Multi-tier intelligent infrastructure management systems for communications systems and related equipment and methods

• US 10,262,656 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2016
• Issued: 04/16/2019
• Est. Priority Date: 11/11/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: CommScope Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: CommScope Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Inventors: German, Michael G., McAndrew, Niall
• Primary Examiner(s): Albertalli, Brian L
• Application Number:
  US15/277,680
• Publication Number:
  US 20170018274A1
• Time in Patent Office: 931 Days
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/235 Update request formulation
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 16/5854 using shape and object relationship
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 18/22 Matching criteria, e.g. proximity measures
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/167 Audio in a user interface, e.g. using voice commands for navigating, audio feedback
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 10/063118 Staff planning in a project environment
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 20/20 in augmented reality scenes
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 15/22 Procedures used during a speech recognition process, e.g. man-machine dialogue
• CPC Class Codes: G10L 2015/223 Execution procedure of a spoken command
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/661 Transmitting camera control signals through networks, e.g. control via the Internet

Abstract

Methods of identifying available connector ports on rack mounted equipment use an image capture device to capture an image of a front face of an equipment rack. The captured image is compared to at least one stored image. A patch cord insertion status of at least one connector port included on an item of equipment that is mounted on the equipment rack is then determined based at least in part on the comparison of the captured image to the at least one stored image.

Claims

1. A method of tracking patching cord connections, the method comprising:

entering a first plurality of voice commands into a portable/wearable electronic device to populate a connectivity database with existing patch cord connections;

performing a patching connection change; and

entering second voice command into the portable/wearable electronic device to update the connectivity database to reflect the patching connection change.

2. The method of claim 1, further comprising entering a third plurality of voice commands into the portable/wearable electronic device to populate an equipment database with the types of equipment included in slots in an equipment rack.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the patching connection change was a patching connection change that was specified in a work order, the method further comprising entering a fourth voice command into a portable/wearable electronic device to indicate that the work order has been completed.

4. The method of claim 3, the method further comprising in response to receiving the fourth voice command:

wirelessly transmitting a message from the portable/wearable electronic device to a controller; and

sending a message from the controller to update the connectivity database.

5. The method of claim 3, wherein the work order is an electronic work order.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second voice command follows a pre-defined script.

7. The method of claim 1, further comprising entering a fifth voice command into the portable/wearable electronic device requesting the display of a work order.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable/wearable electronic device comprises a pair of intelligent eyeglasses that includes a microphone.

9. The method of claim 3, further comprising:

entering a sixth voice command into the portable/wearable electronic device after a step of the work order is completed;

rendering a subsequent step of the work order on a display in response to receiving the sixth voice command; and

transmitting a message from the portable/wearable electronic device to a controller in response to receiving the sixth voice command to cause the controller to update the connectivity database to reflect completion of the step of the work order.

10. The method of claim 1, wherein the portable/wearable electronic device comprises a pair of intelligent eyeglasses.