Abstract: An apparatus for providing identification information to a peripheral device connected to a data processing system via a parallel communications interface cable. The apparatus includes a cable connector for connecting to a cable coupled to the data processing system and a peripheral device connector for connecting to the peripheral device. The cable connector and the peripheral device connector are coupled together to provide communication between the data processing system and the peripheral device. The apparatus also includes means for providing identification information to the connected peripheral device. Such identification information is utilized by the peripheral device to set a device identifier. In one embodiment, device identifiers are set utilizing identification information selected in conjunction with the physical location of the peripheral device.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
September 12, 1996
Date of Patent:
September 9, 1997
Inventors:
Bruce Michael Cassidy, S. M. Rezaul Islam