METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR OPERATING VIRTUAL DEVICES BY MASTER CONTROLLERS IN A CONTROL SYSTEM

A master controller in a control area network system in a larger control area network may have a plurality of devices coupled thereto. The master controller may further include a device manager which provides a virtual device. The virtual device operates to link a state associated with the virtual device to a plurality of states associated with the devices such that the respective states are maintained in a substantially similar condition. The substantially similar condition is maintained by propagating a change in the state of the virtual device to a change in the state of the devices and a change in the state of one or more of the devices is propagated to the virtual device and all other devices.