Optical input system and method
AssigneeLockheed Martin Corporation
InventorsAndrew G. Edwards, Charles J. Burns, George S. Hartigan, Jr.
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An input system comprises an optical device configured to transmit and receive one or more optical signals along a segment of fiber optic cable; an optical input device connected to the segment of fiber optic cable, the optical input including an input key configured to reflect a portion of an optical signal as a consequence of being actuated; and a signal decoder connected to the optical device, the signal decoder configured to select a first input code from a plurality of input codes, the first input code corresponding to the portion of the optical signal reflected by the input key.
Claims25
An optical input system, comprising:
- a first optical fiber segment defining a beam path;
- a source for injecting a first optical signal into the first optical fiber segment;
- a first input device including:
- a first input key;
- a first beam splitter disposed along the first optical fiber segment at a first location, the beam splitter for dividing the first optical signal into a first portion that continues along the beam path of the first optical fiber segment and a second portion that diverges from the first portion;
- and
- a first reflector connected to the first input key for reflecting the second portion of the first optical signal in response to actuation of the first input key;
- and
- a detector for receiving the second portion of the first optical signal reflected by the first reflector and determining whether the first input key is actuated;
- and
- a signal decoder configured to select a first input code from a plurality of input codes, the first input code corresponding to the reflected signal.
An optical input method, comprising the steps of:
- transmitting an optical signal along a beam path of a fiber optic cable;
- diverting a first portion of the optical signal towards a reflector;
- reflecting the first portion of the optical signal if a first input key is actuated;
- determining a characteristic of the reflected optical signal;
- and
- selecting a first input code from a plurality of input codes, the first input code corresponding to the reflected signal.
An input system comprising:
- an optical device for transmitting and receiving one or more optical signals along a segment of fiber optic cable;
- an optical input device including an input key for reflecting a portion of an optical signal in response to being actuated;
- and
- a signal decoder for selecting a first input code from a plurality of input codes, the first input code corresponding to the portion of the optical signal reflected by the input key.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.