CN104104541A - Termination cap for use in wired network management system - Google Patents

Abstract

An end cap for a work area outlet having a terminal face to which a plurality of data transmission lines are terminated, the end cap being provided with a sensing circuit having a preselected impedance for connecting two terminated data transmission lines , the end cap includes: an insulating body portion having opposing first and second faces, the first face including a plurality of engaging members for engaging with the terminal face, each engaging member arranged thereon by an intermediate the second side supports the circuit substrate thereon in two distinct rows spaced apart by the gap, the body portion includes a slot disposed in the middle gap and extending through the body portion between the first side and the second side; and a pair of conductive terminals, and the circuit substrate includes a sensing circuit with electronic components connected to the terminals; whereby, when the end cap is attached to the terminal face, the engaging member engages with the terminal face and the terminal contacts the two data transmission lines to A sensing circuit is defined between the two data transmission lines with a given impedance value.

Description

End caps for use in wired network management systems

This application is a divisional application of "end caps used in cable network management systems" with application number 200980144600.2 that entered the Chinese national phase on May 09, 2011.

Cross References to Related Applications

This application claims priority to previously filed US Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/103,487 and 61/103,532, filed on October 7, 2008. The contents of each of these previously filed patent applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

technical field

The present invention relates generally to infrastructure management systems, and more particularly to systems, components and components for managing infrastructure resources.

Background technique

Computing networks that exist in large institutions consist of two types of devices that must be interconnected to form a usable data network. These devices, also referred to as resources in the prior art, are generally classified into end-user devices and networked devices. Examples of end-user devices include personal computers (PCs), voice over IP (VoIP) phones, and network printers. A typical local area network (LAN) of a large enterprise may include thousands of end-user devices deployed in various offices or public areas accessible to end-users throughout the site. In addition, data networks often include networking equipment such as switches and routers that form the core of the network. These networking devices are used to route data packets between network devices on a LAN, or between a LAN and a larger corporate wide area network (WAN), or to route data packets to the Internet. These network devices are often located in central control rooms known as wiring closets and data centers.

The information technology (IT) departments of these organizations need to know the network connectivity status of each end-user device, the physical location of the end-user device, and also need to identify the source and location of any error or problem as quickly as possible. Tracking of end-user devices is key, for example to monitor the presence or absence of end-user devices on the network for loss prevention purposes, or to ensure that end-user devices are physically properly located where end-users can make optimal use of them in the office or on the floor while maintaining a correct connection to the network. Currently, there is no standardized system for tracking end-user devices connected to a network and monitoring the status of the physical connections of the network.

The Open Systems Architecture (OSI) model describes layered communications in computer networks. "Layer 1," or the physical layer, defines all the electrical and physical specifications of the network and the end-user devices connected to the network. For example, Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) Standard 802.3 defines a standard for wired Ethernet that is commonly used in computing networks. As part of the IEEE802.3 specification, the physical layer of the Ethernet network is also defined. Examples of physical layer elements defined in the IEEE 802.3 specification include voltage and signal protocols, cable requirements, and termination impedance.

In order to connect end-user devices to network devices, the network devices in the wiring closet or data center need to be connected to the end-user devices according to the specific requirements of the users of the LAN. Each path from a switch to an end-user device is called a channel. A typical layout for the physical layer connection of the LAN channel consists of a patch cord between the switch port and the patch panel port, a length of multi-pair cable from the back of the patch panel port to the work area outlet at the end user's office, and a Patch cord configuration to end-user equipment. Each of these ports is a modular jack and is designed to meet industry standard specifications to accept patch plugs.

The management of patch cords in telecommunications rooms or at outlets in work areas presents issues to IT management groups. Whenever employees are hired, leave the facility, or change locations, it is inevitable that patch cables must be connected and disconnected. Wiring closets often have multiple switches, patch panels, and patch cords, sometimes numbered in the hundreds and more. Patch cords are often routed in coils around each other, making adding, removing or tracking patch cords difficult and time consuming. When a new patch cable needs to be connected into the system or a patch cable needs to be moved, a technician goes into the wiring closet and must search for the appropriate cable among hundreds or possibly thousands of patch cords. The technician must then find the appropriate patch panels and the appropriate ports on those patch panels. Finally, the technician must connect the patch cords to the correct ports on the patch panel and verify that the connections have been made correctly. Once a patch cord is attached, there has not been a simple, cost-effective, and time-efficient method for determining whether the patch cord is connected to the correct port. For example, a technician may have to go to a network port or end-user device located at a remote location, such as a personal office, to determine whether a patch cable is properly plugged in and whether a network connection is available at the resource. Therefore, the workload of connecting and transferring network resources is high.

Additionally, IT departments have yet to find an effective way to determine the exact location of network issues that can be attributed to the physical layer. For example, if the patch cords are not connected properly, the problem may be in the switch room, or the problem may be in the wiring from the switch room to the end-user equipment. IT departments currently do not have an effective way to determine whether a network problem exists in the physical network cabling. Accordingly, there is a need for a better information management system that includes components that simplify the steps of sequentially identifying end-user devices, at least reducing the time required to move and inspect end-user devices on the network.

Another aspect to consider is that a LAN may have a large number of unused or backup permanent links. Alternate permanent links are network equipment and/or end-user equipment that have connecting cables from the patch panel to work area outlets, but are not connected by patch cords. This link is typically maintained in the LAN layout to ensure proper capacity in the event of employee moves, additions or changes, or to ensure additional capacity in a disaster recovery situation. The problem facing IT managers today is that it is difficult and time consuming to retest alternate permanent links to verify connectivity before they are put into service. Therefore, most backup permanent links are not regularly tested, and if there is a problem with the connectivity of the link, the problem may not be discovered until the permanent link is activated as part of the working channel. Detecting a fault and fixing it can cause delays and additional costs.

US Patent No. 6,590,374 issued July 8, 2003 to Har-Lev describes a terminator unit used in a wiring network to name outlets and check the normal status of the wiring. The terminator includes a connector with a plurality of contacts and a set of resistors. A first set of resistors is connected between the common point and the selected contacts so that a specific binary code is determined based on the specific combination of resistors connected to the contacts.

In order to list or register all connected end-user devices, and to catalog them, all ports of the network need to be periodically probed or probed. This inventory requires "pinging" each connected port on the network and collecting data from connected end-user devices. To limit the number of network outages, such network-intensive procedures are typically performed no more than once per month. Accordingly, a system is desired that provides up-to-date information whenever an end-user device connects to the network without requiring more frequent system-wide probes.

Contents of the invention

It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved system for monitoring a network having multiple workspace outlets connected to different end-user devices which facilitates cataloging the network and monitoring of the end-user devices monitor.

Another object is to provide a terminal unit for use in a system for monitoring a wired computing network having a plurality of end user devices, the terminal unit comprising: a cap portion configured to connect to the Terminal faces of a working area outlet of a computing network are matingly engaged, said cap portion comprising at least one electronic component thereby supported, said electronic component having a specific measurement by which a change in impedance of said system can be measured , and form a parallel system circuit with the network cable, and the cap portion further includes at least one pair of terminals in contact with the opposite terminals of the outlet of the work area, thereby closing when the cap portion is mated with the network socket the parallel circuit.

Another object is to provide an end cap for use in a wired computing network having multiple work area outlets, wherein the end cap includes an insulating housing, a substrate supporting a resistive element disposed thereon in a resistive circuit, and at least two terminals extending therefrom for mating with corresponding opposing engagement terminals of the terminal face of the work area outlet, the terminal unit including a plurality of terminals protruding therefrom and mating with the terminal faces formed in the work area outlet The slots on the face of the engagement member are opposite, the terminals of the end cap are arranged to be aligned with the engagement member to be protected thereby, and the terminals are arranged to be aligned with two selected ones of the work area outlet. The terminals are aligned to connect the resistive circuit in parallel to the work area outlet.

Another object is to provide an end cap for a data or computer network having a system for monitoring the presence or absence of end user equipment connected to the network. The end cap includes an inductive element or circuit connected to selected terminals of two different sets of differential signal wire pairs of the work area outlet, the inductive element having a preselected inductive value that affects the impedance of the system such that when the When the end cap is connected to the work area outlet, there is a first inductance value in the network cable leading to the work area outlet that is different from infinity and different from the inductance of the end user device value, and can be read remotely via a scanner at the outlet of the work area, thereby judging whether an end-user device is connected to the outlet of the work area, thus providing a monitoring system with a way to determine when a terminal A method by which a user device has connected to a particular location on said network.

Another object is to provide a method for monitoring the connectivity of work area outlets of a data communication network by providing a series of interconnected work area outlets as a network and connecting network cables to said work area zone outlets, and providing a terminal unit for each work zone outlet, said terminal unit terminating two of the respective network cable lines, said terminal unit having a given value arranged in parallel with said work zone outlets The resistance circuit of the working area outlet is then monitored for changes in the impedance of the work area outlet, so as to know when a device is connected to or removed from the work area outlet.

These objects and advantages are achieved by the construction of the end cap. The receptacles used in the system of the present invention employ insulation displacement terminals located along the rear or terminal face of the receptacle. Termination units or end caps are provided to mate with rear insulation displacement terminals of receptacles used in said work area outlets. The end cap preferably includes a resistive element supported on a substrate defining a resistive circuit. Two conductive terminals are supported by and located in the terminal unit so as to traverse or contact the two insulation displacement terminals on the terminal face of the receptacle. The terminals are arranged so that they make contact with terminals terminating in two different sets of differential signal wire pairs, and do not make contact with any terminals terminating in differential signal wire pairs. In this way, connections are made between differential signal line pairs rather than within differential signal line pairs. In this way, the terminal unit of the present invention utilizes existing network wiring without the need for a ninth wire or proximity switches within the work area outlet, as do some monitoring systems.

The terminals of the termination unit have a depth sufficient to contact the terminals, but not so great that the insulation displacement terminals may spread apart and possibly damage the integrity of the network cable connection. The terminals lead to circuitry on a substrate supported by the terminal unit, the circuitry comprising electronic components having preselected measurements that, when connected to the network, will alter the impedance of the cable and/or work area outlet. The electronic components are typically selected from resistors, capacitors, inductors or combinations thereof. Typically, electronic components are selected as resistive components. The value of this resistive element is chosen such that it is greater than the impedance of an Ethernet end-user device of about 105 ohms, and it is less than the open circuit impedance, ie infinity. The terminals make contact with the wiring of two different differential signal pairs providing a parallel channel resistance circuit so that the system reads the resistance of the end unit when no end user equipment is connected to the work area output , and when an end-user device is connected to the outlet of the work area, the system will read the resistance of the end-user device.

Although in the preferred embodiment a resistive element is used and the sensed value is used as the impedance value of the system, other electronic components that affect the impedance of the system can be used to provide similar results, such as resistors, capacitors, inductors , a combination of two or all three of the above. All of these elements affect the impedance of the system including the network cable and close a parallel circuit path when terminated by an end cap, thereby changing the value of the sensing element to a different measurement indicative of other conditions of the network. When an end cap is incorporated, the end cap connects to different connection points of the network, allowing the connectivity and status of the network to be measured. These connection points are chosen by the network designer where there is a need to verify the presence of network cables or patch cords.

These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood by considering the following detailed description.

Description of drawings

During the course of this detailed description, frequent reference will be made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

1 is a system schematic diagram showing a computing network including a patch panel, a scanner, and a server in which a terminal unit of the present invention is employed;

Figure 2 is a simplified diagram of a computing network incorporating the system of the present invention, showing the arrangement of the network and end-user devices and interconnecting patch cords;

3A is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of a network jack and an end cap mated with the jack for use in the work area outlet of the system of FIG. 1;

Figure 3B is the same as Figure 3A, but without the end caps and showing the socket shield in an open position exposing the internal terminals of the socket;

3C is a schematic diagram of a network outlet with a shutter triggering the sensing circuit, wherein the outlet shutter is closed and the sensing circuit is disconnected from the work area outlet;

Figure 3D is the same view as Figure 3C, but with the receptacle shield in place of the opening and the sensing circuit connected to the workspace outlet;

Figure 4 is the same view as Figure 3, but taken from the rear, with network communication cables in place;

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 4 but showing the socket and terminal members mounted on the circuit board;

Figure 6 is the same view as Figure 5, but with the network cables removed for clarity;

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the structure shown in Figure 7;

Figure 8 is the same view as Figure 6, but with the terminal unit removed and spaced from the terminal face of the receptacle for clarity;

Figure 9 is a side view of Figure 8, illustrating only the receptacle and its terminal face, and showing the insulation displacement terminal of the terminal face of Figure 8;

Figure 10 is the same view as Figure 9, but with the terminal unit engaging the socket terminal face and terminating the network cable there;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of the terminal unit of Figure 6;

Figure 12 is an exploded view of Figure 11;

Figure 13 is the same view as Figure 12, but with the terminals held in place within the terminal unit body portion;

Figure 14 is the same view as the figure, but taken from the rear, showing the terminals of the terminal unit arranged in one of the two rows of engaging members;

Figure 15 is a plan view of the rear of the terminal unit of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a cross-sectional view of the terminal unit taken along line 16-16 of Figure 15;

17A is a schematic diagram of the network of FIG. 2, showing four sets of differential signal wire pairs of the network cable, and the connection between the impedance circuit of the end cap and the wire at the outlet of the work area;

Figure 17B is a schematic diagram of connections between network cables, end caps, work area outlets, and network drivers; and

Figure 18 is a diagram of an alternative embodiment of a sensing device used in a network.

Detailed ways

The following description is intended to provide those of ordinary skill in the art with operation of the exemplary embodiment of the invention. It should be appreciated that this description is intended to aid the reader's understanding, not to limit the invention. In this regard, descriptions of features or aspects of the invention are intended to describe features or aspects of embodiments of the invention and do not imply that every embodiment of the invention must conform to such description.

Turning to the drawings and referring initially to FIG. 1 , a typical computing or data transmission network 100 is shown to illustrate the environment in which the patch panel assembly of the present invention is used. An example of such a data network is a corporate electronic computing network with multiple users, a network, and end-user devices connected thereto through which network users can access, exchange and store data. As used herein, the term "end-user equipment" refers to a physical item connected to a workspace outlet and operable by any user of the network, and may include, without limitation, a personal computer, telephone, printer, fax machine, monitors or other devices, while the term "network device" refers to physical devices that are accessible to, but not necessarily operated by, users of the network, and which may include scanners, servers, switches, patch panels, and the like. Preferably, the network includes a scanner 102 for monitoring network devices connected to the network 104 and via a series of patch panels 106 .

Scanner 102 monitors network devices connected to the network. In one embodiment, scanner 102 communicates with patch panel 106 using a serial data connection. Each patch panel 106 is further connected to a plurality of network devices or work area outlets 107 through a switch 109 . By connecting ports between patch panels 106 with patch cords, various network devices can communicate with each other. The switch 109 can probe all workspace outlets on the network to register end user devices connected to it and, in this case, catalog all such devices connected to the network. Server 105 is connected to switch 109 , wherein switch 109 is connected to patch panel 106 , and server 105 may instruct switch 109 to probe the connection port of patch panel 106 .

In a dedicated wiring room, such as a wiring closet, the patch panel 106 may be mounted in a rack with other such panels. These terminal boards 106 have individual ports into which cables can mate to connect the components on the various boards together. The rear of each port has a cable terminating there that leads to a workspace outlet 107 to which an end user device 108 can be connected. The cable may conform to the Ethernet standard, containing eight wires arranged in twisted pairs, ie four pairs of differential signal wires. Switches 109 , patch panels 106 , work area outlets 107 , and end-user devices (collectively 108 ) cooperate to form part of the network 104 that the scanner 102 monitors.

2 is a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a computing network including patch panels, patch cords, network equipment, and end-user equipment. Three patch panels 112, 114 and 116 are shown arrayed within the rack and connected to network equipment such as secondary servers or drives 118 connected to the main server 105 on the network. A second patch panel 114 is connected to another network device in the form of a public telephone system exchange ("PBX") 120, while a third patch panel 112 is connected to work area outlets and various end-user devices, such as personal computers ("PCs") 122. Laptop 124, VoIP ("Voice over IP") phone 126, fax machine 128 and printer 130 connected to a workspace outlet located in a conference room or similar environment. A PC 123 is connected to the third terminal block 112 through a modem 132 . In this exemplary embodiment, all of these devices communicate cooperatively using the IEEE 802.3 standard, commonly referred to as the Ethernet standard.

In order to make and receive calls, the VoIP phone 126 must be connected to the PBX 120 . Thus, in this example, VoIP phone 126 is wired to port 1 on patch panel 112 . A patch cord 134 connects port 1 on the third patch panel 112 to port 2 on the second patch panel 114 . In this example, all ports on the second patch panel 114 are wired to the PBX 120 . Thus, VoIP phone 126 is connected to PBX 120 through patch cord 134 . Likewise, fax machine 128 and modem 132 are connected to PBX 120 by similar patch cords. The fax machine is wired to port 5 on patch panel 112 and to PBX 120 via patch cord 136 . Likewise, modem 132 is connected to the PBX by patch cord 138 . The PC 122, laptop computer 124, and printer 130 are wired to the terminal block 112, respectively. Other patch cords 140 connect various ports of various devices of the third patch panel 112 to the first patch panel 116 . Accordingly, each of PC 122 , laptop 124 , and printer 130 are capable of communicating with server 118 . In one embodiment, a switch (not shown) enables various end users and network devices to communicate with each other.

In one embodiment, the system is capable of monitoring all devices connected to the network. For example, host server 105 may monitor address assignments such as Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol ("DHCP") and Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. In some network environments, a network device obtains an IP address from a DHCP server when it is connected to the network. In this environment, the server 105 can monitor the assignment of IP addresses and can probe for newly connected devices using, for example, the Simple Network Management Protocol ("SNMP"). SNMP is used to monitor devices connected to the network.

US Patent No. 6,590,374 issued to Har-Lev describes the use of a terminator unit in a network for naming work area outlets and checking the health of wiring. The terminator unit of the '374 patent requires a pair of resistors for each wire at the outlet of the network work area, and these resistor pairs are arranged to define a unique identifier for system monitoring purposes. Thus, the structure of such a terminator unit is complicated, and it takes a lot of labor to program the allocation of identifiers by arranging resistors to develop binary code numbers used as identifiers. Therefore, the use of this structure becomes complicated, and a lot of labor is required for installation. The present invention offers an advantage over the terminator unit of the '374 patent in that it is inexpensive and its application does not require a great deal of labor.

In the system of the present invention, for example, the improved terminal system shown in Fig. 3-4 is used to enable the system to monitor the network at the output port level of the work area, and judge the network cables to the output port of the work area and other components of the network. Connectivity, and connectivity of network equipment to workspace outlets. 3-4 illustrate an RJ-45 style jack 142 including a termination unit 144 for connecting various network components together, including connection of network equipment to work area outlets. Sockets 142 are used to provide workspace egress at specific locations, such as conference rooms, offices or control rooms, where equipment may be intended to be permanently or temporarily connected thereto.

The outlet 142 has a housing 142a that is typically located within a wall panel of an office or room and multiple work area outlets using multiple outlets that may be located in a single room or office. The receptacle includes an internal receptacle 145 for receiving equipment cables, and the RJ-45 type receptacle can accommodate any plug that mates with an Ethernet outlet, ie it has eight terminals arranged to provide four sets of differential signal pairs. Other multiple paired wired jacks such as RJ-11 style jacks may also be used. Each terminal 146 in the receptacle mates with a corresponding terminal in a network cable (not shown). The receptacle 142 may also include a shutter 148 that closes the receptacle opening. In FIGS. 3A-3B , the shutter 148 may be biased by means of a spring 149 and is rotatably mounted within the receptacle 142 to rotate or pivot a plug inserted into the receptacle 142 with the shutter 148 downwardly towards the receptacle opening 145. behind the bottom of the When the plug is unplugged from the receptacle 142 , the shutter 148 springs into place in front of the receptacle opening 145 . In this way, the shield 148 prevents dust from entering the receptacle 142 and provides a means of determining whether the plug is fully inserted into the receptacle 142 . If the plug is not fully inserted, the spring loaded shutter 148 will pop the plug out. As described below, a baffle can be used to provide parallel sensing circuits.

The terminal unit 144 shown in the figures takes the shape of a generally U-shaped cap and includes a central slot 150 through which a network cable can pass. The end cap 144 preferably retains the cable to reduce stress on the connection between the cable and the network jack 142 . A network cable 156 is connected to the receptacle 142 using insulation displacement technology ("IDT") terminals 152 supported on the rear terminal face 149 of the receptacle. The IDT terminal 152 passes through the insulation of each wire in the network cable to ensure electrical connection between the socket terminal 142 and the network cable wires. Ribs 154 are provided on the terminal unit 144 to provide a means for the terminal unit 144 to mate and engage the receptacle 142 . These ribs 154 are interconnected by crosspieces 158 received at least partially within slots 162 formed in receptacle terminal faces 160 of the receptacle and also accommodating IDT terminals. Terminal unit 144 has a generally U-shaped or C-shaped configuration with central slot 150 disposed therein.

4 shows a rear perspective view of workspace outlet receptacle 142 including network workspace outlet cable 156 terminated in the receptacle with end cap 144 connected to receptacle 142 in place. Electronics are provided in the end cap 144 and are preferably provided with lead wires so as to define a sensing circuit in contact with two wires in the network cable by means of the IDT terminals of the socket. The sensing circuitry is arranged such that when the end cap 144 is mated with the jack terminal face, the sensing elements are connected and a parallel circuit path is formed through the wires of the network cable 156 . For a specific sensing element such as a resistor, the sense resistor is connected through the end cap 144 and can read the parallel resistance as opposed to an open circuit, the resistance of an unconnected outlet, or the resistance of a network device connected to the outlet . The electronic sensing element may be a resistor, a capacitor, an inductor, or a combination of any two or all three of them. All three elements contribute to the impedance of the system at this location, as measured by the cable 156 and the inductive elements in the end cap 144 .

In the embodiment of FIGS. 3A-3D , a resistor 170 is shown as an electrical component having a measurable value to connect the two terminals of receptacle 142 together. Resistor 170 (FIGS. 3C-3D) may be mounted within the socket relative to end cap 144, and in particular mounted on shield 148 at a location such that the resistor does not contact socket 142 when the shield is in the closed position. The resistance measured by the system is the resistance when the work area outlet is open (that is, not connected to the end user equipment), that is, the infinite resistance value when the device is not connected to the work area outlet. As shown in FIG. 3D , when an end-user device is connected to the work area outlet, the device is plugged into receptacle 142 , shutter 148 moves to the open position, and resistor 170 moves as the shutter slides back into receptacle 142 . to make contact with the selected terminal 146 of the receptacle 142, thereby forming a new resistance value that can be sensed. This is illustrated in Figures 3C-3D, where the sliding movement of the shutter 148 is the opposite of the rotational movement shown in Figures 3A-3B. As shown, the shutter moves between a first working position and a second working position, wherein when the shutter is closed, the sensing circuit is not connected in parallel with the outlet of the working area and the network cable connected thereto.

Alternative embodiments are also contemplated, one of which is that one or more inductive elements (preferably resistors) are mounted to the shutter 148 in such a way that when the shutter 148 is closed, the resistors are connected to the operating area output port terminals and/or network cables. When the connection cable is inserted into the socket opening 145, the shutter moves to the open position and the resistor is out of contact with the terminals/wires, which reduces the inductive resistance of the load on the work area outlet 107. In this way the system can measure different values to indicate the status of the work zone outlet 107 .

Thus, in the particular embodiment of Figures 3A-3D, when an end-user device is plugged into receptacle 142, a different resistive load is placed on the sensing circuit within the network cable. The sensing electronics may be integrated into the patch panel 106 , the scanner 102 , the server 105 , or other dedicated or multi-function network devices connected to the network 104 .

5-16 illustrate another embodiment of a terminal unit connected in accordance with the principles of the present invention, wherein a work area outlet 200 is shown comprising a socket-type housing 202 mounted on a circuit board 204 . Housing 202 is insulated and has socket openings with typical Ethernet socket configurations. The inner terminal 146 of the receptacle opening includes a plurality of tail portions 206, typically eight to match the eight wires used in the four-pair differential signal wire arrangement commonly used in Ethernet data transmission. The tail portion 206 extends through a hole or via 208 provided in the circuit board 204 .

The tail portion 206 is connected to a terminal 210 supported by a terminal element 211 having a terminal face 212 disposed thereon. As can be seen, the terminal face 212 includes a planar base portion 214 and a plurality of struts 216 protruding outwardly from the base portion 214 . The struts are arranged in two rows of five and are spaced apart from each other so as to define an intermediate space 218 between them. The struts 216 within each row are themselves also spaced apart from each other and are separated by intermediate slots 220 extending generally perpendicular to the intermediate void 218 . Each slot 220 contains an IDT in the form of a conductive plate terminal 221 having a central slot 222 defined between two opposing tip portions 223 . The central slot 222 is sized such that the tip portion 223 bites into and passes through the outer insulation of the wire, thereby bringing the wire into electrical contact with the terminal 221 . The network cable 156 may extend at least partially through the intermediate void 218 with its individual wires spread out to engage the IDTs of the terminal face, and the network cable may extend through the central slot 247 of the terminal unit 240 directly behind the socket.

In this regard, the terminal unit 240 is provided in the form of a cap 241 engaging the terminal face 212 of the socket terminating element 211 . More specifically, cap 241 is formed from an insulating material and preferably has a planar base portion 242 with a depression or groove 243 disposed therein and defined by a plurality of side walls 244 . A pair of clips 245 can be found along two opposing edges of the base portion 242 as part of the side walls. Recess 243 accommodates a circuit substrate 246 , which is preferably a flat substrate as shown in FIG. 12 , and substrate 246 and base portion 242 include a central groove 247 . It can be seen that a visual indicator 248 in the form of a label or sticker can be provided on the exposed surface of the substrate 246 for the convenience of the installer. Same as the first embodiment of the present invention, this embodiment also includes a central groove 247 .

As best shown in FIG. 14 , the base portion 242 also includes means for engaging the terminal face 212 of the workspace outlet. The engagement means 250 are shown as two columns or rows 251a, 251b of protruding members 252 arranged on opposite sides of the central slot. Each column or row includes a pair of spaced apart sidewalls 253a, 253b having a series of interconnected walls 254 extending laterally to the sidewalls 253a, 253b, the interconnecting walls 254 having the Slots 220 between struts 216 of 212 are spaced to match.

Each interconnected wall 254 includes a central notch 255 disposed therein. These notches 255, as well as the interconnecting walls 254, are aligned with the IDTs of the work area outlet terminal face 212 so that the interconnecting walls 254 do not make significant contact with the IDTs, which would cause them to unravel and damage their connection to the cable. Connection integrity. Two notches 255a, 255b are deeper than the other notches 255, and a pair of conductive terminals 260 are supported in this position by the base portion 242 such that they protrude outwardly from the base portion 242. The terminals 260 shown in the figures are Pogo-pin style terminals and are received in corresponding holes 261 having sufficient depth to allow the terminals to extend through (i.e., be larger than) the bottom wall 262 of the notch 255. length (height).

In this way, contact between the two terminals 260 (at their tips) and the IDT is guaranteed. A desirably thimble-type terminal has a cylindrical portion 280 with a spring-loaded tip 281 retained within a bore of the cylindrical portion. An internal spring 283 (shown in FIGS. 12-16 ) pushes the tip 281 outward, but bends and retracts under external pressure. The spring keeps the tip in contact with the IDT tip portion 223 within the central slot 222 but is deflected so that the tip 281 does not push the tip portion 223 far apart.

In this embodiment, the parallel sensing circuit is located in the end cap instead of the work area outlet socket. Terminal 260 is connected to substrate 246 and in particular to electrical circuit 270 or a circuit comprising at least one resistive element, such as resistor 271 . In operation, resistive element 271 is part of resistive circuit 270 extending between wires of two different differential signal pairs. An Ethernet standard cable has four differential signal pairs, or a total of eight wires. In the present invention, the terminals 260 are arranged to form a circuit extending between the two signal wire pairs, connecting one wire of the first differential signal pair to one wire of the second differential signal pair, rather than the wires making up the pair. between. A resistor with an available resistance value of 1M (mega) ohms can be connected between the second and seventh lines of the four differential signal line pairs. This is shown schematically in Figure 17A, which includes a network cable 156 with four pairs of wires dedicated to differential signaling. These wires are shown in groups of adjacent pairs 1-2, 4-5, 3-6 and 7-8. The terminal unit resistor circuit straddles two pairs of different differential signal lines, that is, the two pairs at the ends shown in FIG. 17A , specifically between the wire 2 and the wire 7 . These two wires were chosen because they are aligned and adjacent to each other on the terminal face of the workspace outlet.

This connection establishes the basis for the sensing circuit described under the specific example, the parallel resistor network configuration shown in FIG. 17B , where the network cable runs between terminal block 106 and work area outlet 200 . Set the terminal unit 240 to a suitable position on the outlet of the working area, and the sensing (resistance) circuit 270 of the terminal unit 240 displays a constant resistance with a sensing value equal to 1M ohm. This value displayed on the system's scanner indicates that the terminal unit 240 is connected to the work area outlet 200 and that there is no short circuit in the cable 156 terminated at the work area outlet 200 and no end user equipment such as a PC 122 is connected to the work area Output port 200. When an end-user device is connected to the workspace outlet 200, the network device 122 now forms a second sense circuit in parallel with the end unit's sense circuit (ie, resistive circuit 270) and across the differential pair in parallel. The electrical signal will take the path of least resistance to pass through the end user device 122 and cause the scanner at the output of the work area to read a resistance of approximately 150 ohms. This change in resistance is immediately displayed on the scanner, indicating that the end user device has been plugged into the workspace outlet 200 of the network 100 . Conversely, when the end-user device 122 is removed from the workspace outlet 200, the resistance read at the workspace outlet 200 displayed on the scanner immediately increases to a fixed value (1M ohms), which is different from ( Greater than) 150 ohms and (less than) the open circuit resistance (ie, infinite). In this way, three conditions for the workspace outlet 200 can be read: about 150 ohms: end user equipment connected; about 1 M ohms: terminal unit 240 in place but no end user equipment; and infinite ohms: no terminal unit or end-user device. Other resistance values sensed under other conditions may also be considered, such as an open short in the network cable 156 connected to a particular workspace outlet 108 .

The terminal unit 240 provides a sensing circuit that can be integrated into the work area outlet 200, so that the change of the system impedance caused by the simple action of connecting or disconnecting the end user equipment to the network work area outlet 200 can be measured immediately . The terminal unit 240 can be easily installed at each existing workspace outlet 200 of the network or at a new workspace outlet installed in the network. This configuration allows immediate connection to the network, and the parallel resistor network provided by the termination unit 240 is a means of monitoring system connectivity without relying on multiple resistors or identifiers. Thus, network connectivity can be monitored remotely by reading the resistance at any given workspace outlet to determine whether an end user device is connected to the network at a particular workspace outlet.

Capacitors may be used in place of the above resistors, it being understood that their use will affect the state change of the work area outlet which can be quickly detected by the scanner depending on the change in impedance of the system connected to that work area output arrive. Likewise, any combination of inductors or other components that provide a change in system impedance would also satisfy this requirement. End caps can also be used at other connection points in the network in order to monitor the integrity and connectivity of the entire network. For example, instead of the work area outlet 107 , end caps with inductive elements could be used for the connection of the network cables to the patch panel 106 , and for the scanner 102 or even for the switch 109 . Adding these sensing elements to the sensing circuit changes the measurable system impedance by which the scanner 102 can determine the continuity and integrity of a particular cable or a particular cable connection. For example, the connection of work area outlet 107 to two end caps with inductive elements of terminal block 106 changes the impedance of the system to a value different from that of a terminal with only one inductive element connected to the work area outlet. Adding end caps to the switch 109 will also change the impedance value obtained when capping. In this case, parallel and series circuit senses and measurements can be used to determine the network impedance. Thus, the end caps provide the system designer with increased network status information by utilizing network components as connection or termination points (such as the network between switch 109 and patch panel 106 or between patch panel 106 and work area outlet 107). cable break).

Then as shown in Figure 18, an electronic component such as a resistor, capacitor, inductor, etc. can be connected to one of the work area outlet terminals, and said electronic component can have an electronic serial number associated therewith that can be read by a scanner and A specific value used to identify workspace outlets and network devices.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the inventor's best mode for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. In addition, unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by the content herein, any combination of the above-mentioned elements in all possible variations thereof is also included within the scope of the present invention.

Claims (18)

1. the end cap for service area delivery outlet, described service area delivery outlet has and many data lines is ended to this end face, described end cap be provided with there is preliminary election impedance sensing circuit for connecting the data line of two terminations, described end cap comprises:

The main part of insulation, described main part has relative first surface and second, described first surface comprises a plurality of engagement members for engaging with described end face, described in each, engagement member is arranged thereon in isolated two the different row of intermediate gaps, described second circuit substrate supporting on it, described main part comprises and is arranged in described intermediate gaps and extends through described first surface and the slit of the described main part between described second; And

Pair of conductive terminal, described conducting terminal is supported by described main part, described terminal comprises relative contact jaw and clearing end, thereby described terminal longitudinal extension makes described clearing end contact with described circuit substrate through described main part and in the row of described engagement member one of described contact jaw in extension, described circuit substrate comprises the sensing circuit with the electronic component that is connected to described terminal; Thus, when described end cap is attached to described end face, described engagement member engages with described end face and described terminal contacts with described two data lines, to limit sensing circuit with given resistance value between described two data lines.

2. end cap according to claim 1, wherein said service area delivery outlet is Ethernet socket.

3. end cap according to claim 1, wherein said end face comprises a plurality of insulation displacement terminal that are contained in its slit, thereby and described engagement member from base portion, extend and engage with the slit of described end face.

4. end cap according to claim 1, wherein said terminal comprises thimble type terminal.

5. end cap according to claim 1, the engagement member of wherein said end cap is arranged in two different lines, every row comprise the pair of sidewalls that the wall by a plurality of interconnection interconnects, described terminal is arranged in described row, and described in each, two of the wall of terminal and described interconnection are alignd.

6. end cap according to claim 5, the wall wherein interconnecting described in each comprises the notch that is arranged on its center, two described notches have cannot with first degree of depth of the insulation displacement technology termination contact of socket.

7. end cap according to claim 6, wherein another two described notches have second degree of depth, and first degree of depth is large described in described the second depth ratio, and in described terminal one aligns with each in another two described notches.

8. end cap according to claim 7, wherein said terminal has than the large height of described notch first degree of depth.

9. end cap according to claim 7, wherein said terminal is arranged in the main part in a side of described slit.

10. end cap according to claim 1, wherein said electronic component is selected from resistor, capacitor, inductor or their combination.

11. 1 kinds for engaging the terminal unit of the service area delivery outlet of data transmission network, described terminal unit comprises for the device of sensing circuit is provided at described service area equipped at outlet port, described service area delivery outlet comprises for being connected to the composition surface of end user device and the end face that network cable is stopped, described network cable comprises many group differential signal lines pair, described end face comprises a plurality of insulation displacement technology (" IDT ") terminal, described in each, insulation displacement technology terminal engages a described network cable, and described terminal unit comprises:

Shell, described shell supports circuit substrate thereon, described circuit substrate comprises at least one sensing circuit, described sensing circuit comprises that at least one has the electronic component of preliminary election impedance, described shell and described circuit substrate comprise the cable that holds slit, for making described terminal unit be connected to described service area delivery outlet end face via described network cable;

A plurality of engagement members, described a plurality of engagement member is arranged on the composition surface of described shell with the form of two row, described engagement member is listed as by intermediate gaps and is spaced apart from each other, and described cable holding slit is arranged in described intermediate gaps, each engagement member row comprises the pair of sidewalls interconnecting by cross wall, and described cross wall is aligned to each engagement slot of described end face and aligns with described insulation displacement technology terminal disposed thereon with certain pattern; And

Pair of conductive terminal, described conducting terminal is supported in described shell and aligns with two that are supported by described end face described insulation displacement technology terminals, described conducting terminal comprises relative tail end and contact jaw, described tail end is connected to the sensing circuit of described circuit substrate, described circuit substrate in from described engagement member row one of described conducting terminal and extending out between the sidewall of engagement member row, each cross wall comprises the notch being formed on wherein, described conducting terminal is arranged in two adjacent notches of described cross wall, when described terminal unit engages with the terminal of described service area delivery outlet, described sensing circuit is in contact with it, thereby when being connected to described service area delivery outlet, the network equipment changes its resistance.

12. terminal units according to claim 11, wherein described in each, conducting terminal comprises base portion and the tip portion that remains on described base portion inside, and be inserted with bias spring between described base portion and described tip portion, when described terminal unit coordinates with described end face, described bias spring makes described tip portion, under termination pressure, deflection occur.

13. terminal units according to claim 11, wherein said conducting terminal comprises thimble type terminal.

14. terminal units according to claim 11, wherein said electronic component is the resistor with at least 1 megohm value.

15. terminal units according to claim 11, wherein said conducting terminal is arranged on described shell, thereby from the different described insulation displacement technology termination contact to differential signal line that are connected to described network cable, to limit the resistance circuit that is connected to described service area delivery outlet.

16. terminal units according to claim 11, wherein said electronic component is selected from resistor, capacitor, inductor or their combination.

17. 1 kinds for engaging the terminal unit of the tie point on data transmission network, described terminal unit comprises for the device of sensing circuit is provided at described tie point place, described tie point interconnects on described network by comprising many group right network cables of differential signal line, described tie point comprises a plurality of conducting terminals that line is connected that are suitable for described network cable, and described terminal unit comprises:

Shell, described shell supports circuit substrate thereon, and described circuit substrate comprises at least one sensing circuit, and described sensing circuit comprises that at least one has the electronic component of preliminary election impedance, and described shell comprises the composition surface coordinating with described tie point;

At least one engagement member, described engagement member is arranged on the composition surface of described shell; And

Pair of conductive member, described conductive member is supported in described shell and aligns with two of described conducting terminal, described conductive member is connected to the sensing circuit of described circuit substrate, when described terminal unit coordinates with the described conductive member of described service area delivery outlet, described sensing circuit contacts with the end user device of service area delivery outlet, thereby when network cable is connected to described tie point, changes the impedance of described tie point.

18. 1 kinds judge in the data network with a plurality of service areas delivery outlet whether end user device is connected to the method for service area delivery outlet described in any one, and described method comprises the steps:

A plurality of service areas delivery outlet is provided;

The connecting terminals of described service area delivery outlet is received to network cable, described in each, network cable comprises many data lines, every described data line ends at a described terminal place, and described data line is arranged in pairs with differential signal transmission in described network;

Be provided for being connected to the terminal unit of described service area delivery outlet, described in each, terminal unit comprises the shell that supports sensing circuit, described shell comprises makes described network cable through the cable holding slit of described terminal unit, a plurality of engagement members are arranged on described shell with the form of two row, and be spaced apart from each other by intermediate gaps, described cable holding slit is arranged in described intermediate gaps, each engagement member row comprises pair of sidewalls and pair of conductive terminal, described pair of sidewalls interconnects by cross wall, described cross wall aligns with each terminal of described shell disposed thereon, described pair of conductive terminal is supported in described shell and aligns with two insulation displacement technology terminals, and described conducting terminal comprises and is connected to the tail end of sensing circuit and for engaging the contact jaw of described insulation displacement technology terminal,

Described terminal unit is connected to described delivery outlet, thereby make described contact jaw contact described service area delivery outlet terminal, thereby described sensing circuit is connected to two described network cable lines in parallel, to form sensing circuit in parallel between two described network cable lines, described two described network cable lines are chosen from two groups of different differential signal pair of described network cable line, described sensing circuit has the first resistance value, and described the first resistance value is different from the second resistance value of the network equipment; And

In described service area, equipped at outlet port reads impedance, and the first resistance value indication does not have end user device to be connected to described service area delivery outlet, and the second resistance value indicating terminal subscriber equipment is connected to described service area delivery outlet.