Optical interface to an electrical central office

• US 4,596,051 A
• Filed: 08/29/1983
• Issued: 06/17/1986
• Est. Priority Date: 08/29/1983
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nathan W. Feldman
• Original Assignee: Nathan W. Feldman
• Inventors: Feldman, Nathan W.
• Primary Examiner(s): ORSINO JR, JOSEPH
• Application Number:
  US06/527,054
• Time in Patent Office: 1,023 Days
• Field of Search: 455/606, 455/607, 455/610, 455/612, 455/614, 179/170 NC, 179/113, 179/18 FA
• US Class Current: 398/139
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/003 Telephone sets using electrooptical means in the transmission path

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.

Claims

1. 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.

2. The interface device of claim 1 wherein said electrical control means comprises means for performing telephone supervisory functions.

3. The interface device of claim 2 wherein said electrical control means comprises means for performing telephone traffic functions of off hook detection and ringing.

4. The interface device of claim 3 including means for respectively performing telephone talking and listening functions.

5. The interface device of claim 1 wherein said electrical control means comprises means for performing telephone ringing functions.

6. The interface device of claim 1 wherein said electrical control means comprises means for performing telephone off hook detector functions.

7. 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.