Fusion Splicer Progress Monitoring via Work Plan Feedback

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Solution Overview

Problem

Managers at work sites struggle to ascertain the progress status of fusion splicing work by technicians using fusion splicers, making it difficult to address delays in the work at an early stage.

Innovation Solution

A fusion splicer management system and method that includes an acquisition unit to collect splicing data, a determination unit to compare the data with work plans, and a notification unit to alert managers of any deviations, enabling early detection of delays or quality issues.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Loss of information

If fusion splicing work is performed by technicians using fusion splicers at work sites, then the optical fiber network construction progresses, but managers cannot ascertain the progress status in real-time, leading to delayed detection of work delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveprogress status informationVSAvoidtime to detect work delays
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system implements automatic feedback by having fusion splicers transmit splicing data (splicing loss, splicing status) to a management server, which then notifies managers of progress status and any deviations from the work plan. This closed-loop feedback mechanism eliminates information loss and enables real-time monitoring of fusion splicing work progress.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

A management server acts as an intermediary between fusion splicers and managers. The server collects splicing data from multiple fusion splicers, processes the information by comparing it against the work plan, and generates notifications. This intermediary enables centralized real-time monitoring without requiring direct communication between technicians and managers.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If managers manually monitor fusion splicing progress, then they can maintain control over work quality, but the monitoring process becomes complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvework quality controlVSAvoidmonitoring system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The fusion splicers perform self-monitoring by automatically measuring splicing parameters (splicing loss, splicing status) and transmitting this data to the management server. The system also performs self-evaluation by automatically comparing actual progress against the work plan and generating notifications for deviations. This eliminates the need for manual monitoring while maintaining quality control.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

Manual monitoring mechanisms are replaced with automated electronic systems. Fusion splicers automatically capture splicing data, the management server processes and analyzes the information, and notifications are automatically generated and sent to managers. This substitution of manual processes with automated systems reduces complexity while improving reliability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of time

If real-time monitoring of fusion splicing work is implemented, then work delays can be detected early, but the system requires complex data collection and processing infrastructure

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvetime to remedy work delaysVSAvoiddata collection and processing system
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The management server performs multiple functions: collecting splicing data from fusion splicers, storing work plan information, comparing actual progress against the plan, generating notifications for deviations, and providing a web interface for manager access. This multi-functional design consolidates complex data collection and processing into a single universal system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses web-based interfaces where progress status information is copied and displayed on managers' terminal devices. The notification system copies relevant splicing data and work plan comparisons to generate alerts. This copying approach enables real-time information distribution without requiring complex direct communication infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Data Source

PatentEP3742368B1Fusion splicing device management system and fusion splicing device management method
Publication Date: 2025.10.29 SUMITOMO ELECTRIC OPTIFRONTIER CO LTD
  • EP3742368B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3742368B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3742368B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

Disclosed is a fusion splicer management system for managing progress of a fusion splicing work performed by each splicing technician by using a fusion splicer. This management system includes an acquisition unit, a determination unit, and a notification unit. The acquisition unit acquires fusion splicing data regarding the fusion splicing work performed by each splicing technician who uses each fusion splicer whenever each fusion splicing work is performed. The determination unit determines a progress status of each fusion splicing work by comparing the fusion splicing data with work plan data indicating a work plan. The notification unit notifies of the progress status of each fusion splicing work determined by the determination unit.