IP Library Granted Patent US 9,684,134
Granted Patent B2
US 9,684,134 · App. 14/860,175 · Granted Jun 20, 2017

Managed fiber connectivity systems

Inventors: John Paul Anderson (Eden Prairie, MN); Steven J. Brandt (Savage, MN); Joseph C. Coffey (Burnsville, MN); Kamlesh G. Patel (Chanhassen, MN); Cyle D. Petersen (Belle Plaine, MN); Michael D. Schroeder (Webster, MN); John Stasny (Lake Elmo, MN)
Assignee: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
G02B6/3807G02B6/3825G02B6/3879G02B6/3893G02B6/3895G02B6/3897G02B6/403H05K1/0274
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 9,684,134
App. No.
14/860,175
Granted
Jun 20, 2017
Kind
B2
Abstract

A communications connection system includes a fiber optic connector including a storage device having memory configured to store physical layer information. The storage device also includes at least one contact member that is electrically connected to the memory. Certain types of fiber optic connectors have the storage device mounted to a key of the fiber optic connector. Certain types of fiber optic connectors have the storage device mounted in a cavity defined in the fiber optic connector.

Claims (29)

1. A fiber optic connector comprising:

a connector body configured to terminate at least one optical fiber, the connector body defining a key area that defines a cavity, the cavity including an outer ledge, the outer ledge being interrupted by surfaces recessed from the outer ledge; and

a storage device mounted to the connector body at the key area, the storage device being seated on the outer ledge within the cavity at the key area, the storage device including memory configured to store physical layer information, the storage device also including at least one contact member that is electrically connected to the memory, the contact member being configured to engage with a contact of a media reading interface of an adapter when the connector body is slid into a passage of the adapter.

2. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the contact member is flush with a top of the key area when the storage device is mounted in the cavity.

3. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the storage device includes a printed circuit board, wherein the memory is positioned at a first side of the printed circuit board and the contact member is positioned at a second side of the printed circuit board.

4. The fiber optic connector of claim 3 , wherein the memory is an EEPROM chip that is accommodated within the cavity.

5. The fiber optic connector of claim 3 , wherein a plurality of contact members are provided at the second side of the printed circuit board, each contact member being electrically connected to the memory.

6. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the storage device extends through a front edge of the key area.

7. The fiber optic connector of claim 6 , wherein the contact member curves over the front edge of the key area.

8. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the storage device includes at least three contact members.

9. The fiber optic connector of claim 8 , wherein the storage device includes four contact members.

10. The fiber optic connector of claim 8 , wherein the contact members of the storage device are staggered.

11. The fiber optic connector of claim 8 , wherein the contact members of the storage device have at least two different lengths.

12. The fiber optic connector of claim 8 , wherein at least portions of the contact members of the storage device extend in parallel strips.

13. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the connector body defines an LC connector.

14. The fiber optic connector of claim 1 , wherein the connector body defines an MPO connector that is configured to terminate a plurality of optical fibers.

15. A fiber optic connector comprising:

a connector body configured to terminate at least one optical fiber, the connector body including a raised portion defining an open cavity, the cavity including an outer ledge, the outer ledge being contoured with a periodic pattern to increase surface area of the outer ledge; and

a storage device positioned in the cavity defined in the raised portion of the connector body, the storage device including memory circuitry facing an interior of the cavity, the storage device also including a plurality of contact members at an open top of the cavity, the contact members being electrically connected to the memory circuitry, the contact members being configured to engage with contacts of a media reading interface of an adapter when the connector body is slid into a passage of the adapter.

16. The fiber optic connector of claim 15 , wherein the contact members are about flush with an external surface of the connector body when the storage device is mounted in the cavity.

17. The fiber optic connector of claim 15 , wherein the storage device includes a printed circuit board, and wherein the memory circuitry is positioned at a first side of the printed circuit board and the contact members are positioned at a second side of the printed circuit board.

18. The fiber optic connector of claim 17 , wherein the cavity includes an outer ledge on which the first side of the printed circuit board seats.

19. The fiber optic connector of claim 15 , further comprising:

an optical fiber having a first end;

a ferrule coupled to the first end of the optical fiber;

wherein the connector body houses the ferrule; and

wherein the physical layer information pertains to the optical fiber, the storage device also including a plurality of contact members that are electrically connected to the memory.

20. The fiber optic connector of claim 19 , wherein the connector body is coupled to a second connector body using a non-removable clip to form a duplex connector arrangement.

21. The fiber optic connector of claim 15 , wherein the periodic pattern is a crenelated pattern.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST AT REEL/FRAME 049905/0504 Recorded Dec 19, 2024
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
To: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC (F/K/A ARRIS ENTERPRISES, INC.); ARRIS TECHNOLOGY, INC.; ARRIS SOLUTIONS, INC.; COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; RUCKUS WIRELESS, LLC (F/K/A RUCKUS WIRELESS, INC.)
Reel/Frame 071477/0255 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Dec 17, 2024
From: ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; COMMSCOPE INC., OF NORTH CAROLINA; OUTDOOR WIRELESS NETWORKS LLC; RUCKUS IP HOLDINGS LLC
To: APOLLO ADMINISTRATIVE AGENCY LLC
Reel/Frame 069889/0114 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 19, 2021
From: ARRIS SOLUTIONS, INC.; ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA; RUCKUS WIRELESS, INC.
To: WILMINGTON TRUST
Reel/Frame 060752/0001 →
TERM LOAN SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 3, 2019
From: COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; ARRIS TECHNOLOGY, INC.; RUCKUS WIRELESS, INC.; ARRIS SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049905/0504 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 3, 2019
From: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
To: WILMINGTON TRUST, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION, AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 049892/0051 →
ABL SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Jul 3, 2019
From: COMMSCOPE, INC. OF NORTH CAROLINA; COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC; ARRIS ENTERPRISES LLC; ARRIS TECHNOLOGY, INC.; RUCKUS WIRELESS, INC.; ARRIS SOLUTIONS, INC.
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 049892/0396 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 29, 2015
From: COMMSCOPE EMEA LIMITED
To: COMMSCOPE TECHNOLOGIES LLC
Reel/Frame 037012/0001 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2015
From: TYCO ELECTRONICS SERVICES GMBH
To: COMMSCOPE EMEA LIMITED
Reel/Frame 036956/0001 →
Continuity (5)
Continuation 13025784 · Feb 11, 2011
Provisional Application 61303961 · Feb 12, 2010
Provisional Application 61413828 · Nov 15, 2010
Provisional Application 61437504 · Jan 28, 2011
Related Publication 20160131858A1 · May 12, 2016