Telecommunications patching system that facilitates detection and identification of patch cords
First Claim
1. A telecommunications patching system, comprising:
- a patch panel comprising a plurality of connector ports;
a plurality of patch cords configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports, wherein each patch cord comprises opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end, wherein each connector is configured to be removably secured within a connector port, and wherein the connectors of a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier associated therewith;
a first sensor located at each connector port that detects when a patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective connector port, wherein the first sensor comprises an acoustic sensor;
a second sensor located at each connector port that reads the identifier of a patch cord connector inserted within a respective connector port; and
a controller electrically coupled to the first and second sensors that monitors and logs patch cord interconnections with the connector ports.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A telecommunications patching system includes a patch panel comprising a plurality of connector ports and a plurality of patch cords configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports. Each patch cord has opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end that is configured to be removably secured within a connector port. The connectors of a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier associated therewith. A first sensor is located at each connector port and detects when a patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective connector port. A second sensor is located at each connector port and reads the identifier of a patch cord connector inserted within a respective connector port. The first and second sensors are in communication with a controller that monitors and logs patch cord interconnections with the connector ports.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A telecommunications patching system, comprising:
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a patch panel comprising a plurality of connector ports; a plurality of patch cords configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports, wherein each patch cord comprises opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end, wherein each connector is configured to be removably secured within a connector port, and wherein the connectors of a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier associated therewith; a first sensor located at each connector port that detects when a patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective connector port, wherein the first sensor comprises an acoustic sensor; a second sensor located at each connector port that reads the identifier of a patch cord connector inserted within a respective connector port; and a controller electrically coupled to the first and second sensors that monitors and logs patch cord interconnections with the connector ports. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. A telecommunications patching system, comprising:
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a patch panel comprising a plurality of connector ports; a plurality of patch cords configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports, wherein each patch cord comprises opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end, wherein each connector is configured to be removably secured within a connector port, and wherein the connectors of a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier associated therewith; a first sensor located at each connector port that detects when a patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective connector port, wherein the first sensor comprises an electrical sensor; a second sensor located at each connector port that reads the identifier of a patch cord connector inserted within a respective connector port; and a controller electrically coupled to the first and second sensors that monitors and logs patch cord interconnections with the connector ports. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A telecommunications patching system, comprising:
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a patch panel comprising a plurality of connector ports; a plurality of patch cords configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports, wherein each patch cord comprises opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end, wherein each connector is configured to be removably secured within a connector port, and wherein the connectors of a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier associated therewith; a first sensor located at each connector port that detects when a patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective connector port, wherein the first sensor includes an emitter selected from the group consisting of light emitters, infrared light emitters, and ultraviolet light emitters, and wherein the first sensor includes a detector selected from the group consisting of light detectors, infrared light detectors, and ultraviolet light detectors; a second sensor located at each connector port that reads the identifier of a patch cord connector inserted within a respective connector port; and a controller electrically coupled to the first and second sensors that monitors and logs patch cord interconnections with the connector ports. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A telecommunications patching system, comprising:
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a patch panel comprising a plurality of connector ports; a plurality of patch cords configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports, wherein each patch cord comprises opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end, wherein each connector is configured to be removably secured within a connector port, wherein each patch cord connector comprises a magnetized element, and wherein the connectors of a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier associated therewith; a first sensor located at each connector port that detects when a patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective connector port, wherein the first sensor is capable of detecting a magnetic field; a second sensor located at each connector port that reads the identifier of a patch cord connector inserted within a respective connector port; and a controller electrically coupled to the first and second sensors that monitors and logs patch cord interconnections with the connector ports. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification