# US 10,871,618 B2 · Connectivity appliance > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,871,618 B2 - Document ID: US10871618B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/914,918 - Filed: 2018-03-07 - Published: 2018-09-13 - Granted: 2020-12-22 - Earliest claimed: 2017-03-07 - Assignees: Fiber Mountain, Inc. - Applicants: Fiber Mountain, Inc. - Inventors: Mohammad H. Raza; Boby Joseph; David G. Stone; Aristito Lorenzo; Ronald M. Plante; Phuc Minh Ly; Robert O'Neil; John R. Lagana - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10871618B2 ## CPC - G02B 6/3885: {Multicore or multichannel optical connectors, i.e. one single ferrule containing more than one fibre, e.g. ribbon type (optical ribbon cable G02B6/4403, G02B6/448)} - G02B 6/3893: {Push-pull type, e.g. snap-in, push-on} - G02B 6/3895: {identification of connection, e.g. right plug to the right socket or full engagement of the mating parts (keying element on the plug or adapter G02B6/3831; keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical connection H01R13/64)} - G02B 6/44526: {Panels or rackmounts covering a whole width of the frame or rack} - G02B 6/44528: {Patch-cords; Connector arrangements in the system or in the box (routing arrangements H04Q1/00)} - G02B 6/4472: {Manifolds} - H04L 41/0806: for initial configuration or provisioning, e.g. plug-and-play - H04Q 1/13: {Patch panels for monitoring, interconnecting or testing circuits, e.g. patch bay, patch field or jack field; Patching modules} - H04Q 1/136: {having patch field management or physical layer management arrangements} - G02B: OPTICAL ELEMENTS, SYSTEMS OR APPARATUS - H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M) - H04Q: SELECTING (switches, relays, selectors H01H; wireless communication networks H04W) ## Abstract A connectivity appliance that can interconnect, optical fiber communication paths of one fiber density to optical fiber communication paths of a different density, for either breakout or aggregation functionality is provided. The connectivity appliance that can interconnect high density connectors, e.g., multi-fiber connectors, to a plurality of low density connectors, e.g., single fiber optic connectors. The connectivity appliance can determine the presence of connectors inserted into the connectivity appliance adapters, determine the characteristics of the cables and connectors inserted into the connectivity appliance and/or in close proximity to the connectivity appliance. Each connector on the connectivity appliances can have one or more associated indicators, e.g., LEDs, on either the front panel or the rear panel that is in close proximity to the relevant adapter and that provides visual indications associated with the connectors. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A network connectivity appliance comprising: a housing having a front panel and a rear panel; at least one high-density adapter positioned to be accessible from the front panel or the rear panel; at least one high-density indicator positioned in close proximity to the high-density adapter, wherein each high-density indicator is visible from an exterior of the front panel or the rear panel; a plurality of low-density adapters positioned to be accessible from the front panel or the rear panel, the plurality of low-density adapters being arranged in low-density connector pairs; a low-density indicator associated with each of the low-density connector pairs, wherein each low-density indicator is positioned in close proximity to its respective low-density connector pair, and wherein each low-density indicator is visible from an exterior of the front panel or the rear panel; a fiber optic cable assembly having a one end connected to the at least one high-density connector and that splits fiber connections from the at least one high-density connector to the plurality of low-density connectors; and a management module positioned within the housing and configured to control the at least one high-density indicator and each of the low-density indicators based upon predefined criteria. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of low-density connectors comprise single fiber connectors. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 2, wherein the single fiber connectors comprise LC, FC, SC and ST connectors. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 1, wherein the at least one high-density fiber connector comprises a multi-fiber connector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 1, wherein the at least one high-density fiber connector comprises at least one MPO connector. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 1, wherein the at least one high density fiber connector comprises at least one MXC connector. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 1, wherein the fiber optic cable assembly comprises a hydra cable. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 1, wherein the fiber optic cable assembly comprises a fanout cable. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 1, wherein the fiber optic cable assembly comprises a breakout cable. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 1, wherein the at least one high-density indicator comprises at least one LED. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 1, wherein the low-density indicator associated with each of the low-density connector pairs comprises a LED. ### Claim 12 A network connectivity appliance comprising: a housing having a front panel and a rear panel; at least one patch panel module positioned in the housing, the at least one patch panel module comprising: at least one high-density adapter positioned to be accessible from the rear panel; at least one high-density indicator positioned in close proximity to the at least one high-density adapter, wherein each high-density indicator is visible from an exterior of the rear panel; a plurality of low-density adapters positioned to be accessible from the front panel, the plurality of low-density adapters being arranged in low-density connector pairs; a low-density indicator associated with each of the low-density connector pairs, wherein each low-density indicator is positioned in close proximity to its respective low-density connector pair, and wherein each low-density indicator is visible from an exterior of the front panel; a fiber optic cable assembly having a one end connected to the at least one high-density connector and that splits fiber connections from the at least one high-density connector to the plurality of low-density connectors; and a management module positioned within the housing and configured to control the at least one high-density indicator and each of the low-density indicators based upon predefined criteria. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 12, wherein the plurality of low-density connectors comprise single fiber connectors. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 13, wherein the single fiber connectors comprise LC, FC, SC and ST connectors. ### Claim 15 (depends on 12) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 12, wherein the at least one high-density fiber connector comprises a multi-fiber connector. ### Claim 16 (depends on 12) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 12, wherein the at least one high-density fiber connector comprises at least one MPO connector. ### Claim 17 (depends on 12) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 12, wherein the at least one high density fiber connector comprises at least one MXC connector. ### Claim 18 (depends on 12) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 12, wherein the fiber optic cable assembly comprises a hydra cable. ### Claim 19 (depends on 12) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 12, wherein the fiber optic cable assembly comprises a fanout cable. ### Claim 20 (depends on 12) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 12, wherein the fiber optic cable assembly comprises a breakout cable. ### Claim 21 (depends on 12) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 12, wherein the at least one high-density indicator comprises at least one LED. ### Claim 22 (depends on 12) The network connectivity appliance according to claim 12, wherein the low-density indicator associated with each of the low-density connector pairs comprises a LED.