System and method for addressing and tracing patch cords in a dedicated telecommunications system
First Claim
1. In a telecommunications patching system having a plurality of connector ports disposed on at least one patch panel, a system for tracing patch cords from one connector port to another, comprising:
- a tracing interface module adapted to be affixed to each patch panel in the telecommunications patching system, wherein each tracing interface module provides a visual indicator, a manually operable trace initiation mechanism, and a sensor for sensing the presence of a patch cord to each of the connector ports located on that patch panel;
a systems controller coupled to each said visual indicator, each said manually operable trace initiation mechanism and each said sensor, wherein said system controller determines from said sensor if a patch cord is connected to each of said connector ports.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A patch cord tracing system and method for tracing patch cords in a telecommunications patching system. The system includes a plurality of tracing interface modules that attach to the patch panels in a telecommunications closet. On the patch panels in a telecommunications closet are located a plurality of connector ports that receive the terminated ends of patch cords. The tracing interface modules mount to the patch panels and provide a sensor, an LED and a tracing button to each of the connector ports. The sensor detects whenever a patch cord is connected to, or removed from, a connector port. Accordingly, by connecting a computer controller to the various sensors, the computer controller can monitor and log all changes to the patch cord interconnections in an automated fashion.
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Citations
17 Claims
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1. In a telecommunications patching system having a plurality of connector ports disposed on at least one patch panel, a system for tracing patch cords from one connector port to another, comprising:
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a tracing interface module adapted to be affixed to each patch panel in the telecommunications patching system, wherein each tracing interface module provides a visual indicator, a manually operable trace initiation mechanism, and a sensor for sensing the presence of a patch cord to each of the connector ports located on that patch panel;
a systems controller coupled to each said visual indicator, each said manually operable trace initiation mechanism and each said sensor, wherein said system controller determines from said sensor if a patch cord is connected to each of said connector ports. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A telecommunications patching system, comprising:
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at least one patch panel containing a plurality of connector ports, wherein each of said connector port is associated with a sensor for detecting the presence of a patch cord in that connector port;
a visual indicator in proximity to each of said connector ports;
a manually operable switch in proximity to each of said connector ports; and
a systems controller coupled to said sensor, said manually operable switch and said visual indicator of each of said connector ports, wherein said systems controller determines from each said sensors if a patch cord is connected to each of said connector ports. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10)
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11. A method of determining if a patch cord is present in a connector port on a patch panel in a telecommunications patching system, said method comprising the steps of:
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providing a sensor at each of the connector ports, wherein said sensor detects when a patch cord is inserted into that connector port;
providing a manually operable switch button in proximity to each of the connector ports, providing a visual indicator in proximity to each of the connector ports, and coupling each said sensor, said manually operable switch button and said visual indicator to a controller that monitors each said sensor, said manually operable switch button and said visual indicator. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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Specification