System and method for detecting and reporting the use of optical fibers in fiber optic cables
First Claim
1. A fiber administration system, comprising:
- at least one fiber distribution shelf containing a plurality of optical connection ports that are each coupled to a different external optical fiber, wherein each of said optical connection ports contains a sensor for detecting when that optical connection port is engaged by an optical coupling within the fiber administration system; and
a monitor module coupled to said sensor of each of said optical connection ports, wherein said monitor module determines from said sensor if an optical coupling has engaged an optical connection port and records when each of said optical connection ports is first engaged.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A fiber administration system and method of operation that enables an owner of the fiber administration system to pay for only the external optical fiber cables used by that fiber administration system. The fiber administration system has at least one fiber distribution shelf on which are located a plurality of optical connection ports. Each of the optical connection ports terminate the end of a different external optical fiber. Each of the optical connection ports contains a sensor for detecting when that optical connection port is engaged by an optical coupling within the fiber administration system. A monitoring module is provided that is coupled to the sensor of each of the optical connection ports. The monitor module determines from each sensor whether or not an optical coupling has engaged each optical connection port and records when each of the optical connection ports is first engaged. The data record recorded by the monitor module can be accessed from a remote location for billing purposes.
124 Citations
18 Claims
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1. A fiber administration system, comprising:
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at least one fiber distribution shelf containing a plurality of optical connection ports that are each coupled to a different external optical fiber, wherein each of said optical connection ports contains a sensor for detecting when that optical connection port is engaged by an optical coupling within the fiber administration system; and
a monitor module coupled to said sensor of each of said optical connection ports, wherein said monitor module determines from said sensor if an optical coupling has engaged an optical connection port and records when each of said optical connection ports is first engaged. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A method of determining how many external optical fibers are being utilized in a fiber administration system, said method comprising the steps of:
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terminating a plurality of external optical fibers in a fiber administration system at optical connection ports;
providing sensors at said optical connection ports for sensing when each optical connection port is engaged by another optical fiber coupling;
recording when each sensor signals that an optical connection port has been used for the first time, thereby creating a data record of optical fiber use. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of charging an optical fiber network provided according to how many external optic fibers are utilized by that provider, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a plurality of optical fibers to the optical fiber network provider;
terminating said plurality of optical fibers at optical connection ports in a fiber administration system at the location of the optical fiber network provider;
monitoring which of the external optical fibers are used by the optical fiber network provider;
charging the optical fiber network provider based upon the number of external optical fibers used. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
providing sensors at said optical connection ports for sensing when each optical connection port is engaged by another optical fiber coupling; and
recording when each sensor signals that an optical connection port has been used for the first time, thereby creating a data record of optical fiber use.
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17. The method according to claim 16, further including the step of transmitting said data record to a remote location.
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18. The method according to claim 17, wherein said step of transmitting data includes establishing a telecommunications link between a modem at the fiber administration system and said remote location.
Specification