Apparatus and method for processing analog signals and outputting digitally converted analog signals using serial bus

An apparatus processing analog signals and outputting digitally converted analog signals via a serial bus, the apparatus comprising:

• an analog-to-digital converter converting an analog signal into a digital signal and outputting the digital signal;
• an address setting unit storing a unique address of the apparatus;
• a first controller determining whether externally input activation information is identical to the unique address;
• and
• a serial bus controller connecting the digital signal to an external serial bus when it is determined that the externally input activation information is identical to the unique address.

An apparatus processing analog signals and outputting digitally converted analog signals via a serial bus, the apparatus comprising:

• a multiplexing collecting unit receiving at least one analog signal and activation information, and selecting one of the at least one analog signal, converting the selected signal into a digital signal, and outputting the digital signal via an external serial bus, when the received activation information is identical to unique address of the multiplexing collecting unit;
• an address-based collecting unit receiving the activation information, and converting a collected analog signal into a digital signal and outputting the digital signal via the external serial bus when the received activation information is identical to a unique address of the address-based collecting unit;
• and
• a serial bus unit providing the external serial bus which connects the multiplexing collecting unit and the address-based collecting unit.

A data processing method which is performed by an apparatus which processes analog signals and outputting converted analog signals using an external serial bus, the method comprising:

• (a) receiving at least one analog signal;
• (b) selecting one of the received at least one analog signal in response to a control signal received via the serial bus, and outputting the selected signal;
• and
• (c) converting the selected analog signal into a digital signal and transmitting the digital signal via the serial bus,
• wherein (c) comprises:
• (c1) setting a unique address of the apparatus;
• (c2) comparing an address contained in the control signal and the unique address of the apparatus in order to determine whether they are identical to each other;
• and
• (c3) allowing the digital signal to be transmitted to the serial bus when the contained address is identical to the unique address, and preventing the digital signal from being transmitted via the serial bus otherwise.

A computer readable medium having recorded thereon a computer program for execution by a computer of a data processing method which is performed by an apparatus which receives analog signals and outputs digitally converted signals via an external serial bus, the method comprising:

• (a) receiving at least one analog signal;
• (b) selecting one of the received at least one analog signal in response to a control signal received via the serial bus, and outputting the selected signal;
• and
• (c) converting the selected analog signal into a digital signal and transmitting the digital signal to the serial bus,
• wherein said converting comprises:
• (c1) setting a unique address of the apparatus;
• (c2) comparing an address contained in the control signal and the unique address of the apparatus in order to determine whether they are identical to each other;
• and
• (c3) allowing the digital signal to be transmitted to the serial bus when the contained address is identical to the unique address, and preventing the digital signal from being transmitted via the serial bus otherwise.