JP2019095557A - Fusion condition providing system - Google Patents

Abstract

To rapidly provide a fusion splicer with a fusion condition necessary for fusion splicing between optical fibers.SOLUTION: A fusion condition providing system comprises: a storage device that stores multiple fusion conditions; and a central management device that provides a fusion splicer with a new fusion condition. In the fusion splicer, a data acquisition part acquires before-splicing data that show a state before fusion splicing between target optical fibers, and after the fusion splicing between the target optical fibers, it acquires state image data that show a state of fusion splicing between the target optical fibers. A communication part transmits the before-splicing data and state image data of the target optical fibers to the central management device. In the central management device, a retrieval processing part retrieves a fusion condition for optical fibers that is close to the state shown in the before-splicing data and determines it to be a new fusion condition. A learning processing part improves the new fusion condition so as to reduce a splicing loss between the target optical fibers after the fusion splicing which is estimated on the basis of the state image data, and provides the fusion splicer with an improved fusion condition.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

  The present invention relates to a fusion condition providing system.

  Conventionally, a fusion splicer used for fusion splicing of optical fibers is known (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Generally, a fusion splicer recognizes a position of each end of two target optical fibers, and a step of aligning a center axis (core axis) of the two position-recognized optical fibers. Do it sequentially. Next, the fusion splicer sequentially heats and melts the respective ends of the two optical fibers aligned with each other, and sequentially connects the respective ends of the two heated optical fibers and connects them. Do. Thereafter, the fusion splicer performs an inspection step of optically inspecting the fusion spliced portion of the two optical fibers by image processing or the like, and reinforcement which mechanically reinforces the fusion spliced portion by a reinforcing member such as a sleeve. Perform the steps one by one. Through a series of steps from the position recognition step to the reinforcement step, the fusion splicer completes the fusion splice of two optical fibers of interest.

  In each of the series of steps performed by the fusion splicer for fusion splicing two optical fibers as described above, automatic control is performed by the controller of the fusion splicer. That is, in each of the series of steps by the fusion splicer, the control unit performs fusion splice based on various setting values of fusion conditions required to fusion splice two optical fibers in question. It controls the machine's functional parts. Among various setting values of such fusion conditions, the types of two optical fibers to be fusion spliced (specifically, physical characteristics such as materials, structures, dimensions, etc., which differ depending on the types of optical fibers) and fusion There are setting values to be changed in accordance with the wavelength (hereinafter, referred to as “passing wavelength”) of light passing through two optical fibers after being connected. Hereinafter, individual setting values included in the fusing conditions are referred to as “parameters”, and a parameter group constituting the fusing conditions is referred to as a “parameter set”.

  The storage unit of the fusion splicer stores a large number of parameter sets known at the time of manufacture or sale of the fusion splicer. The fusion splicer selects a set of parameters necessary for fusion splicing of the two optical fibers among a large number of parameter sets in the storage unit according to the type of the two optical fibers to be targeted and the light transmission wavelength etc. Select and switch the fusing conditions to this selected parameter set. The fusion splicer performs two series of steps described above sequentially based on the fusion conditions (parameter set) switched in this way, so that the two optical fibers to be processed are finished (for example, with low connection loss). It can be fusion spliced.

JP, 2010-128290, A

  By the way, in the field of optical fibers, for example, applications such as single mode optical fibers, multimode optical fibers, polarization maintaining optical fibers, optical fibers for laser light transmission, by optical characteristics, diameter of optical fibers, core diameter, core A wide variety of optical fibers exist in the market according to the physical properties such as the material of the cladding, the material of the cladding, and the refractive index distribution in the radial direction. Also, from each optical fiber manufacturer, a large number of new types of optical fibers are put on the market every year. Therefore, the number of combinations of all optical fibers present in the market (ie, the number of combinations of two optical fibers to be fusion spliced) is enormous and tends to increase year by year.

  On the other hand, a large number of parameter sets known at the time of manufacture or sale are preset (preset) in a fusion splicer used by the user (hereinafter referred to as "user fusion splicer") . However, the number of parameter sets (number of types) preset in the user-supplied fusion splicer is in a very limited range compared to the number of combinations of all optical fibers tending to increase year by year as described above It can not but become. Furthermore, when the type (model) of the fusion splicer is different, different parameter sets may be required depending on the type of the fusion splicer due to the structural difference of the fusion splicer among the models.

  For this reason, when a situation occurs in which a parameter set compatible with fusion splicing of two optical fibers to be targeted is not preset in a fusion splicer used by the user, the user himself or herself can experiment, trial and error. To create a new set of parameters compatible with the fusion splice, or the store where the user purchased the fusion splicer or the manufacturer of the fusion splicer used by the user responds to the request from the user. A work process such as newly creating a parameter set compatible with the fusion connection and providing it to the user is required. Since such a work process takes a great deal of effort, the user is required to set the parameters for the fusion connection, and then the user is provided with the parameter set for the request until the need is satisfied. The problem is that it takes a lot of time.

  The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and allows a user to set a parameter set required for fusion bonding of desired optical fibers as quickly as possible to a user used fusion splicer It is an object of the present invention to provide a fusion condition providing system that can be provided.

  In order to solve the problems described above and achieve the object, the fusion condition providing system according to the present invention provides a fusion condition provision system that provides fusion bonding conditions to a fusion splicer that performs fusion bonding of optical fibers. And a storage device for storing a plurality of fusion conditions, and a central management device for transmitting a new fusion condition not set to the fusion splicer to the fusion splicer, The attachment / connection machine acquires pre-connection data indicating a state before fusion splicing of the target optical fiber to be fusion spliced under the new fusion condition, and the fusion splicing of the target optical fibers is performed in a row If it is, the data acquisition unit for acquiring the state image data indicating the state of fusion splicing of the target optical fibers, and the pre-connection data of the target optical fiber and the state image data are transmitted to the central management device The communication unit, and A plurality of the fusion conditions of the optical fibers closest to the state before fusion splicing of the target optical fiber indicated by the pre-connection data transmitted from the fusion splicer, Fusion bonding of the target optical fibers based on the state image data transmitted from the fusion splicer and a search processing unit that searches from among the fusion conditions of the above and sets the fusion condition as the new fusion condition An estimation processing unit for estimating a connection loss later, and the new fusion condition is improved so as to reduce the estimated connection loss to learn and improve the new fusion condition improvement method And a learning processing unit that presents, to the fusion splicer, improved fusion conditions that are new fusion conditions.

  In the fusion condition providing system according to the present invention, in the above invention, the data acquisition unit acquires, as the pre-connection data, luminance data indicating a luminance distribution in the radial direction of the target optical fiber, and the search The processing unit searches fusion conditions of optical fibers having a luminance distribution closest to the luminance data transmitted from the fusion splicer from among the plurality of fusion conditions, and the new fusion conditions and It is characterized by

  In the fusion condition providing system according to the present invention, in the above invention, the learning processing unit stores the improved fusion bonding condition in the storage device as part of the plurality of fusion bonding conditions. It features.

  Further, in the fusion bonding condition providing system according to the present invention, in the above invention, the learning processing unit determines the contribution ratio of each parameter constituting the new fusion bonding condition to the reduction of the connection loss. A weighting of each parameter is determined, and the improved fusion condition is created based on the determined weighting.

  Further, in the fusion condition providing system according to the present invention, in the above invention, the learning processing unit determines the connection loss estimated by the estimation processing unit as the connection loss before improving the new fusion condition. It is characterized by presenting to said fusion splicer with said improvement fusion conditions.

  The fusion splice condition providing system according to the present invention can provide the user-provided fusion splicer as quickly as possible the set of parameters required by the user for fusion splice of the optical fibers as desired. Play an effect.

FIG. 1 is a view showing a configuration example of a fusion bonding condition providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of luminance data of a target optical fiber in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of each parameter of the fusion bonding condition used for the functional part of the fusion splicer in the embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing procedure of the fusion bonding condition providing system according to the embodiment of the present invention.

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a fusion condition providing system according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings. The present invention is not limited by the present embodiment. In addition, it should be noted that the drawings are schematic, and dimensional relationships among elements, ratios of elements, and the like may differ from actual ones. Even between the drawings, there may be a case where the dimensional relationships and ratios differ from one another.

(Configuration of fusion condition providing system)
First, the configuration of a fusion bonding condition providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 is a view showing a configuration example of a fusion bonding condition providing system according to an embodiment of the present invention. The fusion bonding condition providing system 1 according to the present embodiment provides fusion bonding conditions to a fusion splicer that performs fusion splicing of optical fibers. As shown in FIG. 1, the fusion splice condition providing system 1 includes a fusion splicer 10 used by a user, and a central management unit 20 providing fusion splice conditions to the fusion splicer 10 via the network 2; And a storage device 30 for storing a plurality of fusion conditions of optical fibers as a parameter set.

  The fusion splicer 10 is an example of a fusion splicer (a fusion splicer used by a user) used by the user for fusion splicing of optical fibers. As shown in FIG. 1, the fusion splicer 10 includes a functional unit 11 for fusion splicing optical fibers, a storage unit 12 in which a plurality of parameter sets are preset, and the fusion splicer 10. And a control unit 13 that controls each component. In addition, the fusion splicer 10 includes a data acquisition unit 14 that acquires data on fusion splicing of optical fibers, a communication unit 15 for performing data communication with the outside, and an input unit 16 that inputs various information. , And a display unit 17 for displaying various information.

  The functional unit 11 is used to fuse and connect two optical fibers desired by the user (specifically, the respective ends of the two optical fibers) according to the light transmission wavelength desired by the user. Although not particularly illustrated, the functional unit 11 is configured by, for example, a microscope unit for fusion-bonding of optical fibers, an alignment mechanism, a heating device, a feeding mechanism, a reinforcing mechanism, and the like.

  In the present embodiment, the functional unit 11 includes a position recognition step of recognizing the position of each end of two optical fibers to be fusion spliced by image processing of the microscope unit, and two position-recognized optical fibers. An alignment step of aligning the central axis (core axis) by an alignment mechanism is sequentially performed. Next, the functional unit 11 performs a heating step of heating and melting the respective ends of the two axially aligned optical fibers by the heating device, and abuts the respective ends of the two heated optical fibers by the feeding mechanism. A connecting step of fusion-bonding two optical fibers together is sequentially performed. Thereafter, the functional unit 11 performs an inspection step of optically inspecting the fusion spliced portion of these two optical fibers by image processing of the microscope unit. Further, the functional unit 11 performs a reinforcement step of mechanically reinforcing the fusion spliced portion of the two optical fibers after the inspection step with a reinforcement member such as a sleeve by a reinforcement mechanism. The functional unit 11 completes the fusion splicing of the two user-desired optical fibers according to the user-desired passing wavelength by a series of steps from the position recognition step to the reinforcement step described above.

  The storage unit 12 prestores a plurality of parameter sets known at the time of manufacture or sale of the fusion splicer 10. Thereby, the plurality of parameter sets are preset in the storage unit 12.

  The control unit 13 performs fusion bonding of these two optical fibers among a plurality of parameter sets in the storage unit 12 according to the type and light transmission wavelength of the two optical fibers to be fusion spliced. Set the parameter set that conforms to as the fusion condition. On the other hand, when the above-mentioned compatible parameter set is not preset in the storage unit 12, the control unit 13 sets these two optical fibers to a new parameter set acquired from the central management apparatus 20 described later via the network 2. It sets up as fusion conditions necessary for fusion connection of each other. The control unit 13 appropriately controls the operations of the microscope unit, the alignment mechanism, the heating device, the feeding mechanism, and the reinforcement mechanism in a series of steps by the above-described function unit 11 based on each parameter of the parameter set set in this manner. Do. Further, the control unit 13 controls input / output of signals between the storage unit 12, the data acquisition unit 14, the communication unit 15, the input unit 16, and the display unit 17, and each operation thereof.

  The data acquisition unit 14 acquires data on an optical fiber (hereinafter referred to as a target optical fiber as appropriate) to be subjected to fusion splicing under the new fusion conditions provided from the central management device 20. In detail, the data acquisition unit 14 includes a light source, an image sensor, and the like. The data acquisition unit 14 acquires pre-connection data indicating the state before the fusion splicing of the target optical fiber for each of the two target optical fibers set in the function unit 11 of the fusion splicer 10 for fusion splicing. Do. For example, in the present embodiment, the data acquisition unit 14 acquires luminance data indicating the luminance distribution in the radial direction of the target optical fiber. The luminance data is an example of the pre-connection data. FIG. 2 is a view showing an example of luminance data of a target optical fiber in the embodiment of the present invention. The data acquisition unit 14 irradiates light in the radial direction (lateral direction) of the target optical fiber, picks up the light transmitted through the target optical fiber, and detects the luminance distribution of the obtained image data. Thus, the data acquisition unit 14 acquires luminance data indicating the luminance distribution in the radial direction of the target optical fiber. This luminance distribution is generated in the radial direction of the target optical fiber due to the refractive index difference of the core, cladding and air of the target optical fiber, and as shown in FIG. 2, for example, the luminance relative to the radial position of the target optical fiber It shows the distribution.

  Further, when the fusion splicing of the target optical fibers is performed, the data acquiring unit 14 acquires state image data indicating the fusion splicing state of the target optical fibers. More specifically, the data acquisition unit 14 applies light in the radial direction of the target optical fiber to the fusion spliced portion of the two target optical fibers fusion spliced by the function unit 11 and this fusion spliced portion Image the light transmitted through the Thereby, the data acquiring unit 14 acquires state image data indicating the state of the fusion spliced portion (that is, the state of fusion splicing of the target optical fibers). In addition, as a state of fusion splicing of object optical fibers, for example, an outer shape such as a bulge or a dent of the object optical fiber in the fusion spliced portion, positional deviation or angular deviation of the core axis, etc. may be mentioned.

  The communication unit 15 communicates with the central management device 20. Specifically, the communication unit 15 transmits the pre-connection data (for example, luminance data) of the target optical fiber by the data acquisition unit 14 to the central management apparatus 20 via the network 2 when the target optical fibers are fusion spliced. . In addition, when fusion splicing of the target optical fibers is performed, the communication unit 15 transmits the state image data after fusion splicing of the target optical fiber by the data acquisition unit 14 to the central management device 20 via the network 2. Send. On the other hand, the communication unit 15 receives various information from the central management device 20 via the network 2. As various information received from the central management unit 20, for example, a new fusion condition not set in the fusion splicer 10, a proposal for improvement of the new fusion condition, connection of the fusion-connected target optical fiber The estimation result of loss etc. can be mentioned.

  The input unit 16 is configured by an input key or the like, and inputs various information in accordance with the user's input operation. Examples of the information input by the input unit 16 include information related to the target optical fiber such as a light passing wavelength, information for starting or stopping fusion splicing, and the like. The display unit 17 is configured of a display device such as a liquid crystal display, and displays various information instructed to be displayed by the control unit 13. As information displayed by the display unit 17, for example, information received by the communication unit 15 from the central management device 20, information transmitted from the communication unit 15 to the central management device 20, information input by the input unit 16, etc. It can be mentioned.

  In the present embodiment, the two optical fibers desired by the user are two optical fibers desired by the user as a target of fusion splicing. These two optical fibers include not only optical fibers for which compatible fusion conditions are preset in the fusion splicer 10, but also optical fibers for which fusion conditions are not preset (that is, target optical fibers). The user-desired transmission wavelength is the desired wavelength of the light (i.e., the light to be transmitted through the integrated optical fiber) that is passed through the plurality of (for example, two) target optical fibers after fusion splice. The network 2 is, for example, a communication network such as the Internet or a local area network (LAN).

  On the other hand, the central management unit 20 and the storage unit 30 hold and manage the fusion conditions provided to the fusion splicer 10. The central management unit 20 is constituted by a computer such as a server or a workstation, and for example, new fusion conditions not set to the fusion splicer 10 among a plurality of fusion conditions stored in the storage device 30 are , Can be sent to the fusion splicer 10 via the network 2. As shown in FIG. 1, such a central management device 20 includes a communication processing unit 21, a search processing unit 22, a learning processing unit 23, and an estimation processing unit 24.

  The communication processing unit 21 communicates with the communication unit 15 of the fusion splicer 10 via the network 2. For example, the communication processing unit 21 receives the luminance data of the target optical fiber in the fusion splicer 10 from the communication unit 15, and a new fusion required for fusion splicing of the target optical fibers according to the received luminance data. The arrival condition is transmitted to the communication unit 15. Further, the communication processing unit 21 receives from the communication unit 15 the state image data after fusion splicing of the target optical fibers in the fusion splicer 10, and according to the received state image data, the new fusion welding condition And the connection loss (estimated value) of the target optical fiber after fusion splice based on the new fusion condition before improvement is transmitted to the communication unit 15.

  The search processing unit 22 searches for a fusion condition to be provided to the fusion splicer 10 among the plurality of fusion conditions stored in the storage device 30. Specifically, the search processing unit 22 acquires the pre-connection data (the luminance data from the fusion splicer 10 in the present embodiment) received by the communication processing unit 21 and the target indicated by the acquired pre-connection data A new fusion bonding method in which the fusion bonding condition of the optical fibers closest to the state before fusion bonding of the optical fibers is retrieved from a plurality of fusion bonding conditions in the storage device 30 and provided to the fusion splicer 10 It is a condition.

  The estimation processing unit 24 estimates connection loss of the target optical fiber after fusion splicing based on the new fusion bonding condition provided to the fusion splicer 10. In detail, the estimation processing unit 24 acquires the state image data transmitted from the fusion splicer 10 through the communication processing unit 21 and, based on the acquired state image data, the target by the fusion splicer 10 Estimate the connection loss after fusion splicing of optical fibers. The connection loss estimated by the estimation processing unit 24 is used as the connection loss before improving the new fusion condition, together with the improvement plan of the new fusion condition (for example, the improved fusion condition described later) and the fusion splicer. Presented at ten.

  The learning processing unit 23 improves the new fusion bonding condition applied to the fusion bonding of the target optical fibers and learns a method of improving the new fusion bonding condition. Specifically, the learning processing unit 23 reduces the connection loss estimated by the estimation processing unit 24 (for example, connection loss due to misalignment of core axes after fusion splicing of target optical fibers). Improve the fusion conditions (ie each parameter of the parameter set). Thus, the learning processing unit 23 creates an improved fusion condition that is an improvement of the new fusion condition. Also, the learning processing unit 23 learns the new method of improving the fusion conditions and accumulates the learned improving method as a learning result. The learning processing unit 23 presents the created improved fusion conditions to the fusion splicer 10 via the network 2. Also, the learning processing unit 23 stores such an improved fusion bonding condition in the storage device 30 as a part of the plurality of fusion conditions stored in the storage device 30.

  The storage device 30 is a large-capacity storage device that stores various information in an updatable manner, and stores the past results of optical fibers such as a plurality of fusion conditions actually created using optical fibers. In the present embodiment, as shown in FIG. 1, the storage device 30 has a fusion condition database 31 and a past performance database 32.

  The fusion welding condition database 31 includes a plurality of fusion welding conditions (parameter sets) combined with pre-connection data (for example, luminance data indicating the luminance distribution in the radial direction of the optical fiber) of each optical fiber having a history of fusion splicing. It matches and accumulates. The storage device 30 stores a plurality of fusing conditions in the fusing condition database 31 for each combination of pre-connection data of optical fibers having a history of fusion splicing.

  The past performance database 32 associates the past performance of connection loss between optical fibers generated by fusion bonding with the state of fusion bonding of optical fibers (for example, the outer shape of the fusion connection portion between optical fibers) And several accumulated. The storage device 30 stores a plurality of optical fibers in a pasted state and a connection loss between the optical fibers in a state of the above-described fusion connected in the past result database 32 as past results. In the present embodiment, the past performance database 32 is used for estimation of connection loss by the estimation processing unit 24 described above.

(Each parameter of fusion condition)
Next, each parameter of the fusing condition set in the fusion splicer 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described in detail. When the optical fibers are fused and connected by the functional unit 11 of the fusion splicer 10, the control unit 13 controls the functional unit 11 based on each parameter of the fusion conditions (parameter set) set in the fusion splicer 10. Control. FIG. 3 is a view showing an example of each parameter of the fusion bonding condition used for the functional part of the fusion splicer in the embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3, in the fusion splicer 10, for example, parameters of fusion conditions are set for each of the microscope unit constituting the functional unit 11, the alignment mechanism, the heating device, and the feeding mechanism.

  Specifically, as shown in FIG. 3, for the microscope unit of the functional unit 11, for example, an optical fiber diameter, an optical fiber core diameter, and an optical fiber cross-sectional structure are used as parameters. The optical fiber diameter is each diameter of two user-desired optical fibers. The optical fiber core diameter is the diameter of each core of these two optical fibers. The optical fiber cross-sectional structure is the refractive index distribution of each of these two optical fibers in the radial direction, the material of the core and the cladding, the end surface structure, and the like. The control unit 13 reads these parameters from the storage unit 12 of the fusion splicer 10, and controls operations such as image processing of the microscope unit in the position recognition step and the inspection step described above based on the read parameters.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, for the axis alignment mechanism of the functional unit 11, for example, a light transmission wavelength (user-desired light transmission wavelength), an optical fiber cross-sectional structure, and a center offset are used as parameters. The center offset is an adjustment amount of the position (hereinafter referred to as a butt position) of the end of each optical fiber to be butted in fusion bonding of the optical fibers. The ends of the optical fibers to be fusion spliced are usually spaced at equal intervals around the discharge zone of a heating device for heating and melting the ends. However, depending on the combination of fusion spliced optical fibers, the butt position may be adjusted (offset). The control unit 13 reads out these parameters from the storage unit 12 and controls the operation of the alignment mechanism in the above-described alignment step based on the read out parameters.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the heating device of the functional unit 11 has, for example, initial heating temperature, molding heating temperature, heating time, preheating temperature, preheating time, additional heating temperature, and additional heating time as parameters. Is used. The initial heating temperature is an initial heating temperature when heating and melting each end of two user-desired optical fibers. The molding heating temperature is a heating temperature at the time of molding while heating and melting each end of these two optical fibers. The heating time is a heating time when heating and melting each end of these two optical fibers at the initial heating temperature or the molding heating temperature. In addition, the end of each optical fiber to be fusion spliced needs to be slightly melted before the heating and melting. The heat treatment performed at this time is referred to as preheating, the preheating temperature is the heating temperature in the preheating, and the preheating time is the heating time in the preheating. Further, the fusion spliced portions of the optical fibers (for example, the fusion spliced portions of the optical fibers having different core diameters) may be additionally heated after the fusion splice completion. The heat treatment performed at this time is referred to as additional heating, the additional heating temperature is the heating temperature in the additional heating, and the additional heating time is the heating time in the additional heating. The control unit 13 reads these parameters from the storage unit 12 and controls the operation of the heating device in the above-described heating step based on the read parameters.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 3, the feed mechanism of the functional unit 11 uses, for example, a feed start time, a feed distance, a feed speed, and an optical fiber depression amount as parameters. The feed start time is the time when one of the two optical fibers after the heating step is abutted, and one of them starts to be sent toward the other. The feed distance is a movement distance when one of the two optical fibers is directed toward the other. The feed speed is a moving speed when one of these two optical fibers is directed toward the other. The optical fiber pressing amount is a pressing amount when the end portions of the respective optical fibers to be fusion spliced are pressed as required. The control unit 13 reads out these parameters from the storage unit 12 and controls the operation of the feed mechanism in the above-mentioned connection step based on the read out parameters.

  In the present embodiment, fusion bonding conditions (parameter set) including each parameter as illustrated in FIG. 3 are preset in the fusion splicer 10 (that is, stored in the storage unit 12) for each combination of optical fibers. . In addition, when the fusion bonding conditions suitable for the fusion splicing of two optical fibers desired by the user are not preset in the fusion splicer 10, new fusion bonding conditions including the above-mentioned parameters are made via the network 2. The central management unit 20 provides the fusion splicer 10. The fusion bonding conditions in the present embodiment are not limited to those including the parameters shown in FIG. 3, and parameters other than those shown in FIG. 3, for example, the parameters of the reinforcement mechanism for performing the above-described reinforcement step, etc. It may further include.

(Providing fusion conditions)
Next, in the fusion bonding condition providing system 1 having the above-described configuration, processing when new fusion bonding conditions necessary for fusion splicing of target optical fibers are provided from the central management apparatus 20 to the fusion splicer 10 Describe the procedure. FIG. 4 is a flow chart showing an example of the processing procedure of the fusion bonding condition providing system according to the embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, among the two target optical fibers to be fusion-spliced, one is appropriately referred to as the target optical fiber F1, and the other is appropriately referred to as the target optical fiber F2. Further, luminance data is exemplified as an example of data before connection of the target optical fibers F1 and F2.

  In the fusion bonding condition providing system 1 according to the present embodiment, if the fusion bonding condition compatible with the fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 is not set in the fusion splicer 10 used by the user, as shown in FIG. By appropriately performing each processing procedure shown, the new fusion conditions necessary for this fusion connection are provided from the central management device 20 to the fusion splicer 10 via the network 2.

  That is, as shown in FIG. 4, in the fusion bonding condition providing system 1, first, the fusion splicer 10 sets the brightness data of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 when the target optical fibers F1 and F2 are fusion spliced. Is acquired (step S101). In step S101, the data acquisition unit 14 acquires luminance data of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 using, for example, the input of the information on the start of fusion connection by the input unit 16 as a trigger. At this time, the data acquisition unit 14 applies light in the radial direction to the target optical fibers F1 and F2 set in the functional unit 11 with the end faces facing each other. The data acquisition unit 14 captures the light transmitted through one of the target optical fibers F1 to acquire luminance data indicating the luminance distribution in the radial direction of the target optical fiber F1 and transmits the other target optical fiber F2 To obtain luminance data indicating the luminance distribution in the radial direction of the target optical fiber F2.

  After execution of step S101, in the fusion splicer 10, it is determined whether there is a fusion condition suitable for fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 (step S102). In step S102, the control unit 13 determines whether or not fusion bonding conditions compatible with fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 are stored in the storage unit 12, and if not stored, the fusion bonding is performed. It is determined that there is no condition (step S102, No). In this case, the fusion splicer 10 requests the central management apparatus 20 for fusion conditions necessary for fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 (step S103).

  In step S103, the communication unit 15 of the fusion splicer 10 sends each luminance data of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 acquired by the data acquisition unit 14 in step S101 described above to the central management device 20 via the network 2. Send. As a result, the fusion splicer 10 requires the central management device 20 to have fusion bonding conditions necessary for fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2.

  After execution of step S103, in the central management device 20, a search process of the fusion conditions requested from the fusion splicer 10 is performed (step S104). In step S104, the communication processing unit 21 receives the luminance data of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 from the communication unit 15 of the fusion splicer 10 via the network 2. The search processing unit 22 searches the fusing condition database 31 in the storage device 30 for fusing conditions of optical fibers having a luminance distribution closest to the received luminance data.

  More specifically, the search processing unit 22 determines the waveform of the luminance distribution for each of the luminance data of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 with respect to the luminance data of the plurality of optical fibers associated with the fusion conditions in the fusion condition database 31. Calculate the similarity of In the present embodiment, the similarity indicates, for example, the degree to which the feature amounts such as the slope of the waveform of the luminance distribution and the position and size of the peak are similar. Next, the search processing unit 22 selects, from among the luminance data of the plurality of optical fibers, the luminance data of the optical fiber having the highest similarity to the luminance data of the target optical fiber F1 and the similarity to the luminance data of the target optical fiber F2. Select the largest optical fiber brightness data. Thereafter, the search processing unit 22 searches the fusion bonding condition database 31 for the fusion bonding condition corresponding to the combination of the luminance data of the respective selected optical fibers. Then, the search processing unit 22 sets the fusion condition obtained by the search as a new fusion condition to be provided to the fusion splicer 10 in response to the request. The fusion conditions searched by the search processing unit 22 in this way are the fusion conditions of the optical fibers closest to the target optical fibers F1 and F2 among the plurality of fusion conditions stored in the fusion condition database 31. is there.

  After execution of step S104, the communication processing unit 21 of the central management device 20 transmits the new fusion conditions searched in step S104 described above as the transmission sources of the luminance data of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 (ie, fusion conditions Request source) to the fusion splicer 10 (step S105). The communication unit 15 of the fusion splicer 10 receives the new fusion conditions from the central management device 20 via the network 2 (step S106). In step S106, the received new welding condition is stored in the storage unit 12 as the welding condition of the target optical fibers F1 and F2.

  Thereafter, the fusion splicer 10 fusion splices the target optical fibers F1 and F2 with each other based on the new fusion conditions provided from the central management device 20 via the network 2 (step S107). In step S107, the control unit 13 reads the new fusion bonding condition from the storage unit 12, and sets the read new fusion bonding condition as the fusion bonding condition for fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2. . Next, the control unit 13 controls the functional unit 11 based on the new fusion bonding condition. Thereby, the function unit 11 operates based on each parameter indicated by the new fusion bonding condition to fusion-bond the target optical fibers F1 and F2 with each other.

  After the execution of step S107, the fusion splicer 10 performs state image data of the fusion spliced target optical fibers F1 and F2 when the fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 is performed as described above. It acquires (step S108). In step S108, the data acquisition unit 14 applies light in the radial direction to the fusion spliced portion of the target optical fibers F1 and F2, and images the light transmitted through the fusion spliced portion. Thus, the data acquisition unit 14 acquires state image data indicating the state of fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2.

  After execution of step S108, the communication unit 15 of the fusion splicer 10 transmits the state image data acquired in step S108 described above to the central management device 20 via the network 2 (step S109). In step S109, the state image data is obtained from the fusion splicer 10 as data indicating the result of fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 based on the new fusion bonding condition provided by the central management device 20. It is transmitted to the management device 20. The communication processing unit 21 of the central management device 20 receives such state image data of the fusion connection from the fusion splicer 10 via the network 2 (step S110).

  Thereafter, based on the state image data received from the fusion splicer 10, the central management unit 20 estimates the connection loss of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 after fusion splicing (step S111). In step S111, the estimation processing unit 24 acquires the state image data from the fusion splicer 10 through the communication processing unit 21, and based on the acquired state image data, the target light by the fusion splicer 10 is obtained. The splice loss after fusion splicing of the fibers F1 and F2 is estimated. At this time, the estimation processing unit 24 determines the state of fusion splicing of the optical fibers stored in the past performance database 32 in the storage device 30 in association with the past performance of connection loss and the fusion splicer 10. The state of fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 shown in the state image data is collated. Based on the comparison result, the estimation processing unit 24 determines the state of fusion splicing of the optical fibers closest to the state of fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 (that is, the degree of similarity is the largest) Select from 32 The estimation processing unit 24 estimates the past result of connection loss associated with the selected state of fusion bonding as a connection loss after fusion bonding of the target optical fibers F1 and F2. Further, the estimation processing unit 24 uses the connection loss after fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 estimated in this manner as the state image data of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 as a part of the past record database 32. It associates and stores in the storage device 30.

  After the execution of step S111, the central management device 20 performs the fusing condition at the time of fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 so as to reduce the connection loss after the fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2. That is, the new fusion bonding conditions for the target optical fibers F1 and F2 searched in step S104 described above are improved (step S112), and a method for improving the new fusion bonding conditions is learned (step S113).

  In steps S112 and S113, the learning processing unit 23 determines the connection loss estimated based on the state image data in step S111 described above (that is, the outer shape of the fusion spliced portion between the target optical fibers F1 and F2 and the core axis). The above new fusion conditions are improved so as to reduce the connection loss (due to misalignment). At this time, the learning processing unit 23 uses the learning results of the fusion condition improving method accumulated up to the previous time to estimate the above-described parameters of the new fusion conditions for the target optical fibers F1 and F2. Calculate the contribution rate to the reduction of connection loss. The learning processing unit 23 determines the weighting of each of these parameters in accordance with the calculated contribution rate. The learning processing unit 23 improves the new fusion conditions for the target optical fibers F1 and F2 so as to reduce the estimated connection loss based on the weighting of each parameter thus determined. Specifically, the learning processing unit 23 is configured to reduce the swelling and denting of the fusion spliced portion of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 shown in the state image data, the positional deviation and angular deviation of the core axis, and the like. Improve the new fusion conditions. Thus, the learning processing unit 23 creates the improved fusion conditions for the target optical fibers F1 and F2. And, the learning processing unit 23 learns the method of improving the above-mentioned new welding condition when creating the improved welding condition. As a method of improving the fusion condition to be the subject of learning, for example, a method of determining the weighting of each parameter and a method of correcting each parameter to be performed with respect to the fusion condition in order to reduce the estimated connection loss. Etc. The learning processing unit 23 accumulates the improvement method learned this time as a part of the past learning results (that is, the learning results of the fusion condition improving method learned by the previous time). The learning processing unit 23 uses the learning results accumulated in step S113 to improve the fusion conditions in the next step S112.

  Further, the learning processing unit 23 sets the improved fusion bonding conditions for the target optical fibers F1 and F2 created in step S112 as a part of the plurality of fusion bonding conditions stored in the fusion bonding condition database 31 as the target optical fiber. It is stored in the storage device 30 in association with the combination of the luminance data of F1 and F2. Note that the learning processing unit 23 uses, for example, the target optical fiber F1 based on specific information such as the IP address of the fusion splicer 10 at the time of transmission and reception of luminance data and new fusion conditions and transmission and reception of state image data. , F 2 and the luminance data from the fusion splicer 10 can be correlated.

  After the execution of steps S112 and S113, the learning processing unit 23 presents the improvement proposal of the new fusion bonding condition improved as described above to the fusion splicer 10 via the network 2 (step S114). In step S114, the learning processing unit 23 fusion splices the target optical fibers F1 and F2 with each other based on the improved fusion conditions created to reduce the connection loss in step S113 described above and the improved fusion conditions. The connection loss that may be reduced in some cases is considered as an improvement proposal presented to the fusion splicer 10. The communication processing unit 21 transmits such an improvement plan to the fusion splicer 10 via the network 2.

  Further, the learning processing unit 23 improves the connection loss estimated by the estimation processing unit 24 in step S111 described above as the connection loss before improving the new fusion conditions for the target optical fibers F1 and F2. It is preferable to present to the fusion splicer 10 together with the mounting conditions. At this time, the communication processing unit 21 transmits the improvement plan by the learning processing unit 23 described above and the estimation result of the connection loss by the estimation processing unit 24 to the fusion splicer 10 via the network 2.

  After execution of step S114, the fusion splicer 10 acquires the improvement plan presented from the central management device 20 (step S115). In step S115, the communication unit 15 receives, from the central management apparatus 20 via the network 2, the improvement proposal of the new fusion bonding condition for the target optical fibers F1 and F2. Preferably, the communication unit 15 receives the estimation result of the connection loss by the estimation processing unit 24 together with the improvement plan. The fusing conditions shown in this improvement plan, that is, the improved fusing conditions for fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 are stored in the storage unit 12. At this time, the new fusing condition (before improvement) stored in the storage unit 12 in the above-described step S106 may be overwritten on the improved fusing condition.

  Further, in step S115, the display unit 17 fuses the improved optical fiber F1 and F2 which can be reduced by the improved optical fusion conditions for the target optical fibers F1 and F2 shown in the improvement plan and the improved optical fusion condition. Display connection loss after connection. Furthermore, it is preferable that the display unit 17 display the estimation result of the connection loss obtained along with the improvement plan, that is, the connection loss before improving the new fusion conditions for the target optical fibers F1 and F2. The user can appropriately determine whether the fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 is to be performed again by referring to the information displayed on the display unit 17.

  When the fusion splicer 10 re-splices the target optical fibers F1 and F2 again (Yes in step S116), the functional unit 11 fuses the target optical fibers F1 and F2 with each other based on the improved fusing condition. The call is connected (step S117), and the process ends. When the fusion splicer 10 does not perform fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 again (Step S116, No), the present process is ended without executing Step S117.

  On the other hand, in the above-described step S102, when the fusion bonding condition compatible with the fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 is stored in the storage unit 12, the control unit 13 determines that the fusion bonding condition is present ( Step S102, Yes). In this case, the fusion splicer 10 proceeds to step S117 described above without requiring the central management apparatus 20 to establish fusion conditions necessary for fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2, and the fusion spliced in advance is preset. The target optical fibers F1 and F2 are fusion-bonded to each other using attachment conditions.

  In the fusion condition providing system 1, when two desired optical fibers are set in the function part 11 of the fusion splicer 10 and it is attempted to fusion splice these two optical fibers, as shown in FIG. Each process of step S101 to S117 shown to is suitably performed.

  As described above, in the embodiment of the present invention, in the fusion splicer 10 used by the user, the target of the fusion splicing is performed when the optical fibers for which the fusing condition is not set are fusion spliced. The pre-connection data such as luminance data indicating the condition before fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 to be obtained is acquired, and the acquired pre-connection data is transmitted from the fusion splicer 10 to the central management device 20 In the management device 20, the fusion condition of the optical fibers closest to the state before fusion connection of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 shown in the pre-connection data from the fusion splicer 10 is stored in the storage device 30 From among a plurality of fusion conditions, search as a new fusion condition not set to the fusion splicer 10, transmit the retrieved new fusion condition to the fusion splicer 10, and perform fusion connection Machine 10 is the central control unit 2 Based on the novel fusion conditions provided by, and the subject optical fiber F1, F2 to each other so as to fusion splicing. Further, when fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 is performed in the fusion splicer 10, state image data indicating the state of fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 is acquired and acquired. The fused state machine 10 transmits the state image data from the fusion splicer 10 to the central management unit 20, and the central management system 20 fuses the target optical fibers F1 and F2 with each other based on the state image data from the fusion splicer 10 The connection loss after connection is estimated, and the new fusion conditions provided to the fusion splicer 10 for fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 are improved to reduce the estimated connection loss. Then, the improved fusion conditions are created, and the new fusion condition improvement method is learned, and the created improved fusion conditions are presented to the fusion splicer 10.

  For this reason, even if fusion conditions are not actually created using samples of the target optical fibers F1 and F2, a plurality of fusion conditions stored in the storage device 30 New fusion conditions for fusion splicing target optical fibers F1 and F2 among the fusion conditions of optical fibers F1 and F2 and optical fibers closest to each other in characteristics such as type and structure from fusion conditions) It can be transmitted to the fusion splicer 10 as the arrival condition. Furthermore, even if the connection loss of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 fusion-spliced based on the new fusion conditions is larger than the user's target value, the target optical fibers F1 and F2 The improved fusion bonding condition can be presented to the fusion splicer 10 so that fusion bonding of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 can be performed again based on the improved fusion bonding condition created to reduce connection loss. . As a result, while reducing the effort (such as the time and effort of the user) required to set a new fusion bonding condition for the user-provided fusion splicer exemplified by the fusion splicer 10, the new fusion It is possible to shorten the time required for setting the attachment condition and the improvement fusion condition, and thereby quickly and easily the fusion condition (parameter set) required by the user for the fusion connection of desired optical fibers. Can be provided to a user-friendly fusion splicer.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the improved fusion bonding conditions created by the central management unit 20 (specifically, the learning processing unit 23) are stored as part of a plurality of fusion bonding conditions stored in the storage device 30. It is stored in the device 30. For this reason, as described above, the improved fusion bonding conditions improved to reduce the connection loss of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 are sequentially applied to the storage device 30 as the fusion bonding conditions of the optical fibers with fusion bonding experience. It can be accumulated. As a result, it is possible to easily increase the number of accumulated fusion conditions of optical fibers having fusion bonding experience without creating fusion conditions using actual optical fiber samples, and to combine fusion Improved fusion conditions can be provided more quickly when the same optical fibers as the target optical fibers F1 and F2 are fusion spliced to the fusion splicer of various users including users other than the splicer 10 can do.

  In the embodiment of the present invention, the weighting of each parameter is determined according to the contribution ratio of each parameter constituting the new fusion condition to the reduction of the connection loss estimated above. Based on the improved fusion conditions are created. Therefore, it is possible to derive new fusion conditions necessary to reduce the connection loss after fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2, and as a result, fusion of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 The above-mentioned improved fusion conditions can be appropriately created so as to achieve fusion conditions suitable for connection.

  Further, in the embodiment of the present invention, the central management device 20 (specifically, the estimation processing unit 24) performs fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 based on the state image data from the fusion splicer 10 Estimate the post splice loss and present this estimated splice loss to the fusion splicer 10 with the improved splice condition as the splice loss of the target optical fiber F1, F2 prior to improving the new splice condition. I have to. For this reason, it is possible to notify the user of the connection loss of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 fusion-spliced together based on the new fusion condition before improvement, together with the improvement fusion condition. As a result, the information on the connection loss can be used to determine whether or not to adopt the improved fusion bonding condition for fusion splicing of the target optical fibers F1 and F2.

  In the embodiment described above, the fusion splicer 10 (a fusion splicer used by a user for transmitting and receiving luminance data of the target optical fibers F1 and F2 and new fusion conditions with the central management device 20) Although an example is specified based on specific information such as the IP address of the fusion splicer 10, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, ID information (an example of specific information) unique to the fusion splicer 10 is attached to transmission data such as luminance data, and communication is performed between the fusion splicer 10 and the central management device 20, and a central management device At 20, the fusion splicer 10 may be specified based on this ID information.

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, although the number of target optical fibers to be targeted by a user in one fusion splicing is two, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the number of target optical fibers in one fusion splicing may be plural (two or more).

  In the above-described embodiment, connection loss is estimated from the state image data of fusion connection, and the improved fusion condition is created based on the estimated value of the connection loss. Measure the splice loss at the location, improve the fusing condition further from the measured splice loss and the state image data etc, and save the post-improved fusing condition in the storage unit 30 as a part of the fusing condition database 31 You may

  Further, although the fusion splicer 10 and the central management device 20 communicate via the network 2 in the embodiment described above, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the communication unit 15 of the fusion splicer 10 and the communication processing unit 21 of the central management device 20 are configured to be able to perform wired or wireless communication, and the fusion splicer 10 and the central management device 20 are networks Communication may be performed without intervention. Further, the fusion splicer 10 directly communicates with the central management device 20 via the communication device (for example, an information communication device such as a smartphone or a tablet type terminal) other than the communication unit 15 or communicates via the network 2 You may

  Further, in the above-described embodiment, the luminance data is exemplified as the pre-connection data of the target optical fiber acquired by the data acquisition unit 14. However, the present invention is not limited to this. For example, the pre-connection data may be data (for example, image data) other than luminance data, such as the diameter (diameter) of the target optical fiber before being fusion spliced, the core diameter, the core position, etc. At least one of the data and the luminance data may be combined.

  Further, the present invention is not limited by the above-described embodiment, and one obtained by appropriately combining the above-described respective constituent elements is also included in the present invention. In addition, other embodiments, examples, operation techniques and the like made by those skilled in the art based on the above-described embodiments are all included in the scope of the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 fusion bonding condition providing system 2 network 10 fusion splicer 11 function unit 12 storage unit 13 control unit 14 data acquisition unit 15 communication unit 16 input unit 17 display unit 20 central management device 21 communication processing unit 22 search processing unit 23 learning processing unit Part 24 Estimation processing part 30 Storage device 31 Fusion condition database 32 Past results database

Claims (5)

A fusion condition providing system for providing fusion bonding conditions to a fusion splicer for fusion splicing optical fibers, comprising:
A storage device for storing a plurality of fusion conditions;
A central management device for transmitting to the fusion splicer new fusion conditions not set in the fusion splicer;
Equipped with
The fusion splicer is
The pre-connection data indicating the state before the fusion splicing of the target optical fiber to be fusion spliced under the new fusion conditions is acquired, and the fusion splicing of the target optical fibers is performed, A data acquisition unit that acquires state image data indicating a state of fusion splicing of target optical fibers;
A communication unit for transmitting the pre-connection data of the target optical fiber and the state image data to the central management device;
Equipped with
The central management unit
The fusion conditions of the optical fibers closest to the state before fusion connection of the target optical fiber indicated by the pre-connection data transmitted from the fusion splicer are the plurality of fusion conditions in the storage device. A search processing unit for searching from among the new fusion conditions;
An estimation processing unit configured to estimate connection loss after fusion splicing of the target optical fibers based on the state image data transmitted from the fusion splicer;
The new fusion condition is improved so as to reduce the connection loss estimated, and the improved fusion condition which is the new fusion condition improved by learning the improvement method of the new fusion condition A learning processor to present to the fusion splicer;
A fusion condition providing system comprising: The data acquisition unit acquires, as the pre-connection data, luminance data indicating a luminance distribution in the radial direction of the target optical fiber,
The search processing unit searches the fusion conditions of optical fibers having a luminance distribution closest to the luminance data transmitted from the fusion splicer from among the plurality of fusion conditions and performs the new fusion. The fusion condition providing system according to claim 1, wherein the condition is a condition.   The fusion system according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the learning processing unit stores the improved fusion bonding condition in the storage device as part of the plurality of fusion bonding conditions.   The learning processing unit determines the weighting of each parameter according to the contribution ratio of each parameter constituting the new welding condition to the reduction of the connection loss, and the improvement processing is performed based on the determined weighting. 4. The welding condition providing system according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein a dressing condition is created.    The learning processing unit is characterized in that the connection loss estimated by the estimation processing unit is presented to the fusion splicer together with the improved fusion condition as the connection loss before the new fusion condition is improved. The system for providing welding conditions according to any one of claims 1 to 4.

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