Patch panel with indicator light

Abstract

A light signal device to indicate the reception of an electrical signal at an input and output. The invention relates to the implementation of a light signal that indicates to the user whether their connections are correct and whether their problem of not receiving an electrical signal stems from incorrect wiring, incorrect configuration, or faulty equipment. To address the problem of poor signal path indication in patch panels, this device consists of light devices mounted on a screw-on chassis, allowing for replacement with commercially available light devices, an electrical signal receiver, and all connected to an electronic board that controls the switching of the light devices on and off and captures and interprets the information from the electrical signal receivers.This device is particularly intended for integration into patch panels for audiovisual production.

Description

Title of the invention: Light signal patch panel

[0001] The present invention relates to a patch panel system specific to audiovisual applications which allows the electrical signal to be connected and distributed between several devices, enhanced with a light signal allowing the status of the electrical connection between the devices and the status of the patch panel components to be known.

[0002] Current patch panels, particularly in the audio world, are not equipped with any visual means to know if the patch panel is correctly wired, if the problem comes from a bad connection or from defective equipment, making the search for a connection problem between two devices long and complex.

[0003] Some of these devices contain a global status LED to indicate whether the patch panel is in operation or not, but none of them contain one above each input and output, which would allow one to see visually whether the signal is arriving at and / or leaving the patch panel, without having to change the equipment each time and thus to determine more quickly what may be causing the problem.

[0004] The device integrated into the device's construction solves this problem. Each input and output of the patch panel is equipped with an LED indicator that serves as a status signal, similar to RJ45 ports, indicating whether a signal is being received or transmitted by the patch panel. To do this, the indicator detects the electrical signal arriving from the cable connected to the patch panel and illuminates the LED if the signal is received. A second LED next to it indicates that the signal has reached the input of the second cable and illuminates a further LED, indicating that the device-patch panel connection is properly established and functional. In case of a problem, it is up to the user to determine whether the lack of signal reception is due to the second cable, their device, or its configuration.

[0005] A second system allows the activation of all the light devices for a certain duration configurable by the user, in order to allow verification of the proper functioning of all the light signals of the patch panel and to allow its quick and easy replacement with light devices found in the market in order to allow the product to last longer over time.

[0006] This system could be improved by a flashing light signal system indicating that a signal is received but not sent back anywhere, potentially indicating a problem in the second cable and facilitating even faster troubleshooting. modifying non-functional components to make the user's work faster.

[0007] This device therefore consists of a patch panel, on which connectors specific to the intended application are installed. Depending on the type of patch panel, its connectors are either pre-connected to each other or will be connected by the user using the appropriate cable to distribute the electrical signal.

[0008] Each connector is equipped with a dual indicator light system, labeled "input" and "output" above it. The indicator light labeled "input" connects to the connector to detect the electrical signal emitted by the cable. Upon detecting this signal, the electronic board activates the corresponding indicator light. The signal continues its path to the "output" connector, where the same indicator light is located, this time at the end of the cable. In the same system, as soon as the electronic board detects the signal, it activates the "output" indicator light to indicate that the signal has reached the output connector.

[0009] The assembly is integrated directly into the patch panel. The lighting devices are mounted on a screw-on system, allowing for quick removal and replacement with commercially available lighting devices. The dimensions vary depending on the number of inputs / outputs, but the assembly consists of the electronic board, connected to lighting devices and electrical signal sensors. The sensors inform the electronic board of the reception of a signal, and the electronic board processes this information and activates the lighting devices, including the power-on function.

[0010] This device is intended for use in patch panels for audiovisual use, allowing the status of the electrical connection from these panels (also called "patch bay") to be given.

Claims

[Claim 1] Demands A light signal device enabling, on a patch panel, the detection of where the electrical signal transmitted by the cables is currently received and present, characterized in that a commercially available light device is connected to an electronic board which manages the light device and translates the signal received by the electrical signal receiver.