Patent ID: 8896287

Claim:
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.