Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
159 words
A data-communication method for a loop-type network having a host station connected in a series loop with a plurality of nodes via data transmission lines, and being operative to generate a serial data frame comprising a plurality of data sections, each node having a junction box that is operative to detachably connect any one of a plurality of slave stations into the network, the method comprising the steps of: assigning a predetermined unique code number to each junction box as a station address, outputting a code number signal, comprising said predetermined code number, from the junction box to an associated slave station when a slave station is connected to said junction box; inputting the code number signal output from the junction box into said slave station; and receiving at said slave station a serial data frame transmitted from the host station and detecting at least one data section corresponding to the predetermined code number output from said junction box.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
159 words
A data-communication method for a loop-type network having a host station connected in a series loop with a plurality of nodes via data transmission lines, and being operative to generate a serial data frame comprising a plurality of data sections, each node having a junction box that is operative to detachably connect any one of a plurality of slave stations into the network, the method comprising the steps of: assigning a predetermined unique code number to each junction box as a station address, outputting a code number signal, comprising said predetermined code number, from the junction box to an associated slave station when a slave station is connected to said junction box; inputting the code number signal output from the junction box into said slave station; and receiving at said slave station a serial data frame transmitted from the host station and detecting at least one data section corresponding to the predetermined code number output from said junction box.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said outputting step comprises retransmitting said serial data frame with said code number inserted into one of the data sections.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 2 further comprising: assigning an identification code to each said junction box, said identification code specifying a section of said serial data frame in which said predetermined code number is to be inserted.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
22 words
The method of claim 3 wherein said identification code is input to both said junction box and said slave station connected thereto.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 wherein said inputting step comprises directly inputting the code number signal from said junction box to said slave station via a path separate from said serial data transmitted from said host station.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
37 words
The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of obtaining input data from said detected data section and retransmitting the serial data frame including output data in the data section corresponding to said predetermined code number.