JP2003287643A - Maintenance managing method for fusion splicing connecting apparatus and fusion splicing connector - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a maintenance managing method for a fusion splicing connecting apparatus and a fusion splicing connector which can easily maintain the fusion splicing connector and manage the maintenance. <P>SOLUTION: The fusion splicing connecting apparatus 1 has the fusion splicing connector 2 for connecting optical fibers to each other by fusion splicing and a data managing terminal 4 which is connected to the fusion splicing connector 2. The fusion splicing connector 2 has an equipment main body 9, a control processing part 10, and a memory part 13. The control processing part 10 self- diagnoses the optical fiber connecting function of the fusion splicing connector 2 as to a plurality of items according to a predetermined self-diagnostic program and stores detailed data on the self-diagnostic result in the memory part 13. Further, the control processing part 10 outputs the detailed data of the self- diagnostic result stored in the memory part 13 to the data managing terminal 4. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2004,JPO

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a fusion splicing device having a fusion splicer for fusion splicing communication optical fibers and a maintenance management method for the fusion splicer.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As a conventional fusion splicing device, as described in, for example, Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 10-228358, a camera for imaging a fusion splicing process of an optical fiber and image data obtained by the camera. It is known that a main memory for storing the image data and a communication controller for transmitting image data to the maintenance station are provided.

[0003]

However, in the above-mentioned prior art, when the fusion splicing device malfunctions such as not operating normally, the fusion splicing device is connected to the public line for communication with the maintenance station. It is necessary to perform the fusion splicing work in that state to reproduce the operation defect, and to send the image data of the fusion splicing process at that time to the maintenance station. Therefore, maintenance and maintenance of the fusion splicer takes time.

An object of the present invention is to provide a fusion splicing apparatus and a fusion splicer maintenance management method capable of easily performing maintenance and maintenance of the fusion splicer.

[0005]

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a fusion splicing device equipped with a fusion splicer for fusion splicing optical fibers to each other, wherein the fusion splicer fuses the optical fibers together. A device main body including a connection part, a diagnostic means for diagnosing the optical fiber connection function of the fusion splicer according to a predetermined procedure, a memory for storing the diagnosis result data of the optical fiber connection function, and a diagnosis stored in the memory And means for outputting result data.

In the present invention as described above, the optical fiber connecting function of the fusion splicer is diagnosed by the diagnostic means periodically or at any time, and the diagnostic result data is stored in the memory. Thus, by connecting a data management terminal such as a personal computer to the fusion splicer, the latest diagnostic result data stored in the memory can be retrieved. Then, the maintenance manager or the like looks at the diagnostic result data to accurately grasp the presence or absence of a defect in the fusion splicing operation, and performs maintenance / inspection as necessary. Therefore, it is not necessary for the maintenance manager or the like to operate the fusion splicer one by one to reproduce the fault condition in order to know the fault condition of the fusion splicing operation. As a result, the fusion splicer can be easily maintained and maintained.

Preferably, the diagnosing means comprises means for inspecting the function of the hardware of the fusion splicer, means for inspecting the function and operating condition of the equipment body when the optical fiber is set in the equipment body, And a means for inspecting the connection state of the optical fiber when the fibers are fusion-spliced. As a result, it is possible to sufficiently diagnose the factors that affect the performance of the fusion splicer and the factors that are related to the connection quality of the optical fiber.

Further, it is preferable to further include a data management terminal for taking out the diagnostic result data stored in the memory and updating at least one of a parameter and a program relating to the optical fiber connection function stored in the memory in advance. In this case, the latest management result data stored in the memory of the fusion splicer can be retrieved and viewed by the data management terminal. And
When the fusion splicing operation has some trouble, the trouble of the fusion splicing operation can be solved by updating the parameter or program relating to the optical fiber connection function, for example.

In this case, preferably, the data management terminal transmits the diagnostic result data stored in the memory to the maintenance station, and receives the update signal sent from the maintenance station to receive the parameters and the parameters related to the optical fiber connection function. Update at least one of the programs. As a result, the maintenance station can also retrieve the latest diagnostic result data stored in the memory of the fusion splicer. Then, when the person at the maintenance station looks at the diagnostic result data and determines that there is a defect in the fusion splicing operation, the action for the defect is determined and, for example, the parameter or program relating to the optical fiber connection function is changed. Send update data for. Therefore, even when the fusion splicer is located far away from the maintenance station, the maintenance station can easily perform maintenance management of the fusion splicer.

The present invention also provides a fusion splicer maintenance management method for maintaining and managing a splicing splicer for splicing optical fibers together, in which the fusion splicer is operated according to a predetermined procedure. The step of diagnosing the optical fiber connection function and storing the diagnosis result data of the optical fiber connection function in the memory, the step of transmitting the diagnosis result data stored in the memory to the maintenance station, and the maintenance station based on the diagnosis result data. And a step of performing maintenance management of the fusion splicer.

In the present invention as described above, the latest diagnostic result data stored in the memory of the fusion splicer can be retrieved by the maintenance station. Then, a person at the maintenance bureau looks at the diagnostic result data to accurately grasp the presence / absence of a defect in the fusion splicing operation, and if necessary, sends a signal for maintenance to the fusion splicing device, or Give appropriate instructions to workers. Therefore, it is not necessary for a person in the maintenance management station to operate the fusion splicer to reproduce the fault condition in order to know the fault condition of the fusion splicing operation. Accordingly, even if the fusion splicer is located far away from the maintenance management station, the fusion splicer can be easily maintained and maintained.

[0012]

BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION Preferred embodiments of a fusion splicing apparatus and a fusion splicer maintenance management method according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of a fusion splicer according to the present invention and an example of a maintenance management system thereof. In the figure, the fusion splicing device 1 of the present embodiment
Is a fusion splicer 2 for fusion splicing optical fibers.
And a data management terminal device 4 such as a personal computer connected to the fusion splicer 2 via an I / O cable 3.

The maintenance management system 5 relating to such a fusion splicing apparatus 1 is constructed so that the fusion splicing apparatus 1 can be fused when the fusion splicing apparatus 1 is located far from the maintenance station 6, for example, overseas or on a submarine cable laying ship. It is possible to perform maintenance and management of the connection device 2. A maintenance station management apparatus (maintenance station computer) 8 is connected to the data management terminal 4 of the fusion splicer 1 via a public line 7.

As shown in FIG. 2, the fusion splicer 2 includes a device body 9, a control processing section 10, an operating section 11, and a display section 1.
2 and a memory unit 13.

The device body 9 includes a discharge section 14 which is a fusion section.
It has a drive mechanism 15, a sensor 16, an illumination unit 17, and an image observation unit 18. The discharge unit 14 is provided on the upper surface of the housing 19 of the fusion splicer 2 (see FIG. 1). The discharge unit 14 has two electrodes (not shown) arranged opposite to a stage (not shown) on which two optical fibers to be fusion-spliced are placed, and a voltage is applied between the electrodes. A discharge is caused by and the optical fibers placed on the stage are fused together.

The drive mechanism 15 moves the stage to
The end faces of the optical fibers are butted to each other and the optical fibers are aligned. The sensor 16 is a displacement sensor or the like that detects whether or not the amount of movement of the stage is appropriate. Lighting unit 1
Reference numeral 7 denotes a light emitting diode (LED), which illuminates an optical fiber placed on the stage. The image observation unit 18
For example, it has an optical system such as a CCD camera and a microscope, and images an optical fiber placed on a stage to generate image data. These drive mechanism 15, sensor 16, and illumination unit 1
7. The image observing unit 18 is a housing 19 of the fusion splicer 2 (see FIG.
(See) is located inside.

The control processing unit 10 controls each unit of the device body 9 described above. Further, the control processing unit 10 self-diagnoses the optical fiber connection function of the fusion splicer 2 over a plurality of items in accordance with a predetermined self-diagnosis program, and also various data including detailed data of the self-diagnosis result. It performs processing such as outputting to the data management terminal 4.

The operation unit 11 is provided, for example, on the upper surface of the housing 19 of the fusion splicer 2 (see FIG. 1), and the control processing unit 10 is provided.
Is used to instruct execution start of self-diagnosis processing. The display unit 12 is provided, for example, above the housing 19 of the fusion splicer 2 (see FIG. 1), and displays the result of the self-diagnosis executed by the control processing unit 10 and the like.

The memory unit 13 stores a program memory 13A in which a self-diagnosis program and various programs related to the optical fiber connection function are stored in advance, and various parameters related to the optical fiber connection function such as connection condition parameters and functional parameters. A parameter memory 13B stored in advance, a connection data memory 13C storing connection data of optical fibers in advance, and a self-diagnosis result storage memory 1 storing detailed data of the self-diagnosis result described above.
3D and.

3 and 4 are flow charts showing details of the self-diagnosis processing procedure by the control processing unit 10. First, the operator operates the operation unit 11 to give an instruction to start the self-diagnosis process.

When the start of the self-diagnosis processing is instructed, the machine body information of the fusion splicer 2 such as the machine number and the software version used is recorded in the self-diagnosis result storage memory 13D (step 51 in FIG. 3). . Then, the self-diagnosis execution date / time information is recorded in the self-diagnosis result storage memory 13D (step 52).

Next, the function of each part of the hardware of the fusion splicer 2, that is, whether the operation is good or not, whether there is a failure or not is inspected (step 53). As the contents of this inspection, specifically,
As shown in FIG. 5, inspection of each of the memories 13A to 13D, I
/ O port inspection, sensor 16 inspection, drive mechanism 15 motor operation inspection, image observation unit 18 CCD image inspection, illumination unit 17 LED brightness (light intensity) inspection, image observation unit 18
For example, the dust adhesion inspection of

Then, the detailed data of the above inspection result is recorded in the self-diagnosis result storage memory 13D (step 5 of the same procedure).
4). Then, it is judged from the inspection result whether or not there is an error (defective) (procedure 55), and when it is judged that there is no error, the display unit indicates that the functions of the respective hardware parts of the fusion splicer 2 are normal. 12 is displayed (step 56). On the other hand, when it is determined that there is an error, the fact that the functions of the respective hardware parts of the fusion splicer 2 are abnormal is displayed on the display part 12 (step 57). At this time, the display section 12 together with the defective portion and the recommended coping method according to the content thereof.
To display.

Then, the operator looks at the information on the display unit 12 and decides whether or not to continue the self-diagnosis processing. When the self-diagnosis processing is to be continued, the operator starts the self-diagnosis processing again. Instruct. Then, step 5 above
The processing of 1 or less will be executed again.

Next, it waits for the optical fiber to be connected to be set on the stage (not shown) of the fusion splicer 2 (step 58). Then, when the operator sets the optical fiber on the stage, L of the illumination unit 17 is set.
Adjust the ED brightness (step 59). Subsequently, the drive mechanism 15 is controlled to insert the optical fiber set on the stage into a predetermined fusion position (step 60). And
The drive mechanism 15 is controlled to bring the optical fibers into contact with each other (step 61). Then, the focus adjustment of the microscope in the image observation part 18 is performed (the same procedure 62).

Then, it is judged whether or not the function inspection of the fusion splicer 2 before the optical fiber fusion (after the optical fiber setting) is carried out (the same procedure 63), and when it has not been carried out, the image observation is carried out. The optical fiber is imaged by the unit 18, and the functions and operating states of the drive mechanism 15 and the image observation unit 18 before fusion of the optical fibers are inspected based on the image data (the same procedure 64). As the contents of this inspection, specifically,
As shown in FIG. 5, quality inspection of the position / angle of the optical fiber (stage), quality inspection of the optical system of the microscope or the like in the image observation unit 18 (damage of the lens, focusability, etc.), optical characteristic inspection, drive mechanism 15 Motor drive speed inspection. Then, the position of the microscope is adjusted and the motor drive speed is changed according to the inspection result.

Then, the detailed data of the above inspection result is recorded in the self-diagnosis result storage memory 13D (step 6 of the same procedure).
5). At this time, the type of optical fiber is recorded in the self-diagnosis result storage memory 13D together with the inspection result data. Then, the presence or absence of an error is determined from the inspection result (step 66), and when it is determined that there is no error, the drive mechanism 15 and the image observing section 1 before fusion of the optical fibers are performed.
The fact that the function / operation state of 8 is normal is displayed on the display unit 12 (step 67). On the other hand, when it is determined that there is an error, the fact that the functions and operating states of the drive mechanism 15 and the image observing section 18 before the fusion of the optical fibers is abnormal is displayed on the display section 12 (step 68). At this time, the defective portion and the recommended coping method according to the content are displayed together on the display unit 12.

Here again, the operator looks at the information on the display unit 12 to decide whether to continue the self-diagnosis, and if the self-diagnosis is to be continued, the operator gives an instruction to start the self-diagnosis process by the operation unit 11. Then, the above process is executed from the beginning.

Next, it is judged whether or not the discharge power in the discharge section 14 has been calibrated (step 69 in the same procedure). If the calibration has not been performed yet, the discharge power is calibrated (step 70 in the procedure) and the procedure 58 is performed. Repeat ~ 63.

Next, the discharge section 14 is controlled to fusion-splice the optical fibers on the stage (step 7 in FIG. 4).
1). Then, the image observing section 18 images the connecting portion of each optical fiber, and the fusion splicing state of the optical fiber is inspected based on the image data (step 72). Specifically, as shown in FIG. 5, the contents of this inspection include the discharge state of the discharge unit 14 such as the number of discharges, the outer diameter deformation (thickness, thinness) of the optical fiber connection unit due to the connection conditions, and the bubbles. Examples include inspection for occurrence, axis deviation, and core deformation.

Then, the detailed data of the above inspection result is recorded in the self-diagnosis result storage memory 13D (step 7 of the same procedure).
3). At this time, information such as the calibrated discharge power, the number of discharges, and the end face angle of the optical fiber is recorded in the self-diagnosis result storage memory 13D together with the inspection result data. Then, the presence / absence of an error is determined from the inspection result (step 7 in the same procedure).
4) If it is determined that there is no error, the fact that the optical fiber connection state is normal is displayed on the display unit 12 (step 75). On the other hand, when it is determined that there is an error,
The fact that the optical fiber connection state is abnormal is displayed on the display unit 12 (step 76).

Here again, the operator decides whether or not to continue the self-diagnosis by looking at the information on the display unit 12, and if the self-diagnosis is to be continued, the operator instructs the start of the self-diagnosis process by the operation unit 11. Then, the above process is executed from the beginning.

As described above, the functional inspection of each hardware part of the fusion splicer 2 and the drive mechanism 1 before the optical fiber fusion are performed.
5 and the function / operating state of the image observing section 18 and the connection state of the optical fiber after the fusion of the optical fibers are inspected to determine the elements that influence the performance of the fusion splicer 2 and the connection quality of the optical fiber. All the factors related to can be easily diagnosed.

In the above process, the three inspections are performed as a continuous flow, but each inspection may be performed independently. In this case, the operator operates the operation unit 11
Enter to instruct to start each inspection.

As shown in FIG. 6, the data management terminal 4 includes a data processing section 20, an operating section 21, and a display section 22.
And a memory unit 23.

The data processing unit 20 performs maintenance management processing for the fusion splicer 2. Specifically, data relating to the fusion splicer 2 stored in the memory unit 13 of the fusion splicer 2 (hereinafter,
It simply receives the fusion splicer data), performs predetermined data processing, and updates various parameters and programs stored in advance in the memory unit 13 of the fusion splicer 2. As described above, the fusion splicer data is detailed data of the self-diagnosis result, optical fiber connection data, various parameters (see FIG. 8), and the like.

The operation unit 21 is used to issue an instruction for extracting the fusion splicer data and to select parameter data and programs to be updated. The display unit 22 is
Information such as fusion splicer data is displayed. The memory unit 23 stores management terminal software such as an installer and a file creator (see FIG. 8) in advance, and also stores the fusion splicer data fetched from the memory unit 13 of the fusion splicer 2.

FIG. 7 is a flow chart showing the details of the maintenance management processing procedure of the fusion splicer 2 by the data processing unit 20.

In the figure, first, it is judged whether or not the fusion splicer data is acquired from the memory unit 13 of the fusion splicer 2 (procedure 81). This determination is made based on an instruction input from the operation unit 21 or an instruction signal sent from the maintenance station management device 8. Then, when the fusion splicer data is acquired, a data output request signal is sent to the control processing unit 10 of the fusion splicer 2 (step 82). After that, the fusion splicer data stored in the memory unit 13 of the fusion splicer 2 is received (procedure 83).

Subsequently, it is judged whether or not the fusion splicer data is edited (procedure 84). When the fusion splicer data is edited, the fusion splicer data received from the fusion splicer 2 or already stored in the memory unit 23 is stored. The fusion splicer data that has been edited is edited (step 85). Then, a data file is created by fusing the fusion splicer data in a predetermined format (procedure 86). This filed data group is the one in which the number, items, order, etc. of the diagnosis contents in the detailed data of the self-diagnosis result are standardized. Subsequently, it is determined whether or not the fusion splicer data is to be stored (step 87). When the fusion splicer data is stored, the filed fusion splicer data is stored in the memory unit
(Step 88).

Next, it is judged whether or not the above-mentioned filed fusion splicer data is to be transmitted to the maintenance station management device 8 (procedure 89), and when transmitting, as shown in FIG.
The filed fusion splicer data is transmitted to the maintenance station management device 8 by a predetermined file transfer function (step 9).
0). At this time, since the fusion splicer data is filed in a predetermined format, the data transfer procedure between the data processing unit 20 and the maintenance station management device 8 can be easily automated. The file transfer function can be used by providing a commercially available electronic mail function, and in this case, data transfer and the like can be easily performed.

As described above, in the data processing unit 20,
The fusion splicer data from the fusion splicer 2 can be comprehensively managed.

Thereafter, it is judged whether or not there is update parameter data or update program sent from the maintenance station management device 8 (procedure 91), and if such update parameter data or update program is received (procedure 92). ).
These are filed in the same format as above.

Then, it is judged whether or not the parameters and programs stored in the memory unit 13 of the fusion splicer 2 are updated (procedure 93), and when updating, either the update parameter data or the update program is selected. , Or both are sent to the control processing unit 10 of the fusion splicer 2 and stored in the memory unit 13 (step 94). The update parameter data and update program at this time include those input by the operation unit 21 and those sent from the maintenance station management apparatus 8 (see FIG. 8).

Then, it is judged whether or not the maintenance management process of the fusion splicer 2 is completed (procedure 95), and when it is not yet completed, the process returns to the procedure 81 and the above-mentioned processes are repeatedly executed. On the other hand, when the maintenance management process is completed, the maintenance management result is displayed on the display unit 22 (procedure 96), and the maintenance management result is transmitted to the maintenance station management device 8 (procedure 9).
7).

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing details of the maintenance management processing procedure of the fusion splicer 2 by the maintenance station management device 8.

In the figure, first, it is judged whether or not there is a data file sent from the data processing unit 20 of the data management terminal 4 (procedure 101), and if such a data file is received, it is received and displayed on the display unit. It is displayed (not shown) (step 102).

Here, the maintenance manager at the maintenance station 6 analyzes the received data, grasps the defect of the fusion splicing operation of the fusion splicer 2, and decides the countermeasure. Specifically, the program stored in the program memory 13A of the fusion splicer 2 is updated or the parameter memory 1
It is determined whether to update the parameter stored in 3B, and the program or parameter to be updated is selected and input by, for example, the operation unit (not shown).

Then, the maintenance station management device 8 judges whether the correspondence to the fusion splicer 2 is a program update (procedure 103), and when the program is updated, the selected update program is prepared. (Procedure 104). Subsequently, it is determined whether or not to send the update program to the data management terminal 4 (step 105).
As shown in, the update program file is sent to the data processing unit 20 of the data management terminal 4 (procedure 106).

Next, it is judged whether or not the update parameter data is edited (procedure 107), and when the data is edited, the selected update parameter data is edited (procedure 108). Then, an updated parameter data file is created by filing the edited updated parameter data in the same format as the above (step 109). continue,
It is determined whether or not to send the update parameter data to the data management terminal 4 (procedure 110). When sending, the update parameter data file is sent to the data processing unit 20 of the data management terminal 4 as shown in FIG. Send (Procedure 1
11).

After that, the maintenance management result sent from the data management terminal 4 is received (procedure 112). And
It is judged whether the maintenance management process of the fusion splicer 2 is completed (step 113), and if it is not completed yet, the step 1
Returning to 01, the above processing is repeatedly executed.

Next, a method of performing maintenance management of the fusion splicer 2 in the maintenance management system 5 configured as described above will be described.

First, the maintenance manager at the maintenance station 6 instructs the maintenance station management device 8 to retrieve the fusion splicer data. Then, the fusion splicer data including the detailed data of the latest self-diagnosis result stored in the memory unit 13 of the fusion splicer 2 is sent to the maintenance station management device 8 via the data management terminal 4. It is displayed on the display unit (not shown) of the maintenance station management device 8. The maintenance manager sees the detailed data of the self-diagnosis result and accurately grasps the situation such as whether or not the fusion splicing operation of the fusion splicer 2 is in trouble. At this time, by comparing the self-diagnosis result data sent from the fusion splicer 2 with the data left at the time of shipment from the factory, it is possible to know the change in the situation of the fusion splicer 2.

When the fusion splicing operation of the fusion splicer 2 is defective, the maintenance manager decides the action for the fault and updates the fusion parameter connection device 2 with the updated parameter data.
To change the parameters related to the optical fiber connection function or to send the update program to the fusion splicer 2 to upgrade the software related to the optical fiber connection function. Further, if the problem of the fusion splicing operation is minor, the local worker may only give a simple operation instruction. As a result, the maintenance management service for the fusion splicer 2 at a remote place can be performed with sufficient content.

Further, the fusion splicer 2 can be maintained and managed locally. In this case, first, the operation unit 21 of the data management terminal 4 is instructed to take out the fusion splicer data. Then, the memory unit 13 of the fusion splicer 2
The fusion splicer data including the detailed data of the latest self-diagnosis result stored in the display is displayed on the display unit 2 of the data management terminal 4.
It is displayed in 2. Then, based on the detailed data of the self-diagnosis result, the fusion splicer 2 is maintained and managed by the same method as described above.

As described above, according to the present embodiment, detailed data at the time of self-diagnosis of the optical fiber connection function of the fusion splicer 2 is stored in the memory unit 13 of the fusion splicer 2, so The detailed data of the self-diagnosis result can be taken out at any time when needed, both in the field and in the maintenance station 6. Therefore, unlike the case of performing maintenance management of the fusion splicer 2 based on the image data of the defect situation of the fusion splicing operation, it is not necessary to operate the fusion splicer 2 one by one to reproduce the defect situation. This makes it possible to easily support the maintenance and maintenance of the fusion splicer 2 even from a remote location.

Further, since the fusion splicer 2 is not particularly provided with a communication control device or the like for communicating with the maintenance station management device 8, the fusion splicer 2 is advantageous in terms of cost and size. Become.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing one embodiment of the fusion splicer according to the present invention and another example of the maintenance management system thereof. In the figure, the same or equivalent members as those shown in FIG. 1 are designated by the same reference numerals, and the description thereof will be omitted.

In the figure, the maintenance management system 30 is
For example, the maintenance station 31 in the optical component factory can maintain and manage a plurality of fusion splicers 2. Each fusion splicing apparatus 1 is always connected to a maintenance station management apparatus 33 via a network 32 such as a LAN.

In the maintenance management system 30 as described above, the maintenance station management device 33 constantly or regularly monitors the states of the fusion splicers 2, thereby facilitating recovery and maintenance when an abnormality occurs. Further, parameter setting and software version upgrade of each fusion splicer 2 can be efficiently performed collectively. Further, as a result of self-diagnosis of the optical fiber connection function of the fusion splicer 2, when it is determined that the fusion splicer 2 has some abnormality, that effect and detailed data of the self-diagnosis result are provided to the maintenance station management device. It can be configured to automatically transmit to 33.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the fusion splicing device 1 of the above embodiment, the data management terminal 4 is always connected to the fusion splicer 2, but the invention is not limited to this, and the fusion splicer 2 is connected only when necessary. It is also possible to connect the data management terminal 4 and obtain detailed data when the optical fiber connection function of the fusion splicer 2 is self-diagnosed.

[0063]

According to the present invention, the optical fiber connecting function of the fusion splicer is diagnosed according to a predetermined procedure, and the diagnostic result data of the optical fiber connecting function is stored in the memory. It is possible to easily perform maintenance and maintenance of the fusion splicer.

[Brief description of drawings]

FIG. 1 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a fusion splicer according to the present invention and an example of a maintenance management system thereof.

FIG. 2 is a configuration diagram of the fusion splicing device shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing details of a self-diagnosis processing procedure by the control processing unit shown in FIG.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart showing details of a self-diagnosis processing procedure by the control processing unit shown in FIG.

5 is a diagram showing an outline of a self-diagnosis program for executing the self-diagnosis processing shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. FIG.

6 is a block diagram of the data management terminal shown in FIG. 1. FIG.

7 is a flowchart showing details of a maintenance management procedure of the fusion splicer by the data processing unit shown in FIG.

8 is a diagram showing the flow of data and programs between the fusion splicer shown in FIG. 1 and the maintenance station manager.

9 is a flowchart showing details of a maintenance management processing procedure of the fusion splicer by the maintenance station management apparatus shown in FIG.

FIG. 10 is a configuration diagram showing an embodiment of a fusion splicing apparatus according to the present invention and another example of a maintenance management system thereof.

[Explanation of symbols]

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Fusion splicing device, 2 ... Fusion splicing device, 4 ... Data management terminal device, 5 ... Maintenance management system, 6 ... Maintenance station, 8 ... Maintenance station management device, 9 ... Device body, 10 ... Control processing unit ( Diagnostic means), 13 ... Memory unit, 13D ... Self-diagnosis result storage memory, 14 ... Discharge unit (fusion unit), 20 ... Data processing unit, 3
0 ... Maintenance management system, 31 ... Maintenance station, 33 ... Maintenance station management device.

Claims (5)

[Claims] 1. A fusion splicing apparatus including a fusion splicer for fusion splicing optical fibers to each other, wherein the fusion splicer includes a device main body including a fusion splicing portion that fuses the optical fibers to each other. A diagnostic means for diagnosing the optical fiber connection function of the fusion splicer according to a predetermined procedure, a memory for storing diagnostic result data of the optical fiber connection function, and the diagnostic result data stored in the memory. And a means for outputting the fusion splicing device. 2. The diagnosing means inspects the function of the hardware of the fusion splicer and the function and operating condition of the equipment body when the optical fiber is set in the equipment body. The fusion splicing device according to claim 1, further comprising means and means for inspecting a connection state of the optical fiber when the optical fiber is fusion-spliced. 3. A data management terminal for retrieving the diagnostic result data stored in the memory and updating at least one of a parameter and a program relating to the optical fiber connection function stored in advance in the memory. The fusion splicing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein. 4. The data management terminal transmits the diagnostic result data stored in the memory to a maintenance station, and receives an update signal sent from the maintenance station to receive parameters related to the optical fiber connection function. And at least one of the programs is updated.
The fusion splicing device described. 5. A fusion splicer maintenance management method for servicing a fusion splicer for splicing optical fibers together, the optical fiber splicing of the fusion splicer according to a predetermined procedure. Diagnosing the function, storing the diagnostic result data of the optical fiber connection function in a memory, transmitting the diagnostic result data stored in the memory to a maintenance station, in the maintenance station, the diagnostic result data And a maintenance management method for the fusion splicer based on the above.