US3622792A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical switching system
Assignee: AT&T Inc
•
Filing: 1969-12-29
•
Granted: 1971-11-23
•
Expires: 1989-12-29
Abstract
Abstract A system is disclosed that provides a switching capability on a selective basis between a plurality of laser beam inputs and a plurality of output light ports. The input devices and the output ports are arranged in a single plane with the inputs and outputs substantially perpendicular to each other. The matrix formed by the intersecting axes has a piezoelectric crystal positioned above each intersection. In response to an energizing potential, a particular crystal may be deformed into the plane of the light beams to reflect a selected input beam to a selected output.
Inventors
- 👤 Jack A Piccininni
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 18:19
CPC Classifications
H; H01; H01H; H01H67/00; H01H67/22; H01H67/26; H04; H04Q; H04Q3/00; H04Q3/42; H04Q3/52; H04Q3/526
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
96 words
A switch matrix for selectively switching laser beams comprising a plurality of laser beam sources arranged to project their associated beams along axes substantially parallel to each other, a plurality of laser beam receivers arranged to receive beams from axes substantially parallel to each other, and being located so that the axes of the receivers are substantially perpendicular to the axes of the sources, and crosspoint means associated with each intersection of the axes of the sources and the axes of the receivers for simultaneously redirecting a plurality of beams from selected sources to selected receivers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
96 words
A switch matrix for selectively switching laser beams comprising a plurality of laser beam sources arranged to project their associated beams along axes substantially parallel to each other, a plurality of laser beam receivers arranged to receive beams from axes substantially parallel to each other, and being located so that the axes of the receivers are substantially perpendicular to the axes of the sources, and crosspoint means associated with each intersection of the axes of the sources and the axes of the receivers for simultaneously redirecting a plurality of beams from selected sources to selected receivers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A switch matrix in accordance with claim 1 wherein the crosspoint means comprises a piezolectric crystal having a reflective surface, the crystal being normally positioned out of the plane of both axes and being deflected into the plane of both axes in response to an applied electrical potential.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
111 words
A switch matrix for selectively switching laser beams comprising a plurality of laser beam sources arranged to project their associated beams along optical axes substantially parallel to each other; a plurality of laser beam receivers arranged to receive beams on optical axes substantially parallel to each other, and located so that the axes of the receivers are substantially perpendicular to the axes of the sources; a plurality of beam deflectors; and means for selectively inserting a single beam deflector into the beam path from a selected source and deflecting the beam to a selected receiver, thereby establishing a first continuous optical communication channel between the selected source and the selected receiver.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
111 words
A switch matrix for selectively switching laser beams comprising a plurality of laser beam sources arranged to project their associated beams along optical axes substantially parallel to each other; a plurality of laser beam receivers arranged to receive beams on optical axes substantially parallel to each other, and located so that the axes of the receivers are substantially perpendicular to the axes of the sources; a plurality of beam deflectors; and means for selectively inserting a single beam deflector into the beam path from a selected source and deflecting the beam to a selected receiver, thereby establishing a first continuous optical communication channel between the selected source and the selected receiver.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
63 words
A switch matrix in accordance with claim 3 further including means for simultaneously inserting a second single beam deflector into the beam path from a second selected source and deflecting the second beam to a second selected receiver, thereby establishing between the second selected source and the second selected receiver a second continuous optical communication channel simultaneous with the first previously established channel.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
143 words
A switch matrix for simultaneously switching a plurality of laser beams to selectively establish a plurality of optical communication channels, the matrix comprising a pluraliTy of laser beam sources arranged to project their associated beams along optical axes substantially parallel to each other; a plurality of laser beam receivers arranged to receive beams on optical axes substantially parallel to each other, and located so that the axes of the receivers are substantially perpendicular to the axes of the sources; a plurality of beam deflectors, each associated with a particular intersection of the beam axes and receiver axes and normally positioned out of the path of the beams; and selector means effective to deflect a beam from a selected source to a selected receiver and establish an optical communication channel between the selected source and the selected receiver by repositioning a single beam deflector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
143 words
A switch matrix for simultaneously switching a plurality of laser beams to selectively establish a plurality of optical communication channels, the matrix comprising a pluraliTy of laser beam sources arranged to project their associated beams along optical axes substantially parallel to each other; a plurality of laser beam receivers arranged to receive beams on optical axes substantially parallel to each other, and located so that the axes of the receivers are substantially perpendicular to the axes of the sources; a plurality of beam deflectors, each associated with a particular intersection of the beam axes and receiver axes and normally positioned out of the path of the beams; and selector means effective to deflect a beam from a selected source to a selected receiver and establish an optical communication channel between the selected source and the selected receiver by repositioning a single beam deflector.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
30 words
A switch matrix in accordance with claim 5 wherein the selector means is also effective to reposition a second beam deflector to establish a plurality of simultaneous optical communication channels.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
A switch matrix in accordance with claim 6 further including means to prevent the simultaneous establishment of a plurality of channels either from a single source or to a single receiver.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
A switch matrix in accordance with claim 6 wherein the beam deflectors include a mirrored surface for deflecting the beam by reflection.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-11-22 | 1975-05-24 | 1975-11-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-11-22 | 1979-05-24 | 1979-11-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-11-22 | 1983-05-24 | 1983-11-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |