Indicia and method for identifying telecommunications components

Abstract

Indicia elements are added to telecommunications components to identify the source of the telecommunications component. Indicia elements can include at least one of a logo, a specific color (e.g. a color different from a non-indicative base color of the telecommunications component), text information, a barcode, a QR code, and a RFID tag. The indicia elements can aid in identifying or tracing network connections, identifying types of connectors and/or cables, labeling the network connections, and identifying a network operator in a multi-network environment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An indicia element for a telecommunications system, the indicia element comprising:
 a main body that includes a feature that is identifying of the source of a telecommunications component, wherein the feature is at least one of a logo, a specific color, text information, a barcode, a QR code, and a RFID tag;   a first arm extending from a first side of the main body, the first arm having a first end connected to the first side of the main body by a first bridge and a second end connected to the first side of the main body by a second bridge;   a second arm extending from a second side of the main body, the second side being opposite the main body from the first side, the second arm having a first end connected the second side of the main body by a third bridge and a second end connected to the second side of the main body by a fourth bridge;   a first recess defined by the first arm, the first side of the main body, the first bridge, and the second bridge; and   a second recess defined by the second arm, the second side of the main body, the third bridge, and the fourth bridge.   
     
     
         2 . The indicia element of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm and the second arm each include a holder engaging feature. 
     
     
         3 . The indicia element of  claim 2 , wherein the holder engaging features each include a pair of ramped surfaces. 
     
     
         4 . The indicia element of  claim 3 , wherein the holder engaging features each include a rectangular channel positioned between the pair of ramped surfaces. 
     
     
         5 . The indicia element of  claim 1 , wherein the first arm and the second arm are flexible. 
     
     
         6 . The indicia element of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the first arm and the second arm are configured to be irreparably damaged if the indicia element is tampered with. 
     
     
         7 . The indicia element of  claim 1 , wherein each holder engaging feature is configured to mate with a corresponding indicia element engaging feature on an indicia element holder of a telecommunications component. 
     
     
         8 . The indicia element of  claim 7 , wherein the indicia element engaging feature is a projection including at least one ramped side and at least one non-ramped side. 
     
     
         9 . The indicia element of  claim 8 , wherein the holder engaging feature of the indicia element includes at least one ramped surface outside of the rectangular channel. 
     
     
         10 . The indicia element of  claim 9 , wherein the indicia element holder of the telecommunications component is integral with the telecommunications component, and wherein the indicia element holder includes a pair of channels to secure the pair of arms of the indicia element therewithin. 
     
     
         11 . An indicia element for a telecommunications system, the indicia element comprising:
 a main body that includes a feature that is identifying of the source of a telecommunications component, wherein the feature is at least one of a logo, a specific color, text information, a barcode, a QR code, and a RFID tag; and   a pair of engaging arms at opposite sides of the indicia element, each arm extending away from a main body of the indicia element, each arm being separated from the main body by at least one recess, and each arm including at least one holder engaging feature, the holder engaging feature including a pair of ramped surfaces and a rectangular channel positioned therebetween.   
     
     
         12 . The indicia element of  claim 11 , wherein the main body includes a recess disposed in a rear side of the main body. 
     
     
         13 . The indicia element of  claim 12 , wherein the recess of the main body is configured to hold the RFID tag therein. 
     
     
         14 . The indicia element of  claim 11 , wherein each holder engaging feature is configured to mate with a corresponding indicia element engaging feature on an indicia element holder of a telecommunications component. 
     
     
         15 . The indicia element of  claim 14 , wherein each arm is configured to flex inwardly into the recess when contacted by the indicia element engaging feature on the indicia element holder of the telecommunications component. 
     
     
         16 . The indicia element of  claim 14 , wherein the indicia element holder includes a pair of channels to secure the pair of arms of the indicia element therewithin. 
     
     
         17 . The indicia element of  claim 11 , wherein at least one of the pair of arms of the indicia element is configured to be irreparably damaged if tampered with. 
     
     
         18 . The indicia element of  claim 11 , wherein each arm is configured to be retained by a corresponding indicia element engaging feature on an indicia element holder of a telecommunications component. 
     
     
         19 . The indicia element of  claim 18 , wherein the indicia element holder of the telecommunications component is integral with the telecommunications component. 
     
     
         20 . The indicia element of  claim 19 , wherein the indicia element holder includes at least one channel to secure at least one of the arms of the indicia element within.