Patent ID: 7103428

Claim:
A method of communicating with plural devices comprising: storing a display controller in each of plural devices of different types, each display controller generating display menus specific to the type of device; providing a portable display unit having a display and control keys; connecting the portable display unit to a first device of a first type, selected from the group consisting of a vacuum network controller, a cryopump, a roughing pump, a compressor, a water pump, a gauge and a turbopump, receiving menus from the first device specific to its type, displaying the menus on the portable display unit, and forwarding messages to the first device from the portable display unit to indicate activation of control keys; and connecting the portable display unit to a second device of a second type, receiving menus from the second device specific to its type, displaying the menus on the portable display unit, and forwarding messages to the second device from the portable display unit to indicate activation of control keys.