Optical signal channel selector
First Claim
1. An optical signal channel selector apparatus for an optical signal transmission and detection system having multiple optical channels for communicating at least one optical signal comprising:
- a) at least one first optical channel means for carrying an optical signal;
b) a plurality of a second optical channel means for carrying an optical signal, each said second optical channel means including a solid-state optical fiber block having at least one filter means for receiving said optical signal and transmitting an output optical signal with a limited wavelength range;
c) movable selector means adapted to be in optical communication with any one of said first optical channel means and movable to be in optical communication with any one of said second optical channel means for providing optical communication between one of said first optical channel means and a selected second optical channel means; and
d) means for moving said selector means to provide optical communication between one of said first optical channel means and a different one of said second optical channel means.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
The optical signal channel selector apparatus includes one or more first optical channels, and a plurality of a secondary optical channels for carrying an optical signal. A parabolic mirror is rotatable to provide optical communication between a first optical channel and any one of the secondary optical channels. A position encoded stepper motor is coupled to the parabolic mirror for controlling the position of the mirror. Solid state optical interface blocks having one or more filters receive the optical signal and transmit output optical signals with filtered wavelength ranges in the secondary optical channels. The rotation of the mirror by a position encoded stepper motor allows selection of a desired secondary channel, and automatically shutters the remaining channels closed.
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Citations
35 Claims
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1. An optical signal channel selector apparatus for an optical signal transmission and detection system having multiple optical channels for communicating at least one optical signal comprising:
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a) at least one first optical channel means for carrying an optical signal; b) a plurality of a second optical channel means for carrying an optical signal, each said second optical channel means including a solid-state optical fiber block having at least one filter means for receiving said optical signal and transmitting an output optical signal with a limited wavelength range; c) movable selector means adapted to be in optical communication with any one of said first optical channel means and movable to be in optical communication with any one of said second optical channel means for providing optical communication between one of said first optical channel means and a selected second optical channel means; and d) means for moving said selector means to provide optical communication between one of said first optical channel means and a different one of said second optical channel means. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. An optomechanical switching apparatus for use in a system utilizing optical signals, comprising:
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an light source for producing an optical signal; rotatable mirror means for directing said optical signal from said light source to a plurality of points located about said mirror means; means for controlling the rotational position of the mirror means; a plurality of optical fiber channels disposed at said plurality of points about said mirror means adapted to be in optical communication with said mirror means such that as the mirror means is rotated said mirror means is in optical communication with a selected optical fiber channel and the mirror means is not in optical communication with the remaining optical fiber channels; and each optical fiber channel being connected to a solid state optical interface block having at least one filter means for receiving said optical signal and transmitting an output optical signal with a limited wavelength range. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for measuring the concentration of at least one analyte in a sample utilizing an optical signal transmission and detection system having optical fiber analyte sensor means adapted to receive at least one optical excitation signal and adapted to generate at least one output detection signal which is a function of the corresponding analyte concentration in the sample, said analyte sensor means being optically connected through a plurality of corresponding optical channels to an optical signal channel selector apparatus having multiple optical channels for sequentially communicating at least one optical signal, said optical signal channel selector apparatus including at least one first optical channel means for carrying a source optical signal;
- a plurality of a second optical channel means for carrying said source optical signal, each said second optical channel means including a solid-state optical fiber block having at least one filter means for receiving said source optical signal and transmitting an excitation optical signal with a limited wavelength range to said sensor means;
movable selector means adapted to be in optical communication with any one of said first optical channel means and movable to be in optical communication with any one of said second optical channel means for providing optical communication between one of said first optical channel means and a selected second optical channel means; and
means for moving said selector means to provide optical communication between one of said first optical channel means and a different one of said second optical channel means, said method comprising the steps of;a) exposing said optical sensor means to said sample; b) generating a source optical signal and transmitting said source optical signal from said first optical channel means through said movable selector means to a first one of said second optical channel means to transmit one said excitation optical signal with a limited wavelength range to said sensor means; c) generating a first said output detection signal responsive to said excitation optical signal; d) measuring said first output detection signal from said optical sensor means; e) moving said selector means to transmit said source optical signal from said first optical channel means to a second one of said second optical channel means to transmit a second said excitation optical signal with a limited wavelength range to said optical sensor means; f) generating a second said output detection signal responsive to said second excitation optical signal; g) measuring said second output detection signal from said optical sensor means; and h) determining the concentration of at least one analyte in said sample based upon at least one of said first and second output detection signals. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35)
- a plurality of a second optical channel means for carrying said source optical signal, each said second optical channel means including a solid-state optical fiber block having at least one filter means for receiving said source optical signal and transmitting an excitation optical signal with a limited wavelength range to said sensor means;
Specification