CA2010865C

CA2010865C - Connectivity management system

Info

Publication number: CA2010865C
Application number: CA 2010865
Authority: CA
Inventors: Dolan M. Lemaster
Original assignee: COMMUNICATIONS INTEGRATORS Inc
Current assignee: COMMUNICATIONS INTEGRATORS Inc
Priority date: 1990-01-17
Filing date: 1990-02-23
Publication date: 2000-07-18
Anticipated expiration: 2010-02-23
Also published as: CA2010865A1

Abstract

A system for integrating and modularizing wiring within a building is provided herein. A unitized destination terminal integrates a diverse assortment of communication connectivity needs with power distribution. The terminal mounts near a work surface in each one of a multiplicity of work areas within a building. An integrated communication cable bundle transports a variety of different communication circuits away from the work areas towards a common communication distribution area. The integrated communication cable bundle is routed through an integrated raceway, which manages the placement and housing of communication systems as a unit that additionally includes power distribution systems. Cabinets, at the common communication distribution area and at a central connectivity area for the building, terminate communication cabling at a variety of socket connectors. The central connectivity area couples e.g., to PBX, mainframe computer controllers, or other connectivity devices. A variety of jumper cables mate with the socket connectors in a selectable and easily-alterable pattern to couple the connectivity devices, e.g., a PBX, to the unitized destination terminals in the work areas. Extensive modularization and off site connectorization permit such system to be installed quickly and inexpensively without the use of highly-skilled electricians.
The extensive connectorization, as opposed to hard-wiring, and integrated management of a wide assortment of communication channels promotes flexibility.

Description

'~ 2010865 (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 ~. ~ 2o~oss5 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.

20108fi5 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 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.

r~ 2010865 s 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 !' 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 ....e 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 i'.

s 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 2o~oss5 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, ''~ r 2010865 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.

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.
T.

2o~oes~

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 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 20108fi5 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 -~ 2o~oes5 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 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 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 ,.
~#, 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 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 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.

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 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 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 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.

To maintain wirelcables 30 in a neat array, a vertical wire managerlslot box 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.:, , 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 ~._' ,,..., 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 (..

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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 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 . ~:

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 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~

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 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 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:

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 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.

Claims

1. A connectivity management system for installation cost-effectiveness and for future flexibility in distributing power and communication wiring to a plurality of work areas, said connectivity management system comprising:
a unitized destination terminal at each of said work areas, each unitized destination terminal having a breakout box with respective voice, data, local area network (LAN), and power connectors, and an escutcheon box which is flexibly-attached to said break-out box, said escutcheon box housing voice, data, LAN, and power connectors being electrically-coupled to said voice, data, LAN, and power connectors, respectively, of said break-out box;
an integrated communication cable bundle for each said unitized destination terminal, each said integrated communication cable bundle comprising a first cable having a connector which is coupled to said voice connector of said escutcheon box, a second cable having a connector which is coupled to said data connector of said escutcheon box, and a third cable having a connector which is coupled to said LAN
connector of said escutcheon box, said first and second cables being attached to opposing sides of said third cable;
an integrated connectivity distribution raceway having a power channel and a communication channel formed therein, said integrated communication cable bundles residing within said communication channel, and a power cable residing within said power channel, said integrated connectivity distribution raceway additionally having a plurality of raceway connectors which are mounted thereto proximate to said power channel, said raceway connectors being coupled to said power cable; and a power whip for each said unitized destination terminal, each power whip having a power cable, a first connector coupled to one of said plurality of connectors which is mounted to said integrated connectivity distribution raceway, and a second connector which is coupled to said power connector of said escutcheon box.

2. The connectivity management system as claimed in claim 1, additionally comprising an integrated voice-data panel having a predetermined number of connector triplets mounted thereon, wherein:

each connector triplet is associated with one of said integrated communication cable bundles; and each connector triplet comprises a voice connector which is coupled to said first cable of said integrated communication cable bundle, a data connector which is coupled to said second cable of said integrated communication cable bundle, and a LAN
connector which is coupled to said third cable of said integrated communication cable bundle.

3. The connectivity management system as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, additionally comprising:
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 said pairs of voice wires couple to each of said voice interconnect panel connectors;
a plurality of voice jumper cables, each voice jumper cable coupling a selected one of said voice connectors of said connector triplets to a selected one of said 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 said pairs of data wires couple to each of said data interconnect panel connectors; and a plurality of data jumper cables, each data jumper cable coupling a selected one of said data connectors of said connector triplets to a unique one of said data interconnect panel connectors.

4. The connectivity management system as claimed in claim 1, claim 2 or claim 3, additionally comprising:
a voice distribution panel having a multiplicity of connectors which are mounted thereon so that said predetermined number of said pairs of voice wires couple to each of said 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 said voice distribution panel connectors and selected ones of said voice cross-connect cabinet connectors;
a data distribution panel having a multiplicity of connectors which are mounted thereon so that said predetermined number of said pairs of data wires couple to each of said 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 said data distribution panel connectors and selected ones of said data cross-connect cabinet connectors.

5. The connectivity management system as claimed in claim 4, wherein:
said first cables of each of said integrated communication cable bundles, of said voice jumper cables, and of said voice interconnect cable all bear a common first visible indicia; and said second cables of each of said integrated communication cable bundles, of said data jumper cables, and of said data interconnect cable all bear a second visible indicia, said second visible indicia differing from said first visible indicia,

6. The connectivity management system as claimed in claim 4 or claim 5, wherein:
said first cables of each of said integrated communication cable bundles, of said voice interconnect panel connectors, of said voice jumper cables, and of said voice distribution panel connectors each include at least four pairs of conductors;
and said second cables of each of said integrated communication cable bundles, of said data interconnect panel connectors, of said data jumper cables, and of said data distribution panel connectors each include at least four pairs of conductors.

7. The connectivity management system as claimed in claim 4, claim 5 or claim 6, wherein:
said data connector of said unitized destination terminal couples to first, second, third and fourth pairs of wires and forms a unitized destination terminal 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 said predetermined shape, wherein:
said first pair couples to contacts in said fourth and fifth positions;
said second pair couples to contacts in said first and second positions;
said third pair couples to contacts in said third and sixth positions; and said fourth pair couples to contacts in said seventh and eighth positions;
and a second socket having substantially said predetermined physical shape and contacts which are positioned substantially at said second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, and seventh positions relative to said shape, wherein:
said first pair couples to contacts in said second and seventh positions;
said second pair couples to contacts in said fourth and fifth positions; and said fourth pair couples to contacts in said third and sixth positions.

8. The connectivity management system as claimed in claim 7, wherein each said connector of said data distribution panel forms a distribution panel connector and an appearance having substantially the same configuration as exhibited by said unitized destination terminal connector appearance.

9. A unitized destination terminal 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, said unitized destination terminal comprising:
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, said breakout box being configured for installation proximate to said work surface of said work area;
first, second and third cables, wherein each of said cables has first and second ends, and said first ends of said first, second and third cables couple to said first, second and third connectors, respectively;
a first flexible duct having first and second ends, said first end of said first flexible duct being attached to said breakout box, and said first, second and third cables being routed through said first flexible duct; and an escutcheon box which is coupled to said second end of said first flexible duct, said escutcheon box housing fourth, fifth and sixth connectors which are coupled to said second ends of said first, second and third cables, respectively, said escutcheon box being configured for installation proximate to one of said floor and said ceiling of said work area.

10. The unitized destination terminal as claimed in claim 9, additionally comprising a fourth cable which is routed through said first flexible duct having first and second ends, and wherein:
said breakout box additionally has a seventh connector which is configured for transmission of local area network (LAN) communication, said first end of said fourth cable being coupled to said seventh connector; and said escutcheon box additionally houses an eighth connector which is coupled to said second end of said fourth cable.

11. The unitized destination terminal as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, additionally comprising a second flexible duct, which is routed within said first flexible duct, for placement of additional cables between said breakout box and said escutcheon box.

12. The unitized destination terminal as claimed in claim 9, claim 10 or claim 11, wherein at least one of said second and third cable includes first, second, third and fourth pairs of wires, and a corresponding one of said 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 said predetermined shape, wherein:
said first pair couples to contacts in said fourth and fifth positions, said second pair couples to contacts in said first and second positions, said third pair couples to contacts in said third and sixth positions, and said fourth pair couples to contacts in said seventh and eighth positions;
and a second socket having substantially said predetermined physical shape and contacts which are positioned substantially at said second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh positions relative to said shape, wherein:
said first pair couples to contacts in said second and seventh positions;
said second pair couples to contacts in said fourth and fifth positions;
and said fourth pair couples to contacts in said third and sixth positions.

13. The unitized destination terminal as claimed in claim 12, wherein said connector appearance additionally comprises:
a third socket having substantially said predetermined physical shape and contacts which are positioned substantially at said third, fourth, fifth and sixth positions relative to said shape, wherein:
said first pair couples to contacts in said third and sixth positions;
and said third pair couples to contacts in said fourth and fifth positions.

14. The unitized destination terminal as claimed in claims 9 to 13, wherein said fourth connector of said first cable is configured to transmit at least two independent power circuits, and wherein said breakout box additionally has a seventh connector which is configured for transmission of power, said seventh connector being coupled to said first cable.

15. The unitized destination terminal as claimed in claims 9 to 14, additionally comprising:
a fifth cable having first and second ends;
an eighth connector which is coupled to said first end of said fifth cable;
a flexible conduit having first and second ends, said first end of said flexible conduit being attached to said eighth connector, and said fifth cable being routed through said flexible conduit; and a second breakout box which is attached to said second end of said flexible conduit, said second breakout box having a ninth connector which is coupled to said second end of said fifth cable.

16. A unitized destination terminal 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, said unitized destination terminal comprising 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, said first breakout box being configured for installation proximate to said work surface of said work area;
first, second and third cables, wherein:
each of said cables has first and second ends;
said first ends of said first, and second cables couple to said first, and second connectors, respectively;
said third cable is configured to convey at least two independent power circuits, one of said two independent power circuits being coupled to said third connector and another of said two independent power circuits being coupled to said fourth connector;
a fourth cable having first and second ends;
a fifth connector which is coupled to said first end of said fourth cable and which is configured to mate with said fourth connector;
a flexible conduit having first and second ends, said first end of said flexible conduit being attached to said fifth connector, and said fourth cable being routed through said flexible conduit; and a second breakout box which is attached to said second end of said flexible conduit, said second breakout box having a sixth connector which is coupled to said second end of said fourth cable, remotely to locate power from said first breakout box.

17. The unitized destination terminal as claimed in claim 16, additionally comprising a fifth cable, and wherein said first breakout box additionally has a seventh connector which is configured for transmission of local area network (LAN) communication, said fifth cable being coupled to said seventh connector.

18. The unitized destination terminal as claimed in claim 16, or claim 17, wherein at least one of said first cable and said second cable includes first, second, third and fourth pairs of wires, and a corresponding one of said first connector and said second 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 said predetermined shape, wherein:
said first pair couples to contacts in said fourth and fifth positions;
said second pair couples to contacts in said first and second positions;
said third pair couples to contacts in said third and sixth positions; and said fourth pair couples to contacts in said seventh and eighth positions;
and a second socket having substantially said predetermined physical shape and contacts which are positioned substantially at said second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh positions relative to said shape, wherein:
said first pair couples to contacts in said second and seventh positions;
said second pair couples to contacts in said fourth and fifth positions;
and said fourth pair couples to contacts in said third and sixth positions.

19. The unitized destination terminal as claimed in claim 18, wherein said connector appearance additionally comprises:
a third socket having substantially said predetermined physical shape and contacts which are positioned substantially at said third, fourth, fifth and sixth positions relative to said shape, wherein:
said first pair couples to contacts in said third and sixth positions;
and said third pair couples to contacts in said fourth and fifth positions.

20. An integrated communications cable bundle 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, said integrated communications cable bundle comprising:
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, said first and second cables being attached to said third cable on opposing sides of said third cable.

21. The integrated communications cable bundle as claimed in claim 20, wherein:
said first cable comprises a plurality of voice pair wires, wherein each of said voice pair wires are twisted together; and said second cable comprises a plurality of data pair wires, wherein each of said data pair wires are twisted together.

22. The integrated communications cable bundle as claimed in claim 20 or claim 21, wherein:
said first cable includes at least four voice wire pairs within a first common jacket, said first common jacket bearing a first visible indicia; and said second cable includes at least four data wire pairs within a second common jacket, said second common jacket bearing a second visible indicia which differs from said first visible indicia.

23. The integrated communications cable bundle as claimed in claim 20, claim 21 or claim 22, wherein each of said 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 said data wire pairs to reduce bipolar cross-talk between said data wire pairs.

24. The integrated communications cable bundle as claimed in claims 20 to 23, wherein said first and second cables are configured so that electrical characteristics of said first cable are substantially the same as electrical characteristics of said second cable.

25. The integrated communications cable bundle as claimed in claims 20 to 24, wherein said third cable comprises:
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 said first local area network (LAN) pair and said second local area network (LAN) pair; and a local area network (LAN) jacket which is made from a plastic material, said local area network (LAN) jacket surrounding said first local area network (LAN) pair, said second local area network (LAN) pair and said drain wire.

26. The integrated electrical cable bundle as claimed in claim 25, wherein said local area network (LAN) jacket is comprised of polyvinyldene fluoride and is dimensioned to a minimum thickness of 0.009 inches.

27. The integrated communications cable bundle as claimed in claim 25 or claim 26, wherein:
said first cable includes at least four voice wire pairs within a voice jacket, said voice jacket bearing a first visible indicia;
said second cable includes at least four data wire pairs within a data jacket, said data jacket bearing a second visible indicia which differs from said first visible indicia;
and said local area network (LAN) jacket bears a third visible indicia, said third indicia differing from said first and second visible indicia.

28. An integrated communications cable bundle 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, said integrated communications cable bundle comprising:
a first cable having first and second insulated wires which are twisted together and which are surrounded by a first conductive foil;
a second cable 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 said first and said second pair; and a jacket which is made from a plastic material, said jacket surrounding said first cable, said second cable and said drain wire.

29. The integrated communications cable bundle as claimed in claim 28, wherein said jacket is comprised of polyvinylidene fluoride.

30. The integrated communications cable bundle as claimed in claim 29, wherein said jacket has a minimum thickness of 0.009 inches.

31. An integrated connectivity distribution raceway 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 wires and power wires, said integrated connectivity distribution raceway comprising:
a plurality of walls/panels of said integrated connectivity distribution raceway which are configured so that:
a first portion of said walls/panels substantially enclose a power channel;
and a second portion of said walls define a communication channel, said communication channel being substantially-open on a top side thereof, said first and second portions of said walls/panels having a common wall/panel;
communication wiring residing within said communication channel, said communication wiring being configured for transmission of electrical communication signals;
a power cable residing within said power channel, said power cable being configured for transmission of electrical power; and a connector which is mounted to said first portion of said walls/panels proximate to said power channel and having contacts which are coupled to said power cable.

32. The integrated connectivity distribution raceway as claimed in claim 31, wherein said walls/panels of said integrated connectivity distribution raceway are further configured so that a third portion of said walls/panels substantially-enclose a second power channel, and said integrated connectivity distribution raceway additionally comprises:
a second power cable residing within said second power channel, said second power cable being configured for transmission of electrical power; and a second connector which is mounted to said third position of said walls/panels proximate to said second power channel, said second connector having contacts which are coupled to said second power cable.

33. The integrated connectivity distribution raceway as claimed in claim 31 or claim 32, wherein:
one of said first portion of said walls/panels serves as a first exterior side wall/panel for said integrated connectivity distribution raceway;
one of said third portion of said walls/panels serves as a second exterior side wall/panel for said integrated connectivity distribution raceway, said first and said second exterior side walls opposing one another; and said first connector and said second connector mount to said first and said second exterior walls, respectively, of said integrated connectivity distribution raceway.

34. The integrated connectivity distribution raceway as claimed in claim 31, claim 32 or claim 33, wherein said power cable and said connector are mutually-configured to convey at least two independent electrical power circuits.

35. The integrated connectivity distribution raceway as claimed in claim 34, wherein said power cable and said connector are mutually-configured to convey four independent electrical power circuits.

36. The integrated connectivity distribution raceway as claimed in claims 31 to 35, wherein:
one wall/panel of said second portion of said walls/panels serves as an exterior side wall/panel for said integrated connectivity distribution raceway;
said one of said walls/panels has a plurality of slots therein; and said communication wiring exits said communication channel of said integrated connectivity distribution raceway at one of said slots.

37. The integrated connectivity distribution raceway as claimed in claim 31 to claim 36, wherein said walls/panels of said integrated connectivity distribution raceway are further configured so that a third portion of said walls/panels defines a second communication channel, said second communication channel being substantially-open on a top side thereof, and said second and said third portions of said walls/panels having a common wall/panel.

38. The integrated connectivity distribution raceway as claimed in claim 37, wherein said common wall/panel between said second and said third portions of said walls/panels is a conductive wall/panel.

39. The integrated connectivity distribution raceway as claimed in claims 37 to 38, wherein said communication channel resides above said power channel.

40. The integrated connectivity distribution raceway as claimed in claims 31 to 39, wherein said common wall/panel between said first and said second portions of said walls/panels is a conductive wall/panel to reduce electrical interference between said power cable and said communication wiring.

41. The integrated connectivity distribution raceway as claimed in claims 31 to 40, wherein said communication wiring includes a multiplicity of integrated communications cable bundles, wherein each of said integrated communications cable bundle comprises:
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, said first and second cables being attached to said third cable on opposing sides of said third cable.

42. The integrated connectivity distribution raceway as claimed in claims 31 to 40, wherein said communication wiring forms an integrated communications cable bundle comprising:
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, said first and second cables being attached to said third cable on opposing sides of said third cable.

43. The integrated connectivity distribution raceway as claimed in claim 41 or claim 42, wherein:
said first cable comprises a plurality of voice pairs of wires, wherein each of said voice pairs of wires are twisted together; and said second cable comprises a plurality of data pairs of wires, wherein each of said data pairs of wires are twisted together.

44. The integrated connectivity distribution raceway as claimed in claims 41 to 43, wherein said third cable comprises:
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 said first local area network (LAN) pair and said second local area network (LAN) pair; and a local area network (LAN)jacket which is made from a synthetic plastic material, said local area network (LAN) jacket surrounding said first local area network (LAN) pair and said second local area network (LAN) pair and said drain wire.

45. The integrated connectivity distribution raceway as claimed in claim 42 or claim 43, wherein said jacket is comprised of polyvinyldene fluoride.

46. A communication connector appearance for installation cost-effectiveness and for future flexibility in distributing power and communication wiring to a plurality of work areas, to terminate said first, second, third, and fourth pairs of wires, said communication 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 said predetermined shape, wherein:
said first pair couples to contacts in said fourth and fifth positions;
said second pair couples to contacts in said first and second positions;
said third pair couples to contacts in said third and sixth positions; and said fourth pair couples to contacts in said seventh and eighth positions;
and a second socket having substantially said predetermined physical shape and contacts which are positioned substantially at said second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth and seventh positions relative to said shape, wherein:
said first pair couples to contacts in said second and seventh positions;

said second pair couples to contacts in said fourth and fifth positions;
and said fourth pair couples to contacts in said third and sixth positions.

47. The communication connector appearance as claimed in claim 46, additionally comprising:
a third socket having substantially said predetermined physical shape and contacts which are positioned substantially at said third, fourth, fifth and sixth positions relative to said shape, wherein:
said first pair couples to contacts in said third and sixth positions, and said third pair couples to contacts in said fourth and fifth positions.

48. The communication connector appearance as claimed in claim 46 or claim 47, wherein said predetermined physical shape of said first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth positions are co-operatively-configured to mate with a standard modular telephone plug.

49. A method of managing power, voice communication, data communication and local area network (LAN) communication connectivity within a building having a multiplicity of work areas, adapted for installation cost-effectiveness and for future flexibility in distributing power and communication wiring to a plurality of work areas, said method comprising the steps of:
transporting voice, data and local area network (LAN) communications through an integrated communications cable bundle from a central panel to a unitized destination terminal located at one of said work areas;
routing said integrated communications cable bundle with electrical power through a integrated connectivity distribution raceway, said electrical power being accessed at a plurality of raaceway connectors which are mounted to said integrated connectivity distribution raceway;
coupling said voice, data and local area network (LAN) communications from said integrated communications cable bundle to said unitized destination terminal through mating connectors which are attached to said integrated communications cable bundle and to said unitized destination terminal;

distributing said electrical power from said integrated connectivity distribution raceway to said unitized destination terminal through a power whip having a first connector which is mated with one of said raceway connectors and a second connector which is mated with a connector which is attached to said unitized destination terminal;
and presenting said power, voice communication, data communication and local area network (LAN) communication to one of said work areas from connectors which are mounted in said unitized destination terminal.

50. The method as claimed in claim 49, additionally comprising the steps of:
wiring and connectorizing said unitized destination terminal at a location which is remote from said building;
wiring and connectorizing said integrated communications cable bundle at a location which is remote from said building; and wiring and connectorized said power whip at a location which is remote from said building.

51. The method as claimed in claim 49 or claim 50, wherein said transporting step utilizes a multiplicity of integrated communications cable bundles to transport voice, data, and local area network (LAN) communications from said central panel to a corresponding multiplicity of unitized destination terminals, each of said unitized destination terminals being located at its own one of said work areas.

52. The method as claimed in claim 51, wherein:
each of said integrated communications cable bundles include a voice cable, a data cable and a local area network (LAN) cable;
each of said voice, data and local area network (LAN) cable has two ends; and said method additionally comprises the step of attaching labels having unique cable nomenclatures to each of said voice, data and local area network (LAN) cables, said labels being attached in duplicate at said first and second ends thereof.

53. The method as claimed in claim 49, claim 51 or claim 52, additionally comprising the steps of:
wiring and connectorizing said unitized destination terminal at a location which is remote from said building;

wiring and connectorizing said integrated communications cable bundle at a location which is remote from said building; and attaching said labels at a location which is remote from said building.

54. The method as claimed in claims 49 to 53, additionally comprising the steps of:
assigning unique building-grid nomenclatures to each of said work areas of said building to identify said work areas of said building; and for, each of said cables of said integrated communications cable bundle, associating, in a data table, said cable nomenclature of said cable with a building-grid nomenclature that identifies the work area at which said corresponding unitized destination terminal is located.

55. The method as claimed in claims 49 to 54, wherein said central panel includes a connector triplet having voice, data and local area network (LAN) connectors therein which are coupled to each of said multiplicity of integrated communications cable bundles, and said method additionally comprises the steps of:
routing voice communication from voice connectors of said central panel to selected voice connectors of a voice interconnect panel using voice jumper cables;
routing data communication from data connectors of said 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 said voice and data jumper cables;
assigning unique central panel nomenclatures to each of said connector triplets of said central panel;
assigning unique interconnect panel nomenclatures to each of said voice and data interconnect panels, respectively; and for, each of said voice and data cables of said integrated communications cable bundles, associating, in said data table, said connector triplet nomenclature, said jumper nomenclature, and said interconnect panel nomenclature which identify a circuit connection for voice and data communications carried by said voice and data cables, respectively.