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Fiber optic circuit connectorRelated Patent Categories: Optical Waveguides, With Disengagable Mechanical Connector, Optical Fiber To A Nonfiber Optical Device Connector, Plural Fiber/device ConnectionsFiber optic circuit connector description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070172177, Fiber optic circuit connector. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 11/311,616, filed Dec. 19, 2005, which is continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/825,980, filed Apr. 16, 2004, which is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/051,418, filed Oct. 30, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,848,840, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. .sctn. 119(e) from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/244,390, filed Oct. 31, 2000, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. INTRODUCTION [0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of optical connectors for circuit boards. More particularly, the present invention relates to electro-optical back plane circuit boards that have both electrical and optical connectors. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Electronics devices are becoming increasingly integrated with optical systems. This has given rise to the need to integrate electronics and optics together into printed circuit board systems. Currently, this integration is somewhat awkward. Although printed circuit wiring is a fairly mature technology, the mixing of printed circuit wiring with optical conduction paths is still at an awkward stage of development. [0004] Additionally, the connectors for interfacing optical conduction paths on circuit boards with fibers off-board is still a challenge. Specifically, aligning the off-board optical fibers with the connectors on the board remains a reliability problem. [0005] Thus, what is needed is a printed circuit board configuration that reliably integrates electrical conduction with optic conduction, including stable optical connectors. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] One aspect of the present invention is an optical connector for use in a multilayer circuit board. [0007] Another aspect of the present invention is a method for forming an electro-optical multilayer circuit board having embedded optical connectors. [0008] It is also an aspect of the present invention to embed an optical connector in a multilayer circuit board using a guide plate and pins to align the optical connector with the various layers of the circuit board. [0009] An additional aspect of the present invention is an electro-optical back plane having both electrical connectors and optical connectors. [0010] One embodiment of the present invention is an optical connector for use with an electro-optical board. The optical connector includes a right angle interface body that has one or more first optical paths and one or more second optical paths. Each of the first optical paths corresponding to a respective second optical path, and the first optical paths are disposed in a first plane and the one or more second optical paths are disposed in a second plane. The first and second planes being substantially at right angles with respect to one another. The optical connector also includes a female self-alignment body that has a tapered channel substantially aligned with the first plane. The optical connector further includes a tapered male self-alignment body sized to fit closely into the tapered channel of the female self-alignment body, and having one or more third optical paths adapted to align with the first optical paths when the tapered male self-alignment body is engaged with the female self-alignment body. The third optical paths are adapted for connection to one or more optical fibers disposed outside the electro-optical board. The second optical paths are adapted for connection to optical fibers embedded in the electro-optical board. [0011] Another embodiment of the present invention is a method of integrating into an optical-electrical board an optical connector that includes a right angle interface body, a female self-alignment body having a tapered channel, and an anchor body. The method includes the steps of connecting the right angle interface body to a set of one or more optical fibers, and embedding the right angle interface body and the one or more optical fibers inside the optical-electrical board. The method also includes the steps of forming a hole in the optical-electrical board to expose an upper surface of the embedded right angle interface body, securely fastening the anchor body about the hole, and inserting the female self-alignment body through the anchor body and the hole so as to bring the tapered channel into registration with the embedded right angle interface body. [0012] Yet another embodiment of the present invention is an electro-optical back plane. The electro-optical back plane includes a fiber management system formed of plural optical fibers, an electrical bus circuit, and a board, wherein the fiber management system and the electrical bus circuit are embedded inside the board. The electro-optical back plane further includes plural optical connectors disposed on the board, each of the optical connectors being coupled to one or more of the plural optical fibers of the fiber management system. Additionally, the electro-optical back plane includes plural electrical connectors disposed on the board, each of the electrical connectors being electrically connected to the electrical bus circuit. Each of the optical connectors includes a right angle interface body embedded into the board for connection to one or more fibers of the fiber management system, an anchor body securely fastened to the surface of the board, and a female self-alignment body having a tapered channel. The female self-alignment body is held by the anchor body so that the tapered channel is in registration with an upper surface of the right angle interface body. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] Additional objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent in the following detailed description read in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures. [0014] FIG. 1 illustrates a sectional exploded view of parts of an optical connector according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0015] FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a right angle interface body according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0016] FIG. 3 illustrates a sectional view of the right angle interface body of FIG. 2. [0017] FIG. 4 illustrates another sectional view of the right angle interface body of FIG. 2 (orthogonal to the sectional view of FIG. 3). [0018] FIG. 5 illustrates an initial pre-assembly schematic view of various lamination layers for composing a multilayer printed circuit board according to an embodiment of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 6 illustrates a post-lamination cross sectional view of a multilayer circuit board according to a process embodiment of the present invention. Continue reading about Fiber optic circuit connector... Full patent description for Fiber optic circuit connector Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Fiber optic circuit connector patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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