JPH10200480A - Optical communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an optical communication system in which information disturbance that is influenced by noise, etc., is not produced by any of terminal devices and a failure does not affect the other terminal devices and which improves reliability. SOLUTION: In this optical communication system, 1st and 2nd optical fiber communication paths 23 and 25 whose basic end sides are connected to a central control unit 21 and which transmit and receive a signal use two-branch optical couplers 27 and 29 and eight-branch optical couplers 31, 33, 35 and 37 which are formed by performing ultrasonic welding of plural plastic optical fibers and are branched toward their ends, and plural pinball machines M101 to M116 are separately connected to each end through optical connectors 63 and EO/OE circuits 65. Also, optical amplifier units 51, 53, 77 and 79 are provided between the couplers 27 and 29 of each path 23 and 25 and the couplers 31, 33, 35 and 37 compensate the loss of an optical signal.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical communication system using a plastic optical fiber as a transmission medium.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 7 shows a conventional optical communication system using an optical fiber. In this optical communication system, n (an integer of 2 or more) pachinko machines as terminal devices are used by using optical fibers 1 and 3. , Mn (hereinafter, the terminal devices M1, M2,..., Mn are simply referred to as M when referred to collectively), and the n pachinko machines M are controlled and controlled. This is for transmitting an optical signal to and from the central control device 5 to be managed. Here, the optical fiber 1 is a hard resin clad fiber having a core portion formed of quartz and a clad portion formed of resin, and the optical fiber 3 is a plastic optical fiber.

The optical fibers 1 and 3 constitute a loop-shaped communication path 7, and n pachinko machines M are inserted in series in the communication path 7, and the central control device 5 and each pachinko machine M are connected to each other. The communication between is performed. The connection between the pachinko machine M and the communication path 7 is performed via an optical connector 9 and an EO / OE circuit 11 provided for each pachinko machine M,
The EO / OE circuit 11 converts the optical signal input from the communication path 7 through the connector 9 into an electric signal, and converts the signal into an electric signal.
, And converts an electric signal input from the pachinko machine M into an optical signal, and converts the electric signal into an optical signal through the optical connector 9.
Output.

[0004] From the central control unit 5 to each pachinko machine M,
Control information for controlling pachinko machine M and pachinko machine M
Is transmitted from each pachinko machine M to the central controller 5 with management information such as payout information and identification information for specifying the pachinko machine M. I have.

When an optical signal including the control information and the identification information is output from the central control unit 5 to the i-th (an integer of 1 to n) pachinko machine Mi, the optical fiber 1
And an EO / OE circuit 11 connected to the first pachinko machine M1 via the connector 9 and converted into an electric signal by the EO / OE circuit 11, and
1, the first pachinko machine M1 determines whether or not the control information is information transmitted toward itself based on the identification information included in the electric signal, and is transmitted toward itself. If the information is transmitted, the first pachinko machine M is controlled based on the control information. If the information is not transmitted to itself, the first pachinko machine M is controlled.
1 transmits an electric signal including its control information and identification information to 2
The signal is output to the EO / OE circuit 11 toward the second pachinko machine M2.

[0006] The electric signal output from the first pachinko machine M1 to the second pachinko machine M2 is EO / OE.
The signal is converted into an optical signal by the circuit 11 and
EO / OE circuit 11 to which the second pachinko machine M2 is connected
After being converted to an electric signal by the EO / OE circuit 11, the signal is input to the second pachinko machine M2. 2
Also at the second pachinko machine M2, similarly to the first pachinko machine M1, it is determined whether or not the control information included in the electric signal is information transmitted toward itself based on the identification information. If the information is transmitted to the second pachinko machine M2 based on the control information, and if the information is not transmitted to itself, the second pachinko machine M2 is controlled by An electric signal including the control information and the identification information is output to the EO / OE circuit 11 toward the third pachinko machine M3.

[0007] Similar processing is performed in the third pachinko machine M3, and the central control unit 5 including control information and identification information.
From the EO / O provided for each pachinko machine M
While repeating the photoelectric conversion in the E circuit 11, 1
The i-th pachinko machine Mi in order from the first pachinko machine M1
It is transmitted to.

When an electric signal including management information and identification information is output from any of the pachinko machines M, for example, the first pachinko machine M1, to the central control unit 5, the electric signal is converted into an EO / OE circuit. After being converted into an optical signal by the optical fiber 11, the signal is input to the second EO / OE circuit 11 for the pachinko machine M2 via the optical fiber 3, and is again converted into an electric signal by the EO / OE circuit 11 and the second signal is output. It is input to the pachinko machine M2. The second pachinko machine M2 converts the input electric signal into the third pachinko machine M3.
The electrical signal is converted to an optical signal by the EO / OE circuit 11 and then input to the EO / OE circuit 11 connected to the third pachinko machine M3 via the optical fiber 3 to be electrically connected. After being converted into a signal, it is input to the third pachinko machine M3.

[0009] The signal output from the first pachinko machine M1 is transmitted from the second pachinko machine M2 to the n-th pachinko machine Mn in order from the second pachinko machine M2 while repeating the photoelectric conversion. Mn is output to the optical fiber 1 via the EO / OE circuit 11 and transmitted to the central processing unit 5 via the optical fiber 1.

[0010]

However, in the above-described optical communication system, n pachinko machines M are inserted in series in the communication path 7 formed in a loop, and output from the central control unit 5. The signal is transmitted in a message form from the pachinko machine M on the upstream side to the pachinko machine M on the downstream side while repeating photoelectric conversion, and reaches the target pachinko machine M. Pachinko machine M
When the information is transmitted to the pachinko machine M on the downstream side from the device, the signal is converted into an electric signal. Is disturbed, the disturbed information is directly transmitted to the pachinko machine M on the downstream side and sent to the target pachinko machine M, and there is a problem that the pachinko machine M cannot be managed and controlled.

In this optical communication system, even when information is transmitted from the pachinko machine M to the central control unit 5, the signal sent from the pachinko machine M on the upstream side transmits a message while repeating photoelectric conversion. The signal from the pachinko machine M is transmitted to the central control device 5 by being sequentially transmitted to the pachinko machine M on the downstream side in a format, so that the pachinko machine on the downstream side from the pachinko machine M on the upstream side. When the signal is transmitted to the table M and the information included in the signal is disturbed by the influence of noise at the stage where the signal is converted into an electric signal, the disturbed information is directly transmitted to the pachinko machine on the downstream side. There is a problem that it is transmitted to the table M and sent to the central control device 5.

Further, in this optical communication system, each pachinko machine M inserted in series in the communication path 7 as described above.
Between the pachinko machine M and the central control unit 5 and each pachinko machine M, a signal is transmitted between the pachinko machines M. When M fails, there is a problem that signal transmission becomes impossible and the optical communication system stops.

[0013] In view of the above problems, the present invention does not disturb the information and the failure due to the influence of noise or the like generated in any of the terminal devices, and does not affect the other terminal devices. It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical communication system that can be improved.

[0014]

A technical means for achieving the above object is an optical communication system using an optical fiber for transmitting information between a central control unit and a plurality of terminal devices, comprising: A plastic optical fiber is formed by ultrasonic welding, has a single trunk side end and a plurality of branch side ends, and receives an optical signal input from the trunk side end from each of the branch side ends. An optical fiber communication from the central control device to the plurality of terminal devices using an optical coupler capable of outputting and outputting an optical signal input from each branch line end from the trunk line end. The path is branched toward the end of the optical fiber communication path to which the terminal device is connected, and the terminal devices are respectively connected to the branched ends of the optical fiber communication path, and the central control device and A plurality of said terminal devices And providing a amplifying means for amplifying an optical signal at a predetermined position of said optical fiber communication path between.

[0015]

FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of an optical communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In this optical communication system, signals are transmitted between a plurality of, here 16 pachinko machines M101 to M116, which are terminal devices, and a central control device 21 which manages and controls these pachinko machines M101 to M116. The first and second optical fiber communication paths 23 and 25 are connected to a two-branch optical coupler 27,
Using the 29 and 8-branch optical couplers 31, 33, 35, and 37, the optical fiber communication paths 23, 25 are branched toward the ends of the optical fiber communication paths 23, 25 to which the pachinko machines M101 to M116 are connected. The pachinko machines M101 to M116 are respectively connected to the respective branched ends. Here, the optical fiber communication path 23 is
The central control device 21 controls each of the pachinko machines M101 to M11.
6 is a communication path for transmitting a signal to the pachinko machine M101.
Or a communication path for receiving a signal sent from M116. In FIG. 1, among the pachinko machines M101 to M116, the pachinko machines M103 to M107 are provided.
And the pachinko machines M111 to M115 are omitted for convenience of illustration.

The first optical fiber communication path 23 includes a trunk optical fiber 41 connected to the central control unit 21 and a trunk optical fiber 4 via a relay adapter 43 and an optical coupler 27.
1 and two optical fibers 47, 49 connected to the respective optical fibers 47, 49 via optical amplification units 51, 53 (amplifying means).
And eight-branch optical couplers 31 and 33 to optical fibers 55 and 57.
And eight optical fibers 59 and 61 connected to each other via the optical fiber. Each 8-branch optical coupler 31,
Eight optical fibers 59 and 61 connected to
Is connected via an optical connector 63 to an EO / OE circuit 65 provided for each of the pachinko machines M101 to M116.

The second optical fiber communication path 25 includes a trunk optical fiber 70 connected to the central controller 21 and a trunk optical fiber 7 via a relay adapter 71 and an optical coupler 29.
0, and two optical fibers 81, 83 connected to the respective optical fibers 73, 75 via optical amplification units 77, 79 (amplifying means).
And eight-branch optical couplers 35 and 37 to the optical fibers 81 and 83.
And eight optical fibers 85 and 87 connected to each other via the optical fiber. Each 8-branch optical coupler 35,
Eight optical fibers 85 and 87 respectively connected to 37
Is connected to the EO / OE circuit 65 via the optical connector 63.

Here, the trunk optical fibers 41 and 70 routed over a relatively long distance, here over 50 m, are hard resin clad fibers (core portions formed of quartz and clad portions formed of resin). Hereinafter, this is referred to as “HPCF”, and the other optical fibers 47, 49, 55, and 5 are used.
7, 59, 61 and 73, 75, 81, 83, 85,
Reference numeral 87 denotes a plastic optical fiber (hereinafter, referred to as “POF”) in which both the core and the clad are formed of resin.
Is used.

As described above, the first and second optical fiber communication paths 23 and 25 are connected to the two-branch optical coupler 2 from the central controller 21 toward the pachinko machines M101 to M116.
After branching into two by 7, 29, each of the branch lines (47, 49, 73, 75) is branched into an eight-branch optical coupler 31,
It is further branched into eight by 33, 35, and 37,
Six branch lines (59, 61, 85, 87) are formed. A connector 6 is attached to each end of the 16 branch lines.
3 and 16 pachinko machines M101 to M116 are connected via the EO / OE circuit 65 respectively. Further, the two-branch optical coupler 2 of each optical fiber communication path 23, 25
Optical amplification units 51, 53, 7 for amplifying optical signals between 7, 29 and 8-branch optical couplers 31, 33, 35, 37
7, 79 are provided to compensate for the loss of the optical signal.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing the configuration of the two-branch optical couplers 27 and 29. The two-branch optical couplers 27 and 29 are composed of two optical fibers 91 and POF which are ultrasonically welded to each other.
93 are included. Two optical fibers 91,
In the ultrasonic welding of 93, one end 93a of the other optical fiber 93 is pressed in parallel to the intermediate portion 91a of one optical fiber 91 over a predetermined length, and the pressed portion is ultrasonically vibrated. It is performed by When the press-contact portion is vibrated by ultrasonic waves, the cladding portions of the press-contact portions of the optical fibers 91 and 93 are broken by the ultrasonic energy, and the core portions of the optical fibers 91 and 93 are pushed in a direction approaching each other, and the individual phases are mutually separated. Glued. Reference numeral 95 in FIG. 2 indicates an adhesion area.

The two-branch optical coupler 2 thus formed
Reference numerals 7 and 29 denote a single trunk-side end 101 composed of the non-branch-side end 91b of the optical fiber 91 and two branch lines composed of the branch-side end 91c of the optical fiber 91 and the other end 93b of the optical fiber 93. Side end portions 103 and 105,
The optical signal input from the trunk end 101 is distributed at a distribution ratio of 1: 1 and can be output from the two branch ends 103 and 105, and input from the respective branch ends 103 and 105. An optical signal can be output from the trunk end 101. Then, such two-branch optical couplers 27, 2
9 is inserted into the optical fiber communication paths 23 and 25 so that the trunk side end 101 is on the central control device 21 side.

FIG. 3 shows an eight-branch optical coupler 31, 33, 3
It is a figure which shows the structure of 5 and 37. 8-branch optical coupler 31,
Each of 33, 35 and 37 includes eight optical fibers 111 to 118 made of POF.
In each of the eight-branch optical couplers 31, 33, 35, and 37, the optical fiber 111
Of the optical fibers 11 in order from the non-branch end 111a.
One end portions 112a, 113a, 11 of 2, 113, 114
4a are ultrasonically welded, and one end portions 115a and 116a of the optical fibers 115 and 116 are ultrasonically welded to two intermediate portions of the optical fiber 112 in this order from the one end portion 112a side. One end 117a of an optical fiber 117 is ultrasonically welded, and one end 118a of an optical fiber 118 is ultrasonically welded to an intermediate portion of the optical fiber 115. In the drawing, reference numeral 119 indicates an adhesion region formed by ultrasonic welding.

The thus formed eight-branch optical coupler 31,
Reference numerals 33, 35, and 37 denote a single trunk-side end 121 composed of the non-branch-side end 111a of the optical fiber 111, a branch-side end 111b of the optical fiber 111, and the optical fiber 112.
And eight branch line-side ends 123 to 130 each including the other end portions 112b to 118b of
The signals input from the trunk side end 121 can be distributed at an equal ratio to each other and output from the eight branch side ends 123 to 130, and each of the branch side ends 123 to 1 can be output.
A signal input from the main line 30 can be output from the trunk side end portion 121. The eight-branch optical couplers 31, 33, 35, and 37 are connected to the optical fiber communication paths 23 and 25 such that the trunk-side end 121 is on the central control device 21 side.
Respectively.

FIG. 4 shows the optical amplification units 51, 53, 7
It is a block diagram which shows the structure of 7,79. The optical amplification units 51, 53, 77, and 79 are connected to the optical fiber communication path 23,
The photodiode 131 converts the optical signal transmitted from the photodiode 25 into an electric signal, the amplifier circuit 133 and the transistor 135 that amplify the signal converted into the electric signal by the photodiode 131, and the signal is amplified by the amplifier circuit 133 and the transistor 135. And an LED 137 for converting the electrical signal into an optical signal.

Such optical amplification units 51, 53, 7
In 7, 79, when the light from the optical fiber communication paths 23 and 25 enters the photodiode 131, a reverse current proportional to the intensity of the received light is amplified from the photodiode 131 via the amplifier circuit 133 and the transistor 135 is output. Of the LED 137 according to the base current.
, A current flows to the collector of the transistor 135, whereby the LED 137 outputs light having an intensity higher than that of the light received by the photodiode 131 to the optical fiber communication paths 23 and 25.

Each of the pachinko machines M101 to M116 is
E provided for each pachinko machine M101 to M116
Optical fiber communication paths 23 and 25 via O / OE circuit 65
EO / OE circuits 65 convert the optical signals transmitted through the optical fiber communication path 23 into electric signals and transmit the electric signals to the pachinko machines M101 to M116. Output, each pachinko machine M1
The electrical signals output from 01 to M116 are converted into optical signals and sent to the optical fiber communication path 25.

Each of the pachinko machines M101 to M116 is transmitted from the central control unit 21 via the first optical fiber communication path 23.
The optical signal transmitted to each of the pachinko machines M101 to M116 includes control information necessary for controlling each of the pachinko machines M101 to M116.
And identification information for specifying 01 to M116. The optical signal transmitted from each of the pachinko machines M101 to M116 to the central control device 21 via the second optical fiber communication path 25 includes management for the central control device 21 to manage each of the pachinko machines M101 to M116. Information and identification information for the central controller 21 to identify each of the pachinko machines M101 to M116 are included. The management information includes pachinko machines M101 to M1
The information includes 16 payout information, winning information, fraud detection information, abnormality monitoring information, and the like.

FIG. 5 shows that the optical signal is transmitted through the first optical fiber communication path 2.
FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the signal level of the optical signal changes when it is transmitted through the optical fiber 3. FIG. 6 shows that the signal level of the optical signal changes when the optical signal is transmitted through the second optical fiber communication path 25. It is a figure showing a mode that changes. Note that P in FIG. 5 and FIG.
1 to P9 and P11 to P19 correspond to the first and second optical fiber communication paths 2 shown in FIG.
P1 to P9 and P11 to P19 in 3,25
The signal intensities at points P1 to P9 and P11 to P19 in FIGS. 5 and 6 correspond to the positions P1 to P9 and P11 to P19 in FIG.
5 shows the intensity of the optical signal at the position of.

The dynamic range (range of receivable signal strength) of a photodiode generally used for optical communication is about 20 dB.
This is performed while maintaining the state where the intensity of the optical signal is within the dynamic range. Here, a photodiode having a minimum receiving sensitivity of -30 dBm is used. Also, red light having a wavelength of 700 nm is used for the transmitted optical signal.

As shown in FIG. 5, the central control unit 21
An optical signal is output from the LED for optical communication provided in the optical communication device with an intensity of 0 dBm, and the optical signal is input into the trunk optical fiber 41. The intensity of the optical signal at the stage (P1) at which the optical signal is input to the main optical fiber 41 is such that a loss of 20 dB occurs when the optical signal is input from the LED into the main optical fiber 41, and -2.
0 dBm. The intensity of the optical signal at the stage (P2) after passing through the trunk optical fiber 41 is -20.5 dBm. Here, since the wiring distance of the trunk optical fiber 41 is relatively long, ie, 50 m, HPCF having a small intrinsic loss was used. Here, a loss of 10 dB / km is used.
It is suppressed to 5 dB.

At the relay adapter 43, the trunk optical fiber 4
The optical signal emitted from 1 is input to the trunk-side end 101 of the two-branch optical coupler 27 made of POF with a strength of -22 dBm (P3). The core diameter of the HPCF was 200 μm, and the core diameter of the POF was 1 mm. Here, since the optical signal is input from the small-diameter HPCF to the large-diameter POF, a relatively small 1. 5
The loss is dB.

The optical signal input to the two-branch optical coupler 27 is distributed by the two-branch optical coupler 27 in two directions.
The signal strength at the stage (P4) after passing through the branch optical coupler 27 is -26 dBm. Here, the optical signal is
Since the signal is distributed in two directions at a distribution ratio of 1: 1 by the two-branch optical coupler 27, the decrease in signal level due to the passage through the two-branch optical coupler 27 is theoretically 3 dB. , A level reduction of 4 dB occurs due to the influence of transmission loss and the like.

The optical signals distributed in the two directions are input to the optical amplification units 51 and 53 via the optical fibers 47 and 49 with an intensity of -26.5 dBm (P5). Here, a POF having an intrinsic loss of 0.5 dB / m is used, but the optical fibers 47 and 49 have a routing distance of about 1 m, and the loss in this section is 0.5 dB.

The optical amplification units 51 and 53 amplify the input optical signal. Optical amplification units 51 and 53
LED 137 outputs an optical signal with an intensity of 0 dBm.
The signal strength at the stage (P6) input to the
Bm. Here, the optical fibers 55 and 57 are
Since the core is a large-diameter POF, the loss is smaller than when the optical signal from the LED 137 is input to the HPCF.

Since the optical fibers 55 and 57 have a routing distance of about 3 m, a loss of 1.5 dB occurs in this section, and the optical signal is transmitted to the 8-branch optical couplers 31 and 33 with an intensity of -11.5 dBm. It is input to the trunk-side end 121 (P7).

In the eight-branch optical couplers 31 and 33, input optical signals are distributed in eight directions at an equal ratio. 8
The decrease in the signal level due to the passage through the branch optical couplers 31 and 33 is 9 dB in theory, but the 8-branch optical coupler 3
The level is reduced by 14.0 dB due to the influence of transmission loss and the like within the optical couplers 1, 33, and the signal strength at the stage (P8) after passing through the 8-branch optical couplers 31, 33 is −25.5 dBm.
It has become.

The optical signals distributed in 16 directions by the two-branch optical coupler 27 and the eight-branch optical couplers 31 and 33 have a strength of -26 dBm which can be sufficiently received through the POF optical fibers 59 and 61 of about 1 m. , All pachinko machines M1
The signals are simultaneously input to the EO / OE circuits 65 of 01 to M116 (P9), converted into electric signals by the EO / OE circuit 65, and input to the pachinko machines M101 to M116.

In response, each of the pachinko machines M101 to M116 determines whether or not the received signal has been transmitted to itself based on the identification information included in the received signal. If it is addressed to itself, it controls itself based on the control signal included in the received signal.

When a signal is output from each of the pachinko machines M101 to M116 to the central controller 21, each EO is output.
The / OE circuit 65 converts the signal from an electric signal to an optical signal and sends the signal to the optical fiber communication path 25. At this time, E
As shown in FIG. 6, an optical signal is output from the LED in the O / OE circuit 65 with a strength of 0 dBm. 0 dBm
In the stage (P11) of input to the optical fibers 85 and 87, the optical signal output at the intensity of -10 dBm becomes -10 dBm due to the loss at the time of incidence on the optical fibers 85 and 87.

The optical signals input to the optical fibers 85 and 87 decrease in intensity by 0.5 dB while passing through the optical fibers 85 and 87 of about 1 m POF, and are branched into eight at an intensity of -10.5 dBm. It is input to the branch line side ends 123 to 130 of the optical couplers 35 and 37 (P12).

The optical signals input to the eight-branch optical couplers 35 and 37 are guided to a single trunk-side end 121 while being coupled, and have an intensity of -24.5 dBm via the trunk-side end 121. The light is input to the optical fibers 81 and 83 (P13), passes through the POF optical fibers 81 and 83 of about 3 m, and
The light is input to the optical amplification units 77 and 79 with a strength of 6 dBm (P14).

In the optical amplifying units 77 and 79, similarly to the optical amplifying units 51 and 53 described above, the input optical signal is amplified, and the LEs of the optical amplifying units 77 and 79 are amplified.
When D137 outputs an optical signal with an intensity of 0 dBm, the optical signal is input to the optical fibers 73 and 75 with an intensity of -10 dBm (P15), and passes through the optical fibers 73 and 75 of about 1 m of POF. It is input to the branch-side ends 103 and 105 of the two-branch optical coupler 29 with a strength of -10.5 dBm (P16). The optical signal input to the two-branch optical coupler 29 is guided to the single trunk-side end 101 while being coupled, and is emitted from the trunk-side end 101 with a strength of -14.5 dBm (P17).

The trunk line end 101 of the two-branch optical coupler 29
Is connected to the trunk optical fiber 70 by the relay adapter 71, and an optical signal emitted from the trunk end 101 of the optical coupler 29 is input to the end of the trunk optical fiber 70. Here, the optical fiber 91 of the optical coupler 29 is a POF, the trunk optical fiber 70 is an HPCF, and the core of the POF has a larger diameter than the core of the HPCF. A loss of 12 dB occurs at the point, and the signal strength at the stage (P18) at which the optical signal is input to the trunk optical fiber 70 is -26.5 dBm.

The optical signal passes through a trunk optical fiber 70 of about 50 m and has a sufficient reception power of -27 dBm.
(P19). Also in this case, the loss of the optical signal in this section can be suppressed by using the HPCF for the trunk optical fiber 70 in which the wiring distance is relatively long.

In response to this, central controller 21 identifies which pachinko machine M101 to M116 is the received signal based on the identification information included in the received signal, and Pachinko machine M that has transmitted the received signal based on the management information included in the received signal
The payout status of 101 to M116 is grasped.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, the optical fiber communication paths 23 and 25 whose base ends are connected to the central controller 21 are directed toward the ends, and the branch optical couplers 27 and 29 are turned on.
Then, the light is branched using the eight-branch optical couplers 31, 33, 35, and 37, and the respective pachinko machines M101 to M116 are individually connected to the respective terminal ends thereof via the EO / OE circuit 65. Pachinko machine M101 to M11
Between the pachinko machine 6 and the central control device 21
The steps 101 to M116 are performed independently of each other.

Thus, any of the pachinko machines M1
Even if the information included in the transmission signal is disturbed by the influence of noise or the like in 01 to M116, the influence of the disturbance of the information does not affect the other pachinko machines M101 to M116. Also, even if any of the pachinko machines M101 to M116 fails, the failed pachinko machine M10
Only 1 to M116 stop functioning, and the entire optical communication system does not stop.

Thus, any of the pachinko machines M101
In addition, it is possible to prevent information disturbance or failure due to the influence of noise or the like generated in M116 from affecting other pachinko machines M101 to M116, and to improve the reliability of the system.

The two-branch optical couplers 27, 29 and the eight-branch optical couplers 31, 33, 3 of the optical fiber communication paths 23, 25 are also provided.
Between the optical amplification units 51, 53, 7
7 and 79, the optical signal is split into two-branch optical couplers 27 and 29 and eight-branch optical couplers 31, 33, 35,
The amount of reduction in signal level that occurs when the signals are distributed and combined at 37, the amount of loss occurring in each optical fiber of the optical fiber communication paths 23 and 25, and the amount of loss occurring at the point where optical fibers are connected to each other are the amplification units 51 and Optical signals can be transmitted while maintaining a receivable signal level, supplemented by 53, 77, and 79.

Further, as means for branching the optical fiber communication paths 23 and 25, two-branch optical couplers 27 and 29 and eight-branch optical couplers 31, 33, 35 and 37 formed by ultrasonically welding a plurality of POFs. Is used, so
The degree of attenuation of the optical signal at the time of distributing and coupling the optical signal at each branching point can be suppressed to a small degree. As a result, the optical amplification units 51, provided in the optical fiber communication paths 23, 25,
The number of installations of 53, 77, 79 can be reduced.
This reduces the possibility that information contained in the signal will be disturbed by the influence of noise or the like when amplifying the optical signal,
The reliability of the system can be further improved.

In this embodiment, the two-branch optical couplers 27 and 29 and the eight-branch optical coupler 3 are used as the branch optical couplers.
1, 33, 35 and 37 were used, but a four-branch optical coupler,
Another optical coupler such as a six-branch optical coupler may be used.

Further, in this embodiment, one trunk line of the optical fiber communication paths 23 and 25 is divided into 16 branch lines in two stages, but the eight branch optical fibers 31, 33, 35 and 3 are divided.
Instead of 7, a two-branch optical coupler or a four-branch optical coupler may be used to split the light into three or four stages.

Further, in this embodiment, in each of the optical fiber communication paths 23 and 25, the optical amplifying unit 51 is provided at each location between the two-branch optical couplers 27 and 29 and the eight-branch optical couplers 31, 33, 35 and 37. , 53, 77, 79,
If necessary, an optical amplification unit may be added to another location. For example, when the optical fiber communication paths 23 and 25 are branched by the eight-branch optical fibers 31, 33, 35 and 37, and then further branched using another optical coupler,
An additional optical amplification unit is provided between the 8-branch optical couplers 31, 33, 35, 37 and the added optical coupler.

In the present embodiment, the central control device 21
Has shown an example of an optical communication system for managing and controlling a plurality of pachinko machines M101 to M116. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and any communication system in which a central controller controls a plurality of terminal devices. The present invention can be applied to any communication system. As another specific application example,
For example, there is a communication system for managing a plurality of golf practice machines.

[0055]

As described above, according to the present invention, the communication between each terminal device and the central control device is performed independently between the terminal devices. Even if the information contained in the transmission signal is disturbed by the influence of noise or the like at one of the terminal devices, the influence of the disturbed information does not affect other terminal devices, and any one of the terminal devices fails. However, only the failed terminal device stops functioning, and the entire optical communication system does not stop. As a result, it is possible to prevent information disturbance or failure due to the influence of noise or the like generated in any one of the terminal devices from affecting other terminal devices, thereby improving the reliability of the system.

Further, since an amplifying means for amplifying the optical signal is provided at a predetermined position in the optical fiber communication path, a decrease in the signal level caused when the optical signal passes through the optical coupler is compensated by the amplifying means. Thus, an optical signal can be transmitted while maintaining a receivable signal level.

Further, as a means for branching the optical fiber communication path, an optical coupler formed by ultrasonically welding a plurality of plastic optical fibers is used, so that the degree of attenuation of the optical signal at each branch point is reduced. Can be reduced, and as a result, the number of amplifying units provided in the optical fiber communication path can be reduced. This reduces the possibility that information contained in the signal is disturbed by the influence of noise or the like when amplifying the optical signal, and further improves the reliability of the system.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of an optical communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing a configuration of a two-branch optical coupler used in the optical communication system of FIG.

FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a configuration of an eight-branch optical coupler used in the optical communication system of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an optical amplification unit used in the optical communication system of FIG.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state where the signal level changes when an optical signal is transmitted in a first optical fiber communication path.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing how the signal level changes when an optical signal is transmitted in a second optical fiber communication path.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of a conventional optical communication system.

[Explanation of symbols]

 21 Central control unit 23,25 Optical fiber communication path 27,29 2-branch optical coupler 31,33,35,378 8-branch optical coupler 51,53,77,79 Optical amplification unit M101 to M116 Pachinko machine

Claims (1)

[Claims] An optical communication system using an optical fiber for transmitting information between a central control device and a plurality of terminal devices, wherein a plurality of plastic optical fibers are formed by ultrasonic welding, and a single trunk line is provided. Having a side end and a plurality of branch side ends,
An optical coupler capable of outputting an optical signal input from the trunk side end from each of the branch side ends and capable of outputting an optical signal input from each of the branch side ends from the trunk side end; The optical fiber communication path from the central control device to the plurality of terminal devices is branched toward the terminal end of the optical fiber communication line to which the terminal device is connected, using the optical fiber communication path. Amplifying means for amplifying an optical signal at a predetermined position of the optical fiber communication path between the central control device and a plurality of the terminal devices, while individually assigning each of the terminated terminals to each of the terminal devices, is provided. Optical communication system.