Fusion splicing system, fusion splicing method, optical fiber identification system, optical fiber identification method, and recording medium

Abstract

A fusion splicing system according to one embodiment comprises: an imaging unit for capturing an image of a plurality of colored optical fibers; a storage unit for storing an actual measurement arrangement order, which is the arrangement order of the colors of the plurality of optical fibers in the image captured in an image capturing step; a determination unit for determining whether the actual measurement arrangement order matches a target arrangement order stored in the storage unit; an output unit for outputting the result of the determination by the determination unit; and a fusion splicing unit for fusion-splicing the plurality of optical fibers.

Description

Fusion splicing system, fusion splicing method, optical fiber identification system, optical fiber identification method, and recording medium

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a fusion splicing system, a fusion splicing method, an optical fiber identification system, an optical fiber identification method, and a recording medium.

[0002] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open Publication No. 2013-15623 describes an optical fiber fusion splicer. The optical fiber fusion splicer includes a box-shaped housing and a fusion base provided on top of the housing. The base has a pair of optical fiber positioning units arranged to face each other. The optical fiber positioning units position bare fibers, which are the tip portions of optical fibers from which the coating has been removed. The upper surface of each optical fiber positioning unit is formed with multiple fiber grooves with a V-shaped cross section that position the bare fibers. The multiple optical fibers are positioned in the fiber positioning units by positioning each of the multiple bare fibers in each fiber groove.

[0003] The fusion splicing system according to the present disclosure includes an imaging unit that images a plurality of colored optical fibers; a memory unit that stores a target order, which is the target order of the colors of the plurality of optical fibers; a determination unit that determines whether the measured order, which is the order of the colors of the plurality of optical fibers in the image captured by the imaging unit, matches the target order stored in the memory unit; an output unit that outputs the result determined by the determination unit; and a fusion splicing unit that fusion splices the plurality of optical fibers.

[0004] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a fusion splicer. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the internal structure of the fusion splicer of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the fusion splicer of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a plurality of optical fibers. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of a fusion splicing system and an optical fiber identification system. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of a mobile terminal. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing an example of a terminal attachment unit attached to a mobile terminal. FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing a holder attachment unit for a light-blocking member attached to a mobile terminal via the terminal attachment unit of FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for storing a target order in a memory unit of the fusion splicing system of FIG. 5. FIG. 10 is a diagram showing an example of a screen for storing a target order in a memory unit of the fusion splicing system of FIG. 5. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example of an output of a result determined by a determination unit of the fusion splicing system of FIG. 5. FIG. 12 is a diagram showing another example of an output of a result determined by a determination unit of the fusion splicing system of FIG. 5. FIG. 13 is a flowchart showing an example of steps of a fusion splicing method. Fig. 14 is a diagram showing the configuration of a fusion splicing system according to a modified example. Fig. 15 is a diagram showing an example of a screen captured by the capture unit of the fusion splicing system of Fig. 14. Fig. 16 is a flowchart showing steps of a fusion splicing method according to a modified example. Fig. 17 is a diagram showing the configurations of a fusion splicing system and an optical fiber identification system according to a modified example. Fig. 18 is a diagram showing the configurations of a fusion splicing system and an optical fiber identification system according to a modified example. Fig. 19 is a diagram schematically showing the hardware configuration of the server of Figs. 17 and 18.

[0005] For example, when fusion splicing multiple optical fibers, it is necessary to align the multiple optical fibers so that the order of the multiple optical fibers is appropriate. However, currently, the task of aligning the multiple optical fibers is performed visually. Visual alignment of the multiple optical fibers can be difficult. When the multiple optical fibers are aligned visually, an error in the order of the multiple optical fibers can occur. Therefore, it is required to be able to align the multiple optical fibers easily and accurately.

[0006] An object of the present disclosure is to provide a fusion splicing system, a fusion splicing method, an optical fiber identification system, an optical fiber identification method, and an optical fiber identification program that can easily and accurately align multiple optical fibers.

[0007] A fusion splicing system according to one embodiment includes: (1) an imaging unit that captures an image of a plurality of colored optical fibers; a memory unit that stores a target order, which is the target order of the colors of the plurality of optical fibers; a determination unit that determines whether the measured order, which is the order of the colors of the plurality of optical fibers in the image captured by the imaging unit, matches the target order stored in the memory unit; an output unit that outputs the result determined by the determination unit; and a fusion splicing unit that fusion splices the plurality of optical fibers.

[0008] This fusion splicing system has a memory unit. The memory unit stores a target order, which is the target order of colors of multiple colored optical fibers. The multiple optical fibers are photographed by an imaging unit. A determination unit determines whether the measured order, which is the order of colors of the multiple optical fibers in the image photographed by the imaging unit, matches the target order. The determination result by the determination unit is output by an output unit. A worker performing the task of aligning the multiple optical fibers can determine whether the measured order of the multiple optical fibers in the photographed image matches the target order stored in the memory unit. Therefore, the worker can align the multiple optical fibers easily and accurately.

[0009] (2) In the above (1), the photographing unit may be a photographing unit of a mobile terminal. At least a part of the determining unit may be at least a part of a determining unit of a mobile terminal, and the determining unit may be realized by an application installed on the mobile terminal. In this case, it is determined whether the actual order of the multiple optical fibers photographed by the photographing unit of the mobile terminal matches the target order, and the result of the determination is output to the mobile terminal. The worker can understand the result of the determination by photographing the multiple optical fibers with the photographing unit of the mobile terminal and operating the mobile terminal. Therefore, the worker can more easily align the multiple optical fibers.

[0010] (3) In the above (2), the fusion splicing system may include a light-blocking member having a holder mounting portion to which an optical fiber holder that holds multiple optical fibers is mounted, and a terminal mounting portion to which a portable terminal is mounted. The light-blocking member may be configured so that the lens of a camera of the portable terminal mounted in the terminal mounting portion faces the multiple optical fibers held in the optical fiber holder mounted in the holder mounting portion, blocking light from reaching the lens. In this case, the camera of the portable terminal mounted in the terminal mounting portion is light-blocked and faces the multiple optical fibers held in the optical fiber holder. This prevents light from entering the camera of the portable terminal and allows the camera to face the multiple optical fibers, thereby enabling clearer images of the optical fibers to be obtained. This further improves the accuracy of identifying the multiple optical fibers.

[0011] (4) In the above (3), the holder mounting portion may have an attachment portion that is detachably attached to the terminal mounting portion, and an arrangement portion in which an optical fiber holder that holds a plurality of optical fibers is arranged.

[0012] (5) In the above (4), the terminal attachment portion may have a lens facing portion that faces the lens of the camera of the mobile terminal, and the attachment portion may have a hole into which the lens facing portion fits.

[0013] (6) In any of the above (1) to (5), the output unit may display on the display of the mobile terminal whether or not the actual measured order matches the target order.

[0014] (7) In any of the above (1) to (6), the output unit may display on a display whether the measured order matches the target order for each optical fiber.

[0015] (8) In the above (6), the output unit may display an image showing the actual measured order and an image showing the target order on the display. In this case, the actual measured order is displayed together with the target order on the display, so that the appropriateness of the order of the optical fibers can be more visually understood.

[0016] (9) In (1) above, the photographing unit may be a photographing unit of a fusion splicer. At least a part of the determining unit may be at least a part of a determining unit of the fusion splicer, and the determining unit may be realized by software installed in the fusion splicer. In this case, it is determined whether the measured order, which is the order of the colors of the multiple optical fibers photographed by the photographing unit of the fusion splicer, matches the target order, and the result of this determination is output to the fusion splicer. An operator can grasp the result of this determination by photographing the multiple optical fibers with the photographing unit of the fusion splicer and operating the fusion splicer. Therefore, the operator can easily and accurately align the multiple optical fibers in the fusion splicer.

[0017] (10) In the above (9), the fusion splicer may have a housing, a cover that covers the housing, and a camera attached to the inside of the cover, and the photographing unit may photograph the multiple optical fibers using the camera.

[0018] The fusion splicing method according to the present disclosure (11) includes the steps of photographing a plurality of colored optical fibers, determining whether the measured order, which is the order of the colors of the plurality of optical fibers in the image photographed in the photographing step, matches the target order stored in a memory unit, outputting the result of the determination in the determination step, and fusion splicing the plurality of optical fibers.

[0019] The optical fiber identification system according to the present disclosure (12) includes an imaging unit that images a plurality of colored optical fibers, a memory unit that stores a target order that is the target order of the colors of the plurality of optical fibers, a determination unit that determines whether the measured order that is the order of the colors of the plurality of optical fibers in the image captured by the imaging unit matches the target order stored in the memory unit, and an output unit that outputs the result determined by the determination unit.

[0020] The optical fiber identification method according to the present disclosure (13) includes the steps of photographing a plurality of colored optical fibers, determining whether the actual order, which is the order of the colors of the plurality of optical fibers in the image photographed in the photographing step, matches the target order stored in a memory unit, and outputting the result determined in the determining step.

[0021] In the fusion splicing method (11), the optical fiber identification system (12), and the optical fiber identification method (13), a target order, which is a target order of colors of a plurality of optical fibers, is stored in advance in a storage unit. The plurality of optical fibers are photographed by an imaging unit, and the measured order in the photographed image is determined. In the determining step, it is determined whether the measured order in the photographed image matches the target order stored in the storage unit. A worker performing the task of aligning the plurality of optical fibers can determine whether the measured order in the photographed image matches the target order stored in the storage unit. Therefore, the worker can easily and accurately align the plurality of optical fibers.

[0022] (14) In the above (13), the optical fiber identification method may include a step of storing the target arrangement order in a storage unit. In this case, the target arrangement order to be stored in the storage unit in advance can be set arbitrarily.

[0023] The recording medium according to the present disclosure is (15) a computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon an optical fiber identification program that executes the steps of photographing a plurality of colored optical fibers, determining whether the measured order, which is the order of the colors of the plurality of optical fibers in the image photographed in the photographing step, matches the target order stored in a memory unit, and outputting the result determined in the determining step.

[0024] In the optical fiber identification program recorded on the recording medium, a plurality of optical fibers are photographed by an imaging unit, and the measured order of the plurality of optical fibers in the photographed image is determined. In the determining step, it is determined whether the measured order of the plurality of optical fibers in the photographed image matches the target order stored in the storage unit. A worker performing the task of aligning the plurality of optical fibers can grasp whether the measured order in the photographed image matches the target order stored in the storage unit. Therefore, this optical fiber identification program can achieve the same effect as the optical fiber identification method described above.

[0025] (16) In the above (15), the recording medium may record an optical fiber identification program having a step of storing the target arrangement order in the storage unit by operating the mobile terminal.

[0026] Each process (each function) of the embodiments of the present disclosure is realized by a processing circuit including one or more processors. The processing circuit may be configured with an integrated circuit or the like that combines one or more memories, various analog circuits, and various digital circuits in addition to the one or more processors. The one or more memories store programs (instructions) that cause the one or more processors to execute each of the processes. The one or more processors may execute each of the processes according to the programs read from the one or more memories, or according to logic circuits pre-designed to execute each of the processes. The processor may be various processors suitable for computer control, such as a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU), a digital signal processor (DSP), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Note that the physically separate processors may cooperate with each other to execute each of the processes. For example, the processors mounted on a plurality of physically separated computers may cooperate with each other to execute the processes via a network such as a local area network (LAN), a wide area network (WAN), or the Internet. The program may be installed in the memory from an external server device or the like via the network, or may be distributed in a state stored on a recording medium such as a CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read Only Memory), a DVD-ROM (Digital Versatile Disc Read Only Memory), or a semiconductor memory, and installed in the memory from the recording medium.

[0027] The present invention can be realized not only as a fusion splicing system or an optical fiber identification system having an imaging unit, a storage unit, a determination unit, and an output unit, but also as a fusion splicing method or an optical fiber identification method including the above processing steps, or as an optical fiber identification program for causing a computer to execute the above steps. Furthermore, the fusion splicing system may be a system including the entire fusion splicer, or may be a system including part of a fusion splicer.

[0028] Specific examples of a fusion splicing system, a fusion splicing method, an optical fiber identification system, an optical fiber identification method, and an optical fiber identification program according to embodiments will be described below. The fusion splicing system, the fusion splicing method, the optical fiber identification system, the optical fiber identification method, and the optical fiber identification program according to the present disclosure may be configured by any combination of at least some of the aspects described below. In the description of the drawings, identical or corresponding elements are designated by the same reference numerals, and redundant description will be omitted as appropriate. For ease of understanding, some parts of the drawings may be simplified or exaggerated, and dimensional proportions and the like are not limited to those shown in the drawings.

[0029] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing an example of a fusion splicer 1. The fusion splicer 1 includes a box-shaped housing 2 and a cover 3 that covers the housing 2. FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing the fusion splicer 1 with the cover 3 open. The fusion splicer 1 fusion-splices multiple optical fibers to multiple other optical fibers. The fusion splicer 1 includes, at the top of the housing 2, a fusion splicing unit 4 that fusion-splices multiple optical fibers together, and a heater 5 that heats and shrinks a reinforcing sleeve that covers the fusion spliced ​​portions of the optical fibers fused at the fusion splicing unit 4. The fusion splicer 1 also includes a camera 6 that photographs the multiple optical fibers and a monitor 7 that displays the fusion spliced ​​state of the optical fibers photographed by the camera 6. The camera 6 is attached, for example, to the inside of the cover 3.

[0030] The cover 3 is a windshield cover that prevents wind from entering the fusion splicing unit 4. The cover 3 is connected to the housing 2 so as to cover the fusion splicing unit 4 in an openable and closable manner. The cover 3 has a pair of side surfaces 3b. Each side surface 3b of the cover 3 is formed with an inlet 3c for introducing an optical fiber into the fusion splicing unit 4. The fusion splicing unit 4 includes a holder mounting portion on which a pair of optical fiber holders 11 that hold multiple optical fibers can be mounted, a pair of fiber positioning portions 4b that determine the positions of the multiple optical fibers, and a pair of electrodes 4c that perform electrical discharge. The optical fiber introduced through the inlet 3c of the cover 3 reaches the optical fiber holder 11 located inside the fusion splicing unit 4.

[0031] The electrode 4c is also referred to as an electrode rod. The electrode 4c fuses the tips of the optical fibers together by arc discharge. Each of the optical fibers to be fused is held in an optical fiber holder 11, and each optical fiber holder 11 is placed and fixed on a holder mounting portion. The fiber positioning portion 4b is disposed between the pair of optical fiber holders 11. The fiber positioning portion 4b positions the tips of the optical fibers fixed to each optical fiber holder 11. The pair of electrodes 4c is disposed between the pair of fiber positioning portions 4b.

[0032] Fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an example of the hardware configuration of the fusion splicer 1. As shown in Fig. 3, the fusion splicer 1 is configured as a computer including hardware such as a CPU 10a, a RAM 10b, a ROM 10c, an input device 10d such as a touch panel (monitor 7) for receiving user input, a wireless communication module 10e for wirelessly transmitting and receiving data, an auxiliary storage device 10f such as a semiconductor memory or a hard disk, and an output device 10g such as a display (monitor 7). The fusion splicer 1 realizes each function of the fusion splicer 1 by operating these hardware components under the control of the CPU 10a using programs loaded into the hardware such as the RAM 10b and reading and writing data from the RAM 10b and the auxiliary storage device 10f. The fusion splicer 1 may be equipped with a device for acquiring location information such as a GPS 10h, or may be configured to be able to acquire location information of the fusion splicer 1, such as longitude or latitude, using the GPS 10h. Various operations of the fusion splicer 1 are controlled by predetermined software stored in the auxiliary storage device 10f.

[0033] Fig. 4 is a schematic diagram showing a plurality of optical fibers arranged in the fusion splicer 1 and to be fusion-spliced ​​in the fusion splicer 1. As shown in Fig. 4, for example, a plurality of optical fibers F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, and F12, which are different colors from one another, are arranged in the fusion splicer 1. Furthermore, the fusion splicer 1 also arranges optical fibers G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, F9, F10, F11, and G12 to which the optical fibers F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, and F12 are fusion-spliced, respectively.

[0034] The optical fibers F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, and F12 are arranged in this order. The optical fibers G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, G10, G11, and G12 are arranged in this order. For example, the colors of the optical fibers G are different from one another. Hereinafter, when it is not necessary to distinguish between the optical fibers F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, and F12, these will be collectively referred to as the optical fiber F. When it is not necessary to distinguish between the optical fibers G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, G10, G11, and G12, these will also be collectively referred to as the optical fiber G.

[0035] The color of optical fiber F1 is the same as the color of optical fiber G1, and the color of optical fiber F2 is the same as the color of optical fiber G2. Similarly, the colors of optical fibers F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, and F12 are the same as the colors of optical fibers G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, G10, G11, and G12, respectively.

[0036] For example, the colors of the optical fibers F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, and F12 (optical fibers G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, G10, G11, and G12) are blue, orange, green, brown, gray, white, red, black, yellow, purple, pink, and light blue. As an example, fusion splicing is performed with the optical fibers F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, and F12 arranged in this color order. However, the color order is not limited to the above example and can be changed as appropriate.

[0037] The optical fiber F1 is fusion spliced ​​to the optical fiber G1, and the optical fiber F2 is fusion spliced ​​to the optical fiber G2. Similarly, the optical fibers F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, and F12 are fusion spliced ​​to the optical fibers G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, G10, G11, and G12, respectively. The optical fibers F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, and F12 are fusion spliced ​​to the optical fibers G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, G10, G11, and G12 in the state where they are arranged as described above.

[0038] For example, the multiple optical fibers F (multiple optical fibers G) are arranged at equal intervals. The pitch of the optical fibers F (multiple optical fibers G) is, for example, 200 μm or more and 250 μm or less. The fusion splicer 1 collectively fusion-splices the multiple optical fibers F to the multiple optical fibers G. Before this fusion, as described above, the multiple optical fibers F and the multiple optical fibers G need to be arranged in an appropriate order. In the example described above, the optical fibers F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, and F12 need to be arranged in this order, and the optical fibers G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, G10, G11, and G12 need to be arranged in this order. However, currently, it is difficult to arrange the multiple optical fibers F and the multiple optical fibers G in an appropriate order and visually confirm that the order is appropriate. Furthermore, when aligning the optical fibers F and the optical fibers G visually, there is a possibility that the order of the optical fibers may be changed due to human error, resulting in an incorrect order.

[0039] The fusion splicing system, fusion splicing method, optical fiber identification system, optical fiber identification method, and optical fiber identification program according to the embodiments can enable an operator aligning optical fibers to determine whether the order of the optical fibers is appropriate. This makes it easy to check the order of multiple optical fibers F and the order of multiple optical fibers G, and reduces the possibility of swapping the order of the optical fibers F and G. Below, examples of the fusion splicing system, fusion splicing method, optical fiber identification system, optical fiber identification method, and optical fiber identification program according to the embodiments will be described.

[0040] FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the configurations of an example fusion splicing system 20 and an example optical fiber identification system 21. The fusion splicing system 20 includes a fusion splicer 1 and a mobile terminal 30. The mobile terminal 30 is, for example, a mobile wireless communication terminal such as a smartphone or a tablet. The mobile terminal 30 is configured to be able to communicate with the fusion splicer 1. However, the mobile terminal 30 does not have to be able to communicate with the fusion splicer 1. FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the hardware configuration of the mobile terminal 30. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the mobile terminal 30 includes a CPU 31, a RAM 32, a ROM 33, an input device 34, a wireless communication module 35, an auxiliary storage device 36, and an output device 38. Hereinafter, the RAM 32 and the ROM 33 may be collectively referred to as a memory. These components operate in accordance with a program to realize the functions of an optical fiber identification program 40, which will be described later.

[0041] In this embodiment, the optical fiber identification system 21 includes a mobile terminal 30. For example, an optical fiber identification program 40 is installed in the mobile terminal 30. The mobile terminal 30 includes a display 37 that displays the functions of the optical fiber identification program 40. The optical fiber identification program 40 is, for example, a program that recognizes the colors of multiple arranged optical fibers F and determines whether the arrangement order of the multiple optical fibers F is appropriate based on the recognized colors. The optical fiber identification program 40 includes, for example, an imaging unit 41 that captures images of the multiple optical fibers F, a recognition unit 42 that recognizes the colors of the optical fibers F in the captured image, a storage unit 43 that stores a target arrangement order of the multiple optical fibers F, a determination unit 44 that determines whether the photographed arrangement order of the multiple optical fibers F is appropriate, and an output unit 45 that outputs the determination result of the determination unit 44. The target arrangement order is the target color arrangement order of the multiple optical fibers F. The actual measured arrangement order is the color arrangement order of the multiple optical fibers F in the image captured by the imaging unit 41.

[0042] For example, the photographing unit 41 photographs the plurality of optical fibers F using the camera of the portable terminal 30. The photographing of the optical fibers F by the photographing unit 41 is achieved by the CPU 31 of the portable terminal 30 and the camera of the portable terminal 30. For example, the fusion splicing system 20 and the optical fiber identification system 21 include a light-blocking member that blocks light from entering the lens of the camera of the portable terminal 30. Figures 7 and 8 are diagrams showing an example of a light-blocking member 50. As shown in Figures 7 and 8, the light-blocking member 50 includes a terminal mounting portion 60 to which the portable terminal 30 is attached, and a holder mounting portion 70 to which an optical fiber holder 11 that holds the plurality of optical fibers F is attached.

[0043] The terminal attachment section 60 has, for example, a lens facing section 61 that faces the lens of the camera of the mobile terminal 30, and a holding mechanism 62 that holds the lens facing section 61 so that the lens facing section 61 can move both in the width direction of the mobile terminal 30 (the left-right direction in FIG. 7 ) and the length direction of the mobile terminal 30 (the up-down direction in FIG. 7 ). The lens facing section 61 has a built-in lens that magnifies images of the multiple optical fibers F. By having the lens facing section 61 facing the lens of the camera of the mobile terminal 30, it is possible to increase the magnification without degrading the image quality of the images of the multiple optical fibers F.

[0044] The holding mechanism 62 is attached to the mobile terminal 30. When attached to the mobile terminal 30, the holding mechanism 62 is slidable along the longitudinal direction of the mobile terminal 30 (the vertical direction in FIG. 7 ). The lens facing portion 61 is slidable in the width direction of the mobile terminal 30 (the horizontal direction in FIG. 7 ) relative to the holding mechanism 62. In the terminal attachment portion 60, the position of the holding mechanism 62 in the longitudinal direction of the mobile terminal 30 is adjustable, and the position of the lens facing portion 61 in the width direction of the mobile terminal 30 is adjustable. Therefore, in the terminal attachment portion 60, it is easy to align the lens facing portion 61 with the lenses of various mobile terminals 30. The above describes an example of the configuration of the terminal attachment portion 60. However, the configuration of the terminal attachment portion 60 is not limited to the above example and can be modified as appropriate.

[0045] The holder mounting portion 70 has an attachment portion 71 that is detachably attached to the terminal mounting portion 60, and an arrangement portion 72 in which the optical fiber holder 11 that holds the multiple optical fibers F is arranged. The holder mounting portion 70 has, for example, a plate shape. The attachment portion 71 and the arrangement portion 72 are aligned along the thickness direction of the holder mounting portion 70 (the up-down direction in FIG. 8 ). For example, the attachment portion 71 has a hole 71b into which the lens facing portion 61 of the terminal mounting portion 60 is fitted. The hole 71b penetrates the attachment portion 71 in the thickness direction of the holder mounting portion 70. For example, the shape of the attachment portion 71 when viewed along the thickness direction of the holder mounting portion 70 is annular.

[0046] The arrangement portion 72 extends in a first direction D1 and a second direction D2 intersecting the first direction D1, and has a plate shape having a thickness in a third direction D3 intersecting both the first direction D1 and the second direction D2. The third direction D3 is the thickness direction of the holder attachment portion 70. The arrangement portion 72 has a main surface 72b extending in the first direction D1 and the second direction D2, a first end surface 72c extending in the second direction D2 and the third direction D3, and a second end surface 72d extending in the first direction D1 and the third direction D3.

[0047] The mounting portion 71 protrudes from the main surface 72b in the third direction D3. The arrangement portion 72 has a hole 72f that communicates with the hole 71b of the mounting portion 71. The hole 72f is recessed from the main surface 72b. The hole 72f, for example, penetrates the arrangement portion 72 in the third direction D3. The arrangement portion 72 has an insertion portion 72g into which the optical fiber holder 11 is inserted. The insertion portion 72g extends from the first end surface 72c in the first direction D1 and extends to the hole 72f.

[0048] The optical fiber holder 11, which holds the multiple optical fibers F, is inserted into the insertion portion 72g and enters the hole 72f, where it is exposed in the third direction D3. In this state, the lens facing portion 61 of the terminal attachment portion 60 attached to the mobile terminal 30 fits into the hole 71b of the attachment portion 71. As a result, in the light-blocking member 50, the camera lens of the mobile terminal 30 faces the multiple optical fibers F through the holes 71b and 72f, and light from the outside is blocked, reducing excess light that enters the lens. This makes it possible to more accurately capture images of the multiple optical fibers F and more accurately recognize the colors of the multiple optical fibers F.

[0049] 5 recognizes the colors of the optical fibers F from photographed images of the optical fibers F. Recognition of the colors of the optical fibers F by the recognition unit 42 is achieved, for example, by the CPU 31 of the mobile terminal 30 and the memory of the mobile terminal 30. The recognition unit 42 acquires, for example, color parameters of the images of the optical fibers F photographed by the photographing unit 41, and acquires the colors of the optical fibers F as color parameters. The color parameters refer to parameters that quantify the colors of the images.

[0050] For example, the recognition unit 42 acquires color parameters of each of the multiple optical fibers F in the image captured by the imaging unit 41. As a specific example, the recognition unit 42 acquires color parameters of the optical fiber F1, the optical fiber F2, the optical fiber F3, the optical fiber F4, the optical fiber F5, the optical fiber F6, the optical fiber F7, the optical fiber F8, the optical fiber F9, the optical fiber F10, the optical fiber F11, and the optical fiber F12 in the image.

[0051] The recognition unit 42 acquires, for example, RGB values ​​from each optical fiber F in the image. In this case, the color parameters of the image acquired by the recognition unit 42 are color parameters of the RGB color system. However, the color parameters of the image acquired by the recognition unit 42 may be color parameters of the L*a*b* color system including an L* value, an a* value, and a b* value, color parameters of the XYZ color system, color parameters of the CIE 1931 color space, color parameters of the L*C*h* color space, or color parameters of the Hunter Lab color space, and can be changed as appropriate.

[0052] The storage unit 43 stores in advance a target arrangement order, which is, for example, the appropriate order of colors of the optical fibers F. The function of the storage unit 43 is realized, for example, by the memory of the mobile terminal 30. For example, the optical fiber identification program 40 has a step of storing the target arrangement order in the storage unit 43 by operating the mobile terminal 30. In this case, it is possible to store the target arrangement order of the optical fibers F in the storage unit 43 by operating the mobile terminal 30.

[0053] For each color in the pre-stored target order, parameters that can be directly compared with the color information extracted by the recognition unit are set and stored. When color parameters are set, they may be color parameters of the RGB color system, color parameters of the L*a*b* color system including the L* value, a* value, and b* value, color parameters of the XYZ color system, color parameters of the CIE 1931 color space, color parameters of the L*C*h* color space, or color parameters of the Hunter Lab color space. Alternatively, color information to be used as a reference may be determined by machine learning from multiple images of optical fibers whose color names have been identified.

[0054] For example, the color parameters corresponding to each of a plurality of images of the optical fiber and the variation range of the color parameters may be found, and the color parameter range corresponding to a specific color name may be automatically determined and stored from the center value, average value, standard deviation, maximum value, minimum value, etc. of the color parameters, and this may be used as the color standard. Alternatively, color parameter information corresponding to a specific color name may be stored as a data table.

[0055] Alternatively, the image information of the optical fiber corresponding to a specific color name may be associated as the color standard, and the color information may be identified based on the degree of association between the image of the optical fiber F acquired by the recognition unit 42 and the group of images that are the color standard.

[0056] 9 and 10 show examples of screens for storing the target order in the storage unit 43. A specific example of a method for storing the target order in the storage unit 43 will be described below. First, the setting screen W1 displayed on the display 37 of the mobile terminal 30 is operated to select the same number of optical fibers as the number of optical fibers F. FIG. 9 shows an example in which the "Fiber Configuration" button displayed on the display 37 is pressed and 12 is selected as the number of optical fibers F on the setting screen W1.

[0057] After the number of optical fibers F is selected, a screen W2 for setting the target arrangement order of the optical fibers F is displayed on the display 37. On the screen W2, for example, the target arrangement order of the optical fibers F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, and F12 is set. FIG. 10 shows an example in which the target color arrangement order of the optical fibers F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, and F12 is set as blue, orange, green, brown, gray, white, red, black, yellow, purple, pink, and light blue. After the target arrangement order of the optical fibers F is set, the target arrangement order of the optical fibers F is stored in the memory unit 43 by pressing the "Save" button on the screen W2.

[0058] The determination unit 44 determines whether or not the measured arrangement order, which is the arrangement order of the multiple optical fibers F in the image captured by the imaging unit 41, matches the target arrangement order stored in the storage unit 43. The determination unit 44 is realized by the CPU 31 of the mobile terminal 30 operating in accordance with commands from an application installed on the mobile terminal 30. For example, the determination unit 44 determines whether or not the color parameters of the image acquired by the recognition unit 42 match the color parameters of the target arrangement order stored in the storage unit 43. The determination unit 44 makes the determination by comparing the target arrangement order with the measured arrangement order of the multiple optical fibers F acquired by the recognition unit 42.

[0059] More specifically, the determination unit 44 determines whether the color parameters of the optical fiber F1 acquired by the recognition unit 42 match the color parameters of the optical fiber that should be the first, whether the color parameters of the optical fiber F2 match the color parameters of the optical fiber that should be the second, whether the color parameters of the optical fiber F3 match the color parameters of the optical fiber that should be the third, whether the color parameters of the optical fiber F4 match the color parameters of the optical fiber that should be the fourth, whether the color parameters of the optical fiber F5 match the color parameters of the optical fiber that should be the fifth, whether the color parameters of the optical fiber F6 match the color parameters of the optical fiber that should be the sixth, whether the color parameters of the optical fiber F7 match the color parameters of the optical fiber that should be the seventh, whether the color parameters of the optical fiber F8 match the color parameters of the optical fiber that should be the eighth, whether the color parameters of the optical fiber F9 match the color parameters of the optical fiber that should be the ninth, whether the color parameters of the optical fiber F10 match the color parameters of the optical fiber that should be the tenth, whether the color parameters of the optical fiber F11 match the color parameters of the optical fiber that should be the eleventh, and whether the color parameters of the optical fiber F12 match the color parameters of the optical fiber that should be the twelfth. In this way, the judgment unit 44 judges whether the color parameters of the optical fiber located at the nth position in the captured image match the color parameters of the optical fiber that should be the nth position, where n is a natural number.

[0060] "The target order matches" means that "the colors match" and "the order of the optical fibers having those colors matches." "The colors match" includes cases where the colors of the optical fibers F in the image match the colors of the target order, as well as cases where the colors generally match but do not completely match. In other words, "the target order matches" includes cases where the colors of the actual order differ from the colors of the target order, but match visually to the human eye. For example, the memory unit 43 may have set RGB values ​​indicating the colors of each optical fiber F in the target order, and the determination unit 44 may determine whether the difference between the RGB values ​​of each optical fiber F acquired by the recognition unit 42 and the set RGB values ​​is equal to or less than a certain value. In this case, the determination unit 44 determines that the colors match the colors of the target order when the difference between the RGB values ​​and the set RGB values ​​is equal to or less than a certain value, and determines that the colors do not match the colors of the target order when the difference between the RGB values ​​and the set RGB values ​​is greater than or equal to a certain value. As a specific example, the determination unit 44 determines that there is a match when the color of the optical fiber F in the target order stored in the memory unit 43 is white (#FFFFFF) and the color code of the color of the optical fiber F in the actual order acquired by the recognition unit 42 is #FFFFFE. On the other hand, the determination unit 44 determines that there is no match when the color of the optical fiber F in the target order stored in the memory unit 43 is white (#FFFFFF) and the color code of the color of the optical fiber F in the actual order acquired by the recognition unit 42 is #FFFFEF. Note that the criteria by which the determination unit 44 determines whether there is a match can be changed as appropriate. For example, the allowable range of the difference between the acquired RGB values ​​of each optical fiber F and the set RGB values ​​may be determined by performing "machine learning."

[0061] The output unit 45 displays the result of the determination by the determination unit 44 on the display 37 of the mobile terminal 30. For example, the output unit 45 is realized by the CPU 31 of the mobile terminal 30 and the display 37 of the mobile terminal 30. FIG. 11 is a diagram showing an example screen W3 showing the determination result displayed on the display 37. As shown in FIG. 11 , when the determination unit 44 determines that the measured order of the optical fibers F matches the target order stored in the storage unit 43, "Pass" is displayed on the display 37. On the other hand, when the determination unit 44 determines that the measured order of the optical fibers F does not match the target order stored in the storage unit 43, "Fail" is displayed and the order of the optical fibers F is also displayed. For example, an image W4 of the actual measured order of the optical fibers F and an image W5 of the target order, which is the appropriate order of the optical fibers F, are both displayed on the display 37. This allows the operator aligning the optical fibers F to recognize that there is an error in the order of the aligned optical fibers F and to recognize the appropriate order of the optical fibers F.

[0062] Fig. 12 is a diagram showing a screen W6 as another example of the determination result displayed on the display 37. The output unit 45 may display, for each optical fiber F, whether the measured order of the multiple optical fibers F in the captured image matches the target order stored in the storage unit 43. Fig. 12 shows an example in which the measured order matches the target order, and an example in which the measured order of the optical fibers F5 and F6 does not match the target order of the optical fibers F5 and F6.

[0063] The display 37 displays the target arrangement order W11 of the optical fibers F stored in the memory unit 43 and the measured arrangement order W12 of the optical fibers F in the captured image side by side. This allows the operator to visually understand whether the measured arrangement order of the optical fibers F is correct. The display 37 displays the appropriateness W13 of the measured arrangement order for each optical fiber F, as well as the appropriateness W14 of the measured arrangement order for all the optical fibers F. For example, the appropriateness W13 of the measured arrangement order for each optical fiber F and the appropriateness W14 of the measured arrangement order for all the optical fibers F are displayed as "Pass" if the arrangement order is appropriate and as "CHECK" if the arrangement order is inappropriate. Furthermore, the display 37 displays a retake button W15. When the retake button W15 is pressed, the alignment of the optical fibers F can be corrected, and the corrected multiple optical fibers F can be photographed again to be judged by the judgment unit 44. If the measured order of the optical fibers F is not appropriate, the display 37 displays an agreement button W16 indicating agreement with the judgment result by the judgment unit 44, as well as an agreement button W17 or a rejection button W18 for each optical fiber F.

[0064] The Agree button W16 is a button for forcibly changing the judgment status for the entire optical fiber F. Due to measurement accuracy or dirt on the imaging unit (e.g., lens), the color acquired from the image and the target color may be erroneously judged to be different colors, even though they are actually the same color. The Agree button W16 is a button for confirming that there are no problems with the order of the optical fiber F when, after visual confirmation, all of the colors and the order are correct, even in such a case. In other words, pressing the Agree button W16 switches the color status of all of the optical fiber F from CHECK (indicating that confirmation is required, correction is required, or there is an error) to Pass (indicating that the color is passed, there is no problem, or it matches).

[0065] The Agree button W17 or Reject button W18 for each optical fiber F is a button for forcibly changing the judgment status of the optical fiber F on which the button is displayed. If a specific optical fiber F is judged to have a different color from the target, and visual confirmation confirms that the color is the same as the target, pressing the Agree button W17 will confirm that the color and order are correct. In other words, pressing the Agree button W17 switches the status of the specific optical fiber F from displaying CHECK to displaying Pass.

[0066] When a specific optical fiber F is determined to have a different color from the target, and if visual confirmation also confirms that the color is different from the target, the reject button W18 can be pressed to confirm that the color is different from the target. That is, when the reject button W18 is pressed, the status of the specific optical fiber F changes from CHECK to Fail (indicating failure or an error).

[0067] The above is an example of the screen W6 that the output unit 45 displays on the display 37. However, the form of the screen that the output unit 45 displays on the display 37 is not limited to the above example and can be changed as appropriate.

[0068] Next, examples of steps of the fusion splicing method and the optical fiber identification method will be described with reference to FIG. 13 . For example, the optical fiber identification method is performed during the steps of the fusion splicing method. In the fusion splicing method, for example, a plurality of optical fibers F are inserted into a cylindrical sleeve (step S1: inserting optical fibers into a sleeve). At this time, the ends of the plurality of optical fibers F are inserted into the sleeve, and the plurality of optical fibers F extend from the sleeve. Note that the plurality of optical fibers F may be ribbonized. Ribonizing refers to arranging a plurality of optical fibers F in parallel and integrating them into a tape. The ribbonized portions of the plurality of optical fibers F are hardened, for example, by an adhesive.

[0069] Next, the plurality of optical fibers F are held in the optical fiber holder 11 (step S2 of holding the plurality of optical fibers in the optical fiber holder). At this time, the plurality of optical fibers F may be placed in an unbundled state on the optical fiber holder 11, or the plurality of ribbonized optical fibers F may be placed on the optical fiber holder 11. The optical fiber holder 11 holds the plurality of optical fibers F placed thereon, with the tips of the plurality of optical fibers F each extending from the optical fiber holder 11.

[0070] After the plurality of optical fibers F are held in the optical fiber holder 11, an optical fiber identification method is executed to confirm the arrangement order of the optical fibers F (step S3). The optical fiber identification method is executed by the optical fiber identification program 40 installed in the mobile terminal 30. In identifying the optical fibers F, first, as described above, the light blocking member 50 is attached to the mobile terminal 30, and then the photographing unit 41 photographs the plurality of optical fibers F extending from the optical fiber holder 11 (step of photographing a plurality of optical fibers).

[0071] After the photographing unit 41 photographs the plurality of optical fibers F, the determining unit 44 determines whether the measured order of the plurality of optical fibers F in the photographed image matches the target order stored in the storage unit 43 (determining step). The target order of the plurality of optical fibers F is stored in advance in the storage unit 43. However, the timing for storing the target order in the storage unit 43 is not particularly limited. After the determination by the determining unit 44, the output unit 45 outputs the result of the determination (outputting step). For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , if the measured order of the plurality of optical fibers F is correct, the output unit 45 displays "Pass" on the display 37. If the measured order of the plurality of optical fibers F is incorrect, the output unit 45 displays, for example, "Fail," and displays an image W5 showing the target order, which is the appropriate order of the optical fibers F, together with an image W4 showing the measured order on the display 37. Through the above steps, a series of processes in the optical fiber identification method are completed.

[0072] After the optical fiber identification method is performed to make the arrangement order of the optical fibers F consistent with the target arrangement order, the coatings of the optical fibers F are removed (step S4 of removing the coatings of the optical fibers). At this time, the coatings of the respective tip ends of the multiple optical fibers F extending from the optical fiber holder 11 are removed, leaving the tip ends of each optical fiber F as bare fibers (glass fibers) from which the coatings have been removed. Then, the tip ends of the multiple optical fibers F are cut so that the positions of the tip ends are aligned (step S5 of cutting the optical fibers). For example, the glass fiber portions of the multiple optical fibers F are cut using a cleaver. This cutting aligns the tip ends of the multiple optical fibers F in the extension direction of the optical fibers F.

[0073] Then, the optical fiber holder 11 holding the plurality of optical fibers F is installed in the fusion splicer 1, and the plurality of optical fibers F are fusion-spliced ​​(step S6 of fusion-splicing a plurality of optical fibers). More specifically, the optical fiber holder 11 holding the plurality of optical fibers F and the optical fiber holder 11 holding the plurality of optical fibers G are each placed on the holder placement portion of the fusion splicing unit 4. The tip ends of the optical fibers F, G held by each optical fiber holder 11 are positioned by the respective fiber positioning portions 4b. Then, a pair of electrodes 4c fusion-splices the tip ends of the optical fibers F, G. After the fusion splicing of the optical fibers F, G, a sleeve is placed over the fusion-spliced ​​portion of the optical fibers F, G, and the sleeve is heated and shrunk by the heater 5 (step S7 of heating the sleeve). After the sleeve is heated and shrunk, the series of processes is completed.

[0074] Next, the effects obtained from the fusion splicing system 20, fusion splicing method, optical fiber identification system 21, optical fiber identification method, and optical fiber identification program 40 according to the present embodiment will be described. In the fusion splicing system 20, fusion splicing method, optical fiber identification system 21, optical fiber identification method, and optical fiber identification program according to the present embodiment, the memory unit 43 stores a target arrangement order of multiple colored optical fibers F. The multiple optical fibers F are photographed by the photographing unit 41. The determination unit 44 determines whether the measured arrangement order of the multiple optical fibers F in the image photographed by the photographing unit 41 matches the target arrangement order. The determination result by the determination unit 44 is output by the output unit 45. A worker performing the task of aligning the multiple optical fibers F can determine whether the measured arrangement order of the multiple optical fibers F in the photographed image matches the target arrangement order stored in the memory unit 43. This allows the worker to easily and accurately align the multiple optical fibers F.

[0075] As described above, the photographing unit 41, the storage unit 43, the determination unit 44, and the output unit 45 may be the photographing unit 41, the storage unit 43, the determination unit 44, and the output unit 45 of the portable terminal 30. The determination unit 44 may be implemented by an application installed on the portable terminal 30. In this case, it is determined whether the actual arrangement order of the multiple optical fibers F photographed by the photographing unit 41 of the portable terminal 30 matches the target arrangement order, and the result of this determination is output to the portable terminal 30. The worker can grasp the result of this determination by photographing the multiple optical fibers F with the photographing unit 41 of the portable terminal 30 and operating the portable terminal 30. This allows the worker to more easily align the multiple optical fibers F.

[0076] As described above, the fusion splicing system 20 and the optical fiber identification system 21 may include a light-blocking member 50 having a holder mounting section 70 to which an optical fiber holder 11 that holds multiple optical fibers F is mounted, and a terminal mounting section 60 to which a portable terminal 30 is mounted. In the light-blocking member 50, the lens of the camera of the portable terminal 30 mounted in the terminal mounting section 60 may face the multiple optical fibers F held in the optical fiber holder 11 mounted in the holder mounting section 70, blocking light from reaching the lens. In this case, the camera of the portable terminal 30 mounted in the terminal mounting section 60 is light-blocked and faces the multiple optical fibers F held in the optical fiber holder 11. This prevents light from entering the camera of the portable terminal 30 and allows the camera to face the multiple optical fibers F, thereby enabling clearer images of the optical fibers F to be acquired. This further improves the accuracy of identifying the multiple optical fibers F.

[0077] As described above, the output unit 45 may display on the display 37 of the portable terminal 30 whether or not the measured arrangement order of the multiple optical fibers F in the captured image matches the target arrangement order stored in the storage unit 43. In this case, whether or not the measured arrangement order of the optical fibers F is appropriate is displayed on the display 37 of the portable terminal 30, so that the operator can easily understand whether or not the measured arrangement order of the optical fibers F is appropriate.

[0078] As described above, the output unit 45 may display whether the actual measured order matches the target order for each optical fiber F. In this case, whether the actual measured order is appropriate is displayed for each optical fiber F, so that the appropriateness of the actual measured order can be grasped for each optical fiber F.

[0079] As described above, the output unit 45 may display the image W4 indicating the actual measured arrangement order and the image W5 indicating the target arrangement order on the display 37. In this case, the image W4 indicating the actual measured arrangement order is displayed on the display 37 together with the image W5 indicating the target arrangement order, so that the appropriateness of the actual measured arrangement order of the optical fibers F can be displayed in a more visually understandable manner.

[0080] As described above, the fusion splicing method and the optical fiber identification method according to the embodiment may include a step of storing the target arrangement order of the plurality of optical fibers F in the storage unit 43. In this case, the target arrangement order to be stored in the storage unit 43 in advance can be set arbitrarily.

[0081] Next, modified examples of the fusion splicing system, fusion splicing method, optical fiber identification system, optical fiber identification method, and optical fiber identification program according to the present disclosure will be described with reference to Figures 14, 15, and 16. The configurations of the fusion splicing system, fusion splicing method, optical fiber identification system, optical fiber identification method, and optical fiber identification program according to the modified examples are partially the same as those of the above-described embodiments. Therefore, in the following, descriptions that overlap with those already described will be omitted as appropriate, with the same reference numerals assigned.

[0082] 14 is a block diagram showing the functions of a fusion splicing system 80 and an optical fiber identification system 81 according to modified examples. In the fusion splicing system 80 and the optical fiber identification system 81, an optical fiber identification program 40 is incorporated into the fusion splicer 1. In the fusion splicing system 80, the photographing unit 41, the recognition unit 42, the memory unit 43, the determination unit 44, and the output unit 45 correspond to the photographing unit 41, the recognition unit 42, the memory unit 43, the determination unit 44, and the output unit 45 of the fusion splicer 1. Like the fusion splicing system 80, the optical fiber identification system 81 includes the photographing unit 41, the recognition unit 42, the memory unit 43, the determination unit 44, and the output unit 45. The determination unit 44 is implemented by software installed in the fusion splicer 1.

[0083] For example, the photographing unit 41 photographs the multiple optical fibers F using the camera 6 of the fusion splicer 1. The photographing unit 41 is realized by the CPU 10a of the fusion splicer 1 (see FIG. 3 ) and the camera 6. The recognition unit 42 is realized by the CPU 10a of the fusion splicer 1 and a memory of the fusion splicer 1. The storage unit 43 is realized by the memory of the fusion splicer 1. The determination unit 44 is realized by the operation of the CPU 10a of the fusion splicer 1 in accordance with commands from software installed in the fusion splicer 1. The output unit 45 is realized by the CPU 10a of the fusion splicer 1 and the monitor 7.

[0084] 15 shows an example of an image of multiple optical fibers F and G captured by the camera 6 and displayed on the monitor 7 of the fusion splicer 1. As shown in Fig. 15, for example, the monitor 7 displays optical fibers F1, F2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, and F12 extending from each optical fiber holder 11, optical fibers G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, G10, G11, and G12, and a pair of electrodes 4c. Furthermore, the colors of the multiple optical fibers F and the colors of the multiple optical fibers G captured by the image capturing unit 41 are displayed on the monitor 7 according to the arrangement order of the multiple optical fibers F and G. In this case, the operator can easily determine whether the arrangement order of the optical fibers F and G installed in the fusion splicer 1 is appropriate by looking at the monitor 7.

[0085] Next, a fusion splicing method and an optical fiber identification method according to a modified example will be described with reference to Fig. 16. First, as in the above-described embodiment, a step of inserting a plurality of optical fibers F into a cylindrical sleeve (step S11) and a step of holding the plurality of optical fibers F in an optical fiber holder 11 (step S12) are performed. The contents of steps S11 and S12 are the same as the contents of steps S1 and S2 described above.

[0086] In the embodiment described above, after step S2, the order of the optical fibers F is confirmed (step S3). In contrast, in the modified example, after step S12, the coatings of the optical fibers F are removed (step S13), and the optical fibers F are cut (step S14). The contents of steps S13 and S14 are the same as the contents of steps S4 and S5 described above.

[0087] After the plurality of optical fibers F have been cut, the optical fiber holder 11 that holds the plurality of optical fibers F is installed in the fusion splicer 1. Then, before fusion splicing, an optical fiber identification method is executed to confirm the arrangement order of the optical fibers F (step S15). The content of step S15 is the same as the content of step S3 described above, and therefore a detailed description of step S15 will be omitted where appropriate.

[0088] In this modified example, the optical fiber identification method is executed by the optical fiber identification program 40 installed in the fusion splicer 1. The result of the determination by the determination unit 44 of the optical fiber identification program 40 is displayed on the monitor 7 by the output unit 45. As a specific example, the output unit 45 displays "Pass" on the monitor 7 if the arrangement order of the multiple optical fibers F is correct, and displays "Fail" and the appropriate arrangement order of the optical fibers F on the monitor 7 if the arrangement order of the multiple optical fibers F is incorrect. In this manner, the form of the determination result displayed on the monitor 7 is similar to the form of the determination result displayed on the display 37 of the mobile terminal 30 described above. After the optical fiber identification method is executed to properly arrange the optical fibers F, the multiple optical fibers F are fusion-spliced ​​(step S16). After the fusion splicing, a sleeve is placed over the fusion-spliced ​​portion of the optical fibers F, and the sleeve is heated and shrunk by the heater 5 (step S17). Through the above steps, the series of processes is completed.

[0089] As described above, in the fusion splicing system 80, optical fiber identification system 81, optical fiber identification program 40, fusion splicing method, and optical fiber identification method according to the modified examples, the photographing unit 41, the recognition unit 42, the memory unit 43, the determination unit 44, and the output unit 45 are the photographing unit 41, the recognition unit 42, the memory unit 43, the determination unit 44, and the output unit 45 of the fusion splicer 1. The determination unit 44 is realized by software installed in the fusion splicer 1. In this case, it is determined whether the measured arrangement order of the multiple optical fibers F photographed by the photographing unit 41 of the fusion splicer 1 matches the target arrangement order, and the result of this determination is output to the monitor 7 of the fusion splicer 1. Thus, the operator can grasp the result of this determination by photographing the multiple optical fibers F with the photographing unit 41 of the fusion splicer 1 and operating the fusion splicer 1. This allows the operator to easily align the multiple optical fibers F.

[0090] Further variations may include a fusion splicing system, an optical fiber identification system, an optical fiber identification program, a fusion splicing method, and an optical fiber identification method, each of which includes a mobile terminal communicatively connected to the fusion splicer and a server communicatively connected to the mobile terminal, or a fusion splicing system, an optical fiber identification system, an optical fiber identification program, a fusion splicing method, and an optical fiber identification method, each of which includes a server communicatively connected to the fusion splicer.

[0091] Fig. 17 is a block diagram showing the functions of a fusion splicing system 90 and an optical fiber identification system 91 according to a modified example. Fig. 18 is a block diagram showing the functions of a fusion splicing system 100 and an optical fiber identification system 101 that are different from those shown in Fig. 17. As shown in Figs. 17 and 18, the fusion splicing system 90, the optical fiber identification system 91, the fusion splicing system 100, and the optical fiber identification system 101 each include a server 110.

[0092] Fig. 19 is a diagram schematically illustrating the hardware configuration of the server 110. As shown in Fig. 19, the server 110 has a CPU 131, RAM 132, ROM 133, an input device 134, a wireless communication module 135, an auxiliary storage device 136, a display 137, and an output device 138. These components operate according to programs to realize the functions of optical fiber identification programs 140A and 140B, which will be described later.

[0093] 17 , a fusion splicing system 90 includes a fusion splicer 1, a portable terminal 30, and a server 110. The fusion splicer 1 and the portable terminal 30 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other, and the portable terminal 30 and the server 110 are also connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other. An optical fiber identification system 91 includes the portable terminal 30 and the server 110. For example, an optical fiber identification program 40A is installed in the portable terminal 30, and an optical fiber identification program 140A is installed in the server 110. The portable terminal 30 and the server 110 are connected to each other so as to be able to communicate with each other wirelessly. In the optical fiber identification system 91, the photographing unit is the photographing unit 41 of the portable terminal 30. In the optical fiber identification system 91, the recognition unit, storage unit, determination unit, and output unit are partly the recognition unit 42, storage unit 43, determination unit 44, and output unit 45 of the portable terminal 30, and partly the recognition unit 142, storage unit 143, determination unit 144, and output unit 145 of the server 110. The fusion splicing system 90 is realized by cooperation between the fusion splicer 1 and the photographing unit 41, recognition units 42, 142, storage units 43, 143, determination units 44, 144, and output units 45, 145 of the mobile terminal 30 and the server 110. The optical fiber identification system 91 is realized by cooperation between the photographing unit 41, recognition units 42, 142, storage units 43, 143, determination units 44, 144, and output units 45, 145 of the mobile terminal 30 and the server 110. The determination units 44, 144 are realized by software installed in the mobile terminal 30 and the server 110, respectively.

[0094] 18 , fusion splicing system 100 and optical fiber identification system 101 include fusion splicer 1 and server 110. Fusion splicer 1 and server 110 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other. An optical fiber identification program 40B is installed in fusion splicer 1, and an optical fiber identification program 140B is installed in server 110. Fusion splicer 1 and server 110 are connected to each other so that they can communicate with each other wirelessly. In fusion splicing system 100 and optical fiber identification system 101, the photographing unit is photographing unit 41 of fusion splicer 1, and the recognition unit, memory unit, determination unit, and output unit are partly recognition unit 42, memory unit 43, determination unit 44, and output unit 45 of fusion splicer 1, and partly recognition unit 142, memory unit 143, determination unit 144, and output unit 145 of server 110. The fusion splicing system 100 and the optical fiber identification system 101 are realized by cooperation of the photographing unit 41, recognition units 42, 142, storage units 43, 143, determination units 44, 144, and output units 45, 145 of the fusion splicer 1 and the server 110. The determination units 44, 144 are realized by software installed in the fusion splicer 1 and software installed in the server 110.

[0095] The above describes the embodiments and modifications. However, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments or modifications, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the appended claims. For example, in the above-described embodiments, an example was described in which an operator uses a mobile terminal 30 to store a target sequence in the storage unit 43. However, as in the above-described modifications, an operator may store a target sequence in the storage unit 43 of the fusion splicer 1. Furthermore, the storage of the target sequence, particularly the color information, in the storage unit 43 may be performed by, for example, machine learning, and the manner in which the target sequence is stored in the storage unit 43 is not particularly limited.

[0096] When creating, adding, updating, or the like, a color standard, it is more efficient to perform this processing in the storage unit 143 of the server 110. The color standard obtained in this manner is stored in the storage unit 143 of the server 110. Alternatively, the above-mentioned machine learning processing may be performed in the storage unit 143 of the server 110, and the range of the finally obtained color standard, for example, the range or table of color parameters that can be recognized as "red," may be stored in the storage unit 43 of the fusion splicer 1 or the portable terminal 30. Of course, the machine learning processing may also be performed in the storage unit 43 of the fusion splicer 1 or the portable terminal 30.

[0097] In the above-described embodiment, the output unit 45 displays whether the actual measurement order matches the target order on the display 37 of the mobile terminal 30. However, the output unit may output whether the actual measurement order matches the target order in a manner other than a display. For example, the output unit may output whether the actual measurement order matches the target order by voice. In this way, the manner in which the output unit outputs the determination result is not particularly limited.

[0098] In the above-described embodiment, an example in which the number of optical fibers F and G is 12 has been described. However, the number of optical fibers F and G may be any number as long as it is plural, and is not particularly limited. Furthermore, in the above-described embodiment, the photographing unit 41 photographs using a camera provided in the portable terminal 30, and in the above-described modified example, the photographing unit 41 photographs using the camera 6 provided in the fusion splicer 1. However, various cameras can be used as the camera used by the photographing unit 41. The camera used by the photographing unit 41 may be disposed in, for example, a cleaver that cuts the optical fiber F. The camera used by the photographing unit 41 may be an independent camera or a camera capable of communicating with the portable terminal 30 or the fusion splicer 1. In this way, the camera used by the photographing unit 41 may be disposed in various locations, and the type of the camera is not particularly limited. Furthermore, the optical fiber identification system may be a system independent of the portable terminal 30 and the fusion splicer 1.

[0099] In the above-described embodiment, an example has been described in which the colors of the multiple optical fibers F are different from one another. As described above, the colors of the multiple optical fibers F may all be different from one another, or some of the multiple optical fibers F may be the same. For example, when k is a natural number of 3 or more, two or more and k-1 or less of the k optical fibers F may be the same from one another. In this way, the color of the optical fiber to be measured is not particularly limited.

[0100] DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Fusion splicer, 2...Housing, 3...Cover, 3b...Side, 3c...Inlet, 4...Fusion splicing section, 4b...Fiber positioning section, 4c...Electrode, 5...Heater, 6...Camera, 7...Monitor, 10a...CPU, 10b...RAM, 10c...ROM, 10d...Input device, 10e...Wireless communication module, 10f...Auxiliary storage device, 10g...Output device, 10h...GPS, 11...Optical fiber holder, 20...Fusion splicing system, 2 DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1...Optical fiber identification system, 30...Mobile terminal, 31...CPU, 32...RAM, 33...ROM, 34...Input device, 35...Wireless communication module, 36...Auxiliary storage device, 37...Display, 38...Output device, 40, 40A, 40B...Optical fiber identification program, 41...Photographing unit, 42...Recognition unit, 43...Storage unit, 44...Determination unit, 45...Output unit, 50...Light-shielding member, 60...Terminal mounting unit, 61...Lens opposing unit , 62...holding mechanism, 70...holder mounting portion, 71...mounting portion, 71b...hole, 72...arrangement portion, 72b...main surface, 72c...first end face, 72d...second end face, 72f...hole, 72g...insertion portion, 80...fusion splicing system, 81...optical fiber identification system, 90, 100...fusion splicing system, 91, 101...optical fiber identification system, 110...server, 140A, 140B...optical fiber identification program, F, F1, F 2, F3, F4, F5, F6, F7, F8, F9, F10, F11, F12, G, G1, G2, G3, G4, G5, G6, G7, G8, G9, G10, G11, G12...optical fiber, W1...setting screen, W2, W3, W6...screen, W4, W5...image, W11...target order, W12...actual measurement order, W13, W14...suit / suit, W15...retake button, W16, W17...agree button, W18...reject button.

Claims

1. A fusion splicing system comprising: an imaging unit that images a plurality of optical fibers having different colors; a memory unit that stores a target order that is the target order of the colors of the plurality of optical fibers; a determination unit that determines whether the measured order that is the order of the colors of the plurality of optical fibers in the image captured by the imaging unit matches the target order stored in the memory unit; an output unit that outputs the result of the determination by the determination unit; and a fusion splicing unit that fusion splices the plurality of optical fibers.

2. The fusion splicing system according to claim 1, wherein the photographing unit is a photographing unit of a mobile terminal, at least a part of the judgment unit is at least a part of a judgment unit of the mobile terminal, and the judgment unit is realized by an application installed on the mobile terminal.

3. A fusion splicing system as claimed in claim 2, comprising a light-blocking member having a holder mounting section to which an optical fiber holder that holds a plurality of the optical fibers is mounted, and a terminal mounting section to which the mobile terminal is mounted, wherein the light-blocking member is configured so that the lens of the camera of the mobile terminal mounted on the terminal mounting section faces the plurality of optical fibers held in the optical fiber holder mounted on the holder mounting section and blocks light from reaching the lens.

4. The fusion splicing system according to claim 3, wherein the holder mounting section has an attachment section that is detachably attached to the terminal mounting section, and an arrangement section in which the optical fiber holder that holds the plurality of optical fibers is arranged.

5. The fusion splicing system according to claim 4, wherein the terminal attachment section has a lens facing section that faces the camera lens of the mobile terminal, and the attachment section has a hole into which the lens facing section fits.

6. The fusion splicing system according to claim 1, wherein the output unit displays on a display of a mobile terminal whether or not the measured arrangement order matches the target arrangement order.

7. The fusion splicing system according to claim 6, wherein the output section displays on the display whether the measured arrangement matches the target arrangement for each of the optical fibers.

8. The fusion splicing system according to claim 6, wherein the output unit displays an image showing the actual arrangement order and an image showing the target arrangement order on the display.

9. The fusion splicing system according to claim 1, wherein the photographing unit is a photographing unit of a fusion splicer, at least a part of the judgment unit is at least a part of a judgment unit of the fusion splicer, and the judgment unit is realized by software installed in the fusion splicer.

10. The fusion splicing system according to claim 9, wherein the fusion splicer has a housing, a cover that covers the housing, and a camera attached to the inside of the cover, and the photographing unit photographs the plurality of optical fibers with the camera.

11. A fusion splicing method comprising: a step of photographing a plurality of colored optical fibers; a step of determining whether or not a measured order, which is the order of the colors of the plurality of optical fibers in the image photographed in the photographing step, matches a target order stored in a memory unit; a step of outputting the result of the determination in the determination step; and a step of fusion splicing the plurality of optical fibers.

12. An optical fiber identification system comprising: an imaging unit that images a plurality of colored optical fibers; a memory unit that stores a target order that is the target order of the colors of the plurality of optical fibers; a determination unit that determines whether the measured order that is the order of the colors of the plurality of optical fibers in the image captured by the imaging unit matches the target order stored in the memory unit; and an output unit that outputs the result determined by the determination unit.

13. An optical fiber identification method comprising: a step of photographing a plurality of colored optical fibers; a step of determining whether or not the measured order, which is the order of the colors of the plurality of optical fibers in the image photographed in the photographing step, matches a target order stored in a memory unit; and a step of outputting the result of the determination in the determining step.

14. The optical fiber identification method according to claim 13, further comprising a step of storing the target arrangement order in the storage unit.

15. A computer-readable recording medium having recorded thereon an optical fiber identification program that executes the steps of: photographing a plurality of colored optical fibers; determining whether or not the measured order, which is the order of the colors of the plurality of optical fibers in the image photographed in the photographing step, matches a target order stored in a memory unit; and outputting the result of the determination in the determining step.

16. The recording medium according to claim 15, having the optical fiber identification program recorded thereon, further comprising the step of storing the target arrangement order in the storage unit by operating a portable terminal.

Images