Device for enabling users of a fiber optic network to confirm network connectivity at their premises

Abstract

A device for enabling fiber optic network users to confirm their network connectivity. In one embodiment, the device has a housing with a front end for connecting to a network fiber inside a terminal at the premises. A device fiber inside the housing has a proximal end at the front of housing for receiving IR signals routed through the network fiber. The IR signals propagate to a distal end of the device fiber which projects into a viewable open region at the back of the housing, and corresponding IR signals are emitted from the distal end of the fiber. A card is supported in the open region near the fiber's distal end. The card is coated with a material that emits a visible light in response to the IR signals, thus enabling users to confirm network connectivity by viewing the card when the front of the housing is connected to the network fiber. Active embodiments of the inventive device are also disclosed.

Description

[0001] DEVICE FOR ENABLING USERS OF A FIBER OPTIC NETWORK TO CONFIRM NETWORK CONNECTIVITY AT THEIR PREMISES

[0002] CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0003] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of United States Provisional Patent Applications No. 63 / 448,074 filed February 24, 2023, titled Passive IR-Detection Devices for FTTH Installation; and No. 63 / 455,058 filed March 28, 2023, titled Active IR-Detection Devices for FTTH Installation. The contents of the mentioned ‘074 and ‘058 applications are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0004] BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0005] Field of the Invention

[0006] The present invention relates to devices for enabling users of a fiber optic network to confirm their connectivity to the network at their premises. .

[0007] Discussion of the Known Art

[0008] For so-called fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) installations, providers of fiber optic networks deploy optical network terminals (ONTs) that are built to be installed and connected inside the homes or premises of their customers. ONTs operate to enable the networks to communicate with electronic devices such as, for example, television set top boxes (STBs) and wire cable modems typically used by the customers in their homes. An ONT is usually placed in the vicinity of the electronic devices and is connected to the devices by wire or cable. The ONT is also connected by an optical fiber to a network fiber terminal (e.g., a wall plate) which has been installed by the network provider at or near an entry point of the customer’s home.

[0009] Network providers would like to enable users to install ONT s successfully on their own in their homes (i.e., DIY) with little if any difficulty, thereby avoiding the deployment of a technician ( / .e., “truck roll”) by the provider to perform the installation. As a first step, however, users must be able to determine if active optical signals from their network provider are present at the fiber terminal installed at their homes. Providers have long desired this ability on behalf of new and potential users, due to issues related to, for example, rodents damaging outside fiber lines, or inadvertent customer tampering. Therefore, providers have a need for a low-cost device that can be mailed or otherwise delivered to new or potential users, which will enable them to determine if the fiber terminal installed at their premises is active simply by plugging the device into the terminal.

[0010] Instruments for detecting infrared (IR) light signals of the kind transmitted through the fibers of a fiber optic network, are commercially available. Since the low-loss wavelength range of single-mode optical fiber is 1260 nm to 1625 nm, fiber optic communication is mostly conducted in that wavelength region. As such, over the years, service providers have set up their network electronics to utilize various IR signal wavelengths, for example, 1310, 1490, 1550, and / or 1625 nm , depending on network requirements such as, e.g., distance, bandwidth, and cost. .

[0011] Commercially available Instruments for detecting network IR light signals at the above mentioned wavelengths include, for example, Fluke Networks model FiberLert™ -125, and Orientek model TFI-40. Moreover, powders or pigments for converting incident infrared light into visible light (IR or photon up-conversion materials) are available from, e.g., LDP LLC, Smarol, and MicroTrace. For example, LDP-LLC’s type IRUCG-EX-IR Phosphor is claimed to absorb 948-983 nm and 1550-1600 nm IR light, while simultaneously converting it to 552 nm green fluorescent light. Additionally, so- called IR detector cards such as , e.g., the Cloudray IR Laser Detection & Alignment Visualizer, feature a card that can be carried on a key chain and which can convert high power laser radiation in a wavelength range of 900-1600 nm, into visible green light.

[0012] Notwithstanding, there is a need for a device that will enable both current and potential network users on their own to determine easily if network connectivity is available at their premises, simply by connecting the device to a network fiber that has been routed to the users’ premises by the network provider.

[0013] SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0014] According to one aspect of the invention, a device for enabling users of a fiber optic network to confirm network connectivity at their premises, wherein the network routes infrared (IR) light signals to a network fiber disposed inside a fiber terminal at the premises, includes a device housing having a front end and a back end. The front end of the housing is configured for operatively connecting to the network fiber in the fiber terminal.

[0015] A device fiber supported inside the housing has a proximal end at the front end of the housing for receiving the IR light signals routed to the network fiber in the fiber terminal, so that the signals propagate to an opposite distal end of the device fiber, and corresponding IR light signals are emitted from the distal end of the fiber. The distal end of the fiber is arranged to project into a viewable open region at the back end of the device housing; and a glass, ceramic, or other suitable card (hereafter referred to simply as a card) is supported in the open region in proximity to the distal end of the fiber.

[0016] The card is treated with a material that emits visible light of a certain color when exposed to the IR light signals emitted from the distal end of the device fiber. Thus, network users can confirm network connectivity by viewing the card at the back of the device housing when the front of the housing is operatively connected to the network fiber in the fiber terminal.

[0017] According to another aspect of the invention, a device for enabling users of a fiber optic network to confirm network connectivity at their premises, wherein the network routes infrared (IR) light signals to a network fiber disposed inside a fiber terminal at the premises, includes a device housing having a front end and a back end. The front end of the housing is configured to connect to one side of an adapter, and the opposite side of the adapter is configured to receive a connector associated with the network fiber in the fiber terminal, so that a distal end of the connector projects into a viewable open region at the back end of the device housing. A card is supported in the open region in proximity to the distal end of the connector.

[0018] The card is treated with a material that emits colored visible light when exposed to the IR light signals emitted from the distal end of the connecter. Thus, network users can confirm network connectivity by viewing the card at the back of the device housing when the connector received in the adapter is operatively connected to the network fiber in the fiber terminal.

[0019] According to a further aspect of the invention, an active device for enabling users of a fiber optic network to confirm network connectivity at their premises, wherein the network routes infrared (IR) signals to a network fiber disposed in a terminal at the premises, includes a base, a first fiber routed over the base, and a first adapter supported on the base. One side of the first adapter is configured to connect with the network fiber, and an opposite side of the adapter is configured to connect with one end of the first fiber so that the opposite end of the first fiber emits the IR signals routed by the network to the network fiber.

[0020] An optical splitter is supported on the base, the splitter having a first port, a second port; and a third port wherein an opposite end of the first fiber is connected to the first port of the splitter. One end of a second fiber is connected to the second port of the optical splitter.

[0021] A second adapter is supported on the base. One side of the second adapter is configured to connect with an opposite end of the second fiber, and an opposite side of the second adapter is arranged to connect with a fiber associated with an optical network terminal (ONT) at the premises. One end of a third fiber is connected to the third port of the optical splitter, wherein the third port of the splitter operates to output a fraction of the amplitude of the IR signals input to the splitter by the first fiber.

[0022] A relay circuit is fixed on the base. The relay circuit includes a light emitting diode (LED) for providing a visible indication of the presence of the IR signals routed to the network fiber at the premises, a manually actuated energy generator, and an IR light sensing device constructed and arranged to respond to IR signals emitted from an opposite end of the third fiber.

[0023] The energy generator is operatively coupled to the LED and the IR light sensing device in the relay circuit. Thus, each time a user actuates the generator, the IR light sensing device responds to the presence of IR signals emitted from the third fiber, and the relay circuit is configured to enable the LED to be energized by the generator when the IR signals are present, thereby confirming network connectivity.

[0024] According to another aspect of the invention, an active device for enabling users of a fiber optic network to confirm network connectivity at their premises, includes a fiber terminal mounted on a wall or other building surface at the premises, and a shuttered adapter mounted in the terminal. One side of the adapter has a first opening configured to receive a first connector associated with a network fiber through which infrared (IR) light signals are routed by the network.

[0025] The opposite side of the adapter has a second opening configured for receiving a second connector associated with a fiber that leads to an optical network terminal (ONT) at the premises. In the absence of the second connector, the second opening of the adapter is closed by a shutter an inside surface of which has a certain light reflectivity. The shuttered adapter also has a reverse-biased, first light emitting diode (LED) fixed at a determined position inside the adapter so that light exiting a distal end of the network fiber when connected to the adapter, is reflected off the inside surface of the closed shutter to illuminate the first LED.

[0026] A relay circuit coupled to the first LED includes a transistor, a resistor, a second LED, and a manually actuated energy generator whose positive terminal generator is connected to the cathode of the of the first LED, and the collector of the transistor. The base of the transistor is connected to the anode of the first LED. One terminal of the resistor is connected to the emitter of the transistor, and the other terminal of the resistor is connected to the anode of the second LED. The negative terminal of the generator is connected to the cathode of the second LED;

[0027] Thus, the second LED operates to emit visible light and thereby confirm network connectivity, whenever the reverse-biased first LED becomes conductive in response to the IR signals reflected by the closed shutter inside the adapter, and the energy generator is actuated.

[0028] For a better understanding of the invention, reference is made to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawing and the appended claims.

[0029] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES

[0030] FIGS. 1 (a) and 1(b) are isometric and top views of a first embodiment of a device for enabling users of a fiber optic network to confirm network access according to the invention;

[0031] FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b) are isometric and top views of a second embodiment of the inventive device;

[0032] FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b) are isometric and top views of a third embodiment of the inventive device;

[0033] FIG. 3(c) shows a type SC optical connector adapter that can be used with the third embodiment of the inventive device;

[0034] FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b) are isometric views of a fourth embodiment of the inventive device;

[0035] FIG. 5 shows a fifth embodiment of the inventive device;

[0036] FIG. 6 illustrates a sixth embodiment of the inventive device;

[0037] FIG. 7 shows a seventh embodiment of the inventive device; and

[0038] FIGS. 8 and 9 illustrate an eighth embodiment of the inventive device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0039] The inventive devices enable users of a fiber optic network to confirm their connectivity to the network, easily and safely, from their own homes or premises. The devices are constructed and configured to detect fiber optic light signals in the infrared (IR) wavelength band, which signals are commonly deployed by network providers. The devices are cost effective and constructed to allow both customers and installers to verify the presence of network signals at a fiber terminal before, during and after a complete FTTH installation at a user’s premises.

[0040] While embodiments of the inventive devices may be illustrated in the drawing as having type SC optical connector features, persons having ordinary skill in the art will understand that features of other single or multi-fiber connector types (e.g., LC, FC, CS, SN, and MPO) may also be incorporated.

[0041] As used herein, the terms users, customers, and subscribers are used interchangeably to mean individuals to whom fiber optic network services are or will be provided. Further, the terms home and premises are used interchangeably to mean any living unit (e.g., private residence, condo, apartment, or office) that network users may normally occupy.

[0042] FIGS. 1 (a) and 1(b) illustrate a first embodiment of a device 10 for enabling users of a fiber optic network to confirm network connectivity at their premises, according to the invention. The device 10 includes a device housing 12 which is formed to be gripped by a user, and a connector plug assembly 14 is supported within the housing 12. The plug assembly 14 includes typical components (e.g., a ferrule, a ferrule frame, a spring, a plug frame, and the like).

[0043] A proximal end of a buffered device fiber 16 has a polished endface that projects from the plug assembly 14 at a front end 15 of the device housing 12. The front end of 15 of the housing 12 is formed to be compatible with a standard connector interface, e.g., an angled SC connector, to which a network fiber is connected inside a fiber terminal at the user’s premises. Thus, any network signals routed to the network fiber in the terminal will propagate from the proximal end of the device fiber 16, to an opposite, distal end 18 of the fiber 16. See FIG. 1(b). .

[0044] The device fiber 16 is supported within the device housing 12 so that the distal end 18 of the fiber projects into a viewable open region 20 at a back end of the device housing 12. See FIG. 1(b). The region 20 at the back of the housing is dimensioned and formed to support an infrared (I R) light detection card 22. The card 22 is treated in a way that renders it physically responsive to wavelengths of IR light commonly used for data communications in fiber optic networks. For example, the card 22 may be coated with any of the earlier mentioned IR or photon up-conversion materials that absorb incoming short wavelength light energy, and release visible light of a certain color when exposed to longer wavelength IR light.

[0045] In the embodiment of FIGS. 1(a) and 1 (b), the coated card 22 is mounted at an angle in the open region 20 of the device housing 12, so that a user can easily view the face of the card 22 in the region 20 when viewing the device 10 from above, after the front end of the device housing 12 is connected with the network fiber in the fiber terminal, and the room lighting is dimmed. See FIG. 1 (b).

[0046] The distal end 18 of the device fiber 16 is cut to such a length that its endface is sufficiently close to the coated card 22 so that any IR light emitted from the distal end 18 illuminates the card 22 over a relatively small spot, since diffused light may not induce the desired change in color of the card coating. Accordingly, one or more commercially available lenses may be interposed in a known manner between the distal end 18 of the device fiber 16 and the coated card 22, in order to collim ate or focus IR light emitted from the distal end 18 of the fiber 16 onto the coated surface of the card 22. As a safety measure in all embodiments of the inventive device disclosed herein, any produced IR light energy should always be directed away from the line of sight of the user.

[0047] A second embodiment of the inventive device 110 is shown in FIGS. 2(a) and 2(b). Components that are the same or similar to those in the first embodiment 10 have corresponding reference numerals increased by 100. In the device 110, the coated card 122 is supported in the open reg ion 120 of the device housing 112 at such an angle that the distal end of the device fiber 116 is hidden by the card 122 when the back of the device 110 is viewed from above. This configuration still allows the user to observe a color change on the card 122, assuming the card is sufficiently transparent, when IR light from the distal end of the device fiber 116 is incident on the surface of the card facing the distal end of the fiber.

[0048] In the first and second embodiments described above, the front ends of the inventive devices 10, 110 are configured as plugs and include ferrules and device fibers with polished endfaces. This configuration enables IR light signals routed by the network to the network fiber in the user’s fiber terminal, to be coupled to the device fibers 16, 116 in the devices 10, 110 when the devices are operatively connected to the network fiber.

[0049] In a third embodiment shown in FIGS. 3(a) and 3(b), no device fiber or ferrule combination is used, thus minimizing cost. Instead, the inventive device 210 has a device housing 212 the front end of which has a socket opening 213 dimensioned and formed to be compatible with one side 214a of a standard adapter (e.g., type SC) 214 shown in FIG. 3(c). The adapter 214 has a boss 216 that contains a ferrule alignment sleeve into which the ferrule of an optical connector inserted in the opposite side 214b of the adapter 214, is received. Thus, when the device housing 212 is inserted into side 214a of the adapter 214, any IR light signals emitted from the distal end of the connector inserted in the opposite side 214b of the adapter 214, are emitted toward a coated card 222 supported in an open region 224 at the back of the device housing 212. As a result, a visible colored light spot is produced on the card 222. The card 222 is also preferably angled within the open region 224 so that a user can observe the card 222 when viewing the back of the device housing 212 from above.

[0050] A fourth embodiment of the inventive device is shown in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), in the form of a shuttered adapter 310. The adapter is arranged with a coated IR detection card 322 that forms a shutter 312. As in the above embodiments, the IR detection card 322 is preferably optically transparent to IR light, and is treated or coated with an IR excitation pigment that produces a spot 324 of light of a certain visible color when the card 322 is illuminated with IR light. Thus, when the adapter 310 is inserted directly into a compatible network fiber connector mounted either in the fiber terminal, or in a separate wall box at a user’s premises, the user can determine if an optical signal is present and network connectivity is available at the premises.

[0051] In a fifth embodiment shown in FIG. 5, an optical fiber jumper 410 is comprised of a length of a singlemode fiber 412 whose opposite ends are terminated within standard connector housing 414 (End A), and 416 (End B). An end or dust cap 418 is dimensioned and formed to be placed over the front endface of a ferrule 420 supported inside the connector housing 414. The material from which the cap 418 is made is optically transparent to IR light, particularly in the region next to the endface of the ferrule 420, and the cap 418 is coated with an excitation pigment that produces visible light of a certain color when illuminated with IR light.

[0052] The overall size of the end cap 418 is such as to provide a friction fit onto the ferrule 420, into the plug frame, or over the front end of the connector housing 414. The location and size of a viewable region 422 on the end cap 418 over which any colored light may be produced is determined accordingly, and the IR excitation pigment is applied to that region. As such, if an IR light signal is present when End B of the jumper 410 is operatively connected to a network fiber, either at a fiber terminal or a separate wall box at a user’s premises, the signal will induce a color change in the region 422 of the cap 418 on End A of the jumper 410.

[0053] FIG. 6 shows a sixth embodiment of the inventive device 500. The device 500 includes a rectangular module base 505 having a complementarily shaped cover 520. The base 505 is constructed to be mounted on a wall or other building surface at the premises of a network user, and the base 505 with its cover 520 can act as a network fiber terminal at the premises.

[0054] The base 505 has a first passage 510 for receiving a network fiber 512, and an internal spool 514 about which a slack length of the network fiber 512 can be wound. The free end of the network fiber 512 is terminated in a connector (not shown) which is mated to one side of an adapter 516 on the module base 505. The opposite side of the adapter 516 is located so that it faces an opening 518 that passes through a side wall of the base 505 and a facing side wall 522 of the module cover 520, when the cover 520 is placed over the base 505. Accordingly, an ONT at the user’s premises can be connected to the network fiber 512 via an outside fiber 519 one end of which is connected to the opposite side of the adapter 516 on the module base 505 through the opening 518, and the other end of which is connected to the ONT.

[0055] The side wall 522 of the module cover 520 is provided with a shutter 524 arranged to slide between a first position at which the opening 518 through the cover side wall 522 and module base 505 is kept clear for passage of the fiber 519 associated with the ONT, and a second position at which the shutter 524 extends over and closes the thru opening 518. The material from which the shutter 524 is made is optically transparent to IR light, and the shutter is treated or coated with an excitation pigment that produces visible light of a certain color when illuminated with active IR light signals that travel through the adapter 516 from the connected end of the network fiber 512.

[0056] In each of the above described embodiments of the inventive device, no electrical power source is required to detect the presence of IR light signals at a network user’s premises, and thus confirm the user’s connectivity with the network. That is, the embodiments are passive as they rely solely on the energy of the network’s IR light signals for their operation.

[0057] FIG. 7 shows a seventh embodiment of the inventive device 600. The device 600 is active in that it uses a separate source of electrical energy to detect active IR light signals from a network provider, and does not rely on the inherent energy of the signals themselves. The device 600 may also function as a network terminal at a user’s premises, and it has a base 605 that can be mounted, for example, on a wall at the premises. A matching removable cover 610 for protecting components mounted on the base 605 is also provided.

[0058] In the device 600, a network fiber 615 originating from the network provider is connected to one side of an adapter 620 supported on the device base 605. The opposite side of the adapter 620 connects to a first fiber 625 which is routed inside the device 600 to a first port of a 1x2 optical splitter 630 having, for example, a 99:1 split power ratio. A second fiber 635 is routed from a second port of the splitter 630, to one side of another adapter 640 supported on the base 605, and the opposite side of the adapter 640 is arranged to connect with a fiber 645 associated with an ONT at the premises.

[0059] A third fiber 650 is connected at one end to a third port of the splitter 630, wherein the third port outputs a small fraction of the amplitude of the IR light signals input to the first port of the splitter 630. The opposite end of the fiber 650 is connected to an IR light signal indicator 655 according to the invention.

[0060] The IR light signal indicator 655 features a light emitting diode (LED) on its outside surface to provide a highly visible indication of the presence of active IR light signals on the network fiber 615. The LED may be energized, e.g., by way of a commercially available energy generator (also known as a kinetic energy harvester) within the indicator 655, and which is manually actuated via a spring loaded button on the indicator 655. A suitable energy generator may be, for example, Energy Harvester Model ECO 260 offered by EnOcean GmbH, wherein each push or release of the button causes a corresponding output of electrical energy.

[0061] Inside the signal indicator 655, the LED may be operatively connected, for example, with a photo transistor that responds to IR light signals emitted from a distal end of the fiber 645. The energy generator may be coupled in a known manner to the photo transistor and the LED so that each time a user actuates the generator, the photo transistor will respond to the presence of any light signals and operate as a relay or switch to energize the LED, thus confirming network connectivity.

[0062] FIGS. 8 and 9 show an eighth embodiment of the inventive device 700. As shown in FIG. 8, the device 700 has a rectangular base 705, and a matching cover plate 710. A shuttered adapter 715, which may be the same or similar to the adapter 310 in FIGS. 4(a) and 4(b), is mounted on the base 705. The base 705 has one or more openings 720 through which a live network fiber 725 can be routed. Other communication lines may also be routed through the base openings 720 as desired.

[0063] According to the invention, the inside surface of the shutter 735 of the adapter 715 is coated or otherwise produced to have a certain reflectivity (e.g., a mirrored or smooth metallic finish), and a bottom wall 740 of the adapter 715 has a reverse-biased LED 745 (see FIG. 9) fixed on its inside surface. When reverse biased, it is known that LED 745 will become responsive to IR light of the same wavelength that the LED emits when forward biased. The reverse-biased LED 745 is positioned on the inside surface of the bottom wall 740 of the adapter 715, so that light emitted from the distal end of the network fiber 725 when connected to the non-shuttered side of the adapter 715, is reflected off the inside surface of the closed shutter 735 and downward to illuminate the LED 745, as shown in FIG. 9.

[0064] The anode of the LED 745 is connected to a terminal A on, for example, a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) 750 a portion of which is disposed, e.g., beneath the adapter 715 on the device base 705. The cathode of the LED 745 is connected to a second terminal B on the PCB 750. It will be understood that in the circuit of FIG. 9, the reverse biased LED 745 will serve as a relatively low-cost alternative to a photo diode, which could be employed instead.

[0065] A remaining portion of the PCB 750, which may extend toward the right side of the adapter 715 on the device base 705 as shown in FIG. 8, supports a relay circuit 755 comprised of, for example, an NPN transistor 760, a load resistor 765, another light emitting diode (LED) 770, and a commercially available, manually actuated energy generator 775 such as, e.g., the EnOcean model ECO 260 energy harvester mentioned above. On the PCB 750, a positive terminal of the generator 775 is connected to the cathode of the reverse-biased LED 745 via terminal B, and to the collector (C) of NPN transistor 760. The base (B) of transistor 760 is connected to the anode of the reverse- biased 745 via terminal A on the PCB 750.

[0066] One terminal of the resistor 765 is connected to the em itter (E) of transistor 760, and the other terminal of resistor 765 is connected to the anode of the LED 770. The negative terminal of the generator 775 is connected to the cathode of LED 770 which is set to ground potential. It will be understood that in the absence of a live IR signal from the network provider, the reverse-biased LED 745 and the transistor 760 are each in a non- conductive state. When the LED 745 becomes conductive in response to live IR signals reflected within the adapter 715, and the energy generator 775 is actuated, the transistor 760 is switched on. Current will then flow through the resistor 765 and the LED 770, causing the LED 770 to emit visible light and signal the presence of network IR signals, thereby confirming network connectivity.

[0067] While the foregoing describes several embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that various changes, modifications, and additions can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, and that the invention includes all such changes, modifications, and additions that are within the scope of the following claims.

Claims

WE CLAIM:1 . A device for enabling users of a fiber optic network to confirm network connectivity at their premises, wherein the network routes infrared (IR) light signals to a network fiber disposed inside a fiber terminal at the premises, comprising: a device housing having a front end and a back end; the front end of the device housing is dimensioned and configured for operatively connecting to the network fiber in the fiber terminal; a device fiber supported inside the device housing and having a proximal end at the front end of the housing for receiving the IR light signals routed to the network fiber in the fiber terminal, so that the signals propagate to an opposite distal end of the device fiber, and corresponding IR light signals are emitted from the distal end of the fiber; the distal end of the device fiber is arranged to project into a viewable open region at the back end of the device housing, and a card is supported in the open region in proximity to the distal end of the fiber; and the card is coated with a material that emits visible light of a certain color when exposed to the IR light signals emitted from the distal end of the device fiber, thereby enabling network users to confirm network connectivity by viewing the card or card at the back end of the device housing when the front end of the housing is operatively connected to the network fiber in the fiber terminal.

2. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the coated card is mounted at an angle in the open region at the back end of the device housing so that a user can view the face of the card when viewing the device housing from above.

3. A device according to claim 1 , including one or more lenses arranged between the distal end of the device fiber and the coated card.

4. A device according to claim 1 , wherein the coated card is supported at an angle in the open region at the back end of the device housing so that the distal end of the device fiber is hidden by the card when the back end of the deice housing is viewed from above, and the card is sufficiently transparent for a user to observe a color change of the card coating when IR light from the distal end of the device fiber is incident on the surface of the card facing the distal end of the fiber.

5. A device for enabling users of a fiber optic network to confirm network connectivity at their premises, wherein the network routes infrared (IR) light signals to a network fiber disposed inside a fiber terminal at the premises, comprising: a device housing having a front end and a back end; the front end of the device housing is dimensioned and configured for operatively connecting to one side of an adapter, wherein the opposite side of the adapter is configured for receiving a distal end of a connector that is operatively connected to the network fiber in the fiber terminal, so that the distal end of the connector projects into a viewable open region at the back end of the device housing; a card supported in the open region in proximity to the distal end of the connector; andthe card is coated with a material that emits visible light of a certain color when exposed to the IR light signals emitted from the distal end of the connector, thereby enabling network users to confirm network connectivity by viewing the card at the back end of the device housing when the connector received in the adapter is operatively connected to the network fiber in the fiber terminal.

6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the card is mounted at an angle in the open region at the back end of the device housing so that a user can observe the card when viewing the device housing from above7. An active device for enabling users of a fiber optic network to confirm network connectivity at their premises, wherein the network routes infrared (IR) signals to a network fiber disposed inside a fiber terminal at the premises, comprising: a base; a first fiber routed over the base; a first adapter supported on the base, wherein one side of the first adapter is configured for connecting with the network fiber, and an opposite side of the adapter is configured for connecting with one end of the first fiber so that the opposite end of the first fiber emits the IR signals routed by the network to the network fiber; an optical splitter supported on the base, the splitter having a first port, a second port; and a third port; and an opposite end of the first fiber is connected to the first port of the optical splitter; a second fiber one end of which is connected to the second port of the optical splitter;a second adapter supported on the base, wherein one side of the second adapter is configured for connecting with an opposite end of the second fiber, and an opposite side of the second adapter is arranged to connect with a fiber associated with an optical network terminal (ONT) at the premises; a third fiber one end of which is connected to the third port of the optical splitter, wherein the third port of the splitter is operative to output a fraction of the amplitude of the IR signals input to the splitter by the first fiber, and a relay circuit fixed on the base, wherein the relay circuit includes a light emitting diode (LED) for providing a visible indication of the presence of the IR signals routed to the network fiber at the premises, a manually actuated energy generator, and an IR light sensing device constructed and arranged to be responsive to IR signals emitted from an opposite end of the third fiber; wherein the energy generator is operatively coupled to the LED and the IR light sensing device in the relay circuit, so that each time a user actuates the generator, the IR light sensing device responds to the presence of IR signals emitted from the third fiber, and the relay circuit is configured to cause the LED to be energized by the generator when the IR signals are present to confirm network connectivity.

8. An active device for enabling users of a fiber optic network to confirm network connectivity at their premises, comprising: a fiber terminal mounted on a wall or other building surface at the premises, and a shuttered adapter mounted in the terminal.; one side of the shuttered adapter has a first opening configured for receiving afirst connector associated with a network fiber through which infrared (IR) light signals are routed by the network, and the opposite side of the adapter has a second opening configured for receiving a second connector associated with a fiber that leads to an optical network terminal (ONT) at the premises; an adapter shutter arranged to close the second opening of the adapter in the absence of the second connector, wherein the inside surface of the shutter has a certain light reflectivity; a reverse-biased, first light emitting diode (LED) fixed at a determined position inside the shuttered adapter so that when the adapter shutter is closed, IR light signals emitted from a distal end of the network fiber when connected to the adapter, are reflected off the inside surface of the shutter to illuminate the LED; and a relay circuit coupled to the first LED, wherein the relay circuit includes a transistor, a resistor, a second LED, and a manually actuated energy generator; a positive terminal of the energy generator is operatively connected to the cathode of the of the first LED and to the collector of the transistor, and the base of the transistor is operatively connected to the anode of the first LED; one terminal of the resistor is operatively connected to the emitter of the transistor, and the other terminal of the resistor is operatively connected to the anode of the second LED; and the negative terminal of the generator is operatively connected to the cathode of the second LED; wherein the second LED operates to emit visible light and thus confirm networkconnectivity, when the reverse-biased first LED becomes conductive in response to the IR signals reflected by the closed shutter inside the adapter, and the energy generator is actuated.

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