	US 12,225,289 B2
	Precision non-contact core imaging of fiber optic assemblies
David Matthew Berg, Rochester, NY (US); Sterling Michael Clarke, Corning, NY (US); Stefan Wolfgang Kramel, Regensburg (DE); David Andrew Pastel, Horseheads, NY (US); and Michael Brian Webb, Lindley, NY (US)
Assigned to Corning Research & Development Corporation, Corning, NY (US)
Filed by CORNING RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION, Corning, NY (US)
Filed on May 6, 2022, as Appl. No. 17/738,130.
Claims priority of provisional application 63/189,350, filed on May 17, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2022/0377231 A1, Nov. 24, 2022
Int. Cl. G02B 6/38 (2006.01); G01M 11/00 (2006.01); G01M 11/08 (2006.01); G02B 6/42 (2006.01); G02B 7/28 (2021.01); G06T 7/00 (2017.01); G06T 7/66 (2017.01); G06T 7/70 (2017.01); H04N 23/67 (2023.01)

CPC H04N 23/67 (2023.01) [G01M 11/081 (2013.01); G01M 11/083 (2013.01); G01M 11/088 (2013.01); G01M 11/33 (2013.01); G02B 6/3843 (2013.01); G02B 6/385 (2013.01); G02B 6/4227 (2013.01); G02B 7/28 (2013.01); G06T 7/001 (2013.01); G06T 7/66 (2017.01); G06T 7/70 (2017.01); G06T 2207/10148 (2013.01)]

15 Claims

1. A method of focusing a core image of a test ferrule that has an optical fiber coupled thereto, wherein the optical fiber includes a core for the core image, the method comprising:

positioning the test ferrule relative to a core imager including an optical sensor and a lens to achieve a rough focus of an image element in the core image;

positioning the lens of the core imager at each of a plurality of lens focus settings each corresponding to a different position of the lens in the core imager relative to the optical sensor of the core imager;

at each of the plurality of lens focus settings:

capturing another core image including the image element, and

determining a width of the image element in the core image;

identifying the lens focus setting having a smallest width of the image element; and

setting the position of the lens in the core imager to the lens focus setting having the smallest width.