| 摘要 |
Apparatus by which a controlling information processing unit can communicate individually with subordinate information processing units which are connected sequentially along a pair of electrical conduction paths. The controlling unit assigns a unique address to each subordinate unit, which it uses later for communication with individual subordinate units. The controlling unit controls an electrical current in the pair of conduction paths. Each subordinate unit has a shunt path which has a current sensor and a switch, so the subordinate unit can open or close the path. All of the switches on the shunt paths are initially closed. In each subordinate unit, the shunt current is measured, and a high value indicates that the shunt is closer to the controlling unit than any other subordinate unit which has a closed switch. The subordinate unit then receives its address from the controlling unit, stores its address, and opens its switch. Opening the switch in any unit causes an increase in shunt current in the next unit, and the address assigning process is repeated for that unit. Later, the controlling unit uses the addresses to command subordinate units individually.
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