RFID encoding for identifying system interconnect cables
AssigneeAlcatel Lucent
InventorsAndrew Snowden Lange, Scott William Nelson
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
The invention is directed to encoding information in radio frequency identifier (RFID) tags disposed on cabling interconnects for the purpose of easier identification of the cables, especially when ascertaining the physical routing and connectivity of the cables. The encoding can be performed before, during, or after installation of the cable. The encoded information can then be read at any time using an RFID reader, for example to identify the cable at various positions along it, thereby enabling easy determination of the routing of the cable.
Claims32
A radio frequency identifier (RFID) encoder for encoding information on RFID tags disposed on a cable, the RFID encoder comprising:
- an RFID interface for interfacing with the RFID tags;
- a controller operable to control the RFID interface to accomplish encoding of the information on the RFID tags;
- and
- a guide for positioning the cable in a correct position for encoding a selected RFID tag of the RFID tags, wherein the guide further comprises at least one cable guide that permits the RFID encoder to move along a longitudinal axis of the cable, so that the RFID encoder is capable of encoding the RFID tags.
A method of encoding RFID tags disposed on a cable, the method comprising:
- positioning, with a guide, the cable in a first position with respect to an RFID encoder for encoding a first RFID tag of the RFID tags, wherein the guide further comprises at least one cable guide that permits the RFID encoder to move along a longitudinal axis of the cable, so that the RFID encoder is capable of encoding the RFID tags;
- and
- encoding a cable identifier into the first RFID tag.
A cable system comprising:
- a plurality of RFID tags disposed at approximately equal intervals along a longitudinal axis of a cable;
- and
- a guide for positioning the cable in a correct position for encoding a selected RFID tag of the RFID tags, wherein the guide further comprises at least one cable guide that permits the RFID encoder to move along a longitudinal axis of the cable, so that the RFID encoder is capable of encoding the RFID tags.
A cable bundle system comprising:
- a plurality of cables held in close proximity to each other along their longitudinal axes by sheathing;
- a plurality of RFID tags disposed at approximately equal intervals along the sheathing;
- and
- a guide for positioning the cable bundle in a correct position for encoding a selected RFID tag of the plurality of RFID tags, wherein the guide further comprises at least one cable guide that permits the RFID encoder to move along a longitudinal axis of the cable, so that the RFID encoder is capable of encoding the RFID tags.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.