JPH10327251A - Optical call equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To reduce power consumption by controlling power supply with a switch circuit which is turned on by turning on a call switch and is turned off when a power switch is turned off. SOLUTION: Once a worker has turned on the power switch 34, power is not supplied to the light-emitting element 11 of a transmission part and the other circuits and power is supplied only to the light-receiving circuit 22, an amplifier circuit 23 and a call signal detection circuit 24 in a reception part. Then, a system becomes a stand-by state where they operate. When the worker turns on the power switch 34 in the optical communication equipment of a B-side, the call circuit 14 is operated by turning on the call switch 35 and a call signal is generated. Since the switch circuit 15 is turned on at that time, power is supplied to the light-emitting element 11, a driving circuit 12 and an amplifier circuit 13, and the call signal of a light signal is generated from the light-emitting element 11. Then, the call circuit 14 of an A-side operates and the switch circuit 15 of the A-side is turned on. Power is supplied to the light-emitting element 11, the driving circuit 12 and the amplifier circuit 13 and they operate. The call signal is transmitted from the A-side.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an optical communication device for performing a telephone call in a two-way full-duplex communication system via an optical transmission line such as an optical fiber.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art An optical communication device of a two-way full-duplex communication system includes:
It has a transmitting section and a receiving section each having a light emitting element and a light receiving element, and is connected to both ends of a two-core or one-core optical fiber, so that a call can be made between the two points. Usually, a microphone and an earphone are often used for voice input / output. The reason why the earphone is used is that, unlike a speaker or the like, it is easy to hear even in an environment where there is noise such as a construction site, and the power consumption is small.

[0003] In this case, there is no problem in the case where the earphone is worn on the ear while waiting for a sound from the other party to be sent. However, in the case where the earphone is removed and the user waits while performing other work, there is no problem. I don't know that the voice was sent from the other party. Therefore, a special signal is sent out as a call signal,
When this is received, a device which sounds a buzzer, a speaker, or the like to notify that a call signal from the other party has been received is also used. Some also use a buzzer or speaker and a call lamp together.

[0004]

However, in the conventional optical communication device, there is a problem that power is wasted in a standby mode. That is, in the conventional optical communication device, when the power is turned on, the light emitting device is configured to be in a light emitting state. Is wasted. Since the standby time is often long in practice, its wasteful power consumption cannot be ignored. Further, since the light-emitting time of the light-emitting element is increased, there is a problem that the life of the light-emitting element is shortened.

The optical communication device is often used, for example, on one side at a telephone office and on the other side at a construction site such as a manhole. In such a case, in most cases, the optical communication equipment is installed first at the central office, and the system waits for the signal from the construction site to arrive. It is rare to do so. Moreover, since the optical communication device is used at the site where the optical fiber transmission line is laid, the distance between the telephone office and the construction site is often several tens of kilometers, and the waiting time is several hours. Cases often occur.

Some conventional optical communication devices have a special switch so that the light emitting element can be turned on and off manually. By operating this switch, the light emitting element is turned off during standby. It is up to the person who uses it to determine whether or not it consumes less power.

Also, a method of turning on a light emitting element and flowing a current only while an audio signal is being input (VOX; Voice)
An operating exchanger is also conceivable, but it is not useful on a construction site in an environment where the surroundings are full of noise. For this reason, there is a disadvantage that the initial part of the input voice is not transmitted, resulting in an unnatural voice.

In view of the above, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved optical communication device capable of reliably reducing power consumption.

[0009]

In order to achieve the above object, in an optical communication apparatus according to the present invention, a power switch, a call switch, and a call that generates a call signal in response to turning on of the call switch. A circuit, a switch circuit that is turned on when the call switch is turned on and turned off when the power switch is turned off, and a call signal that is supplied with power through the power switch and the switch circuit and is input. A transmitting unit including a light emitting element for generating an optical signal corresponding to the audio signal and transmitting the generated optical signal to the optical transmission line; and a light receiving unit receiving power supplied through the power switch and receiving the optical signal transmitted through the optical transmission line. A receiving unit that includes an element, outputs a voice signal in the received light signal, and detects a calling signal in the received light signal, and a call that operates when the calling signal is detected Is the distinctive feature that the bets is provided.

When the power switch is turned on by operating the power switch, power is supplied only to the receiving section, the receiving section operates, and the apparatus enters a standby state in which a call signal can be received. At this time, when the paging switch is operated to be turned on, a paging signal is generated from the paging circuit and input to the transmission unit. At the same time, the switch circuit is turned on in response to the call switch being turned on. Then, power is supplied to the transmission unit through the power switch and the switch circuit, and an optical signal corresponding to the input calling signal is generated and transmitted to the optical communication device of the other party through the optical transmission line. . If the other party is turned on when the power switch is turned on, a calling signal is detected, and a calling device such as a buzzer or a lamp operates in response to the signal. In response, the other worker operates the call switch to return a call signal indicating that the call signal has been received to the other worker. The power supply to the transmission unit is started in response to the operation of the call switch on the other party, and the transmission unit enters an operation state. Therefore, by exchanging the call signal between both sides, it can be confirmed that the state has been switched from the standby state to the talkable state. In the standby state, power is supplied only to the reception unit, and power is not supplied to the transmission unit including the light emitting element. Therefore, current does not flow through the light emitting element during standby, and power consumption can be reduced. Further, a reduction in the light emitting time of the light emitting element leads to a longer life of the light emitting element.

[0011]

Next, embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. In FIG. 1, the optical communication devices on the A side and the B side according to the present invention are connected to both ends of an optical fiber 41. Since the optical communication devices on the A side and the B side have the same configuration, the same portions are given the same numbers. The optical communication device includes an adapter 32 connected to an optical fiber 41, an optical coupler 31 coupled to the adapter 32, a light emitting element 11 and a light receiving element 21 coupled to the optical coupler 31. The light emitting element 11 is formed of, for example, an LED, and forms a transmitting unit. The light receiving element 21 is formed of, for example, a photodiode or the like, and forms a receiving unit.

The transmission section includes a light emitting element 11 and a driving circuit 12 including a driving transistor for driving the light emitting element 11.
And an audio amplifying circuit 13 for sending an audio signal from the microphone 36 to the driving circuit 12 and a calling circuit 14 for giving a calling signal to the driving circuit 12. The receiving unit includes a light receiving element 21, a light receiving circuit 22 connected to the light receiving element 21, an audio amplifying circuit 23 for amplifying an audio signal component of the received light signal and sending the amplified audio signal component to an earphone 37, and a calling signal based on the received light signal. And a call signal detecting circuit 24 for extracting the signal.

Power is supplied to each circuit of the transmission unit and the reception unit via the power switch 34. However, power is not supplied to the circuit of the transmission unit unless the call switch 35 is turned on. Has become. In other words, simply turning on the power switch 34, the light receiving circuit 22 of the receiving unit,
Power is supplied only to the amplifier circuit 23 and the call signal detection circuit 24, and these operate only. Call switch 3
When the paging switch 5 is turned on to supply power to the paging circuit 14, the paging circuit 14 operates. However, when the paging switch 35 is turned on, the switch circuit 15 is turned on, and the light emitting element 11 of the transmission unit and the driving circuit 12 and the amplifier circuit 13 are supplied with electric power and operate. The switch circuit 15 is formed of, for example, a semiconductor switch circuit, and once turned on, maintains the on state until the power switch 34 is turned off.

The buzzer device 33 is supplied with electric power via the switch circuit 25. When an output is generated from the ringing signal detection circuit 24, the output is sent and the switch circuit 25 is turned on, so that the buzzer device 33 operates and the buzzer sounds. The switch circuit 25 is a semiconductor switch circuit that is turned on / off in response to an external signal.

When actually using these optical communication devices,
For example, first, the optical communication device on the A side is installed in a telephone office and the adapter 32 is connected to one end of the optical fiber 41, and then the operator turns on the power switch 34. Then, power is not supplied to the light emitting element 11 and other circuits of the transmission unit, and power is supplied only to the light receiving circuit 22, the amplification circuit 23, and the call signal detection circuit 24 of the reception unit, and the apparatus enters a standby state in which these are operating. . That is, in this standby state, it is possible to receive a call signal from the other party.

The optical communication device on the other side B is installed in a manhole at the installation site, and its adapter 32 is connected to the optical fiber 4.
1 and the operator turns on the power switch 34 also in the B-side optical communication device. In this way, the telephone call can be made on the B side, and the worker presses the call switch 35 to turn it on to operate the call circuit 14 and generate a call signal. This calling signal is transmitted to the driving circuit 1
At this time, the switch circuit 15 is turned on when the call switch 35 is turned on, so that power is supplied to the light emitting element 11, the drive circuit 12, and the amplifier circuit 13, and the light emitting element 11 is turned on. Generates an optical signal calling signal. This calling signal is transmitted to the optical coupler 31 and the adapter 3
2, the light enters one end of the optical fiber 41, and the optical fiber 4
Through 1, it reaches the A side (telephone office).

On the A side, a calling signal of an optical signal emitted from one end of the optical fiber 41 is transmitted to the adapter 32 and the optical coupler 31.
Is received by the light receiving element 21 and a light receiving signal is generated from the light receiving circuit 22. This light receiving signal is sent to the calling signal detecting circuit 24, and the calling signal included in the light receiving signal is detected. Then, an output is sent to the switch circuit 25, and the switch circuit 25 is turned on, power is supplied to the buzzer device 33, and the buzzer device 33 operates. Then, the worker who notices the buzzer presses the call switch 35 of the optical communication device on the A side to turn it on.

Then, the calling circuit 14 on the A side operates and the switch circuit 15 on the A side is turned on to supply power to the light emitting element 11, the driving circuit 12, and the amplifying circuit 13 and operate them. Side sends a calling signal. This call signal is sent to the B side via the optical fiber 41, and the call signal detection circuit 24 of the optical communication device on the B side detects the call signal and turns on the switch circuit 25. Therefore, the buzzer device 33 also operates in the optical communication device on the B side. In response, the worker on the B side releases the call switch 35 to turn it off. Then, since the calling circuit 14 on the B side is turned off, the sending of the calling signal is stopped,
Since the call signal is no longer detected on the A side, the switch circuit 25 is turned off, and the operation of the buzzer device 33 stops. In response, the worker on the A side also releases the call switch 35, and the operation of the buzzer device 33 on the B side stops.

At this time, in each of the optical communication devices on the A side and the B side, the call switch 35 is turned off, but once the switch circuit 15 is turned on, the power switch 34 is turned on.
Is kept on until it is turned off, so that each circuit of the transmission section is operating, and if there is an input from the microphone 36, it is possible to transmit an optical signal in accordance with the input. for that reason,
The microphones and the earphones 37 can communicate with each other between the A and B side optical communication devices.

When the call switch 35 is depressed after the call is ready, the call circuit 14 simply operates to transmit a call signal. So, for the time being,
When no telephone call is made, the power switch 34 is turned off for both the optical communication devices on the A and B sides, and then the optical switch is turned on again, and only the receiving unit operates in the same manner as when the optical communication device was first installed. State. Thus, it is possible to wait for a call signal from the other party while suppressing power consumption.

Therefore, in such an optical communication device,
The driving current of the light emitting element during the waiting time can be reliably reduced without performing a special operation. In the optical communication device, the driving current of the light emitting element occupies most of the current consumption. Therefore, the suppression of the driving current of the light emitting element during the waiting time can significantly improve the power consumption. Further, since the light emitting time of the light emitting element is reduced, the life of the light emitting element can be extended.

When a call is started, a call signal is always sent out.
The power is supplied to the calling circuit 14 to operate it, and the switch circuit 15 is turned on to turn on the light emitting element 1.
1. The power supply to the drive circuit 12 and the like is started, the switch circuit 15 continues to be turned on even after the call switch 35 is released, and the transmission unit continues to operate. The calling signal is transmitted and the operation of the transmitting unit is started. That is, the ON of the call switch 35 is also used as the operation ON of the transmission unit. When the power switch 34 is turned off, the transmission unit including the light emitting element 11 can be turned off, and the turning off of the power switch 34 is also used as the turning off of the transmission unit. Therefore, the number of operation switches can be reduced, and the cost can be reduced with a small number of parts.

The above description is for one example, and it goes without saying that the present invention is not limited to the above configuration. That is, for example, without providing the switch circuit 25 separately from the buzzer device 33, the buzzer device 33 itself may have a function of operating by an output from the ringing signal detection circuit 24 (this is substantially equivalent to the switch circuit 25). 25 is built into the buzzer device 33), but the specific circuit configuration may take various other configurations, such as using a call lamp in combination with the buzzer device 33 or instead. Is possible.

[0024]

As described above, according to the optical communication device of the present invention, the power consumption can be reduced reliably during standby, and the configuration is simple, the number of operation switches is small, and the manufacturing cost is low. It does not take. Further, since the light emitting time of the light emitting element is reduced, the life of the light emitting element can be extended.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the present invention.

[Explanation of symbols]

 REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 11 light emitting element 12 drive circuit 13 audio amplifier circuit of transmitting section 14 calling circuit 15 switch circuit of transmitting section 21 light receiving element 22 light receiving circuit 23 audio amplifier circuit of receiving section 24 ringing signal detecting circuit 25 switch circuit of receiving section 31 optical coupler 32 Adapter 33 Buzzer device 34 Power switch 35 Call switch 36 Microphone 37 Earphone

──────────────────────────────────────────────────続 き Continued on the front page (51) Int.Cl. ⁶ Identification code FI H04B 10/06 10/02 10/24

Claims (1)

[Claims] 1. A power switch, a call switch, a calling circuit for generating a call signal in response to turning on of the call switch, and a power switch which is turned on when the call switch is turned on and turned off. A switch circuit that is turned off when the switch is turned on, and a light-emitting element that receives power supply through the power switch and the switch circuit, generates an optical signal corresponding to the input call signal and voice signal, and sends the signal to an optical transmission line. And a light receiving element for receiving power supplied through the power switch and receiving an optical signal transmitted through the optical transmission line, outputting a voice signal in the received light signal and generating a call signal in the received light signal. An optical communication device, comprising: a receiving unit that detects a call; and a caller that operates when a call signal is detected.