Cable identification using a unique cable sleeve

Abstract

A cable identification system is provided. The cable identification system includes a cable sleeve with some predetermined unique properties. The cable sleeve is adapted to receive a cable therein. The cable includes one or more electrical conductors therein. The cable identification system further includes a portable measuring device configured to detect the predetermined unique properties of the cable sleeve when positioned adjacent the cable at any point along the cable.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A cable identification system, comprising:
 a cable sleeve having one or more predetermined unique properties, the cable sleeve adapted to receive a cable therein, the cable including one or more electrical conductors therein; and   a portable measuring device configured to detect the one or more predetermined unique properties of the cable sleeve when positioned adjacent the cable at any point along the cable.   
     
     
         2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more predetermined unique properties comprises a material composition of the cable sleeve. 
     
     
         3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the one or more predetermined unique properties comprises a physical property of the cable sleeve. 
     
     
         4 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the physical property comprises a length of the cable sleeve. 
     
     
         5 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the physical property comprises a width of the cable sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . The system of  claim 3 , wherein the physical property comprises a color coating gradient of the cable sleeve. 
     
     
         7 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising a repository for storing an association between the one or more predetermined unique properties of the cable sleeve and devices connected to opposing ends of the cable enclosed by the cable sleeve. 
     
     
         8 . A method for identifying cables, comprising:
 providing a cable sleeve having one or more predetermined unique properties, the cable sleeve adapted to receive a cable therein, wherein the cable comprises one or more electrical conductors therein;   inserting the cable into the cable sleeve;   connecting network devices at opposing ends of the cable;   storing an association between the one or more predetermined unique properties of the cable sleeve and the network devices in a repository;   identifying the one or more predetermined unique properties of the cable sleeve using a portable measuring device by positioning the portable measuring device adjacent the cable at any point along the cable; and   retrieving the association between the one or more predetermined unique properties of the cable sleeve and the network devices from the repository to identify the cable.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the one or more predetermined unique properties comprises a material composition of the cable sleeve. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein at least one of the one or more predetermined unique properties comprises a physical property of the cable sleeve. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the physical property comprises a length of the cable sleeve. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the physical property comprises a width of the cable sleeve. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 10 , wherein the physical property comprises a color coating gradient of the cable sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the repository comprises a database. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the measuring device comprises a memory unit for storing the detected properties of the cable sleeve. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the portable measuring device utilizes the Laser Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) technique to identify the material composition of the cable sleeve.