US Patent 7912369 Optical signal shutoff mechanism and associated system

A mechanism for adjusting or shutting off an optical signal within a network system is provided. The system may include a generating element for providing an optical signal and a bi-directional coupler for transmitting the optical signal to downstream components and fiber links and for transmitting a reflected optical signal based on the reflection characteristics of the downstream components to a converter element. The converter element converts the reflected optical signal to an electrical trigger signal that is used by a processing element to monitor the degradation or operational conditions within the network system. Based on the electrical trigger signal the processing element may adjust or shut off the optical signal at the generating element or at another element within the network system or another network system. The processing element may also send a communication signal to other elements or an operator to indicate unacceptable noise within the network system.