Abstract: A control apparatus includes a communication unit for conducting the data communication. Identification information is assigned to the control apparatus. The control apparatus further includes a storage unit having an identification information table storing information containing the identification information and the identification information of other control apparatuses, which are connected to and communicate with the control apparatus.

Abstract: In a vehicle built-in electronic control apparatus, second control programs are written, second RAM memory for calculation processing and second input/output ports, and a serial-parallel converter for full duplex two-way serial communication for mutually conducting data communications between the main CPU and the sub CPU in operation of the controlled vehicle, and at the time of starting operation of the controlled vehicle, a part of the control constants stored in the first nonvolatile memory is transferred to the second RAM memory through the serial-parallel converter for the serial communication and the sub CPU performs predetermined calculation based on the contents of the second control programs of the second nonvolatile memory and the contents of the control constants transferred to the second RAM memory.

Abstract: A care management system in which the management of the administration of care for patients is automated. Hospital information systems are monitored and the information from those systems is used in verifying the administrations of care to patients. The care management system monitors ongoing administrations for progress and automatically updates records and provides alarms when necessary. The care management system is modular in nature but is fully integrated among its modules. Particular lists of data, such as the termination times of all ongoing infusions, provide hospital staff current information for increased accuracy and efficiency in planning. Features include the automatic provision of infusion parameters to pumps for accurate and efficient configuration of the pump, and providing an alarm when an unscheduled suspension of an infusion exceeds a predetermined length of time. A passive recognition system for identifying patients and care givers is provided.

Abstract: An electronic control apparatus is designed to perform an engine control program in an object-oriented programming manner. A first type message, which does not contain a count value generated as a result of execution of a method of an object, is stored in a message storage unit. At the time that execution of the method is completed, the stored first type message is read out and a method of the object corresponding to the destination of the message is executed. A timer message, which contains a count value generated as a result of execution of the method of the object, is stored in another storage unit. The count value (timer counter) of the timer message in the other storage unit is reduced one by one as a result of the process being performed every predetermined time. When the count value of the timer message reaches 0 in the message storage unit the message is re-stored as a first type message.

Abstract: A method and a device for activating and/or deactivating distributed control units is described, the microcomputer of a central control unit delivering corresponding activation or deactivation commands to the decentralized control units over an interface module as part of a point-to-point link.

Abstract: A computer system and method for executing several processes in tandem, that includes a scarce resource, which is accessed by the processes to be executed. A first device is provided for computing the capacity load of the scarce resource, a second device is provided for determining a load responsibility of a process that accesses the scarce resource, and a third device is provided for delaying the execution of a process that accesses the scarce resource depending on each of the capacity load, the critical capacity load of the scarce resource, and the load responsibility of the process. In this way, a blocking of the scarce resource with a limited capacity, and thus of the computer system, can be prevented.

Abstract: The technique of the present invention prevents endless circulation of reset operations of CPUs in a control system including a plurality of CPUs that mutually monitor the opposite CPUs. The plurality of CPUs, which are connected with one another and include a first CPU (272) and a second CPU (262), are utilize to control operations of prime movers. The first CPU (272) has a first reset execution unit that carries out a first reset event, which resets a circuit configuration of a predetermined range including the second CPU (262) in response to input of a reset signal. The second CPU (262) has a second reset execution unit that does not output the reset signal to the first CPU (272) in response to the reset of the second CPU (262) by the first reset event but outputs the reset signal to the first CPU (272) in response to detection of abnormality arising in the first CPU (272).

Abstract: A processing or control system having arrangements for separately and simultaneously generating instruction addresses and data addresses having two bus systems for accessing instruction and data storage, and having a single address range for both instructions and data. The boundary between the instruction range and the data range can be varied and placed under the control of the processor according to the needs of the particular application being processed. Some or all of the blocks of storage can access either the instruction bus or the data bus system, and the selection is made under the control of a control register within the processor. Advantageously, applications which require a larger amount of instruction storage, this can be provided; for applications which require a larger amount of data storage, that can be provided also; both are limited only by the total amount of storage available.

Abstract: An equipment management method for managing the semiconductor equipment through an equipment manager that includes a configuration controller, an equipment driver, and a generic equipment interface for communication between the configuration controller and the equipment driver is disclosed. The method includes the steps of providing a production scenario to be written into the production scenario database of the configuration controller, transmitting the production scenario into the equipment behavior database of the equipment driver via the generic equipment interface messages, and transforming the production scenario into equipment rules and SECS II messages via transformation rules set in the database of the equipment driver so as to send these SECS II messages to the equipment for management purposes.

Abstract: An occupant of a cubicle or office can activate transparent partitions to partially or completely enclose a cubicle and/or office to minimize noise, optimize privacy, lighting, air flow and temperature. This transparent partition is coated with a thin layer material connected to electrodes. Once the occupant decides that changing working conditions (e.g., minimize noise, optimize privacy, adjust lighting, air flow and/or temperature) is needed, the occupant can activate the thin transparency control layer by appropriate electronic control. Movable parts of the partitions may also be adjusted. The transparent partitions may be made darker or opaque. Movable partitions may be used to provide optimized privacy, noise level, lighting, air flow and temperature control. Conversely, the partitions may be made transparent and movable sections retracted to permit greater worker-to-worker interaction.

Abstract: A method of monitoring and automating a home using a network-based system is provided. The system employs a server system coupled to a centralized database, at least one client system, and a plurality of sensors positioned throughout the home. The method includes receiving monitoring and automation (M&A) information from the client system, storing M&A information into the centralized database, cross-referencing M&A information, updating the centralized database periodically to maintain M&A information, monitoring M&A information within the home through the plurality of sensors, performing M&A tasks in the home using the plurality of sensors based on M&A information inputted into the client system and monitored M&A data, and notifying a home owner of the monitored M&A data and the M&A tasks performed within the home.

Abstract: A method for operating automation control equipment applications ensures uninterrupted execution of a control application, at least during specific time periods, but such that the control application does not have the access privileges of a device driver. The operating system is configured for preventing calling of the processor commands from the control application, the processor communicating with the controlled automation equipment via a programmable bus interface. An embodiment of the method comprises the steps of performing read and write access of the control application to the bus interface directly and without routines of the operating system or device driver, and suspending processing of hardware interrupt calls of the processor during a preselected time period.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide an efficient method and apparatus for reprogramming flash memory in a multiprocessor computer system. A bootstrap processor (BSP) partitions portions of an image to be programmed into the flash memory and may divide those portions amongst itself and one or-more application processors (APs) for reprogramming.

Abstract: An initialization-allowing communication system is constituted with devices 70 and 80, a controller 400 for controlling the devices 70 and 80 through communication, and so on. Each device and the controller 400 are provided with communication means 31, a house code showing a setting place, a subsystem ID showing the ID of a subsystem in a set system, a device ID showing the type of device, and self-address setting-holding means 11 for holding a self-address constituted with a device number showing a device number and the controller 400 is further provided with system structure holding means 301 for holding the information concerned with the system structure to be controlled and a communication-counterpart-address setting-holding means 401 for setting and holding the address of a counterpart to be communication-controlled obtained from the information concerned with the system structure.

Abstract: An initialization-allowing communication system is constituted with devices 70 and 80, a controller 400 for controlling the devices 70 and 80 through communication, and so on. Each device and the controller 400 are provided with communication means 31, a house code showing a setting place, a subsystem ID showing the ID of a subsystem in a set system, a device ID showing the type of device, and self-address setting-holding means 11 for holding a self-address constituted with a device number showing a device number and the controller 400 is further provided with system structure holding means 301 for holding the information concerned with the system structure to be controlled and a communication-counterpart-address setting-holding means 401 for setting and holding the address of a counterpart to be communication-controlled obtained from the information concerned with the system structure.

Abstract: A method is provided for synchronizing drive combinations having a plurality of drives for machines. The drives include at least one master drive and a plurality of slave drives assigned to the master drive. A central control unit is provided, as well as controls for each of the drives, including data processing and storage equipment. The slave drives are synchronized with respect to at least one of rotational speed and angular setting as prescribed by the master drive. The steps of the method, depending upon operating values of the master drive, include determining at least one synchronization function for each of the slave drives, determining master-synchronous operating values for each operating time for the respective slave drive with the synchronization function, and prescribing the determined operating values for the respective drive. A device for performing the method is also provided.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a centrally controlled power distribution system is provided. The power distribution system includes a plurality of circuit breakers, each circuit breaker coupled to a single node electronics unit, the node electronics unit includes a plurality of processors and a memory, and the node electronics unit is communicatively coupled to at least one central control processing unit through an associated network. The method includes triggering a first node electronics unit process with a processor interrupt, and triggering a second node electronics unit process with at least one of a background polling of process execution flags and scheduled processor interrupts. The apparatus includes a software program code segment configured to trigger a first node electronics unit process with a processor interrupt, and trigger a second node electronics unit process with at least one of a background polling of process execution flags and scheduled processor interrupts.

Abstract: A home appliance networking system and a method for controlling the same. The home appliance networking system includes a plurality of passive home appliances controlled according to control commands sent over an internal network constructed for a home networking system, and a plurality of active home appliances for transmitting the control commands for the passive home appliances to the internal network. The plurality of active home appliances transmit different control commands each assigned a unique number to a specific one of the plurality of passive home appliances. The specific passive home appliance is controlled according to only a latest one of the input control commands.

Abstract: The invention relates to automatic determination of the spatial structure (topology) of a control system (2) with respect to the position/optional positions of components (S1-S4) in a system. Information on the spatial structure of a selected system component (S1) is determined with respect to the optional positions of other system components (S2-S4) by providing an information module (I1-I4) which is respectively associated with the system components (S1-S4), containing information on the spatial structure of each respective system component (S1-S4) which can be accessed via an associated interface.

Abstract: The present invention is a microprocessor including a bus master and a system bus, comprising: an external bus interface that functions as an interface between the system bus and an external bus connected to an external memory. The external bus interface comprises: (1) a batch read control section, which, in response to a batch read instruction from the bus master, repeatedly accesses the external bus in accordance with a batch read address, reads out data from the external memory and stores the data in a buffer; and (2) an access switching section, which, in response to an ordinary read instruction from the bus master following the batch read operation, outputs data stored in the buffer to the system bus without accessing the external bus when the corresponding ordinary read address is the batch read address.

Abstract: In a master unit, clock signals from a clock are counted by a counter, and clock data is generated. This clock data is outputted to a slave unit by a driver, and stored in clock data storage memory. The slave unit stores clock data received by a receiver in the clock data storage memory. A processor for a program controller of the master and slave units starts up, and executes the synchronized operation of an operating program of axes that are synchronized on the basis of clock data stored in the clock data storage memory. It is also possible to commence operation of an axis under other conditions without relying on clock data. If override is applied to clock data, override will apply only to an axis that is synchronized and operated in accordance with clock data.

Abstract: A method of controlling an Internet washing machine is disclosed, in which the electric power required to keep the Internet washing machine be in a remote-controllable state can be reduced. The method of controlling the Internet washing machine comprises the steps of counting down the remaining time from a point of time when the internet washing machine is turned on, starting a remote control mode by connecting an on-line server with the internet washing machine so that they are in a state of a session if an operating part does not work during the preset time, and starting a power saving mode if either the operating part does not work or a signal for remotely controlling the washing machine is not generated before the preset time from a point of time when the remote control mode is started.

Abstract: A method for overload detection according to one embodiment of the invention includes a control process and a data process. In response to a timing signal, the control process sets a state of a timing indicator. Upon execution of a time-constrained operation, the data process checks the state of the timing indicator. In other embodiments, subsequent to an overload detection, an auxiliary data process is configured to execute in a mode that consumes fewer processing cycles.

Abstract: A search system and method for controlling multiple agents to optimize an objective using distributed sensing and cooperative control. The search agent can be one or more physical agents, such as a robot, and can be software agents for searching cyberspace. The objective can be: chemical sources, temperature sources, radiation sources, light sources, evaders, trespassers, explosive sources, time dependent sources, time independent sources, function surfaces, maximization points, minimization points, and optimal control of a system such as a communication system, an economy, a crane, and a multi-processor computer.

Abstract: A control and data transmission installation and a process for transmission of safely-related data in a control and data transmission installation. In accordance with the invention, safety procedures of existing field bus systems, particularly the interbus, are improved in such a way that there is no need either for additional lines for the transmission of control signals or redundant, safety-related units. In the inventive control and data installation, a master control device and a number of bus subscribers each include respective safety-related devices for carrying out predetermined safety functions. The safety-related devices can communicate with each other by way of a field bus.

Abstract: There are provided a data processing apparatus which makes an I/F for data processing modules (processors) versatile to facilitate addition/modification on a data processing module basis in accordance with processing contents, an image processing apparatus, and a method for the apparatuses. A data processing module (3) includes a read address generator (11), read FIFO (7), write address generator (13), write FIFO (9), and arbiter (10) and is connected to a host arbiter (4) through a 1-channel port. The read address generator (11) and write address generator (13) generate interrupts upon acceptance of final access requests so as to control activation of each data processing module (8-1-8-m) in accordance with the state of each data processing module in interrupt processing. Note that data transfer among the respective data processing modules is performed on a RAM (6).

Abstract: A timing control system for a hollow glassware production line having a plurality of sections includes a machine controller; a plurality of section driving boards; a main serial bus interposed between the machine controller and the section driving boards; and a plurality of actuators controlled by the section driving boards; the intelligent control operations being concentrated in the machine controller.

Abstract: A flexible control system and method of controlling a processing operation. The control system and method may be employed to control a high speed manufacturing system for processing articles of manufacture requiring processes to be performed on the articles at a pre-selected processing rate includes a trunk for simultaneously conveying a plurality of the articles of manufacture at the pre-selected processing rate in a first mode of motion from the beginning of the manufacturing system to the end of the system. At least one branch processing station is positioned intermediate the beginning and the end of the trunk wherein the branch processing station during its operation performs at least one process on articles of manufacture conveyed on the branch processing station and where the articles are conveyed in a second mode of motion.

Abstract: Welding controller 1 has CPU 1a, ROM1 1b, ROM2 1c and RAM 1d. Programs and data are written into the ROM1 1b and can be rewritten. Sequential welding data is written into the RAM 1d and can be rewritten. A write program for writing programs or data or sequential welding data into the ROM1 1b or the RAM 1d is stored in the ROM2 1c. When a welding control program or data or sequential welding data is input into the CPU 1a from an input device 10 or a computer 12, the CPU 1a executes the write program to write the inputted program or data or sequential welding data into the ROM1 1b or the RAM 1d. Preferably, ROM 1b is an in situ programmable memory, such as a flash memory or EEPROM.

Abstract: A versatile controller that can he used as either a stand-alone controller in a relatively small process plant or as one of numerous controllers in a distributed process control system depending on the needs of the process plant includes a processor adapted to be programmed to execute one or more programming routines and a memory, such as a non-volatile memory, coupled to the processor and adapted to store the one or more programming routines to be executed on the processor. The versatile controller also includes a plurality of field device input/output ports communicatively connected to the processor, a configuration communication port connected to the processor and to the memory to enable the controller to be configured with the programming routines and a second communication port which enables a user interface to be intermittently connected to the controller to view information stored within the controller memory.

Abstract: A circuit-board-processing line (10) employing various circuit-board-processing machines (12, 14, 16, 18, 62, 64, and 66) includes SMEMA-device emulators (22 and 68) interposed in the SMEMA channels between successive board-processing machines. Coordination circuitry (24) receives from those emulators reports of the signals that they observe, and it controls various line machinery and other emulators in response. It similarly controls the emulators in response to information that it receives from various board-processing machines. In this way, the system is able to provide reporting and control features that the board-processing machines do not provide inherently.

Abstract: A construction of RTU assembly is provided which has a number of independently operational cells for systems functions. Each cell is formed from a configurable component and effectively could be of the same construction as a conventional RTU that would be used for a particular function. There is inter-cell communication means for the continuous downloading of information between cells. Ideally the information is controlled in such a way that each cell is aware of all the information that is being transferred, but only receives that information that it requires. In this way all the functions can be performed and the cells operate as equal peers and no one cell has priority over the other cells, such that the failure of one cell will cause the failure of all the others. There can be a duplication of functions in the cells and various “redundancy” of power, and I/O ports is built into the system.

Abstract: A distributed object for use in a networked computer system including a host computer and a remote computer, where the remote computer is in electronic communication with a device, is disclosed in one embodiment of the present invention as including a first member component implemented and stored on the host computer, and a second member component implemented and stored on the host computer. The second member component is in electronic communication with the remote computer, and the second member component functions to access data on the remote computer. The distributed object may be part of an object hierarchy. The object hierarchy includes a base class having member data and functions common to a set of remote computers, where the base class is implemented and stored on the host computer. The object hierarchy may also include a first subclass derived from the base class. The first subclass may be implemented and stored on the host computer.

Abstract: A system of intelligent appliances coupled by common household power lines or wireless links. In particular, the system includes one of more of a kitchen console, a breadmaker, a slow cooker, and a rice cooker/steamer. One or more of the appliances serves as a system controller and may include a further communications interface for coupling to an external communications network, such as the telephone network. The system can thus be accessed and controlled remotely. The system can also communicate with and obtain information from remote sources such as Internet-based facilities.

Abstract: Disclosed are a data processing apparatus which, by being providing with a software processor for implementing prescribed data processing by software and a hardware processor for implementing the prescribed data processing by hardware, makes it possible to process externally supplied data at high speed, as well as a method of selecting processors efficiently in this data processing apparatus. If data processing has been requested, the time it takes the hardware processor to execute this data processing is acquired using test data. If the time required for processing is less than a predetermined time, the hardware processor is selected to execute processing by hardware. If the time required for processing is equal to or greater than the predetermined time, the software processor is selected to execute processing by software. The appropriate processor is selected depending upon the status of utilization of the software processor and the status of utilization of the hardware processor.

Abstract: A computing machine capable of performing multiple operations using a universal computing unit is provided. The universal computing unit maps an input signal to an output signal. The mapping is initiated using an instruction that includes the input signal, a weight matrix, and an activation function. Using the instruction, the universal computing unit may perform multiple operations using the same hardware configuration. The computation that is performed by the universal computing unit is determined by the weight matrix and activation function used. Accordingly, the universal computing unit does not require any programming to perform a type of computing operation because the type of operation is determined by the parameters of the instruction, specifically, the weight matrix and the activation function.

Abstract: The present invention refers to a centralised control system that provides a plurality of transmittable commands to at least one connection interface. Said transmittable commands comprise a first command containing instructions for loading the contents of a third memory (NVM) in a first memory, a second command containing instructions for reading the contents of said first memory and transmitting it to said personal computer, a third command containing instructions for writing directly in said first memory, a fourth command containing instructions for reading directly the data contained in said first memory, a fifth command containing instructions for reading the data contained in a second memory; a sixth command containing instructions for selecting between a first (local) and second (remote) operative mode.

Abstract: An initialization-allowing communication system is constituted with devices 70 and 80, a controller 400 for controlling the devices 70 and 80 through communication, and so on. Each device and the controller 400 are provided with communication means 31, a house code showing a setting place, a subsystem ID showing the ID of a subsystem in a set system, a device ID showing the type of device, and self-address setting-holding means 11 for holding a self-address constituted with a device number showing a device number and the controller 400 is further provided with system structure holding means 301 for holding the information concerned with the system structure to be controlled and a communication-counterpart-address setting-holding means 401 for setting and holding the address of a counterpart to be communication-controlled obtained from the information concerned with the system structure.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a device and a method for synchronizing processes which are executed on a plurality of units (2a, 2b, 2c), in particular, in paper-processing machines, the units (2a, 2b, 2c) being connected to a central control unit (1) via a data bus (6). The present invention is characterized in that the central control unit (1) is designed for distributing movement commands via a data bus (6) to a plurality of units (2a, 2b, 2c), the movement commands containing the instant at which these commands are executed, and that provision is made for the units (2a, 2b, 2c) which keep available the absolute time to synchronously execute these commands at the instant communicated via the commands.

Abstract: Methods are described with which, from a large number of objects and in an efficient way, a search can be made for the objects which best resemble a sample object. For this purpose, the number of objects to be considered is restricted via efficiently calculated limiting values. In addition, the methods have search strategies which use the values of the characteristics of the objects considered for an efficient search strategy.

Abstract: A N-mode control method for providing an input control signal to control an output of a plant is disclosed. First, one or more error control signals and one or more output control signals are determined. Each error control signal is a function of one or more error output signals with each error output signal being indicative a differential between one or more measured output signals of the plant and one or more commanded output signals of the plant. Each output control signal is as a function of the one or more measured output signals. Second, the input control signal is determined as a function of a N dynamics control law when the error control signal(s) and the output control signal(s) collectively indicate the plant is operating in a 1st or 2nd or 3rd or . . . (N−1)th or Nth region of operation.

Abstract: A search system and method for controlling multiple agents to optimize an objective using distributed sensing and cooperative control. The search agent can be one or more physical agents, such as a robot, and can be software agents for searching cyberspace. The objective can be: chemical sources, temperature sources, radiation sources, light sources, evaders, trespassers, explosive sources, time dependent sources, time independent sources, function surfaces, maximization points, minimization points, and optimal control of a system such as a communication system, an economy, a crane, and a multi-processor computer.

Abstract: A method and system are taught for controlling an operating process. The method comprises measuring an operating process parameter, determining whether the operating process parameter is within a predetermined dead band, using a closed loop controller when the operating process parameter is within the predetermined dead band, and using an open loop controller when the operating process parameter is not within the predetermined dead band. These steps are repeated until the operating process is completed. Closed loop control uses a first model in conjunction with a plurality of configurable constants that are associated with a plurality of physical parameters of the process being controlled. Open loop control uses a second model in conjunction with a plurality of configurable constants that are associated with a plurality of physical parameters of the process being controlled.

Abstract: Communication system of a group robot system is made hierarchical, having a base station as an uppermost layer and a plurality of layers formed by a plurality of sensing robots, and the plurality of sensing robots are controlled such that a sensing robot belonging to an upper layer of the hierarchical structure has higher sensing resolution than a sensing robot belonging to a lower layer of the hierarchical structure. Thus, a group robot system capable of efficiently searching for an object can be obtained.

Abstract: A system for controlling and/or monitoring a control-unit group having at least two control units, a first control unit and at least one second control unit, the first control unit being designed for performing its control function and for monitoring this control function, as well as for monitoring the control function of the at least one second control unit.

Abstract: A two-wire field-mounted process device with multiple isolated channels includes a channel that can be an input channel or an output channel. The given input or output channel can couple to multiple sensors or actuators, respectively. The process device is wholly powered by the two-wire process control loop. The process device includes a controller adapted to measure one or more characteristics of sensors coupled to an input channel and to control actuators coupled to an output channel. The controller can be further adapted to execute a user generated control algorithm relating process input information with process output commands. The process device also includes a loop communicator that is adapted to communicate over the two-wire loop.

Abstract: A database query optimizer processes an expression in a database query, and generates therefrom an operand list and a corresponding truth table that may be represented by a list of binary characters, where the operand list and corresponding truth table represent a disjunct normal form for the expression. Each expression is stored once it is processed into its operand list and corresponding list of binary characters. New queries are processed into component expressions, and each expression is checked to see if the expression was previously processed and stored as a processed expression. If so, the operand list and list of binary characters for the previously-stored expression may be used in processing the current expression. If there is no previously-stored expression that corresponds to the current expression, the previously-stored expressions are checked to see if any correspond to a complement of the current expression.

Abstract: A transducer intraconnection bus connects a limited number of transducer components chosen from a larger number of types of transducer components. The transducer components include functional variations in plant communication protocol, fluid variable, operator control, embedded control and display functional variations. One transducer component is a sensor module that exchanges type data over the transducer intraconnection bus during an adaptation interval. At the end of the adaptation interval, a method of communication is selected that is adaptable to the types connected. During an operational interval following the adaptation interval, the selected method of communication is used on the transducer intraconnection bus.

Abstract: A multiprocessor computer architecture incorporating a plurality of programmable hardware memory algorithm processors (“MAP”) in the memory subsystem. The MAP may comprise one or more field programmable gate arrays (“FPGAs”) which function to perform identified algorithms in conjunction with, and tightly coupled to, a microprocessor and each MAP is globally accessible by all of the system processors for the purpose of executing user definable algorithms. A circuit within the MAP signals when the last operand has completed its flow thereby allowing a given process to be interrupted and thereafter restarted. Through the use of read only memory (“ROM”) located adjacent the FPGA, a user program may use a single command to select one of several possible pre-loaded algorithms thereby decreasing system reconfiguration time.

Abstract: A system for communication between the software components of an optical metrology system is provided. For this system, an optical metrology tool is configured to have a graphical user interface (GUI) process and a control software process. The GUI process is responsible for user interaction. The control software controls the operation of the optical metrology tool (e.g., data acquisition, robotic wafer handling, etc.). The GUI and control software processes communicate using two named pipes. The first, or inbound pipe is used by the GUI process to send commands to the control software process. The second, or outbound pipe is used by the control software process to send result messages to the GUI process. This decouples the GUI and control software processes. This facilitates the use of GUI development environments and allows the GUI process and control software process to be hosted on separate computer systems in networked environments.