IP Library Granted Patent US 12,646,911
Granted Patent B2
US 12,646,911 · App. 18/310,862 · Granted Jun 2, 2026

Systems and methods for utilizing remote visualization for installing a fiber network to a structure

Inventor: Lee Priest (Charlotte, NC)
Assignee: ETAK Systems, LLC
H02G1/02B64C39/02G06T7/0004G06T15/005H04N23/90B64U2101/26G06T2207/30232H02G2200/20
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,646,911
App. No.
18/310,862
Granted
Jun 2, 2026
Kind
B2
Abstract

Systems and method for installing a fiber network to a structure 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 for determining an installation procedure for installing the fiber network to the structure; and installing the fiber network based on the determined installation procedure.

Claims (16)

1 . A method of installing a fiber network to a structure, the method comprising steps of:

causing one or more cameras comprising an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) and one or more interior camera systems to capture a plurality of photographs and video frames of an installation area including an exterior and an interior of the structure, each of the photographs comprising at least two location identifiers defining a capture position and orientation;

obtaining the plurality of photographs and causing processing of the plurality of photographs using a photogrammetry engine to define a three-dimensional (3D) model of the installation area based on overlap between adjacent photographs and the location identifiers to provide one or more remote visualizations of the installation area;

utilizing the one or more remote visualizations within a Graphical User Interface (GUI) that enables measurement of distances and automated routing for determining an installation procedure for installing the fiber network to the structure; and

installing the fiber network based on the determined installation procedure.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the installation area includes any of an exterior and an interior of the structure.

3 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the installation area includes any of an exterior and an interior of a plurality of structures, and the determining includes determining an installation procedure for installing the fiber network to the plurality of structures.

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.

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 causing the one or more cameras to capture a plurality of photographs includes causing one or more camera systems to capture a plurality of photographs of an interior of the structure.

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 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 by capturing a second plurality of photographs and automatically comparing a second 3D model derived therefrom to an initial 3D model of the installation area to identify deviations from a planned route or placement.

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 automatically populated with measurements, imagery, and comparison data from the virtual site inspection verifying conformance with installation parameters.

Assignments (2)
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 20, 2026
From: ETAK SYSTEMS, LLC
To: AQUARIAN CREDIT FUNDING LLC, AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 075246/0859 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 2, 2023
From: PRIEST, LEE
To: ETAK SYSTEMS, LLC
Reel/Frame 063509/0150 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20240372341A1 · Nov 7, 2024
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