Apparatus for switching optical signals and method of operation

Claim 1

An apparatus for switching a plurality of input optical signals to a plurality of output optical locations, the apparatus comprising: a lens for collimating each input optical signal into a collimated beam; a reflector for reflecting each collimated beam and having a plurality of positions for changing the angle of each collimated beam by a selected amount in order to direct each beam to a different one of the output optical locations, wherein the reflector further comprises; a first refractor having a first reflective surface for reflecting each collimated beam by total internal reflection, a second refractor having a contact surface and a reflective surface, wherein the second refractor's contact surface is operable to frustrate the total internal reflection of each collimated beam by the first refractor's first reflective surface when the second refractor is in proximal contact with the first refractor and so that each collimated beam enters the second refractor, and wherein the second refractor's reflective surface is operable to reflect each collimated beam and to change the angle of each collimated beam by a selected amount in order to direct each beam to a different one of the output optical locations; a decollimating lens for decollimating and focusing the collimated beam; and a return loop coupled to the collimating lens and decollimating lens operable to route an optical signal from the decollimating lens to the collimating lens.

Claim 2

An apparatus for switching a plurality of input optical signals to a plurality of output optical locations, the apparatus comprising: a lens for collimating each input optical signal into a collimated beam; a reflector for reflecting each collimated beam and having a plurality of positions for changing the angle of each collimated beam by a selected amount in order to direct each beam to a different one of the output optical locations, wherein the reflector further comprises; a first refractor having a first reflective surface for reflecting each collimated beam by total internal reflection, a second refractor having a contact surface and a reflective surface, wherein the second refractor's contact surface is operable to frustrate the total internal reflection of each collimated beam by the first refractor's first reflective surface when the second refractor is in proximal contact with the first refractor and so that each collimated beam enters the second refractor, and wherein the second refractor's reflective surface is operable to reflect each collimated beam and to change the angle of each collimated beam by a selected amount in order to direct each beam to a different one of the output optical locations; a decollimating lens for decollimating and focusing the collimated beam; and a return loop coupled to the collimating lens and decollimating lens operable to route an optical signal from the decollimating lens to the collimating lens.

Claim 3

An apparatus for switching a plurality of input optical signals to a plurality of output optical locations, the apparatus comprising: a lens for collimating each input optical signal into a collimated beam; a reflector for reflecting each collimated beam and having a plurality of positions for changing the angle of each collimated beam by a selected amount in order to direct each beam to a different one of the output optical locations, wherein the reflector further comprises; a first refractor having a first reflective surface for reflecting each collimated beam by total internal reflection, a second refractor having a contact surface and a reflective surface, wherein the second refractor's contact surface is operable to frustrate the total internal reflection of each collimated beam by the first refractor's first reflective surface when the second refractor is in proximal contact With the first refractor and so that each collimated beam enters the second refractor, and wherein the second refractor's reflective surface is operable to reflect each collimated beam and to change the angle of each collimated beam by a selected amount in order to direct each beam to a different one of the output optical locations; a decollimating lens for decollimating and focusing the collimated beam; and a return loop having a first end and a second end, both the first end and second end are coupled to the collimating lens, the return loop is operable to route an optical signal from the first end to the second end so that the plurality of input optical signals are switched to the plurality of output optical locations.

Claim 4

An apparatus for switching a plurality of input optical signals to a plurality of output optical locations, the apparatus comprising: a lens for collimating each input optical signal into a collimated beam; a reflector for reflecting each collimated beam and having a plurality of positions for changing the angle of each collimated beam by a selected amount in order to direct each beam to a different one of the output optical locations, wherein the reflector further comprises; a first refractor having a first reflective surface for reflecting each collimated beam by total internal reflection, a second refractor having a contact surface and a reflective surface, wherein the second refractor's contact surface is operable to frustrate the total internal reflection of each collimated beam by the first refractor's first reflective surface when the second refractor is in proximal contact With the first refractor and so that each collimated beam enters the second refractor, and wherein the second refractor's reflective surface is operable to reflect each collimated beam and to change the angle of each collimated beam by a selected amount in order to direct each beam to a different one of the output optical locations; a decollimating lens for decollimating and focusing the collimated beam; and a return loop having a first end and a second end, both the first end and second end are coupled to the collimating lens, the return loop is operable to route an optical signal from the first end to the second end so that the plurality of input optical signals are switched to the plurality of output optical locations.