Abstract: A method of executing a batch process in a manufacturing environment according to a product recipe, such that the product recipe specifies a plurality of actions and a plurality of parameters, includes performing at least one action of the batch process corresponding to a first version of the product recipe, receiving a second version of the product recipe, such that the second version of the product recipe is distinct from the first version of the product recipe, suspending the execution of the batch process prior to completion of the batch process, and resuming the execution of the batch process according to the second version of the product recipe.

Abstract: This disclosure describes a method for camera/user view navigation about enclosed 3D environment (e.g., the inside of a sports stadium or arena). The navigation system constrains the user view (camera) to a (pre-defined) guide based on the shape and size of the interior area which is the focus of the 3D virtual world. In the case of an arena this would generally be the playing surface. The user can easily control the camera movement on this guide with traditional up/down and left/right controls. These controls could be implemented as buttons within the application, keyboard controls, or mouse controls.

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety controller and to a method for loading a new operating program onto such a safety controller. The safety controller has an input module for automatically reading process signals, a failsafe signal processing module for automatically processing the process signals, and a failsafe output module which produces control signals as a function of the signal processing module. The signal processing module comprises at least one programmable processor and at least one read only memory. A current operating program for the processor is stored in a non-volatile form in the read only memory. A download device for transferring a new operating program is provided in the safety controller, with the download device enabling or inhibiting the transfer of a new operating program in a failsafe manner as a function of enabling information.

Abstract: An editor in an industrial automation environment comprises an input component that receives modification data relating to at least one of lifecycle and deployment of an object, the object is associated with a programmable logic controller and configured in accordance with a hierarchically structured data model. An implementation component can implement the modification data with respect to the object. The editor can further comprise a security component that determines that an entity providing the data to the input component is authorized to implement the modification data.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a system and method for allowing a user to modify a surgical procedure. An embodiment of the method of the present invention can include: providing a GUI on a touch screen of a surgical console, said GUI comprising a representation of the surgical procedure and representations of one or more surgical steps, wherein the GUI allows a user to modify the representation of the surgical procedure by dragging and dropping representations of surgical steps using the touch screen; detecting that the representation of the surgical procedure has been modified; and modifying the surgical procedure to correspond to the modified representation of the surgical procedure.

Abstract: Systems and methods for dynamic reconfiguration of an application of a programmable process controller are provided. According to one embodiment, a configuration device reads a new configuration file, which contains information regarding a desired number of instances and desired configurations of modules of the process control application, from its local memory. The configuration device then causes the application to instantiate the desired number of instances with the desired configurations by replacing an existing configuration file of the programmable process controller with the new configuration file. In another embodiment, a process control application of a programmable process controller dynamically configures its structure and memory allocation usage. During startup of the application, a configuration file is read that defines a number of instances and configurations of modules for the application.

Abstract: Methods and architectures are described that provide function block mobility between PLCs. Each PLC configured with Mobile Function Blocks (MFBs) may forward and execute MFBs from each other. To enable MFB mobility over a communication bus, each PLC having one or more configured MFBs requires a Communication Function Block (CFB) and an MFB directory data block. Each PLC maintains an MFB directory data block to store its MFB directory which is used when other PLCs send requests to check the availability of MFBs they need to run new tasks.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, computer program products and systems are provided for editing an image. One method includes editing, by a processor, an image including maintaining a list of transformations applied to the image including a last transformation; receiving a selection from a user to rollback a transformation, the selection not including the last transformation, where receiving a selection includes receiving a selection from the list of transformations that include plural selections that are not contiguous in an order in which the transformations were applied; generating, by the processor, a unique identifier associated with the edited image without the selection, the unique identifier including data identifying the image and all transformations to be applied to the image; and after receiving a request for an edited image, the request including the unique identifier, transmitting the edited image to a requesting device.

Abstract: An automation system for programming appliances having programmable controllers, programmable devices and trigger devices that communicate over a communication link. The user programs the programmable devices by placing the programmable controller in its training mode, activating the trigger device to generate a trigger signed and places select programmable devices in their programmed state. After all of the desired programmable devices have been put in then programmed states, the user takes the programmable controller out of its training mode. When the programmable controller is out of its training mode, it monitors the communication link for the trigger event. Upon detecting the trigger event, the programmable controller sends messages to the selected programmable devices instructing them to go to their programmed state.

Abstract: A method and system to update a syringe pump is provided. The pump supports a syringe having a plunger and includes a piston drive to couple to the plunger, a processor to control movement of the piston drive, and a memory to store syringe profiles for different syringes. Each syringe profile contains data for the processor to control the piston drive to expel fluid from a respective syringe at a rate. The method includes, with a computing system containing a database of data correlated to an array of syringes for which the pump could be used, culling from the database a syringe profiles for the syringes to be used by the pump within the facility or portion thereof, and updating the memory of the pump while in the facility with the culled syringe profiles whereby to update the pump for operation with syringes to be used with the syringe pump.

Abstract: Methods for accessing a control module that can be executed in a control device of an automating system are provided. The method includes the steps of providing the control module in the control device; providing a first interface module in the control device; providing a second interface module in the control device; connecting the control device with an operating device via a network; transferring the second interface module from the control device to the operating device, whereby the operating device comprises input and output devices for operation by a user; executing the second interface module by the operating device; and transferring data between the first and the second interface modules.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for line management. The apparatus, system and method includes data indicative of a plurality of items to pass through the line, a plurality of available processes, and a plurality of available streams. Ones of the plurality of available processes are corresponded to obtain at least one outcome. Computing code, when executed by at least one computing processor, effects a presentation of at least one graphical user interface, wherein the at least one outcome is obtained in accordance with at least one input to the graphical user interface related to ones of the items, ones of the processes, and ones of the streams, and wherein the presentation of the at least one graphical user interface optionally comprises a remote presentation via at least one network.

Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for operating a medical device with or without a cassette in place. A method is disclosed for adding additional VTBI to an ongoing infusion without stopping the infusion and with maintaining the infusion parameters. A method and system is disclosed for changing the CCA without having to interrupt or completely stop an ongoing infusion. Quick titration buttons are provided to allow improved navigation between various delivery display screens.

Abstract: An exposure system is configured to update control software installed on an exposure apparatus to new control software. The exposure system comprises: at least one exposure apparatus; a simulator configured to test an operation of the exposure apparatus; an output unit configured to output configuration information of the exposure apparatus, which includes information representing a temporal change of the exposure apparatus; a reflecting unit configured to reflect the temporal change of the exposure apparatus on the simulator based on the configuration information output from the output unit; and an updating unit configured to update control software installed on the simulator to new control software.

Abstract: An offline programming device for preparing an operation program for making a robot with a hand perform a handling operation for an object with respect to a machine tool.

Abstract: The invention provides improved apparatus for configuring a control system that includes a model that is made up of one or more objects representing one or more devices in the system. The objects have parameters reflecting characteristics of the devices represented by the respective objects. At least one of those parameters is associated with a “track” attribute indicating whether at least selected configuration information transferred from that object to the respective device in the control system is to be logged to a change tracking system. A download service transfers configuration information from objects in the model to devices in the control system. Those downloads can go directly to the respective devices or can go indirectly, e.g., via other devices in the control system (such as controllers, field bus modules, and so forth).

Abstract: A parameter setting system for programmable logic controller (PLC) includes a document module, a main program module, a parameter storage module, an interface display module, and a display interface. The document module stores application documents and an extensible markup language (XML) document of PLC. The main program module reads names and scale values of the parameters from the XML document, and outputs a control signal. The parameter storage module stores the names and scale values of the parameters from the main program module. The interface display module receives the control signal from the main program module and reading names and scale values of the parameters from the parameter storage module according to the control signal. The display interface displays the names and scale values of the parameters from the interface display module.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for evaluating an application for controlling a process within an automation system. The application is stored within a controller, and at least two versions of it are present within the controller. The method comprises the steps of: inputting to the different versions of the application an input signal obtained from the process; executing, in the controller, tasks based on this input signal for the different versions; generating a report comprising comparisons of the outputs from the different versions of the application; and evaluating, based on the generated report, the version(s) not used for controlling the process. An improved way of revising an automation system is thereby achieved. The invention also relates to such controller and an automation system.

Abstract: An editor in an industrial automation environment comprises an input component that receives modification data relating to at least one of lifecycle and deployment of an object, the object is associated with a programmable logic controller and configured in accordance with a hierarchically structured data model. An implementation component can implement the modification data with respect to the object. The editor can further comprise a security component that determines that an entity providing the data to the input component is authorized to implement the modification data.

Abstract: A system, method, and computer readable medium. A method includes receiving input for a simulation model, the simulation model including a sensor. The method includes concurrently executing the simulation model and control code for a simulated physical controller, where the control code interacts with the simulation model according to a state of the sensor. The method includes generating revised control code based on the executed simulation model and control code, and generating controller-specific control code based on the revised control code. The method includes executing the simulation model and the controller-specific control code, the controller-specific control code interacting with the simulation model.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuring process, environmental, industrial and other control systems generate and/or utilize models representing configurations of control systems and/or the systems controlled by them. Records of changes to the models or the configurations represented by them are maintained, thereby, for example, providing bases for determining current states, prior states and histories of changes. Objects in the model have characteristics, such as an object type characteristic and an area characteristic. Users can have corresponding permissions. A security mechanism apparatus controls access by users to the objects. Composite objects are defined by definition objects and are displayed in encapsulated or expanded formats. Objects can include an edit control type identifier that determines how they are presented for editing. Functionality responds to user commands by transferring characteristics of a first object depicted by the graphical user interface to a second object.

Abstract: An editor in an industrial automation environment comprises an input component that receives modification data relating to at least one of lifecycle and deployment of an object, the object is associated with a programmable logic controller and configured in accordance with a hierarchically structured data model. An implementation component can implement the modification data with respect to the object. The editor can further comprise a security component that determines that an entity providing the data to the input component is authorized to implement the modification data.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuring process, environmental, industrial and other control systems generate and/or utilize models representing configurations of control systems and/or the systems controlled by them. Records of changes to the models or the configurations represented by them are maintained, thereby, for example, providing bases for determining current states, prior states and histories of changes. Objects in the model have characteristics, such as an object type characteristic and an area characteristic. Users can have corresponding permissions. A security mechanism apparatus controls access by users to the objects. Composite objects are defined by definition objects and are displayed in encapsulated or expanded formats. Objects can include an edit control type identifier that determines how they are presented for editing. Functionality responds to user commands by transferring characteristics of a first object depicted by the graphical user interface to a second object.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuring process, environmental, industrial and other control systems generate and/or utilize models representing configurations of control systems and/or the systems controlled by them. Records of changes to the models or the configurations represented by them are maintained, thereby, for example, providing bases for determining current states, prior states and histories of changes. Objects in the model have characteristics, such as an object type characteristic and an area characteristic. Users can have corresponding permissions. A security mechanism apparatus controls access by users to the objects. Composite objects are defined by definition objects and are displayed in encapsulated or expanded formats. Objects can include an edit control type identifier that determines how they are presented for editing. Functionality responds to user commands by transferring characteristics of a first object depicted by the graphical user interface to a second object.

Abstract: A program analysis support device that can freely combine program analysis conditions and can realize desired program analysis. An analysis condition setting part inputs a program analysis condition in a form of a conditional equation (analysis command, an analysis subject, and analysis condition) having an inherent equation number. A POU list extraction processing executing part executes an analysis command that reads a program to generate a collection of POUs serving as analysis subjects constituting the program, and a variable use list extraction processing executing part executes an analysis command that extracts a cross-reference of a variable to extract a cross-reference of a variable to the POU collection serving as the analysis subject. Both the parts further extract a cross-reference of a variable to another POU collection.

Abstract: A method for reducing parameter data to be transferred in the case of uploading and/or downloading parameter settings between field devices and/or a control station, wherein the parameter data include information concerning an operating state of the field device and/or information concerning a process variable registered with the field device and/or identification data of the field device. Data present after a re-setting procedure or during the start-up of the field device are established as standard parameter data, wherein, for each parameter, modification information is stored concerning whether such parameter deviates from the standard parameter data, only such parameter data are transmitted, in the case of which a deviation from the standard parameter data is ascertained via the modification information.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing a control process within a process control system and resolving inconsistencies during execution of the control process includes loading the logical structure of the control process, loading a plurality of instantiation objects or processes when the control process is instantiated, using the instantiation objects to instantiate a procedural element of the control process as the control process calls for the procedural element during execution, executing the procedural element as part of the control process, and deconstructing the procedural element as execution of the procedural element is completed during execution of the control process. Resolution of inconsistencies includes executing a first model of an entity in a controller, executing a second model of the entity in an execution engine, detecting a difference between the models, generating a prompt and receiving an operation instruction to continue the process or abort the process.

Abstract: A method of transforming a G-code type part program into a STEP-NC language type part program is provided and more particularly, a method is provided for enabling a G-code type part program mainly used in the field to be easily applied to a STEP-NC controller without a troublesome correction. A STEP-NC language type part program is automatically created, which is composed of machining operation information, manufacturing feature information, machining strategy information and the like, through a process of analyzing G-codes from the G-code type part program and tool information. A method of transforming a G-code into a STEP-NC part program includes receiving a G-code part program, tools and a numerical controller; creating G-code block information, and partitioning the entire part program on a workingstep basis. The method further includes creating machining strategy information and creating the STEP-NC part program by arranging the machining workingsteps.

Abstract: A method and apparatus controls a plant using feedback signals. A procedural description of a feedback control process for the plant is translated into a set of objects, wherein each object is a portion of the procedural description, wherein each object is a strictly-encapsulated and autonomous software module, wherein the objects execute in a platform, and wherein the platform includes a set of nodes embedded in the plant and each node includes a processor. A feedback signals is generated by passing messages between the set of the objects in response to an operation of the plant.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuring process, environmental, industrial and other control systems generate and/or utilize models representing configurations of control systems and/or the systems controlled by them. Records of changes to the models or the configurations represented by them are maintained, thereby, for example, providing bases for determining current states, prior states and histories of changes. Objects in the model have characteristics, such as an object type characteristic and an area characteristic. Users can have corresponding permissions. A security mechanism apparatus controls access by users to the objects. Composite objects are defined by definition objects and are displayed in encapsulated or expanded formats. Objects can include an edit control type identifier that determines how they are presented for editing. Functionality responds to user commands by transferring characteristics of a first object depicted by the graphical user interface to a second object.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuring process, environmental, industrial and other control systems generate and/or utilize models representing configurations of control systems and/or the systems controlled by them. Records of changes to the models or the configurations represented by them are maintained, thereby, for example, providing bases for determining current states, prior states and histories of changes. Objects in the model have characteristics, such as an object type characteristic and an area characteristic. Users can have corresponding permissions. A security mechanism apparatus controls access by users to the objects. Composite objects are defined by definition objects and are displayed in encapsulated or expanded formats. Objects can include an edit control type identifier that determines how they are presented for editing. Functionality responds to user commands by transferring characteristics of a first object depicted by the graphical user interface to a second object.

Abstract: A method for operating an automation system which executes, as an automation solution, a control program having a plurality of software modules, where the method comprises replacing at least one software module comprising an old software module at the runtime of the control program with a new software module wherein the new software module is loaded into a memory of the automation system, an old data area associated with the old software module is compared with a new data area associated with the new software module, program code instructions for converting data for or from the old data area into data for or from the new data area is generated, and a program code instruction for invoking the old software module is replaced with program code instructions for invoking the generated program code instructions for data conversion and for invoking the new software module.

Abstract: Method for optimizing a control program for actuators, wherein by means of the control program, at least one first function comprising the allocated program lines is executed to control a first actuator, the control program being in the form of an executable model in a first step, and, based on the model, an instrumented program code being generated by a code generator for a test control program, and a first parameter being allocated to the first function, and wherein by means of a test unit, the test control program is processed repeatedly with predefined input values and, based on the result of this processing, a value is allocated to the first parameter, and the value allocated to the first parameter is stored in a memory area allocated to the model, and in a second step, the optimized control program is generated by the code generator, the value allocated to the first parameter being read out of the allocated memory area by an optimization unit of the code generator and compared with a predefined threshol

Abstract: A convergence and automation system includes (a) an internet-protocol based (IP) network implemented with a web service for devices (WSD) protocol, (b) a plurality of devices connected to the network, wherein each device is configured to perform at least one service, (c) a server implemented with the WSD protocol, connected to the network and configured to control the devices for converging and automating the services thereof, and (d) at least one client implemented with the WSD protocol, connected to the network and configured to control at least a portion of the services of the devices. One of the server and the at least one client is configured to establish communication with the devices and further configured with a control panel application allowing a user to configure and test the convergence and automation system.

Abstract: Systems and methods for automatically controlling conditions of a process are disclosed. In one example, a controller is programmed with a sequence of steps and parameters required to carry out a bioreactor process. The controller receives information related to a condition of the process over a first communication network, determines a control signal based on the received information and the programmed process, and sends the control signal over a second communication network to a benchtop utility tower. In one example, the utility tower can include transmitters for temperature, pH, and dissolved oxygen that send information related to a condition of the process to the controller over the first communication network, and an agitation system, a gas control system, a temperature control system and a pump control system that perform a control action based on the control signal affecting the process condition.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuring process, environmental, industrial and other control systems generate and/or utilize models representing configurations of control systems and/or the systems controlled by them. Records of changes to the models or the configurations represented by them are maintained, thereby, for example, providing bases for determining current states, prior states and histories of changes. Objects in the model have characteristics, such as an object type characteristic and an area characteristic. Users can have corresponding permissions. A security mechanism apparatus controls access by users to the objects. Composite objects are defined by definition objects and are displayed in encapsulated or expanded formats. Objects can include an edit control type identifier that determines how they are presented for editing. Functionality responds to user commands by transferring characteristics of a first object depicted by the graphical user interface to a second object.

Abstract: A simulation control section 210 of an NC machining simulation apparatus 10 computes a movement path of a mechanical element when performing simulation. A ring buffer 270 memorizes the movement path of the mechanical element. In response to a replay instruction, the simulation control section 210 reads the movement path from the ring buffer 270. The simulation control section 210 then displays the mechanical element on a display device 190 as a solid model based on the movement path for replaying the simulation.

Abstract: A priority selection mechanism for driving outputs from control logic which can be automatically translated to controllers of various protocols. The priority selection mechanism may assign a priority to the outputs and select the output having the highest priority as the output of the control logic. There may be an abstract representation of the priority logic which may permit a protocol mechanism to be used in the logic without the designer or user needing to know the details of the mechanism.

Abstract: A process of operating an automation system with an internet protocol based network includes receiving a user input to a client having a user interface implemented with Web Service for Devices (WSD) to initiate a series of scripted automation commands, executing the scripted automation commands by communicating the commands to at least one device implemented with WSD, and performing, with the at least one device, the scripted automation commands. The client is one of a personal computer, a television, a personal digital assistant, and a controller. The device is one of an audio system, a video system, an intercom system, a lighting system, a security system, and a HVAC system.

Abstract: A system providing control and communication is provided including at least one automation unit being adapted to run an operation program, and an engineering unit being adapted to modify the operation program, the engineering unit including a code-configurator, which is adapted to project automation functions of the operation program in the form of at least one configured data structure and to modify the configured data structure, the at least one automation unit including an interpreter framework, which is adapted to include a catalogue of necessary automation functions of the operation program and an empty data structure, the interpreter framework being further adapted to interpret the modified configured data structure and to provide a modified operation program on the basis of the automation functions of the catalogue and the modified configured data structure.

Abstract: A method and system to update a syringe pump is provided. The pump supports a syringe having a plunger and includes a piston drive to couple to the plunger, a processor to control movement of the piston drive, and a memory to store syringe profiles for different syringes. Each syringe profile contains data for the processor to control the piston drive to expel fluid from a respective syringe at a rate. The method includes, with a computing system containing a database of data correlated to an array of syringes for which the pump could be used, culling from the database a syringe profiles for the syringes to be used by the pump within the facility or portion thereof, and updating the memory of the pump while in the facility with the culled syringe profiles whereby to update the pump for operation with syringes to be used with the syringe pump.

Abstract: A user interface operable to connect to a device within an industrial control system includes a memory and a processing unit. The memory is operable to store a plurality of software applications for interfacing with the device and a configuration mask including access rights for at least a subset of the software applications. The processing unit is operable to establish a first connection with the device and disable selected software applications based on the configuration mask.

Abstract: The invention provides, in some aspects, a process, environmental, manufacturing, industrial or other such control system (hereinafter, “control system”) with enhanced, real-time change tracking. The system includes one or more configurable elements (e.g., field devices), a change tracking system that records of changes to those configurable elements (e.g., for compliance reporting, etc.) and a change detection system that responds to detected changes in configuration of those element(s) by inferring an identity of a person and/or device responsible for a change, the time of the change, and/or the reason for the change. This is unlike prior art systems, in which that such information must be specified, e.g., in a data entry form filled-in by the field engineer, operator or other who is making the change.

Abstract: Methods, apparatus, computer program products and systems are provided for editing an image. One method includes editing, by a processor, an image including maintaining a list of transformations applied to the image including a last transformation; receiving a selection from a user to rollback a transformation, the selection not including the last transformation, where receiving a selection includes receiving a selection from the list of transformations that include plural selections that are not contiguous in an order in which the transformations were applied; generating, by the processor, a unique identifier associated with the edited image without the selection, the unique identifier including data identifying the image and all transformations to be applied to the image; and after receiving a request for an edited image, the request including the unique identifier, transmitting the edited image to a requesting device.

Abstract: A method and system for updating tuning parameters associated with a controller without repetitive compilation of a controller code. The controller code represents an algorithm associated with the controller and can be compiled separately from a data set representing a solution for an optimization problem and also from a data set representing parameters required for prediction. The algorithm can be implemented in a programming language code suitable for implementation on an embedded platform or other types of computer platforms. The data sets can be represented in a specified data structure and the variables associated with the data structure can be declared in the controller template code. The variables can be updated independently without varying the compiled code associated with the controller algorithm that is referring to the variables. The controller can also be updated while the controller actively performs online.

Abstract: An extensive and powerful XML meta-data rule-based language and system for developing a use-interface for configuring, monitoring and provisioning a telecommunications system is provided. The language is based on rules that define configuration objects and relationships. The rules are organized into files that define the individual objects used to configure the telecommunications system. The rules are interpreted at run-time to instruct the system to present appropriate user-interface controls to create, edit, and manipulate the objects. The rules will direct the specific editor for objects' properties, sometimes consisting of edit controls, combo box controls, multiple selection controls, or dialog boxes for IP addresses, point codes, or dates. The rules can enforce dependencies and cardinalities, as well as display customized data tables across different objects.

Abstract: A PLC for distributed control includes a storage unit that stores common-data specifying information for specifying common data shared by a corresponding PLC and another PLC, a receiving unit that receives the common-data specifying information from another PLC, and a collating unit that collates the common-data specifying information stored in the storage unit with the common-data specifying information received by the receiving unit.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for configuring process, environmental, industrial and other control systems generate and/or utilize models representing configurations of control systems and/or the systems controlled by them. Records of changes to the models or the configurations represented by them are maintained, thereby, for example, providing bases for determining current states, prior states and histories of changes. Objects in the model have characteristics, such as an object type characteristic and an area characteristic. Users can have corresponding permissions. A security mechanism apparatus controls access by users to the objects. Composite objects are defined by definition objects and are displayed in encapsulated or expanded formats. Objects can include an edit control type identifier that determines how they are presented for editing. Functionality responds to user commands by transferring characteristics of a first object depicted by the graphical user interface to a second object.

Abstract: A universal computer for a vehicle, comprising a microprocessor for the processing of control programs, a storage unit, for the data thus calculated and an interface which permits a connection of the computer to a databus in the vehicle. The computer comprises control programs for controlling device provided in the vehicle, whereby the control commands are transmitted to the device to be controlled via device interfaces. The computer also comprises reconfigurable hardware, which permits a retroactive reconfiguration of peripheral components or an interface in the assembled state of the computer. A transmission of an algorithm for reconfiguration of the hardware is provided to the storage unit on the vehicle, so that a process for reconfiguration of the hardware associated with the peripheral components or the interface may be carried out.

Abstract: A control system methodology that uses object-oriented software to integrate multiple control systems into a common object model. Object-oriented techniques are used to construct distributed applications in a multi-vendor open system environment for use in controlling and monitoring systems of varying size and configuration. Information is brought into a common object model and made available throughout the system. A custom programming language is included for object creation. Access to objects is controlled through a multi-level security protocol. Data flow is governed by a real-time information synchronization manager. Classes are used to implement the system in a platform independent way according to a “core class hierarchy” in which objects are organized to inherit behavior and perform predictably. A control engine allows the user to control the order of execution of objects. A script is provided for generating custom objects.