Real-Time Network Visualization via Composite Image Overlay
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Solution Overview
Problem
Network technicians face difficulties in locating and determining the status of network components, especially in complex environments with obscured or unlabeled components and mobile network elements that do not remain in predictable locations.
Innovation Solution
A user equipment (UE) with a display, visual input, and processor that captures and processes visual and network data to create composite images, allowing users to overlay network data, such as physical locations and connectivity statuses, onto real-time visual feeds, even when components are obscured.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If network technicians manually locate and inspect network components in complex facilities, then they can obtain detailed status information, but the time and effort required increases significantly when components are obscured or mobile
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary between the technician and network components. The device captures images, detects network component identifiers (such as RFID tags or visual codes), and retrieves status information from a server, thereby mediating the interaction and eliminating the need for direct physical inspection of each component
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical process of manual visual inspection and physical location of components with an automated optical and electronic system. The mobile device uses cameras to capture images, image processing algorithms to identify components, and wireless communication to retrieve status data, substituting manual mechanical search and inspection processes
2Adaptability or versatility
If network components are moved to flexible locations to improve network adaptability, then network flexibility increases, but the difficulty of locating and tracking components increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the mobile device continuously queries the server for updated locations and statuses of network components. The server maintains a real-time database of component positions, and the mobile device receives feedback information to guide the technician to the correct component location, enabling tracking of mobile components
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a digital copy or representation of the physical network layout in the server's database. This virtual model mirrors the actual positions of network components, allowing technicians to query and locate components through the digital representation rather than physically searching for each component
3Measurement precision
If technicians inspect each network component individually to ensure accurate status information, then measurement precision improves, but productivity decreases due to the large number of components
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables the network components to serve themselves by embedding identifiers (such as RFID tags, barcodes, or visual codes) on each component. These identifiers automatically provide identification information when captured by the mobile device's camera, eliminating the need for technicians to manually read or input component information, thereby speeding up the inspection process while maintaining accuracy
Data Source
AI summary
A user equipment (UE) comprising a display, a visual input configured to capture motion or stop photography as visual data, a receiver configured to receive network data associated with a network element (NE) from a server, and a processor coupled to the display, visual input, and receiver and configured to receive visual data from the visual input, receive the network data from the server via the receiver, overlay the network data on the visual data to create composite image, and transmit the composite image to the display. Also disclosed is a network comprising a server configured to store network data in memory, wherein the network data comprises the physical location of a plurality of NEs in the network, receive field of view data from a UE, wherein the field of view data defines the field of view of a visual input of the UE, and transmit to the UE a network data response message comprising the network data for each NE physically located in the UE visual input's field of view.