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:
Aug. 29, 2006
Filed:
Dec. 24, 1997
Richard Morgan Helms, Sunderland, CA;
John V. Taglione, Scarboro, CA;
Richard Morgan Helms, Sunderland, CA;
John V. Taglione, Scarboro, CA;
International Business Machines Corporation, Armonk, NY (US);
Abstract
The invention provides an optical communications system having a dual mode of operation. It includes a communications module having an optically active portion with a wide-angle view; a light collimator; and a connector connecting the communications module and the light collimator to permit the module and collimator to be selectively positioned in a collimated or non-collimated position. When it is the collimated position, the communications module is positioned at the focal point of the collimator, and when in a non-collimated position the communications module is positioned away from focal point of the collimator; so that the communications system has a narrow field of view when operated in the collimated position, and has a wide field of view when operated in the non-collimated position.