KR101058058B1 - Optical connectors for wearable systems and clothing with them - Google Patents

Abstract

An optical connector for a wearable system and a garment equipped with the wearable system are described, which allow a wearable computer to install and change software without a metal connection causing dust and water resistance problems. The proposed optical connector for a wearable system includes a board for providing an electrical connection with the wearable system, in an optical connector for a wearable system, one side of which is connected to a wearable system and the other side of which is connected to an optical connector for a computer connected to an external computer. ; A light receiving element and a light emitting element formed at predetermined intervals on the substrate; And a mold housing for protecting and sealing the substrate, the light receiving element, and the light emitting element from the outside.

Description

Optical connector for wearable system and clothes having optical connector

The present invention relates to an optical connector for a wearable system for software installation of the wearable system, and more particularly, to an optical connector for a wearable system for installing and modifying software in the wearable system, and clothing having the same.

The present invention is derived from the research conducted as part of the IT source technology development project of the Ministry of Knowledge Economy and the Ministry of Information and Communication Research and Development. [Task management number: 2008-F-048-01, Task name: Wearable for u-computing space collaboration] Personal companion technology development].

In general, a wearable computer (PC) is a computer designed to be worn on a body or clothes by making it compact and lightweight for a user to use the computer freely in a mobile environment. In other words, the most prominent feature of the wearable computer is that the user is always with the user at any activity, the user can use it at any time, and executes commands each time to provide the contents to the user.

Wearable computers have been able to be implemented in the form of clothing due to the miniaturization of semiconductor chips and the emergence of conductive yarns. Currently, the United States, Europe, and Japan are leading the way in developing technologies to show MP3 jackets and healthcare clothing, while developing domestic specialty clothing for health care and work. The wearable computer that is commercially available until now is configured in a form that can be detached from clothes and is connected using a separate connector.

However, the conventional wearable computer is installed after installing the system software in a state in which it is detached from clothes, and after that, whenever a change of a program is required, the wearable computer needs to be separated and performed a change operation. Then, the conventional wearable computer has a problem that it is difficult to cope with the continuous system changes.

In addition, in the conventional wearable computer, a plurality of devices are installed outside the garment, and connectors for connecting the devices protrude to the outside. Then, the conventional wearable computer has a problem that the fashion is degraded due to the connectors protruding into the appearance of the garment, and affects the user's activity.

Incidentally, the conventional wearable computer has a problem in that it is difficult to manufacture a garment that requires a waterproof, dustproof, etc., because it is difficult to manufacture a complete clothing system due to the connectors protruding into the outer appearance of the garment.

The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-described conventional problems, and an object thereof is to provide an optical connector for a wearable system and a garment equipped with the wearable system for installing and modifying software without a metal connection causing dust and water resistance problems in a wearable computer. In providing.

In order to achieve the above object, the wearable system optical connector according to the present invention has a wearable system optical connector in which one side is connected to a wearable system and the other side is connected to an optical connector for a computer connected to an external computer. A substrate for providing an electrical connection with the system; A light receiving element and a light emitting element formed at predetermined intervals on the substrate; And a mold housing for protecting and sealing the substrate, the light receiving element, and the light emitting element from the outside.

It further includes a blocking member provided between the light receiving element and the light emitting element to block the optical interference.

And a guide member formed in a mold housing in contact with the computer optical connector and formed of a magnetic member having magnetic properties to maintain contact with the computer optical connector.

The guide member is composed of a first guide member and a second guide member, and the first guide member and the second guide member have different polarities.

The mold housing is formed of a translucent member having one surface in contact with the optical connector for a computer.

The mold housing is formed of a light transmitting member having a light transmitting portion at one surface of the mold housing in contact with the computer optical connector for transmitting and receiving an optical signal.

The light receiving element and the light emitting element are formed in two or more pairs.

On the substrate, a semiconductor chip in which a photodiode as a light emitting element and a circuit for processing a signal of the photodiode are integrated is mounted.

On the substrate, a semiconductor chip in which a phototransistor as a light receiving element and a circuit for processing a signal of the phototransistor are integrated is mounted.

In order to achieve the above object, a garment equipped with an optical connector for a wearable system according to the present invention is equipped with a connector for a wearable system such that an upper portion of a substrate embedded in a mold housing included in the wearable system connector is positioned in an outward direction. The part to which the connector for the wearable system is connected is molded.

According to the present invention, the optical connector for a wearable system transmits and receives data through a contact using a photocoupler, thereby enabling software installation and modification of the system without separating the system from clothing.

Incidentally, the optical connector for the wearable system enables the installation and modification of the software by using the contact made of the photocoupler, which solves the washing and maintenance problem of the existing metal contact, thus providing a more complete and comfortable clothing system. can do.

In addition, the garment equipped with the optical connector for the wearable system by molding the part connected to the optical connector for the wearable system, it is possible to solve the laundry and maintenance problems according to the existing metal contact.

Hereinafter, the preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that those skilled in the art may easily implement the technical idea of the present invention. . First of all, in adding reference numerals to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same reference numerals are used as much as possible even if displayed on different drawings. In the following description of the present invention, a detailed description of known functions and configurations incorporated herein will be omitted when it may make the subject matter of the present invention rather unclear.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings in order to help understanding of the present invention. The following examples are provided to more easily understand the present invention, and the present invention is not limited to these examples.

1 is a view for explaining a communication connection using the optical connector for a wearable system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIG. 1, the optical connector 200 for the wearable system has one side connected to the wearable system 100 and the cable 500, and the other side connected to the external computer 300. ), Data transmission and reception through an optical signal is performed between the wearable system 100 and the external computer 300.

At this time, the optical connector 200 for the wearable system should not be thick so that the user does not feel uncomfortable when wearing the clothing on which the wearable system 100 is mounted, and should be molded or coated so as to provide a degree of life waterproofing.

In addition, to maintain the optical connector 200 for wearable systems in a flat shape in clothing, the magnetic guide members 250 and 450 may be connected to the optical connector for wearable systems in order to easily connect the optical connector 400 for a computer. 200 and a computer optical connector 400, respectively.

At this time, when the optical connector 200 for the wearable system and the optical connector 400 for the computer are connected, the optical connector 200 for the wearable system and the optical connector for the computer are prevented in order to prevent the connection direction of the optical elements 220 and 420 from being reversed. The guide members 250 and 450 embedded in the 400 have polarities opposite to each other.

2 and 3 are views for explaining an optical connector for a wearable system according to an embodiment of the present invention, Figure 4 is a view for explaining the substrate of Figure 2, Figures 5 and 6 are Figures 2 and 3 It is a figure for demonstrating the optical element of this. 7 and 8 are views for explaining the mold housing of Figures 2 and 3, Figure 9 is a view for explaining the blocking member of Figures 2 and 3, Figure 10 is a guide member of Figures 2 and 3 A diagram for explaining.

As shown in FIG. 2, the optical connector 200 for the wearable system includes an optical device 220 including a substrate 210, a light emitting device 222, and a light receiving device 224, a blocking member 230, and a mold housing. 240, a guide member 250. In this case, one surface of the wearable system optical connector 200 which is in contact with the optical connector 400 for the computer is as shown in FIG.

The substrate 210 provides an electrical connection with the wearable system 100. That is, the substrate 210 converts the optical signal received through the light receiving element 224 into an electrical signal and provides it to the wearable system 100 through the cable 500. The substrate 210 converts the electrical signal received from the wearable system 100 through the cable 500 into an optical signal, and provides it to the light emitting device 222.

In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a semiconductor chip 226 including a photodiode as a light emitting element 222 and a circuit for processing a signal of the photodiode may be mounted on the substrate 210. That is, a semiconductor chip 226 in which a photodiode used as the light emitting element 222 and a circuit for converting an electrical signal received by the wearable system 100 into an optical signal and providing the photodiode are provided.

In addition, as illustrated in FIG. 4, a semiconductor chip 228 integrating a phototransistor as a light receiving element 224 and a circuit for processing a signal of the phototransistor may be mounted on the substrate 210. That is, a semiconductor chip 228 is integrated which includes a phototransistor used as the light receiving element 224 and a circuit for converting an optical signal received from the light emitting element 422 of the computer optical connector 400 into an electrical signal. .

Here, the photodiode and the phototransistor on the substrate 210 correspond to the light emitting device 222 and the light receiving device 224.

The optical device 220 includes a light emitting device 222 and a light receiving device 224 to transmit and receive an optical signal. Here, the optical device 220 may be installed in one or more pairs to secure a plurality of channels for transmitting and receiving data between the wearable system 100 and the external computer 300, the photocoupler is a photo coupler Used.

In this case, the optical device 220 is installed to face each other with the optical device 420 of the optical connector 400 for a computer. That is, the light receiving device 224 of the optical device 220 is installed to match the light emitting device 422 of the optical connector 400 for a computer, and the light emitting device 222 of the optical device 220 is a computer optical connector ( It is installed to match the light receiving element 424 of 400. A circuit diagram according to matching between the optical connectors 200 and the optical devices 220 and 420 of the wearable system optical connector 200 and the computer optical connector 400 is illustrated in FIG. 5. For example, when the light emitting element 422 and the light receiving element 424 of the computer optical connector 400 are arranged as shown in Fig. 6A, the optical connector 200 for the wearable system is As shown in FIG. 6B, the light receiving element 224 is matched with the light emitting element 422 of the optical connector 400 for a computer, and the light emitting element 222 receives the light receiving element of the optical connector 400 for a computer. Disposed to match element 424. As such, the optical connector 200 for a wearable system transmits and receives data through a contact using a photocoupler, thereby enabling software installation and modification of the system without separating the system from clothing.

Incidentally, the optical connector 200 for the wearable system enables the installation and modification of the software by using a contact composed of a photocoupler, thereby solving the washing and maintenance problem according to the existing metal contact, and thus, a more complete and comfortable clothing system. Can be provided.

The light emitting device 222 is formed on the substrate 210 at a predetermined interval from the light receiving device 224 to generate an optical signal. That is, the light emitting device 222 converts the electrical signal received from the wearable system 100 through the cable 500 into an optical signal, and provides it to the light receiving device 424 of the optical connector 400 for a computer. At this time, the light emitting element 222 is matched with the light receiving element 424 of the optical connector 400 for a computer to receive an optical signal corresponding to the electrical signal from the wearable system 100 of the light receiving element of the optical connector 400 for the computer ( 424 is provided to an external computer 300. Here, the light emitting device 222 is preferably composed of a photodiode, any module that can provide an optical signal to the light receiving device 424 of the optical connector 400 for a computer can be used.

The light receiving element 224 is formed on the substrate 210 at a predetermined interval from the light emitting element 222 to receive an optical signal. That is, the light receiving element 224 receives an optical signal generated from the light emitting element 422 of the optical connector 400 for a computer. In this case, the light receiving element 224 is matched with the light emitting element 422 of the optical connector 400 for a computer to receive an optical signal generated from the light emitting element 422 of the optical connector 400 for a computer. Here, the light receiving element 224 is preferably composed of a phototransistor, but may be used as long as the module can receive an optical signal from the light emitting element 422 of the computer optical connector 400.

The blocking member 230 is formed between the pair of optical elements 220 to block optical interference due to the optical signal of the other optical element 220. That is, the blocking member 230 is an optical device 220 to form different data transmission channels, as shown in Figure 9 (a) in order to block the optical interference due to the optical signal of the other optical device 220 Is formed between them. Here, the blocking member 230 is a blocking member 230 for blocking the optical interference between the light receiving element 224 and the light emitting element 222 of the optical device 220, as shown in Figure 9 (b). ) May be formed.

The mold housing 240 protects and seals the substrate 210, the light emitting device 222, and the light receiving device 224 from the outside. That is, the mold housing 240 is a molded housing for waterproofing the substrate 210, the light emitting device 222, and the light receiving device 224, and the mold housing 240 is to be installed in the clothing on which the wearable system 100 is mounted. It is formed to a thickness that minimizes discomfort. Here, when the substrate 210, the light emitting device 222, and the light receiving device 224 are formed in a thin film form, the mold housing 240 may be replaced by using a mold resin and a coating member.

The mold housing 240 is formed of a transparent member 214 having one side in contact with the optical connector 400 for a computer having transparency. That is, as shown in FIG. 8A, the mold housing 240 is formed of a transparent member 214 having transparency to allow one side of the mold housing 240 to contact the computer optical connector 400 to pass an optical signal. . Of course, as shown in (b) of FIG. 8, the mold housing 240 may be formed of a transparent member 214 having only a part of the light emitting device 222 and the light receiving device 224 transmitting and receiving optical signals. have. Here, as the transparent member 214, a translucent epoxy resin filled with a transparent filler (for example, silica glass) (for example, a phenol curing epoxy resin or an acid anhydride curing epoxy resin) may be used.

The mold housing 240 is installed inside the garment so that the upper portion of the embedded substrate 210 is directed toward the outside of the garment on which the wearable system 100 is mounted, and the portion where the garment and the mold housing 240 are connected is Mold process. That is, the mold housing 240 is a computer so that the light emitting element 222 and the light receiving element 224 can be matched with the light emitting element 422 and the light receiving element 424 of the optical connector 400 for a computer to transmit and receive an optical signal. One side connected to the optical connector 400 is installed inside the garment to face the outer side of the garment. In this case, one side of the mold housing 240 connected to the optical connector 400 for a computer is one side formed of a light transmitting member and is one side corresponding to the upper portion of the substrate 210 described above.

As shown in FIG. 7, the mold housing 240 may include a hole 212 for connecting the cable 500 to the wearable system 100, and when the hole 212 is formed, the cable 500 may be formed. After insertion, the excess space of the hole 212 is molded to protect the substrate 210, the light emitting device 222, and the light receiving device 224.

The guide member 250 is formed on one side of the mold housing 240 in contact with the optical connector 400 for a computer, and is formed of a magnetic member having magnetic properties to maintain a contact state with the optical connector 400 for a computer. At this time, the guide member 250 is composed of a first guide member 252 and the second guide member 254, the first guide member 252 and the second guide member 254 has a different polarity. That is, when the member having the 'S' pole is used as the first guide member 252, the guide member 250 is the member having the 'N' pole as the second guide member 254.

Here, the guide member 250 used in the optical connector 400 for a computer is configured to have the same polarity as the optical connector 200 for the wearable system. That is, as shown in FIG. 10A, the polarity of the first guide member 252 of the optical connector 200 for the wearable system 200 is the "S" pole and the second guide member 254 is the polarity of the "N" pole. If the optical connector 400 for the computer is shown in Fig. 10 (b), the first guide member 452 is the "N" pole, the second guide member 454 is the "S" pole A member having the polarity of is used.

Of course, the guide member 250 may be formed of guide members 250 and 450 having different polarities between the optical connector 200 for the wearable system and the optical connector 400 for the computer. However, in order for a user to easily and accurately connect the optical connector, the first guide member 252 and the second guide member 254 may be configured to have different polarities, and the first guide member of the optical connector 400 for a computer may be used. It is preferably configured to have a polarity opposite to the 452 and the second guide member 454.

Referring to the operation of the optical connector 200 for a wearable system according to an embodiment of the present invention having such a configuration as follows.

After the user connects the optical connector for computer 400 connected to the external computer 300 to the optical connector 200 for the wearable system mounted on the garment, data transmission from the computer 300 to the wearable system 100 is performed by the computer. Light is transmitted through the light emitting element 422 (ie, photodiode) of the optical connector 400 for a computer connected to the 300, which is a light receiving element 224 of the optical connector 200 for a wearable system mounted on a garment; In other words, the phototransistor is sensed and transferred to the microprocessor of the wearable system 100.

Conversely, data transmission from the wearable system 100 to the computer 300 is transmitted as light through the light emitting element 222 (that is, the photodiode) of the optical connector 200 for the wearable system, which is the optical connector 200 for the wearable system. And a light receiving element 424 (ie, a phototransistor) of the optical connector 400 for a computer connected thereto, and are transmitted to the microprocessor of the computer 300 through the cable 500. In this case, an optical connector (for example, an optical connector 200 for a wearable system and an optical connector 400 for a computer) connected to the microprocessor is used as a dedicated communication channel for installing or changing system software in the wearable system 100. .

As described above, the optical connector 200 for a wearable system transmits and receives data through a contact using a photocoupler, thereby enabling software installation and modification of the system without removing the system from clothes.

Incidentally, the optical connector 200 for the wearable system enables the installation and modification of the software by using a contact composed of a photocoupler, thereby solving the washing and maintenance problem according to the existing metal contact, and thus, a more complete and comfortable clothing system. Can be provided.

While the present invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be practical exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but many variations and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It will be understood that the invention may be practiced.

1 is a view for explaining a communication connection using the optical connector for a wearable system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

2 and 3 are views for explaining an optical connector for a wearable system according to an embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a view for explaining the substrate of FIG.

5 and 6 are views for explaining the optical device of FIGS. 2 and 3.

7 and 8 are views for explaining the mold housing of FIGS. 2 and 3.

9 is a view for explaining the blocking member of FIGS. 2 and 3.

10 is a view for explaining the guide member of FIGS. 2 and 3.

<Description of the symbols for the main parts of the drawings>

100: wearable system 200: optical connector for wearable system

210: substrate 212: hole

214: transparency member 220, 420: optical element

222 and 422 light emitting elements 224 and 424 light receiving elements

230: blocking member 240: mold housing

250, 450: guide member 252, 452: first guide member

254, 454: second guide member 300: computer

400: optical connector for computer 500: cable

Claims (10)

In the optical connector for a wearable system that one side is connected to the wearable system, the other side may be connected to the optical connector for a computer connected to an external computer, A substrate for providing an electrical connection with the wearable system; A light receiving element and a light emitting element formed at predetermined intervals on the substrate; A mold housing protecting and sealing the substrate, the light receiving element, and the light emitting element from the outside; And And a guide member formed in the mold housing in contact with the optical connector for the computer, the guide member being formed of a magnetic member having magnetic properties to maintain contact with the optical connector for the computer. The method according to claim 1, And a blocking member disposed between the light receiving element and the light emitting element to block optical interference. delete The method according to claim 1, The guide member, It consists of a first guide member and a second guide member, The first guide member and the second guide member has a different polarity of the wearable system, characterized in that the connector. The method according to claim 1, The mold housing, The optical connector for a wearable system, characterized in that one surface in contact with the computer optical connector is formed of a light transmitting member having a light transmitting property. The method according to claim 1, The mold housing, The light connector for the wearable system, characterized in that the light emitting element and the light receiving element transmits and receives an optical signal on one surface in contact with the optical connector for the computer is formed of a light transmitting member having a light transmitting property. The method according to claim 1, The light receiving element and the light emitting element is at least two pairs of optical connector for wearable system, characterized in that formed. The method according to claim 1, The substrate, And a semiconductor chip in which a photodiode as the light emitting element and a circuit for processing a signal of the photodiode are integrated are mounted. The method according to claim 1, The substrate, And a semiconductor chip integrating a phototransistor as the light receiving element and a circuit for processing a signal of the phototransistor. delete

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