Method for providing an automated patch panel
View Patent ↗An approach is provided for an automated patch panel. A command is received to change a connection state of an optic patch cord. A robotic arm is controlled to change the connection state of the optic patch cord with respect to a particular port of a plurality of ports disposed about a disk-shaped face of a docking panel.
1. A method comprising:
receiving a command to change a connection state of an optic patch cord; and
controlling a robotic arm to change the connection state of the optic patch cord with respect to a particular port of a plurality of ports disposed about a disk-shaped face of a docking panel,
wherein the optic patch cord includes a retraction spring coupled to the docking panel.
2. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the step of controlling includes connecting or disconnecting the optic patch cord to the particular port.
3. A method according to claim 2 , wherein the command specifies cleaning a tip of the optic patch cord before connecting the optic patch cord to the particular port or after disconnecting the optic patch cord from the particular port.
4. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the robotic arm is capable of three-dimensional translation and rotation.
5. A method according to claim 1 , wherein the docking panel is contained in a cylindrically-shaped, environmentally sealed enclosure.
6. A method according to claim 5 , wherein the robotic arm is displaced in a radial direction of the enclosure before it is displaced in an axial direction of the enclosure.
7. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
monitoring the connection state of the optic patch cord; and
recording information corresponding to the connection state in a database.
8. A method according to claim 1 , further comprising:
controlling the robotic arm to select the optic patch cord from a plurality of optic patch cords supported by a patch cord panel.