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:
Oct. 24, 2000
Filed:
Apr. 21, 1998
Israel Amir, Princeton, NJ (US);
Kenneth Henry Billingham, Feasterville, PA (US);
Dennis J Fitch, Batavia, IL (US);
Frank P Higgins, West Trenton, NJ (US);
Frank Joseph Krainaker, Trenton, NJ (US);
John Burnet Macdonald, Princeton, NJ (US);
Lucent Technologies Inc., Murray Hill, NJ (US);
Abstract
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.