Patents by Inventor Vincent C. Y. So

Vincent C. Y. So 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).

  • Optical time domain reflectometer using a tunable optical source
    Patent number: 5179420
    Abstract: In an optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR), an optical signal is coupled to an optical fiber path to be tested, and back-scattered and reflected light from the optical fiber path is detected and used to determine loss-distance characteristics of the path. A control unit varies the wavelength of the optical signal by varying the temperature of a semiconductor laser constituting the optical source, so that the loss-distance characteristics for a plurality of different wavelengths are determined and can be displayed to show any wavelength dependent loss of the optical fiber path, which loss may be due to modal interference associated with closely spaced discontinuities in the path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 1991
    Date of Patent: January 12, 1993
    Assignee: Bell Canada
    Inventors: Vincent C.-Y. So, Michel Lessard
  • Optical time domain reflectometer for selective testing of optical fibers with different core diameters
    Patent number: 5137351
    Abstract: An OTDR includes an optical source, an optical detector, and two optical fiber connectors respectively for connection of a single mode fiber or a multi-mode fiber to be tested. Optical paths selectively couple either the source to the first connector and the first connector to the detector, or the source to the second connector and the second connector to the detector. The path from the source to the first connector consists of single-mode fiber, the path from the second connector to the detector consists of multi-mode fiber, and the paths from the first connector to the detector and from the source to the second connector each consist of single mode fiber followed by multi-mode fiber. The selective coupling is achieved using an optical switch and two optical couplers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 1991
    Date of Patent: August 11, 1992
    Inventor: Vincent C. Y. So
  • Fiber optic coupler
    Patent number: 4950046
    Abstract: A fiber optic coupler has a cylindrical rod protruding along the apex of an angled block. An optical waveguide is mounted to extend around part of the circumferential of the rod. A transparent body is located on the side of the fiber remote from the rod, and the rod and the body are biased together to bend the fiber around the rod surface and to form an intimate contact between the transparent body and the curved part of the fiber. A light input or output device is positioned to direct light at or receive light from the curved fiber part through the transparent body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 21, 1990
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Richard P. Hughes, Vincent C. Y. So, Paul J. Vella
  • Test instrument for optical fiber connectors
    Patent number: 4741616
    Abstract: Light reflected at an optical fiber connector is monitored to test the connector. Light entering an optical fiber via the connector under test is attenuated in the fiber to prevent undesired reflections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 1986
    Date of Patent: May 3, 1988
    Assignee: Northern Telecom Limited
    Inventors: Vincent C. Y. So, Paul J. Vella