Optical Fiber Shaping Interface with Visual Scripting
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current optical fiber processing machines are complex and time-consuming to operate, especially for developing custom or complex shapes, due to the need for manual adjustment of multiple variables without intuitive feedback, making it difficult for engineers to efficiently create new or unique fiber shapes.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that displays a user interface with a timeline and optical fiber manipulation parameter blocks, allowing users to select and input script elements and properties, determining actions for an optical fiber processing machine to perform, thereby reducing development time and providing immediate feedback.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If manual adjustment of multiple variables is used for custom fiber shapes, then flexibility in creating unique shapes is improved, but development time and operational complexity increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses visual cloning of parameter blocks where users can copy existing parameter blocks and modify them to create new shapes. This eliminates the need to manually adjust all variables from scratch, significantly reducing development time while maintaining flexibility for custom shapes.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a visual scripting interface as an intermediary between the user and the complex machine variables. Instead of directly adjusting numerous technical parameters, users work with visual blocks that represent operations, making the system easier to use for custom shape creation.
2Ease of operation
If dedicated software is developed for specific fiber shapes, then ease of operation for those shapes is improved, but adaptability to create new custom shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a universal visual scripting interface that can handle multiple fiber shapes through a single system. The parameter blocks and script elements can be combined in various ways to create different shapes, eliminating the need for separate dedicated software for each shape type while maintaining ease of operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The system allows dynamic creation and modification of shaping programs through visual scripting. Users can dynamically assemble parameter blocks and script elements to create custom shapes, providing both ease of operation through visualization and adaptability for new shapes.
3Manufacturing precision
If multiple variables are set independently for each motor, then precision control of fiber shaping is improved, but device complexity and difficulty of operation increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the complex control system into discrete, visual parameter blocks representing different motors and operations. Each block maintains precision control of its specific variables while the visual interface organizes them systematically, reducing the perceived complexity for users.
Solution Approach 2:
The visual scripting interface acts as an intermediary that manages the complexity of multiple independent variables. Users work with visual blocks that encapsulate motor control parameters, maintaining precision control while hiding the underlying complexity from the operator.
4Productivity
If minimal feedback is provided during program testing, then resource efficiency is improved, but ease of operation deteriorates due to lack of guidance
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements visual feedback mechanisms in the scripting interface that show users the state of parameter blocks and script elements during execution. This provides guidance for debugging and adjustment while maintaining resource efficiency through targeted rather than excessive feedback.
Data Source
AI summary
A method of shaping an optical fiber includes displaying a user interface on a display screen. The user interface includes a timeline, a plurality of optical fiber manipulation parameter blocks within the timeline, and a script block including a plurality of script elements. The method further includes receiving data indicative of a user input selection of a script element for an optical fiber manipulation parameter block and a user input entry of one or more properties of the script element; determining, in response to the user input selection and user input entry, one or more actions to be performed by an optical fiber processing machine to shape the optical fiber; and providing, by the one or more computing devices, one or more control signals to the optical fiber processing machine to cause the optical fiber processing machine to perform the one or more actions.