Dynamic labeling of patch panel ports
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A patch panel for a communications patching system, comprising:
- a plurality of connector ports, wherein each connector port is configured to detect insertion therein, and removal therefrom, of a patch cord connector;
a controller electrically coupled to the connector ports that monitors patch cord interconnections therewith;
an electronic display positioned adjacent the connector ports that displays port identification information and real-time patch cord connection information for each respective connector port, wherein displayed patch cord connection information for each connector port is dynamically updated by the controller as a patch cord is inserted and removed from a respective connector port; and
wherein the real-time patch cord connection information includes identification of end points of a communications link including identification of a connector port on a switch.
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Abstract
A patch panel for a communications patching system includes a plurality of connector ports. Each connector port is configured to detect insertion and removal of a patch cord. A controller is electrically coupled to the connector ports and monitors patch cord interconnections. An electronic display is positioned adjacent the connector ports and displays port identification information and real-time patch cord connection information for each respective connector port. The displayed patch cord connection information is dynamically updated by the controller as a patch cord is inserted or removed from a respective connector port.
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Citations
23 Claims
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1. A patch panel for a communications patching system, comprising:
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a plurality of connector ports, wherein each connector port is configured to detect insertion therein, and removal therefrom, of a patch cord connector; a controller electrically coupled to the connector ports that monitors patch cord interconnections therewith; an electronic display positioned adjacent the connector ports that displays port identification information and real-time patch cord connection information for each respective connector port, wherein displayed patch cord connection information for each connector port is dynamically updated by the controller as a patch cord is inserted and removed from a respective connector port; and wherein the real-time patch cord connection information includes identification of end points of a communications link including identification of a connector port on a switch. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16)
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17. A method of displaying patch cord connection information for a connector port of a patch panel in a communications patching system, comprising:
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detecting insertion of a patch cord connector in a first patch panel connector port; displaying on an electronic display adjacent the first patch panel connector port an identifier for the first patch panel connector port; detecting an identifier of the patch cord connector; and displaying in real time, via the electronic display, the detected patch cord connector identifier; detecting insertion of a connector at the opposite end of the patch cord in a second patch panel connector port; and displaying in real time, via the electronic display, an identification of the second patch panel connector port. - View Dependent Claims (18)
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19. An equipment mounting system, comprising:
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a frame configured to support equipment mounted thereto in a plurality of spaced-apart mounting locations; a plurality of patch panels mounted to the frame in spaced-apart locations; at least one controller associated with the plurality of patch panels, wherein the at least one controller monitors and logs patch cord connectivity for the plurality of patch panels; and a display removably secured to a side of the frame, wherein the display is configured to display patch cord connectivity information monitored by the at least one controller for the plurality of patch panels, wherein the patch cord connectivity information includes information identifying respective patch panel connector ports that receive the other ends of patch cords that are connected to the plurality of patch panels, and wherein the display comprises a touch screen display, and wherein a user may use the touch screen display to select one of the plurality of patch panels for which patch cord connectivity information is displayed on the touch screen display. - View Dependent Claims (23)
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20. An equipment monitoring system, comprising:
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a patch panel that includes a plurality of connector ports, wherein the patch panel comprises a passive patch panel that does not include sensors that are configured to sense when a patch cord connector is inserted into, or removed from, the plurality of connector ports; a database that includes patch cord connectivity information for the plurality of connector ports; an electronic display positioned adjacent the connector ports that is configured to display patch cord connectivity information that is received from the database for at least some of the plurality of connector ports, wherein the electronic display further is configured to display port identification information for the plurality of connector ports of the patch panel; and wherein the patch cord connection information includes identification of end points of a communications link including identification of a connector port on a switch. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22)
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Specification