US4828358A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Testing in the manufacture, operation, and maintenance of optical device assemblies
Assignee: Nokia Bell Labs
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Filing: 1988-03-03
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Granted: 1989-05-09
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Expires: 2008-03-03
Abstract
Abstract To facilitate testing in the manufacture, operation, and maintenance of substrate-supported assemblies such as, e.g., optical transmitters and receivers in subscriber-loop and local-area networks, an assembly is provided with built-in optical test features at selected test points. Preferred test features may include side-by-side couplers or reflector taps as may serve to extract or insert light into a substrate-supported waveguide. Testing may further involve the use of a test set having optical components in alignment with test features of an assembly.
Inventors
- 👤 Greg E. Blonder
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-25 06:18
CPC Classifications
G; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/36; G01; G01M; G01M11/00; G01M11/30; G01M11/33; G01M11/35; G02B6/42
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 18
Claim 1
Independent Claim
91 words
An article designed to perform at least one function in accordance with and within limits of a design specification. said article comprising at least one substrate-supported optical waveguide and a plurality of devices, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said article comprises means included solely for facilitating detection of malfunctioning or ascertainment of proper functioning in accordance with and within limits of said specification, said means being permanently included in said article and not contributing to the performance of said function, and said means providing for a path for optical energy to be detected.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
91 words
An article designed to perform at least one function in accordance with and within limits of a design specification. said article comprising at least one substrate-supported optical waveguide and a plurality of devices, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said article comprises means included solely for facilitating detection of malfunctioning or ascertainment of proper functioning in accordance with and within limits of said specification, said means being permanently included in said article and not contributing to the performance of said function, and said means providing for a path for optical energy to be detected.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of claim 1, said path being different from the paths associated with the performance of said function.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
13 words
The article of claim 1, said means providing optical access to said waveguide.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The article of claim 1, said means providing optical access to a device.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The article of claim 1, said means comprising a second waveguide in side-by-side coupling relationship with said first waveguide.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
10 words
The article of claim 1, said means comprising a reflector.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
11 words
The article of claim 1, said means comprising an optical switch.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
18 words
The article of claim 1, said means being designed for the insertion of optical energy into said article.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
18 words
The article of claim 1, said means being designed for the emission of optical energy from said article.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
15 words
The article of claim 1, said means being designed for the detection of optical energy.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
20 words
The article of claim 1, said article comprising an encapsulation which at least in part is transparent to optical radiation.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for manufacturing an article which is designed to perform at least one function in accordance with and within limits of a design specification, said method comprising the fabrication of at least one substrate-supported optical waveguide and of a plurality of devices, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said method comprises functional testing utilizing testing means included in said article, said testing means being permanently included in said article and not contributing to the performance of said function, and said means providing for a path for optical energy to be detected.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
89 words
A method for manufacturing an article which is designed to perform at least one function in accordance with and within limits of a design specification, said method comprising the fabrication of at least one substrate-supported optical waveguide and of a plurality of devices, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said method comprises functional testing utilizing testing means included in said article, said testing means being permanently included in said article and not contributing to the performance of said function, and said means providing for a path for optical energy to be detected.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of signal transmission, said method comprising the operation of an article designed to perform at least one function in accordance with and within limits of a design specification, said article comprising at least one substrate-supported optical waveguide and a plurality of devices, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said method comprises functional testing utilizing testing means included in said article, said testing means being permanently included in said article and not contributing to the performance of said function, and said means providing for a path for optical energy to be detected.
Claim 16
Independent Claim
90 words
A method of signal transmission, said method comprising the operation of an article designed to perform at least one function in accordance with and within limits of a design specification, said article comprising at least one substrate-supported optical waveguide and a plurality of devices, CHARACTERIZED IN THAT said method comprises functional testing utilizing testing means included in said article, said testing means being permanently included in said article and not contributing to the performance of said function, and said means providing for a path for optical energy to be detected.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
27 words
The method of claim 13, said method comprising the use of a test set, said test set comprising an optical component in communication with said testing means.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
18 words
The method of claim 14, said communication being via a transparent portion of an encapsulation of said article.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
No citation records indexed.
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-05-08 | 1992-11-07 | 1993-05-09 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-05-08 | 1996-11-07 | 1997-05-09 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-05-08 | 2000-11-07 | 2001-05-09 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |