Control system architecture for integrated information technology facilities

Corporations, universities and other institutions are seeking to provide unified environments that integrate computer hardware and software with advanced and traditional presentation technologies. These integrated information technology facilities (IITF) are often called Boardroom 2000, Classrooms of the Future, and the like. The need for these facilities is real, but these unified environments unfortunately, do not currently exist except as vendor specific approaches. Integrated control of the software and hardware technologies from a variety of vendors is nonexistent. The paper develops a Control System Architecture for the consistent interface between the presenter and the information and presentation equipment. Following a layered approach similar to the ISO Open Systems Interconnection reference model, the primary components of the Control System Architecture are user interfaces, a Control System Processor, control network(s), and controlled equipment.<>