Patent ID: 6147953
Filing Date: 2000-11-14
Classification: G02B,G11B

Abstract:
Optical signal transmission apparatus comprising, in combination:a first optical signal source for providing an optical signal moving in a first direction;a second optical signal source for providing an optical signal moving in a second direction;a first optical coupler element formed of light transmitting material having at least one convex surface and a planar surface, said planar surface being disposed at an angle to the directions of the optical signals provided by said first and second optical signal sources;a second optical coupler element formed of light transmitting material having a planar surface bonded along a planar junction to the planar surface of said first optical coupler element, the planar surface of said second optical coupler element and said planar junction disposed at said angle; andat least one coating disposed at said planar junction, said first and second optical coupler elements and said at least one coating cooperable with said first and second signal sources to reflect and redirect at least a portion of the optical signal from one of said optical signal sources and redirect the at least one portion to a first location on the surface of said optical signal transmission apparatus and to allow the transmission of at least a portion of the optical signal from the other of said optical signal sources through said at least one coating and between said first and second optical couplers to a second location on the surface of said optical signal transmission apparatus spaced from said first location.