Patent ID: 6289043
Filing Date: 2001-09-11
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
A data communication apparatus comprising:a first communication device including a first interface unit connected to a first end of one of a plurality of cables;a plurality of second communication devices, each including a second interface unit respectively connected to a second end of one of the cables;the first communication device being operative to transmit a unique one of a plurality of first collation codes respectively to each of the cables;each of the second communication devices including a first identification circuit that stores data identifying the one of the first collation codes uniquely associated with the cable to which that second communication device is connected;each of the second communication devices being operative to compare a collation code received over the connected cable with the collation code stored in the identification circuit and to provide a first output indicative of the comparison;each of the second communication devices being further operative to transmit one of a plurality of second collation codes to the cable connected thereto, each of the second collation codes being uniquely associated with the second communication unit by which it is transmitted;the first communication device including a second identification circuit that stores collation data associating each of the second collation codes with the cable to which the respective second communication device is connected,the first communication device being further operative to compare a received second collation code and the identity of the cable over which the collation code was received with the data stored in the second identification circuit and to provide a second output indicative of the comparison.