A technique is provided for exchanging data between software components in interface devices, monitoring devices, control devices, and so forth. Device elements are stored in the devices that are capable of communicating signals to one other, with each device element including a predetermined functionality. A connection is established between the device elements that facilitates event-based transfer of signals. A first of the device elements transfers data resulting from its functionality acting upon the received signals or the received signals themselves to a second device element. The transfer happens upon a receipt of the signals by the first device element. Each of the device elements made and act upon the signals in accordance with this respective functionality. The technique may used to cause interface elements to mirror one another. In other settings, quite different device elements may exchange data in an event-based transfer upon the receipt of the data by one of the elements to carryout the substantially different functionalities in accordance with their own programming.