US5122656A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Fiber optic input device having a light transmissive body with parallel grooves
Assignee: Raytheon Co
•
Filing: 1990-12-13
•
Granted: 1992-06-16
•
Expires: 2010-12-13
Abstract
Abstract A sensor which comprises a light transmitting body having first and second opposing surfaces, the first surface having a first plurality of parallel grooves therein and wall members spacing the first grooves from each other, the second surface having a second plurality of parallel grooves therein extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the first grooves, each of the second grooves optically coupled to one of the wall members, a first array of photoresponsive devices disposed at one end portion of the first grooves, the first array having a photoresponsive device associated with each groove of the first grooves and a second array of photoresponsive devices disposed at one end portion of the second grooves, the second array having photoresponsive device associated with each groove of the second grooves.
Inventors
- 👤 Rodney D. Williams
- 👤 John Slaughter
- 👤 Felix Garcia, Jr.
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-06 01:01
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06F; G06F3/00; G06F3/01; G06F3/03; G06F3/041; G06F3/042; G06F3/033; G06F3/038; G06F3/0386
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
134 words
A sensor which comprises, in combination: (a) a light transmitting body having first and second opposing surfaces, said first surface having a first plurality of parallel grooves therein and wall members spacing said first grooves from each other, said second surface having a second plurality of parallel grooves therein extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said first grooves, each of said second grooves optically coupled to one of said wall members; (b) a first array of photoresponsive devices disposed at one end portion of said first grooves, said first array having a photoresponsive device associated with each groove of said first grooves; and (c) a second array of photoresponsive devices disposed at one end portion of said second grooves, said second array having photoresponsive device associated with each groove of said second grooves.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
134 words
A sensor which comprises, in combination: (a) a light transmitting body having first and second opposing surfaces, said first surface having a first plurality of parallel grooves therein and wall members spacing said first grooves from each other, said second surface having a second plurality of parallel grooves therein extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to said first grooves, each of said second grooves optically coupled to one of said wall members; (b) a first array of photoresponsive devices disposed at one end portion of said first grooves, said first array having a photoresponsive device associated with each groove of said first grooves; and (c) a second array of photoresponsive devices disposed at one end portion of said second grooves, said second array having photoresponsive device associated with each groove of said second grooves.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body is a group III-V semiconductor material.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said photoresponsive devices are phototransistors.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
14 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 2 wherein said photoresponsive devices are phototransistors.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said photoresponsive devices are charge coupled devices.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
16 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 2 wherein said photoresponsive devices are charge coupled devices.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 1, further including a clad fiber optic device disposed in each of said first and second grooves, the cladding of said fiber optic devices on a portion of the surface thereof facing said first surface being removed.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
44 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 2, further including a clad fiber optic device disposed in each of said first and second grooves, the cladding of said fiber optic devices on a portion of the surface thereof facing said first surface being removed.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
44 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 3 further including a clad fiber optic device disposed in each of said first and second grooves, the cladding of said fiber optic devices on a portion of the surface thereof facing said first surface being removed.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
44 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 4, further including a clad fiber optic device disposed in each of said first and second grooves, the cladding of said fiber optic devices on a portion of the surface thereof facing said first surface being removed.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
44 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 5, further including a clad fiber optic device disposed in each of said first and second grooves, the cladding of said fiber optic devices on a portion of the surface thereof facing said first surface being removed.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
44 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 6, further including a clad fiber optic device disposed in each of said first and second grooves, the cladding of said fiber optic devices on a portion of the surface thereof facing said first surface being removed.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
78 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 1 further including a third array of photoresponsive devices disposed at the end portion of said first grooves opposite said first array, said third array having a photoresponsive device associated with each groove of said first grooves and a fourth array of photoresponsive devices disposed at the end portion of said second grooves opposite said second array, said fourth array having photoresponsive device associated with each groove of said second grooves.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
61 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 1 further including first reflecting means disposed at the end portion of said first grooves opposite said first array to reflect light impinging thereon toward said first array and second reflecting means disposed at the end portion of said second grooves opposite said second array to reflect light impinging thereon toward said second array.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
13 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 1 wherein said body is polymethylmethacrylate.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 1 wherein the surfaces of said grooves comprise a light reflecting coating having greater light reflectivity than said body.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 2 wherein the surfaces of said grooves comprise a light reflecting coating having greater light reflectivity than said body.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
27 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 1 further including a half silver mirror disposed at the entrance to each of said first plurality of parallel grooves.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
27 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 15 further including a half silver mirror disposed at the entrance to each of said first plurality of parallel grooves.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
27 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 16 further including a half silver mirror disposed at the entrance to each of said first plurality of parallel grooves.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
27 words
A sensor as set forth in claim 17 further including a half silver mirror disposed at the entrance to each of said first plurality of parallel grooves.
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) | 1995-06-16 | 1995-12-16 | 1996-06-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-06-16 | 1999-12-16 | 2000-06-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-06-16 | 2003-12-16 | 2004-06-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |