Wireless Fiber Optic Endface Inspector with Contrast Autofocus
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current fiber optic endface inspectors are cumbersome and inefficient due to the need for long cables connecting the microscope probe and display unit, especially in crowded or hard-to-reach environments, and existing wireless solutions are bulky and impractical due to the requirement for real-time autofocus systems or manual focusing.
Innovation Solution
A wireless endface inspector that uses a Wi-Fi AP board and battery to enable real-time video streaming from a video microscope to a display device, with focus detection software analyzing image contrast to automatically capture and analyze focused images, allowing operators to inspect fiber optic endfaces without needing to view the image on the display device.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a long cable connects the microscope probe and display unit, then the inspector can reach distant or difficult-to-access locations, but the cable causes inconveniences in crowded environments and awkward positions
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the cable connection from the system by implementing wireless communication between the microscope probe and display unit. The probe contains a wireless transceiver that transmits video signals and focus data wirelessly to the display unit, eliminating the physical cable that causes operational inconveniences in crowded or awkward positions while maintaining the ability to reach distant locations.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection with an electromagnetic wireless communication system. The probe uses a wireless transceiver to transmit video signals, focus status data, and control commands wirelessly to the display unit, substituting the mechanical cable interface with radio frequency communication to eliminate cable-related operational constraints.
2Ease of operation
If a wireless transceiver is added to enable wireless communication, then cable constraints are eliminated, but the probe becomes bulkier and heavier
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection with an electromagnetic wireless communication system. The probe uses a wireless transceiver to transmit video signals, focus status data, and control commands wirelessly to the display unit, substituting the mechanical cable interface with radio frequency communication to eliminate cable-related operational constraints.
3Extent of automation
If autofocus system elements (microprocessor, electronics module, motor with controller) are added, then automatic focusing is achieved, but the probe becomes fairly bulky and heavy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a simplified autofocus system where the display unit's microprocessor performs focus detection by analyzing video signal contrast, and the probe's motor responds to focus adjustment commands transmitted wirelessly. This self-service approach allows automatic focusing without requiring complex autofocus electronics to be embedded in the probe, maintaining probe compactness while achieving automation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses the wireless communication link as an intermediary between the display unit's processing capabilities and the probe's focusing mechanism. The display unit's microprocessor analyzes focus status and sends control commands wirelessly to the probe's motor, allowing the probe to leverage the display unit's computational power without requiring a complex onboard autofocus system.
4Ease of operation
If a battery is added to power the wireless probe, then wireless operation is enabled, but the probe requires additional weight and power management
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces the mechanical cable connection with an electromagnetic wireless communication system. The probe uses a wireless transceiver to transmit video signals, focus status data, and control commands wirelessly to the display unit, substituting the mechanical cable interface with radio frequency communication to eliminate cable-related operational constraints.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution provides a more efficient and user-friendly inspection process by eliminating cable constraints, allowing operators to inspect endfaces more quickly and with less strain, while enabling remote analysis of captured images for pass/fail evaluation.
Implementation Method 1
a camera module for receiving image of the fiber optic endface interfaced by the adapting tip and converting the endface image into video streaming signal
Implementation Method 2
an LED light source
Implementation Method 3
a focus detection software, which, while the focusing knob on the video microscope is being turned, continuously analyzes the video streaming signal received (according to the contrast in the endface image) in order to detect whether the endface being interfaced for inspection is in focus of the camera module
Data Source
AI summary
A wireless fiber optic endface inspector includes a video microscope capable of wirelessly transmitting video streaming signal of endface image in real-time to a display device. The video microscope includes a microscope optical system, an adapting tip for interfacing an endface, an LED light source, a camera module for receiving and converting the endface image into video streaming signal, a Wi-Fi AP board, and a battery for supplying power. The video microscope may be constructed by adding a Wi-Fi AP board and a battery to a conventional inspector microscope. The display device has software for detecting when the endface is focused. Once the endface is focused, the display device emits an audio signal to alert the operator, who may then trigger the display device to analyze the endface image using an endface analysis software or save it to a folder, or transmit the image to a remote server.