Methods of automatically recording patching changes at passive patch panels and network equipment

A method of implementing a patching connection change in a patching field, the method comprising:

• communicating a work order relating to the patching field to a mobile system controller used by a technician from a system administrative computer;
• identifying equipment including patch panels with the mobile controller via readable identifiers;
• conveying visual steps to be taken in completing instructions of the work order on patch panels of the patching field to the technician with the mobile system controller;
• sensing the completion of the steps taken to complete the instructions of the work order with the mobile system controller comparing at least one image taken by the mobile system controller and at least one stored image;
• and
• communicating a completion of the steps taken to complete the instructions of the work order to the system administrative computer.

A system to aid in patching connection changes in a patching field of a communication system, the system comprising:

• a mobile system controller used by a technician, the mobile system controller including,
• a wireless communication module configured to receive a work order including step by step instructions relating to a patching connection change in the patching field;
• a camera configured to capture equipment patch panel identifiers;
• a processor configured to cause visual steps to be displayed to a technician that are to be taken to complete the step by step instructions of the received work order on identified patch panels and to use the wireless communication module to communicate when the step by step instructions are completed;
• and
• wherein the processor of the mobile system controller is further configured to compare at least one image taken by the camera with at least one stored image to determine if steps in the step by step instructions are completed.

A system to aid in patching connection changes in a patching field of a communication system comprising:

• a mobile system controller used by a technician, the mobile system controller including,
• a wireless communication module configured to receive a work order including step by step instructions relating to a patching connection change in the patching field;
• a camera configured to capture equipment patch panel identifiers;
• a processor configured to cause visual steps to be displayed to a technician that are to be taken to complete the step by step instructions of the received work order on identified patch panels and to use the wireless communication module to communicate when the step by step instructions are completed;
• and
• wherein the processor of the mobile system controller is further configured to process images captured by the camera to determine the identity of connector ports and the status of the identified connector ports.