NFC Tag Cable Guidance via Mobile Augmented Reality

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

In complex network systems, such as computer networks, users face difficulties in identifying and plugging cables due to the large number of similar cables, long cable lengths that span across different locations, and the time-consuming process of tracing cable ends, especially when multiple cables are involved.

Innovation Solution

A method and system utilizing a mobile device to wirelessly read connector identifying information from NFC tags associated with cable connectors, providing guidance on proper plugging locations through augmented reality, eliminating the need for manual tracing and reducing the complexity of cable management.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If manual cable tracing is used to identify cable connections, then cable plugging can be completed, but the process becomes time-consuming and complex

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable plugging speedVSAvoidtime for cable identification

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical cable tracing with automated optical scanning and image recognition systems. Cameras capture images of cable connectors and plug locations, while software automatically identifies and matches cable ends to their corresponding plug locations, eliminating the need for manual tracing and significantly reducing identification time.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates visual copies of cable connector information through imaging and displays them on mobile devices. By capturing images of cable connectors, labels, and plug locations, the system provides visual replicas that can be examined without physically tracing the cables, enabling rapid identification and matching.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Reliability

If multiple similar cables are present, then network connectivity is achieved, but cable identification becomes difficult and error-prone

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable connection accuracyVSAvoidcable identification difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system utilizes color information from cable labels, connectors, and surrounding environments captured by cameras. Image recognition algorithms analyze color patterns and variations to distinguish between similar cables and identify their unique identities, making it easier to differentiate and correctly identify cable connections among multiple similar cables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

Solution Approach 2:

The mobile device acts as an intermediary between the cable infrastructure and the user. It captures images, processes visual information, and presents processed cable identification data through the device's display and interface, bridging the gap between the physical cable environment and human cognition to improve identification accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Area of stationary object

If cable length increases to span across locations, then network coverage is extended, but cable tracing becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenetwork coverage areaVSAvoidcable tracing ease

Core Design Contradiction:

Area of stationary objectVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The system replaces manual mechanical tracing along long cable paths with automated optical field capture. Cameras mounted at strategic locations capture images of cable connectors and plug locations within their fields of view, and the system digitally associates these visual data points regardless of physical cable length, enabling identification without following the cable route.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system transitions from one-dimensional physical cable tracing to multi-dimensional visual data analysis. By capturing spatial information from multiple camera angles and using image recognition to analyze visual features in different dimensions, the system can identify cable connections without being constrained by the physical length or routing of cables.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This approach simplifies the cable plugging process by providing real-time guidance, reducing training requirements, allowing multiple users to plug cables simultaneously, and ensuring proper configuration without the need for immediate second-end plugging, thus speeding up the network setup and minimizing errors.

Implementation Method 1

wirelessly reading, by a mobile device, connector identifying information from a tag associated with a cable connector

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectNFC (Near Field Communication): Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentUS20190341722A1Guided cable plugging in a network

Publication Date: 2019.11.07 INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINE CORPORATION

AI summary

Methods, systems and computer program products are provided for facilitating cable plugging in a network by wirelessly reading, by a mobile device, connector identifying information from a tag associated with a cable connector at one end of a cable to be plugged in the network. The mobile device uses the connector identifying information to ascertain guidance for where to properly plug the cable connector in the network, and based on ascertaining the guidance, an action is performed to assist in properly plugging the cable connector in the network.