US 7,096,287 B1 · Automatic address selection method

Abstract

A method of transmitting a signal to at least one of a plurality of serially-connected devices. The method includes the step of receiving the signal at a first one of the plurality of serially-connected devices, where the signal includes a first address. Then, the signal is sent to each successive device of the plurality of serially-connected devices. Prior to the step of sending the signal to the each successive device, the first address of the signal is modified by a predetermined value at each of the plurality of serially-connected devices. Data associated with the signal can be transmitted to or received from at least one of the plurality of serially-connected devices if the first address received by the one of the plurality of serially-connected devices matches a predetermined address. The method is useful in the operation of programmable limit switches (PLS), especially in a PLS where each output circuit has an addressable controller.

Claims17

Dependent claims

A method of transmitting a signal to at least one of a plurality of serially-connected devices, the method comprising the steps of:

receiving the signal at a first one of the plurality of serially-connected devices, the signal including a first address and a second address and wherein each of the plurality of serially-connected devices is a circuit board upon which a plurality of addressable components is mounted;
sending the signal to each successive device of the plurality of serially-connected devices;
modifying the first address of the signal by a predetermined value at each of the plurality of serially-connected devices prior to the step of sending the signal to each successive device;
and
addressing at least one of the plurality of addressable components of at least one of the plurality of serially-connected circuit boards using the second address if the first address received by the one of the plurality of serially-connected devices matches a predetermined address.

2 more elements

In a method of addressing a plurality of output circuits of a programmable limit switch, each of the plurality of output circuits connectable to a respective output device responsive to respective device actuation signals generated by a controller and mounted on a circuit board, the method including the steps of sending a signal from the controller to the circuit board and addressing at least one of the plurality of output circuits based upon an address including in the signal, an improvement comprising the steps of:

A) receiving the signal at the circuit board, the signal including a first address and a second address;
B) comparing the first address to a predetermined address;
C) modifying the first address by a predetermined value to obtain a modified first address;
D) sending a modified signal to an output of the circuit board, the modified signal being the signal including the modified first address as the first address;
E) transmitting at least one data signal one of to and from at least one output circuit of the circuit board if the comparing step shows that the first address matches the predetermined address;
and
F) transmitting the at least one data signal one of to and from an output circuit indicated by the second address if the comparing step shows that the first address matches the predetermined address.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Automatic address selection method

Life of this patent

Automatic address selection method

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims17