Patent ID: 7983965
Filing Date: 2011-07-19
Classification: G02B,G06Q

Abstract:
1. A method for selecting optical fibers from inventory for use in a communication network, the method comprising the steps of: locating a plurality of optical fiber reels located in inventory, wherein each of the optical fiber reels exhibits a plurality of optical parameters; creating an internal specification of requirements to be met by optical fiber selected from inventory; searching among the inventory of optical fiber reels for combinations of two or more optical fiber reels that individually do not meet the internal specification of requirements that can potentially be combined to meet the internal specification of requirements and identifying said combinations within the inventory; and selecting, using a computer, a number of the identified combinations; wherein at least one optical fiber reel in at least one of the selected combinations is identified to have an amount of optical fiber on the reel cut back such that the length of the optical fiber from the reel to be incorporated in at least one of said combinations is less than the total length of optical fiber on the reel in order for at least one of said combinations to meet the internal specification of requirements; and the internal specification of requirements comprises a requirement that each selected combination have a total length that is equal to a specified length plus or minus 0.5 kilometers and the amount of optical fiber identified to be cut back on a selected combination allows said combination to meet this requirement.