Self-registration systems and methods for dynamically updating information related to a network

• US 7,081,808 B2
• Filed: 09/13/2002
• Issued: 07/25/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 09/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Furukawa Electric North America Incorporated (Furukawa Electric Company Limited)
• Original Assignee: Fitel USA Corporation
• 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): Hofsass, Jeffery
• Assistant Examiner(s): Previl, Daniel
• Application Number:
  US10/243,438
• Publication Number:
  US 20040054761A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,411 Days
• Field of Search: 340/310.01, 340/310.06, 340/532, 340/533, 340/538, 340/539.1, 340/539.19, 340/545.6, 340/569, 340/570, 340/651, 340/310.1, 385/134, 385/135, 385/136, 385/137, 385/139, 385/147, 455/435.1, 455/417, 455/432.3, 324/66, 324/67, 439/457
• US Class Current: 398/166
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3825 with an intermediate part, e.g. adapter, receptacle, linking two plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3865 fabricated by using moulding techniques shaping techniques of plastic materials in general B29C; producing plastic optical fiber connectors B29D11/0075
• 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
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3897 Connectors fixed to housings, casing, frames or circuit boards G02B6/44528 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 41/00 Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks

Abstract

Self-registration systems and methods for dynamically updating information related to a network, are provided. A self-registration system for dynamically updating information related to a network, comprises: a connector comprising an integrated circuit that stores a first block of information; an adapter coupled to the connector; a reader that receives the first block of information from the integrated circuit via the adapter; and a communication line coupled to the adapter via the connector, where the first block of information comprises a first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit, and where the first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit comprises information other than information identifying the connector, the adapter, the communication line and the integrated circuit.

Claims

1. A self-registration system for dynamically updating information related to a network, comprising:

a connector comprising an integrated circuit that stores a first block of information;

an adapter coupled to the connector;

a reader that receives the first block of information from the integrated circuit via the adapter; and

a communication line coupled to the adapter via the connector, wherein the first block of information stored on the integrated circuit comprises a first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit, and wherein the first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit comprises information other than information identifying the connector, the adapter, the communication line and the integrated circuit;

a computing device that receives the first block of information from the reader and stores the first block of information; and

a writer that receives a second block of information from the computing device and wherein the writer transmits the second block of information via the adapter to the integrated circuit which stores the received second block of information.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit comprises at least one of a first block of information about the integrated circuit, the reader, the communication line, the connector, the adapter, a panel comprising the adapter, a shelf comprising the panel, and a bay comprising the shelf.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the connector is one of FC™

connector, LC™

connector, SC™

connector, ST™

connector, MU™

connector and MT™

connector.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the adapter comprises an antenna that acts as a medium by which the second block of information is transmitted from the writer to the integrated circuit.

5. The system of claim 1, further comprising a wired electrical connection that acts as a medium by which the writer transmits the second block of information to the integrated circuit.

6. The system of claim 1, wherein the second block of information comprises a second block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit, wherein the second block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit comprises at least one of a second block of information about the integrated circuit, the reader, the writer, the computing device, the communication line, the connector, the adapter, the panel, the shelf, and the bay.

7. A self-registration system for dynamically updating information related to a network, comprising:

a connector comprising an integrated circuit that stores a first block of information;

an adapter coupled to the connector;

a reader that receives the first block of information from the integrated circuit via the adapter; and

a communication line coupled to the adapter via the connector, wherein the first block of information comprises at least one of types and rates of signals propagating through the communication line, operating wavelengths of the signals, types of fibers of the communication line, span measurements of the communication line, number of times the communication line is coupled to the adapter via the connector, type of the connector, length of the communication line, type of the communication line, dimensions of a panel comprising the adapter, type of the adapter, number of adapters in the panel, dimensions of a shelf comprising the panel, number of panels in the shelf, number of adapters in the shelf, fiber count of the communication line and number of communication lines coupled to the adapter.

8. The system of claim 7, further comprising a computing device that receives the first block of information from the reader to store the first block of information.

9. The system of claim 8, further comprising a writer that receives a second block of information from the computing device, wherein the writer transmits the second block of information via the adapter to the integrated circuit, and wherein the integrated circuit stores the second block of information.

10. The system of claim 9, wherein the second block of information comprises at least one name of the connector, name of the integrated circuit, name of the adapter, name of the reader, name of the writer, name of the communication line, name of the computing device, location of the connector in the network, location of the integrated circuit in the network, location of the adapter in the network, location of the reader in the network, location of the writer in the network, location of the communication line in the network, location of the computing device in the network, types and rates of signals propagating through the communication line, operating wavelengths of the signals, identification number of each end of the communication line, types of fibers of the communication line, span measurements of the communication line, identification number of the integrated circuit, whether the adapter is coupled to the communication line via the connector, whether the reader is coupled to the integrated circuit via the adapter, number of times the communication line is coupled to the adapter via the connector, identification number of the reader, identification number of the writer, type of the connector, length of the communication line, identification number of the panel, dimensions of the panel, number of adapters in the panel, dimensions of the shelf, identification number of the shelf, number of panels in the shelf, fiber count of the communication line and number of communication lines coupled to the adapter.

11. The system of claim 9, wherein the connector is one of FC™

connector, LC™

connector, SC™

connector, ST™

connector, MU™

connector, and MT™

connector.

12. The system of claim 7, wherein the connector is one of FC™

connector, LC™

connector, SC™

connector, ST™

connector, MU™

connector, and MT™

connector.

13. A self-registration method for dynamically updating information related to a network, comprising:

coupling an adapter to a connector comprising an integrated circuit;

transmitting a first block of information stored on the integrated circuit to a reader via the adapter; and

coupling a communication line to the adapter via the connector, wherein the transmitting the first block of information comprises transmitting a first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit, and wherein transmitting the first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit comprises transmitting information other than information identifying the connector, the adapter, the communication line and the integrated circuit, wherein transmitting the first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit comprises transmitting at least one of a first block of information about the integrated circuit, the reader, the communication line, the connector, the adapter, a panel comprising the adapter, a shelf comprising the panel and a bay comprising the shelf;

transmitting the first block of information to a computing device and storing it therein; and

transmitting a second block of information from the computing device to a writer; and

transmitting the second block of information from the writer to the integrated circuit via the adapter and storing the information therein.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the coupling the adapter to the connector is coupling the adapter to one of FC™

connector, LC™

connector, SC™

connector, ST™

connector, MT™

connector.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein the further transmitting comprises further wirelessly transmitting the second block of information from the writer to the integrated circuit.

16. The method of claim 13, wherein the further transmitting comprises further transmitting the second block of information from the writer to the integrated circuit via a wired electrical connection.

17. The method of claim 13, wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting a second block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein transmitting the second block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit comprises transmitting at least one of a second block of information about the integrated circuit, the reader, the writer, the computing device, the communication line, the connector, the adapter, the panel, the shelf and the bay.

19. A self-registration method for dynamically updating information related to a network, comprising:

coupling an adapter to a connector comprising an integrated circuit;

transmitting a first block of information stored on the integrated circuit to a reader via the adapter; and

coupling a communication line to the adapter via the connector, wherein transmitting the first block of information comprises transmitting at least one of types and rates of signals propagating through the communication line, operating wavelengths of the signals, types of fibers of the communication line, span measurements of the communication line, number of times the communication line is coupled to the adapter via the connector, type of the connector, length of the communication line, type of the communication line, dimensions of a panel comprising the adapter, type of the adapter, number of adapters in the panel, dimensions of a shelf comprising the panel, number of panels in the shelf, fiber count of the communication line and number of communication lines coupled to the adapter.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

receiving the first block of information from the reader; and

storing the first block of information on a computing device.

21. The method of claim 20, further comprising:

transmitting a second block of information from the computing device to a writer;

further transmitting the second block of information from the writer via the adapter to the integrated circuit; and

storing the second block of information on the integrated circuit.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein transmitting the second block of information comprises transmitting at least one of name of the connector, name of the integrated circuit, name of the adapter, name of the reader, name of the writer, name of the communication line, name of the computing device, location of the connector in the network, location of the integrated circuit in the network, location of the adapter in the network, location of the reader in the network, location of the writer in the network, location of the communication line in the network, location of the computing device in the network, types and rates of signals propagating through the communication line, operating wavelengths of the signals, identification number of each end of the communication line, types of fibers of the communication line, span measurements of the communication line, identification number of the integrated circuit, whether the adapter is coupled to the communication line via the connector, whether the reader is coupled to the integrated circuit via the adapter, number of times the communication line is coupled to the adapter via the connector, identification number of the reader, identification number of the writer, type of the connector, length of the communication line, identification number of the panel, dimensions of the panel, number of adapters in the panel, dimensions of the shelf, identification number of the shelf, number of panels in the shelf, fiber count of the communication line and number of communication lines coupled to the adapter.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein coupling the adapter to the connector comprises coupling the adapter to one of FC™

connector, LC™

connector, SC™

connector, ST™

connector, MU™

connector, and MT™

connector.

24. The method of claim 19, wherein coupling the adapter to the connector comprises coupling the adapter to one of FC™

connector, LC™

connector, SC™

connector, ST™

connector, MU™

connector, and MT™

connector.

25. A self-registration system for dynamically updating information related to a network, comprising:

means for connecting comprising an integrated circuit that stores a first block of information;

means for adapting coupled to the means for connecting;

means for reading that receives the first block of information from the integrated circuit via the means for adapting; and

means for communicating coupled to the means for adapting via the means for connecting, wherein the first block of information comprises a first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit, and wherein the first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit comprises information other than information identifying the means for connecting, the means for adapting, the means for communicating and the integrated circuit, wherein the first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit comprises at least one of a first block of information about the integrated circuit, the means for reading, the means for communicating, the means for connecting, the means for adapting, a panel comprising the means for adapting, a shelf comprising the panel, and a bay comprising the shelf.

26. A self-registration system for dynamically updating information related to a network, comprising:

a connector comprising an integrated circuit that stores a first block of information;

an adapter coupled to the connector;

a reader that receives the first block of information from the integrated circuit via the adapter; and

a communication line coupled to the adapter via the connector, wherein the first block of information comprises a first lock of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit, and wherein the first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit comprises information other than information identifying the connector, the adapter, the communication line and the integrated circuit;

the first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit comprises at least one of a first block of information about the integrated circuit, the reader, the communication line, the connector, the adapter, a panel comprising the adapter, a shelf comprising the panel, and a bay comprising the shelf; and

wherein the first block of information about the integrated circuit comprises a least one of name of the integrated circuit and location of the integrated circuit in the network, wherein the first block of information about the reader comprises at least one of name of the reader and location of the reader in a network, wherein the first block of information about the communication line comprises at least one of types of signals propagating through the communication line, rates of the signals, wavelengths of the signals and types of fibers in the communication line, wherein the fist block of information about the connector comprises at least one of name of the connector and type of the connector, wherein the first block of information about the adapter comprises at least one of name of the adapter and type of the adapter, wherein the first block of information about the panel comprises at least one of dimensions of the panel and number of adapters in the panel, wherein the first block of information about the shelf comprises at least one of number of panels in the shelf and dimensions of the shelf, and wherein the first block of information about the bay comprises at least one of name of the bay and location of the bay in the network.

27. A self-registration system for dynamically updating information related to a network, comprising:

a connector comprising an integrated circuit that stores a first block of information;

a reader that receives the first block of information from the integrated circuit via the adapter; and

a communication line coupled to the adapter via the connector, wherein the first block of information comprises a first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit, and wherein the first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit comprises information other than information identifying the connector, the adapter, the communication line and the integrated circuit;

the system further comprising a computing device that receives the first block of information from the reader to store the first block of information;

the system further comprises a writer that receives a second block of information from the computing device, wherein the writer transmits the second block of information via the adapter to the integrated circuit, and wherein the integrated circuit stores the second block of information received from the writer, wherein the second block of information comprises a second block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit and comprises at least one of a second block of information about the integrated circuit, the reader, the writer, the computing device, the communication line, the connector, the adapter, the panel, the shelf, and the bay; and

wherein the second block of information about the integrated circuit comprises at least one of name of the integrated circuit and location of the integrated circuit in the network, wherein the second block of information about the reader comprises at least one of name of the reader and location of the reader in the network, wherein the second block of information about the writer comprises at least one of name of the writer and location of the second block of information about the computing device comprises at least one of name of the computing device and location of the computing device in the network, wherein the second block of information about the communication line comprises at least one of types of signals propagating through the communication line, rates of the signals, wavelengths of the signals and types of fibers in the communication line, wherein the second block of information about the connector comprises at least one of name of the connector and type of the connector, wherein the second block of information about the adapter comprises at least one of name of the adapter and type of the adapter, wherein the second block of information about the panel comprises at least one of dimensions of the panel and number of adapters in the panel, wherein the second block of information about the shelf comprises at least one of number of panels in the shelf and dimensions of the shelf, and wherein the second block of information about the bay comprises at least one of name of the bay and location of the bay in the network.

28. A self-registration system for dynamically updating information related to a network comprising:

a writer that receives information from a computing device;

an adapter;

a connector coupled to the adapter, the connector comprising;

an integrated circuit that receives the information from the writer via the adapter and stores the information, and

a communication line that is coupled to the adapter via the connector, wherein the information comprises information abut network elements associated with the integrated circuit, wherein the information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit comprises at least one of information about the integrated circuit, the writer, the computing device, the communication line, the connector, the adapter, a panel comprising the adapter, a shelf comprising the panel and a bay comprising the shelf;

wherein the information about the integrated circuit comprises at least one of name of the integrated circuit and location of the integrated circuit in the network, wherein the information about the writer comprises at least one of name of the writer and location of the writer in the network, wherein the information about the computing device comprises at least one of name of the computing device and location of the computing device in the network, wherein the information about the communication line comprises tat least one of types of signals propagating through the communication, rates of the signals, wavelengths of the signals and types of fibers in the communication line, wherein the information about the connector comprises at least one of name of the connector and type of the connector, wherein the information about the adapter comprises at least one of name of the adapter and type of the adapter, wherein the information about the panel comprises at least one of dimensions of the panel and number of adapters in the panel, wherein the information about comprises at least one of number of panels in the shelf and dimensions of the shelf and wherein the information about the bay comprises at least one of name of the bay and location of the bay in the network.

29. A self-registration system for dynamically updating information related to a network, comprising:

a writer that receives the information from a computing device;

an adapter;

a connector coupled to the adapter, the connector comprising;

an integrated circuit that receives the information from the writer via the adapter and stores the information; and

a communication line that is coupled to the adapter via the connector, wherein the information comprises as least one of name of the connector, name of the integrated circuit, name, name of the adapter, name of the writer, name of the communication line, name of the computing device, location of the connector in the network, location of the integrated circuit in the network, location of the adapter in the network, location of the writer in the network, location of the communication line in the network, location of the computing device in the network, types and rates of signals propagating through the communication line, operating wavelengths of the signals, identification number of each end of the communication line, types of fibers in the communication line, span measurements of the communication line, identification number of the integrated circuit, whether the adapter is coupled to the communication line via the connector, whether the writer is coupled to the integrated circuit via the adapter, number of times the communication line is coupled to the adapter via the connector, identification number of the writer, type of connector, length of the communication line, type of the communication line, identification number of a panel comprising the adapter, dimensions of the panel, number of adapters in the panel, types of adapters in the panel, dimensions of a shelf comprising the panel, identification number of the shelf, number of panels in the shelf, number of adapters in the shelf, fiber count of the communication line and number of communication lines coupled to the adapter.

30. The system of claim 29 wherein the connector is one of FC™

connector, LC™

connector, SC™

connector, ST™

connector, MU™

connector and MT™

connector.

31. A self-registration method for dynamically updating information related to a network, comprising:

coupling an adapter to a connector comprising an integrated circuit;

transmitting a first block of information stored on the integrated circuit to a reader via the adapter;

coupling a communication lien to the adapter via the connector, wherein transmitting the first block of information comprises transmitting a first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit, and wherein transmitting the first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit comprises transmitting information other than information identifying the connector, the adapter, the communication line and the integrated circuit;

wherein transmitting the first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit comprises transmitting at least one of a first block of information about the integrated circuit, the reader, the communication line, the connector, the adapter, a panel comprising the adapter, a shelf comprising the panel and a bay comprising the shelf;

wherein transmitting the first block of information about the integrated circuit comprises transmitting at least one of name of the integrated circuit and location of the integrated circuit in the network, wherein transmitting the first block of information about the reader comprises transmitting at least one of name of the reader and location of the reader in the network, wherein transmitting the first block of information about the communication line comprises transmitting at least one of types of signals propagating through the communication line, rates of the signals, wavelengths of the signals and types of fibers in the communication line, wherein transmitting the first block of information about the connector comprises transmitting a least one of name of the connector and type of the connector, wherein transmitting the first block of information about the adapter comprises transmitting at least one of name of the adapter and type of the adapter, wherein transmitting the first block of information about the panel comprises transmitting at least one of dimensions of the panel and number of adapters in the panel, wherein transmitting the first block of information about the shelf comprises transmitting at least one of number of panels in the shelf and dimensions of the shelf, and wherein transmitting the first block of information about the bay comprises transmitting at least one of name of the bay and location of the bay in the network.

32. A self-registration method for dynamically updating information related to a network, comprising:

coupling an adapter to a connector comprising an integrated circuit;

transmitting a first block of information stored on the integrated circuit to a reader via the adapter;

coupling a communication line to the adapter via the connector, wherein transmitting of the first block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit, and wherein transmitting the first block of information about the network elements associated with the integrated circuit comprises transmitting information other than information identifying he connector, the adapter, the communication line and the integrated circuit; and

further comprising;

receiving the first block of information from the reader, and storing the first block of information on a computing device;

transmitting a second block of information from the computing device to a writer;

further transmitting the second block of information from the writer via the adapter to the integrated circuit and storing the second block of information on the integrated circuit, wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting a second block of information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit which comprises transmitting at least one of a second block of information about the integrated circuit, the reader, the writer, the computing device, the communications line, the connector, the adapter, the panel, the shelf, and the bay; and

wherein transmitting the second block of information about the integrated circuit comprises transmitting at least one of name of the integrated circuit and location of the integrated circuit in the network, wherein transmitting the second block of information about the reader comprises transmitting at least one of name of the reader and location of the reader in the network, wherein transmitting the second block of information about the writer comprises transmitting at least one of name of the writer and location of the writer in the network, wherein transmitting the second block of information about the computing device comprises transmitting at least one of name of the computing device and location of the computing device in the network, where transmitting the second block of information about the communication line comprises transmitting at least one of types of signals propagating through the communication line, rates of signals, wavelengths of the signals and types of fibers in the communication line, wherein transmitting the second block of information about the connector comprises transmitting at least one of name of the connector and type of the connector, wherein transmitting the second block of information about the adapter comprises transmitting a least one of name of the adapter and type of the adapter, wherein transmitting the second block of information about the name comprises transmitting at least one of dimensions of the panel and number of adapters in the panel, wherein transmitting the second block of information about the shelf comprises transmitting at least one of number of panels in the shelf and dimensions of the shelf, and wherein transmitting the second block of information about the bay comprises transmitting at least one of name of the bay and location of the bay in the network.

33. A self-registration method for dynamically updating information related to a network, comprising:

coupling an adapter to a connector comprising an integrated circuit;

transmitting information from a computing device to a writer;

further transmitting the information from the writer via the adapter to the integrated circuit;

storing the information on the integrated circuit;

coupling the connector to a communication line, wherein the transmitting comprises transmitting information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit;

wherein transmitting the information about network elements associated with the integrated circuit comprises transmitting at least one of information about the integrated circuit, the writer, the computing device, the communication line, the connector, the adapter, a panel comprises the adapter, a shelf comprising the panel, and a bay comprising the shelf;

wherein transmitting the information about the integrated circuit comprises transmitting at least one of name of the integrated circuit and location of the integrated circuit in the network, wherein the transmitting the information about the writer comprises transmitting at least one of name of the writer and location of the writer in the network, wherein transmitting the information about the computing device comprises transmitting at least one of name of the computing device and location of the computing device in the network, wherein transmitting the information about the communication line comprises transmitting at least one of types of signals propagating through the communication line, rates of the signals, wavelengths of the signals and types of fibers in the communication line, wherein transmitting the information about the connector comprises transmitting at least one of name of the connector and type of the connector, wherein transmitting the information about the adapter comprises transmitting at least one of name of the adapter and type of the adapter, wherein transmitting the information about the panel comprises transmitting at least one of dimensions of the panel and number of adapters in the panel, wherein transmitting the information about the shelf comprises transmitting at least one of number of panels in the shelf and dimensions of the shelf, and wherein transmitting the information about the bay comprises transmitting at least one of name of the bay and location of the bay in the network.

34. A self-registration method for dynamically updating information related to a network, comprising:

coupling an adapter to a connector comprising an integrated circuit;

transmitting information from a computing device to a writer;

further transmitting the information from the writer via the adapter to the integrated circuit;

storing the information on the integrated circuit;

coupling the connector to a communication line;

wherein transmitting the information comprises transmitting at least one of name of the connector, name of the integrated circuit, name of the adapter, name of the writer, name of the communication line, name of the computing device, location of the connector in the network, location of the integrated circuit in the network, location of the adapter in the network, location of the writer in the network, location of the communication line in the network, location of the computing device in the network, types and rates of signals propagating through the communication line, operating wavelengths of the signals, identification number of each end of the communication line, types of fibers of the communication line, span measurements of the communication line, identification number of the integrated circuit, whether the adapter is coupled to the communication line via the connector, whether the writer is coupled to the integrated circuit via the adapter, number of times the communication line is coupled to the adapter via the connector, identification number of the writer, type of the connector, length of the communication line, type of the communication line, dimensions of a panel comprising the adapter, number of adapters in the panel, identification number of the panel, dimensions of a shelf comprising the panel, identification number of the shelf, number of panels in the shelf, fiber count of the communication line and number of communication lines coupled to the adapter.