Importance

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Abstract

A distributed computer system of interconnected module units which perform logical operations at different locations. A serial data bus interconnects all of the module units through a connecting device which enables the module to communicate over the serial bus. The connecting device includes a memory device having stored therein identification information to identify the module unit to other module units communicating over the bus. A logic circuit which is connected to the memory device transfers the information from the memory to the module unit during an initialization phase of the system. The module units are thereafter able to communicate over the serial data bus. The connecting device has first and second sets of connectors for mating with corresponding connectors on the serial bus and module units. Thus, each module need not know where it is being connected along the serial bus, as all information for communicating over the bus is provided by the connecting device.

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First Claim