Patent ID: 7791488

Claim:
An apparatus, said apparatus comprising: a control system; and a ribbon web member directly connected physically and electrically to the control system at a plurality of connection points, wherein the ribbon web member comprises three electronic components, wherein the three electronic components consist of a first electronic component directly connected physically and electrically to the control system at the plurality of connection points, a second electronic component directly connected physically and electrically to the first electronic component at a first connection interface, and a third electronic component directly connected physically and electrically to the second electronic component at a second connection interface, said first connection interface and said second connection interface being located on opposite sides of the second electronic component, said opposite sides being parallel to each other, wherein the first electronic component is disposed between the control system and the second electronic component, wherein the second electronic component is disposed between the first electronic component and the third electronic component, wherein each electronic component comprises: a status enunciator configured to receive an interrogation signal transmitted from the control system and to respond to the interrogation signal by indicating a presence or absence of said each electronic component, a transducer configured to receive a control signal transmitted from the control system in response to the status enunciator having indicated said presence of said each electronic component, first circuit means for receiving the control signal transmitted by the control system and for subsequently propagating the control signal to the transducer to control the electronic component, and second circuit means for receiving the interrogation signal transmitted by the control system and for subsequently propagating the interrogation signal to the status enunciator.