Disclosed are a communication method between a master controller and slave controllers, a slave controller for the communication method, and a battery management system using the communication method and the slave controller, in which the master controller receives safety information about battery cells through a plurality of channels even when each of a plurality of slave controllers includes only one micro controller unit, thereby minimizing the increase in the cost and enhancing the safety of the battery management system. The communication method includes performing bidirectional communication between a master controller and first to N.sup.th (where N is an integer equal to or more than two) slave controllers through a first communication channel, and receiving, by the master controller, an indication signal through a second communication signal via the first to N.sup.th slave controllers.

An IO-Link master includes: an IO-Link communication port that communicates with an IO-Link device according to a predetermined communication protocol; a digital input port that receives a first signal value output from the IO-Link device; and a determiner that determines whether abnormality is generated in a digital input line connecting the digital input port to the IO-Link device based on a second signal value received with the IO-Link communication port and the first signal value.

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.

Provided are a device and method of setting a communication channel of an overhead hoist transfer (OHT), and a computer program stored in a recording medium to execute the method. The method of setting a communication channel of an OHT includes checking, by a master parallel input/output (PIO) provided in the OHT, a logistics transfer task command of the OHT, checking, by the master PIO, position information corresponding to the logistics transfer task command, based on the logistics transfer task command, checking, by the master PIO, unique number information of a slave PIO corresponding to the logistics transfer task command, based on the logistics transfer task command and the position information, and setting, by the master PIO, a communication channel between the master PIO and the slave PIO, based on the unique number information of the slave PIO.

This control device is connected to a master device and controls a drive target on the basis of the content of communication with the master device, and includes a communication unit which periodically transmits to and receives from the master device first information, which is information relating to control of the drive target, and second information, which is information relating to safety; a first processing unit which controls the drive target by processing the first information; a second processing unit which, by processing the second information, performs processing to ensure safety of the drive target; and an abnormality determining unit which determines that an abnormality has occurred if both the first information and the second information have not been processed within a prescribed period.

Disclosed are a communication method between a master controller and slave controllers, a slave controller for the communication method, and a battery management system using the communication method and the slave controller, in which the master controller receives safety information about battery cells through a plurality of channels even when each of a plurality of slave controllers includes only one micro controller unit, thereby minimizing the increase in the cost and enhancing the safety of the battery management system. The communication method includes performing bidirectional communication between a master controller and first to N.sup.th (where N is an integer equal to or more than two) slave controllers through a first communication channel, and receiving, by the master controller, an indication signal through a second communication signal via the first to N.sup.th slave controllers.

Disclosed are a communication method between a master controller and slave controllers, a slave controller for the communication method, and a battery management system using the communication method and the slave controller, in which the master controller receives safety information about battery cells through a plurality of channels even when each of a plurality of slave controllers includes only one micro controller unit, thereby minimizing the increase in the cost and enhancing the safety of the battery management system. The communication method includes performing bidirectional communication between a master controller and first to N.sup.th (where N is an integer equal to or more than two) slave controllers through a first communication channel, and receiving, by the master controller, an indication signal through a second communication signal via the first to N.sup.th slave controllers.

A controlling device includes: controlling sections configured to control respective of a plurality of devices; and a master controlling section configured to determine, by referring to information obtained from one of the plurality of devices, a control matter concerning another one of the plurality of devices.