Abstract:
A combination patch panel and distribution amplifier within a single housing composed of a plurality of card modules which may have a data format interface with a configurable input/output module known as small footprint plugables for the transmission and distribution of signals, data, and the like, in either serial digital mode, internet protocol mode or other signals, each card module configurable to provide for any front panel jack functioning as a repeater output from external source, input distribution amplifier, output distribution amplifier, or destination jack.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATIONS 
       [0001]    Applicant claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 62/230,076, filed May 28, 2015. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to a patch panel system of multiple card modules, each of which incorporate an input repeater circuit and distribution amplifier, and a configurable input/output module for the patching of audio, video, data, recording, broadcasting, and telecommunication lines, the panel able to patch not only serial digital transmissions, but also packet information transmitted by means of fiber optic, internet protocol and others via a data format interface or small footprint pluggable (SFP). 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Prior Art 
         [0005]    Jack panels or patch panels are well-known in the broadcasting, telecommunication and other audio and video industries where they are used extensively to provide flexibility in the interconnection of audio, video or data circuits. By employing a patch panel, various circuits can be connected together temporarily using one or more patch cords provided with plugs that are received in a plurality of jacks mounted in the panel of the patch panel. In a typical installation, a plurality of patch panels would be utilized with each patch panel having a plurality of input wires and output wires secured thereto and connected to an article of electrical equipment be it a telephone, video monitor, computer, computer monitor or the like. The distribution of the signals further required a plurality of wires interconnecting the patch panels with distribution amplifiers to insure the quality of the signal as it is directed between the various desired electrical equipment. This requirement of interconnecting the patch panels with a plurality of distribution amplifiers increases the cost of installing a facility where audio, video and data transmission and interconnection is required and further increases the cost of maintaining such a system. Applicant addressed the problem and developed a solution as evidenced by U.S. Pat. No. 6,078,507 
         [0006]    Applicant now has further developed the patch panel with incorporated distribution amplifiers to include a data format interface and a configurable input/output module with each card module which allow the patch panel to handle transmitted coaxial cable transmissions which essentially are serial digital as well as handle those transmissions which are being developed and utilize the fiber optic, internet protocol and others for transmission. The configurable input/output module is also known as a small footprint pluggable or SFP. 
       OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    An object of the present invention is to provide for a novel patch panel having multiple card modules each incorporating a repeater circuit and distribution amplifier and may also incorporate a data format interface with a configurable input/output module known as small footprint plugables or SFPs. 
         [0008]    A further object of the present invention is to provide for a novel combination patch panel with multiple card modules incorporating an input repeater circuit, a distribution amplifier, and a data format interface with configurable input/output module which can accommodate a coaxial cable input in serial digital transmission form and also fiber optic, video internet protocol, analogue, digital, HDMI, or DVI and other inputs via the data format interface. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    A combination patch panel and distribution amplifier within a single housing composed of a plurality of card modules which may have a data format interface with a configurable input/output module known as small footprint plugables for the transmission and distribution of signals, data, and the like, in either serial digital mode, internet protocol mode or other signals, each card module configurable to provide for any front panel jack functioning as a repeater output from external source, input distribution amplifier, output distribution amplifier, or destination jack. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0010]    These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent, particularly when taken in light of the following illustrations wherein: 
           [0011]      FIG. 1  is a front view of the housing for a combination patch panel distribution amplifier incorporating a plurality of card modules each having a configurable in/out module; 
           [0012]      FIG. 2  is a side cutaway view of an individual card module of the combination patch panel distribution amplifier with configurable input/output module; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 3  is a block circuitry diagram of one of the plurality of card modules of the patch panel. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0014]      FIG. 1  is a front view of the housing  10  illustrating multiple card modules  12 , which are slidably received within the housing. Card modules  12  are slidably inserted into the housing  10  on individual tracks and as such can be individually replaced if necessary. 
         [0015]      FIG. 2  illustrates a side cutaway view of card module  12 . Each card module  12  has a front face  13  having a pair of upper front panel jack patches  14  and  16 , and a pair of lower front panel jack patches  18  and  20 . The rear face  22  of the card module  12  has a connection  24  for a power source and communications system for the card module, an upper coaxial input  26 , three lower coaxial outputs  28 ,  30 , and  32 , and a configurable input/output module  34  which serves as a data format interface to receive fiber optic, internet protocol, analogue, digital, coaxial, HDMI, DVI, or other signals. The configurable input/output module is illustrated with an input connector  38  and an output connector  36 . The configurable input/output module  34  may also be configured with a second input and output or configured with just a single input and no output or the reverse, a single output and no input. Interposed between the rear face  22  and the front face  13  of the card module  12  are an input repeater circuit  40  and a distribution amplifier  42 . 
         [0016]      FIG. 3  is a block circuitry diagram of the internal wiring of one of the card modules  12  that comprise the patch panel distribution amplifier circuit within the module. It should be noted that the circuitry as illustrated in  FIG. 3  is completely configurable and that its purpose is to provide four distinct capabilities for the four front panel jack patches associated with each card module. The four processes are a repeater output from a source; an input distribution amplifier; an output distribution amplifier; and a destination jack patch. In the description which follows, the circuitry as illustrated in  FIG. 3  provides for front panel jack patch  14  to function as the repeater output from source jack, front jack panel  16  to function as the input distribution amplifier; front panel jack patch  18  functioning as the output distribution amplifier; and front panel jack patch  20  functioning as the destination jack. It is intended therefore to provide for sufficient front panel jacks on each card module which could provide either one of the aforesaid functions, or the card module could be configured so that all of the front panel jacks perform the same function. 
         [0017]    The input repeater circuit  40  can receive signals from upper coaxial input  26  on rear face  22 . Such signal is directed to a cable equalizer  44  which stabilizes the signal. The equalized signal is then directed to a reclocker  46 , and then to a cable driver  48  via first data output  50  and then directed to an upper front panel jack patch  14 . The upper front panel jack patch  14  and all front panel jack patches  14 - 20  are associated with patch cord sensors  52  which can sense the presence of a jack within the receptacle. The patch card sensor  52  associated with upper front jack panel  14  would signal the cable driver  48  identifying the jack&#39;s presence. 
         [0018]    The module  12  can also receive signals via the configurable input/output module  34  from fiber optic, internet protocol, analogue, digital, coaxial, HDMI and DVI signals, as well as others. These signals are directed through a data format interface  56  and then to a data input  58  within the input repeater circuit  40 . This signal is then relayed from a data output  60  of the input repeater circuit  40  to a distribution amplifier  42  at data input  62 . The signal from data input  62  is then directed to output  36  in configurable input/output module on the rear face of card module  12 . The distribution amplifier  42  can also receive a signal from front panel jack patch  16  which would encounter a second cable equalizer  44 A within distribution amplifier  42 . The signal would be subjected to a reclocker  46 A and then sent via a data output to a cable driver  48 A, which in turn directs the signal to one of four locations. The first location would be a lower front panel jack patch  18 . The second output either goes to coax output # 32  or to front panel jack patch  20  via normal switch  66 . The third and fourth outputs could be sent to the coaxial output connections  28  and  30  on the rear face of the housing. 
         [0019]    The lower front panel jack patches are in communication with outlet cable driver  48 A there being interposed therebetween a normal switch  64  and  66  for opening and closing the circuitry. When a jack is inserted into lower front panel jack patch  20 , the normal switch is directed to connect at the lower front patch front panel jack patch  20  directly to a coaxial output on the rear face of the module. The normal switch is controlled by a control signal generated by the patch cord sensor  52 . When a jack is inserted into lower front panel jack patch  18 , sensor  52  signals normal switch  64  so that upper front jack panel patch receives a signal from cable driver  48 A of distribution amplifier  42 . 
         [0020]    This product gives a user the means to interface serial digital coaxial systems to new and existing formats. The system allows the user to easily add new formats, such as fiber optic and internet protocol, to an existing system. By utilizing the patch panels they can test sources and destinations from front panel jacks and are able to redirect signals as needed via use of the patch cord and the incorporated distribution amplifiers. Also, in new systems, the user can design a hybrid system that would utilize both serial digital coaxial equipment and new fiber or internet protocol equipment. 
         [0021]    While the invention has been disclosed with respect to the preferred embodiment thereof, it will be recognized of those of ordinary skill in the art that many modifications will be apparent and this application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations thereof. Therefore, it is manifestly intended that this invention be only limited by the claims and the equivalence thereof.