Patent US5113467A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5113467A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Laser transmitter interlock
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1990-11-13
•
Granted: 1992-05-12
•
Expires: 2010-11-13
Abstract
Abstract A Hall effect sensor associated with the receptacle of a laser transmitter module senses the presence of a magnet carried by a fiber-optic connector when the connector is inserted in the receptacle. The output signal from the sensor is used to disable the laser transmitter if the fiber-optic connector is not inserted, providing a safety interlock as well as a positive key against the insertion of incompatible multimode connectors.
Inventors
- 👤 Gerald W. Peterson
- 👤 Bert W. Weidle
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 17:22
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4248; G02B6/36; G02B6/38; G02B6/3807; G02B6/3873; G02B6/3874; G02B6/3878; H; H03; H03K; H03K17/00; H03K17/94; H03K17/945; H03K17/95; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/50; H04B10/501; H04B10/503; G02B6/4296; G02B2006/4297
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
97 words
An interlock system for a laser transmitter module adapted to be coupled to a fiber-optic connector having means associated therewith for generating a magnetic field, said interlock system comprising: a laser light source mounted on said module; a Hall effect sensor mounted on said module, said sensor producing a first signal in the absence of said magnetic field and a second signal in the presence of said magnetic field; and means for disabling energization of said laser source in response to said first signal and for enabling energization of said laser in response to said second signal.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
97 words
An interlock system for a laser transmitter module adapted to be coupled to a fiber-optic connector having means associated therewith for generating a magnetic field, said interlock system comprising: a laser light source mounted on said module; a Hall effect sensor mounted on said module, said sensor producing a first signal in the absence of said magnetic field and a second signal in the presence of said magnetic field; and means for disabling energization of said laser source in response to said first signal and for enabling energization of said laser in response to said second signal.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
132 words
An interlock system for a laser transmitter module adapted to be coupled to a fiber-optic connector comprising: a pair of optical subassemblies mounted on said module, one of said optical subassemblies including a laser light source; a pair of fiber-optic lines mounted on said connector and a magnet mounted on said connector between said lines; a Hall effect sensor mounted on said module between said pair of optical subassemblies, said sensor producing a first signal in the absence of a magnetic field generated by said connector and a second signal in the presence of a magnetic field generated by said connector; and means for disabling energization of said laser light source in response to said first signal and for enabling energization of said laser light source in response to said second signal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
132 words
An interlock system for a laser transmitter module adapted to be coupled to a fiber-optic connector comprising: a pair of optical subassemblies mounted on said module, one of said optical subassemblies including a laser light source; a pair of fiber-optic lines mounted on said connector and a magnet mounted on said connector between said lines; a Hall effect sensor mounted on said module between said pair of optical subassemblies, said sensor producing a first signal in the absence of a magnetic field generated by said connector and a second signal in the presence of a magnetic field generated by said connector; and means for disabling energization of said laser light source in response to said first signal and for enabling energization of said laser light source in response to said second signal.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
An interlock system as in claim 1, further including said connector, said connector having a magnet mounted thereon for generating said magnetic field.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
27 words
An interlock system as in claim 1, further including an error detection circuit and means for coupling said first and second signals to said error detection circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
An interlock system as in claim 4 in which said error detection circuit is external to said module.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US4124814A
Cited
US4223228A
Cited
US4491792A
Cited
US4549783A
Cited
GB2197483A
Cited
US4830449A
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 |