Optical Cable Connection Management via RFID and Database

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current optical fiber distribution networks rely on manual management and maintenance, leading to errors in recording optical cable connection information, resulting in incorrect port resource utilization, waste of resources, and inefficiencies in service provisioning and fault management.

Innovation Solution

A method and apparatus for intelligently establishing and managing optical cable connections using network devices and terminal devices that automate the allocation and management of optical splitter ports, utilizing RFID, NFC, and barcode technologies to accurately update and store connection information, reducing manual errors and improving resource utilization.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual management and maintenance methods are used for optical cable connections, then implementation simplicity is maintained, but connection accuracy and resource management efficiency deteriorate due to human errors and lack of automated verification

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection accuracyVSAvoidmanagement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses electronic copies of connection information stored in databases and on devices to replace manual paper records. The system creates and manages digital replicas of connection data, enabling automated verification and reducing human error while maintaining implementation feasibility through standard database technologies.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements feedback mechanisms where the system automatically verifies connection status by comparing actual connections against recorded information in the database. This closed-loop feedback ensures connection accuracy by detecting and reporting discrepancies between physical connections and recorded data, eliminating the need for complex manual verification procedures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

2Productivity

If automated systems are introduced to manage optical cable connections, then connection accuracy and resource utilization improve, but system complexity and implementation difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveservice provisioning efficiencyVSAvoidmanagement system complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the system to automatically perform connection verification, resource allocation, and status updates without requiring complex external management infrastructure. The automated system serves itself by using its own database and verification mechanisms to maintain accurate connection records, improving productivity while keeping implementation complexity manageable.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal management system that handles multiple functions including connection recording, verification, resource allocation, and fault detection within a single integrated platform. This multi-functional approach improves overall service provisioning efficiency without requiring separate complex systems for each function, making implementation more feasible.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If manual recording methods are used for connection information, then implementation cost is kept low, but information accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to manual errors and document degradation

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveconnection information reliabilityVSAvoidinformation management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces vulnerable paper records with durable electronic copies stored in databases and on multiple devices. This digital copying eliminates the degradation and loss issues associated with paper documents while maintaining low implementation costs through the use of standard database technologies and existing device storage capabilities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements automated feedback mechanisms that continuously verify the accuracy of connection information against actual physical connections. This feedback loop ensures high reliability of connection data by automatically detecting and reporting errors, eliminating the need for complex manual verification procedures while maintaining information accuracy.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #23Feedback

Data Source

PatentEP3893434B1Method and apparatus for establishing optical cable connection
Publication Date: 2024.03.13 HUAWEI TECH CO LTD
  • EP3893434B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3893434B1 patent drawingFigure 2A
  • EP3893434B1 patent drawingFigure 2B

AI summary

This application provides a method and an apparatus for establishing an optical cable connection. The method includes: receiving, by a network device, a service provisioning request message including user information from a terminal device; allocating, by the network device, an optical splitter port based on the user information; sending, by the network device, a service provisioning response message to the terminal device, where the service provisioning response message includes the user information and port information, the port information includes a port identifier, and the port identifier is used to indicate an allocated optical splitter port; receiving, by the network device, an optical cable installation complete indication message sent by the terminal device, where the optical cable installation complete indication message carries the port identifier, the user information, and an optical cable identifier, and the optical cable identifier is used to indicate an optical cable corresponding to the user information; and storing, by the network device, a correspondence between the optical cable identifier, the port identifier, and the user information. The method and the apparatus for establishing an optical cable connection provided in this application greatly reduce an optical cable connection error rate, facilitate service provisioning for a user, save optical fiber resources, and reduce costs of regularly sorting ODN resource information.