A COMMUNICATION INTERFACE SYSTEM, METHOD AND APPARATUS.

摘要

A communication interface responds to a communication protocol for interfacing a controller and any of a plurality of discrete I O devices. Each discrete I O device has a different configuration. The interface has a plurality of modes of operation to accommodate the discrete I O devices. In a first mode of operation, the interface accommodates a first discrete I O device wherein a plurality of input pins input signals from a particular discrete I O and a plurality of output pins output signals to the particular discrete I O device. In a second mode of operation, the interface accommodates a second discrete I O device wherein the input pins form a bidirectional input output port and the output pins form a control and address line for controlling the second discrete I O device and other discrete I O devices.