Ricoh Company, Ltd.

Yoshifusa Takahashi

Satoshi Ishikawa

Junichi Kikuchi

Hiroshi Kadonaga

An optical data communication system using an optical star repeater which converts an optical signal transmitted from a terminal unit into an electric signal, amplifies the electric signal, reconverts the amplified electric signal into an optical signal, and then distributes the optical signal to respective terminal units inclusive of the terminal unit which transmitted the optical signal. The star repeater includes collision detector means for detecting a collision condition in communication, and output control means for interrupting the distribution of the optical signal to the terminal units. The output control means is controlled by an output of collision detector means so that, in response to a collision, it is caused to cut off the signal distribution to the terminal units. Simultaneously with the cut-off of the signal distribution, a collision signal indicating the occurrence of a collision is distributed to the respective terminal units, whereby the terminal units can accurately and immediately detect the collision condition.

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Ayase, Japan

Yoshifusa Takahashi