Patent ID: 8169302

Claim:
A control system for controlling operation of a movable system, the control system comprising: a wireless communications component associated with a stationary system; a non-contacting signaling component associated with the stationary system and operative to transmit or receive a signal in a signal path proximate the stationary system; and a control system component associated with the stationary system and operatively coupled with the non-contacting signaling component and with the wireless communications component, the control system component being at least one of a control module and an I/O module implementing a control program, the control system component using the non-contacting signaling system to verify whether a movable system is proximate the stationary system and using the wireless communications component to provide control information to a second control system component mounted to a particular movable system to cause at least one control actuator of the particular movable system to perform at least one manufacturing, assembly, testing, or other processing step relative to a part or workpiece transported by the movable system while the particular movable system is proximate the stationary system.