Augmented Reality Installation Guidance for Fixed Wireless Nodes
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Solution Overview
Problem
Fixed wireless access networks require optimal placement and alignment of user nodes, which is challenging due to the need for precise installation height and directional alignment, and existing methods lack effective visualization tools for technicians and customers.
Innovation Solution
A mobile application utilizing augmented reality technology on mobile computing devices to provide location information and installation recommendations, overlaying graphical elements on captured images to facilitate the best position and direction for user node installation, and generating virtual antenna images for visualization.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional installation methods are used without visualization tools, then installation process is simpler, but installation time is excessive and precision is poor
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates virtual copies (graphical elements, augmented reality images) of service nodes and user nodes that are overlaid on captured images of the actual installation environment. These visual copies provide precise positioning guidance and installation recommendations, enabling technicians to accurately determine optimal installation locations and orientations without time-consuming trial and error.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary visualization layer between the technician and the physical installation environment. The mobile device captures images of the surroundings and overlays graphical elements that serve as intermediaries, providing real-time guidance on service node locations, coverage areas, and optimal user node placement. This intermediary visual information bridge accelerates the decision-making process while maintaining high precision.
2Manufacturing precision
If detailed position information and visualization are provided, then installation accuracy is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile device executes a mobile application that performs multiple functions: capturing images, processing position information, generating graphical elements, overlaying augmented reality images, and providing installation recommendations. By consolidating these diverse functions into a single multi-functional application, the system achieves high installation accuracy without proportionally increasing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the service node database, image processing capabilities, graphical element generation, and augmented reality display functions into an integrated mobile application system. This consolidation allows detailed position information and visualization features to work together seamlessly, providing accurate installation guidance while avoiding the complexity of multiple separate systems.
3Loss of information
If augmented reality visualization is implemented, then communication of installation information is improved, but computational requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system processes and displays only the essential graphical elements and augmented reality information needed for installation guidance, rather than rendering complete three-dimensional models or excessive detail. This partial processing approach effectively communicates critical installation information (service node locations, coverage areas, optimal placement) while keeping computational energy consumption within acceptable limits for mobile devices.
Data Source
AI summary
A mobile application for facilitating installation of the user nodes in a fixed wireless network utilizes augmented reality to provide location, usage, and recommendation information about nearby service nodes. A camera of the mobile computing device captures image data depicting the surrounding area, which is displayed on a touchscreen display of the mobile computing device with graphical elements including icons and textual information overlaid on the captured image data in different positions and with different visual characteristics based on geometric information for the mobile computing device and the surrounding area, the relative position of nearby service nodes with respect to the mobile computing device, and information about the service nodes such as typical usage and/or whether the service node is recommended or not. A virtual antenna is also overlaid on the image data, and an image depicting the virtual antenna as it would look once installed is generated and stored.