Connector systems for dynamically updating information related to a network and methods for developing the connector systems

• US 7,080,945 B2
• Filed: 12/28/2004
• Issued: 07/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2002
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Furukawa Electric North America Incorporated (Furukawa Electric Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Fitel USA Corporation (Furukawa Electric Company Limited)
• Inventors: Sandels, Gregory A., White, Ian A., Feustel, Clay A., McCormack, Francis G., Subh, Naif T., Leone, Frank S., Jones, Sean L., Lampert, Norman R., Jennings, Mark R., Colombo, Bruce A.
• Primary Examiner(s): Le, Thien M.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Koyama, Kumiko C.
• Application Number:
  US11/024,320
• Publication Number:
  US 20050150962A1
• Time in Patent Office: 574 Days
• Field of Search: 385/14, 385/89, 385/53, 385/58, 385/60, 385 76- 78, 385/88, 385 92- 94, 174/75.C, 250/551
• US Class Current: 385/92
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3895 identification of connection, e.g. right plug to the right socket or full engagement of the mating parts keying element on the plug or adapter G02B6/3831; keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical connection H01R13/64

Abstract

Connector systems for dynamically updating information related to a network and methods for developing the connector systems, are provided. A connector system for dynamically updating information related to the network, comprises: a connector; and an integrated circuit integrated in a surface of the connector. A method for developing the connector system comprises: obtaining a connector; and integrating an integrated circuit in a surface of the connector.

Claims

1. A connector for terminating an optical fiber, the connector comprising a connector body having a longitudinal axis having an interior region and exterior walls having a plurality of exterior surfaces, integral therewith:

the interior region of the connector body being sized and shaped to receive an optical fiber;

a first exterior surface of a wall of the connector body including a cantilever latch having a proximal end affixed thereto and a free distal end; and

a second exterior surface of a wall of the connector body including a cavity formed therein that contains an integrated circuit, which is operative to store information, said cavity extending into said second surface a distance greater than the thickness of the integrated circuit and less than the thickness of said wall, and transverse to the longitudinal axis of the connector.

2. The connector of claim 1, wherein said connector is a push-pull connector.

3. The connector of claim 2, wherein said first and second exterior surfaces are positioned on opposite sides of the connector body.

4. The connector of claim 2, wherein said push-pull connector is an LC™

connector.

5. The connector of claim 4, further comprising:

a tape affixed to said connector body and securing said integrated circuit within said cavity.

6. The connector of claim 5, wherein said cavity includes first and second recessed regions, the first recessed region being sized and shaped to receive said tape and the second, deeper, recessed region being sized and shaped to receive the integrated circuit.

7. The connector of claim 5, wherein said tape comprises at least one of polyimide and polyester.

8. The connector of claim 5, wherein said tape is a label.

9. The connector of claim 5, wherein said tape is a colored tape.

10. The connector of claim 4, further comprising a fastener attached to said connector body and affixing said integrated circuit in the cavity.

11. The connector of claim 10, wherein said fastener is a screw.

12. The connector of claim 4, wherein said integrated circuit is integrated into said connector body by using one of insert-molding and potting.

13. The connector of claim 12, further comprising a plastic carrier in which said integrated circuit is insert-molded, said plastic carrier and said integrated circuit being affixed to said connector body by an ultrasonic weld located between said plastic carrier and said connector body.

14. The connector of claim 4, wherein the information comprises at least one of a name of said integrated circuit, a location of said integrated circuit, and an identification number of said integrated circuit.

15. The connector of claim 4, wherein the information comprises at least one of a name of said connector, a location of said connector, and an identification number of said connector.