Guided Cable Management Visual Feedback System
Solution Overview
Problem
In systems with multiple enclosures, such as symmetric multi-processing systems, the increasing number of cables makes it difficult to visually determine the correct installation points, leading to errors and time-consuming validation processes during cabling.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and apparatus that detects cable ends at nodes, uses metadata to reference a cable mapping table, and triggers visual indicators to confirm correct cable installations and guide the installation process, ensuring cables are connected to the right ports based on predefined configurations.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the number of cables increases to connect multiple enclosures, then the system connectivity and functionality are improved, but the difficulty of visually determining correct cable installation points increases, leading to errors and time-consuming validation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses color-coded visual indicators (LEDs) at cable ports to provide immediate visual feedback during cable installation. Different colors indicate different installation states (e.g., green for correct cable type, red for incorrect), making it easy to identify correct installation points even as the number of cables increases. This directly addresses the worsening ease of operation by providing intuitive visual guidance.
Solution Approach 2:
The system implements real-time feedback through visual indicators that immediately inform the installer whether a cable is correctly or incorrectly connected. The controller monitors cable insertions and provides instantaneous visual confirmation, eliminating the need for time-consuming validation processes and reducing installation errors as system complexity increases.
2Device complexity
If manual cable installation and validation processes are used, then device complexity is reduced, but installation time and error rates increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-validation of cable installations through automated detection and visual feedback. The controller automatically monitors cable insertions, verifies correctness using the cable mapping table, and provides visual confirmation without requiring manual validation steps. This maintains relative system simplicity while dramatically reducing installation time and eliminating human error.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses a pre-configured cable mapping table that defines correct cable connections before installation begins. This preliminary configuration allows the system to automatically validate installations in real-time, eliminating the need for time-consuming post-installation validation while keeping the system architecture simple.
3Manufacturing precision
If visual indicators are added to provide real-time feedback, then cable installation accuracy is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The visual indicators serve multiple functions: they indicate correct/incorrect cable types, guide installation sequences, and provide validation feedback. By making the indicator system multi-functional, the patent achieves high installation accuracy without proportionally increasing system complexity, as the same hardware infrastructure supports multiple installation guidance needs.
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses, methods, program products, and systems are presented for guided cable management. An apparatus includes a cable module that detects a first end of a cable installed at a port of a first node, a first port module that determines whether the cable that is installed at the port is an expected cable for the port based on a cable mapping table, and a first indicator module that triggers a visual indicator at the port to visually confirm that the cable is the expected cable for the port. The apparatus includes a second port module that determines a port of a second node where a second end of the cable is expected to be installed and a second indicator module that triggers a visual indicator at the port to visually indicate that the second end of the cable is expected to be installed in the port.