摘要 |
<p>A method and apparatus for the distributed programmable control of multiple devices (12), each capable of independent operation and of performing a set of related functions or operations. A device controller (14) is associated with each process device wherein each device controller includes a process step memory (16) for storing a device process (28). Each device process includes one or more device steps (26) that controls operations of the associated process device. A master controller (22) generates step execute identifier to the device controllers and the device controllers are responsive to the step execute identifiers for cooperatively performing the corresponding device steps of the device processes. The process steps may be generated in the master controller and distributed to the device controllers, or in device controllers with the master controller coordinating the designation and identification of the device steps in process steps.</p> |