Fiber optic image transfer assembly and method of using

• US 6,205,275 B1
• Filed: 06/22/1998
• Issued: 03/20/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 06/22/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Brian E. Melville
• Original Assignee: Brian E. Melville
• Inventors: Melville, Brian E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Ullah, Akm E.
• Application Number:
  US09/102,162
• Time in Patent Office: 1,002 Days
• Field of Search: 385/115, 385/121, 385/116, 385/133, 385/147, 362/554, 250/361.C, 250/458.1, 422/52, 355/27, 355/222, 355/DIG.1, 355/50
• US Class Current: 385/43
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/06 the relative position of the fibres being the same at both ends, e.g. for transporting images

Abstract

An image transfer assembly comprising a preferably flexible fiber optic guide and a pair of fiber optic tapers connected to the ends of the guide. The assembly can compress an image, transmit it via the guide and magnify it for viewing. The tapers may have either the same or different magnification/compression ratios. Alternatively, only single taper may be used. The image transfer assembly can be combined with an image source, such as a computer display to provide remote viewing of the image. When used for prototyping or simulation of control systems, the assembly provides significant flexibility in placement of simulated instruments and gauges, increasing the fidelity of the model.

Claims

1. A method of displaying images comprising:

(a) providing a general purpose computer comprising;

(i) a processing unit; and

(ii) a display unit responsive to said processing unit;

(b) providing a mounting panel having at least one opening;

(c) providing a fiber optic image transfer assembly comprising;

(i) a fiber optic guide having two ends;

(ii) two fiber optic tapers, each of said fiber optic tapers having a large diameter end and a small diameter end;

(iii) each of said fiber optic tapers optically coupled at its small diameter end to a different of said fiber optic guide ends;

(d) optically coupling the large diameter end of a first of said fiber optic tapers to said computer display unit;

(e) mounting the second of said fiber optic tapers to said mounting panel in substantial alignment with said opening;

(f) causing said general purpose computer to generate an image on said computer display unit substantially in alignment with said first fiber optic taper;

whereby said generated image is transferred to the large diameter end of said second fiber optic taper for viewing.

2. The method of displaying images of claim 1 wherein said fiber optic guide is flexible.

3. The method of displaying images of claim 1 wherein said fiber optic tapers are of substantially the same size.

4. The method of displaying images of claim 1 wherein said fiber optic tapers are of substantially different size.

5. The method of displaying images of claim 1 wherein plural fiber optic image transfer assemblies are provided.

6. The method of displaying images of claim 5 wherein all of said fiber optic image transfer assemblies comprise fiber optic tapers of substantially equal diameters.

7. The method of displaying images of claim 5 wherein at least one of said fiber optic image transfer assemblies comprises fiber optic tapers of equal diameters, said diameters being substantially different than the fiber optic taper diameters used in another of said fiber optic image transfer assemblies.

8. The method of displaying images of claim 5 wherein at least one of said fiber optic image transfer assemblies comprises a first fiber optic taper which has at least one diameter which is substantially different than the corresponding diameter of the second fiber optic taper.

9. The method of displaying images of claim 8 wherein at least one other of said fiber optic transfer assemblies comprises fiber optic tapers which are of equal diameter.