Patent ID: 7730242

Claim:
A communication converter which converts a communication system and/or a communication protocol to enable communications between a medical device and a medical control device for controlling the medical device, comprising: a first communication interface configured and operable for communicating with the medical control device through a predetermined communication cable; a second communication interface configured and operable for making a connection to a signal distribution unit which is provided in a housing device capable of housing one or more communication converters, and distributes a signal from the medical control device to each of the communication converters; a switch unit for switching communication lines to either a first communication line through the first communication interface or a second communication line through the second communication interface; a detection unit for detecting whether or not the signal distribution unit is connected to the second communication interface; a switch control unit for controlling the switch unit based on a detection result; and a third communication interface configured and operable for performing communications with the medical device, wherein the second communication interface is a connector which enables a connection to be made to the signal distribution unit by a connection system using a connector having a format different from that of the first communication interface, the detection unit is a detection-use pin included in the connector formed by a plurality of pins, and the detection unit detects a change in a voltage state of the detection-use pin caused when the connector is connected to the signal distribution unit in order to detect whether or not the signal distribution unit is connected to the second interface, and the switch control unit controls the switch unit to switch the communication lines from the first communication line to the second communication line when it is determined based upon the detection result of the detection unit that the signal distribution unit is connected to the second communication interface.