A computing device, such as a smartphone, can replace the hardware of various instruments to overcome the cost issue in designing universal smart instruments. Distinguished from traditional instruments, a universal smart instrument takes the maximum advantage of the latest smart phone or mobile computing devices. The instrument control panel is realized on the smartphone by applying the interactive graphical representation of control and indicator elements common in real instruments such as knobs, buttons, dials, graphs and the like. Universal smart instruments unify heterogeneous measurement probes on the market into a single device that can be readily modified or expanded when new technologies need to be added to the existing system or current measurement requirement change. Universal smart instruments also make use of the internet to publish and share data, which was unable to be achieved in conventional propriety instruments.