Method of and apparatus for addressing a target device within a chain of devices
First Claim
1. A method of addressing a target device within a chain of devices, the method comprising a sending device setting an address value and sending data in association with the address value, and wherein each device receiving the address value and data compares the address value to a device number, and if they are different modifies the address value by a predetermined amount and transmits the data and the modified address value to a subsequent device.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A method of addressing a target device within a chain of devices, the method comprising a sending device setting an address value and sending data in association with the address value, and wherein each device receiving the address value and data compares the address value to a device number, and if they are different modifies the address value by a predetermined amount and transmits the data and the modified address value to a subsequent device.
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Citations
25 Claims
- 1. A method of addressing a target device within a chain of devices, the method comprising a sending device setting an address value and sending data in association with the address value, and wherein each device receiving the address value and data compares the address value to a device number, and if they are different modifies the address value by a predetermined amount and transmits the data and the modified address value to a subsequent device.
- 11. A method of transferring data from a Jth device to a Kth device in a chain of devices, wherein the Jth device forms an address value as a function of the difference between J and K, and sends data in association with the address value, and wherein each device receiving the data examines the address value to determine whether it is in intended recipient of the data, and if it determines that it is not the intended recipient it modifies the address value and passes the data along the chain of devices in association with the modified address value.
- 16. An addressable device adapted to be connected in series with other addressable devices, wherein the device is arranged to receive data which comprises an address value, and wherein the addressable device is arranged to compare the address value with a device number, and if they are different to modify the address value to form a modified address value and to transmit the data and modified address value to a subsequent device.
- 20. A data processing system comprising a plurality of addressable devices arranged in a series connected chain, wherein when a first device wishes to exchange data with a further device which is not immediately connected to the first device, the first device calculates an address value indicative of the number of devices intermediate the first device and the further device, and sends the data in association with the address value, and wherein each device examines the address value to determine whether the data is intended for it or should be passed along the chain.
Specification