System and method for spreading wires of a cable

Abstract

System and method for spreading wires of a cable. The wires of the cable may be spread prior to performing one or more operations on the wires of the cable. The wires may be spread by first aligning the cable, after which the wires may be flattened. After flattening, a multi-step spreading process may be performed in which the wires may be initially spread simultaneously after which the wires may be further spread individually.

Description

SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR SPREADING WIRES OF A CABLEREFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application claims priority to US Provisional Application No. 63 / 598,937, filed on November 14, 2023, and to US Provisional Application No. 63 / 599,543, filed on November 15, 2023, both of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entiretyTECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure generally relates to the cable and connector industry, and more particularly to crimping of multi-wire cables.BACKGROUND

[0003] Many types of cables may comprise multi-wire cables. Examples may include Ethernet, USB, HDMI and many custom cables. The above-mentioned cables may be made of cables wires connected to a connector using soldering or pressing all wires simultaneously to the connector (such as in the Ethernet cables).

[0004] An additional way of connecting cable wires to the connector is by using a method called crimp (or crimping). In this method, the cable may be stripped out of one or more protective layers, such as its outer jacket (and optionally shielding, to the extent shielding may be present), or other exterior of the cable. Then, one, some, or each wire may be stripped of its isolation at its end, thereby revealing the metal therein (e.g., copper). Thereafter, the wires of a cable may be spread. After spreading, the metal may be crimped (e.g., mechanically crimped via an applied force) to a crimp contact (interchangeable termed a crimp or a terminal). More specifically, the wire may be inserted into the crimp contact.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0005] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate various aspects of the invention and together with the description, serve to explain its principles. Wherever convenient, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to ref er to the same or like elements. It is noted that Figs. 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, 3F, 3G, 3H, 31, 3J, 3K, 3L, 3M, 3N, 30, 3P, 3Q, 3R, 3S, 3T, 3U, 3V, 3W, 3X, 4, and 6A are color. While WIPO will make the color drawings available, these drawings have also been uploaded on the day of filing of this application, and are available at https: / / jmp.sh / DJjuXAWi.

[0006] FIG. 1 A is a block diagram of one example layout in which an automated wire spreading machine may be placed within a plurality of other machines as part of a production line.

[0007] FIG. IB is a first block diagram of the automated wire spreading machine.

[0008] FIG. 2A is a cross section of an example cable with a plurality of wires.

[0009] FIG. 2B is a cross section of an example cable with a plurality of wires and a filler.

[0010] FIGS. 3A-B illustrate two views of the holder moving downward to align or center the cable.

[0011] FIG. 3C illustrates the wires of the cable are on top of one another prior to movement of the flattener moving downward.

[0012] FIG. 3D illustrates the holder, which includes a cable straightener and flattener, may be moved downward in order to perform one or both of aligning the cable and / or flattening the wires.

[0013] FIGS. 3E-F illustrate views moving forward and backward to simultaneously straighten the cable and the flatten and / or spread out the wires.

[0014] FIGS. 3G-X illustrate views in which the needle manipulates one or more wires.

[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view of one example of a part of the automated wire spreading machine.

[0016] FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of another example of the automated wire spreading machine.

[0017] FIG 5B illustrates a perspective view of the automated wire spreading machine illustrated in FIG 5A.

[0018] FIG. 5C illustrates a partial side view of the automated wire spreading machine illustrated in FIG. 5A.

[0019] FIG. 5D illustrates a front view of the automated wire spreading machine illustrated in FIG. 5A.

[0020] FIG. 6A illustrates a bottom view of the holder of the automated wire spreading machine illustrated inFIG. 5A.

[0021] FIG. 6B illustrates an isometric view of the holder of the automated wire spreading machine illustrated in FIG. 5A.

[0022] FIG. 7 illustrates a first flow chart.

[0023] FIG. 8 illustrates a second flow chart.

[0024] FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system that may be utilized to implement the methods described herein.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] As discussed in the background, one step in processing of a cable may comprise spreading wires. In one or some embodiments, one, some, or all of the steps of wire spreading may be performed automatically (e.g., without any human input), such as by: positioning the cable in a predetermined orientation (e g , so that an end of the cable is not skewed or at an angle); initially spreading the wires (e.g., by flattening the wires so that each of the wires is on the same plane or more on the same plane and / or after flattening, performing further spreading); and subsequent spreading of the wires (e.g., by using a needle to spread the wires one-at-a-time or to spread multiple wires at a time). Any one, any combination, or all of the above steps may be performed using image analysis. For example, one or more cameras may be used to generate image(s), which may be analyzed (e.g., mapping the gaps between wires after the initial spreading of the wires). Further, after performing the spreading, one or more operations may be performed. By way of example, after spreading, one or more of the wires in the cable may be crimped. Alternatively, or in addition, after spreading (but before crimping), filler(s) within the cable may be cut.

[0026] For example, in one or some embodiments, an initial step may optionally comprise modifying the orientation of one or both ends of the cable. In one particular implementation, a respective end of the cable, which may include both an exterior of the cable (e.g., the jacket of the cable) and the interior of the cable (e g., the wires and / or fdler(s) within the cable), may be simultaneously aligned in a common direction . As discussed in more detail below, the alignment may be performed using a tool (e.g., the large gathering) in order to simultaneously position both the exterior and the interior of the cable in the common direction.

[0027] After the alignment of the exterior and interior of the cable in the common direction, one or more actions may be performed in order to: more flatten the wires; and / or more spread the wires. In one or some embodiments, spreading the wires may comprise a multi-step process, such as performing an initial spread followed by a further spread, as discussed in more detail below. Further, in one or some embodiments, the flattening of the wires may be performed first, after which, spreading may be performed. Moreover, in one or some embodiments,the flattening may be at least partly related to at least a part of the spreading, such as the initial spreading. For example, the more flattening and the initial spreading may have related actions, such as each being performed by lateral movements (e.g., flattening may occur by “shortening” of the wires whereas initial spreading may occur by “lengthening” of the wires, discussed below). Also, in one or some embodiments, the further spreading may contrast with the initial spreading in one or more ways, such as based on the devices used (e.g., using a robotic needle in the further spreading versus not using the robotic needle in the initial spreading; using the device (such as the small gathering) in both the initial spreading and the further spreading). In this regard, performing any one, any combination, or all of alignment, flattening and spreading may enable the spreading of the wires for further processing (e.g., crimping of the wires; cutting of filler(s); etc.).

[0028] Thus, the initial spreading of the wires may have one or more aspects in contrast with and / or one or more aspects in common with the subsequent spreading of the wires. For example, any one, any combination, or all of the following respects may be in contrast and / or in common. First, the initial spreading of the wires may be performed by a movement with regard to each of the wires in combination and at least partly simultaneously. As one example, a “shortening” of each of the wires, such as by moving a part of the holder (e.g., the small gathering) relative to the wires so that the wires appear shorter (e g., an end of the wires is closer to the holder), may be performed in order to flatten one, some, or each of the wires in the cable. In such a movement, each of the wires is “shortened”. As another example; a “lengthening” of the wires, such as by moving a part of the holder (e.g., the small gathering) relative to the wires so that the wires appear longer), may be performed in order to spread the wires. In such a movement, each of the wires is “lengthened” (e.g., an end of the wires is further away the holder). In contrast, when performing the subsequent spreading, fewer than all of the wires may be moved. As one example, only a single wire may be moved. As another example, only two wires may be moved. In this regard, in one or some embodiments, fewer than all of the wires may be moved when performing the subsequent spreading.

[0029] Second, the flattening and / or the initial spreading may comprise one or both of contacting the jacket of the wires (e.g., by a portion of the small gathering) and / or contacting the wires themselves (e.g., by another portion of the small gathering). In such flattening and / or initial spreading, one or more devices (e.g., the small gathering) may move in order to perform the flattening and / or initial spreading. The subsequent spreading may be performed by contacting the jacket and / or one or more of the wires of the cable. In particular, in one or some embodiments, the device(s) used to contact the jacket and / or wires during the flattening and / or initial spreading may likewise be used in the subsequent spreading (e.g., using the small gathering). However, the device(s) that contact the jacket and / or wires during the flattening and / or initial spreading may move while performing the flattening and / or spreading whereas, in one or some embodiments, the device(s), while still contacting the jacket and / or wires, remain stationary during the subsequent spreading, thereby effective holding the jacket and / or a portion of the wires in place while the robotic needle (or other device) may move another part of the wire(s) (e.g., move in an axial direction the wires closer to the end of the wire.

[0030] Third, the part(s) of the wire used to impart movement during flattening and / or initial spreading may be different from the part(s) of the wire used to impart movement during the subsequent spreading. For example, the jacket of the cable and the wires of the cable may be placed on a bottom surface. In one or some embodiments, flattening and / or initial spreading of the wires may occur by: (i) applying pressure on the bottom of the wires and / or the bottom of the jacket that contact the bottom surface and on the top (e.g., the top of the wires and / or the top ofthe jacket that are opposite the bottom of the wires and / or the bottom of the jacket, respectively); and (ii) imparting motion or applying force on the top of wires and / or the top of the jacket (e.g., performing the lateral movement in order to “lengthen” or “shorten” the wires). In the subsequent spreading, in one or some embodiments, pressure may be applied on the bottom side of the wires and / or the bottom side of the jacket contacting the bottom surface (the same or similar to (i) above for flattening and / or initial spreading of the wires) in order to hold parts of the jacket and / or parts of the wires in place; however, a different force, in addition to or other than the force to impart motion in (ii) above for flattening and / or initial spreading of the wires, may be applied. Specifically, the different force may comprise a force applied to a side of the wires (e.g., not on the top or the bottom side of the wires) in order to impart an axial movement of the wires.

[0031] Fourth, different types of movements may be performed in flattening and / or initial spreading versus subsequent spreading. As one example, flattening and / or initial spreading may comprise lateral movements along the length of the cable. In contrast, the subsequent spreading may comprise axial movements.

[0032] Thus, the disclosed wire spreading system and method may be used as a predicate step prior to crimping (such as individual crimping of the wires in a respective cable). In one or some embodiments, the number of wires in the cable may comprise at least two wires, at least three wires, at least four wires, at least five wires, at least six wires, at least seven wires, at least eight wires, at least nine wires, or at least ten wires. Further, in one or some embodiments, the cable may not include a filler material. Alternatively, one or more strands of filler may be included within the cable. For example, in one or some embodiments, one or more fillers (alternatively termed filler strands) may be included within the cable in order for the cable to have a predetermined shape (such as a predetermined circular cross-section shape). The filler(s) may be composed of plastic, rubber, nylon or the like that is more rigid (e.g., greater elasticity) than the wires within cable. In this way, the filler(s), due to their shape, may create the desired overall shape of the cable.

[0033] As discussed in more detail below, for a respective cable without filler(s), the wire spreader may operate without regard to any filler(s). Alternatively, for a respective cable that has filler(s), such as a single strand of filler or multiple strands of filler, the spreading may spread one or both of the wire(s) and the filler(s). For example, in one or some embodiments, the spreading of the wires may be performed in order to isolate the wires from the filler(s), such as moving the wires so that the wires are at least a predetermined distance removed from the filler(s). After spreading of the wires, one or more operations may be performed, such as automatic cutting of the filler(s). Further, after spreading a respective wire, the respective wire may remain substantially spread (e.g., may remain substantially bent). In contrast, due to higher elasticity, the filler(s), when the bending force is removed, will effectively spring back to its original position (e.g., sticking straight along the same direction as the jacket of the cable).

[0034] In a first implementation with a single filler, optionally after flattening of the wires and / or initially spreading of the wires, one or more of the wires may be further spread (such as by manipulating the wires one-at- a-time or manipulating combinations of wires) with a robotic needle. For example, after optionally flattening of the wires and / or initially spreading of the wires, the wires may be on one or both sides of the filler. More specifically, in a Cat-6 configuration, there may be four 2-wire twisted pairs that are positioned around the filler, as discussed in more detail below. After flattening of the wires and / or initially spreading of the wires, the four 2-wire twisted pairs may be positioned relative to the filler in one or more configurations, such as: (i) two 2-wire twisted pairs oneither side of the filler; (ii) three 2 -wire twisted pairs on one side of the filler (e.g., on the left side of the filler or on the right side of the filler) and one 2-wire twisted pair on the other side of the filler; or (iii) four 2-wire twisted pairs on one side of the filler. In one or some embodiments, after optionally flattening of the wires and / or initially spreading of the wires, one or more images may be obtained of the positioning of the wires relative to the filler. Based on the image(s), the system may automatically determine where to automatically position the robotic needle in order to move the wire(s) further away from the filler. In the Cat-6 example given above, in (i) with two 2-wire twisted pairs on either side of the filler, based on the image(s), the system may first automatically position the robotic needle between the filler and the two 2-wire twisted pairs on the left of the filler and then control the robotic needle in order to push the two 2-wire twisted pairs on the left of the filler further left in order to increase the distance between the filler and the two 2-wire twisted pairs on the left (e.g., increase the distance between the filler and the two 2-wire twisted pairs on the left to be at least a predetermined amount or greater). Similarly, the system may then automatically position the robotic needle between the filler and the two 2-wire twisted pairs on the right of the filler and then control the robotic needle in order to automatically push the two 2-wire twisted pairs on the right of the filler further right in order to increase the distance between the filler and the two 2-wire twisted pairs on the right (e.g., increase the distance between the filler and the two 2-wire twisted pairs on the right to be at least a predetermined amount or greater). The given example first pushes the twisted pairs of wires on the left and then on the right. Alternatively, the converse may be performed (e.g., first pushing the twisted pairs on the right and then on the left) or may be performed at least partly simultaneously. In the Cat-6 example given above, in (ii) with three 2-wire twisted pairs on one side of the filler and one 2-wire twisted pair on the other side of the filler, based on the image(s), the system may first automatically position the robotic needle on either side between the filler and the twisted pair(s) in order to increase the distance between the filler and the 2-wire twisted pair(s) and then automatically position the robotic needle on the other side to increase the distance between the filler and the 2-wire twisted pair(s). Likewise, in (iii) with four 2-wire twisted pairs on only one side of the filler, based on the image(s), the system may automatically position the robotic needle in between the filler an the four 2-wire twisted pairs (whether on the right side or on the left side of the filler) and then automatically move the robotic needle in order to increase the distance between the filler and the four 2-wire twisted pairs (e.g., when the four 2-wire twisted pairs are to the right of the filler, moving the robotic needle further to the right to increase the distance between the filler and the four 2-wire twisted pairs; when the four 2-wire twisted pairs are to the left of the filler, moving the robotic needle further to the left to increase the distance between the filler and the four 2-wire twisted pairs).

[0035] In a second implementation with a plurality of fillers (e.g., at least two fillers, at least three fillers, at least four fillers, etc.), optionally after flattening of the wires and / or initially spreading of the wires, one or more of the wires may be further spread (such as by manipulating the wires one-at-a-time or combinations of wires) with a robotic needle. For example, after optionally flattening the wires and / or initially spreading the wires, the wires may be on either side of the fillers or one or more of the wires may be trapped between fdlers. In the instance where the wires are on one or both sides of the fillers (but not in between the fillers), the robotic needle may be automatically operated as discussed above in order to move the wires to be at least a predetermined distance from the fillers. For example, based on one or more images obtained via a camera, the wire placement relative to the fillers may be automatically obtained. In particular, responsive to automatically determining wires to the left of the fillers, the robotic needle may be positioned between the fillers and the wires to the left. Thereafter, the robotic needle may beautomatically moved further left in order to push the wires on the left of the fillers further left so that the wires on the left may be at least a predetermined distance from the fillers. The same operation may be automatically performed for wires on the right. Responsive to automatically analyzing the images, the system may automatically determine one or more wires that are trapped or positioned between the fillers. In such an instance, the system may automatically position the robotic needle in any one of the following configurations: (A) to the right of the filler furthermost on the right (e.g., one filler on the left, one or more wires in the middle, and one filler on the right, with the needle being positioned to the right of the filler on the right); (B) to the left of the filler furthermost on the right (e.g., one filler on the left, one or more wires in the middle, and one filler on the right, with the needle being positioned between the wire(s) and the filler on the right); (C) to the right of the filler furthermost on the left (e.g., one filler on the left, one or more wires in the middle, and one filler on the right, with the needle being positioned between the wire(s) and the filler on the left); or (D) to the left of the filler furthermost on the left (e g., one filler on the left, one or more wires in the middle, and one filler on the right, with the needle being positioned to the left of the filler on the left).

[0036] As discussed above, after pushing the wires, the wires may stay bent, whereas after pushing the fillers, the fillers may spring back to their original position (or closer to their original position then to the moved position). In this way, the robotic needle may be automatically moved into position and then moved to bend both the wire(s) and one or more of the fillers. For example, in (A), the robotic needle may be moved to the left, thereby pushing all of the fillers and the wire(s). After removing the robotic needle from contact the wire(s) and / or the filler(s), the wire(s) may stay bent whereas all of the fillers may spring back to their original position (or be closer to the original position than the moved position under force from the robotic needle). In (B), the robotic needle may be moved to the left, thereby pushing less than all of the fillers and the wire(s). After removing the robotic needle from contact the wire(s) and / or the filler(s), the wire(s) may stay bent whereas the less than all (but at least one or more) of the fillers may spring back to their original position. In (C), the robotic needle may be moved to the right, thereby pushing less than all (but at least one or more) of the fillers and the wire(s). In (D), the robotic needle may be moved to the right, thereby pushing all of the fillers and the wire(s). In this way, in one or some embodiments, spreading may result from pushing (e.g., using a robotic needle) both at least one wire and at least one filler in a predetermined direction, and thereafter releasing (e.g., removing the robotic needle from contact with the wire(s) and / or the filler(s)) so that the wire(s) may remain at least partly bent while the filler(s) may spring back (entirely or nearly entirely such as at least 80% back, at least 85% back, at least 90% back, at least 95% back, etc.) to its previous position prior to the pushing.

[0037] In one or some embodiments, the disclosed wire spreading system and method may be used with a variety of numbers of wires and / or a variety of types of wires (e.g., at least three wires and with a tip length (e.g., of exposed wire) of at least 20mm). In this regard, the disclosed wire spreading system and method may comprise a robotic-based solution that may be used for one or both of the coarse or crude manipulation of the cable and / or wires and / or the fine manipulation of the wires (e.g., fine manipulation wire-by-wire and / or fine manipulation for a plurality of wires at a time).

[0038] In this regard, a method and a system for automatically spreading wires in a cable is disclosed. The method and system may include: automatically flattening, at least partly simultaneously, one or more of the wires of the cable; automatically spreading, at least partly simultaneously, at least some of the wires of the cable; andafter spreading the at least some of the wires of the cable, automatically spreading at least one of the wires in the cable individually. In one or some embodiments, the automatically flattening is performed prior to automatically spreading the at least some of the wires of the cable. In one or some embodiments, automatically flattening, at least partly simultaneously, is performed for a plurality of wires of the cable prior to automatically spreading, at least partly simultaneously, the plurality of wires (e.g., the same wires in the cable may be flattened as initially spread; different wires in the cable may be flattened than are initially spread). Moreover, in one or some embodiments, the cable includes a jacket, with at least one holder holding one or both of the jacket or the wires of the cable, and with automatically flattening the plurality of wires and automatically spreading the plurality of wires use a same type of movement of the holder relative to the wires of the cable (e.g., the type of movement comprises a lateral movement). For example, a first lateral movement may be performed for automatically flattening the plurality of wires of the cable, a second lateral movement may be performed for automatically spreading the plurality of wires of the cable, and where the second lateral movement is in an opposite direction to the first lateral movement. Various lateral movements are contemplated, such as the first lateral movement automatically flattening the plurality of wires resulting in the holder being closer to an end of the wires of the cable (e.g., by moving the holder closer to the end of the wires in the cable, by moving the wires closer to the holder, or by a combination of both), and such as the second lateral movement automatically spreading the plurality of wires results in the holder being further away from the end of the wires of the cable (e.g., by moving the holder further from the end of the wires in the cable, by moving the wires further from the holder, or by a combination of both). The holder may include at least one structure to apply pressure to a top of the one or more of the wires, with the first lateral movement automatically flattening the plurality of wires being performed at least partly simultaneously while applying pressure to the top of the one or more wires and / or with the second lateral movement automatically spreading the plurality of wires being performed at least partly simultaneously while applying pressure to the top of the one or more wires.

[0039] In one or some embodiments, automatically spreading at least one of the wires in the cable individually comprises an axial movement, such as by using a robotic needle. For example, the robotic needle may be inserted between two of the wires of the cable, and, after inserting the robotic needle between the two of the wires, the axial movement is performed in order to move one of the wires further away from the other of the two of the wires.

[0040] In one or some embodiments, the cable may be automatically aligned prior to automatically flattening.

[0041] In one or some embodiments, the cable includes a plurality of wires and one or more fillers, with the one or more fillers being more elastic than the plurality of wires. In practice, the plurality of wires may be spread so that each of the plurality of wires are at least a predetermined distance from the one or more fillers. More specifically, the automatically spreading of the at least one of the wires in the cable individually may comprise automatically moving both the at least one of the wires and the one or more fillers from an original position to a moved position (e.g., using at least one robotic needle), and whereby, after automatically moving both the at least one of the wires and the one or more fillers, the one or more fillers automatically move back closer to the original position than to the moved position (e.g., by removing the at least one robotic needle from contact with the wire(s) and the filler(s)). After the one or more fillers automatically moves back closer to the original position than to the moved position, the one or more fillers may be cut (e.g., since the plurality of wires are spread so that each of the plurality of wires are at least the predetermined distance from the plurality of fillers, thereby allowing the knife or other cutting instrument to cut the filler(s) safely without cutting the wires).

[0042] Referring to the figures, FIG. 1A is a block diagram of one example layout in which an automated wire spreading machine may be placed within a plurality of other machines as part of a production line. Specifically, in one embodiment, the automated wire spreading system and automated wire spreading method may be part of a standalone solution. Alternatively, the automated system and automated method may be part of an automatic line, such as illustrated in FIG. 1A, which is a block diagram of one example layout 100 in which an automated wire spreading machine 110 may be placed within a plurality of other machines as part of a production line (such as an at least partly automatic production line or an entirely automatic production line), which may further include one or more other units, such as unit 1 , unit 2, . . . unit N- 1 , unit N. Further, a central controller 112 may be configured to communicate with the automated wire spreading machine 110 and / or with the one or more other units. In one or some embodiments, other units on the production line may include an automatic wire stripper machine and / or an automatic crimping machine and / or automatic cutting machine (e.g., to cut filler(s)).

[0043] The automated wire spreading machine 110 may be implemented in one of several ways. By way of example, the automated wire spreading machine 110 may comprise a single system that is designed as automated. See FIG. IB. In particular, FIG. IB is a block diagram of the automated wire spreading machine 110. The automated wire spreading machine 110 may include any one, any combination, or all of: a communication interface 120; one or more motors 122; illumination device 124; hardware for cable and / or wire manipulation 126; computational functionality 128 (e.g., see FIG. 9); hardware for individual or plurality wire manipulation 134; operating panel 136; sensor(s) 138; and cutting device 140 (e.g., at least one knife).

[0044] The communication interface 120 may comprise a wired and / or wired communication interface in order to communicate with the one or more other units (see FIG. 1A) and / or the central controller 112. The one or more motors 122 may comprise a force generator in order to move an object (e.g., to move a holder and / or a gripper and / or a needle-like or pin-like device) and / or to impart a force (e.g., for applying a force using holder; for use by pin-like device to move wire(s)). Thus, in one or some embodiments, the one or more motors 122 may comprise one or more motors to move the wire(s) and / or filler(s) (see fine wire movement using robotic needle with hardware for individual and / or plurality wire manipulation 134 or crude wire movement using hardware for cable and / or wire manipulation 126) and / or the cable (see hardware for cable and / or wire manipulation 126) in any manner as discussed herein, as in known by one of skill in the art.

[0045] The illumination device 124 may comprise one or more lamps or other illumination sources in one or more spectra, such as in the visible and / or near visible spectra in order to illuminate one or more parts of the wire spreading machine 110. The hardware for cable and / or wire manipulation 126 may comprise a holder (e.g., in order to orient the cable in a predetermined manner) and / or a flattener (e.g., to flatten the wires).

[0046] The computational functionality 128 may comprise at least one processor 130 and at least one memory 132. In one or some embodiments, the computational functionality (e.g., the at least one processor) may be configured to generate one or more commands in order to control various parts of the system depicted in FIG. IB. Merely by way of example, the at least one processor 130 may be configured to command hardware for individual and / or plurality wire manipulation 134 (e.g., the at least one processor 130 may send one or more commands to the one or more motors, which in turn may move a pin-like or needle-like device, such as discussed herein) and / or command hardware for cable and / or wire manipulation 126 (e.g., the at least one processor 130 may send one ormore commands to the one or more motors, which in turn may control the holder and / or flattener, such as discussed herein). FIG. 9 further discusses the computational functionality.

[0047] Moreover, as discussed in more detail with regard to FIG. 9, the at least one memory 132 may store information and / or software, with the at least one processor 130 configured to execute the software stored in the at least one memory 132. In one or some embodiments, the at least one processor 130 may comprise a microprocessor, controller, PLA, or the like. The at least one memory 132 may comprise any type of storage device (e.g., any type of memory). Though the at least one processor 25 and the at least one memory 26 are depicted as separate elements, they may be part of a single machine, which includes a microprocessor (or other type of controller) and a memory. Alternatively, the at least one processor 130 may rely on the at least one memory 132 for all of its memory needs. The at least one processor 130 and at least one memory 132 are merely one example of a computational configuration. Other types of computational configurations are contemplated. For example, all or parts of the implementations may be circuitry that includes a type of controller, including an instruction processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), microcontroller, or a microprocessor; or as an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), Programmable Logic Device (PLD), or Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA); or as circuitry that includes discrete logic or other circuit components, including analog circuit components, digital circuit components or both; or any combination thereof. The circuitry may include discrete interconnected hardware components or may be combined on a single integrated circuit die, distributed among multiple integrated circuit dies, or implemented in a Multiple Chip Module (MCM) of multiple integrated circuit dies in a common package, as examples.

[0048] The operating panel 136 may comprise an input / output interface, such as a touchscreen, which may comprise a control panel through which an operator may enter command(s) and which may comprise an output device (e.g., a screen) which may indicate a state (e.g., a current status) of the automated wire spreading machine 110.

[0049] In one or some embodiments, the sensor(s) 138 may comprise one or more cameras that may be used to perform machine vision. Alternatively, or in addition, the sensor(s) may comprise proximity sensor(s). In one or some embodiments, the cutting device 140 may comprise one or more knives or the like in order to cut filler(s) in the cable, as discussed herein.

[0050] FIG. 2A is a cross section 200 of an example cable with jacket 210 a plurality of wires 220, 222, 224, 226, 228. The jacket 210 may comprise the outer layer of the cable that enwraps wiring and cable assemblies, and may serve as a resilient shield against the forces of the environment and potential wear, with the wires 220, 222, 224, 226, 228 being contained within the jacket 210.

[0051] FIG. 2B is a cross section 250 of an example cable with a jacket 210, a plurality of wires and a filler 270. By way of example, a Cat-6 (category-6) cable is illustrated in FIG. 2B with a plurality of twisted pair combinations 280, 282, 284, 286 for Ethernet and other network physical layers The twisted pair combinations 280, 282, 284, 286 include respective twisted pairs of wires 290, 291, 292, 293, 294, 295, 296, 297. Further, the Cat-6 cable may include filler 270 that may be configmed to provide a divide for the twisted pair combinations 280, 282, 284, 286 and may be shaped so that the cross-section of the cable is predetermined (e.g., a round crosssection).

[0052] FIGS. 3A-B illustrate two views 300, 310 of the holder 304 moving downward to align or center the cable. As shown in FIG. 3A, the cable is off-angle, as shown by line 302. As shown in FIG. 3B, the holder 304 is moved downward (as shown by line 313) so that cable is moved into alignment (as shown by line 312). FIGS. 3A- B illustrate alignment and / or spreading (discussed further below) for two ends of the cable. In this regard, the alignment and / or spreading may be performed at least partly simultaneously for each of the two ends of the cable. Alternatively, the system may include functionality for performing the alignment and spreading for one side of the cable at a time. In such a configuration, one side of the cable may be aligned / spread. After which, the ends of the cable may be swapped, with the other side of the cable then being aligned / spread.

[0053] FIGS. 3A-B further illustrate a bottom surface 303 on which the jacket and / or wires may sit. As discussed in more detail below, the bottom surface 303 may be used to sandwich the jacket and / or the wires when applying pressure on a top of the jacket and or the wires. As one example, the cylinder 351 (discussed below) may be used to apply pressure onto the top of the wires (so that the wires are sandwiched between the cylinder 351 and the bottom surface 303, thereby applying force on one or both of the bottom or the top of the wires). This applied force resulting in the sandwiching of the wires may be used when performing the manipulation of wire(s) with the robotic needle, as discussed further below. See FIGS. 3G-U. Alternatively, or in addition, this applied force resulting in the sandwiching of the wires may be used when performing the flattening and / or the initial spreading of the wire(s) with the small gathering 614, as discussed further below. See FIGS. 3E-F. As another example, the sidewalls 660, 662 of the small gathering 614 may be used to apply pressure onto the top and / or sides of the jacket in combination with the jacket being on the bottom surface 303, thereby applying force any one, any combination, or all of the bottom, the side(s), or the top of the jacket. This applied force resulting in the sandwiching of the jacket may be used when performing one or both of the flattening or the initial spreading of the wires, as discussed further below.

[0054] FIG. 3C illustrates a view 320 in which the wires of the cable are on top of one another prior to movement of the flattener moving downward. FIG. 3D illustrates a view 330 of the holder 304, which may include one or both of a cable straightener and flattener (discussed further with regard to FIG. 4), moving downward (indicated by arrow 332) in order to perform one or both of aligning the cable and / or flattening the wires.

[0055] FIGS. 3E-F illustrate views 339, 350 moving the holder 304 forward and / or backward to perform any one, any combination, or all of: straightening the cable; flattening the wire(s); or at least partly spreading out the wires. As discussed above, the wires may be “shortened” in one or more operations. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3E, the holder 304 is moved forward (see arrow 342) resulting in the wires relative to the holder 340 being shortened. This relative pushing and / or pulling being performed first (with the holder 340 being pushed forward resulting in the wires relative to the holder being effectively pushed backward) may at least partly perform the flattening of the wires. In one or some embodiments, the relative movement to shorten distance between the end of the wires and the holder may be performed at least partly simultaneously with applying force via the cylinder (e g., cylinder 351 applying pressure onto the top of the wires (so that the wires are sandwiched between the cylinder 351 and the bottom surface 303) so that performing the pushing / pulling movement to “shorten” the wires (e.g., moving the holder 340 forward) along with applying the pressure on the top of the wires may perform the flattening.

[0056] In one or some embodiments, after flattening, the wires may be further spread out, such as performing a multi-step spreading process of an initial spread (see FIG. 3F), after which a further spread (see FIGS. 3G-U) maybe performed. In particular, an example of the initial spreading is illustrated in FIG. 3F in which the wires are spread out more than the wires illustrated in FIG. 3E. Moreover, as discussed above, the wires may be “lengthened” in one or more operations. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 3F, the holder 304 is moved backward (see arrow 353) resulting in the wires relative to the holder 340 being lengthened (e.g., the movement of the holder 340 relative to the wires results in the wires being lengthened from the perspective of the holder 340 such that the end of the wires is further away from the holder 340) This relative pushing and / or pulling being performed (with the holder 340 being pushed backward, with the wire being pushed forward, or with a combination of both, thereby resulting in the wires relative to the holder being effectively pushed forward,) may at least partly perform the spreading of the wires. In one or some embodiments, the relative movement to lengthen the wires may be performed at least partly simultaneously with applying force via the cylinder (e.g., cylinder 351 applying pressure onto the top of the wires (so that the wires are sandwiched between the cylinder 351 and the bottom surface 303) so that performing the pushing / pulling movement to “lengthen” the wires (e.g., moving the holder 340 backward so that an end of the wires is further away from the holder 340) along with applying the pressure on the top of the wires may perform the spreading. In this regard, lateral movement may be performed to flatten and / or spread, such as movement backward and / or forward of the holder, and / or movement backward and / or forward of an end of the cable.

[0057] FIGS. 3G-X illustrate views 352, 360, 361, 362, 365, 368, 371,373, 375, 377, 379, 381, 383, 385, 387, 389, 391, 393, 395 in which the needle 354 manipulates one or more wires 355, 356, 357, 358, 359. As shown by FIGS. 3G-X, the needle 354 may manipulate the wires in one of several ways. In one way, the needle may manipulate the wires 355, 356, 357, 358, 359 one wire at a time. This is illustrated in FIGS. 3G-H in which wire 355 is moved. Alternatively, more than one wire, such as at least two wires, at least three wires, at least four wires, or at least all of the wires, may be manipulated at a time or at least partly simultaneously.

[0058] Further, as discussed in more detail below, computer vision may be performed to determine, after flattening / initial spreading (see FIGS. 3E-F) the gaps between one or more of the wires. Responsive to determining the gaps (e.g., using computer vision), in one or some embodiments, the sequence of which wires are moved may be dynamically determined. After which, the needle 354 may be automatically placed in the determined gaps.

[0059] Alternatively (such as after determining the gaps), the sequence of which wires are moved may be predetermined. However, based on the computer vision determining the gaps, the needle 354 may be placed to move the wires in the predetermined sequence. As one example, the outer wires, such as wires 355 and 359 may be moved first. After which, the inner wires, such as 356, 358, may then be moved. Still after which, a center wire, such as 357, may be moved.

[0060] Further, in one or some embodiments, the needle 354 may move the wires so that the wires temporarily touch. This is illustrated, for example, in FIG. 3L in which needle 354 moves wire 356 so as to touch wire 355. After needle 354 is removed (e.g., moved upward), wire 356 may move at least partly away from wire 355, such as shown in FIG. 3M. This is further illustrated in FIGS. 3S-U. This is due to the wires being partially plastic and / or partially elastic so that even if the wires touch, the wires may still spread away from one another.

[0061] In one or some embodiments, after initial spreading, all wires in the cable are manipulated. Alternatively, after initial spreading, fewer than all of the wires are moved. For example, this is illustrated in FIGS. 3G-X in which wire 357 is not moved by needle 354 after initial spreading.

[0062] In addition, after spreading by the needle 354, part or all of the holder (e.g., cylinder 351) may be moved upward and / or downward, such as illustrated in FIGS. 3V-X as shown by arrows 392, 394, 396. In one or some embodiments, one or more images may be obtained of the wires after moving part or all of the holder in order to determine whether one or some of the wires have moved due to the movement upward and / or downward.

[0063] FIG. 4 illustrates a side view 400 of a part of the automated wire spreading machine whereby the cable and / or wires are at least partly supported by a plate or other type of surface (such as a flat surface). As shown, holder may move upward and / or downward relative to the cable / wires (as shown by Axis- 1) and / or backward and / or forward relative to the cable / wires (as shown by Axis-3). As discussed above, holder may include a cable straightener 410 and a wire flattener 412. As discussed above, the cable straightener 410 may be in contact with the cable (such as the protective outer layer of the cable as shown in FIG. 4). In one or some embodiments, one or more robots may be used to effect the holder moving downward (see movement downward along Axis-1), thereby resulting in cable straightener 410 being in contact with at least a part of the cable. In one or some embodiments, one or more robots may be used to effect movement along Axis-3, thereby resulting in the straightening of the cable, such as illustrated in FIG. 3B. Alternatively, or in addition, wire flattener 412 may be in contact with the wires of the cable. In one or some embodiments, holder moving downward (see movement downward along Axis- 1) results in wire flattener 412 being in contact with the wires. This downward movement, in one or some embodiments, results in at least partly flattening of the wires. See FIG. 3D. In one or some embodiments, movement along Axis-3 results in at least partly spreading out of the wires, such as illustrated in FIGS. 3E-F.

[0064] After performing one or both of: (i) aligning the cable; and / or (ii) flattening and / or spreading the wires, computer vision may be performed to determine the gap(s) between the wires. Still after which, a needle (or other pin-like device) may be robotically manipulated in one or more movements, such as one or both of: movement upward / downward (as indicated by Axis-2); and / or rotationally (such as by using rotation motor in order to move needle in an arc-like movement in order to spread the wires). Alternatively, or in addition, needle may be moved laterally to spread the wires.

[0065] FIG. 5 A illustrates a side view 500 of another example of the automated wire spreading machine. FIG. 5B illustrates a perspective view 520 of the automated wire spreading machine illustrated in FIG. 5 A. FIG. 5C illustrates a partial side view 540 of the automated wire spreading machine illustrated in FIG. 5 A. FIG. 5D illustrates a front view 560 of the automated wire spreading machine illustrated in FIG. 5 A. In one or some embodiments, a portion 514 of the automated wire spreading machine (except for the wire, which may be held by gripper(s) 542 as part of a wire anti-buckling device 504) that is supported on platform 515 may move along Axis-3 via piston 522 that is controlled by motor 502. In this way, the wire may be held stationary by gripper(s) 542 while the portion 514 of the automated wire spreading machine moves forward and backward along Axis-3 (such as illustrated in FIGS. 3E-F by moving forward as shown by arrow 342 and backward as shown by arrow 351). Thus, in one or some embodiments, all of the hardware illustrated in FIG 5C, except for wire anti-buckling device 504 and wire held by gripper(s) 542 of wire anti-buckling device 504, is moved along Axis-3.

[0066] FIG. 5C illustrates another example of the different axes of movement, such as Axis-1 (e.g., for movement of the holder upward and / or downward), Axis-2 (e.g., for movement of the needle upward and / or downward), and Axis-3 (e.g., for movement of the portion 514 of the machine laterally). FIG. 5C further illustrates one or more lights (such as a light and a backlight) and one or more cameras.

[0067] As shown in FIGS. A-D, there are various devices that may be subject to control, such as the gripper(s) 542 as part of the wire anti-buckling device, the motor(s) for various movements along the different axes, such as Axis-1, Axis-2, and Axis-3, and / or movement rotationally, such as the needle rotation motor for rotational movement of the needle. Thus, in one or some embodiments, the various devices may be provided with one or both of power line(s) or control line(s) for power and / or control of the various devices. The power and / or control lines are illustrated in FIGS. 5A-B as 506, 507, 508, 509, 510, 511, 512, 513. In one or some embodiments, a central control device, such as central controller 112, may issue commands via the control line(s) to the various devices for controlling the operation of the various devices (e.g., movement along Axis-1, Axis-2, and Axis-3, and / or rotational movement of the needle) as discussed herein.

[0068] FIG. 6A illustrates a bottom view 600 of the holder 610 of the automated wire spreading machine illustrated in FIG. 5 A. FIG. 6B illustrates an isometric view 650 of the holder 610 of the automated wire spreading machine illustrated in FIG. 5 A. As discussed above, holder may include a cable straightener 410 and a wire flattener 412. FIGS. 6A-B illustrate an example of the cable straightener 410 in the form of large gathering 612 and wire flattener 412 in the form of small gathering 614.

[0069] In one or some embodiments, large gathering 612 (interchangeably termed the large gathering unit) may include one or more sidewalls 660, 662 and a crevice 652, opening or the like. Further, in one or some embodiments, at least a part of the cable, such as one or both of the exterior protective layer of the cable and / or the wires of the cable, may upon movement of the holder 610 downward along Axis-1, may come into physical contact with at least one of the sidewalls 660, 662 (which are angled) in order to guide the one or both of the exterior protective layer of the cable and / or the wires of the cable to the crevice 652. An example of this is illustrated in FIGS. 6A-B in which the wires 620, 622, 624 of the cable, after movement downward of holder 610, are in physical contact with the crevice 652. Alternatively, after movement downward of holder 610, only the exterior protective layer of the cable is in physical contact with the crevice 652. Still alternatively, after movement downward of holder 610, both the exterior protective layer of the cable and the wires of the cable are in physical contact with the crevice 652 (e.g., when the holder is moved downward along Axis-1 and / or when the holder is moved laterally along Axis- 3). In this regard, in one or some embodiments, the large gathering 612 and the small gathering 614 are in fixed positions relative to one another, thereby moving upward and / or downward in combination. In this regard, the large gathering 612 may be configured to perform the main alignment of the cable.

[0070] In one or some embodiments, small gathering 614 (interchangeably termed the small gathering unit) may include one or more sidewalls 660, 662 (or sidewalls or the like). In one or some embodiments, sidewalls 660, 662 may comprise a single unitary piece. Alternatively, sidewalls 660, 662 may comprise separate pieces, which may be bolted, fastened, or connected together. Further, in one or some embodiments, sidewalls 660, 662 may form an inverted U-shape in which to physically contact the jacket of the cable upon movement of the holder 610 downward along Axis-1. Moreover, in one or some embodiments, another part of the small gathering, such as the surfaces 616, 617 of the cylinder 351 of the small gathering 614, may contact the wires of the cable. In this regard, the small gathering 614 may be configured to hold onto at least a part of the jacket and / or at least a part of the wires as the lateral movements are performed.

[0071] In one or some embodiments, the large gathering 612 and the small gathering 614 may be connected to one another, such as via one or more brackets 654, 656. In this way, the large gathering 612 and the smallgathering 614 may work in combination with the same movements. As one example, the large gathering 612 and the small gathering 614 may work in combination when the holder 610 is moved downward along Axis 1. In particular, the same downward movement along Axis-1 may result in the large gathering 612 straightening at least a part of the cable (such as straightening the exterior protective layer of the cable), and the small gathering 614 at least partly flattening one or more wires of the cables. Alternatively, or in addition, the same lateral movement along Axis-3 may similarly result in the large gathering 612 to straighten at least a part of the cable (such as straightening the exterior protective layer of the cable), and the small gathering 614 to move the wires (such as spread out the wires, such as illustrated in FIGS. 3E-F). Thus, in one or some embodiments, the same movements (e g., along Axis-1 and / or Axis-3) and / or the same device (e.g., the holder 610, which in one or some embodiments includes both the large gathering 612 and the small gathering 614) may work in combination.

[0072] Further, in one or some embodiments, any one, any combination, or all of the following steps may be performed: (1) the cable is automatically positioned on the backlight screen (see back light in FIG. 5C), which may be an example of bottom surface 303; (2) the holder 610 (such as a spread end effector) automatically moves downward (e.g., along Axis-1); (3) the large gathering 612 of holder 610 automatically positions the cable (e.g., straightens the cable into a predetermined orientation); (4) the small gathering 614 of holder 610 automatically fixes to the end of the jacket and / or a part of the wires; (5) small movement of holder 610 to automatically flatten the wires (e.g., along Axis-3 (e.g., laterally), with first automatically moving outward away from cable and then automatically moving backward); (6) camera(s) may automatically generate one or more images for processor(s) to analyze the one or more images to determine the position of one, some or all of the wires; (7) needle automatically operated by at least one motor is moved downward along Axis-2, and then automatically moved rotationally or axially to spread the wires to the desired position(s); (8) camera(s) may thereafter generate one or more images for processor(s) to automatically analyze the one or more images to determine whether the final result of the spread of the wires is within predetermined tolerance; and (9) the cable is deemed ready for subsequent processing (e.g., crimping of the wires; cutting of filler(s)).

[0073] As discussed above, different types of cables may be spread using the disclosed automated wire spreading machine. In one or some embodiments, part or all of the holder 610 may be modified to process different cables. As one example, responsive to determining to process a cable that is wider, the large gathering 612 of the holder 610 may be replaced so that the replaced large gathering 612 may have a wider crevice 652 to accommodate the wider cable. Conversely, responsive to determining to process a cable that is narrower, the large gathering 612 of the holder 610 may be replaced so that the replaced large gathering 612 may have a narrower crevice 652 to accommodate the narrower cable. As another example, responsive to determining to process wires that are thicker, the small gathering 614 of the holder 610 may be replaced so that the replaced small gathering 614 may have a wider gap between sidewalls 660, 662 to accommodate the thicker wires. Conversely, responsive to determining to process wires that are thinner, the small gathering 614 of the holder 610 may be replaced so that the replaced small gathering 614 may have a narrower gap between sidewalls 660, 662 to accommodate the thinner wires. Thus, in one or some embodiments, part or all of the holder 610 may be replaced in order to process different types of cables and / or wires.

[0074] FIG. 7 illustrates a first flow chart 700. At 710, a flattener is used to at least partly flatten the wires. As discussed above, the ends of the wires may be at least partly on top of one another. The flattener may reducesuch a configuration, so that the wires are less on top of one another (such as entirely not on top of one another so that the wires are on the same plane on the plate as illustrated in FIG. 4).

[0075] At 720, after flattening, a needle is used to select one or more wires and to spread the one or more wires apart from other of the wires. At 730, computer vision (such as using one or more cameras to generate one or more images, with computer processor(s) to analyze the one or more images) may be used to perform 710 and / or 720. As one example, after flattening, computer vision may be used in order to determine the gaps in the wires prior to using the needle (e.g., in order to control the needle for proper placement of the needle to move a respective wire selected for spreading). As another example, computer vision may be used during and / or after using the needle in order to: (1) track the progress of the spreading of the wires; and / or (2) identify the gaps or spread in the wires after the needle has performed the spreading.

[0076] FIG. 8 illustrates a second flow diagram 800. At 802, the holder (using Axis-1) automatically moves downward (e.g., via using one or more robots) to perform any one, any combination, or all of: holding the cable down; align the cable to the center; flatten the wires while not putting pressure thereon. At 804, to allow proper spreading, the holder may be automatically moved back and / or forth (using Axis-3). At 806, the computer vision software (e.g., using the camera(s)) may map the gap(s) between two or more of the wires. At 808, the software may automatically point to a particular gap between the wires and may automatically rotate the rotation motor to a predetermined angle in preparation for movement of a respective wire. At 810, the needle is automatically moved downward by Axis-2. At 812, the rotation motor is given a command via the processor(s) to automatically rotate a predetermined amount in order to spread the respective wire. After the end of the rotating movement, the needle is automatically brought upward along Axis-2. At 814, the processor(s) determine whether additional respective wire(s) are to be spread. If so, at 816, the next respective wire(s) are selected, and flow diagram 800 loops back to 808. If not, at 818, the holder releases the cable by moving Axis-1 upward.

[0077] Thus, the selection of the sequence of the wires may follow one or more ways. One way is to select the wires outward and then move inward. This is illustrated in FIGS. 3G-X. Alternatively, the selection of the wires may be such that inner wire(s) is / are selected for spreading first; after which, the outermore or outermost wires are selected for spreading. In this regard, wires may be moved one-at-a-time and / or may be moved multiple at a time.

[0078] In all practical applications, the present technological advancement must be used in conjunction with a computer, programmed in accordance with the disclosures herein. For example, FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system that may be utilized to implement the methods described herein, including implementing the crimping machine illustrated in FIG. IB. A central processing unit (CPU) 902 is coupled to system bus 904. The CPU 902 may be any general-purpose CPU, although other types of architectures of CPU 902 (or other components of exemplary computer system 900) may be used as long as CPU 902 (and other components of computer system 900) supports the operations as described herein. Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that, while only a single CPU 902 is shown in FIG. 9, additional CPUs may be present. Moreover, the computer system 900 may comprise a networked, multi-processor computer system that may include a hybrid parallel CPU / GPU system. The CPU 902 may execute the various logical instructions according to various teachings disclosed herein. For example, the CPU 902 may execute machine-level instructions for performing processing according to the operational flow described.

[0079] The computer system 900 may also include computer components such as non-transitory, computer- readable media. Examples of computer-readable media include computer -readable non-transitory storage media, such as a random-access memory (RAM) 906, which may be SRAM, DRAM, SDRAM, or the like. The computer system 900 may also include additional non-transitory, computer-readable storage media such as a read-only memory (ROM) 908, which may be PROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or the like. RAM 906 and ROM 908 hold user and system data and programs, as is known in the art. The computer system 900 may also include an input / output (I / O) adapter 910, a graphics processing unit (GPU) 914, a communications adapter 922, a user interface adapter 924, a display driver 916, and a display adapter 918.

[0080] The I / O adapter 910 may connect additional non-transitory, computer-readable media such as storage device(s) 912, including, for example, a hard drive, a compact disc (CD) drive, a floppy disk drive, a tape drive, and the like to computer system 900. The storage device(s) may be used when RAM 906 is insufficient for the memory requirements associated with storing data for operations of the present techniques. The data storage of the computer system 900 may be used for storing information and / or other data used or generated as disclosed herein. For example, storage device(s) 912 may be used to store configuration information or additional plug-ins in accordance with the present techniques. Further, user interface adapter 924 couples user input devices, such as a keyboard 928, a pointing device 926 and / or output devices to the computer system 900. The display adapter 918 is driven by the CPU 902 to control the display on a display device 920 to, for example, present information to the user such as subsurface images generated according to methods described herein.

[0081] The architecture of computer system 900 may be varied as desired. For example, any suitable processor-based device may be used, including without limitation personal computers, laptop computers, computer workstations, and multi-processor servers. Moreover, the present technological advancement may be implemented on application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or very large scale integrated (VLSI) circuits. In fact, persons of ordinary skill in the art may use any number of suitable hardware structures capable of executing logical operations according to the present technological advancement. The term “processing circuit” encompasses a hardware processor (such as those found in the hardware devices noted above), ASICs, and VLSI circuits. Input data to the computer system 900 may include various plug-ins and library files. Input data may additionally include configuration information.

[0082] It is intended that the foregoing detailed description be understood as an illustration of selected forms that the invention can take and not as a definition of the invention. It is only the following claims, including all equivalents which are intended to define the scope of the claimed invention. Further, it should be noted that any aspect of any of the preferred embodiments described herein may be used alone or in combination with one another. Finally, persons skilled in the art will readily recognize that in preferred implementation, some, or all of the steps in the disclosed method are performed using a computer so that the methodology is computer implemented. In such cases, the resulting physical properties model may be downloaded or saved to computer storage.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A method for automatically spreading wires in a cable, the method comprising: automatically flattening, at least partly simultaneously, one or more of the wires of the cable; automatically spreading, at least partly simultaneously, at least some of the wires of the cable; and after spreading the at least some of the wires of the cable, automatically spreading at least one of the wires in the cable individually.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein automatically flattening is performed prior to automatically spreading the at least some of the wires of the cable.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein automatically flattening, at least partly simultaneously, a plurality of wires of the cable is performed prior to automatically spreading, at least partly simultaneously, the plurality of wires.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the cable includes a jacket; wherein at least one holder holds one or both of the jacket or the wires of the cable; and wherein automatically flattening the plurality of wires and automatically spreading the plurality of wires use a same type of movement of the holder relative to the wires of the cable.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the type of movement comprises a lateral movement.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein a first lateral movement is performed for automatically flattening the plurality of wires of the cable; wherein a second lateral movement is performed for automatically spreading the plurality of wires of the cable; and wherein the second lateral movement is in an opposite direction to the first lateral movement.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the first lateral movement to automatically flatten the plurality of wires results in the holder being closer to an end of the wires of the cable; and wherein the second lateral movement to automatically spread the plurality of wires results in the holder being further away from the end of the wires of the cable.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein the holder includes at least one structure to apply pressure to a top of the one or more of the wires; and wherein the first lateral movement to automatically flatten the plurality of wires is performed at least partly simultaneously while applying pressure to the top of the one or more wires.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the second lateral movement to automatically spread the plurality of wires is performed at least partly simultaneously while applying pressure to the top of the one or more wires.

10. The method of claim 5, wherein automatically spreading at least one of the wires in the cable individually comprises an axial movement.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the axial movement is performed automatically using a robotic needle.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the robotic needle is inserted between two of the wires; and wherein, after inserting the robotic needle between the two of the wires, performing the axial movement in order to move one of the wires further away from the other of the two of the wires.

13. The method of claim 1, further comprising automatically aligning the cable prior to automatically flattening.

14. The method of claim 1, wherein the cable includes a plurality of wires and one or more fillers;wherein the one or more fillers are more elastic than the plurality of wires; and wherein the plurality of wires are spread so that each of the plurality of wires are at least a predetermined distance from the one or more fillers.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein automatically spreading the at least one of the wires in the cable individually comprises automatically moving both the at least one of the wires and the one or more fillers from an original position to a moved position; and wherein after automatically moving both the at least one of the wires and the one or more fillers, the one or more fillers automatically moves back closer to the original position than to the moved position.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising, after the one or more fillers automatically moves back closer to the original position than to the moved position, automatically cutting the one or more fillers.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the cable includes a plurality of fillers; and wherein the plurality of wires are spread so that each of the plurality of wires are at least the predetermined distance from the plurality of fillers.

18. A system configured to automatically spread wires in a cable, the system comprising: at least one holder configured to hold one or both of a jacket or one or more of the wires in the cable; at least one motor; and at least one processor in communication with the at least one holder and the at least one motor, the at least one processor configured to: automatically flatten, at least partly simultaneously using the at least one holder and the at least one motor, one or more of the wires of the cable; automatically spread, at least partly simultaneously using the at least one holder and the at least one motor, at least some of the wires of the cable; and after spreading the at least some of the wires of the cable, automatically spread at least one of the wires in the cable individually.

19. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is configured to automatically flatten prior to automatically spreading the at least some of the wires of the cable.

20. The system of claim 19, wherein the at least one processor is configured to automatically flatten, at least partly simultaneously, a plurality of wires of the cable prior to automatically spreading, at least partly simultaneously, the plurality of wires.

21. The system of claim 20, wherein the cable includes a jacket; wherein the at least one holder is configured to hold one or both of the jacket or the wires of the cable; and wherein the at least one processor is configured to automatically flatten the plurality of wires and automatically spread the plurality of wires using a same type of movement of the holder relative to the wires of the cable.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the type of movement comprises a lateral movement.

23. The system of claim 22, wherein the at least one processor is configured to control a first lateral movement for automatically flattening the plurality of wires of the cable; wherein the at least one processor is configured to control a second lateral movement for automatically spreading the plurality of wires of the cable; andwherein the second lateral movement is in an opposite direction to the first lateral movement.

24. The system of claim 23, wherein the at least one processor is configured to control the first lateral movement to automatically flatten the plurality of wires thereby resulting in the at least one holder being closer to an end of the wires of the cable; and wherein the at least one processor is configured to control the second lateral movement to automatically spread the plurality of wires thereby resulting in the at least one holder being further away from the end of the wires of the cable.

25. The system of claim 24, wherein the at least one holder includes at least one structure configured to apply pressure to a top of the one or more of the wires; and wherein the at least one processor is configmed to control the first lateral movement to automatically flatten the plurality of wires at least partly simultaneously while applying pressure to the top of the one or more wires.

26. The system of claim 25, wherein the at least one processor is configmed to control the second lateral movement to automatically spread the plurality of wires at least partly simultaneously while applying pressure to the top of the one or more wires.

27. The system of claim 22, wherein the at least one processor is configured to control automatically spreading at least one of the wires in the cable individually by controlling an axial movement.

28. The system of claim 27, further comprising a robotic needle; and wherein the at least one processor is configmed to control the axial movement by automatically controlling the robotic needle.

29. The system of claim 28, wherein the at least one processor is configured to control the robotic needle to be inserted between two of the wires; and wherein, after inserting the robotic needle between the two of the wires, the at least one processor is configmed to control the at least one motor in order to perform the axial movement to move one of the wires further away from the other of the two of the wires.

30. The system of claim 18, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to automatically align the cable prior to automatically flattening.

31. The system of claim 18, wherein the cable includes a plurality of wires and one or more fillers; wherein the one or more fillers are more elastic than the plurality of wires; and wherein the at least one processor is configmed to spread the plurality of wires so that each of the plurality of wires are at least a predetermined distance from the one or more fillers.

32. The system of claim 31, further comprising at least one robotic needle; wherein the at least one processor is configured to automatically spread the at least one of the wires in the cable individually by automatically controlling movement, using the at least one motor the at least one robotic needle, of both the at least one of the wires and the one or more fillers from an original position to a moved position; and wherein after automatically moving both the at least one of the wires and the one or more fillers, the at least one processor is configured to release the at least one robotic needle from contact with any of the wires of the cable so that the one or more fillers automatically moves back closer to the original position than to the moved position.

33. The system of claim 32, wherein the at least one processor is further configured to, after the one or more fillers automatically moves back closer to the original position than to the moved position, automatically cut the one or more fillers.

34. The system of claim 33, wherein the cable includes a plurality of fillers; and wherein the at least one processor is configured to automatically spread the plurality of wires so that each of the plurality of wires are at least the predetermined distance from the plurality of fillers

Images