SPACE-SAVING EQUIPMENT PANEL STATUS INDICATOR

Aspects of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a process for providing status indication, that includes receiving a control signal at a proximal end of an elongated flexible circuit assembly including a distal portion attached to and extending along at least a portion of an elongated, panel-facing edge of a planar circuit board. The process further includes directing the control signal around a bent portion of the elongated flexible circuit assembly and to a number of visual status indicators distributed along at least a distal end of the elongated flexible circuit assembly, wherein at least a portion of the number of visual status indicators is actuated, responsive to the control signal, to provide a visual indication of a status of equipment supported by the planar circuit board. Other embodiments are disclosed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 1.119 to Indian patent application Ser. No. 202311016582, filed on Mar. 16, 2023. All sections of the aforementioned application(s) and/or patent(s) are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The subject disclosure relates to a space-saving equipment panel status indicator.

BACKGROUND

Modern computing systems often include various network devices to facilitate network-based communications. For example, network devices such as switches and routers may be interconnected with each other and various networks to support such communications.

Individual network devices may include display panels to provide status information that may be monitored by a user. Frequently, these display panels are implemented with light emitting diodes (LEDs) configured to display the status of particular parameters of the device or the network system. For example, a first set of LEDs may be provided to indicate the operational status of various ports of the network device, and a second set of LEDs may be provided to indicate various configuration and/or system-related information. Frequently, such network devices are implemented in compact hardware enclosures having relatively small form factors that can facilitate convenient grouping of multiple devices, e.g., in equipment racks and/or cabinets of a data center.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The subject disclosure describes, among other things, illustrative embodiments of repeating, conductive patterns configured for coupling to a thermal source to transfer heat away from the thermal source according to a desired directionality. Repeating conductive patterns are thermally coupled to each other to combine the desired directionality of each of the patterns to obtain a distributed directionality transferring heat away from the thermal source to reduce any unwanted localized concentration of the heat. Other embodiments are described in the subject disclosure.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include an equipment panel indicator assembly. The equipment panel indicator assembly includes an elongated circuit board extending between a proximal end and a distal end, wherein the elongated circuit board includes and an electrical interface at the proximal end. The elongated circuit board further includes an outer surface having length and width dimensions, such that the length dimension that is substantially greater than the width dimension. The indicator assembly further includes a number of electrically actuated indicators arranged along the outer surface and distributed along at least a proximal portion of the length dimension. The indicator assembly further includes a number of conductive traces extending between the electrical interface and at least a portion of the number of electrically actuated indicators. The indicator assembly further includes a fastening enhancement feature, mechanism and/or device positioned along at least a portion of an inner surface of the elongated circuit board, wherein the fastening enhancement feature is configured for attachment to an edge of a planar structure, such as a printed circuit board.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include a process for providing status indication. The process includes receiving a control signal at a proximal end of an elongated flexible circuit assembly including a distal portion attached to and extending along at least a portion of an elongated, panel-facing edge of a planar circuit board. The process further includes directing the control signal around a bent portion of the elongated flexible circuit assembly and to a number of visual status indicators distributed along at least a distal end of the elongated flexible circuit assembly. At least a portion of the number of visual status indicators are actuated, responsive to the control signal, to provide a visual indication of a status of equipment supported by the planar circuit board.

One or more aspects of the subject disclosure include an electronic system, having a housing that includes an equipment panel observable by a human operator during operation. The electronic system further includes a primary circuit board including a number of circuit devices attached thereon, wherein the primary circuit board is disposed within the housing, having an elongated edge extending along an interior surface of the equipment panel. The electronic system further includes an elongated circuit assembly having an array of light emitting diodes extending along at least a distal portion of the elongated circuit assembly, wherein the elongated circuit assembly is attached to the primary circuit board, along the elongated edge, such that the elongated circuit assembly is located, positioned, secured, encapsulated and/or otherwise confined between the elongated edge and the interior surface of the equipment panel. The electronic system further includes a controller circuit configured to provide a status indicator control signal, wherein the controller circuit is in communication with the array of light emitting diodes via electrical traces of the elongated circuit assembly, the light emitting diodes actuated according to the status indicator control signal to provide a visual indication of a status of the number of circuit devices that is observable at the equipment panel.

Electronic devices, such as computing and/or networking devices may be configured with electronic circuitry. For example, a rectangular enclosure may include one or more printed circuit boards (PCBs) housing electronic circuits supporting functionality of the device. Such enclosures typically provide a relatively small front panel area where status indicators, e.g., LED display panels, may be located to facilitate convenient inspection of the status of various parameters indicated on the device. Quite often, enclosed functional circuits of these devices generate a substantial amount of heat driven by trends that incorporate greater processing power and operational speeds into the same small enclosures. In such instances, equipment enclosures typically incorporate one or more cooling features that facilitate management of thermal loads. Examples include ventilation panels that may be used alone or in combination with forced air cooling, e.g., a fan.

In many instances, one or more panels of an equipment enclosure incorporate openings, screens and/or vents to facilitate heat transfer. As panel space may be limited, that space dedicated to cooling features may be maximized. In at least some embodiments, virtually all available panel may be allocated to cooling features. It is understood that some panel space may be allocated to and/or otherwise reserved for non-cooling features, such as cable interconnections, e.g., network ports, operator controls and the like. Any remaining panel space would represent that are to be optimized and/or maximized for cooling. It may be further appreciated that, as networked computing systems increase in complexity, individual network devices may be required to display status information pertaining to increasing numbers of parameters, e.g., corresponding to increased numbers of ports or system information. The various examples provided herein provide features that present substantial numbers of status indicators along one or more panels of an equipment enclosure, while preserving panel space for other applications, such as interconnects, operator controls and/or cooling.

FIG.1Ais an elevation view illustrating an example of a front panel102of a compact equipment enclosure of an example of an electronic device100equipped with space-saving visual indicators in accordance with various aspects described herein. Without limitation, the electronic device100can include any combination of electronic circuitry and/or electromechanical devices, generally configured to implement one or more functionalities. The front panel102may be viewable by a human observer and, as such, present a suitable location for presenting observable information as may vary from time to time either directly or remotely, e.g., via a video monitor. By way of example, the front panel102may present visual and/or audible indications that provide configuration and/or status information of the electronic device100and/or one or more sub-assemblies and/or components of the electronic device100. For example, the electronic device100may be configured for a telecommunication application, such as a router, a switch, a gateway and the like. It is not uncommon for such devices to support multiple redundant functionalities, such as multiple router ports and/or switch ports and/or network interfaces. It is envisioned that in at least some embodiments, the status information may identify configuration and/or status of the individual ports and/or interfaces, e.g., signifying whether a port is active, idle, transmitting, receiving and/or experiencing an error state.

According to the illustrative example, the front panel102is rectangular, although other shapes and/or sizes are contemplated. The front panel102extends over a surface area ATotal, defined by the panel length L1and height H1, i.e., with the total area determined according to the product of the length and height, i.e., ATotal=L1×H1. The front panel102also includes an example status indicator arrangement108. The status indicator arrangement108may include one or more visual status indicators112. The individual status indicators may include visual status indicators, audible status indicators or any combination of visual and audible status indicators. By way of example and without limitation, visual status indicators112may include one or more of an incandescent bulb, fluorescent lamps, neon lamps, light emitting diodes (LEDs), display panels, e.g., configured to display an image and/or video, touch panels, an alphanumeric indicator, and/or any combination thereof. By way of further example, audio indicators may include one or more of a buzzer, a speaker, a piezoelectric transducer, a bell, and the like.

In at least some embodiments, the front panel102may include one or more reserved areas. Any reserved area generally indicates that the area is unavailable to accommodate status indicators. In at least some embodiments, an area may be reserved according to a particular function, e.g., accommodating a physical network interface connector or port and/or ventilation features. For example, according to the illustrative embodiment, an upper portion of the front panel102includes a first group of reserved areas104a,104b,104c, generally104, while a lower portion of the front panel102includes a second group of reserved areas106a,106b,106c, generally106. Accordingly, these reserved areas104,106would be unavailable to accommodate any of the status visual indicators112of the status indicator arrangement108.

By way of example, one or more of the reserved areas104,106may be unavailable because it is occupied by another device, such as an electrical connector and/or an electromechanical port that would preclude positioning of a visual status indicator112there. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more of the reserved areas104,106may be unavailable because it is occupied by a vent, e.g., a ventilation panel as may be used for intake and/or exhaust air flow. In at least some embodiments, one or more of the reserved areas104,106may be unavailable because it is occupied by a design element, such as a label and/or branding mark. According to the foregoing examples, unavailability is due to the existence of a structure that may be observable from an observer of the front panel102.

It is conceivable that in at least some embodiments, unavailability may be due to a condition occurring on an interior portion of the electronic device100, e.g., behind the front panel102. Such conditions may include, without limitation, a location of an electrical, mechanical and/or electromechanical assembly, device and/or component within an interior region of the electronic device100and proximate to an interior surface of the front panel102. The condition may arise from a mechanical interference, e.g., insufficient room to accommodate the visual status indicator112, and/or some other reason, such as a possibility of thermal interference and/or electrical interference, e.g., electromagnetic interference. It is understood that in such instances, the internal condition may not be visible by an observer of the front panel102but may nevertheless preclude positioning of a visual status indicator112there.

Each reserved area104,106representants a respective surface area Ai, defined by a reserved area length L2and height H2, i.e., the respective surface area Ai=L1i×H1i. A total reserved area AReservedmay be determined as a sum of the individual reserved areas Ai, i.e., AReserved=2; Ai. In at least some embodiments, a ratio of reserved area to available area may be determined as a value AReserved/ATotal. Likewise, an unreserved area may be determined as a difference between the total area and the reserved area, i.e., A Unreserved=ATotal−AReserved. It is understood in such arrangements that the visual status indicators112would necessarily be positioned within the unreserved area of the front panel.

In at least some embodiments, a ratio of the reserved to unreserved areas may be maximized. For example, a maximum reserved area may be determined to accommodate a largest number of interconnections and/or communication ports as possible for a given surface area of the front panel102. Alternatively, or in addition, the maximum reserved area may be determined to accommodate the largest number of cooling vents possible. Such a maximizations of reserved area may be determined according to the total surface area of the front panel102, less any portions thereof that may be excluded and/or otherwise unavailable to accommodate the communication ports and/or cooling vents.

In at least some embodiments, the front panel102may include one or more exclusion regions that may be unavailable for reservation according to the example reserved areas104,106. By way of example, such exclusion regions may include at least a portion of a peripheral region of the front panel102as may be occupied by structural supports, e.g., for attachment to top, bottom and/or side panels, and/or internal structures such as mounting frames and/or printed circuit boards. According to the illustrative example, the front panel102includes a bottom exclusion region110of a height h extending between a bottom perimeter of the front panel102and a bottom edge of the lower reserved areas106. Likewise, the example front panel102may include an upper exclusion region of the same or different height h extending between a top perimeter of the front panel102and an upper edge of the upper reserved areas104. Similarly, the example front panel102may include lateral exclusion regions, e.g., a left and/or right exclusion region having the same or different widths w extending between respective side perimeters of the front panel102and an adjacent side edges of the upper and lower reserved areas104,106.

According to the illustrative example, a central exclusion region114is provided along an elongated central region of the front panel102. The central exclusion region114occupies a height H4and extends for a length L1, representing a central exclusion region area AExclusion=H4×L1. The central exclusion region114may be unavailable for reservation due to the location of an adjacent edge of a printed circuit board (PCB), e.g., a main PCB or motherboard. In is understood that in at least some embodiments, one or more of any identified exclusion regions, e.g., the central exclusion region114, may be available to accommodate one or more of the visual status indicators112, despite being unavailable to accommodate a reserved area. Indeed, at least one strategy that supports maximizing reserved area(s)104,106, while also providing visual status indicators112, takes advantage of locating at least a portion of the status indicators within the exclusion regions.

By way of example, the electronic circuitry and/or electromechanical devices of the example electronic device100may be housed at least partially within a supporting structure. Examples supporting structures may include, without limitation, a chassis, an open frame, a partially enclosed frame, and/or an enclosure, e.g., a box. Referring next toFIG.1B, a front perspective view of an example of an equipment enclosure140of an example device in accordance with various aspects described herein. The equipment enclosure140has six panels, including a front panel142, a top panel144and a right-side panel146as shown. The front panel corresponds to the example front panel102of the electronic device100(FIG.1A) Other panels include a left panel, a rear panel and a bottom panel, none of which are visible in the example illustration.

In at least some embodiments, the equipment enclosure140may be configured for mounting within another support structure, such as a frame and/or a cabinet. Examples include, without limitation, standard 19-inch equipment racks adapted to secure one or more electronic devices in a stacked arrangement, e.g., a vertically stacked arrangement. It is common for equipment to accommodate such a standard form factor by incorporating a frame and/or enclosure configured to fit within and/or attach to such standard equipment racks. According to the illustrative example, the front panel142includes one or more mounting brackets, such as the example mounting flanges148a,148b, generally148. The flanges, in turn, may include one or more attachment and/or fastening enhancement features, mechanisms and/or devices, such as captive hardware, e.g., screws, slots and/or holes sized and positioned to accept mounting hardware, e.g., screws. When the equipment enclosure140is mounted within an equipment rack, one or more panels may be accessible, while other panels may be inaccessible. For example, a front and/or rear panel may be accessible for cable interconnects and/or human observation.

Although reference is made to a front panel, e.g., a front panel of a compact equipment enclosure, it is envisioned that the configurations and various techniques disclosed herein may be applied to other panels of an enclosure, such as a rear panel, a top panel, and so on. It is further understood that the various configurations and techniques disclosed herein may be applied to one panel, or to a combination of more than one panel, e.g., a front and rear panel.

Referring next toFIG.1C, a section view is provided illustrating a front portion150of the example of the electronic device100(FIG.1A) accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular, the section view is taken along line A-A′ ofFIG.1A. According to the illustrative example, a top, bottom and side panels of an equipment enclosure140are attached to a peripheral region of the front panel102as illustrated in part by the side panel154and the upper and lower panels156a,156bof the equipment enclosure140(FIG.1B). An interior region of the equipment enclosure140includes a main PCB162, shown in partial cross section. The main PCB162is planar and arranged along a mid-portion of the equipment enclosure140, e.g., extending from approximately an interior surface153of the front panel102towards a rear panel, not shown.

The illustrative embodiment also includes at least one upper chassis module158extending from a top surface of the main PCB162to approximately an interior surface of the upper panel156a. Likewise, the illustrative embodiment includes a lower chassis module160extending from a bottom surface of the main PCB162to approximately an interior surface of the bottom panel156a. In at least some embodiments, the upper and/or lower chassis modules158,160are attached to respective abutting surfaces of the main PCB162, e.g., being mounted thereon according to a mechanical and/or electrical fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanism may include one or more of a mechanical fastener, such as a rivet, a screw, an interference fit, a pin-socket arrangement, a solder joint, a weld, a chemical fastener, e.g., an adhesive, such as a glue and/or an epoxy, and the like.

According to the illustrative embodiment, the upper and lower chassis modules158,160extend to and/or at least partially through an adjacent region of the front panel102. The example chassis modules158,160may include, without limitation an electrical connector, a communication port, a heatsink and/or a vent. Accordingly, an upper reserved area104aaccommodates a corresponding portion of the upper chassis module158, while a lower reserved area104baccommodates a corresponding portion of the lower chassis module160.

The main PCB162defines a leading edge163arranged adjacent to a central region of the interior surface153of the front panel102. The leading edge163may be substantially close, e.g., in near intimate contact the interior surface153of the front panel102, but allowing for a relatively small gap g. It is understood that the gap g may be somewhat exaggerated in size for illustrative purposes. Nevertheless, the gap g may be sufficient to accommodate at least a portion of a status indicator assembly164, also shown in cross section. In at least some embodiments, the status indicator assembly164includes a status indicator abutting and/or extending at least partially into the interior surface153of the front panel102. The status indicator assembly164may be in communication with a status indication controller166, which may be located within the equipment enclosure140, e.g., on the main PCB162. The status indication controller166may provide one or more control signals adapted to selectively actuate one or more of the visual status indicators112(FIG.1A). Alternatively, or in addition, the front panel102may include a transmission device168, such as an acoustic and/or optical waveguide, configured to direct a status indication expressed by a status indicator170of the status indicator assembly164towards an exterior surface of the front panel102, such that expression of the status indication may be perceptible by a human observer.

FIG.2Ais a perspective view illustrating a panel-facing surface of an example of a flexible status indicator assembly200in accordance with various aspects described herein. The flexible status indicator assembly200includes a substrate202having an elongated, substantially narrow and thin configuration. The substrate202may extend for a length that is many times its width, e.g., having a length that is up to 10, 20, 30, 50 or even 100 or more times its width. Similarly, the substrate may have a thickness that is substantially less than its width, e.g., having a thickness that is up to 10, 20, 30, 50 or even up to 100 or more times thinner than its width. In at least some embodiments, the substrate202is flexible. For example, the substrate202may be pliable, conformable, bendable and/or foldable. In at least some embodiments the substrate202is bendable to a minimum dimension, e.g., a minimum bend radius rmin. In at least some embodiments, the minimum dimension may be determined according to a material and/or construction of the substrate202and/or according to a configuration of the substrate, e.g., having one or more different layers and/or according to circuitry supported by the substrate, e.g., conductive etches that may reside on one or more layers. Bends to radii greater than rminmay be accomplished without concern, whereas bends less than rminmay result in operational impacts and/or device damage, e.g., breakage. Alternatively, or in addition, the substrate202may be rigid, or substantially rigid, e.g., having a contour adapted to extend around an edge portion of a main PCB162(FIG.1C). In at least some embodiments, the substrate202may be configured with different segments having different mechanical properties along its length, such as a first segment that is substantially rigid and a second segment that is flexible, pliable, bendable, foldable and/or otherwise conformable.

In more detail, the example flexible status indicator assembly200includes an array of status indicator elements204. The status indicator elements204may include, without limitation, any combination of the various examples provided herein. The flexible status indicator assembly200further includes a terminal end, e.g., having one or more electrical contacts. In at least some embodiments, the contacts are provided in the form of a connector203. The flexible status indicator assembly200further includes an electrical circuit208. In at least some embodiments, the electrical circuit208includes one or more electrical circuits, electrical leads and/or conductive traces extending between at least one of the status indicator elements and the connector203.

In some embodiments, the electrical circuit208includes at least one conductive trace for each status indicator element204. However, as the number of status indicator elements204mounted on a single substrate202may be significant, e.g., 10, 20, 30, 50 or 100 or more, the electrical circuit208may be arranged to provide independent control of each status indicator element204in an efficient manner by using fewer conductive traces than number of status indicator elements204. A ratio of status indicator elements204to conductive traces of such efficient designs may be substantial, e.g., 2:1, 4:1, 10:1 or more.

In at least some embodiments, the status indicator elements204of a common substrate202may be arranged according to multiple status indicator arrays and/or groups206. In at least some embodiments, the status indicator groups may be arranged along the length of the flexible status indicator assembly200according to a spatial multiplexing scheme. For example, a location of a status indicator group206may correspond with a proximal device, e.g., an adjacent electrical connector and/or telecommunications port.

FIG.2Bis a section view of the example of a flexible status indicator assembly220illustrated inFIG.2Ain accordance with various aspects described herein. The sectional view is taken along line B-B′ (FIG.2A) and includes a cross section of a portion of the flexible status indicator assembly220. The flexible status indicator assembly220includes a flexible substrate221that may include one or more distinguishable layers. According to the illustrative example, the flexible substrate221includes four layers222a,222b,222c,222d, generally222. In at least some embodiments, at least some of the layers include conductive traces of the electrical circuit208(FIG.2A). An example status indicator element224is also shown in cross section, mounted to an outer surface of the flexible substrate221. It is understood that the status indicator element may include one or more electrical interconnections to conductive traces of one or more of the layers222.

The example flexible status indicator assembly220is positioned in alignment with a front facing edge of a main PCB228. In at least some embodiments, a substrate width w (FIG.2A) of the substrate202may be equal to, slightly larger and/or slightly narrower than a thickness T of the main PCB228. For example, the width w may be less than about 5T, or less than about 3T, or less than about 2T, or approximately T. To the extent a portion of the front panel is excluded from designation as a reserved space, e.g., along a front edge of the main PCB228, at least a portion of that excluded region may be utilized by the flexible status indicator assembly220.

In at least some embodiments, the flexible status indicator assembly220includes a fastening mechanism225adapted to secure at least a portion of the flexible status indicator assembly200with respect to one or more of the equipment enclosures140(FIG.1C), the front panel102and/or a forward edge223of the main PCB228. The fastening mechanism225may include, without limitation, one or more of a mechanical fastener, a magnetic fastener, a chemical fastener and/or a weld. Examples of mechanical fastener include, without limitation, a pin, a rivet, a screw, a staple, a tack, an interference connector, and the like. Examples of chemical fasteners include, without limitation, an adhesive, a glue, an epoxy, and the like. In at least some embodiments, operation of the fastening mechanism225is reversable. Namely, the flexible status indicator assembly220may be attached, separated and reattached, e.g., to facilitate service and/or repair and replace activities.

FIG.2Cis an exploded plan view of a front corner portion of an electronic device240in accordance with various aspects described herein. The illustrated portion of the electronic device240includes a flexible status indicator assembly242and a portion of a main PCB248. In particular, the exploded view includes a top edge of the flexible status indicator assembly242in proximity to the portion of a main PCB248. According to the illustrative embodiment, the flexible status indicator assembly242includes an elongated structure having a panel segment243aat one end and a side segment243bat another end, with both segments243a,243bjoined by a contoured segment243c. In this embodiment, the contoured segment includes a radius that confirms to a radial edge249cof the main PCB248. Although a radial edge249cis illustrated, it is understood that other shapes may be utilized, such as arcs, e.g., parabolic arcs, or more generally, any curvilinear shape, and/or linear shape, and/or combination of curvilinear and linear shapes.

In at least some embodiments, a shape of the corner of the main PCB249may be determined according to a shape of the flexible status indicator assembly242, e.g., according to a minimum bend radius rminof the flexible status indicator assembly242. Accordingly, the radial edge249cmay have a radius equal to and/or slightly larger than the minimum bend radius. The illustrated portion of the main PCB248also includes a panel facing edge249aand a side facing edge249bjoined by the radial edge249c. It is understood that a size, shape and/or contour of the corner of the main PCB248may impose restrictions upon placement of electrical, mechanical and/or electromechanical components thereon. For example, a radius of the radial edge249cmay impose a restriction as to how much surface area of the front panel102(FIG.1A) may be available for reservation. It is appreciated that any such restrictions are undesirable, such that shapes, radii and/or contours may be selected to optimize utilization of panel space.

FIG.3is a more detailed elevation view illustrating an example of a front panel300of another example electronic device in accordance with various aspects described herein. At least some electronic devices, such as telecom products, include multiple communication ports along with an arrangement of visual indicators, e.g., LEDs, associated with the ports. For example, at least one LED indicator may be associated with each port. The front panel300includes a first group of ports302that includes a quantity of eighty small-form-factor, 112 giga-bit-per-second (SFP112) ports304, each capable of dissipating about 4 Watts. The front panel300includes a first group of ports302that includes a quantity of eight quad-small-form-factor, double-density (QSFPDD) ports309, each capable of dissipating about 28 Watts.

The first group of ports302are arranged in four horizontal rows, with each row containing twenty ports. According to the example configuration, the first group of ports302can be considered as twenty, vertical, four-port stacks306distributed along a horizontal axis of the front panel300. Other areas of the front panel300in and around the first group of ports, includes openings or vents320athat may be used to allow cooling air to enter and/or exit the electronic device through the front panel300. The QSFPDD ports309are arranged in two groups of four. A lefthand group of ports310ais located between a left end of the first group of ports302and a left side of the front panel300. Similarly, a righthand group of ports310bis located between a right end of the first group of ports302and a right side of the front panel300. Other areas of the front panel300in and around the first group of ports302, include a first area openings or vents320athat may be used to allow cooling air to enter and/or exit the electronic device through the front panel300. Similarly, still other areas of the front panel300in and around the second groups of ports310a.310b, may include second areas with openings or vents320bthat, once again, may be used to allow cooling air to enter and/or exit the electronic device through the front panel300.

Many times, a form factor of a product imposes constraints on a number of network ports that may be accommodated. In this instance, optical ports may be accommodated via the front panel300. A high number of ports, such as the example having eighty-eight ports, would necessarily occupy a substantial area of the front panel300. As these optical ports may include internal electronic devices, such as high-speed transceivers, they may consume a significant amount of power, consequently dissipating a substantial amount of heat in a relatively small, confined region. It may be appreciated that it may be important to control operational temperatures in such applications. It is understood that in at least some embodiments, the number and/or size of openings, e.g., vents, on the front panel300may be maximized to provide a greatest area possible area for heat dissipation and/or cooling air transfer.FIG.3also includes a drawing inset311that provides an enlarged view of a central region313of a portion of the front panel300. The central region313includes an arrangement of visual indicators in the form of a linear group of status indicators312including eighty LEDs316. Each LED316provides status and configuration information of a respective port of the example telecom device. The LEDs316may be arranged in groups314. Each group314includes four LEDs316associated with four adjacent SFP112 ports304, e.g., first and second LEDs316of the group314being associated with a top pair of the SFP112 ports304while third and fourth LEDs316of the group314are associated with a bottom pair of the SFP112 ports304. A size of the group314may be determined according to a dimension of an associated port, e.g., a width of the SFP112 port304. Such group confinement restrictions may be used to spatially multiplex the LEDs316, to facilitate an association between the LEDs316and associated SFP112 ports304to a human observer.

In consideration of the respective areas of the front panel300being maximized for numbers of ports304,309and vents320a,320b, any remaining locations on the front panel300for accommodation of the status indicators312is limited. In such scenarios, it is not feasible to have traditional way of accommodating LEDs on faceplate. The central region313extends along a front edge of an interior main PCB (not shown). Accordingly, the central region313would be unavailable to accommodate any ports304,309and offering no apparent benefit for additional cooling vents, as the interior of the central region313is substantially blocked by an edge of the main PCB. Such a space may referred to as an exclusionary space, at least in that it is excluded from consideration of accommodating ports and/or cooling. Beneficially, however, the techniques disclosed herein provide a specially configured and/or operated status indicator assembly adapted for installation and/or operation on such exclusionary spaces.

FIG.4Ais an elevation view illustrating a more detailed view of an example of a faceplate or front panel400of the example electronic device illustrated inFIG.3, equipped with space-saving visual indicators in accordance with various aspects described herein. The front panel400includes twenty quad port stacks406, each quad port stack including four SFP112 ports404a,404b, generally404arranged in vertical alignment.FIG.4Aalso includes a drawing inset405that illustrates an example quad port stack406in more detail. The quad port stack406includes an upper quad port pair406aand a lower port pair406b, with all four ports404arranged in vertical alignment. Also show are ventilation features of the front panel400. Namely, a first vent420provides cooling air access in regions of the front panel400that include an are above the upper quad port pair406aand below the lower quad port pair406b. In at least some embodiments, a second vent421provides cooling air access in regions of the front panel400located between stacked ports404of the upper quad port pair406aand/or between stacked ports404of the lower quad port pair406b.

It may be appreciated that areas of the front panel400including ventilation features, e.g., louvers, vents, screens and/or air filters, may not include status indicators, as such indicators would occupy areas of the front panel400dedicated to cooling. In such high-density and/or high-power applications, cooling areas are preferably maximized. It is observed that the illustrative front panel400includes a central region413located between the upper and lower quad port pairs406a,406b, generally406. The central region413may be narrow and is not allocated to either of the vents420,421. As such, the central region413presents an opportunity for hosting status indicators. According to the example embodiment, the central region413is configured to accommodate an arrangement of status indicators associated with the quad port pairs406.

FIG.4Bprovides a perspective view illustrating an interior portion of a telecom device450utilizing the front panel400illustrated inFIG.4Awith the front panel400removed in accordance with various aspects described herein. The telecom device450includes a central PCB452. The central PCB452is horizontally located in a middle region of the telecom device450and supports a first array of twenty upper transceiver pairs454a, stacked in pairs and mounted to an upper surface along a front edge of the central PCB452. The transceiver pairs454a,454b, generally454are associated with the SFP112 ports304(FIG.3). The central PCB452also supports a second array of twenty lower transceiver pairs454b, stacked in pairs and mounted to a lower surface along the front edge of the central PCB452. The upper and lower transceiver pairs454a,454bare vertically aligned to form twenty quad transceiver stacks, with the upper and lower mounting arrangement sometimes referred to as a “belly-to-belly” configuration. High-power transceivers associated with the QSFPDD ports309(FIG.3) are similarly stacked in vertical, belly-to-belly configurations, with a first high-power transceiver group456alocated along a left end of the front edge of the central PCB452and a second high-power transceiver group456blocated along a right end of the front edge of the central PCB452.

FIG.4Balso includes a drawing inset460that illustrates a first group of outer heatsinks462alocated along an upper surface of the upper transceiver pair406aand a second group of outer heatsinks462blocated along a lower surface of the lower transceiver pair406b. Similarly, a first group of inner heatsinks464alocated in between transceivers of the upper transceiver pair406aand a second group of inner heatsinks464blocated in between transceivers of the lower transceiver pair406b. It may be appreciated that there may be insufficient space to accommodate status indicators and/or light-pipes used in combination with internal LED indicators either above the upper transceiver pair406a, below the lower transceiver pair406b, because these areas are occupied by the outer heatsinks462a,462b. Likewise, there insufficient space to accommodate status indicators and/or light-pipes used in combination with internal LED indicators in between either of above the upper transceiver pair406aor the lower transceiver pair406b, because these areas are occupied by the inner heatsinks464a,464b. What space remains available in proximity to the quad port pairs406is the narrow space463located in between the upper transceiver pair406aand the lower transceiver pair406b. This space aligns substantially with the front edge of the central PCB452. Accordingly, space availability within an interior region of the telecom device450is limited.

FIG.5is a more detailed, exploded perspective view illustrating an interior portion of an example telecom device500, according to the devices100,140,150,200,20,240,300,400,450illustrated inFIGS.1A-1C,FIGS.2A-2C,FIG.3andFIGS.4A-4Bin accordance with various aspects described herein. The telecom device500includes a main PCB502having an arrangement of network transceivers504attached to the main PCB502and aligned along a front edge of the main PCB502. The telecom device500includes a first status indicator assembly506aproviding indications of status and/or configuration information of an associated first subset of the arrangement of transceivers504. Likewise, the telecom device500includes a second status indicator assembly506bproviding indications of status and/or configuration information of an associated second subset of the arrangement of network transceivers504. According to the example illustration, the first status indicator assembly506ais associated with a lefthand portion of the arrangement of network transceivers504, while the second status indicator assembly506bis associated with a righthand portion of the arrangement of network transceivers504. A first drawing inset510illustrates in more detail, a segment of the first status indicator assembly506aincluding a flexible printed circuit512and a group of LED indicators514. A second drawing inset530illustrates in more detail, a proximal portion531of the first sticker LED PCBA506aa first terminal end516aof the first status indicator assembly506a. A second terminal end516bof the second status indicator assembly506bmay be configured in a similar manner. Each of the first and second terminal ends516a,516bis positionable and interconnectable to a corresponding electrical connector518a,518b. The electrical connectors518a,518b, generally518, in turn, are in communication with a status indication controller520.

In at least some embodiments, the status indicator assembly506a,506b, generally506, includes an adhesive backed PCB512, e.g., a sticker LED PCBA (Printed Circuit Board Assembly)512. The sticker PCBA512may adhere to and/or be otherwise stuck across a front edge of the main PCB502thickness using a suitable adhesive. In some embodiments, a single sticker PCBA512may accommodate all eighty LEDs514. Alternatively, or in addition, multiple sticker PCBAs512may be utilized, with each sticker PCBA accommodating a subset of the total number of LEDs514. For example, a first sticker LED PCBA506amay be configured with forty LEDs514, while a second sticker LED PCBA506bmay be configured with another forty LEDs514to collectively cover all eighty SFP112 port LEDs514. According to the illustrative example, the first sticker PCBA506ais associated with forty ports of a left half of the arrangement of transceivers504, while the second sticker PCBA506bis associated with forty ports of a right half of the arrangement of transceivers504. In at least some embodiments, the first and second sticker PCBAs506a,506bhave a common configuration. Accordingly, duplicates of the same PCBA506may be used for each of the left half and the right half of the arrangement of transceivers504, e.g., by assembling the status indication system according to a mirrored configuration. Since this sticker PCBA506ais mounted across a thickness of the PCB502, it does not obstruct air flow. Each of the example sticker PCBAs506terminate to a controller module, e.g., to the status indication controller520, e.g., located on the main PCB502via respective connectors516a,516b, generally516. For flexible PCB applications, it is envisioned that the connectors may include flex-type connectors to simplify design, construction and/or costs.

FIG.6Aprovides an elevation view illustrating a front panel602of another example electronic device600equipped with space-saving visual indicators in accordance with various aspects described herein. The electronic device600includes an equipment enclosure or housing654(FIG.6B) that includes an exposed panel602that may be positioned for observance by a human observer. The exposed panel602includes an arrangement of status indicators608including a number of individual status indicators612configured to provide configuration and/or status information to a human observer. The exposed panel602further includes a group of reserved areas604a,604b,604c, generally604, which may be designated as reserved because they are unavailable to accommodate the arrangement of status indicators608. One or more of the reserved areas604may be unavailable because it is occupied by another device, such as an electrical connector and/or an electromechanical port that would preclude positioning of a status indicator612there. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more of the reserved areas604may be unavailable because it is occupied by a vent, or ventilation panel as may be used for intake and/or exhaust cooling air flow. In at least some embodiments, one or more of the reserved areas604may be unavailable because it is occupied by a design element, such as a label and/or branding mark. According to the foregoing examples, unavailability is due to the existence of a structure that may be observable from an observer of the front panel602.

It is conceivable that in at least some embodiments, unavailability may be duc to a condition occurring on an interior portion of the device600, e.g., behind the front panel602. Such conditions may include, without limitation, a location of an electrical, mechanical and/or electromechanical assembly, device and/or component within an interior region of the device600and proximate to an interior surface of the front panel602. The condition may arise from a mechanical interference, e.g., insufficient room to accommodate the status indicator612, and/or some other reason, such as a possibility of thermal interference and/or electrical interference, e.g., electromagnetic interference. It is understood that in such instances, the internal condition may not be visible by an observer of the front panel602but may nevertheless preclude positioning of a status indicator612there.

In at least some embodiments, the front panel602may include one or more exclusion regions that may be unavailable for reservation according to the example reserved areas6046. It is understood that in at least some embodiments, a panel surface area may include one or more reserved areas and one or more unreserved areas, in which unreserved areas are so designated by their unavailability for serving as reserved arcas. By way of example, such exclusion regions may include at least a portion of a peripheral region of the front panel602as may be occupied by structural supports, e.g., for attachment to top, bottom and/or side panels, and/or internal structures such as mounting frames and/or printed circuit boards. The example front panel602includes a lower exclusion region610extending between a bottom perimeter of the front panel602and a bottom edge of the lower reserved areas604. The lower exclusion region610may be unavailable for reservation due to the location of an adjacent edge of a PCB, e.g., a main PCB or motherboard. In is understood that in at least some embodiments, one or more of any identified exclusion regions, e.g., the lower exclusion region610, may be available to accommodate one or more of the status indicators612, despite being unavailable to accommodate a reserved area604. Indeed, at least one strategy that supports maximizing reserved area(s)604, while also providing status indicators612, takes advantage of locating at least a portion of the status indicators within the exclusion regions.

Referring next toFIG.6B, a section view is provided illustrating a front portion650of the example electronic device600illustrated inFIG.6Ain accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular, the section view is taken along line C-C′ ofFIG.6A. An equipment chassis654is attached to a peripheral region of the front panel602as illustrated in part by upper and lower surfaces656a,656bof the equipment chassis654. The electronic device600includes a main PCB662, shown in partial cross section. The main PCB662is planar and arranged along a lower portion of the equipment chassis654, e.g., extending from approximately an interior surface653of the front panel602towards a rear panel, not shown.

The illustrative embodiment includes a chassis module658extending from a top surface of the main PCB662to approximately an interior surface of the upper panel656a. In at least some embodiments, the chassis module658is attached to a respective abutting surface of the main PCB662, e.g., being mounted thereon according to a mechanical and/or electrical fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanism may include one or more of a mechanical fastener, such as a rivet, a screw, an interference fit, a pin-socket arrangement, a solder joint, a weld, a chemical fastener, e.g., an adhesive, such as a glue and/or an epoxy, and the like.

According to the illustrative embodiment, the chassis module658extends to and/or at least partially through an adjacent region of the front panel602. Example chassis modules658include, without limitation, an electrical connector, a communication port, a heatsink and/or a vent. Accordingly, a reserved area604aaccommodates a corresponding portion of the chassis module658.

The main PCB662defines a leading edge663arranged adjacent to a lower region of the interior surface653of the front panel602. The leading edge663may be substantially close, e.g., in near intimate contact the interior surface653of the front panel602but allowing for a relatively small gap. It is understood that the gap may be somewhat exaggerated in size for illustrative purposes. Nevertheless, the gap may be sufficient to accommodate at least a portion of a status indicator assembly664, also shown in cross section. In at least some embodiments, the status indicator assembly664includes a status indicator abutting and/or extending at least partially into the interior surface653of the front panel602. The status indicator assembly664may be in communication with a status indicator controller (not shown), which may be located within the equipment chassis654, e.g., on the main PCB662. The status indicator controller may provide one or more control signals adapted to selectively actuate one or more of the status indicators670. Alternatively, or in addition, the front panel602may include a transmission device668, such as an acoustic and/or optical waveguide, configured to direct a status indication expressed by a status indicator670of the status indicator assembly664towards an exterior surface of the front panel602, such that expression of the status indication may be perceptible by a human observer.

FIG.7Ais an elevation view illustrating a front panel of yet another example electronic device700equipped with space-saving visual indicators in accordance with various aspects described herein. The electronic device700includes a housing754(FIG.7B) that includes an exposed panel702that may be positioned for observance by a human observer. The exposed panel702includes an arrangement of status indicators708including a number of individual status indicators712configured to provide configuration and/or status information to a human observer. The exposed panel702further includes a reserved area704, which may be designated as reserved because it is unavailable to accommodate the arrangement of status indicators708. One or more of the reserved areas704may be unavailable because it is occupied by a vent, or ventilation panel753(FIG.7B) as may be used for intake and/or exhaust cooling air flow. According to the foregoing examples, unavailability may be due to the existence of a structure that may be observable from an observer of the front panel702.

In at least some embodiments, the front panel702may include one or more exclusion regions that may be unavailable for reservation according to the example reserved areas704. By way of example, such exclusion regions may include at least a portion of a peripheral region of the front panel702as may be occupied by structural supports, e.g., for attachment to top, bottom and/or side panels, and/or internal structures such as mounting frames and/or printed circuit boards. The example front panel702includes a lower exclusion region710extending between a bottom perimeter of the front panel702and a bottom edge of the lower reserved area704. The lower exclusion region710may be unavailable for reservation due to the location of an adjacent edge of a PCB, e.g., a main PCB or motherboard. In is understood that in at least some embodiments, one or more of any identified exclusion regions, e.g., the lower exclusion region710, may be available to accommodate one or more of the status indicators712, despite being unavailable to accommodate the reserved area704. Indeed, at least one strategy that supports maximizing reserved area704, while also providing status indicators712, takes advantage of locating at least a portion of the status indicators within the exclusion regions.

Referring next toFIG.7B, a section view is provided illustrating a front portion750of the example electronic device illustrated inFIG.7Ain accordance with various aspects described herein. In particular, the section view is taken along line D-D′ ofFIG.7A. An equipment chassis754is attached to a peripheral region of the front panel702as illustrated in part by upper and lower surfaces756a,756bof the equipment chassis754. The electronic device700includes a main PCB762, shown in partial cross section. The main PCB762is planar and arranged along a lower portion of the equipment chassis754, e.g., extending from approximately an interior surface753of the front panel702towards a rear panel, not shown.

The illustrative embodiment includes a chassis module768attached to a top surface of the main PCB762. In at least some embodiments, the chassis module758is attached to a respective abutting surface of the main PCB762, e.g., being mounted thereon according to a mechanical and/or electrical fastening mechanism. The fastening mechanism may include one or more of a mechanical fastener, such as a rivet, a screw, an interference fit, a pin-socket arrangement, a solder joint, a weld, a chemical fastener, e.g., an adhesive, such as a glue and/or an epoxy, and the like.

According to the illustrative embodiment, the reserved area704includes a cooling vent753. The device700also includes a cooling fan772adapted to move cooling air through the cooling vent753. The cooling air may be adapted to provide thermal management for the device700, e.g., for the chassis module758.

The main PCB762defines a leading edge763arranged adjacent to a lower region of the interior surface753of the front panel702. The leading edge763may be substantially close, e.g., in near intimate contact the interior surface753of the front panel702but allowing for a relatively small gap. It is understood that the gap may be somewhat exaggerated in size for illustrative purposes. Nevertheless, the gap may be sufficient to accommodate at least a portion of a status indicator assembly764, also shown in cross section. In at least some embodiments, the status indicator assembly764includes a status indicator abutting and/or extending at least partially into the interior surface753of the front panel702. The status indicator assembly764may be in communication with a status indicator controller (not shown), which may be located within the equipment chassis754, e.g., on the main PCB762. The status indicator controller may provide one or more control signals adapted to selectively actuate one or more of the status indicators770. Alternatively, or in addition, the front panel602may include a transmission device768, such as an acoustic and/or optical waveguide, configured to direct a status indication expressed by a status indicator770of the status indicator assembly764towards an exterior surface of the front panel702, such that expression of the status indication may be perceptible by a human observer.

According to a space-saving configuration, an area allocated to any of the example status indicator assemblies is very limited. It is understood that in at least some embodiments, the status indicator assemblies include at least one electrical trace and/or circuit formed on and/or within a substrate material. Substrate materials may include any suitable substrate to support printed circuits, such as rigid materials, bendable materials, formable materials, flexible materials and/or foldable materials. In at least some embodiments, the substrate material may include substantially insulative properties so as not to interfere with operation of any electrical signals carried by the electrical circuits and/or traces. Alternatively, or in addition, in at least some embodiments, dimensions, e.g., thickness and/or material properties, e.g., dielectric constant, electrical conductivity, resistivity, permittivity, magnetic permeability, thermal conductance, and the like may be selected according to a design process for the status indicator assembly.

For example, space on an example sticker LED PCBA506(FIG.5) to carry signals may be limited by the thickness of the main PCB502(FIG.5), vertical spacing between a port and a surface of the main PCB502, and so on. In one illustrative example, the LEDs514are tri-color LEDs, e.g., having separately controllable red, green and blue LED components. Continuing with the illustrative example, forty tri-color type LEDs would require at least 120 signals, one for each color dimension of each LED of the forty LEDs. In all likelihood, a power plane and/or a ground plane or signal return may also be required. Considering that each LED color dimension typically consumes about 10 Milliamperes (mA) when activated, a supporting status indicator circuit of one of the example sticker LED PCBAs506would be required to carry and/or otherwise supply a maximum current of about 1.2 Amps (A). Thus, a conventional approach would require 120 signals, e.g.,120signal traces, and a power plane configured to supply up to 1.2A of current.

It should be appreciated that a form factor of a flexible PCBA, such as the example sticker LED PCBA506, may not be well suited for such high densities of control signals and/or operating currents. The illustrative embodiments disclose devices, processes and control software configured to reduce the number of signals and/or circuits and/or conductive PCB traces without compromising functionality. Namely, the same number of status indicators, e.g., LEDs, may be controlled to provide indications of status and/or configurations of each of the ports.

FIG.8provides a schematic diagram of an example status indicator system800incorporating the example status indicator assembly ofFIGS.2A-2Cin accordance with various aspects described herein. The status indicator system800includes a respective status indicator, e.g., an LED804, for each of a number of ports, e.g., forty ports, referred to as Port_01, Port_02, . . . . Port_40. According to the illustrative example, each port includes a tri-colored LED804. At least some of the example tri-colored LEDs804include a red LED806a, a green LED806band a blue LED808c. The LEDs806a,806b,806c, generally806, may be actuated independently to form a particular color of a range of colors. Actuation may include forward biasing a selected combination of the LEDs806with an operational voltage, e.g., VCC, having sufficient value to turn the selected combination of LEDs806on thereby providing illumination according to a specific color mix. By way of example, independent actuation of each of the independent red, green, blue LEDs806provides the corresponding red, green or blue color. However, actuation of a combination, such as the red and green LEDs806a,80bmay produce a color mix yielding the color yellow. Similarly, actuation of all three colors, red, green and blue may produce a color mix yielding the color white. Other color combinations are possible.

The example status indicator system800further includes a status indication controller810that may be configured to provide selective actuation of the LEDs of each port according to a predetermined status and/or configuration of that port. For example, and without limitation, the color white may indicate the corresponding port is configured for operation in an idle state, the color green may indicate transmit mode operation, yellow may indicate receive mode operation, and red may indicate an error status or failure.

The status indication controller810may be in communication with electrical conductors811of a cable harness and/or traces of a PCB, such as the example flexible PCBs disclosed herein. In at least some embodiments, one or more interconnections may be provided between the status indication controller810and the electrical conductors811. The example status indicator system800includes a single, multi-contact connector812connecting inputs and/or outputs of the status indication controller810to respective ones of the electrical conductors811. At least one operational voltage, e.g., VCC, may be provided by a power supply815. It is understood that application of a positive voltage VCC to an anode terminal of any one of the LEDs806, will turn the respective LED on when a circuit is completed through the LED806.

The LEDs804are arranged according to multiple groups of ports. According to the illustrative example, a first group of ports808aincludes four ports, namely, Port_01, Port_02, Port_03, Port_04802a,802b,802d,802c, generally802. The remainder of the forty ports may be arranged in groups in a like manner, resulting in a first group808a, second group, and so forth, through a tenth group808b. Each tri-colored LED804of the group may be in communication with a respective one of four actuation circuits, e.g., four VCC circuits816a,816b,816c,816d, generally816. Each group808may be configured in a like manner, such that an application of any one of the VCC circuits816, e.g., a first VCC circuit816a, applies a first voltage VCC to the first tri-colored LED804of each of the ten groups of ports808athrough808b, generally808. It is understood that in at least some embodiments only one of the VCC circuits816may be active at any given time.

In at least some embodiments, the controller provides additional control signals to each of the groups of ports808. For example, a first red control signal814ais in communication with a cathode of each of the red LEDs806aof each of the four tri-color LEDs804of the first group of ports808a. Similarly, a first green control signal814bis in communication with a cathode terminal of each of the green LEDs806bof the four tri-color LEDs804of the first group of ports808a, and a first blue control signal814cis in communication with a cathode terminal of each of the blue LEDs806cof the four tri-color LEDs804of the first group of ports808a. Accordingly, actuation of one of the VCC circuits816selects one of the tri-color LEDs804associated with one of the ports of each of the multiple groups, e.g., ten tri-color LEDs804in a simultaneous manner. A particular color, or lack thereof may be controlled for the selected tri-color LED804according to control signals applied by the status indication controller810via the red, green and blue control signals814a,814b,814c. In at least some embodiments, each of the different groups receives a respective combination of red, green and blue control signals for that group.

According to the illustrative embodiment, the status indicator system800divides a set of port LEDs, e.g., ports 1-40, into groups of four ports, with each LED of the four port LEDs sharing a common control signal lead to the status indication controller810. The power signals, e.g., VCC_1 through VCC_4 may be driven by field effect transistors (FETs)820. For example, the status indication controller810may provide a switching signal to one or more of the FETs820, to turn the FETs820on selectively. When any of the FETs820are switched on, the power supply voltage, e.g., VCC, is applied to an interconnected power circuit816. It is envisioned that in at least some embodiments, the FETs820may be driven in a repetitive manner, or frame as described further below.

FIG.9illustrates a timing diagram900of example control signals of the example status indicator circuit800ofFIG.8in accordance with various aspects described herein. A time axis T marks a reference time T0and measures out subsequent time intervals according to frames. The frames, referred to as port frames906, are arranged sequentially along the timeline and numbered accordingly, with a first port frame906aoccupying a time interval T0≤t≤T1, a second port frame906boccupies a time interval T1≤t≤T2, a third port frame906coccupies a time interval T2≤t≤T3and a fourth port frame906coccupies a time interval T3≤t≤T4. According to a time division multiplexing scheme, each port frame is associated with a respective one of the power circuits816(FIG.8).

In at least some embodiments, only one power circuit816is active during each port frame906a,906b,906c,906d, generally906. The power circuits816may sequence according to a predetermined order. For example, during the first port frame906aonly the first power circuit816ais active, referred to as VCC_1, while all of the other power circuits816b,816c,816d, referred to as VCC_2, VCC_3 and VCC_4 are inactive, e.g., disabled. Once again, whether a particular power circuit816is active may be determined by control signals from the status indication controller810(FIG.8) activating respective FETs815. When VCC_1 power circuit816ais enabled, the first port LED804(FIG.8) of each group808athrough808bis controlled via their respective LED control signals814. All the other ports LEDs remain inactive, e.g., turned off as their supply, e.g., VCC, is disconnected or otherwise referred to as “off.” Accordingly, when VCC_1 power circuit816ais enabled, the control signals R1, G1and B1are applied as described above in relation toFIG.8, to control the individual LEDs806of the tricolor LED804of the first port of each group, e.g., Port_1802aof Group_1808a. Likewise, during the first port frame906a, a second group of control signals R2, G2and B2controls a tri-color LED of a first port of a second group, e.g., port5 (not shown), and so on for the other groups808. The tri-color LEDs804for all other ports will be off during the first port frame906a.

In next frame, e.g., a second port frame906b, the second VCC_2 power circuit816bis enabled. The first group of control signals R1, G1and B1are provided to control a tricolor LED of a second port of each group, e.g., Port_2802bof Group_1808a, the same second group of control signals R2, G2and B2controls are provided to control a tricolor LED of a second port of a second group, e.g., the tri-color LED of Port_6 LED and so on for each of the remaining groups. The status indication controller810may be adapted to apply respective control states for the groups of control signals R1, G1, B1, R2, G2, B2, etc., such that the tri-color LEDs of each port may be independently controlled.

The first sequence of port frames906may be grouped together according to a first port group frame908a, in which port frames906are not repeated. A second sequence of port frames906may be grouped together according to a second port group frame908b, in which, once again, port frames906are not repeated. In at least some embodiments, the port frames906of each of the sequential port group frames actuates the same ports according to the same sequence, e.g., representing a subsequent update of activation of a status indicator of a particular port. In this manner, the process may repeat indefinitely. It is understood that a particular indication of each status indicator, e.g., a particular color, may be controlled according to a condition of a corresponding port. Thus, if the port condition does not change, the same color may be expressed for that port during subsequent port group frames908. However, if the port condition changes, an updated color may be expressed for that port according to the changed condition.

A duration of the port frame906may be selected according to a predetermined time interval during which the corresponding port would be activated, e.g., lighting an LED status indicator. A number of port frames in a port group frame908may be determined according to a circuit sharing scheme in which a total number of status indicators is divided into multiple groups, each having fewer indicators than the total. For example, a group of forty tri-color indicators may be subdivided into ten groups of four. Accordingly, each time a port frame is activated, a corresponding port of each group is activated simultaneously. Consider a first port of each of the ten groups of ports being activated during a first port frame906a, while the second, third and fourth ports of each group remain inactive. Likewise, a second port of each of the ten groups of ports may be activated during a second port frame906b, while the first, third and fourth ports of each group remain inactive. The process may continue in a similar manner until all ports of each group of ports have been activated, upon which time the process may repeat.

In this manner, the status indicator circuit800provides a signal control strategy for connecting a relatively large number of ports, e.g., forty optical ports, each port configured with a multi-input device, such as single tri-color LED, using substantially fewer circuits and/or conductive paths than total number of ports. Additionally, a power savings may be realized as each port LED is controlled for a fraction of time, e.g., every 1 msec. If a particular LED is to be turned on, it is on for 250 μSec and off for 750 usec. Consequently, the LED is operated according to an on-off rate, or a “blink” rate of 1,000 Hz. Other switching rates and/or duty cycles are possible, with an understanding that the switching rates and/or duty cycles should be sufficiently fast and/or of sufficient duration such that any on-off flickering remains imperceptible to the human eye. It is understood that the human eye may be unable to distinguish switching or blink rates of 25 Hz or greater. Accordingly, LED switching rates at or above about 25 Hz should appear to the human eye as though the LEDs remain on.

It is understood that numbers of ports, sizes of groups, duration of group frames, and so on may be determined according to design criteria. Example design criteria may include, without limitation, physical circuit constraints, e.g., maximum number of signal leads, power leads and/or power planes, numbers of PCB layers, equipment panel area sizes, equipment panel reserved area constraints, equipment area exclusion area constraints, power requirements, maximum flicker rates, and so on.

Table 1 provides a comparison with respect to input/output count required on a status indicator PCB assembly and/or connector. Table 1 also provides an example comparison of LED power consumption for a conventional approach versus the example time division multiplexing scheme of the foregoing example.

A maximum current requirement referred to in Table 1, may be determined according to a situation in which all the ports tri colors LEDs are activated or glowed, and each LED is sinking about 10 mA of current. The example signal reduction techniques may be implemented to drastically reduce a number of signals required to activate or otherwise light LEDs in different colors as per the desired color coding for the corresponding ports, e.g., the example optical ports.

By way of example, the status indicator control signal values and timing aspects may represented in a matrix according to the timing diagram900. The LEDs may be activated and/or otherwise glowed, with columns of four separate power rails (VCC)816(FIG.8) and four rows of sharing LED control signals. The various different column and row signals may be controlled in a time-division-multiplexing (TDM) manner. This process may be repeated at a sufficiently high frequency to avoid human eye perceiving blinking of LEDs. Such a time division signal sharing allows for fewer control signals and/or power planes, which is beneficial to reduce size and/or power requirements of the status indicator PCB assembly, e.g., requiring fewer PCB layers, narrower conductive traces, and so on.

According to the illustrative example, the overall power consumption of the LED circuit design may be reduced by a factor of four, requiring only about 25% of what would have otherwise been required for full, independent LED control without. Beneficially, resulting reductions in the size requirement, circuit complexity and power may be accomplished without sacrificing visual signal quality of the LEDs.

The techniques disclosed here provide space-saving status indicator circuits capable of operating large numbers of status indicator elements, such as LEDs, with shared power and/or LED control leads. The resulting status indicator assemblies may be used individually and/or in any combination for a particular electronic device. Solutions using multiple status indicator assemblies may use different size and/or shaped status indicator assemblies that may be configured to control the same and/or different numbers of status indicator elements. In at least some embodiments, similar and/or identical status indicator assemblies may be used to control different groups of status indicators, e.g., according to the left-right example illustrated inFIG.5. In at least some embodiments, the reduced size and/or power requirements allows for placement in areas that might otherwise be excluded and/or unavailable, such as along the edges of internal devices, such as the example main PCBs. The example status indicator assemblies may be combined with simple attachment facilitating feature, mechanism and/or device, such as adhesives and/or magnets to permit the status indicator assemblies to be placed in permanent and/or removable manner, as in the illustrative example in which a flexible LED PCBA is combined with an adhesive back, facilitating attachment of the assembly across the thickness of a main board PCB. In this manner, the LED PCBA may be assembled close to an interior surface of the faceplate.

In at least some embodiments, an equipment panel or faceplate may incorporate openings, e.g., holes, through which a transmission device, such as a light pipe, may be routed, e.g., press fitted. Such arrangements places one end of a light pipe very close to a status indicator LED, while an opposing end of the light pipe is exposed along the equipment panel for external observation. Use of transmission devices, such as the example light pipes helps to prevent interference, e.g., color bleeding, that might otherwise be experienced from adjacent status indicators, e.g., LEDs. Beneficially, this approach minimizes requirements for additional space and/or does not occupy any additional space on a panel of an equipment enclosure. For example, the light pipes may include columns directing light perpendicularly from the LED to an exposed surface of the front panel. Such approaches facilitate maximum openings on the equipment panel for air inlet and/or exit to cool high power devices, such as the example optical network ports.

FIG.10depicts an illustrative embodiment of an equipment status indication process1000in accordance with various aspects described herein. The process1000facilitates operation of up to a substantial number of status indicators, e.g., LEDs, in a space-conserving manner. According to the examples provided herein, such a process conserves a significant amount of front panel space and/or internal space of a corresponding equipment housing that may be allocated to other purposes, such as cable interconnects, operator controls and/or cooling.

According to the example process, a group of status indicators distributed along a proximal end of an elongated flexible PCB assembly is identified at1002. Identification may include one or more of identifying a number of status indicators, a type and/or types of status indicators, a location of the status indicators, a grouping of the status indicators, and so on. Groupings may include division of a total number of panel status indicators into different groups serviced by respective elongated flexible PCB assemblies. As in the example ofFIG.5, a total number of eighty LEDs514is divided into two groups supported by two flexible PCB assemblies506a,506b.

A status indicator control signal may be received at1004. Status indicator control signals may include one or more of an activation or actuation signal that may operate to selectively turn a status indicator on or off. A nonlimiting example includes the selective application of VCC to one of a number of subgroups of LEDs via the frames906. Alternatively, or in addition, the status indicator control signal may include a status indicator configuration control. A status indicator configuration control may include one or more of a color, an intensity, e.g., of the example tri-color LEDs and/or other status indicator features, such as a size, a shape, a tone, a volume, and so on.

In at least some embodiments, the status indicator control signal may be applied, at1006, to proximal end of the elongated flexible PCB assembly. According to the illustrative example, a status indicator controller520generates the status control signal and applies the signal to a proximal electrical interconnect, e.g., a connector516a, of the example elongated flexible PCB assembly506a. The applied control signals are directed, in turn, at1008along the elongated flexible PCB assembly to the group of status indicators. The status indicators may be actuated, at1010, according to status indication control signal. Beneficially, panel area may be conserved at1012by routing control signals via the elongated the flexible PCB assembly to panel space that might not otherwise be available for allocation to other front panel uses, such as cable interconnects, operator controls and/or cooling.

FIG.11depicts an illustrative embodiment of an equipment status indication control process1100in accordance with various aspects described herein. According to the example process100, one or more design constraints are identified at1102. Example design constraints may include, without limitation, one or more of panel space of an equipment enclosure available to status indicators, maximum number of layers and/or available circuit routing width and/or area of a multi-layer PCB, such as the example flexible status indicator assemblies200,506(FIGS.2A and5) disclosed herein, maximum permissible thermal load, shape constraints, such as a maximum elongated PCB width, a PCB width to length ratio, a minimum bend radius, numbers and/or types of status indicators, spatial multiplexing for placement of status indicators, e.g., splitting a total number of status indicators into multiple status indicator sub-groups supported on multiple flexible PCBs of an equipment panel, such as the first and second (left and right) status indicator assemblies506, electrical requirements, e.g., maximum voltage and/or currents, and so on.

Continuing with the example process1100, a total number of status indicators may be divided at1104into multiple groups according to design constraint. For example, a large number of status indicators may be subdivided and/or otherwise grouped into multiple smaller groups that may be individually operated and/or controlled, e.g., in a sequential and/or simultaneous arrangement.

Status indicator control signals are generated, at1106, for number of status indicators. Status indicator control signals may include one or more of an activation or actuation signal that may operate to selectively turn a status indicator on or off. A nonlimiting example includes the selective application of VCC to one of a number of subgroups of LEDs via the frames906. Alternatively, or in addition, the status indicator control signal may include a status indicator configuration control. A status indicator configuration control may include one or more of a color, an intensity, e.g., of the example tri-color LEDs and/or other status indicator features, such as a size, a shape, a tone, a volume, and so on.

A lesser number of signal control leads is identified, at1108, to be shared by group members. For example, a signal sharing technique, such as a multiplexing arrangement may be used for control. Multiplexing may include one or more of temporal, frequency and/or spatial multiplexing to reduce a number of signal control leads and/or conductive traces for any given number of status indicators. Selection of the lesser number of signals may be determined, in at least some embodiments, according to one or more of the design constraints identified at1102. For example, a total number of status indicators may be subdivided into multiple groups, with each group supported by a respective flexible PCB assembly according to a spatial multiplexing scheme. Alternatively, or in addition, a total number of status indicators of any given flexible PCB may be subdivided further into sub-groups that may be controlled according to a multiplexing scheme, e.g., a time division multiplexing (TDM) scheme, in which each group may be activated or lit within a respective time slot to the exclusion of other groups, which may remain un-activated or dark during that time slot. Each sub-group may have an assigned activation period that may be revisited periodically according to the TDM scheme. In at least some embodiments, a group revisit time of the TDM scheme may be selected according to a tolerable on/off blink rate of the status indicators. Accordingly, the number and/or size of the sub-groups and/or an extent of a multiplexing scheme may be determined according to a maximum number of status indicators and/or a tolerable blink rate.

Other considerations of sub-group size may include physical constraints. For example, if an elongated flexible PCB assembly is to be routed around an edge of a structure, such as the example main PCB248(FIG.2C), a minimum bend radius may a function of the number of flexible PCB layers. Accordingly, in at least some embodiments, a minimum bend radius may be determined according to a space conserving constraint of front panel area. Namely, the lesser the bend radius, the greater the panel area is available to an access length of the main PCB248. The minimum radius may then be used to determine a maximum number of flexible PCB layers may be permissible for a give flexible PCB assembly architecture. The number of flexible PCB layers may then be used to determine a maximum number of supportable status indicators, e.g., according to one or more multiplexing techniques as may be applied. The various interrelations of parameters may be solved in any suitable manner, including in optimal manners in which one or more of the parameters are identified for optimization, allowing the other parameters to be determined accordingly.

The status indicator control signals may be provided, at1110, to status indicators via shared signal control leads. For at least some embodiments in which the status indicators are subdivided into smaller groups, e.g., individual network ports, and/or groups of ports, such as the example quad port pairs406(FIGS.4A,4B), a member selection signal may be identified, at1112. The member selection signal may identify one or more of the subgroups and/or individual members of one or more sub groups, e.g., a first LED of each group of ports. Ultimately, the group member selection signal may be applied at1114to activate and/or otherwise control operation of selected group member according to status indicator control signals.

Turning now toFIG.12, there is illustrated a block diagram of a computing environment1200in accordance with various aspects described herein. In order to provide additional context for various embodiments of the embodiments described herein,FIG.12and the following discussion are intended to provide a brief, general description of a suitable computing environment1200in which the various embodiments of the subject disclosure can be implemented. In particular, computing environment1200can be used in the implementation of the status indication controller166,520,810(FIGS.1,5and8). Each of these devices can be implemented via computer-executable instructions that can run on one or more computers, and/or in combination with other program modules and/or as a combination of hardware and software. For example, computing environment1200can facilitate in whole or in part providing status indication by way of control signals at a proximal end of an elongated flexible circuit assembly that includes a distal portion attached to and extending along at least a portion of an elongated, panel-facing edge of a planar circuit board. The control signals may apply a multiplexing technique to reduce a number of signal leads to accommodate a relatively large number of status indicators. In at least some embodiments. The control signals may be directed around a bent portion of the elongated flexible circuit assembly and to the status indicators, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of visual status indicators are actuated, responsive to the control signal, to provide a visual indication of a status of equipment supported by the planar circuit board. In at least some embodiments, the multiplexing technique may include a time division multiplexing technique, in which some status indicators are activated, while others are deactivated in an alternative fashion and at a rate that may be imperceptible to a human observer. Alternatively or in addition, the computing environment1200can facilitate optimization processes that may identify any combination of logical groups of status indicators, status indicator actuation duty cycles, refresh rates, power utilization, power savings, and so on.

With reference again toFIG.12, the example environment can comprise a computer1202, the computer1202comprising a processing unit1204, a system memory1206and a system bus1208. The system bus1208couples system components including, but not limited to, the system memory1206to the processing unit1204. The processing unit1204can be any of various commercially available processors. Dual microprocessors and other multiprocessor architectures can also be employed as the processing unit1204.

The system bus1208can be any of several types of bus structure that can further interconnect to a memory bus (with or without a memory controller), a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of commercially available bus architectures. The system memory1206comprises ROM1210and RAM1212. A basic input/output system (BIOS) can be stored in a non-volatile memory such as ROM, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, which BIOS contains the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computer1202, such as during startup. The RAM1212can also comprise a high-speed RAM such as static RAM for caching data.

The computer1202further comprises an internal hard disk drive (HDD)1214(e.g., EIDE, SATA), which internal HDD1214can also be configured for external use in a suitable chassis (not shown), a magnetic floppy disk drive (FDD)1216, (e.g., to read from or write to a removable diskette1218) and an optical disk drive1220, (e.g., reading a CD-ROM disk1222or, to read from or write to other high-capacity optical media such as the DVD). The HDD1214, magnetic FDD1216and optical disk drive1220can be connected to the system bus1208by a hard disk drive interface1224, a magnetic disk drive interface1226and an optical drive interface1228, respectively. The hard disk drive interface1224for external drive implementations comprises at least one or both of Universal Serial Bus (USB) and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1394 interface technologies. Other external drive connection technologies are within contemplation of the embodiments described herein.

A number of program modules can be stored in the drives and RAM1212, comprising an operating system1230, one or more application programs1232, other program modules1234and program data1236. All or portions of the operating system, applications, modules, and/or data can also be cached in the RAM1212. The systems and methods described herein can be implemented utilizing various commercially available operating systems or combinations of operating systems.

A user can enter commands and information into the computer1202through one or more wired/wireless input devices, e.g., a keyboard1238and a pointing device, such as a mouse1240. Other input devices (not shown) can comprise a microphone, an infrared (IR) remote control, a joystick, a game pad, a stylus pen, touch screen or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit1204through an input device interface1242that can be coupled to the system bus1208, but can be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, an IEEE 1394 serial port, a game port, a universal serial bus (USB) port, an IR interface, etc.

A monitor1244or other type of display device can be also connected to the system bus1208via an interface, such as a video adapter1246. It will also be appreciated that in alternative embodiments, a monitor1244can also be any display device (e.g., another computer having a display, a smart phone, a tablet computer, etc.) for receiving display information associated with computer1202via any communication means, including via the Internet and cloud-based networks. In addition to the monitor1244, a computer typically comprises other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers, printers, etc.

When used in a LAN networking environment, the computer1202can be connected to the LAN1252through a wired and/or wireless communication network interface or adapter1256. The adapter1256can facilitate wired or wireless communication to the LAN1252, which can also comprise a wireless AP disposed thereon for communicating with the adapter1256.

When used in a WAN networking environment, the computer1202can comprise a modem1258or can be connected to a communications server on the WAN1254or has other means for establishing communications over the WAN1254, such as by way of the Internet. The modem1258, which can be internal or external and a wired or wireless device, can be connected to the system bus1208via the input device interface1242. In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the computer1202or portions thereof, can be stored in the remote memory/storage device1250. It will be appreciated that the network connections shown are example and other means of establishing a communications link between the computers can be used.

Moreover, it will be noted that the disclosed subject matter can be practiced with various computer system configurations, comprising single-processor or multiprocessor computer systems, mini-computing devices, mainframe computers, as well as personal computers, hand-held computing devices (e.g., PDA, phone, smartphone, watch, tablet computers, netbook computers, etc.), microprocessor-based or programmable consumer or industrial electronics, and the like. The illustrated aspects can also be practiced in distributed computing environments where tasks are performed by remote processing devices that are linked through a communications network; however, some if not all aspects of the subject disclosure can be practiced on stand-alone computers. In a distributed computing environment, program modules can be in both local and remote memory storage devices.

Further, the various embodiments can be implemented as a method, apparatus or article of manufacture using standard programming and/or engineering techniques to produce software, firmware, hardware, or any combination thereof to control a computer to implement the disclosed subject matter. The term “article of manufacture” as used herein is intended to encompass semiconductor devices, wafers, integrated circuits, circuit modules, modules, systems and/or components incorporating semiconductor devices, as well as a computer program accessible from any computer-readable device or computer-readable storage/communications media. For example, computer readable storage media can include, but are not limited to, magnetic storage devices (e.g., hard disk, floppy disk, magnetic strips), optical disks (e.g., compact disk (CD), digital versatile disk (DVD)), smart cards, and flash memory devices (e.g., card, stick, key drive). Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize many modifications can be made to this configuration without departing from the scope or spirit of the various embodiments.