US4994675A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and apparatus for checking continuity of optic transmission
Assignee: Sorrento Networks Inc
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Filing: 1989-04-28
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Granted: 1991-02-19
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Expires: 2009-04-28
Abstract
Abstract An apparatus for checking continuity of fiber optic links from source to receiver before enabling the source delivers full power so as to thereby prevent eye damage to personnel and provide a supervisory signal to the system user that the link elements are intact and functioning. The apparatus includes a transmitter, a receiver and a detector for detecting that an optical transmission between the transmitter and receiver can be effected.
Inventors
- 👤 Paul Levin
- 👤 Barry Minnerly
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-31 13:51
CPC Classifications
G; G01; G01M; G01M11/00; G01M11/30; G01M11/33; G02; G02B; G02B6/00; G02B6/24; G02B6/42; G02B6/4201; G02B6/4246; H; H04; H04B; H04B10/00; H04B10/07; H04B10/075; H04B10/077; H04B10/25; H04B10/2589; G02B6/4296; G02B2006/4297; H04B2210/00; H04B2210/07; H04B2210/078; H04B2210/08
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 25
Claim 1
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for checking continuity of optic transmission, comprising; means for transmitting information optically; means for receiving information from said transmission means; means for detecting that said transmission means and said receiving means are in communication with each other so as to enable optical transmission therebetween, said detecting means including means for effecting transmission of a test signal from said transmitting means to said receiving means at a power level which is lower than that required for transmitting said information, said detecting means detecting successful reception of said test signal by said receiving means; and means for sending back a backhaul signal to said transmitting means in response to detection of said successful reception of the test signal by said receiving means.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
122 words
An apparatus for checking continuity of optic transmission, comprising; means for transmitting information optically; means for receiving information from said transmission means; means for detecting that said transmission means and said receiving means are in communication with each other so as to enable optical transmission therebetween, said detecting means including means for effecting transmission of a test signal from said transmitting means to said receiving means at a power level which is lower than that required for transmitting said information, said detecting means detecting successful reception of said test signal by said receiving means; and means for sending back a backhaul signal to said transmitting means in response to detection of said successful reception of the test signal by said receiving means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said test signal contains information for controlling at least one of said transmitting means and said receiving means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
32 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means codes said backhaul signal to differ from a back reflection of said information from said receiving means back to said transmitting means.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting means transmits said information within a predetermined range of wavelengths, and backhaul signal having a wavelength outside of said predetermined range.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
56 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting means includes a light emitting source, said detecting means including means responsive to a cessation of said backhaul signal for reducing a power level of said light emitting source and for indicating that said transmitting means and said receiving means are out of communication with each other.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
40 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said transmitting means transmits said information within a predetermined backwidth, said detecting means effecting said transmission of said test signal so that said test signal has a band outside of said predetermined bandwidth.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus according to claim 6, wherein said transmitting means and said emitting means share a common light emitting source, said detecting means including means for powering said common light emitting source at a lower power level for effecting transmission of said test signal than is required for transmitting said information.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
41 words
An apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said detecting means detects successful reception of said test signal by said receiving means; further comprising: means for maintaining said low power at least until said successful reception of the test signal is detected.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said test signal contains frame information signals, said receiving means including test signal receiving means for detecting a cessation of said frame information signals.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus according to claim 9, wherein test signal receiving means includes means for preventing spurious framing information from being sent after detecting said cessation of said frame information signals.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
27 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said detecting means codes said test signal and said backhaul signal to include codes of respective equipment chassis serial numbers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
An apparatus according to claim 11, wherein said detecting means also codes said backhaul signal with said equipment chassis serial number coded in said test signal.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for checking continuity of optic transmission, comprising the steps of; transmitting information optically from a transmitting means; receiving the transmitted information by a receiving means; detecting that the transmitted information has been received, the step of detecting including effecting transmission of a test signal at a power level which is lower than that required for transmitting said information; and sending back a backhaul signal to said transmitting means in response to a detection of successful reception of the test signal.
Claim 15
Independent Claim
82 words
A method for checking continuity of optic transmission, comprising the steps of; transmitting information optically from a transmitting means; receiving the transmitted information by a receiving means; detecting that the transmitted information has been received, the step of detecting including effecting transmission of a test signal at a power level which is lower than that required for transmitting said information; and sending back a backhaul signal to said transmitting means in response to a detection of successful reception of the test signal.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 13, further comprising: coding the backhaul signal to differ from a back reflection of the information.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
41 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein the step of transmitting includes transmitting the information within a predetermined range of wavelengths, the step of sending backing including sending back the backhaul signal which has a wavelength outside of the predetermined range.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
48 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein the step of transmitting includes emitting light, the step of detecting including reducing a power level of the emitted light in response to a cessation of the backhaul signal and indicating that the information being transmitted is no longer being received.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
44 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein the step of transmitting includes transmitting the information within a predetermined bandwidth, the step of detecting including effecting the transmission of the test signal so that the test signal has a band outside of the predetermined bandwidth.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
36 words
A method according to claim 17, wherein the step of detecting including powering a light emitting source at a lower power level for effecting transmission of the test signal than is required for transmitting the information.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
40 words
A method according to claim 18, wherein the step of detecting includes detecting successful reception of said test signal; further comprising the step of: maintaining the low power at least until the successful reception of the test signal is detected.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 13, wherein said test signal contains frame information signals, further comprising detecting a cessation of receipt said frame information signals.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
24 words
A method according to claim 20, further comprising preventing spurious framing information from being sent after detecting said cessation of said frame information signals.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
25 words
A method according to claim 14, further comprising: coding the test signal and the backhaul signal to include codes of respective equipment chassis serial numbers.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 22, wherein the step of coding also includes coding the backhaul signal with the equipment chassis serial number coded in said test signal.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-02-18 | 1994-08-20 | 1995-02-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-02-18 | 1998-08-20 | 1999-02-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-02-18 | 2002-08-20 | 2003-02-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |