Bus device and method for operating bus device

Abstract

A bus device (10) includes: a coordinator (11); a plurality of subscribers (21 to 28), each subscriber comprising a button (41 to 48), a memory (61 to 68), and a display (81 to 88); and a bus (12) that couples the coordinator (11) to the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28). The coordinator (11) and the plurality of subscribers (21-28) are configured to be set in an address assignment mode. In the address allocation mode, the coordinator (11) is configured to indicate a first subscriber number (NN) and to broadcast a first broadcast message (B3) to the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28). In the address assignment mode, after activating a button (41) of a first subscriber (21) of the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28), the first subscriber (21) is configured to be activated and send an acknowledgement message to the coordinator (11). Furthermore, a method for operating a bus device (10) is described.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a bus device and a method for operating a bus device. Background Art

[0002] The bus device includes a coordinator, a plurality of subscribers and a bus. The bus can automatically provide addresses to subscribers using daisy chain control lines. Generally, this is a very simple and efficient way to assign addresses to subscribers. However, some types of buses do not use automatic addressing using daisy chain control lines. Alternatively, addresses can be assigned to subscribers with the aid of coding switches. Therefore, another address allocation method for buses without daisy chain control lines or for subscriptions without coding switches must be used.

[0003] The object is to provide a bus arrangement with high flexibility and a method for operating a bus arrangement.

[0004] This object is achieved by the subject-matter of the independent claims. Further developments and embodiments are described in the dependent claims. Summary of the invention

[0005] A bus device is provided, the bus device comprising a coordinator, a plurality of subscribers and a bus. Each of the plurality of subscribers comprises a button, a memory and a display. The bus couples the coordinator to the plurality of subscribers. The coordinator and the plurality of subscribers are configured to be set in an address allocation mode. In the address allocation mode, the coordinator is configured to indicate a first subscriber number and broadcast a first broadcast message to the plurality of subscribers. In the address allocation mode, after activating a button of a first subscriber of the plurality of subscribers, the first subscriber is configured to be activated and send a confirmation message to the coordinator.

[0006] Advantageously, the button of the first subscriber is pressed or switched by the user. Thus, the user selects which of the plurality of subscribers is the first subscriber and receives the first subscriber number. This allows a high flexibility in designing the bus arrangement.

[0007] In an embodiment of the bus arrangement, the coordinator comprises a coordinator display and is configured to indicate the first subscriber number on the coordinator display.

[0008] Additionally or alternatively, the coordinator is configured to indicate the first subscriber number on an external display.

[0009] In an example, the coordinator includes an antenna and is configured to send the first subscriber number to a mobile phone or tablet of a user. The coordinator communicates with the mobile phone or tablet, for example, using Bluetooth (RTM) or near field communication. Thus, the coordinator sends the first subscriber number to the mobile phone or tablet of the user, so that the mobile phone or tablet of the user shows the first subscriber number on a display of the mobile phone or tablet.

[0010] In an embodiment of the bus device, the coordinator display is implemented as, for example, a flat panel display. The display is implemented as, for example, a seven-segment display or a dot matrix display. The display is implemented as, for example, a liquid crystal display (abbreviated as LCD), a light emitting diode display (abbreviated as LED display) or an organic light emitting diode display (abbreviated as OLED display).

[0011] After activation, the first subscriber may be named as activated first subscriber.

[0012] In an embodiment of the bus device, in the address allocation mode, the activated first subscriber is configured to send a unique device identification number together with a confirmation message to the coordinator. The coordinator is configured to store the unique device identification number of the first subscriber in a coordinator memory of the coordinator, for example together with the first subscriber number.

[0013] In an example, a subscriber may be named a node. A subscriber number may be named a node number.

[0014] In an embodiment of the bus device, in the address allocation mode, the coordinator is configured to send a first subscriber number message including a first subscriber number to the first subscriber. In the address allocation mode, only the first subscriber activated among the plurality of subscribers is configured to store the first subscriber number in a memory of the first subscriber. The first subscriber number is, for example, named as a first subscriber address.

[0015] In an embodiment of the bus arrangement, the first subscriber is configured to send a confirmation message to the coordinator after storing the first subscriber number in the memory.

[0016] In an embodiment of the bus device, at the beginning of the address allocation mode, the coordinator is configured to send a broadcast message to multiple subscribers, so that each subscriber is set to be in a listening mode only, and the display of each subscriber indicates a first state. In an example, the subscriber can continuously listen and send messages to, for example, the coordinator. However, in the listening mode only, the subscriber cannot send messages to the coordinator and can listen. If or when the coordinator sends the broadcast message to assign a node number and all subscribers receive the broadcast message, each subscriber switches to a special mode to receive a new subscriber number. The broadcast message can also be named a telegram.

[0017] In an embodiment of the bus arrangement, after activating the first subscriber or after storing the first subscriber number in a memory of the first subscriber, the first subscriber is configured to control the display such that the display indicates the second state.

[0018] In an embodiment of the bus device, the display of the subscriber or each of the subscribers comprises a light emitting diode (LED for short).

[0019] In a further development of the bus device, the display of the subscriber is configured to indicate the first state by a flashing LED and to indicate the second state by a continuously illuminating LED.

[0020] In an embodiment of the bus device, the coordinator is configured to repeat the process until each of the plurality of subscribers has been activated and has received a subscriber number. Thus, for example, the plurality of subscribers further includes a second subscriber, a third subscriber, etc. In an example, the coordinator is configured to set the subscriber number to a number without a digit gap or a number with a digit gap.

[0021] In an embodiment of the bus arrangement, the bus is implemented as one of the group consisting of a two-wire bus, a three-wire bus or a four-wire bus.

[0022] In an embodiment of the bus arrangement, the bus is implemented as a two-wire bus configured for energy transmission and data communication.

[0023] In one embodiment of the bus arrangement, the bus is implemented as a Single Pair Ethernet bus—abbreviated to SPE bus.

[0024] In an embodiment of the bus device, the bus is implemented as a four-wire bus and is configured for separate energy transmission and data communication. In an example, two lines are configured for data communication. The other two lines are configured for providing a power supply voltage and a reference potential.

[0025] In an embodiment of the bus device, the bus is implemented as one of the group consisting of RS-485 bus (also known as TIA-485(-A) or EIA-485 bus), controller area network bus (abbreviated as CAN bus), Modbus or Modbus remote terminal unit bus (abbreviated as Modbus RTU bus).

[0026] In an embodiment of the bus arrangement, the bus is arranged as one of the group consisting of a linear bus, a star bus, a ring bus or a mixture of these bus forms.

[0027] In an embodiment of the bus arrangement, the coordinator is implemented as a gateway or a master gateway. In an example, the coordinator has a first bus interface connected to the bus and a second bus interface configured for connecting to a further bus.

[0028] In an embodiment of the bus device, the coordinator is implemented as a programmable logic controller (abbreviated as PLC). The coordinator includes, for example, a user interface or a user-machine interface. The coordinator includes a first bus interface connected to the bus. In an example, the PLC is a master PLC or a central PLC of the bus device. Therefore, in an example, the coordinator is configured as a controller that centrally processes all data of the bus device; the bus device is a closed system. For example, the coordinator has no additional bus interfaces.

[0029] Alternatively, the PLC is configured as a gateway.

[0030] In an embodiment of the bus arrangement, the coordinator is implemented as a master device and the plurality of subscribers are implemented as slave devices.

[0031] In an embodiment of the bus device, a subscriber of the plurality of subscribers is one of the group consisting of a circuit breaker, a power switch, a protection switch, a contactor, a sensor and a measuring device. The subscriber may be implemented as an in-cabinet device or a field device. The subscriber may be implemented as a switch mechanism.

[0032] In an embodiment of the bus device, a subscriber of the plurality of subscribers comprises a light switch comprising a push button and a display.

[0033] A method for operating a bus device is provided. The bus device includes a coordinator, a plurality of subscribers (each subscriber includes a button, a memory and a display), and a bus coupling the coordinator to the plurality of subscribers. The method includes:

[0034] - Setting up a coordinator and multiple subscribers in address allocation mode,

[0035] - in the address allocation mode, a first subscriber number is indicated by the coordinator, and a first broadcast message is broadcast by the coordinator to a plurality of subscribers, and

[0036] - In the address allocation mode, after activating a button of a first subscriber of the plurality of subscribers, the first subscriber is activated and a confirmation message is sent by the first subscriber to the coordinator.

[0037] Advantageously, the subscriber designated to receive the first subscriber number is selected by the user pressing a button for that subscriber.

[0038] The method for operating a bus arrangement is implemented, for example, by a bus arrangement according to one of the embodiments defined above. Therefore, features described in conjunction with the bus arrangement can also be used for the method, and vice versa.

[0039] In an example, the method is an addressing method for a switch mechanism device.

[0040] In an example, the method for operation is based on processes controlled by software in the coordinator and subscribers, optical recognition and user interaction.Addressing can be used for different types of bus topologies (not only for linear bus structures).

[0041] In an example, the method implements an addressing procedure for networked switching and control devices. The method is applied, for example, within industrial machine applications, but also in other applications with networked devices. With the aid of the described procedure, addresses of subscribers can be assigned easily and flexibly, regardless of their electrical bus wiring and bus devices. The procedure is implemented with the help of visual status information and by pressing configuration buttons located on the subscribers and on the coordinator.

[0042] In an example, networked switching and control devices in an industrial environment are provided with unique addresses so that the coordinator unambiguously addresses the subscribers via message telegrams. The coordinator acts as a bus master. The subscribers may be named participants or bus participants.

[0043] In the example, the method advantageously allows the assignment of addresses to subscribers without coding switches. Furthermore, addressing can be done in the physical order of the subscribers or in an alternative order according to the existing wiring. This is an advantage in the case of extended networks with, for example, additional bus lines. In addition, the address assignment is not strict and can be changed by the user.

[0044] In the example, the configuration process is the interaction of sent and received bus telegrams and the operation of buttons on the corresponding subscriber. The display, status LEDs and key buttons are located on the coordinator. The display is, for example, a seven-segment display or another display. The status LEDs and key buttons are located on the subscriber side.

[0045] The following description of the drawings of the embodiments can further illustrate and explain various aspects of the multi-port protection device. Components, structures and devices having the same structure and the same effect are shown with equivalent reference symbols, respectively. As long as the components, structures and devices correspond to each other in terms of their functions in different drawings, their description will not be repeated for each of the following drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0046] Figures 1 to 3 shows an embodiment of a bus device,

[0047] Figure 4A and Figure 4B An embodiment of the method is shown.

[0048] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D Another embodiment of the method is shown.

[0049] 6A to 6F Additional embodiments of the method are shown, and

[0050] Figure 7 Details of an implementation of the bus arrangement are shown. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] Figure 1 An embodiment of a bus device 10 is shown, which includes a coordinator 11, a plurality of subscribers 21 to 28, and a bus 12. Each of the plurality of subscribers 21 to 28 includes buttons 41 to 48, memories 61 to 68, and displays 81 to 88. Therefore, the plurality of subscribers 21 to 28 include a first subscriber 21 having a button 41, a memory 61, and a display 81, a second subscriber 22 having a button 42, a memory 62, and a display 82, and so on. The button 41 of the first subscriber 21 is implemented as, for example, a key-type button or a switch. The switch is implemented as, for example, a capacitive switch, a mechanical switch, an inductive switch, an optical switch, or a diaphragm switch. The display 81 to 88 of each of the plurality of subscribers 21 to 28 includes, for example, a light emitting diode (abbreviated as LED). The subscribers of the plurality of subscribers 21 to 28 are, for example, circuit breakers or power switches. The memories 61 to 68 are, for example, non-volatile memories. The memories 61 to 68 are, for example, electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (abbreviated as EEPROM) or flash memories. The buttons 41 to 48 are implemented as, for example, push-button buttons or switches.

[0052] The coordinator 11 includes a coordinator display 15, an additional coordinator display 16 and a coordinator button 17. The coordinator display 15 can, for example, indicate a number. For example, the coordinator display 15 can, for example, indicate a number with one digit, two digits or three digits. The coordinator display 15 can, for example, indicate a number with at least one digit or at least two digits. The additional coordinator display 16 can, for example, indicate a state. The additional coordinator display 16 includes, for example, an LED. The coordinator 11 receives a power supply voltage VDD. The power supply voltage VDD is, for example, 24 V. The coordinator 11 is implemented as, for example, a gateway. The coordinator 11 is implemented as a master device, and a plurality of subscribers 21 to 28 are implemented as slave devices. The coordinator 11 includes a coordinator memory 18. The coordinator memory 18 is, for example, an EEPROM or a flash memory. The coordinator 11 includes, for example, a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a logic gate or a state machine.

[0053] The bus 12 couples the coordinator 11 to a plurality of subscribers 21 to 28. The bus 12 is implemented as a two-wire bus. The bus 12 has a star form. The bus 12 implements energy transmission using an additional bus communication (eg, SPE bus).

[0054] Figure 1 The bus device 10 shown is only an example. The bus device 10 may include fewer subscribers or more subscribers.

[0055] In an alternative embodiment, the displays 81 to 88 of the subscribers of the plurality of subscribers 21 to 28 are implemented as two-dimensional displays such as, for example, liquid crystal displays (abbreviated as LCD) or light emitting diode displays (abbreviated as LED displays). In an example, the displays 81 to 88 of the plurality of subscribers 21 to 28 are different.

[0056] Figure 2 An embodiment of a bus device 10 is shown. Figure 1 The bus 12 is a further development of the bus device 10 shown. The bus 12 is a two-wire bus (eg a CAN bus or an RS485 bus) with an additional power supply line and an additional ground line. Therefore, the bus 12 comprises four lines and can also be named as a four-wire bus. Figure 2 In the example shown, the bus 12 has a linear structure.

[0057] The addressing process is semi-automatic and works with buttons 41 to 44, displays 81 to 84 implemented as LED indicators on each subscriber 21 to 24 and the coordinator display 15. The coordinator display 15 is, for example, a two-digit display on the front side of the coordinator 11. The addressing process is started by the user pressing the coordinator button 17. An interaction process between the bus device 10 and the user begins immediately, which is guided through the addressing process with the help of the user.

[0058] Each subscriber 21 to 24 has a subscriber identification number UITN (eg stored in the memory 61 to 64 during manufacture of the subscriber) and, after carrying out the method described below, also a subscriber number NN.

[0059] Figure 3 An embodiment of a bus device 10 is shown. Figure 1 and Figure 2 The bus device 10 is a further development of the bus device 10 shown. The bus 12 is implemented as a two-wire bus or a four-wire bus, for example. The bus device 10 is implemented as a network, such as Figure 3 As shown, the network can be complex. The line lengths indicate that the subscribers 21 to 33 can also be distributed further apart or placed separately from each other. The subscribers 21 to 33 are located in cabinets and / or in the field. The bus 12 has a star form.

[0060] Figure 4A and Figure 4B It is shown that in e.g. Figures 1 to 3 An embodiment of the method used in the embodiment of the bus device 10 shown. Figure 4A As shown, the method comprises the following steps:

[0061] Step S1: The user presses the coordinator button 17 for longer than a predetermined duration, which is, for example, 3 seconds.

[0062] Step S2: The coordinator 11 controls the other coordinator display 16 so that the other coordinator display 16 starts to flash. This flashing indicates that the bus device 10 is in the address allocation mode or the address allocation mode has started. The address allocation mode can also be named as configuration mode, address provision mode, address assignment mode or addressing mode. The coordinator 11 controls the coordinator display 15 so that the coordinator display 15 is turned off.

[0063] The coordinator 11 sends a broadcast message B1 to each of the plurality of subscribers 21 to 24 to reset each of the plurality of subscribers 21 to 24 .

[0064] The coordinator 11 sends a broadcast message B2 to each of the plurality of subscribers 21 to 24 to set each of the plurality of subscribers 21 to 24 to be “ready for a new node configuration” or “ready to receive a new subscriber address”.

[0065] Steps S3, 3', 3", 3'": After receiving the broadcast message B2 from the coordinator 11, each of the plurality of subscribers 21 to 24 controls its display 81 to 84 so that the display 81 to 84 of each of the plurality of subscribers 21 to 24 indicates a first state. For example, the display 81 to 84 indicates the first state by flashing. Each of the plurality of subscribers 21 to 24 is in a listening-only mode or in a listening-only mode.

[0066] Therefore, the coordinator 11 and the plurality of subscribers 21 to 24 are arranged in an address allocation mode. The following steps and messages belong to the address allocation mode.

[0067] Step S4: The coordinator 11 controls the coordinator display 15 so that the coordinator display 15 indicates the first subscriber number, for example, 01 or 1. The coordinator display 16 is, for example, flashing.

[0068] The coordinator 11 sends a first broadcast message B3 “Set Node Number 01 (Wait for Response)” or “Set First Subscriber Number” to each of the plurality of subscribers 21 to 24. The first broadcast message B3 is a cyclic broadcast message.

[0069] Therefore, the coordinator 11 indicates the first subscriber number NN and broadcasts a first broadcast message to the plurality of subscribers 21 to 24 .

[0070] Step 5: The user selects a subscriber among the plurality of subscribers 21 to 24 as the first subscriber 21, and presses the button 41 of the first subscriber 21 (for example, the button is pressed for a time longer than a predetermined duration). The user is another user or the same user as mentioned above. By pressing the button 41 of the first subscriber 21, the first subscriber 21 is activated for communication.

[0071] The first subscriber 21 sends a confirmation message M1 to the coordinator 11. The confirmation message M1 includes, for example, a unique device identification number (abbreviated as UDIN) of the first subscriber 21. The unique device identification number is, for example, named as a unique device identifier. Each subscriber 21 has its own UDIN. There are no two subscribers in the world with the same UDIN.

[0072] Therefore, in the address allocation mode, after activating the button 41 of the first subscriber 21 among the plurality of subscribers 21 to 24, the first subscriber 21 is activated and sends a confirmation message M1 to the coordinator 11. In addition, the activated first subscriber 21 sends the confirmation message M1 with UDIN to the coordinator 11. The coordinator 11 stores the UDIN of the first subscriber 21.

[0073] The coordinator 11 sends a first subscriber number message M2 including a first subscriber number NN to the first subscriber 21, so that the first subscriber 21 is assigned to the first subscriber number NN. The first subscriber number NN is, for example, 1 or 01, and may be named a node number.

[0074] Step S6: The first subscriber 21 stores the first subscriber number NN in its memory 61. Only the first subscriber 21 that is activated among the plurality of subscribers 21 to 24 stores the first subscriber number NN in the memory 61 of the first subscriber 21.

[0075] After storing the first subscriber number in the memory 61, the first subscriber 21 sends a confirmation message M3 to the coordinator 11. The confirmation message M3 increases the security of the method. The confirmation message M3 is optional.

[0076] Step S7: The first subscriber 21 controls its display 81 so that the display 81 indicates the second state, for example by continuously emitting light.

[0077] Step S8: The first subscriber 21 switches to a listening-only mode.

[0078] like Figure 4B As shown, the method includes further steps. The process of providing the first subscriber number to the first subscriber 21 is repeated with the second subscriber 22 and the third subscriber 23. Each of the plurality of subscribers 21 to 24 other than the first subscriber 21 indicates the first state, for example by flashing the displays 82 to 84.

[0079] Step S9: The coordinator 11 controls the coordinator display 15 so that the coordinator display 16 indicates the second subscriber number NN, for example, 02 or 2. The coordinator display 15 is, for example, flashing.

[0080] The coordinator 11 sends a second broadcast message B4 “Set Node Number 02 (Wait for Response)” or “Set Second Subscriber Number” to each of the plurality of subscribers 21 to 24. The second broadcast message B4 is a cyclic broadcast message.

[0081] Step S10: The user selects a subscriber among the plurality of subscribers 21 to 24 as the second subscriber 22 (except the first subscriber 21) and presses the button 42 of the second subscriber 22. By pressing the button 42 of the second subscriber 22, the second subscriber 22 is activated for communication.

[0082] The second subscriber 22 sends a confirmation message M4 to the coordinator 11. The confirmation message M4 includes the UDIN of the second subscriber 22.

[0083] The coordinator 11 sends a second subscriber number message M5 to the second subscriber 22, so that the second subscriber 22 is assigned to the second subscriber number NN. The second subscriber number NN may be 02 or 2.

[0084] Step S11 : The second subscriber 22 stores the second subscriber number NN in its memory 62 .

[0085] The second subscriber 22 sends a confirmation message M6 to the coordinator 11 .

[0086] Step S12: The second subscriber 22 controls its display 82 so that the display 82 shows a second state. For example, the display 82 is continuously turned on.

[0087] Step S13: The second subscriber 22 switches to a listening-only mode.

[0088] The bus device 10 performs steps S14 to S18 and transmits the third broadcast message B5 and messages M7 to M9 as discussed above with respect to the first and second subscribers 21 and 22. The coordinator 11 repeats the process until each of the plurality of subscribers 21 to 24 has been activated and has received a subscriber number NN.

[0089] Some steps can be implemented in another order. For example, the order of steps S7 and S8 can be exchanged. Some messages (such as confirmation message M3) are optional.

[0090] The coordinator memory 18 stores a table comprising a subscriber number NN, a corresponding UID and a state (the state may be, for example, “stored”). The table may be named, for example, a lookup table or a gateway node-address table.

[0091] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the coordinator 11 indicates the first subscriber number NN on the external display in the address allocation mode. The coordinator 11 also indicates the second subscriber number NN, the third subscriber number NN, etc. on the external display.

[0092] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the coordinator display 15 and the further coordinator display 16 are combined. One coordinator display 16 is designed to show the subscriber number and the status.

[0093] FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D An embodiment of a method is shown which is a further development of the method shown above. In a first step ST1 the bus device 10 is idle. In a second step ST2 (after the first step ST1 ) the coordinator button 17 is pressed by the user. The user's action is shown by a thick arrow.

[0094] In a third step ST3 (after the second step ST2), the further coordinator display 16 and the displays 41 to 43 of the first, second and third subscribers 21, 22, 23 indicate the first state by flashing LEDs. The coordinator display 15 shows the first subscriber number 01. In a fourth step ST4 (after the third step ST3), the button 41 of the first subscriber 21 is pressed by the user. In a fifth step ST5 (after the fourth step ST4), the first subscriber number 01 is stored in the memory 61 of the first subscriber 21, and the display 81 of the first subscriber 21 indicates the second state, for example by a constant light provided by the LEDs of the display 81.

[0095] In a sixth step ST6 (after the fifth step ST5), the further coordinator display 16 and the display 42 of the second subscriber 22 and the display 43 of the third subscriber 23 indicate the first state by flashing LEDs. The coordinator display 15 shows the second subscriber number NN=02. The button 42 of the second subscriber 22 is pressed by the user. In a seventh step ST7 (after the sixth step ST6), the second subscriber number NN=02 is stored in the memory 62 of the second subscriber 22, and the display 82 of the second subscriber 22 indicates the second state, for example by a constant light provided by the LEDs of the display 82.

[0096] In an eighth step ST8 (after the seventh step ST7), the further coordinator display 16 and the display 43 of the third subscriber 23 indicate the first state by flashing LEDs. The coordinator display 15 shows the third subscriber number 03. The button 43 of the third subscriber 23 is pressed by the user. In a ninth step ST9 (after the eighth step ST8), the third subscriber number 03 is stored in the memory 63 of the third subscriber 23, and the display 83 of the third subscriber 23 indicates the second state, for example by a constant light provided by the LED of the display 83.

[0097] In the final step STL, which is the tenth step after the ninth step ST9, the coordinator button 17 is pressed by the user. This indicates the end of the address allocation mode.

[0098] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the first subscriber 21 to the third subscriber 23 are allocated in another way. For example, the first subscriber may alternatively be a subscriber at the end of the bus. The third subscriber may be a subscriber in the middle. The second subscriber may be the subscriber closest to the coordinator 11. Therefore, the order of the subscribers can be designed to optimize the bus device 10 or the machine controlled by means of the bus device.

[0099] 6A to 6F An embodiment of a method is shown which is a further development of the method shown above. The bus 12 has a star form. 6A to 6F The first step ST1 to the ninth step ST9 and the final step ST1 shown are FIG. 5A to FIG. 5D The first step ST1 to the ninth step ST9 and the last step ST11 are shown similarly. In the tenth step ST10 and the eleventh step ST11, the fourth subscriber 24 receives the fourth subscriber number NN=4. In the twelfth step ST12 and the thirteenth step ST13, the fifth subscriber 25 receives the fifth subscriber number NN=5.

[0100] Figure 7 Details of an embodiment of the bus device 10 are shown, which is a further development of the embodiment shown above. The first subscriber 21 includes an illumination switch 94. The illumination switch 94 may also be named as a backlight switch, a backlight switch, an illumination button or an illumination push-button button. The illumination switch 94 includes a button 41 and a display 81. The illumination switch 94 implements the function of the button 41 and the function of the display 81. The illumination switch 94 can be inserted into one or more than one or all of the above-mentioned multiple subscribers 21 to 33. The illumination switch 94 combines the display 81 and the button 41 of the subscribers in the multiple subscribers 21 to 33. For example, the display 81 is implemented as a light source. The display 81 includes a first number of LEDs 95. In Figure 7 In the embodiment, the first number is 1. Alternatively, the first number is, for example, 2, 3, or more than 0, or more than 1, or more than 2. In the case where the first number is more than 1, the LEDs in the first number of LEDs 95 emit light of different wavelength ranges. For example, the first LED 95 in the first number of LEDs emits red light, and the second LED in the first number of LEDs emits green light.

[0101] The button 41 is implemented as, for example, a push button or a switch. The switch is implemented as, for example, a capacitive switch, a mechanical switch, an inductive switch, an optical switch, or a diaphragm switch. The front cover 96 of the button 41 is illuminated by the display 81 located at the rear side of the front cover 96. The front cover 96 is transparent or translucent.

[0102] exist Figure 7 , only an example of a schematic diagram of a lighting switch 94 is shown. The button 41 includes a flexible structure 97 and a carrier 98. The flexible structure 97 mechanically couples the front cover 96 to the carrier 98. In this example, the button 41 includes a conductive portion 99 (e.g., in the form of a metal ring) attached to the front cover 96. The button 41 includes a first conductor 100 and a second conductor 101 located at or on the carrier 98. When a user provides a force (e.g., a push force) to the front cover 96, the flexible structure 97 bends and the conductive portion 99 provides an electrical connection from the first conductor 100 to the second conductor 101. A light source (e.g., an LED 95) is attached to the carrier 98.

[0103] In the example, the coordinator 11 comprises a lighting switch 94 as described above. The lighting switch 94 comprises a coordinator button 17. The lighting switch 94 comprises a further coordinator display 16 and / or a coordinator display 15.

[0104] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the flexible structure 97 is realized as a spring (such as, for example, a coil spring, a cantilever spring or a leaf spring).

[0105] In an alternative embodiment not shown, the lighting switch 94 can be implemented as a touch screen. The touch screen comprises a display 81 and a button 41 implemented by a sensitive surface of the touch screen. The sensitive surface implements the function of the button 41.

[0106] exist Figure 7 In FIG. 1 , only one example of a lighting switch 94 is shown. There are many other forms of lighting switches 94 that can be used in the subscribers 21 to 33 or in the coordinator 11.

[0107] In the example, the subscribers in the plurality of subscribers 21 to 33 are the same.

[0108] However, in a typical application, the subscribers of the plurality of subscribers 21 to 33 are different. They may have different functions (such as functions of a circuit breaker, a power switch, a protection switch, a contactor, a sensor or a measuring device, etc.). They may have different implementations of the displays 81 to 93 and / or the buttons 41 to 53. The display 81 and the button 41 may be implemented as separate elements or combined in the lighting switch 94.

[0109] The stated Figures 1 to 7The illustrated embodiments represent examples of the improved bus device 10 and method; they do not constitute a complete list of all embodiments according to the improved bus device 10 and method. For example, the actual bus device 10 or method may differ from the illustrated embodiments in terms of components, structure, shape, and order of method steps.

[0110] Reference mark

[0111]

Claims

1. A bus device (10), comprising: - Coordinator (11); - a plurality of subscribers (21 to 28), each subscriber comprising a button (41 to 48), a memory (61 to 68) and a display (81 to 88); and - a bus (12) coupling the coordinator (11) to the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28), wherein the coordinator (11) and the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28) are configured to be arranged in an address allocation mode, wherein, in the address allocation mode, the coordinator (11) is configured to indicate a first subscriber number (NN) and broadcast a first broadcast message (B3) to the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28), and wherein in the address allocation mode, after a user activates a button (41) of a first subscriber (21) of the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28) in response to an indication of the first subscriber number and a broadcast of the first broadcast message, the first subscriber (21) is configured to be activated and send a confirmation message (M1) with a unique device identification number (UDIN) to the coordinator (11), Wherein, the coordinator is configured to store the unique device identification number together with the first subscriber number.

2. The bus device (10) according to claim 1, in, The coordinator (11) comprises a coordinator display (15) and is configured to indicate the first subscriber number (NN) on the coordinator display (15) in the address allocation mode, and / or Wherein, the coordinator (11) is configured to indicate the first subscriber number (NN) on an external display in the address allocation mode.

3. The bus device (10) according to claim 1, in, In the address allocation mode, the coordinator (11) is configured to send a first subscriber number message (M2) including the first subscriber number (NN) to the first subscriber (21), and Wherein, in the address allocation mode, only the activated first subscriber (21) among the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28) is configured to store the first subscriber number (NN) in the memory (61) of the first subscriber (21).

4. The bus device (10) according to claim 3, in, The first subscriber (21) is configured to send a confirmation message (M3) to the coordinator (11) after storing the first subscriber number in the memory (61).

5. The bus device (10) according to claim 1, in, At the start of the address allocation mode, the coordinator (11) is configured to send a broadcast message (B2) to each of the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28), so that each of the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28) is set to be in a listening-only mode, and the display (81 to 88) of each of the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28) is configured to indicate a first state.

6. The bus device (10) according to claim 5, in, After activation of the first subscriber (21), the first subscriber (21) is configured to control the display (81) such that the display (81) indicates a second state.

7. The bus arrangement (10) according to claim 1, in, The display (81 to 88) of each of the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28) comprises a light emitting diode.

8. The bus device (10) according to claim 7, in, The display (81 to 88) of each of the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28) is configured to indicate a first state by a flashing light emitting diode and to indicate a second state by a continuously emitting light emitting diode.

9. The bus arrangement (10) according to claim 1, in, The coordinator (11) is configured to repeat the process until each of the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28) has been activated and has received a subscriber number (NN).

10. The bus arrangement (10) according to claim 1, in, The bus (12) is implemented as one of the group consisting of a two-wire bus, a three-wire bus, or a four-wire bus.

11. The bus arrangement (10) according to claim 1, in, The bus (12) is arranged as a linear bus, a star bus, a ring bus or a mixture of these bus forms.

12. The bus arrangement (10) according to claim 1, in, The coordinator (11) is implemented as a gateway.

13. The bus arrangement (10) according to claim 1, in, The coordinator (11) is implemented as a programmable logic controller.

14. The bus arrangement (10) according to claim 1, in, The coordinator (11) is implemented as a master device, and the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28) are implemented as slave devices.

15. The bus arrangement (10) according to claim 1, in, A subscriber of the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28) is one of the group consisting of a circuit breaker, a power switch, a protection switch, a contactor, a sensor and a measuring device.

16. The bus arrangement (10) according to claim 1, in, A subscriber of the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28) includes a light switch (94) including the button (41) and the display (81).

17. A method for operating a bus device (10), in, The bus device (10) comprises: - Coordinator (11); - a plurality of subscribers (21 to 28), each subscriber comprising a button (41 to 48), a memory (61 to 68) and a display (81 to 88); and - a bus (12) coupling the coordinator (11) to the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28), Wherein, the method comprises: - setting the coordinator (11) and the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28) in an address allocation mode, - in the address allocation mode, a first subscriber number (NN) is indicated by the coordinator (11), and a first broadcast message (B3) is broadcast by the coordinator (11) to the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28), - in the address allocation mode, after a user activates a button (41) of a first subscriber (21) of the plurality of subscribers (21 to 28) in response to an indication of the first subscriber number and the broadcast of the first broadcast message, activating the first subscriber (21) and sending a confirmation message (M1) with a unique device identification number (UDIN) to the coordinator (11), and - storing, by the coordinator, the unique device identification number together with the first subscriber number.

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