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Optical signal transmission system for an automotive vehicle

  • US 4,456,903 A
  • Filed: 03/24/1981
  • Issued: 06/26/1984
  • Est. Priority Date: 03/25/1980
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. An optical signal transmission system for an automotove vehicle having a steering wheel, a steering wheel post, and a plurality of electrical loads, which comprises:

  • (a) a plurality of switches arranged on the steering wheel to produce control signals;

    (b) an encoder provided on the steering wheel and connected to each of said switches for outputting a separate pulse code signal in response to each one of the control signals generated from said switches;

    (c) electricity-to-light converting means comprising a single light producing element for converting each pulse code signal from said encoder into an optical signal;

    (d) light-transmitting ring made of a solid material with a high light-transmittivity and positioned between the steering wheel and the steering post, receiving the optical signal emitted from said electricity-to-light converting means, and transmitting the optical signal throughout said light-transmitting ring;

    (e) light-to-electricity converting means comprising a single light receiving element for converting the optical signal transmitted throughout said light-transmitting ring into an electrical signal; and

    (f) a decoder for decoding the electric signal converted by said light-to-electricity converting means to output an electrical signal corresponding to one of said control signals to control any of the electric load required in the automotive vehicle,whereby a plurality of control signals are transmitted from the steering wheel to the steering post via said electricity-to-light converting means and said light-to-electricity converting means.

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