Patent ID: 8068715

Claim:
An automated patch-panel system for fiber optic networks, the system being responsive to signal commands for reconfiguration of system interconnections between first and second networks and comprising: an input array of dual ended terminals accessible to input optical lines from a first network on one side thereof, the input terminals being disposed in at least one dimension in a first plane with spaces between the terminals on a second side opposite the side of the first network, said second side defining one boundary of an interconnection volume; a plurality of optical fiber lines removably coupled to the individual terminals of the input array and extending into the interconnection volume; a second, intermediate array of low friction guides in a backbone arrangement adjacent the intervening interconnection volume for collecting optical fiber lines from the input array in predetermined converging sets, the sets being disposed in the intermediate array at different levels relative to the input array; a number of variable length fiber buffers in modular form disposed at different levels adjacent the intermediate array; the buffers each coupling a number of fiber lines from the intermediate fiber line sets to a second network of the system, and compensating for length variations in the fibers while maintaining more than a minimum curvature therein; a controller having a database storing vector data as to existing fiber line interconnections within the interconnection volume for generating position commands, and an automated positioner adjacent the first plane, the positioner including a fiber line engagement mechanism for transferring fiber lines from selected target locations to destination locations within the input array in response to position commands from the controller.