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. 23, 2004
Filed:
Apr. 30, 2002
Mary K. Hibbs-Brenner, Plymouth, MN (US);
Harold Y. Walker, Jr., Plano, TX (US);
Julian P. G. Bristow, Lakeville, MN (US);
Yue Liu, Plymouth, MN (US);
Honeywell International Inc., Morristown, NJ (US);
Abstract
A self-aligned optical coupler, and method of manufacturing thereof, for conducting light from and to vertical and/or horizontal ports on optical devices or optoelectric integrated circuits. The device or circuit having the respective port has keys and/or slots on the device or circuit for self-aligning an end of the optical coupler to the port. The end has corresponding slots and/or keys. Visual alignment marks may be used instead so as to permit automatic alignment with machine vision devices. The coupler may have one or a plurality of waveguides. One of the ends of the coupler may have a connector for a self-aligning optical connection to a connector receptacle of a module or a backplane.