Optical relay cable
View Patent ↗Described herein is a system for transmitting an optical signal from a first location to a second location. The system may include first and second mounting fixtures, a reception module, an optical fiber, and a transmission module. The first fixture may define at least a first cavity and a first aperture at the bottom of the cavity. The reception module may be disposed in the cavity, and include a reflector for receiving the optical signal from a first direction through the first aperture and redirecting the optical signal in another direction. The optical fiber may be for receiving the optical signal from the reflector. The second fixture may define at least a second cavity and a second aperture on the side of the cavity. The transmission module may be disposed in the second cavity and direct the optical signal from the optical fiber through the second aperture.
1. A method for transmitting an optical signal from a first location to a second location, wherein the method comprises:
receiving the optical signal from a first direction through a first aperture at the bottom of a first cavity in a first mounting fixture;
reflecting the optical signal in a second direction through a second aperture in the first mounting fixture;
transmitting the optical signal through an optical fiber;
transmitting the optical signal in a third direction through a third aperture in a second mounting fixture having a second cavity, wherein a portion of the optical fiber is disposed in the second cavity and seated within a transmission module within the second cavity; and
transmitting the optical signal from the optical fiber toward a receiver, wherein emission of the optical signal into free space external the transmission module occurs from the portion of the optical fiber seated within the transmission module.
2. The method for transmitting an optical signal from a first location to a second location of claim 1 , wherein the receiver comprises:
a television.
3. The method for transmitting an optical signal from a first location to a second location of claim 1 , wherein:
the step of transmitting the optical signal through the optical fiber comprises the step of transmitting the optical signal in the third direction through the third aperture in the second mounting fixture.
4. The method for transmitting an optical signal from a first location to a second location of claim 1 , wherein receiving the optical signal from the first direction through the first aperture at the bottom of the cavity in the first mounting fixture comprises:
receiving the optical signal from an optical signal transmitter coupled directly beneath the first mounting fixture.
5. The method for transmitting an optical signal from a first location to a second location of claim 4 , wherein the optical signal transmitter comprises
a set top box.
6. The method of claim 1 , wherein the second mounting fixture is configured to be mounted on a surface, and wherein transmitting the optical signal from the optical fiber comprises directing the optical signal at a grazing angle to the surface of 45 degrees or less.
7. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first mounting fixture defines a fourth aperture proximate the first cavity, and wherein the second direction is through the fourth aperture.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first mounting fixture defines a fourth aperture opposite the first aperture across the first cavity.
9. The method of claim 8 , wherein a protrusion is disposed within the fourth aperture.
10. The method of claim 1 , wherein the transmission module includes a protrusion disposed within the third aperture.
11. The method of claim 10 , wherein the third aperture is opposite the second aperture across the second cavity.
12. The method of claim 1 , wherein the first mounting fixture comprises:
a first wing extending away from one side of the first cavity;
a second wing extending away from an opposite side of the first cavity, wherein the first wing and the second wing are coupleable to a surface.
13. The method of claim 12 , wherein the first mounting fixture further comprises an adhesive on an underside of at least one of the first wing or the second wing.
14. A method for transmitting an optical signal from a first location to a second location, wherein the method comprises:
receiving the optical signal from a first direction through a first aperture at the bottom of a cavity in a first mounting fixture having a first wing extending away from one side of the cavity and a second wing extending from an opposite side of the cavity;
reflecting the optical signal in a second direction through a second aperture in the first mounting fixture;
transmitting the optical signal through an optical fiber;
transmitting the optical signal in a third direction through a third aperture in a second mounting fixture; and
transmitting the optical signal from the optical fiber toward a receiver.