Patent Description:
As background, <CIT> describes a power supply unit and connector connection failure detection method; <CIT> describes a system level health monitoring in test systems. Recently, applications for applying robot technologies such as logics/production automation have rapidly expanded. In connection with this, examples of applying a connection structure for attaching a slave device having various functions to a master device such as a robot body to link the slave device with the master device have increased.

Further, the connecting structure is not limited to a robot field but is widely used for various devices. However, in the conventional connecting structure, when the master device always supplies power and signals without recognizing whether the slave device is connected, noise or sparks may be generated at a connection terminal if a conductive foreign material comes into contact with the connection terminal.

A method is also known in which, when the slave device has in advance a predetermined size of resistance and the slave device is connected to the master device, a connection terminal measures the resistance of the slave device and the master device detects whether the slave device is connected. Even in this case, if a foreign material having a resistance value similar to the resistance of the slave device comes into contact with the connection terminal, a problem may occur in that it is determined erroneously as if the slave device were connected when it is not.

Therefore, there is a need for a method by which the master device is able to accurately detect whether the slave device is attached and safely supply power and signals required for the operation of the slave device.

The disclosure has been made to solve the problem of the conventional art, and an aspect of the disclosure is to allow a master device to accurately detect whether a slave device is attached and safely supply power and signals required for the operation of the slave device.

Another aspect of the disclosure is to allow the master device to identify the slave device and permit the connection for only the slave device allowed to be attached.

Other detailed aspects of the disclosure may be clearly detected and understood by those skilled in the art through the following detailed description.

In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, a system for detecting a connection includes: a first device including a first connection terminal having a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point and a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point, and a first reactance element connected to the first connection terminal; and a second device including a second connection terminal having a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point and a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point corresponding to the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point and the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point, a first resistance element, a first frequency generator configured to apply a signal having a frequency varying a predetermined range to the first device through the second connection terminal via the first resistance element, a first comparator having both input terminals connected to both ends of the first resistance element and configured to compare the signals of both ends of the first resistance element to generate output signal, and a first controller configured to determine whether the first connection terminal is connected to the second connection terminal by using an output signal of the first comparator.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, an apparatus for detecting a connection detects whether there is a connection with a first device, the first device including a first connection terminal having a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point and a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point, and a first reactance element connected to the first connection terminal. The apparatus includes a second connection terminal having a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point and a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point corresponding to the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point and the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point, a first resistance element, a first frequency generator configured to apply a signal having a frequency varying in a predetermined range to the first device through the second connection terminal via the first resistance element, a first comparator having both input ends connected to both ends of the first resistance element and configured to compare the signals of both ends of the first resistance element to generate output signal, and a first controller configured to determine whether the first connection terminal of the first device is connected to the second connection terminal by using an output signal of the first comparator.

In accordance with another aspect of the disclosure, a method of detecting a connection detects whether there is a connection with a first device, the first device including a first connection terminal having a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point and a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point and a first reactance element connected to the first connection terminal. The method includes: a signal application step of generating a signal having a frequency varying in a predetermined range and applying the signal to the first device through a second connection terminal having a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point and a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point corresponding to the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point and the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point via a first resistance element by the second device; a signal comparison step of comparing signals at both ends of the first resistance element by the second device; and a connection determination step of determining whether the first connection terminal of the first device is connected to the second connection terminal by using a result of the comparison between the signals at both ends of the first resistance element by the second device.

Accordingly, in the system, the apparatus, and the method for detecting a connection according to an embodiment of the disclosure, when the first device is attached to the second device, the second device accurately detect whether the first device is attached and can safely supply power and signals required for the operation of the first device.

Further, in the system, the apparatus, and the method for detecting the connection according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the second device identifies the attached first device and can perform the connection for only the first device allowed to be attached.

The accompanying drawings included as a part of the detailed description to help understanding of the disclosure, provide embodiments and the technical idea of the disclosure along with the detailed description.

The disclosure may have various modifications and various embodiments, and hereinafter, specific embodiments based on the accompanying drawings are described in detail.

The following embodiments are provided to help comprehensive understanding of a method, an apparatus, and/or a system described in the specification. However, this is only an example and the disclosure is not limited thereto.

In a description of embodiments of the disclosure, if it is determined that a detailed description of known technology related to the disclosure makes the subject of the disclosure unclear, the detailed description is omitted. The definitions of the terms should be made based on the contents throughout the specification. Terms used in the detailed description are to merely describe embodiments of the disclosure and should not be restrictive. The expression of a singular form includes meaning of a plural form unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In the description, it should be understood that the expression such as "include" or "have" indicates characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof but does not exclude the presence or possibility of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts, or combinations thereof.

Further, the terms first, second, and the like may be used to describe various elements, but the elements are not limited by the terms and are used to only distinguish one element from another element.

Hereinafter, embodiments of a system, an apparatus, and a method for detecting a connection according to an embodiment of the disclosure are sequentially described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, FIG. <NUM> is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a connection detection system <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As illustrated in FIG. <NUM>, the connection detection system <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include a first device <NUM> and a second device <NUM> for detecting whether the first device <NUM> is attached thereto.

At this time, the first device <NUM> may be a slave device such as a robot, and the second device <NUM> may be a master device to which the slave device is attached, but the disclosure is not limited thereto and may be widely applied to various applications in which one device is attached to another device.

More specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first device <NUM> may include a first connection terminal <NUM> including a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> and a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> and a first reactance element <NUM> connected to the first connection terminal <NUM>.

Further, the second device <NUM> may include a second connection terminal <NUM> including a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> and a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> corresponding to the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> and the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM>, a first resistance element <NUM>, a first frequency generator <NUM> configured to apply a signal having a frequency varying in a predetermined range to the first device <NUM> through the second connection terminal <NUM> via the first resistance element <NUM>, a first comparator <NUM> having both input terminals connected to both ends of the first resistance element <NUM> and configured to compare the signals of both ends of the first resistance element <NUM> to generate output signal, and a first controller <NUM> configured to determine whether the first connection terminal <NUM> of the first device <NUM> is connected to the second connection terminal <NUM> by using the output signal of the first comparator <NUM>.

The first comparator <NUM> may be a phase comparator configured to compare phases of the signals at both ends of the first resistance element <NUM>. Accordingly, the first controller <NUM> may measure a first frequency (=fC1) of a phase delay between the signals at both ends of the first resistance element <NUM> by using the output signal of the phase comparator, the phase delay being out of a predetermined range according to an increase in the frequency of the first frequency generator <NUM>. The first controller then determines whether the first connection terminal <NUM> of the first device <NUM> is connected to the second connection terminal <NUM> on the basis of the first frequency (=fC1) or an element value of the first reactance element <NUM> calculated using the first frequency (=fC1).

Further, the first controller <NUM> may measure a second frequency (=fC2) of an amplitude change between the signals at both ends of the first resistance element <NUM>, the size change being output a predetermined range according to an increase in the frequency of the first frequency generator <NUM>, and then verify whether the first frequency (=fC1) is accurate by using the second frequency (=fC2).

The first connection terminal <NUM> may include a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM>, and the second connection terminal <NUM> may include a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> corresponding to the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM>. Accordingly, the first controller <NUM> may detect the connection between the first connection terminal <NUM> and the second connection terminal <NUM> and then perform control to apply power to the first device <NUM> through the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM>.

Further, the first frequency generator <NUM> can apply a signal while changing a frequency in a limited range on the basis of a predicted value of the first frequency (=fC1) according to the first reactance element <NUM>.

Accordingly, when the first device <NUM> is attached to the second device <NUM>, the second device <NUM> may accurately detect whether the first device <NUM> is connected thereto and stably supply power and signals required for the operation of the first device <NUM>, and the second device <NUM> may identify the connected first device <NUM> and allow the connection only for the first device <NUM> allowed to be connected. The first power switching device <NUM> supplies the power to the load module <NUM> with switching function.

<FIG> is a flowchart illustrating a connection detection method according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the connection detection method may include a signal application operation S110 in which the second device <NUM> generates a signal having a frequency varying in a predetermined range and applies the signal to the first device <NUM> through the second connection terminal <NUM> having the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> and the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> corresponding to the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> and the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> via the first resistance element <NUM>. In a signal comparison operation S120 , the second device <NUM> compares signals at both ends of the first resistance element <NUM>, and in a connection determination operation S130, the second device <NUM> determines whether the first connection terminal <NUM> of the first device <NUM> is connected to the second connection terminal <NUM> by using a result of the comparison between the signals at both ends of the first resistance element <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the system, the apparatus, and the method for detecting the connection according to an embodiment of the disclosure are described in more detail for each element with reference toFIGS. <NUM> to <NUM>.

First, in the signal application operation S110, the second device <NUM> may generate a signal having a frequency varying in a predetermined range and apply the signal to the first device <NUM> through the second connection terminal <NUM>. More specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first frequency generator <NUM> of the second device <NUM> may generate a signal while changing the frequency in a predetermined range and output the signal to the first resistance element <NUM>. The signal passing through the first resistance element <NUM> may be applied to the first reactance element <NUM> via the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> and the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> and transmitted back to the first frequency generator <NUM> via the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> and the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM>, which configures a circuit.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the first reactance element <NUM> may be configured as a capacitor but the disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto, and may be configured as an inductor, configured to include both the capacitor and the inductor, or configured to include a resistance element. Hereinafter, the case in which the first reactance element <NUM> is configured as a capacitor is described as an example.

Accordingly, as illustrated in <FIG>, when the frequency of the signal generated by the first frequency generator <NUM> increases, the size of the signal is attenuated while passing through the first resistance element <NUM> according to the frequency response characteristic of an RC circuit and a phase is delayed.

More specifically, the frequency of a signal having the size attenuated by <NUM> dB or having a phase delayed by <NUM> degrees according to the increase in the frequency is referred to as a cut-off frequency (fc), and the cut-off frequency is determined according to an RC time constant of the circuit, and thus, if the cut-off frequency for the circuit is measured in a condition in which a resistance value of the first resistance element <NUM> is determined, the capacitance value of the first reactance element <NUM> may be calculated.

Accordingly, in an example of the disclosure, when the first frequency generator <NUM> generates and outputs the signal while changing the frequency, the first comparator <NUM> may measure the attenuation of the amplitude of the signal or the phase delay by the first resistance element <NUM> according to the frequency change of the signal, and the first controller <NUM> may calculate the capacitance value of the first reactance element <NUM> by using the first frequency (=fc1) and/or the second frequency (=fc2) and then determine whether the first device <NUM> is attached to the second device <NUM> on the basis of the calculated capacitance value of the first reactance element <NUM>. Further, it is possible to determine whether the connection is allowed by identifying the type of the attached first device <NUM>.

According to another example, the first frequency generator <NUM> may generate and output the signal while changing the frequency, the first comparator <NUM> may measure the attenuation of the amplitude of the signal or the phase delay by the first resistance element <NUM> according to the frequency change of the signal, and the first controller <NUM> may determine whether the first device <NUM> is attached to the second device <NUM> on the basis of the first frequency (=fc1) and/or the second frequency (=fc2). In addition, it is possible to determine whether the connection is allowed by identifying the type of the attached first device <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, it is possible to measure the cut-off frequency by applying signals in the entire range of frequencies which can be generated by the first frequency generator <NUM> (A), but the cut-off frequency can be more rapidly measured through measurement of the cut-off frequency by the first frequency generator <NUM> applying signals while changing the frequency in a limited range on the basis of a predicted value of the cut-off frequency according to the first reactance element <NUM> (<FIG>). The predicted value of the cut-off frequency or the limited range on the basis thereof (<FIG>) may be preconfigured by a user. Further, the limited range may include a plurality of frequency ranges. For example, when a device which can be connected to the second device <NUM> includes a camera device and a display device as the first device <NUM>, the manager may configure the limited range to include all of a frequency range (ex. <NUM> to <NUM> uF) based on a first reactance element value (ex. <NUM> uF) of the camera device and a frequency range (ex. <NUM> to <NUM> uF) based on a first reactance element value (ex. <NUM> uF) of the display device.

Subsequently, in the signal comparison operation S120, the second device <NUM> compares signals at both ends of the first resistance element <NUM>.

More specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, the second device <NUM> may include the first comparator <NUM>, and both input terminals of the first comparator <NUM> are connected to both ends of the first resistance element <NUM> and thus may compare the the signals of the first resistance element <NUM> to generate output signal.

The first comparator <NUM> may be a phase comparator configured to compare phases of signals at both ends of the first resistance element <NUM>. Accordingly, the first controller <NUM> may measure a first frequency (=fC1) (for example, a frequency having a phase delay of <NUM> degrees or more) of a phase delay between signals at both ends of the first resistance element <NUM>, the phase delay being out of a predetermined range according to an increase in the frequency of the first frequency generator <NUM>, calculate an element value of the first reactance element <NUM> by using the first frequency (=fC1), and determine whether the first connection terminal <NUM> of the first device <NUM> is connected to the second connection terminal <NUM>.

In a more detailed example, <FIG> illustrate a detailed configuration of the first comparator <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

First, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first comparator <NUM> may include a <NUM>-<NUM> comparator <NUM> configured to compare an original signal <NUM> generated by the first frequency generator <NUM> and applied to the first resistance element <NUM> and a preset reference signal <NUM> (VREF) and a <NUM>-<NUM> comparator <NUM> configured to compare a phase delay signal having passed through the first resistance element <NUM> and the reference signal(VREF) (first implementation example).

As illustrated in <FIG>, the reference signal <NUM> may be input into the second comparator <NUM>, and the reference signal <NUM> may be determined as an intermediate value between the voltage upper limit and the voltage lower limit of the original signal <NUM> and the phase delay signal <NUM>, but the disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto.

<FIG> illustrates a waveform in the first implementation example. More specifically, as illustrated in <FIG>, the <NUM>-<NUM> comparator <NUM> may compare the original signal <NUM> and the reference signal <NUM> and measure first timing (T1 of <FIG>) at which the original signal <NUM> and the reference signal <NUM> cross, and the <NUM>-<NUM> comparator <NUM> may compare the phase delay signal <NUM> and the reference signal <NUM> and measure second timing (T2 of <FIG>) at which the phase delay signal <NUM> and the reference signal <NUM> cross.

Accordingly, the first controller <NUM> may detect a phase difference between the original signal <NUM> and the phase delay signal <NUM> on the basis of a difference between the first timing (T1) and the second timing (T2) and a cut-off frequency (fc) corresponding thereto, and thus may calculate an element value of the first reactance element <NUM>.

Further, as illustrated in <FIG>, the first comparator <NUM> may include a <NUM>-<NUM> comparator <NUM> configured to compare the original signal <NUM> generated by the first frequency generator <NUM> and applied to the first resistance element <NUM> and the phase delay signal <NUM> having passed through the first resistance element <NUM> (second implementation example).

The <NUM>-<NUM> comparator <NUM> may compare the original signal <NUM> and the phase delay signal <NUM> and output a phase comparison signal <NUM>, and the first controller <NUM> may calculate a phase delay of the phase delay signal <NUM> on the basis of the phase comparison signal <NUM>.

In a more detailed example, <FIG> illustrate the original signal <NUM> generated by the first frequency generator <NUM> and applied to the first resistance element <NUM>, the phase delay signal <NUM> having passed through the first resistance element <NUM>, and the phase comparison signal <NUM> output after the original signal <NUM> and the phase delay signal <NUM> are input into the first comparator <NUM>.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the phase comparison signal <NUM> has a high or low signal waveform based on a time point at which phases of the original signal <NUM> and the phase delay signal <NUM> cross.

Timing (phase) at which the phase comparison signal <NUM> varies and the phase difference between the original signal <NUM> and the phase delay signal <NUM> have one-to-one correspondence. The one-to-one correspondence relationship between two variables may be pre-stored in the form of an equation or a lookup table. The first controller <NUM> may acquire the phase difference between the original signal <NUM> and the phase delay signal <NUM> corresponding to timing at which the comparator output varies on the basis of the pre-stored one-to-one correspondence relationship between two variables.

Accordingly, the first controller <NUM> may measure a phase delay amount of the phase delay signal <NUM> according to a frequency increase based on the phase comparison signal <NUM> output from the first comparator <NUM> and detect a cut-off frequency (fc) and, accordingly, calculate the element value of the first reactance element <NUM>.

Further, <FIG> illustrate the case in which the cut-off frequency (fc) of the circuit is detected on the basis of the phase delay between the original signal <NUM>, and the phase delay signal <NUM> and the element value of the first reactance element <NUM> is calculated using the same. The disclosure is not necessarily limited this, and the first comparator <NUM> may compare sizes of the signals at both ends of the first resistance element <NUM> and measure an attenuation level according to a frequency increase, and the first controller <NUM> may detect the cut-off frequency (fc) of the circuit on the basis thereof and calculate the element value of the first reaction element <NUM>.

In the disclosure, the first controller <NUM> may perform a process of detecting a second frequency (=fc2) of a size change between the signals at both ends of the first resistance element <NUM>, the size change being out of a predetermined range according to an increase of the frequency of the first frequency generator <NUM>, and verifying whether the first frequency (=fc1) is accurate, so as to prevent an error of the cut-off frequency and more accurately calculate the element value of the first reactance element <NUM>.

Although the first implementation example (<FIG>) and the second implementation example (<FIG>) have been described for the first comparator <NUM>, the disclosure is not necessarily limited thereto, and the first comparator <NUM> can be variously configured to detect the phase difference between the original signal <NUM> and the phase delay signal <NUM>.

Accordingly, in the operation S130 of determining whether there is the connection, the second device <NUM> determines whether the first connection terminal <NUM> of the first device <NUM> is connected to the second connection terminal <NUM> on the basis of the result of the signal comparison between both ends of the first resistance element <NUM>.

More specifically, after detecting the first frequency (=fc1) of the phase delay between the signals at both ends of the first resistance element <NUM>, the phase delay being out of the predetermined range, the first controller <NUM> may calculate the element value of the first reactance element <NUM> by using the first frequency (=fc1) and determine whether the first connection terminal <NUM> of the first device <NUM> is connected to the second connection terminal <NUM>.

The first controller <NUM> may identify the first device <NUM> on the basis of the calculated element value of the first reactance element <NUM> and determine whether the first device <NUM> is a device allowed to be attached, so as to determine whether to allow the connection.

In the disclosure, the first connection terminal <NUM> may include the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> and the second connection terminal <NUM> may include the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> corresponding to the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM>, in which case the first controller <NUM> may detect the connection between the first connection terminal <NUM> and the second connection terminal <NUM> and then perform control to apply power to the first device <NUM> through the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM>.

In a more detailed example, when the element value of the first reactance element <NUM> is <NUM> uF, the first controller <NUM> may determine that a camera module device is attached, supply first power for driving the camera device, and transmit a signal for controlling the camera device.

Alternatively, when the element value of the first reactance element <NUM> is <NUM> uF, the first controller <NUM> may determine that a display module device is attached, supply second power for driving the display module device, and transmit a signal for controlling the display module device.

On the other hand, when the element value of the first reactance element <NUM> is <NUM> nF, the first controller <NUM> may determine that an unknown device is attached and block power without supplying the power to the device.

Further, in the system, the apparatus, and the method for detecting the connection according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the first device <NUM> may include a third connection terminal <NUM> including a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> and a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM>, a second resistance element <NUM>, a second frequency generator <NUM> configured to apply a signal having a frequency varying in a predetermined range to a third device (not shown) through the third connection terminal <NUM> via the second resistance element <NUM>, a second comparator <NUM> having both input terminals connected to both ends of the second resistance element <NUM> and configured to compare the signals of both ends of the second resistance element <NUM> to generate output signal, and a second controller <NUM> configured to determine whether a fourth connection terminal (not shown) of the third device is connected to the third connection terminal <NUM> on the basis of the output signal of the second comparator <NUM>, as illustrated in <FIG>.

The third connection terminal <NUM> may include a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> and the fourth connection terminal (not shown) may include a <NUM>-<NUM> contact point (not shown) corresponding to the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM>, and accordingly, the second controller <NUM> may detect the connection between the third connection terminal <NUM> and the fourth connection terminal and then perform control to apply power to the third device (not shown) through the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM>. Accordingly, in the system, the apparatus, and the method for detecting the connection according to an embodiment of the disclosure, when the third device (not shown) is attached to the first device <NUM> attached to the second device <NUM>, the second controller <NUM> of the first device <NUM> may detect whether the third device is attached and also determine whether to supply power to the third device and to transmit a control signal or the like.

The second controller <NUM> may transmit information on a connection state of the third device to the second device <NUM> and allow the second device <NUM> to process power supply and control signal transmission in consideration of both the first device <NUM> and the third device.

In addition, in the system, the apparatus, and the method for detecting the connection according to an embodiment of the disclosure, the structure in which a plurality of devices are sequentially attached can be implemented as the third device detects whether a fourth device (not shown) is attached and processes power supply and control signal transmission to the fourth device.

<FIG> is a detailed flowchart illustrating a connection detection method according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, first, in operation S210, the second device <NUM> generates a signal having a frequency varying in a predetermined range through the first frequency generator <NUM> and output the signal to the first resistance element <NUM>.

At this time, the signal generated by the first frequency generator <NUM> configures a circuit passing through the first resistance element <NUM> and the first reactance element <NUM> such as a capacitor included in the first device <NUM>.

Subsequently, in operation S220, the first comparator <NUM> of the second device <NUM> compares the signal generated by the first frequency generator <NUM> and a phase delay of a signal by the first reactance element <NUM> such as the capacitor.

Accordingly, in operation S230, the first controller <NUM> of the second device <NUM> measures a phase delay according to a change in a frequency of the signal, calculates a capacitance value of the first reactance element <NUM>, and then determines whether the first device <NUM> such as a slave device is attached on the basis of the calculated capacitance value of the first reactance element <NUM>.

At this time, the first controller <NUM> applies power to the first device <NUM> to drive the first device <NUM> when the calculated capacitance value is appropriate, and blocks power to the first device <NUM> when the calculated capacitance value is inappropriate and it is determined that the first device <NUM> is not attached.

<FIG> is block diagram illustrating the connection detection device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

As illustrated in <FIG>, the connection detection device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure may include the second connection terminal <NUM>, the first resistance element <NUM>, the first frequency generator <NUM>, the first comparator <NUM>, and the first controller <NUM>.

Hereinafter, the connection detection device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure is separately described for each element. Further, a detailed description of the connection detection device <NUM> according to an embodiment of the disclosure can be implemented by various embodiments similar to the connection detection system <NUM> and method according to an embodiment of the disclosure in FIGS. <NUM> to <NUM> described above, and thus a duplicated description is omitted.

First, the connection detection device <NUM> is configured to detect whether there is a connection with the first device <NUM>, which includes the first connection terminal <NUM> including the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> and the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> and the first reactance element <NUM> connected to the first connection terminal <NUM>. The connection detection device <NUM> includes the second connection terminal <NUM> including the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> and the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> corresponding to the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> and the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> and the first resistance element <NUM>.

The first frequency generator <NUM> applies a signal having a frequency varying in a predetermined range to the first device <NUM> through the second connection terminal <NUM> via the first resistance element <NUM>.

The first comparator <NUM> has both input terminals connected to both ends of the first resistance element <NUM> and compares and outputs signals at both ends of the first resistance element <NUM>.

The first controller <NUM> determines whether the first connection terminal <NUM> of the first device <NUM> is connected to the second connection terminal <NUM> on the basis of the output signal of the first comparator <NUM>.

The first comparator <NUM> may be a phase comparator configured to compare phases of the signals at both ends of the first resistance element <NUM> in which case the first controller <NUM> may detect a first frequency (=fc1) of a phase delay between the signals at both ends of the first resistance element <NUM> by using the output signal of the phase comparator, the phase delay being out of a predetermined range according to an increase in the frequency of the first frequency generator <NUM>, calculate an element value of the first reactance element <NUM> by using the first frequency (=fc1), and determine whether the first connection terminal <NUM> of the first device <NUM> is connected to the second connection terminal <NUM>.

The first controller <NUM> may detect a second frequency (=fc2) of a size change between the signals at both ends of the first resistance element <NUM>, the size change being output of a predetermined range according to an increase in the frequency of the first frequency generator <NUM>, and verify whether the first frequency (=fc1) is accurate by using the second frequency (=fc2).

The first connection terminal <NUM> may include the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> and the second connection terminal <NUM> may include the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM> corresponding to the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM>, and accordingly, the first controller <NUM> may detect the connection between the first connection terminal <NUM> and the second connection terminal <NUM> and then perform control to apply power to the first device <NUM> through the <NUM>-<NUM> contact point <NUM>.

The first frequency generator <NUM> may apply the signal while changing the frequency in a limited range on the basis of a predicted value of the first frequency (=fC1) according to the first reactance element <NUM>.

Accordingly, in the system, the apparatus, and the method for detecting the connection according to an embodiment of the disclosure, when the first device <NUM> is connected to the second device <NUM>, the second device <NUM> may accurately detect whether the first device <NUM> is connected thereto and stably supply power and signals required for the operation of the first device <NUM>, and the second device <NUM> may identify the connected first device <NUM> and allow the connection only for the first device <NUM> allowed to be connected.

Claim 1:
A system for detecting a connection, comprising:
a first device. (<NUM>) including a first connection terminal (<NUM>) having a first contact point (<NUM>) and a second contact point (<NUM>) and a first reactance element (<NUM>) that bridges the first contact point (<NUM>) and the second contact point (<NUM>) of the first connection terminal (<NUM>); and
a second device (<NUM>) including
a second connection terminal (<NUM>) having a first contact point (<NUM>) and a second contact point (<NUM>) corresponding to the first contact point (<NUM>) and the second contact point (<NUM>) of the first connection terminal (<NUM>),
a first resistance element (<NUM>),
a first frequency generator (<NUM>) configured to apply a signal having a frequency varying a predetermined range to the first device (<NUM>) through the second connection terminal (<NUM>) via the first resistance element (<NUM>),
a first comparator (<NUM>) having both input terminals connected to both ends of the first resistance element (<NUM>) and configured to compare the signals of both ends of the first resistance element (<NUM>) to generate an output signal, and a first controller (<NUM>) configured to determine whether the first connection terminal (<NUM>) is connected to the second connection terminal (<NUM>) by using the output signal of the first comparator (<NUM>) .