Networking cable tracer system

• US 9,196,975 B2
• Filed: 04/27/2011
• Issued: 11/24/2015
• Est. Priority Date: 04/29/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Mertek Industries, LLC
• Original Assignee: Mertek Industries, LLC
• Inventors: Scherer, Christopher Briand, Sholtis, Jonathon Keith
• Primary Examiner(s): PEACE, RHONDA S
• Application Number:
  US13/643,700
• Publication Number:
  US 20130039624A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,672 Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/3817 containing optical and electrical conductors cables including electrical and optical conductors H01B11/22; G02B6/3816 takes precedence
• 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: G02B 6/428 containing printed circuit boards [PCB]
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 6/562 locatable, e.g. using magnetic means
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/641 by indicating incorrect coupling; by indicating correct or full engagement
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6463 using twisted pairs of wires
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/65912 for shielded multiconductor cable coaxial cables with one conductor surrounded by shield H01R9/05; flat shielded cables H01R12/594
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/70 with built-in switch
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 43/0811 by checking connectivity

Abstract

A method and apparatus for providing a tracer function for networked cable systems used for data or power transmission. A self contained and self powered indicator circuit is described that enables tracing the location of both ends of a networked cable.

Claims

1. A networking cable for transmitting data comprising:

a. fiber optic cables encased in a flexible sheath;

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

c. at least one conducting wire deployed along the length of the fiber optic cables;

d. an electrically activated telltale incorporated into at least one of the connector hoods and electrically connected to the at least one conducting wire;

e. an electric power source incorporated into at least one of the connector hoods and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltale;

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

2. The networking cable of claim 1 further comprising:

a. an integrated circuit chip, incorporated into at least one of the connector hoods and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltale;

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

3. The networking cable of claim 2 wherein the integrated circuit chip pulses the power to the electrically activated telltale for a prescribed amount of time.

4. The networking cable of claim 1 wherein the electrically activated telltale emits an audio or visual signal.

5. The networking cable of claim 1 wherein the electric power source is a battery.

6. The networking cable of claim 1 wherein the electric power source is supplied by power over Ethernet (POE) power.

7. The networking cable of claim 1 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.