The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 03, 2026
Filed:
Nov. 08, 2023
Viavi Solutions Inc., Chandler, AZ (US);
Joshua Benjamin Julius Philipson, Ottawa, CA;
Kevin Cassady, Monroe, WA (US);
Nicklos Joseph Bulitka, Stittsville, CA;
Christopher Russell Wagner, Kanata, CA;
Christian Richard Comtois-Arnaldo, Ottawa, CA;
VIAVI SOLUTIONS INC., Chandler, AZ (US);
Abstract
Systems, methods, and devices for inspection, under a microscope, of end connectors of fiber optic cables are provided. In one aspect, a light ring including a circular array of light sources provides darkfield illumination to an end connector being inspected under a microscope. Each of the light sources may be lit in series and the resulting shadows may be used to identify dirt on the end connector, as well as to determine whether any dirt identified on the end connector can be cleaned off. In another aspect, a light ring combined with a redirection ring (e.g., a reflector and/or refractor ring) may provide darkfield illumination. In yet another aspect, a series of images may be captured and analyzed to automatically identify dirt on the end connector, as well as to determine whether any identified dirt can be cleaned off.