System for Intelligent Patching of Telecommunication Cables with a Communication Network

• US 20100158467A1
• Filed: 12/17/2009
• Published: 06/24/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 12/19/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CommScope Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Hou, Rong, Macauley, Daniel W., Satterthwaite, Danny L.
• Granted Patent: US 8,363,997 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 385/135
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/4452 Distribution frames
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44526 Panels or rackmounts covering a whole width of the frame or rack
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/44528 Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box routing arrangements H04Q1/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/08 Frames or mounting racks for relays; Accessories therefor
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/09 Frames or mounting racks not otherwise provided for
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/13 Patch panels for monitoring, interconnecting or testing circuits, e.g. patch bay, patch field or jack field; Patching modules
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/155 characterised by connection features

Abstract

A datacommunications patching system includes: a mounting frame; a first module mounted in the mounting frame and including a plurality of connector ports on one side thereof and first and second connectors on another side thereof; and a backplane that is mounted in the mounting frame. The backplane electrically connects to the first module via the first connector when the first module is mounted in the mounting, frame in a first orientation. and wherein the backplane electrically connects to the first module via the second connector when the first module is mounted in the mounting frame in a second orientation that is inverted from the first orientation.

Claims

1. A datacommunications patching system, comprising:

a mounting frame;

a first module mounted in the mounting frame and including a plurality of connector ports on one side thereof and first and second connectors on another side thereof; and

a backplane that is mounted in the mounting frame;

wherein the backplane electrically connects to the first module via the first connector when the first module is mounted in the mounting frame in a first orientation, and wherein the backplane electrically connects to the first module via the second connector when the first module is mounted in the mounting frame in a second orientation that is inverted from the first orientation.

2. The patching system defined in claim 1, wherein the backplane includes circuitry configured to recognize whether the first module is in the first orientation or the second orientation.

3. The patching system defined in claim 1, wherein the backplane includes a tab, and each of the first and second connectors includes a slot configured to receive the backplane tab.

4. The patching system defined in claim 1, further comprising a second module mounted in the mounting frame and including a plurality of connector ports on one side thereof and third and fourth connectors on another side thereof;

wherein the backplane electrically connects to the second module via the third connector when the second module is mounted in the mounting frame in a first orientation, and wherein the backplane electrically connects to the second module via the fourth connector when the second module is mounted in the mounting frame in a second orientation that is inverted from the first orientation.

5. The patching system defined in claim 1, wherein the connector ports are fiber optic adapters.

6. The patching system defined in claim 5, wherein each of the fiber optic adapters includes a vertical edge, and wherein the vertical edge includes a keyway recess.

7. The patching system defined in claim 6, wherein each of the first and second connectors includes a slot that is horizontally oriented.

8. The patching system defined in claim 1, wherein the backplane includes circuitry configured to identify whether a respective port of the plurality of ports on the first module is connected with a mating connector.

9. The patching system defined in claim 1, further comprising at least one dust cap inserted into one of the plurality of connector ports.

10. The patching system defined in claim 9, wherein the dust cap is formed of a material that provides a visual indication when illuminated with a tracer light, and that permits the passage of infrared radiation.

11. A datacommunications patching system, comprising:

a mounting frame;

a module mounted in the mounting frame and including a plurality of connector ports on one side thereof and first and second connectors on another side thereof, wherein one of a plurality of tracer lights is associated with a respective one of each of the connector ports; and

at least one dust cap inserted into one of the plurality of connector ports, the dust cap formed of a material that provides a visual indication when illuminated with a respective one of the plurality of tracer lights, and that permits the passage of infrared radiation.

12. The patching system defined in claim 11, wherein the dust cap is formed of a thermoplastic elastomer.

13. The patching system defined in claim 12, wherein the thermoplastic elastomer is a polyethylene-polypropylene copolymer.

14. The patching system defined in claim 11, wherein the material of the dust cap is ROHAS compliant.

15. The patching system defined in claim 11, wherein the material of the dust cap glows when illuminated with the tracer light.

16. The patching system defined in claim 11, wherein the plurality of ports comprises a plurality of fiber optic adapters.

17. The patching system defined in claim 11, further comprising a backplane mounted in the mounting frame, and wherein the backplane includes circuitry that identifies whether a respective port is connected with a mating connector.

18. A datacommunications patching system, comprising:

a mounting frame;

a first module mounted in the mounting frame and including a plurality of connector ports on one side thereof and first and second connectors on an opposite side thereof; and

a backplane that is mounted in the mounting frame;

wherein the backplane electrically connects to the first module via the first connector when the first module is mounted in the mounting frame in a first orientation, and wherein the backplane electrically connects to the first module via the second connector when the first module is mounted in the mounting frame in a second orientation that is inverted from the first orientation;

wherein the backplane includes circuitry configured to recognize whether the first module is in the first orientation or the second orientation; and

wherein the backplane includes a tab, and each of the first and second connectors includes a slot configured to receive the backplane tab.

19. The patching system defined in claim 18, wherein the connector ports are fiber optic adapters.

20. The patching system defined in claim 19, wherein each of the connector ports includes a vertical edge, and wherein the vertical edge includes a keyway recess.

21. The patching system defined in claim 18, wherein the backplane includes circuitry configured to identify whether a respective port of the plurality of ports on the module is connected with a mating connector.