US5170269A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Programmable optical interconnect system
Assignee: University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
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Filing: 1991-05-31
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Granted: 1992-12-08
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Expires: 2011-05-31
Abstract
Abstract This is an optical interconnect system. The system comprises: at least one signal transmitter; at least two signal receivers; at least one DMD in the same plane as the signal transmitter; and a hologram, whereby the phase of the original beam from the signal transmitter may be programmably changed, by a DMD, such that the beams received at the signal receiver may cancel or reinforce. Other methods and devices are disclosed.
Inventors
- 👤 Tsen-Hwang Lin
- 👤 Michael R. Feldman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-29 22:56
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/43; G02B5/00; G02B5/32
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
61 words
An optical interconnect system comprising: a. at least two processing elements, each of said processing elements comprising: at least one signal transmitter; at least one signal receiver; and at least one DMD on a support structure shared with said signal transmitter; and b. a hologram such that said DMD and said hologram provide the capability to programmably connect said processing elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
61 words
An optical interconnect system comprising: a. at least two processing elements, each of said processing elements comprising: at least one signal transmitter; at least one signal receiver; and at least one DMD on a support structure shared with said signal transmitter; and b. a hologram such that said DMD and said hologram provide the capability to programmably connect said processing elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
12 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said signal transmitter is a laser.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said hologram is a computer generated hologram.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
20 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said system connects one of said signal transmitters to one of said signal receivers.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said system connects at least two of said signal transmitters to one of said signal receivers.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said system connects one of said signal transmitters to at least two of said signal receivers.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said system connects at least two of said signal transmitters to at least two of said signal receivers.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said system provides a connection network that is reconfigurable by programming said DMD.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
16 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said system is a portion of a parallel computing system.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
23 words
The parallel computing system of claim 9, wherein said parallel computing system comprises an array of processors with integrated photosignal receivers and lasers.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 1, wherein said signal transmitter and said DMD are on a different support structure than said signal receivers.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of optically connecting at least one signal transmitter to at least one signal receiver comprising: receiving at least two received beams at said signal receiver, said received beams being a portion of an original beam divided at least once by a hologram and at least one of said received beams being reflected at least once by at least one DMD, wherein said DMD is on a support structure shared with said signal transmitter, and said hologram and said DMD provide the capability to programmably connect said signal transmitter and said receiver.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
93 words
A method of optically connecting at least one signal transmitter to at least one signal receiver comprising: receiving at least two received beams at said signal receiver, said received beams being a portion of an original beam divided at least once by a hologram and at least one of said received beams being reflected at least once by at least one DMD, wherein said DMD is on a support structure shared with said signal transmitter, and said hologram and said DMD provide the capability to programmably connect said signal transmitter and said receiver.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 12, wherein at least two of said signal transmitters are connected to at least two of said signal receivers.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12, wherein at least two of said signal transmitters are connected to one of said signal receivers.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12, wherein one of said signal transmitters is connected to at least two of said signal receivers.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
19 words
The method of claim 12, wherein one of said signal transmitters is connected to one of said signal receivers.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 12, wherein connection of said signal transmitters to said signal receivers is reconfigurable by programming said DMD.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
12 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said signal transmitter is a laser.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
13 words
The method of claim 12, wherein said hologram is a computer generated hologram.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
22 words
The system of claim 12, wherein said signal transmitter and said DMD are on a different support structure than said signal receiver.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1995-12-08 | 1996-06-08 | 1996-12-08 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-12-08 | 2000-06-08 | 2000-12-08 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-12-08 | 2004-06-08 | 2004-12-08 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |