An optical fiber
fusion splicer includes a personal computer and splicing elements in communication with and controlled by the personal computer for fusion splicing at least one pair of opposed optical fibers. The personal computer is integral with the splicing elements within the fusion splicer and provides personal computer functionality to the fusion splicer. The fusion splicer may further include a hard drive in communication with the personal computer for storing and retrieving data, a display in communication with the personal computer including a graphical user interface comprising a touch screen and one or more icons for controlling the personal computer, and a global positioning system in communication with and adapted to interface with the personal computer to assist with fusion splicing the optical fibers. The fusion splicer may also include a central processing unit in communication with the personal computer and the splicing elements.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to an optical fiber fusion splicer that is preferably used in the field to splice optical fibers, and more particularly, to an optical fiber fusion splicer for splicing optical fibers in a fiber optic network where low loss performance is desired. The field fusion splicer includes a personal computer that allows interactive training, remote maintenance, and e-commerce functionality.
2. Technical Background
It is known to provide an optical fiber
fusion splicer designed specifically for use in a controlled factory environment with external computing capability. Fusion splicers for splicing optical fibers in the field are also known. None of the known field fusion splicers, however, has the interactive communication and personal computing capability that is presently available for a factory fusion splicer. Furthermore, none of the known field fusion splicers includes the ability to quickly and accurately locate splice points and perform high-precision fusion splices in the field utilizing personal computer functionality.
Such a field
fusion splicer would necessarily require a level of personal computer functionality that includes wireless communication, interactive training, and the ability to import and retrievably store splice plans on a storage medium, obtain maintenance and assistance from remote service centers, and generate a video record of a fusion splice event. Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an optical fiber fusion splicer with personal computer functionality including wireless communication and interactive training, which may be utilized in the field to locate splice points, perform a high-precision fusion splice and generate a video record of the fusion splice event.
