Optical isolation apparatus and method
First Claim
1. An optical isolation device comprising:
- an optical channel having a first end and a second end;
a light source adjacent the first end for transmitting light through the optical channel;
a detector adjacent the second end for producing electrical power when impinged upon by the transmitted light;
a signal generator adjacent the second end powered by the electrical power from the detector, the signal generator transmitting optical signals through the optical channel in response to input from a remote isolated circuit at the second end, the input being generated by a user of the remote isolated circuit; and
a sensor adjacent the first end for producing electrical signals in response to the optical signals.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Optical isolation device (10) optically couples and electrically isolates various components on a local source circuit (36) from components on a remote isolated circuit (30). Light source (12) is coupled to opto-electrical detector (16) and opto-electrical sensor (20) is coupled to optical signal generator (18) by optical channel (14). The opto-electrical detector (16) is electrically coupled to remote isolated circuit (30) which is powered by the electricity generated by opto-electrical detector (16) in response to being impinged upon by light (22). Remote isolated circuit (30) is also electrically coupled to optical signal generator (18) which generates optical signals (32) in response to electrical signals received from remote isolated circuit (30). Opto-electrical sensor (20) produces electrical signals in response to being impinged upon by optical signals (32). Thus, remote isolated circuit (30) is completely electrically isolated from, but in communication with and powered by, local source circuit (36).
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Citations
30 Claims
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1. An optical isolation device comprising:
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an optical channel having a first end and a second end;
a light source adjacent the first end for transmitting light through the optical channel;
a detector adjacent the second end for producing electrical power when impinged upon by the transmitted light;
a signal generator adjacent the second end powered by the electrical power from the detector, the signal generator transmitting optical signals through the optical channel in response to input from a remote isolated circuit at the second end, the input being generated by a user of the remote isolated circuit; and
a sensor adjacent the first end for producing electrical signals in response to the optical signals. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. An optical isolation device comprising:
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an optical channel having a first end and a second end;
a light source adjacent the first end for transmitting light through the optical channel;
a detector adjacent the second end for producing electrical power when impinged upon by the transmitted light;
a signal generator adjacent the second end powered by the electrical power from the detector, the signal generator transmitting optical signals through the optical channel in response to input from a remote isolated circuit, the input being generated by a user of the remote isolated circuit;
a sensor adjacent the first end for producing electrical signals in response to the optical signals; and
a controller coupled to the light source and the sensor, the controller causing a task to be performed in response to receipt of the optical signals. - View Dependent Claims (18, 19)
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20. A method of electrically isolating a remote circuit from a controller, the method comprising the steps of:
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transmitting a first light signal;
converting the transmitted first light signal to electrical power only;
powering the remote circuit with the electrical power;
converting an electrical output signal from the remote circuit to a second light signal;
transmitting the second light signal; and
converting the transmitted second light signal to an electrical input signal for the controller to cause the controller to perform a task corresponding to the remote circuit electrical output signal;
wherein the first and second light signals are optically coupled over a signal optical channel. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
communicating the first light signal according to a duty cycle having an on state and an off state; and
communicating the second light signal during the off state of the duty cycle.
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24. The method of claim 20, further comprising the step of communicating the first light signal and second light signal in full-duplex mode.
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25. The method of claim 24, wherein the step of communicating the first and second light signals in full-duplex mode comprises the steps of:
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selecting a first frequency for the first light source;
selecting a second frequency for the second light source, the second frequency being different from the first frequency;
providing a photovoltaic cell responsive to the first frequency; and
providing an opto-electrical sensor responsive to the second frequency.
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26. The method of claim 20, wherein the first light signal is transmitted over a first optical channel and the second light signal is transmitted over a second optical channel.
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27. The method of claim 26, wherein the first and second light signals are transmitted in a full-duplex mode.
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28. The method of claim 27, further comprising the step of optically shielding the first and second optical channels to inhibit optical communication between the first and second optical channels.
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29. An optical isolation device for isolating a user of a remote circuit for controlling equipment in a point of care environment from a circuit for powering the equipment, the device comprising:
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an optical channel;
a light source for transmitting light in a first direction through the channel;
a detector for producing power in response to the transmitted light;
a signal generator powered by the power from the detector and electrically coupled to the remote circuit, the signal generator transmitting optical signals in a second direction through the channel in response to user-generated input signals from the remote circuit; and
a sensor for producing electrical signals for controlling the equipment in response to the transmitted optical signals.
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30. An optically isolated control system, including:
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a remote circuit for providing an input signal;
source circuit including a power source, a controller, and an actuator controlled by the controller;
an isolation device for optically isolating the remote circuit from the source circuit, the isolation device including an optical channel, a light source powered by the power source for transmitting light through the channel, a detector for converting the transmitted light to electrical power for powering the remote circuit, an optical signal generator, powered by the electrical power, for converting the input signal from the remote circuit to an optical signal, the optical signal generator transmitting the optical signal through the channel, and a sensor for converting the transmitted optical signal to an electrical signal;
wherein the source circuit controller responds to the electrical signal by causing the actuator to perform a task corresponding to the input signal from the remote circuit.
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Specification