Flexible optical circuit apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A flexible optical circuit comprising:
- a first optical fiber having a first end;
a second optical fiber having a second end;
a third optical fiber having a third end;
a fourth optical fiber having a fourth end;
a first flexible substrate comprising a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first end of the first optical fiber and the third end of the third optical fiber each extend at least to the first edge of the first flexible substrate, and wherein the second end of the second optical fiber and the fourth end of the fourth optical fiber each extend at least to the second edge of the first flexible substrate; and
a first component coupled to the first and second optical fibers between the first and second ends,wherein the first component is configured to affect an optical signal propagating on the first and second optical fibers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A flexible optical circuit comprising passive or active components is provided. The flexible optical circuit includes a first optical fiber having both first and second ends, a second optical fiber having both first and second ends, a flexible substrate attached to both the first and second optical fibers where the first and second pins of the first and second optical fibers extend to at least the edge of the flexible substrate and a component coupled to the first optical fiber between the first and second ends. The component can be used passive or active. A passive component requires no electrical trace lines to activate the component and the passive component will react upon the reception of a light-wave signal. The active component will require power from the back plane before the active component can modify or affect the light-wave signal. The first and second ends of the optical fibers extend at least to the edge of the flexible optical circuit or can extend beyond the edge of the flexible substrate. The flexible optical fibers can be fixedly attached to the flexible substrate through an adhesive or the flexible optical fibers can be intermittently fixedly attached to the flexible substrate.
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Citations
46 Claims
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1. A flexible optical circuit comprising:
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a first optical fiber having a first end; a second optical fiber having a second end; a third optical fiber having a third end; a fourth optical fiber having a fourth end; a first flexible substrate comprising a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first end of the first optical fiber and the third end of the third optical fiber each extend at least to the first edge of the first flexible substrate, and wherein the second end of the second optical fiber and the fourth end of the fourth optical fiber each extend at least to the second edge of the first flexible substrate; and a first component coupled to the first and second optical fibers between the first and second ends, wherein the first component is configured to affect an optical signal propagating on the first and second optical fibers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24)
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25. A method of preparing a flexible optical circuit, the method comprising:
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applying a first layer of adhesive to a flexible substrate having a first edge and a second edge; positioning an optical fiber on the first layer of adhesive, wherein the optical fiber includes a first end that extends at least to the first edge and a second end that extends at least to the second edge; and coupling a component to the optical fiber such that the component is in direct contact with the flexible substrate, wherein the component is coupled to the optical fiber between the first and second ends of the optical fiber, and wherein the component is configured to affect an optical signal propagating on the optical fiber. - View Dependent Claims (26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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32. A flexible optical circuit comprising:
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a flexible substrate having a side that defines an opening; a component disposed in the opening; a first optical fiber connected to the component; and a second optical fiber connected to the component, wherein the component is configured to affect an optical signal propagating on the first and second optical fibers; wherein the flexible substrate further defines a first edge and a second edge, wherein the first optical fiber includes a first end that extends at least to the first edge, and wherein the second optical fiber includes a second end that extends at least to the second edge; wherein the opening enables the first and second optical fibers to maintain their respective bend radius. - View Dependent Claims (33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39)
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40. A flexible optical circuit comprising:
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a flexible substrate; a first layer of adhesive applied to the flexible substrate; a first optical fiber and a second optical fiber positioned on the first layer of adhesive, wherein the first and second optical fibers each extend to at least one edge of the flexible substrate; and a component coupled to the first and second optical fibers, wherein the component is coupled between a first end of the first optical fiber and a second end of the second optical fiber, and wherein the first component is configured to affect an optical signal propagating on the first and second optical fibers. - View Dependent Claims (41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46)
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Specification