US4054794A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Optical communications link
Assignee: Varo Inc
•
Filing: 1975-03-12
•
Granted: 1977-10-18
•
Expires: 1995-03-12
Abstract
Abstract The specification discloses a wireless optical communications link which includes a transmitter housing having circuitry for receiving electrical audio and video signals. A light emitting diode is mounted in the transmitter housing for generating a directional beam of light. Circuitry modulates the beam of light in accordance with the audio and video signals. A receiver housing is adapted to be located remote from the transmitter housing and includes an aspheric Fresnel lens for receiving and focusing the beam of light. A photodiode is mounted in the receiver housing for generating electrical output signals in response to the received beam of light. Circuitry is responsive to the electrical output signals for reconstructing the audio and video signals at the remote location.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard H. Laughlin
- 👤 Peter Sorensen, III
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 04:36
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/11; H04B10/112; H04B10/1121; H04N; H04N7/00; H04N7/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A wireless communications link comprising: a transmitter housing having means for receiving electrical audio and video signals, means for generating a beam of light mounted in said transmitter housing, means responsive to said receiving means for modulating said beam of light with said audio and video signals, a first lens mounted in said transmitter housing in the path of said beam of light for focusing said modulated beam of light, a receiver housing having a second lens disposed for receiving and focusing said beam of light, a photodiode mounted in said receiver housing for generating electrical output signals in response to said beam of light, circuitry responsive to said electrical output signals for reconstructing said audio and video signals, an X-Y adjustment platform mounted on the bottom of said receiver housing, said adjustment platform including a first member horizontally hinged to the bottom of said receiver housing for vertical movement, means for adjusting the angle between said first member and said receiver housing, a second member pivotally mounted below said first member for rotation about a generally vertical axis, and means for adjusting the relative positions of said first and second members.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A wireless communications link comprising: a transmitter housing having means for receiving electrical audio and video signals, means for generating a beam of light mounted in said transmitter housing, means responsive to said receiving means for modulating said beam of light with said audio and video signals, a first lens mounted in said transmitter housing in the path of said beam of light for focusing said modulated beam of light, a receiver housing having a second lens disposed for receiving and focusing said beam of light, a photodiode mounted in said receiver housing for generating electrical output signals in response to said beam of light, circuitry responsive to said electrical output signals for reconstructing said audio and video signals, an X-Y adjustment platform mounted on the bottom of said receiver housing, said adjustment platform including a first member horizontally hinged to the bottom of said receiver housing for vertical movement, means for adjusting the angle between said first member and said receiver housing, a second member pivotally mounted below said first member for rotation about a generally vertical axis, and means for adjusting the relative positions of said first and second members.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
180 words
A wireless communications link comprising: a transmitter housing having means for receiving electrical audio and video signals, means for generating a beam of light mounted in said transmitter housing, means responsive to said receiving means for modulating said beam of light with said audio and video signals, a first lens mounted in said transmitter housing in the path of said beam of light for focusing said modulated beam of light, a receiver housing having a second lens disposed for receiving and focusing said beam of light, a photodiode mounted in said receiver housing for generating electrical output signals in response to said beam of light, circuitry responsive to said electrical output signals for reconstructing said audio and video signals, a removable rear cover for said receiver housing to allow access to said photodiode, said photodiode supported within a rigid frame member, said frame member slidably mounted within said receiver housing to enable adjustment of the position of said photodiode within said receiver housing, wherein said frame member is keyed to prevent rotation of said photodiode relative to said receiver housing.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
180 words
A wireless communications link comprising: a transmitter housing having means for receiving electrical audio and video signals, means for generating a beam of light mounted in said transmitter housing, means responsive to said receiving means for modulating said beam of light with said audio and video signals, a first lens mounted in said transmitter housing in the path of said beam of light for focusing said modulated beam of light, a receiver housing having a second lens disposed for receiving and focusing said beam of light, a photodiode mounted in said receiver housing for generating electrical output signals in response to said beam of light, circuitry responsive to said electrical output signals for reconstructing said audio and video signals, a removable rear cover for said receiver housing to allow access to said photodiode, said photodiode supported within a rigid frame member, said frame member slidably mounted within said receiver housing to enable adjustment of the position of said photodiode within said receiver housing, wherein said frame member is keyed to prevent rotation of said photodiode relative to said receiver housing.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
183 words
A wireless communications link comprising: a transmitter housing having means for receiving electrical audio and video signals, means for generating a beam of light mounted in said transmitter housing, means responsive to said receiving means for modulating said beam of light with said audio and video signals, a first lens mounted in said transmitter housing in the path of said beam of light for focusing said modulated beam of light, a receiver housing having a second lens disposed for receiving and focusing said beam of light, a photodiode mounted in said receiver housing for generating electrical output signals in response to said beam of light, circuitry responsive to said electrical output signals for reconstructing said audio and video signals, a removable rear cover for said receiver housing to allow recess to said photodiode, said photodiode supported within a rigid frame member, said frame member slidably mounted within said receiver housing to enable adjustment of the position of said photodiode within said receiver housing, wherein each of said transmitter and receiver housings are of weathertight construction and are dimensioned to be hand-held and portable.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
183 words
A wireless communications link comprising: a transmitter housing having means for receiving electrical audio and video signals, means for generating a beam of light mounted in said transmitter housing, means responsive to said receiving means for modulating said beam of light with said audio and video signals, a first lens mounted in said transmitter housing in the path of said beam of light for focusing said modulated beam of light, a receiver housing having a second lens disposed for receiving and focusing said beam of light, a photodiode mounted in said receiver housing for generating electrical output signals in response to said beam of light, circuitry responsive to said electrical output signals for reconstructing said audio and video signals, a removable rear cover for said receiver housing to allow recess to said photodiode, said photodiode supported within a rigid frame member, said frame member slidably mounted within said receiver housing to enable adjustment of the position of said photodiode within said receiver housing, wherein each of said transmitter and receiver housings are of weathertight construction and are dimensioned to be hand-held and portable.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
121 words
An optical transmitter comprising: means for receiving video signals, means for receiving audio signals, a voltage controlled oscillator coupled to said receiving means responsive to said audio signals for generating a modulated frequency output, summing means for summing said video signals and said modulated frequency output, means responsive to the output of said summing means for generating current drive, a light emitting diode connected to receive said current drive and to generate a modulated light beam in response thereto, lens means for focusing said light beam, and a preemphasis circuit connected between said summing means and said means for generating current drive to preemphasize high frequencies of said current drive in order to provide optimum modulation characteristics for said video signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
121 words
An optical transmitter comprising: means for receiving video signals, means for receiving audio signals, a voltage controlled oscillator coupled to said receiving means responsive to said audio signals for generating a modulated frequency output, summing means for summing said video signals and said modulated frequency output, means responsive to the output of said summing means for generating current drive, a light emitting diode connected to receive said current drive and to generate a modulated light beam in response thereto, lens means for focusing said light beam, and a preemphasis circuit connected between said summing means and said means for generating current drive to preemphasize high frequencies of said current drive in order to provide optimum modulation characteristics for said video signals.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
132 words
A wireless communications link comprising: a transmitter housing having means for receiving electrical audio and video signals, means for generating a beam of light mounted in said transmitter housing, means responsive to said receiving means for modulating said beam of light with said audio and video signals, a first lens mounted in said transmitter housing in the path of said beam of light for focusing said modulated beam of light, a receiver housing having a second lens disposed for receiving and focusing said beam of light, a photodiode mounted in said receiver housing for generating electrical output signals in response to said beam of light, circuitry responsive to said electrical output signals for reconstructing said audio and video signals, and an X-Y adjustment platform mounted on the bottom of said receiver housing.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
132 words
A wireless communications link comprising: a transmitter housing having means for receiving electrical audio and video signals, means for generating a beam of light mounted in said transmitter housing, means responsive to said receiving means for modulating said beam of light with said audio and video signals, a first lens mounted in said transmitter housing in the path of said beam of light for focusing said modulated beam of light, a receiver housing having a second lens disposed for receiving and focusing said beam of light, a photodiode mounted in said receiver housing for generating electrical output signals in response to said beam of light, circuitry responsive to said electrical output signals for reconstructing said audio and video signals, and an X-Y adjustment platform mounted on the bottom of said receiver housing.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
164 words
A wireless communications link comprising: a transmitter housing having means for receiving electrical audio and video signals, means for generating a beam of light mounted in said transmitter housing, means responsive to said receiving means for modulating said beam of light with said audio and video signals, a first lens mounted in said transmitter housing in the path of said beam of light for focusing said modulated beam of light, a receiver housing having a second lens disposed for receiving and focusing said beam of light, a photodiode mounted in said receiver housing for generating electrical output signals in response to said beam of light, circuitry responsive to said electrical output signals for reconstructing said audio and video signals, a removable rear cover for said receiver housing to allow access to said photodiode, said photodiode supported within a rigid frame member, and said frame member slidably mounted within said receiver housing to enable adjustment of the position of said photodiode within said receiver housing.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
164 words
A wireless communications link comprising: a transmitter housing having means for receiving electrical audio and video signals, means for generating a beam of light mounted in said transmitter housing, means responsive to said receiving means for modulating said beam of light with said audio and video signals, a first lens mounted in said transmitter housing in the path of said beam of light for focusing said modulated beam of light, a receiver housing having a second lens disposed for receiving and focusing said beam of light, a photodiode mounted in said receiver housing for generating electrical output signals in response to said beam of light, circuitry responsive to said electrical output signals for reconstructing said audio and video signals, a removable rear cover for said receiver housing to allow access to said photodiode, said photodiode supported within a rigid frame member, and said frame member slidably mounted within said receiver housing to enable adjustment of the position of said photodiode within said receiver housing.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2086791A
Cited
US2400073A
Cited
US2949605A
Cited
US2982859A
Cited
US3384837A
Cited
US3302027A
Cited
US3305627A
Cited
US3284633A
Cited
US3488586A
Cited
US3401266A
Cited
US3478215A
Cited
US3617750A
Cited
US3674925A
Cited
US3705986A
Cited
US3899429A
Cited
US3761184A
Cited
US3778728A
Cited
US3931512A
Cited
US3917906A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1980-10-17 | 1981-04-18 | 1981-10-18 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1984-10-17 | 1985-04-18 | 1985-10-18 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1988-10-17 | 1989-04-18 | 1989-10-18 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |