Systems and methods for utilizing remote visualization for installing fiber networks

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2024369796-A1
Application number	US-202318310819-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	May 2, 2023
Priority date	May 2, 2023
Publication date	Nov 7, 2024
Grant date	—

Abstract

Systems and method for installing a fiber network include causing one or more cameras to capture a plurality of photographs of an installation area; obtaining the plurality of photographs and causing processing of the plurality of photographs to provide one or more remote visualizations of the installation area; utilizing the one or more remote visualizations to determine an optimal route for trenching fiber cables; and installing the fiber network based on the determined optimal route.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1 . A method of installing a fiber network, the method comprising steps of:
causing one or more cameras to capture a plurality of photographs of an installation area; obtaining the plurality of photographs and causing processing of the plurality of photographs to provide one or more remote visualizations of the installation area; utilizing the one or more remote visualizations to determine an optimal route for trenching fiber cables; and installing the fiber network based on the determined optimal route.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the optimal route includes a combination of underground and overhead fiber cables.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the installation area includes any of a highway system, a neighborhood, an intersection, a business park, and one or more buildings.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining includes determining one or more locations for installing splice locations in the fiber network.

5 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the processing includes processing the plurality of photographs to define a three dimensional (3D) model of the installation area based on one or more location identifiers and one or more objects of interest in the plurality of photographs.

6 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the steps comprise causing the one or more cameras to capture a 360 degree view of the installation area.

7 . The method of claim 1 , wherein causing the one or more cameras to capture a plurality of photographs includes causing an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to fly a flight path over the installation area and capture the plurality of photographs.

8 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the plurality of photographs are obtained from a combination of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and one or more camera systems.

9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein determining an optimal route includes, based on the one or more remote visualizations, determining a route which includes a shortest trenching distance for installing the fiber network.

10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein causing the one or more cameras to capture a plurality of photographs is performed remotely.

11 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the steps further comprise, after the installing, performing a virtual site inspection of the fiber network.

12 . The method of claim 11 , wherein performing a virtual site inspection of the fiber network includes causing the one or more cameras to capture a plurality of photographs of the installation area after the installation is completed.

13 . The method of claim 11 , wherein the steps further comprise providing a close-out package, wherein the close-out package provides verification of the fiber network installation.

Assignees

• Etak Systems Llc

Inventors

• Priest Lee

Classifications

• G02B6/46

  Processes or apparatus adapted for installing {or repairing} optical fibres or optical cables (installation of cables containing electric conductors and optical fibres H02G) · CPC title

• B64U2101/30

  for imaging, photography or videography · CPC title

• B64U20/87 Primary

  Mounting of imaging devices, e.g. mounting of gimbals · CPC title

• G02B6/47

  Installation in buildings · CPC title

• G06T17/05

  Geographic models · CPC title