Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method of tracking, using an automated infrastructure management (AIM) system, connections made using a breakout cable. The breakout cable comprises a plurality of breakout connectors at a breakout end of the breakout cable. The method comprises identifying a sequence for adding or removing connections involving the breakout connectors of the breakout cable, identifying events associated with adding or removing connections involving the breakout connectors of the breakout cable, and associating the breakout connectors of the breakout cable with added or removed connections based on the identified sequence and the identified events. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: One embodiment is directed to a method of tracking, using an automated infrastructure management (AIM) system, connections made using a breakout cable. The breakout cable comprises a plurality of breakout connectors at a breakout end of the breakout cable. The method comprises identifying a sequence for adding or removing connections involving the breakout connectors of the breakout cable, identifying events associated with adding or removing connections involving the breakout connectors of the breakout cable, and associating the breakout connectors of the breakout cable with added or removed connections based on the identified sequence and the identified events. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: A telecommunications patching system includes a patch panel comprising a plurality of connector ports and a plurality of patch cords configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports. Each patch cord has opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end that is configured to be removably secured within a connector port. The connectors of a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier associated therewith. A first sensor is located at each connector port and detects when a patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective connector port. A second sensor is located at each connector port and reads the identifier of a patch cord connector inserted within a respective connector port. The first and second sensors are in communication with a controller that monitors and logs patch cord interconnections with the connector ports.

Abstract: A communications patching system includes a patch panel having a plurality of connector ports on a side thereof, and a sensor module secured to the patch panel side. The sensor module includes a plurality of pairs of IR emitters and sensors, with each emitter/sensor pair located adjacent to a respective one of the connector ports. Each emitter/sensor pair is configured to detect insertion and removal of a patch cord connector from a respective connector port. The sensor module includes a housing and a printed circuit board (PCB) secured to the housing. The IR emitters and sensors are electrically connected to the PCB, and the PCB includes a processor and memory for controlling the IR emitters and sensors.

Abstract: Communications patching systems may include one or more patch panels, each of which has plurality of connector ports. A plurality of antennas are provided. Each antenna may be associated with a specific connector port. A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) transceiver and a controller are also provided. A switching circuit is coupled between an output of the RFID transceiver and the plurality of antennas. This switching circuit includes a plurality of switches that are configured to selectively couple one of the plurality of antennas to the output of the RFID transceiver under the control of the controller.

Abstract: A datacommunications patching system includes: a mounting frame; a first module mounted in the mounting frame and including a plurality of connector ports on one side thereof and first and second connectors on another side thereof; and a backplane that is mounted in the mounting frame. The backplane electrically connects to the first module via the first connector when the first module is mounted in the mounting frame in a first orientation, and wherein the backplane electrically connects to the first module via the second connector when the first module is mounted in the mounting frame in a second orientation that is inverted from the first orientation.

Abstract: A communications patching system includes a patch panel having a plurality of connector ports on a side thereof, and a sensor module secured to the patch panel side. The sensor module includes a plurality of pairs of IR emitters and sensors, with each emitter/sensor pair located adjacent to a respective one of the connector ports. Each emitter/sensor pair is configured to detect insertion and removal of a patch cord connector from a respective connector port. The sensor module includes a housing and a printed circuit board (PCB) secured to the housing. The IR emitters and sensors are electrically connected to the PCB, and the PCB includes a processor and memory for controlling the IR emitters and sensors.

Abstract: A telecommunications patching system includes a patch panel comprising a plurality of connector ports and a plurality of patch cords configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports. Each patch cord has opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end that is configured to be removably secured within a connector port. The connectors of a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier associated therewith. A first sensor is located at each connector port and detects when a patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective connector port. A second sensor is located at each connector port and reads the identifier of a patch cord connector inserted within a respective connector port. The first and second sensors are in communication with a controller that monitors and logs patch cord interconnections with the connector ports.

Abstract: A telecommunications patching system includes a patch panel comprising a plurality of connector ports and a plurality of patch cords configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports. Each patch cord has opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end that is configured to be removably secured within a connector port. The connectors of a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier associated therewith. A first sensor is located at each connector port and detects when a patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective connector port. A second sensor is located at each connector port and reads the identifier of a patch cord connector inserted within a respective connector port. The first and second sensors are in communication with a controller that monitors and logs patch cord interconnections with the connector ports.

Abstract: A datacommunications patching system includes: a mounting frame; a first module mounted in the mounting frame and including a plurality of connector ports on one side thereof and first and second connectors on another side thereof; and a backplane that is mounted in the mounting frame. The backplane electrically connects to the first module via the first connector when the first module is mounted in the mounting, frame in a first orientation. and wherein the backplane electrically connects to the first module via the second connector when the first module is mounted in the mounting frame in a second orientation that is inverted from the first orientation.

Abstract: A modular rack controller for an intelligent patching system includes a base unit comprising a processor and memory that monitor and log patch cord connectivity in the patching system, and a separate display unit comprising a user interface. The base unit and display unit are in electrical communication with each other via a patch cord, and the display unit displays patch cord connectivity information monitored by the base unit. The rack controller may include a separate Ethernet interface unit that allows the rack controller to communicate with other rack controllers. A mounting bracket having front and rear sides is mounted to a patch panel rack. The display unit is secured to the front side of the mounting bracket and the base unit is secured to the rear side of the mounting bracket. The mounting bracket may have a hinge that pivots the display unit relative to a patch panel rack.

Abstract: A communications patching system includes a patch panel having a plurality of connector ports on a side thereof, and a sensor module secured to the patch panel side. The sensor module includes a plurality of pairs of IR emitters and sensors, with each emitter/sensor pair located adjacent to a respective one of the connector ports. Each emitter/sensor pair is configured to detect insertion and removal of a patch cord connector from a respective connector port. The sensor module includes a housing and a printed circuit board (PCB) secured to the housing. The IR emitters and sensors are electrically connected to the PCB, and the PCB includes a processor and memory for controlling the IR emitters and sensors.

Abstract: A telecommunications patching system includes a patch panel having a plurality of connector ports, and having an RFID reader and RF antennas associated with the connector ports. A plurality of patch cords are configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports. Each patch cord has opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end that is configured to be removably secured within a connector port. Each connector of a respective patch cord includes an RFID tag. The RFID tags for a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier stored therewithin. The RF antenna associated with a connector port emits RF signals that cause a patch cord connector RFID tag to transmit its identifier. Each RF antenna detects the transmitted identifier of a patch cord connector RFID tag when the respective patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective one of the connector ports.

Abstract: Communications patching systems may include one or more patch panels, each of which has plurality of connector ports. A plurality of antennas are provided. Each antenna may be associated with a specific connector port. A radio frequency identification (“RFID”) transceiver and a controller are also provided. A switching circuit is coupled between an output of the RFID transceiver and the plurality of antennas. This switching circuit includes a plurality of switches that are configured to selectively couple one of the plurality of antennas to the output of the RFID transceiver under the control of the controller.

Abstract: A device for receiving and organizing twisted pairs of conductors from a cable having a plurality of twisted pairs of conductors includes a block with upper and lower surfaces, first and second opposing end walls that define a longitudinal axis, and first and second opposing side walls. The block further comprises at least one aperture extending from the upper surface toward the lower surface, the aperture being sized and configured to receive each of the plurality of twisted pairs of a cable. Each of the side walls includes at least one open-ended slot opening downwardly, each of the slots being sized and configured to receive a respective twisted pair of conductors. In this configuration, the device can facilitate termination of twisted pair conductors onto IDCs or the like and can provide a termination with less dimensional variation (and, in turn, less variation in electrical performance) than prior termination devices.

Abstract: A telecommunications patching system includes a patch panel comprising a plurality of connector ports and a plurality of patch cords configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports. Each patch cord has opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end that is configured to be removably secured within a connector port. The connectors of a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier associated therewith. A first sensor is located at each connector port and detects when a patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective connector port. A second sensor is located at each connector port and reads the identifier of a patch cord connector inserted within a respective connector port. The first and second sensors are in communication with a controller that monitors and logs patch cord interconnections with the connector ports.