Patent ID: 6856720

Claim:
A switch for optically coupling a first optical channel to a selected one of a plurality of second optical channels, comprising: a. a frame that defines a central passage through which a beam coupled to the first optical channel may pass and that defines a plurality of peripheral passages through which a beam coupled to a selected second optical channel may pass, each of the peripheral passages in substantial alignment with a corresponding second optical channel of the plurality of second optical channels; b. a rotational object, having a top surface and a peripheral area, disposed coaxially with the frame, the rotational object having an axis that is substantially in alignment with the central passage, the rotational object capable of rotating about the axis and including a cylinder including an outer wall having a top edge, the top surface including an outer edge, wherein the peripheral area comprises a tapered surface that connects the top edge of the cylinder with the outer edge of the top surface; c. a beam redirector, affixed to the top surface of the rotational object, that allows a first optical path in alignment with the first optical channel to be optically coupled to a second optical path extending from a preselected position adjacent the peripheral area of the rotational object; and d. a turning mechanism that causes the rotational object to rotate to a position where the second optical path is in alignment with the selected one of the plurality of second optical channels.