Augmented Reality Cable Tracking in Tangled Bundles
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Solution Overview
Problem
In telecommunications environments, managing a large number of cables in a limited space is challenging due to disorganized cabling, which leads to tangled 'rat nests' or 'spaghetti' configurations, making it difficult for technicians to track cable paths, resulting in costly maintenance issues and downtime.
Innovation Solution
The use of Augmented Reality (AR) systems and methods that allow users to select a cable from a bundle using image processing techniques to distinguish and highlight the selected cable, enabling easier tracking even when cables are tangled or hidden, by superposing virtual features on real images displayed on portable devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual cable tracking methods are used in disorganized cable bundles, then technicians can identify cable paths through physical inspection, but the process requires significant maintenance downtime and specialized tools
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces manual mechanical cable tracking with an automated optical system. A camera captures images of cable bundles, and image processing algorithms automatically identify and trace cable paths, eliminating the need for physical inspection with specialized tools and reducing maintenance downtime while maintaining identification accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a visual copy of the cable bundle through camera imaging. The captured image is then processed to generate a simplified representation showing cable paths, connections, and identifiers. This visual copy allows technicians to identify cable routes without physically tracing cables, significantly reducing the time required for cable identification during maintenance.
2Ease of operation
If technicians manually trace cables through tangled bundles, then cable paths can be identified, but the process becomes complex and requires specialized tools and training
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex manual cable tracing operations with an automated image-based system. A camera and image processing algorithm automatically identify and display cable paths, eliminating the need for technicians to use specialized tracing tools or undergo extensive training on manual tracing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs cable identification automatically without requiring technician intervention for the tracing process. The image processing algorithm self-identifies cable paths, connections, and identifiers from captured images, and the system automatically generates visual representations that guide technicians through cable routes, making the process as simple as taking a photo and viewing the processed image.
3Area of stationary object
If cables are organized in a compact bundle to save space, then equipment density increases, but cable identification and tracking become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a simplified visual copy of the compact cable bundle through image processing. The system captures an image of the densely packed cables and generates a processed representation that highlights cable paths, connections, and identifiers. This visual copy makes cable identification easy even when physical cables are tightly bundled, allowing technicians to track cable routes without needing physical space to trace them.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediate visual representation between the physical cable bundle and the technician's understanding. The image processing system acts as an intermediary that translates the complex visual information from compact cable bundles into simplified diagrams showing cable paths and connections, making it easy to identify cables without requiring them to be physically separated or organized.
Data Source
AI summary
Systems and methods for utilizing Augmented Reality (AR) processes to track cables among a tangled bundle of cables are provided. An AR method, according to one implementation, includes a step of obtaining an initial captured image showing a bundle of cables. The AR method also includes the step of processing the initial captured image to distinguish a selected cable from other cables of the bundle of cables. Also, the AR method includes displaying the initial captured image on a display screen while visually augmenting an image of the selected cable to highlight the selected cable with respect to the other cables.