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:
Jul. 01, 2003
Filed:
Jun. 06, 2000
Peter Hunt, Scotts Valley, CA (US);
Calient Networks, Inc., San Jose, CA (US);
Abstract
A method for ensuring path integrity in an optical switch is provided that essentially eliminates any occurrences of misconnected paths and enables new signal paths to be easily generated and existing paths to be switched. The method is suitable for use in optical switching devices that enable selective connection of optical signals received on a plurality of input fibers to respective output fibers, wherein the optical switching device includes a first array of mirrors disposed in a first mirror plane and a second array of mirrors disposed in a second mirror plane. In accordance with the method, all mirrors are maintained in signal paths so that undesired light is prevented from reaching any of the output fibers.