Data Collection system

Abstract

A data collection system that is attachable to an optical fiber splicer and is connectible to the splicer's serial port and/or video output. The device captures text data from the serial port and stores this data along with digitized video images of the fibers before, during, and/or after the splice. This data may be stored on a high-capacity storage medium, which may be removable. The date, time, and/or other external data may be recorded as well. The record of each splice is uniquely identified by a serial number or other indicium that is labeled on the splice. This serial number may be read into the data collection device by a laser scanner or optical wand. This device may also interface with a computer and may have full handshaking and a faster, better configured serial port connection than the splicer itself. Advantages of the data collection system include providing remote access of splice data, accountability for defective or problematic splices, and more efficient troubleshooting.

1 - 65 . (canceled)  
   
   
       66 . A sleeve for protecting an optical fiber splice in a data collection system, the sleeve comprising: 
 an outer sleeve;    a hollow inner sleeve of a meltable adhesive material disposed inside of said outer sleeve and configured for encircling a splice location; and    a label disposed inside said outer sleeve, the label bearing splice indicia.    
   
   
       67 . The sleeve of  claim 66 , wherein the label is disposed between the inner sleeve and the outer sleeve.  
   
   
       68 . A sleeve for protecting an optical fiber splice in a data collection system, the sleeve comprising: 
 an outer sleeve;    a hollow inner sleeve of a meltable adhesive material disposed inside of said outer sleeve and configured for encircling a splice location; and    an indicium disposed within the outer sleeve and visually perceptible therethrough, wherein the indicium comprises at least one of alphanumeric text, a bar code, and a hologram.    
   
   
       69 . The sleeve of  claim 68 , wherein the indicium comprises both alphanumeric text and the bar code.  
   
   
       70 . The sleeve of  claim 68 , wherein the indicium comprises a plurality of alphanumeric digits of sufficient quantity to provide at least 1 million unique indicia.  
   
   
       71 . A sleeve for protecting an optical fiber splice in a data collection system, the sleeve comprising: 
 an outer sleeve;    a stiffening member disposed inside of said outer sleeve and configured to reduce bending of the optical fiber splice; and    an indicium disposed within the outer sleeve.    
   
   
       72 . The sleeve of  claim 71 , further comprising an adhesive, meltable inner sleeve configured to encircle a splice location, wherein the outer sleeve is heat-shrinkable.  
   
   
       73 . The sleeve of  claim 71 , wherein the stiffening member is an elongated rod.  
   
   
       74 . The sleeve of  claim 71 , further comprising a label disposed within the outer sleeve bearing the indicium.