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Computer peripheral device network with peripheral address resetting capabilities

  • US 5,317,693 A
  • Filed: 04/04/1991
  • Issued: 05/31/1994
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/04/1991
  • Status: Expired due to Term
First Claim
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1. Apparatus for coupling a plurality of peripheral devices to a data processing device, comprising:

  • a communications medium, coupled to said data processing device, for transmitting messages between said data processing device and said plurality of peripheral devices;

    a plurality of communications interfaces, each coupled to one of said peripheral devices and to said communications medium, each said communications interface including;

    interface memory means for storing;

    (A) a currently assigned address value for said communications interface, and(B) a distinct identification message which identifies said peripheral device coupled to said communications interface; and

    reset means for setting said currently assigned address value to a predefined default address value whenever said communications interface is powered up or reset, said reset means including;

    (A) means for setting said currently assigned address value stored in its interface memory means to said predefined default address value whenever said communications interface receives a reset message not sent by itself;

    (B) means for sending said reset message after said communications interface has been first assigned a unique address value distinct from said predefined default address value, said reset message being sent via said communications medium to said communications interfaces whose currently assigned address value is the same as said unique address value; and

    configuration means, in said data processing device, for retrieving said distinct identification messages from all communications interfaces with said currently assigned address value equal to said predefined default address value, and for assigning said unique address value to each communications interface from which said distinct identification message was retrieved, each said unique address value being stored in said interface memory means of the corresponding one of said communications interfaces, said configuration means including;

    (A) means for retrieving said distinct identification messages from all communications interfaces which are reset in response to said reset message; and

    (B) means for assigning a new unique address value to each such communications interface from which said distinct identification message is retrieved in response to said reset message.

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