Patent US5416627A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5416627A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Method and apparatus for two way infrared communication
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1992-04-24
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Granted: 1995-05-16
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Expires: 2012-04-24
Abstract
Abstract A high-speed two-way optical data link has both light-emitting and light-sensing units mounted adjacent one another in a single housing together with a timing and control unit providing all signals necessary for simultaneous transmission and reception of dam. Synchronization to a clock signal is achieved by use of edge detectors which reset the counters to zero in the timing and control unit whenever a transition in data pulses is sensed. A pair of computers are linked using a program called "Crosstalk" which performs full parity checking of all data received by an associated computer. The data link permits the computers to be "live handshaking" and asynchronous at all times. Another embodiment comprises a strip array which eliminates the optical bulkiness of a parabolic reflector. The strip array also provides a better collection of infrared light since the photodetectors are spread over a larger area than previously allowed with a parabolic reflector. A further embodiment comprises a hemispherical array for communication throughout a room including an ovate or spheroid configuration.
Inventors
- 👤 Thomas E. Wilmoth
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-28 10:07
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/11; H04B10/114; H04B10/1143; H04B10/40
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 15
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for transmitting and receiving signals over a two-way, high-speed, optical data link which allows for transmission and reception operations to occur independently and simultaneously, said apparatus comprising: a hemispherical light-emitting assembly; transmitting means disposed upon the outer portion of said hemispherical light-emitting assembly; a light-sensing assembly disposed proximally to said transmitting means on said hemispherical light-emitting assembly and having a substantially concave surface; control means mounted within said hemispherical light-emitting assembly for simultaneous transmission and reception of data; and said hemispherical light-emitting assembly including a printed circuit board.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for transmitting and receiving signals over a two-way, high-speed, optical data link which allows for transmission and reception operations to occur independently and simultaneously, said apparatus comprising: a hemispherical light-emitting assembly; transmitting means disposed upon the outer portion of said hemispherical light-emitting assembly; a light-sensing assembly disposed proximally to said transmitting means on said hemispherical light-emitting assembly and having a substantially concave surface; control means mounted within said hemispherical light-emitting assembly for simultaneous transmission and reception of data; and said hemispherical light-emitting assembly including a printed circuit board.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said light-sensing assembly is shielded from said transmitting means by a plurality of optical baffles.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: said printed circuit board includes a plurality of windows.
Claim 5
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for transmitting and receiving signals over a two-way, high-speed, optical data link which allows for transmission and reception operations to occur independently and simultaneously, said apparatus comprising: a hemispherical light-emitting assembly; transmitting means disposed upon the outer portion of said hemispherical light-emitting assembly; a light-sensing assembly disposed proximally to said transmitting means on said hemispherical light-emitting assembly and having a substantially concave surface; control means mounted within said hemispherical light-emitting assembly for simultaneous transmission and reception of data; said hemispherical light-emitting assembly including a printed circuit board; said transmitting means including a plurality of light-emitting diodes mounted on the outer surface of said hemispherical light-emitting assembly; and said light-sensing assembly including an infrared sensitive diode disposed at the focal point of a reflective concave surface mounted on the inner side of said hemispherical assembly.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
136 words
An apparatus for transmitting and receiving signals over a two-way, high-speed, optical data link which allows for transmission and reception operations to occur independently and simultaneously, said apparatus comprising: a hemispherical light-emitting assembly; transmitting means disposed upon the outer portion of said hemispherical light-emitting assembly; a light-sensing assembly disposed proximally to said transmitting means on said hemispherical light-emitting assembly and having a substantially concave surface; control means mounted within said hemispherical light-emitting assembly for simultaneous transmission and reception of data; said hemispherical light-emitting assembly including a printed circuit board; said transmitting means including a plurality of light-emitting diodes mounted on the outer surface of said hemispherical light-emitting assembly; and said light-sensing assembly including an infrared sensitive diode disposed at the focal point of a reflective concave surface mounted on the inner side of said hemispherical assembly.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 4, wherein: said light-sensing assembly is shielded from said transmitting means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 5, wherein: said hemispherical light-emitting assembly includes an outer coating applied to said assembly after said apparatus has been tested electrically.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 6, wherein: said outer coating is a molded epoxy coating.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
62 words
An apparatus for simultaneously transmitting and receiving signals over an optical data link, said apparatus comprising: a spherical light-emitting assembly; transmitting means placed upon the outer portion of said spherical light-emitting assembly; a light-sensing assembly disposed proximally to said transmitting means and having a substantially concave surface; and control mounted within said spherical light-emitting assembly for simultaneously transmission and reception of data.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
62 words
An apparatus for simultaneously transmitting and receiving signals over an optical data link, said apparatus comprising: a spherical light-emitting assembly; transmitting means placed upon the outer portion of said spherical light-emitting assembly; a light-sensing assembly disposed proximally to said transmitting means and having a substantially concave surface; and control mounted within said spherical light-emitting assembly for simultaneously transmission and reception of data.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
53 words
The apparatus of claim 8, wherein: said transmitting means includes a plurality of light-emitting diodes mounted on the outer surface of said spherical light-emitting assembly; and said light-sensing assembly includes an infrared sensitive diode disposed at the focal point of a reflective concave surface mounted on the inner side of said spherical assembly.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 9, wherein: said light-sensing assembly is shielded from said transmitting means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
25 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: said spherical light-emitting assembly includes an outer coating applied to said assembly after said apparatus has been tested electrically.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein: said outer coating is a molded epoxy coating.
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) | 1998-05-15 | 1998-11-14 | 1999-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2002-05-15 | 2002-11-14 | 2003-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2006-05-15 | 2006-11-14 | 2007-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |