Patent Publication Number: US-10325456-B2

Title: Communication devices including an illumination source and a physical input sensor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/957,199, filed Dec. 2, 2015, entitled COMMUNICATION DEVICES INCLUDING AN ILLUMINATION SOURCE AND A PHYSICAL INPUT SENSOR, which is a divisional application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/797,673, filed Mar. 12, 2013, entitled COMMUNICATION DEVICES INCLUDING AN ILLUMINATION SOURCE AND A PHYSICAL INPUT SENSOR, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/680,195, filed Aug. 6, 2012, entitled VISUAL INDICATOR, all of which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Field 
     Embodiments relate generally to communication devices. Example embodiments relate to illuminable visual indicators for communication devices that may be used in data center port management, digital diagnostics, and other similar applications. Further embodiments relate to communication devices including sensors configured to detect physical input at the communication device. 
     Relevant Technology 
     Data centers play an integral role in providing many computing services. Data centers may include thousands of host devices, such as host computers, switching hubs, network routers, or switch boxes. Communication modules, such as electronic or optoelectronic transceiver or transponder modules, may be connected to these host devices. Some host devices include multiple cages and can, therefore, accommodate multiple communication modules simultaneously. Many communication modules are pluggable, which permits the modules to be inserted into and removed from a cage or a port of the host devices. Cages of the host devices may include latches for engaging the module to prevent accidental release. Some communication modules include a handle, which will allow the modules to be inserted into and/or removed from the host device cage or port by way of the handle. Where the module is engaged by a latch, the handle may allow a user to disengage the latch by pulling the handle. 
     Each communication module typically communicates with a printed circuit board (PCB) of the host device by transmitting and/or receiving electrical data signals to and/or from the host device PCB. Data signals can also be transmitted by the communication modules outside the host device as optical and/or electrical data signals. Transmitting data signals outside the host device may be done via cables plugged into a port of the communication module. 
     In a data center, thousands of cables may be employed to interconnect the host devices. Some cable connections may be made using active communication devices such as active cables. Active cables include communication cables with communication modules at one or both ends of the communication cables. One particular active cable may include optoelectronic modules connected to one or both ends of an optical cable. The communication modules at one or both ends of the communication cables may be plugged into ports of the host devices. The communication modules of some active cables include handles, which are often described as “pull tabs.” The communication modules of such active cables may be inserted into and/or removed from ports of host devices by way of the handle. 
     Frequently, data centers do not have accurate maps of the thousands of cable connections between ports of the host devices. In some instances, if a host device or communication module issues an alarm that something has gone wrong, finding an exact port on an exact host device may be a time-consuming process. Furthermore, cables are often kept in large bundles of like-colored cables that may be difficult for a person to follow from one end to another. 
     The subject matter claimed herein is not limited to embodiments that solve any disadvantages or that operate only in environments such as those described above. Rather, this background is only provided to illustrate one exemplary technology area where some embodiments described herein may be practiced. 
     SUMMARY 
     Embodiments relate to communication devices. In some instances, the communication devices may include visual indicators and/or sensors that may assist data center port management. 
     This Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential characteristics of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     In an example embodiment, a communication device may include a communication module including an illumination source and a body element. The body element may be configured to allow illumination generated by the illumination source to propagate within and illuminate at least a portion of an outer surface of the first body element. 
     In another example embodiment, a body element may include a protrusion configured to enable a person to grip and remove the communication module from a retaining connection. The protrusion may be configured to allow illumination generated by an illumination source of the communication module to propagate within and illuminate at least a portion of an outer surface of the protrusion. 
     In another example embodiment, a communication module includes a sensor configured to detect a physical input applied at the communication module. The sensor is in communication with the communication module such that the communication module performs an act in response to the physical input applied at the communication module. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by the practice of the invention. The features and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instruments and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. These and other features of the present invention will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims, or may be learned by the practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Embodiments will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying drawings in which: 
         FIG. 1A  is a top perspective view of an example active cable; 
         FIG. 1B  illustrates the active cable of  FIG. 1A  including illuminated handles; 
         FIG. 1C  is a top perspective view of a first optoelectronic module of  FIG. 1A ; 
         FIG. 1D  is a bottom perspective view of the first optoelectronic module of  FIG. 1C ; 
         FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an example optoelectronic transceiver including a handle; 
         FIG. 2B  illustrates the optoelectronic transceiver of  FIG. 2A  with its handle illuminated; 
         FIG. 3A  is a perspective view of an example optoelectronic transceiver without a handle; and 
         FIG. 3B  illustrates the optoelectronic transceiver of  FIG. 3A  with a surface of the optoelectronic transceiver illuminated. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     Example embodiments relate to communication devices including illuminable visual indicators and/or sensors for detecting a physical input from a user at the communication device. The communication device may include a communication module having an illumination source and a body element. The body element may allow illumination generated by the illumination source to propagate within the body element such that an outer surface of the body element is illuminated. 
     The communication module may alternately or additionally include a sensor configured to detect a physical input from a user at the communication module. In response to the physical input, the communication module may cause the communication module to perform an action. For example, upon detecting the physical input, the communication module may cause an illumination source of a connected communication module to turn on. For example, upon detecting the physical input, the communication module may send a signal via a cable to the connected communication module such that the connected communication module turns on its illumination source. 
     Advantageously, when a body element of a communication module is illuminated, it may allow the communication module to be accurately, quickly, and conveniently identified. The illumination may be particularly helpful for identifying a particular optoelectronic module among a multitude of similar communication modules located together in close proximity. For example, communication modules having selectively illuminable body elements may be particularly useful for identifying a particular communication module from among other nearby communication modules in a data center. Advantageously, including a sensor in a communication module may allow a user to physically manipulate the communication module such that it performs an action such as causing a connected communication module to illuminate a body element. The inclusion of a sensor within the communication module may be particularly useful in finding both ends of a connection when one end of the connection is known. 
     The embodiments described herein can be implemented in various communication modules, including electronic modules, optoelectronic modules, optical engines, and the like. As used herein, the term “optoelectronic module” includes modules having both optical and electrical components. Examples of electronic and optoelectronic modules include, but are not limited to, active electrical cables, active optical cables, transponders, transceivers, transmitters, and/or receivers. Electronic and optoelectronic modules can be used, for instance, in telecommunications networks, local area networks, metro area networks, storage area networks, wide area networks, and the like and can be configured to conform with one or more standardized form factors or multi-source agreements (MSAs), including the QSFP, QSFP+, CXP, CFP, CFP2, CFP4, XFP, SFE, SFP, and SFP+ form factors, without restriction. It will be appreciated, however, that the electronic and optoelectronic modules need not comply with standardized form factor requirements and may have any size or configuration necessary according to a particular design. 
     The communication modules according to some embodiments can be configured for electrical and/or optical signal transmission and reception at a variety of per-second data rates including, but not limited to, 10 gigabits per second (G), 40G, 100G, or higher. As used herein, the terms “10G,” “40G,” “100G,” and similar terms represent rounded approximations of common signaling rates and have the meanings commonly understood by those of skill in the art. 
     Furthermore, the communication modules according to some embodiments can be configured for optical signal transmission and reception at various wavelengths including, but not limited to, 850 nm, 1310 nm, 1470 nm, 1490 nm, 1510 nm, 1530 nm, 1550 nm, 1570 nm, 1590 nm, or 1610 nm. Further, the communication modules can be configured to support various transmission standards including, but not limited to, Ethernet, Fibre Channel, INFINIBAND, and synchronous optical networking (SONET) and/or Synchronous Digital Hierarchy (SDH). 
     Advantageously, embodiments described herein may allow particular communication modules to be identified accurately, quickly, and conveniently. In some instances, a user may make a physical input at a first communication module attached to a cable to cause a second communication module attached to the cable to light up. As a result, a user may accurately, quickly, and conveniently identify both ends of a particular cable. 
     Reference will now be made to the figures wherein like structures will be provided with like reference designations. It should be understood that the drawings are diagrammatic and schematic representations of exemplary embodiments and, accordingly, are not limiting of the scope of the present invention, nor are the drawings necessarily drawn to scale. 
       FIG. 1A  is a perspective view of an example active optical cable  100 . Although illustrated as an active optical cable, embodiments may include active electronic cables and the like. The active optical cable  100  may be used in transmitting and receiving optical signals in connection with a host device (not shown) that is operatively connected in some embodiments to a communication network (not shown). As illustrated in  FIG. 1A , the active optical cable  100  includes a first optoelectronic module  102 A and a second optoelectronic module  102 B. The first optoelectronic module  102 A and the second optoelectronic module  102 B may be collectively described as “optoelectronic modules  102 .” Collective reference to the optoelectronic modules  102  should be understood to include both or either of the optoelectronic modules  102 A,  102 B (i.e., the optoelectronic modules  102  can be considered to include “first optoelectronic module  102 A and/or second optoelectronic module  102 B”). The optoelectronic modules  102  may be communicatively connected by an optical cable  104 . The optoelectronic modules  102  may each include a body  106 A and  106 B (collectively “bodies  106 ”). The bodies  106  may be configured to form a pluggable connection with the host device. The bodies  106  may contain connectors (shown in  FIG. 1D ) that communicate electrical data signals to the host device. 
     The optoelectronic modules  102  may each include a handle  108 A and  108 B (collectively “handles  108 ”). The handles  108  may be formed from protrusions configured to enable a person to grip and remove the optoelectronic modules  102  from retaining connections. The handles  108  may be made from a material that allows illumination to propagate within the handles  108 . The handles  108  may be configured to transport and distribute illumination originating from an illumination source  110 A and  110 B (collectively “illumination sources  110 ”) within the optoelectronic modules  102  to an exposed surface of the handles  108 . In some embodiments, the optoelectronic modules  102  may include conduits configured to propagate illumination from the illumination sources  110  to an illumination entry surface of the handles  108 . In some embodiments, the handles  108  may be configured to receive illumination at the illumination entry surface and distribute the illumination evenly over the exposed surface of the handles  108 . 
       FIG. 1B  illustrates the active cable  100  of  FIG. 1A  including illuminated handles  108 . Either handle  108 A or handle  108 B may be illuminated independently, or both handles  108  may be illuminated as shown in  FIG. 1B . The first optoelectronic module  102 A may turn on an illumination source  110 A, which may illuminate the handle  108 A. The handle  108 A, when illuminated, may allow a person to identify the first optoelectronic module  102 A by its illuminated handle  108 A. When the handle  108 A is illuminated, a person may be able to accurately, quickly, and conveniently identify the first optoelectronic module  102 A among a multitude of communication modules (not shown) similar in appearance and located together in close proximity. For example, when the handle  108 A is illuminated, a person may be able to identify the first optoelectronic module  102 A from among other nearby communication modules in a data center. 
     The second optoelectronic module  102 B may be configured to turn on an illumination source  110 B and illuminate the handle  108 B in a manner that generally corresponds to that of the first optoelectronic module  102 A. 
     Handles  108  of optoelectronic modules  102  may provide a relatively large surface area in a relatively exposed position. Illuminating the handles  108  may provide increased visibility for optoelectronic modules  102  that have turned on their illumination sources  110 , particularly when compared to other indicator lights on a surface of the optoelectronic modules  102  or the host device. Illuminated handles  108  or other body elements extending from the optoelectronic modules  102  may provide increased visibility from a distance. Although illumination of the handles  108  is described, other body elements of the optoelectronic modules  102  may be configured to be illuminated when the illumination sources  110  of the optoelectronic modules  102  are turned on. 
     The illumination sources  110  may include one or more light-emitting diodes (LEDs) located in the optoelectronic modules  102 . Alternately or additionally, another type of illumination source may be used. The illumination sources  110  may produce multiple colors. In some embodiments, different colors may communicate different diagnostic states such as messages, alarms, alerts, warnings, information, and the like. The illumination sources  110  may be made to flash on and off at different rates. In some embodiments, different flashing rates may be used to quantify information about the optoelectronic modules  102 , or information about the signal being transmitted or received from or at the communication modules. Alternately or additionally, different flashing rates may communicate different diagnostic states generally corresponding to those described with reference to using different colors. In some embodiments, the color and/or flashing rates of a first illumination source  110 A at the first optoelectronic module  102 A may indicate a physical address label of the second optoelectronic module  102 B. 
     In some embodiments, the signals provided by the illumination sources  110  may be observed by the human eye and understood by the observer. Alternately or additionally, the signals provided by the illumination sources  110  may be received and interpreted by an electronic device. 
     Diagnostic states communicated by the illumination provided by the illumination sources  110  may include alarm and warning set points triggered from: a transmission power of the optoelectronic modules  102 , a receiver input power of the optoelectronic modules  102 , a temperature of the optoelectronic modules  102 , or a bias current of the optoelectronic modules  102 . Alternately or additionally, diagnostic states communicated by the illumination provided by the illumination sources  110  may include: jitter, input amplitudes, output amplitudes of a signal, loss of signal (LOS), or other fault conditions at the optoelectronic modules  102 . In some embodiments, the illumination sources  110  in the optoelectronic modules  102  may be turned on for a time when the optoelectronic modules  102  are first plugged in to a host device in order to indicate that the optoelectronic modules  102  are properly connected. 
     Illuminating a body element such as the handles  108  of the optoelectronic modules  102  may allow elimination of indicator lights that would otherwise be included on an outer surface of the optoelectronic modules  102 . Surface areas of the optoelectronic modules  102  originally reserved for indicator lights may be reallocated for another use. In instances where indicator lights are included on the host device for communicating a status of the optoelectronic modules  102 , the areas of the host devices dedicated to the indicator lights may instead be used for other purposes and/or eliminated to increase the density of ports on the host device. 
     The optoelectronic modules  102  may be configured to turn on the illumination sources  110  in response to receiving a command from the host device. Alternately or additionally, the optoelectronic modules  102  may turn on the illumination sources  110  in response to receiving a command via the optical cable  104 . 
     The command may be transmitted by the first optoelectronic module  102 A to the second optoelectronic module  102 B via an out-of-band signal over the optical cable  104 . The out-of-band communication may be done in a manner that does not interfere with data traffic sent through the optoelectronic modules  102  and through the optical cable  104 . In some embodiments, the command may be sent by varying an intensity of a data traffic optical signal. Alternately or additionally, the command may be sent by transmitting direct-current light pulses. Alternately or additionally, other methods of transmitting out-of-band signals may be used. Causing the first optoelectronic module  102 A to send a command to the second optoelectronic module  102 B such that the second optoelectronic module  102 B turns on its illumination source  110 B may allow a person to quickly and easily identify all ends of the active optical cable  100 . 
     The optoelectronic modules  102  may each include a sensor  112 A and  112 B (collectively “sensors  112 ”). In some embodiments, the sensor  112 A, when activated, may preferably cause the first optoelectronic module  102 A to send a command to the second optoelectronic module  102 B such that the second optoelectronic module  102 B turns on its illumination source  110 B. Advantageously, the sensor  112 A may allow a user at one end of the active optical cable  100  to accurately, quickly, and conveniently identify the second optoelectronic module  102 B at the other end of the active optical cable  100 . Alternately or additionally, activating the sensor  112 A or activating other similar sensors (not shown) may cause the communication module  102 A to provide diagnostic states to a user via the illumination source  110 A as described herein, and/or may cause the communication module to communicate with the host device or the second communication module  102 B. The second optoelectronic module  102 B may include a sensor  112 B generally corresponding to the sensor  112 A. 
       FIG. 1C  is a top perspective view of the first optoelectronic module  102 A. The optoelectronic module  102 A includes the sensor  112 A. The sensor  112 A may include, but is not limited to, an actuator, a mechanical switch, a force-sensitive resistor or other force-sensitive device, a capacitive sensor, a thermal sensor, an inductive sensor, a magnetic sensor, or the like. The sensor  112 A may be located in any suitable position in or on the optoelectronic module  102 A. In some embodiments, the sensor  112 A may be positioned to receive physical input applied to the handle  108 A and/or to the optoelectronic module  102 A independent of the handle  108 A. For example, the sensor  112 A may be activated by applying a force  116  to the optoelectronic module  102 A and/or the handle  108 . The force  116  may be applied toward a host device (not shown) connected to the optoelectronic module  102 A and is described herein as a pushing force  116 . 
     In some embodiments, the sensor  112 A may be activated by moving the optoelectronic module  102 A toward the host device as a result of the pushing force  116 . In operation, the optoelectronic module  102 A may be urged against a retention latch (not shown) of the host device by a spring or some other biasing device. Many types of optoelectronic module  102 A include selectively releasable latch mechanisms including biasing devices for urging the optoelectronic module  102 A toward the front of the host device and against a retention latch. The selectively releasable latch mechanisms are often operated by rotating a bail at the front of the optoelectronic module  102 A. The bail, which may be described as a driver, may generally correspond to the handle  108 A for activating the sensor  112 A as described herein. 
     Many types of optoelectronic module  102 A may be moved toward the host device by applying a pushing force  116  sufficient to overcome the biasing device urging the optoelectronic module  102 A toward the front of the host device and against the retention latch. In some embodiments, the optoelectronic module  102 A may include a mechanical switch or the like positioned to be activated by contact with the host device when the optoelectronic module  102 A is moved toward the host device. 
     Alternately or additionally, the sensor  112 A may include a mechanical switch or the like positioned to be activated when the mechanical slack of a latching mechanism (not shown) is altered by a pushing force  116  applied to the handle  108 A. Alternately or additionally, a force-sensitive sensor such as a force-sensitive resistor, a displacement-sensitive sensor, a pressure-sensitive sensor, or the like may be used to sense when a user applies a pushing force  116  to the optoelectronic module  102 A and/or handle  108 A. 
       FIG. 1D  is a bottom perspective view of the optoelectronic module  102 A. The optoelectronic module  102 A includes a printed circuit board (PCB)  130  forming an edge connector  132  having multiple conductive contacts  134 . In some instances, a pin-out scheme for the edge connector  132  may include a redundant ground contact. In some embodiments, the sensor  112 A includes the redundant ground contact  136 . The redundant ground contact  136  may be connected to a switch input of the sensor  112 A. The redundant ground contact  136  may be positioned to form an open electrical configuration—i.e., avoid contact—with a connector (not shown) of the host device when the optoelectronic module  102 A is nominally positioned relative to the host device. The redundant ground contact  136  is further positioned to form a closed electrical configuration—i.e. make contact—with the connector of the host device when the optoelectronic module  102 A is pushed toward the host device with a pushing force  116  sufficient to overcome the biasing device urging the optoelectronic module  102 A toward the front of the host device and against the retention latch. The contact between the redundant ground contact  136  and the host device contact may act as a switch closure for activating the sensor  112 A. In some embodiments, the redundant ground contact  136  may be located on a low-speed side of the edge connector  132 . 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1C , in some embodiments, the sensor  112 A may be activated by applying a force  118  away from the host device, described herein as a pulling force  118 . The degree of the pulling force  118  required to activate the sensor  112 A is generally less than that required to unlatch or otherwise remove the optoelectronic module  102 A from the host device. The sensor  112 A may be activated by a pulling force  118  in a manner generally corresponding to the pushing force  116 . 
     In some embodiments, the sensor  112 A may be activated by applying force  122  to the handle substantially parallel to the relative to the host device. The parallel force  122  may include pressing up, down, sideways, and/or applying a moment relative to the host device. The sensor  112 A may be activated by a parallel force  122  in a manner generally corresponding to the pushing force  116 . 
     Preferably, the sensor  112 A monitors forces on the handle  108 A for temporary physical input against a baseline state determined from a long average of the input forces sensed by the sensor  112 A. For example, the sensor  112 A may include a force-sensitive resistor and may account for static loads applied to the handle  108 A, such as loads that may result during use of the optoelectronic module  102 A from cables consistently pressing on the handle  108 A. However, the sensor  112 A may alternately or additionally include one or more mechanical switches and may be activated by one or more particular forces applied to the handle  108 A. 
     In some embodiments, the sensor  112 A may include a sensor  124  configured to detect a warm and/or conductive body (not shown) proximate to and/or in contact with the sensor  124 . The sensor  124  may include a capacitive, thermal, inductive, and/or optical sensor. The sensor  124  may allow a user to activate the sensor  112 A by simply placing a finger or the like proximate to and/or in contact with the sensor  124 . The sensor  124  may cover a portion of the handle, as disclosed in  FIG. 1C . Alternately, the sensor  124  may cover the handle  108 A. 
     In some embodiments, the sensor  124  may include a membrane switch, force-sensitive resistor, or the like allowing the sensor  112 A to be activated by applying a compressive force  126  to a portion of the handle  108 A including the sensor  124 . For example, the sensor  124  may allow a user to activate the sensor  112 A by pinching the tip of the handle  108 A between two fingers or the like. 
       FIG. 2A  is a perspective view of an example optoelectronic transceiver  200  including a handle  202 . Although illustrated as an optoelectronic transceiver, embodiments may include electronic transceivers and the like. The handle  202  is configured to transport and distribute illumination originating from an illumination source  204  within the optoelectronic transceiver  200  to the surface of the handle  202 .  FIG. 2B  illustrates the optoelectronic transceiver  200  of  FIG. 2A  with its handle  202  illuminated. The configuration and operation of the optoelectronic transceiver  200  and illumination of its handle  202  may generally be similar to the configuration and operation of the optoelectronic modules  102  and handles  108  as described with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1D . The optoelectronic transceiver  200  may be configured to turn on its illumination source  204  upon receiving a command from a connected host device (not shown) or from another optoelectronic transceiver via a connected cable (not shown). The optoelectronic transceiver  200  may send commands over a connected cable (not shown) that cause a similar optoelectronic transceiver receiving the command to turn on its illumination source. The optoelectronic transceiver  200  may include a sensor  206  generally corresponding to the sensor  112 A as described with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1D . 
       FIG. 3A  illustrates a perspective view of an example optoelectronic transceiver  300  without a handle. Although illustrated as an optoelectronic transceiver, embodiments may include electronic transceivers and the like. The optoelectronic transceiver  300  may be configured to transport and distribute illumination originating from an illumination source  304  within the optoelectronic transceiver  300  to a surface  302 .  FIG. 3B  illustrates the optoelectronic transceiver  300  of  FIG. 3A  with the surface  302  illuminated. In some embodiments, the surface  302  may be selectively illuminated while an active cable is engaged with the optoelectronic transceiver  300 . Although a front face of the optoelectronic transceiver  300  is shown as the illuminated surface  302 , the optoelectronic transceiver  300  may be configured to alternately or additionally illuminate other visible surfaces. The configuration and operation of the optoelectronic transceiver  300  and illumination of the surface  302  may generally be similar to the configuration and operation of the optoelectronic modules  102  and handles  108 , respectively, as described with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1D . In some embodiments, the example optoelectronic transceiver  300  may include a sensor (not shown) generally corresponding to the sensor  112 A as described with reference to  FIGS. 1A-1D . 
     Although  FIGS. 3A and 3B  show an implementation of an illuminated front face of a Lucent connector (LC) style connectorized device, this concept may also be applicable to other connector types, including but not limited to, subscriber connector (SC), registered jack (RJ), RJ-45, multiple-fiber push-on (MPO), mechanical transfer (MT), and the like. In addition, embodiments described herein may be applied to a module without connectors but with a short-length or fiber or copper cable protruding from the front face of the module, often described as “pigtailed” modules. 
     The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.