Telecommunications patching system that utilizes RFID tags to detect and identify patch cord interconnections

A telecommunications patching system, comprising:

• a patch panel comprising a plurality of connector ports;
• a plurality of patch cords configured to selectively interconnect pairs of the connector ports, wherein each patch cord comprises opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end, wherein each connector is configured to be removably secured within a connector port, and wherein each connector of a respective patch cord comprises an RFID tag, and wherein the RFID tags for a respective patch cord have the same unique identifier stored therewithin;
• an RFID reader;
• and
• a plurality of RF antennas, wherein each RF antenna is attached to the patch panel adjacent a respective one of the connector ports, wherein each RF antenna emits RF signals configured to cause a patch cord connector RFID tag to transmit its identifier when excited by emitted RF signals, wherein each RF antenna detects transmitted identifiers of patch cord connector RFID tags when a patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, a respective one of the connector ports, and wherein each RF antenna transmits detected RFID tag identifiers to the RFID reader,
• wherein the RFID tag for a patch cord connector comprises an antenna coil that defines an axis that is substantially parallel with an axis of a cord connected to the patch cord connector, and
• wherein each connector port comprises a manual signal button and tracing circuitry, and wherein when a manual signal button for a connector port containing an end of a patch cord is activated by a user, the tracing circuitry locates a connector port in which an opposite end of the patch cord is located.

A telecommunications patching system, comprising:

• a patch panel comprising a plurality of connector ports;
• a communications network device comprising a communications port;
• a patch cord configured to selectively interconnect one of the connector ports with the network device communications port, wherein the patch cord comprises opposite ends and a respective connector secured to each end, and wherein each connector has an RFID tag with the same unique identifier stored therewithin;
• an RFID reader;
• a first RF antenna associated with the connector ports, wherein the first RF antenna emits RF signals configured to cause a patch cord connector RFID tag to transmit its identifier when excited by the emitted RF signals, wherein the first RF antenna detects the transmitted identifier of a patch cord connector RFID tag when a patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, one of the connector ports, and wherein the first RF antenna transmits detected RFID tag identifiers to the RFID reader;
• and
• a second RF antenna associated with the network device communications port, wherein the second RF antenna emits RF signals configured to cause a patch cord connector RFID tag to transmit its identifier when excited by the emitted RF signals, wherein the second RF antenna detects the transmitted identifier of a patch cord connector RFID tag when a patch cord connector is inserted within, and removed from, the network device communications port, and wherein the second RF antenna transmits detected RFID tag identifiers to the RFID reader,
• wherein at least one of the connector ports comprises a manual signal button and tracing circuitry, and wherein when a manual signal button for a connector port containing an end of a patch cord is activated by a user, the tracing circuitry locates a connector port in which an opposite end of the patch cord is located.