Optical connector with memory function

• US 7,210,858 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2003
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 01/15/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TOYO Communication Equipment Company Limited
• Original Assignee: TOYO Communication Equipment Company Limited
• Inventors: Sago, Masuyuki, Enomoto, Masanori
• Primary Examiner(s): Pak; Sung
• Assistant Examiner(s): WONG, TINA MEI SENG
• Application Number:
  US10/662,669
• Publication Number:
  US 20040120657A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,324 Days
• Field of Search: 385 53- 94
• US Class Current: 385/88
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3807 Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3895 identification of connection, e.g. right plug to the right socket or full engagement of the mating parts keying element on the plug or adapter G02B6/3831; keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical connection H01R13/64
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag

Abstract

An optical connector with memory function comprises memory function for storing respective identification information in order to readily and exactly perform separate control of respective control steps and further to obtain convenient handling of connectors. The optical connector with memory function 3 of the present invention is characterized by a memory function capable of untouchably performing, from outside thereof, writing-in and reading-out of necessary information. The memory function has a structure mounted on or mountable on the outer construction of a housing accommodating therein the optical connection portion of an optical connector plug in the optical connector with memory function.

Claims

1. An optical connector for use with optical cables comprising

an optical plug for interfacing with the end of an optical cable and an optical adapter optically connecting two optical plugs to each other, each of which can be mounted at the end of an optical cable;

electronic means associated with an optical plug containing data identifying a cable to which said optical plug is connected, and

contactless reading/writing means on said optical plug and on said adapter for transferring identifying data in the form of electrical signals from said electronic means to a reading device when an optical plug associated with a predetermined cable is connected to said optical plug, wherein said memory means is an integrated circuit formed into an electromagnetic induction system.

2. An optical connector for use with optical cables comprising

an optical plug for interfacing with the end of an optical cable and an optical adapter optically connecting two optical plugs to each other, each of which can be mounted at the end of an optical cable;

electronic means associated with an optical plug containing data identifying a cable to which said optical plug is connected, and

contactless reading/writing means on said optical plug and on said adapter for transferring identifying data in the form of electrical signals from said electronic means to a reading device when an optical plug associated with a predetermined cable is connected to said optical plug, wherein an antenna is mounted on said adapter to electromagnetically-inductively couple to an integrated circuit.

3. An optical connector for use with optical cables comprising

an optical plug for interfacing with the end of an optical cable and an optical adapter optically connecting two optical plugs to each other, each of which can be mounted at the end of an optical cable;

electronic means associated with an optical plug containing data identifying a cable to which said optical plug is connected, and

contactless reading/writing means on said optical plug and on said adapter for transferring identifying data in the form of electrical signals from said electronic means to a reading device when an optical plug associated with a predetermined cable is connected to said optical plug, wherein said optical plug includes memory means mounted on a housing accommodating therein an optical connection portion of said optical connector plug, an antenna being mounted on said adapter to electromagnetically-inductively couple to an integrated circuit.

4. An optical connector for use with optical cables comprising

an optical plug for interfacing with the end of an optical cable and an optical adapter optically connecting two optical plugs to each other, each of which can be mounted at the end of an optical cable;

electronic means associated with an optical plug containing data identifying a cable to which said optical plug is connected, and

contactless reading/writing means on said optical plug and on said adapter for transferring identifying data in the form of electrical signals from said electronic means to a reading device when an optical plug associated with a predetermined cable is connected to said optical plug, wherein said optical plug includes memory means mountable on an outer construction of a housing accommodating therein an optical connection portion of said optical connector plug, an antenna being mounted on said adapter to electromagnetically-inductively couple to an integrated circuit.

5. A system for testing insertion loss in optical cables comprising:

an optical connector including an optical plug interfacing with an end of an optical cable to be tested and an adapter for optically connecting two optical plugs to each other, each of which can be mounted at the end of another optical cable;

a light source;

a master optical cable optically connected at one end to said light source;

electronic means associated with said optical plug containing data in the form of electrical signals identifying a cable to be tested;

computing means;

contactless reading/writing means on said optical plug and on said adapter for transferring and identifying data from said electronic means to said computing means when an optical plug associated with a cable to be tested is connected to said adapter; and

a light power meter having an input for receiving an optical signal and having an output connected to said computing means for generating a signal indicative of the light intensity at said input, said master optical cable being selectively connected at the other end directly to said light power meter to obtain a reference light intensity at said light power meter and to said adapter when the optical cable to be tested is connected to said adapter and to said light power meter,

whereby the insertion loss determined by said computing means can be associated with a specific cable characterized by said identifying data.

6. Method for testing insertion loss of optical cables comprising the steps of:

interfacing an optical connector including an optical plug with an end of an optical cable to be tested and an adapter for optically connecting two optical plugs to each other, each of which can be mounted at the end of another optical cable;

optically connecting said adapter to said light source by means of a master optical cable;

obtaining a reference reading by connecting said master optical cable directly to a light power meter and computer means;

subsequently optically connecting said master optical cable to said adapter and connecting a cable to be tested, with an optical plug, to said adapter and said light power meter for attaining a light intensity representative of the insertion loss of the cable being tested;

determining with said computing means the insertion loss by comparing the light intensities when said master optical cable is selectively connected directly to the light power meter and when connected in series with a cable being tested; and

contactless reading/writing identifying data on said optical plug and on said adapter for transferring said identifying data from said electronic means to said computing means when an optical plug associated with a cable to be tested is connected to said optical plug;

whereby the insertion loss determined by said computing means can be associated with a specific cable characterized by said identifying data.