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.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 22, 1996
Filed:
Nov. 28, 1994
Kazuyoshi Sato, Tokyo, JP;
NEC Corporation, Tokyo, JP;
Abstract
In a light emitting array module comprising light emitting elements arranged in an array fashion, the light emitting elements can be used selectively by monitoring drive states of the light emitting elements if necessary. A plurality of light emitting elements arranged in parallel are coupled to an optical fiber array via an optical switch which can switch optical paths of emitted light. Besides, the optical switch is provided with a light receiving element coupled to a remaining output port thereof in addition to the optical fibers. Optical paths of lights emitted from the light emitting elements are switched by the optical switch, and an optical signal is converted into an electric signal by the light receiving element to monitor light emitting states of the light emitting element. Drive state of the corresponding light emitting element is controlled by the electric signals. The deterioration of the light emitting element is checked to detect whether the light emitting element is usable or not, and, if it is unusable, the light emitting element is switched by a spare light emitting element.
Data source: USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) public patent records. Weekly synchronization. How IDiyas builds this profile