Optical connection verification apparatus and method
First Claim
1. A fiber-optic cable connection, comprising:
- a first connector part including an optical fiber, said optical fiber including a terminal end having a conductive coating; and
a second connector part adapted to mate with said first connector part, said second connector part having a verification circuit that verifies said first connector part and said second connector part have been connected using said conductive coating.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A fiber-optic cable includes a conductive coating formed around an optical fiber. The conductive coating may be in the shape of a band or ring located at a terminal end of the fiber, or may extend along the entire length of the fiber or a portion thereof. For protection purposes, the fiber is covered with a buffer made from a plastic or polymer. The fiber-optic cable may be attached to a plug or receptacle of a connector. Preferably, the cable is attached to the plug. Under these circumstances, the receptacle would be equipped with a verification circuit for confirming that the plug has been properly installed into the receptacle housing. An electronic device may be used to alert a user as to whether proper installation has occurred. In addition to providing an indication that an optical connection has been made, the conductive coating may be adapted to carry electrical signals. In this way, the fiber-optic cable would operate as an electrical transmission line and an optical transmission line.
26 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A fiber-optic cable connection, comprising:
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a first connector part including an optical fiber, said optical fiber including a terminal end having a conductive coating; and
a second connector part adapted to mate with said first connector part, said second connector part having a verification circuit that verifies said first connector part and said second connector part have been connected using said conductive coating. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 20)
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13. A method for verifying an optical connection, comprising:
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providing a first connector part coupled to an optical fiber, said optical fiber having a terminal end with a conductive coating;
providing a second connector part having a contact element, said contact element disposed at a position which coincides with said conductive coating of said optical fiber when said first connector part and said second connector part are mated; and
outputting a verification signal when said contact element touches said conductive coating. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A fiber-optic cable, comprising:
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an optical fiber;
a conductive coating disposed around said optical fiber; and
a buffer disposed around said conductive coating, said buffer including a jacket made from one of plastic and a polymer. - View Dependent Claims (19)
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21. A fiber-optic cable connection tester, comprising:
a connector part adapted to mate with an optical fiber that includes a terminal end having a conductive coating, said connector part having a verification circuit that verifies that said connector part and said optical fiber have been connected using said conductive coating. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27)
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28. A method for making an optical connection, comprising:
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providing a first connector part coupled to an optical fiber, said optical fiber having a terminal end with a conductive coating;
providing a second connector part having a contact element, said contact element disposed at a position which coincides with said conductive coating of said optical fiber when said first connector part and said second connector part are mated. - View Dependent Claims (29, 30)
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31. A method for making an optical connection, comprising:
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providing a first connector part coupled to an optical fiber, said optical fiber having a terminal end with a conductive coating;
providing a second connector part having a contact element, said contact element disposed at a position which coincides with said conductive coating of said optical fiber when said first connector part and said second connector part are mated.
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Specification