Optical Fiber Cord Tracking via Electroluminescent Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical fiber cord tracking systems fail to accurately trace paths of optical fiber cords, especially when concealed in trough members or fiber panels, and lack intelligence to recommend optimal routing within telecommunication equipment, leading to inefficiencies and increased costs due to incorrect removal and downtime.
Innovation Solution
An optical fiber management system that includes antennas to receive radio signals from optical fiber cords, processors to determine signal modulation, and luminescent members to indicate cord presence, along with weight sensing members and a central server to provide graphical user interfaces for auditing and recommending optimal cord arrangements without overloading trough members.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If optical fiber cords are concealed in trough members for organization and protection, then cable management and protection are improved, but the ability to visually locate and trace cord paths is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies electroluminescent wire that emits light along its length, causing the optical fiber cord to glow and become visible. This allows the cord path to be detected even when concealed within opaque trough members, resolving the contradiction between concealment for organization and visibility for tracing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary detection system consisting of sensors that detect the light emitted by the electroluminescent wire. These sensors translate the invisible or hard-to-see light into detectable signals that can be processed and displayed, enabling cord path detection without requiring direct visual line of sight.
2Illumination intensity
If existing tracking systems use light sources at cord ends or along length, then visual location capability is improved, but the ability to trace concealed cords in overhead trough members is worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent moves the detection approach from direct visual observation in three-dimensional space to a different dimension by using sensors that can detect light through opaque materials and by projecting cord paths onto two-dimensional display surfaces, enabling tracing of concealed cords.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the mechanical/visual system of direct line-of-sight observation with an electromagnetic field-based detection system using light-emitting wires and optical sensors, allowing detection without direct visual access to the cord path.
3Adaptability or versatility
If telecommunication companies manually manage cord arrangements, then flexibility in cord placement is improved, but productivity and accuracy in identifying cord paths are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a feedback system where sensors continuously monitor the positions of optical fiber cords and provide real-time data to a processing system. This feedback loop enables automatic updating of cord location information, improving productivity while maintaining the flexibility of manual cord placement through an intelligent monitoring layer.
Solution Approach 2:
The system enables self-service by allowing the cord management system to automatically track, detect, and report cord positions without requiring manual intervention for each cord identification task, thereby improving productivity while preserving placement flexibility.
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
Enables quick and accurate identification of optical fiber cord paths, reduces incorrect removal and downtime, and optimizes space utilization and operating expenses by providing detailed mapping and routing recommendations across the telecommunication network infrastructure.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna to receive a radio signal propagated from an optical fiber cord
Implementation Method 2
a luminescent member to indicate cord presence
Data Source
AI summary
An optical fiber cord management system and method is provided to monitor and manage optical fiber cords locations in telecommunication equipment. The system may comprise an antenna to receive a radio signal propagated from an optical fiber cord, and a processor, in communication with the antenna, to receive radio signal data. The processor may determine if the radio signal data matches a modulated radio signal. If the processor determines that the radio signal data associated with the radio signal matches the modulated radio signal, the processor causes a luminescent member to illuminate.