Abstract:
Checking continuity along an optical fiber includes mounting an inspection attachment member to a smart phone; inserting a first end of the optical fiber into a receiving arrangement of the inspection attachment member to align the first end with a light source of the smart phone; activating the light source of the smart phone to shine a light along the optical fiber; and determining whether the light is visible at an opposite end of the optical fiber. Certain types of inspection attachment members also are configured to align an end of an optical fiber with a camera lens of the smart phone.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/919,435, filed Dec. 20, 2013, entitled TESTING PERFORMANCE OF OPTICAL FIBERS IN THE FIELD, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/871,549, filed Aug. 29, 2013, entitled TESTING PERFORMANCE OF OPTICAL FIBERS IN THE FIELD, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Fiber optic telecommunications technology is becoming more prevalent as service providers strive to deliver higher bandwidth communication capabilities to customers/subscribers. The phrase “fiber to the x” (FTTX) generically refers to any network architecture that uses optical fiber in place of copper within a local distribution area. Example FTTX networks include fiber-to-the-node (FTTN) networks, fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC) networks and fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) networks. 
     FTTN and FTTC networks use fiber optic cables that are run from a service provider&#39;s central office to a cabinet serving a neighborhood. Subscribers connect to the cabinet using traditional copper cable technology such as coaxial cable or twisted pair wiring. The difference between an FTTN network and an FTTC network relates to the area served by the cabinet. Typically, FTTC networks typically have cabinets closer to the subscribers that serve a smaller subscriber area than the cabinets of FTTN networks. 
     In an FTTP network, fiber optic cables are run from a service provider&#39;s central office all the way to the subscriber&#39;s premises. Example FTTP networks include fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks and fiber-to-the-building (FTTB) networks. In an FTTB network, optical fiber is routed from the central office over an optical distribution network to an optical network terminal (ONT) located in a building. The ONT typically includes active components that convert the optical signals into electrical signals. The electrical signals are typically routed from the ONT to the subscriber&#39;s residence or office space using traditional copper cable technology. In an FTTH network, fiber optic cable is run from the service provider&#39;s central office to an ONT located at the subscriber&#39;s residence or office space. Once again, at the ONT, optical signals are typically converted into an electrical signal for use with the subscriber&#39;s devices. However, to the extent that an end user may have devices that are compatible with optical signals, conversion of the optical signal to an electrical signal may not be necessary. 
     FTTP networks include active optical networks and passive optical networks. Active optical networks use electrically powered equipment (e.g., a switch, router, multiplexer or other equipment) to distribute signals and to provide signal buffering. Passive optical networks use passive beam splitters instead of electrically powered equipment to split optical signals. In a passive optical network, ONT&#39;s are typically equipped with equipment (e.g., wave-division multiplexing and time-division multiplexing equipment) that prevents incoming and outgoing signals from colliding and that filters out signals intended for other subscribers. 
     A typical passive FTTP network includes fiber optic cables routed from a central location (e.g., a service provider&#39;s central office) to a fiber distribution hub (FDH) located in a local area such as a neighborhood. The fiber distribution hub typically includes a cabinet in which one or more passive optical splitters are mounted. The splitters each are capable of splitting a signal carried by a single fiber to a plurality of fibers. The fibers split out at the splitter are routed from the fiber distribution hub into the local area using a fiber optic distribution cable. Fibers are routed from the fiber distribution cable to subscriber locations (e.g., homes, businesses or buildings) using various techniques. For example, fiber optic drop cables can be routed directly from a breakout location on the distribution cable to an ONT at a subscriber location. Alternatively, a stub cable can be routed from a breakout location of the distribution cable to a drop terminal. Drop cables can be run from the drop terminal to ONT&#39;s located at a plurality of premises located near the drop terminal. 
     Once a fiber optic network has initially been installed, it is often desirable to test the performance of various fiber optic lines/circuits in the network to make sure the lines/circuits satisfy certain minimum performance requirements. Testing systems and methods that reduce labor and equipment cost are needed. 
     SUMMARY 
     The disclosure is directed to example inspection attachment members for smart phones, digital cameras, or other such portable devices. The inspection attachment members include a base configured to mount over an end of a portable device; and a receiving arrangement extending outwardly from the base. A fiber alignment member and a securement arrangement are disposed in the receiving arrangement. The fiber alignment member is aligned with an aperture defined in the base of the inspection attachment member. 
     Certain types of inspection attachment members also include a focusing lens disposed in the receiving arrangement and aligned with a second aperture defined in the base. The focusing lens aids a camera lens of the portable device in focusing on a distal tip of the optical fiber retained at the receiving arrangement. 
     The disclosure also is directed to processes for checking the performance (e.g., continuity) of optical fibers. Some example inspection processes include mounting an inspection attachment member to a smart phone; inserting a first end of the optical fiber into a receiving arrangement of the inspection attachment member to align the first end with a light source of the smart phone; activating the light source of the smart phone to shine a light along the optical fiber; and determining whether the light is visible at an opposite end of the optical fiber. 
     Certain example inspection processes include inserting an end of an optical fiber into a receiving arrangement of a smart phone attachment member to align the end with a camera lens of the smart phone; and activating the camera on the smart phone to view the opposite end of the optical fiber on a display screen of the smart phone. Certain example inspection processes include aligning the opposite end of the optical fiber with the light source of the smart phone. 
     Additional embodiments include an inspection attachment member which allows the connector to be moved relative to the camera of the portable device. 
     Additional embodiments can include providing a rotatable inspection attachment member for the connector to present the connector end face at an angle relative to the camera. 
     Additional embodiments may include capturing a photograph of the connector with the portable device. 
     Additional embodiments may include connector identification devices which can be read by the portable device. For example, RFID tags, QR codes, barcodes, electrical contact arrangements, visual tags with numbers or letters, and other indicia can be read by the portable device. For example, text or numbers or other indicia on an end face of the ferrule can be read by the camera as part of the inspection process. Additionally, or instead of, identification codes can be located on the cable including RFID tags, QR codes, barcodes, other visual indicia, or electronic codes. 
     In addition, the portable device can include a self-detection application which detects ferrule size and/or an angled ferrule face to automatically identify to the portable device the ferrule type. In some applications, ferrule polishing by different manufacturers results in a different ferrule end face profile which can be used to identify ferrule polishers and processors. 
     A multi-fiber connector can also be used with the portable device. The inspection attachment member can be provided with a lateral movement mechanism to enable inspection of each individual fiber positioned in the ferrule. 
     The portable device can complete the inspection as desired by the user, and then communicate the results via email as desired, or to the cloud. Also, the portable device can provide email support for the technician in the field who may have questions about the process and inspection. 
     In other applications, the portable device can include a dongle attached to the portable device which allows for other types of inspections or testing of the fiber optic cable and/or connector(s). For example, an OTDR, a power meter, a visual inspection camera, a bit error rate measurement device can be connected via a dongle to the portable device. The portable device can include a dongle with a remote test device. With the dongle, the portable device can be used to run a variety of testing and/or inspection applications. Portable device allows increased testing of telecommunications connectors, cables and equipment, such as with an OTDR, a power meter, a visual inspection camera, a bit error rate measurement device which are not internal to the portable device, but all of which can be managed by portable device. 
     A variety of additional inventive aspects will be set forth in the description that follows. The inventive aspects can relate to individual features and to combinations of features. It is to be understood that both the forgoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the broad inventive concepts upon which the embodiments disclosed herein are based. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the description, illustrate several aspects of the present disclosure. A brief description of the drawings is as follows: 
         FIG. 1  is a front view of an example portable device including a display screen and light source; 
         FIG. 2  is a rear view of the portable device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of a first example inspection attachment member configured in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 4  is a bottom perspective view of the inspection attachment member of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of an example securement arrangement and alignment member suitable for use with any of the inspection attachment members disclosed herein; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates two users utilizing the inspection attachment member of  FIG. 3  with the portable device of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of a second example inspection attachment member configured in accordance with the principles of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom perspective view of the inspection attachment member of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a side elevational view of the inspection attachment member of  FIG. 7  mounted to the portable device of  FIG. 1  where components disposed within an interior of a receiving arrangement of the inspection attachment member are shown; 
         FIG. 10  is a rear view of  FIG. 9  with a fiber optic cable mounted at the inspection attachment member; 
         FIG. 11  is a front view of  FIG. 10  so that the display screen is visible; and 
         FIG. 12  is a front view of an example portable device including a dongle. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to exemplary aspects of the present disclosure that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  illustrate one example portable device  100  including a body  110  having a front  101 , a rear  102 , a top  103 , and a bottom  104 . The front  101  of the portable device  100  includes a display screen  115 . The rear  102  of the portable device  100  includes a light source  118  and a camera lens  116 . The portable device  100  includes circuitry and/or software that cause images of objects viewed through the camera lens  116  to appear on the display screen  115 . The circuitry and/or software also cause the light source to emit light to illuminate the objects viewed through the camera lens  116  to improve the quality of images appearing on the display screen  115 . 
     In various implementations, the portable device  100  includes a keypad, a mouse, a controller, buttons, a microphone, and/or any other type of input interface. In certain implementations, the display screen  115  is a touch screen through which input can be provided to the circuitry and/or software of the portable device  100 . In certain implementations, the portable device  100  can include speakers and/or any other type of output interface. In some implementations, the portable device  100  includes a digital camera. In other implementations, the portable device  100  includes a smart phone. For example, the portable device  100  can include an iPhone® sold by Apple Inc. In other implementations, the portable device  100  includes a tablet computer. 
       FIGS. 3 and 4  illustrate one example inspection attachment member  120  that is configured to mount to the portable device  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The inspection attachment member  120  includes a base  121  defining an interior  122 . The base  121  is sized and shaped to fit over an end (e.g., the top  103 , the bottom  104 , etc.) of the portable device  100  so that the end of the portable device  100  is disposed within the interior  122  of the base  121 . The base  121  also defines ports  124  that provide access to ports on the portable device  100 . The base  121  may also define a cutout to inhibit blocking the display screen  115 . 
     The base  121  defines a first aperture  123  that is configured to align with the light source  118  of the portable device  100  when the inspection attachment member  120  is mounted to the portable device  100 . The inspection attachment member also includes a receiving arrangement  125  extending outwardly from the base  121 . The receiving arrangement  125  defines a first passage  126  that extends from the first aperture  123  to a distal end of the receiving arrangement  125 . The distal end of the receiving arrangement defines a connection port  127 . A securement arrangement  128  is disposed within the passage  126  to retain an optical connector inserted into the connection port  127 . In certain implementations, a fiber alignment member  129  also is disposed within the first passage  126  to align an optical fiber terminated by the optical connector with the first aperture  123 . 
     In certain implementations, the fiber alignment member  129  includes a sleeve (e.g., a split sleeve) aligned with the first aperture  123  and configured to receive a ferrule of an optical connector. In certain implementations, the securement arrangement  128  includes latching arms configured to snap over sides of the optical connector. In certain examples, the securement arrangement  128  and fiber alignment member  129  form half of an optical adapter (e.g., see  FIG. 5 ). In an example, the securement arrangement  128  and fiber alignment member  129  form half of an SC adapter. 
       FIG. 6  shows one example use for the inspection attachment member  120 . A first person P1 is situated at a first location L1 and a second person P2 is situated at a second location L2 that is spaced from the first location L1. The first person P1 is holding a portable device  100  (e.g., a smart phone) on which the inspection attachment member  120  is mounted. A first connectorized end  132  of an optical fiber cable  130  is plugged into the port  127  of the inspection attachment member  120 . The second person P2 is holding a second end  134  of the optical fiber cable  130 . In an example, the second end  134  is a connectorized end. 
     In some implementations, the first location L1 may be at a first port at which the first connectorized end  132  of the optical fiber  130  is to be plugged and the second location L2 may be at a second port (e.g., at a rack  200 ) at which the second end  134  is to be plugged, spliced, terminated, optically coupled to equipment, or optically coupled to another fiber. In certain implementations, the first and second locations L1, L2 may be located at different sides of a room. In certain implementations, the first and second locations L1, L2 may be located at different sides of a building. In certain implementations, the first and second locations L1, L2 may be located at different sides of an equipment rack. 
     In use, the first person P1 manipulates the portable device  100  to activate the light source  118 . Light emitted by the light source  118  shines through the first aperture  123  and along the receiving arrangement passage  126  towards the first connectorized end  132  of the optical fiber cable  130 . The light is carried by the optical fiber cable  130  from the first connectorized end  132  to the second end  134 . The person P2 holding the second end  134  of the optical fiber cable  130  can view the second end  134  to determine whether or not the light is visible. Such a determination checks for continuity of the optical cable. If the light is not visible or is dimmer than normal, then the optical fiber cable  130  may be damaged at one or more points along its length or may be subject to excessive bending. 
     In some implementations, the inspection of the optical fiber cable  130  is made when the optical fiber cable  130  is being installed in the field. In other implementations, the inspection of the optical fiber cable  130  can be implemented during the lifetime of the optical fiber cable  130 . For example, the ends  132 ,  134  of the optical fiber cable  130  can be unplugged from their respective ports and tested. If the inspection indicates a problem with the optical fiber cable  130 , then the cable  130  can be replaced. 
       FIGS. 7-11  illustrate another example inspection attachment member  150  configured to mount to the portable device  100  of  FIGS. 1 and 2 . The inspection attachment member  150  includes a base  151  defining an interior  152 . The base  151  is sized and shaped to fit over an end (e.g., the top  103 , the bottom  104 , etc.) of the portable device  100  so that the end of the portable device  100  is disposed within the interior  152  of the base  151 . The base  151  also defines ports  154  that provide access to ports on the portable device  100 . The base  151  may also define a cutout to inhibit blocking the display screen  115  (e.g., see  FIG. 11 ). 
     The base  151  defines a first aperture  153   a  that is configured to align with the light source  118  of the portable device  100  when the inspection attachment member  150  is mounted to the portable device  100 . The base  151  also defines a second aperture  153   b  that is configured to align with the camera lens  116  of the portable device  100  when the inspection attachment member  150  is mounted to the portable device  100 . In the example shown, the second aperture  153   b  is larger than the first aperture  153   a . In other implementations, however, the apertures  153   a ,  153   b  can be of different sizes. 
     The inspection attachment member  150  also includes a receiving arrangement  155  extending outwardly from the base  151 . The receiving arrangement  155  includes a first portion  155   a  that defines a first passage  156   a  that extends from the first aperture  153   a  to a distal end of the first portion  155   a . The distal end of the first portion  155   a  defines a first connection port  157   a  providing access to the passage  156   a . The receiving arrangement  155  also includes a second portion  155   b  that defines a second passage  156   b  that extends from the second aperture  153   b  to a distal end of the second portion  155   b . The distal end of the second portion  155   b  defines a second connection port  157   b  providing access to the passage  156   a.    
     The receiving arrangement  155  is configured to receive a first optical connector  132  at the first portion  155   a  and a second optical connector  134  at the second portion  155   b . A securement arrangement  158   a ,  158   b  is disposed within each passage  156   a ,  156   b  to retain an optical connector inserted into the connection port  157   a ,  157   b . In certain implementations, a fiber alignment member  159   a ,  159   b  also is disposed within the passages  156   a ,  156   b  to align optical fibers terminated by the optical connectors  132 ,  134  with the respective apertures  153   a ,  153   b.    
     In certain implementations, each fiber alignment member  159   a ,  159   b  includes a sleeve (e.g., a split sleeve) aligned with the respective aperture  153   a ,  153   b  and configured to receive a ferrule of an optical connector. In certain implementations, each securement arrangement  158   a ,  158   b  includes latching arms configured to snap over sides of the optical connector. In certain examples, each securement arrangement  158   a ,  158   b  and fiber alignment member  159   a ,  159   b  form half of an optical adapter (e.g., see  FIG. 7 ). In an example, the securement arrangement  158   a ,  158   b  and fiber alignment member  159   a ,  159   b  form half of an SC adapter. 
     In some implementations, the second portion  155   b  of the receiving arrangement  155  also includes a focusing lens  165  disposed in the passage  156   b  (see  FIG. 9 ). The focusing lens  165  is configured to aid the camera lens  116  to focus on the optical connector received at the second port  157   b . For example, the focusing lens  165  may aid the camera lens  116  from focusing on a distal tip of an optical fiber of the optical fiber cable  130  received at the port  157   b . In certain implementations, the second portion  155   b  of the receiving arrangement  155  is longer than the first portion  155   a  to accommodate the focusing lens  165 . 
       FIGS. 10 and 11  show one example use for the inspection attachment member  150 . A first optical connector  132  is disposed at the first port  157   a  and a second optical connector  134  is disposed at the second port  157   b . The optical fiber cable  130  carries light emitted by the light source  118  to the second port  157   b  at which the light enters the focusing lens  165  and the camera lens  116 .  FIG. 11  illustrates the display screen  115  of the portable device  100  displaying an image  160  based on the light reaching the camera lens  116 . In some implementations, the image  160  is a circle (i.e., or other shape) of light from which the continuity of the optical cable  130  can be determined. 
     In other implementations, the image  160  is a visual representation of the distal tip of the optical fiber carrying the emitted light. In certain implementations, the image  160  includes the distal tip of a ferrule holding the optical fiber. In an example, a user can view the image  160  on the display screen  115  and determine whether the ferrule and/or fiber are damaged (e.g., notched, splintered, fractured, etc.). In another example, a user can view the image  160  on the display screen  115  and determine whether any debris (e.g., dust) or other contaminants (e.g., water) are present on the fiber. In another example the inspection attachment member  150  can be utilized as discussed with reference to  FIG. 6 . 
     Additional embodiments include an inspection attachment member  120 ,  150  which allows the connector  132 ,  134  to be moved relative to the camera of the portable device  100 . For example, moving the connector in a plane parallel to the camera will allow for more precise positioning of the connector for inspection or other operations. Alternatively, or in addition to, the connector may be moved axially relative to the camera toward and away from the camera for more precise positioning of the connector for inspection. 
     Additional embodiments can include providing a rotatable inspection attachment member  120 ,  150  for the connector to present the connector end face at an angle relative to the camera. 
     Additional embodiments may include capturing a photograph of the connector with the portable device  100 . The photograph can include additional text added by the user. An application within the portable device may grade the connector based on the visual image as read by the camera. Alternatively, or in addition to, the user may apply a grade to the photograph of the connector. The data associated with the photograph including date, time, location, grade, and other information can be stored with the photograph on the portable device, or sent away to a cloud-based application. 
     Additional embodiments may include connector identification devices which can be read by the portable device  100 . For example, RFID tags, QR codes, barcodes, electrical contact arrangements, visual tags with numbers or letters, and other indicia can be read by the portable device. For example, text or numbers or other indicia on an end face of the ferrule can be read by the camera as part of the inspection process. Additionally, or instead of, identification codes can be located on the cable including RFID tags, QR codes, barcodes, other visual indicia, or electronic codes. 
     In addition, the portable device can include a self-detection application which detects ferrule size and/or an angled ferrule face to automatically identify to the portable device the ferrule type. In some applications, ferrule polishing by different manufacturers results in a different ferrule end face profile which can be used to identify ferrule polishers and processors. 
     A multi-fiber connector can also be used with the portable device  100 . The inspection attachment member  120 ,  150  can be provided with a lateral movement mechanism to enable inspection of each individual fiber positioned in the ferrule. Such indexing can be manual, or it can be automated with a mechanical device which provides precise indexing for each fiber. 
     The portable device  100  can complete the inspection as desired by the user, and then communicate the results via email as desired, or to the cloud. Also, the portable device can provide email support for the technician in the field who may have questions about the process and inspection. 
     In other applications, the portable device  100  can include a dongle attached to the portable device which allows for other types of inspections or testing of the fiber optic cable and/or connector(s). For example, an OTDR, a power meter, a visual inspection camera, a bit error rate measurement device can be connected via a dongle to the portable device. In  FIG. 12 , portable device  100  includes a dongle  208  with a remote test device  210 . Dongle  208  connects with connection  212  at port  214  of portable device  100 . A cable  216  connects test device  210  to connection  212 . Test device  210  is illustrated as connecting to first connector  232 . First connector  232  can be tested or inspected as needed by device  210 . First connector  232  can be connected with a cable  230  to a second connector  234 . Cable  230  and connector  234  can be tested as desired with device  210 . Second connector  234  can be connected to telecommunications equipment  240  for testing of equipment  240 . 
     With the dongle  208 , portable device  100  can be used to run a variety of testing and/or inspection applications. The results can be recorded in device  100  and/or sent from device  100  to another device or the cloud. Portable device  100  allows increased testing of telecommunications connectors, cables and equipment, such as with an OTDR, a power meter, a visual inspection camera, a bit error rate measurement device which are not internal to portable device  100 , but all of which can be managed by portable device  100 . 
     The above specification, examples and data provide a complete description of the manufacture and use of the composition of the invention. Since many embodiments of the invention can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, the invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.