Techniques for group control using service data objects (SDO) are disclosed. A device controller is configured to perform operations including: receiving, from device controllers that are configured to control devices so that the devices operate based on a shared set point, SDO messages using an SDO protocol; determining that the device controller is a master device controller for the device controllers, based at least on the SDO messages; and sending a setpoint update message including a modified value of the shared set point, using the SDO protocol, to slave device controllers in the device controllers, wherein a slave device controller in the slave device controllers is configured to adjust operation of at least one slave device in the devices, based at least on the setpoint update message.

A settings information generation device, for reducing the number of settings steps pertaining to a device in a superordinate device that communicates with a slave device to which the device is connected, includes: a selection unit for accepting a selection of a device to be connected; an acquisition unit for acquiring operational settings information including the input/output data length of the selected device; and a generation unit for generating, on the basis of the operational settings information, superordinate device settings information for setting a storage region for storing data exchanged with the device by a controller via a device management unit.

A device includes a master device, a set of slave devices and a bus. The master device is configured to transmit first messages carrying a set of operation data message portions indicative of operations for implementation by slave devices of the set of slave devices, and second messages addressed to slave devices in the set of slave devices. The second messages convey identifiers identifying respective ones of the slave devices to which the second messages are addressed requesting respective reactions towards the master device within respective expected reaction intervals. The slave devices are configured to receive the first messages transmitted from the master device, read respective operation data message portions in the set of operation data message portions, implement respective operations as a function of the respective operation data message portions read, and receive the second messages transmitted from the master device.

A control system includes a control apparatus functioning as a master, and plural slaves which are network-connected to the control apparatus. The slaves each have identification information. The control apparatus executes a first instruction to set specified identification information to each of one or more specified slaves.

A control system includes a control apparatus functioning as a master, and plural slaves which are network-connected to the control apparatus. The control apparatus executes a first instruction to set specified identification information to a specified slave. In response to whether the specified identification information is successfully written, the control apparatus outputs information indicating whether a reboot of the specified slave is required.

A control system includes a control apparatus functioning as a master, and plural slaves which are network-connected to the control apparatus. The slaves each have identification information. The control apparatus includes executes a first instruction to set specified identification information to each of one or more specified slaves. The control apparatus outputs first error information indicating which slave that the setting of the identification information to which is failed, among the one or more specified slaves.

A relay apparatus is provided to achieve high-speed control, while suppressing costs for communication with a plurality of devices, by notifying additional information of the devices to a master apparatus and increasing the efficiency of transmission/reception of signals among the master apparatus and the devices. The relay apparatus communicates with a plurality of devices through a single device communication port. The relay apparatus receives additional information from each of the plurality of devices; and transmits/receives signals in units of groups to which each of the plurality of devices belongs.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a technology with which, when a hardware device is operated on the basis of a control program created by a program creation assistance device, an operation at a desirable response speed as, for example, a toy is possible, and an actual device of the hardware device can be independently driven. Provided is an information processing system comprising: a user terminal which assists with the creation of a control program by a user command; basic cores comprising a function for communicating with each of function modules and a function for controlling each of the function modules on the basis of the control program; and the function modules comprising a function for communicating with the basic core and a function for exercising a prescribed function. A control sending unit of the user terminal sends at least a portion of the control program to at least one of one or more of the basic cores.

A communication system provides feedback data for at least one water consuming device. The communication system includes a data collection interface, a controller, and an output interface. The data collection interface is configured to receive user data from at least one collection device. The controller is configured to perform an analysis of the user data from the at least one collection device. The output interface is configured to provide feedback data based on the analysis of the user data to a water consuming device.

A distributed control system for use in an assembly line grow pod includes a master controller and a hardware controller device. The master controller includes a first processor and a first memory for storing a first set of instructions that dictates plant growing operations and a second set of instructions that dictates a plurality of distributed control functions. The hardware controller device is coupled to the master controller via a plug-in network interface. The hardware controller device includes a second processor and a second memory for storing a third set of instructions that dictate a selected control function of the plurality of distributed control functions. Upon the plug-in connection, the master controller identifies an address of the hardware controller device and sends a set of parameters defining a plurality of tasks relating to the selected control function.