Patent ID: 6970948

Claim:
A method of automatic configuration of a unit forming a component of an apparatus, the method comprising: a) accessing class information held in the unit on insertion of the unit into the apparatus prior to integrating the unit functionally in the apparatus, said class information representing an object class for the unit; b) using the accessed class information to reference, in storage in the apparatus separate from the unit, object definitions for the class of unit, which object definitions include initialization code operable on receipt of the accessed class information to produce configuration information operable to produce object configuration statements for the unit, that comprise at least one of the following: the object class for the unit; an object instance number; an attribute name; and a value for the attribute; and c) verifying the validity of the configuration information and, when the configuration information is valid, storing the configuration information in a configuration file for the apparatus including a location of the unit in the apparatus to enable functional integration of the unit in the apparatus.