Position digitizer waveguide array with integrated collimating optics
US6181842A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 10, 2000 |
| Grant date | Jan 30, 2001 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 10, 2020 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG02B6/4202
- WIPO fieldOptics
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
XY position digitizer 10 has an X send substrate 11X with an associated X receive substrate 12X, and a Y send substrate 11Y with an associated Y receive substrate 12Y, defining free space region 10F therebetween. Send waveguides 13X are embedded in the X send substrate and send waveguides 13Y are embedded in the Y send substrate. The send waveguides sends an array of send light beams 15X across the free space region to the X receive substrate. The send waveguides likewise sends an array of send light beams 15Y across the free space region to the Y receive substrate. Receive waveguides 16X are embedded in the X receive substrate and receive waveguides 16Y are embedded in the Y receive substrate in correspondence with the X and Y send waveguides. Each receive waveguide receives at least a portion of the light beam from the corresponding send waveguide. An array of X send optical systems 18X are embedded in the X send substrate. One send optical system is in precise optical alignment with each send waveguide, for enhancing the collimation of the constrained send light from that aligned send waveguide.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.