Intelligent telecommunications patching system

Abstract

A telecommunications patching system having point-to-point tracing capabilities includes: a plurality of end devices; at least one rack structure; a plurality of patch panels mounted to each rack structure; a plurality of connector ports disposed on each of the patch panels; a plurality of patch cords for selectively interconnecting different pairs of connector ports; a plurality of cables for selectively interconnecting the connector ports on the patch panels with respective end devices; tracing modules associated with said connector ports and end devices that monitor connectivity of the connector ports and end devices; and a display associated with the tracing modules configured to display the connectivity of a circuit comprising one or more of the connector ports and one or more of the end devices.

Claims

1. A telecommunications patching system having point-to-point tracing capabilities, comprising: a plurality of patch panels each configured to mount to a rack structure; a plurality of connector ports disposed on each of the patch panels, wherein the connector ports of the patch panels are configured to selectively interconnect with respective end devices through a plurality of cables, and wherein the connector ports of the patch panels are configured to be selectively interconnected with each other through a plurality of patch cords; tracing modules associated with said connector ports and end devices that monitor connectivity of the connector ports and end devices; and a graphical user interface display associated with the tracing modules configured to graphically display at least a portion of a circuit comprising one or more of the connector ports and one or more of the end devices.

2. The patching system defined in claim 1, wherein the tracing modules are associated with a database that includes information regarding fixed cabling and the connector ports of the patch panels.

3. The patching system defined in claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface display may display one or more icons of or representing: faceplates; wall jacks; patch panels; connector ports; patch cords; external data service; personal computers; phones; printers; fax machines; wireless access points; consolidation points; splice enclosures; mainframe computers; server computers; LAN switches; environmental monitoring devices; storage devices; private branch exchanges; point-of-sale terminals; and security cameras.

4. The patching system defined in claim 1, wherein the graphical user interface display may display one or more icons that expand to display additional information about a component of the circuit.

5. A method of interconnecting telecommunications devices, comprising the .[.steps.]. .Iadd.acts .Iaddend.of: (a) providing an intelligent patch system having: a plurality of patch panels each mounted to a rack structure; a plurality of connector ports disposed on each of the patch panels, wherein the connector ports of the patch panels are configured to selectively interconnect with respective end devices through a plurality of cables, and wherein the connector ports of the patch panels are configured to be selectively interconnected with each other through a plurality of patch cords; tracing modules associated with said connector ports and end devices that monitor connectivity of the connector ports and end devices; and a graphical user interface display associated with the tracing modules configured to graphically display at least a portion of a circuit comprising one or more of the connector ports and one or more of the end devices; (b) moving one of the patch cords from one of the connector ports to another of the connector ports; and (c) illuminating on the graphical user interface display icons representing components or connections for at least a portion of a new patching circuit formed by the patch cord moved in .[.step.]. (b) to verify the correctness of the new patching circuit.

6. The method defined in claim 5, wherein the tracing modules are associated with a database that includes information regarding fixed cabling and the connector ports of the patch panels.

7. The method defined in claim 5, wherein the graphical user interface display may display one or more icons of or representing: faceplates; wall jacks; patch panels; connector ports; patch cords; external data service; personal computers; phones; printers; fax machines; wireless access points; consolidation points; splice enclosures; mainframe computers; server computers; LAN switches; environmental monitoring devices; storage devices; private branch exchanges; point-of-sale terminals; and security cameras.

8. The method defined in claim 5, wherein the graphical user interface display may display one or more icons that expand to display additional information about a component of the circuit.

9. A telecommunications patching system having point-to-point tracing capabilities, comprising: a plurality of patch panels each configured to mount to a rack structure; a plurality of connector ports disposed on each of the patch panels, wherein the connector ports of the patch panels are configured to selectively interconnect with respective end devices through a plurality of cables, and wherein the connector ports of the patch panels are configured to be selectively interconnected with each other through a plurality of patch cords; tracing modules associated with said connector ports and end devices that monitor connectivity of the connector ports and end devices; and a controller configured to receive search criteria and graphically display search results conforming to the search criteria and regarding the end devices, patch panels, ports, patch cords and cables.

10. The telecommunications patching system defined in claim 9, wherein the tracing modules are associated with a database that includes information regarding fixed cabling and the connector ports of the patch panels.

11. The telecommunications patching system defined in claim 10, wherein the tracing modules further comprise indicator lights associated with the connector ports, and wherein the controller is configured to, upon request, illuminate the indicator lights associated with a patching circuit identified in its search results.

12. The telecommunications patching system defined in claim 9, wherein the tracing modules are associated with a database that includes information regarding fixed cabling and the connector ports of the patch panels.

.Iadd.13. A network patching system, the system comprising: a plurality of patch panels; a plurality of connector ports disposed on each of the plurality of patch panels, wherein one or more of the connector ports of the plurality of patch panels are configured to selectively interconnect with end devices through a plurality of cables, and wherein the one or more connector ports of the patch panels are configured to be selectively interconnected with each other through a plurality of patch cords; wherein the system is configured to store information about connectivity of the connector ports and devices; and a graphical user interface display in communication with a system manager and configured to graphically display at least a portion of a circuit comprising one or more of the connector ports and one or more of the end devices..Iaddend.

.Iadd.14. The system of claim 13, wherein the graphical user interface display is configured to display one or more icons representing at least one of: a faceplate, a wall jack, a patch panel, a connector port, a patch cord, an external data service, a personal computer, a phone, a printer, a fax machine, a wireless access point, a consolidation point, a splice enclosure, a mainframe computer, a server computer, a LAN switch, an environmental monitoring device, a storage device, a private branch exchange, a point-of-sale terminal, and a security camera..Iaddend.

.Iadd.15. The system of claim 13, further comprising a rack controller coupled to the graphical user interface, wherein the rack controller controls the illumination of one or more light-emitting devices, included at each of the plurality of connector ports, for connector ports associated with the circuit graphically displayed on the graphical user interface..Iaddend.

.Iadd.16. The system of claim 13, wherein the system manager comprises a connectivity database that stores cabling infrastructure and connectivity information for the connector ports and end devices..Iaddend.

.Iadd.17. The system of claim 13, further comprising tracing modules associated with the plurality of connector that monitor connectivity of the plurality of connector ports..Iaddend.

.Iadd.18. The system of claim 17, wherein the tracing modules are further associated with the end devices and monitor connectivity of the end devices..Iaddend.

.Iadd.19. The system of claim 17, wherein the tracing modules communicate the connectivity information to a connectivity database..Iaddend.

.Iadd.20. A network patching system, the system comprising: a plurality of patch panels; a plurality of connector ports disposed on each of the plurality of patch panels, wherein one or more of the connector ports of the plurality of patch panels are configured to selectively interconnect with end devices through a plurality of cables, and wherein the one or more connector ports of the patch panels are configured to be selectively interconnected with each other through a plurality of patch cords; wherein the network patching system is configured to monitor connectivity of the connector ports and end devices; and a graphical user interface display configured to access information about the connectivity of the connector ports and end devices and graphically display at least a portion of a circuit comprising one or more of the connector ports and one or more of the end devices..Iaddend.

.Iadd.21. The system of claim 20, wherein the graphical user interface display is configured to display one or more icons representing at least one of: a faceplate, a wall jack, a patch panel, a connector port, a patch cord, an external data service, a personal computer, a phone, a printer, a fax machine, a wireless access point, a consolidation point, a splice enclosure, a mainframe computer, a server computer, a LAN switch, an environmental monitoring device, a storage device, a private branch exchange, a point-of-sale terminal, and a security camera..Iaddend.

.Iadd.22. The system of claim 20, further comprising a rack controller coupled to the graphical user interface, wherein the rack controller controls the illumination of one or more light-emitting devices, included at each of the plurality of connector ports, for connector ports associated with the circuit graphically displayed on the graphical user interface..Iaddend.

.Iadd.23. The system of claim 20, further comprising a system manager that includes a connectivity database that stores cabling infrastructure and connectivity information for the connector ports and end devices..Iaddend.

.Iadd.24. The system of claim 20, further comprising tracing modules associated with the plurality of connector that monitor connectivity of the plurality of connector ports..Iaddend.

.Iadd.25. The system of claim 24, wherein the tracing modules are further associated with the end devices and monitor connectivity of the end devices..Iaddend.

.Iadd.26. The system of claim 24, wherein the tracing modules communicate the connectivity information to a connectivity database..Iaddend.

.Iadd.27. A method of interconnecting telecommunications devices, the method comprising: (a) providing an intelligent patch system having: a plurality of patch panels each mounted to a rack structure; a plurality of connector ports disposed on each of the patch panels, wherein the connector ports of the patch panels are configured to selectively interconnect with respective end devices through a plurality of cables, and wherein the connector ports of the patch panels are configured to be selectively interconnected with each other through a plurality of patch cords; and a graphical user interface display associated with the tracing modules configured to graphically display at least a portion of a circuit comprising one or more of the connector ports and one or more of the end devices; wherein the intelligent patch system is configured to store information about connectivity of the connector ports and devices; (b) moving one of the patch cords from one of the connector ports to another of the connector ports; and (c) illuminating on the graphical user interface display icons representing components or connections for at least a portion of a new patching circuit formed by the patch cord moved in (b) to verify the correctness of the new patching circuit. .Iaddend.

.Iadd.28. The method of claim 27, the intelligent patch system further comprising a system manager that includes a connectivity database, the method further comprising: storing cabling infrastructure and connectivity information for the connector ports and end devices in the connectivity database..Iaddend.

.Iadd.29. The method of claim 27, the intelligent patch system further comprising tracing modules associated with said connector ports and end devices, the method further comprising: monitoring connectivity of the connector ports and end devices with the tracing modules..Iaddend.

.Iadd.30. The method of claim 29, wherein the tracing modules are associated with a database that includes information regarding fixed cabling and the connector ports of the patch panels..Iaddend.

.Iadd.31. The method of claim 27, wherein the graphical user interface display is configured to display one or more icons representing at least one of: a faceplate, a wall jack, a patch panel, a connector port, a patch cord, an external data service, a personal computer, a phone, a printer, a fax machine, a wireless access point, a consolidation point, a splice enclosure, a mainframe computer, a server computer, a LAN switch, an environmental monitoring device, a storage device, a private branch exchange, a point-of-sale terminal, and a security camera..Iaddend.

.Iadd.32. The method of claim 27, wherein the graphical user interface display is configured to display one or more icons that expand to display additional information about a component of the circuit..Iaddend.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

(1) FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a patching system that may be used to connect computers, printers and other work area end devices to network equipment that is located in a computer room, or to connect end devices in a data center.

(2) FIG. 1A is a greatly enlarged front view of a portion of a patch panel according to embodiments of the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 is an exemplary display screen image of a connection circuit that can be employed in the patching system of FIG. 1.

(4) FIG. 3A is the screen image of FIG. 2 with the + icon expanded.

(5) FIG. 3B is the screen image of FIG. 3A shifted horizontally to display different icons.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

(6) The present invention is described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which certain embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments that are pictured and described herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. It will also be appreciated that the embodiments disclosed herein can be combined in any way and/or combination to provide many additional embodiments.

(7) Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms that are used in this disclosure have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. The terminology used in the above description is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in this disclosure, the singular forms a, an and the are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that when an element (e.g., a device, circuit, etc.) is referred to as being connected or coupled to another element, it can be directly connected or coupled to the other element or intervening elements may be present. In contrast, when an element is referred to as being directly connected or directly coupled to another element, there are no intervening elements present.

(8) As discussed above and illustrated in FIG. 1, intelligent patching systems are known and are widely used in the field today. Nonetheless, intelligent patching systems may benefit from additional features, some of which are intended to provide additional information to cabling technicians working at a rack populated with intelligent patching equipment.

(9) As one example, an intelligent patching system may include the capability of real-time end-to-end circuit display during patching or circuit trace activity. When the user inserts or removes a patch cord plug at a patch panel or presses the trace button over a patch panel connector port, the rack controller or tracer module 62 (FIG. 1A) may display graphically the portion of the circuit in question that is located in the local patching field. However, it may also issue a query in real time to the system manager database, requesting end-to-end circuit trace information for the circuit in question. Because the database includes information about the cabling infrastructure and the connectivity of fixed cables at the site, when the requested trace information is received from the system manager, the rack controller can supplement the circuit trace it originally displayed to show the endpoints of the circuit; the user may also have the option of expanding the trace so he can scroll through a trace of the entire end-to-end circuit. Thus, the user can view not only information regarding patching at the patch panels themselves, but also information about the connectivity of fixed cabling at the site.

(10) The information may be displayed on a monitor of a desktop or laptop computer, a GUI interface, a touchscreen, a tablet, a smart phone, or the like. Bluetooth or Near Field Communication wireless connections may be used with the table, smart phone, etc.

(11) An exemplary display 100 of the circuit information for a cross-connect arrangement is shown in FIG. 2. In the display of FIG. 2, a faceplate icon 102 represents the location of the wall jack 24 of the circuit; details identifying the location of the wall jack are set forth on the display 100 below the icon 102. Panel icons 104, 106 represent the connector ports 34, 34 on patch panels 32, 32 that are included in the circuit, with identifying information regarding these connector ports 34, 34 set forth below the icons 104, 106, A patch cord icon 108 illustrates a connection between the icons 104, 106. A data service icon 110 represents the external data service.

(12) A + icon 112 is also shown between the data service icon 110 and the patch panel icon 106. This icon 112 can be expanded (via touch screen, mouse click or the like) to display additional information or connections within the circuit. FIG. 3A shows the display of FIG. 2 with the + icon 112 expanded to reveal information about a switch 114. As shown in FIG. 3B, the user may scroll left or right to display different components or connections.

(13) Those skilled in this art will recognize that other icons representing other components or connections may also be employed, including: personal computers; phones; printers; fax machines; wireless access points; consolidation points; splice enclosures; mainframe computers; server computers; LAN switches; environmental monitoring devices; storage devices (in storage area networks); private branch exchanges; point-of-sale terminals; and security cameras.

(14) The real-time display of the endpoint information may be particularly useful to technicians during patching, as it may allow them to verify that the patch cord connection they have made has indeed connected the intended equipment (for example, a particular LAN switch port to a particular desktop computer). The end-to-end trace information may be updated in real time each time the user inserts or removes a patch cord plug; such information is particularly useful when it is displayed at the patch panel or rack at which the user is working. For example, if the user removes one end of an existing patch cord, the display may show not only the two connector ports in the local closet that have been disconnected, but also the endpoints of the circuit that has been broken. If the user then places the free end of the patch cord in question in a different connector port, the trace information may be updated on the right side of the screen to show both the new patch panel connector port and the endpoint of the new circuit that has been created. If the user is not satisfied with this connection, and moves the patch cord plug to yet another connector port, the trace information may be updated accordingly. All of this information can help the user to validate patching connections and changes, including starting and destination ports.

(15) In another embodiment, an intelligent patching system may include real-time search capabilities. The rack controller 36 may have a touch-screen or other display that allows the user to enter text information. Using this data entry mechanism, users may be able to search for nodes in the cabling system (such as a particular wall jack faceplate or telecom outlet), and/or for equipment attached to the cabling system (such as a computer with a particular IP address or MAC ID, or a switch port assigned to a particular VLAN). Exemplary searchable items include: device names; IP addresses (either specifically or within a range); VLAN IDs; MAC addresses; faceplate names; switch names; work order IDs; cable IDs; cable types' and services.

(16) Once the user has entered the query information, the rack controller sends the request to the system manager, which queries its database and returns the requested information. This information may be displayed to the user on the rack controller's graphical display. If the circuit in question passes through the patching zone where the rack controller used for the query is located, it will light the LED(s) of any panel ports that are utilized in the circuit in question; if not, the user may still be able to determine from the display which other wiring closet local patching field or the like he may visit in order to access the circuit in question.

(17) As an enhancement to this embodiment, it would be possible to provide the user an option that would light the LEDs in all panel ports at the site that are used to implement the circuit in question. This variation may facilitate location of patch cords associated with the circuit at each wiring closet through which the circuit passes. Thus, by identifying a circuit with one of the search term identifiers, the user can have the ports associated with that circuit illuminated for easy identification, which in turn can facilitate patching validation and changes.

(18) The foregoing is illustrative of the present invention and is not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.