Wearable AR Overlay for Hands-Free Asset Identification
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Solution Overview
Problem
Technicians face challenges in accurately identifying and configuring network assets in large-scale networks due to reliance on labeling, which often leads to costly mistakes, especially when hands are occupied with maintenance tasks and cross-referencing diagrams is required.
Innovation Solution
A hands-free asset management system using a wearable device with a mobile application that receives work orders, displays directions, and provides instructions for networking assets, utilizing image data from a camera to overlay identification information, enabling technicians to locate and manage assets efficiently without manual reference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If technicians rely on labeling and cross-referencing diagrams to identify network assets, then they can locate assets without additional equipment, but errors in asset configuration increase and productivity decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary system consisting of cameras, image processing algorithms, and augmented reality overlays that mediate between the technician and the network assets. The camera captures images of assets, the system processes them to identify and locate assets automatically, and AR overlays provide guidance, eliminating the need for technicians to manually cross-reference diagrams while improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the manual mechanical process of reading labels and cross-referencing physical or paper diagrams with an automated optical and computational system. Image recognition algorithms automatically identify assets in photographs, replacing the manual visual search and diagram-crossReferencing process, thereby improving both accuracy and efficiency.
2Loss of information
If technicians use paper or electronic diagrams to locate network assets, then they can identify asset locations, but the complexity of the process increases and time consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the essential information (asset identification and location) directly from images of the assets themselves rather than requiring technicians to search through separate diagrams. The image recognition system extracts asset identifiers, locations, and configuration details directly from visual data, eliminating the need for external reference materials and simplifying the process.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the asset identification, location information, and configuration details into a single integrated image-based system. Instead of requiring separate diagrams for different types of information, the system processes a single image to provide all necessary information through augmented reality overlays, reducing process complexity.
3Ease of operation
If technicians manually reference diagrams while hands are occupied with maintenance tasks, then they can identify assets, but the ease of operation decreases and errors increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs self-service by automatically capturing images, identifying assets, and providing guidance without requiring technician intervention for information retrieval. The camera and image recognition system autonomously locate and identify assets, and the AR overlay automatically displays relevant information, freeing the technician's hands and attention while improving accuracy.
Solution Approach 2:
The system provides immediate visual feedback through augmented reality overlays that confirm asset identification and display correct configuration information. This real-time feedback mechanism allows technicians to verify they are working on the correct asset before making changes, improving reliability while maintaining ease of operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A hands-free asset management system and a method of its operation are disclosed. An example system includes an asset tracking database storing an asset location and one or more identifying characteristics of each of a plurality of networking assets, and an application executable on a wearable display device communicatively connected to the asset tracking database. The application is executable to receive a work order associated with at least one asset among the plurality of networking assets, based on a location of the wearable display device and the work order, display one or more directions to the asset for a wearer of the wearable display device, and display one or more work instructions to be performed on the asset.