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US3663822A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Multi-terminal optical cable utilizing a flexible graded optical fiber
Assignee: Nippon Selfoc Co Ltd
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Filing: 1970-12-23
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Granted: 1972-05-16
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Expires: 1990-12-23
Abstract
Abstract A multi-terminal optical cable includes an optical focusing fiber having a refractive index distribution in which the index varies in substantial inverse proportion to the square of the radial distance form the central longitudinal axis of the fiber to its outer periphery. A plurality of input electrical signals are converted into corresponding light signals at one end of the fiber. Those light signals are imaged by the fiber in a one-toone relationship on an array of light-sensing elements at the other end of the fiber at which the light images are reconverted to electrical signals, corresponding to the input electrical signals.
Inventors
- 👤 Teiju Uchida
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:30
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q1/00; H04Q1/02; G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4249; G02B6/4295; G02B6/44; G02B6/4401; G02B6/4415; G02B6/4416; G02B6/4417; G02B6/4439
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
167 words
A multi-terminal optical cable comprising a flexible focusing optical fiber having a refractive index distribution where the refractive index within said fiber decreases substantially in proportion to the square of the distance from the center axis of the fiber towards its periphery, a plurality of luminescent elements located at one end of said optical fiber and arrayed on a plane that is relatively fixed with respect to the surface of said one end, a corresponding plurality of first electric connecting elements respectively connected to said luminescent elements, a plurality of photo-electric transducer elements at the other end of said optical fiber and disposed on a plane that is relatively fixed with respect to the surface of said other end at positions at which the images of said luminescent elements are focused, and second electric connecting elements connected to respective ones of said photo-electric elements, whereby electric currents supplied from said first electric connecting elements are transmitted through said single optical fiber to said second electric connecting elements.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
167 words
A multi-terminal optical cable comprising a flexible focusing optical fiber having a refractive index distribution where the refractive index within said fiber decreases substantially in proportion to the square of the distance from the center axis of the fiber towards its periphery, a plurality of luminescent elements located at one end of said optical fiber and arrayed on a plane that is relatively fixed with respect to the surface of said one end, a corresponding plurality of first electric connecting elements respectively connected to said luminescent elements, a plurality of photo-electric transducer elements at the other end of said optical fiber and disposed on a plane that is relatively fixed with respect to the surface of said other end at positions at which the images of said luminescent elements are focused, and second electric connecting elements connected to respective ones of said photo-electric elements, whereby electric currents supplied from said first electric connecting elements are transmitted through said single optical fiber to said second electric connecting elements.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
39 words
The optical cable of claim 1, further comprising first focusing means disposed intermediate said luminescent elements and said one end of said fiber, and second focusing means disposed intermediate said other end of said fiber and said transducer elements.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
33 words
The optical cable of claim 1, further comprising means for supporting said luminescent elements on said first-mentioned plane, and means for fixedly securing said supporting means to said one end of said fiber.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
36 words
The optical cable of claim 3, further comprising second means for supporting said luminescent elements at said second-mentioned plane, and second means for fixedly securing said second supporting means to said other end of said fiber.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
119 words
A multi-terminal optical cable comprising a flexible focusing optical fiber having a refractive index distribution where the refractive index within said fiber decreases substantially in proportion to the square of the distance from the center axis of the fiber towards its periphery, means located in optical communication with one end of said fiber for converting a plurality of input electrical signals to a corresponding plurality of light signals, means including said optical fiber for forming images of said light signals on a plane in optical communication with the other end of said fiber, and means located at said plane for converting said light signal images to a plurality of output electrical signals corresponding respectively to said input electrical signals.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
119 words
A multi-terminal optical cable comprising a flexible focusing optical fiber having a refractive index distribution where the refractive index within said fiber decreases substantially in proportion to the square of the distance from the center axis of the fiber towards its periphery, means located in optical communication with one end of said fiber for converting a plurality of input electrical signals to a corresponding plurality of light signals, means including said optical fiber for forming images of said light signals on a plane in optical communication with the other end of said fiber, and means located at said plane for converting said light signal images to a plurality of output electrical signals corresponding respectively to said input electrical signals.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
46 words
The cable of claim 5, in which said input signal converting means comprises an array of luminescent means respectively receiving said plurality of input electrical signals, and means for supporting said array in a relatively fixed relation with respect to said one end of said fiber.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
The cable of claim 6, in which said output signal converting means comprises a corresponding area of photo-elecTric transducer means, and means for securing said transducer element array in a relatively fixed relation with said other end of said optical fiber.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
39 words
The cable of claim 7, further comprising first and second focusing means respectively interposed between said luminescent means array and said one end of said fiber, and between said transducer means array and said other end of said fiber.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
59 words
The cable of claim 7, further comprising an input connector including a first plurality of contactors, each of said first plurality of contactors being respectively connected to one of said luminescent means, and an output connector including a second plurality of contactors, each of said second plurality of contactors being in contact respectively with one of said transducer means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-05-16 | 1975-11-15 | 1976-05-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-05-16 | 1979-11-15 | 1980-05-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-05-16 | 1983-11-15 | 1984-05-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |