Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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(a) TITLE OF THE INVENTION
CONNECTIVITY MANAGEMENT SYSTEM
(b) TECHNICAL FIELD TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES
The present invention relates generally to electrical power and communications
connections and wiring within buildings. More specifically, the present
invention relates
to apparatuses and methods for efficiently-integrating and managing such
connections for
cost-effective wiring installation and future flexibility.
(c) BACKGROUND ART
The modern office has a wide assortment of connectivity or wiring circuits in
equipping employee work areas. AC electrical power, telephone voice
communication,
low speed data communication between computer terminals and central
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computers, and high speed local area network (LAN) data
communication represent a few of the most common connectivity
needs of employee work areas. In addition, many work areas
use multiple voice circuits to support multiple phone lines,
facsimile machines, modems, and the like. Often, multiple
data lines communicate computer data to printers, plotters,
remote input devices, and the like. Increasingly, work areas
access fiber optic, broadband LAN, and video communication
links.
Conventionally, the management of all these connectivity
needs has been performed in an extremely make-shift,
haphazard, and inefficient manner. As a result, work area
connectivity has become extremely expensive, for both original
wiring installation and later-occurring changes. For example,
buildings often use independent systems to distribute power,
voice, and data, LAN, and video. This leads to a costly
duplication in materials and labor. In addition, it leads to
a costly lack of organization in overall building
connectivity.
In addition, buildings often utilize connectivity systems
which rely heavily upon on-site, hard-wired connections.
Hard-wired connections require each end of a wire to be
prepared. Such preparations typically involve removing
insulation, dressing wire ends, identifying individual wires,
applying terminators, attaching wires, applying strain
reliefs, and the like. The attaching of a wire may be to
another wire, a connection block, terminal, or the like.
Accordingly, such hard-wired connections must be patiently and
painstakingly performed by highly skilled, and expensive,
personnel. Moreover, after wiring preparations, such highly
skilled personnel must test and occasionally trouble-shoot a
network of such wires. As a result, costs associated with the
installation of conventional connectivity systems often reach
astronomical proportions.
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The modern office also changes in its physical
environment at an increasing pace. These changes in the
physical environment impose frequent changes in work area
connectivity. However, conventional connectivity systems are
extremely inflexible. Hard-wired connections again require
the services of highly skilled personnel to make necessary
changes. Often times, such personnel are not available when
needed, and entire schedules suffer as a result. When
buildings employ separate connectivity systems for power,
voice communication, data communication, LAN communication,
video communication, and the like, the overall connectivity
structure becomes extremely unorganized. False floors,
ceilings, and wiring raceways, often resemble a "rat's nest"
of cabling. Accordingly,~minor connectivity changes often
turn into extremely complicated and time consuming procedures
due to this disorganization. Often, connectivity system
changes are more efficiently implemented by entirely scrapping
a prior system and installing an entirely new connectivity
system when only moderate changes are imposed in a physical
environment.
The prior art describes a few devices which address
connectivity problems in the modern office. However, most of
such devices address minor portions of the overall problem,
and therefore fail to significantly reduce connectivity costs
or to increase connectivity flexibility. For example, various
manufacturers supply breakout boxes, connectors, raceways,
ducts, and the like which serve as modular components that a
designer may couple together to implement a connectivity
system. However, such modular components fail to address the
integration of various connectivity systems and the overall
end-to-end connectivity problem. Accordingly, the use of such
components provides little help in significantly reducing
installation costs or in improving flexibility.
Similarly, some prior art devices serve as specifically
and uniquely designed employee workstations. Such
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workstations are generally undesirable because they severely
limit furniture selections. For example, the available
selections are often very expensive and fail to meet aesthetic
requirements. Of course, such furniture addresses
connectivity problems only at one end of the connections and
fails to address overall end-to-end connectivity.
With respect to such workstations, a person is often
assigned a workstation which is pristine: clear and
uncluttered. A family picture, a plant, perhaps a child-made
pencil holder brings a sense of belonging to the occupant of
the workstation. The work surface has a personal touch and
there is still an uncluttered air of efficiency remaining.
Next is added a telephone, a computer terminal or personal
computer, a printer/typewriter, optical data reader/writer, or
maybe an oscilloscope and~other test equipment. The
arrangement of a variety of pieces of equipment and devices on
the work surface may be functionally efficient yet the
disorder produced by the concomitant clutter of power cords,
signal and data lines, etc. destroys all appearance of
efficiency.
Worse--because of the potential danger of tripping--is
the cascade of wires and cables which flows from the work
surface, to and across the floor, seeking a convenience outlet
or a signal-or data-source/receptor connector.
Wilson et al. in United States patent 4,654,756 disclose
a work surface with a power and communication module
attached. The disclosure requires the use of a specialized
work surface having a door closure access opening in its top
to provide cable access from atop the work surface to the
module attached below the work surface. Maintaining the door
clear limited the useful area of the work surface.
Conversely, equipment placed atop the door had to be moved
each time access to the module was desired. The module
itself, and the connectors thereon, were not otherwise
accessible except through said door.
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The Wilson et al module was of a size as to offer potential hazard to the
knees
of a person seated at the work surface. Further, the disclosure made no
provision for
management of wires and cables running between the work surface module and
areas
remote from the work surface other than providing some storage for excess
lengths of
s cable.
(d) DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide
an
improved module for pre-wiring a work-station for all anticipated power and
communication needs, whereby, in general, power and communication lines will
be
brought to the module in safe, compact, managed arrays, and the module will be
sized
and emplaced to avoid interfering and harmful contact with the knees of a
person using
the work-station.
An object of a second aspect of the present invention is to provide an
improved
system for connectivity management within a building so that installations
costs are
is reduced and flexibility is enhanced.
An object of a third aspect of the present invention is to reduce the amount
of
hard-wired connections required on-site, so that fewer services from highly-
skilled labour
will be needed in order to install a connectivity system, and costs decrease
accordingly.
An object of a fourth aspect of the present invention is to provide a system
which
extensively-uses modular components which may be pre-wired and tested off-
site, and
thus, efficiencies of mass production may be employed at an off-site
manufacturing
facility to reduce costs.
An object of a fifth aspect of the present invention is efficiently and
economically
to incorporate extra connectivity system capacity, so that, consequently,
flexibility
improves.
An object of a sixth aspect of the present invention is to integrate multiple
connectivity systems together to reduce costs, keep overall connectivity
organized, and
enhance flexibility.
In one aspect, the invention relates to work-stations, herein defined as
desks,
work surfaces, and the like, at which a person utilizes various equipment and
device
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during the course of the work day. The invention relates to work-stations at
which the
various equipment and devices require connection to power, signal, data,
communication
lines, and the like. Specifically, the invention provides to means and method
whereby
work-stations may be readily pre-wired to accommodate the various line
connections
required by a wide variety of equipment and devices anticipated to be used at
the work-
station. The invention is intended for use with buildings and work-stations of
various
designs, types, and manufacture.
By a first aspect of the present invention, a connectivity management system
is
provided for installation cost-effectiveness and for future flexibility in
distributing power
and communication wiring to a plurality of work areas. The system includes a
unitized
destination terminal at each of the work areas, each unitized destination
terminal having
a breakout box with voice, data, local area network (LAN), and power
connectors, and
an escutcheon box which is flexibly-attached to the break-out box, the
escutcheon box
housing voice, data, LAN, and power connectors electrically-coupled to the
voice, data,
LAN, and power connectors, respectively, of the break-out box. An integrated
communication cable bundle is provided for each unitized destination terminal,
each
integrated communication cable bundle including a first cable having a
connector which
is coupled to the voice connector of the escutcheon box, a second cable having
a
connector which is coupled to the data connector of the escutcheon box, and a
third cable
having a which is connector coupled to the LAN connector of the escutcheon
box, the
first and second cables being attached to opposing sides of the third cable.
An integrated
connectivity distribution raceway is provided having a power channel and a
communication channel formed therein, the integrated communication cable
bundles
residing within the communication channel, and a power cable residing within
the power
channel, the integrated connectivity distribution raceway additionally having
a plurality
of raceway connectors which are mounted thereto proximate to the power
channel, the
raceway connectors being coupled to the power cable. Finally, a power whip is
provided
for each unitized destination terminal, each power whip having a power cable,
a first
connector which is coupled to one of the plurality of connectors mounted to
the
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integrated connectivity distribution raceway, and a second connector which is
coupled to
the power connector of the escutcheon box.
By one variant of this first aspect of the present invention, the connectivity
management system additionally includes an integrated voice data panel having
a
predetermined number of connector triplets mounted thereon, wherein each
connector
triplet is associated with one of the integrated communication cable bundles,
and each
connector triplet comprises a voice connector which is coupled to the first
cable of the
integrated communication cable bundle, a data connector which is coupled to
the second
cable of the integrated communication cable bundle, and a LAN connector which
is
coupled to the third cable of the integrated communication cable bundle.
By a second variant of this first aspect of the present invention, andlor of
the
above variant thereof, the connectivity management system additionally
includes a voice
interconnect cable having a multiplicity of pairs of voice wires therein, a
voice
interconnect panel having a multiplicity of connectors mounted thereon so that
a
predetermined number of the pairs of voice wires couple to each of the voice
interconnect
panel connectors, a plurality of voice jumper cables, each voice jumper cable
coupling
a selected one of the voice connectors of the connector triplets to a selected
one of the
voice interconnect panel connectors, a data interconnect cable having a
multiplicity of
pairs of wires, a data interconnect panel having a multiplicity of connectors
mounted
thereon so that a predetermined number of the pairs of data wires couple to
each of the
data interconnect panel connectors, and a plurality of data jumper cables,
each data
jumper cable coupling a selected one of the data connectors of the connector
triplets to
a unique one of the data interconnect panel connectors.
By a third variant of this first aspect of the present invention, and/or of
the above
variants thereof, the connectivity management system additionally includes a
voice
distribution panel having a multiplicity of connectors which are mounted
thereon so that
the predetermined number of the pairs of voice wires couple to each of the
voice
distribution panel connectors, a voice cross-connect cabinet having a
multiplicity of
connectors mounted thereon, a plurality of voice jumper cables which are
coupled
between selected ones of the voice distribution panel connectors and selected
ones of the
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voice cross-connect cabinet connectors, a data distribution panel having a
multiplicity of
connectors which are mounted thereon so that the predetermined number of the
pairs of
data wires couple to each of the data distribution panel connectors, a data
cross-connect
cabinet having a multiplicity of connectors mounted thereon, and a plurality
of data
jumper cables which are coupled between selected ones of the data distribution
panel
connectors and selected ones of the data cross-connect cabinet connectors.
By one variation thereof, the first cables of each of the integrated
communication
cable bundles, the voice jumper cables, and the voice interconnect cable all
bear a
common first visible indicia, and the second cables of each of the integrated
communication cable bundles, the data jumper cables, and the data interconnect
cable all
bear a second visible indicia, the second visible indicia differing from the
first visible
indicia.
By a fourth variant of this first aspect of the present invention, and/or of
the
above variants thereof, the first cables of each of the integrated
communication cable
bundles, of the voice interconnect panel connectors, of the voice jumper
cables, and of
the voice distribution panel connectors each include at least four pairs of
conductors, and
the second cables of each of the integrated communication cable bundles, of
the data
interconnect panel connectors, of the data jumper cables, and of the data
distribution
panel connectors each include at least four pairs of conductors.
By a fifth variant of this first aspect of the present invention, and/or of
the above
variants thereof, the data connector of the unitized destination terminal
couples to first,
second, third and fourth pairs of wires, and forms a unitized destination
terminal
connector appearance including a first socket having a predetermined physical
shape and
contacts which are positioned at first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth,
seventh and
eighth predetermined positions relative to the predetermined shape, so that
the first pair
couples to contacts in the fourth and fifth positions, the second pair couples
to contacts
in the first and second positions, the third pair couples to contacts in the
third and sixth
positions, and the fourth pair couples to contacts in the seventh and eighth
positions, and
a second socket having substantially the predetermined physical shape and
contacts which
are positioned substantially at the second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and
seventh positions
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relative to the shape, so that the first pair couples to contacts in the
second and seventh
positions,the second pair couples to contacts in the fourth and fifth
positions, and the
fourth pair couples to contacts in the third and sixth positions. By one
variation thereof,
each connector of the data distribution panel forms a distribution panel
connector and an
appearance having substantially the same configuration as exhibited by the
unitized
destination terminal connector appearance.
By a second aspect of this invention, a unitized destination terminal is
provided
for installation cost-effectiveness and for future flexibility in distributing
power and
communication wiring to a plurality of work areas, for use in a connectivity
management
system at a work area having a work surface which is spaced between a floor
and a
ceiling. The unitized destination terminal includes a breakout box having a
first
connector which is configured for transmission of power, a second connector
which is
configured for transmission of voice communication, and a third connector
which is
configured for transmission of data communication, the breakout box being
configured
for installation proximate to the work surface of the work area. It includes
first, second
and third cables, wherein each of the cables has first and second ends, and
the first ends
of the first, second and third cables couple to the first, second and third
connectors,
respectively. A first a flexible duct is provided having first and second
ends, the first
end of the first flexible duct being attached to the breakout box, and the
first, second and
third cables being routed through the first flexible duct. Finally, an
escutcheon box
which is coupled to the second end of the first flexible duct, the escutcheon
box housing
fourth, fifth and sixth connectors which are coupled to the second ends of the
first,
second and third cables, respectively, the escutcheon box being configured for
installation
proximate either to the floor or the ceiling of the work area.
By one variant of this second aspect of the present invention the unitized
destination terminal additionally includes a fourth cable which is routed
through the
flexible duct having first and second ends, and the breakout box additionally
has a
seventh connector which is configured for transmission of local area network
(LAN)
communication, the first end of the fourth cable being coupled to the seventh
connector,
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and the escutcheon box additionally houses an eighth connector which is
coupled to the
second end of the fourth cable.
By a second variant of this second aspect of the present invention, and/or the
above variant thereof, the unitized destination terminal additionally includes
a second
flexible duct, which is routed within the first flexible duct, for placement
of additional
cables between the breakout box and the escutcheon box.
By a third variant of this second aspect of the present invention, and/or the
above
variants thereof, at least one of the second and third cable includes first,
second, third
and fourth pairs of wires, and a corresponding one of the second and third
connector
forms a connector appearance comprising a first socket having a predetermined
physical
shape and contacts which are positioned at first, second, third, fourth,
fifth, sixth,
seventh and eighth predetermined positions relative to the predetermined
shape, so that
the first pair couples to contact in the fourth and fifth positions, the
second pair couples
to contacts in the first and second positions, the third pair couples to
contacts in the third
and sixth positions, and the fourth pair couples to contacts in the seventh
and eighth
positions, and a second socket having substantially the predetermined physical
shape and
contacts which are positioned substantially at the second, third, fourth,
fifth, sixth and
seventh positions relative to the shape, so that the first pair couples to
contacts in the
second and seventh positions, the second pair couples to contacts in the
fourth and fifth
positions, and the fourth pair couples to contacts in the third and sixth
positions. By one
variation thereof, the connector appearance additionally includes a third
socket having
substantially the predetermined physical shape and contacts which are
positioned
substantially at the third, fourth, fifth and sixth positions relative to the
shape, so that the
first pair couples to contacts in the third and sixth positions, and the third
pair couples
to contacts in the fourth and fifth positions.
By a fourth variant of this second aspect of the present invention, andlor the
above variants thereof, the fourth connector of the first cable is configured
to transmit
at least two independent power circuits, and the breakout box additionally has
a seventh
connector which is configured for transmission of power, the seventh connector
being
coupled to the first cable.
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By a fifth variant of this second aspect of the present invention, andlor the
above
variants thereof, the unitized destination terminal additionally includes a
fifth cable
having first and second ends, an eighth connector which is coupled to the
first end of the
fifth cable, a flexible conduit having first and second ends, the first end of
the flexible
conduit being attached to the eighth connector, and the fifth cable being
routed through
the flexible conduit, and a second breakout box which is attached to the
second end of
the flexible conduit, the second breakout box having a ninth connector which
is coupled
to the second end of the fifth cable.
By a third aspect of the present invention, a unitized destination terminal is
provided for installation cost-effectiveness and for future flexibility in
distributing power
and communication wiring to a plurality of work areas, for use in a
connectivity
management system at a work area having a work surface which is spaced between
a
floor and a ceiling. The unitized destination terminal includes a first
breakout box
having a first connector which is configured for transmission of voice
communication,
a second connector which is configured for transmission of data communication,
a third
connector which is configured for transmission of power, and a fourth
connector which
is configured for transmission of power, the first breakout box being
configured for
installation proximate to the work surface of the work area. It also includes
first, second
and third cables, in which each of the cables has first and second ends, the
first ends of
the first, and second cables couple to the first, and second connectors,
respectively, the
third cable is configured to convey at least two independent power circuits,
one of the
two independent power circuits being coupled to the third connector and
another of the
two independent power circuits being coupled to the fourth connector, and a
fourth cable
having first and second ends. It also includes a fifth connector which is
coupled to the
first end of the fourth cable and which is configured to mate with the fourth
connector,
and a flexible conduit having first and second ends, the first end of the
flexible conduit
being attached to the fifth connector, and the fourth cable being routed
through the
flexible conduit. Finally, a second breakout box is attached to the second end
of the
flexible conduit, the second breakout box having a sixth connector which is
coupled to
the second end of the fourth cable, remotely to locate power from the first
breakout box.
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By one variant of this third aspect of the present invention the unitized
destination
terminal additionally includes a fifth cable, and the first breakout box
additionally has a
seventh connector which is configured for transmission of local area network
(LAN)
communication, the fifth cable being coupled to the seventh connector.
By a second variant of this third aspect of the present invention, and/or the
above
variant thereof, at least one of the first cable and the second cable includes
first, second,
third and fourth pairs of wires, and a corresponding one of the first
connector and the
second connector forms a connector appearance including a first socket having
a pre-
determined physical shape and contacts which are positioned at first, second,
third,
fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth predetermined positions relative to
the
predetermined shape, so that the first pair couples to contact in the fourth
and fifth
positions, the second pair couples to contacts in the first and second
positions, the third
pair couples to contacts in the third and sixth positions, and the fourth pair
couples to
contacts in the seventh and eighth positions, and a second socket having
substantially the
predetermined physical shape and contacts which are positioned substantially
at the
second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh positions relative to the
shape, so that the
first pair couples to contacts in the second and seventh positions, the second
pair couples
to contacts in the fourth and fifth positions, and the fourth pair couples to
contacts in the
third and sixth positions. By one variation thereof, the connector appearance
additionally
includes a third socket having substantially the predetermined physical shape
and contacts
which are positioned substantially at the third, fourth, fifth and sixth
positions relative
to the shape, so that the first pair couples to contacts in the third and
sixth positions, and
the third pair couples to contacts in the fourth and fifth positions.
By a fourth aspect of the present invention, an integrated electrical cable
bundle
is provided for use in a connectivity management system at a work area having
a work
surface, simultaneously to transmit voice communication, data communication,
and local
area network (LAN) communication. The integrated electrical cable bundle
includes a
first cable which is configured for transmission of voice communication, a
second cable
which is configured for transmission of data communication, and a third cable
which is
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configured for transmission of local area network (LAN) communication, the
first and
second cables being attached to the third cable on opposing sides of the third
cable.
By one variant of this fourth aspect of the present invention, the first cable
comprises a plurality of voice pair wires wherein each of the voice pair wires
are twisted
together, and the second cable comprises a plurality of data pair wires
wherein each of
the data pair wires are twisted together.
By a second variant of this fourth aspect of the present invention, and/or the
above variant thereof, the first cable includes at least four voice wire pairs
within a first
common jacket, the first common jacket bearing a first visible indicia, and
the second
cable includes at least four data wire pairs within a second common jacket,
the second
common jacket bearing a second visible indicia which differs from the first
visible
indicia.
By a third variant of this fourth aspect of the present invention, andlor the
above
variants thereof, each of the plurality of data wire pairs are twisted
together so that each
data wire pair exhibits a lay which differs from the lay of others of the data
wire pairs
to reduce bipolar cross-talk between the data wire pairs.
By a fourth variant of this fourth aspect of the present invention, and/or the
above
variants thereof, the first and second cables are configured so that
electrical
characteristics of the first cable are substantially the same as electrical
characteristics of
the second cable.
By a fifth variant of this fourth aspect of the present invention, and/or the
above
variants thereof, the third cable includes a first local area network (LAN)
pair having
first and second insulated wires which are twisted together and are surrounded
by a first
conductive foil, a second local area network (LAN) pair having third and
fourth insulated
wires which are twisted together and are surrounded by a second conductive
foil, a drain
wire which is positioned between the first local area network (LAN) pair and
the second
local area network (LAN) pair, and a local area network (LAN) jacket which is
made
from a plastic material, the local area network (LAN) jacket surrounding the
first local
area network (LAN) pair and the second local area network (LAN) pair and the
drain
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wire. By one variation thereof, the local area network (LAN) jacket is
comprised of
polyvinylidene fluoride and dimensioned to a minimum thickness of 0.009
inches.
By a sixth variant of this fourth aspect of the present invention, andlor the
above
variants thereof, the first cable includes at least four voice wire pairs
within a voice
jacket, the voice jacket bearing a first visible indicia, the second cable
includes at least
four data wire pairs within a data jacket, the data jacket bearing a second
visible indicia
which differs from the first visible indicia, and the local area network (LAN)
jacket bears
a third visible indicia, the third indicia differing from the first and second
visible indicia.
By a fifth aspect of the present invention, an integrated electrical cable
bundle is
provided for use in a connectivity management system at a work area having a
work
surface, for use in transmitting local area network (LAN) communications and
for
simplified connectorizing, the integrated electrical cable bundle includes a
first cable
having first and second insulated wires which are twisted together and are
surrounded by
a first conductive foil, and a second cable having third and fourth insulated
wires which
are twisted together and are surrounded by a second conductive foil. A drain
wire is
positioned between the first and the second pair. Finally, a jacket is made
from a plastic
material, the jacket surrounding the first cable, the second cable and the
drain wire.
By one variant of this fifth aspect of the present invention, the jacket is
comprised
of polyvinylidene fluoride. By one variation thereof, the jacket has a minimum
thickness
of 0.009 inches.
By a sixth aspect of the present invention, an integrated connectivity
distribution
raceway is provided for installation cost-effectiveness and for future
flexibility in
distributing power and communication wiring to a plurality of work areas, for
use in a
wiring management system to house both communication and power wires. The
integrated connectivity distribution raceway includes a plurality of
walls/panels of the
integrated connectivity distribution raceway which are configured so that a
first portion
of the walls/panels substantially enclose a power channel, and a second
portion of the
wallslpanels define a communication channel, the communication channel being
substantially-open on a top side thereof, the first and second portions of the
walls/panels
having a common walllpanel. Communication wiring resides within the
communication
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channel, the communication wiring being configured for transmission of
electrical
communication signals. A power cable resides within the power channel, the
power
cable being configured for transmission of electrical power. Finally, a
connector is
mounted to the first portion of the walls/panels proximate to the power
channel and
5 having contacts which are coupled to the power cable.
By one variant of this sixth aspect of the present invention, the wallslpanels
of
the integrated connectivity distribution raceway are further configured so
that a third
portion of the walls/panels substantially-enclose a second power channel, and
the
integrated connectivity distribution raceway additionally includes a second
power cable
10 residing within the second power channel, the second power cable being
configured for
transmission of electrical power, and a second connector which is mounted to
the third
position of the wallslpanels proximate to the second power channel, the second
connector
having contacts which are coupled to the second power cable.
By a second variant of this sixth aspect of the present invention, and/or the
above
15 variant thereof, one of the first portion of the walls/panels serves as a
first exterior side
walllpanel for the integrated connectivity distribution raceway, one of the
third portion
of the walls/panels serves as a second exterior side walllpanel for the
raceway, the first
and the second exterior side walls opposing one another, and the first
connector and the
second connector mount to the first and the second exterior walls,
respectively, of the
integrated connectivity distribution raceway.
By a third variant of this sixth aspect of the present invention, andlor the
above
variants thereof, the power cable and the connector are mutually-configured to
convey
at least two independent electrical power circuits. By one variation thereof,
the power
cable and the connector are mutually-configured to convey four independent
electrical
power circuits.
By a fourth variant of this sixth aspect of the present invention, and/or the
above
variants thereof, one wall/panel of the second portion of the walls/panels
serves as an
exterior side wall/panel for the integrated connectivity distribution raceway,
one of the
walls/panels has a plurality of slots therein, and the communication wiring
exits the
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communication channel of the integrated connectivity distribution raceway at
one of the
slots.
By a fifth variant of this sixth aspect of the present invention, andlor the
above
variants thereof, the walls/panels of the integrated connectivity distribution
raceway are
further configured so that a third portion of the walls/panels defines a
second
communication channel, the second communication channel being substantially-
open on
a top side thereof, and the second and the third portions of the wallslpanels
having a
common wall/panel. By one variation thereof, the common walllpanel between the
second and the third portions of the walls/panels is a conductive walllpanel.
By a sixth variant of this sixth aspect of the present invention, andlor the
above
variants thereof, the communication channel resides above the power channel.
By a seventh variant of this sixth aspect of the present invention, and/or the
above
variants thereof, the common wall/panel between the first and the second
portions of the
walls/panels is a conductive wall/panel to reduce electrical interference
between the
power cable and the communication wiring.
By an eighth variant of this sixth aspect of the present invention, and/or the
above
variants thereof, the communication wiring includes a multiplicity of
integrated cable
bundles, and each of the integrated electrical cable bundle includes a first
cable which
is configured for transmission of voice communication, a second cable which is
configured for transmission of data communication, and a third cable which is
configured
for transmission of local area network (LAN) communication, the first and
second cables
being attached to the third cable on opposing sides of the third cable.
By a ninth variant of this sixth aspect of the present invention, and/or the
above
variants thereof, the communication wiring forms a integrated cable bundle
including a
first cable which is configured for transmission of voice communications, a
second cable
which is configured for transmission of data communications, and a third cable
which is
configured for transmission of local area network (LAN) communications, the
first and
second cables being attached to the third cable on opposing sides of the third
cable. By
one variation thereof, the first cable comprises a plurality of voice pairs of
wires, each
2010865
17
of the voice pairs of wires being twisted together, and the second cable
comprises a
plurality of data pairs of wires, each of the data pairs of wires being
twisted together.
By a tenth variant of this sixth aspect of the present invention, andlor the
above
variants thereof, the third cable includes a first local area network (LAN)
pair having
first and second insulated wires which are twisted together and which are
surrounded by
a first conductive foil, a second local area network (LAN) pair having third
and fourth
insulated wires which are twisted together and which are surrounded by a
second
conductive foil, a drain wire which is positioned between the first local area
network
(LAN) pair and the second local area network (LAN) pair, and a local area
network
(LAN)jacket which is made from a synthetic plastic material, the local area
network
(LAN) jacket surrounding the first local area network (LAN) pair and the
second local
area network (LAN) pair and the drain wire. By a variation thereof, the jacket
is
comprised of polyvinyldene fluoride.
By a seventh aspect of the present invention, a communication connector
appearance is provided for installation cost-effectiveness and for future
flexibility in
distributing power and communication wiring to a plurality of work areas, to
terminate
the first, second, third, and fourth pairs of wires. The communication
connector
appearance includes a first socket having a predetermined physical shape and
contacts
which are positioned at first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh
and eighth
predetermined positions relative to the predetermined shape, so that the first
pair couples
to contact in the fourth and fifth positions, the second pair couples to
contacts in the first
and second positions, the third pair couples to contacts in the third and
sixth positions,
and the fourth pair couples to contacts in the seventh and eighth positions.
It also
includes a second socket having substantially the predetermined physical shape
and
contacts which are positioned substantially at the second, third, fourth,
fifth, sixth and
seventh positions relative to the shape, so that the first pair couples to
contacts in the
second and seventh positions, the second pair couples to contacts in the
fourth and fifth
positions, and the fourth pair couples to contacts in the third and sixth
positions.
By one variant of this seventh aspect of the present invention, the
communication
connector appearance additionally includes a third socket having substantially
the
,.
~#,
2010865
1g
predetermined physical shape and contacts which are positioned substantially
at the third,
fourth, fifth and sixth positions relative to the shape, so that the first
pair couples to
contacts in the third and sixth positions, and the third pair couples to
contacts in the
fourth and fifth positions.
By a second variant of this seventh aspect of the present invention, the
predetermined physical shape of the first, second, third, fourth, fifth,
sixth, seventh and
eighth positions are co-operatively-configured to mate with a standard modular
telephone
plug .
By an eighth aspect of the present invention, a method is provided of managing
power, voice communication, data communication and local area network (LAN)
communication connectivity within a building having a multiplicity of work
areas, for
installation cost-effectiveness and for future flexibility in distributing
power and
communication wiring to a plurality of work areas. The method includes the
first step
of transporting voice, data and local area network (LAN) communications
through a
integrated cable bundle from a central panel to a unitized destination
terminal located at
one of the work areas. Then the integrated cable bundle with electrical power
is routed
through a common integrated connectivity distribution raceway, the electrical
power
being accessed at a plurality of connectors mounted to the integrated
connectivity
distribution raceway. The voice, data and local area network (LAN)
communications
from the integrated cable bundle are coupled to the unitized destination
terminal through
mating connectors attached to the integrated cable bundle and to the unitized
destination
terminal. The electrical power from the integrated connectivity distribution
raceway
is distributed to the unitized destination terminal through a power whip
having a first
connector which is mated with one of the integrated connectivity distribution
raceway
connectors and a second connector which is mated with a connector which is
attached to
the unitized destination terminal. Finally, the power, voice communication,
data
communication and local area network (LAN) communication are presented to one
of the
work areas from connectors mounted in the unitized destination terminal.
By one variant of this method aspect of the present invention the method
additionally includes the steps of wiring and connectorizing the unitized
destination
2
2010865
19
terminal at a location which is remote from the building wiring, and
connectorizing the
integrated cable bundle at a location which is remote from the building wiring
and
connectorizing the power whip at a location which is remote from the building.
By a second variant of this method aspect of the present invention, andlor the
above variant thereof, the transporting step utilizes a multiplicity of
integrated cable
bundles to transport voice, data, and local area network (LAN) communications
from the
central panel to a corresponding multiplicity of unitized destination
terminals, each of the
unitized destination terminals being located at its own one of the work areas.
By one
variation thereof, each of the integrated cable bundles includes a voice
cable, a data cable
and a local area network (LAN) cable, each of the voice, data and local area
network
(LAN) cable has two ends, and the method additionally includes the step of
attaching
labels having unique cable nomenclatures to each of the voice, data and local
area
network (LAN) cables, the labels being attached in duplicate at the first and
second ends
thereof.
By a third variant of this method aspect of the present invention, andlor the
above
variants thereof,the method additionally includes the steps of wiring and
connectorizing
the unitized destination terminal at a location which is remote from the
building, wiring
and connectorizing the integrated cable bundle at a location which is remote
from the
building, and attaching the labels at a location which is remote from the
building.
By a fourth variant of this method aspect of the present invention, the method
additionally includes the steps of assigning unique building-grid
nomenclatures to each
of the work areas of the building to identify the work areas of the building,
and for each
of the cables of the integrated cable bundle, associating, in a data table,
the cable
nomenclature of the cable with a building-grid nomenclature that identifies
the work area
at which the corresponding unitized destination terminal is located. By one
variation
thereof, the central panel includes a connector triplet having voice, data and
local area
network (LAN) connectors therein which are coupled to each of the multiplicity
of
integrated cable bundles, and the method additionally includes the steps of
routing voice
communication from the voice connectors of the central panel to selected voice
connectors of a voice interconnect panel using voice jumper cables, routing
data
2010865
communication from the data connectors of the central panel to selected data
connectors
of a voice interconnect panel using data jumper cables, attaching jumper
labels having
unique jumper nomenclatures to each of the voice and data jumper cables,
assigning
unique central panel nomenclatures to each of the connector triplets of the
central panel,
5 assigning unique interconnect panel nomenclatures to each of the voice and
data
interconnect panels, respectively, and for, each of the voice and data cables
of the
integrated cable bundles, associating, in the data table, the connector
triplet
nomenclature, the jumper nomenclature, and the interconnect panel nomenclature
which
identify a circuit connection for voice and data communications carried by the
voice and
10 data cables, respectively.
Thus, one aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a work-
station pre-wiring module for wiring a work-station in anticipation of the
power and
communications interconnections which are required for the efficient-effective-
utilization
of various units of equipment which are supported on the work surface of the
work-
15 station. The pre-wiring module comprises a work surface which is supported
above a
floor. Wire managing means are coupled-to and proximate to the work surface
for
containing and supportingly-conducting power and communication lines
originating atop
the work surface.
A receptacle plate is coupled below and proximate to the work surface, the
20 receptacle plate bearing a variety of communication and power connectors
which are
selected for mating with connectors terminating lines from remote sources of
power and
remote sources and receivers of communications. Signal and power conducting
means
couple the receptacles and the connectors for conveying power and
communications
between selected ones of the receptacles and selected ones of the connectors.
The connectors which are borne by the connector plate comprise feed-through
connectors. The wire managing means comprise a wire tray. The means for
coupling
the receptacle plate below and proximate to the work surface includes a wire
tray within
which the receptacle plate is coupled. This wire tray further comprises a
hinged side
thereon for protecting and providing access to the receptacle plate and the
lines which
are matingly-coupled to the receptacles thereon.
2010865
21
In a preferred embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, the means
coupling the connectors and the receptacles comprise power and signal
conducting lines
of sufficient length to permit coupling of the connector plate below the work
surface and
proximate to the floor.
A second aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides a
communication connector appearance for use in a connectivity management
system. The
appearance includes at least two sockets which collectively-terminate four
pairs of wires.
The first socket has a predefined shape and contacts which are located at each
of eight
predefined positions within the predefined shape. Likewise, the second socket
has
substantially the same predefined shape with substantially the same eight
corresponding
predefined positions. The first of the four pairs couples to contacts in the
fourth and fifth
positions of the first socket and to contacts in the second and seventh
positions in the
second socket. The second of the four pairs couples to contacts in the first
and second
positions of the first socket and to contacts in the fourth and fifth
positions in the second
socket. The third of the four pairs couples to contacts in the third and sixth
positions of
the first socket. The fourth of the four pairs couples to contacts in the
seventh and
eighth positions of the first socket and to contacts in the third and sixth
positions in the
second socket.
A third aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides an
integrated
cable bundle for use in a connectivity management system simultaneously to
transmit
voice, data, and local area network (LAN) communications. The integrated cable
bundle
includes a first, a second and a third cable. The first cable is configured to
transmit
voice communication. The second cable is configured to transmit data
communication,
and the third cable is configured to transmit local area network (LAN)
communication.
The first and second cables attach to opposing sides of the third cable so
that the
integrated cable bundle acts as a single unit.
A fourth aspect of an embodiment of the present invention provides an
integrated
connectivity distribution raceway for use in a connectivity management system
to house
both communication and power wiring. The integrated connectivity distribution
raceway
includes a plurality of integrated connectivity distribution raceway
walls/panels. A first
2010865
22
group of the integrated connectivity distribution raceway wallslpanels
substantially-
enclose a power channel within the integrated connectivity distribution
raceway. A
second group of the integrated connectivity distribution raceway walls/panels
define a
communication channel which is substantially-open along a top side thereof.
The first
and second groups of wallslpanels share a common wall/panel. Communication
wiring
resides within the communication channel, and a power cable resides within the
power
channel. A connector mounts to the first group of walls/panels near the power
channel.
Contacts of the connector couple to the power cable.
(e) BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings,
FIGURE 1 is a partial perspective drawing illustrating the pre-wiring of an L-
shaped work-station utilizing the pre-wiring module of an aspect of an
embodiment of
the present invention;
FIGURE 2 is a top-view of the L-shaped work-station of FIGURE 1;
FIGURE 3 illustrates a receptacle plate and a connector plate as integral
parts of
the same wire enclosure;
FIGURE 4 is a detailed illustration of the use of feed-through connectors in
the
connector plate;
FIGURE 5 is a detailed illustration of elements of the pre-wiring module;
FIGURE 6 shows a building interior in which a multiplicity of work areas are
formed;
FIGURE 7 shows a second preferred embodiment of a unitized destination
terminal constructed in accordance with the teaching of an aspect of an
embodiment of
the present invention;
FIGURE 8 shows an integrated communication cable bundle constructed in
accordance with the teaching of an aspect of an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIGURE 9 shows details of a data cable portion of the integrated communication
cable bundle of FIGURE 8;
FIGURE 10 shows details of a local area network (LAN) cable portion of the
integrated communication cable bundle of FIGURE 8;
20108fi5
23
FIGURE 11 shows an integrated connectivity distribution raceway constructed in
accordance with the teaching of an aspect of an embodiment of the present
invention;
FIGURE 12 shows a third embodiment of the unitized destination terminal of an
aspect of an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 13 shows cabling interconnections and methodology in accordance with
the teaching of an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 14 shows a schematic-view of relative wiring relationships between
sockets of a connector appearance utilized in accordance with an aspect of an
embodiment of the present invention;
FIGURE 15 shows a cabling tracking system implemented in accordance with an
aspect of an embodiment of the present invention; and
FIGURE 16 shows a structure for a data table utilized in accordance with an
aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.
(f) AT LEAST ONE MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIGURE 1 illustrates in partial detail an L-shaped work-station 10, utilizing
the
pre-wiring produce of an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention,
(see FIGURE
2), having a first work surface 11 which is supported by a vertical panel/wall
12. A
second work surface 13 is supported, in a conventional manner, not shown, by
panellwall
14. Coupled to panel/wall 12 is a wire enclosure or breakout box 15, having as
its face
a receptacle plate 16, having thereon a variety of communication and power
receptacles
or connectors 17 selected for mating with various units of equipment
anticipated to be
usefully-supported by work surfaces 11 and 13. For example, a power line 20
from
equipment A on work surface 11 will mate with a power receptacle on receptacle
plate
16 while a fibre optic cable 21 from equipment B on work surface 13 mates with
the
appropriate optical receptacle on plate 16.
Power line 20 from equipment A passes through opening 22 in work surface 11
and runs along wire tray 23 in its passage in receptacle plate 16. Opening 22
is provided
in work surface 11 by the manufacturer or by the user. Usually, several such
openings
22 will be incorporated, as indicated, along the rearmost portion of the work
surface 11,
so that power and communication lines from various pieces of equipment on work
20108fi5
24
surface 11 may be readily-removed from the work surface 11 and stored in wire
tray 23,
thus reducing wire clutter atop work surface 11.
In conventionally mounting certain work surfaces, for example work surface 13,
a space results between the work surface and its mounting panel/wall, for
example, the
space 24 between work surface 13 and panel/wall 14. Space 24 provides ready
passage
for various power and communication lines, e.g., line 21, from equipment B
atop work
surface 13 to wire tray 25 coupled below work surface 13. Such lines are
routed along
wire tray 25 to receptacle plate 16 for mating with the appropriate receptacle
17.
Wiring enclosure 15 rests within its own wire tray 32, which has a hinged
access
panel/wall 33 giving access to receptacle plate 16 and otherwise protecting
receptacle
plate 16 and the equipment line receptacles mated therewith.
Interconnector plate 26 is coupled adjacent to receptacle plate 16.
Interconnector
plate 26 bears a variety of communication and power connectors 27 which are
selected
for mating with connectors 28 and terminating lines 29 from remote sources of
power,
and remote sources and receivers of communications.
In order to convey power and communications between selected ones of
receptacles 17 and selected ones of connectors 27, wires/cables 30 are
utilized to couple
appropriate receptacle-connector pairs. In a preferred embodiment of this
aspect of this
invention, wireslcables 30 are of a length such that connector plate 26 is 4
inches above
the raised floor 34 (no limitation implied or intended). Power and
communication lines
29 and their terminating connectors 28 are drawn-up from the floor access
opening 35
by proximate connector plate 26, and are connected by connectors 27 on the
proximate
connector plate 26, which completes the integration of the pre-wired work-
station into
the building communication and power system.
It is not intended to limit the approach of power and communication lines to
an
under-floor approach. A ceiling-drop may be just as advantageous as an under-
floor
approach. Wall/panel or floor surface approaches, while not as desirable, are
feasible
if the line runs are managed and safely contained.
2010865
To maintain wirelcables 30 in a neat array, a vertical wire managerlslot box
36
is provided. Vertical wire manager/slot box 36 may be easily removed to
provide ready
access to wires/cables 30 and proximate connector plate 26.
While it is not a presently preferred embodiment of this aspect of this
invention,
5 this disclosure conceives of the case in which wires/cables 30 have such
minimal lengths
that the proximate connector plate 26 is drawn-up to wire enclosure/break-out
box 15
effectively to replace the end plate 31 of the wire enclosurelbreak-out box
15. Such a
result is indicated in FIGURE 3 . In this instance, power and communication
lines 29 and
their terminating connectors 28 will be drawn-upwards from the floor access
opening 35,
10 through vertical wire manager/slot box 36 to mate with the appropriate
connectors 27,
now at the end of wire enclosure/break-out box 15. Lines 29 will follow the
path now
indicated for wire/cables 30 in FIGURE 1.
Another embodiment of an aspect of the present invention also conceives of the
use of feed-through connectors with proximate connector plate 26. This
arrangement is
15 shown in FIGURE 4, wherein a particular one of connectors 27 is illustrated
as feed-
through connector 27F. In this instance, wires/cables 30 must each be
terminated in a
connector 38, as, for example, connector 38F of FIGURE 4.
FIGURE 5 is a schematic presentation of the structural details as disclosed
and
illustrated above in previous FIGURES. FIGURE 5 provides an example of the
wire and
20 connector types which is utilized in pre-wiring a work-station for use with
equipment of
the type indicated.
FIGURES 6 to 14 present alternate and additional aspects of embodiments of
aspects of the present invention. One embodiment of an aspect of the present
invention
operates in a building 50, as represented in FIGURE 6. Building 50 includes a
25 multiplicity of spaced-apart work areas 52 at which employees or other
individuals
conduct their activities. Typically, work areas 52 are separated by
panelslwalls 53,
which may be either permanent features or movable modular structures of the
building
50. Work areas 52 may be spread over diverse sections and multiple floors of
the
building 50. Each of the work areas 52 typically include a work surface 54,
which may
represent a modular or conventional table, bench, desk, counter, or the like.
As is
k: .
1.:, ,
2010865
26
conventional, work surface 54 are spaced between a ceiling 56 and a floor 58.
Plenums
60, through which cabling may be routed to and from work areas 52, reside
above
ceiling 56 or below floor 58, or both. In addition, plenums 60 may connect
stories
together in a mufti-story building.
FIGURE 7 shows a second embodiment of a unitized destination terminal 62
constructed in accordance with the teaching of an embodiment of an aspect of
the present
invention. Unitized destination terminal 62 is manufactured off-site at a
facility (not
shown) which is remote to building 50 (see FIGURE 6), and then is transported
to, and
installed within, building 50 as a single unit. Within building 50, a
multiplicity of work
areas 52 have their own unitized destination terminals 62. As discussed above,
unitized
destination terminal 62 includes a wire enclosure/break-out box 15 which
presents an
assortment of receptacles or connectors 17. During installation of the
connectivity
system of an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, wire
enclosurelbreak-out
box 15 is mounted near a work surface 54 (see FIGURE 6), as discussed above
with
respect to FIGURES 1 to 5, using any convenient mounting means.
Unitized destination terminal 62 additionally includes a flexible duct 64,
which,
at one end thereof, is attached to a wire enclosure/break-out box 15.
Preferably, flexible
duct 64 is made from a relatively safe, flexible synthetic plastic material,
e.g., polyvinyl
chloride. As shown in FIGURE 7, unitized destination terminal 62 may be
configured
in different models. For example, in one model a flexible duct 64 attaches to
a side of
wire enclosure/break-out box 15, and in another model, a flexible duct 64
attaches to the
bottom of wire enclosure/break-out box 15. Such diverse models permit greater
selection
in adapting unitized destination terminal 62 to individual furniture
configurations. In
addition, the flexibility feature permits flexible duct 64 to be routed
through a variety of
paths so that unitized destination terminal 62 can conform to individual
furniture
configurations and aesthetic requirements.
An escutcheon box 66 attaches to another end, which is remote from wire
enclosure/break-out box 15, of flexible duct 64. In a preferred embodiment of
an aspect
of the present invention, escutcheon box 66 attaches to floor 58 or to
panel/wall 53 near
floor 58 (see FIGURE 12, discussed below), in any convenient manner. However,
a
~._'
2010865
,,...,
27
nothing prevents escutcheon box 66 from attaching to or near ceiling 56 (see
FIGURE
6), or to other portions of building 50. A hole 68 in floor 58, as shown in
FIGURE 7,
allows wires, cables, and the like to extend between plenum 60 and a work area
52.
Escutcheon box 66 resides within and/or over hole 68 so that a well maintained
boundary
is retained between plenum 60 and work area 52. Preferably, escutcheon box 66
is
constructed from metal to promote fire safety.
In addition, escutcheon box 66 houses a plurality of connectors 70. Connectors
70 couple to wires/cables 30 which extend within flexible duct 64 to wire
enclosure/breakout box 15 and couple to corresponding connectors 17 of wire
enclosurelbreakout box 15. In particular, escutcheon box 66 houses a power
connector
70a, a voice connector 70b, a data connector 70c, and a local area network
(LAN)
connector 70d.
Additional connectors 70 housed by escutcheon box 66 may include an integrated
switched data network (ISDN) connector, a fibre optic connector, and a video
or coaxial
connector. However, in a preferred embodiment, such additional connectors 70
are not
installed at the remote fabrication facility, discussed above. Generally
speaking, such
additional connectors, and their related wiring, are utilized too seldom in
buildings to
support the increased material cost of incorporating them within a
multiplicity of unitized
destination terminals 62. Nevertheless, within a preferred embodiment, one or
more
flexible hollow tubes 72 are installed through flexible duct 64 between
escutcheon box
66 and wire enclosurelbreakout box 15 at locations which are designated for
fibre optic
and coaxial connectors so that such connectors and corresponding wiring or
cabling may
be installed later with a minimum amount of difficulty.
Preferably, connectors 70 are all standard socket-type connectors. For
example,
voice connector 70b and data connector 70c are preferably conventional RJ-45,
eight
contact modular telephone sockets. Voice connector 70b is intended to carry
voice
communication, while data connector 70c is intended is intended to carry data
communication. Of course, nothing prevents this scheme from being reversed.
Likewise, local area network (LAN) connector (LAN) 70d is preferably a
conventional
(..
2010865
28
IBM local area network (LAN) socket. In a preferred embodiment, power
connector 70a
is a 5-pin socket which is configured to carry up to four independent AC
electrical power
circuits with a common ground.
As those skilled in the art will recognize, voice communication generally
refers
to communication which is transmitted through telephone networks. Such
communication
is typically analog data which exhibits frequencies less than 3000 Hz - 6000
Hz. Data
communication generally refers to relatively low-speed computer signals which
typically,
but not necessarily, operate at data rates of 19.2 Kbps or less. Such
communication
typically occurs between mainframe computers and remote terminals, between
computers
and printers or other data I/O devices, or between computers using low speed
data links.
For purposes of various aspects of embodiments of the present invention, local
area
network (LAN) communication is distinguished from data communication. Local
area
network (LAN) communication is well-known to those skilled in the art and
typically
represents higher speed data than is transmitted with data communication, as
discussed
above. High volume data transfers between computers often occur through local
area
network (LAN) communication using ETHERNETTM TOKEN RINGTM, ARCNETTM, or
other conventional local area network (LAN) topologies.
Voice connector 70b couples to a connector appearance 17b of wire
enclosure/breakout box 15. Likewise, data connector 70c and local area network
(LAN)
connector 70d couple to a respective connector appearance 17c and connector
appearance
17d of wire enclosure/breakout box 15. Each of connector appearances 17b and
17c
includes three standard modular telephone sockets, as discussed below in
connection with
FIGURE 14, while connector appearance 17d is preferably a conventional IBM
local area
network (LAN) socket. Four pairs of wires are routed between each of voice
connector
70b and data connector 70c and connector appearances 17b and 17c,
respectively.
Power connector 70a is preferably physically-separated within escutcheon box
66
from voice connector 70b, from data connector 70c and from local area network
(LAN)
connector 70d, to enhance safety and reduce electrical interference from power
to
communication signals. Power connector 70a couples to connectors 17a, which
are
standard AC duplex outlets. In addition, circuits between power connector 70a
and
2010865
29
connector 17a may include switches or circuit breakers 74 as is conventional
in the
distribution of AC power. Of the illustrated connectors 17a, connectors 17a.1
and 17a.2
may advantageously couple to separate ones of the individual power circuits
carried by
power connector 70a. The use of individual power circuits allows the
distribution of
greater amounts of power than could be distributed by a single circuit and
isolates the
circuits from one another for improved performance of equipment which couples
to such
circuits. For example, one of these circuits may supply uninterruptable power
for use
by a personal computer (not shown) within work area 52.
Unitized destination terminal 62 may optionally include satellite modules 76a
and/or 76b for distribution of power to locations which are remote from wire
enclosurelbreakout box 15 within work area 52. Each of satellite modules 76,
i.e., 76a
and/or 76b includes a satellite wire enclosure/breakout box 78 which presents
connectors
17a. Specifically, connectors 17a.3 of satellite module 76a may advantageously
couple
to their own one of the four power circuits which are carried by power
connector 70a,
and connectors 17a.4 of satellite module 76b may advantageously couple to
their own one
of the four power circuits which are carried by power connector 70a. Each of
the
satellite modules 76 attaches to one end of a flexible conduit 80. Electrical
wiring (not
shown) extends through flexible conduit 80 to a plug connector 82. Plug
connector 82
mates with socket connector 84 which is mounted at sides of wire
enclosure/breakout box
15. Additional wiring (not shown) couples socket connector 84 to power
connector 70a.
Preferably, plug connectors 82 and socket connector 84 lock into place once
they have
been mated together so that they do not inadvertently become disconnected.
As shown in FIGURE 7, a power whip 86 has plug connectors 88 which are
installed on opposing ends thereof. One of plug connectors 88 mates with power
connector 70a of escutcheon box 66. The other of plug connectors 88 mates with
a
socket connector 90 which is mounted in a power distribution box (PDB) 92,
which in
turn mounts to an integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94. As
discussed below
in connection with FIGURE 11, the integrated connectivity distribution raceway
94
supplies electrical power at socket connector 90. Preferably, socket connector
90 is
configured identically to power connector 70a. Hence, both plug connectors 88
have an
ri.
~ 2010865
identical configuration. Wiring within power whip 86 connects plug connectors
88
together in a one-to-one correspondence, in which pins 1 of connectors 88
couple
together, pins 2 of connectors 88 couple together, and so on.
In addition, an integrated communications cable bundle 96 has, installed on
one
5 end thereof, plug connectors 98b, 98c, and 98d which mate with voice
connector 70b,
with data connector 70c, and with local area network (LAN) connector 70d,
respectively,
of escutcheon box 66. Preferably, plug connectors 88 and 98 and socket
connectors 70
and 90 lock into their respective places once they have been mated together so
that they
do not inadvertently become disconnected. Integrated communications cable
bundle 96
10 also comes from integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94.
Moreover, in a preferred embodiment of an aspect of the present invention,
power
whip 86, integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94, and integrated
communications
cable bundle 96 are all connectorized, a procedure in which connectors are
installed on
a cable, and tested off-site. Thus, on-site skilled labour is not reqmrea to
estanusn
15 connectivity between work areas 52 and integrated connectivity distribution
raceway 94.
When the multiplicity of work areas 52 within a building 50 (see FIGURE 6) are
considered, a considerable savings in installation cost results. In addition,
an
embodiment of an aspect of the present invention transports and otherwise
handles power
and communication signals using common, modular unitized destination terminals
62 and
20 integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94. As a result, connectivity
organization
improves. Furthermore, a wide variety of connectivity systems are accommodated
by
unitized destination terminal 62 and integrated connectivity distribution
raceway 94.
Thus, flexibility is enhanced.
FIGURES 8 to 10 illustrate details of integrated communications cable bundle
96.
25 The preferred embodiment of an aspect of the present invention utilizes a
bundle
configuration which is specifically-adapted for the integrated transportation
of diverse
communication signals. As shown in FIGURE 8, integrated communications cable
bundle 96 includes a voice cable 100, a data cable 102, and a local area
network (LAN)
cable 104. Voice cable 100, data cable 102, and local area network (LAN) 104
couple
30 to plug connectors 98b to 98d, respectively. Socket connectors 106b, 106c,
and 106d
s
~~ 2010865
31
also couple to voice cable 100, data cable 102, and local area network (LAN)
104,
respectively, at the end of integrated communications cable bundle 96 which
opposes
connectors 98. Each of plug connectors 98b, 98c, and socket connectors 106b,
and
106c, is preferably a conventional 8-contact modular telephone plug or socket.
Moreover, a one-to-one correspondence is followed in coupling voice cable 100
and data
cable 102 to plug connectors 98b, 98c and socket connectors 106b, 106c,
respectively.
Likewise, both of connectors 98d and 106d are preferably conventional IBM
local area
network (LAN) plug and socket connectors, and a one-to-one correspondence is
followed
in coupling local area network (LAN) cable 104 between plug connector 98d and
socket
connector 106d.
In addition, labels 108b, 108c, and 108d are permanently-attached to voice
cable
100, to data cable 102 and to local area network (LAN) cable 104,
respectively. Labels
108b,108c,108d each bear a unique identifying code. The particular
nomenclature used
in codifying labels 108b,108c,108d is not important in aspects of embodiments
of the
present invention, so long as no two labels in the connectivity system of
aspects of
embodiments of the present invention for building 50 (see FIGURE 6) bear the
same
information. Preferably, each of labels 108b,108c,108d is duplicated and
attached to the
opposing ends of voice cable 100, data cable 102, and local area network (LAN)
cable
104, respectively. Hence, the same identifying information resides at the two
ends of
each of voice cable 100, of data cable 102 and of local area network (LAN)
cable 104.
Voice cable 100 and data cable 102 attach to local area network (LAN) cable
104
so that voice cable 100 and data cable 102 are maintained on opposing sides of
local area
network (LAN) cable 104. Accordingly, electrical interference between
communications
carried by voice cable 100 and by data cable 102 is minimized. An embodiment
of an
aspect of the present invention contemplates the attachment of voice cable 100
and data
cable 102 to local area network (LAN) cable 104 either through the use of a
thin integral
insulation membrane, as shown in FIGURE 8, or through the use of a common
jacket
which surrounds all of voice cable 100, data cable 102 and local area network
(LAN)
cable 104.
".~ t 2p108fi5
32
As discussed above, an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention
manufactures, connectorizes, labels, and tests integrated communications cable
bundle
96 off site. Thus, integrated communications cable bundle 96 may be installed
on-site
inexpensively and easily. In addition, integrated communications cable bundle
96
unitizes wiring needs for a wide variety of communication applications. In
other words,
the connectivity system of an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention
integrates
diverse, parallel connectivity needs so that only serially-connected single
units are
handled to meet the diverse, parallel connectivity needs.
In a preferred embodiment of an embodiment of an aspect of the present
invention, voice cable 100 and data cable 102 are substantially-identical to
one another
in electrical characteristics, while local area network (LAN) cable 104
differs from voice
cable 100 and data cable 102. However, voice cable 100, data cable 102 and
local area
network (LAN) cable 104 differ substantially from one another in physical
appearance.
Preferably, jackets for voice cable 100, data cable 102 and local area network
(LAN)
cable 104, exhibit different colours. In the preferred embodiment of an aspect
of the
present invention, voice cable 100 has a black jacket, data cable 102 has a
blue jacket,
and local area network (LAN) cable 104 has a green jacket. Furthermore, this
colour
scheme is maintained throughout the connectivity system of an embodiment of an
aspect
of the present invention. In other words, cables and jumpers (discussed below)
which
carry voice communication are predominantly black throughout the connectivity
system
of an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, cables and jumpers
which carry
data communication are predominantly blue throughout the connectivity system
of an
embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, and cable and jumpers which
carry
LAN communication are predominantly green throughout the connectivity system
of an
embodiment of an aspect of the present invention. This colour coding scheme
enhances
cable organization within building 50 (see FIGURE 6).
FIGURE 9 shows construction details of voice cable 100. However, since data
cable 102 is electrically-identical to voice cable 100, FIGURE 9 also applies
to
construction details of data cable 102. In particular, voice cable 100
includes four pairs
of wires, referenced as pairs 110a, 110b, 110c, and 110d in FIGURE 9. Each
wire of
2010865
33
pairs 110a to 110d is preferably a solid copper, 22-gauge, insulated wire. In
a preferred
embodiment of an aspect of this invention, the insulation is constructed from
polyvinylidene fluoride, e. g. that known by the Trade-Mark KYNARTM. Moreover,
each
of pairs 110a to 110d is twisted together to improve transmission
characteristics of the
pairs. Still further, the twists of pairs 110a to 110d are staggered to reduce
bipolar
cross-talk between the pairs. In other words, the lay of each of pairs 110a to
110d
differs from the lay of the others of pairs 110a to 110d. All of pairs 110a to
110d are
retained within a common jacket 112. Preferably, common jacket 112 is formed
from
a material which promotes fire safety, e. g. , that known by the Trade-Mark
TEFLONTM
or that known by the Trade-Mark KYNARTM.
FIGURE 10 shows construction details of local area network (LAN) cable 104.
As is conventional in connection with cables which are adapted for local area
network
(LAN) communication, local area network (LAN) cable 104 includes wire pairs
114a and
114b. Each member of wire pairs 114a to 114b includes a solid copper, 22-gauge
wire
116, surrounded with a FEP 100 insulation 118, well-known to those skilled in
the art,
to a thickness of 0.038 inches. Hence, the overall outside diameter of each
wire of wire
pairs 114a to 114b is 0.101 inches. Each of wire pairs 114a and 114b is
twisted together
and is surrounded by a conductive MYLARTM/aluminum foil 120. A 22-gauge drain
wire 122 resides between and outside of conductive MYLARTM/aluminum foil 120
for
each of wire pairs 114a to 114b, and a common jacket 124 surrounds wire pairs
114a and
114b, conductive MYLARTM/aluminum foil 120/ and drain wire 122. In a preferred
embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, common jacket 124 is formed
from
a safe, synthetic plastic material, e.g., a polyvinylidene fluoride plastic
known to those
skilled in the art by the Trade-Mark KYNAR 2900TM, which is also highly-
desirable for
its electrical characteristics.
Common jacket 124, in conjunction with drain wire 122, serves a valuable
electrical function in an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention. In
a preferred
embodiment of an aspect of the present invention, common jacket 124 is formed
to have
a wall of thickness of at least 0.009 inches and preferably of 0.010 inches.
This large
thickness significantly-reduces the overall impedance of common jacket 124 at
the high
2090865
34
speed data rates which are characteristic of local area network (LAN)
communication.
As a result, it serves in a limited capacity as a conductor to high frequency
transient
electrical fields. Electrical currents which are responsive to such electrical
fields are thus
induced between common jacket 124 and drain wire 122. Accordingly, common
jacket
124, in conjunction with drain wire 122, acts as a barrier to electrical
fields. Common
jacket 124 retains local area network- (LAN)-generated electrical fields
within local area
network (LAN) cable 104 and blocks interference by external electrical fields.
As a
result, local area network (LAN) cable 104 exhibits electrical characteristics
which are
generally-equivalent to those of conventional local area network (LAN) cables,
which
include a braided, conductive shield surrounding cable wires. However, local
area
network (LAN) cable 104 is an improvement over such cables. Local area network
(LAN) cable 104 is easier to connectorize because it contains no braided
shields which
would otherwise require de-braiding and dressing-back in order to make wire
preparations on local area network (LAN) cable 104.
FIGURE 11 shows details of integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94.
Integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94 integrates the routing
management of
wiring for diverse communications together with electrical power. As indicated
in
FIGURE 11, integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94 may be formed into
a lattice
within plenum 60 using modular raceway components. The specific geometry of
this
lattice is unimportant in an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention,
and may
be adapted to meet and conform to architectural features of building 50 (see
FIGURE 6).
Generally speaking, integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94 includes a
plurality of raceway wallslpanels 126. Raceway walls/panels 126 extend
generally
lengthwise through each module or section of raceway 94. However, raceway
walls/panels 126 may be interrupted, as shown in a T-module 128 of integrated
connectivity distribution raceway 94, so that wires may be routed through the
interruption. Raceway walls/panels 126 are configured so that various channels
are
formed within integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94. Thus, a power
channel
130 resides at a lower part of a first side of integrated connectivity
distribution raceway
94, a power channel 132 resides at a lower part of a second side of integrated
20108fi5
connectivity distribution raceway 94, a communication channel 134 resides
above power
channel 130 at an upper part of the first side of integrated connectivity
distribution
raceway 94, and a communication channel 136 resides above power channel 132 at
an
upper part of the second side of integrated connectivity distribution raceway
94.
5 Raceway wallslpanels 126 are further configured generally to surround power
channels
130 to 132. On the other hand, each of communication channels 134 to 136 is
open at
their top sides. Raceway walls/panels 126 are constructed from a safe
material, e.g., a
metal or polyvinyl chloride. However, a conductive metal is preferred to serve
as
common walls between power channels 130 - 136. The use of a conductive metal
10 reduces electrical interference between the wiring which is housed in power
channels 130
- 136.
In an alternate embodiment of an aspect of this invention, which is
illustrated by
FIGURE 7, power channel 130 may reside beside communication channel 134 rather
than
above it. In this embodiment of an aspect of this invention, a door 131
slidably-mates
15 with raceway walls/panels 126 at an upper portion of power channel 130
entirely to
enclose power channel 130. This embodiment of an aspect of this invention is
desirable
when a limited amount of space is available within plenum 60 because it
reduces the
height of integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94.
With reference back to FIGURE 11, raceway walls/panels 126 which reside at the
20 upper, exterior portions of integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94
bear a
multiplicity of slots 138 opened therein. Slots 138 extend to the top of
integrated
connectivity distribution raceway 94. Accordingly, integrated communications
cable
bundles 96 may be installed in power channels 134 or 136 of integrated
connectivity
distribution raceway 94 simply by laying integrated communications cable
bundles 96 in
25 channels 134 or 136 from above. Integrated communications cable bundles 96
need not
be threaded through any openings. Each integrated communications cable bundles
96 is
routed into and out from power channels 134 - 136 at the slot 138 which
resides nearest
the escutcheon box 66 (see FIGURE 7) to which the integrated communications
cable
bundles 96 mates. In addition, integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94
routes
30 integrated communications cable bundles 96 to a common communication
distribution
2010865
36
area 140, for further connectivity management, as discussed below in
connection with
FIGURE 13. Power channels 134 - 136 also communicate coaxial, video, fibre
optic,
and other connectivity systems, if needed, in the same manner discussed above
for
integrated communications cable bundles 96.
Power channels 130 - 132 of integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94
carry
electrical power distribution cables 142 from a power distribution center 144
of building
50 (see FIGURE 6) to power distribution boxes (PDBs) 92, discussed above.
Power
distribution boxes 92 are preferably located at predetermined, standardized
locations on
integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94. As discussed above (see
FIGURE 7),
one or more socket connectors 90 mount in each power distribution boxes 92.
Power
distribution boxes 92 are physically-mounted to integrated connectivity
distribution
raceway 94 so that socket connectors 90 may electrically-tap into various ones
of cables
142. As discussed above, socket connectors 90 may carry up to four independent
power
circuits. Thus, a multiplicity of cables 142 may reside within channels 130 -
132. Since
power channels 130 and 132 and associated power distribution boxes 92 are
located on
opposing sides of integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94, power whips
86 are
arranged not to cross-over or cross-under integrated connectivity distribution
raceway 94.
Preferably, modular sections of integrated connectivity distribution raceway
94
are fabricated, loaded with cables 142, connectorized, and tested off-site.
Thus,
integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94 may be installed on-site
simply by
plugging these sections together. Consequently, additional connectors (not
shown) may
be fitted on ends of such modular sections to communicate power between the
sections.
However, cables 142 are coupled to power distribution center 144 using
conventional
hard-wired, wire preparation techniques.
As an alternate embodiment of an aspect of this invention, integrated
connectivity
distribution raceway 94 may be fitted with socket connectors 90 off-site, and
then socket
connectors 90 may be coupled to cables 142 on-site using conventional wire
preparation
techniques. This alternate embodiment of an aspect of this invention requires
additional
skilled labour to install integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94, but
removes
concerns about interconnections between the modular sections of integrated
connectivity
-- 2010865
37
distribution raceway 94. In a preferred embodiment of an aspect of this
invention, the
geometry of integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94 does not need to
change to
support a wide variety of furniture positioning, room partitioning, and work
area
locations. Thus, the use of additional services from skilled labour during the
installation
of integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94 need not be repeated to
accommodate
future connectivity changes.
In yet another configuration of integrated connectivity distribution raceway
94,
electrical power need not be routed through power channels 130 and 132 at all.
As
shown in FIGURE 11, a secondary portion 146 of integrated connectivity
distribution
raceway 94 receives power at power distribution boxes 92 externally through a
power
whip 148. Power whip 148 is constructed substantially the same as described
above for
power whip 86. At power distribution boxes 92 on secondary portion 146, socket
connectors 90 are connected in parallel. Thus, other socket connectors 90
within power
distribution boxes 92 receive power through power whip 148 and may communicate
such
power to an escutcheon box 66 through a power whip 86, as discussed above.
Consequently, services from skilled labour are not needed, and wire crossing
geometries
may be omitted by the use of external power whips 148.
FIGURES 7 and 11 illustrate an aspect of an embodiment of the present
invention
in connection with the routing of wiring in an under-floor plenum 60. In the
under-floor
configuration, integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94 is supported
from beneath.
FIGURE 12 shows the present invention in connection with the routing and
wiring in an
above-ceiling plenum 60. As shown in FIGURE 12, escutcheon box 66 may reside
on
floor 58 adjacent to a panel/wall 53. In this above-ceiling configuration,
escutcheon box
66 has a different physical configuration from that shown in FIGURES 7 and 11
because
it mates to panel/wall 53 rather than to floor 58. As is conventional with
modular office
furniture, the bottom of panellwall 53 includes a raceway 150. Accordingly,
power
whips 86 and integrated communications cable bundles 96 are routed within
raceway 150
from a building column 151 to escutcheon box 66. T-connectors (not shown) may
be
used to daisy-chain electrical power distribution within raceway 150 to
multiple work
areas 52, if necessary. Power and communication wiring are routed upwardly
within
. ~:
2010865
38
column 151 to ceiling plenum 60, where they enter integrated connectivity
distribution
raceway 94 and are routed as discussed above in connection with FIGURE 11. In
the
above-ceiling configuration, integrated connectivity distribution raceway 94
is suspended
from above.
FIGURE 13 shows communication connectivity devices and connectivity devices
and connectivity methodology used by an embodiment of an aspect of the present
invention. As discussed above, integrated communication cable bundles 96 from
a
multiplicity of work areas 52 are collected at common communication
distribution area
140. Larger installations may incorporate several of distribution areas 140,
each of
which collect integrated communication cable bundles 96 for its own group of
work areas
52. For example, one of distribution areas 140 may exist for each story in a
mufti-story
building 50 (see FIGURE 6). An intermediate interconnection cabinet 152
resides at
each of distribution areas 140. Intermediate interconnection cabinet 152
separates the
integrated communication cables for further distribution within the
connectivity system
of an embodiment of an aspect of the present invention.
In particular, each integrated communications cable bundles 96 terminates at a
voiceldata panel 154. Voice/data panel 154 is manufactured off-site and is
populated on-
site. In other words, hole preparations and labelling for voice/data panel 154
are
performed off site, and socket connectors 106b - 106d (discussed above in
connection
with FIGURE 8) are installed on voiceldata panel 154 on-site. Preferably, each
of socket
connectors 106 is the type of connector which is well-known in the art which
is mounted
simply by being pushed through holes in voice/data panel 154 from the rear of
voice/data
panel 154. A connector triplet 156 is formed collectively by voice socket
connector
106b, data socket connector 106c, and local area network (LAN) socket
connector 106d
for each of integrated communications cable bundles 96 which is terminated at
voice/data
panel 154. In a preferred embodiment of an aspect of this invention, each
voice/data
panel 154 contains up to thirty-two connector triplets 156, and intermediate
interconnection cabinet 152 includes three voiceldata panels 154.
Intermediate interconnection cabinet 152 additionally includes a voice
interconnect
panel 158 and a data interconnect panel 160 for each voice/data panel 154.
Thus, in a
S'
.1
2010865
39
preferred embodiment of an aspect of this invention, intermediate
interconnection cabinet
152 includes three of voice interconnect panels 158 and three of data
interconnect panels
160. Each of voice interconnect panel 158 and data interconnect panel 160
includes up
to thirty-two standard 8-pin modular voice socket connectors 162 and data
socket
connectors 164, respectively. Voice jumper cables 166 and data jumper cables
168 have
mating standard 8-pin modular telephone plug connectors installed on opposing
ends in
a one-to-one correspondence. Voice jumper cables 166 and data jumper cables
168 mate
with selected ones of voice socket connector 106b and data socket connector
106c,
respectively, and with selected ones of voice socket connectors 162 and data
socket
connectors 164, respectively. As will become evident from the discussion
below, the
precise connectivity between voice socket connector 106b and data socket
connector 106c
and voice socket connectors 162 - 164 is not an important feature of an aspect
of the
present invention, and can be adapted to conform to a wide variety of
connectivity needs.
Preferably, voice jumper cables 166 and data jumper cables 168 differ from one
another
only in jacket colouring, as discussed above. For a preferred embodiment of an
aspect
of this invention, ninety-six of voice jumper cables 166 and ninety-six of
data jumper
cables 168 are required fully to connect all connector triplets 156 to voice
interconnect
panel 158 and data interconnect panel 160.
Voice socket connectors 162 are grouped together into groups of twenty-five
connectors each, wherein a group need not be confined to a single voice
interconnect
panel 158. Individual contacts from voice socket connectors 162 within each
group
couple to their own 200-pin socket connector (not shown). A one hundred pair
voice
interconnect cable 170 has mating plug connectors installed at its opposing
ends. Thus,
all of communication signals carried by voice socket connectors 162 from a
single
intermediate interconnection cabinet 152 are collected in four of cables 170
for routing
to a central voice connectivity area 172.
Similarly, data socket connectors 164 are grouped together into groups of six
connectors each, wherein a group need not be confined to a single data
interconnect panel
160. Individual contacts from data socket connectors 164 within each group
couple to
their own 50-pin socket connector (not shown), in which two pins remain
unused. A
G~
2010865
twenty-five pair data interconnect cable 174 has mating plug connectors
installed at its
opposing ends. Thus, all of data socket connectors 164 form a single
intermediate
interconnection cabinet 152 are collected in sixteen of cables 174 for routing
to a central
data connectivity area 176.
5 Local area network (LAN) jumper cables 178 have plug sockets installed on
opposing ends in a one-to-one correspondence. For each local area network
(LAN)
jumper cable 178, one connector connects to a local area network (LAN) socket
connector 106d of a connector triplet 156. The other end of each of local area
network
(LAN) jumper cable 178 couples to a multiple access unit 180, which is well-
known to
10 those skilled in the art. Multiple access unit 180, preferably resides near
intermediate
interconnection cabinet 152. Multiple access unit 180 is used to interconnect
local area
network (LAN) communications in a predetermined local area network (LAN)
topology,
e.g., a ring, a star, a bus and the like.
At central voice connectivity area 172 and at central data connectivity area
176,
15 cables 170 and 174 mate with corresponding socket connectors (not shown) of
a voice
distribution cabinet 182 and a data distribution cabinet 184, respectively. In
a preferred
embodiment of an aspect of this invention, cables 170 and 174 are
connectorized off-site
in a one-to-one correspondence. Thus, they can be inexpensively and quickly
installed
in building 50 through any convenient plenum 60 (see FIGURE 6). In a multi-
story
20 installation, cables 170 and 174 from common communication distribution
areas 140 on
separate floors are typically routed vertically and collected together on a
common floor,
typically in a basement.
Voice distribution cabinet 182 and data distribution cabinet 184 break the
communication signals carried by cables 170 and 174, respectively, into socket
25 connectors which correspond to each of unitized destination terminals 62
(see FIGURE
7) in building 50 (see FIGURE 6). As discussed above in connection with FIGURE
7,
voice and data communication is presented in a three-socket appearance at
unitized
destination terminal 62. Likewise, voice distribution cabinet 182 and data
distribution
cabinet 184 duplicate this appearance so that each four-pair group of wires
which couple
2o~oss5
41
to an individual unitized destination terminal 62 for voice communication and
data
communication are presented using three standard modular telephone sockets.
FIGURE 14 provides the interconnection definition used by a preferred
embodiment of an aspect of the present invention for this appearance at
unitized
destination terminal 62 and at voice distribution cabinet 182 and data
distribution cabinet
184. This definition is configured to maximize the flexibility achievable in
utilizing the
four pairs of wires for communications, whether voice or data. In particular,
a modular
telephone socket is configured as having up to eight contacts, each of which
is located
at its own predetermined position. FIGURE 14 identifies these eight positions
with the
numerals 1 to 8. While eight positions are defined, many voice and data
communication
devices require only six (three pair) or four (two pair) contacts. Thus, a six-
pin standard
modular telephone plug and a four-pin standard modular telephone plug are
commonly-
utilized by communication devices. The six-pin modular plugs mate with the
central six
positions of the modular socket, and the four-pin modular telephone plugs may
mate with
the central four positions of the modular socket.
Using the eight predetermined positions illustrated in FIGURE 14, a preferred
embodiment of an aspect of the present invention couples a first pair of wires
186 to
contacts which populate the third and sixth positions of a first socket 188,
the fourth and
fifth positions of a second socket 190, and the second and seventh positions
of a third
socket 192. A second pair 194 couples to contacts which populate the first and
second
positions of second socket 190 and the fourth and fifth positions of third
socket 192. A
third pair 196 couples to contacts which populate the fourth and fifth
positions of first
socket 188 and the third and sixth positions of second socket 190. A fourth
pair 198
couples to contacts which populate the seventh and eighth positions of second
socket 190
and the third and sixth positions at third socket 192.
Accordingly, the appearance which is defined by an embodiment of an aspect of
the present invention permits simultaneous use of a two-pair device which is
mated with
a first socket 188 and a three-pair device mated with a third socket 192.
Similarly, a
two-pair device mated with first socket 188 may be simultaneously-used with a
two-pair
device mated with third socket 192. Three two-pair devices may be mated with
their
20108fi5
42
own ones of first socket 188, second socket 190 and third socket 192. All of
these
applications occur without causing interference with one another because none
of pairs
186,194,196,198 (see FIGURE 4) are used by more than one device. Of course, a
single
four-pair device may also be used by mating it with second socket connector
190.
Referring back to FIGURE 13, voice distribution cabinet 182 and data
distribution
cabinet 184 each include an appearance as defined in FIGURE 14 for each four-
pair
group of wires which are routed thereto. These appearances electrically-couple
to 200-
pin and 50-pin connectors for mating with cables 170 and 174, respectively.
The
coupling may advantageously result from the use of schemes which are similar
to those
discussed above voice interconnect panel 158 and data interconnect panel 160.
From
voice distribution cabinet 182, voice jumper cables 200 couple voice
communications
from the appearances of first socket 188, second socket 190 and third socket
192 (see
FIGURE 14) to a voice cross-connect cabinet 202. Likewise, from data
distribution
cabinet 184, data jumper cables 204 couple data communications from the
appearances
of first socket 188, second socket 190 and third socket 192 to a data cross-
connect
cabinet 206. Preferably, each of voice jumper cables 200 and data jumper
cables 204
include a four-pair cable coupled in a one-to-one correspondence between
standard
modular 8-pin telephone plugs. With four-pair cables, any cable may be used
with any
of first socket 188, second socket 190 and third socket 192. However, nothing
prevents
the use of two-pair and three-pair cables to mate only with first socket 188
and third
socket 192, respectively (see FIGURE 14).
Voice cross-connect cabinet 202 and data cross-connect cabinet 206 couple data
from standard modular two-pair, three-pair, and four-pair sockets, as
discussed above in
FIGURE 14, to conventional coupling blocks or connectors to which the voice
and data
communications of a building interface in a conventional manner. Such
interfaces couple
voice cross-connect cabinet 202 to a PBX of a building (not shown) and couple
data
voice cross-connect cabinet 206 to front-end controllers of a mainframe
computer (not
shown) .
FIGURES 15 and 16 together show labelling and tracking features of an
embodiment of an aspect of the present invention. These labelling and tracking
features
s..T
1:
2010865
43
aid the management of connectivity. Specifically, building 50 (see FIGURE 6)
is
assigned a grid nomenclature or code which uniquely-identifies the physical
locations of
each of work areas 52. In addition, each socket connector in intermediate
interconnection cabinet 152, voice cross-connect cabinet 202, a data cross-
connect cabinet
206, is assigned a unique panel nomenclature or code to identify the sockets.
Preferably,
this nomenclature is printed on the cabinets near the corresponding sockets or
derived in
such a manner that connectors are easily-associated with a unique code and
vice-versa.
As discussed above, labels 108b and 108d are attached to voice cable 100, data
cable 102
and local area network (LAN) cable 104 of integrated communications cable
bundle 96
(see FIGURE 8). In a similar manner, each communication cable and jumper cable
which is used within the connectivity system of an embodiment of an aspect of
the
present invention includes its own uniquely-coded label.
A data table is formed to include a multiplicity of data records which is
similar
to a data record 208 illustrated in FIGURE 16. Preferably, this data table is
maintained
in a computer database (not shown) for fast and convenient searching, sorting
and
alteration. Upon initial installation, voice jumper cables 166, data jumper
cables 168
voice jumper cables 200, and data jumper cables 204 (see FIGURE 13) may be
installed
in accordance with a predetermined pattern. For example, a first connector
triplet 156
may couple through a voice jumper cable 166 to a first voice socket connector
162, and
a first appearance at a voice distribution cabinet 182 may couple to a first
appearance at
a voice cross-connect cabinet 202 and so on, for the remaining voice
communication and
data communication channels. This predetermined pattern connects to all
communication
circuits to voice cross-connect cabinet 202 and to data cross-connect cabinet
206. Wiring
between a PBX or mainframe controller and voice cross-connect cabinet 202 and
data
cross-connect cabinet 206, completes connectivity and assigns external
identifiers, e.g.,
telephone numbers, terminal numbers, and the like. The external identifiers,
cable
labels, cabinet labels and grid-codes are all recorded in a data record 208
for each circuit
in the connectivity system of an aspect of an embodiment of the present
invention. The
data table thus supplies a complete connectivity definition for the
connectivity system of
an aspect of an embodiment of the present invention.
_~i
.~- 2010865
44
An embodiment of an aspect of the present invention permits easy connectivity
changes. Accordingly, when physical environment changes occur, employees leave
or
move, or in other circumstances, the data table may be consulted to identify
jumpers
which must be moved to make a desired connectivity change. For example, the
data
table identifies the cross-connect cabinet position which is associated with
an old
telephone number or computer terminal number, and the intermediate cabinet
connector
positions associated with a new building grid-code. By re-connecting the old
telephone
number cabinet position to the new building grid-code connector position
through
appropriate jumper movement, a connectivity change takes place. Such a change
requires
no hard-wiring changes, and may be quickly and successfully concluded by
building
maintenance personnel. Once concluded, the data table is updated to reflect
the new
connectivity definition. In a preferred embodiment of an aspect of an
embodiment of the
present invention, conventional database software is adapted to access the
data table. By
entering old identifiers, e.g., a telephone number and a computer terminal
number, and
a new grid location, the computer generates specific jumper removal and jumper
installation instructions to effect a desired connectivity change. So long as
the
instructions are followed, the data table remains current.
In summary, what has been described is a work-station pre-wiring module
whereby work-stations may be readily pre-wired to accommodate the various
power and
communication line connections which are required by a wide variety of
equipment and
devices anticipated to be used at the work-station. The pre-wiring module is
intended
for use with work-stations of various designs, styles and manufacture.
An embodiment of an aspect of the present invention provides an improved
system
for connectivity management within a building. Significant improvements in
initial
installation costs result from the extensive use of modular components which
are
fabricated and tested off-site, then installed quickly without the need of
significant highly-
skilled labour. Flexibility improvements result from the minimization of on-
site hard-
wiring and from the integration of diverse communication facilities within the
modular
components. Specifically, each work are is equipped with many communication
channels
that may be used for a wide variety of communication services.
p
z~~oss5
An embodiment of an aspect of the present invention has been described above
with reference to preferred embodiments of aspects of the present invention.
However,
those skilled in-the-art will recognize that changes and modifications may be
made in
these preferred embodiments without departing from the scope of the present
invention.
5 For example, the particular materials which are used in aspects of
embodiments of the
present invention are chosen primarily for safety. Consequently, plenum-rated
materials
are generally-preferred for fire safety. However, a wide degree of variation
in such
materials is permissible, so long as the materials chosen are generally safe.
