A system for automatically assigning sequential identification values to networked nodes, such as accessory modules within a storage and dispensing enclosure. The system includes a host controller communicating with client controllers via both a shared, multi-drop communications bus and an initial segment of a daisy-chained, point-to-point communications bus. The host controller issues a token to a first client controller via the point-to-point bus, then queries the client controllers, receives a reply from the client controller having the token (associating that controller with a sequential identification value), and commands passing of the token, each via the multi-drop bus. The client controllers receive the token and query via the respective busses and, if that controller has the token, reply to the query via the multi-drop bus, as well as receive the command and, if that controller has the token, pass the token via the point-to-point bus to a subsequent controller.

A system for automatically assigning sequential identification values to networked nodes, such as accessory modules within a storage and dispensing enclosure. The system includes a host controller communicating with client controllers via both a shared, multi-drop communications bus and an initial segment of a daisy-chained, point-to-point communications bus. The host controller issues a token to a first client controller via the point-to-point bus, then queries the client controllers, receives a reply from the client controller having the token (associating that controller with a sequential identification value), and commands passing of the token, each via the multi-drop bus. The client controllers receive the token and query via the respective busses and, if that controller has the token, reply to the query via the multi-drop bus, as well as receive the command and, if that controller has the token, pass the token via the point-to-point bus to a subsequent controller.

In a communication system, multiple nodes sequentially transmit a data frame along a communication direction and can read and write data from and to the data frame, and includes a specific node requiring data in the data frame transmitted by another network. In one network of two networks connected to a common bridge, a specific node is disposed within a half circumference of disposition positions of the multiple nodes on the upstream side in the communication direction with respect to the bridge, and in the other network, the specific node is disposed within a half circumference of the disposition positions of the multiple nodes on the downstream side in the communication direction with respect to the bridge.

A method for data communication between subscribers of an automation system includes a first passive subscriber and a second passive subscriber receiving a write request sent by an active subscriber, determining a first transmission time point for transmitting a first reply message by the first passive subscriber, transmitting the first reply message at the first transmission time, and receiving the first reply message. The method also includes determining a second transmission time for transmitting a second reply message by the second passive subscriber, transmitting the second reply message at the second transmission time, receiving the second reply message, and interpreting the first reply message and the second reply message as segments of a data packet.

A transmission device includes a current transmission right as a node constituting an implicit token-passing network. When receiving a synchronization frame including a synchronization node number for specifying a synchronization node and network live node map information, which is information on nodes present in the network, or a reminder frame including a transmission right node number for specifying a node having a transmission right and network live node map information, which is information on the nodes present in the network, the transmission device is configured to transmit a data frame, and after the transmission of the data frame, transmit a completion frame including a transmission node number for specifying a node of a transmission source and network live node map information, which is information on the nodes present in the network.

A transmission device includes a current transmission right as a node constituting an implicit token-passing network. When receiving a synchronization frame including a synchronization node number for specifying a synchronization node and network live node map information, which is information on nodes present in the network, or a reminder frame including a transmission right node number for specifying a node having a transmission right and network live node map information, which is information on the nodes present in the network, the transmission device is configured to transmit a data frame, and after the transmission of the data frame, transmit a completion frame including a transmission node number for specifying a node of a transmission source and network live node map information, which is information on the nodes present in the network.

An apparatus for use with a Controller Area Network (“CAN”) transceiver includes a first input for receiving transmit-data and; a second input for receiving receive-data. The transmit-data includes data generated by a CAN controller to cause a CAN transceiver to transmit signalling that represents the transmit-data on the CAN bus and the receive-data indicates signalling from the CAN bus. The apparatus is configured to detect, in the receive-data, one or more fields of a CAN frame. The apparatus is then configured to prevent the CAN transceiver from transmitting the signalling that represents the transmit-data at times corresponding to the detected one or more fields of the CAN frame, thereby preventing an error frame in the transmit-data from being transmitted.

A distributed system includes a plurality of compute nodes configured to process messages. The compute nodes each process messages corresponding an assigned value of a common parameter of the messages. The values are assigned to the compute nodes such that two or more compute nodes are available to process each message. The values can be assigned to the compute nodes in a grouping configuration or a striping configuration. The compute nodes also circulate one or more tokens among nodes, and perform a self-maintenance operation during a given state of possession of the token. During a self-maintenance operation, the values assigned to the compute node can be reassigned to other compute nodes to ensure processing of corresponding messages.

A distributed system includes a plurality of compute nodes configured to process messages. The compute nodes each process messages corresponding an assigned value of a common parameter of the messages. The values are assigned to the compute nodes such that two or more compute nodes are available to process each message. The values can be assigned to the compute nodes in a grouping configuration or a striping configuration. The compute nodes also circulate one or more tokens among nodes, and perform a self-maintenance operation during a given state of possession of the token. During a self-maintenance operation, the values assigned to the compute node can be reassigned to other compute nodes to ensure processing of corresponding messages.

In the process of mounting a joint terminal (5) into a first terminal accommodating portion (16) of a housing (15), tab terminals (6) of the joint terminal (5) move forward along tab entrance paths (26) formed in the housing (15). The tab entrance path (26) is formed with a cam portion (27) spiral about an axis thereof. As the tab terminal (6) moves forward in the tab entrance path (26), a follower portion (8) formed at an intermediate position of the tab terminal (6) is guided by the cam portion (27). Thus, the tab terminal (6) is twisted about an axis. In this way, resilient contact pieces (14) of female terminals (9A, 9B) face the tab terminals (6) in a plate surface direction of the tab terminals (6) and are connected to the tab terminals (6).