Patents Assigned to NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
  • Publication number: 20240134074
    Abstract: An AI-driven cable mapping system that employs distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) fiber sensing and machine learning that provides autonomous determination of fiber optic cable location and mapping of same. Designed Al algorithms operating within our inventive systems and methods provide an easy solution for cable mapping in a GIS system; automatically maps using landmarks and manhole locations; and employs a supervised learning algorithm. A vehicle-assist operation is employed wherein a vehicle carries a Global Positioning System (GPS) device and drives along a roadway thereby following the fiber optic cable route; data paring that provides further significant locational information wherein time synchronizes between the DFOS system and vehicle GPS device from which we automatically pair the data of fiber length from traffic trajectories and GPS coordinates by time series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Ming-Fang HUANG, Chaitanya Prasad NARISETTY
  • Publication number: 20240133937
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and structures providing dynamic line rating (DLR) for overhead transmission lines based on distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS)/distributed temperature sensing (DTS) to determine temperature of the electrical conductors. Environmental conditions such as wind speed, wind direction, and solar radiation data, are collected from environmental sensors and an acoustic modem that convert the digital data collected from the environmental sensors into generated vibration patterns that are subsequently used to vibrationally excite a DFOS optical sensor fiber. The DFOS system monitors the optical sensor fiber and detects, measures, and decodes the vibrational excitations. An Artificial Neural Network (ANN) determines a heat transfer correlation between the temperature of the optical sensor fiber and electrical conductor(s) (core temperature).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yangmin DING, Ting WANG, Yue TIAN, Sarper OZHARAR
  • Publication number: 20240133719
    Abstract: Systems and methods for manhole localization along deployed fiber optic cables that employs cross-correlation methodologies and ambient road traffic operating proximate to the manholes including fiber optic telecommunications cables to detect the manhole locations using distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS). Advantageously the manhole locations are determined without employing labor intensive field surveys.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Milad SALEMI, Ming-Fang HUANG, Shaobo HAN, Yuheng CHEN
  • Publication number: 20240133735
    Abstract: A device may receive, from a fiber sensor device, sensing data associated with a fiber optic cable, the sensing data being produced by an activity that poses a threat of damage to the fiber optic cable, and the sensing data identifying: amplitudes of vibration signals, frequencies of the vibration signals, patterns of the vibration signals, times associated with the vibration signals, and locations along the fiber optic cable associated with the vibration signals. The device may process, with a machine learning model, the sensing data to determine a threat level of the activity to the fiber optic cable, the machine learning model having been trained based on historical information regarding detected vibrations, historical information regarding sources of the detected vibrations, and historical information regarding threat levels to the fiber optic cable. The device may perform one or more actions based on the threat level to the fiber optic cable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicants: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc., NEC Laboratories America, Inc., NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Tiejun J. XIA, Glenn A. WELLBROCK, Ming-Fang HUANG, Ting WANG, Yoshiaki AONO
  • Publication number: 20240135797
    Abstract: A data-driven street flood warning system that employs distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS)/distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) and machine learning (ML) technologies and techniques to provide a prediction of street flood status along a telecommunications fiber optic cable route using the DFOS/DAS data and ML models. Operationally, a DFOS/DAS interrogator collects and transmits vibrational data resulting from rain events while an online web server provides a user interface for end-users. Two machine learning models are built respectively for rain intensity prediction and flood level prediction. The machine learning models serve as predictive models for rain intensity and flood levels based on data provided to them, which includes rain intensity, rain duration, and historical data on flood levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 25, 2024
    Applicant: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yangmin DING, Sarper OZHARAR, Yue TIAN, Ting WANG
  • Publication number: 20240125954
    Abstract: Systems and methods for utility pole localization employing a DFOS/DAS interrogator located at one end of an optical sensor fiber remotely capture dynamic strains on the optical sensor fiber induced by acoustic events. A captured two-dimensional spatiotemporal map in an ambient noisy environment is analyzed by a trained machine learning model which then automatically detects an area in which a pole is located without requiring domain knowledge. Original DFOS/DAS signals are separated into pole regions and non-pole region time series for machine learning model training. A contrastive loss function measures similarities between low-frequency and high-frequency features. A Gaussian distribution is applied to the original signals to generate weighted labels to eliminate effects of label noise. The machine learning model fuses low-frequency and high-frequency features in the frequency domain for pole region classification.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhuocheng JIANG, Yue TIAN, Yangmin DING, Sarper OZHARAR, Ting WANG
  • Publication number: 20240125962
    Abstract: Method for source localization for cable cut prevention using distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS)/distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) is described that is robust/immune to underground propagation speed uncertainty. The method estimates the location of a vibration source while considering any uncertainty of vibration propagation speed and formulates the localization as an optimization problem, and both location of the sources and the propagation speed are treated as unknown. This advantageously enables our method to adapt to variances of the velocity and produce a better generalized performance with respect to environmental changes experienced in the field. Our method operates using a DFOS system and AI techniques as an integrated solution for vibration source localization along an entire optical sensor fiber cable route and process real-time DFOS data and extract features that are related to a location of a source of vibrations that may threaten optical fiber facilities.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yifan WU, Ming-Fang HUANG, Shaobo HAN, Jian FANG, Yuheng CHEN, Yaowen LI, Mohammad KHOJASTEPOUR
  • Publication number: 20240127681
    Abstract: A solar powered, self-contained DFOS extender that includes a wide-angle camera and a microphone. The DFOS extender monitors the perimeter constantly or at predetermined time intervals both visually and acoustically. It analyses these signals and if an alarming event is detected (such as an animal, a human, a car, or a truck seen or heard), then the DFOS extender generates a coded vibration via its in-built acoustic modem. These coded vibrations are detected by the fiber and an event log is generated. Consequently, a trespasser or false alarms (animals) are detected before they are within detectable distance of the underground DFOS optical sensor fiber. Advantageously, our DFOS extender can be placed in critical locations along a border where an increased detection range is desired and may later be relocated/reinstalled at other locations as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Sarper OZHARAR, Yue TIAN, Yangmin DING, Ting WANG
  • Publication number: 20240129195
    Abstract: Described is a novel framework, we call intent-based computing jobs assignment framework, for efficiently accommodating a clients' computing job requests in a mobile edge computing infrastructure. We define the intent-based computing job assignment problem, which jointly optimizes the virtual topology design and virtual topology mapping with the objective of minimizing the total bandwidth consumption. We use the Integer Linear Programming (ILP) technique to formulate this problem, and to facilitate the optimal solution. In addition, we employ a novel and efficient heuristic algorithm, called modified Steiner tree-based (MST-based) heuristic, which coordinately determines the virtual topology design and the virtual topology mapping. Comprehensive simulations to evaluate the performance of our solutions show that the MST-based heuristic can achieve an efficient performance that is close to the optimal performance obtained by the ILP solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Applicant: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip JI, Ting WANG, Zilong YE
  • Publication number: 20240118116
    Abstract: A flexible, rapid deployable perimeter monitoring system and method that employs distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) technologies and includes a deployment/operations field vehicle including an interrogator and analyzer/processor. The deployment/operations field vehicle is configured to field deploy a ruggedized fiber optic sensor cable in an arrangement that meets a specific application need, and subsequently interrogate/sense via DFOS any environmental conditions affecting the deployed fiber optic sensor cable. Such sensed conditions include mechanical vibration, acoustic, and temperature that may be advantageously sensed/evaluated/analyzed in the deployment/operations vehicle and subsequently communicated to a central location for further evaluation and/or coordination with other monitoring systems. Upon completion, the field vehicle and DFOS reconfigure a current location or redeployed to another location.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2023
    Publication date: April 11, 2024
    Applicant: NEC LABORATORIES AMERICA, INC.
    Inventors: Philip JI, Christopher White, Ting WANG
  • Publication number: 20240103215
    Abstract: An advance in the art is made according to aspects of the present disclosure directed to methods for earthquake sensing that employ a supervisory system of undersea fiber optic cables. Earthquakes and other environmental disturbances are detected by monitoring the polarization of interrogation light instead of its phase. More specifically, our methods monitor the transfer matrix rather than just polarization and isolate disturbance location by monitoring eigenvalues of the polarization transfer matrix. From results obtained we have demonstrated experimentally that we can monitor disturbances that affect signal polarization on a span-by-span basis using High Loss Loop Back (HLLB) paths. It is shown that by measuring the polarization rotation matrix and determining the polarization rotation angle we can identify the span where the disturbance occurred with 35 dB extinction with no limitation on the magnitude of the disturbance and the number of affected spans.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicants: NEC Laboratories America, Inc., NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Fatih YAMAN, Shaobo HAN, Eduardo Fabian MATEO RODRIGUEZ, Yang LI, Yoshihisa INADA, Takanori INOUE
  • Publication number: 20240102833
    Abstract: A DFOS system and machine learning method that automatically localizes manholes, which forms a key step in a fiber optic cable mapping process. Our system and method utilize weakly supervised learning techniques to predict manhole locations based on ambient data captured along the fiber optic cable route. To improve any non-informative ambient data, we employ data selection and label assignment strategies and verify their effectiveness extensively in a variety of settings, including data efficiency and generalizability to different fiber optic cable routes. We describe post-processing steps that bridge the gap between classification and localization and combining results from multiple predictions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaobo HAN, Yuheng CHEN, Ming-Fang HUANG, Ting WANG, Alexander BUKHARIN
  • Publication number: 20240089094
    Abstract: A hybrid Quantum Key Distribution (QKD) protocol and method for secure transmission in optical communications systems and in particular long distance optical communications systems such as those in undersea environments. Our inventive method advantageously exploits fundamental security features of quantum-base encryption with the added intrinsic security of encapsulated and sealed equipment of undersea optical networks. Our method employs an intermediate node that generates an optical signal, and a pair of quantum state generators that respectively generate quantum states of the optical signal and transmit the generated quantum states to secure nodes, respectively. The secure nodes then communicate securely using a quantum key distribution (QKD) protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Eduardo FABIAN MATEO RODRIGUEZ, Yoshihisa INADA
  • Publication number: 20240085238
    Abstract: In sharp contrast to the prior art, a fallen tree detection and localization method based on distributed fiber optical sensing (DFOS) technique and physics informed machine learning is described in which DFOS leverages existing fiber cables that are conventionally installed on the bottom layer of distribution lines and used to provide high-speed communications. The DFOS collects and transmits fallen tree induced vibration data along the length of the entire overhead lines, including distribution lines and transmission lines, where there is a fiber cable deployed. The developed physics-informed neural network model processes the data and localizes the fallen tree location along the lines. The location is interpreted in at least two aspects: the fallen tree location in terms of the fiber cable length; and the exact cable location (power cable or fiber cable) that the fallen tree mechanically impacts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yangmin DING, Zhuocheng JIANG, Sarper OZHARAR, Yue TIAN, Ting WANG
  • Publication number: 20240055842
    Abstract: Systems and methods for performing the dynamic anomaly localization of utility pole aerial/suspended/supported wires/cables by distributed fiber optic sensing. In sharp contrast to the prior art, our inventive systems and methods according to aspects of the present disclosure advantageously identify a “location region” on a utility pole supporting an affected wire/cable, thereby permitting the identification and reporting of service personnel that are uniquely responsible for responding to such anomalous condition(s).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 24, 2023
    Publication date: February 15, 2024
    Applicant: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Yangmin Ding, Yuanda Xu, Sarper Ozharar, Yue Tian, Ting Wang
  • Patent number: 11874160
    Abstract: A device may receive, from a fiber sensor device, sensing data associated with a fiber optic cable, the sensing data being produced by an activity that poses a threat of damage to the fiber optic cable, and the sensing data identifying: amplitudes of vibration signals, frequencies of the vibration signals, patterns of the vibration signals, times associated with the vibration signals, and locations along the fiber optic cable associated with the vibration signals. The device may process, with a machine learning model, the sensing data to determine a threat level of the activity to the fiber optic cable, the machine learning model having been trained based on historical information regarding detected vibrations, historical information regarding sources of the detected vibrations, and historical information regarding threat levels to the fiber optic cable. The device may perform one or more actions based on the threat level to the fiber optic cable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignees: Verizon Patent and Licensing Inc., NEC Laboratories America, Inc., NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Tiejun J. Xia, Glenn A. Wellbrock, Ming-Fang Huang, Ting Wang, Yoshiaki Aono
  • Publication number: 20240003717
    Abstract: A DFOS system and method providing detection and localization of vehicle emergency stops which employs DFOS and machine learning techniques as an integrated solution for automatic, real-time, detection and localization of vehicle emergency stop events. Real time-location data from a buried optical sensing fiber located along a roadway is used to derive continuous vehicle trajectories while providing a wide coverage area for more accurate assessments. AI techniques are employed which track vehicles' speed and acceleration, locate vehicle deceleration events, and localize emergency stop events. Danger assessment is determined by analyzing a vehicle's anticipated and reproducible trajectory after an emergency breaking event—while ignoring stop-and-go events as low-risk events—and discovering stop-no-go events exhibiting large deceleration as high-risk events.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Milad SALEMI, Ming-Fang HUANG, Yuheng CHEN, Shaobo HAN
  • Publication number: 20240005163
    Abstract: Methods and systems for responding to changing conditions include training a model, using a processor, using trajectories that resulted in a positive outcome and trajectories that resulted in a negative outcome. Training is performed using an adversarial discriminator to train the model to generate trajectories that are similar to historical trajectories that resulted in a positive outcome, and using a cooperative discriminator to train the model to generate trajectories that are dissimilar to historical trajectories that resulted in a negative outcome. A dynamic response regime is generated using the trained model and environment information. A response to changing environment conditions is performed in accordance with the dynamic response regime.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2023
    Publication date: January 4, 2024
    Applicant: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Wenchao Yu, Haifeng Chen
  • Publication number: 20230412266
    Abstract: A method for time synchronization using distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) that employs several trusted time beacons that are attached to the DFOS sensing fiber which in turn is connected to the DFOS interrogator. The beacons transmit their signal via two different mediums, (1) wirelessly to sensor nodes in the coverage area, and (2) through vibrations on fiber to the DFOS/DAS system located at a trusted area such as the central office. Wireless broadcast to nearby sensors includes a timestamp and beacon ID. All the sensors in the field use one of the beacons in their vicinity (the one with the strongest signal) as their time reference and send the data back with the corresponding beacon index.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 17, 2023
    Publication date: December 21, 2023
    Applicant: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Christopher WHITE, Jian FANG, Sarper OZHARAR, Ting WANG
  • Publication number: 20230400350
    Abstract: A machine learning (ML)/artificial intelligence (AI) based distributed fiber optic sensing (DFOS) system and method providing detection and localization of gunshot events. In addition to the ML/AI DFOS, a signal processing pipeline that compresses an audible distributed acoustic sensing (DAS) waveform data into a small set of features that protects privacy of individuals while preserving the utility of acoustic events to detect the gunshot events and discriminate same from other events. A data-driven deep learning approach automatically predicts acoustic event types with higher accuracy that realized by prior art methods.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: NEC Laboratories America, Inc.
    Inventors: Shaobo HAN, Ming-Fang HUANG, Jian FANG