Remote Craft Skill Evaluation Using Proactive Network Maintenance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for evaluating craft skills in telecommunications networks are manual, costly, and lack remote evaluation capabilities, especially in training new technicians, and do not utilize proactive network maintenance (PNM) technology for automated detection of impairments or pattern recognition.

Innovation Solution

Implementing proactive network maintenance (PNM) technology for remote evaluation of craft skills using automated detection and pattern recognition systems, combined with video and photography, and cloud-based or crowd-sourced evaluation, to assess the integrity of telecommunications networks and detect impairments, allowing for remote assessment of technician performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If manual visual evaluation by instructors is used, then craft skills can be evaluated, but the process is time-consuming and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaluation accuracyVSAvoidevaluation time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the manual mechanical evaluation process (instructors visually observing and assessing craft work) with an automated optical measurement system using cameras, image processing algorithms, and computer vision technology to detect and evaluate connector craftsmanship, thereby eliminating time-consuming manual inspection while maintaining evaluation accuracy

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system creates digital copies (photographs and images) of the physical connector work being evaluated, allowing automated analysis of the copied visual data instead of requiring instructors to directly observe and assess the physical connections, thus enabling parallel processing of multiple evaluations simultaneously

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Measurement precision

If expensive test equipment is used for evaluating craft integrity, then measurement precision improves, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecraft integrity detection accuracyVSAvoidequipment complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes expensive specialized test equipment with standard digital imaging devices (cameras, smartphones) combined with image processing algorithms, achieving comparable or superior measurement precision through optical capture and computational analysis rather than specialized electrical or mechanical testing devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The system uses inexpensive, widely available camera devices instead of costly specialized test equipment, making the evaluation capability accessible in community colleges and training facilities without requiring investment in expensive proprietary testing instruments

Inventive Principle:

Principle #27Cheap short-living objects (Disposable)

3Adaptability or versatility

If remote evaluation is implemented, then accessibility and scalability improve, but measurement precision may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveremote evaluation capabilityVSAvoidevaluation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system captures high-resolution digital images of connectors at the remote location and transmits them for centralized analysis, creating accurate visual copies that preserve all necessary measurement information while enabling remote specialists to evaluate work quality without being physically present at the evaluation site

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces digital image data as an intermediary between the remote connector installation and the central evaluation system, allowing precise measurement and assessment to be performed remotely through the intermediary digital representation rather than requiring direct physical access to the connectors

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

4Productivity

If automated pattern recognition is used, then productivity increases, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveevaluation throughputVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces complex automated manufacturing systems with simpler image processing algorithms that leverage standard computer vision techniques to automatically detect connector patterns, alignment, and craftsmanship quality from photographs, achieving high evaluation throughput without requiring complex specialized hardware

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS12093875B2Systems and methods for remote evaluation of craft skills

Publication Date: 2024.09.17 SOCIETY OF CABLE TELECOMMUNICATIONS ENGINEERS INC

AI summary

System, methods, and devices for measuring the performance of a component of a communications network recently installed by a technician using proactive network maintenance parameters, and further assessing the installation performed by the technician.