The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.

The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.

Date of Patent:
Mar. 16, 1993

Filed:

Aug. 15, 1988
Applicant:
Inventors:

Michel F Sultan, Troy, MI (US);

Mark K Krage, Royal Oak, MI (US);

Assignee:

General Motors Corporation, Detroit, MI (US);

Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Assistant Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G02B / ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
385130 ; 385 12 ; 385 24 ;
Abstract

The invention introduces the concept of very low cost, fully integrated, large scale planar polymer light guide networks. These networks are intended primarily for automotive applications, including data communication, multiplex, sensor, switch and display networks. However, the concept is also applicable in other areas where the length of the network does not exceed a few meters. The basic idea is to `cut` a thin sheet of clear plastic (polymethylmetacrylate polycarbonate, or polystyrene) into a whole network consisting of optical links, couplers, sensors, etc. . . . In addition to being low cost, planar polymer light guide networks extend the one dimensional geometry of fiber optics into two dimensions, adding tremendous design capability and versatility.


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