Methods of automatically recording patching changes at passive patch panels and network equipment
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A method of executing a patching connection change in a patching field, the method comprising:
- receiving an electronic work order on a display of a controller that is located at the patching field, the patching field including a plurality of passive patch panels that lack capabilities for automatically sensing patching changes and the controller being separate from the passive patch panels, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change that is to be performed at a connector port on at least a first of the passive patch panels;
performing the patching connection change; and
using the controller to send an electronic message from the patching field indicating that the patching connection change has been completed,wherein the patching connection change comprises adding, changing or deleting a patching connection at the first of the passive patch panels.
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Abstract
Methods of executing patching connection changes in a patching field are provided in which an electronic work order is received on a display located at the patching field, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change. A technician may perform the patching connection change. Then, an electronic message may be sent from the patching field indicating that the patching change has been completed.
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Citations
16 Claims
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1. A method of executing a patching connection change in a patching field, the method comprising:
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receiving an electronic work order on a display of a controller that is located at the patching field, the patching field including a plurality of passive patch panels that lack capabilities for automatically sensing patching changes and the controller being separate from the passive patch panels, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change that is to be performed at a connector port on at least a first of the passive patch panels; performing the patching connection change; and using the controller to send an electronic message from the patching field indicating that the patching connection change has been completed, wherein the patching connection change comprises adding, changing or deleting a patching connection at the first of the passive patch panels. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
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10. A method of executing a patching connection change, the method comprising:
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receiving an electronic work order requesting the patching connection change; displaying the electronic work order on a touch screen display device that is located in a patching field where the requested patching connection change is to occur, wherein the touch screen display device is separate from a passive patch panel that is involved in the patching connection change and wherein the electronic work order includes an icon on the touch screen display; performing the patching connection change; transmitting a message to a system controller after the patching connection change is completed that confirms that the patching connection change has been completed in response to activation of the icon on the touch screen display; and updating a connectivity database to reflect the completion of the patching connection change in response to receiving the message. - View Dependent Claims (11)
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12. A method of executing a patching connection change, the method comprising:
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receiving an electronic work order requesting the patching connection change; displaying the electronic work order on a display device that is located in a patching field where the requested patching connection change is to occur; performing the patching connection change; transmitting a message to a system controller after the patching connection change is completed; and updating a connectivity database to reflect the completion of the patching connection change in response to receiving the message, wherein the display device comprises a display of a mobile system controller that includes a camera that is used to detect patch cord insertions and removals, and wherein the camera is used in reading identifier on a piece of equipment that is involved in the patching connection change and is further used to identify a connector port on the piece of equipment that was involved in the patching connection change. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14)
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15. A method of tracking patching connection changes, the method comprising:
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using an optical scanning capability of a mobile system controller to optically scan device identifiers on devices mounted on one or more equipment racks and patch cord identifiers on patch cords that are plugged into connector ports on the devices; and comparing an image of a first of the devices to stored information regarding the first of the devices to determine the connector ports on the first of the devices that each patch cord is plugged into; mapping the patching connections based on the scanned identifiers; and updating a connectivity database to reflect the mapped patching connections, wherein the device identifiers each identify a specific device. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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Specification