Abstract: A receptacle assembly includes a housing having a front mating face and receptacles configured to receive plugs therein through the front mating face, where the plugs have connectivity pins attached thereto. The receptacle module includes connectivity sensor areas associated with the receptacles, where each connectivity sensor area is positioned adjacent the corresponding receptacle. Each connectivity sensor area has a first connectivity sensor and a second connectivity sensor that is electrically isolated from the first connectivity sensor when the plug is disconnected from the receptacle. Both the first and second connectivity sensors are configured to be engaged by different connectivity pins of the plug when the plug is received in the corresponding receptacle to form a sense circuit.

Abstract: A plug assembly includes a body extending between a mating end and a cable end. A sensor assembly is supported by the body that has an integrated circuit component having a first pad and a second pad. The sensor assembly also has a first sensor probe mounted to the first pad and a second sensor probe mounted to the second pad.

Abstract: A plug assembly includes a body extending between a mating end and a cable end. A sensor assembly is supported by the body that has an integrated circuit component having a first pad and a second pad. The sensor assembly also has a first sensor probe mounted to the first pad and a second sensor probe mounted to the second pad.

Abstract: A receptacle assembly includes a housing having a front mating face and receptacles configured to receive plugs therein through the front mating face, where the plugs have connectivity pins attached thereto. The receptacle module includes connectivity sensor areas associated with the receptacles, where each connectivity sensor area is positioned adjacent the corresponding receptacle. Each connectivity sensor area has a first connectivity sensor and a second connectivity sensor that is electrically isolated from the first connectivity sensor when the plug is disconnected from the receptacle. Both the first and second connectivity sensors are configured to be engaged by different connectivity pins of the plug when the plug is received in the corresponding receptacle to form a sense circuit.

Abstract: A network outlet fixture providing wall-mounted LAN jacks. The fixture may include an in-wall power supply and be configured for mounting within a conventional multi-gang wall box. The power supply may be directly connected to an adjacent wall outlet, which serves as a power source, in the same or an adjacent wall box. The fixture may include both network switching and fiber-to-copper media converter functionality. The fixture may be configured to disconnect the power source upon removal of a face plate of the fixture. Further, the fixture may be configured to allow mounting of the jack-supporting structure in any one of several different positions relative to a remainder of the outlet fixture. This allows for presentation of the LAN jacks in a certain preferred orientation while permitting the remainder of the outlet fixture to be mounted in several different orientations relative to a wall.

Abstract: A network outlet fixture providing wall-mounted LAN jacks. The fixture may include an in-wall power supply and be configured for mounting within a conventional multi-gang wall box. The power supply may be directly connected to an adjacent wall outlet, which serves as a power source, in the same or an adjacent wall box. The fixture may include both network switching and fiber-to-copper media converter functionality. The fixture may be configured to disconnect the power source upon removal of a face plate of the fixture. Further, the fixture may be configured to allow mounting of the jack-supporting structure in any one of several different positions relative to a remainder of the outlet fixture. This allows for presentation of the LAN jacks in a certain preferred orientation while permitting the remainder of the outlet fixture to be mounted in several different orientations relative to a wall.

Abstract: Modules (3) for distributing a local area network have, a network hub module (3a) containing network hub circuitry, multiple communication ports (17) on the network hub module (3a), a network interface module (3a) having output connectors (20) electrically terminating cables (26) extending to outlets (27) in various rooms of a building, the network interface module (3b) having input connectors (17) connected to respective output connectors (20), said input connectors (17) being connected by jumper cables (26) to respective ports (17) on the network hub module (3a).

Abstract: A hub for a communications network, a base hub (10), multiple communications ports (64) on the base hub (10), a motherboard (13) on which is mounted circuitry (62) for operation in a communications network, an expansion port opening (101) in the base hub (10), an interconnection board (42) in the base hub (10) carrying circuitry for operation in a communications network, the interconnection board (42) pointing toward the expansion port opening (101) for electrical connection to an expansion module (20) containing additional communication ports (64), and containing a mating interconnection board (121) for connection to the interconnection board (42) in the base hub (10).