Detecting the presence of a patch cord connector in a telecommunications patch system using mechanical sensors

摘要

A system having a plurality of tracing interface modules that attach to the patch panels of a telecommunications patching system in a telecommunications closet. On the patch panels in a telecommunications closet are located a plurality of connector ports (16) that receive the terminated ends of patch cords (20). The tracing interface modules mount to the patch panels and provide a mechanical sensor (38,40) that can detect when a patch cord connector (22) has been added to, or removed from, a connector port (16) within the telecommunications closet. Accordingly, by connecting a computer controller to the various mechanical sensors, the computer can monitor and log all changes to the patch cord interconnections in an automated fashion. There is also an independent claim for providing each connector port with a mechanical sensor which may be internal to or proximate to the port.