Synchronization in a distributed system

The method of claim I further comprising:

• producing a control signal, at each controller of the plurality of controllers, based on the updated process model, beginning after the determined apply time.

The method of claim I wherein determining a maximum delay associated with distributing the updated process information comprises:

• determining a maximum number of state periods associated with transmitting the updated process information to the plurality of controllers.

A system comprising:

• a plurality of controllers, each controller of the plurality being operative to control a portion of a task associated with a process;
• a distributing element that is operative to receive updated process information regarding the process, select controllers of the plurality to receive the updated process information, distribute the updated process information to the selected controllers in conjunction with at least one of a time stamp indicating when the undated process information was collected and an apply time indicating when the information is to be used.

A document processing system comprising:

• a first xerographic marking engine;
• a plurality of transport module controllers, each transport module controller of the plurality being operative to control a portion of a sheet transportation task related to transporting a sheet to or from the first xerographic marking engine;
• a distributing element that is operative to receive updated process information, select transport module controllers of the plurality to receive the updated process information based on the received updated process information, and distribute the updated process information to the selected transport module controllers in conjunction with at least one of a time stamp indicating when the information was collected and an apply time indicating when the information is to be used.