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:
Mar. 25, 2003
Filed:
Feb. 09, 2001
Applicant:
Inventor:
Richard B. Holmes, Cameron Park, CA (US);
Assignee:
General Nutronics, Inc., Cameron Park, CA (US);
Attorney:
Primary Examiner:
Int. Cl.
CPC ...
G02B 6/26 ; H04J 1/402 ;
U.S. Cl.
CPC ...
G02B 6/26 ; H04J 1/402 ;
Abstract
A method and system is disclosed for switching signals between at least one optical fiber and a plurality of nodes through free space. The invention includes a switch that comprises at least one switch element. The switch element can detect signals transmitted by the optical fiber, at least one node, or both. The switch element can also transmit signals to the optical fiber, at least one node, or both. A mirror is provided for reflecting signals to and from the nodes through free space. An imaging telescope may also be provided for imaging light on to the mirror from the switch element.