Patent ID: 7187987

Claim:
A method for controlled operation of movable members by communication of operating commands from centralized and/or distributed control means to operator units for movement of said movable members, characterized by coordination of concurrent operation of operator units of a sub-group ( 1 , 2 , 8 – 11 ) of operator units ( 3 ) associated with a single movable member by interface means ( 6 , 7 ) interconnected between said sub-group and said centralized and/or distributed control means ( 4 , 16 ), said coordination including communication of an operating command for said single movable member from said central and/or distributed control means ( 4 , 16 ) to said interface means ( 6 , 7 ), generation of actual position and/or status information in each operator unit ( 3 ) of said sub-group and communication of said position and/or status information from the operator unit ( 3 ) to said interface means ( 6 , 7 ) and using said position and/or status information by said interface means ( 6 , 7 ) for communication of coordinated individual control commands to the operator units ( 3 ) of said sub-group ( 1 , 2 . 8 – 11 ) in response to said operating command for said single movable member, whereby communication between all operator units of the sub-group and said interface means is effected on a single communication line ( 27 c ).