Optical Switching Network Portal for Automated Cross-Connection Setup

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Solution Overview

Problem

Establishing cross-connections between participant entity networks owned and operated by different entities is complicated and slow, requiring manual operations to install connectors.

Innovation Solution

An optical switching device dynamically establishes and modifies cross-connections among participant networks via optical fiber connections, allowing for efficient reservation and connection of line ports and bandwidths, reducing the need for manual intervention.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If manual operation is used to install connectors between equipment of different participant entities, then the connection process can be performed with simple procedures, but the establishment time becomes very long (days or weeks)

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection establishment processVSAvoidconnection establishment time

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual mechanical connector installation with an automated optical switching system. The optical switching device automatically establishes cross-connections between participant networks by switching optical signals, eliminating the need for manual connector installation while reducing establishment time from days/weeks to minutes/hours.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The optical switching network provides self-service capability by automatically establishing and modifying cross-connections between participant entities without requiring manual intervention. The system autonomously manages connection establishment, port reservation, and bandwidth allocation based on requests from participant entities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Device complexity

If manual operation is used to install connectors, then the system complexity remains low, but the productivity of network connection establishment becomes very slow

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesystem structureVSAvoidnetwork connection establishment speed

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an optical switching device that automates the connection establishment process. This automated system manages port reservation, bandwidth allocation, and cross-connection establishment, significantly improving productivity from manual slow establishment to automated rapid establishment while managing system complexity through controlled automation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of time

If automated optical switching is implemented, then the connection establishment speed increases dramatically (from days/weeks to minutes/hours), but the system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection establishment timeVSAvoidoptical switching system structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an optical switching device as an intermediary component that manages the complexity of automated connection establishment. This intermediary handles port reservation, bandwidth allocation, and cross-connection switching, enabling rapid connection establishment while containing system complexity within a dedicated automated switching infrastructure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Ease of manufacture

If manual connector installation is used, then the implementation is simple, but the adaptability to different participant networks is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimplementation simplicityVSAvoidcross-network connection capability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The optical switching device provides universal functionality by enabling automated cross-connections between multiple different participant networks. The system can handle various network configurations, bandwidth requirements, and port allocations across different entities, significantly improving adaptability while maintaining implementation through standardized automated procedures.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS20250343616A1Optical switching network and portal

Publication Date: 2025.11.06 LEVEL 3 COMMUNICATIONS LLC

AI summary

Novel tools and techniques are provided for implementing optical switching network and portal. In various examples, a computing system of a service provider network may receive, from a first participant entity via an interface system, a request to establish or modify a network connection between a first participant network and a second participant network. The request may include a request to reserve a line port on a network device of the second participant network and/or a request for network connection at a fraction of a set bandwidth corresponding to bandwidth of cross-connections between participant networks. After confirming system capability to perform the requested establishment or modification and confirming authorization of the first participant entity to perform the requested operations, the computing system may establish or modify the network connection using an optical switching device (and in some cases, an aggregation switch) in the service provider network based on the request.