Patent US 3,976,981

A control system for controlling a number of different variables in accordance with input information has a plurality of separate control channels each including a digital store, preferably a shift register, for storing input and output data and also control parameters appropriate to that channel. The channels are connected sequentially to a common data processing unit which makes use of a common algorithm store. Selection of algorithms for the various channels is effected by a pin board matrix thereby providing a visual display of the selected algorithms. An operator's console has facilities for selecting any channel and displaying information from the channel store on monitors. A key-board enables the operator to change control parameters of the selected channel. Each channel also includes means for analogue-to-digital conversion of input information, digital to analogue conversion of output information and holding means for output analogue data.