US4766471A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Thin film electro-optical devices
Assignee: Energy Conversion Devices Inc
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Filing: 1986-01-23
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Granted: 1988-08-23
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Expires: 2006-01-23
Abstract
Abstract An electro-optical communication device which includes a light transmissive conduit integrally formed to interconnect a light emitter and a light detector. The length over which the light transmissive conduit extends is substantially greater than the size of either the light emitter or the light detector. In the preferred embodiment, the light emitter and the light detector are each formed from amorphous semiconductor alloy material and may be substantially surrounded by the light transmissive conduit.
Inventors
- 👤 Stanford R. Ovshinsky
- 👤 Robert R. Johnson
- 👤 Stephen J. Hudgens
- 👤 Roger W. Pryor
- 👤 Guy C. Wicker
- 👤 Robert S. Nolan
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 17:21
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10F; H10F55/00; H10F55/20; H10F55/205; H10F55/207; H01; H01S; H01S5/00; H01S5/02; H01S5/026; H01S5/0262; H01S5/0264; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/80; H04B10/801; H04B10/802; H10D; H10D12/00; H10D12/211; H10F30/00; H10F30/20; H10F30/21; H10F30/28; H10F30/2823; H10F55/25; H10F55/255; H10H; H10H20/00
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
98 words
An improved communications system employing electro-optical devices; said system comprising an integrated structure, said structure including very wide band gap, light transmissive conduit means and a plurality of active elements, each element including at least one layer of thin film amorphous silicon alloy material, said active elements distributed adjacent to and integrally formed with said conduit means; at least one of said elements adapted to project light signals within said conduit means in response to electrical signals applied thereto, and at least another one of said elements adapted to detect said light signals transmitted within said conduit means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
98 words
An improved communications system employing electro-optical devices; said system comprising an integrated structure, said structure including very wide band gap, light transmissive conduit means and a plurality of active elements, each element including at least one layer of thin film amorphous silicon alloy material, said active elements distributed adjacent to and integrally formed with said conduit means; at least one of said elements adapted to project light signals within said conduit means in response to electrical signals applied thereto, and at least another one of said elements adapted to detect said light signals transmitted within said conduit means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said conduit means include means for confining said light signals within said conduit means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
35 words
A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said conduit means include at least two end surfaces and further including reflective means overlying said end surfaces for confining said light signals within said conduit means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
A system as defined in claim 1, wherein each of said active elements is adapted to generate and detect said light signals.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A system as defined in claim 1, wherein at least some of said active elements comprises light-emitting transistors.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
13 words
A system as defined in claim 5, wherein said light-emitting transistors comprise DIFETs.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said active elements are formed on said conduit means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as defined in claim 1 wherein said conduit means are formed over said active elements.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
17 words
A system as defined in claim 1, wherein said conduit means are formed between said active elements.
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) | 1991-08-23 | 1992-02-22 | 1992-08-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1995-08-23 | 1996-02-22 | 1996-08-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1999-08-23 | 2000-02-22 | 2000-08-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |