Contactless Fiber Entry Installation for Customer Premises
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Solution Overview
Problem
Customer premises utility installations, such as optical fiber installations, face challenges including safety concerns, liability disputes, and the need for social isolation during the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating a method to perform installations without requiring technicians to enter customer premises.
Innovation Solution
A kit containing an optical network terminal and wall attachment plate is provided, allowing customers to select an entry point and guide technicians to drill a hole for optical fiber installation from outside, enabling the connection of the fiber to the terminal without requiring the technician to enter the premises, using tools-free assembly and remote communication for guidance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If technicians enter customer premises to perform installations, then installation quality and reliability are improved, but safety risks and liability disputes increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the technician from the customer premises environment by enabling them to perform the installation procedure from outside the building. The technician drills through the exterior wall and passes components through the opening, allowing the installation to be completed without the technician entering the interior space, thereby eliminating safety risks associated with being inside the customer's home.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary mechanism (the exterior wall opening and passing apparatus) that enables transfer of installation components from the technician outside to the customer inside without direct physical contact or entry. This intermediary system allows the installation to proceed while maintaining physical separation between the technician and the customer premises interior.
2Ease of operation
If technicians enter customer premises to perform installations, then proper installation guidance and supervision are improved, but customer discomfort and security concerns increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the technician from the customer's personal space by enabling the installation to be performed from the exterior. The technician can still provide guidance through communication devices while remaining outside, and the customer maintains control of the interior environment, eliminating security concerns and discomfort associated with having a stranger inside the home.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent enables the customer to perform portions of the installation process themselves under remote guidance, such as receiving components through the opening and completing final assembly steps inside their home. This self-service approach reduces the need for the technician to be physically present inside the premises while still ensuring proper installation through remote supervision.
3Productivity
If technicians perform installations during the pandemic, then customer service continuity is improved, but social isolation requirements are violated
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the technician from close proximity to the customer by enabling the installation to be performed from outside the customer's home. The technician drills through the exterior wall and passes components through the opening without entering the interior space, maintaining social isolation while completing the installation service.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent segments the installation process into distinct phases: the technician completes the exterior portion (drilling and passing components) from outside, then the customer completes the interior portion (assembly and configuration) inside their home. This segmentation allows the service to continue while maintaining physical separation and preventing pandemic transmission.
Data Source
AI summary
A method and apparatus for contactless installation of an optical fiber internet connection at a customer premises is provided, wherein the customer is provided with an interior installation kit and is guided by an installation technician. The customer remains inside the premises, selects an entry point for the fiber, and indicates the entry point to the technician using a remote detection target. The technician locates the detection target, bores a hole into the premises, passes an optical fiber in to the customer, and the customer secures an attachment mount to the interior wall of the premises to receive the optical fiber and upon which to connect and mount an optical network terminal. After the optical fiber has been connected, the customer network is activated, and the technician seals the external hole.