US6350148B1
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method and device for detecting the presence of a patch cord connector in a telecommunications patch system
Assignee: Commscope Inc of North Carolina
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Filing: 1999-02-10
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Granted: 2002-02-26
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Expires: 2019-02-10
Abstract
Abstract A system having a plurality of tracing interface modules that attach to the patch panels of a telecommunications patching system 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 mechanical sensor that can detect when a patch cord connector has been added to, or removed from, a connector port within the telecommunications closet. Accordingly, by connecting a computer controller to the various mechanical sensors, the computer can monitor and log all changes to the patch cord interconnections in an automated fashion.
Inventors
- 👤 Stephen Craig Bartolutti
- 👤 Golam Mabud Choudhury
- 👤 Michael Gregory German
- 👤 Daniel Warren Macauley
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-02 10:23
CPC Classifications
H; H04; H04Q; H04Q1/00; H04Q1/02; H04Q1/13; H04Q1/135; H04Q1/136; H01; H01R; H01R13/00; H01R13/66; H01R13/70; H01R13/703; H01R13/7035
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
101 words
A patch cord tracing module assembly that is adapted to be affixed to the face of a patch panel having a plurality of connector ports aligned in a row in a telecommunications system, comprising: a circuit board containing a plurality of mechanical switches thereon aligned in a row; a support frame for supporting said circuit board, said support frame having a bottom edge and a plurality of hinged levers pivotally extending from said bottom edge, wherein each of said hinged levers engages and activates a corresponding one of said mechanical switches when biased toward that mechanical switch by a predetermined force.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
101 words
A patch cord tracing module assembly that is adapted to be affixed to the face of a patch panel having a plurality of connector ports aligned in a row in a telecommunications system, comprising: a circuit board containing a plurality of mechanical switches thereon aligned in a row; a support frame for supporting said circuit board, said support frame having a bottom edge and a plurality of hinged levers pivotally extending from said bottom edge, wherein each of said hinged levers engages and activates a corresponding one of said mechanical switches when biased toward that mechanical switch by a predetermined force.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
43 words
The assembly according to claim 1 , further including a graphics overlay affixed to said circuit board, wherein said graphics overlay contains a visual indicator that identifies different locations on said patch cord tracing module that correspond in position with said mechanical switches.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
88 words
A telecommunications system having point-to-point tracing capabilities, comprising: at least one rack structure; a plurality of patch panels mounted to each said rack structure and having an outer face; 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; tracing modules mounted to said outer face of said patch panels above said connector ports, wherein said tracing modules contain mechanical switches that detect the presence of a patch cord in each connector port.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
88 words
A telecommunications system having point-to-point tracing capabilities, comprising: at least one rack structure; a plurality of patch panels mounted to each said rack structure and having an outer face; 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; tracing modules mounted to said outer face of said patch panels above said connector ports, wherein said tracing modules contain mechanical switches that detect the presence of a patch cord in each connector port.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The system according to claim 3 , further including a controller on each said rack structure that is coupled to each of said mechanical switches in said tracing modules.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
75 words
The system according to claim 3 , wherein said tracing module contains: a circuit board upon which said mechanical switches are mounted; a support frame for supporting said circuit board, said support frame containing a plurality of hinged levers that correspond in position to said mechanical switches, wherein said hinged levers engage and activate said mechanical switches when contacted by a patch cord when that patch cord is inserted into one of said connector ports.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of detecting the presence of a patch cord connector in a connector port within a telecommunications closet, comprising the steps of; providing a mechanical switch proximate each of the connector ports by positioning a mechanical switch at a point external to each of the connector ports, wherein each mechanical switch within a connector port is activated by the insertion of a patch cord connector into that connector port; coupling each of said mechanical switches to a controller that monitors the switching status associated with each of said mechanical switches.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
91 words
A method of detecting the presence of a patch cord connector in a connector port within a telecommunications closet, comprising the steps of; providing a mechanical switch proximate each of the connector ports by positioning a mechanical switch at a point external to each of the connector ports, wherein each mechanical switch within a connector port is activated by the insertion of a patch cord connector into that connector port; coupling each of said mechanical switches to a controller that monitors the switching status associated with each of said mechanical switches.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
40 words
The method according to claim 6 , wherein said step of providing a mechanical switch includes the step of attaching a tracing module in front of each connector port, wherein each said mechanical switch is contained within said tracing module.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
79 words
The method according to claim 7 , wherein said tracing module contains: a circuit board upon which each said mechanical switch is mounted; a support frame for supporting said circuit board, said support frame containing a plurality of hinged levers that correspond in position to each said mechanical switch, wherein a hinged lever engages and activates each of said mechanical switches when contacted by a patch cord when that patch cord is inserted into one of said connector ports.
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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) | 2005-02-25 | 2005-08-27 | 2006-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2009-02-25 | 2009-08-27 | 2010-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2013-02-25 | 2013-08-27 | 2014-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |