Optically communicable electronic apparatus and optical components applicable thereto

Abstract

An electronic apparatus according to the present invention is provided with an optical transmitter, an optical receiver, and a connection part capable of connection to and disconnection from a connection part of another electronic apparatus, and has an internal space in the connection part, which is configured, when the connection part is connected to the connection part of the other electronic apparatus, to communicate with an internal space of the connection part of the other electronic apparatus, constituting a light transmitting space between the two electronic apparatuses, and a shielding mechanism provided at an opening of the connection part, which is configured, when the connection part is connected to the connection part of the other electronic apparatus, to open the opening, allowing an optical signal to be transmitted in the light transmitting space, and when the connection part is not connected to the connection part of the other electronic apparatus, to close the opening, effecting a shielding not to project the optical signal output from the optical transmitter outside the electronic apparatus. An optical component according to the present invention is configured as a module by accommodation into a housing adapted to function as the connection part when devices as well as optical components that constitute the optical transmitter and the optical receiver are assembled in an electronic apparatus.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.