Patent Document

BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    Fiber-optic cable connections for communication and data transmission purposes need to be secure and reliable. Although the probability of an inadvertent disconnection of a single fiber-optic cable may be relatively low, when a large number of fiber-optic connections are encountered in a connector panel, e.g., in a central office in a telecommunications company, the probability of an inadvertent disconnection is much higher. A neighboring connector to an intended connector can mistakenly be pulled out. This human error flows from the large number of cable interconnections that are grouped-together in a small space. 
         [0002]    For example, in a typical fiber-optic connection panel in a central office today, there can be as many as 100 fiber-optic cable-connector-receptacles which are the slots into which the cable-connectors are plugged (sometimes referred to herein as “bulkheads”). These cable-connector-receptacles are arrayed across a panel which may be only three ft. wide by two ft. high and possibly only two ft. wide by one ft. high. Technological visionaries can see this number approaching and possibly exceeding 500 receptacles per panel in the future. The high density of even 100 interconnections on a connector-panel encourages human error. Inadvertently, these cables can be mis-labeled resulting in removal of the wrong cable. Furthermore, it is easy to envision a scenario where a tester-technician reaches his or her hand into a mass of dangling cables connected to a connector-panel to undue a particular connection and, because of poor visability caused by the mass of cables, mistakenly yanks out a neighboring connection. At that moment, havoc may be wreaked upon anyone relying upon that neighboring connection. Even a momentary disconnect can be catastrophic. 
         [0003]    Indeed, some of these fiber optic connections may be used for connecting telemetry equipment located at hospitals to other medical equipment located remotely at universities or teaching hospitals, etc. where patient data is being analyzed by experts and where life and death situations are common. Or, these connections may be used for continuous monitoring of out-patients located at their homes, again where loss of the connection could be life-threatening. 
         [0004]    Since usage of fiber-optic cables is increasing rapidly because of enhanced bandwidth provided by fiber-optics vs. copper cabling, other usages for a large number of fiber-optic cables with no room for error can also be envisioned—e.g., national security military applications, air-traffic controller applications, etc. These other examples may suggest an additional possibility that someone with bad motives to create havoc or sabotage can intentionally try to unplug these connections. 
         [0005]    Therefore, there is a need for managing a large number of cable interconnections, regardless of whether they are fiber-optic cable connections, co-axial cable connections, Category 1-6 twisted pair cable connections, including the familiar Category 5 (Cat 5) twisted pair cable connection or other connections in a manner to reduce the probability of inadvertent disconnection or sabotage. Applicants&#39; instant specification, drawings and claimed embodiments satisfy that need. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary diagram of a network in which a computer-controlled connector-panel system may be advantageously employed; 
           [0007]      FIG. 1A  is an exemplary diagram of a network, organized differently from that of  FIG. 1 , in which a computer-controlled connector panel system may be advantageously employed. 
           [0008]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary block diagram of a generic computer which may be advantageously utilized in both the Local and Remote System Databases and Monitoring Systems functionality of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary block diagram of a fiberoptic connector-panel system of the type that is usable in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a fiber-optic connector-panel, depicting an array of connector-receptacle slots having co-ordinates; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4A  is an exemplary schematic diagram of connector-receptacle slots of  FIG. 4  showing infra-red subsystem; 
           [0012]      FIG. 5  is an schematic diagram of a locking arm mechanism actuated by a solenoid, the mechanism being useful for inclusion within the computer-controlled connector panel of  FIGS. 1  or  1 A; 
           [0013]      FIG. 6  is an exemplary schematic diagram of a locking arm mechanism actuated by a motor, the mechanism being useful for inclusion within the computer-controlled connector panel of  FIGS. 1  or  1 A; 
           [0014]      FIG. 7  is an exemplary schematic diagram of a database which may be retained in, and used by the computer of  FIG. 2 ; and 
           [0015]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart depicting a methodology, a sequence of events which may be performed by, or with, the computer-controlled connector panel of  FIGS. 1  or  1 A. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0016]    In this description, the same reference numeral in different Figs. is referring to the same entity. Reference numerals of each Fig. start with the same number as the number of that Fig. For example,  FIG. 6  has numerals in the “600” category and  FIG. 7  has numerals in the “700” category, etc. Thus, if discussing an entity in a Fig. having a particular reference numeral not starting with the same number as that Fig. one can easily refer back to the appropriate Fig. 
         [0017]    Exemplary embodiments of a computer-controlled connector panel system include a computerized system and method for controlling the manual insertion of one or more of a number of cable-connectors into, and/or removal of one or more of a number of cable-connectors from, a like number of lockable connector-receptacles arrayed in a connector-panel. Each receptacle has its own dedicated locking sub-system including a locking arm and solenoid or motor for actuating that arm. When the locking arm is restraining an inserted connector, it prevents removal of that connector unless and until the appropriate computer command is transmitted to that particular locking sub-system to actuate its locking arm. The locking arm is unlocked only under computer control, whereby all locked arms at the time of power-failure remain locked during power outage. Thus, in a large array of connections, where one connector can be unlocked at a time, embodiments of the computer-controlled connector panel ensure that any human attempt at manual removal of a connector shall result in removal of only the intended connector. This prevents accidental removal of a neighboring connector because all neighboring connectors remained locked in place. However, in alternative embodiments, more than one connector can be unlocked at the same time, if desired, which may be useful to do if the several connectors that are chosen to be concurrently unlocked are known to be making uncritical connections and, in addition, are positioned in the array not near each other so that potentially mistaken removals are not going to occur. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  is an exemplary diagram of a network  100  in which embodiments of the computer-controlled connector panel may be advantageously employed within a telecommunications company&#39;s facility or within its customers&#39; facilities. For example, company central office  101 , generic industrial-customer  102 , and specific hospital-customer  103  are examples of typical locations in which these embodiments may be advantageously employed. Central office  101  includes connector-panel system  104  and local system database and monitoring  105 ; customer facility  102  includes connector-panel system  106  and local system database and monitoring  107 ; and, hospital customer  103  includes connector-panel system  108  and local system database and monitoring  109 . (Hereinafter each of these local system database and monitoring functions may be referred to as a “controller” or a “local controller.”) As explained in more detail below, controllers  105 ,  107  and  109  each controls its respective connector-panel system because each allows an authorized user located at its facility to send commands to its connector-panel system to cause particular locking-arms associated with particular connector-receptacles to change state. 
         [0019]    Remote system database and monitoring system  110  (hereafter “remote controller 110”) is shown at the bottom of the diagram and is geographically distant from locations  101 ,  102  and  103 . Remote controller  110 , which can typically be located at a network operations facility of a telecommunications company, can be linked to controllers  105 ,  107  and  109  through a network which can be the Internet (i.e., a public network) or some other suitable network. The communication links through network  111 , namely links  115 ,  116 ,  117  and  118 , can all be Ethernet links, or other suitable communication paths. Wire-line and/or wireless links can be used. The links  112 ,  113  and  114 , internal to facilities  101 ,  102  and  103 , respectively, each linking together its respective local controller and connector-panel system, can each be a USB connection or some other suitable connection. 
         [0020]      FIG. 1A  is an exemplary diagram of a differently-organized network in which embodiments of the computer-controlled connector panel may be advantageously employed, and is presented as but one example of many possible variations. Central office  101 , customer facility  102  and hospital  103  are identical to like-identified locations in  FIG. 1 . Each location includes the same connector-panel system and local controller that is shown in  FIG. 1  (i.e.,  104  and  105  shown in  FIG. 1  are included in  101  of  FIG. 1A , etc.) The principal difference between  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 1A  is that there are separate networks  111 A characterized as a private network and  111 B characterized as a private-public network in  FIG. 1A , with each separate network operating with its own, dedicated remote controller. Although the different dedicated remote controllers can each be located at a different location, they are all under control of the same telecommunications company. 
         [0021]    Private network  111 A connects remote controller  110 A (including its database) to both central office  101  and customer facility  102  via links  118 A,  115 A and 
         [0022]    On the other hand, where a customer may have public network access requirements as well as proprietary networking requirements, such as Hospital customer  103 , it may be advantageous for that customer to have a communication capability via a different private-public combination network. For example, remote controller and database  110 B can be connected via private-public network  111 B (such as a combination of LAN and Internet) to Hospital customer  103  via links  118 B and  117 B which are similar to, or the same as, links  118  and  117 , respectively, of  FIG. 1 . Therefore, the single remote controller  110  of  FIG. 1  is not the only option for remote control of connector panels at various facilities, and other variations of network organization beyond those shown herein can be implemented, as may be needed. 
         [0023]    In the private network, network security techniques which are proprietary to the telecommunications company can be implemented. However, if the Internet is to be used, those proprietary techniques may not be compatible. In that case, Internet Protocol (IP) security can be provided, for example, by Secure Shell v2 (SSHv2) and above, over IPSec. This software shall create a secure platform from which the system can be controlled. Default operation under SSH can be constrained to usage of port 22 SSH v2 or higher and, under no circumstances, would it be permitted to default, or revert, to SSH v1. The IPSec may default to Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP) where only the payload is encrypted and, if so, IPSec would allow for Authentication Header (AH) security if needed, where the header of the packet could also be encrypted. A Command Line Interface (CLI), may be accessed through SSH v2, but only with telnet and other remote access applications disabled throughout the control network. File Transfer Functionality may take place through the Secure Copy (SCP) or Secure File Transfer Protocol (SFTP) features which are provided by SSH. In this manner, commands transmitted over the Internet for controlling, or unlocking, specific locking arms on specific panels in specific customer sites are carefully protected from nefarious hacking activity which, otherwise, could be problematic. 
         [0024]      FIG. 2  is an exemplary block diagram of a generic computer which may be advantageously utilized in both remote controller  110  and controllers  105 ,  107  and  109  of  FIG. 1 . The functionality of remote controller  110  can be similar to the functionality of any of the controllers  105 ,  107  or  109 . Computer  200  includes a bus  201 , a processor  202 , a main memory  203 , a read only memory (ROM)  204 , a storage device  205 , an input device  206 , an output device  207 , and a communication interface  208 . The processor may include any type of conventional processor or microprocessor that interprets and executes instructions. Main memory  203  may be a random access memory (RAM) or another type of dynamic storage device that stores information and instructions for execution by processor  202 . ROM  204  may include a conventional ROM device or another type of static storage device that stores static information and instructions for processor  202 . The storage device  205  may include any type of magnetic or optical recording medium and its corresponding drive, such as a magnetic disk or optical disk and its corresponding disk drive. 
         [0025]    The input device  206  may include any conventional mechanism that permits an operator or user to input information to the computer, such as a keyboard, a mouse, a pen, voice recognition and/or biometric mechanisms, etc. The output device  207  may include any conventional mechanism that outputs information to the operator, including a graphical user interface (GUI) display, a printer, a pair of speakers, etc. The communication interface  208  may include any transceiver-like mechanism that enables computer  200  to communicate with other devices and/or systems. For example, the communication interface  208  may include a modem or an Ethernet interface for communicating via the Internet or via a local area network (LAN). Alternatively, the communication interface  208  may include other mechanisms for communicating via network  111 . 
         [0026]    Computer  200  generates commands for controlling locking sub-systems (not shown in this Fig.) located on connector-panel systems  104 ,  106  and  108  in response to processor  202  executing sequences of instructions contained in a computer readable medium, such as main memory  203 . A computer-readable medium may include one or more memory devices and/or carrier waves. Such instructions may be read into memory  203  from another computer-readable medium, such as a data storage device  205 , or from a separate device via communication interface  208 . Execution of the sequences of instructions contained in memory  203  causes processor  202  to perform the process steps described hereinbelow. In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions to implement the computer-controlled connector panel system. Thus, embodiments of the computer-controlled connector panel system or method are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software. 
         [0027]    The primary difference between usage of a first computer equivalent to computer  200  in remote controller  110  and usage of a second one in local controller  105 ,  107  or  109  is the size and the content of the databases associated with those computers. Remote controller  110 , responsive to user/operator input via input device  206 , e.g., a keyboard and mouse on a GUI, can be used to control any or all of the cable-connector-locks (not shown in this Fig.) mounted in any of the connector-panel systems in central office  101 , customer facility  102  and hospital-customer  103 . Therefore, the database of remote controller  110  is larger than those in each of the computers at locations  101 ,  102  and  103  because it necessarily includes all relevant data contained in all of the databases associated with all three connector-panel systems at those locations. 
         [0028]    Communication interface  208  in a computer  200  located in remote controller  110 , through its transceiver (not shown), sends appropriate commands via network  111  to the transceiver (not shown) of another communication interface  208  in another computer  200  located in, e.g., one of local controllers  105 ,  107  or  109 . The receiving controller then routes those commands to its connector-panel system to cause specific locking arms associated with specific connector-receptacles to change state from locked to unlocked, or vice versa. A pre-determined command hierarchy is necessary with the networked arrangement shown in  FIG. 1  because of potential conflict which otherwise might occur between conflicting commands concurrently provided by different users located at both the remote controller and at the local controllers. This hierarchy can be established using conventional networking techniques on a per-location basis, thereby avoiding potential command conflicts. For example, with respect to resolving conflicting commands emanating from remote controller  110  and local controller  105 , by pre-arrangement, remote controller  110  commands may be given priority over local controller  105 , while for conflicting commands emanating from remote controller  110  and local controller  107 , by pre-arrangement, local controller  107  commands may be given priority over remote controller  110 . 
         [0029]      FIG. 3  is an exemplary block diagram of a fiber-optic connector-panel system of the type that is usable in  FIG. 1 . Remote Controller  110  and network  111  in  FIG. 3  are identical to their counterparts shown in  FIG. 1 . Local System Database and Monitoring System  301  (hereinafter “controller 301”) is identical to any one of controllers  105 ,  107  or  109  of  FIG. 1 . Panel system  302  is equivalent to any one of panel systems  104 ,  106  or  108  of  FIG. 1 . In this illustration, panel system  302  includes four separate panels  303 ,  304 ,  305  and  306 , each with its own AC/DC power unit  307 - 310 , respectively, and lock-control unit  311 - 314 , respectively. More or fewer panels  303 - 306  can be used per panel system and four are shown only for illustrative purposes. The AC/DC power units are connected to power bus  315  and the lock-control units are connected to controller  301  by a suitable link  316  such as, for example, a USB link. 
         [0030]    AC/DC power units  307 - 310  can be power supplies of standard design, configured for this application. They can convert AC power from power bus  315  to an appropriate level of DC power and/or can reduce the AC voltage from power bus  315  to a suitable AC voltage level, as may be needed, to power solenoids and motors (not shown in this Fig.). The solenoids or motors are associated, one to one, with cable-connector-receptacles (not shown in this Fig.) distributed across panels  303 - 306 . The solenoids or motors are used to move locking arms (not shown in this Fig.), each arm associated with a different receptacle to generate a locked state or an unlocked state for that receptacle whereby a cable-connector (not shown in this Fig.) plugged into that receptacle can be locked in conductive contact or, when unlocked, the connector can be removed. More detail about this operation is presented below. 
         [0031]    Control units  311 - 314  are designed to receive lock/unlock commands over bus  316 , which can be a USB bus. The commands originate with a user, typically a company technician tester, located at local controller  301  in a central office of a telecommunications company and/or a user located at remote controller  110  in a remote company office. A command is typically a digital signal in packet format and is addressed to one of the four control units  311 - 314 . Each of control units  311 - 314  is also designed to convert that command to a higher “lock command” or “unlock command” voltage level to actuate a solenoid or motor. Since that command was addressed to a specific locking-connector-receptacle in a specific panel as explained below, the converted command at the higher voltage level is simply sent to the solenoid or motor at the specific addressed receptacle to achieve the desired result. 
         [0032]      FIG. 4  is a schematic diagram of a fiber-optic connector-panel, depicting an array of slots for connector-receptacle locking subsystems, the array having co-ordinates. Although the connector-panel of  FIG. 4  is designated “303” for convenience purposes, any of connector-panels  303 - 306  of  FIG. 3  can be represented in this manner. Connector-panel  303  may be a rectangular object having two sides, and a thickness, one side being shown in  FIG. 4 , and with capability to connect to cables on both sides of the panel. Connector-panel  303  could be two or three feet wide by one or two feet high, or smaller, or larger. Connector-panel  303  could have a thickness from approximately one inch to approximately six inches, more or less. The connector-panel can be made from various strong, insulating materials rated for communications use. Other shapes, sizes and configurations could be used. 
         [0033]    Connector-receptacle locking subsystem slots are arrayed across the surface of panel  303  and arranged in horizontal rows and vertical columns. In the example shown, there are fifteen vertical columns designated by the numbers 1-15 and there are eleven horizontal rows designated by the letters A-K. There could be more or fewer columns and rows. In this particular example, that amounts to 165 different connector-receptacles each of which shall be part of its dedicated locking sub-system (not shown in this Fig.). This provides a convenient way of establishing a coordinate system for the array. For example, the connector-receptacle in the lower-right corner of the panel is identified by coordinates “K15” which means the “15 th ” column and the “K th ” row. Other coordinate systems can be envisioned and used, and this is but one example. 
         [0034]    A coordinate system is needed because packet commands arriving from any of the controllers need to be addressed to specific receptacles, and a coordinate system permits the packet commands to address the correct receptacle. The databases in remote controller  110  and, in this instance, local controller  301  would contain these coordinates along with their corresponding connectors&#39; usage and other information, to be discussed below. A packet command that is input by a technician at a particular controller (i.e., by typing into a keyboard at a GUI) is addressed to a specific connector-receptacle located on a specific locking sub-system on a specific panel that is selected because it corresponds to a particular connection which, for reasons relating to testing or other purposes, the technician wishes to make or break. The computer associated with that particular controller accesses its database to obtain the appropriate coordinates for that command. 
         [0035]      FIG. 5  is an exemplary schematic diagram of a connector-receptacle locking subsystem, with attached cable-connector, shown locked by locking arm  504 . The subsystem would fit into a single slot of  FIG. 4 , such as slot K 15 . The subsystem comprises bulkhead (i.e., connector-receptacle)  502 , solenoid  503  with its supporting structure, and locking arm  504 . The connector-receptacle  502  and solenoid  503  are physically supported by panel structure  505 . Cable-connector  501  is shown connected to connector-receptacle  502  and locked in place. When solenoid  503  is energized, locking arm  504  is axially displaced wherefore it moves to the right in  FIG. 5 . (In  FIG. 4 , locking arm  504  would move perpendicular to the plane of the drawing in the direction of the reader.) This axial displacement offers sufficient clearance so that connector  501  may be manually removed by a technician. The connection may be left open, or a different connector  501  may be substituted for the original, or the same connector can be reconnected. There is a backstop with spring sleeve  507  provided so that any recoil motion of the solenoid mechanism is appropriately dissipated when the solenoid is activated. Each of the  165  locations identified by a unique coordinate in  FIG. 4  may likewise contain its own connector-receptacle locking subsystem. In this manner, connector  501  cannot be removed with locking arm in its locked position as shown, but can be removed after locking arm  504  is put into an unlocked state. 
         [0036]      FIG. 6  depicts an alternative embodiment, using a motor instead of a solenoid.  FIG. 6  presents an exemplary schematic diagram of a connector-receptacle locking subsystem, with attached cable-connector, shown locked by locking arm  604 . This subsystem would also fit into a single slot (coordinate space) of  FIG. 4 , such as slot K 15 . The subsystem comprises bulkhead (i.e., connector-receptacle)  602 , motor  603  with its supporting structure, and locking arm  604 . The connector-receptacle  602  and motor  603  are physically supported by panel structure  605 . Cable-connector  601  is shown connected to connector-receptacle  602  and locked in place. When motor  603  is energized, locking arm  604  is rotationally displaced, thereby offering sufficient clearance for connector  601  to be manually removed. The connection may be left open, or a different connector  601  may be substituted for the original, or the same connector can be reconnected. In this manner, connector  601  cannot be removed with locking arm in its locked position as shown, but can be removed after locking arm  604  is put into a displaced state. 
         [0037]      FIG. 7  is an exemplary schematic diagram of a database which may be stored in main memory  203  and/or storage device  205  of computer  200  in  FIG. 2 . The database depicted in  FIG. 7  contains Co-ordinates  701  of all connector-receptacle locking subsystems for which that computer is responsible. For example, if the database under consideration is located in the computer  200  as contained within remote controller  110  as shown in  FIG. 1 , then all co-ordinate data of all connector-receptacle locking subsystems located in every panel in every panel system in every locale that is being networked with computer  200  shall be maintained in that database. But, if considering, for example, another computer  200  which is associated only with local controller  105  as shown in FIG.  1 , then only the coordinates of all connector-receptacle locking subsystems located in every panel of connector-panel system  104  are included in that database. 
         [0038]    The database additionally may contain the identity  702  of the connected party. The database additionally may contain the status  703  of each locking arm. The database additionally may provide information  704  regarding presence or absence of a cable-connector in each connector-receptacle. This data can be gathered by using an infra-red transmitter/receiver  401 / 402  or  403 / 404  built into the walls of each slot associated with a receptacle subsystem as shown in  FIG. 4A , where presence of a connector breaks the infra-red transmission-reception path and absence of the connector allows the transmitter/receiver to communicate. 
         [0039]    The database may additionally provide information  705  flagging the criticality of the connection as high, medium, low, not applicable (N/A), etc., where, for example, connection Al has Hospital XYZ as a connected party for which criticality information  705  is entered in the database as “High.” The database additionally may provide information  706  about whether or not a companion cable on the opposite side of panel  303  is connected. The database additionally may provide information  707  about capacity for an alarm (visual on a GUI, or audio over loudspeakers, or both, etc.) which may be activated if connectors are erroneously unplugged. Other data could also be tracked and reported as desired. Or, an alarm can be provided whenever an unlocked state occurs, regardless of plugging/unplugging. In addition, the default state is the locked state. Thus, if power is lost, the locking arms remain locked, and cables remain securely connected, during any power-outage. 
         [0040]    With respect to the opposite side of panel  303 , it should be understood that there are companion cables (not shown) to which cables on the first side of panel  303 , such as cables  506  and  606 , as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 , are connected through the panel itself. Signals flow between equipment connected to the ends of these cables, from one piece of equipment connected to the end of a first cable, through the first cable, through the first cable&#39;s panel connection to the other cable&#39;s panel connection, to the other cable and then via the other cable to the other piece of equipment connected at the end of that other cable. Depending on direction of signal flow, either piece of equipment is signal source equipment or signal destination equipment. 
         [0041]    The companion cables may be connected by way of standard connectors which are not lockable as described herein because, typically, that side of the panel is generally left un-touched where mistaken disconnections are minimal. However, a protective shield with a lock and key can be fashioned to encapsulate all companion cables and offer extra security in that manner. Further, the companion cables may be protected by lockable connector-receptacles similar, or identical, to those provided on the first side of the panel, described in detail herein, and akin to a mirror-image to the first side of the panel. In such a case, the panel thickness must be increased accordingly. 
         [0042]    It should be understood that every possible connection on either side of the panel need not necessarily be populated, and connections information  706  in the database sheds light on overall usage of the panel. Without a cable connection on the reverse side of the panel corresponding to a particular coordinate, such as C 1  in  FIG. 4 , any connection made from a first piece of equipment via a first cable to the connector-receptacle at coordinate C 1  on the front side of the panel shall not offer a communication path to anything more than the panel itself, and not to a second piece of equipment. 
         [0043]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart depicting a sequence of events and a methodology which may be performed in, or by, the operation of at least one embodiment of the computer-controlled connector panel. In act  801 , the user/technician logs-on to computer  200  by entering his/her access code and password. Typically, only a very few employees of a telecommunications company with a central office in which this connector-panel system resides are allowed to make changes to the panel&#39;s connections. In question block  802  the query is made: is the user authorized? If an un-authorized person has intentions to sabotage and create havoc by removing cables, for whatever unacceptable reason, then that person shall be prevented by the present embodiments from proceeding. If “no” the process returns to the beginning and the user reattempts entry, or another user attempts entry. But, if “yes” the user is authorized to make changes to the panel&#39;s cabling connections and the process moves to question block  803 . 
         [0044]    The question in block  803  determines if a second, authorized user is required for confirmation. If user confirmation by another employee is not required, the process moves to action block  805 , to be discussed below. On the other hand, if user confirmation is required by another employee, the process moves to question block  804  which determines if the second, authorized user is available, logged-on and ready to participate. If that is not the case, the process returns to the entry to question block  803  where, if the process maintains the requirement of an authorized, confirming user, the process iterates between question blocks  803  and  804  until that condition is satisfied. If 
         [0045]    Returning, first, to action block  805 , the user accesses the database, thereby displaying all or part of the data shown in the database of  FIG. 7  on the GUI; the data can be displayed over multiple terminal screen presentations by way of scrolling in the usual manner. Along with that data, dialog boxes or menu items are presented on the terminal screen by which the user can make a selection of a particular data entry, and thereby make a selection of a particular cable-connector-receptacle, e.g., the receptacle corresponding to coordinate Al in  FIG. 7 . Then, the process moves to action block  807  where the user selects the appropriate action for that connector-receptacle by clicking in the appropriate dialog box or on the appropriate menu item. In this example corresponding to coordinate A 1 , locking arm status  703  can be changed from “locked” to “unlocked.” 
         [0046]    The process then moves to action block  809  where the user reaches into the maze of connectors and manually removes the cable-connector from the (only) unlocked connector-receptacle, i.e., that associated with coordinate A 1  in this example. A different cable-connector can be substituted, or the same connector can be reconnected, or nothing can be inserted in accordance with user discretion. 
         [0047]    The process then moves to action block  810  where the database which is stored in main memory  203  and/or storage device (or backup storage)  205  of computer  200  in  FIG. 2  is updated with the latest status of the connector-receptacle at coordinate A 1 . Moreover, referring to  FIG. 1 , if the connector-panel system of this example is in a network configuration similar to that shown in  FIG. 1 , then the two databases that are associated, respectively, one with computer  200  located in a local controller ( 107 - 109 ) and the other with another computer  200  located in remote controller  110 , are both updated. Upon completion of database updating, the process ends. 
         [0048]    The other path via action blocks  806  and  808  essentially mimics the action taken in the path taken through action blocks  805  and  807 . The principal difference between the action taken in the two paths is that the user in blocks  806  and  808  is gated by the other authorized, confirming user for each step taken. Thus, prior to causing any action to occur (e.g., before unlocking a connector) based on the user&#39;s interacting with dialog boxes or menu items by manipulation of cursor/mouse, the other authorized, confirming user shall be required to confirm that particular action on a second terminal screen. In other words, the second user shall have to click on the same answer in the same dialog box on a separate terminal screen (and this can be constrained in time to occur within a particular short time period, e.g., within two seconds of the first user&#39;s clicking) in order for the locking arm (in this example, associated with coordinate A 1 ) to be changed from a locked to an unlocked state. 
         [0049]    In the preceding specification, various preferred embodiments have been described with reference to the accompanying drawings. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereto, and additional embodiments may be implemented, without departing from the broader scope of the invention as set forth in the claims that follow. For example, lockable connectors can be provided on one side of the panel, or can be provide on two sides of the panel, as discussed above. Further, the order of steps or acts described herein need not take place exactly as presented or in the exact order presented—e.g., the authorized user in  FIG. 8  could be eliminated entirely. Therefore, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than restrictive sense.

Technology Category: g