Networking cable tracer system

• US 7,221,284 B2
• Filed: 04/13/2005
• Issued: 05/22/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 04/13/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mertek Industries, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mertek Industries, LLC
• Inventors: Scherer, Christopher Briand, Sholtis, Jonathan Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): TRIEU, VAN THANH
• Application Number:
  US11/105,487
• Publication Number:
  US 20060232385A1
• Time in Patent Office: 769 Days
• Field of Search: 340/815.4, 340/815.45, 340/815.47, 340/815.48, 340/286.01, 340/286.02, 340/286.04, 340/310.01, 340/310.11, 324/66, 324/67, 324/539
• US Class Current: 340/815.45
• CPC Class Codes: G01R 31/69 of terminals at the end of a cable or a wire harness; of plugs; of sockets, e.g. wall sockets or power sockets in appliances

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing a tracer function for networked cable systems used in information technology. A self contained and self powered indicator circuit is described that enables tracing the location of both ends of a networked cable without the use of external test equipment.

Claims

1. An indicator circuit for signaling a cable connection between two electronic devices comprising:

a. a networking cable having a plurality of metal wire pairs encased in a flexible sheath;

b. a connection hood on each end of the networking cable;

c. an electrically activated telltale incorporated into at least one of the connection hoods and electrically connected to at least one of the metal wire pairs;

d. a battery incorporated into at least one of the connection hoods and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltale; and

e. a manually operated switch incorporated into at least one of the connection hoods and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltale.

2. The indicator circuit of claim 1 further comprising an electric circuit element incorporated into at least one of the connection hoods and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltale;

wherein the electric circuit element completes the circuit for a prescribed amount of time when activated by the manually operated switch.

3. The indicator circuit of claim 1 further comprising an integrated circuit chip, incorporated into at least one of the connection hoods and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltale;

wherein the integrated circuit chip completes the circuit for a prescribed amount of time when activated by the manually operated switch.

4. The indicator circuit of claim 3 wherein the integrated circuit chip performs the function of pulsing the power to the electrically activated telltale for the prescribed amount of time.

5. The indicator circuit of claim 4 further comprising a resistor electrically connected to the integrated circuit chip wherein the size of the resistor sets the prescribed amount of time.

6. The indicator circuit of claim 1 wherein the electrically activated telltale emits an audio signal.

7. The indicator circuit of claim 1 wherein the electrically activated telltale emits a visual signal.

8. The indicator circuit of claim 7 wherein the electrically activated telltale is selected from the group consisting of a light emitting diode, a conventional light bulb, and a liquid crystal visual indicator.

9. A networking cable for transmitting data comprising:

a. a plurality of metal wire pairs encased in a flexible sheath;

b. a connection hood on each end of the networking cable;

c. an electrically activated telltale incorporated into at least one of the connection hoods and electrically connected to at least one of the metal wire pairs;

d. a battery incorporated into at least one of the connection hoods and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltale; and

e. manually operated switch incorporated into at least one of the connection hoods and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltale.

10. The networking cable of claim 9 further comprising an electric circuit element incorporated into at least one of the connection hoods and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltale;

wherein the electric circuit element completes the circuit for a prescribed amount of time when activated by the manually operated switch.

11. The networking cable of claim 9 further comprising an integrated circuit chip, incorporated into at least one of the connection hoods and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltale;

wherein the integrated circuit chip completes the circuit for a prescribed amount of time when activated by the manually operated switch.

12. The networking cable of claim 11 wherein the integrated circuit chip performs the function of pulsing the power to the electrically activated telltale for the prescribed amount of time.

13. The networking cable of claim 12 further comprising a resistor electrically connected to the integrated circuit chip wherein the size of the resistor sets the prescribed amount of time.

14. The networking cable of claim 9 wherein the electrically activated telltale emits an audio signal.

15. The networking cable of claim 9 wherein the electrically activated telltale emits a visual signal.

16. The networking cable of claim 15 wherein the electrically activated telltale is selected from the group consisting of a light emitting diode, a conventional light bulb, and a liquid crystal visual indicator.