Patent US5555558A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5555558A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for switching optical signals
Assignee: Optical Switch Corp
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Filing: 1995-05-18
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Granted: 1996-09-10
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Expires: 2015-05-18
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides an apparatus (74 & 200) for switching an optical signal from an input optical fiber (210) to one of a plurality of output optical fibers (214 & 216). The apparatus (74 & 200) includes a collimator (76) for collimating an input optical signal into a collimated beam (216) at an angle with respect to a reference and a decollimator (78) for focusing the collimated beam to an output optical signal (220). The present invention also includes a reflector (92, 208, 218, & 222) for reflecting the collimated beam. The reflector (92 & 208) has a plurality of positions for changing the angle of the collimated beam (216) with respect to the reference so that the output optical signal (220) is focused on one of the plurality of output optical fibers (214 & 216).
Inventors
- 👤 Richard H. Laughlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:51
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/351; G02B6/3512; G02B6/352; G02B6/354; G02B6/3554; G02B6/3556; G02B6/3564; G02B6/3568; G02B6/3578; G02B6/3582
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for switching an input optical signal to one of a plurality of output optical locations, the method comprising the steps of: collimating the input optical signal into a collimated beam; directing the collimated beam to one of the output optical locations; changing the angle of the collimated beam by a selected amount in order to direct the beam to a different one of the output optical locations; and wherein the changing the angle step further comprises changing the angle of the collimated beam by a first amount by reflecting the collimated beam by total internal reflection with a first refractor having a reflective surface, changing the angle of the collimated beam by a second amount by frustrating the total internal reflection of the collimated beam by controlling the spacing between a second refractor having a reflective surface and the first refractor's reflective surface, and reflecting the collimated beam with the second refractor's reflective surface.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
156 words
A method for switching an input optical signal to one of a plurality of output optical locations, the method comprising the steps of: collimating the input optical signal into a collimated beam; directing the collimated beam to one of the output optical locations; changing the angle of the collimated beam by a selected amount in order to direct the beam to a different one of the output optical locations; and wherein the changing the angle step further comprises changing the angle of the collimated beam by a first amount by reflecting the collimated beam by total internal reflection with a first refractor having a reflective surface, changing the angle of the collimated beam by a second amount by frustrating the total internal reflection of the collimated beam by controlling the spacing between a second refractor having a reflective surface and the first refractor's reflective surface, and reflecting the collimated beam with the second refractor's reflective surface.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of further changing the angle of the collimated beam by a third amount by reflecting the collimated beam by total internal reflection with a second reflective surface of the first refractor.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of changing the angle of the collimated beam by a fourth amount by frustrating the total internal reflection of the collimated beam by controlling the spacing between a third refractor having a reflective surface and the first refractor's second reflective surface, and reflecting the collimated beam with the third refractor's reflective surface.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of changing the angle of the collimated beam by a third amount by reflecting the collimated beam by total internal reflection with a third refractor having a first reflective surface after reflection of the collimated beam by one of the first refractor's reflective surface and the second refractor's reflective surface.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for switching a plurality of input optical signals to a plurality of output optical locations, the method comprising the steps of: collimating each of the input optical signals into a collimated beam; directing each collimated beam to one of the output optical locations; changing the angle of each collimated beam by a selected amount in order to direct each beam to a different one of the output optical locations; and wherein the changing the angle step further comprises changing the angle of each collimated beam by a first amount by reflecting each collimated beam by total internal reflection with a first refractor having a reflective surface, changing the angle of each collimated beam by a second amount by frustrating the total internal reflection of each collimated beam by controlling the spacing between a second refractor having a reflective surface and the first refractor's reflective surface, and reflecting each collimated beam with the second refractor's reflective surface.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
158 words
A method for switching a plurality of input optical signals to a plurality of output optical locations, the method comprising the steps of: collimating each of the input optical signals into a collimated beam; directing each collimated beam to one of the output optical locations; changing the angle of each collimated beam by a selected amount in order to direct each beam to a different one of the output optical locations; and wherein the changing the angle step further comprises changing the angle of each collimated beam by a first amount by reflecting each collimated beam by total internal reflection with a first refractor having a reflective surface, changing the angle of each collimated beam by a second amount by frustrating the total internal reflection of each collimated beam by controlling the spacing between a second refractor having a reflective surface and the first refractor's reflective surface, and reflecting each collimated beam with the second refractor's reflective surface.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of further changing the angle of the collimated beam by a third amount by reflecting the collimated beam by total internal reflection with a second reflective surface of the first refractor.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
61 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the steps of changing the angle of the collimated beam by a fourth amount by frustrating the total internal reflection of the collimated beam by controlling the spacing between a third refractor having a reflective surface and the first refractor's second reflective surface, and reflecting the collimated beam with the third refractor's reflective surface.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
59 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of changing the angle of each collimated beam by a third amount by reflecting the collimated beam by total internal reflection with a third refractor having a first reflective surface after reflection of the collimated beam by one of the first refractor's reflective surface and the second refractor's reflective surface.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of decollimating and focusing the collimated beam prior to the directing step.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 5 further comprising the step of decollimating and focusing the collimated beam prior to the directing step.
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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) | 1999-09-10 | 2000-03-11 | 2000-09-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2003-09-10 | 2004-03-11 | 2004-09-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2007-09-10 | 2008-03-11 | 2008-09-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |