Fiber optics input device
Patent 4911527 Issued on March 27, 1990. Estimated Expiration Date: 
July 25, 2009. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.
July 25, 2009. Estimated Expiration Date is calculated based on simple USPTO term provisions. It does not account for terminal disclaimers, term adjustments, failure to pay maintenance fees, or other factors which might affect the term of a patent.Patent References 3043910 3240106 3538312 3892468 Optical detection systems utilizing organ arrays of optical fibers Patent #: 3991318 InventorsAssigneeApplicationNo. 385941 filed on 07/25/1989US Classes:385/12, OPTICAL WAVEGUIDE SENSOR250/227.14, Condition responsive light guide (e.g., light guide is physically affected by parameter sensed which results in light conveyed to the photocell)385/50Waveguide to waveguideExaminersPrimary: Lee, John D.Assistant: Heartney, Phan T. Attorney, Agent or FirmInternational ClassG02B 006/04AbstractA fiber optics input device receives a light beam from a movable light source relative to the input device for providing input signals to a terminal. The device includes a single plane of parallel, clad optical fibers forming columns of a matrix and another similar single plane forming rows, the two planes being placed together to form the matrix. The cladding is removed from the top surface of each fiber to form a window therein to permit the light beam to directly contact the selected window in the column plane and to permit the light beam that passes the column plane optical fibers to enter the window of the row plane. Light sensors are connected to the ends of the optical fibers in both the column and row planes so that a first signal is generated indicating a column position and a second signal is generated indicating a row position, thereby fixing the intersection of the column and row optical fibers at the point where the light beam impinges. At least one more similar single vertical position plane may be positioned adjacent and below the row plane. This vertical position plane has at least one light detector connected to the ends of the optical fibers and provides a signal responsive to the light beam that passes the column and row planes indicative of the vertical position of the light source with respect to the input device.Other References
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