JP2003229215A - Cable connector recognition system - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Object] To provide a novel cable connector recognition system based on a new concept. A cable according to the present invention has a connector. The connector 10 is connected to an electric device such as the oscilloscope 200. The connector 10 has an IC element such as a coil-on-chip 11 that stores predetermined information such as cable correction data. The predetermined information stored in the IC element can be read by an electric device.

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention provides an IC element on a connector of a cable and stores predetermined information in the IC element.
The present invention relates to a cable connector recognition system that realizes various functions by utilizing the information.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Various electric devices are connected with cables to input and output predetermined information. For example, in an oscilloscope, a connector jack is provided in the device body, and waveform information is input from a cable integrated with a removable connector. In such a conventional oscilloscope, when the waveform is measured at a relatively high frequency, there is a problem that the measured waveform also varies due to the variation in the impedance of the probe, and the accurate measurement cannot be performed.

In addition, in an electric device such as a telephone exchange, which requires a large number of plugs to be inserted and removed, a mistaken insertion is likely to occur.

[0004]

As described above, the conventional electric equipment to which the cable is connected has various problems depending on the type of the equipment.

The present invention has been made to solve the above problems, and an object thereof is to provide a novel cable connector recognition system based on a new concept.

[0006]

A cable according to the present invention is a cable having a connector and connected to an electric device by the connector, the connector having an IC element storing predetermined information, The predetermined information stored in the IC element can be read by the electric device. With such a configuration, various processing can be performed using the information stored in the connector.

Here, the information stored in the IC element may be characteristic data of the cable or correction data based on the characteristic data. Thereby, the data input from the cable can be corrected, and more accurate data can be acquired.

A suitable electric device in this case is an oscilloscope.

The information stored in the IC element may be identification information of the cable. This gives, for example,
It becomes possible to confirm whether or not the cable connection is incorrect on the electric device side.

At this time, the preferred electrical equipment is a telephone exchange.

Further, the IC element may have a counting means for counting the number of connections with the electric device. With such a configuration, it is possible to manage the number of connections between the cable and the electric device. Especially in the case of an optical cable, the effect is high.

It is preferable that the IC element is integrally formed with an antenna coil and has storage means for storing predetermined information. By using such an IC element, the IC element can be provided without changing the shape of the connector.

On the other hand, a cable connector recognition system according to the present invention is a cable connector recognition system including a cable having a connector and an electric device connected to the cable via the connector, wherein the connector is a predetermined one. The electric device has an IC element that stores information, and the electric device includes a reading unit that reads predetermined information stored in the IC element. With such a configuration, various processing can be performed using the information stored in the connector.

Here, the information stored in the IC element is the characteristic data of the cable or the correction data based on the characteristic data, and the electric equipment is the characteristic data or the correction data read by the reading means. According to the above, it is preferable to provide a correction means for correcting the information input from the cable through the connector. Thereby, the data input from the cable can be corrected, and more accurate data can be acquired.

A preferred electric device in this case is an oscilloscope.

The information stored in the IC element is
The identification information of the cable, the electrical device compares the information stored in advance with the identification information of the cable,
It is preferable to include a determination unit that determines the suitability of the connected cable based on the comparison result. Thereby, for example, it is possible to confirm whether or not the cable connection is incorrect on the electric device side.

The preferred electrical equipment in this case is a telephone exchange.

Further, the IC element may have a counting means for counting the number of times of connection with the electric device. With such a configuration, the number of connections between the cable and the electric device can be managed. Especially in the case of an optical cable, the effect is high.

The information stored in the IC element is
The electronic device is identification information of the cable, and the electronic device includes a reading unit that reads the identification information of the cable, and a counting unit that counts the number of connections between the cable and the electronic device based on the identification information read by the reading unit. Is preferably provided. It is possible to manage the number of connections between the cable and the electric device. Especially in the case of an optical cable, the effect is high.

The IC element preferably has an antenna coil integrally formed with a storage means for storing predetermined information. By using such an IC element, the IC element can be provided without changing the shape of the connector.

[0021]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Embodiment 1 of the Invention The cable connector recognition system according to the first embodiment of the present invention is
It is applied to an oscilloscope. FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of the cable connector recognition system. The cable connector recognition system includes a cable 100 and an oscilloscope 200.

The cable 100 comprises a connector 10, a coil-on-chip 11 and a probe 12. A connector having the same shape as the connector 10 is also provided at the end of the cable 100 on the side not shown. The connector 10 has a plug shape, that is, a male shape. This connector 100
A coil-on-chip 11 is built in the tip of the.
Although the configuration of the coil-on-chip 11 will be described in detail later, the coil-on-chip 11 has an antenna coil and a memory, and information can be written in the memory by an antenna located at a position separated by a certain distance. Can be read. In particular, in the embodiment of the present invention, the memory of the coil-on-chip 11 stores characteristic data such as impedance peculiar to the probe and correction data for correcting the characteristic variation of the probe individual. The coil-on-chip 11 has a characteristic that it can be miniaturized because the antenna coil is formed on the chip. Therefore, in the connector 10 of the cable 100, the chip can be embedded without changing the size and shape of the conventional connector. Furthermore, the coil-on-chip 11
Since the electromagnetic coupling is performed in a relatively narrow range, a plurality of connectors 20 of the oscilloscope 200 are arranged at a relatively short distance, and even when they are operated (read, write) at the same time, mutual interference of signals, that is, crosstalk, occurs. Don't worry.

The oscilloscope 200 includes a connector 20
And an antenna 21 are provided. The connector 20 is
It has a jack shape, that is, a female shape. The connector 2
0 fits into the connector 10 of the cable 100 and makes electrical contact. The antenna 21 is provided inside the housing of the oscilloscope 200 main body. The antenna 21 can read the information stored in the coil-on-chip 11 built in the connector 10 when the connector 10 is fitted into the connector 20, that is, in the inserted state. In this embodiment, since the coil-on-chip 11 stores the correction data, the antenna 21 can read the correction data. The oscilloscope 200 uses this correction data to
It is possible to display the measurement data accurately.

Next, the connection between the connector 10 and the connector 20 and their configurations will be described in detail with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. The cross-sectional view of FIG. 2 shows a state before the connectors 10 and 20 are connected. This connector 1
0 is made of an insulator such as plastic, synthetic resin or rubber. As shown in FIG. 2, the coil-on-chip 11 is arranged so that the plane of the coil-on-chip 11 is horizontal to the plane of the end of the connector 10 at the tip of the connector 10. Here, the coil-on-chip 11 may be arranged so as to be embedded when the connector 10 is molded in the manufacturing process. In addition, the connector 10
A hole is provided at the end of the coil on chip 11
May be inserted and then a cover for closing the hole may be attached. The central part of the end of the connector 10 is
A concave dent is provided. A signal line terminal 101 is provided at the center of the recess. The GND terminal 102 is provided around the entire circumference of the concave depression. Do not embed the bare chip of the coil-on-chip 11 in the concave recess of the connector 10,
After the coil-on-chip 11 is molded with resin in advance, the chip may be positioned by inserting the molded body into the dent.

As shown in FIG. 2, the connector 20 is provided with a cylindrical signal line terminal 201 and a GND terminal 202. The signal line terminal 201 is configured such that the signal line terminal 101 of the connector 10 is inserted inside and the outer surface of the signal line terminal 101 electrically contacts the inner surface of the signal line terminal 201. In addition, the GND terminal 202 is the G of the connector 10.
The inner surface of the ND terminal 102 is configured to electrically contact the outer surface of the GND terminal 202.

The antenna 21 of the oscilloscope 200 is
It is provided at a position facing the coil-on-chip 11. The antenna 21 is connected to a detection circuit (not shown).

FIG. 3 shows a state in which the connector 10 and the connector 20 are fitted together. In such a state, the coil-on-chip 11 and the antenna 21 are positioned so that they are magnetically coupled.

FIG. 4, FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 are diagrams showing another configuration example of the cable connector recognition system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Particularly in this configuration example, the connector 10
Position of coil on chip 11 and oscilloscope 20
It is characterized by the position of the antenna 21 of 0. That is, the coil-on-chip 11 is arranged such that its plane is parallel to the side surface of the tip portion of the connector 10. Then, as shown in FIG. 6, an antenna 21 is provided at a position facing the coil-on-chip 11 when the connector 10 is fitted in the connector 20. In order to have such a positional relationship, the oscilloscope 200 is formed with a recess into which the tip of the connector 10 is inserted. The connector 20 is configured to project at the center of the recess.

Now, the processing of the cable connector recognition system according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the block diagram of FIG.

As described above, the connector 1 of the cable 100
The correction data is stored in the coil-on-chip 11 built in 0. This correction data is converted into a radio wave signal by the antenna coil in the coil-on-chip 11 and output. Then, the radio wave signal is received by the antenna 21 provided in the oscilloscope 100. The radio signal received by the antenna 21 is detected by the detection circuit 2
The correction signal detection circuit 23 detects the correction data stored in the coil-on-chip 11. The correction data detected by the correction signal detection circuit 23 is output to the correction processing circuit 24. On the other hand, the measurement data input from the connector 10 to the connector 20 is also output to the correction processing circuit 24. Correction processing circuit 24
Then, the measurement data is corrected based on the input correction data and output to a processing circuit such as another display processing circuit. Since the subsequent processing is the same as the processing in the normal oscilloscope 200, the description is omitted.

Next, a process for storing the correction data in the coil-on-chip 11 of the cable 100 will be described with reference to FIG. This processing is basically executed by the correction data generation device 300. This correction data generation device 30
Includes a terminal connected to the connectors 10a and 10b of the cable 100 and an antenna (not shown) for writing correction data in the coil-on-chip 11. A test signal is output from the correction data generation device 300. This test signal is input to the connector 10b having no coil on chip 11. As the test signal, a signal suitable for measuring impedance characteristics and the like is adopted.
This test signal passes through the probe 12 and the connector 10a.
Output from the correction data generation device 30 as a detection signal.
Input to 0. The correction data generation device generates the correction signal by calculating the difference between the test signal and the detection signal. This correction signal is converted into a radio signal by an antenna (not shown) and input to the coil-on-chip 11. Specifically, the radio wave signal is sent to the coil-on-chip 1
It is converted into correction data by the antenna No. 1 and stored in the memory of the coil on chip 11.

In the above example, the coil-on-chip is described as an example of the IC chip that stores the correction data.
A contact type IC chip may be used instead of the non-contact type IC chip.

Second Embodiment of the Invention The cable connector recognition system according to the second embodiment of the present invention is applied to a telephone exchange. FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of the telephone exchange. As shown in the figure, on one side surface of the telephone exchange 400, a plurality of connectors 41 are provided together with the display section 40. This connector 41 is, in detail,
1 and an antenna 412 are provided. A coil-on-chip is provided on the cable-side connector that is inserted into these connectors 411 and electrically contacted with them. The structure of the connector is the same as the structure described in the first embodiment of the invention, and thus the description thereof is omitted. The coil-on-chip stores a cable ID which is identification information unique to each cable. Here, this cable ID may be different information for each type of cable or different information peculiar to all cables. By reading this cable ID with the antenna 412 on the side of the telephone exchange 400 and comparing it with the registration ID which is the identification information stored in advance in the memory, it is possible to check whether or not the cable is correctly attached.

Specific comparison processing will be described with reference to the flowchart shown in FIG. As shown in the figure,
First, the cable ID stored in the coil-on-chip is read (S101). Specifically, the radio wave signal applied to the cable ID is transmitted from the antenna coil integrally formed with the coil on chip. This radio signal is sent to the telephone exchange 4
00 antenna 412, and the processing circuit extracts the cable ID.

Next, the extracted cable ID is compared with the registration ID stored in advance (S102). As a result of this comparison process, if the two match, no particular process is performed. At this time, in order to allow the user to recognize that the two match, a sound or an image may be output to that effect. On the other hand, cable ID and registration I
If D does not match, an alarm is output by sound or image (S103). In order to output an alarm in this way, it is necessary to provide a simple speaker or display. It is also possible to determine whether the cable ID and the registration ID match and connect the line only when they match.

Third Embodiment of the Invention The cable connector recognition system according to the third embodiment of the present invention is applied to a telephone exchange like the second embodiment of the invention, and the configuration of the telephone exchange is the same as that shown in FIG.
Particularly, in the third embodiment of the present invention, the optical cable is used by being connected to the telephone exchange.

In this optical cable, so-called centering accuracy for aligning the optical axes is important, and this has a great influence on communication performance. It is unavoidable that the centering accuracy deteriorates as the operation of inserting / removing the optical cable into / from the telephone exchange is repeated. Therefore, although it depends on the specifications of the optical cable and the like, it is necessary to replace the optical cable by performing the insertion / removal operation 50 to 1000 times. In the third embodiment of the present invention, the coil-on-chip provided in the connector portion of the optical cable is used to count the number of times the optical cable is inserted and removed.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cable connector recognition system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. In this example, the counter 13 is provided in the connector 10 of the optical cable. The counter 13 is connected to the coil-on-chip 11. Coil-on-chip 11 that the optical cable was connected to the connector of the telephone exchange
And the detection signal is input to the counter 13. The counter 13 can count the number of times the optical cable is inserted and removed by incrementing the count value by 1 based on the detection signal. Furthermore, counter 1
3 can output the count value data to the coil-on-chip 11. The coil-on-chip 11 can output the radio signal related to the count value data to the telephone exchange side by the antenna coil. The counter 13 can be configured in the coil-on-chip 11 internal circuit.

On the other hand, on the telephone exchange side, the connector 20,
Antenna 21, detection circuit 22, counter value detection circuit 2
5, a counter value storage unit 26, and a counter value output unit 27. The antenna 21 receives the radio signal related to the count value data output from the coil-on-chip 11 and outputs it to the detection circuit 22. The detection circuit 22 detects the radio signal and outputs it to the counter value detection circuit 25. The counter value detection circuit 25 detects counter value data from the input signal and stores it in the counter value storage unit 26. The counter value data stored in the counter value storage unit 26 is read out as appropriate, and a counter value output unit 27 such as a display is
Is output so that the user can recognize it. For example, the count value is displayed on the display. On the other hand, the connector 20 receives the optical signal from the connector 10 and outputs it to another processing circuit (not shown).

As described above, in the cable connector recognition system according to the third embodiment of the present invention, the number of times the optical cable is connected can be counted with a simple structure. In particular,
Since the optical cable is provided with the counter, even when the optical cable is inserted into and removed from another telephone exchange, the information on the number of connections can be accurately counted. Furthermore, since the coil-on-chip is provided in the connector of the optical cable and the coil-on-chip is utilized,
The connector can be configured without increasing its size.

Fourth Embodiment of the Invention The cable connector recognition system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention is applied to a telephone exchange like the third embodiment of the invention, and the configuration of the telephone exchange is similar to that shown in FIG.
Also in the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the optical cable is used by being connected to the telephone exchange. The fourth embodiment of the present invention is similar to the third embodiment of the present invention in that the coil-on-chip provided in the connector portion of the optical cable is used to count the number of times the optical cable is inserted and removed.
The difference is that the telephone exchange has a counting function.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the cable connector recognition system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention. The cable connector 10 includes a coil-on-chip 1
1 is provided. In this coil-on-chip 11,
A cable ID, which is identification information unique to each cable, is stored.

On the other hand, on the telephone exchange side, the connector 20,
Antenna 21, detection circuit 22, ID detection circuit 28, ID
A count circuit 29, a counter value storage unit 26, and a counter value output unit 27 are provided. The antenna 21 receives the radio wave signal related to the cable ID output from the coil-on-chip 11 and outputs it to the detection circuit 22. Detection circuit 22
Detects the radio signal and outputs it to the ID detection circuit 28.
The ID detection circuit 28 detects the cable ID from the input signal and stores it in the counter value storage unit 26. The counter value data stored in the counter value storage unit 26 is appropriately read and output by the counter value output unit 27 such as a display so that the user can recognize it. For example, the count value is displayed on the display. On the other hand, connector 2
0 receives an optical signal from the connector 10 and outputs it to another processing circuit (not shown).

As described above, in the cable connector recognition system according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention, the number of times the optical cable is connected can be counted with a simple structure. Furthermore, a coil-on-chip is provided on the connector of the optical cable,
Since the coil-on-chip is utilized, the connector can be configured without increasing the shape thereof.

Fifth Embodiment of the Invention Embodiment 5 of the invention
The cable connector recognition system according to the present invention is characterized by the concrete configuration of the telephone exchange (line exchange) described in the second, third, and fourth embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing the overall configuration of a circuit switch according to the fifth embodiment of the present invention. The circuit switch 400 includes a display unit 40 and an optical cable socket assembly 410 on one side surface. The optical cable socket assembly 410 is provided with a plurality of optical cable sockets, and the optical cable connector 100 is inserted into each optical cable socket.

FIG. 14 shows an optical cable socket assembly 41.
It is an enlarged view of 0. This optical cable socket assembly 41
0, the relay socket attachment 413 is provided with a plurality of relay sockets 411. Relay socket 41
1 has an opening for receiving the optical cable connector 10, and an antenna 412 is provided below the opening. The optical cable connector 10 includes the coil-on-chip 411 as described above, and wirelessly communicates with the antenna 412 of the relay socket 411.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing a first example of the optical cable connection structure. In this cross-sectional view, the operation-side optical cable connector 10 is shown inserted into the relay socket 411. The relay socket attachment 413 is attached to the outside of the case of the circuit switch 400. The relay socket 411 is attached to the center of the relay socket attachment 413. The relay socket 411 is attached so as to penetrate the outside (operation side) and the inside of the housing. The optical cable connectors 10 and 50 can be inserted into both the operation side and the inside of the relay socket 411. As shown in FIG. 15, when the optical cable connector 10 is inserted into the operation side of the relay socket 411 and the optical cable connector 50 is inserted into the inside, the optical cable of the optical cable connector 10 and the optical cable of the optical cable connector 50 are connected to the relay socket 411. Contact at the center. In this state, the optical cable of the optical cable connector 10 and the optical cable of the optical cable connector 50 can perform optical communication.

A coil-on-chip 11 is provided on the optical cable connector 10 on the operating side. The relay socket 411 is provided with a pattern antenna 412. When the optical cable connector 10 is inserted into the relay socket 411, the coil-on-chip 11 and the pattern antenna 412 are arranged so as to face each other. Here, the pattern antenna 412 is a thin antenna, and when the device is operated, the relay socket 4
It is embedded in the lower side of 11. Pattern antenna 4
A wiring connecting 12 to a reader / writer circuit (not shown) is also embedded in the relay socket 411.

In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 15,
Positioning accuracy of the coil-on-chip 11 and the pattern antenna 412 is easy to obtain. In addition, the structure is simple and cost effective. Furthermore, if necessary, a switch for detecting the attachment / detachment of the operation side optical cable connector 10 in real time may be installed in the relay socket 411.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing a second example of the optical cable connection structure. In the above-mentioned first example, the pattern antenna 412 is provided inside the relay socket 411, but in this second example, it is provided inside the relay socket attachment 413. More specifically, the relay socket mounting attachment 413 is provided with a protruding portion that projects toward the operation side below the mounting position of the relay socket 411. A pattern antenna 412 is embedded in this protrusion.

In the case of the structure shown in FIG. 16, it is not necessary to provide a special structure to the relay socket, and there is an advantage that the conventional relay socket can be used as it is. Further, if necessary, a switch for detecting attachment / detachment of the operation side optical cable connector 10 in real time may be installed in the relay socket attachment 413.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing a third example of the optical cable connection structure. In the third example, the antenna unit 414 containing the pattern antenna 412 is provided separately from the relay socket 411 and the relay socket attachment 413. The antenna unit 414 has a configuration such that the cross section has an L shape. A pattern antenna 412 is embedded inside the surface that contacts the relay socket 411. The antenna unit 414 is attached by, for example, bolts and nuts that penetrate the relay socket attachment 413 and the opening provided in the housing.

In the case of the configuration shown in FIG. 17, the system can be constructed without largely changing the conventional structure. A switch for detecting attachment / detachment of the operation-side optical cable connector 10 in real time may be installed in the antenna unit 414 as needed.

Coil-on-chip structure and manufacturing method. Here, the configuration and manufacturing method of the IC element 62 that is the coil-on-chip 11 will be described in detail below. IC element 6
2 is, for example, the same as the IC element disclosed in Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2000-323643.

The structure of the IC element 62 is as follows. I
As shown in FIGS. 18 and 19, the C element 62 has a rectangular spiral shape on the side where the input / output terminals 62a of the IC element 62 are formed with an insulating surface protection film 6201 such as a silicon oxide film or a resin film interposed therebetween. The coil 6202 having a shape is integrally formed.

The IC element 62 shown in FIG.
A coil 6202 is formed only on the outer peripheral portion excluding 03, and the circuit formed on the IC element 62 and the coil 62
It is possible to prevent the generation of stray capacitance between the power supply terminal 02 and the power supply terminal 02, and to improve the efficiency of receiving power from the supply unit 6213 described later.

In order to receive a sufficient power supply for practical use and to secure communication characteristics with the supply unit 6213, the coil 6202 has a line width of 7 μm or more and a line distance of 5 μm or less. The number of turns is preferably 20 turns or more.

The connection between the input / output terminal 62a of the IC element 62 and the coil 6202 is made through a through hole 6204 formed in the surface protective film 6201. In this case, the coil 62
Even when the formation position of 02 is slightly deviated, the input / output terminal 62
In order to ensure the connection between a and the coil 6202,
As shown in FIG. 19, it is more preferable that the diameter or width of the through hole 6204 be smaller than the line width of the coil 6202.

The conductor forming the coil 6202 is shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG.
It has a multi-layered structure including 06. The metal deposition layer 62
05 and the metal plating layer 6206 can be formed of any conductive metal, but the metal vapor deposition layer 6205 is a metal selected from aluminum, nickel, copper and chromium because it is relatively inexpensive and has high conductivity. Alternatively, it is preferably formed of an alloy of two or more kinds of metals selected from these metal groups, and has a uniform single layer structure,
It is also possible to have another layer structure in which different metal layers or alloy layers are laminated in multiple layers. On the other hand, the metal plating layer 6206 is
It is preferably formed of copper, and can be formed by electroless plating, electroplating, or precision electroforming.

Next, a method of manufacturing the IC element 62 will be described with reference to FIGS. 20 is a plan view of a so-called completed wafer 6207 completed through a predetermined process treatment, FIG. 21 is a process diagram showing a method of manufacturing the IC element 62, and FIG. 22 is a completed conductive pattern including a coil. FIG. 6 is a plan view of a wafer 6207.

As shown in FIG. 20, the completed wafer 6207
, A large number of circuits 6203 for IC elements are formed at equal intervals on the inner peripheral portion excluding the outermost peripheral portion, and a required surface protective film 6201 is formed on the circuit formation surface side ( See FIG. 21).

In the method of manufacturing an IC element having the structure shown in FIG. 19, first, as shown in FIG. 21A, the surface protective film 6201 formed on the circuit forming surface of the completed wafer 6207.
A metal deposition layer 6205 is uniformly formed thereover by using aluminum, an aluminum alloy, copper, or a copper alloy. Next, as shown in FIG. 21B, a photoresist layer 6208 is uniformly formed on the metal vapor deposition layer 6205, and a mask 6209 having a desired pattern including a coil is formed on the formed photoresist layer 6208. Cover
The photoresist layer 6208 is exposed by irradiating light 6210 having a predetermined wavelength from the outside of the mask 6209. After that, the exposed photoresist layer 6208 is subjected to a development process, and as shown in FIG.
The exposed portion 08 is removed to expose a portion of the metal deposition layer 6205 corresponding to the exposed pattern. In the exposed pattern of the metal deposition layer 6205, as shown in FIG. 22, a ring-shaped electrode portion 6211 and the circuit forming portions 6 are formed.
A coil 6202 formed in a portion facing 203,
A lead portion 6212 that connects these electrode portions 6211 and each coil 6202 is included. Next, the electrode part 6
By using 211 as one electrode, electroplating or precision electroforming is performed on the exposed portion of the metal vapor deposition layer 6205, and the metal plating layer 6206 is laminated on the exposed portion of the metal vapor deposition layer 6205, as shown in FIG. Then, the completed wafer 6207
The photoresist layer 6208 attached to the surface of the is removed by ashing treatment or the like, and as shown in FIG.
Metal plating layer 6 having electrode portion 6211, coil 6202, and lead portion 6212 on uniform metal vapor deposition layer 6205
A completed wafer 6207 on which 206 is formed is obtained. Next, the metal deposition layer 62 exposed from the metal plating layer 6206
21 is selectively etched to expose the metal deposition layer 62 exposed from the metal plating layer 6206 as shown in FIG.
05 is removed. As a result, a completed wafer 6207 is obtained in which both the metal vapor deposition layer 6205 and the metal plating layer 6206 are formed in the required conductive pattern shown in FIG.
Finally, the completed wafer 6207 is scribed to obtain the required IC element 62 shown in FIG.

Other Embodiments. In the above-described example, the coil-on-chip is used to exchange information between the cable and the electric device in a non-contact manner, but the present invention is not limited to this, and information may be exchanged in a contact manner. .

In the above example, the oscilloscope and the telephone exchange are illustrated, but the present invention is not limited to this, and any electrical equipment to which a cable connector is connected may be used. For example, it can be applied to various electrical devices such as a relay device such as a router and a hub, an audio device, a VCR, a computer device.

Further, even when the plug of the power cord is inserted into the outlet, an IC element such as a coil-on-chip may be built in the plug portion. In this case, for example, by storing the identification information in the IC element and providing the outlet with an antenna or a processing circuit for reading the identification information from the IC element, the plugged state of the power cord can be managed. For example, regarding which power cord has been in the plugged-in state for many hours, and electric equipment that must be kept in a state where power is constantly supplied from an outlet through the power cord,
It is also possible to detect the removal operation of the power cord.

Further, at a place providing a connection service for a communication network such as the Internet using the communication cable, the identification information is stored in an IC element such as a coil-on-chip provided on the connector of the communication cable. By providing an antenna at the place where the communication cable is provided at the location and reading the identification information with this antenna,
The time when the connection service is provided can be managed.
By managing the provision time, it is possible to charge the user according to the provision time.

[0068]

According to the present invention, it is possible to provide a novel cable connector recognition system based on a new concept.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a cable connector recognition system according to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing connector connections and configurations in the cable connector recognition system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a diagram showing connector connections and configurations in the cable connector recognition system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another cable connector recognition system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram showing connector connection and configuration in another cable connector recognition system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a connection and a configuration of connectors in another cable connector recognition system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a cable connector recognition system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a cable connector recognition system according to the first exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a telephone exchange according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing a processing flow in the cable connector recognition system according to the second exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a cable connector recognition system according to a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a cable connector recognition system according to a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a circuit switchboard according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is an enlarged view of an optical cable socket assembly of a circuit switch according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a sectional view showing an optical cable connection structure in a circuit switch according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a sectional view showing an optical cable connection structure in a circuit switch according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17 is a sectional view showing an optical cable connection structure in a circuit switch according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 18 is a configuration diagram showing an IC element 62 used in the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a sectional view showing an IC element 62 used in the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a configuration diagram showing a completed wafer 6207 used in the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a process drawing showing the method of manufacturing the IC element 62 used in the present invention.

FIG. 22 is a configuration diagram showing a completed wafer 6207 used in the present invention.

[Explanation of Codes] 100 Cable 10 Connector 11 Coil-on-Chip 12 Probe 200 Oscilloscope 20 Connector 21 Antenna 300 Correction Data Generator 400 Telephone Switch

Claims (15)

[Claims] 1. A cable having a connector, which is connected to an electric device by the connector, wherein the connector has an IC element storing predetermined information, and the predetermined information stored in the IC element is A cable that can be read by the electric device. 2. The cable according to claim 1, wherein the information stored in the IC element is characteristic data of the cable or correction data based on the characteristic data. 3. The cable according to claim 2, wherein the electric device is an oscilloscope. 4. The cable according to claim 1, wherein the information stored in the IC element is identification information of the cable. 5. The cable according to claim 4, wherein the electric device is a telephone exchange. 6. The cable according to claim 1, wherein the IC element has a counting means for counting the number of times of connection with the electric device. 7. The cable according to claim 1, wherein the IC element is integrally formed with an antenna coil and has storage means for storing predetermined information. 8. A cable connector recognition system comprising a cable having a connector and an electric device connected to the cable via the connector, wherein the connector has an IC element storing predetermined information, The electric device is a cable connector recognition system including a reading unit for reading predetermined information stored in an IC element. 9. The information stored in the IC element is characteristic data of the cable or correction data based on the characteristic data, and the electric device uses the characteristic data or the correction data read by the reading means. 9. The cable connector recognition system according to claim 8, further comprising a correction unit that corrects information input from the cable through the connector. 10. The cable connector recognition system according to claim 8, wherein the electric device is an oscilloscope. 11. The information stored in the IC element is identification information of the cable, the electric device compares information stored in advance with identification information of the cable, and based on the comparison result. 9. The cable connector recognition system according to claim 8, further comprising a judgment means for judging suitability of the connected cable. 12. The cable connector recognition system according to claim 11, wherein the electric device is a telephone exchange. 13. The cable connector recognition system according to claim 8, wherein the IC element has a counting means for counting the number of times of connection with the electric device. 14. The information stored in the IC element is identification information of the cable, and the electronic device is based on a reading unit that reads the identification information of the cable and the identification information read by the reading unit. 9. The cable connector recognition system according to claim 8, further comprising counting means for counting the number of times the cable is connected to the electronic device. 15. The cable connector recognition system according to claim 8, wherein the IC element is integrally formed with an antenna coil and has storage means for storing predetermined information.