Keyboard using optical switching

Claim 2

A terminal for producing coded multi-bit signals comprising, a. a keyboard having a plurality of character and special purpose keys, b. a point source of light coupled to a plurality of input bundles of fiber optics, each bundle corresponding to a key, said coupling means including an axicon lens, c. an ellipsoidal bivalued switch associated with each key, said switch selectively coupling light between an input fiber bundle to an output bundle of fiber optics, d. for each key, said input fiber bundle and output fiber bundle spaced apart the distance between the foci of said reflector, e. said output fiber bundle from each of said keys selectively connected in coded relationship with a plurality of phototransducers, f. the ends of each fiber optic associated with each phototransducer coupled through an axicon lens onto said phototransducer.

Claim 3

A terminal for producing coded 7-bit signals for a keyboard having approximately 60 special purpose and character keys comprising, a. a point source of light, b. the light emanating from said point source onto the curved surface of a positive lens, c. said rays being converged by said positive lens, d. the light emanating from the positive lens onto the flat surface of a negative axicon lens, e. said negative axicon lens diverging said rays of light into a ring of light, f. the width of said ring of light converging to approximately the thickness of a fiber optic element, g. a plurality of optical fibers equal in number to said keys, the ends of said fibers in said ring of light at said point of convergence, h. said fibers each inputs to a switching system associated with each key, i. an ellipsoidal reflector associated with and laterally displaceable by each key over a distance equal to the distance between the foci of said ellipse, j. the distance between the foci being in excess of one third of the distance of the major axis of the ellipsoid, k. the input fiber for a reflector being located at one focus of the ellipsoid when the reflector is displaced in one direction and being located at the other focus when the reflector is displaced in the other direction,

Claim 4

A terminal for producing coded 7-bit signals for a keyboard having approximately 60 special purpose and character keys comprising, a. a point source of light, b. the light emanating from said point source onto the curved surface of a positive lens, c. said rays being converged by said positive lens, d. the light emanating from the positive lens onto the flat surface of a negative axicon lens, e. said negative axicon lens diverging said rays of light into a ring of light, f. the width of said ring of light converging to approximately the thickness of a fiber optic element, g. a plurality of optical fibers equal in number to said keys, the ends of said fibers in said ring of light at said point of convergence, h. said fibers each inputs to a switching system associated with each key, i. an ellipsoidal reflector associated with and laterally displaceable by each key over a distance equal to the distance between the foci of said ellipse, j. the distance between the foci being in excess of one third of the distance of the major axis of the ellipsoid, k. the input fiber for a reflector being located at one focus of the ellipsoid when the reflector is displaced in one direction and being located at the other focus when the reflector is displaced in the other direction,