Patent ID: 8429306

Claim:
A computerized system that automatically assigns an identification code to each of a plurality of slave processors in communication with a master processor, the system comprising: a master processor; and a plurality of slave processors communicatively connected to the master processor and to each other by a plurality of common signal lines, each of the common signal lines directly linking the master processor to each of the plurality of slave processors, and each of the plurality of slave processors to each other; wherein the plurality of slave processors are serially connected by a plurality of private signal lines, the private signal lines including first private signal lines directly linking adjacent first and second slave processors to each other and not directly coupled to the master processor, and second private signal lines directly linking the first slave processor to the master processor and not directly coupled to the second slave processor; wherein the first slave processor of the plurality of slave processors is programmed to assign itself an identification code based upon the digital signal held on first private signal lines communicatively connected between the first slave processor and the master processor, and thereafter respond to commands on the common signal lines only if the commands are associated with the identification code the first slave processor assigned itself.