JPH08122568A - Connector and connector discrimination method - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: To provide a connector to which the discrimination signal is easily set and in which the number of electric wires required for read is reduced. CONSTITUTION: The connector 1 being a discrimination object is provided in the front end of an optical fiber cable and is coupled to another connector. The connector 1 is provided with a single pulse generator 11 which is set to the pulse width peculiar to the connector. The connector 1 is coupled to the other connector to which it is to be connected, and in this state, an input pulse is sent to the designated discrimination object connector 1 from a connector discriminator 2 and is inputted to the single pulse generator 11. Then, the single pulse generator 11 generates an output pulse, and the output pulse is inputted to a pulse width measuring part 23 provided in the connector discriminator 2. A CPU 21 discriminates the connector 1 to be measured by output data of the pulse width measuring part 23.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a connector for connecting a power line, a signal line, an optical fiber, a cable which is an assembly of these, or the like, and in particular, connecting a device by a cord with a connector. The present invention relates to a connector and a connector identification method used in a system in which a connection state is grasped by identifying each connector by performing the operation.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional technique for identifying a connector, for example, there is a connector disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 4-174406. This connector is an EEPROM (Electrically) which is a memory device capable of recording and holding data and electrically erasing stored data.
Erasable Programmable RO
M) is implemented. Individual connectors can be identified by recording identification data in this EEPROM and reading the identification data at appropriate times.

In such a conventional connector, an external electrical factor is applied to the EEPROM due to an external electrical factor such as static electricity or noise, and once the recorded identification data is lost. Even if the connector is removed, there is a problem that the connector cannot be identified unless the identification data is written again. Further, the content of the data written in the EEPROM cannot be assumed from the appearance.
Therefore, when the data is updated, since the work is performed based on the previously recorded association table of the connector and the identification data, there is a problem that incorrect identification data may be recorded in the EEPROM. .

Further, since the leads of the EEPROM are directly drawn to the outside, the number of pins in the connecting portion is large, and the area for arranging the connecting portion is required, which causes a problem that the size cannot be reduced. Further, the number of wires connected to each pin is large, and for example, when identification is performed at a distant place, a large number of wires are routed, which causes a problem of poor efficiency.

[0005]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been made in view of the above-mentioned circumstances, and enables the identification signal of a connector to be set easily and surely and the connection used for reading the identification signal. An object of the present invention is to provide a connector having a reduced size and a reduced number of electric wires required for reading, and a method for identifying the connector.

[0006]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is characterized in that a connector for connecting a cord has a single pulse generator having a pulse width specific to the connector.

As the single pulse generator, a one-shot multivibrator in which a resistor and a capacitor are externally attached can be used, and as the resistor, a variable resistor can be used.

As the single pulse generator, a clock pulse generator for generating a clock pulse having a frequency peculiar to the connector, an input pulse is detected by the clock pulse of the clock pulse generator, and the next clock pulse of the detected clock pulse is detected. It is possible to use an output pulse generator that outputs an output pulse until the time of occurrence.

As the clock pulse generator, a CR oscillator in which a resistor and a capacitor are mounted can be used,
A variable resistor can be used as the resistor. A crystal oscillator can be used as the clock pulse generator.

As the clock pulse generator, a programmable oscillator having an oscillation frequency setting device can be used, and the oscillation frequency setting in the oscillation frequency setting device of the programmable oscillator can be performed by wiring logic or , Using a fuse array, or
This can be done using a changeover switch.

A shift register can be used as the output pulse generator.

Further, n single pulse generators may be mounted to output n signals having arbitrary pulse widths.

Further, according to the present invention, in a connector identifying method for identifying an individual connector from an identification signal set in the connector according to any one of claims 1 to 13, an input pulse is input to the connector. And receiving the output pulse output from the connector and measuring the pulse width of the received output pulse to identify each connector.

[0014]

According to the present invention, a single pulse having a pulse width unique to the connector to be identified is output after being given an input pulse input from the outside. Therefore, since the number of input / output pins of the pulse signal in the connector is one each, the connector can be downsized and the number of signal lines to be routed can be reduced.

Further, in order to identify the connector in which the single pulse generator is mounted, an input pulse is given to the connector and the pulse width of the output pulse which is the received single pulse is measured to determine the individual pulse. All you have to do is identify the connector.

As the single pulse generator, a one-shot multivibrator with an external fixed resistor of arbitrary value and an arbitrary capacitor or a one-shot multivibrator with external variable resistor and an arbitrary capacitor is used. By this, fixed resistance of arbitrary value,
An output pulse having a pulse width peculiar to the connector can be generated depending on the values of the variable resistor and the capacitor of arbitrary capacity.

Further, as the single pulse generator,
A clock pulse generator that generates a clock pulse of an arbitrary frequency, and an output pulse generator that detects an input pulse with the clock pulse of the clock pulse generator and outputs an output pulse from the time of detection to the time of generation of the next clock pulse The output pulse having a pulse width specific to the connector can be generated by setting the frequency of the clock pulse of the clock pulse generator.

By using a CR oscillator in which a variable resistor and a capacitor of arbitrary capacitance are mounted as the clock pulse generator, a pulse width peculiar to the connector can be obtained by the values of the fixed resistor of arbitrary value, the variable resistor and the capacitor of arbitrary capacitance. Output pulses can be generated.

By using a crystal oscillator as the clock pulse generator, an output pulse having a pulse width peculiar to the connector can be generated according to the value of the oscillation frequency of the crystal oscillator.

A programmable oscillator having an oscillation frequency setting device is used as the clock pulse generator, and an output pulse having a pulse width unique to the connector can be generated by setting the oscillation frequency by the oscillation frequency setting device. . The setting content can be visually confirmed by setting the oscillation frequency of the oscillation frequency setting device of the programmable oscillator by using a wiring logic, a fuse array, or a changeover switch.

A shift register may be used as the output pulse generator to obtain an output pulse having a pulse width corresponding to the pulse interval of the clock pulse from the clock pulse generator.

Furthermore, n single pulse oscillators can be mounted to output n signals of arbitrary pulse widths, and connectors can be identified from the combination of set pulse widths, which is suitable for identification of multiple connectors. .

The present invention also provides claims 1 to 1.
In the connector identification method for identifying each connector from the identification signal set in the connector according to any one of 3), an input pulse is given to the connector, an output pulse output from the connector is received, and By measuring the pulse width of the output pulse, the individual connector can be identified from the pulse width value specific to the connector.

[0024]

1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a system for identifying a connector of the present invention. In the figure, 1 is a connector to be identified, 2 is a connector identifier, 11 is a single pulse generator, 21 is a CPU, 22 is an input pulse generator, 2
3 is a pulse width measuring unit, 30 is an output signal line, and 31 is an input signal line.

The identification target connector 1 is provided at the tip of a cable that is an electric wire, an optical fiber, or an assembly thereof, and is connected to another connector. The identification target connector 1 is provided with a single pulse generator 11. The single pulse generator 11 outputs a single pulse having a pulse width specific to each connector according to an input pulse input from the outside through the input signal line 31.

The connector discriminator 2 is composed of a CPU 21, an input pulse generator 22, a pulse width measurer 23, and the like. The CPU 21 controls the input pulse generator 22 to generate an input pulse, and the single pulse generator 1
Control the pulse width measuring unit for measuring the pulse width of the output pulse from 1, determine the measured pulse width,
Identify individual connectors. The pulse width measurement unit 23 detects the pulse width of the output pulse transmitted from the identification target connector 1 via the output signal line 30, and the detected data is C
Pass to PU21. The pulse width is measured by the pulse width measuring unit 23 by, for example, counting the clock output from the CPU 21 while the output pulse is present, shaping the output pulse, charging the capacitor, and measuring the charging voltage. Well-known time measuring means can be adopted. The clock pulse may be generated not by the CPU 21 but by another clock generator.

Between the identification target connector 1 and the connector identification device 2, an input signal line 31 for sending an input pulse from the connector identification device 2 to the identification object connector 1, and an output pulse from the identification object connector 1 to the connector identification device 2. Is connected by an output signal line 32 for outputting, and if necessary, a power supply line. The identification target connector 1 is provided with a connecting means to which these lines can be connected. The connecting means can be remarkably simplified and a small area is required as compared with the conventional one in which the leads of the EEPROM are directly drawn out. Therefore, it can be applied to a small-sized connector, and the connector and the connecting means can prevent the connector from increasing in size. Further, since the output signal is given by the pulse width, there is an advantage that it is less susceptible to noise.

The operation will be described. In the state where the identification target connector is coupled to the connector connecting it, an input pulse is sent from the connector discriminator 2 side to the designated identification target connector 1 side via the input signal line 31. The input pulse is input to the single pulse generator 11 provided in the identification target connector 1. As a result, the single pulse generator 11 generates an output pulse having a pulse width specific to the connector, and the output pulse is input to the pulse width measuring unit 23 provided in the connector discriminator 2 via the output signal line 32. To be done. The CPU 21 identifies the connector to be measured from the output data of the pulse width measuring unit 23.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a single pulse generator. In the figure, 41 is a one shot
A multivibrator, 42 is a capacitor, and 43 is a resistor. One-shot multivibrator (for example, 7
The capacitor 42 and the resistor 43 that determine the time constant of 4HC123) are externally attached. The capacitor 42 is a fixed capacitor, and the resistor 43 is a fixed resistor.

When an input pulse is applied to the trigger input terminal A of the one-shot multivibrator 41, the output pulse OP is output at the falling edge of the input pulse IP, as shown in FIG. Since the pulse width T of the output pulse OP is determined by the values of the capacitor 42 and the resistor 43,
By selecting the values of the capacitor 42 and the resistor 43 by the connector to which they are attached, this one-shot
The connector can be identified by the pulse width of the output pulse of the connector equipped with the multivibrator 41.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of the single pulse generator. In the figure, the same parts as those in FIG. Reference numeral 44 is a variable resistor. In this embodiment, the resistance 43 in the first embodiment is a fixed resistance, whereas the variable resistance 44 is externally attached. Even if the value of the capacitor 42 varies, the pulse width of the output pulse can be accurately set by adjusting the variable resistor 44. Further, even if capacitors of the same value are externally attached to a plurality of connectors, the one-shot multivibrator can be set to output pulses having different pulse widths by changing the value of the variable resistor 44.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of the single pulse generator. In the figure, 51 is a clock pulse generator, 52 and 53 are D flip-flops, and 54 is AN.
It is a D circuit. The clock pulse from the clock pulse generator 51 is applied to the clock input terminals CK of the D flip-flops 52 and 53. An input pulse is applied to the D input terminal of the D flip-flop 52. The input pulse has a pulse width longer than one cycle of the clock pulse.

In the initial state, the Q output of the D flip-flop 52 is L, the / Q output of the D flip-flop 53 is H, and the output of the AND circuit 54 is L. When an input pulse is applied to the D input terminal and becomes H, the Q output of the D flip-flop 52 becomes H at the first clock pulse thereafter. Since the / Q output of the D flip-flop 53 remains H, the output of the AND circuit 54 becomes H. When the next clock pulse is applied, the Q output of the D flip-flop 52 remains H, but since the D input terminal of the D flip-flop 53 is H, the D flip-flop 53 is inverted and / The Q output becomes L and the output of the AND circuit 54 becomes L. Therefore, the output of the AND circuit 54 becomes H from the time when the clock pulse detects the input pulse to the time when the next clock pulse occurs. AN
The pulse duration of the output pulse of the D circuit 54, that is,
Since the pulse width is determined by the cycle of the clock pulse that is the output of the clock pulse generator 51, by setting the frequency of the clock pulse generator to a unique value according to each connector, the pulse width according to the connector Output pulses can be obtained.

In this embodiment, the shift register is composed of two stages of D flip-flops, but it is sufficient if an output pulse corresponding to the pulse interval of two clock pulses after the input pulse is applied can be obtained. Therefore, an appropriate circuit configuration can be adopted.

FIG. 6 shows a first concrete example of the clock pulse generator in FIG. In the figure, 61 to 64 are Schmitt inverters, 65 is a capacitor, and 66 is a resistor.
In this clock pulse generator, the Schmitt inverter, the capacitor 65, and the resistor 66 constitute a CR oscillator. Since the capacitor 65 is a fixed capacitor and the resistor 66 is a fixed resistor, and the oscillation frequency of the CR oscillator is determined by these values, the values of the capacitor 65 and the resistor 66 are selected by the connector to which they are attached. The pulse width of the output pulse of the single pulse generator of the third embodiment described in 5 can be set to a unique value according to the connector. There is an advantage that the clock pulse generator can be manufactured at low cost.

FIG. 7 shows a second specific example of the clock pulse generator in FIG. In the figure, the same parts as in FIG. 67 is a variable resistor. In this specific example, the resistance 66 in the first specific example is a fixed resistance, whereas the variable resistance 67 is used. Even if the value of the capacitor 65 varies, the oscillation frequency of the CR oscillator can be accurately set by adjusting the variable resistor 67. Further, even if capacitors having the same value are used for a plurality of connectors, the oscillation frequency of the CR oscillator can be set to different values by changing the value of the variable resistor 66.

FIG. 8 shows a third specific example of the clock pulse generator in FIG. In the figure, 71 is an inverter, 7
Reference numeral 2 is a crystal oscillator, 73 is a resistor, and 74 and 75 are capacitors. This clock pulse generator has an inverter 71
And the crystal oscillator 72 are used to form an oscillation circuit.
With the values of the capacitors 74 and 75, second-order, third-order, etc. overtone oscillation can be performed, and with the value of the resistor 73, the oscillation frequency can be adjusted. Therefore, the natural frequency of the crystal oscillator, the resistor 73 and the capacitor 74,
By selecting the value of 75 with the connector to which it is attached, the pulse width of the output pulse of the single pulse generator of the third embodiment described in FIG. 5 is set to a unique value according to the connector. You can

FIG. 9 shows a fourth specific example of the clock pulse generator in FIG. In the figure, 81 is a programmable oscillator, and 82 is an oscillation frequency setting device. Programmable oscillator 81 (for example, manufactured by Seiko Epson Corporation,
The oscillation frequency of the SPG8651B) is the oscillation frequency setter 8
It is set at 2. Although expensive, the accuracy of the oscillation frequency of the clock pulse is very good. Oscillation frequency setting device 82
Is set to a unique value according to the connector to which it is attached.

FIG. 10 shows an example in which the oscillation frequency setting device in FIG. 9 is set using a fuse array. In the figure,
91 is a fuse. It is possible to set the oscillation frequency setting device by burning a predetermined fuse 91 using a fuse array composed of a plurality of fuses 91. That is, the ground potential is applied to the terminal to which the fuse 91 is connected, and the high potential is applied to the terminal where the fuse 91 is burnt out. Therefore, by burning an appropriate fuse, the terminal to which the high potential is applied is set to the oscillation frequency setting device, and the set value of the oscillation frequency setting device is determined.

The set frequency can be known by visually observing the state of the fuse 91. In the configuration using this fuse array, once the fuse is burnt out, it is necessary to replace the fuse in order to change the set frequency thereafter.

Similar to the fuse 91, it can be set by a jumper wire, for example. In this case, the terminal provided with the jumper wire is supplied with the ground potential, and the terminal not provided with the jumper wire is supplied with the high potential. The setting value can be changed by cutting the jumper wire or newly mounting it. Also in this case, the set frequency can be known by visually checking the jumper wire.

FIG. 11 shows an example in which the oscillation frequency setting device shown in FIG. 9 is set using a changeover switch. In the figure, reference numeral 92 is a changeover switch. By switching the plurality of changeover switches 92, it is possible to apply a ground potential or a high potential to the setting terminal of the oscillation frequency setting device. Wiring logic can be used instead of these fuses and changeover switches.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the system for identifying a connector of the present invention. The same parts as those in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will be omitted. 11,
, ..., 1n are single pulse generators, 24 is a pulse distributor, 31, 32, ..., 3n are input signal lines. Single pulse generator 11, 12, ..., 1n
Are the single pulse generators 11 shown in FIG.
Is similar to.

In this embodiment, a plurality of single pulse generators are used. That is, one connector is provided with n single pulse generators. Each single pulse generator 11, 12, ..., 1n
The input pulse from the outside to the input signal lines 31, 32,
..., 3n, but the pulse distributor 24
Thus, the input is made in a predetermined order, for example, from the top.
The output pulse from each single pulse generator 11, 12, ..., 1n is given to the pulse width measuring unit 23 by a common output signal line 32. The combination of output pulse widths of multiple single pulse generators facilitates identification of multiple connectors. For example, even if only a single pulse generator with n output pulse widths is used, n! Can identify the connector. Allowing overlap in the pulse-width permutations allows n ⁿ connectors to be identified.

In this embodiment, if the input pulse to each single pulse generator is distributed on the connector side, only one input signal line is required and only one output signal line is required. Despite providing a plurality of pulse generators, there is an advantage that the number of signal lines is not increased.

In the above-mentioned embodiment, the input pulse to the single pulse generator is single, and therefore,
Although one output pulse can be obtained, a predetermined number of input pulses may be repeatedly sent periodically.

[0047]

As is apparent from the above description, according to the present invention, it is possible to easily set the connector identification signal, and
There is an effect that it is possible to provide a connector and a method for identifying the connector, which can be surely performed, the connection portion used for reading the identification signal can be downsized, and the number of electric wires required for the reading can be reduced.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of a system for identifying a connector of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a first embodiment of a single pulse generator.

FIG. 3 is a waveform diagram for explaining the operation of the embodiment of FIG.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a second embodiment of a single pulse generator.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a third embodiment of a single pulse generator.

FIG. 6 is a first specific example of the clock pulse generator in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a second specific example of the clock pulse generator in FIG.

FIG. 8 is a third specific example of the clock pulse generator in FIG.

FIG. 9 is a fourth specific example of the clock pulse generator in FIG.

10 is an example of setting the oscillation frequency setting device in FIG. 9 using a fuse array.

11 is an example in which the oscillation frequency setting device in FIG. 9 is set using a changeover switch.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing another embodiment of the connector identifying system of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

1 ... Connector for identification, 2 ... Connector identifier, 11, 1
2, ..., 1n ... Single pulse generator, 21 ... CP
U, 22 ... Input pulse generating section, 23 ... Pulse width measuring section,
24 ... Pulse distributor, 30 ... Output signal line, 31, 32,
..., 3n ... Input signal line, 41 ... One-shot multivibrator, 42, 65, 74, 75 ... Capacitor, 43, 66, 73 ... Resistor, 44, 67 ... Variable resistance,
51 ... Clock pulse generator, 52, 53 ... D flip-flop, 54 ... AND circuit, 61-64 ... Schmitt inverter, 71 ... Inverter, 72 ... Crystal oscillator, 8
1 ... Programmable oscillator, 82 ... Oscillation frequency setting device,
91 ... Fuse, 92 ... Changeover switch.

 ─────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuation of the front page (72) Inventor Tomoaki Tomoaki 1 Taya-cho, Sakae-ku, Yokohama-shi, Kanagawa Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd. Yokohama Works (72) Inventor Katsuya Yamashita 1-6, Uchisaiwai-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo No. Japan Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corp. (72) Inventor Fumio Otsuki 1-1-6 Uchisaiwaicho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo Nihon Telegraph and Telephone Corp.

Claims (14)

[Claims] 1. A connector for connecting a cord, comprising a single pulse generator having a pulse width specific to the connector. 2. The connector according to claim 1, wherein as the single pulse generator, a one-shot multivibrator with an external resistor and a capacitor is used. 3. The connector according to claim 2, wherein a variable resistor is used as the resistor. 4. A clock pulse generator that generates a clock pulse having a frequency peculiar to a connector as the single pulse generator, an input pulse is detected by the clock pulse of the clock pulse generator, and the next clock is detected from the detected time. The connector according to claim 1, wherein an output pulse generator that outputs an output pulse is used until a pulse is generated. 5. The connector according to claim 4, wherein a CR oscillator in which a resistor and a capacitor are mounted is used as the clock pulse generator. 6. The connector according to claim 5, wherein a variable resistor is used as the resistor. 7. The connector according to claim 4, wherein a crystal oscillator is used as the clock pulse generator. 8. The connector according to claim 4, wherein a programmable oscillator having an oscillation frequency setting device is used as the clock pulse generator. 9. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the setting of the oscillation frequency setting device is performed by using wiring logic. 10. The connector according to claim 8, wherein the oscillation frequency setting device is set by using a fuse array. 11. The setting of the oscillation frequency setting device is performed by using a changeover switch.
A connector as described in. 12. The connector according to claim 1, wherein a shift register is used as the output pulse generator. 13. The connector according to claim 1, wherein n single pulse generators are mounted and n signals having an arbitrary pulse width are output. 14. A connector identification method for identifying an individual connector from an identification signal set in the connector according to claim 1, wherein an input pulse is applied to the connector and output from the connector. A method for identifying a connector, characterized in that each connector is identified by receiving the output pulse and measuring the pulse width of the received output pulse.