RFID Cable Encoding for Network Routing Identification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current methods for managing and troubleshooting cabling interconnections in network environments are inefficient, as they fail to accurately determine the physical routing and connectivity of cables, leading to time-consuming error identification and repair processes.

Innovation Solution

The use of RFID tags encoded with identification information along cables, facilitated by an RFID encoder that aligns and positions the tags for encoding, allowing for easy reading and determination of cable routing, including a proximity detector and cable guides for precise alignment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If physical tags are attached to cables for identification, then cable identification is enabled, but tags may become separated from cables and labels may become illegible

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable identificationVSAvoidtag attachment reliability

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical physical tags with RFID electronic tags that use electromagnetic fields for identification. The RFID tags are integrated into cable connectors rather than being mechanically attached, eliminating the reliability issues of tags becoming separated or illegible while maintaining ease of identification through wireless reading.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Manufacturing precision

If unique connectors are used for each cable to prevent incorrect connections, then connection accuracy is improved, but designing and manufacturing unique connectors for large numbers of cables becomes difficult and costly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveconnection accuracyVSAvoidconnector design complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses universal cable connectors that can be used across multiple cables, eliminating the need for unique connectors for each cable. Instead, RFID tags are attached to these universal connectors to provide unique identification, thereby maintaining connection accuracy through RFID-based identification while significantly reducing connector design and manufacturing complexity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of operation

If RFID tags are placed at cable ends for identification, then cable endpoint identification is enabled, but the physical routing and layout of cables cannot be determined

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecable endpoint identificationVSAvoidphysical routing information

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSLoss of information

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the cable into multiple segments by placing RFID tags at regular intervals along the cable length rather than only at the ends. This segmentation allows RFID readers to detect which segment is being queried, enabling determination of the cable's physical routing and layout while maintaining easy endpoint identification capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

4Device complexity

If manual methods are used to trace and identify cables in crowded environments, then no additional equipment is needed, but the process becomes very onerous and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveequipment requirementVSAvoidtroubleshooting time

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces manual cable tracing methods with automated RFID reading systems. RFID readers can wirelessly read tag information without physical contact or line-of-sight requirements, enabling rapid identification of cables even in crowded environments. This substitution dramatically reduces troubleshooting time while the portable nature of RFID readers keeps equipment requirements minimal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

This solution significantly reduces the time required to troubleshoot cabling errors by enabling accurate and efficient identification of cable routing, improving maintenance and repair processes in complex network environments.

Implementation Method 1

RFID technology, although nascent, is known for improving supply chain efficiency by facilitating tracking of goods. For example, RFID may displace the bar codes currently used to identify products. An RFID tag includes an antenna and a small, inexpensive circuitry chip which stores data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRFID (Radio Frequency Identifier): Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

The proximity detector is for determining whether or not the selected RFID tag is within a range of positions for successful encoding of that RFID tag

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectProximity detection:

Data Source

PatentUS7940182B2RFID encoding for identifying system interconnect cables

Publication Date: 2011.05.10 META PLATFORMS INC

AI summary

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.