System for monitoring connection pattern of data ports
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of determining the interconnectivity of a plurality of data ports, said method comprising:
- transmitting a connectivity interrogation signal to a first socket contact proximate a first data port;
transmitting said connectivity interrogation signal over a dedicated conductor incorporated into a patch cord to a second socket contact proximate a second data port;
receiving a connectivity response signal from said second socket contact proximate said second data port; and
interpreting said connectivity response signal from said second socket contact to identify a connectivity between said first socket contact and said second socket contact.
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Abstract
The present invention determines and monitors the connection pattern of data ports which are connected by multiconductor cables without requiring special patch cables or patch panels. 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.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method of determining the interconnectivity of a plurality of data ports, said method comprising:
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transmitting a connectivity interrogation signal to a first socket contact proximate a first data port;
transmitting said connectivity interrogation signal over a dedicated conductor incorporated into a patch cord to a second socket contact proximate a second data port;
receiving a connectivity response signal from said second socket contact proximate said second data port; and
interpreting said connectivity response signal from said second socket contact to identify a connectivity between said first socket contact and said second socket contact. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method of determining the interconnectivity of a plurality of data ports, each of said data ports having a socket contact positioned proximate thereto, wherein each socket contact is electrically coupled to an output driver and an input latch, said method comprising:
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transmitting a connectivity interrogation signal to a first socket contact proximate a first data port;
transmitting said connectivity interrogation signal over a dedicated conductor incorporated into a patch cord to a second socket contact proximate a second data port; and
scanning a plurality of input latches for an indication of receipt of said connectivity interrogation signal at said second socket contact proximate said second data port. - View Dependent Claims (17)
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- 14. A method as claimed in 13, further comprising recording said indication of receipt of said connectivity interrogation signal.
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18. A method of determining the interconnectivity of a plurality of data ports, at least two of which are interconnected by a data transmission cable, each of said data ports having a socket contact positioned proximate thereto, wherein each socket contact is electrically coupled to an output driver and an input latch, said method comprising:
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designating an output driver as a first output driver, designating the socket contact coupled to said first output driver as a first socket contact, designating an input latch coupled to said first socket contact as a first input latch, and designating a data port associated with said first socket contact as a first data port, wherein said designating comprises a designation scheme;
transmitting a signal from said first output driver to said first socket contact thereby placing said first socket contact at a high state; and
scanning said input latches for a latch having a high state to determine the connectivity state of said first data port. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification