Patents by Inventor Toshihiko Homma

Toshihiko Homma 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: 10126503
    Abstract: This optical-fiber fusion-splicing device includes: a first heating device (12); a second heating device (13); and a CPU (14) which controls the first heating device (12) and the second heating device (13), wherein the CPU (14) stops heating of the second heating device (13) if heating of the first heating device (12) is started during heating in the second heating device (13), and resumes the heating of the second heating device (13) if the heating of the first heating device (12) is ended, and sets a heating condition after resumption of heating in the second heating device (13), based on at least an interruption time of heating or a change in temperature during heating interruption in the second heating device (13).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: SEI OPTIFRONTIER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Meo, Kazufumi Joko, Makoto Miyamori, Toshihiko Homma
  • Patent number: 10101534
    Abstract: An optical-fiber fusion-splicing device includes: a first heating device in which a fusion-splicing operation of heating and fusing abutting parts of at least a pair of optical fibers with end faces brought into contact with each other is performed; a second heating device in which a reinforcing operation of heating and shrinking a heat-shrinkable resin which covers a site where the optical fibers are fusion-spliced to each other is performed; and a CPU which controls the first heating device and the second heating device, wherein the CPU preheats a heater of the second heating device so as to reach a predetermined first temperature, if the CPU receives a heating end signal from the first heating device, and thereafter, heats the heater of the second heating device so as to reach a second temperature higher than the first temperature, if the CPU receives a reinforcement start signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: SEI OPTIFRONTER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryosuke Meo, Kazufumi Joko, Makoto Miyamori, Toshihiko Homma
  • Patent number: 10054742
    Abstract: An optical fiber fusion splicer disclosed. The optical fiber fusion splicer includes: a first microscope configured to observe first and second optical fibers from a first direction by receiving light emitted from a first light source; a second microscope configured to observe the first and second optical fibers from a second direction by receiving light emitted from a second light source, the second direction crossing the first direction; a fusion splicing mechanism configured to fusion-splice an end portion of the first optical fiber and an end portion of the second optical fiber; and a control unit configured to control the fusion splicing mechanism. The first microscope is movable in the first direction. The second microscope is secured to not move in the second direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2018
    Assignee: SEI OPTIFRONTIER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Ryuichiro Sato, Toshihiko Homma
  • Patent number: 10048442
    Abstract: This reinforcement device includes: a first heater (9A) on which a fusion-spliced section of an optical fiber covered with a protective member is disposed and which heats a central portion of the protective member at a first temperature (T1); second heaters (9B) which are respectively provided on both sides of the first heater (9A) along a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber and respectively heat both end portions of the protective member at a second temperature (T2); and a CPU (14) which performs energization control for heating each of the first heater (9A) and the second heaters (9B), wherein the CPU (14) makes an energizing time of the first heater (9A) and an energizing time of each of the second heaters (9B) at least partially overlap.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: SEI Optifrontier Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kazufumi Joko, Ryosuke Meo, Makoto Miyamori, Toshihiko Homma
  • Patent number: 9964705
    Abstract: A splicer and a method for fusion-splicing optical fibers are provided, in which the disconnection of a fusion spliced portion of optical fibers can be prevented when the windbreak cover is opened upon fusion splicing. A method for fusion-splicing optical fibers includes: holding optical fibers on optical fiber holders which are arranged on a pair of movable stages, respectively and covering the holders with a windbreak cover; and butting the optical fibers each other by bringing the pair of movable stages mutually closer; fusion-splicing the butted optical fibers together; and loosening, before opening the windbreak cover 4, the tension applied to optical fibers between the fiber holding parts and positions at which the windbreak cover contacts with the optical fibers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: SEI OPTIFRONTIER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Miyamori, Yuta Ryono, Hideaki Yusa, Toshihiko Homma
  • Patent number: 9897756
    Abstract: A method for fusion-splicing optical fibers and a fusion splicer are provided, which enable preventing a fusion spliced portion from disconnecting when the optical fiber is removed from the fusion splicer. A fusion-splicing method for optical fibers comprises: holding optical fibers and on optical fiber holding parts respectively provided on a pair of movable stages; butting ends of optical fibers by bringing the pair of movable stages mutually closer; fusion-splicing butted optical fibers to form a fusion spliced portion S; carrying out a proof test, the proof test including applying a tension to the fusion spliced portion S by moving the pair of movable stages so as to distance them from each other; and bringing the pair of movable stages mutually closer by a predetermined distance upon completion of the proof test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: SEI OPTIFRONTIER CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Makoto Miyamori, Hideaki Yusa, Toshihiko Homma
  • Patent number: 9678274
    Abstract: An optical fiber cleaver includes a cleaver base body having a holder guide portion which positions a fiber holder holding an optical fiber, and a cleaver lid body attached to the cleaver base body to be openable and closable. A slider having a blade member piercing the optical fiber is attached to the cleaver base body to be movable in a width direction. A pawl member is arranged in one sidewall of the holder guide portion. Further, a count indication mechanism which counts and indicates the number of times the slider returns to an initial position is provided in the cleaver base body. The optical fiber cleaver is configured to enable a counting operation of the count indication mechanism only when the fiber holder is set in the holder guide portion such that the pawl member is pressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignees: SEI Optifrontier Co., Ltd., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Hasegawa, Tsuyoshi Tada, Toshihiko Homma
  • Publication number: 20160341897
    Abstract: An optical-fiber fusion-splicing device includes: a first heating device in which a fusion-splicing operation of heating and fusing abutting parts of at least a pair of optical fibers with end faces brought into contact with each other is performed; a second heating device in which a reinforcing operation of heating and shrinking a heat-shrinkable resin which covers a site where the optical fibers are fusion-spliced to each other is performed; and a CPU which controls the first heating device and the second heating device, wherein the CPU preheats a heater of the second heating device so as to reach a predetermined first temperature, if the CPU receives a heating end signal from the first heating device, and thereafter, heats the heater of the second heating device so as to reach a second temperature higher than the first temperature, if the CPU receives a reinforcement start signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Ryosuke MEO, Kazufumi JOKO, Makoto MIYAMORI, Toshihiko HOMMA
  • Publication number: 20160341898
    Abstract: This reinforcement device includes: a first heater (9A) on which a fusion-spliced section of an optical fiber covered with a protective member is disposed and which heats a central portion of the protective member at a first temperature (T1); second heaters (9B) which are respectively provided on both sides of the first heater (9A) along a longitudinal direction of the optical fiber and respectively heat both end portions of the protective member at a second temperature (T2); and a CPU (14) which performs energization control for heating each of the first heater (9A) and the second heaters (9B), wherein the CPU (14) makes an energizing time of the first heater (9A) and an energizing time of each of the second heaters (9B) at least partially overlap.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: November 24, 2016
    Inventors: Kazufumi JOKO, Ryosuke MEO, Makoto MIYAMORI, Toshihiko HOMMA
  • Publication number: 20160334578
    Abstract: This optical-fiber fusion-splicing device includes: a first heating device (12); a second heating device (13); and a CPU (14) which controls the first heating device (12) and the second heating device (13), wherein the CPU (14) stops heating of the second heating device (13) if heating of the first heating device (12) is started during heating in the second heating device (13), and resumes the heating of the second heating device (13) if the heating of the first heating device (12) is ended, and sets a heating condition after resumption of heating in the second heating device (13), based on at least an interruption time of heating or a change in temperature during heating interruption in the second heating device (13).
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2014
    Publication date: November 17, 2016
    Applicant: SEI Optifrontier Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryosuke MEO, Kazufumi JOKO, Makoto MIYAMORI, Toshihiko HOMMA
  • Publication number: 20160266315
    Abstract: A method for fusion-splicing optical fibers and a fusion splicer are provided, which enable preventing a fusion spliced portion from disconnecting when the optical fiber is removed from the fusion splicer. A fusion-splicing method for optical fibers comprises: holding optical fibers and on optical fiber holding parts respectively provided on a pair of movable stages; butting ends of optical fibers by bringing the pair of movable stages mutually closer; fusion-splicing butted optical fibers to form a fusion spliced portion S; carrying out a proof test, the proof test including applying a tension to the fusion spliced portion S by moving the pair of movable stages so as to distance them from each other; and bringing the pair of movable stages mutually closer by a predetermined distance upon completion of the proof test.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Makoto MIYAMORI, Hideaki YUSA, Toshihiko HOMMA
  • Publication number: 20160266314
    Abstract: A splicer and a method for fusion-splicing optical fibers are provided, in which the disconnection of a fusion spliced portion of optical fibers can be prevented when the windbreak cover is opened upon fusion splicing. A method for fusion-splicing optical fibers includes: holding optical fibers on optical fiber holders which are arranged on a pair of movable stages, respectively and covering the holders with a windbreak cover; and butting the optical fibers each other by bringing the pair of movable stages mutually closer; fusion-splicing the butted optical fibers together; and loosening, before opening the windbreak cover 4, the tension applied to optical fibers between the fiber holding parts and positions at which the windbreak cover contacts with the optical fibers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 2, 2016
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Inventors: Makoto MIYAMORI, Yuta RYONO, Hideaki YUSA, Toshihiko HOMMA
  • Publication number: 20160216448
    Abstract: An optical fiber fusion splicer disclosed. The optical fiber fusion splicer includes: a first microscope configured to observe first and second optical fibers from a first direction by receiving light emitted from a first light source; a second microscope configured to observe the first and second optical fibers from a second direction by receiving light emitted from a second light source, the second direction crossing the first direction; a fusion splicing mechanism configured to fusion-splice an end portion of the first optical fiber and an end portion of the second optical fiber; and a control unit configured to control the fusion splicing mechanism. The first microscope is movable in the first direction. The second microscope is secured to not move in the second direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 22, 2016
    Publication date: July 28, 2016
    Applicant: SEI Optifrontier Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichiro Sato, Toshihiko Homma
  • Patent number: 9229166
    Abstract: The optical fiber cutter 1 comprises a cutter base 3 and a cutter lid 4 attached openably and closably to the cutter base 3. A slider 8 having a blade member for incising an optical fiber is attached to the cutter base 3 so as to be movable widthwise. A switching plate 15 is attached to a rear end part of the cutter base 3, while a switcher 16 is provided on the outer surface side of the switching plate 15. When the switcher 16 is at a first position, the cutter lid 4 engages a stopper, thereby attaining an opening angle of 35°. When the switcher 16 is at a second position, the engagement between the cutter lid 4 and the stopper is released, whereby the cutter lid 4 attains an opening angle of 70°.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2016
    Assignees: SEI Optifrontier Co., Ltd., SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD.
    Inventors: Masahiro Hasegawa, Tsuyoshi Tada, Toshihiko Homma
  • Patent number: 9075196
    Abstract: An optical fiber jacket remover draws a glass fiber out from a coating by cutting the coating in a jacket removing portion and moving an optical fiber holding portion away from a jacket remover main unit in a heated state. The jacket removing portion is provided with a heater supporting member on which a heater is mounted. The heater supporting member is accommodated in a recessed receiving portion formed in a case. A heat insulating space is formed between the recessed receiving portion and the heater supporting member. A side surface of the heater supporting member and an inside surface of a lateral wall of the recessed receiving portion are brought into contact with each other via a lateral rib formed on the heater supporting member, and the heat insulating space is thereby blocked.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Assignees: SUMITOMO ELECTRIC INDUSTRIES, LTD., SEI Optifrontier Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Toshihiko Homma, Masakazu Fukuda, Kiyoshi Nakazawa, Masahiro Hasegawa
  • Patent number: 9016535
    Abstract: A fiber cleaver is provided in which a circular blade can be efficiently used without increasing the workload imposed on the worker. The fiber cleaver includes a main body supporting a slider such that the slider is movable in the front-back direction. A disc-shaped circular blade configured to make a flaw in an optical fiber is rotatably provided to the slider. A columnar protrusion stands on a base of the main body. An engaging member engaging with a gear that rotates together with the circular blade is provided at the upper end of the columnar protrusion. The columnar protrusion is connected to an engaging member, which engages with the slider, with a spring interposed therebetween. The base has first to third recessed portions each anchoring the engaging member. The angle of rotation of the circular blade is changed among three angles with the position where the engaging member is anchored.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignees: SEI Optifrontier Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Hasegawa, Toshihiko Homma
  • Patent number: 9004781
    Abstract: A method and structure for reinforcing a fusion splice part where optical fiber cores extending from sheaths of a pair of optical cables are spliced to each other, wherein a reinforcing member is provided along the fusion splice part so that both ends of the reinforcing member overlap with each of the sheaths of the optical cables; an adhesive tube covers the periphery of the fusion splice part provided with the reinforcing member so that both ends of the adhesive tube overlap with each of the sheaths of the optical cables, and is contracted; and a protective tube covers the periphery of the adhesive tube so that both ends of the protective tube overlap with each of the sheaths of the optical cables, the adhesive tube is outwardly projected in the length direction, and is contracted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignees: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd., Nippon Telegraph and Telephone East Corporation
    Inventors: Toshihiko Homma, Kensuke Ito, Masahiro Hasegawa, Naoto Tanaka, Sayuri Kagami
  • Patent number: 8960428
    Abstract: A case for accommodating a fiber cleaver is capable of preventing the fiber cleaver from being damaged. The case accommodating a fiber cleaver includes a base and a lid such that the lid is openably and closably provided for the base in an integrated fashion. The base of the case has therein a positioning space for the cleaver on its inner bottom surface, the positioning space positioning a main body included in a cleaver unit. Latches protruding inwardly in the base of the case are arranged on positioning walls defining part of the positioning space for the cleaver. The latches have a function of retaining a support of the main body of the cleaver in a direction along the height of the base of the case. The latch further has a function of retaining a slider included in the cleaver unit in a sliding direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignees: SEI Optifrontier Co., Ltd., Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Masahiro Hasegawa, Kiyoshi Nakazawa, Toshihiko Homma
  • Patent number: 8861920
    Abstract: An optical fiber holder includes a holder main body and cord receiving groove. The holder main body has a fiber receiving groove and a first cord receiving groove. The fiber receiving groove receives and positions a coated optical fiber of an optical fiber cord with a cord jacket removed at the tip of the optical fiber cord. The cord receiving groove receives the cord jacket. A cord holding cover and a fiber pressing cover 13 are attached to the holder main body 6 for movement between respective open closed positions. The cord holder cover includes a second cord receiving groove that cooperates with the first cord receiving groove to form an insertion through hole having a circular cross-section that allows for insertion of the optical fiber. The fiber pressing cover presses the coated optical fiber against the holder main body with the coated optical fiber in the fiber receiving groove.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Sumitomo Electric Industries, Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichiro Sato, Hiroyasu Toyooka, Toshihiko Homma, Kiyotaka Murashima
  • Patent number: D792493
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2017
    Assignee: SEI Optifrontier Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ryuichiro Sato, Toshihiko Homma