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.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention relates to a method and apparatus for readily tracing remote connective portions of networking cables that are widely used in the information technology sector.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The purpose of any networking cable is to carry data from one electronic device to another. Electronic devices include but are not limited to terminals, personal computers, printers, workstations, hubs, switches, storage devices, tape drives, routers, telephone switches, and servers. Networking cables, frequently referred to, as “jumper cables”, “patch cables”, or simply “cables”, typically are multiple pair copper wires packaged in an outer flexible sheath. Networking cables are designed to interconnect an electronic device with another electronic device. Such networking cables often are used in systems where there are many networking cables connected to frames, panels, or electronic devices, each of which may have many connecting cables and which may be located closely adjacent other similar frames, panels, or electronic devices, sometimes without carefully regimented management of the cables. The connections of each cable may be remote from one another, even being in separate rooms or spaces, and the networking cables may be of substantial length.  
         [0003]     One example of such use of networking cables is in computer centers where it is often necessary to connect a networking cable from an individual workstation at one location with another networking cable from a computer server remote from the workstation. Further the interconnections sometimes are located in crowded and/or cramped quarters. Tracing and identifying a remote connector section or end of a specific cable for changing its connection in a network or to facilitate replacement often is difficult, tedious and time consuming, and can lead to errors that create further service problems and additional costs.  
         [0004]     Various methods and systems have been developed for locating the ends of a networking cable. One such method is a trial and error process that requires personnel to use test equipment at both ends of each and every wire pair to identify the termination points. This process may be labor intensive and expensive. The second method is a variation of the first method and involves the use of equipment to send a tone on a wire pair and then detect a particular frequency at the termination point. This process is also labor intensive. Also, to determine termination points, the cable needs to be disconnected from the computers connected to the network. As a result, these methods interfere with performance and require the workstation to be taken out of service. In addition, both systems require the test person to walk from one end of a test point to the other end. If the workstation and server are located in separate rooms or in remote locations, the previous methods are labor intensive and inefficient for easy detection of termination ends.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,577,243 to Dannenmann, et. al. describes a network cable tracing system that addresses some of these issues. Electrically activated telltales, such as light emitting diodes (LED&#39;s) are affixed to both ends of a networking cable and are activated when power is applied externally with a plug-in connection from a portable power pack. The resulting illumination of the LED&#39;s readily indicates where both ends of the networking cable are located. A system similar to this is offered by Cypress Industries, of Austin, Tex. and called the LED Cat5E RJ45 Patch Cable. A solution of this type is useful and an improvement over some of the aforementioned labor intensive test methods. This approach has not been widely adopted though because it requires the technician to purchase a rather limited use power pack, carry it along with all of his or her other tools and individually plug it into each networking cable as part of a test protocol. Each cable also has to have a plug in connection on each end of the cable for the power pack to be attached.  
         [0006]     There is a need for an improved mode of readily tracing networking cables that is much easier to use, lower in cost, does not require any separate power packs, and does not require plug in connections on the networking cables. The instant invention to be described addresses this need.  
       BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0007]     It is therefore an aspect of the instant invention to provide a network cable tracing system that is contained to the network cables, low in cost, and straightforward to use.  
         [0008]     It is a feature of the instant invention that the test function is implemented simply by pushing a button on the networking cable hood.  
         [0009]     It is another feature of the instant invention that the only power required is provided by a low cost battery enclosed in the network cable hood.  
         [0010]     It is another feature of the instant invention that no external test equipment is required.  
         [0011]     These and other aspects and features are achieved by the present invention by providing an indicator circuit for signaling a cable connection between two electronic devices including at least a networking cable having a plurality of metal wire pairs encased in a flexible sheath; a connection hood on each end of the networking cable; an electrically activated telltale incorporated into each connection hood and electrically connected to at least one of the metal wire pairs; a battery incorporated into at least one of the connection hoods and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltales; and a manually operated switch incorporated into at least one of the connection hoods and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltales.  
         [0012]     Further aspects and features are achieved by the present invention by providing an indicator circuit for signaling a cable connection between two electronic devices including at least a networking cable having a plurality of metal wire pairs encased in a flexible sheath; a connection hood on each end of the networking cable; an electrically activated telltale incorporated into each connection hood and electrically connected to at least one of the metal wire pairs; a battery incorporated into at least one of the connection hoods and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltales; a manually operated switch incorporated into at least one of the connection hoods and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltales; and electric circuit elements incorporated into each hood connection and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltales; wherein the electric circuit elements complete the circuit for a prescribed amount of time when activated by the manually operated switch.  
         [0013]     Further aspects and features are achieved by the present invention by providing an indicator circuit for signaling a cable connection between two electronic devices including at least a networking cable having a plurality of metal wire pairs encased in a flexible sheath; a connection hood on each end of the networking cable; an electrically activated telltale incorporated into each connection hood and electrically connected to at least one of the metal wire pairs; a battery incorporated into at least one of the connection hoods and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltales; a manually operated switch incorporated into at least one of the connection hoods and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltales; and an integrated circuit chip, incorporated into each hood connection and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltales; wherein the integrated circuit chip completes the circuit for a prescribed amount of time when activated by the manually operated switch.  
         [0014]     Further aspects and features are achieved by the present invention by providing a networking cable for transmitting data comprising a plurality of metal wire pairs encased in a flexible sheath; a plurality of twisted copper wire pairs encased in a flexible sheath; an electrically activated telltale incorporated into each connection hood and electrically connected to at least one of the metal wire pairs; a battery incorporated into at least one of the connection hoods and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltales; and a manually operated switch incorporated into each connection hood and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltales.  
         [0015]     Further aspects and features are achieved by the present invention by providing a networking cable for transmitting data comprising a plurality of metal wire pairs encased in a flexible sheath; a plurality of twisted copper wire pairs encased in a flexible sheath; an electrically activated telltale incorporated into each connection hood and electrically connected to at least one of the metal wire pairs; a battery incorporated into at least one of the connection hoods and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltales; manually operated switch incorporated into each connection hood and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltales; and electric circuit elements incorporated into each hood connection and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltales; wherein the electric circuit elements complete the circuit for a prescribed amount of time when activated by the manually operated switch.  
         [0016]     Further aspects and features are achieved by the present invention by providing a networking cable for transmitting data comprising a plurality of metal wire pairs encased in a flexible sheath; a plurality of twisted copper wire pairs encased in a flexible sheath; an electrically activated telltale incorporated into each connection hood and electrically connected to at least one of the metal wire pairs; a battery incorporated into at least one of the connection hoods and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltales; manually operated switch incorporated into each connection hood and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltales; and an integrated circuit chip, incorporated into each hood connection and in electrical connection with the electrically activated telltales; wherein the integrated circuit chip completes the circuit for a prescribed amount of time when activated by the manually operated switch.  
     
    
     DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS  
       [0017]      FIG. 1  is a schematic view of a networked computer environment.  
         [0018]      FIG. 2  is a diagrammatic front elevation view of the network cable of the instant invention.  
         [0019]      FIG. 3  is a diagrammatic front elevation view of the hood of the network cable of the instant invention.  
         [0020]      FIG. 4  is a diagrammatic cross section front elevation view of the hood of the network cable of the instant invention.  
         [0021]      FIG. 5  is an interior view of the some of the interior elements of the hood of the network cable of the instant invention.  
         [0022]      FIG. 6  is a diagrammatic bottom elevation view of the boot of the network cable of the instant invention.  
         [0023]      FIG. 7  is a schematic view of the indicator circuit of the instant invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0024]      FIG. 1 , shown generally by the numeral  10 , illustrates, by way of background, a typical networked environment that includes servers, computers, hubs, peripheral devices, and a cable panel.  
         [0025]     In this example computers  32 ,  34 ,  38 , and  42  are each connected by networking cables to a cable panel  28 . The computers can be at multiple locations. Also attached to panel  28  by networking cable are peripheral devices such as printer  46  and scanner  48 . Panel  28  is often located at a central room where service personnel can access it. From panel  28  multiple computers and peripheral devices are often then linked by networked cables to hubs such as  22  and  24 , which then are connected to servers such as  12  and  16 . Typically, one room may house multiple servers and hubs. Various protocols are used to support data transfer between computer and server pairs. A typical protocol is Ethernet.  
         [0026]     The example shown is a small network and typical networks are much larger. In addition to the devices shown in  FIG. 1 a  network could include, but is not limited to, other electronic devices such as workstations, switches, tape drives, storage devices, telephone switches, VOIP devices, and routers. The application of the instant invention anticipates any electronic device that can be part of a network. With large networks the total number of networking cables is large and routine maintenance functions as well as the addition or change of computers can lead to significant time and manpower requirements in tracing down connections throughout the system.  
         [0027]      FIG. 2 , shown generally by the numeral  50 , illustrates a networking cable of the instant invention that may be used in the networked environment of  FIG. 1 . Cable  52 , as used in networking applications is typically composed of a plurality of insulated twisted metal wire pairs encased in a flexible outer cover sheath. The number of twisted metal wire pairs can vary depending on the application. A well-known standard is the Category 5 cabling standard, which has four insulated twisted copper wires encased in an outer jacket layer. These are referred to as Cat5 cables. Several other standards are in use and the instant invention anticipates the use of any of them. In the case of the instant invention an additional metal wire pair is added so that a Cat5 cable made to make use of the instant invention would have 4 metal wire pairs and one additional pair of wires for the tracing function. The extra metal wire pair will be referred to in this description as the indicator wire pair. It should also be noted that the composite cable may consist of coaxial, twin-axial, twisted, untwisted, shielded and unshielded pair wires, as is known in the art. Accordingly, the term “networking cable” is used in this description and in the appended claims will encompass all such variations of composite cable.  
         [0028]     A connector assembly made up of a standard connector  56  coupled to a boot  54  on the end of the networking cable provides for the connection of the cable to the various networked devices. A typical connector  56  is an RJ45, an eight wire connector commonly used in networking computers. The overall connecter (connector plus boot) will be referred to as the hood in this description and in the appended claims.  
         [0029]      FIG. 3 , shown generally as the numeral  60  is a slightly enlarged illustration of the hood of the instant invention. Near the rear section of boot  54  is an electrical telltale  64 , which can be used to produce an audio or visual signal for tracing network cables. For purposes of this description and the appended claims a telltale can be any electrically triggered device that emits a visual or audio signal that can be detected by a human. A preferred telltale is a light emitting diode (LED), but could be other visual indicators such as a conventional light bulb, or a liquid crystal visual indicator. A button  68  is shown, which can be manually pressed to engage a manual switch (not shown) which competes an indicator circuit that causes the telltale LED to flash repeatedly for a predetermined time. The indicator circuit includes the indicator wire pair that runs the complete length of the networking cable. It is important to note that the hood shown in  FIG. 2 , which is shown on the “left” end of the networking cable has a identical twin hood on the “right” end that has identical circuitry as well as an LED and manual switch and is in electrical connection via the indicator wire pair.  
         [0030]      FIG. 4 , shown generally by the numeral  80  is another side view of the hood shown in cross section to demonstrate some of the internal components. Button  68  is connected physically to a switch (to be shown) which when manually engaged completes an electrical circuit that powers electrical telltale  64 . Referring to  FIG. 5  button  68  engages switch  72  that is mounted on printed circuit board  76 . Below printed circuit board  76  is an integrated circuit  82  ( FIG. 4 ) that provides part of the intelligence of an embodiment of the instant invention and will be described further. Referring back to  FIG. 5  printed circuit board  76  is in electrical connection to a battery  90  via positive connection  86  and negative connection  88 . The wiring of a complete electrical circuit between electrical telltale  64 , switch  72 , integrated circuit  82 , and battery  90  is done through the common printed circuit board  76 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 6 , shown generally by the numeral  100 , is a bottom view of boot  54  to show the battery port in which door  92  can be moved to an open position to expose the battery port  94  where the battery ( 90  in  FIG. 5 ) can be inserted. A number of batteries can be used in this application. For the circuit components discussed in the example of the instant invention a preferred battery is a CR927 3-volt lithium battery. A number of similar batteries are available from other manufacturers and the instant invention anticipates the use of any of them  
         [0032]     An important aspect of the instant invention is the ability to have a useful and long-lived tracer circuit with only the on board batteries. Accordingly when the switch  72  is engaged by pushing button  68  ( FIGS. 4-5 ) it is desirable for the electrical telltales to signal for a prescribed amount of time but then shut off to conserve battery power. This can be accomplished in this invention in several ways. The simplest circuit would be one in which the circuit is engaged and drawing power from battery  90  once the first button  68  is pushed and is disengaged when one of the buttons  68  is pushed again. This embodiment is one aspect of the instant invention. This embodiment is functional though it suffers from the weakness that users may accidentally push one of the buttons and leave the circuit engaged, draining the power from battery  90 . An improved embodiment (the second embodiment) is one in which pushing one of the buttons  68  engages power to the circuit for a prescribed amount of time and then disengages power to the circuit, conserving battery power. A number of simple electronic circuits could perform that function. Fortunately very small and low cost integrated circuits designed to do exactly that as well as pulse the power are commercially available in large quantities. Integrated circuit board X1622 available from Fulikai Electronic Technologies (China), is manufactured and sold to numerous toy manufacturers to provide a blinking light function to many toys. It is also used in the well-known shoes sold to children that have blinking LED lights that are activated when children press down on the shoes while walking. A number of similar integrated circuits are available from other manufacturers and the instant invention anticipates the use of any of them.  
         [0033]      FIG. 7 , shown generally by the numeral  120 , is a schematic of the complete direct current circuit of the instant invention for one of the connection boots. Integrated circuit  124  is shown in the middle of the circuit and corresponds to integrated circuit  82  in  FIG. 4 , which is mounted under printed circuit board  76 . Returning to  FIG. 7 , a light emitting diode (LED)  128  is in electrical connection with pin  7  of chip  124  and is in power connection to a positive charge from battery  132  as well as pin  11  of chip  124 . Resistor  136  is connected across pins  8  and  9  of chip  124  and sets both the frequency and duration of power pulses sent to LED  128 . For example with the X1622 IC chip a 220-ohm resistor used as resistor  136  will deliver pulses that blink LED  128  for about 19 seconds. A smaller resistor will increase the frequency of blinking and shorten the total duration. Switch  140  corresponds to the switch  72  of  FIG. 5  and when activated starts the pulsing of power to the LED that proceeds for a prescribed amount of time. The ground or negative side of the battery  133  is connected to side (A) of switch  140 , as well as pins  1  and  14  of integrated circuit  124 . Finally circuit  120  is connected to an identical mirror image circuit (with an identical integrated circuit, LED, battery, etc.) in an identical connection hood at the other end of the networking wire. Wire  144  is the ground wire of the tracer pair and is connected to the identical ground wire on the other end of the networking cable. Similarly wire  148  is attached to the identical part of the circuit at the other end of the networking cable. Thus when switch  140  is engaged on either end of the networking cable both LED&#39;s flash for the prescribed amount of time.  
         [0034]     The resulting networking cable is a completely self-contained tracing cable. It enables any technician or user to simply push one button to check for the location of the opposite end of a cable in a networked system. In the case of the second embodiment the telltale indication ceases after a prescribed amount of time, conserving battery power.  
         [0035]     While the invention has been described above with references to specific embodiments thereof, it is apparent that many changes, modifications and variations in the materials, arrangements of parts and steps can be made without departing from the inventive concept disclosed herein. Accordingly, the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims are intended to embrace all such changes, modifications and variations that may occur to one of skill in the art upon a reading of the disclosure. All patent applications, patents and other publications cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.