Optical interface to an electrical central office
OwnerNathan W. Feldmaninventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An electro-optical interface unit is shown for interfacing an all-optical telephone to a conventional electrical-metallic-type telephone communications system, having conventional electrical subscriber units, switching, and supervisory systems. An overall all-optical telephone communication system, of which an all-optical telephone is a part, is envisioned. The disclosed system makes use of optical-acoustic-electrical types of transducer elements, light modulators, and optical junctions, among other novel elements.
Claims7
An optical to electrical, telephone system interface device comprising:
- light port means for transceiving light upon light conductive lines said lines being connected to an optical telephone device for transceiving light therebetween;
- electrical port means for transceiving first electrical signals upon electrically conductive lines, said, lines being connected to an electrical central office system;
- transducing means connected to both said port means for transducing between light energy and electrical analog signal energy, or vice versa;
- and
- electrical control means interposed between said electrical port means and said transducing means for conversion of signals transceived therebetween.
An optical/electrical telephone system comprising, in combination:
- at least one subscriber optical telephone device;
- a telephone central office switching system;
- an interface device for rendering compatibility between said central office switching system and said subscriber optical telephone device;
- and, comprised in said interface device,
- light port means for transceiving light upon light conductive lines, asaid lines being connected to said optical telephone device for transceiving light therebetween;
- electrical port means for transceiving first electrical signals upon electrically conductive lines, said lines being connected to said central office system;
- transducing means connected to said light port means for transducing between light energy and electrical analog signal energy, or vice versa;
- and
- electrical control means interposed between said electrical port means and said transducing means for conversion of signals transceived therebetween.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.