Patent Description:
A conventional passive optical network (PON) includes one or more optical line terminals (OLTs) at a central location connecting to one or more optical network terminals (ONTs) at respective customer premises. A PON is typically implemented using a point-to-multipoint topology in which a feeder optical fiber from an OLT serves multiple ONTs via respective distribution optical fibers. Typically, the feeder optical fiber is optically coupled to distribution optical fibers for respective ones of the ONTs in a fiber distribution hub (FDH) using an optical splitter and a bulkhead having a plurality of optical couplers. Over time, as distribution optical fibers are connected, disconnected, reconnected via different ports, etc. to a bulkhead, it may become increasingly difficult for a service technician to know which ports of a bulkhead are active, connected, provisioned, available for use, etc. Today, a service technician must disconnect, unplug, etc. an optical fiber and connect it to a light meter to determine whether the optical fiber is carrying an optical signal. Such a process may be time-consuming and may reduce technician efficiencies. Further, service technicians may erroneously attempt to repair a service by placing the optical fiber of a customer experiencing service disruptions into a working optical coupler, which was unknowingly providing service to a different customer. This may result in service disruptions. <CIT> discloses a system for monitoring a signal on an optical fiber.

Accordingly, there is a need for passive optical couplers that can provide an indication of the status of their ports. Moreover, there is a need for systems and methods for collecting information regarding optical connections in a PON. Furthermore, there is a need for systems and methods for mapping optical connections in a PON.

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a system according to claim <NUM>.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method according to claim <NUM>.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium according to claim <NUM>.

The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views, together with the detailed description below, are incorporated in and form part of the specification, and serve to further illustrate examples of concepts that include the claimed invention, and explain various principles and advantages of those examples.

For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of the present disclosure.

The apparatus and method components have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding examples of the present disclosure so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein.

Although the figures show parts with clean lines and boundaries, some or all of these lines and/or boundaries may be idealized. In reality, the boundaries and/or lines may be unobservable, blended, and/or irregular. Use of terms such as up, down, top, bottom, side, end, front, back, etc. herein are used with reference to a currently considered or illustrated orientation. If they are considered with respect to another orientation, it should be understood that such terms must be correspondingly modified.

Disclosed examples of the disclosure provide a number of advantages over existing passive optical networks (PONs) that do not include the example passive optical couplers disclosed herein. For example, because active ports can be detected with disclosed examples, the occurrence of inadvertent disconnections of an active and currently working service can be reduced. Such inadvertent disconnections can result in a service call, which can cost a network provider hundreds of dollars. Moreover, by reducing inadvertent disconnections, customer satisfaction can be increased, at least because the customer isn't asked to factory reset their modem in an unfruitful and unnecessary attempt to restore service before initiating a service call. Such factory resets are frustrating to customers as they may require the customer to reconfigure their modem (e.g., the setup a WiFi network). Furthermore, the resources of a fiber distribution hub (FDH) can be conserved by, for example, allowing passive optical couplers that are not currently being used but are still connected to an unused distribution optical fiber to be identified and reassigned. Still further, the labor costs associated with provisioning and/or repairing a service to a customer can be reduced by the automatic ability to detect an active passive optical coupler for use in provisioning or repairing the service. Such problems may be exacerbated overtime by the inevitable development of a "rats nest" of cabling in an FDH due to numerous connections, re-connections, disconnections, etc. of optical fibers to passive optical couplers. Such conditions may make it extremely difficult to identify what is connected to what, what is active, what is inactive or unused, etc..

While examples of the disclosure are directed to using example passive optical activity indicators of example passive optical couplers of a fiber distribution hub (FDH) in a passive optical network (PON) to map optical connections of the FDH, persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the disclosure may be used to map connections in other systems and/or network. For example, images of active port indicators may be taken and processed to determine a map of connections in active networks and/or systems. For example, images of a plurality of link activity indicators of an Ethernet switch/hub may be captured and processed to detect and map active/connected ports. For instance, activity of Ethernet devices may be controlled (e.g., by controlling a pattern of sending packets on a port), and images of an Ethernet switch may be used to identify which Ethernet devices are connected to which ports.

Reference will now be made in detail to non-limiting examples, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of an example system <NUM> including an example PON <NUM> constructed in accordance with the disclosure. The example PON <NUM> includes one or more optical line terminals (OLTs) (one of which is designated at reference numeral <NUM>) at a central location (e.g., at a central office <NUM>) connecting to one or more optical network terminals (ONTs) (two of which are designated at reference numerals 106A and 106B) at respective customer premises (two of which are designated at reference numerals 108A and 108B). The ONTs 106A, 106B may be located outside and/or inside the customer premises 108A, 108B. In some examples herein, an optical terminal refers to an OLT or an ONT.

The example PON <NUM> is implemented using a point-to-multipoint topology in which a feeder optical fiber <NUM> from the OLT <NUM> (sometimes called an F1 optical fiber) serves the one or more ONTs 106A, 106B via respective distribution optical fibers 112A, 112B (sometimes called F2 optical fibers). While in the illustrated example, there is one feeder optical fiber <NUM> feeding the distribution optical fibers 112A, 112B via a single optical splitter <NUM>, the PON <NUM> may include additional feeder optical fibers and optical splitters for a plurality of additional customer premises. Moreover, a PON may include a plurality of FDHs.

In the illustrated example, the feeder optical fiber <NUM> is optically coupled to the plurality ONTs 106A, 106B via an example <NUM>-to-many optical splitter <NUM> disposed, located, implemented, etc. in an example FDH <NUM>. In some examples, the FDH <NUM> is located within a geographic area (e.g., a neighborhood) such that the customer premises 108A, 108B are close to the FDH <NUM>.

There may be multiple points along these paths where one optical fiber is connected to another optical fiber. For example, to provide for dynamic (e.g., changeable) connections, the example FDH <NUM> includes a distribution means having a plurality of coupling means for coupling optical fibers. In this example, this distribution means is a bulkhead <NUM> of the FDH <NUM>, and the couplings means are implemented by passive optical couplers (two of which are designated at reference numerals 120A and 120B) of the bulkhead <NUM>, but other structures are likewise appropriate. In the illustrated example, a plurality of optical fibers (two of which are designated at reference numerals 122A and 122B) from the optical splitter <NUM> are typically connected to respective first ports of the passive optical couplers 120A, 120B. In some examples, the optical fibers 122A, 122B are connected to the first ports of the passive optical couplers 120A, 120B on a backside of the bulkhead <NUM>, when looking into the FDH <NUM> from the front. The distribution optical fibers 112A, 112B are connected to respective second ports of the passive optical couplers 120A, 102B. In some examples, the distribution optical fibers 112A, 112B are connected to the second ports of the passive optical couplers 120A, 120B on a front side of the bulkhead <NUM>, when looking into the FDH <NUM> from the front. While in the illustrated example, there is a single bulkhead <NUM>, an FDH may have any number of bulkheads. Moreover, a bulkhead may provide for connecting optical fibers associated with more than one optical splitter.

In the illustrated example of <FIG>, the passive optical couplers 120A, 120B are passive devices. That is, the example passive optical couplers 120A, 120B do not need, require, utilize, generate and/or otherwise use any form of electrical power. Instead, as will be discussed below, the passive optical couplers 120A, 120B include only passive components.

Over time, as distribution optical fibers 112A, 112B are connected to the bulkhead <NUM> (e.g., to provision a service to an ONT, to reconnect an ONT to a different coupler, etc.) and/or disconnected (e.g., to de-provision a service to an ONT, troubleshoot a service to an ONT, etc.), it may become increasingly difficult for a service technician working at the FDH <NUM> to know, determine, identify, detect, etc. which ports of the bulkhead <NUM> are active, connected, provisioned, available for use, etc. In some instances, grid maps for an FDH are managed manually and, thus, are often inaccurate and/or incomplete. Today, a service technician must disconnect, unplug, etc. an optical fiber and connect it to a light meter to determine whether the optical fiber is carrying an optical signal.

To provide one or more indications regarding the status of its ports, the example passive optical couplers 120A, 120B each include an indicating means for indicating port status. In this example, the indicating means is implemented by an example passive optical activity indicator <NUM>, but other structures are likewise appropriate. The example passive optical activity indicators <NUM> passively and externally expose a portion of the light propagating in one or both optical fibers connected to a respective passive optical coupler 120A, 120B. Thus, light exposed by a passive optical activity indicator <NUM> can be externally detected (e.g., visually, using a light meter, using a sensor, using an image sensor, etc.), and used to determine whether an optical fiber connected to a passive optical coupler 120A, 120B is actually carrying a propagating optical signal.

An example passive optical coupler <NUM> that may be used to implement the example passive optical couplers 120A, 120B are described below in connection with <FIG>.

In some examples, an optical terminal (e.g., the OLT <NUM> and/or the ONTs 106A, 106B) includes a light transmitting means for selectively multiplexing, injecting, transmitting, etc. indication light into an optical fiber according to a particular pattern. In this example, the light transmitting means is implemented by a light source to transmit light according to a pattern, and/or an optical multiplexer (e.g., see <FIG>), but other structures are likewise appropriate. When the pattern with which an optical terminal transmits indication light is unique to the optical terminal, then light exposed by the passive optical indicator <NUM> can be used to uniquely identify an optical terminal connected (e.g., optically coupled) to a passive optical coupler 120A, 120B. Moreover, when two optical terminals are connected via a passive optical coupler 120A, 120B and each transmit indication light according to a respective unique pattern, then light exposed by the passive optical indicator <NUM> can be used to identify whether neither, one, or both of the optical terminals are actually connected (e.g., optically coupled) to the passive optical coupler 120A, 120B. In some examples, an optical terminal selectively transmits indication light into an optical fiber in response to a received control signal.

In some examples, the indication light transmitted into an optical fiber is in addition to or instead of other light propagating in the optical fiber associated with providing a service to an ONT. The indication light may be transmitted by multiplexing first light having a first wavelength associated with providing the communication service with second light having a different second wavelength associated with providing an activity indication. Light exposed by the passive optical indicator <NUM> associated with the second wavelength may be used to determine and/or identify whether an optical terminal is coupled to a passive optical coupler 120A, 120B. In some examples, a device (e.g., an image sensor) used to detect light emitted by a passive optical activity indicator <NUM> is tuned, adjusted, configured, etc. to detect light having the second wavelength and to block light having the first wavelength.

In some examples, the indication light transmitted into an optical fiber is at a wavelength visible to a person and blinks at a rate that can be perceived by the person such that the person can visually look at a passive optical activity indicator <NUM> and determine whether a passive optical coupler 120A, 120B is connected to a particular optical terminal. In some examples, indication light is simultaneously transmitted into an optical fiber by two different optical terminals using a wavelength visible to a person and with intertwined blink patterns such that a person can determine that both optical terminals are connected to a passive optical coupler 120A, 120B when the light exposed by a passive optical activity indicator <NUM> is substantially steady. In such examples, when the passive optical activity indicator <NUM> blinks, the person can visually determine that only one of the optical terminals is connected to the passive optical coupler 120A, 120B. Moreover, if the optical terminals blink their indication light at different rates (e.g., one slow and one fast), then the rate of blinking may be visually detected by the person and used to identify which optical terminal is connected to the passive optical coupler 120A, 120B.

In some examples, the pattern by which indication light is transmitted into an optical fiber is based on a unique identifier (e.g., a device identifier, a serial number, a MAC address, etc.). That is, the transmitted indication light can convey an encoded identifier. For example, whether indication light is active or inactive during each of a plurality of time periods can be determined based on the value of a respective bit of an encoded identifier. In such examples, the encoded identifier may include a preamble that can be used to identify, detect, etc. the start of an encoded identifier in transmitted indication light.

In some examples, an optical terminal (e.g., the OLT <NUM> and/or the ONTs 106A, 106B) transmits indication light into an optical fiber in response to control signals received from a computing device. For example, control signals may be received from a computing device <NUM> (e.g., a laptop, a computer, a tablet, a mobile phone, etc.) associated with a service technician. In some examples, the device <NUM> controls an optical terminal via the PON <NUM>, via a network <NUM> such as the Internet or a private network, and/or by direct interaction with the optical terminal (e.g., via a hotspot provided by the optical terminal, a service port of the optical terminal, etc.). Additionally and/or alternatively, control signals may be received from a server <NUM> that is used to manage the PON <NUM> via the PON <NUM>, the network <NUM>, etc..

To collect, obtain, etc. information representing optical connections of the FDH <NUM>, the example FDH <NUM> includes an imaging means for capturing images of the bulkhead <NUM>. In this example, the imaging means is implemented by one or more image sensors, imaging devices, cameras, etc. <NUM>, but other structures are likewise appropriate. The image sensor <NUM> captures images of the passive optical activity indicators <NUM> of the bulkhead <NUM> falling within a field of view <NUM> of the image sensor <NUM>. As discussed below in connection with <FIG>, the image sensor <NUM> may be mounted on a door of the FDH <NUM> such that the image sensor <NUM> is opposite the bulkhead <NUM> when the door is closed. In such examples, the image sensor <NUM> may be close to the bulkhead <NUM> when the door is closed. Accordingly, more than one image sensor <NUM> may be required to capture images of all of the passive optical activity indicators <NUM> of the bulkhead <NUM>. In some examples, the image sensor(s) <NUM> are configured to capture images a frame rate that exceeds (e.g., at least twice) the rate at which light sources change their transmitted indication light. As discussed below in connection with <FIG>, the image sensor(s) <NUM> may be associated with a computing device <NUM> that includes, among other things, a processing means for controlling the image sensor(s) <NUM>, a storage means for storing images captured by the image sensor(s) <NUM>, and a communicating means for communicating, providing, etc. stored image to another computing device (e.g., the computing devices <NUM>, <NUM>). When indication light is transmitted into an optical fiber by multiplexing first light having a first wavelength associated with providing a communication service with second light having a different second wavelength associated with providing an activity indication, the image sensor(s) <NUM> may be configured to sense light at the second wavelength and to filter out light at the first wavelength.

To map optical connections of the FDH <NUM>, the example system <NUM> includes a computing means for processing image data of the images captured of the bulkhead <NUM> for determining which of the plurality of passive optical couplers 120A, 120B are receiving optical signals on one or more of their ports. In this example, the computing means is a processor platform such as the server <NUM>, but other structures are likewise appropriate. As will be described in more detail below in connection with the flowchart <NUM> of <FIG>, the server <NUM> may configure one or more optical terminals (e.g., the OLT <NUM> and/or the ONTs 106A, 106B) of the PON <NUM> to transmit indication light into respective optical fibers, control the FDH <NUM> (e.g., the image sensor(s) <NUM> via the computing device <NUM>) to capture one or more images of the bulkhead <NUM> of the FDH <NUM>, and process image data for the images to determine which passive optical activity indicators <NUM> are emitting light and the pattern(s) of emitted light. Based on these, or other, determinations, the server <NUM> may identify which passive optical couplers 120A, 120B are connected to which optical terminals. In some examples, the server <NUM> uses the identifications to fill in one or more entries of an electronic grid map <NUM> of the FDH <NUM> that represents the connections of particular optical terminals to particular ports of particular passive optical couplers 120A, 120B.

The example electronic grid map <NUM> may be a table that contains a plurality of rows for respective ones of the passive optical couplers 120A, 120B, with each row including, possibly among other entries, an entry to identify the passive optical coupler 120A, 120B (e.g., coordinates of the location of the passive optical coupler 120A, 120B on the bulkhead <NUM>), an entry to indicate whether and/or which feeder optical fiber <NUM> is connected to the passive optical coupler 120A, 120B, and an entry to indicate whether and/or which distribution optical fiber 112A, 112B is connected to the passive optical coupler 120A, 120B. In some examples, the electronic grid map <NUM> is accessible by a service technician via a user interface provided by either or both of the computing devices <NUM>, <NUM>. The electronic grip map <NUM> may be stored on any storage means. In this example, the storage means in any number and/or type(s) of computer-readable storage medium, disk or device, such as memory <NUM> and/or database <NUM> of <FIG>, but other structures are likewise appropriate.

<FIG> is a perspective view of an example passive optical coupler <NUM> that may be used to implement the example passive optical couplers 120A, 120B of <FIG>, in accordance with the disclosure. <FIG> is another perspective view of the example passive optical coupler <NUM>. <FIG> is an end view of an end the example passive optical coupler <NUM>. <FIG> is a side view of the example passive optical coupler <NUM>. <FIG> is a top view of the example passive optical coupler <NUM>. <FIG> is a side cross-section view of the example passive optical coupler <NUM> taken along line 2F-2F of <FIG>.

The example passive optical coupler <NUM> of <FIG> includes a housing <NUM> in which two receiving means are defined on opposite ends of the housing <NUM>. In this example, the receiving means are ports, openings, receptacles, female connectors, etc. <NUM> and <NUM> defined in the housing <NUM> and configured, adapted, etc. for receiving and securing connectors at ends of respective optical fibers, but other structures are likewise appropriate. In some examples, the ports <NUM>, <NUM> are configured to receive SC fiber optic connectors.

In the illustrated example, the optical fibers, when their respective connectors are received in the ports <NUM>, <NUM>, are optical coupled by an indicating means. In this example, the indicating means is a pane <NUM> of passive optical material disposed at least partially within the housing <NUM> and generally in the middle of the housing <NUM> between the ports <NUM>, <NUM>, but other structures are likewise appropriate. The pane <NUM> may be used to implement the example passive optical activity indicators <NUM> of <FIG>. When connectors of the optical fibers are received in respective ports <NUM>, <NUM>, ends of the optical fibers come into optical contact with respective sides, surfaces or planes of the pane <NUM>, and become optically coupled thereby.

At least a portion of light propagating in one or both of the optical fibers will propagate between the optical fibers via the pane <NUM>. An additional portion of light propagating in one or both of the optical fibers will propagate through and/or within the pane <NUM> and be emitted out of the optical coupler <NUM> through an opening <NUM> defined in the housing <NUM>. In some examples, only one decibel (<NUM> dB) of optical loss is introduced between the optical fibers by the example pane <NUM>. In some examples, the pane <NUM> includes an angled surface (not shown) to direct light in the pane <NUM> through the opening <NUM>. An example angle is <NUM> degrees.

In the illustrated example, the ports <NUM>, <NUM> of the passive optical coupler <NUM> may have a respective ferrule <NUM>, <NUM> to position and secure optical ends of the optical fibers within the passive optical coupler <NUM> relative to the pane <NUM> to provide a stable optical coupling.

As shown, the passive optical coupler <NUM> may include mounting means for securing the passive optical coupler <NUM> to a bulkhead (e.g., the bulkhead <NUM>). In this example, the mounting means includes one or more tabs <NUM> with mounting holes <NUM>, and/or one or more spring tabs <NUM>, but other structures are likewise appropriate. In the illustrated example, the passive optical coupler <NUM> is configured to be mounted front-to-back to the face of a bulkhead with the opening <NUM> and pane <NUM> exposed frontward from the bulkhead. The port <NUM> may face backwards from the face of the bulkhead to receive an optical fiber from a splitter (e.g., the splitter <NUM>), and the port <NUM> may face forward from the face of the bulkhead to receive a distribution optical fiber (e.g., one of the distribution optical fibers 112A, 112B). In some examples, the passive optical coupler <NUM> may be secured to the face of the bulkhead with screws, bolts, etc. through the openings <NUM> in the tabs <NUM> into or through the face of the bulkhead. Additionally and/or alternatively, the spring tabs <NUM> may be used to secure the face of the bulkhead between the spring tabs <NUM> and the tabs <NUM>.

While an example method of exposing a portion of a passive optical activity indicator (e.g., the pane <NUM>) is illustrated in <FIG>, persons of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other methods of exposing a portion of a passive optical activity indicator may be used. For example, an edge or end of the pane <NUM> may be exposed through the housing <NUM>, an end of the pane <NUM> may extend through and beyond a surface of the housing <NUM>, etc..

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of an example optical terminal <NUM> that may be used to implement at least a portion of the example OLT <NUM> and/or the example ONTs 106A, 106B. To send data to and/or receive data from a customer's equipment, the example optical terminal <NUM> includes any number and/or type(s) interface transceivers <NUM>. Example interface transceivers <NUM> include an Ethernet transceiver, a WiFi transceiver, a telephone service interface, etc..

To convert between optical signals propagating on an optical fiber <NUM> and digital signals for and/or from the interface transceiver(s) <NUM>, the example optical terminal <NUM> includes any type of optical-to-electrical (O/E) converter <NUM>.

To generate indication light <NUM> for detection at a passive optical activity indicator, the example optical terminal <NUM> includes an example light source <NUM>. The example light source <NUM> selectively generates the indication light <NUM> responsive to control signals from a controller <NUM>. The light source <NUM> may be configured to generate indication light <NUM> according to a prescribed pattern. Example patterns include, as described above, a blinking rate and duty cycle, an encoding with a unique identifier, etc. In some examples, a wavelength associated with the indication light <NUM> is selected to be different from a wavelength associated with providing a service via the O/E converter <NUM> and the interface transceiver(s) <NUM>.

Control of the light source <NUM> by the controller <NUM> may be responsive to control signals received from another device such as a laptop, a computer, a mobile phone, etc. associated with a service technician (e.g., the computing device <NUM>), a server used to manage a PON (e.g., the server <NUM>), etc. The signals may be received, for example, via a PON (e.g., via the optical fiber <NUM>), via a network such as the Internet or a private network, via direct interaction with the optical terminal (e.g., via a hotspot provided by the optical terminal, a service port of the optical terminal, etc.), etc..

An example optical multiplexer <NUM> multiplexes the indication light <NUM> onto to the optical fiber <NUM> together with service light <NUM> associated with providing a service via the O/E converter <NUM> and the interface transceiver(s) <NUM>.

<FIG> is a diagram of an example FDH <NUM> that may be used to implement the example FDH <NUM> of <FIG>. The example FDH <NUM> includes a cabinet <NUM> that may be mounted to, for example, a concrete pad. The FDH <NUM> includes a door <NUM> for selectively opening and closing the FDH <NUM>. The door <NUM> may include a lock for securing the FDH <NUM> from tampering by unauthorized persons.

As shown, the example FDH <NUM> includes the example bulkhead <NUM> of <FIG> including the plurality of passive optical couplers 120A, 120B each having a respective passive optical activity indicator <NUM>. As described above, the passive optical couplers 120A, 120B are mounted front-to-back to a face of the bulkhead <NUM> such that a port <NUM> of each passive optical coupler 120A, 120B (e.g., the example port <NUM> of <FIG>) is exposed frontward from the bulkhead <NUM> to receive a distribution optical fiber.

The example FDH <NUM> includes the example computing device <NUM> of <FIG> and one or more image sensors <NUM>. In the example of <FIG>, the image sensor(s) <NUM> are mounted to the door <NUM> of the FDH <NUM> such that, when the door <NUM> is closed, fields of view <NUM> of the image sensors <NUM> include one or more of the passive optical activity indicators <NUM>, as shown. In general, the number of image sensors <NUM> depends on the dimensions of the FDH <NUM>, and the dimensions of the fields of view <NUM> of the image sensor(s) <NUM>. In some examples, the fields of view <NUM> overlap to accommodate the routing of optical fibers in front of the passive optical couplers 120A, 120B that may sometimes block a view of a particular passive optical activity indicator <NUM> by a particular image sensor <NUM>.

To detect whether the door <NUM> of the FDH <NUM> is closed, the example FDH <NUM> may include a relay <NUM> configured to trip, for example, when the door <NUM> is closed. In such examples, the computing device <NUM> may, responsive to the relay <NUM>, cause the image sensors <NUM> to capture one or more images of the passive optical activity indicators <NUM> of the bulkhead <NUM>, and store the captured images for subsequent conveyance to another computing device such as the server <NUM>.

As shown, the FDH <NUM> may include any number and/or type(s) of cable rails <NUM> for managing the orderly routing of optical fibers within the cabinet <NUM>.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> representative of an example method for verifying the connection of an optical terminal to an FDH (e.g., one of the example FDHs <NUM>, <NUM>). The example method of <FIG> may be carried out by, for example, a service technician during the connection of an optical terminal to an FDH.

The example flowchart <NUM> begins with the identification of an optical fiber connected at a first end to an optical terminal (e.g., one of the ONTs 106A, 106B) (block <NUM>), and the coupling of what is believed to be a second end of the optical fiber to a passive optical coupler in an FDH (block <NUM>). A light source of the optical terminal is configured to transmit indication light into the optical fiber, for example, according to a prescribed pattern (block <NUM>). Light is detected (e.g., visually, using a light meter, etc.) at the passive optical activity indicator of the passive optical coupler (block <NUM>). If indication light is detected (block <NUM>), the coupling of the optical terminal to the passive optical coupler is confirmed and control exits from the example flowchart <NUM>.

If indication light is not detected (block <NUM>), troubleshooting of the coupling of the optical terminal to the passive optical coupler may be performed (block <NUM>), and control may return to block <NUM> to detect light.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> representative of an example method for provisioning an ONT to an FDH (e.g., one of the example FDHs <NUM>, <NUM>). The example method of <FIG> may be carried out by, for example, a service technician during the provisioning and/or repair of a service for a customer.

The example flowchart <NUM> begins with configuring a light source at an OLT to transmit indication light into an optical fiber, for example, according to a prescribed pattern (block <NUM>). A first passive optical coupler is selected or identified (e.g., based on a grid map of the FDH to determine to which passive optical coupler a customer is supposedly connected to and/or is supposed to be connected to) (block <NUM>). Light is detected (e.g., visually, using a light meter, etc.) at the passive optical activity indicator of the passive optical coupler (block <NUM>). If indication light is detected (block <NUM>), the coupling of the OLT to the passive optical coupler is confirmed. If indication light is not detected (block <NUM>), then control returns to block <NUM> to identify another passive optical coupler (block <NUM>). The process of blocks <NUM>-<NUM> may be repeated until a passive optical coupler actively coupled to the OLT is identified.

If the passive optical coupler is (supposedly) connected to the customer's ONT (e.g., based on a distribution optical fiber being connected to the passive optical coupler) (block <NUM>), a light source at the customer's ONT is configured to transmit indication light into an optical fiber, for example, according to a prescribed pattern (block <NUM>). Light is detected (e.g., visually, using a light meter, etc.) at the passive optical activity indicator of the passive optical coupler (block <NUM>). If indication light is detected (block <NUM>), the coupling of the OLT to the customer's ONT via the passive optical coupler is confirmed, and control exits from the example flowchart <NUM>.

If indication light is not detected (block <NUM>), troubleshooting of the coupling of the customer's ONT to the passive optical coupler may be performed (block <NUM>) and control may return to block <NUM> to detect light.

Returning to block <NUM>, if the passive optical coupler is not connected to the customer's ONT (e.g., based on a distribution optical fiber not being connected to the passive optical coupler) (block <NUM>), then a distribution optical fiber (supposedly) associated with the customer's ONT is identified and coupled to the passive optical coupler (block <NUM>), and control proceeds to block <NUM> to verify the connection.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> representative of an example method for identifying a passive optical coupler coupled to an optical terminal. The example method of <FIG> may be carried out by, for example, a service technician during the provisioning and/or repair of a service for a customer. Additionally and/or alternatively, the method of <FIG> may be performed by a computing device to automatically identify associations of optical terminals and passive optical couplers.

The example flowchart <NUM> begins with a light source at an optical terminal being configured to transmit indication light into an optical fiber, for example, according to a prescribed pattern (block <NUM>). A first passive optical coupler is selected or identified (e.g., based on a grid map of the FDH to determine to which optical terminal is supposedly connected to and/or is supposed to be connected to) (block <NUM>). Light is detected (e.g., visually, using a light meter, etc.) at the passive optical activity indicator of the passive optical coupler (block <NUM>). If indication light is detected (block <NUM>), the coupling of the optical terminal to the passive optical coupler is confirmed and the optical terminal may be associated with the passive optical coupler in, for example, the example electronic grid map <NUM> of <FIG>.

If indication light is not detected (block <NUM>), control returns to block <NUM> to identify another passive optical coupler.

<FIG> is a flowchart <NUM> representative of an example method for automatically mapping optical connections in an FDH (e.g., one of the FDHs <NUM>, <NUM>). The method of <FIG> may be performed by a computing device such as the example server <NUM>.

The example flowchart <NUM> begins with a computing device configuring light sources associated with one or more optical terminals to transmit indication light into respective optical fibers according to respective patterns (block <NUM>). At block <NUM>, one or more image sensors of the FDH are configured to capture one or more images of a bulkhead of the FDH (block <NUM>).

The one or more images are accessed (block <NUM>). For example, the FDH can communicate the images to the computing device via a network.

A passive optical coupler is selected (block <NUM>), and one or more of the captured images that include the selected passive optical coupler are processed to determine whether any light is being exposed by the passive optical activity indicator of the selected passive optical coupler (block <NUM>). If light is detected (block <NUM>), then the computing device processes the one or more of the captured images that include the selected passive optical coupler to identify a first light source of a first optical terminal that is transmitting light according to a detected pattern of light (block <NUM>), and identify a second light source of a second optical terminal that is transmitting light according to a detected pattern of light (block <NUM>). The computing device updates an electronic grid map of the FDH to associate the first and second optical terminals with the passive optical coupler (block <NUM>).

If there are more passive optical couplers to process (block <NUM>), control returns to block <NUM> to select a next passive optical coupler.

Returning to block <NUM>, if no indication light is detected (block <NUM>), control proceeds to block <NUM> to determine if there are more passive optical couplers to process.

<FIG> is a block diagram representative of an example logic circuit capable of implementing, for example, one or more components of the example server <NUM>, an optical terminal (e.g., any of the OLT <NUM>, the ONTs 106A, 106B and/or the optical terminal <NUM>), and/or the example computing system <NUM>. The example logic circuit of <FIG> is a processing platform <NUM> capable of executing instructions to, for example, implement operations of the example methods described herein, as may be represented by the flowcharts of the drawings that accompany this description. Other example logic circuits capable of, for example, implementing operations of the example methods described herein include a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a programmable logic device (PLD), and a field programmable logic device (FPLD). The processing platform <NUM> may be, for example, a server, a computer, a workstation, a laptop, a mobile device (e.g., a cell phone, a smart phone, a tablet such as an IPAD™), or any other type of computing device or system.

The example processing platform <NUM> of <FIG> includes one or more processors <NUM>, memory <NUM>, one or more network interfaces <NUM>, one or more input/output (I/O) interfaces <NUM>, and/or one or more databases <NUM>, all of which are interconnected via an address/data bus <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> of the illustrated example is hardware, and may be a semiconductor based (e.g., silicon based) device. The processor <NUM> may be, for example, one or more programmable microprocessors, controllers, digital signal processors (DSP), graphics processing units (GPU) and/or any suitable type of programmable processor capable of executing instructions to, for example, implement operations of the example methods described herein. Additionally and/or alternatively, the processor <NUM> may be a field programmable gate array (FPGA), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), etc. that implements operations of the example methods described herein without executing instructions.

The memory <NUM> is accessible by the processor <NUM> (e.g., via a memory controller). The example processor <NUM> interacts with the memory <NUM> to obtain, for example, machine-readable instructions stored in the memory <NUM> corresponding to, for example, the operations represented by the flowcharts of this disclosure. The example processor <NUM> may also interact with the memory <NUM> to store data, such as data formed or used during execution of machine-readable instructions. Example memory <NUM> includes any number and/or type(s) of volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory, machine-readable storage medium, devices or disks, such as a semiconductor memory, magnetically readable memory, optically readable memory, a hard disk drive (HDD), a solid-state drive (SSD), a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (RAM), a redundant array of independent disks (RAID) system, a cache, flash memory, or any other storage medium, device or disk in which information may be stored for any duration (e.g., permanently, for an extended time period, for a brief instance, for temporarily buffering, for caching of the information, etc.). Additionally and/or alternatively, machine-readable instructions corresponding to the example operations described herein may be stored on one or more volatile or non-volatile, non-transitory, machine-readable removable storage media (e.g., a compact disc (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD), Blu-ray disk, removable flash memory, etc.) that may be coupled to the processing platform <NUM> to provide access to the machine-readable instructions stored thereon.

The example processing platform <NUM> of <FIG> includes one or more communication interfaces such as, for example, the one or more network interfaces <NUM>, and/or the one or more input/output (I/O) interfaces <NUM>. The communication interface(s) enable the processing platform <NUM> of <FIG> to communicate with, for example, another device, system, etc. (e.g., the OLT <NUM>, the ONTs 106A, 106B, the computing device <NUM>, the sever <NUM>, the computing device <NUM>, etc.), datastore, database, and/or any other machine.

The example processing platform <NUM> of <FIG> includes the network interface(s) <NUM> to enable communication with other machines (e.g., the OLT <NUM>, the ONTs 106A, 106B, the computing device <NUM>, the sever <NUM>, the computing device <NUM>, etc.) via, for example, one or more networks such as the PON <NUM> and/or the network <NUM>. The example network interface(s) <NUM> may be used to implement the example interface transceiver(s) <NUM>. The example network interface <NUM> includes any suitable type of communication interface(s) (e.g., wired and/or wireless interfaces) configured to operate in accordance with any suitable communication protocol(s). Example network interfaces <NUM> include a TCP/IP interface, a WiFi™ transceiver (e.g., according to the IEEE <NUM>. 11x family of standards), an Ethernet transceiver, a cellular transceiver, a satellite transceiver, an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) transceiver, a digital subscriber line (DSL) modem, a coaxial cable modem, a dialup modem, or any other suitable interface based on any other suitable communication protocols or standards.

The example, processing platform <NUM> of <FIG> includes the input/output (I/O) interface(s) <NUM> (e.g., a Bluetooth® interface, a near-field communication (NFC) interface, a universal serial bus (USB) interface, a serial interface, an infrared interface, a PCI express interface, etc.) to enable the processor <NUM> to communicate with peripheral I/O devices and/or other communication systems. For example, the I/O interface(s) <NUM> may be used to control and receive image data from the image sensor(s) <NUM>, control a light source <NUM>, enable receipt of user input (e.g., from a touch screen, a keyboard, a navigation device such as mouse, touch pad, joystick or trackball, a microphone, a button, etc.) and communication of output data (e.g., visual indicators, instructions, data, images, etc.) to the user (e.g., via a display, a speaker, a printer, a communication interface, an antenna, etc.). The I/O interface(s) <NUM> typically include a graphics driver card, graphics driver chip and/or graphics driver processor to drive a display when a display is present.

In some examples, the processing platform <NUM> also includes, or is otherwise communicatively coupled to, a database <NUM> or other data storage mechanism (one or more of a HDD, optical storage drive, solid state storage device, CD, CD-ROM, DVD, Blu-ray disk, RAID, etc.). In the illustrated example, the database <NUM> may store the example electronic grid map <NUM>.

The above description refers to a block diagram of the accompanying drawings. Alternative implementations of the example represented by the block diagram includes one or more additional or alternative elements, processes and/or devices. Additionally or alternatively, one or more of the example blocks of the diagram may be combined, divided, re-arranged or omitted. Components represented by the blocks of the diagram are implemented by hardware, software, firmware, and/or any combination of hardware, software and/or firmware. In some examples, at least one of the components represented by the blocks is implemented by a logic circuit. As used herein, the term "logic circuit" is expressly defined as a physical device including at least one hardware component configured (e.g., via operation in accordance with a predetermined configuration and/or via execution of stored machine-readable instructions) to control one or more machines and/or perform operations of one or more machines. Examples of a logic circuit include one or more processors, one or more coprocessors, one or more microprocessors, one or more controllers, one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more hardware accelerators, one or more special-purpose computer chips, and one or more system-on-a-chip (SoC) devices. Some example logic circuits, such as ASICs or FPGAs, are specifically configured hardware for performing operations (e.g., one or more of the operations described herein and represented by the flowcharts of this disclosure, if such are present). Some example logic circuits are hardware that executes machine-readable instructions to perform operations (e.g., one or more of the operations described herein and represented by the flowcharts of this disclosure, if such are present). Some example logic circuits include a combination of specifically configured hardware and hardware that executes machine-readable instructions. The above description refers to various operations described herein and flowcharts that may be appended hereto to illustrate the flow of those operations. Any such flowcharts are representative of example methods disclosed herein. In some examples, the methods represented by the flowcharts implement the apparatus represented by the block diagrams. Alternative implementations of example methods disclosed herein may include additional or alternative operations. Further, operations of alternative implementations of the methods disclosed herein may combined, divided, re-arranged or omitted. In some examples, the operations described herein are implemented by machine-readable instructions (e.g., software and/or firmware) stored on a medium (e.g., a tangible machine-readable medium) for execution by one or more logic circuits (e.g., processor(s)). In some examples, the operations described herein are implemented by one or more configurations of one or more specifically designed logic circuits (e.g., ASIC(s)). In some examples the operations described herein are implemented by a combination of specifically designed logic circuit(s) and machine-readable instructions stored on a medium (e.g., a tangible machine-readable medium) for execution by logic circuit(s).

As used herein, each of the terms "tangible machine-readable medium," "non-transitory machine-readable medium" and "machine-readable storage device" is expressly defined as a storage medium (e.g., a platter of a hard disk drive, a digital versatile disc, a compact disc, flash memory, read-only memory, random-access memory, etc.) on which machine-readable instructions (e.g., program code in the form of, for example, software and/or firmware) are stored for any suitable duration of time (e.g., permanently, for an extended period of time (e.g., while a program associated with the machine-readable instructions is executing), and/or a short period of time (e.g., while the machine-readable instructions are cached and/or during a buffering process)). Further, as used herein, each of the terms "tangible machine-readable medium," "non-transitory machine-readable medium" and "machine-readable storage device" is expressly defined to exclude propagating signals. That is, as used in any claim of this patent, none of the terms "tangible machine-readable medium," "non-transitory machine-readable medium," and "machine-readable storage device" can be read to be implemented by a propagating signal.

In the foregoing specification, specific examples have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure. Additionally, the described examples should not be interpreted as mutually exclusive, and should instead be understood as potentially combinable if such combinations are permissive in any way. In other words, any feature disclosed in any of the aforementioned examples may be included in any of the other aforementioned examples.

The claimed invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application.

Moreover in this document, relational terms such as first and second, top and bottom, and the like may be used solely to distinguish one entity or action from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions. The terms "comprises," "comprising," "has", "having," "includes", "including," "contains", "containing" or any other variation thereof, are intended to cover a non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains a list of elements does not include only those elements but may include other elements not expressly listed or inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. An element proceeded by "comprises. a", "includes. a", "contains. a" does not, without more constraints, preclude the existence of additional identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises, has, includes, contains the element. The terms "a" and "an" are defined as one or more unless explicitly stated otherwise herein. The terms "substantially", "essentially", "approximately", "about" or any other version thereof, are defined as being close to as understood by one of ordinary skill in the art, and in one non-limiting example the term is defined to be within <NUM>%, in another example within <NUM>%, in another example within <NUM>% and in another example within <NUM>%. The term "coupled" as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically. A device or structure that is "configured" in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

For example, "A, B or C" refers to any combination or subset of A, B, C such as (<NUM>) A alone, (<NUM>) B alone, (<NUM>) C alone, (<NUM>) A with B, (<NUM>) A with C, (<NUM>) B with C, and (<NUM>) A with B and with C. As used herein, the phrase "at least one of A and B" is intended to refer to any combination or subset of A and B such as (<NUM>) at least one A, (<NUM>) at least one B, and (<NUM>) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, the phrase "at least one of A or B" is intended to refer to any combination or subset of A and B such as (<NUM>) at least one A, (<NUM>) at least one B, and (<NUM>) at least one A and at least one B.

The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in various examples for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed examples require more features than are expressly recited in each claim.

Use of "a" or "an" are employed to describe elements and components of the examples herein. This is done merely for convenience and to give a general sense of the description. This description, and the claims that follow, should be read to include one or at least one and the singular also includes the plural unless it is obvious that it is meant otherwise. A device or structure that is "configured" in a certain way is configured in at least that way, but may also be configured in ways that are not listed.

Further, as used herein, the expressions "in communication," "coupled" and "connected," including variations thereof, encompasses direct communication and/or indirect communication through one or more intermediary components, and does not require direct mechanical or physical (e.g., wired) communication and/or constant communication, but rather additionally includes selective communication at periodic intervals, scheduled intervals, aperiodic intervals, and/or one-time events. The examples are not limited in this context.

Further still, unless expressly stated to the contrary, "or" refers to an inclusive or and not to an exclusive or. For example, "A, B or C" refers to any combination or subset of A, B, C such as (<NUM>) A alone, (<NUM>) B alone, (<NUM>) C alone, (<NUM>) A with B, (<NUM>) A with C, (<NUM>) B with C, and (<NUM>) A with B and with C. As used herein, the phrase "at least one of A and B" is intended to refer to any combination or subset of A and B such as (<NUM>) at least one A, (<NUM>) at least one B, and (<NUM>) at least one A and at least one B. Similarly, the phrase "at least one of A or B" is intended to refer to any combination or subset of A and B such as (<NUM>) at least one A, (<NUM>) at least one B, and (<NUM>) at least one A and at least one B.

Moreover, in the foregoing specification and the attached drawings, specific examples have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made in view of aspects of this disclosure without departing from the scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications made in view of aspects of this disclosure are intended to be included within the scope of present teachings. Numerous alternative examples could be implemented, using either current technology or technology developed after the filing date of this patent, which would still fall within the scope of the claims.

Additionally, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims.

Claim 1:
A system (<NUM>), comprising:
a fiber distribution hub, FDH, (<NUM>, <NUM>) of a passive optical network, PON, (<NUM>), the FDH including:
a bulkhead (<NUM>) having a plurality of passive optical couplers (120A, 120B, <NUM>), each of the plurality of passive optical couplers having:
a respective first port (<NUM>) adapted to receive an end of a respective first optical fiber, a respective second port (<NUM>) adapted to receive an end of a respective second optical fiber, and
a respective passive optical activity indicator (<NUM>) configured to expose (i) a portion of first light propagating in the respective first optical fiber when the first optical fiber is received in the first port (<NUM>), and (ii) a portion of second light propagating in the respective second optical fiber when the second optical fiber is received in the second port (<NUM>), and
an image sensor (<NUM>) configured to capture one or more images of the respective passive optical activity indicators (<NUM>) of the plurality of passive optical couplers (120A, 120B, <NUM>); and
a computing device (<NUM>, <NUM>, <NUM>) configured to:
configure a plurality of light sources (<NUM>) of a plurality of respective optical terminals (106A, 106B) to transmit light according to a plurality of respective patterns,
determine, based on the one or more images, which of the plurality of passive optical couplers (120A, 120B, <NUM>) are receiving a first optical signal at their respective first port (<NUM>) and/or receiving a second optical signal at their respective second port (<NUM>), and
determine, based on the one or more images, connections of the plurality of optical terminals (106A, 106B) to ports of the plurality of passive optical couplers (120A, 120B, <NUM>) based on which respective passive optical activity indicators (<NUM>) are illuminated according to which respective patterns.