Electronic Device Having Optical Data Connection Of Movable Housing Parts

• US 20090110352A1
• Filed: 03/31/2006
• Published: 04/30/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/31/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RPX Corporation
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Elsa-Sakari, Maatta, Schorpp, Marcus
• Granted Patent: US 7,778,503 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/37
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4214 the intermediate optical element having redirecting reflective means, e.g. mirrors, prisms for deflecting the radiation from horizontal to down- or upward direction toward a device G02B6/4246 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/43 Arrangements comprising a plurality of opto-electronic elements and associated optical interconnections
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/1141 One-way transmission
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0214 Foldable telephones, i.e. with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position combined with translation movement H04M1/0235
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/0235 Slidable or telescopic telephones, i.e. with a relative translation movement of the body parts; Telephones using a combination of translation and other relative motions of the body parts

Abstract

The present invention provides an electronic device comprising two or more housing parts which are movable in relation to each other with an optical arrangement enabling optical data communication between electronic components located in the housing parts. The device according to the invention comprises a first housing part comprising first electronic components, a second housing part comprising second electronic components, wherein said first housing part and said second housing part are movably connected and capable of taking at least a first and a second position in relation to each other, a first optoelectronic device connected with said first electronic components, a second optoelectronic device connected with said second electronic components, and a first light duct, and a second light duct, wherein said first light duct is arranged to provide a first light path optically coupling said optoelectronic devices in said first position, and said second light duct is arranged to provide a second light path optically coupling said optoelectronic devices in said second position.

Claims

1. Electronic device, comprising:

a first housing part comprising first electronic components;

a second housing part comprising second electronic components;

wherein said first housing part and said second housing part are movably connected and capable of taking at least a first and a second position in relation to each other;

a first optoelectronic device connected with said first electronic components;

a second optoelectronic device connected with said second electronic components; and

a first light duct; and

a second light duct;

wherein

said first light duct is arranged to provide a first light path optically coupling said optoelectronic devices in said first position; and

said second light duct is arranged to provide a second light path optically coupling said optoelectronic devices in said second position.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second housing parts are slidably connected, the device further comprising:

a first light guiding element connected with said first optoelectronic device;

a second light guiding element connected with said second optoelectronic device; and

a light deflection element arranged on said second housing part;

wherein

said first light duct is formed by said first light guiding element; and

said second light duct is formed by said first light guiding element, said light deflection element and said second light guiding element.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second housing parts are connected foldably via a hinge element, the device further comprising:

a first light guiding element connected with said first optoelectronic device;

a second light guiding element connected with said second optoelectronic device; and

a light deflection element arranged on the hinge element;

wherein

said first light duct is formed by said first light guiding element, said light deflection element and said second light guiding element; and

said second light duct is formed by said first light guiding element and said second light guiding element.

4. Device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second housing parts are connected foldably, the device further comprising:

a first deflection element connected with said first optoelectronic device;

a second deflection element connected with said second optoelectronic device;

a first light guiding element connected with said first optoelectronic device; and

a second light guiding element connected with said second optoelectronic device;

wherein

said first light duct is formed by said first and said second deflection element; and

said second light duct is formed by said first light guiding element and said second light guiding element.

5. Device according to claim 4, wherein said first and second deflection elements each comprise a diffraction grating.

6. Device according to claim 4, wherein said first and second deflection elements each comprise at least one reflecting element.

7. Device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second housing parts are connected slidably, the device further comprising:

a light guiding element, wherein a first end thereof is connected with said first optoelectronic device;

a beam splitter located within said light guiding element, adapted for deflecting a fraction of light emitted by said first optoelectronic device; and

a second deflection element located at a second end of said light guiding element, adapted for deflecting the remaining fraction of light;

wherein

said first light duct is formed by the section of said light guiding element extending from said optoelectronic device to said beam splitter, and said beam splitter; and

said second light duct is formed by said light guiding element and said second light deflection element.

8. Device according to claim 7, wherein said first and said second deflection element each comprise at least one reflecting element.

9. Device according to claim 1, wherein said first optoelectronic device is an optical emitter and said second optoelectronic device is an optical receiver.

10. Device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second optoelectronic devices are optical transceivers.