Patent Publication Number: US-11038299-B2

Title: Optimized shipping of IP telephony devices

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/101,186, filed on Dec. 9, 2013, entitled Optimized Shipping of IP Telephony Devices, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Provisioning of IP (Internet Protocol) telephony devices, e.g., desktop telephones for an enterprise, is time-consuming and resource intensive. The same applies to other types of configurable electronics. The present approach, utilized to provision IP telephony devices, is to deploy the phones in a generic, unconfigured, untested condition to the desktops or cubicles of the users of the phones. Once at these locations, a physical inventory is performed, matching a physical identifier (e.g., a barcode, a serial number, or other identification plate or sticker) on the phone to the new end-user. Each phone is then configured by on-site personnel, at the new location. Another approach is to un-package each IP telephony device, install the IP telephony device in a workbench type of environment, initiate a configuration, test the configuration against the IP telephony device, repackage the IP telephony device, ship the IP telephony device to its destination, then match the IP telephony device to the deployed location. 
     SUMMARY 
     In some embodiments, a connector and cabling system is provided. The system includes a plurality of pigtails, each pigtail of the plurality of pigtails are configured to couple to one of a plurality of electronic devices, wherein each electronic device of the plurality of electronic devices has a corresponding box or other suitable packaging. The system includes a cable and a plurality of first connectors. Each first connector of the plurality of first connectors is configured to extend through and attach to a wall of a box or opening in the packaging with a first port of the first connector inside the box or other suitable packaging. The first port is coupled to the pigtail, and a second port of the first connector outside the box or other suitable packaging. The second port is coupled to the cable. The plurality of electronic devices is provisioned via the cable, the plurality of first connectors and the plurality of pigtails, with each of the plurality of electronic devices, in the corresponding box or other suitable packaging. A method of preparing electronic devices for shipping is also provided. 
     Other aspects and advantages of the embodiments will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the described embodiments. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The described embodiments and the advantages thereof may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. These drawings in no way limit any changes in form and detail that may be made to the described embodiments by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the described embodiments. 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic of a shipping assembly for packaged electronic devices, with a connector and cabling system, in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a connector suitable for use in the connector and cabling system, or the shipping assembly, of  FIG. 1  in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an aperture through a wall of a box of one of the packaged electronic devices of  FIG. 1  in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the connector of  FIG. 2 , with added skirts for clamping the wall of the box of  FIG. 3  in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-section view of the connector and skirts of  FIG. 4  assembled to the wall of the box of  FIG. 3  in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a group of packaged electronic devices, arranged with the connector and cabling system of  FIG. 1  in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a pallet suitable for use with the connector and cabling system, in the shipping assembly of  FIG. 1  in accordance with some embodiments. 
         FIG. 8  is a flow diagram of a method for preparing electronic devices for shipping, which can be practiced using the shipping assembly with the connector and cabling system, in accordance with some embodiments. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     A shipping assembly for boxed or otherwise packaged electronic devices, a connector and cabling system used in the shipping assembly, and a related method for preparing electronic devices for shipping, are herein presented. Although illustrated with IP (Internet Protocol) telephony devices, e.g., telephones that communicate over a network using Internet Protocol, aspects of the present disclosure can be applied to other types of electronic devices. 
     IP telephony devices, or other electronic devices, each in a box or other packaging, are prepared for shipping. To prepare the electronic devices for shipping, a pigtail, which may be referred to as a cable to which connectors are provided on each end, is attached to each electronic device. The pigtail resides inside the box containing the electronic device, and is attached to a cable. The cable resides outside of the boxes containing the electronic devices. A pallet holding the boxed electronic devices, with pigtails and the cable, is shipped to a destination. Each electronic device may be provisioned while inside the corresponding box or packaging under this configuration. It should be appreciated that provisioning can occur before or after shipping. Thus, the embodiments provide for the efficient provisioning and testing at a customer&#39;s final usage location. The connection of multiple electronic devices on a common pallet that may be re-useable enables configuration, testing, provisioning, etc., while the electronic devices are resident in the shipping packaging. Thus, when the electronic devices arrive at the final destination, the devices can be connected and be ready for use. It should be appreciated that other suitable packaging besides a box may be utilized with the embodiments described herein. For example, the electronic devices may be wrapped in cellophane, stretch wrap film, shipping tape, placed in formed polystyrene or other types of foam. The electronic devices may be shipped utilizing bubble wrap, popcorn, form-cut paper, cardboard, corrugated packaging, polystyrene formed/pellets, plastic formed, shrink wrapped, wooden pallets/enclosures and other various shipping configurations that may or may not include a box having a wall, as well as any other packaging material well known to those of skill in the art. Accordingly, the embodiments are not limited to a boxed configuration as alternative stacked or palletized configurations without boxes for each electronic device may be utilized. Where a box configuration is not used, the embodiments may connect or couple the cables described herein through an opening in the packaging in some embodiments. In addition, the cables may be directly coupled without the necessity of coupling through a connector disposed in a wall in some embodiments where the electronic devices are not boxed. 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic of a shipping assembly for boxed electronic devices  102 , with a connector and cabling system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. In the example shown, the electronic device  102  is an IP telephony device. Each electronic device  102  has a corresponding box  104 , which could include the packaging that surrounds and protects the electronic device  102  prior to deployment of the electronic device  102 . Although only one electronic device  102  and one box  104  is shown, it is readily appreciated that multiple electronic devices  102 , each in a corresponding box  104 , are accommodated. 
     A pigtail  108  is attached to the electronic device  102 . In the example shown, the pigtail  108  has two connectors  106 ,  110 , which could be called the first connector  106  of the pigtail  108 , and the second connector  110  of the pigtail  108  in some embodiments. The connector  110  could be at an opposed end of the pigtail  108  from the connector  106 . The first connector  106  of the pigtail  108  is coupled to the electronic device  102 , such as by plugging the connector  106  into a port of the electronic device  102 . For example, the IP telephony device could include an Ethernet port, and the connector  106  would then include an Ethernet connector. The Ethernet port of the IP telephony device could include a female connector, and the first connector  106  of the pigtail  108  would then include a male connector. For example, RJ-45 connectors could be used for LAN (local area network) connections in some embodiments. Other types and positions of connectors and other types of pigtails are readily devised as noted below as the embodiments may be extended to any Internet connectable appliance or device that must be provisioned prior to installation, such as set top boxes, cell phones, switches, wireless access points, tablets, TVs, laptops, servers, blades, and other electronics that can be powered on within their shipping containers and connected to a data network. It should be appreciated that genders of connectors and ports could be swapped, and connectors, cables and ports conforming to various standards can be employed in the embodiments as the examples provided herein are not meant to be limiting. It should be further appreciated that a pigtail as used herein is a cable suitable for communicating with electronic device  102  that extends between connectors  106  and  110  in some embodiments. 
     In one embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 1 , a connector  112  extends through a wall  130  of the box  104 . For example, a portion of the connector  112  could extend inward to the interior of the box  104 , and a further portion of the connector  112  could extend outward to the exterior of the box  104 . In variations, the connector  112  could have a surface flush with either an outer surface or an inner surface of the box  104 . The connector  112  has two ports, the first of which is inside of the box  104 , the second other of which is outside of the box  104 . In the example shown, the connector  112  has two female ports; however this is one example as alternative configurations are readily devised. Various aspects of embodiments of the connector  112  will be further discussed regarding  FIGS. 2-5 . 
     Continuing with  FIG. 1 , the pigtail  108  couples to the connector  112 . As illustrated, one connector  106  of the pigtail  108  is coupled to the electronic device  102 , and the other connector  110  of the pigtail  108  couples to the connector  112 . In this example, the connector  110  includes a male connector, which plugs into the first female port of the connector  112 , inside of the box  104 . A cable  116  resides outside of the box  104 , and has multiple connectors  114 . One of the connectors  114  couples to the connector  112 . In this example, the connector  114  includes a male connector, which plugs into the second female port of the connector  112 , outside of the box  104 . Further connectors  114  of the cable  116  couple to further connectors  112  of further boxed electronic devices  102  (not shown in  FIG. 1 , but readily appreciated). For example, the electronic devices may be stacked within or on a pallet in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the cable  116  snakes around to all of the boxed electronic devices  102  of a stacked configuration. Cable  116  may have branches to the various electronic devices  102 , for example branches which service rows, columns, layers or stacks of the electronic devices  102 . Thus, the cable  116  is coupled to the pigtails  108 , which couples to the electronic devices  102 , i.e., the cable  116  is coupled to the electronic devices  102  via the pigtails  108 . 
     The cable  116  can be coupled to a provisioning device  126 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the cable  116  includes a connector  118 . In a further embodiment, the cable  116  can be coupled to the connector  118 , such as by a connector of the cable  116 . A further cable  122 , with connectors  120 ,  124 , couples the provisioning device  126  to the cable  116 . For example the connector  120  of the cable  122  could couple to the connector  118 , and the other connector  124  of the cable  122  could couple to the provisioning device  126 . The provisioning device  126  is thereby coupled to the electronic devices  102  via the cables  122 ,  116 , the connectors  118 ,  112 , and the pigtails  108 . In one embodiment, the provisioning device  126  includes an Ethernet switch. In some embodiments, the provisioning device  126  is a provisioning server, terminal server, multiplexors, digital access cross-connect device, firmware device, etc. Connectors  120  and  124  may be a multi pin connector available from Amphenol Corporation in some embodiments. 
     In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the connector  118  couples the cable  116 , which is inside or on a pallet  132 , to the cable  122 , which is outside or off of the pallet  132 . For example, the connector  118  could be positioned partway through a wall of the pallet  132  or at an edge of the pallet  132 . Although the connectors, cables, the electronic device  102  and the provisioning device  126 , are shown coupled together in  FIG. 1 , it is readily appreciated that the connectors allow decoupling, and that like connectors  114  can be exchanged with one another in a coupling arrangement. It is further appreciated that the connectors can be coupled in various sequences prior to provisioning, and decoupled in various sequences following provisioning. In further embodiments, fewer or a greater number of connectors, couplings, cables, pigtails, ports and so on could be used. 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a connector  112  suitable for use in the connector and cabling system, or the shipping assembly, of  FIG. 1 . In this example, the connector  112  has two female ports  202 , at opposed ends of the connector  112 . Electrical contacts  204  provide electrical connection to the connector  112 , such as by a male connector dimensioned to fit the female port  202 . In some embodiments connector  112  may have a flat extension or wing extending peripherally from a middle section of the connector. This flat extension may support the connector in the wall of the box, e.g., by being sandwiched between corrugated pieces of the wall of the box of the electronic device. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of an aperture  302  through a wall  130  of a box  104  of one of the boxed electronic devices  102  of  FIG. 1 . The aperture  302  could be produced by a tool, such as a punch or a cutting tool. In one embodiment, the aperture  302  is produced by pushing the connector  112  through the wall  130 , with the connector  112  having sharpened edges or sharpened protrusions. In various embodiments, the connector  112  is inserted partially through the aperture  302  in the wall  130 . The connector  112  could be attached to the wall by an adhesive, friction, fasteners, tape, prongs, wings, threads or other devices or techniques readily devised in accordance with the teachings herein. It should be appreciated that aperture  302  may be any opening within a package containing the electronic devices  102  and is not limited to an aperture within a wall of a box. 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the connector  112  of  FIG. 2 , with added skirts  402 ,  404  for clamping the wall  130  of the box of  FIG. 3 . In one embodiment, a first skirt  402  is attached to the connector  112 . A portion of the connector  112  protrudes perpendicularly from one face of the first skirt  402 , and a further portion (shown in dashed lines) of the connector  112  protrudes perpendicularly from an opposed second face of the first skirt  402 . A second skirt  404  has an aperture  408 , which is dimensioned to fit the profile of the connector  112 . Assembly of the second skirt  404  to the connector  112  is performed after passing a portion of the connector  112  through the aperture  302  of the wall  130  of the box  104 . The second skirt is assembled to the connector  112 , with a portion of the connector  112  passing through the aperture  408  of the second skirt  404 . Prongs  406 , attached to the connector  112 , fold as the second skirt  404  and the walls of the aperture  408  compress the prongs  406 . The prongs  406  then spring back up to secure the second skirt  404 , once the second skirt  404  has passed closer to the first skirt  402  than the location at which the prongs  406  are attached to the connector  112 . Other mechanisms for retaining a second skirt  404  to the connector  112  are readily devised. In a further embodiment, the connector  112  is used with the first skirt  402  and the prongs  406  to secure through the wall  130 , without use of a second skirt  404 . In a still further embodiment, the connector  112  includes a two-piece connector, with each piece having a retention surface, and the two pieces snapping together to clamp the wall  130  of the box  104 . 
       FIG. 5  is a cross-section view of the connector  112  and skirts  402 ,  404  of  FIG. 4  assembled to the wall  130  of the box of  FIG. 3 . The skirts  402 ,  404  are positioned on opposed sides of the wall  130 . Prongs  406  hold the second skirt  404  pressed against a surface of the wall  130 , while the first skirt  402  presses against on opposed surface of the wall  130 . In variations, the connector  112  could be inserted from the outside of the box  104 , or from the inside of the box  104  (e.g., with a lid of the box removed). 
       FIG. 6  is a perspective view of a group or pallet of boxed electronic devices, arranged with the connector and cabling system of  FIG. 1 . Here, the boxes  104  are shown stacked up and packed together, with the cable  116  routed to each of the boxes as described above. The electronic devices  102  are inside of the boxes  104 , with pigtails. The electronic devices  102  can be provisioned via the cable  116 . In this example, the cable  116  is shown with branches to the layers and rows of boxes  104 . Other branching configurations, such as to columns or other portions of the boxes  104 , or arrangements or routings such as snaking or zigzagging of the cable  116 , are readily devised. Cabling  116  is coupled to connector  118 , which may be affixed to a pallet wall, coupled to a pallet surface, coupled to an outer surface of a box of the stack, etc. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a pallet  132  suitable for use with the connector and cabling system, in the shipping assembly of  FIG. 1  in accordance with one embodiment. Pallet  132  could be flat platforms or reusable containers in some embodiments. In this example, the pallet  132  is in the form of an open container, and has the connector  118  embedded in a wall of the pallet  132 . Other arrangements for the connector  118  or the cable  116 , and other mechanisms for attaching the cable  116  or the connector  118  to the pallet  132  are readily devised in accordance with the teachings disclosed herein. It should be appreciated that the boxed electronic devices  102  can be coupled to the cable  116  and placed in the pallet  132  one at a time, or in groups of two or more, in preparation for shipping. It should further be appreciated that the boxed electronic devices could be coupled to the cable  116  and then placed, in a group, in the pallet  132 . The boxed electronic devices can be spaced apart in some embodiments in order for the cabling to access the inner boxes of the stack. Provisioning can occur at any time after the electronic devices have been coupled to the cable  116 . In some embodiments, an Ethernet switch or other suitable provisioning device is attached to the pallet  132 . It should be appreciated the use of pallet  132  is optional as the stacked configuration of electronic devices may be shrink wrapped in some embodiments with connector  118  coupled to a box of the stack. It should be further appreciated that a stacked configuration of boxes may include multiple connectors  118  in some embodiments. 
     Power can be provided to the electronic devices  102  through various mechanisms. USB (Universal serial bus) devices can have electric power provided through USB-compatible cables and connectors, in which case the cable  116 , pigtails  108 , and various connectors would conform to a USB standard. Ethernet-connectable devices, including IP telephony devices, could have electric power provided through power over Ethernet (POE), in which case the cable  116 , pigtails  108 , and various connectors would conform to a POE standard. A mobile communication device may have a single port for both communication and power to recharge batteries, in which case the cable  116 , pigtails  108 , and various connectors would conform to an applicable standard. Alternatively, a mobile communication device may have separate ports for communication and power to recharge batteries, in which case a connector  112  could include both types of connections, and the cable  116 , pigtails  108  and various connectors would conform to both applicable standards. Further types of electronic devices  102  could have power and communication applied via a cable  116 , one or more pigtails  108  or a branched pigtail, and various connectors that conform to an applicable standard. 
     In order to individually provision each electronic device  102 , a provisioning device  126  should establish individual communication with each electronic device via the cable  116 . One mechanism supporting this is available when each electronic device has a unique electronic identifier. For example, Ethernet-connectable devices each have a media access control (MAC) address unique to the individual device, provided by the manufacturer. Thus, a provisioning device  126  coupled to multiple electronic devices  102  via the cable  116  and pigtails  108  can communicate individually with each electronic device  102 , using the MAC address of the electronic device  102 . A communication manager could build a database of every endpoint and the associated MAC address in some embodiments. In some embodiments, USB devices may self-identify themselves. Mobile communication devices may have a unique serial number, or a SIM (subscriber identity module) card with unique identification. Set-top boxes, for televisions, may also have unique identification. 
       FIG. 8  is a flow diagram of a method for preparing electronic devices for shipping, which can be practiced using the shipping assembly with the connector and cabling system, of  FIG. 1 . Boxed electronic devices are received, in an action  802 . For example, a bulk shipment of electronic devices could be received, and the boxes are then separated into groups and re-bundled for distribution to customers. Each customer could request provisioning prior to shipment of a respective group or bundle of boxed electronic devices, or could perform provisioning after receiving a shipment. A pigtail is connected to each electronic device, in an action  804 . For example, the box of each boxed electronic device could be opened, and a pigtail or connector is inserted into the box and connected to the electronic device therein. As mentioned above, alternative packaging configurations to a box may be utilized with the embodiments described herein. For example, the electronic devices may be wrapped in shrink wrap, placed into foam separators that may or may not enclose each electronic device, etc. 
     A first connector is arranged or provided through a box wall or an opening in an alternative packaging configuration, in an action  806 . For example, the first connector is pushed through an aperture in the wall of the box, for each boxed electronic device. In other embodiments, the first connector may be integrated into the wall of the box or opening of the packaging, during assembly of the box or alternative packaging configuration. The first connector could be secured to the wall of the box using various mechanisms as described above. This could be performed while the electronic device is outside of the box, or with the electronic device in the box, in variations. An arrangement could be made with the provider of the boxed electronic devices, to insert the pigtails and first connectors prior to the bulk shipment of electronic devices in some embodiments 
     The pigtail is coupled to the first connector, in an action  808 . For example, the pigtail could be coupled to the first connector, inside of the box. The three actions  804 ,  806 ,  808  could be performed in various orders, i.e., the pigtail could be connected first to either the electronic device or the first connector, and the first connector could be placed through the box wall before or after the pigtail connections are started or completed, or after a first pigtail connection is made and a second pigtail connection is yet to be completed. 
     In a decision action  810 , the question is asked, is it the case that each boxed or packaged electronic device has a pigtail and a first connector? If the answer is no, some of the boxed electronic devices do not yet have pigtails and first connectors, the flow branches back to the action  804  so that the next pigtail can get connected to the next electronic device, the next first connector can be routed through a box wall, and the pigtail can get connected to the first connector. If the answer is yes, all of the boxed electronic devices have pigtails and first connectors, flow proceeds to the action  812 . 
     A second connector of the cable is coupled to the first connector, in an action  812 . For example, a second connector of the cable could be coupled to the first connector, outside of one of the boxes. In a decision action  814 , the question is asked, is it the case that each first connector is coupled to a second connector of the cable? If the answer is no, some of the first connectors are not yet coupled to a second connectors of the cable, the flow branches back to the action  812  so that the remaining first connectors can get connected to the cable. If the answer is yes, all of the first connectors are coupled to second connectors of the cable, then the flow branches to the action  816 . 
     The cable is coupled to the third connector, in an action  816 . For example, the cable could be coupled to a connector that passes through a portion of a pallet, is positioned along an edge of a pallet, or the connector may be affixed to an outside of one of the boxes of the stack or pallet. As a further example, the third connector could be integrated with the cable. The boxed electronic devices are placed on or in the pallet, in an action  818 . For example, each electronic device could be placed in a pallet before or as the device is coupled to the cable via the first connector and the pigtail. As a further example, the electronic devices could be coupled to the cable and then placed in or on the pallet. 
     The third connector is coupled to the provisioning device, i.e., the cable is coupled to the provisioning device, in an action  820 . For example, a second cable could be coupled to the third connector and coupled to the provisioning device. The second cable would thus couple the third connector and the first cable to the provisioning device. Each electronic device is provisioned, in an action  822 . This could be accomplished using the power and communication mechanisms described above, before or after shipping. Provisioning of the boxed electronic devices would thus occur via the provisioning device, the second cable, the third connector, the first cable, the second connectors, the first connectors, and the pigtails. In the case of IP telephony devices, provisioning could include configuring the device with a direct dial number or an extension, or setting up various options or permissions. Other electronic devices would be provisioned in accordance with capabilities and options of the device. It should be appreciated that provisioning the electronic devices may relate to a service of which the electronic device makes use. For example, the provisioning of the electronic devices may refer to the process of preparing and equipping the electronic devices to be recognized by a network to allow the electronic device to provide a service to a user. In some embodiments, the provisioning process monitors access rights and privileges to ensure the security of an enterprise&#39;s resources and user privacy. In other embodiments the provisioning process ensures compliance and minimizes the vulnerability of systems to penetration and abuse. 
     Detailed illustrative embodiments are disclosed herein. However, specific functional details disclosed herein are merely representative for purposes of describing embodiments. Embodiments may, however, be embodied in many alternate forms and should not be construed as limited to only the embodiments set forth herein. 
     It should be understood that although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various steps or calculations, these steps or calculations should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one step or calculation from another. For example, a first calculation could be termed a second calculation, and, similarly, a second step could be termed a first step, without departing from the scope of this disclosure. As used herein, the term “and/or” and the “/” symbol includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. 
     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”, “comprising”, “includes”, and/or “including”, when used herein, 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. Therefore, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting. 
     It should also be noted that in some alternative implementations, the functions/acts noted may occur out of the order noted in the figures. For example, two figures shown in succession may in fact be executed substantially concurrently or may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality/acts involved. 
     Although the method operations were described in a specific order, it should be understood that other operations may be performed in between described operations, described operations may be adjusted so that they occur at slightly different times or the described operations may be distributed in a system which allows the occurrence of the various operations at various intervals associated with the method. 
     The foregoing description, for the purpose of explanation, has been described with reference to specific embodiments. However, the illustrative discussions above are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the embodiments and its practical applications, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the embodiments and various modifications as may be suited to the particular use contemplated. Accordingly, the present embodiments are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and the invention is not to be limited to the details given herein, but may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims.