Patent ID: 7334948

Claim:
A modular optical device, comprising: a first fabricated package including at least one of a light source for generating optical signals and a light detector for detecting received optical signals; a second fabricated package that defines an opening within which is positioned a plurality of contacts that are exposed when the opening is unoccupied; a lead frame that mechanically connects the first fabricated package to the second fabricated package and that electrically connects the at least one of the light source and light detector in the first fabricated package to the contacts positioned in the opening of the second fabricated package; and a component insert positioned within the opening defined by the second fabricated package and electrically coupled to the contacts positioned within the opening such that components of the component insert can electrically communicate with the at least one of the light source and light detector, wherein the modular optical device has first and second associated states defined such that: in the first state, the first fabricated package is substantially coplanar with the second fabricated package; and in the second state, the first and second fabricated packages are positioned one on top of the other.