Electrically isolated optical connector identification system

A connector assembly of a predetermined type having an optical connector identification system for detecting the engagement and type of said connector, comprising:

• a) a male connector having an extension extending outwardly therefrom;
• b) a female connector for engaging said male connector so that electrical signals may pass therebetween, said female connector having a cavity formed therein for receiving said extension;
• and
• c) optical detection means disposed in said cavity comprising at least two optical emitter-sensor pairs for detecting the presence of said extension within said cavity, said optical detection means being electrically isolated from said electrical signals.

A receptacle for receiving a plurality of different types of plug members and for providing an indication of the particular type of an inserted plug member, each plug member of a particular type having a body and means extending outwardly from said body for indicating said particular type, said receptacle comprising:

• a receptacle body having a cavity therein for receiving said plug member body and said type indicating means;
• means, disposed in said cavity, for detecting said type indicating means, said detecting means comprising at least two optical emitters and at least two optical sensors, said optical emitters and said optical sensors being relatively disposed such that light from each optical emitter is directed towards a corresponding optical sensor and disposed such that, when said plug member is engaged with said receptacle, said type indicating means blocks the light from at least one of said optical emitters from reaching said corresponding optical sensor;
• and
• means connected to said detecting means for generating an output indicative of said particular plug member type.