# US 6,293,081 B1 · Fiber optic cable marking process and a sensor device use therewith > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 6,293,081 B1 - Document ID: US6293081B1 - Status: Granted - Kind: B1 - Application number: 09/220,121 - Filed: 1998-12-23 - Granted: 2001-09-25 - Earliest claimed: 1997-06-12 - Assignees: Siecor Operations, LLC - Inventors: Matthew J. Grulick; Warren W. McAlpine - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US6293081B1 ## CPC - G02B 6/449: {Twisting} - G02B 6/4482: {Code or colour marking} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS ## Abstract A mark sensor and methods for detecting a core mark disposed on a fiber optic cable core having a core receiving area for receiving the fiber optic cable core. The mark sensor includes emitter/receiver sensor devices that can be disposed about the core receiving area for observing a portion of the core for detecting the core mark. The mark sensor can include a sensor positioning system for moving the sensors relative to the core receiving area. The sensor positioning system is operative to move the sensors upon insertion of the cable core in the core receiving area. The sensor positioning system can include a linkage to another mark sensor for transmitting sensor motion to the other mark sensor. Alternatively, the mark sensor can include stationary sensors that sweep the core with radiation, for example, a bar code reader. Methods for using the foregoing sensors can result in the direct or offset marking of reverse oscillation of lay areas in a fiber optic cable. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A mark sensor for detecting a core mark disposed on a fiber optic cable core, comprising: a core receiving area for receiving said fiber optic cable core; and at least two sensors, said at least two sensors being disposed about said core receiving area, said at least two sensors being directed generally toward a common longitudinal axis of said core so that the sensing energy of said at least two sensors focuses on said common longitudinal axis of said core for observing a portion of the core for detecting said core mark. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The mark sensor of claim 1, including a sensor positioning system for moving said sensors relative to said core receiving area. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The mark sensor of claim 2, said sensor positioning system being operative to move said sensors upon insertion of said cable core in said core receiving area. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The mark sensor of claim 2, said sensor positioning system including a linkage to another mark sensor for transmitting said sensor motion to said other mark sensor. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The mark sensor of claim 2, said sensor positioning system permitting movement of said sensors generally in unison. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The mark sensor of claim 1, at least one sensor including a part for engaging said cable core. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The mark sensor of claim 1, at least one of said sensors being biased toward said core receiving area by a biasing member. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The mark sensor of claim 1, at least one of said sensors being mounted to a sensor unit that is moveable relative to said cable receiving area. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The mark sensor of claim 8, said movable sensor unit being operatively associated with parts that are operative to cause at least one adjacent sensor to move. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The mark sensor of claim 1, one of said sensors comprising an emitter/receiver. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The mark sensor of claim 1, one of said sensors comprising a bar code reader. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The mark sensor of claim 1, said sensors being mounted to a frame having stationary supports. ### Claim 13 A mark sensor apparatus for detecting a mark disposed anywhere in or on a fiber optic cable, comprising: a receiving area for receiving said at least a portion of a fiber optic cable; and at least one sensor, said at least one sensor being disposed adjacent said receiving area for observing said cable portion for detecting said mark; a sensor positioning system, said sensor positioning system axially locating the cable and dynamically adjusting the position of said sensor relative to said receiving area. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The mark sensor of claim 13, said sensor positioning system being operative to move said at least one sensor upon insertion of said cable portion in said receiving area. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The mark sensor of claim 14, said sensor positioning system including a linkage to another mark sensor for transmitting sensor motion to said other mark sensor apparatus. ### Claim 16 (depends on 14) The mark sensor of claim 14, said sensor positioning system permitting movement of said at least one sensor generally in unison with another sensor mounted to said mark sensor apparatus. ### Claim 17 (depends on 13) The mark sensor of claim 13, said at least one sensor being part of a sensor unit having a positioning part for positioning said sensor relative to said cable portion. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The mark sensor of claim 17, said positioning part is operative to cause said at least one sensor to move. ### Claim 19 (depends on 13) The mark sensor of claim 13, a biasing member biasing said at least one sensor toward said receiving area. ### Claim 20 (depends on 13) The mark sensor of claim 13, said sensor being mounted to a moveable sensor unit that is moveable towards and away from said receiving area. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The mark sensor of claim 20, said movable sensor unit being operatively associated with at least one adjacent sensor unit so that when said moveable sensor unit moves said adjacent sensor is moved. ### Claim 22 A mark sensor for detecting a mark disposed on a portion of a fiber optic cable, comprising: a core receiving area for receiving said fiber optic cable portion; and at least two sensors, said at least two sensors being disposed about said core receiving area and mounted at an angular spacing with respect to said core, said at least two sensors being directed generally toward a common longitudinal axis of said core so that electromagnetic energy of said at least two sensors focuses on said common longitudinal axis of said core for observing a surface of the cable portion for detecting said mark with electro-magnetic energy sweeping across a surface of said cable portion. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) The mark sensor of claim 22, at least one of said sensors comprising a bar code reader. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) The mark sensor of claim 22, at least one of said sensors being mounted to a frame. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) The mark sensor of claim 22, said frame including a series of supports having respective said sensors mounted thereto. ### Claim 26 A mark sensor for detecting a core mark disposed on a fiber optic cable core, comprising: a core receiving area for receiving said fiber optic cable core; sensors, said sensors being disposed about said core receiving area for observing a portion of the core for detecting said core mark; and a sensor positioning system for moving said sensors relative to said core receiving area, said sensor positioning system including a linkage to another sensor for transmitting said sensor motion to said other sensor. ### Claim 27 A mark sensor for detecting a core mark disposed on a fiber optic cable core, comprising: a core receiving area for receiving said fiber optic cable core; and sensors, said sensors being disposed about said core receiving area for observing a portion of the core for detecting said core mark, at least one of said sensors comprising an emitter/receiver.