Patent US3407558A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US5909301A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US5909301A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Frustrated total internal reflection device having a first spacer and a second spacer
Assignee: Optical Switch Corp
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Filing: 1997-09-05
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Granted: 1999-06-01
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Expires: 2017-09-05
Abstract
Abstract A device for processing an optical signal includes a refractor with a reflecting surface for reflecting the optical signal by total internal reflection. The device also includes a switchplate and an actuator to place the switchplate into proximal contact with the refractor to frustrate the total internal reflection.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard H. Laughlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:39
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/02; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/351; G02B6/3522
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
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.
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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) | 2002-05-31 | 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 |