Optical input system and method
First Claim
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1. An optical input system, comprising:
- a first optical fiber segment defining a beam path;
a source for injecting a first optical signal into the first optical fiber segment;
a first input device including;
a first input key;
a first beam splitter disposed along the first optical fiber segment at a first location, the beam splitter for dividing the first optical signal into a first portion that continues along the beam path of the first optical fiber segment and a second portion that diverges from the first portion; and
a first reflector connected to the first input key for reflecting the second portion of the first optical signal in response to actuation of the first input key; and
a detector for receiving the second portion of the first optical signal reflected by the first reflector and determining whether the first input key is actuated; and
a signal decoder configured to select a first input code from a plurality of input codes, the first input code corresponding to the reflected signal.
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Abstract
An input system comprises an optical device configured to transmit and receive one or more optical signals along a segment of fiber optic cable; an optical input device connected to the segment of fiber optic cable, the optical input including an input key configured to reflect a portion of an optical signal as a consequence of being actuated; and a signal decoder connected to the optical device, the signal decoder configured to select a first input code from a plurality of input codes, the first input code corresponding to the portion of the optical signal reflected by the input key.
51 Citations
25 Claims
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1. An optical input system, comprising:
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a first optical fiber segment defining a beam path; a source for injecting a first optical signal into the first optical fiber segment; a first input device including; a first input key; a first beam splitter disposed along the first optical fiber segment at a first location, the beam splitter for dividing the first optical signal into a first portion that continues along the beam path of the first optical fiber segment and a second portion that diverges from the first portion; and a first reflector connected to the first input key for reflecting the second portion of the first optical signal in response to actuation of the first input key; and a detector for receiving the second portion of the first optical signal reflected by the first reflector and determining whether the first input key is actuated; and a signal decoder configured to select a first input code from a plurality of input codes, the first input code corresponding to the reflected signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. An optical input method, comprising the steps of:
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transmitting an optical signal along a beam path of a fiber optic cable; diverting a first portion of the optical signal towards a reflector; reflecting the first portion of the optical signal if a first input key is actuated; determining a characteristic of the reflected optical signal; and selecting a first input code from a plurality of input codes, the first input code corresponding to the reflected signal. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An input system comprising:
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an optical device for transmitting and receiving one or more optical signals along a segment of fiber optic cable; an optical input device including an input key for reflecting a portion of an optical signal in response to being actuated; and a signal decoder for selecting a first input code from a plurality of input codes, the first input code corresponding to the portion of the optical signal reflected by the input key. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification