Abstract: Systems and methods for managing power on supplied to a load are provided. In some embodiments, a hybrid power system includes a generator and a power source having an inverter connected to one or more loads. The generator may have a controller that is configured to adjust a parameter (e.g., frequency) of electrical power output via the generator based on a current magnitude of electrical power output of the generator. The inverter is configured to detect the parameter of the electrical power supplied to the load and to adjust a magnitude of current electrical power output based on the detected parameter.

Abstract: Energy usage of a plurality of appliances is measured using a single meter. A pattern of energy usage with respect to the plurality of appliances is determined dependent upon the measured energy usage, appliance details of the plurality of appliances, and usage hours of the plurality of appliances. The pattern is provided to a user of the appliances.

Abstract: A flexible expandable automation device includes: a main control unit; and at least two I/O-units connected to the main control unit and to each other via an I/O-bus. The I/O-bus works according to a daisy-chain technique. The I/O-bus has a bus signal line and a daisy-chain-control-line. Each I/O-unit has a daisy-chain-control-IN-port for receiving a daisy-chain-control-signal as a daisy-chain-control-IN-signal and a daisy-chain-control-OUT port for delivering the daisy-chain-control-signal as a daisy-chain-control-OUT-signal to a next adjacent I/O-unit. Each I/O-unit has an I/O-module carrier and a pluggable and unpluggable I/O-module. The daisy-chain-control-IN-port and the daisy-chain-control-OUT-port are part of the I/O-module carrier. Each I/O-module-carrier has a hot-swap-control unit that, in case of an unplugged I/O-module creating an interrupted daisy chain, automatically bridges the interrupted daisy chain.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to communicatively coupled field devices to a remote terminal unit are disclosed. The example apparatus includes a base rack for a remote terminal unit in a process control system. The example apparatus further includes a first termination module to be inserted in a first termination slot of the base rack. Wires communicatively coupled to a field device are to be terminated on the first termination module. The example apparatus also includes a first control module separate from the first termination module to be inserted in a first control slot of the base rack. The first control module is to be communicatively coupled with the first termination module via a backplane of the base rack. The first control module is to control communications with the field device.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus to communicatively coupled field devices to a remote terminal unit are disclosed. The example apparatus includes a base rack for a remote terminal unit in a process control system. The example apparatus further includes a first termination module to be inserted in a first termination slot of the base rack. Wires communicatively coupled to a field device are to be terminated on the first termination module. The example apparatus also includes a first control module separate from the first termination module to be inserted in a first control slot of the base rack. The first control module is to be communicatively coupled with the first termination module via a backplane of the base rack. The first control module is to control communications with the field device.

Abstract: A rack for holding at least one medical device, the rack comprises a multiplicity of interfaces for connecting at least one medical device to the rack. Herein, a channel identification device is provided which is constituted to assign an identification code to each of the multiplicity of interfaces and is operable to provide, for a medical device connected with one of the multiplicity of interfaces, the identification code associated with the interface to the medical device or a control device connected to the medical device. In this way, a rack for holding at least one medical device is provided which in an easy manner allows for the identification of the topological position of a medical device on a rack or a system of racks.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a system providing remote control of Bluetooth enabled electronic equipment comprises Bluetooth enabled electronic equipment for initiating a pairing mode to authorize a virtual remote controller transfer, a Bluetooth enabled wireless device for activating a setup mode so as to pair with the Bluetooth enabled electronic equipment and for downloading the virtual remote controller. The virtual remote controller may be described in an advanced markup language, for example. In one embodiment, a method for utilizing a Bluetooth enabled wireless device to remotely control a Bluetooth enabled electronic equipment comprises initiating a pairing mode of the Bluetooth enabled electronic equipment to authorize a virtual remote controller transfer, activating a setup mode of the Bluetooth enabled wireless device so as to pair with the Bluetooth enabled electronic equipment, and downloading the virtual remote controller to the Bluetooth enabled wireless device.

Abstract: An information processing device includes: a receiving unit that receives information to be processed that includes valid data, that has processing content information and identification information, and start information; and a control unit that controls an apparatus such that an initial processing is executed on the basis of the processing content information, and, if the identification information is included in the information to be processed, controls the apparatus such that processing that follows the initial processing is executed, and, if the identification information is not included in the information to be processed, controls the apparatus such that the processing that follows the initial processing is not executed.

Abstract: A control element for a sensor network having a set of different sensors. In operation, the control element transfers connections between the control element and the set of different sensors, where the transfer connections are compliant with respective sensor-specific protocols. A sensor controller element is provided for each sensor, and establishes transfer connections between the control element and new sensors in runtime. Information obtained in a sensor-specific protocol format from the sensors is converted into a common format in the sensor controller elements. The common format information is processed by a set of common control components of the control element. The control element provides a service based on the information in the common format to at least one consumer, and updates the service in accordance with the sensors present in the sensor network.

Abstract: An image processing method applied to an image processing device is capable of implementing bitstream stitching technique after interrupting image processing process. The image processing method includes steps of processing the i-th slice of N slices in an image to generate a plurality of first processed data; storing the first processed data in a memory unit; once an interrupting request is generated according to a requested process, storing stitching information associated with the last first processed data after processing the i-th slice; stopping processing the image and executing the requested process according to the interrupting request; continuing to process the (i+1)-th slice of the N slices to generate a plurality of second processed data after the requested process is finished; and storing the second processed data after the last first processed data in the memory unit according to the stitching information.

Abstract: Disclosed is a lighting control system including: a switching means for selecting one of a plurality of scenarios; a gateway for matching at least one of on/off control signals, color temperature control signals, color control signals, or dimming control signals for a plurality of lamps with the plurality of scenarios, storing a resultant data, and outputting control signals matched with the scenario selected from the switching means; and a lighting device for receiving the control signals outputted from the gateway, and according to the received control signals, turning on/off each of the lamps, adjusting a color temperature or a color of each of the lamps, or a dimming level of each of the lamps.

Abstract: A control system includes control units for sending commands to system units to be controlled by the contro1 units. Each system unit includes a table for storing the identification of at least one of the control units and a command. In a binding mode, the content of the table may be changed by a control unit.

Abstract: For the purpose of controlling safety functions as part of a system controller which is not oriented to safety functions in an automation system, the invention provides safety modules having a sound functionality and provides a safety protocol which transmits data in the form of safety messages, wherein input and output parameters from each safety module are encapsulated by the safety protocol, and the individual safety modules are logically combined with one another in terms of data and flow by means of a data transmission link in line with the system's safety functions which are to be controlled, the data interchange taking place between the safety modules on the basis of the safety protocol.

Abstract: There is provided a sequence control apparatus for outputting a sequence of control signals to operate a control target, including a sequence storing section that stores thereon sequence data in association with each state received from outside, where the sequence data includes a plurality of control signals to be sequentially supplied to the control target and a plurality of pieces of time interval information designating time intervals during which the plurality of control signals are respectively kept supplied to the control target, a sequence data selecting section that, on reception of a state from the outside, selects sequence data associated with the state, a sequence reading section that sequentially reads the plurality of control signals and the plurality of pieces of time interval information included in the selected sequence data and sequentially supplies the plurality of control signals to the control target, and a time control section that refers to the plurality of sequentially read pieces of ti

Abstract: A method for real time control of lighting system includes the steps of: providing a computer, a SCM (2), a digital-to-analog converter (3), and at least one power amplifier (41, 42, 43) connected to the digital-to-analog converter, each of the at least one power amplifiers connects with a lamp; receiving light control data inputted by a user; transmitting the light control data to the SCM; processing the light control data received by the SCM, and generating digital signals by the SCM; transmitting the digital signals to the digital-to-analog converter; converting the digital signals into an analog signals by the digital-to-analog converter, and transmitting the analog signals to the at least one power amplifier; and amplifying the analog signals and controlling the corresponding lamp connected to the at least one power amplifier. A system for real time control of the lighting system is also provided.

Abstract: A method for transmitting data of a plurality of data types between a digital processor and a hardware arithmetic-logic unit with at least one associated table memory, first involves preselecting a base address in the table memory that (base address) is dependent on the data type of the data to be transmitted. This is followed by a read and/or write access to the table memory by taking the preselected base address as a starting point for computing the address used for the read/write access in the table memory for each access operation according to an arithmetic computation rule.

Abstract: A system for controlling multiple light sources is provided. The system includes a controller, a digital to analog converter (DAC), and at least one power amplifier. The controller is configured for receiving light control data for at least one light circuit, and for determining a digital luminance signal and an encoded address for each light circuit according to the light control data. The DAC is connected to the controller and configured for receiving the digital luminance signal and the encoded address for each light circuit, converting the digital luminance signal into an analog luminance signal, and for outputting the analog luminance signal according to the encoded address. Each power amplifier is connected to the DAC, and is configured for amplifying the analog luminance signal for the light circuit so as to drive the light circuit to control a corresponding light source.

Abstract: It is an object to acquire a program creating device for a programmable controller which is able to create a sequence program without grasping a procedure of an address of an individual parameter area allocated to an object module when a setting of parameters of various functional modules for the programmable controller is executed. The device constitutes setting information creating means 12 for preparing module setting information of a parameter type for the programmable controller by using specific information which is included a functional module, analysis and conversion means 14 for creating a source file to be converted into a sequence program which programmed an operation of the programmable controller according to an analysis of a parameter of the module setting information, and program converting and inserting means 31 for converting a file created by the analysis and conversion means into the sequence program.

Abstract: For example, by providing MMF software 10, 11 transferring data using a memory-mapped file respectively in a semiconductor manufacturing apparatus 1 and in an input signal analyzing system 8, data transfer load placed on control software 4 and analyzing software 9 is reduced. Additionally, in the MMF software 10, by inserting counter information in the memory-mapped file and by observing the information by the MMF software 11, communication abnormality is detected.

Abstract: Replacement of a signal address referred to in a sequence program is carried out by storing in advance, before-after replacement information which specifies the relationship between signal addresses before replacement and signal addresses after replacement in a format with a specifying of range. Based on the stored before-after replacement information, all the signal addresses to be replaced are searched for in the editing target sequence program or replacement target symbol information. Replacement of a searched signal address with a corresponding after-replacement signal address is executed in accordance with the before-after replacement information.

Abstract: A method for managing a utility load by controlling electrical consumption of electrically powered devices. The method includes selecting a target for load control forming a single variable length load control message according to a communication protocol. The load control message includes the target address and a plurality of unique concatenated command messages, each of the plurality of unique concatenated command messages being selected from the set consisting of a command message having a predetermined message type and a fixed length message defined for the predetermined message type and a command message having a predetermined message type and a variable length message corresponding to values in a command message control flag field defined for the predetermined message type. The method also includes causing the single variable length load control message to be transmitted to the target and receiving a reply message formed according to the communication protocol from the target.

Abstract: A controller can process an instruction directed to the controller itself to access data in the memory of the controller dynamically at runtime, where the data can be indirectly accessed by referencing a tag name, associated with the data and a memory space in memory, which can be included in a string tag associated with the instruction. Multiple tags, each tag associated with a respective item of data, can be located or referenced dynamically at runtime to access the respective items of data where one tag can be associated with a first structure, array, and/or scope and a disparate tag can be associated with a disparate structure, array, and/or scope, via an instruction.

Abstract: A load control management protocol, system, and method that address many different customers, individually, in geographic groups, or in other predefined groups to control at least one or more electrical power consuming appliances are disclosed. The computer-implemented protocol provides wired and wireless communication schemes that enable a utility to quickly and efficiently communicate commands and messages to end user devices. Specific electrically powered appliances and certain uses of electricity can therefore be managed by communicating with the controllers of those appliances, providing management of a utility load during peak price and consumption periods to prevent delivery interruptions.

Abstract: In controlled mechanical hardware, such as servo-controlled hardware, data from the control algorithm is obtained and logged for possible later analysis. Loss-less compression is provided without increasing the size of the storage memory. Instead of continuously storing the complete (absolute) value of a monitored control parameter, an absolute value is stored in an absolute entry and one or more values of the parameter which are relative to each preceding value are stored in a sequence of associated relative entries. The space required to store a relative value is less than the space required to store an absolute value. Updated absolute values and groups of associated relative values may also be recorded periodically or when a relative value is too large for the allotted space. The size of relative values may be variable and appropriate information data entries may be generated to indicate the size of associated relative entries.

Abstract: A method and system for performing invasive procedures includes a surgical robot which is controlled by a guidance system that uses time of flight calculations from RF transmitters embedded in the robot, surgical instrument, and patient anatomy. Sensors around the room detect RF transmissions emitted by the RF transmitters and drive the robot according to a preprogrammed trajectory entered into the guidance system.

Abstract: A data handling device capable of operating in a system in which two or more devices are connected by a data bus for the transmission of communications therebetween, the data bus having two or more data lines and the device having: two or more data bus connectors, each for connection to a respective data line of the data bus; an identity acquisition unit capable of functioning in a first mode of operation of the device to receive data transmitted over the data bus and in response to the order in which the bits of one or more data words of a predetermined form are received on the data bus connectors during the first mode of operation determine an identity for the device and store the identity in an identity store of the device; and a data handling unit capable of functioning in a second mode of operation of the device to handle communications transmitted over the bus and that specify the identity stored in the data store as a destination.

Abstract: A printer connected to a network prints documents transmitted as portions of E-mail messages sent to the printer from computer systems through a print server. The printing process is controlled by administrative settings stored within the printer and further by keyword-value pairs recorded in the subject lines of the E-mail messages. The printer preferably also acts as a web page server to client systems connected to the network, with administrative settings being updated through the network following recognition of a password.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a system and method for confining a robot to a particular space. The system includes a portable barrier signal transmitter that produces a barrier signal primarily along an axis, and a mobile robot capable of avoiding the barrier signal upon detection of the barrier signal. In the preferred embodiment the barrier signal is emitted in an infrared frequency and the robot includes an omni-directional signal detector. Upon detection of the signal, the robot turns in a direction selected by a barrier avoidance algorithm until the barrier signal is no longer detected.

Abstract: An intelligent volumetric module for use in metering pressurized syrup to a drink dispenser machine comprises a solenoid driven metering system for controlling liquid flows from a pressurized syrup container and a controller for controlling operation of said solenoid driven metering system according to uniquely addressed instructions received from the drink dispenser's system controller. The controller comprises a self-addressing capability, wherein serial communication to all but one non-addressed volumetric module is disrupted while a first address is assigned to that one module. Communication is the enabled along a serial bus to a next non-addressed module, to which a second address is assigned. The process continues until each volumetric module is assigned a unique address and connected to the serial communication bus.

Abstract: An intelligent volumetric module for use in metering pressurized syrup to a drink dispenser machine comprises a solenoid driven metering system for controlling liquid flows from a pressurized syrup container and a controller for controlling operation of said solenoid driven metering system according to uniquely addressed instructions received from the drink dispenser's system controller. The controller comprises a self-addressing capability, wherein serial communication to all but one non-addressed volumetric module is disrupted while a first address is assigned to that one module. Communication is the enabled along a serial bus to a next non-addressed module, to which a second address is assigned. The process continues until each volumetric module is assigned a unique address and connected to the serial communication bus.

Abstract: Chlorine dioxide generating processes of the single vessel type which produce chlorine dioxide of high purity are monitored and controlled by a computer using Advanced Control Strategies for steady, stable operation with optimum chemical usage on the basis of a desired chlorine dioxide production rate as the sole input from an operator to the computer program effecting the computer control.

Abstract: A storage unit stores ranges of devices allocated for each sequence program. A device range checking unit sequentially extracts device notations indicating consecutive areas and commands specifying consecutive devices present in a sequence program, expands devices of the corresponding consecutive areas, and checks whether or not devices of consecutive areas are within a range of devices stored in the storage unit. The device range checking unit sequentially extracts device notations indicating consecutive areas and commands specifying consecutive devices present in a sequence program, expands devices of the corresponding consecutive areas, and checks whether or not devices of consecutive areas are within a range of devices stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: An automatic procedure for locating actuator addresses on a bus system is revealed. The actuators may be identical except for their physical position, and thus their function and address on a bus system that controls and powers the actuators. Because their functions are different, the control system can determine which actuator is in which location, and thus locate the address for each actuator on the bus. Each actuator may then receive and act upon commands from the control system appropriate to its location and function. As a result, a manufacturer or dealer can stock a single actuator, rather than many actuators. Several such actuators would otherwise have to be manufactured and stocked separately, even though the only difference between them might be an installed software or firmware program to identify and control each actuator. Additionally, fewer wires may be required in harnesses to control the actuators.

Abstract: A storage unit stores ranges of devices allocated for each sequence program. A device range checking unit sequentially extracts device notations indicating consecutive areas and commands specifying consecutive devices present in a sequence program, expands devices of the corresponding consecutive areas, and checks whether or not devices of consecutive areas are within a range of devices stored in the storage unit. The device range checking unit sequentially extracts device notations indicating consecutive areas and commands specifying consecutive devices present in a sequence program, expands devices of the corresponding consecutive areas, and checks whether or not devices of consecutive areas are within a range of devices stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: An improved technique of interfacing a computer lighting device to a control computer is disclosed, wherein a hardware device is interposed between the control computer and the lighting device. The hardware device handles certain functions in hardware, thereby permitting the microprocessor at the lighting device to incur substantially less processing load.

Abstract: A controller (1) holds appliance data acquired from an appliance (3) regularly and without loss. A display terminal (2) is capable of moving to other rooms through a receptacle and holds the appliance data acquired from the appliance (3). When there is loss in the appliance data for a part of time period because of a move and the like, the display terminal (2) executes acquisition request to the controller (1) to acquire this non-collected data of the appliance. The controller (1) transmits the appliance data to the display terminal (2) in response to the request of the display terminal (2). The display terminal (2) acquires (or complements) the non-collected data from the controller (1) and display the data.

Abstract: A storage unit stores ranges of devices allocated for each sequence program. A device range checking unit sequentially extracts device notations indicating consecutive areas and commands specifying consecutive devices present in a sequence program, expands devices of the corresponding consecutive areas, and checks whether or not devices of consecutive areas are within a range of devices stored in the storage unit. The device range checking unit sequentially extracts device notations indicating consecutive areas and commands specifying consecutive devices present in a sequence program, expands devices of the corresponding consecutive areas, and checks whether or not devices of consecutive areas are within a range of devices stored in the storage unit.

Abstract: A numerical controller making it easy to prepare and alter sequence programs. Grouping is made according to signal type and/or signal address. Address tables AT1-1, AT2-2 are provided in which top physical addresses for respective group numbers are stored for every sequence program. The program includes object codes, each constituted by an instruction code, a group number, and an offset address. When the object code is read in, a top physical address for the instruction group number is read out from a table corresponding to the program. The offset address is added to the top physical address to determine a physical address of a signal and perform processing for the instruction code. Since the address tables are provided for every program to have different physical addresses, it is enough to prepare only one program for a common portion of a plurality of programs, and enough to alter only the address tables even if hardware is subject to alteration.

Abstract: A method for automatically assigning addresses in a bus system with a bus, a plurality of participating units connected to the bus and a control device for issuing control signals to the units also coupled to the bus, where each unit comprises an actuator and an actuator driving device for displacing the actuator along a displacement path defined by two end positions, is characterized by the following steps: storing, in the control device, operating data sets that, upon adjustment of the actuators from one end position to another end position, describe expected operation parameters of the actuator driving devices of the units, these set parameters being different for each actuator driving device, and storing address data that are also different and are assigned to the different set parameters; the control device causes the actuator driving devices of the units to move the respective assigned actuators to the one end position; the control device then causes the actuator driving devices of the units to move the

Abstract: A system for commissioning a controller accepts a different manual input during each of several different phases of the installation and provides the installer with a different detectable cue during each phase. The installer provides the manual input and then operates a switch indicating the input is present. The system stores the manual input present and advances the system to the next phase, and in a preferred embodiment provides a visible cue identifying each phase. The preferred embodiment uses devices controlled by the controller during normal operation and which also have manual position adjustment or set point selection to provide the manual inputs.

Abstract: An image processing system for use in semiconductor wafer inspection comprises a multiplicity of self-contained image processors for independently performing image cross-correlation and defect detection. The system may also comprise an image normalization engine for performing image brightness and contrast normalization. The self-contained image processors and image normalization engine access image data from a memory array; the array is fed data from a multiplicity of imaging modules operating in parallel. The memory array is configured to allow simultaneous access for data input, normalization, and cross-correlation and defect detection. Multiple image processing systems can be configured in parallel as a single image processing computer, all sending defect data to a common display module.

Abstract: A controller contains an I/O memory and uses a device detecting service to detect a device connected to it through a network and to obtain its device identifying data. A memory map setting service sets a device data area on the I/O memory according to the obtained device identifying data for exchanging data with the connected device and produces a memory map correlating the device data area with a variable data area on the I/O memory correlated to the device. The controller also includes a cyclic service and a data transmission service. The cyclic service transmits and receives data to and from the device periodically in the data linking format according to the memory map and by using the device data area on the I/O memory. The data transmission service transmits the data between the variable data area and the device data area.

Abstract: A method, system and program processing unit for a robot, by which the safety during execution of a program is improved. The program processing unit comprises a program interpreter, a command rejection device and a command execution device. When the program interpreter sends a command in a program to the command rejection device, the command rejection device searches a command rejection rule storage section for a command rejection rule corresponding to the command, and if the rule is detected, retlieves input values from one or more sensors and the source information of the program from a source information storage section, judges command rejection conditions included in the rule based on the sensor information, source information, the command and its parameters, dismisses the command when the conditions are met, and sends the command to the command execution device when the conditions are not met.

Abstract: Each module of a wafer processing system is given a classification. Upon receipt of a command to move the wafer to one of the modules, a sequence enumerating the modules to be visited by the wafer before reaching its destination is created. The modules are added to the sequence based on their classification. The wafer is then worked on in each module enumerated in the sequence. By creating the sequence when needed, the number of static files that have to be maintained and stored in the wafer processing system is minimized. Further, creating the sequence at the time it is needed allows the sequence to take advantage of the history of the wafer and thereby eliminate unnecessary steps.

Abstract: A system for commissioning a controller accepts a different manual input during each of several different phases of the installation and provides the installer with a different detectable cue during each phase. The installer provides the manual input and then operates a switch indicating the input is present. The system stores the manual input present and advances the system to the next phase, and in a preferred embodiment provides a visible cue identifying each phase. The preferred embodiment uses devices controlled by the controller during normal operation and which also have manual position adjustment or set point selection to provide the manual inputs.

Abstract: A combination of data processing systems that are connected to a common peripheral bus, such as a PCI bus. The processor(s) of each system or blade may communicate with the peripheral bus through an intermediate bus controller. The bus controller may include facilities, such as registers that define a starting address, suitable for defining a window in the blade's system memory that is available or visible to other processors (or masters) on the bus. One or more of the bus controllers may be configured to read information that uniquely identifies each system or blade. The bus controller may use this identification information to define the window in the blade's system memory that is visible to other processors. In an embodiment where each blade is connected to a PCI bus through a CompactPCI® connector, the identification information may be read from the geographic address (GA) pins on the system's J2 connector.

Abstract: An automatic washer disinfector apparatus performs cleaning/disinfection of an object under program control, a data storage medium which stores therein identification data concerning the object is individually provided on each object to be cleaned/disinfected, and at least one RFID transmission/reception circuit main body which enables data communication with the data storage medium when an arbitrary object is set in a cleaning chamber of the automatic washer disinfector apparatus is provided on the inside, the surface or the outer side of the automatic washer disinfector apparatus. Further, an appropriate program is selected from a plurality of cleaning/disinfection programs based on the identification data of the object obtained by data communication with the data storage medium, and the selected program is activated, thereby cleaning/disinfecting the object.

Abstract: An adaptive interface for a programmable system, for predicting a desired user function, based on user history, as well as machine internal status and context. The apparatus receives an input from the user and other data. A predicted input is presented for confirmation by the user, and the predictive mechanism is updated based on this feedback. Also provided is a pattern recognition system for a multimedia device, wherein a user input is matched to a video stream on a conceptual basis, allowing inexact programming of a multimedia device. The system analyzes a data stream for correspondence with a data pattern for processing and storage. The data stream is subjected to adaptive pattern recognition to extract features of interest to provide a highly compressed representation that may be efficiently processed to determine correspondence.

Abstract: A programmable controller system is disclosed. The system comprises a base board having a plurality of slot, a power supply unit attached to at least one of the slots for supplying power to the base board, a CPU unit attached to at least one of the slots for outputting an I/O unit specification signal for specifying one executing I/O unit from among at least one I/O unit attached to ones of the remaining slots for executing I/O processing, discrimination means for discriminating amount of shifted position of the I/O unit which is changed in accordance with number of slot occupied by the power supply unit and the CPU unit, correction means for correcting the I/O unit specification signal based on the amount of shifted position of the I/O unit discriminated by the discrimination means, selection means for selecting one actual slot in which the I/O unit specified by the I/O unit specification signal is attached based on the corrected I/O specification signal.

Abstract: A local area network based control system for model railroad layout control that may be readily modified, upgraded, dynamically reconfigured or expanded with minimum physical or functional interruption to the operation of the model railroad layout. This allows for the expansion and improvements to the layout control system to be effected with least effort, time and risk of failure.