Intelligent Infrastructure Management for Patch Cord Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
In large communications systems, accurately tracking patch cord connections and equipment changes becomes increasingly difficult, leading to issues like lost connectivity and inefficiencies due to mistakes in recording changes, especially in dynamic environments with thousands of servers and network equipment.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of intelligent infrastructure management systems that use image capture devices to identify available connector ports, active RFID tags on patch cords to track insertions and removals, and portable/wearable devices for real-time updates and guidance, enabling accurate tracking and verification of patch cord connections and equipment changes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual tracking methods are used for patch cord connections, then system complexity is low, but tracking accuracy and reliability deteriorate due to human errors in recording changes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses image capture devices to create visual copies (images) of connector ports and patch panels. These images are processed to extract connection information, replacing manual tracking with automated visual documentation. The system captures images of the physical infrastructure and uses image processing to automatically log connection states, eliminating human recording errors while maintaining manageable system complexity through software-based solutions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical tracking methods with automated electronic systems. Image capture devices, image processing algorithms, and database systems substitute for human operators physically recording connection changes. This substitution improves tracking accuracy by eliminating human error in recording patch cord connections and equipment changes.
2Reliability
If automated tracking systems are implemented, then tracking accuracy improves, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent designs the infrastructure management system to perform multiple functions: image capture, image processing, connection tracking, equipment monitoring, and change detection. By creating a multi-functional system that handles various aspects of infrastructure management through integrated components, the patent improves reliability without proportionally increasing complexity, as a single system performs multiple critical functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The system continuously monitors connector port availability and patch cord connections, providing real-time feedback about the current state of the infrastructure. This feedback mechanism ensures high reliability by immediately detecting and recording changes, allowing the system to maintain accurate tracking information and alert operators to any discrepancies or issues in the connection status.
3Adaptability or versatility
If frequent connectivity changes are made, then system adaptability improves, but tracking accuracy deteriorates due to increased likelihood of recording mistakes
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements continuous monitoring of connector ports and patch cord connections through automated image capture and processing. This continuous action ensures that every connectivity change is immediately detected and recorded, maintaining high tracking accuracy even during frequent changes. The system operates continuously to capture the state of the infrastructure at all times, eliminating gaps where errors could occur.
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures images and logs connection information before and after connectivity changes occur. By having the tracking system already in place and operational before changes are made, the system can automatically detect and record all modifications without requiring manual intervention during the change process, thereby maintaining accuracy during frequent adaptability changes.
4Loss of information
If comprehensive tracking of all connector ports is implemented, then information completeness improves, but device complexity and processing requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts only the essential information from captured images - specifically, the availability status of connector ports and the presence/absence of patch cords. Rather than processing and storing all image data, the system extracts key connection states and stores only this critical information in databases. This extraction approach ensures complete tracking information while minimizing processing complexity and storage requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The system captures images of all connector ports to ensure complete information coverage, but processes and stores only the essential connection status data. This partial processing approach - capturing comprehensive visual information but extracting and storing only critical connection states - achieves complete information completeness while keeping processing complexity manageable by focusing computational resources on essential data extraction.
Data Source
AI summary
Methods of identifying available connector ports on rack mounted equipment use an image capture device to capture an image of a front face of an equipment rack. The captured image is compared to at least one stored image. A patch cord insertion status of at least one connector port included on an item of equipment that is mounted on the equipment rack is then determined based at least in part on the comparison of the captured image to the at least one stored image.