Method for self-configuring terminals in a data processing system

Claim 2

In a distributive data processing system wherein a first computer (10) is coupled through a communications network (14) to a plurality of terminals (12), a method for configuring each terminal comprising the steps of: (a) generating at each terminal a first list including identifying indicia for devices that can be coupled to the terminal, (b) utilizing the first list to generate a second list of all the devices that are physically connected to the terminal, (c) monitoring the communications network and selectively loading device support programs therefrom, and (d) utilizing thereafter the second list and the loaded device support programs to communicate with the devices.

Claim 3

The method set forth in claim 1 further including the steps of: displaying, to a user, a visual listing of all attached devices, prompting the user to verify the correctness of the visually displayed list, and storing at each terminal a copy of the verified list.

Claim 4

The method of claim 2 further including the steps of transmitting the verified list to the first computer, (10) and setting an indicator in said terminal thereby signifying that configuration has taken place.

Claim 5

The method of claim 3 further including the steps of resetting the terminal, requesting a complete program load from the first computer, and receiving only the load modules required by said terminal.

Claim 6

In a data processing system arranged in a hierarchical structure with a control processor (10) coupled by a first communications network (14) to a plurality of second order processors (12) and each second order processor coupled through a second communications network (36) to a plurality of third order processors a method for configuring the system comprising the steps of: generating at each second order processor, a first list including an identity indicia of all possible third order processors that can be connected to said each second order processor, transmitting from said each second order processor, a first message including the identity indicia to all third order processors in said list, receiving and copying, at each attached third order processor, said message only if the identity indicia matches that of the third order processor, transmitting a response message from each third order processor whose identity indicia was in the first message, and generating, at each said second order processor, a second list including the identity indicia of only the third order processors responding to the first message.

Claim 7

In a data processing system arranged in a hierarchical structure with a control processor (10) coupled by a first communications network (14) to a plurality of second order processors (12) and each second order processor coupled through a second communications network (36) to a plurality of third order processors a method for configuring the system comprising the steps of: generating at each second order processor, a first list including an identity indicia of all possible third order processors that can be connected to said each second order processor, transmitting from said each second order processor, a first message including the identity indicia to all third order processors in said list, receiving and copying, at each attached third order processor, said message only if the identity indicia matches that of the third order processor, transmitting a response message from each third order processor whose identity indicia was in the first message, and generating, at each said second order processor, a second list including the identity indicia of only the third order processors responding to the first message.

Claim 8

The method set forth in claim 5 wherein the identity indicia includes the address for each third order processor.

Claim 9

The method of claim 6 further including the steps of requesting programs image transmission from the first order processor (10), and loading, at each second order processor only those programs which are required to control the attached third order processors.

Claim 10

The method of claim 7 further including the steps of displaying to a user a configuration table for each said second order processor (12), prompting the user to verify the configuration, storing a copy of the verified configuration, and utilizing said verified configuration for loading said second order processor thereafter.