Optical switch array provided with a mask having openings of a predetermined pattern and shutters corresponding to the pattern

An optical switch array comprising:

• N light-emitting means arranged in a predetermined direction and each emitting a light independently modulated in accordance with an input signal, wherein N is an integer greater than 1;
• masking means having N.times.M segments arranged in the form of a matrix in said predetermined direction and in a direction perpendicular thereto, some of said segments performing one of transmitting the lights emitted from said light-emitting means therethrough and reflecting the lights emitted from said light-emitting means, said masking means having repetitively formed thereon a predetermined pattern comprising at least two of said segments as a unit, wherein M is an integer greater than 1;
• M light-receiving means arranged in a direction perpendicular to said predetermined direction, for receiving the lights transmitted through or reflected by said masking means and independently outputting signals;
• and
• shutter means comprising shutters disposed in the optical path from said light-emitting means to said light-receiving means and arbitrarily openable-closable at each segment unit constituting the pattern of said masking means.