US6222908B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for identifying a specific patch cord connector as it is introduced into, or removed from, a telecommunications patch system
Assignee: Commscope Inc of North Carolina
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Filing: 1999-09-23
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Granted: 2001-04-24
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Expires: 2019-09-23
Abstract
Abstract A system having a plurality of patch cords, wherein each of the patch cord is terminated with patch cord connectors. Each of the patch cord connectors, in turn, contains a unique identifier that can be used to distinguish one patch cord from among the many patch cords in a telecommunication patch system. Within the telecommunications closet is at least one rack structure. A plurality of connector ports are disposed on the rack structure. Each of said connector ports is adapted to receive a patch cord connector. Each of the connector ports has a sensor that reads the unique identifier of any of the patch cord connectors as a patch cord connector is either inserted into, or removed from, a connector port. As the identifier on each patch cord connector is read, the overall system can automatically keep track of which specific patch cords are being added and removed from the system.
Inventors
- 👤 Steven Craig Bartolutti
- 👤 Golam Mabud Choudhury
- 👤 Lyndon Dee Ensz
- 👤 Michael Gregory German
- 👤 Daniel Warren Macauley
- 👤 Lawrence Marc Paul
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 23:00
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04M; H04M1/00; H04M1/24; H04Q; H04Q1/00; H04Q1/02; H04Q1/13; H04Q1/135; H04Q1/136
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 23
Claim 1
Independent Claim
110 words
A telecommunications system, comprising: at least one rack structure: a plurality of patch panels mounted to each said rack structure; a plurality of connector ports disposed on each of said patch panels; a plurality of patch cords for selectively interconnecting different pairs of connector ports, each of said patch cords being terminated with patch cord connectors, wherein each of said patch cord connectors contains a unique identifier; and modules mounted to said patch panels above said connector ports, wherein said modules contain sensors that read the unique identifier on each of said patch cord connectors when said patch cord connectors are either connected to, or removed from, said connector ports.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
110 words
A telecommunications system, comprising: at least one rack structure: a plurality of patch panels mounted to each said rack structure; a plurality of connector ports disposed on each of said patch panels; a plurality of patch cords for selectively interconnecting different pairs of connector ports, each of said patch cords being terminated with patch cord connectors, wherein each of said patch cord connectors contains a unique identifier; and modules mounted to said patch panels above said connector ports, wherein said modules contain sensors that read the unique identifier on each of said patch cord connectors when said patch cord connectors are either connected to, or removed from, said connector ports.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
27 words
The system according to claim 1 , further including a controller on each said rack structure that is coupled to each of said sensors in said modules.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 1 , wherein said identifier on each of said patch cord connectors is selected from a group consisting of bar codes, Data Matrix codes, recorded magnetic media, recorded optical media, and electronic circuitry.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according to claim 3 , wherein said sensors selected from a group consisting of bar code readers, Data Matrix code readers, magnetic medium readers, optical medium readers and electronic circuit interfaces.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
92 words
A telecommunications patching system, comprising: a plurality of patch cords, wherein each of said patch cord is terminated with patch cord connectors having a unique identifier; at least one rack structure; and a plurality of connector ports disposed on said rack structure, each of said connector ports being adapted to receive a patch cord connector, wherein each of said connector ports has a sensor that senses the unique identifier of one of said patch cord connectors each time that patch cord connector is either inserted into or removed from a connector port.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
92 words
A telecommunications patching system, comprising: a plurality of patch cords, wherein each of said patch cord is terminated with patch cord connectors having a unique identifier; at least one rack structure; and a plurality of connector ports disposed on said rack structure, each of said connector ports being adapted to receive a patch cord connector, wherein each of said connector ports has a sensor that senses the unique identifier of one of said patch cord connectors each time that patch cord connector is either inserted into or removed from a connector port.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The system according to claim 5 , wherein said sensors are disposed with said connector ports within said at least one rack structure.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
26 words
The system according to claim 5 , wherein said sensors are attached to said at least one rack structure at points external of said connector ports.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
24 words
The system according to claim 5 , further including a controller on each said rack structure that is coupled to each of said sensors.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
38 words
The system according to claim 5 , wherein said identifier on each of said patch cord connectors is selected from a group consisting of bar codes, Data Matrix codes, recorded magnetic media, recorded optical media, and electronic circuitry.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
33 words
The system according to claim 9 , wherein said sensors selected from a group consisting of bar code readers, Data Matrix code readers, magnetic medium readers, optical medium readers and electronic circuit interfaces.
Claim 13
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of identifying specific patch cord connectors of patch cords used within a telecommunications closet as the patch cord connectors are both added to, and removed from, connector ports within the telecommunications closet, said method comprising the steps of: providing a unique identifier on the patch cord connectors of patch cords used within the telecommunications closet; and providing a sensor proximate each of the connector ports in the telecommunications closet, wherein each sensor reads the unique identifier on the patch cord connector and identifies that patch cord connector as the patch cord connector is moved past that sensor.
Claim 14
Independent Claim
99 words
A method of identifying specific patch cord connectors of patch cords used within a telecommunications closet as the patch cord connectors are both added to, and removed from, connector ports within the telecommunications closet, said method comprising the steps of: providing a unique identifier on the patch cord connectors of patch cords used within the telecommunications closet; and providing a sensor proximate each of the connector ports in the telecommunications closet, wherein each sensor reads the unique identifier on the patch cord connector and identifies that patch cord connector as the patch cord connector is moved past that sensor.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
28 words
The method according to claim 11 , wherein said step of providing a sensor, includes positioning a sensor at a point external to each of the connector ports.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
23 words
The method according to claim 11 , wherein said step of providing a sensor includes internally positioning a sensor within each connector port.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
36 words
The method according to claim 11 , wherein said step of providing a sensor includes the step of attaching a module in front of each connector port, wherein each said sensor is contained within said module.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method according to claim 11 , wherein said identifier is bar code and said sensor is a bar code reader that reads said bar code as said bar code is passed over said bar code reader.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
30 words
The method according to claim 11 , wherein said identifier is a data containing magnetic medium and said sensor is a head that reads data recorded on said magnetic medium.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
31 words
The method according to claim 11 , wherein said identifier is a data containing optical medium and said sensor is a laser reader that reads data recorded on said optical medium.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
34 words
The method according to claim 11 , wherein said identifier is a microchip with an embedded identification code and said sensor is a circuit that engages the microchip and electronically reads said identification code.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
42 words
The method according to claim 15 , wherein said identifier is Data Matrix code and said sensor is a Data Matrix code reader that reads said Data Matrix code as said Data Matrix code is passed over said Data Matrix code reader.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
41 words
The transmission system according to claim 1 , wherein said patch panels, connector ports and patch cords are installed and made operational; and said indicators and modules are added subsequently, during operation of said patch panels, connector ports and patch cords.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 2004-04-23 | 2004-10-23 | 2005-04-24 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2008-04-23 | 2008-10-23 | 2009-04-24 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2012-04-23 | 2012-10-23 | 2013-04-24 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |