A CANOpen-based protocol is used to broadcast input state to all nodes that are connected.  USB to serial interface allows a PC to configure and control all devices.

This device with 16 dedicated inputs and 8 outputs is a perfect starter kit for a custom pinball machine, designed around 5VDC switch input and up to 70VDC output.  5V power is enough to run many optic and halleffect sensors as well as physical switches.

Rules are configured that react to input state changes at a specified address.  These rules can be saved onto the device so that they may act as standalone devices. 

All devices have the ability to be a master node which can act as a middleman between a PC and other nodes to aid in configuration or on the fly output control.  Alternatively, a PLC program (from ladder logic) can be saved onto a master device which can control a network of devices without additional PC communication.