Fiber optic switching system

Claim 2

A fiber optic switching system, comprising: a plurality of fiber optic cables; a support structure for securing light emitting/light receiving ends of the plurality of fiber optic cables in predetermined positions; and means for re-directing light emitted from the light emitting/light receiving end of one of the fiber optic cables to the light emitting/light receiving end of another one of the plurality of fiber optic cables; said redirecting means comprising; means for collimating the light emitted from one of the light emitting/light receiving ends for providing a collimated beam having a path with a direction; first means for intercepting and changing the direction of the path of the collimated beam; second means, disposed in the path of the collimated beam from the first intercepting and changing means, for intercepting and changing the direction of the path of the collimated beam; and means, disposed in the path of the collimated beam from the second intercepting and changing means, for focusing the collimated beam to the light emitting/light receiving end of another one of the plurality of fiber optic cables.

Claim 3

The system recited in claim 1 wherein the collimating means comprises a collimating lens.

Claim 4

The system recited in claim 2 wherein the first and second intercepting and changing means each comprises an optical beam phase shifter.

Claim 5

The system recited in claim 3 wherein the optical beam phase shifter comprises liquid crystal molecules disposed between a common electrode and a multiplicity of parallel stripe electrodes.

Claim 6

A switching system, for coupling information propagating as electromagnetic wave energy between selected ones of a plurality of terminals having a predetermined spatial relationship, each one of such terminals being adapted to transmit said wave energy and receive said transmitted wave energy, said system comprising: means, responsive to an electrical signal and positioned to receive the wave energy transmitted at one of the terminals, for changing the index of refraction of said means as said received wave energy passes through said means to direct said received energy to another one of the spaced terminals selectively in accordance with the electrical signal; and means for collimating the wave energy emitted from an end of one of the terminals for providing a collimated beam having a path with a direction; and said index of refraction changing means comprising: first means for intercepting and changing the direction of the path of the collimated beam comprising an optical beam phase shifter; and second means, disposed in the path of the collimated beam from the first intercepting and changing means, for intercepting and changing the direction of the path of the collimated beam comprising an optical beam phase shifter; and means, disposed in the path of the collimated beam from the second intercepting and changing means, for focusing the collimated beam to the another one of the terminals.

Claim 7

A switching system, for coupling information propagating as electromagnetic wave energy between selected ones of a plurality of terminals having a predetermined spatial relationship, each one of such terminals being adapted to transmit said wave energy and receive said transmitted wave energy, said system comprising: means, responsive to an electrical signal and positioned to receive the wave energy transmitted at one of the terminals, for changing the index of refraction of said means as said received wave energy passes through said means to direct said received energy to another one of the spaced terminals selectively in accordance with the electrical signal; and means for collimating the wave energy emitted from an end of one of the terminals for providing a collimated beam having a path with a direction; and said index of refraction changing means comprising: first means for intercepting and changing the direction of the path of the collimated beam comprising an optical beam phase shifter; and second means, disposed in the path of the collimated beam from the first intercepting and changing means, for intercepting and changing the direction of the path of the collimated beam comprising an optical beam phase shifter; and means, disposed in the path of the collimated beam from the second intercepting and changing means, for focusing the collimated beam to the another one of the terminals.

Claim 8

The system recited in claim 5 wherein the optical beam phase shifter comprises liquid crystal molecules disposed between a common electrode and a multiplicity of parallel stripe electrodes.

Claim 11

The system recited in claim 7 wherein the collimating means comprises a collimating lens.

Claim 12

The system recited in claim 8 wherein the first and second intercepting and changing means each comprises an optical beam phase shifter.

Claim 13

The system recited in claim 9 wherein the optical beam phase shifter comprises liquid crystal molecules disposed between a common electrode and a multiplicity of parallel stripe electrodes.