Abstract:
The invention relates to an optical zooming system for use on fusion splicers. The system may include a lens, camera, and a zooming mechanism, which allows the camera and the lens to move relative to each other. The zooming mechanism may be set to a “zoom out” configuration for aligning the cores of fibers. The zooming mechanism may also be set to a “zoom in” configuration for adjusting fibers with a large diameter.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/760,336, filed Feb. 4, 2013., in the United States Patent and Trademark Office, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field 
         [0003]    The invention relates to an optical zooming system for use on fusion splicers. 
         [0004]    2. Related Art 
         [0005]    The background information provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventor, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure. 
         [0006]    Due to the development of optical fiber industries, fusion splicers need to handle a much larger range of fiber diameter (for example, 30 μm to 3 mm). The camera system needs to have: a very large field of view (for example, 3 mm) to see the entire large fiber; a very high resolution (for example, 0.1 μm) to align fiber cores; and moderate cost for industrial applications. Camera chips with a 3 mm FOV and 0.1 μm resolution (900 M pixel) are not available in the market. Therefore, there is a need to develop an optical zooming system for advanced fusion splicers. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0007]    Exemplary implementations of the present invention address at least the above problems and/or disadvantages and other disadvantages not described above. Also, the present invention is not required to overcome the disadvantages described above, and an exemplary implementation of the present invention may not overcome any of the problems listed above. 
         [0008]    An embodiment of the invention is an optical zooming system for splicing fibers together which has a lens to view an image of the fibers, a camera which captures an image of the fibers for aligning cores of the fibers, and a zooming mechanism which facilitates movement of the lens and the camera during a transition between a zoom in configuration and a zoom out configuration. 
         [0009]    Other features of the embodiment may include a flex cable attached to the camera which sends data from the camera to a computer, a rotation device which switches the optical zooming apparatus between the zoom in configuration and the zoom out configuration, a lens holder attached to the lens and slidably attached to the zooming mechanism, a camera holder attached to the camera and slidably attached to the zooming mechanism, and a base which supports the zooming mechanism. 
         [0010]    Other features of the embodiment may include the rotation device having a link mechanism which switches the optical zooming apparatus between the zoom in configuration and the zoom out configuration when the link mechanism is rotated, a first attachment bar which attaches the lens holder to the link mechanism, and a second attachment bar which attaches the camera holder to the link mechanism. Other features of the embodiment may include the rotation device also having a motor attached to the link mechanism which automates the switching of the optical zooming apparatus between the zoom in configuration and the zoom out configuration. 
         [0011]    Other features of the embodiment may include a configuration base attached to the base, a guide rail attached to the configuration base, a focus bracket base attached to the configuration base, an intermediate base attached to the focus bracket base, and stoppers attached to the intermediate base which adjusts the movement of the lens holder and the camera holder. Other features of the embodiment may include the zooming mechanism having a fine adjust motor attached to the intermediate base, wherein the fine adjust motor adjusts the position of the intermediate base, which uses the stopper to adjust the position of the lens holder and the camera holder, along the focus bracket base to adjust the focus of the image produced in the lens. 
         [0012]    Other features of the embodiment may include a second camera positioned at 90 degrees relative to the camera which provides a second image of the plurality of optical fibers to further align the cores of the fibers. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING 
         [0013]      FIG. 1   a  is an exemplary embodiment of an optical zooming device  1  in a “zoom out” configuration. 
           [0014]      FIG. 1   b  is an exemplary embodiment of an optical zooming device  1  in a “zoom in” configuration. 
           [0015]      FIG. 1   c  is an exemplary embodiment of an image taken of an optical fiber  10  and an optical fiber  17  when the optical zooming device  1  is in a “zoom out” configuration. 
           [0016]      FIG. 1   d  is an exemplary embodiment of an image taken of an optical fiber  10  and an optical fiber  17  when the optical zooming device  1  is in a “zoom in” configuration. 
           [0017]      FIG. 2   a  is an exemplary embodiment of a rotated view of an optical zooming device  1  in a “zoom out” configuration. 
           [0018]      FIG. 2   b  is an exemplary embodiment of a rotated view of an optical zooming device  1  in a “zoom in” configuration. 
           [0019]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary embodiment of a diagram of the optical zooming device  1  in a “zoom out” configuration. 
           [0020]      FIG. 4   a  is an exemplary embodiment of a zooming mechanism  5  in an optical zooming device  1 , which is in a “zoom out” configuration. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4   b  is an exemplary embodiment of a zooming mechanism  5  in an optical zooming device  1 , which is in a “zoom in” configuration. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0022]    The following detailed description is provided to assist the reader in gaining a comprehensive understanding of the methods, apparatuses and/or systems described herein. Various changes, modifications, and equivalents of the systems, apparatuses and/or methods described herein will suggest themselves to those of ordinary skill in the art. Descriptions of well-known functions and structures are omitted to enhance clarity and conciseness. 
         [0023]    The terms used in the description are intended to describe embodiments only, and shall by no means be restrictive. Unless clearly used otherwise, expressions in a singular from include a meaning of a plural form. In the present description, an expression such as “comprising” or “including” is intended to designate a characteristic, a number, a step, an operation, an element, a part or combinations thereof, and shall not be construed to preclude any presence or possibility of one or more other characteristics, numbers, steps, operations, elements, parts or combinations thereof. 
         [0024]    Referring to the drawings,  FIG. 1   a  is an exemplary embodiment of an optical zooming device  1  in a “zoom out” configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, the “zoom out” configuration is used for adjusting large diameter fibers. The optical zooming device  1  comprises a lens  2 , a camera  3 , a rotation device  4  having a rotation bar  7 , a zooming mechanism  5 , and a base  6 . In an exemplary embodiment, the lens  2  allows a user to view the optical fibers. In an exemplary embodiment, the camera  3  acts as an imaging device for taking a picture of the optical fibers being viewed. In an exemplary embodiment, a second camera (not shown) is positioned at a 90 degree angle relative to the position of the camera  3  in order to provide a second image of the fibers to further align the cores in the fibers. 
         [0025]    In an exemplary embodiment, each of the fibers are held by v-recessed blocks, which is number 52 in a conventional fiber splicer as in FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,903, which is herein incorporated by reference. In an exemplary embodiment, the rotation device  4  allows a user to change the optical zooming device  1  from a “zoom in” configuration to a “zoom out” configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, if the link mechanism  7  is rotated by 180° in a clockwise direction along its length relative to its current display in  FIG. 1   a,  then the optical zooming device  1  will convert to a “zoom in” configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, the zooming mechanism  5  stabilizes and is attached to the lens  2 , camera  3 , and the rotation device  4 . In an exemplary embodiment, both the camera  3  and the rotation device  4  are slideably attached to the zooming mechanism. In an exemplary embodiment, the zooming mechanism  5  allows for changing the “zoom” configuration when the rotation device  4  is operated. In an exemplary embodiment, the base  6  is attached to the zooming mechanism  5 . In an exemplary embodiment, the base  6  or a computer processes data generated by the camera  3  through a flex cable  8 . In an exemplary embodiment, the flex cable provides power to the camera  3 . In an exemplary embodiment, two fiber optic cables are spliced by attaching each of the two fiber optic cables to v-recessed blocks at opposite ends of the camera  3 , adjusting the optical zooming device  1  from a “zoom in” configuration to a “zoom out” configuration, using the image produced by the lens  2  to align the cores of the two fiber optic cables, and splicing the two fibers by using a splicer. 
         [0026]      FIG. 1   b  is an exemplary embodiment of an optical zooming device  1  in a “zoom in” configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, the “zoom in” configuration is used for core alignment for two fibers being spliced. In an exemplary embodiment, the link mechanism  7  is attached to a first attachment bar  11  and a second attachment bar  13 . In an exemplary embodiment, when the link mechanism  7  is rotated from a “zoom out” configuration, as shown in  FIG. 1   a,  to a “zoom in” configuration, as shown in  FIG. 1   b,  the second attachment bar  13  moves away from the lens  2  in conjunction with the camera  3 , and the first attachment bar  11  moves away from the camera  3  in conjunction with the lens  2 . In an exemplary embodiment, a sensor  14  and a sensor shaft  15  are unengaged. In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor  14  and the sensor shaft  15  magnetically engage with each other in the “zoom out” configuration, as shown but not labeled in  FIG. 1   a.  In an exemplary embodiment, the sensor shaft  15  and the shaft  16  allow for the link mechanism  7  to maintain its shape. Thus, In an exemplary embodiment, the link mechanism  7  resists bending when in operation. In an exemplary embodiment, a motor shaft  12  is provided as an attachment for a motor (not shown). In an exemplary embodiment, the motor (not shown) allows for mechanical switching between a “zoom out” configuration and a “zoom in” configuration. 
         [0027]      FIG. 1   c  is an exemplary embodiment of an image taken of an optical fiber  10  and an optical fiber  17  when the optical zooming device  1  is in a “zoom out” configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, the “zoom out” configuration allows for a user to readily identify an alignment of core  18  and core  19  of the optical fiber  17  and the optical fiber  10  respectively. In an exemplary embodiment, the optical fiber  17  and the optical fiber  10  are transparent. In an exemplary embodiment, a light (see FIG. 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 6,799,903) illuminates the transparent optical fiber  17  and the transparent optical fiber  10 . In an exemplary embodiment, illuminating the optical fiber  17  and the optical fiber  10  shows an image of the core  18  and the core  19 . 
         [0028]      FIG. 1   d  is an exemplary embodiment of an image taken of an optical fiber  10  and an optical fiber  17  when the optical zooming device  1  is in a “zoom in” configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, the area covered allows for fibers with comparatively large diameters in relation to the fiber  10  and fiber  17  to be aligned. In an exemplary embodiment, the diameter of fiber  10  and fiber  17  is 125 μm. 
         [0029]      FIG. 2   a  is an exemplary embodiment of a rotated view of an optical zooming device  1  in a “zoom out” configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, the zooming mechanism  5  includes a fine adjust motor  21  that mechanically adjusting the focus of an image produced in the lens  2 . In an exemplary embodiment, the zooming mechanism  5  also comprises a stopper  22  and a stopper  23  that engage with a lens holder  27  and a camera holder  28  respectively when the optical zooming device  1  is in a “zoom in” configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, a motor  25  is connected to the motor shaft  12  and mechanically controls the rotation device (not shown) to put the optical zooming device  1  in a “zoom in” configuration or a “zoom out” configuration. 
         [0030]      FIG. 2   b  is an exemplary embodiment of a rotated view of an optical zooming device  1  in a “zoom in” configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, the stopper  22  engages with the lens holder  27  and the stopper  23  (not shown) engages with the camera holder  28  to prevent unwanted movement. In an exemplary embodiment, the stopper  24  engages with the lens holder  27  and the camera holder  28  when the optical zooming device is in a “zoom out” configuration so that the lens holder  27  and the camera holder  28  do not contact each other. 
         [0031]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary embodiment of a diagram of the optical zooming device  1  in a “zoom out” configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, the direction arrows  30  show the distances that the lens  2 , the camera  3 , the lens holder  27 , and the camera holder  28  are designed to travel along the top of the intermediate base  32 . In an exemplary embodiment, lens bearings  31   a  and camera bearings  31   b  allow for the lens  2  and the camera  3  respectively to move across the top of the intermediate base  32 . In an exemplary embodiment, the fine adjust bearings  31   c  allow for the intermediate base  32  to move relative to the focus bracket base  33  in order to adjust the focus of an image created in the lens  2 . In an exemplary embodiment, the fine adjust motor shown in  FIG. 2   a  uses the fine adjust bearings  31   c  and the intermediate base  32  to adjust the focus of an image created in the lens  2 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 4   a  is an exemplary embodiment of a zooming mechanism  5  in an optical zooming device  1 , which is in a “zoom out” configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, the zooming mechanism  5  includes a configuration base  41 , a configuration rail  42 , an intermediate base  32 , and a focus bracket base  33 . In an exemplary embodiment, the configuration base  41  is attached to the base  6 . In an exemplary embodiment, the guide rail  42  is attached to the configuration base  41 . In an exemplary embodiment, the lens holder  27  and the camera holder  28  are slidably attached to the guide base. In an exemplary embodiment, the lens holder  27  and the camera holder  28  slide along the intermediate base  32  using lens bearings (not shown) and camera bearings (not shown) when the optical zooming device  1  is switched between a “zoom out” configuration and a “zoom in” configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, the focus bracket base  33  is attached to the configuration base  41 . In an exemplary embodiment, the intermediate base  32  is slidably attached to the focus bracket base  33 . In an exemplary embodiment, stopper  22 , stopper  23 , and stopper  24  are attached to the intermediate base  32 . In an exemplary embodiment, a fine adjust motor (not shown) adjusts the position of the intermediate base  32 , which uses the stopper  24  to adjust the position of the lens holder  27  and the camera holder  28 , which adjusts the focus of the image produced in the lens  2 . 
         [0033]      FIG. 4   b  is an exemplary embodiment of a zooming mechanism  5  in an optical zooming device  1 , which is in a “zoom in” configuration. In an exemplary embodiment, a fine adjust motor (not shown) adjusts the position of the intermediate base  32 , which uses the stopper  22  and the stopper  23  to adjust the position of the lens holder  27  and the camera holder  28 , which adjusts the focus of the image produced in the lens  2 .