First user information is to be associated with a first user identifier stored in a first authentication apparatus to second user information associated with a second user identifier stored in a second authentication apparatus or the second user information is to be updated to the first user information, if the second user identifier received from the second authentication apparatus is the same as the first user identifier. First card information is to be associated with the first user identifier and stored in the first storage unit, if the first card information corresponding to the second card information stored in the second authentication apparatus is not stored in the first authentication apparatus and a user having the second user identifier associated with the second card information further has the first user identifier stored in the first authentication apparatus.

A configuration for realizing time synchronization between different protocols is provided. There is provided a control device that constitutes a control system for controlling machines or facilities. The control device includes first communication means configured to transmit and receive data in accordance with a first protocol. The first communication means includes a first timer that defines a time of data transmission and is time-synchronized with an entity to and from which data is transmitted and received. The control device includes second communication means configured to transmit and receive data in accordance with a second protocol different from the first protocol. The second communication means includes a second timer that defines a time of data transmission and is time-synchronized with an entity to and from which data is transmitted and received. The control device includes synchronization means configured to time-synchronize the first timer and the second timer.

Systems and methods for supporting multiple time synchronization protocols within an industrial device include obtaining a time reference from each industrial device within the first set of industrial devices and the second set of industrial devices. The time reference provides the basis for synchronization of the clock and other clocks of first set of industrial devices and the second set of industrial devices. A principal time reference is selected from among the time references. Once selected, the principal time reference is correlated with each of the time references obtained from the first set of industrial devices and the second set of industrial devices. With the principal time reference correlated, related communication with the second device may be controlled.

In an information processing system, plural information processing devices are mutually connected by an SMP connection mechanism. Each of the information processing devices includes a control device (FPGA) having a synchronous register that shows the state of a control signal of the information processing device and an internode communication access control unit that transmits first synchronous packets with the content of the synchronous register reflected to the other information processing devices at predetermined time intervals, receives second synchronous packets from the other information processing devices, and reflects the content of the received second synchronous packets on the synchronous register.

A method for use in an automated wireless industrial system comprising a device configured to act as a control node and at least one field level device, wherein the method comprises: issuing a control communication; inserting at least one time delay (tk) to the control communication; noting the communication time (TCL) for the communication; comparing the time for communication (TCL) to an expected time for communication (TR); and determining if any of the at least one time delay (tk) should be adapted, and if so, adapting at least that time delay.