Radio frequency identification of a connector by a patch panel or other similar structure

• US 7,458,517 B2
• Filed: 03/13/2005
• Issued: 12/02/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 04/02/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Stratos International Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Original Assignee: Stratos International Incorporated (Emerson Electric Company)
• Inventors: Durrant, Richard C. E., Fitzgibbon, Maurice
• Primary Examiner(s): Hess; Daniel A
• Application Number:
  US11/078,532
• Publication Number:
  US 20050231325A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,360 Days
• Field of Search: 235/492, 3405721-5729, 340/687
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3807 Dismountable connectors, i.e. comprising plugs
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/381 of the ferrule type, e.g. fibre ends embedded in ferrules, connecting a pair of fibres
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/385 Accessories for testing or observation of connectors means for centering or aligning the light guide within the ferrule with auxiliary facilities for movably aligning or adjusting the fibre within its ferrule, measuring position, eccentricity G02B6/3843; mechanical features associated with the optical testing of optical fibres G01M11/088
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3895 identification of connection, e.g. right plug to the right socket or full engagement of the mating parts keying element on the plug or adapter G02B6/3831; keying element on the ferrule G02B6/3851; keying element for electrical connection H01R13/64
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 10/25758 between a central unit and a single remote unit by means of an optical fibre

Abstract

The device includes a fiber optic cable, a transponder, a panel, an antenna, and a transceiver. The transponder is attached to a fiber optic connector of the fiber optic cable. The antenna is positioned adjacent to the panel. The transceiver is electrically connected to the antenna, the transceiver is able to activate the transponder thus enabling the transceiver to read the information deposited with the transponder. Information deposited with the transponder can include information related to the length of the fiber optic cable, information related to the industrial standard to which the fiber optic connector conforms, information related to the predetermined optical fiber grade of the optical fiber of the fiber optic cable, information related to the specific purchase date of the fiber optic cable, or information related to the warranty of the fiber optic cable.

Claims

1. A device comprising:

a fiber optic cable having a fiber optic connector, and wherein the fiber optic connector conforms to the LC standard;

a transponder including a transponder antenna and an integrated circuit chip attached to the transponder antenna;

a first adhesive material interposed between, and contacting, both the transponder and the fiber optic connector so as to affix the transponder to the fiber optic connector;

a substrate adapted for attachment to a panel of a host device, the substrate constructed of a polymer material;

an antenna including a portion having a shape of a spiraling square, the antenna constructed of a copper material;

a second adhesive material interposed between, and contacting, both the antenna and the substrate so as to attach the antenna to the substrate; and

a transceiver electrically connected to the antenna attached to the substrate so as to form a reader which is capable of activating and interrogating the transponder when the transponder antenna is sufficiently close to the antenna attached to the substrate, and wherein

the fiber optic cable has a length, and wherein

the transponder includes information related to the length of the fiber optic cable.

2. A device comprising:

a fiber optic cable having a fiber optic connector;

a transponder including a transponder antenna and an integrated circuit chip attached to the transponder antenna;

a first adhesive material interposed between, and contacting, both the transponder and the fiber optic connector so as to affix the transponder to the fiber optic connector;

a substrate adapted for attachment to a panel of a host device, the substrate constructed of a polymer material;

an antenna including a portion having a shape of a spiraling square, the antenna constructed of a copper material;

a second adhesive material interposed between, and contacting, both the antenna and the substrate so as to attach the antenna to the substrate; and

a transceiver electrically connected to the antenna attached to the substrate so as to form a reader which is capable of activating and interrogating the transponder when the transponder antenna is sufficiently close to the antenna attached to the substrate, and wherein

the fiber optic connector conforms to an industrial standard known as the LC standard, and wherein

the transponder includes information related to the industrial standard.

3. A device comprising:

a fiber optic cable having a fiber optic connector, and wherein the fiber optic connector conforms to the LC standard;

a transponder including a transponder antenna and an integrated circuit chip attached to the transponder antenna;

a first adhesive material interposed between, and contacting, both the transponder and the fiber optic connector so as to affix the transponder to the fiber optic connector;

a substrate adapted for attachment to a panel of a host device, the substrate constructed of a polymer material;

an antenna including a portion having a shape of a spiraling square, the antenna constructed of a copper material;

a second adhesive material interposed between, and contacting, both the antenna and the substrate so as to attach the antenna to the substrate; and

a transceiver electrically connected to the antenna attached to the substrate so as to form a reader which is capable of activating and interrogating the transponder when the transponder antenna is sufficiently close to the antenna attached to the substrate, and wherein

the fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber, and wherein the optical fiber conforms to a predetermined optical fiber grade, and wherein

the transponder includes information related to the predetermined optical fiber grade of the optical fiber of the fiber optic cable.

4. A device comprising:

a fiber optic cable having a fiber optic connector, and wherein the fiber optic connector conforms to the LC standard;

a transponder including a transponder antenna and an integrated circuit chip attached to the transponder antenna;

a first adhesive material interposed between, and contacting, both the transponder and the fiber optic connector so as to affix the transponder to the fiber optic connector;

a substrate adapted for attachment to a panel of a host device, the substrate constructed of a polymer material;

an antenna including a portion having a shape of a spiraling square, the antenna constructed of a copper material;

a second adhesive material interposed between, and contacting, both the antenna and the substrate so as to attach the antenna to the substrate; and

a transceiver electrically connected to the antenna attached to the substrate so as to form a reader which is capable of activating and interrogating the transponder when the transponder antenna is sufficiently close to the antenna attached to the substrate, and wherein

the fiber optic cable was purchased on a specified date, and wherein

the transponder includes information related to the specific purchase date of the fiber optic cable.

5. A device comprising:

a fiber optic cable having a fiber optic connector, and wherein the fiber optic connector conforms to the LC standard;

a transponder including a transponder antenna and an integrated circuit chip attached to the transponder antenna;

a first adhesive material interposed between, and contacting, both the transponder and the fiber optic connector so as to affix the transponder to the fiber optic connector;

a substrate adapted for attachment to a panel of a host device, the substrate constructed of a polymer material;

an antenna including a portion having a shape of a spiraling square, the antenna constructed of a copper material;

a second adhesive material interposed between, and contacting, both the antenna and the substrate so as to attach the antenna to the substrate; and

a transceiver electrically connected to the antenna attached to the substrate so as to form a reader which is capable of activating and interrogating the transponder when the transponder antenna is sufficiently close to the antenna attached to the substrate, and wherein

the fiber optic cable was purchased pursuant to a warranty, and wherein

the transponder includes information related to the warranty.