US5875271A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Apparatus for switching optical signals and method of operation
Assignee: Optical Switch Corp
•
Filing: 1997-07-07
•
Granted: 1999-02-23
•
Expires: 2017-07-07
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for switching an optical signal to one of a number of output locations includes a refractor and one or more switchplates. The switchplates operate to frustrate the internal reflection of the optical signal by the refractor when the switchplate is brought into proximal contact with the refractor so that the optical signal enters the first switchplate. Switchplates and refractors may be arranged in a variety of configurations to provide cascaded or multi-stage switching.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard H. Laughlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 03:25
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/351; G02B6/3522; G02B6/3512; G02B6/354; G02B6/3554; G02B6/3556; G02B6/3564; G02B6/3568; G02B6/3578
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 58
Claim 1
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for switching an optical signal to one of a plurality of output locations, the apparatus comprising: a refractor having a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface; a first switchplate operable to frustrate the internal reflection of the optical signal by the first reflective surface of the refractor when the first switchplate is brought into proximal contact with the refractor so that the optical signal enters the first switchplate; and a second switchplate operable to frustrate the internal reflection of the optical signal by the second reflective surface of the refractor when the second switchplate is brought into proximal contact with the refractor so that the optical signal enters the second switchplate.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for switching an optical signal to one of a plurality of output locations, the apparatus comprising: a refractor having a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface; a first switchplate operable to frustrate the internal reflection of the optical signal by the first reflective surface of the refractor when the first switchplate is brought into proximal contact with the refractor so that the optical signal enters the first switchplate; and a second switchplate operable to frustrate the internal reflection of the optical signal by the second reflective surface of the refractor when the second switchplate is brought into proximal contact with the refractor so that the optical signal enters the second switchplate.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a collimating lens for collimating the optical signal before the optical signal enters the refractor; and a decollimating lens for decollimating and directing the optical signal to a selected output location.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the collimating lens and the decollimating lens comprise a GRIN lens.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the first switchplate has a first bias angle; and the second switchplate has a second bias angle different from the first bias angle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the output locations are arranged along two axes.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising: a first actuator responsive to a first control signal for moving the first switchplate into and out of proximal contact with the refractor; and a second actuator responsive to a second control signal for moving the second switchplate into and out of proximal contact with the refractor.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the refractor comprises a rhomboid having a first side and a second side opposing the first side; the first switchplate is disposed at the first side; and the second switchplate is disposed at the second side.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the rhomboid is formed from a plurality of prisms.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 1, wherein: the refractor comprises a prism having a first side adjacent a second side; the first switchplate is disposed at the first side; and the second switchplate is disposed at the second side.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for switching an optical signal to one of a plurality of output locations, the apparatus comprising: a refractor operable to communicate the optical signal by internal reflection; a plurality of switchplates arranged in proximity to the refractor, each switchplate operable to frustrate the internal reflection of the optical signal by the refractor when the switchplate is brought into proximal contact with the refractor so that the optical signal enters the switchplate; and a controller for causing selected switchplates to be brought into proximal contact with the refractor so that the optical signal is directed to a selected output location.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
101 words
An apparatus for switching an optical signal to one of a plurality of output locations, the apparatus comprising: a refractor operable to communicate the optical signal by internal reflection; a plurality of switchplates arranged in proximity to the refractor, each switchplate operable to frustrate the internal reflection of the optical signal by the refractor when the switchplate is brought into proximal contact with the refractor so that the optical signal enters the switchplate; and a controller for causing selected switchplates to be brought into proximal contact with the refractor so that the optical signal is directed to a selected output location.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising: a collimating lens for collimating the optical signal before the optical signal enters the refractor; and a decollimating lens for decollimating and directing the optical signal to the selected output location.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 11, wherein the collimating lens and the decollimating lens comprise a GRIN lens.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the switchplates comprise: a first switchplate having a first bias angle; and a second switchplate having a second bias angle different from the first bias angle.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the switchplates comprise: a first pair of switchplates having a first bias angle; and a second pair of switchplates having a second bias angle different from the first bias angle.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the output locations are arranged along two axes.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the number of output locations is 2 n , where n is the number of switchplates.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 10, further comprising a plurality of actuators, each actuator corresponding to an associated switchplate, each actuator responsive to a control signal for moving the associated switchplate into and out of proximal contact with the refractor.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: the switchplates comprise a first set of switchplates and a second set of switchplates; the refractor comprises a rhomboid having a first side and a second side opposing the first side; the first set of switchplates are disposed along the first side; and the second set of switchplates are disposed along the second side.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the rhomboid is formed from a plurality of prisms.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 10, wherein: the refractor comprises a plurality of prisms, each prism having two legs and a hypotenuse, the hypotenuse of each prism arranged along a common axis,; and each switchplate disposed at an associated leg of an associated prism.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for switching a plurality of optical signals to a plurality of output locations, the apparatus comprising: a refractor having a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface; a first switchplate operable to frustrate the internal reflection of the optical signals by the first reflective surface of the refractor when the first switchplate is brought into proximal contact with the refractor so that the optical signals enter the first switchplate; and a second switchplate operable to frustrate the internal reflection of the optical signals by the second reflective surface of the refractor when the second switchplate is brought into proximal contact with the refractor so that the optical signals enter the second switchplate.
Claim 24
Independent Claim
115 words
An apparatus for switching a plurality of optical signals to a plurality of output locations, the apparatus comprising: a refractor having a first reflective surface and a second reflective surface; a first switchplate operable to frustrate the internal reflection of the optical signals by the first reflective surface of the refractor when the first switchplate is brought into proximal contact with the refractor so that the optical signals enter the first switchplate; and a second switchplate operable to frustrate the internal reflection of the optical signals by the second reflective surface of the refractor when the second switchplate is brought into proximal contact with the refractor so that the optical signals enter the second switchplate.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein one of the optical signals comprises a test signal to monitor the performance of the apparatus.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein: the optical signals comprise a data signal and a test signal; and the output locations comprise a first set of output locations associated with the data signal and a second set of output locations associated with the test signal.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 23, further comprising: an optical source to generate the test signal; and a plurality of detectors disposed at the second set of output locations to detect the presence of the test signal.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
37 words
The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising: a collimating lens for collimating the optical signals before the optical signals enter the refractor; and a decollimating lens for decollimating and directing the optical signals to selected output locations.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 25, wherein the collimating lens and the decollimating lens comprise a GRIN lens.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
29 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein: the first switchplate has a first bias angle; and the second switchplate has a second bias angle different from the first bias angle.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein the output locations are arranged along two axes.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
54 words
The apparatus of claim 21, further comprising: a first actuator responsive to a first control signal for moving the first switchplate into and out of proximal contact with the refractor; and a second actuator responsive to a second control signal for moving the second switchplate into and out of proximal contact with the refractor.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
42 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein: the refractor comprises a rhomboid having a first side and a second side opposing the first side; the first switchplate is disposed at the first side; and the second switchplate is disposed at the second side.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 30, wherein the rhomboid is formed from a plurality of prisms.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 21, wherein: the refractor comprises a prism having a first side adjacent a second side; the first switchplate is disposed at the first side; and the second switchplate is disposed at the second side.
Claim 36
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for switching a plurality of optical signals to a plurality of output locations, the apparatus comprising: a refractor operable to communicate the optical signals by internal reflection; a plurality of switchplates arranged in proximity to the refractor, each switchplate operable to frustrate the internal reflection of the optical signals by the refractor when the switchplate is brought into proximal contact with the refractor so that the optical signals enter the switchplate; and a controller for causing selected switchplates to be brought into proximal contact with the refractor so that the optical signals are directed to selected output locations.
Claim 37
Independent Claim
100 words
An apparatus for switching a plurality of optical signals to a plurality of output locations, the apparatus comprising: a refractor operable to communicate the optical signals by internal reflection; a plurality of switchplates arranged in proximity to the refractor, each switchplate operable to frustrate the internal reflection of the optical signals by the refractor when the switchplate is brought into proximal contact with the refractor so that the optical signals enter the switchplate; and a controller for causing selected switchplates to be brought into proximal contact with the refractor so that the optical signals are directed to selected output locations.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
22 words
The apparatus of claim 33, wherein one of the optical signals comprises a test signal to monitor the performance of the apparatus.
Claim 39
Dependent Claim
45 words
The apparatus of claim 33, wherein: the optical signals comprise a data signal and a test signal; and the output locations comprise a first set of output locations associated with the data signal and a second set of output locations associated with the test signal.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 35, further comprising: an optical source to generate the test signal; and a plurality of detectors disposed at the second set of output locations to detect the presence of the test signal.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim
38 words
The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising: a collimating lens for collimating the optical signals before the optical signals enter the refractor; and a decollimating lens for decollimating and directing the optical signals to the selected output locations.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim
17 words
The apparatus of claim 37, wherein the collimating lens and the decollimating lens comprise a GRIN lens.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim
32 words
The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the switchplates comprise: a first switchplate having a first bias angle; and a second switchplate having a second bias angle different from the first bias angle.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim
36 words
The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the switchplates comprise: a first pair of switchplates having a first bias angle; and a second pair of switchplates having a second bias angle different from the first bias angle.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim
14 words
The apparatus of claim 33, wherein the output locations are arranged along two axes.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim
70 words
The apparatus of claim 33, wherein: the optical signals comprise a data signal and a test signal; the output locations comprise a first set of output locations associated with the data signal and a second set of output locations associated with the test signal; and the number of output locations in both the first set and the second set is 2 n , where n is the number of switchplates.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim
39 words
The apparatus of claim 33, further comprising a plurality of actuators, each actuator corresponding to an associated switchplate, each actuator responsive to a control signal for moving the associated switchplate into and out of proximal contact with the refractor.
Claim 48
Dependent Claim
60 words
The apparatus of claim 33, wherein: the switchplates comprise a first set of switchplates and a second set of switchplates; the refractor comprises a rhomboid having a first side and a second side opposing the first side; the first set of switchplates are disposed along the first side; and the second set of switchplates are disposed along the second side.
Claim 49
Dependent Claim
15 words
The apparatus of claim 44, wherein the rhomboid is formed from a plurality of prisms.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim
43 words
The apparatus of claim 33, wherein: the refractor comprises a plurality of prisms, each prism having two legs and a hypotenuse, the hypotenuses of the prisms arranged along a common axis; and each switchplate disposed at an associated leg of an associated prism.
Claim 51
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for switching optical signals, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of input switches, each input switch having an input and a plurality of outputs, each input switch operable to direct an optical signal received at the input to a selected output; a plurality of output switches, each output switch having a plurality of inputs and an output, each output switch operable to direct the optical signal received at a selected input to the output; wherein the input switches and the output switches direct the optical signal using internal reflection.
Claim 52
Independent Claim
90 words
An apparatus for switching optical signals, the apparatus comprising: a plurality of input switches, each input switch having an input and a plurality of outputs, each input switch operable to direct an optical signal received at the input to a selected output; a plurality of output switches, each output switch having a plurality of inputs and an output, each output switch operable to direct the optical signal received at a selected input to the output; wherein the input switches and the output switches direct the optical signal using internal reflection.
Claim 53
Dependent Claim
19 words
The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the input switches and the output switches are arranged in a non-blocking configuration.
Claim 54
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 47, further comprising a plurality of test bands associated with the input switches, each test band associated with a corresponding input switch, each test band operable to test the corresponding input switch without interrupting operation of the corresponding input switch.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim
44 words
The apparatus of claim 47, further comprising a plurality of test bands associated with the output switches, each test band associated with a corresponding output switch, each test band operable to test the corresponding output switch without interrupting operation of the corresponding output switch.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim
88 words
The apparatus of claim 47, further comprising: a plurality of input test bands associated with the input switches, each input test band associated with a corresponding input switch, each input test band operable to test the corresponding input switch without interrupting operation of the corresponding input switch; and a plurality of output test bands associated with the output switches, each output test band associated with a corresponding output switch, each output test band operable to test the corresponding output switch without interrupting operation of the corresponding output switch.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim
21 words
The apparatus of claim 51, wherein the input test bands and the output test bands are arranged in a non-blocking configuration.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim
71 words
The apparatus of claim 47, wherein the input switches and the output switches each comprise: a refractor operable to communicate the optical signal by internal reflection; and a plurality of switchplates arranged in proximity to the refractor, each switchplate operable to frustrate the internal reflection of the optical signal by the refractor when the switchplate is brought into proximal contact with the refractor so that the optical signal enters the switchplate.
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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) | 2002-02-22 | 2002-08-24 | 2003-02-23 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2006-02-22 | 2006-08-24 | 2007-02-23 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2010-02-22 | 2010-08-24 | 2011-02-23 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |