US-12619043-B2 - Systems and methods for utilizing remote visualization for installing fiber networks

US12619043B2US 12619043 B2US12619043 B2US 12619043B2US-12619043-B2

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.

Inventors

Lee Priest

Assignees

ETAK Systems, LLC

Dates

Publication Date: 20260505
Application Date: 20230502

Claims (12)

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, the installation area including interiors of structures and surrounding areas, each of the plurality of photographs including at least two distinct location identifiers indicative of a position of the one or more cameras when each of the plurality of photographs were taken; obtaining the plurality of photographs and causing processing of the plurality of photographs to provide one or more remote visualizations of the installation area wherein the processing comprises photogrammetry-based construction of a three-dimensional (3D) model from the plurality of photographs including overlapping fields of view; utilizing the one or more remote visualizations to determine an optimal route for trenching fiber cables, including determining that the optimal route reduces an overall trenching distance across at least one of a body of water, roadway, or structure, and wherein the optimal route includes a combination of underground and overhead fiber cables; and installing the fiber network based on the determined optimal route.
2 . 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.
3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the determining includes determining one or more locations for installing splice locations in the fiber network.
4 . 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, wherein the 3D model of the installation area includes interiors and exteriors of structures.
5 . 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.
6 . 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.
7 . 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, the UAV configured for exterior aerial capture and the one or more camera systems configured for interior building capture, and wherein exterior and interior photographs are combined to form an integrated 3D model of the installation area.
8 . 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.
9 . The method of claim 1 , wherein causing the one or more cameras to capture a plurality of photographs is performed remotely.
10 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the steps further comprise, after the installing, performing a virtual site inspection of the fiber network.
11 . The method of claim 10 , 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.
12 . The method of claim 10 , wherein the steps further comprise providing a close-out package, wherein the close-out package provides verification of the fiber network installation.

Description

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE The present disclosure relates generally to cellular site device installation and auditing systems and methods. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to systems and methods for utilizing remote visualization for installing fiber networks. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE To provide high speed connectivity to infrastructure, homes, businesses, etc., fiber optic networks are being constructed globally. These networks can be constructed in a variety of ways including laying underground fiber cables, installing aerial fiber cables, and any combination thereof. At an average installation cost of $1,000 to $1,250 per residential household passed or $60,000 to $80,000 per mile, it is crucial for such installation projects to be thoughtfully and optimally planned out. The present disclosure provides systems and methods for utilizing one or more remote visualization techniques in the fiber network installation process. The various remote visualization techniques allow for detailed network planning and optimization of construction methods to reduce costs associated with fiber network construction. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE In an embodiment, a method for installing a fiber network includes 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. The steps can further include wherein the optimal route includes a combination of underground and overhead fiber cables. The installation area can include any of a highway system, a neighborhood, an intersection, a business park, and one or more buildings. The determining can include determining one or more locations for installing splice locations in the fiber network. The processing can include 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. The steps can include causing the one or more cameras to capture a 360 degree view of the installation area. Causing the one or more cameras to capture a plurality of photographs can include causing an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) to fly a flight path over the installation area and capture the plurality of photographs. The plurality of photographs can be obtained from a combination of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and one or more camera systems. Determining an optimal route can include, based on the one or more remote visualizations, determining a route which includes a shortest trenching distance for installing the fiber network. Causing the one or more cameras to capture a plurality of photographs can be performed remotely. The steps can further include, after the installing, performing a virtual site inspection of the fiber network. Performing a virtual site inspection of the fiber network can include causing the one or more cameras to capture a plurality of photographs of the installation area after the installation is completed. The steps can include providing a close-out package, wherein the close-out package provides verification of the fiber network installation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present disclosure is illustrated and described herein with reference to the various drawings, in which like reference numbers are used to denote like system components/method steps, as appropriate, and in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mobile device. FIG. 2 is a side view of an exemplary flight of the UAV at a site. FIG. 3 is a logical diagram of a portion of a tower along with associated photos taken by the UAV at different points relative thereto. FIG. 4 is a screenshot of a GUI associated with post-processing photos from the UAV. FIG. 5 is a screenshot of a 3D model constructed from a plurality of 2D photos taken from the UAV as described herein. FIGS. 6-11 are various screenshots of GUIs associated with a 3D model of a site based on photos taken from the UAV as described herein. FIG. 12 is a diagram of an exemplary interior of a building at a site. FIG. 13 is a flow diagram of a 3D model creation process. FIGS. 14 and 15 are diagrams of a multiple camera apparatus and use of the multiple camera apparatus in a shelter or cabinet or the interior of a building. FIG. 16 is a diagram of a photo stitching User Interface (UI) for site inspections, surveys, etc. remotely. FIG. 17 is a diagram showing various configurations of fiber networks. FIG. 18 is a diagram of an installation area. FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a process for installing a fiber network. FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a process for installing a fiber network via micro-trenching. FIG. 21 is a