System for monitoring connection pattern of data ports

• US 6,725,177 B2
• Filed: 05/13/2003
• Issued: 04/20/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 04/06/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CommScope Technologies, LLC (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Forrad, Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: Pela, Peter Lawrence, David, Solomon I.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wachsman, Hal
• Application Number:
  US10/437,653
• Publication Number:
  US 20030204356A1
• Time in Patent Office: 343 Days
• Field of Search: 702/183, 702/118, 702/120, 702/122, 702/124, 702/126, 702/182, 702/186, 702/188, 702/189, 702/FOR.103, 702/FOR.104, 702/FOR.134, 702/FOR.135, 702/FOR.170, 702/FOR.171, 709/220-222, 709/224, 370/248, 370/241, 324/538, 324/66, 340/687, 340/686.1, 375/257, 375/258, 345/736, 345/969, 345/966, 439/49, 439/488, 439/489, 439/490, 439/491, 439/913, 439/955, 439/188, 439/218, 439/323, 439/325, 439/945, 379/25, 379/27.01, 379/27.04, 379/26.01
• US Class Current: 702/183
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/67 Testing the correctness of wire connections in electric apparatus or circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/625 Casing or ring with bayonet engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/7038 making use of a remote controlled switch, e.g. relais, solid state switch activated by the engagement of the coupling parts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2103/00 Two poles
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 2201/04 for network, e.g. LAN connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/52 mounted in or to a panel or structure
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 24/64 for high frequency, e.g. RJ 45
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 25/006 the coupling part being secured to apparatus or structure, e.g. duplex wall receptacle
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 27/02 for simultaneous co-operation with two or more dissimilar counterparts
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 29/00 Coupling parts for selective co-operation with a counterpart in different ways to establish different circuits, e.g. for voltage selection, for series-parallel selection, programmable connectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 31/005 Intermediate parts for distributing signals
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 3/22 Arrangements for supervision, monitoring or testing
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/136 having patch field management or physical layer management arrangements
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/149 Wireguides in connector blocks
• CPC Class Codes: Y10S 439/915 Auxiliary device for existing plug

Abstract

The present invention determines and monitors the connection pattern of data ports which are connected by multiconductor cables. An adapter jacket having an external contact is placed over a standardized cable such as an RJ45 cable which connects the data ports. An adapter board having a plurality of socket contacts is placed adjacent a plurality of data ports. An output and input module are coupled to the socket contacts. A micro-processor which is coupled to the output and input module scans the socket contacts to determine the connection pattern of the data ports.

Claims

1. A kit for determining connection pattern of data ports which are interconnected by standardized multiconductor cables, said data ports each having a standardized socket, and said multiconductor cables each having a standardized jack at each end of the cable which mates with said socket, said kit comprising:

a plurality of adapter boards having a plurality of socket contacts, said adapter boards to be placed adjacent to said socket;

a plurality of adapter jackets to be fitted over said standardized jack, each of said adapter jackets having an external contact for electrically connecting with said socket contacts when said adapter jacket is fitted over said standardized jack and said standardized jack is mated with said standardized socket;

output signal drivers to be uniquely coupled to each socket contact, said output drivers being operative to send a signal to said socket contact;

input signal receivers to be uniquely coupled to each said socket contact for receiving said signal sent by said output signal drivers;

a micro-processor to be coupled to said output signal drivers and said input signal receivers for controlling said signal sent by said output signal drivers and for detecting signals received by said input signal receivers, said micro-processor interpreting said signals to determine the connection pattern of said data ports; and

an output indicator coupled to said micro-processor for indicating the connection pattern of said data ports as determined by said micro-processor.

2. The kit as recited in claim 1 wherein said microprocessor determines the connection pattern of said data ports by sending a signal to a socket contact and determining which of the input signal receivers have received the signal, and repeating the process for every socket contact.

3. A kit for determining connection pattern of data ports, said data ports each having a standardized socket, said kit comprising:

a plurality of adapter boards having a plurality of socket contacts, said adapter boards to be placed adjacent to said socket;

a plurality of multiconductor cables, said cables having a standardized jack at each end, each of said jacks having an external contact for electrically connecting with said socket contacts when said jack is mated with said socket;

output signal drivers to be uniquely coupled to each socket contact, said output drivers being operative to send a signal to said socket contact;

input signal receivers to be uniquely coupled to each said socket contact for receiving said signal sent by said output signal drivers;

a micro-processor to be coupled to said output signal drivers and said input signal receivers for controlling said signal sent by said output signal drivers and for detecting signals received by said input signal receivers, said micro-processor interpreting said signals to determine the connection pattern of said data ports; and

an output indicator coupled to said micro-processor for indicating the connection pattern of said data ports as determined by said micro-processor.

4. The kit as recited in claim 3 wherein said microprocessor determines the connection pattern of said data ports by sending a signal to a socket contact and determining which of the input signal receivers have received the signal, and repeating the process for every socket contact.