Abstract:
A network sensing assembly is provided that includes an interface configured to receive a plurality of patch cords and a sensor element positioned proximate the interface. A plurality of contacts establish electrical connection to the sensor element when the patch cords are connected to the interface. At least one conductive element is attached to one of the patch cords and the sensor element. The conductive element is configured to couple more than one of the plurality of contacts when one of the patch cords is connected to the interface.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0001]    The present invention generally relates to sensor systems and more particularly relates to an assembly that senses electrical connections in a network.  
           [0002]    In order to better operate large electronic networks, sensor systems have been developed to monitor connections between components within the network. The sensor systems typically are incorporated in the connections to interconnect modules on the network. The interconnect module allows connections between the two network components to be made by using a patch cord that is connected to another network resource. The sensor system commonly includes a spring-loaded pin on the receptacle or modular patch cord plug that is depressed and released when connections and disconnections are made. Spring-loaded pins, though frequently used for connection sensing, do not lend themselves well to interconnect module connection sensing due to alignment problems and space limitations.  
           [0003]    Generally, the networks are structured with multiple locations corresponding to connection points where connections to the network can be made. These locations are convenient places for the installation of the interconnect modules. Consequently, monitoring of the network also tends to be done from these connection points. However, as the size of the network increases, or as more remote sites are added to the network, monitoring of the network becomes more cumbersome. This is particularly the case with rapidly expanding and changing data networks.  
           [0004]    At a given site, practically all of the network cabling originates in a wiring closet which is the central distribution point for most of the network resources available at the site. Cable connections are made from the wiring closet to networked components, and as the network grows or changes, cabling changes are often required. In the wiring closet, cable terminations are typically made using wiring blocks, commonly known as “punch down” blocks, or other forms of patching devices. Network monitoring would be facilitated if physical connections to the network could be monitored in the wiring closet. Conventional sensor probe configurations, however, are incompatible with the punch down blocks that are commonly used in the wiring closet.  
           [0005]    A need exists for a sensing assembly that can be used in sensing network connections made at the wiring blocks in wiring closets.  
         BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
         [0006]    In accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a network sensing assembly is provided that includes an interface configured to receive a plurality of patch cords and a sensor element positioned proximate said interface. A plurality of contacts establish electrical connection to the sensor element when the patch cords are connected to the interface. At least one conductive element is attached to one of the patch cords and the sensor element. The conductive element is configured to couple one or more of the plurality of contacts when one of the patch cords is connected to the interface.  
           [0007]    Optionally, the sensing assembly includes a label holder that contains the sensor element and the conductive element extends on one side of at least one of the patch chords. Alternatively, the sensing assembly includes an interface extending along a bracket and the sensor element is contained in a holder having opposite side edges. A plurality of contacts are arranged in the holder along each side edge. In another version, the sensing assembly includes an interface having first and second rows of patch cord receptacles with the sensor element extending between the first and second rows. The sensor element is configured to establish electrical connections through the plurality of contacts to each patch cord connected to the first and second row of receptacles.  
           [0008]    In accordance with another exemplary embodiment of the invention, a network sensing assembly is provided for a bracket having a connection interface adapted to receive a plurality of patch cords. The assembly includes a holder configured for removable engagement with a bracket, a sensor element within the holder, and a plurality of contacts extending from the holder to engage a patch cord connected to the interface. The assembly also includes at least one conductive element attached to one of the patch cords and the sensor element. The conductive element is configured to couple one or more of the plurality of contacts when one of the patch cords is connected to the interface.  
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0009]    [0009]FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of a wiring block used in a wiring closet.  
         [0010]    [0010]FIG. 2 illustrates an end view of a network connection sensing assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0011]    [0011]FIG. 3 is an end view of a wiring block with the sensing assembly of FIG. 2 attached.  
         [0012]    [0012]FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective bottom view connection sensing assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.  
         [0013]    [0013]FIG. 5 illustrates a sensing assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention installed on a wiring block.  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a network with a monitoring system.  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 7 illustrates a sensing assembly in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention installed on a wiring block. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0016]    [0016]FIG. 1 illustrates a wiring block or “punch down” block  10  that is commonly used in wiring closets. The wiring blocks  10  are modular and many will be found in the typical wiring closet. The wiring block includes feet  12  that are used to attach the wiring block  10  to a wall. The wiring block  10  also includes a lacing strip  14  having a row of wiring slots  16  for the attachment of signal wires (not shown). The wiring block  10  also includes one or more cross-connect blocks  18  and a label holder  20 . Cross connect blocks  18  are attached to the wiring block  10  as signal wire connections to the wiring block  10  are made. Cross connect blocks  18  define a connection interface  17  proximate an upper portion  19  of the wiring block  10 . Connections to the wiring block  10  are made using a patch cord plug connector  22 , which is also referred to simply as a patch cord plug or patch cord. The wiring blocks  10  are used in both voice and data communications, with the nature of the connection determining the number of signal wire pairs that are spanned by the connector  22 . The standard wiring block  10  includes two rows of wiring slots  16  with each row accommodating twenty five pairs of signal wires. The patch cord plug connectors  22  are manufactured in varying sizes corresponding to the number of signal wire pairs in the connecting cable. The patch cord plug  22  is connected to the wiring block  10  by pushing the plug  22  downwardly over the connection interface  17  at the cross connect block  18 .  
         [0017]    The label holder  20  is generally a transparent plastic piece that snaps on to an upper portion  19  of the wiring block  10  proximate the connection interface  17 . The label holder  20  covers a label (not shown in FIG. 1) that is provided for the convenience of technicians to record information relevant to the connections made on the particular wiring block  10 . The label holder extends along the length of the wiring block  10  between the rows of wiring slots  16 .  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 2 illustrates an end view of a network connection sensing assembly  30  in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. The assembly  30  is configured to fit within existing space in the label holder  20  (shown in FIG. 1). The assembly  30  includes a sensor element  32  that has a number of flexible contacts  34  that extend from the sensor element  32  and around side edges  25  of the label holder  20 . The flexible contacts  34  are configured to make an electrical connection with a conductive element  36  of the patch cord plug  22  when the patch cord plug  22  is connected to the wiring block  10 . In one embodiment, the flexible contacts  34  are U-shaped. As shown in FIG. 2, space remains within the label holder  20  for a label  40  if desired.  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 3 illustrates the sensing assembly  30  installed on a wiring block  10 . The sensing assembly  30  is positioned between wiring slot rows  16  at an upper portion  19  of the wiring block  10 . As positioned, the flexible contacts  34  of sensor element  32  are proximate the patch cord plug  22  when the patch cord plug  22  is connected to the wiring block  10  which facilitates sensing of the patch cord plug connections. Although the sensor element  32  is again shown positioned within the label holder  20 , it should be noted that any manner of clip or holder could be used that positions the sensor element  32  proximate the patch cord plug connection interface  17 . In addition, the flexible contacts  34  are not constrained to take a U-shape. Rather, the contacts  34  may take any shape that places a portion of the contact in a position to sense a connect or disconnect of a patch cord plug  22  with the wiring block  10 .  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the sensing assembly  30  showing the sensing assembly  30  in greater detail. The sensor element  32  is removably inserted in the label holder  20 . The sensor element  32  includes a number of flexible contacts  34  along side edges  35 . The positioning and number of the flexible contacts  34  on the sensor element  32  reflects the type of connections that are anticipated to be made to the wiring block  10  (shown in FIG. 1) on which the sensing assembly  30  will be installed. It should be noted that the sensor element  32  includes contacts  34  along each side edge  35 . The sensor element  32  is fitted with one flexible contact  34  for each connection that is anticipated to be made on the wiring block  10 . Thus, the number of contacts  34  on a given sensor element  32  is variable from one wiring block  10  to another. Further, since each wiring block  10  contains two rows of wiring slots  16 , each sensor element  32  contains two rows of contacts  34 . The wiring configurations between the two rows can be different so that the arrangement of the contacts  34  on one side of a given sensor element  32  can be different from the arrangement of the contacts  34  on the other side of the sensor element  32 . This condition is reflected in FIG. 3.  
         [0021]    In one embodiment, the sensor element  32  is a printed circuit board. Alternatively, the sensor element  32  can be a flexible circuit. The sensor element can have multiple configurations to suit a customer&#39;s needs. The sensor element can accommodate the mixing of plug configurations and further, connections can be monitored to indicate the type of connection that is being made when a patch cord plug  22  is connected to the wiring block  10 . Configurations can be changed simply by changing the sensor element circuit.  
         [0022]    Signal wires terminate at the wiring block  10  (shown in FIG. 1) in pairs, and therefore, a connection at the wiring block  10  must be made with respect to a signal wire pair. The wiring blocks  10  are substantially standardized and typically include one or more rows of wiring slots  16  (shown in FIG. 1). If all the connections on a wiring block  10  are single pair connections, each side of the sensor element  32  would include one flexible contact  34  for each wiring pair in order to sense all the connections to the wiring block  10 . Sensor element  32  includes a signal trace (not shown) for each contact  34 . The signal traces for the contacts  34  extend along sensor element  32  culminating at an input/output (IO) connector  42  at one or both ends of sensor element  32 .  
         [0023]    With reference again to FIG. 2, when a connection is made at the wiring block  10 , a conductive element  36  on the patch cord plug  22  makes an electrical connection with flexible contact  34 . The conductive element  36  is connected to a separate wire  38 , sometimes referred to as an “extra wire” that is part of a network connection monitoring system (not shown). The conductive element  36  may be a metal strip or the like attached to the patch cord plug  22  or a part of the plug itself. When contact is made between the flexible contact  34  and the conductive element  36 , the network connection monitoring system receives an indication of a completed circuit through the IO connector  42  of sensor element  32 . In an alternative embodiment, the locations of the conductive element  36  and the flexible contact  34  are reversed, that is, the conductive element  36  is on the sensor element  32  and the contact  34  is on the patch cord plug  22 .  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 5 illustrates the connection sensing assembly  30  including a patch cord plug  22  installed on a wiring block  10 . In FIG. 5, the patch cord plug  22  includes a conductive element  36  that is attached to the patch cord plug housing  46 . Alternatively, the patch cord plug  22  may have a metal or metalized housing wherein the housing itself serves as the conductive element. Where the conductive element  36  is embodied in the patch cord plug housing  46 , the sensor wire  38  is attached directly to the housing  46 .  
         [0025]    Although the sensor element  32  has been described as being insertable into the standard label holder  20  of wiring block  10 , it is to be understood that the label holder  20  may be located elsewhere in the assembly. Rather, reference has been made to the optional use of the label holder  20  for the convenience of the user. It is only necessary that the sensor element  32  be held in position on the wiring block  10  in proximity to the patch cord plug  22 . Furthermore, it is contemplated that more than one sensor element  32  may be used in practicing the invention. For instance, one sensor element  32  could be used for each row of terminal connections, that is, for each row of signal wire slots  16  on the wiring block  10 .  
         [0026]    In addition, the sensing assembly  30  has been described with reference to wiring blocks in a wiring closet. It is also to be understood the assembly  30  is not limited to use within wiring closets. Rather, the assembly  30  is intended for use with wiring blocks in any location.  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 6 illustrates in block diagram form a network  60  equipped with connection sensing assemblies at  64 . Outside data services and telecom services are represented at  62  and are accessible from the network  60  with internal distribution of data services represented at  76  and telecom services at  78 . Local data is generally indicated at  63  and can include a variety of resources to which other network devices (not shown) can be connected. The connections are made using a wiring block  72  with patch cord connectors  74  which are structurally similar to patch cord connector  22 , shown in FIG. 5. The network may also include one or more rack or data panels  73 , also equipped with a sensing assembly  64  to monitor connects and disconnects from the rack panels  73 . Sensor signals from connects and disconnects are routed to a network analyzer  66  that includes network monitoring software.  
         [0028]    In operation, the network monitoring system controls the indications and notices given and the actions taken in response to events that occur on the network. To provide monitoring capability for the connections made to the wiring blocks  72  or rack panels  73 , the sensing assembly  64  is installed on the wiring blocks  72  and rack panels  73  and each sensor element is connected to the network monitoring system via the sensor element IO connector (shown in FIG. 5). The monitoring system then monitors open circuit and closed circuit conditions that result when a patch cord plug conductive element, such as element  36  (shown in FIG. 5), makes or breaks contact with a flexible contact  34  (FIG. 5) on a sensor element  32  (shown in FIG. 4).  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 7 illustrates a wiring block  100  with different patch cord plug connectors  122  and  123  connected to the wiring block  100 . The wiring block  100  includes a sensing assembly with a sensor element  132  below label holder  120  and contacts  134 . Connector  122  is a four pair connector spanning four pairs of signal wires on the wiring block  100 . Connector  123  is a single pair connector spanning only one pair of signal wires on the wiring block  100 . Thus, the connectors are connected to different resources on the network. Connectors  122  and  123  each include conductive strips  136  and extra wires  138  such that their connections can be monitored.  
         [0030]    The actions taken in response to the connection activity is dependent upon the level of sophistication of the network monitoring system. For instance, the monitoring system may only report that a connection has been made or has been broken. At a higher level, and with an appropriately configured sensor element  132 , the monitoring system, by sensing the number of wire pairs on a patch plug connector  122  or  123 , can determine the type of connection being made, or that a connection has been changed from one type to another. Furthermore, the capability exists, again with an appropriate configuration, to allow the network manager to set up a connection scheme without advanced planning by merely plugging in a given type of connector and letting the monitoring system indicate what type of connection has been established.  
         [0031]    The embodiments thus described provide a network connection sensing assembly suitable for use in a wiring closet environment with network terminations made with standard wiring blocks. Connection sensing capability is thus provided in a centralized location and where the bulk of cabling changes are made. Further, the connection sensing assembly can be easily retrofitted to existing installations.  
         [0032]    While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.