Abstract: A magnetic buckle includes first and second buckle members. The first buckle member includes a first end and a second end adapted to engage a strap, a mounting surface, a latching aperture defined in the mounting surface, and a first magnet. A release direction extends along a longitudinal axis of the first buckle member from the first end to the second end. The second buckle member includes a joining surface adapted to be joined with the mounting surface, a latch hook adapted to engage the latching aperture extending from the joining surface, and a second magnet. The magnets pull the latch hook into engagement with the latching aperture when the joining surface is placed in proximity to the mounting surface. Engagement of the latching aperture by the latch hook prevents the second buckle member from being pulled apart from the first buckle member in a direction orthogonal to the mounting surface or against the release direction.

Abstract: Methods of executing patching connection changes in a patching field are provided in which an electronic work order is received on a display located at the patching field, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change. A technician may perform the patching connection change. Then, an electronic message may be sent from the patching field indicating that the patching change has been completed.

Abstract: Methods of executing patching connection changes in a patching field are provided in which an electronic work order is received on a display located at the patching field, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change. A technician may perform the patching connection change. Then, an electronic message may be sent from the patching field indicating that the patching change has been completed.

Abstract: Methods of executing patching connection changes in a patching field are provided in which an electronic work order is received on a display located at the patching field, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change. A technician may perform the patching connection change. Then, an electronic message may be sent from the patching field indicating that the patching change has been completed.

Abstract: Methods of executing patching connection changes in a patching field are provided in which an electronic work order is received on a display located at the patching field, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change. A technician may perform the patching connection change. Then, an electronic message may be sent from the patching field indicating that the patching change has been completed.

Abstract: Methods of executing patching connection changes in a patching field are provided in which an electronic work order is received on a display located at the patching field, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change. A technician may perform the patching connection change. Then, an electronic message may be sent from the patching field indicating that the patching change has been completed.

Abstract: Methods of executing patching connection changes in a patching field are provided in which an electronic work order is received on a display located at the patching field, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change. A technician may perform the patching connection change. Then, an electronic message may be sent from the patching field indicating that the patching change has been completed.

Abstract: Methods of executing patching connection changes in a patching field are provided in which an electronic work order is received on a display located at the patching field, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change. A technician may perform the patching connection change. Then, an electronic message may be sent from the patching field indicating that the patching change has been completed.

Abstract: A jewelry apparatus including a power module, a magnetically permeable band connected to the power module, the magnetically permeable band including a core and a primary winding disposed around the core, the primary winding electrically connected to the power module. A bead can have an aperture shaped to receive the magnetically permeable band, the bead including a secondary winding positioned around the magnetically permeable band when the magnetically permeable band is received through the aperture, and at least one light source electrically connected to the secondary winding. The core in the magnetically permeable band can include a flexible band of magnetically permeable cores, or the core can otherwise be flexible. The jewelry apparatus can include a wireless transceiver either on the power module or the bead such that the jewelry apparatus can be communicated wirelessly with other jewelry apparatuses.

Abstract: A network switch that can directly receive and connect to telecommunications cables includes: a body; a first panel mounted to the body; a first plurality of ports located in the first panel, each of the first plurality of ports configured to receive a telecommunications cable; a second panel mounted to the body; a second plurality of ports located in the second panel, each of the second plurality of ports configured to receive a patch cord; and electronic circuitry housed in the body for conducting network switching operations, the electronic circuitry being connected with the first plurality of ports and the second plurality of ports. Such a network switch can receive a cable directly, rather than requiring an intermediate patch panel, and therefore can simplify either an interconnect or a cross-connect telecommunications system.

Abstract: Methods of executing patching connection changes in a patching field are provided in which an electronic work order is received on a display located at the patching field, the electronic work order specifying the patching connection change. A technician may perform the patching connection change. Then, an electronic message may be sent from the patching field indicating that the patching change has been completed.

Abstract: A patch panel for a communications patching system includes a plurality of connector ports. Each connector port is configured to detect insertion and removal of a patch cord. A controller is electrically coupled to the connector ports and monitors patch cord interconnections. An electronic display is positioned adjacent the connector ports and displays port identification information and real-time patch cord connection information for each respective connector port. The displayed patch cord connection information is dynamically updated by the controller as a patch cord is inserted or removed from a respective connector port.

Abstract: A managed port circuit includes a detection circuit that is disposed in a communication channel between a first local port and a second local port and a controller that is coupled to the detection circuit and is operable to configure the detection circuit in a detection configuration in which the first and second local ports are connected to the controller and a second pass through configuration in which the first and second local ports are connected to each other via the communication channel, the controller being further operable to determine when an end device is connected to one of the first and second local ports when the detection circuit is in the detection configuration.

Abstract: A patch panel for a communications patching system includes a plurality of connector ports. Each connector port is configured to detect insertion and removal of a patch cord. A controller is electrically coupled to the connector ports and monitors patch cord interconnections. An electronic display is positioned adjacent the connector ports and displays port identification information and real-time patch cord connection information for each respective connector port. The displayed patch cord connection information is dynamically updated by the controller as a patch cord is inserted or removed from a respective connector port.

Abstract: A network switch that can directly receive and connect to telecommunications cables includes: a body; a first panel mounted to the body; a first plurality of ports located in the first panel, each of the first plurality of ports configured to receive a telecommunications cable; a second panel mounted to the body; a second plurality of ports located in the second panel, each of the second plurality of ports configured to receive a patch cord; and electronic circuitry housed in the body for conducting network switching operations, the electronic circuitry being connected with the first plurality of ports and the second plurality of ports. Such a network switch can receive a cable directly, rather than requiring an intermediate patch panel, and therefore can simplify either an interconnect or a cross-connect telecommunications system.

Abstract: A managed port circuit includes a detection circuit that is disposed in a communication channel between a first local port and a second local port and a controller that is coupled to the detection circuit and is operable to configure the detection circuit in a detection configuration in which the first and second local ports are connected to the controller and a second pass through configuration in which the first and second local ports are connected to each other via the communication channel, the controller being further operable to determine when an end device is connected to one of the first and second local ports when the detection circuit is in the detection configuration.

Abstract: Methods, systems and computer program products for interconnecting network equipment with a telecommunications system includes identifying a patch panel connector port to be connected to a network equipment port, generating a work order for connecting the identified patch panel connector port to the network equipment port via a patch cord, monitoring the identified patch panel connector port to detect whether a patch cord connector has been inserted therein within a predetermined period of time, and monitoring the network equipment port for communications activity within a predetermined period of time. If a patch cord connector has not been inserted within the identified patch panel connector port within the predetermined period of time and/or if communications activity has not been detected at the network equipment port within the predetermined period of time, a technician is notified. Network equipment ports and patch panel ports are monitored for authorized and unauthorized connections.