Systems and methods for automatic assignment of identification codes to devices

A unit of data communication equipment (DCE) comprising:

• a processor coupled to first and second I/O ports;
• a memory unit operably coupled to the processor;
• wherein a plurality of lines in the first I/O port are directly linked to corresponding lines in the second I/O port;
• wherein a plurality of lines in the first I/O port are not directly linked to lines in the second I/O port;
• wherein the memory unit stores a set of instructions for receiving a digital signal held on the unlinked lines of the first I/O port, and based thereupon, to generate a digital signal on the unlinked lines of the second I/O port;
• and
• wherein the memory unit stores a set of instructions for assigning to the DCE an identification code based upon the digital signal held on the unlinked lines of the first I/O port, and for thereafter responding to commands on the linked lines of the first I/O port only if the commands are associated with the identification code assigned to the DCE.

A method for assigning a unique identification code to a first and second slave processor, wherein the first slave processor and a master processor share a private set of communication lines, wherein the second and first slave processor share a private set of communication lines, and wherein the master processor and first and second slave processors share a common set of communication lines, the method comprising:

• receiving with the first slave processor a signal carried on the private lines connecting the first slave processor and the master processor;
• assigning the first slave processor an identification code based upon the signal held on the private lines connecting the first slave processor and the master processor, so that the first slave processor thereafter responds to commands on the common lines only if the commands are associated with the identification code assigned to the first slave processor;
• transmitting from the first slave processor to the second slave processor a signal carried on the private lines connecting the first and second slave processors;
• and
• assigning the second slave processor an identification code based upon the signal held on the private lines connecting the first and second slave processors, so that the second slave processor thereafter responds to commands on the common lines only if the commands are associated with the identification code assigned to the second slave processor.

A computerized system that automatically assigns an identification code to each of a plurality of slave processors in communication with a master processor, the system comprising:

• a master processor coupled to an input/output (I/O) port;
• a first slave processor coupled to first and second I/O ports;
• a second slave processor coupled to first and second I/O ports;
• and
• a means for automatically and uniquely assigning an identification number to each of the first and second slave processors.