Telecom Equipment Identification Using Image and Radiation Direction

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Solution Overview

Problem

Identifying and distinguishing different telecom equipment on radio towers is challenging due to visual similarities and the need for precise location, especially when owned by multiple operators, which is crucial for maintenance, inventory, and space optimization.

Innovation Solution

A mobile device, such as a UAV, records images and obtains radiation indications to determine the direction of radiation from equipment, using image processing and radiation detection to identify and map equipment based on radiation patterns and visual inspection.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If visual inspection is used to identify equipment on radio towers, then the inspection process is simple and low-cost, but the ability to distinguish between different operators' equipment is insufficient due to visual similarities

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection process simplicityVSAvoidequipment identification accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The inspection process is segmented into multiple independent detection channels: visual image capture channel and radiation signal detection channel. Each channel performs specific measurement tasks, and the results are integrated to achieve accurate equipment identification. This segmentation allows the system to maintain operational simplicity while improving identification accuracy through multi-parameter measurement.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent merges visual inspection data with radiation indication data into a unified identification process. By combining information from both visual characteristics and radiation patterns, the system achieves accurate differentiation of equipment belonging to different operators, overcoming the limitation of visual similarity alone.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

2Measurement precision

If manual inspection by climbing crew is used, then detailed equipment inspection is possible, but the process becomes expensive and dangerous

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment inspection detailVSAvoidinspection operation complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a mobile device as an intermediary inspection tool that can be positioned near the equipment without requiring human climbers. This mobile device performs both visual capture and radiation measurement, serving as a mediator between the inspection requirements and the equipment being inspected, thereby eliminating the need for dangerous manual climbing while maintaining detailed inspection capability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical human climbing system with an automated mobile device system. Instead of using human operators to physically access and inspect equipment, the system uses a mobile device equipped with cameras and radiation detectors that can be positioned and operated remotely, substituting mechanical human labor with automated technological systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Loss of time

If inventory catalog information is used, then equipment location can be planned, but inconsistencies and discrepancies with actual equipment found are common

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinspection preparation timeVSAvoidinventory data accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements a feedback mechanism where the mobile device performs actual measurements of radiation indications and visual characteristics, compares these measurements with inventory catalog data, and identifies discrepancies. This feedback loop enables continuous verification and updating of inventory information, ensuring that the recorded data accurately reflects the actual equipment status and location.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The system performs preliminary radiation measurements and visual documentation before finalizing the inventory record. By conducting measurements in advance and comparing them with planned equipment locations, the system identifies and corrects discrepancies before they become permanent errors in the inventory database.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

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 efficient and automated identification of telecom equipment on radio towers, distinguishing between different operators' equipment and mapping their locations, reducing the need for manual inspection and improving inventory accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

the mobile device obtains one or more radiation indications for determining a direction of radiation from the equipment

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRadiation detection: Radiation

Data Source

PatentUS12536794B2Mobile device, network node and methods for identifying equipment

Publication Date: 2026.01.27 TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET LM ERICSSON (PUBL)

AI summary

A method performed by a mobile device for handling identification of equipment. The mobile device records an image, in a recording direction at a first location, of the equipment. Upon recording the image, the mobile device further obtains one or more radiation indications for determining a direction of radiation from the equipment; and provides the obtained one or more radiation indications associated with the recorded image, to an internal identifying process at the mobile device and/or a network node for identifying the equipment.