# US 10,502,770 B2 · Methods, systems, and products for power management in cable assemblies > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,502,770 B2 - Document ID: US10502770B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/951,214 - Filed: 2018-04-12 - Published: 2018-08-16 - Granted: 2019-12-10 - Earliest claimed: 2014-08-20 - Assignees: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. - Applicants: AT&T Intellectual Property I, L.P. - Inventors: Barrett M. Kreiner; Jonathan L. Reeves - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10502770B2 ## CPC - G01R 21/133: by using digital technique - G01R 19/165: Indicating that current or voltage is either above or below a predetermined value or within or outside a predetermined range of values - G01R 31/58: Testing of lines, cables or conductors (testing of electric windings G01R31/72) - G06F 1/28: Supervision thereof, e.g. detecting power-supply failure by out of limits supervision - H02H 5/04: responsive to abnormal temperature {(specially adapted for electric machines H02H7/0852)} - G01R: MEASURING ELECTRIC VARIABLES; MEASURING MAGNETIC VARIABLES (indicating correct tuning of resonant circuits H03J3/12) - G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N) - H02H: EMERGENCY PROTECTIVE CIRCUIT ARRANGEMENTS (indicating or signalling undesired working conditions G01R, e.g. G01R31/00, G08B; locating faults along lines G01R31/08; emergency protective devices H01H) ## Abstract Cable assemblies react to electrical power. A visual indicator in a cable assembly changes color in response to the electrical power. The visual indicator, for example, may respond to heat or electromagnetic field in the cable assembly. In smart cables, a controller may activate the visual indicator in response to the electrical power applied to the cable. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A cable assembly, comprising: a connector electrically connected to conductors of the cable assembly; and a visual indicator associated with the connector, the visual indicator having a solid state in response to a normal operating condition and a molten state in response to an abnormal operating condition. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The cable assembly of claim 1, further comprising a head of the connector. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The cable assembly of claim 2, further comprising a recess in the head of the connector. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The cable assembly of claim 3, further comprising a cover covering the recess in the head of the connector. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The cable assembly of claim 1, further comprising a magnifier that magnifies the visual indicator. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The cable assembly of claim 4, further comprising a convex outer surface of the cover that magnifies the visual indicator. ### Claim 7 (depends on 3) The cable assembly of claim 3, further comprising a lid covering the recess in the head of the connector. ### Claim 8 (depends on 3) The cable assembly of claim 3, further comprising a hinged lid covering the recess in the head of the connector. ### Claim 9 (depends on 3) The cable assembly of claim 3, further comprising a movable lid covering the recess in the head of the connector. ### Claim 10 (depends on 3) The cable assembly of claim 3, further comprising a magnifier that magnifies the visual indicator. ### Claim 11 A cable assembly, comprising: at least one conductor; a connector having a pin connected to the at least one conductor; a hardware processor in the connector; and a memory device in the connector, the memory device storing instructions, the instructions when executed causing the hardware processor to perform operations, the operations comprising: monitoring an electrical power conveyed via the pin connected to the at least one conductor of the cable assembly; determining the electrical power conveyed via the pin exceeds a threshold value; and isolating the pin from the electrical power that exceeds the threshold value. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The cable assembly of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise illuminating a visual indicator to indicate the electrical power that exceeds the threshold value. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The cable assembly of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise opening a switch that isolates the pin from the electrical power that exceeds the threshold value. ### Claim 14 (depends on 11) The cable assembly of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise opening a connection that isolates the pin from the electrical power that exceeds the threshold value. ### Claim 15 (depends on 11) The cable assembly of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise physically opening a connection that isolates the pin from the electrical power that exceeds the threshold value. ### Claim 16 (depends on 11) The cable assembly of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise logically opening a connection that isolates the pin from the electrical power that exceeds the threshold value. ### Claim 17 (depends on 11) The cable assembly of claim 11, wherein the operations further comprise indicating a fault in response to the electrical power that exceeds the threshold value.