Smart Cable And Fiber Sensors For Disconnection And Signal Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing telecommunications networks face challenges in detecting disconnections and signal changes in network cables and fibers, as existing methods rely on external devices or modules that require functioning connectivity for detection, making them unreliable when the cables or fibers are disconnected or not functioning properly.

Innovation Solution

Smart cables and fibers equipped with sensors and radios that can detect disconnections and signal changes, wirelessly communicating data to a management network independent of the service network, allowing continuous monitoring even when disconnected.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If external devices or modules are used to detect cable disconnections and signal changes, then detection capability is provided, but the system becomes unreliable when cables or fibers are disconnected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection reliabilityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines the detection functionality directly into the cable or fiber itself by integrating sensors and communication circuitry, eliminating the need for separate external detection devices. This merging ensures that the detection system remains operational and reliable even when the cable is disconnected, as the detection capability travels with the cable rather than relying on external equipment.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable or fiber becomes self-monitoring by incorporating sensors that detect its own status (connected/disconnected state and signal changes) and self-reporting through integrated communication circuitry that wirelessly transmits this data to a management network. This self-service approach eliminates dependency on external devices for detection, ensuring continuous monitoring reliability regardless of connection status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

2Duration of action of moving object

If separate interface modules are used for data analysis, then detection functionality is achieved, but continuous monitoring cannot be maintained when disconnected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemonitoring continuityVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the communication functionality directly into the cable or fiber structure, enabling it to autonomously transmit its status data to a management network. This integration ensures that monitoring continues uninterrupted even when the cable is disconnected from its intended device, as the cable can still communicate wirelessly about its own status without requiring a separate interface module.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The cable or fiber is equipped with sensors and communication circuitry that continuously monitor and prepare status data for transmission. When disconnected, the system has already captured the disconnection event and can immediately report it, ensuring continuous monitoring without gaps that would occur with external detection systems that lose connectivity upon disconnection.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of information

If wired connection is required for data communication, then data can be transmitted, but communication fails when cable is disconnected

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata communication reliabilityVSAvoidcommunication flexibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical wired connection system with a wireless communication system. The integrated communication circuitry uses wireless signals (such as radio frequency) to transmit cable status data to the management network, eliminating the need for physical wired connections for data communication. This substitution ensures that data transmission continues reliably even when the cable is disconnected, as wireless communication does not depend on the cable's physical connection status.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The communication mode changes from wired to wireless based on the operational requirements. By implementing wireless communication capability, the system adapts its communication parameter (from physical connection-dependent to connection-independent), allowing continuous data transmission about cable status regardless of whether the cable is physically connected to a device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250306132A1Enhanced smart cable and fiber for detecting disconnections and other signal changes

Publication Date: 2025.10.02 CENTURYLINK INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY LLC

AI summary

This disclosure describes smart wires with sensors and communications circuitry for monitoring the status of the smart wires. The smart wires may include one or more sensors configured to detect whether the smart wire is connected to or disconnected from a device or port; and communications circuitry configured to wirelessly communicate data, to a management network, indicative of whether the smart wire is connected to or disconnected from the device or port, wherein the management network is unassociated with a service using the smart wire and the device or port.