Radio frequency identification of a connector by a patch panel or other similar structure

Abstract

The device includes a connector, a transponder, a panel, an antenna, and a transceiver. The transponder is attached to the connector. The antenna is positioned adjacent to the panel. The transceiver is electrically connected to the antenna. When the transponder is placed close enough to the antenna, the transceiver is able to activate the transponder thus enabling the transponder to read the information deposited with the transponder.

1 - 10 . (canceled)  
     
     
         11 : A device comprising: 
 a fiber optic cable having a fiber optic connector;    a transponder attached to the fiber optic connector;    a substrate adapted for attachment to a panel of a host device;    an antenna attached to the substrate; and    a transceiver electrically connected to the antenna so as to form a reader which is capable of activating and interrogating the transponder when the transponder is sufficiently close to the antenna, and wherein    the fiber optic cable has a length, and wherein    the transponder includes information related to the length of the fiber optic cable.    
     
     
         12 . (canceled)  
     
     
         13 : A device comprising: 
 a fiber optic cable having a fiber optic connector;    a transponder attached to the fiber optic connector;    a substrate adapted for attachment to a panel of a host device;    an antenna attached to the substrate; and    a transceiver electrically connected to the antenna so as to form a reader which is capable of activating and interrogating the transponder when the transponder is sufficiently close to the antenna and wherein    the fiber optic connector conforms to an industrial standard, and wherein    the transponder includes information related to the industrial standard to which the fiber optic connector conforms.    
     
     
         14 . (canceled)  
     
     
         15 : A device comprising: 
 a fiber optic cable having a fiber optic connector;    a transponder attached to the fiber optic connector;    a substrate adapted for attachment to a panel of a host device;    an antenna attached to the substrate; and    a transceiver electrically connected to the antenna so as to form a reader which is capable of activating and interrogating the transponder when the transponder is sufficiently close to the antenna, and wherein    the fiber optic cable includes an optical fiber and wherein the optical fiber conforms to a predetermined optical fiber grade, and wherein    the transponder includes information related to the predetermined optical fiber grade of the optical fiber of the fiber optic cable.    
     
     
         16 . (canceled)  
     
     
         17 : A device comprising: 
 a fiber optic cable having a fiber optic connector;    a transponder attached to the fiber optic connector;    a substrate adapted for attachment to a panel of a host device;    an antenna attached to the substrate; and    a transceiver electrically connected to the antenna so as to form a reader which is capable of activating and interrogating the transponder when the transponder is sufficiently close to the antenna, and wherein    the fiber optic cable was purchased on a specified date, and wherein    the transponder includes information related to the specific purchase date of the fiber optic cable.    
     
     
         18 . (canceled)  
     
     
         19 : A device comprising: 
 a fiber optic cable having a fiber optic connector;    a transponder attached to the fiber optic connector;    a substrate adapted for attachment to a panel of a host device;    an antenna attached to the substrate; and    a transceiver electrically connected to the antenna so as to form a reader which is capable of activating and interrogating the transponder when the transponder is sufficiently close to the antenna, and wherein    the fiber optic cable was purchased pursuant to a warranty and wherein    the transponder includes information related to the warranty.    
     
     
         20 - 29 . (canceled)