Optical interface for data transmission
AssigneeTexas Instruments Incorporated
InventorOleg Belogolov
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A data transmitter includes a keyboard with keys, a digital micromirror device (DMD) having an array of micromirrors, and a light source directed towards the array of micromirrors. The keys are connected to the DMD such that each key corresponds to a separate micromirror of the array of micromirrors in order to generate a unique light pattern associated with each depressed key. An optical transmission channel is configured to receive the unique light pattern and transfer the unique light pattern to a light sensor of a computer.
Claims19
A system comprising:
- a data transmitter including an array of mirrors having mirror positions set according to an encoding scheme to generate light patterns in correspondence with data entered at the data transmitter;
- a data receiver including a light sensor;
- and
- an optical channel between the array of mirrors and the light sensor.
A keyboard comprising:
- keys;
- a digital micromirror device (DMD) having an array of micromirrors;
- a connection between the keys and the array of micromirrors;
- a light source directed towards the array of micromirrors;
- and
- an optical transmission channel.
A method of transmitting data from a keyboard to a computer, comprising:
- depressing a first key of a keyboard having keys;
- setting at least one micromirror of an array of micromirrors to a first position in response to the depressed first key;
- directing a light towards the array of micromirrors to create a light pattern corresponding to the first key, wherein a unique light pattern associated with each key of the keyboard;
- and
- directing the light pattern through an optical transmission channel.
A data transmitter comprising:
- a keyboard with keys;
- a digital micromirror device (DMD) having an array of micromirrors, wherein the keys are connected to the DMD such that each key corresponds to a separate micromirror of the array of micromirrors;
- a light source directed towards the array of micromirrors;
- and
- an optical transmission channel configured to receive a unique light pattern for each key.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.