US5909301A — Frustrated total internal reflection device havin…

Claim 1

Independent Claim 112 words

A device for processing an optical signal, comprising: a refractor having a reflecting surface operable to reflect the optical signal by total internal reflection; a first spacer having one end coupled to the refractor and an opposing end; an actuator having a surface coupled to the opposing end of the first spacer; a second spacer having one end coupled to the surface of the actuator and an opposing end; and a switchplate coupled to the opposing end of the second spacer, the switchplate having a first position spaced apart from the refractor and a second position in proximal contact with the refractor to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal.

Claim 2

Independent Claim 112 words

A device for processing an optical signal, comprising: a refractor having a reflecting surface operable to reflect the optical signal by total internal reflection; a first spacer having one end coupled to the refractor and an opposing end; an actuator having a surface coupled to the opposing end of the first spacer; a second spacer having one end coupled to the surface of the actuator and an opposing end; and a switchplate coupled to the opposing end of the second spacer, the switchplate having a first position spaced apart from the refractor and a second position in proximal contact with the refractor to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 17 words

The device of claim 1, wherein the first spacer and the second spacer comprise concentric, annular members.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 17 words

The device of claim 1, wherein the first spacer and the second spacer are made of glass.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 10 words

The device of claim 1, wherein the switchplate is circular.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 31 words

The device of claim 1, wherein: the first spacer, the actuator, and the refractor define a first chamber; and the second spacer, the actuator, and the switchplate define a second chamber.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 32 words

The device of claim 1, wherein the surface of the actuator deflects in an increasing amount as a function of the distance from the first spacer to the center of the actuator.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 35 words

The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator comprises a bimorph transducer operable to position the switchplate in a selected one of the first position and the second position in response to a control signal.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 36 words

The device of claim 1, wherein the switchplate further comprises a contact surface having a contact area for proximally contacting the refractor, the contact area being a portion of the total area of the contact surface.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 32 words

The device of claim 1, wherein the switchplate further comprises a contact surface, and wherein one of the contact surface of the switchplate and the reflecting surface of the refractor is convex.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 33 words

The device of claim 1, wherein the switchplate further comprises: a contact surface operable proximally to contact the refractor; and a reflective surface having a bias angle with respect to the contact surface.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 11 words

The device of claim 1, wherein the refractor is a prism.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 21 words

The device of claim 1, wherein the actuator is operable to controllably vary the spacing between the refractor and the switchplate.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 48 words

The device of claim 1, further comprising: a first conductive element on the switchplate; and a second conductive element displaced from the first conductive element, wherein the first and second conductive elements form a capacitor having a capacitance which represents the spacing between the switchplate and the refractor.

Claim 15

Independent Claim 121 words

A method for frustrating the total internal reflection of an optical signal comprising the steps of: providing an optical signal at an input surface of a refractor, wherein the refractor comprises a reflective surface coated with an optically absorptive or optically reflective material; reflecting the optical signal at the reflective surface of the refractor by total internal reflection such that the optical signal exits the refractor at a first position on an output surface of the refractor; placing a switchplate in proximal contact with the reflective surface of the refractor; and reflecting the optical signal at a reflective surface of the switchplate such that the optical signal exits the refractor at a second position on the output surface of the refractor.

Claim 16

Independent Claim 121 words

A method for frustrating the total internal reflection of an optical signal comprising the steps of: providing an optical signal at an input surface of a refractor, wherein the refractor comprises a reflective surface coated with an optically absorptive or optically reflective material; reflecting the optical signal at the reflective surface of the refractor by total internal reflection such that the optical signal exits the refractor at a first position on an output surface of the refractor; placing a switchplate in proximal contact with the reflective surface of the refractor; and reflecting the optical signal at a reflective surface of the switchplate such that the optical signal exits the refractor at a second position on the output surface of the refractor.

Claim 17

Independent Claim 141 words

A device for processing an optical signal, comprising: a refractor having a reflecting surface operable to reflect the optical signal by total internal reflection; a first annular glass spacer having one end coupled to the refractor and an opposing end; a bimorph transducer having a surface coupled to the opposing end of the first spacer; a second annular glass spacer having a diameter less than the first spacer and having one end coupled to the surface of the transducer in a position concentric to the first spacer, and an opposing end; and a circular switchplate coupled to the opposing end of the second spacer along the periphery of the switchplate, the switchplate having a first position spaced apart from the refractor and a second position in proximal contact with the refractor to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal.

Claim 18

Independent Claim 141 words

A device for processing an optical signal, comprising: a refractor having a reflecting surface operable to reflect the optical signal by total internal reflection; a first annular glass spacer having one end coupled to the refractor and an opposing end; a bimorph transducer having a surface coupled to the opposing end of the first spacer; a second annular glass spacer having a diameter less than the first spacer and having one end coupled to the surface of the transducer in a position concentric to the first spacer, and an opposing end; and a circular switchplate coupled to the opposing end of the second spacer along the periphery of the switchplate, the switchplate having a first position spaced apart from the refractor and a second position in proximal contact with the refractor to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 50 words

The device of claim 15, wherein the switchplate further comprises: a contact surface having a contact area for proximally contacting the refractor, the contact area being a portion of the total area of the contact surface; and a reflective surface having a bias angle with respect to the contact surface.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 32 words

The device of claim 15, wherein the switchplate further comprises a contact surface, and wherein one of the contact surface of the switchplate and the reflecting surface of the refractor is convex.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 11 words

The device of claim 15, wherein the refractor is a prism.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 48 words

The device of claim 15, further comprising: a first conductive element on the switchplate; and a second conductive element displaced from the first conductive element, wherein the first and second conductive elements form a capacitor having a capacitance which represents the spacing between the switchplate and the refractor.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 31 words

The device of claim 15, wherein: the first spacer, the transducer, and the refractor define a first chamber; and the second spacer, the transducer, and the switchplate define a second chamber.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2002-05-31	2002-11-30	2003-06-01	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2006-05-31	2006-11-30	2007-06-01	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2010-05-31	2010-11-30	2011-06-01	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Frustrated total internal reflection device having a first spacer and a second spacer

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