A production module for implementing a production function on a product, wherein the production module is configured couple to a second production module which is configured implement a second production function on the product, where self-description information relating to properties of the production module is stored on a storage device of the production module, and the second production module comprises second self-description information relating to properties of the second production module, where the production module is further configured to transmit the self-description information to the second production module and to receive second self-description information from the second production module, and where port information relating to the coupling process with the second production module is stored on the storage device, or the production module is configured to store port information relating to the coupling process with the second production module.

A production module for implementing a production function on a product, wherein the production module is configured couple to a second production module which is configured implement a second production function on the product, where self-description information relating to properties of the production module is stored on a storage device of the production module, and the second production module comprises second self-description information relating to properties of the second production module, where the production module is further configured to transmit the self-description information to the second production module and to receive second self-description information from the second production module, and where port information relating to the coupling process with the second production module is stored on the storage device, or the production module is configured to store port information relating to the coupling process with the second production module.

A device control apparatus periodically transmits a status confirmation signal to a control source device described in a cooperation control table and receives a response signal with respect to the status confirmation signal. Device control apparatus determines whether or not a status included in the response signal matches a status described in the cooperation control table. If they match, a control destination device, an operation and a control command corresponding to the operation are specified using the cooperation control table. A configuration for transmitting a control command with respect to the control destination device is provided. Therefore, even in a case where a communication protocol and the control command are different from one another in makers of devices, it is possible to realize cooperation control.

A device control apparatus periodically transmits a status confirmation signal to a control source device described in a cooperation control table and receives a response signal with respect to the status confirmation signal. Device control apparatus determines whether or not a status included in the response signal matches a status described in the cooperation control table. If they match, a control destination device, an operation and a control command corresponding to the operation are specified using the cooperation control table. A configuration for transmitting a control command with respect to the control destination device is provided. Therefore, even in a case where a communication protocol and the control command are different from one another in makers of devices, it is possible to realize cooperation control.