US5113403A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Bidirectional free-space optical bus for electronics systems
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1990-10-15
•
Granted: 1992-05-12
•
Expires: 2010-10-15
Abstract
Abstract An electronics system communicates among its subsystems by a free-space optical bus. The bus transmits signals bidirectionally along a single linear axis as polarized beams of light. Each subsystem has a bus interface unit for generating outgoing beams along both axial directions, and for receiving incoming beams from both axial directions. The interface units use laser generators, photodetectors, and amplitude beam splitters.
Inventors
- 👤 Timothy R. Block
- 👤 Tong Lu
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 17:58
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/80; H04B10/801; H04B10/803
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 10
Claim 1
Independent Claim
152 words
A system, comprising: an enclosure; a plurality of subsystems each including function means for performing a designated function within said system, and for producing signals for and accepting signals from others of said subsystems; a plurality of optical interface units mounted on respective ones of said subsystems, each said interface unit being coupled to its respective function means for transmitting at least one signal from said function means as a pair of outgoing beams of free-space radiation, said pair of outgoing beams traveling in different directions along a single line, and for receiving an incoming beam of radiation from either of said two directions along the same line; a plurality of mounting means for positioning respective ones of said subsystems with respect to said enclosure such that said line of each of said subsystems lies along a single axis, so as to form a free-space optical bus interconnecting all of said subsystems.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
152 words
A system, comprising: an enclosure; a plurality of subsystems each including function means for performing a designated function within said system, and for producing signals for and accepting signals from others of said subsystems; a plurality of optical interface units mounted on respective ones of said subsystems, each said interface unit being coupled to its respective function means for transmitting at least one signal from said function means as a pair of outgoing beams of free-space radiation, said pair of outgoing beams traveling in different directions along a single line, and for receiving an incoming beam of radiation from either of said two directions along the same line; a plurality of mounting means for positioning respective ones of said subsystems with respect to said enclosure such that said line of each of said subsystems lies along a single axis, so as to form a free-space optical bus interconnecting all of said subsystems.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes a plurality of connector means having predetermined positions with respect to said enclosure; mating connector means on said subsystems.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said mounting means includes a plurality of guides having predetermined positions with respect to said enclosure.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said subsystems have one dimension substantially smaller than their other dimensions.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
17 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said axis of said bus is substantially in said one dimension.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 4 wherein said subsystems are positioned with respect to each other along a line in said one dimension.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
The system of claim 1 wherein said function means include electrical circuits producing at least one electrical signal.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said function means includes means for converting said one electrical signal to an optical signal coupled to said outgoing beams.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 7 wherein said function means includes means for converting said incoming beam to an electrical signal.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US3842367A
Cited
US4063083A
Cited
US4199226A
Cited
US4270862A
Cited
US4941205A
Cited
US4682311A
Cited
US4850044A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-05-12 | 1995-11-11 | 1996-05-12 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-05-12 | 1999-11-11 | 2000-05-12 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-05-12 | 2003-11-11 | 2004-05-12 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |