Patent ID: 6282572
Filing Date: 2001-08-28
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
In a system having a master device coupled to a slave device by means of an interface, wherein a function of the master device includes downloading a control program to the slave device, an apparatus for providing the master device with capability information corresponding to the slave device, the apparatus means for reading the capability information from a redefined portion of the control program; andmeans for storing the capability information for use by the master device during a communications operation with the slave device,wherein the capability information comprises a first vector having a first number of first variables and a second vector having a second number of second variables, each of the first and second variables representing a corresponding function that alternatively may or may not be supported by the corresponding slave device, andwherein the means for reading comprises:first default means, responsive to the first number of variables being less than a number of defined first vector variables, for supplying first default values for first variables that are missing in the first vector, the first default values indicating that corresponding functions are not supported by the corresponding slave device; andsecond default means, responsive to the second number of second variables being less than a number of defined second vector variables, for supplying second default values for second variables that are missing in the second vector, the second default values indicating that corresponding functions are supported by the corresponding slave device.