System and method for addressing and tracing patch cords in a dedicated telecommunications system

• US 6,285,293 B1
• Filed: 02/10/1999
• Issued: 09/04/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 02/10/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: CommScope Inc. (CommScope Holding Company, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Avaya Technology Corporation Miami Lakes FLA US
• Inventors: Macauley, Daniel Warren, Leone, Frank S., Paul, Lawrence Marc, German, Michael Gregory
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffrey
• Assistant Examiner(s): Huang, Sihong
• Application Number:
  US09/247,613
• Time in Patent Office: 937 Days
• Field of Search: 340/687, 340/686, 340/540, 340/500, 340/815.47, 340/815.48, 439/490, 439/489, 379/9
• US Class Current: 340/687
• CPC Class Codes: H04Q 1/136 having patch field management or physical layer management arrangements

Abstract

A patch cord tracing system and method for tracing patch cords in a telecommunications patching system. The system includes a plurality of tracing interface modules that attach to the patch panels in a telecommunications closet. On the patch panels in a telecommunications closet are located a plurality of connector ports that receive the terminated ends of patch cords. The tracing interface modules mount to the patch panels and provide a sensor, an LED and a tracing button to each of the connector ports. The sensor detects whenever a patch cord is connected to, or removed from, a connector port. Accordingly, by connecting a computer controller to the various sensors, the computer controller can monitor and log all changes to the patch cord interconnections in an automated fashion.

Claims

1. In a telecommunications patching system having a plurality of connector ports disposed on at least one patch panel, a system for tracing patch cords from one connector port to another, comprising:

a tracing interface module adapted to be affixed to each patch panel in the telecommunications patching system, wherein each tracing interface module provides a visual indicator, a manually operable trace initiation mechanism, and a sensor for sensing the presence of a patch cord to each of the connector ports located on that patch panel;

a systems controller coupled to each said visual indicator, each said manually operable trace initiation mechanism and each said sensor, wherein said system controller determines from said sensor if a patch cord is connected to each of said connector ports.

2. The system according to claim 1, wherein said at least one patch panel is mounted to a rack and said systems controller is mounted to said rack.

3. The system according to claim 1, wherein each said patch panel has a face surface of a predetermined length and width upon which said connector ports are exposed and each said tracing interface module is sized to mount on said face surface within said length and width without obstructing said connector ports.

4. The system according to claim 1, wherein said visual indicator includes a light emitting diode.

5. The system according to claim 1, wherein said trace initiation mechanism includes a manual signal button.

6. The system according to claim 1, wherein said sensor is a mechanical switch that detects the patch cord when present within a connector port.

7. A telecommunications patching system, comprising:

at least one patch panel containing a plurality of connector ports, wherein each of said connector port is associated with a sensor for detecting the presence of a patch cord in that connector port;

a visual indicator in proximity to each of said connector ports;

a manually operable switch in proximity to each of said connector ports; and

a systems controller coupled to said sensor, said manually operable switch and said visual indicator of each of said connector ports, wherein said systems controller determines from each said sensors if a patch cord is connected to each of said connector ports.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein each said patch panel is mounted to a rack and said systems controller is mounted to said rack.

9. The system according to claim 7, wherein said visual indicator is contained within a module that can be selectively separated from said patch panel.

10. The system according to claim 7, wherein each said patch panel has a face surface of a predetermined length and width upon which said connector ports are exposed and said sensor, said visual indicator and said manually operable switch are all contained within a tracing interface module that is sized to mount on said face surface within said length and width without obstructing said connector ports.

11. A method of determining if a patch cord is present in a connector port on a patch panel in a telecommunications patching system, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a sensor at each of the connector ports, wherein said sensor detects when a patch cord is inserted into that connector port;

providing a manually operable switch button in proximity to each of the connector ports,

providing a visual indicator in proximity to each of the connector ports, and coupling each said sensor, said manually operable switch button and said visual indicator to a controller that monitors each said sensor, said manually operable switch button and said visual indicator.

12. The method according to claim 11, wherein said sensor is a mechanical switch that is mechanically triggered by the presence of a patch cord in a connector port.

13. The method according to claim 11, wherein further including the step of having said controller electronically log all changes to connector ports detected by each said sensor.

14. The method according to claim 11, further including the step of providing a visual indicator at each of the connector ports.

15. The method according to claim 11, further including the step of tracing a patch cord and lighting said visual indicator at one end of a patch cord, each time said sensor detects that the opposite end of that patch cord has been removed from a connector port.

16. The method according to claim 11, further including the step of providing a manual switch button at each of the connector ports.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein each said sensor, each said visual indicator and each said manual switch button is contained within a common module and said step of providing said switch includes connecting said module proximate said connector ports.