Patent ID: 7035710

Claim:
A device for controlling a plurality of machine tools or production machines, comprising: one handheld device located remote from the plurality of machine tools or production machines and producing control signals for controlling operation of the plurality of machine tools or production machines; at least one respective ultrathin client included in each of the machine tools or production machines for converting the control signals from the one handheld device into bus telegrams which include data for controlling drive components for machine axes of the plurality of machine tools or production machines, said least one ultrathin client lacking built-in intelligence; and at least one bus system connecting the one handheld device with the at least one ultrathin client to transmit the data and the control signals between the one handheld device and the at least one ultrathin client, wherein the entire intelligence, including the control software for controlling the movement of the machine axes, is located in the one handheld device, wherein for each of the oluraiitv of machIne tools or production machines there exists in the control software a control function program, wherein the machine axes movements of each machine tool or production machine are controlled separately by a corresponding one of the control function programs.