US4878722A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Wavelength encoded optical switches
Assignee: Korry Electronics Co
•
Filing: 1988-06-24
•
Granted: 1989-11-07
•
Expires: 2008-06-24
Abstract
Abstract A switch mechanism (11) comprising a red LED light source (13), a filter assembly (15) and a photodetector assembly (17) is disclosed. The photodetector assembly (17) includes two filtered photodetectors (33 and 35) that are aligned with the light source (13) either directly or via a light canal (19). The filtered photodetectors (33 and 35) are designed to detect light in different narrow wavelength bands lying within the band of energy produced by the light source (13). The filter assembly (15) includes a two-position movable element (23) located between the light source (13) and the photodetector assembly (17). The movable element (23) includes two sections (25 and 27) having different light-passing abilities. In one of the movable element positions one section (25) is located between the light source and both filtered photodetectors and in the other movable element position the other section (27) is located therebetween. Preferably, one section (25) is a thin slab of transparent material and the other section (27) is a thin slab of filter material. The transmittance of the filter dye slab (27) is such that the ratio of the energy detected by the filtered photodetectors (33 and 35) when the filter dye slab (27) is located between the light source (13) and the filtered photodetectors (33 and 35) is different than the ratio of the energy detected when the transparent slab (25) is located between the light source (13) and the filtered photodetectors (33 and 35). Thus, the difference in ratios determines the position of the movable element (23).
Inventors
- 👤 Leonard Y. Nelson
- 👤 John R. Green
- 👤 Carol W. Wong
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 09:04
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4246; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/351; G02B6/3532; G02B6/354; G02B6/3544; G02B6/3548; G02B6/3552; G02B6/3564; G02B6/3568; G02B6/3574; G02B6/3598
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 52
Claim 1
Independent Claim
129 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch comprising: an electrically energized light source; a two-channel photodetector including two light detectors filtered to detect light in two different wavelength bands lying within the wavelength band of light produced by said electrically energized light source when said electrically energized light source is energized; a movable element located between said electrically energized light source and said two-channel photodetector, said movable element including at least two sections, at least one of said two sections comprising a filter having a dissimilar transmissivity effect on light lying in said two different wavelength bands detected by said two light detectors; and, positioning means for selectively positioning one or the other of said two sections of said movable element between said electrically energized light source and said two-channel photodetector.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
129 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch comprising: an electrically energized light source; a two-channel photodetector including two light detectors filtered to detect light in two different wavelength bands lying within the wavelength band of light produced by said electrically energized light source when said electrically energized light source is energized; a movable element located between said electrically energized light source and said two-channel photodetector, said movable element including at least two sections, at least one of said two sections comprising a filter having a dissimilar transmissivity effect on light lying in said two different wavelength bands detected by said two light detectors; and, positioning means for selectively positioning one or the other of said two sections of said movable element between said electrically energized light source and said two-channel photodetector.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
24 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein said electrically energized light source creates a beam of red light when energized.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
43 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 1 or 2, including a light canal for conveying light from the side of said movable element remote from the side on which said electrically energized light source is located to said two-channel photodetector.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
47 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 1, wherein one section of said movable element is transparent and wherein said other section comprises said filter having a dissimilar transmissivity effect on light lying in said two different wavelength bands detected by said two light detectors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 4, wherein said electrically energized light source creates a beam of red light when energized.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
43 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 4 or 5, including a light canal for conveying light from the side of said movable element remote from the side on which said electrically energized light source is located to said two-channel photodetector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 4, wherein said transparent section is formed of a thin slab of transpaent plastic and wherein said filter section is formed of a thin slab of plastic containing a filter dye.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 7, wherein said electrically energized light source creates a beam of red light when energized.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
43 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 7 or 8, including a light canal for conveying light from the side of said movable element remote from the side on which said electrically energized light source is located to said two-channel photodetector.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 7, wherein said filter dye is a phthalocyanine dye.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
24 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 10, wherein said electrically energized light source creates a beam of red light when energized.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
43 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 10 or 11, including a light canal for conveying light from the side of said movable element remote from the side on which said electrically energized light source is located to said two-channel photodetector.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
22 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 11, wherein said electrically energized light source is a red light emitting diode.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
35 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 13, wherein said red light emitting diode emits energy in a wavelength band extending from approximately 610 nm to approximately 700 nm, centered at 660 nm.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
22 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 14, wherein each of said detectors has a bandwidth of approximately 30 nm.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 15, wherein the bandwidth of one of said detectors is centered at about 630 nm and the bandwidth of the other is centered at about 675 nm.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
49 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 16, wherein said filter section has very little effect on the amount of energy detected by said detector centered at about 630 nm and a substantial reduction in the light energy received by said detector centered at about 675 nm.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
38 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 4, wherein said transparent section is formed of a thin slab of transparent material and wherein said filter section is formed of a thin slab of red filter glass.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 18, wherein said electrically energized light source creates a beam of red light when energized.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
43 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 18 or 19, including a light canal for conveying light from the side of said movable element remote from the side on which said electrically energized light source is located to said two-channel photodetector.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 20, wherein said electrically energized light source is a red light emitting diode.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
35 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 21, wherein said red light emittion diode emits energy in a wavelength band extending from approximately 600 nm to approximately 700 nm, centered at 650 nm.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
32 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 22, wherein one of said detectors has a bandwidth of approximately 30 nm and the other has a bandwidth of approximately 60 nm.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
40 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 23, wherein the bandwidth of said one of said detectors is centered at about 625 nm and the bandwidth of said other of said detectors is centered at about 670 nm.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
49 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch as claimed in claim 24, wherein said filter section has very little effect on the amount of energy detected by said detector centered at about 625 nm and a substantial reduction in the light energy received by said detector centered at about 670 nm.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
218 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system comprising: (A) a plurality of switch stations, each of said switch stations comprising: (1) a light source for generating a beam of light energy; (2) a movable element located in the beam of light produced by said light source, said movable element including at least two sections, at least one of said two sections comprising a filter having a dissimilar transmissivity effect on light produced by said light source in two different wavelength bands lying within the wavelength band of light produced by said light source; and (3) positioning means for selectively positioning one or the other of said two sections of said movable element in the beam of light produced by said light source; (B) pulse generating means for generating a plurality of trigger pulses and selectively applying said trigger pulses to said light sources of said switch stations such that only one of said light sources receives a trigger pulse at one same point in time; (C) a two-channel photodetector including two light detectors configured to detect light in the two different wavelength bands lying within the wavelength band of light produced by said light source; and, (D) optical coupling means for conveying light from the side of said removable element remote from said light source to said two-channel detector.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
218 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system comprising: (A) a plurality of switch stations, each of said switch stations comprising: (1) a light source for generating a beam of light energy; (2) a movable element located in the beam of light produced by said light source, said movable element including at least two sections, at least one of said two sections comprising a filter having a dissimilar transmissivity effect on light produced by said light source in two different wavelength bands lying within the wavelength band of light produced by said light source; and (3) positioning means for selectively positioning one or the other of said two sections of said movable element in the beam of light produced by said light source; (B) pulse generating means for generating a plurality of trigger pulses and selectively applying said trigger pulses to said light sources of said switch stations such that only one of said light sources receives a trigger pulse at one same point in time; (C) a two-channel photodetector including two light detectors configured to detect light in the two different wavelength bands lying within the wavelength band of light produced by said light source; and, (D) optical coupling means for conveying light from the side of said removable element remote from said light source to said two-channel detector.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
36 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 26 wherein said pulsing means comprises a pulse generator and a multiplexer for sequentially applying said trigger pulses to said light sources of said switch stations.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
56 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 27, wherein the output of said pulse generator is connected to said two-channel photodetector for synchronizing said two-channel photodetector such that said two-channel photodetector is enabled to receive light from said optical coupler when one of said switch stations receives a trigger pulse from said multiplexer.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
32 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 26, 27 or 28, wherein said light source of each of said switch stations creates a beam of red light when energized.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
27 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 29, wherein said light source of each of said switch station is a red light emitting diode.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
57 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 26, 27 or 28, wherein one section of said movable element of each of said switch stations is transparent and wherein said other section comprises said filter having a dissimilar transmissivity effect on light lying is said two different wavelength bands detected by said two light detectors.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
29 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 31, wherein said light source of each of said switch stations creates a beam of red light when energized.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
27 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 32, wherein said light source of each of said switch station is a red light emitting diode.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
53 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 31, wherein said transparent section of each of said movable elements is formed of a thin slab of transparent plastic and wherein said filter section of each of said movable elements is formed of a thin slab of plastic containing a filter dye.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
29 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 34, wherein said light source of each of said switch stations creates a beam of red light when energized.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
27 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 35, wherein said light source of each of said switch station is a red light emitting diode.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
19 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 34, wherein said filter dye is a phthalocyanine dye.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
29 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 37, wherein said light source of each of said switch stations creates a beam of red light when energized.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
27 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 38, wherein said light source of each of said switch station is a red light emitting diode.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
36 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 39, wherein said red light emitting diode emits energy in a wavelength band extending from approximately 610 nm to approximately 700 nm, centered at 660 nm.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
23 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 40, wherein each of said detectors has a bandwidth of approximately 30 nm.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
48 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 41, wherein the bandwidth of one of said detectors of each switch station is centered at about 630 nm and the bandwidth of the other of said detectors of each switch station is centered at about 675 nm.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
54 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 42, wherein said filter section of each switch station has very little effect on the amount of energy detected by the detector centered at about 630 nm and a substantial reduction in the light energy received by the detector centered at about 675 nm.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
51 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 31, wherein said transparent section of each of said movable elements is formed of a thin slab of transparent material and wherein said filter section of each of said movable elements is formed of a thin slab of red filter glass.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
29 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 44, wherein said light source of each of said switch stations creates a beam of red light when energized.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
27 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 45, wherein said light source of each of said switch station is a red light emitting diode.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
36 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 46, wherein said red light emitting diodes emit energy in a wavelength band extending from approximately 600 nm to approximately 700 nm, centered at 650 nm.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
44 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 47, wherein one of said detectors of each switch station has a bandwidth of approximately 30 nm and the other of said detectors of each switch station has a bandwidth of approximately 60 nm.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim
49 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 48, wherein the bandwidth of said one of said detectors of each switch station is centered at about 625 nm and the bandwidth of said other of said detectors of each switch station is centered at about 670 nm.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim
53 words
A wavelength encoded optical switch system as claimed in claim 49, wherein said filter section each switch station has very little effect on the amount of energy detected by the detector centered at about 625 nm and a substantial reduction in the light energy received by the detector centered at about 670 nm.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3459951A
Cited
US3489906A
Cited
US4040741A
Cited
US4045667A
Cited
US4284885A
Cited
US4308456A
Cited
US4315147A
Cited
US4345840A
Cited
US4379968A
Cited
US4641026A
Cited
US4617461A
Cited
US4692612A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-11-06 | 1993-05-08 | 1993-11-07 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-11-06 | 1997-05-08 | 1997-11-07 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-11-06 | 2001-05-08 | 2001-11-07 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |