Patent ID: 7194183

Claim:
A stacked, multi-receptacle modular RJ-XX interface with integral optical indication, the interface comprising: a plurality of modular plugs having leading and trailing portions fabricated from an optically transmissive material; a assembly having first and second rows of stacked receptacles; the stacked receptacles defined by wall portions extending from a front plane to an end wall; the assembly being superposed with a circuit board to define a footprint thereon; the receptacles each sized and shaped to releasably receive the leading portion of a modular plug therein; a plurality of light pipes extending from a proximal end coupled to each receptacle, to a distal end coupled to a light source; light pipes coupled to the second row of receptacles, at least one of the light pipes being disposed entirely within the footprint of the assembly; the proximal end of each light pipe being disposed to radiate light onto the leading portion of a plug disposed in the receptacle; the plug being configured to transmit the light from the leading portion to the trailing portion, wherein the trailing portion serves as an integral optical indicator; and an actuator configured to selectively operate the light pipes.