Patent ID: 8031638
Filing Date: 2011-10-04
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for determining the topology of modules in a modular analytical system comprising: a) contacting several modules with a central unit, wherein each module stores module identification information in a memory, and at least two modules are connected in series, b) transmitting the stored module identification information of the modules that are directly or indirectly contacted with the central unit to the central unit, c) interrupting a contact of a module to the central unit upon receiving a command from the central unit, d) transmitting the stored module identification information of the modules to the central unit, e) restoring the interrupted contact, and f) comparing the module identification information that were transmitted before the contact was interrupted with the module identification information that were transmitted after interruption of the contact and determining the topology of the modular analytical system on the basis of the comparison, wherein the method steps c to e are repeated with at least one other module until sufficient information is available from the comparison to calculate the topology.