Holographic telephone switching system

Abstract

A matrix of electrical to light converting diodes are each coupled to different ones of a plurality of incoming telephone lines. These diodes emit light at all times and have their light intensity modulated by intelligence when intelligence is present on their associated one of the incoming telephone lines. A corresponding matrix of optical to electrical converting diodes are each coupled to a different one of a plurality of outgoing telephone lines. A holograpic plate having a corresponding matrix of stored holograms is positioned between the input and output diode matrixes. Each of the stored holograms is uniquely related to a different one of the outgoing telephone lines. An optical coupling device responsive to incoming telephone dial signals is disposed between the first mentioned diode matrix and the hologram. In response to the dial signal, the optical coupling device spatially phase modulates the optical signals from the first mentioned diode matrix transverse to the direction of propagation of these optical signals. The resultant light beams at the output of the optical coupling device has a unique pattern of spatial phase modulation for each of the possible dial signals which correspond to different ones of the output lines. When the resultant light beams from the coupling device illuminate the holographic plate, the spatial phase modulated pattern of optical beams selct and reconstruct a uniquely related one of the holograms on the holographic plate to enable transmission of intelligence carried by the optical beams through the reconstructed one of the holograms so as to be directed to the appropriate one of the light to electrical converting diodes to provide the connection to the associated one of the outgoing telephone lines thereby establishing a connection in the switching system from the active one of the incoming telephone lines to the selected one of the outgoing telephone lines.