Patent ID: 8686866
Filing Date: 2014-04-01
Classification: G08B,H04Q

Abstract:
1. A communications patching system, comprising: a patch panel having a plurality of connector ports on a side thereof; and a sensor module secured to the patch panel side, wherein the sensor module comprises a plurality of pairs of IR emitters and sensors, wherein the sensor module is secured to the patch panel such that each emitter/sensor pair is located adjacent to a respective one of the connector ports, and wherein each pair is configured to detect insertion and removal of a patch cord connector from a respective connector port; wherein the sensor module comprises a housing and a printed circuit board (PCB) secured to the housing, and wherein the IR emitters and sensors are electrically connected to the PCB and wherein the PCB includes a processor and memory for controlling the IR emitters and sensors; and wherein the memory contains firmware executable by the processor for filtering out unwanted IR signals and/or reflections of IR signals from a source external to the patch panel.