables.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] [Object of the Invention] (Field of Industrial Application) The present invention provides a signal cable that can prevent incorrect connection of a signal cable that connects a certain system to another external system. This invention relates to a misconnection prevention device.

(Conventional technology) In recent years, with the development and spread of electronics technology, multiple systems are often connected using signal cables (hereinafter referred to as signal lines) to achieve even higher functionality and multifunctionality. It's coming. Normally, when a system opens signals to the outside, it is extremely advantageous in terms of expandability and universality to assign each signal to a connector in accordance with some standard, except for special uses.

Incidentally, microcomputers are often used as signal processing devices in systems, and the total number of data signal lines, address signal lines, and control signal lines of the microcomputer is 8, 16, and 16.32 bits for each class. It is almost fixed regardless of manufacturer or product type. Therefore, although this is generally used as an external signal bus standard compatible with microcomputers, the total number of signal lines must also be approximately the same.

Therefore, as long as the structural conditions of the system allow, the number of parts can be reduced if the system's external connectors can be made of the same type of connectors as much as possible, regardless of differences in signal arrangement or standards. From the viewpoint of simplifying the assembly procedure, it is expected that costs will be reduced and reliability will be increased.

Furthermore, from the viewpoint of making the system more compact, one connector may be made into a multi-mode connector so that it can be used with multiple external signal bus standards.

This is effective when the system is relatively small and versatility must be considered.

However, as mentioned above, when connectors for external connections with different signal arrangements are physically the same shape, and when multiple modes are assigned to one connector and used by switching with a switch etc. In this case, the risk of incorrect connection of signal lines is inevitable as an operational problem. That is, for example, if there are standard A and standard B that have different signal arrangements and are connected by connectors CA and CB, and connectors CA and CB have the same physical shape, the signal to be connected to connector CA It is impossible to avoid the possibility that the wire will be connected incorrectly to the connector CB.

If such a misconnection occurs, the signal transmission will not be carried out normally due to its influence, and the intended operation of the entire system will be malfunctioning. In the worst case scenario, incorrectly connected signals may interfere with each other.
This may cause irreparable damage such as deterioration of the characteristics of the interface device or burnout.

(Problem to be Solved by the Invention) As described above, conventionally, a system has connectors with a plurality of different signal arrangements to be connected to an external system, and these connectors have the same physical shape. It is impossible to avoid the problem of incorrect connection of signal lines when implementing a connector that can handle multiple different signal arrangements by switching or other means. There was a problem.

The purpose of the present invention is to prevent malfunctions or failures of the entire system due to incorrect connection of signal cables by identifying on the system side what type (signal arrangement) of signal cables are connected to the system. An object of the present invention is to provide a device for preventing incorrect connection of signal cables, which is capable of automatically configuring an optimal interface for connected signal cables.

[Structure of the Invention] (Means for Solving the Problems) In order to achieve the above object, the present invention provides a method for connecting a system to another external system that transmits signals containing necessary information between the system and this system. A device is installed on the signal cable side to prevent incorrect connection of the signal cable, and an identification code that generates a predetermined unique identification code for each signal cable when the signal cable is connected to the system. a code signal cable that transmits the identification code from the identification code generator to the system side; and a code signal cable provided on the system side that decodes the identification code transmitted by the code signal cable to identify the type of signal cable. an identification code decoding means; and a signal connection control means for controlling the blocking, passage, or selective passage of a signal containing necessary information to be transmitted between the system and an external system based on the identification result by the identification code decoding means. It is configured with the following.

(Function) In the signal cable misconnection prevention device according to the present invention, when the signal cable is connected to the system, the identification code generating means provided on the signal cable side generates an identification code predetermined according to the type of the signal cable. A unique identification code is transmitted to the system side through a code signal cable. Then,
The identification code decoding means provided on the system side decodes this identification code to identify the type of signal cable. Then, the signal connection control means, which directly receives a signal containing the necessary information necessary for realizing the intended function of the system, through the signal cable, cuts off the signal, based on the identification result by the identification code decoding means. Passage is controlled by selection. Therefore, if a signal cable is incorrectly connected, the system automatically determines the incorrect connection and cuts off the signal, thereby preventing malfunction or failure of the entire system due to the incorrect connection of the signal cable. It is possible to avoid this. In addition, when multiple modes are assigned to a single connector, the optimal interface is automatically configured without the need for switching operations such as operating switches on the system side, reducing the number of operating steps. This not only makes it possible to forcibly eliminate the possibility of system inoperability or reliability deterioration due to operational errors.

(Example) Hereinafter, an example of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an example of the configuration of a device for preventing incorrect connection of signal cables according to the present invention. In FIG. 1, a block 1 surrounded by a broken line indicates a signal line and a connector from an external system (for example, a system such as a printer, a disk, etc.) (not shown), that is, a cable side connector, and a block 2 surrounded by a broken line indicates a cable side connector. , shows the system side connector and the inside of the system. Further, in the figure, the connector fitting parts 11 and 12 are divided into two parts for convenience of explanation, but they are actually one piece, and are configured to be fitted together at the same time when the connector is inserted. This is the connector fitting part 2
The same applies to 1 and 22. Further, the connector fitting portions 11 and 12, 21 and 22 are configured such that when the connector is inserted, the signals contained therein are connected one-to-one, respectively.

On the other hand, an external signal line 31 connected to an external system (not shown) is connected to the connector fitting part 11, and an identification code generator 13 built in the case of the cable-side connector 1 is connected to the connector fitting part 12. They are connected via a signal line 41. Further, a signal buffer 24 inside the system, which is signal connection control means, is connected to the connector fitting part 21 via a system side signal line 32. Furthermore, an identification code decoder 23 is connected to the connector fitting part 22 via a system side code signal line 42'.
is also connected to the signal buffer 24 via the identification signal line 43. Furthermore, a system internal signal line 33 is connected to the signal buffer 24 .

Here, the identification code generator 13 generates a predetermined unique identification code for each external signal line 31 connected to the system. Further, the identification code decoder 23 decodes the identification code transmitted on each code signal line 41 and 42 to identify the type of the external signal line 31. Furthermore, the signal buffer 24 controls the blocking or passage of a signal containing necessary information to be transmitted between the system and an external system based on the identification result by the identification code decoder 23. It controls the separation or connection between the signal line 33 and the system internal signal line 33. Here, the necessary information to be transmitted between the system and the external system is information that is essential for realizing the function that the system seeks to achieve by connecting the external signal line 31.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of the circuit configuration of the identification code generator 13 and identification code decoder 23 in FIG. 1. In FIG. 2, the identification code generator 13 is constituted by a jumper inside the connector. In addition, the code signal lines 411 and 415 are connected to the connector fitting portions 22.12 from the system side.
Power is supplied from code signal lines 421 and 425 via the code signal lines 421 and 425. Further, code signal lines 412, 413, and 414 are output lines of the identification code generator 13, and are output lines of the connector fitting part 1.
2, 22, code signal lines 422, 423, 424
can be connected to each.

On the other hand, the identification code decoder 23 includes a three-manpower AND circuit 231
and a logic NOT circuit 232, to which code signal lines 422, 423, and 424 are connected as input lines as shown, and an identification signal line 43 is connected as an output line.

FIG. 3 shows an example of an identification code generator 13'' that has the same circuit configuration as the identification code generator 13 in FIG. 2, but generates an identification code different from the identification code of the identification code generator 13. It is a diagram.

Next, the operation of the signal cable misconnection prevention device constructed as above will be explained.

Now, when the external signal line 31 is connected to the system by the connector fitting parts 11 and 21, an identification code generator 13 provided on the external signal line 3l side generates a predetermined code according to the type of the external signal line 31. The identified identification code of the fixed spine is transmitted to the identification code decoder 23 provided on the system side through the connector internal code signal line 41, the connector fitting parts 12 and 22, and the system side code signal line 42. That is, from the code signal lines 412, 413, 414 of the identification code generator 13, "
The identification code HLH'' is transmitted to the code signal lines 422, 423, 424 through the connector fitting parts 12, 22 and input to the code decoder 23.

On the other hand, in the identification code decoder 23, this code signal line 422
, 423, 424, the type of external signal line 31 is identified. That is, in the code decoder 23, the three human-powered AND circuits 23
1 and logic negation circuit 232, three human-powered AND circuit 2
When the input of 31 becomes “HHH”, the identification signal becomes “HHH”.
HLH'', the external signal line 31 is determined to be correct (true), and the identification signal line 43 is determined to be correct (true).
A logic signal level H is outputted to the signal buffer 24 as an identification signal. Here, the logic signal levels H and L correspond to the high level and low level of binary logic, respectively.

Next, the signal buffer 24, which directly receives a signal containing the necessary information necessary for realizing the intended function of the system, through the external signal line 31, uses the relevant information based on the identification signal from the identification code decoder 23. Control of signal blocking or passage is performed.

That is, in this case, since the identification signal from the identification code decoder 23 is at the logic signal level H, the system side signal line 32 and the system internal signal line 33 are connected, in other words, the system side signal line 32 and the system internal signal line 32 are connected. It is controlled to equalize the logic with the signal line 33 and enter a passing state.

As a result, signals containing necessary information necessary for the system to achieve its intended functions are transmitted from the external system to the external signal line 31.
, connector fitting parts 11 and 21, system side signal line 32,
The signal is taken into the signal processing device of the system through the signal buffer 24 and the system internal signal line 33, and the intended function is executed.

On the other hand, in the above, instead of the external signal line 31 provided with the identification code generator 13, an external signal line (for example, external signal line 31') provided with an identification code generator 13' as shown in FIG. , when connected to the system by the connector fitting parts 11 and 21, the identification code generator 13' generates a unique identification code predetermined according to the type of the external signal line 31' as the internal code of the connector. Pass through the signal line 41, the connector fitting parts 12 and 22, and the system side code signal line 42,
It is transmitted to the identification code decoder 23 provided on the system side.

That is, the code signal line 412. of the identification code generator 13'.
413 and 414, an identification code "HLL" different from the identification code "HLH" from the identification code generator 13 is transmitted to the code signal line 422 through the connector fitting parts 12 and 22.
, 423, 424 and input to the code decoder 23.

On the other hand, in the identification code decoder 23, this code signal line 422
, 423, 424, the type of external signal line 31 is identified. That is, in this case, in the code decoder 23, the three-man-powered AND circuit 231 and the logical NOT circuit 232 determine that the identification signal is not "HLH" because the input of the three-man-powered AND circuit 231 becomes "HHL". is decoded, it is determined that the external signal line 31' is not correct (false), and a logic signal level L is output from the identification signal line 43 to the signal buffer 24 as an identification signal.

Next, in the signal buffer 24, based on the identification signal from the identification code decoder 23, the blocking or passing of the signal is controlled. That is, in this case, since the identification signal from the identification code decoder 23 is at the logic signal level L, the system side signal line 32 and the system internal signal line 3
In other words, the system-side signal line 32 and the system internal signal line 33 are electrically set to high impedance and controlled to be in a cut-off state. As a result, a signal containing necessary information necessary for the system to realize the intended function is transmitted from the external system to the external signal line 31, the connector fitting parts 11 and 21, the system side signal line 32, and the signal buffer 24. However, it is not output to the system internal signal line 33, and no function is executed in the signal processing device.

As described above, in the signal cable misconnection prevention device according to this embodiment, the identification code of the external signal line that is compatible with the system side connector is predetermined as "HLH", and only in this case, the information signal from the external system is If the identification code is not "HLH", for example, "HLL", the inside and outside of the system are cut off by creating a high impedance state, and the information signal cannot be taken in from the external system. It was made so that it could not be done.

Therefore, conventionally, by arranging the external signal connectors of the system to be of the same type as much as possible, it can be expected to reduce the number of types and simplify the assembly process, which has the advantages of lowering costs and improving reliability. While there was a problem of negative effects due to connections, by applying this embodiment, it is possible to avoid the negative effects caused by incorrect connections, that is, malfunctions and failures of the entire system, and improve safety. This will have a significant effect on ensuring that

Next, other embodiments of the present invention will be described.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration example when the signal cable misconnection prevention device according to the present invention is applied to a multimode connector, and the same elements as in FIG. This will be omitted and only the different parts will be described here. That is, in this embodiment, the identification code decoder 23' provided on the system side is expanded from the identification code decoder 23 in the embodiment shown in FIG. It is equipped with

In addition, a plurality of signal buffers 241, 242, and 243 are provided, and the system side signal line 32 is commonly connected as an input line, and is distributed to system internal signal lines 331, 332, and 333 each going to a different interface. It consists of

In this configuration, the identification code generator 23 generates a predetermined unique identification code for each external signal line 31 connected to the system, and the identification code decoder 23 decodes this identification code. . Based on the identification result of this identification code, the identification signal lines 431, 432, 43
3.434 is set as the logic signal level H.

Then, in the signal buffers 241, 242, 243, the identification signal lines 431, 432, 433, 4 connected to themselves
34 is at the logic signal level H, the system side signal line 32 and the corresponding system internal signal line 331, 332, or 333 are connected to be in a passing state. A signal containing necessary information necessary to realize a function is transmitted from an external system to an interface connected to the internal signal line of the system, and the intended function is executed.

As described above, in the signal cable misconnection prevention device according to the present embodiment, when the external signal line 31 is connected to the system, only one signal buffer 7 is permitted according to the identification code unique to the external signal line 31. The optimum interface for the external signal line 31 is automatically selected.

Therefore, conventionally, when the number of connectors that can be installed in a relatively small system is limited, if a method is adopted in which a large number of connectors that are not used at the same time are assigned to one connector, some Since the operation is required, the operation becomes complicated, and if the operation is performed incorrectly, there is a problem of adverse effects such as inability to operate or reliability deterioration, but by applying this embodiment, This operation of mode switching is integrated into the operation of external signal connection, which not only simplifies the operation, but also can be expected to have the effect of essentially avoiding situations such as operational errors.

[Effects of the Invention] As explained above, according to the present invention, any type (
Since the system side can identify whether a signal cable (signal arrangement) is connected to the system, it is possible to prevent malfunction or failure of the entire system due to incorrect signal cable connection. It is possible to provide a signal cable misconnection prevention device that can automatically configure an optimal interface for a cable.

[Brief explanation of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the signal cable misconnection prevention device according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a specific example of the circuit configuration of an identification code generator and an identification code decoder in the same embodiment. 3 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the identification code generator shown in FIG. 2, and FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the signal cable erroneous connection prevention device according to the present invention. 1... Cable side connector, 2... System side connector and system inside, 11, 12, 21, 22...
・Connector fitting part, 13.13=...Identification code generator, 23.23-...Identification code decoder, 24,241,
242, 243...Signal buffer, 31...External signal line, 32...System side signal line, 33,331,3
32,333...System internal signal line, 41,411
, 412, 413, 414, 415... code signal line,
42,421,422,423,424,425...
System side code signal line, 43,431,432,433
, 434...Identification signal line. Applicant's agent Patent attorney Takehiko Suzue

Claims (1)

[Claims] In a device for preventing incorrect connection of a signal cable for connecting a system and another external system that transmits signals including necessary information between this system, the signal cable side includes: identification code generating means for generating a predetermined unique identification code for each signal cable when the signal cable is connected to the system; and transmitting the identification code from the identification code generating means to the system side. an identification code decoding means provided on the system side and identifying the type of signal cable by decoding the identification code transmitted by the code signal cable; and based on the identification result by the identification code decoding means. and a signal connection control means for controlling blocking, passage, or selective passage of a signal containing necessary information to be transmitted between the system and an external system. Connection prevention device.