Lucent Technologies Inc.

John Burnet Macdonald

Israel Amir

Frank P Higgins

Kenneth H Billingham

Frank Joseph Krainaker

Dennis J Fitch

An optical probe is positioned between a pair of connectors positioned substantially adjacent to each other so as to read identifying markings on the face or surface of one of the connectors. The optical probe includes a probe head and an illumination device for projecting light substantially parallel to the face of one of the connectors, i.e., a surface being imaged. The illumination device includes a bifurcated fiber optic cable and a pair of prisms positioned so as to illuminate the surface being imaged from opposite directions. A spectral image representative of light scattered by laser etchings on the surface, or light reflected or absorbed by other markings on the surface is projected by a cylindrical mirror through the path of the light from the illumination device to a camera. The camera displays the image of the surface being imaged on a monitor. The probe head is substantially flat and thin so as to fit between the connectors without damaging the connectors. The probe head is also electrically non-conductive so that it can be used while an electronic system utilizing the connectors is operating.

Growing community of inventors

Princeton, NJ, United States of America

John Burnet Macdonald