Data Collection system
a data collection and optical fiber technology, applied in the field of optical fiber splicing, can solve the problems of increasing the optical loss, and increasing the optical loss
Inactive Publication Date: 2005-10-27
CORNING CABLE SYST LLC
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- Abstract
- Description
- Claims
- Application Information
AI Technical Summary
Benefits of technology
The present invention provides a data collection system for collecting and storing splice data associated with the manufacture of optical fiber splices. This system can be connected to a splicer and can receive splice data from the splicer as it is created. The splice data can include information about the splice, such as the program used to create it, the time and location of manufacture, and the operator who created it. The splice data can be organized and stored in a database for future reference. The invention also provides an apparatus for selecting splice data based on a unique splice indicium, and a method for manufacturing an optical fiber splice by splicing optical fiber portions together and labeling them with a unique splice indicium. The technical effects of this invention include improved accountability and transparency in the manufacture of optical fiber splices, as well as better management of splicing data for analysis and retrieval.
Problems solved by technology
Although in practice some misalignment cannot always be avoided, any significant misalignment may cause an unacceptably high optical loss to be provided by the splice.
Further optical loss and other defects may also be incurred due to other problems with the manufacturing of a fusion splice, such as an incorrect fusing temperature, an incorrect duration of the fusion, and an unclean work area where the splice is made (e.g., foreign particles from the air that are absorbed into the fused area may increase the optical loss).
Unfortunately, there are not presently available any methods or apparatus for collecting and storing information associated with splices (splice data), or for providing access to splice data, in order to determine particular splice characteristics and to trace back the source of the manufactured splice.
Should a splicer operator not perform his or her job properly, or should an otherwise acceptable splice be later sabotaged or otherwise damaged, there is presently no satisfactory way to determine the manufacturing source of the splice, or whether a particular splice was manufactured properly but was later sabotaged or damaged after the manufacturing process.
One reason that no such systems presently exist is that splices currently are not uniquely identifiable.
However, without providing unique identification of splices, it would be nearly impossible to store splice data in such a way as to provide the desired accountability discussed above.
Method used
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Embodiment Construction
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1, an exemplary embodiment of a data collection system 100 according to aspects of the present invention is shown to be connected to a splicer 150. The data collection system 100 preferably includes a data interface 101 for receiving and / or transmitting data, a data storage device 102 for storing data, a processor 103 for controlling data flow, controlling the selection, retrieval, and / or storage of data, and / or controlling various operations of the data collection system 100, a battery / power source 104 for supplying power to the various portions of the data collection system 100, an antenna 105 or other wireless interface, a clock 106, an input device 120, and / or an output device 123. The data collection system 100 may be fully or partially encased in a housing 107.
[0029] The splicer 150 may include an interface 151, a processor 152, a video camera 153 and / or other video input device, splicing apparatus 154 for splicing optical fiber cables, and / or other s...
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A data collection system that is attachable to an optical fiber splicer and is connectible to the splicer's serial port and / or video output. The device captures text data from the serial port and stores this data along with digitized video images of the fibers before, during, and / or after the splice. This data may be stored on a high-capacity storage medium, which may be removable. The date, time, and / or other external data may be recorded as well. The record of each splice is uniquely identified by a serial number or other indicium that is labeled on the splice. This serial number may be read into the data collection device by a laser scanner or optical wand. This device may also interface with a computer and may have full handshaking and a faster, better configured serial port connection than the splicer itself. Advantages of the data collection system include providing remote access of splice data, accountability for defective or problematic splices, and more efficient troubleshooting.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention is directed generally to optical fiber splicing, and particularly to an apparatus for use with an optical fiber splicer and for capturing and retrieving data associated with a splice. BACKGROUND [0002] Many optical fiber systems today require splicing of optical fiber segments. Such splicing is conventionally achieved in many ways, such as using mechanical splices or fusion splices. [0003] When manufacturing a fusion splice, it is important that the two fiber ends that are to be fused together are precisely aligned with each other. Although in practice some misalignment cannot always be avoided, any significant misalignment may cause an unacceptably high optical loss to be provided by the splice. Further optical loss and other defects may also be incurred due to other problems with the manufacturing of a fusion splice, such as an incorrect fusing temperature, an incorrect duration of the fusion, and an unclean work area where the s...
Claims
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IPC IPC(8): G02B6/00G02B6/38G06Q99/00
CPCG06Q99/00G02B6/2558
InventorCLARK, BRETT G.
OwnerCORNING CABLE SYST LLC