Patents by Inventor David Schell

David Schell has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 9634759
    Abstract: An apparatus for fiber optic network testing includes a housing configured and adapted to couple to a mobile device and one or more network interfaces in communication with the housing. The one or more network interfaces are configured and adapted to operatively couple to a terminal end of a fiber optic cable. The apparatus also includes a magnification lens in operative communication with the housing and the one or more network interfaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2017
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Wonoh Kim, Randy Fischer, J. David Schell
  • Publication number: 20170102288
    Abstract: One or more embodiments are directed to camera probes and methods for visually inspecting an endface of an optical communication link, such as a fiber optic cable. Generally described, the camera probes and methods are directed to projecting light to an endface of the optical communication link from a first direction and at a first angle of incidence and projecting light to the endface at a second direction and at a second angle of incidence. A defect on the endface casts a first shadow when the light is projected in the first direction and a second shadow when the light is projected in the second direction. At least one of the first and second shadows is analyzed to determine its length. Using the length of the shadow and the known angle of incidence at which the light is projected, a height or depth of the defect is determined.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: J. David Schell, Wonoh Kim
  • Publication number: 20170104523
    Abstract: One or more embodiments are directed to apparatuses and methods of evaluating an endface of an optical communication link, such as a fiber optic cable. In at least one embodiment, a camera probe includes an imaging device that includes one or more feedback mechanisms, such as an alignment feedback mechanism that communicates alignment information regarding an alignment of the optical communication link under test with an image sensor of the camera probe. The alignment feedback mechanism may be visual and/or aural. The alignment feedback mechanism may provide directional information to the user indicative of a direction to move the imaging device relative to the optical communication link. In addition or alternatively, the feedback mechanism may include a focus feedback mechanism that communicates focus information regarding a focus of the endface in an obtained image of the endface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 13, 2015
    Publication date: April 13, 2017
    Inventors: J. David Schell, Christian Schillab
  • Patent number: 9518892
    Abstract: An apparatus for determining optical fiber array polarity is disclosed. The apparatus may be used to determine optical signal loss or intensity. An adapter may be used to couple the apparatus to a variety of optical fiber connectors. The apparatus includes a position sensing detector and processing circuitry. The position sensing detector includes a sensor that receives optical signals and electrodes that output respective output signals in response to receipt of an optical signal. The processing circuitry receives the output signals and identifies locations at which the optical signals were incident on the sensor. The processing circuitry also determines the receiving position in the optical array of an optical fiber and a polarity of the optical array based on the receiving position and a corresponding transmitting position. The processing circuitry may determine an intensity or loss of the optical signal based on an aggregate of the output signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2016
    Assignee: FLUKE CORPORATION
    Inventor: J. David Schell
  • Publication number: 20160356670
    Abstract: A system for certifying physical parameters of fiber optic cabling may include a test device coupled to an end of a fiber optic cable. The test device injects light into the fiber optic cable and conducts a certification test of physical parameters of the fiber optic cable. Based on observation of interaction of the injected light with the fiber optic cable, the test device tests one or more physical parameters of the cable and certifies whether the tested parameters satisfy corresponding parameters specified by a predetermined standard. A separate device may communicate a control signal (e.g., wirelessly) to the test device for controlling an operation of the certification test. The separate device is further operable to receive a result of the certification test from the test device. The separate device may further communicate with a remote computing device updates a database element with information regarding the certification test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2015
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Inventors: Theodore J. Brillhart, J. David Schell
  • Patent number: 9414448
    Abstract: A self-contained calibration method for improving stability of an optical source in an optical network test instrument includes performing a temperature sweep test of the optical source. Optical output power of the optical source is periodically measured. A temperature correcting value is generated based on the measured optical output power. The optical output power of the optical source is adjusted by applying the temperature correcting value to obtain a substantially constant optical output power of the optical source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2016
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Jackson Salling, J. David Schell
  • Publication number: 20150281024
    Abstract: A test instrument provides suggested next operational step function to provide a user with assistance during testing. A display is provided to show the amount of a project that has been completed, for example as a percentage completed value. Individual test results may be saved to a “fix later” list, which may be later accessed to re-test items that may not have passed on initial testing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2015
    Publication date: October 1, 2015
    Applicant: FLUKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sena E. Janky, Glenn Keltto, Steve O' Hara, J. David Schell, Elizabeth Bacon, Karen Jones
  • Patent number: 9077646
    Abstract: A test instrument provides suggested next operational step function to provide a user with assistance during testing. A display is provided to show the amount of a project that has been completed, for example as a percentage completed value. Individual test results may be saved to a ‘fix later’ list, which may be later accessed to re-test items that may not have passed on initial testing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Sena E. R. Janky, Glenn Keltto, Steve O'Hara, J David Schell, Elizabeth Bacon, Karen Jones
  • Publication number: 20150189709
    Abstract: A self-contained calibration method for improving stability of an optical source in an optical network test instrument includes performing a temperature sweep test of the optical source. Optical output power of the optical source is periodically measured. A temperature correcting value is generated based on the measured optical output power. The optical output power of the optical source is adjusted by applying the temperature correcting value to obtain a substantially constant optical output power of the optical source.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2013
    Publication date: July 2, 2015
    Applicant: FLUKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jackson Salling, J. David Schell
  • Publication number: 20150171959
    Abstract: An apparatus for fiber optic network testing includes a housing configured and adapted to couple to a mobile device and one or more network interfaces in communication with the housing. The one or more network interfaces are configured and adapted to operatively couple to a terminal end of a fiber optic cable. The apparatus also includes a magnification lens in operative communication with the housing and the one or more network interfaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: June 18, 2015
    Applicant: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Wonoh Kim, Randy Fischer, J. David Schell
  • Patent number: 9036137
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for providing controlled launch conditions to an optical light source comprises adjustable fiber bending/deforming apparatus to allow adjustment of the device such that multimode launch conditions can be accurately controlled. Both LED light source and OTDR/laser implementations are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Seymour Goldstein, Ian Davidson, Mark Goldstein, J. David Schell
  • Patent number: 8823539
    Abstract: A display method and apparatus provides an easy to interpret presentation of multiple channel data, in the form of columns where the height of the column represents the relative measurement. A threshold line provides an indication of whether the measurement is above or below the threshold. Greater detail and numeric measurement values can be displayed for individual channels while the multiple channel display is in view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: J. David Schell, Sena E. R. Janky
  • Patent number: 8692984
    Abstract: A test instrument comprises plural first optical signal sources at a first wavelength and a distributor coupled to the plural first optical signal sources to supply the signals produced to a multi-fiber test port. Additional second wavelength signal sources may be provided, and a second test instrument for use at a second end of the link under test may be provided, to effect testing of the optical link.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2014
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: J. David Schell, Seymour Goldstein, Harlan Kassler, Jackson Salling
  • Patent number: 8670110
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for testing optical fiber systems by providing a near-end and far-end harness that loops the set of fibers in the fiber system together. The near-end harness has an interface to connect to the tester. The tester then effects testing on the entire set of fibers, which are looped together by the configuration of the two harnesses creating a single optical path that traverses the entire set or subset of fibers in the network, so a launched test signal propagates through the entire set of looped fibers, providing measurement results for the fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Christian Schillab, Harlan Kassler, J. David Schell
  • Publication number: 20130301036
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for testing optical fiber systems by providing a near-end and far-end harness that loops the set of fibers in the fiber system together. The near-end harness has an interface to connect to the tester. The tester then effects testing on the entire set of fibers, which are looped together by the configuration of the two harnesses creating a single optical path that traverses the entire set or subset of fibers in the network, so a launched test signal propagates through the entire set of looped fibers, providing measurement results for the fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2012
    Publication date: November 14, 2013
    Applicant: FLUKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Christian Schillab, Harlan Kassler, J. David Schell
  • Publication number: 20130293874
    Abstract: A system, apparatus and method for providing controlled launch conditions to an optical light source comprises adjustable fiber bending/deforming apparatus to allow adjustment of the device such that multimode launch conditions can be accurately controlled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2012
    Publication date: November 7, 2013
    Applicant: FLUKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seymour Goldstein, Ian Davidson, Mark Goldstein, J. David Schell
  • Publication number: 20130212434
    Abstract: A test instrument provides suggested next operational step function to provide a user with assistance during testing. A display is provided to show the amount of a project that has been completed, for example as a percentage completed value. Individual test results may be saved to a ‘fix later’ list, which may be later accessed to re-test items that may not have passed on initial testing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 13, 2012
    Publication date: August 15, 2013
    Applicant: FLUKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sena E. R. Janky, Glenn Keltto, Steve O'Hara, J. David Schell, Elizabeth Bacon, Karen Jones
  • Publication number: 20130194103
    Abstract: A display method and apparatus provides an easy to interpret presentation of multiple channel data, in the form of columns where the height of the column represents the relative measurement. A threshold line provides an indication of whether the measurement is above or below the threshold. Greater detail and numeric measurement values can be displayed for individual channels while the multiple channel display is in view.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: FLUKE CORPORATION
    Inventors: J. David Schell, Sena E. R. Janky
  • Publication number: 20130194566
    Abstract: A test instrument comprises plural first optical signal sources at a first wavelength and a distributor coupled to the plural first optical signal sources to supply the signals produced to a multi-fiber test port. Additional second wavelength signal sources may be provided, and a second test instrument for use at a second end of the link under test may be provided, to effect testing of the optical link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2012
    Publication date: August 1, 2013
    Applicant: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: J. David Schell, Seymour Goldstein, Harlan Kassler, Jackson Salling
  • Patent number: 7876426
    Abstract: A network test instrument for singlemode and multimode OTDR testing employs an optical topology providing for combined singlemode and multimode use of a detector for reduced cost and instrument size.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Fluke Corporation
    Inventors: Seymour Goldstein, J. David Schell