US4838637A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Integrated solid state non-volatile fiber optic switchboard
Assignee: Unisys Corp
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Filing: 1987-05-04
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Granted: 1989-06-13
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Expires: 2007-05-04
Abstract
Abstract A fiber-optic switchboard is developed consisting of a plurality of n input fibers, n input lenses, n light deflecting elements, n relay lenses, a multifaceted reflector, m output lenses, and m output fibers. Each input lens causes an image of the end of the corresponding input fiber to fall on its deflecting element, while each relay lens causes an image of the corresponding deflector element to fall on the proper facet of the multifaceted reflector. Each output lens causes an image of the multifaceted reflector to fall on the face of the corresponding output fiber. The output lenses are placed such that each deflecting element is capable of directing light through any output lens and into the corresponding output fiber.
Inventors
- 👤 Ernest J. Torok
- 👤 John A. Krawczak
- 👤 Bernard S. Fritz
- 👤 William A. Harvey
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 13:13
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B26/00; G02B26/02; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/26; G02B6/35; G02B6/3564; G02B6/3582; G02B6/351; G02B6/3512; G02B6/354; G02B6/3542; G02B6/3544; G02B6/3546; G02B6/358; G02B6/3592
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 24
Claim 1
Independent Claim
192 words
A fiber-optic switchboard comprising of n input optical fibers, n input lenses, n relay lenses, n deflector means, m output optical fibers, m output lenses, and a multifaceted reflector means with n facets wherein n and m are positive integers of two or more, positioned and constructed such that: each of said input optical fibers is associated with one of said input lens, one of said deflector means, one of said relay lens and one of said facets of said reflector means; each of said output optical fibers is associated with one of said output lens; each of said input optical fibers is imaged by an associated one of said input lens onto the surface of an associated one of said deflector means; each of said deflector means is imaged by an associated one of said relay lenses onto an associated one of said facets on the reflector means; each output lens images all of said facets of said reflector means onto an associated one of said output optical fibers, and each of said light deflector means is capable of steering light impinging on it to any one of said output lenses.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
192 words
A fiber-optic switchboard comprising of n input optical fibers, n input lenses, n relay lenses, n deflector means, m output optical fibers, m output lenses, and a multifaceted reflector means with n facets wherein n and m are positive integers of two or more, positioned and constructed such that: each of said input optical fibers is associated with one of said input lens, one of said deflector means, one of said relay lens and one of said facets of said reflector means; each of said output optical fibers is associated with one of said output lens; each of said input optical fibers is imaged by an associated one of said input lens onto the surface of an associated one of said deflector means; each of said deflector means is imaged by an associated one of said relay lenses onto an associated one of said facets on the reflector means; each output lens images all of said facets of said reflector means onto an associated one of said output optical fibers, and each of said light deflector means is capable of steering light impinging on it to any one of said output lenses.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
A fiber-optic switchboard as claimed in claim 1 wherein said deflector means comprises a stripe domain film means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fiber-optic switchboard as claimed in claim 1 comprising a compensating lens located at an image plane proximate said reflector means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fiber-optic switchboard as claimed in claim 2 comprising a compensating lens located at an image plane proximate said reflector means.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A fiber-optic switch as claimed in claim 2 wherein said stripe domain film means has mirror means associated therewith so that said stripe domain means is intermediate said mirror means and its associated input optical fiber.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fiber-optic switchboard as claimed in claim 5 comprising a compensating lens located at an image plane proximate said reflector means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
197 words
A fiber-optic switchboard comprising n input optical fibers arranged in a close packed bundle, a single input lens, n deflector means, n relay lenses, a multifaceted reflector means with n facets, a plurality of m output lenses, and m output optical fibers positioned and constructed such that: each of said inpout optical fibers is associated with one of said deflector means, one of said relay lens, and one of said facets of said reflector means; each of said output lens is associated with one of said output optical fibers; each of said input fibers is imaged by said single input lens onto only an associated one of said facets of said reflector means; each of said facets is imaged by an associated one of said relay lenses onto the surface of an associated one of said deflector means; each said light deflector means is imaged back on said associated facet by said associated relay lens; each said output images all the facets of said reflector means onto the end of said associated output optical fiber; and each said light deflector means element is capable of steering light impinging on it to any one of said output lenses.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
197 words
A fiber-optic switchboard comprising n input optical fibers arranged in a close packed bundle, a single input lens, n deflector means, n relay lenses, a multifaceted reflector means with n facets, a plurality of m output lenses, and m output optical fibers positioned and constructed such that: each of said inpout optical fibers is associated with one of said deflector means, one of said relay lens, and one of said facets of said reflector means; each of said output lens is associated with one of said output optical fibers; each of said input fibers is imaged by said single input lens onto only an associated one of said facets of said reflector means; each of said facets is imaged by an associated one of said relay lenses onto the surface of an associated one of said deflector means; each said light deflector means is imaged back on said associated facet by said associated relay lens; each said output images all the facets of said reflector means onto the end of said associated output optical fiber; and each said light deflector means element is capable of steering light impinging on it to any one of said output lenses.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
A fiber-optic switcboard as claimed in claim 7 wherein said deflector means comprises a stripe domain film means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fiber-optic switchboard as claimed in claim 7 comprising a compensating lens located at an image plane proximate said reflector means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fiber-optic switchboard as claimed in claim 8 comprising a compensating lens located at an image plane proximate said reflector means.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
36 words
A fiber-optic switch as claimed in claim 8 wherein said stripe domain film means has mirror means associated therewith so that said strip domain means is intermediate said mirror means and its associated input optical fiber.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
21 words
A fiber-optic switchboard as claimed in claim 11 comprising a compensating lens located at an image plane proximate said reflector means.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
175 words
A fiber-optic switchboard comprising n input lens means, and n input optical fibers, n prism reflector means, n relay lenses, n variable state deflector means, m output optical fibers, m output lenses and a multifaceted reflected means with n facets, wherein n and m are positive integers of two or more, positioned and constructed such that: light from each of said input fibers is reflected by an associated one of said prism reflector means and the face of each of said input optical fibers is imaged by an associated one of said input lens means onto an associated one of said deflector means each of said deflector means is imaged through an associated one of said relay lens onto an associated one of said facets of said reflector means; each output lens images all of said facets of said reflector means onto an associated one of said output optical fibers, and the state of the said deflector element means selects the output lens into which said associated one of said input optical fibers is imaged.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
175 words
A fiber-optic switchboard comprising n input lens means, and n input optical fibers, n prism reflector means, n relay lenses, n variable state deflector means, m output optical fibers, m output lenses and a multifaceted reflected means with n facets, wherein n and m are positive integers of two or more, positioned and constructed such that: light from each of said input fibers is reflected by an associated one of said prism reflector means and the face of each of said input optical fibers is imaged by an associated one of said input lens means onto an associated one of said deflector means each of said deflector means is imaged through an associated one of said relay lens onto an associated one of said facets of said reflector means; each output lens images all of said facets of said reflector means onto an associated one of said output optical fibers, and the state of the said deflector element means selects the output lens into which said associated one of said input optical fibers is imaged.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
18 words
A fiber-optic switchboard as claimed in claim 13 wherein said deflector means comprises a stripe domain film means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
41 words
A fiber-optic switchboard as claimed in claim 13 wherein said input lens means comprises n input lenses and each of said input fibers is imaged by an associated one of said input lens onto an associated one of said deflecting means.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
41 words
A fiber-optic switchboard as claimed in claim 14 wherein said input lens means comprises n input lenses and each of said input fibers is imaged by an associated one of said input lens onto an associated one of said deflecting means.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
A fiber-optic switch as claimed in claim 13 wherein said stripe domain film means has mirror means associated therewith so that said stripe domain means is intermediate said mirror means and its associated input optical fiber.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
39 words
A fiber-optic switchboard as claimed in claim 17 wherein said input lens means comprises n input lenses and each of said input optical fibers is imaged by its own input lens onto an associated one of said deflecting means.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fiber-optic switchboard as claimed in claim 13 wherein said input optic fibers are arranged together in a close packed bundle and said input lens means comprises a single input lens.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
31 words
A fiber-optic switchboard as claimed in claim 14 wherein said input optic fibers are arranged together in a close packed bundle and said input lens means comprises a single input lens.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
36 words
A fiber-optic switch as claimed in claim 20 wherein said stripe domain film means has a mirror means associated therewith so that said stripe domain means is intermediate said mirror means and its associated input fiber.
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) | 1992-06-12 | 1992-12-12 | 1993-06-13 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-06-12 | 1996-12-12 | 1997-06-13 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-06-12 | 2000-12-12 | 2001-06-13 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |