Patch Panel Visual Indicators for Concurrent Multi-Technician Work Orders
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Solution Overview
Problem
Physical layer management systems are typically designed to guide a single technician in performing a single work order at a time, failing to support multiple technicians working on multiple active work orders simultaneously.
Innovation Solution
A system comprising a device with multiple ports and visual indicators, coupled with a management system that provides simultaneous multiple visual indications for each work order, allowing technicians to work on multiple active work orders by differing visual cues displayed on portable devices.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the system is designed to guide a single technician in performing a single work order, then the system complexity is low and ease of operation is high, but the system cannot support multiple technicians working on multiple active work orders simultaneously
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the visual indication system by assigning different visual indicators (LEDs) to different work orders and technicians. Each work order has its own dedicated visual indicators, allowing multiple technicians to simultaneously identify their respective work areas without confusion. This segmentation enables the system to handle multiple work orders concurrently while maintaining individual clarity for each technician.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies local quality by providing unique visual characteristics (different colors, blinking patterns, or illumination states) to different ports or devices associated with different work orders. This allows each work order to have its own distinct visual signature, enabling technicians to quickly identify their specific work areas among multiple simultaneous operations without increasing overall system complexity.
2Productivity
If multiple visual indications are provided simultaneously for multiple work orders, then productivity is improved, but the difficulty of detecting and measuring the correct indication increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent utilizes color changes as a primary differentiating mechanism for visual indicators. Different work orders are associated with LEDs that emit different colors or combinations of colors. This allows technicians to instantly distinguish between multiple simultaneous work orders through color coding, making it easy to detect the correct indication even when multiple indicators are active simultaneously, thereby maintaining high productivity without increasing detection difficulty.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs periodic action through different blinking patterns or illumination cycles for different work orders. Each work order can have its associated LEDs blink at different frequencies or follow different on/off patterns. This temporal differentiation allows technicians to easily distinguish between multiple active work orders through the unique rhythmic signatures of each, solving the problem of detecting the correct indication among multiple simultaneous visual cues.
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 multiple technicians to perform multiple work orders concurrently by clearly distinguishing visual indications for each work order on the managed device and portable devices, enhancing efficiency in network connection management.
Implementation Method 1
the patch panel includes a light emitting diode for each port of the patch panel
Data Source
AI summary
Multiple visual indications are provided in connection with multiple work orders. Each work order involves a respective connection using the device. The multiple visual indications are provided simultaneously for at least a part of the time the visual indications are provided. In one implementation, the visual indications differ from one another. What each visual indication looks like is displayed on a respective portable device configured to display information about the work order associated with that visual indication.