Cable identification using a unique signal carried on an external conductor
First Claim
1. A cable identification system, comprising:
- A cable having a plurality of conductors, all but one of the conductors enclosed in a shield conductor, the remaining additional conductor positioned external to the outer surface of the shield conductor, the cable having a first and second electrical connector, wherein the first electrical connector is adapted to connect the plurality of conductors to a first mating connector associated with a signal generator;
the signal generator adapted to connect the second electrical connector to a second mating connector electrically coupled to a network device, the signal generator configured to generate and transmit a unique signal over the remaining additional conductor, wherein the signal generator comprises a memory unit to store a unique identification number and the signal generator is configured to include logic and control operations to repeatedly transmit the unique signal over the remaining additional conductor after a predetermined time, wherein the unique signal comprises the unique identification number; and
a portable device configured to detect the unique signal when positioned adjacent the cable at any point along the cable.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A cable identification system is provided. The cable identification system includes a cable having a plurality of conductors with an electrical connector secured to at least one end. All but one of the conductors are enclosed in a shield conductor. The remaining additional conductor is positioned external to the outer surface of the shield conductor. The electrical connector is adapted to connect the plurality of conductors to a mating connector. The cable identification system further includes a signal generator adapted to connect the electrical connector to the mating connector. The signal generator is configured to generate and transmit a unique signal over the additional conductor in the cable. The cable identification system further includes a portable device configured to detect the unique signal when positioned adjacent the cable at any point along the cable.
76 Citations
13 Claims
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1. A cable identification system, comprising:
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A cable having a plurality of conductors, all but one of the conductors enclosed in a shield conductor, the remaining additional conductor positioned external to the outer surface of the shield conductor, the cable having a first and second electrical connector, wherein the first electrical connector is adapted to connect the plurality of conductors to a first mating connector associated with a signal generator; the signal generator adapted to connect the second electrical connector to a second mating connector electrically coupled to a network device, the signal generator configured to generate and transmit a unique signal over the remaining additional conductor, wherein the signal generator comprises a memory unit to store a unique identification number and the signal generator is configured to include logic and control operations to repeatedly transmit the unique signal over the remaining additional conductor after a predetermined time, wherein the unique signal comprises the unique identification number; and a portable device configured to detect the unique signal when positioned adjacent the cable at any point along the cable. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method for identifying cables, comprising:
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providing a cable having a plurality of conductors, all but one of the conductors enclosed in a shield conductor, the remaining additional conductor positioned external to the outer surface of the shield conductor, the cable having a first and second electrical connector, wherein the first electrical connector is adapted to connect the plurality of conductors in the cable to a first mating connector associated with a signal generator; connecting the signal generator between the second electrical connector and a second mating connector electrically coupled to a network device at at least one end of the cable, wherein the signal generator is configured to generate and transmit a unique signal over the additional conductor in the cable, wherein the signal generator comprises a memory unit to store a unique identification number and the signal generator is configured to include logic and control operations to repeatedly transmit the unique signal over the remaining additional conductor after a predetermined time, wherein the unique signal comprises the unique identification number; storing an association between the unique signal and the network device in a repository; identifying the unique signal using a portable device configured to detect the unique signal by positioning the portable device adjacent the cable at any point along the cable; retrieving the association between the unique signal and the network device from the repository; and using a comparison of the retrieved association and the identified unique signal that has been detected to identify the cable. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification