Abstract:
A datacommunications patching system includes: a mounting frame; a first module mounted in the mounting frame and including a plurality of connector ports on one side thereof and first and second connectors on another side thereof; and a backplane that is mounted in the mounting frame. The backplane electrically connects to the first module via the first connector when the first module is mounted in the mounting frame in a first orientation, and wherein the backplane electrically connects to the first module via the second connector when the first module is mounted in the mounting frame in a second orientation that is inverted from the first orientation.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    The present application is a divisional application of and claims priority from U.S. application Ser. No. 12/640,267, filed Dec. 17, 2009, which claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/139,209, filed Dec. 19, 2008, and 61/222,233, filed Jul. 1, 2009, the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated herein in their entireties. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to networks and, more particularly, to network patching systems. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    A network patching system is typically used to interconnect the various communication lines within a closet or computer room. In a conventional network patching system, the communication lines are terminated within a closet in an organized manner via one or more patch panels mounted on a rack or frame. Multiple ports are included in the patch panel, typically in some type of organized array. Each of the different ports is connected with a communications line. In small patching systems, all communications lines may terminate on the patch panels of the same rack. In larger patching systems, multiple racks may be used, wherein different communications lines terminate on different racks. Interconnections between the various communications lines are made connecting patch cords to the ports. By selectively connecting the various communications lines with patch cords, any combination of communications lines can be interconnected. 
         [0004]    In many businesses, employee computers are assigned an IP address so that the employee, via the computer, can interface with a network. When an employee changes office locations, it may not be desirable to assign a new IP address. Rather, to preserve consistency in communications, it may be preferred that the IP address previously associated with the employee be transferred to the network port(s) in the employee&#39;s new office. To accomplish this task, patch cords in a communication closet are rearranged so that the previous IP address is now associated with his/her new office. 
         [0005]    As employees move, and/or change positions, and/or add or subtract lines, the patch cords in a typical closet may require frequent rearrangement. Network patching systems that have the ability to sense a plug in a patch panel port or sense a connection between two patch panel ports are referred to as intelligent patching systems. Intelligent patching systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,222,908, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. Another current intelligent patching solution is the IPatch system, available from Systimax Solutions, Inc. (Richardson, Tex.). In the IPatch system, a circuit board is connected to the system to provide the capability of determining whether a patch cord is plugged into a particular port. Also, the circuit board is connected with a push button and an LED associated with each port to provide connectivity information and guide a technician who is tracing a connection. 
         [0006]    This product has some potential areas for improvement, largely due to the trend in the market to increase port density from 24 ports per Rack Mounting Unit (RMU—defined as a space 19 inches in width and 1.75 inches in height) to 36 ports/RMU. The additional ports and the circuitry required for them reduce the space available for the circuit board. Also, the circuit board is mounted in the front of the panel and has a single connection to a panel bus at the rear of the rack. This connection limits the panel to only a single orientation, as opposed to the dual “Alpha/Beta” orientation shown in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,416,347 to Livingston et al. 
         [0007]    It may be desirable to provide an intelligent patching system that can offer higher port density. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    As a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a datacommunications patching system. The patching system comprises: a mounting frame; a first module mounted in the mounting frame and including a plurality of connector ports on one side thereof and first and second connectors on another side thereof; and a backplane that is mounted in the mounting frame. The backplane electrically connects to the first module via the first connector when the first module is mounted in the mounting frame in a first orientation, and wherein the backplane electrically connects to the first module via the second connector when the first module is mounted in the mounting frame in a second orientation that is inverted from the first orientation. This configuration can enable the patching system to automatically detect an Alpha or Beta orientation of the module, which can then be used on conjunction with an intelligent patching system to track connectivity. 
         [0009]    As a second aspect, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a datacommunications patching system, comprising: a mounting frame; a module mounted in the mounting frame and including a plurality of connector ports on one side thereof and first and second connectors on an opposite side thereof, wherein one of a plurality of tracer lights is associated with a respective one of each of the connector ports; and at least one dust cap inserted into one of the plurality of connector ports, the dust cap formed of a material that provides a visual indication when illuminated with a respective one of the plurality of tracer lights, and that permits the passage of infrared radiation. 
         [0010]    As a third aspect, embodiments of the present invention are directed to a datacommunications patching system, comprising: a mounting frame; a first module mounted in the mounting frame and including a plurality of connector ports on one side thereof and first and second connectors on another side thereof; and a backplane that is mounted in the mounting frame. The backplane electrically connects to the first module via the first connector when the first module is mounted in the mounting frame in a first orientation, and wherein the backplane electrically connects to the first module via the second connector when the first module is mounted in the mounting frame in a second orientation that is inverted from the first orientation. The backplane includes circuitry configured to recognize whether the first module is in the first orientation or the second orientation. The backplane further includes a tab, and each of the first and second connectors includes a slot configured to receive the backplane tab. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
         [0011]      FIG. 1  is an exploded front perspective view of an intelligent patching system according to embodiments of the present invention. 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is an exploded front perspective view of the shelf and backplane of the patching system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a greatly enlarged front perspective view of an exemplary port module of the patching system of  FIG. 1 . 
           [0014]      FIG. 4  is a greatly enlarged rear perspective view of the port module of  FIG. 3 . 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a schematic top view of the backplane of  FIG. 2 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0016]    The present invention will be described more particularly hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention is not intended to be limited to the illustrated embodiments; rather, these embodiments are intended to fully and completely disclose the invention to those skilled in this art. In the drawings, like numbers refer to like elements throughout. Thicknesses and dimensions of some components may be exaggerated for clarity. 
         [0017]    Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms, such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries, should be interpreted as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and will not be interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly so defined herein. 
         [0018]    In addition, spatially relative terms, such as “under”, “below”, “lower”, “over”, “upper” and the like, may be used herein for ease of description to describe one element or feature&#39;s relationship to another element(s) or feature(s) as illustrated in the figures. It will be understood that the spatially relative terms are intended to encompass different orientations of the device in use or operation in addition to the orientation depicted in the figures. For example, if the device in the figures is turned over, elements described as “under” or “beneath” other elements or features would then be oriented “over” or “above” the other elements or features. Thus, the exemplary term “under” can encompass both an orientation of over and under. The device may be otherwise oriented (rotated 90 degrees or at other orientations) and the spatially relative descriptors used herein interpreted accordingly. As used herein, “vertical” has the conventional meaning, i.e., upright; or at a right angle to the horizon. 
         [0019]    The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. As used herein the expression “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
         [0020]    Where used, the terms “attached”, “connected”, “interconnected”, “contacting”, “mounted” and the like can mean either direct or indirect attachment or contact between elements, unless stated otherwise. 
         [0021]    Also, as used herein the term “port” is intended to encompass telecommunications connectors and devices employed to facilitate the interconnection of telecommunications cords and cables for the transmission of signals therebetween. A connector may include an adapter that facilitates the interconnection of two termination devices (as may be employed in the interconnection of fiber optic cords and cables, particularly within a connector block), a jack or the like typically employed with copper cables and cords, or other devices that provide a location or site for the interconnection of cables and cords. 
         [0022]    Further, as used herein, it will be understood that, as used herein, the term “Alpha/Beta” when referring the orientation of a communications module indicates that the module may be oriented in one of two orientations (the “Alpha” orientation being 180 degrees inverted from the “Beta” orientation), wherein cords and cables may be connected with the module in either orientation, but the numbering system of the ports of the module and the connectivity with other devices differs with the orientation. An exemplary “Alpha/Beta” orientation is described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 7,416,347 to Livingston et al., supra. 
         [0023]    Turning now to the figures, a patching system, designated broadly at  10 , is illustrated in  FIG. 1 . The patching system  10  includes a shelf  12  and three port modules  40  (more or fewer modules  40  may be included in other embodiments). These components are described in greater detail below. 
         [0024]    Turning now to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the shelf  12  includes a generally horizontal main panel  14 , a rear wall  16 , side walls  18 , and a cover  22 . Together these panels form a box structure with an open front end. Slide members  20  are attached to each of the side walls  18  and enable the shelf to slide forward from a rack on which it is mounted (not shown) for work by a technician. Four module guides  32  are mounted to the main panel  14  generally parallel to the side walls  18  and spaced apart from each other. With the cover  22  in place, the shelf  12  has a height of approximately 2 RMU. 
         [0025]    A trough  24  is attached to the front edges of the side walls  18  and main panel  14 . The trough  24  has three module openings  26  that are configured to receive modules  40 . Also, the trough  24  includes a pair of cable loops  28  on each side that are configured and oriented to receive cables and cords inserted into adapters  42  in the modules  40 . A front window  27  is positioned below and in front of the module openings  26 .  FIGS. 1 and 2  also illustrate module doors  29  that can be placed over the module openings  26  when a module  40  is not present. 
         [0026]    Those skilled in this art will appreciate that, although the shelf  12  is illustrated and described herein, mounting frames of different configurations may also be employed with embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0027]    Referring still to  FIG. 2 , a backplane  34  is mounted to and positioned above the rear portion of the main panel  14 . The backplane  34  includes three connection tabs  36  on its front edge  35 . As can be seen in  FIG. 5 , the backplane  34  comprises a printed wiring board that includes circuitry that monitors the connectivity of ports  42  in the modules  40 . Exemplary circuitry for “intelligent” patching is known to those of skill in this art and need not be described in detail herein. 
         [0028]    The backplane  34  further includes circuitry that can detect the orientation (i.e., Alpha or Beta) of the modules  40 . Such circuitry may comprise, for example, contact pads that are positioned to detect different mating contacts in connectors of the module  40  (described in greater detail below). Other configurations may also be suitable for other embodiments of the present invention. 
         [0029]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , each of the modules  40  includes a plurality of fiber optic adapters  42 . In the illustrated embodiment, the adapters  42  are disposed in an array of 6 rows and 4 columns, although other arrangements may be employed. The individual adapters  42  are oriented such that they are vertically oriented. A “vertically oriented” adapter is one in which its keyway, which accepts a mating key on a mating terminal, is located in a vertical wall or edge of it opening. This arrangement is a  90  degree re-orientation from conventional adapters. Those skilled in this art will recognize that, although fiber optic adapters are shown herein, other varieties of datacommuncations ports and/or connectors may also be employed. 
         [0030]    In this embodiment, each adapter  42  is monitored by an infrared (IR) sensor that detects the presence of a connector in the adapters  42 . Each adapter  42  also has a corresponding LED  43  that helps to guide a technician to the correct adapter  42  during maintenance and a push button  45  that assists with connectivity operations. 
         [0031]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , the rear surface of each of the modules  40  includes two different connector slots  44   a,    44   b.  Each of the connector slots  44   a,    44   b  is sized to receive one of the connection tabs  36 . The connector slots  44   a,    44   b  are located on the module  40  so that, when the module  40  slides through one of the module openings  26  and toward the backplane  34 , one of the connector slots  44   a,    44   b  is positioned to receive the connection tab  36 . If the module  40  is in an “Alpha” orientation, the connection tab  36  is inserted in the connector slot  44   a;  if instead the module  40  is in a “Beta” orientation (i.e., inverted 180 degrees from the Alpha orientation), the connection tab  36  is inserted into the connector slot  44   b.  The module guides  32  are positioned to encourage straight-line entry of the module  40  into and through the module openings  26  so that the proper connector slot  44   a,    44   b  aligns with and enables insertion of the connection tab  36 . 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  also illustrates fiber optic adapters  49 , which are attached to cables (not shown) and are mounted on the rear side of the module  40 . 
         [0033]    Those skilled in this art will appreciate that, although the adapters  42  and the connector slots  44   a,    44   b  are shown on the front and rear of the module  40 , these components may be positioned on other sides of the module  40  (for example, on the top and bottom of the module). 
         [0034]    Connection of the connection tab  36  with a connector slot  44   a,    44   b  allows the backplane  34  to recognize the Alpha/Beta orientation of the module  40 . For example, the connector slot  44   a  may include a contact in one position (e.g., the leftmost portion), whereas the connector slot  44   b  may include a contact in another location (e.g., the rightmost portion). When the connector slot  44   a  receives a tab  36  with multiple contact pads, a mating contact pad on the tab  36  can detect the contact of the connector slot  44   a  and thus determine that the module  40  is in an Alpha orientation. Conversely, if the connector slot  44   b  receives the tab  36 , a different mating contact pad on the tab  36  detects the differently located contact of the connector slot  44  and determines that the module  40  is in a Beta configuration. This information about the module oreintation can then be used in conjunction with intelligent patching circuitry on the backplane  34  to correctly track and monitor the connectivity of the ports  42  of the module  40 . 
         [0035]    As discussed, the adapters  42  are fiber optic adapters that receive fiber optic connectors. Such adapters typically include some means, such as dust caps  50  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ), for preventing dust from entering the adapter when the adapter is not in use. A conventional dust cap is inserted into the adapter to prevent the accumulation of dust. However, when an IR-based port detection technique is employed by an intelligent patching system, the system can misinterpret a typical dust cap inserted in an adapter as a connector. To address this issue, in some embodiments the dust caps are formed of a material that is translucent to IR radiation. Such dust caps can allow an IR beam transmitted across the adapter  49  to pass and avoid signaling the presence of an object to the backplane  34 . 
         [0036]    In some embodiments, it may be desirable for the dust cap material to compliment the intelligent system during installation, maintenance and connection. Some patching systems include a tracer light (often red) to indicate the status of the particular adapter. The dust cap material may be chosen to reveal the tracer light, or to glow, when the tracer light is activated. Such a configuration can enable an operator to see the light without removing the dust cap, which can significantly simplify installation. 
         [0037]    Exemplary materials for the dust cap include a thermoplastic elastomer (TPE), and in particular ethylene-propylene copolymers. A particularly suitable material is DYNAFLEX® G2780-001 TPE, available from GLS Corporation, McHenry, Ill. This material is also ROHAS compliant, and meets zero halogen requirements demanded in some applications. 
         [0038]    The foregoing embodiments are illustrative of the present invention, and are not to be construed as limiting thereof. Although exemplary embodiments of this invention have been described, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in the exemplary embodiments without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of this invention. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of this invention as defined in the claims. The invention is defined by the following claims, with equivalents of the claims to be included therein.