Patent US6236778B1 successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US6236778B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Frustrated total internal reflection bus and method of operation
Assignee: Optical Switch Corp
•
Filing: 1998-12-16
•
Granted: 2001-05-22
•
Expires: 2018-12-16
Abstract
Abstract An optical bus for processing an optical signal includes an optical waveguide and a switchplate. The switchplate has a first position spaced apart from the optical waveguide and a second position in proximal contact with a reflecting surface of the optical waveguide to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal such that the optical signal exits the optical waveguide at an output location.
Inventors
- 👤 Richard H. Laughlin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-08 04:05
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/351; G02B6/3522; G02B6/28; G02B6/2804; G02B6/2848; H; H04; H04Q; H04Q11/00; H04Q11/0001; H04Q11/0005; G02B6/354; G02B6/3554; G02B6/3556; G02B6/356; G02B6/42; G02B6/43; H04Q2011/0007; H04Q2011/0026
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 38
Claim 1
Independent Claim
90 words
An optical bus for processing an optical signal, comprising: an optical waveguide having a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface; and a switchplate coupled to the optical waveguide, the switchplate having a first position spaced apart from the optical waveguide and a second position in proximal contact with the second reflecting surface of the optical waveguide to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal such that the optical signal exits the optical waveguide at an output location on the first reflecting surface of the optical waveguide.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
90 words
An optical bus for processing an optical signal, comprising: an optical waveguide having a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface; and a switchplate coupled to the optical waveguide, the switchplate having a first position spaced apart from the optical waveguide and a second position in proximal contact with the second reflecting surface of the optical waveguide to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal such that the optical signal exits the optical waveguide at an output location on the first reflecting surface of the optical waveguide.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
79 words
The optical bus of claim 1 , further comprising a second switchplate coupled to the optical waveguide, the second switchplate having a first position spaced apart from the optical waveguide and a second position in proximal contact with the first reflecting surface of the optical waveguide to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal such that the optical signal exits the optical waveguide at a second output location on the second reflecting surface of the optical waveguide.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
28 words
The optical bus of claim 1 , further comprising an optical device coupled to the optical waveguide and operable to communicate the optical signal into the optical waveguide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
17 words
The optical bus of claim 1 , wherein the optical signal comprises a nominally collimated optical signal.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
39 words
The optical bus of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the switchplate and operable to position the switchplate in a selected one of the first position and the second position in response to a control signal.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
The optical bus of claim 1 , further comprising an actuator coupled to the switchplate and operable to vary controllably the spacing between the switchplate and the optical waveguide to generate a first optical beam and a second optical beam.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
52 words
The optical bus of claim 1 , further comprising an optical device coupled to and in proximal contact with the optical waveguide at a selected location, the optical device operable to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal such that the optical signal exits the waveguide at the selected location.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical bus of claim 7 , wherein the optical device comprises a second optical waveguide.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical bus of claim 7 , wherein the optical device comprises a decollimating lens.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
35 words
The optical bus of claim 7 , wherein the optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the optical device has a second index of refraction substantially similar to the first index of refraction.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
39 words
The optical bus of claim 1 , further comprising an optical device coupled to and spaced apart from the optical waveguide at the output location, the optical device operable to receive the optical signal that exits the optical waveguide.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
16 words
The optical bus of claim 11 , wherein the optical device comprises a second optical waveguide.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
The optical bus of claim 11 , wherein the optical device comprises a decollimating lens.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
45 words
The optical bus of claim 1 , wherein the switchplate further comprises: a contact surface operable to contact proximally the optical waveguide; and a reflective surface having a bias angle with respect to the contact surface to direct the optical signal to the output location.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The optical bus of claim 1 , wherein the first reflecting surface of the optical waveguide is substantially parallel to the second reflecting surface.
Claim 17
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for processing an optical signal, comprising: reflecting an optical signal at a first reflecting surface of an optical waveguide; and placing a switchplate in proximal contact with a second reflecting surface of the optical waveguide to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal such that the optical signal exits the optical waveguide at an output location on the first reflecting surface of the optical waveguide.
Claim 18
Independent Claim
69 words
A method for processing an optical signal, comprising: reflecting an optical signal at a first reflecting surface of an optical waveguide; and placing a switchplate in proximal contact with a second reflecting surface of the optical waveguide to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal such that the optical signal exits the optical waveguide at an output location on the first reflecting surface of the optical waveguide.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
16 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein the optical signal comprises a nominally collimated optical signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
44 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein the switchplate further comprises: a contact surface operable to contact proximally the optical waveguide; and a reflective surface having a bias angle with respect to the contact surface to direct the optical signal to the output location.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
The method of claim 16 , further comprising placing an optical device in proximal contact with the optical waveguide at a selected location, the optical device operable to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal such that the optical signal exits the waveguide at the selected location.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the optical device comprises a second optical waveguide.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the optical device comprises a decollimating lens.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method of claim 19 , wherein the optical waveguide has a first index of refraction and the optical device has a second index of refraction substantially similar to the first index of refraction.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
32 words
The method of claim 16 , further comprising placing an optical device spaced apart from the optical waveguide, the optical device operable to process the optical signal that exits the optical waveguide.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
15 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the optical device comprises a second optical waveguide.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
14 words
The method of claim 23 , wherein the optical device comprises a decollimating lens.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method of claim 16 , further comprising controllably varying the spacing between the switchplate and the optical waveguide to generate a first optical beam and a second optical beam.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
21 words
The method of claim 16 , further comprising receiving the optical signal at a second optical waveguide at the output location.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method of claim 16 , wherein the first reflecting surface of the optical waveguide is substantially parallel to the second reflecting surface.
Claim 31
Independent Claim
112 words
A device for processing an optical signal, comprising: an input optical waveguide having a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface; a switchplate coupled to the input optical waveguide, the switchplate having a first position spaced apart from the input optical waveguide and a second position in proximal contact with the second reflecting surface of the input optical waveguide to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal such that the optical signal exits at an output location on the first reflecting surface of the input optical waveguide; and an output optical waveguide coupled to the input optical waveguide at the output location and operable to receive the optical signal.
Claim 32
Independent Claim
112 words
A device for processing an optical signal, comprising: an input optical waveguide having a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface; a switchplate coupled to the input optical waveguide, the switchplate having a first position spaced apart from the input optical waveguide and a second position in proximal contact with the second reflecting surface of the input optical waveguide to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal such that the optical signal exits at an output location on the first reflecting surface of the input optical waveguide; and an output optical waveguide coupled to the input optical waveguide at the output location and operable to receive the optical signal.
Claim 33
Dependent Claim
63 words
The device of claim 29 , further comprising a second switchplate coupled to the output optical waveguide, the second switchplate having a first position spaced apart from the output optical waveguide and a second position in proximal contact with the output optical waveguide to reflect the optical signal such that the optical signal propagates along the longitudinal axis of the output optical waveguide.
Claim 34
Dependent Claim
113 words
The device of claim 29 , wherein the switchplate further comprises: a contact surface operable to contact proximally the input optical waveguide; and a reflective surface having a bias angle in a first plane and a second plane with respect to the contact surface, the reflective surface operable to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal such that the optical signal exits at the output location in response to the bias angle in the first plane, the reflective surface further operable to reflect the optical signal such that the optical signal propagates along the longitudinal axis of the output optical waveguide in response to the bias angle in the second plane.
Claim 35
Dependent Claim
33 words
The device of claim 29 , wherein the input optical waveguide has a first longitudinal axis and the output optical waveguide has a second longitudinal axis substantially perpendicular to the first longitudinal axis.
Claim 36
Dependent Claim
103 words
The device of claim 29 , further comprising: a second switchplate coupled to the input optical waveguide, the second switchplate having a first position spaced apart from the input optical waveguide and a second position in proximal contact with the second reflecting surface of the input optical waveguide to frustrate the total internal reflection of the optical signal such that the optical signal exits at a second output location on the first reflecting surface of the input optical waveguide; and a second output optical waveguide coupled to the input optical waveguide at the second output location and operable to receive the optical signal.
Claim 37
Dependent Claim
127 words
The device of claim 29 , further comprising: a second input optical waveguide having a first reflecting surface and a second reflecting surface; and a second switchplate coupled to the second input optical waveguide, the second switchplate having a first position spaced apart from the second input optical waveguide and a second position in proximal contact with the second reflecting surface of the second input optical waveguide to frustrate the total internal reflection of a second optical signal such that the second optical signal exits at a second output location on the first reflecting surface of the second input optical waveguide; wherein the output optical waveguide couples to the second input optical waveguide at the second output location and is operable to receive the second optical signal.
Claim 38
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 29 , wherein the first reflecting surface of the input optical waveguide is substantially parallel to the second reflecting surface.
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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) | 2004-05-21 | 2004-11-20 | 2005-05-22 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-05-21 | 2008-11-20 | 2009-05-22 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-05-21 | 2012-11-20 | 2013-05-22 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |