A novel navigation system using augmented reality technology for distribution work at optical connector panels

This paper proposes a new navigation system using augmented reality (AR) technology for distribution work in central offices. This system helps operators to work accurately and effectively when they perform installation or removal work at connector panels accommodating a large number of optical fiber cords, and it also enables a database to be accurately constructed. We employ AR technology, which overlays virtual information (or images) on real-world images to support the connection or disconnection of optical fiber cords at a connector panel. The work can be undertaken accurately because image-guided navigation information is provided via an augmented view on a monitor. The proposed system has the potential to be applied to other maintenance scenarios, and to lead to innovations in maintenance work. In this paper, we describe the current issues for optical distribution work at connector panels and show the requirements for the work. Next, we detail the design of our prototype system, and demonstrate the performance of this system experimentally on three conditions (fixed, hand-held and hand-carried). We found that a graphically assisted image was provided to the operators and the support by image-guided navigation was useful for them. Moreover, we discuss the goal and the features of the proposed system. This proposed system when used with AR technology has the advantages of flexibility as well as cost-effectiveness by comparison with LED, VLC and RFID navigation systems .