Abstract:
The present invention discloses an optical fiber coupling system controlling an optical fiber coupling device, and the system is characterized by a manufacturing process controlling device. With the present invention, the coupling ratio of the optical fibers to be coupled can be modulated via a window interface unit. Thus, the system provides real-time information and convenient modulation of the optical fiber coupling device simultaneously and clearly.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0002]    The present invention relates to an optical fiber coupling system, and particularly to a system controlling an optical fiber coupling device.  
           [0003]    2. Description of the Related Art  
           [0004]    Generally, it is necessary to distribute a signal stream for use in optical fiber transmission. For example, a signal may be distributed to a number of terminals, or a signal stream with consecutive signals transmitted in an optical fiber may be respectively sent to different terminals. In this case, it is required to apply an optical fiber coupling device for coupling a plurality of optical fibers.  
           [0005]    [0005]FIG. 1 shows a basic structure of a conventional optical fiber coupling device. The conventional optical fiber coupling device has a guide track  50  and two stretching blocks  10 . Each stretching block  10  has a vacuum pedestal  60  and a power output mechanism  70  for moving the stretching block  10 . Each of the stretching blocks  10  is movably installed onto the guide track  50 . Then the optical fibers  40  (two as illustrated) are fixed in place on the vacuum pedestal  60 , and the stretching blocks  10  move on the guide track  50  by the power output mechanism  70  such as a linear movement driver. The two stretching blocks  10  are relatively linearly movable forming a stretching device so that optical fibers  40  to be coupled are drawn by the vacuum pedestals  60  in a manner of weaving or in parallel contact for stretching. Further, the device  100  has a heating device  20  that movably focuses heat on the weaving node (contact node)  40   a  by conducting inflammable gas, such as hydrogen, so that the optical fibers fuse together by the combined stretching force and heat. Finally, the packaging device  30  packs the contact node  40 a with a package element, such as a steel tube, to protect the contact node  40   a.    
           [0006]    In FIG. 1, the optical fiber coupling device is provided with plural devices for driving to control the devices described above. The plural devices include a first, a second and a third auto-control devices  11 ,  21  and  31  provided inside, and first and a second activating devices  22  and  32 . The function of these plural devices will be described hereinafter.  
           [0007]    When receiving a first driving signal DS 1 , the first auto-control device  11  moves the stretching blocks  10  to a predetermined position according to a first moving parameter MVP 1 , and produces a first state parameter STP 1  corresponding to the moving of the stretching blocks  10  by a position sensor (not shown) of the stretching blocks  10 . The first moving parameter MVPl includes a stretching block position parameter, and a stretching block speed parameter, each for defining the desired state, that is, the desired position and moving speed of the stretching blocks  10 .  
           [0008]    When receiving a second driving signal DS 2 , the second auto-control device  21  moves the heating device  20  to a predetermined position according to a second moving parameter MVP 2 , and produces a second state parameter STP 2  corresponding to the moving of the heating device  20  by a position sensor (not shown) of the heating device  20 . The second moving parameter MVP 2  includes a heating device position parameter, and a heating device speed parameter, each for defining the desired position and moving speed of the heating device  20 .  
           [0009]    When receiving a third driving signal DS 3 , the third auto-control device  31  moves the packaging device  30  to a predetermined position according to a third moving parameter MVP 3 , and produces a third state parameter STP 3  corresponding to the moving of the packaging device  30  by a position sensor (not shown) of the packaging device  30 . The third moving parameter MVP 3  includes a packaging device position parameter, and a packaging device speed parameter, each for defining the desired position and moving speed of the packaging device  30 .  
           [0010]    The first activating device  22  drives the heating device  20  to perform the heat focusing operation according to a heating parameter FP when receiving a first activating signal TS 1 . The hydrogen flow rate, for example, can be modulated by the heating parameter FP, so that heat produced varies.  
           [0011]    The second activating device  32  drives the packaging device  30  to perform the packaging when receiving a second activating signal TS 2 .  
           [0012]    When the optical fiber performs the signal stream distribution, the signal distributed has different intensity distribution conditions according to requirements. The distribution generally represents a coupling ratio, which is a scale of signal intensity of the output end of the optical fiber in proportion. By controlling the stretching force in fusing the contact node, the position and optical characteristics of the coupled optical fibers can be varied. Thus, the stretching process and the heating condition greatly affect the coupling result of the optical fiber.  
           [0013]    Generally, the optical fiber coupling device has a transmission checking device  80  for measuring the coupling ratio. In FIG. 1, for example, a light input signal S 1  is provided to the input end  41  of the optical fiber, and the corresponding light output signals S 2 , S 3  are received from the output ends  42 , 43 . Thus, a heat energy ratio between the output signals S 2  and S 3  is obtained.  
           [0014]    In practical use, if a signal from the input end  41  is to be distributed to the output ends  42 ,  43 , the coupling ratio can be modulated to a certain proportion, such as 50%:50%, 60%:40%, or 90%:10%. If two signals Sa and Sb with different wavelength are respectively directed to each of the output ends  42  and  43 , the coupling ratio can be set to such as 0%:100% for Sa, and 100%:0% for Sb.  
           [0015]    The transmission checking device  80  provides a light input signal according to a digital light coupling input value CDi to the input end  41 , receives at least two corresponding light output signals (not shown) from the output ends  42 ,  43 , and produces at least two digital light coupling output values CDo corresponding to the light output signals.  
           [0016]    The optical fiber coupling device as mentioned above requires a manufacturing process controlling device to accurately perform the optical fiber coupling. However, in the conventional optical fiber coupling system, there is a drawback in that no convenient user interface exists. As a result, a user cannot modulate the parameters and check the state of the manufacturing process easily, which reduces the efficiency in reaction to any possible condition occurring in the conventional optical fiber coupling system.  
         SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0017]    In view of this, the present invention discloses an optical fiber coupling system, comprising at least an optical fiber coupling device for coupling at least two optical fibers so that a contact node forms on the optical fibers, the contact node comprising at least an input end and at least two output end.  
           [0018]    The optical fiber coupling device in the present invention comprises: a stretching device having two relatively linearly movable stretching blocks for stretching the optical fibers to be coupled by relative linear movement; a heating device for movably fusing the contact node by a heat focusing operation; a packaging device for movably packaging the contact node; a first auto-control device that, when receiving a first driving signal, moves the stretching blocks to a determined position according to a first moving parameter and producing a first state parameter corresponding to the moving of the stretching blocks; a second auto-control device that, when receiving a second driving signal, moves the heating device to a determined position according to a second moving parameter and producing a second state parameter corresponding to the moving of the heating device; a third auto-control device that, when receiving a third driving signal, moves the packaging device to a determined position according to a third moving parameter and producing a third state parameter corresponding to the moving of the packaging device; a first activating device that, when receiving a first activating signal, drives the heating device to perform the heat focusing operation according to a heating parameter; a second activating device that, when receiving a second activating signal, drives the packaging device to perform the packaging; and a transmission checking device for providing a light input signal, according to a digital light coupling input value, to the input end of the contact node, receiving at least two corresponding light output signals from the output ends of the contact node, and producing at least two digital light coupling output values corresponding to the light output signals.  
           [0019]    The optical fiber coupling system is characterized in a manufacturing process controlling device comprising: a display; a computing unit for respectively computing a light coupling output ratio according to each of the light coupling output values of the output ends to obtain at least a coupling ratio; a process control unit for changing the first, second and third moving parameters and the heat parameter according to a first setup parameter, and coupling the optical fibers by producing the first driving signal in a first period, the second driving signal in a second period, the third driving signal in a third period, the first activating signal in a fourth period, and the second activating signal in a fifth period according to the coupling ratios and a second setup parameter, so that each of the coupling ratios respectively becomes a predetermined coupling ratio; a first setup unit for directly modulating the first, second and third moving parameters, and modulating the first setup parameter; a second setup unit for modulating the second setup parameter; a third setup unit for modulating the coupling ratio; a test unit for producing the digital light coupling input value; and an interface unit for displaying information in the form of window interface on the display, wherein the information comprises the first, second and third moving parameters, the first, second and third state parameters, the first and second setup parameters, the heating parameter, the coupling ratio, and the predetermined coupling ratio.  
           [0020]    In the above optical fiber coupling system, the first period, the second period, the third period and the fourth period partially overlap, and the manufacturing process controlling device can be in a computer.  
           [0021]    Each of the first, second and third moving parameters comprises a plurality of position parameters and speed parameters of a predetermined moving position of the stretching blocks, the heating device and the packaging device.  
           [0022]    The first setup parameter comprises starting position parameters corresponding to origin positions of the stretching blocks, a stretching speed parameter defined by a speed of the stretching blocks in stretching the optical fibers, a heat energy parameter corresponding to energy applied in the focusing heat process of the heating device, and a package position parameter corresponding to a package position of the packaging device.  
           [0023]    The process control unit reproduces the first driving signal in a sixth period. The second setup parameter comprises a heating delay parameter related to a first delay corresponding to a difference between commencement of the first period and commencement of the fourth period, and a cooling delay parameter related to a second delay corresponding to a difference between conclusion of the fourth period and commencement of the sixth period.  
           [0024]    The second setup parameter further comprises a pre-coupling parameter related to a pre-coupling ratio, and the process control unit controls the conclusion of the fourth period in accordance with variation of the coupling ratio so that the heating device stops focusing heat on the optical fibers when the coupling ratio reaches the pre-coupling ratio.  
           [0025]    The manufacturing process controlling device further comprises a login unit for defining at least one linking correlation controlling any of the optical fiber coupling devices.  
           [0026]    The manufacturing process controlling device further comprises a storage device having a first database for storing the first and second setup parameters, the heating parameter, the first, second and third moving parameters, and the predetermined coupling ratio. The storage device has a second database for storing the first, second and third state parameters and the coupling ratio change in a sequence of time.  
           [0027]    The manufacturing process controlling device comprises a first checking device for comparing the light coupling input value with the light coupling output values according to a first standard value to obtain a corresponding first checking data. The storage device comprises a third database for storing the first standard value, and a fourth database for storing the first checking data.  
           [0028]    The manufacturing process controlling device comprises a second checking device for producing the predetermined first, second and third moving parameters and the first, second and third driving signals according to a predetermined second standard value, and checking the first, second and third state parameters to obtain a corresponding second checking data. The second checking device performs the checking when no optical fibers are installed in the optical fiber coupling device.  
           [0029]    The storage device comprises a fifth database for storing the second standard value, and a sixth database for storing the second checking data.  
           [0030]    The manufacturing process controlling device comprises a third checking device for checking input and output of the plurality of signals between the manufacturing process controlling device and the optical fiber coupling device to obtain a corresponding third checking data. The storage device comprises a seventh database for storing the third standard value, and a eighth database for storing the third checking data.  
           [0031]    The manufacturing process controlling device comprises a monitoring device for monitoring any of the linking correlations to obtain a corresponding fourth checking data. The storage device comprises a ninth database for storing the fourth checking data.  
           [0032]    The manufacturing process controlling device comprises a data locking device for performing a locking process of the first and second setup parameter, the heating parameter, the first, second and third moving parameters, and the coupling ratio of any of the optical fiber coupling devices. The locking process comprises a password setting process. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0033]    The present invention can be more fully understood by reading the subsequent detailed description in conjunction with the examples and references made to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
         [0034]    [0034]FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a conventional optical fiber coupling device;  
         [0035]    [0035]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the optical fiber coupling system of the present invention;  
         [0036]    [0036]FIGS. 3 a  to  3   c  are schematic views of the interface unit of an embodiment of the present invention; and  
         [0037]    [0037]FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the first to the sixth period of an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
       [0038]    [0038]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the optical fiber coupling system of an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, it is characterized that the manufacturing process controlling device  200  controls the optical fiber coupling device  100 , which is substantially identical to the conventional optical fiber coupling device  100  in FIG. 1. Therefore, the elements and the characteristics of the optical fiber coupling device  100  is not repeatedly described.  
         [0039]    The manufacturing process controlling device  200  of this embodiment of the present invention has a display  210 , a first setup unit  221 , a second setup unit  222 , a third setup unit  223 , a computing unit  224 , a process control unit  225 , a test unit  226 , and an interface unit  230 .  
         [0040]    The interface unit  230  provides a window interface on the display  210  for displaying information in the window interface on the display  210 . Thus, the user controls and monitors the manufacturing process performed in the optical fiber coupling device  100 .  
         [0041]    The computing unit  221  respectively calculates a light coupling output ratio according to each of the light coupling output values CDo of the output ends  42 ,  43  to obtain at least a coupling ratio CR, which is of a major parameter in the optical fiber coupling process.  
         [0042]    The process control unit  225  changes the first, second and third moving parameters MVP 1 , MVP 2  and MVP 3 , and the heat parameter FP according to a first setup parameter SP 1 . A user can directly modulate the first setup parameter SP 1 , which contains a plurality of data. Preferably, the first setup parameter SP 1  comprises starting position parameters SP 11  corresponding to origin positions of the stretching blocks, a stretching speed parameter SP 12  defined by a speed of the stretching blocks in stretching the optical fibers, a heat energy parameter SP 13  corresponding to energy applied in the focusing heat process of the heating device, and a package position parameter SP 14  corresponding to a package position of the packaging device.  
         [0043]    Further, the process control unit  225  couples the optical fibers by producing the first driving signal DS 1  in a first period, the second driving signal DS 2  in a second period, the third driving signal DS 3  in a third period, the first activating signal TS 1  in a fourth period, and the second activating signal TS 2  in a fifth period according to the coupling ratio CR and a second setup parameter SP 2 , so that each of the coupling ratio CR becomes a predetermined coupling ratio PCR. The first to fifth periods are shown in FIG. 4, in which the first period, the second period, the third period and the fourth period partially overlap. That is, devices can simultaneously operate in the coupling process of the optical fibers  40 .  
         [0044]    The second setup parameter SP 2  contains complicated parameters and data, and will be discussed later.  
         [0045]    The first setup unit  221  is for the user to directly modulate the first, second and third moving parameters MVP 1 , MVP 2  and MVP 3 , and the first setup parameter SP 1  via the interface unit  230 . In addition, the second setup unit  222  is for the user to modulate the second setup parameter SP 2 ; and the third setup unit  223  is used for the user to modulate the predetermined coupling ratio PCR in the format of, for example, percentage.  
         [0046]    Further, the test unit  226  is used for producing the digital light coupling input value CDi.  
         [0047]    The manufacturing process controlling device  200  is preferably provided in a computer (not shown), and the parameters and data transmission utilize the input/out port of the computer, and a conventional communication standard, such as RS232. The display  210  is also the computer display, and the user modulates the setup parameters SP 1 , SP 2  by an input device, such as keyboard and mouse, of the computer.  
         [0048]    The interface unit  225  displays information on the display, in which the information preferably comprises the first, second and third moving parameters MVP 1 , MVP 2  and MVP 3 , the first, second and third state parameters STP 1 , STP 2  and STP 3 , the first and second setup parameters SP 1  and SP 2 , the heating parameter FP, the coupling ratio CR, and the predetermined coupling ratio PCR.  
         [0049]    The second setup parameter SP 2  will be described hereinafter in detail.  
         [0050]    The second setup parameter SP 2  in the present embodiment includes various data and parameters, which preferably comprise a heating delay parameter SP 21 , a cooling delay parameter SP 22 , and a pre-coupling parameter SP 23 .  
         [0051]    The heating delay parameter SP 21  relates to a first delay DT 1 , as shown in FIG. 4, corresponding to a difference between commencement of the first period and commencement of the fourth period. That is, the heating device  20  does not operate until a period of the first delay DT 1  passes after the stretching blocks  10  are activated. Thus, the optical fibers  40  are pre-stretched before heating, and desired coupling will be achieved.  
         [0052]    The cooling delay parameter SP 22  relates to a second delay DT 2 , as shown in FIG. 4, corresponding to a difference between conclusion of the fourth period and commencement of the sixth period, in which the process control unit  225  reproduces the first driving signal in the sixth period. That is, the optical fibers  40  are heated, and a period of the second delay DT 2  passes, so that the contact node  40   a  is somewhat cooled, and the stretching process continues to achieve the predetermined coupling ratio. This cooling delay prevents fractures in the heating optical fibers  40 .  
         [0053]    The pre-coupling parameter SP 23  relates to a pre-coupling ratio ACR, generally set lower than the predetermined coupling ratio PCR, and the process control unit  225  controls the conclusion of the fourth period in accordance with variation of the coupling ratio CR so that the heating device  20  stops focusing heat on the optical fibers  40  when the coupling ratio reaches the pre-coupling ratio. This also prevents fracture occurs in the heating optical fibers  40 .  
         [0054]    Further, additional devices in the present invention will be hereinafter disclosed.  
         [0055]    The manufacturing process controlling device  200  further comprises a login unit  240  for defining at least one linking correlation, such as a network linkage, controlling any of the optical fiber coupling devices  100 .  
         [0056]    Preferably, the manufacturing process controlling device  200  further comprises a storage device  250  having a first database  251 , a second database  252 , a third database  253 , a fourth database  254 , a fifth database  255 , a sixth database  256 , a seventh database  257 , a eighth database  258 , and a ninth database  259 .  
         [0057]    The first database  251  stores the first and second setup parameters SP 1 , SP 2 , the heating parameter FP, the first, second and third moving parameters MVP 1 , MVP 2  and MVP 3 , and the predetermined coupling ratio PCR.  
         [0058]    The second database  252  stores the first, second and third state parameter STP 1 , STP 2  and STP 3 , and the coupling ratio change in a sequence of time.  
         [0059]    The manufacturing process controlling device  200  comprises a first checking device  261  for comparing the light coupling input value with the light coupling output values according to a first standard value C 1  to obtain a corresponding first checking data TD 1 . The third database  253  stores the first standard value C 1 , and the fourth database  254  stores the first checking data TD 1 .  
         [0060]    The manufacturing process controlling device  200  further comprises a second checking device  262  for producing the predetermined first, second and third moving parameters MVP 1 , MVP 2  and MVP 3 , and the first, second and third driving signals DS 1 , DS 2  and DS 3  according to a predetermined second standard value C 2 , and checking the first, second and third state parameters STP 1 , STP 2  and STP 3  to obtain a corresponding second checking data TD 2 . The second checking device  262  performs the checking in a state that no optical fibers  40  are installed in the optical fiber coupling device  100 . The fifth database  255  stores the second standard value C 2 , and the sixth database  256  stores the second checking dataTD 2 .  
         [0061]    The manufacturing process controlling device  200  further comprises a third checking device  263  for checking input and output of the plurality of signals between the manufacturing process controlling device  200  and the optical fiber coupling device  100  according to a predetermined third standard value C 3  to obtain a corresponding third checking data TD 3 . The seventh database  257  stores the third standard value C 3 , and the eighth database  258  stores the third checking data TD 3 .  
         [0062]    The manufacturing process controlling device  200  comprises a monitoring device  270  for monitoring any of the linking correlations to obtain a corresponding fourth checking data TD 4 . The ninth database  259  stores the fourth checking data TD 4 .  
         [0063]    Further, the manufacturing process controlling device  200  comprises a data locking device  241  for performing a locking process of the first and second setup parameter SP 1 , SP 2 , the heating parameter FP, the first, second and third moving parameters MVP 1 , MVP 2  and MVP 3 , and the predetermined coupling ratio CR of any of the optical fiber coupling devices  100 . The locking process comprises a password setting process.  
         [0064]    Display of the interface unit  230  in the embodiment of the present invention can be referred to FIG. 3 a,  FIG. 3 b  and FIG. 3 c.    
         [0065]    While the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the described embodiments or constructions. On the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and similar arrangements as would be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and similar arrangements.