Coupler for connecting a master to a slave of a communications network, and method for operating the coupler

Abstract

The invention relates to a coupler for connecting a master to a slave of a communications network, wherein the coupler is designed to receive device data from the master according to a predetermined communications standard, and to output same to the slave according to the predetermined communications standard. The coupler is designed to identify a predetermined control command in the device data and to activate a function stored in the coupler according to the identified control command.

Description

[0001] COUPLER FOR CONNECTING A MASTER TO A SLAVE OF A COMMUNICATIONS NETWORK, AND METHOD FOR OPERATING THE COUPLER

[0002] The present disclosure relates to a coupler for connecting a master to a slave of a communications network, a communications network with the coupler, and / or a method for operating the coupler. Additionally or alternatively, a computer program is provided that includes instructions that, upon execution of the program, cause the coupler to at least partially execute the method. Additionally or alternatively, a computer-readable medium is provided that includes instructions that, upon execution of the instructions, cause the coupler to at least partially execute the method.

[0003] The following discussion of the prior art is not to be interpreted as an admission that this prior art is generally known or forms part of the general general knowledge in the technical field underlying the disclosure.

[0004] EP 3 944 565 A1 relates to a system for establishing a data connection between a master unit and at least one device unit, wherein the master unit is coupled to a primary coupler unit and the at least one device unit is coupled to a secondary coupler unit, respectively for electrical power transmission and data transmission. The primary coupler unit and the secondary coupler unit can be coupled for data transmission. A control signal can be received, and the system has three operating states that can be activated depending on the received control signal. When the first operating state is activated, a data connection compliant with the IO-Link standard exists between the master unit and the device unit.When the second operating state is activated, primary coupler identification data is assigned to the primary coupler unit, with a data connection compliant with the IO-Link standard existing between the master unit and the primary coupler unit. When the third operating state is activated, secondary coupler identification data is assigned to the secondary coupler unit, with a data connection compliant with the IO-Link standard existing between the master unit and the secondary coupler unit. The invention further relates to a method for operating the system.

[0005] In automation technology, a communication system known under the brand name IO-Link is used to connect intelligent sensors and actuators to an automation system. This communication system is standardized in the IEC 61131-9 standard under the designation Single-drop digital communication interface for small sensors and actuators (SDCI). The standardization includes both the electrical connection data and a digital communication protocol through which the sensors and actuators exchange data with the automation system.

[0006] An IO-Link system comprises an IO-Link master and one or more IO-Link devices, such as sensors or actuators. The IO-Link master acts as a gateway, providing the interface to the higher-level controller (PLC) or host processor and controlling communication between the host and the connected IO-Link devices.

[0007] An IO-Link device can be an intelligent sensor, actuator, hub, or, due to bidirectional communication, a mechatronic component, such as a gripper or a power supply with IO-Link connectivity. In terms of IO-Link, intelligent means that a device has identification data, such as a type designation and serial number, or parameter data (e.g., sensitivities, switching delays, and / or characteristic curves) that can be read or written via the IO-Link protocol. Parameters can thus be changed, sometimes during operation, by the PLC. Intelligent also means that it can provide detailed diagnostic information.

[0008] To exchange data between an IO-Link device and a PLC or the host, the IO-Link data is mapped from the IO-Link master to the fieldbus in use. This is referred to as IO-Link mapping to the fieldbus. If the IO-Link master is directly connected to a PLC via a proprietary backplane bus, the IO-Link data is mapped to this bus and transferred to the PLC or from the PLC to the IO-Link master and then to the IO-Link device. Specifications for IO-Link mapping already exist for PROFIBUS, PROFINET, INTERBUS, AS-i, EtherCAT, and PowerLink.

[0009] During cyclic data exchange, process data is transferred from and / or to the IO-Link device via the fieldbus or backplane bus. The parameter data must be explicitly requested by the PLC or sent with the identifier "indexed service data unit" (iSDU). For this purpose, the IO-Link specification defines the iSDU (indexed service data unit). Parameter values ​​and states in an IO-Link device can be queried using indices and subindices. The requests (read / write services) are encoded in an IO-Link-specific iSDU in the IO-Link master and transmitted to the IO-Link device via the IO-Link interface. The iSDU indicates whether it is a read or write request. The indices specify the parameters whose values ​​are to be read or written.

[0010] The IO-Link standard is based on a point-to-point bus topology, so there is no traditional way to access a coupler connected between an IO-Link master and an IO-Link device, which loops information or data packets between these two IO-Link components. In other words, the coupler is initially transparent and cannot be controlled using conventional means.

[0011] Against the background of this prior art, the object of the present disclosure is to provide a method and / or a device which are each suitable for enriching the prior art.

[0012] The problem is solved by the features of the independent claim. The subordinate claims and subclaims contain optional developments of the disclosure.

[0013] According to the invention, the object is achieved by a coupler according to the disclosure for connecting a master to a slave in a communications network. The coupler is configured to receive device data from the master according to a predetermined communications standard (and optionally output it to the slave according to the predetermined communications standard). The coupler is configured to recognize a predetermined control command in the device data. The coupler is configured to call a function stored in the coupler according to the recognized control command.

[0014] It is conceivable that the coupler forwards the received device data to the slave only if it does not contain the control command. It is also conceivable that the coupler forwards the device data to the slave regardless of whether it contains the control command.

[0015] A coupler can be understood as an electronic component for galvanic isolation and, optionally, for insulation protection of signals. Signal isolation can be achieved optically via optocouplers, but it can also be achieved, additionally or alternatively, via transformer, capacitive, or magnetic means using a magnetic coupler. The signals can be used to transmit data. In other words, the coupler can be used for bidirectional looping of data or signals.

[0016] The slave can be a field device, such as an actuator and / or a sensor. A field device (FD), or FG for short, can be understood as a technical device in the field of automation technology that is directly related to a production process. In automation technology, "field" refers to the area outside of control cabinets or control rooms. Field devices can therefore be both actuators (actuators, valves, etc.) and sensors (measurement transducers) in factory and process automation. The field device can be connected to a control and management system, usually via a fieldbus, or increasingly via real-time Ethernet. In the control and management system, the data received from the field device is evaluated and can be used to regulate and / or control the production process and, additionally or alternatively, for further processing. As part of the further processing, for example,a visualization and display of a state of the production process (e.g. valve open / closed, pressure, flow, temperature, etc.) can take place. The master can be a control device which is designed to process data received from the slave via the coupler and / or to output data for controlling an operation of the slave to the slave via the coupler, as well as to output data for controlling an operation of the coupler to the coupler. This data can be the device data, which is to be distinguished from the process data described later. The device data can be used to parameterize the coupler and the slave. The master can, additionally or alternatively, be a gateway which is designed to receive data from a control and management system in another communication standard (e.g. Ethernet) and to process this data in the predetermined communication standard (e.g.IO-Link) to the coupler and the slave and optionally, conversely, to receive data in the predetermined communication standard from the coupler and the slave and output it in the further communication standard to the control and management system.

[0017] The predetermined communication standard can be IO-Link. The slave and the coupler can be implemented as IO-Link devices. The slave can therefore be a sensor, actuator, hub, and / or a mechatronic component, e.g., a gripper and / or a power supply with IO-Link connection. The master can be implemented as an IO-Link master. As described above, IO-Link is a standardized IO technology (IEC 61131-9) for communicating with IO-Link devices, such as sensors and actuators. IO-Link is based on point-to-point communication and is based on a 3-wire IO-Link device connection with no additional requirements for the cable material. IO-Link is therefore not a fieldbus and is therefore fieldbus-independent. For further details on IO-Link, please refer to the above explanations.

[0018] The coupler described above offers a number of advantages. One of these advantages is the ability to provide special functions (such as switching between defined or existing operating modes of at least one IO-Link device, in this case the coupler) via IO-Link communication that cannot be mapped by the IO-Link standard. Furthermore, the coupler offers the advantage that it can be switched to a (password-) protected mode. It is conceivable that the predetermined control command is not stored in a public IODD (for details on the IODD see above), so that the control command, which can be stored in the device data, e.g., as a string, can be used as a password to access the protected (operating) mode.

[0019] Possible or optional further developments of the device described above are explained in detail below.

[0020] The device data can be communicated acyclically according to the predetermined communication standard triggered by the master.

[0021] More specifically, according to the IO-Link protocol of the IO-Link (communication) standard, three different types of data are exchanged or transmitted: process data, device parameters, and events (comprising the three categories of errors, warnings, and notifications). Process data is transmitted cyclically. Device parameters or general device data and events are transmitted acyclically. The IO-Link device or slave only sends data when requested to do so by the IO-Link master. Process data is sent cyclically with each frame. Device parameter data is explicitly requested by the master, meaning that the transmission of device data is triggered by the master.

[0022] The coupler may be configured to execute the called function such that the coupler switches from a current operating mode to another operating mode depending on the function, and optionally back again when a predetermined condition occurs.

[0023] It is therefore not necessary to make any additional settings or operations on the coupler in order to control the coupler. Instead, the coupler can be controlled directly in the field using the transmitted control command using the underlying communication standard. The current and / or further operating mode can be a transmission mode in which the coupler is designed to output data received from the master to the slave according to the predetermined communication standard, a configuration mode in which the coupler is designed to be parameterized, and / or a protected operating mode in which the coupler (2) is designed to be parameterized to a degree that goes beyond the configuration mode.

[0024] For example, it is conceivable that the current operating mode (i.e. the operating mode in which the coupler is at the time of receiving the control command) is the transmission mode, and the coupler switches to the configuration mode due to the function.

[0025] In transmission mode, the (optionally bidirectional) data transfer from master to slave can take place via the coupler. In configuration mode, data transfer between the master and slave can be stopped until the coupler's parameterization is complete. Afterward, it is conceivable that the coupler automatically switches back to transmission mode, or that a (further) predetermined control command is sent to the coupler, causing the coupler to switch (back) to transmission mode.

[0026] For example, it is additionally or alternatively conceivable that the current operating mode is the transmission mode and the coupler switches to the protected operating mode due to the function. In the protected operating mode, device settings and / or properties of the coupler can then be read out and / or changed, for example, which can only be changed in the protected operating mode. It is then conceivable that the coupler automatically switches back to the transmission mode or that a (further) predetermined control command is issued to the coupler so that the coupler switches (back) to the transmission mode. For example, it is additionally or alternatively conceivable that the current operating mode is the transmission mode and the coupler switches to the configuration mode due to a function called by a first control command.Once the coupler is in configuration mode, it is conceivable that the coupler switches to protected operating mode due to a function called by a second control command. This can be described as a two-step process, with the second control command acting as a password to switch from configuration mode to protected operating mode.

[0027] The device data can comprise a service data unit according to a predetermined communication protocol, optionally the IO-Link protocol, of the predetermined communication standard, which has an area in which several standard parameters can be stored according to the predetermined communication protocol. The control command can be stored in this area.

[0028] More precisely, according to the IO-Link protocol of the IO-Link (communication) standard, parameter data is explicitly requested from the IO-Link master or sent marked as such. For this purpose, the IO-Link specification defines a service data unit, the so-called iSDU (indexed service data unit). Using indices and subindices, parameter values ​​and states can be queried and parameters stored in the IO-Link device. The requests (read / write services) are encoded in an IO-Link-specific iSDU in the IO-Link master and transmitted to the IO-Link device via the IO-Link interface. The iSDU specifies whether it is a read or write request. The indices specify the parameters whose values ​​are to be read or written. It is now proposed to optionally use this iSDU to transmit the control command from the master to the coupler.

[0029] Up to 65,536 indices with a size of up to 232 bytes can be addressed via IO-Link. The IO-Link specification contains predefined indices (predefined parameters). These indices can be used to uniquely identify IO-Link devices. However, most of the defined indices are optional, meaning they can be used but are not required. The advantage of using the predefined and mandatory indices to transmit the control command is that they are present in every IO-Link device (from a certain version).

[0030] In the area of ​​the service data unit in which several standard parameters can be stored according to the predetermined communication protocol, a first sub-area for an application-specific tag, a second sub-area for a location tag, and / or a third sub-area for a function tag can be provided according to the predetermined communication protocol. The control command can be stored in at least one of these sub-areas.

[0031] This offers the advantage that these sub-areas are large enough to transmit a control command.

[0032] The coupler can be designed to output information to the master in response to the detected control command.

[0033] It is conceivable that the above-mentioned events, in particular the sub-category notification, are used for this purpose according to the IO-Link protocol.

[0034] The coupler can be configured to receive process data from the master according to the predetermined communication standard and output it to the slave according to the predetermined communication standard. The process data can be communicated cyclically according to the predetermined communication standard.

[0035] The coupler can be designed to receive further process data and / or further device data from the slave according to a predetermined communication standard and to output it to the master according to the predetermined communication standard. The further process data can optionally be communicated cyclically according to the predetermined communication standard. The further device data can be communicated according to the predetermined communication standard, triggered by the master, optionally using a further service data unit and / or acyclically. The coupler can have an inductive coupler or be designed as such. An inductive coupler can be understood to be a transformer in which the transformer core is divisible, i.e. both parts can be separated from one another. The primary winding is located on one part of the core and the secondary winding on the other part.In addition to the transmission of data, the inductive coupler allows the transmission of electrical energy from the master to the slave.

[0036] The above description can be summarized in other words and with reference to a specific embodiment as described below, whereby this following description is only exemplary and therefore not limiting the disclosure:

[0037] IO-Link standard parameters (mandatory parameters according to the 10-Link specification in the iSDU range) can be used to control exclusive device functions. This means that commands can be sent to the address of a selected standard parameter. The commands cannot be used to change the content of the parameter, but rather to trigger an action or function. The command sets used can be defined in advance. It is conceivable that these are not visible to the outside world. The probability of incorrect access at this point is very low, since the commands can be selected in such a way that they do not conflict with standard commands or content. It is also possible to implement password access with the described solution. In addition to triggering an action, it is also possible to have reactions (responses to the command) returned.Reading can occur in the next iSDU frame or within a given time period, optionally less than 10 seconds after receipt of the command. This function can be particularly advantageous in development and testing, as it allows the manufacturer to perform more advanced error diagnostics. Specifically, a type of command line interface can be implemented here, which allows a command to be sent as described above and the response / reaction to the sent command to be read out. The use of parameters in the iSDU area, which are of a corresponding size and are available in all devices from a certain version onwards, can be advantageous. The use of the parameters of the so-called Application Specific Tag, the Location Tag, or the Function Tag can be particularly suitable for this. The commands can be used to change the operating modes of infrastructure components.Such infrastructure components, such as inductive couplers, not only transmit power from connected devices but also provide IO-Link communication (loop-through between master - coupler - device) with the connected device. In addition to this transmission mode, there can be another operating mode for configuring the coupler itself, a so-called configuration mode, since this may not be possible due to active communication in transmission mode. The solution proposed here makes it possible to switch between these two modes by sending a command, for example to the address of the application-specific tag. The coupler can then be configured and optionally returned to transmission mode afterwards. As a further step, it can be provided that the coupler switches to a protected operating mode or administrator mode when it is in configuration mode.For this purpose, a further command can be sent to the coupler in the manner described above. The command includes a password, which is again sent, for example, as a string to the address of the application-specific tag (or another of the tags mentioned above). The password can include switching the coupler from configuration mode to administrator mode. In administrator mode, parameters or settings of the coupler can be changed and / or read that cannot be accessed in configuration mode.

[0038] Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a communications network. The communications network comprises a master, a coupler, optionally the coupler described above, and a slave connected to the master via the coupler. The coupler is configured to receive device data from the master according to a predetermined communications standard (and optionally output it to the slave according to the predetermined communications standard). The coupler is configured to recognize a predetermined control command in the device data and to call a function stored in the coupler according to the recognized control command. The master can be configured to generate the device data, optionally in the manner described above, comprising the predetermined control command, and output it to the coupler.

[0039] The communication network can comprise a control and management system connected to the slave via the master and the coupler. It is conceivable that the control and management system communicates with the master according to another predetermined communication standard (e.g., PROFIBUS, PROFINET, INTERBUS, AS-i, EtherCAT, Ethernet, or PowerLink).

[0040] What is described above with reference to the coupler also applies analogously to the communication network and vice versa.

[0041] Furthermore, the disclosure relates to a method for operating a coupler, optionally the coupler described above, for connecting a master to a slave of a communications network, wherein the method comprises receiving device data from the master to the coupler according to a predetermined communications standard (and optionally outputting the received device data from the coupler to the slave according to the predetermined communications standard). The method comprises recognizing a predetermined control command in the device data by means of the coupler and calling a function stored in the coupler according to the recognized control command by means of the coupler.

[0042] The method may be a computer-implemented method, ie one, several or all steps of the method can be carried out at least partially by a computer or a data processing device.

[0043] What has been described above with reference to the coupler and the communication network also applies analogously to the process and vice versa.

[0044] Furthermore, a computer program and / or computer-readable medium is provided, comprising instructions which, when the program or instructions are executed by a coupler, optionally the coupler described above, for connecting a master to a slave of a communication network, cause the coupler to at least partially execute the method described above.

[0045] The computer program can be the coupler's firmware. Firmware can be understood as software that is (permanently) embedded in electronic devices, such as the coupler in this case, and performs basic functions there. The firmware can occupy an intermediate position between the coupler's hardware (i.e., the physical components of the coupler) and any existing application software (the so-called function). The firmware can be stored in the coupler's memory. This memory can be a flash memory, an EPROM, an EEPROM, or a ROM. Furthermore, the computer program can include the function described above.

[0046] The computer-readable medium may contain the computer program described above.

[0047] The computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable storage medium, i.e. any digital data storage device, such as a USB stick, a hard disk, a flash memory, a CD-ROM, an SD card or an SSD card.

[0048] The computer program or the instructions do not necessarily have to be stored on such a computer-readable storage medium in order to be made available to the coupler, but can also be obtained via the Internet or otherwise externally.

[0049] What has been described above with reference to the coupler, communication network and method also applies analogously to the computer program and / or the computer-readable medium and vice versa.

[0050] Furthermore, unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this disclosure belongs. Where a term has multiple definitions, the definitions in this specification prevail unless otherwise specified.

[0051] Wherever the terms "for example," "such as," "including," and the like are used, they shall be construed as if followed by the term "and without limitation," unless expressly stated otherwise. Similarly, "an example," "exemplary," and the like are to be understood as non-limiting or non-exhaustive.

[0052] Numerical data are to be understood as both exhaustive and non-exhaustive, e.g. “one slave” is to be understood as “at least one slave and / or exactly one slave”.

[0053] The term "substantially" allows for variations that do not adversely affect the intended purpose. Descriptive terms should be understood as being modified by the term "substantially," even if the term "substantially" is not explicitly stated.

[0054] The terms "comprising" and "including" and "having" and "incorporating" (and similarly "comprises", "includes", "has" and "with" and "involves") and the like are used synonymously and have the same meaning.

[0055] Unless the context clearly or explicitly requires otherwise, the words "comprise", "comprising" and the like in the description and claims are therefore to be understood in an inclusive sense and not in an exclusive or exhaustive sense, i.e. in the sense of "including, but not limited to".

[0056] An embodiment will be described below with reference to Figures 1 and 2. Fig. 1 shows schematically a communication network according to the disclosure, and

[0057] Fig. 2 shows a schematic flow diagram of a method for controlling the communication network.

[0058] The communication network 10 shown in Figure 1 has a master 1, a coupler 2 and a slave 3 connected to the master 1 via the coupler 2 and two data lines 4, 5. Bidirectional (data) communication according to the IO-Link standard takes place between the master 1 and the slave 3 via the coupler 2 and the two data lines 4, 5. The coupler 2 is therefore designed to receive data from the master 1 according to the IO-Link standard and forward it to the slave 3 according to the IO-Link standard and to receive data from the slave 3 according to the IO-Link standard and forward it to the master 1 according to the IO-Link standard. Insofar as data exchange or (data) communication is mentioned below, this is carried out in accordance with the IO-Link standard.A higher-level control and management system (not shown) can be connected to the master 1, which is used to control and monitor a process in which the slave 3, designed as a field device, is used.

[0059] In the embodiment, the communication network 10 is operated according to the disclosed method for operating the communication network 10, the flow diagram of which is schematically illustrated in Figure 2 and which is explained in detail below.

[0060] In a first step S1 of the method, process data 6 is cyclically exchanged between the master 1 and the slave 3 via the coupler 2 and the data lines 4, 5. During the first step S1, device data 7 in the form of service data units according to the IO-Link protocol is repeatedly exchanged acyclically triggered by the master 1 via the coupler 2 and the data lines 4, 5 between the master 1 and the slave 3 in order to parameterize the slave 3. From the perspective of the master 1, the process data can be input data comprising values ​​measured by the slave 3 (such as temperature, distance, volume, speed, flow rate, etc.) and / or output data comprising control data (e.g. speed, pressure or pressure difference, light on / off, light color, flashing pattern, output voltage, output current) for the slave 3 (e.g. for controlling actuators such as motors, valves, signal lights, power supplies, using the slave 3).

[0061] The coupler 2 forwards this device data 7 intended for the slave 3 or the master 1 without any changes, i.e., the coupler 2 passes through this device data 7 just like the process data 6. The coupler 2 is therefore in a transmission mode. However, the coupler 2 does not pass through the service data unit of the device data 7 if it contains a predetermined control command.

[0062] In order to determine this, the coupler 2 checks the service data units of the device data 7 received from the master 1 in a second step S2 of the method, which runs parallel or simultaneously with the first step S1, to determine whether these contain the predetermined control command.

[0063] More specifically, the service data units of the device data 7 comprise an area in which several standard parameters can be stored according to the IO-Link protocol, with the master 1 storing the predetermined control command in this area. It is conceivable that the master 1 stores the predetermined control command as a string in the sub-area provided for the so-called application-specific tag, the so-called location tag, and / or the so-called function tag. The coupler 2 accordingly checks these sub-areas to determine whether the predetermined control command is contained in one of them.

[0064] If the control command is recognized by the coupler 2 in the second step S2, the coupler 2 outputs information 8 to the master 1 via the data line 4 in response to the recognized control command, and the method continues with a third step S3. Otherwise, the first and second steps S1, S2, Y1 are still executed. The information can be an acknowledgment of receipt of the control command and a termination of the connection or a suspension of the looping of the process data, so that the connection to the master 1 can subsequently be re-established in configuration mode (see steps S3 and S4).

[0065] In the third step S3 of the method, the coupler 2 calls a function stored in the coupler 2 depending on the control command detected in the device data 7. Several functions can be stored in the coupler 2, with the control command then being designed such that the coupler 2 can unambiguously assign the control command to at least one of these functions.

[0066] In a fourth step S4 of the method, the coupler 2 executes the called function. The function can be a function that switches the coupler 2 from the current operating mode to a further or different operating mode defined in the function. This can be, for example, a configuration mode in which the coupler 2 can be parameterized using the master 1, and / or a protected operating mode or admin mode for which the control command acts as a password. The admin mode can be activated on the coupler 2, in particular within the configuration mode, in order to gain access to further IO-Link indices that are not available in the configuration mode. This means that in the admin mode the coupler can be parameterized to a greater extent than in the configuration mode. This can be used for extended error diagnostics or for manufacturer parameterization.To switch from configuration mode to admin mode, the third and fourth steps S3, S4 of the method can be executed repeatedly as soon as the coupler 2 is in configuration mode. List of reference symbols.

[0067] 1 Master 2 Coupler

[0068] 3 Slave

[0069] 4 Data line between master and coupler

[0070] 5 Data line between slave and coupler

[0071] 6 Process data 7 Device data

[0072] 8 Information in response to control command

[0073] 10 Communication network S1 - S4 process steps

Claims

Patent claims coupler (2) for connecting a master (1) to a slave (3) of a communication network (10), - wherein the coupler (2) is designed to receive device data (7) according to a predetermined communication standard from the master (1), characterized in that - the coupler (2) is designed to recognize a predetermined control command in the device data (7), and - to call a function stored in the coupler (2) according to the recognized control command. The coupler (2) according to claim 1, characterized in that the device data (7) are communicated acyclically according to the predetermined communication standard, triggered by the master (1). The coupler (2) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the coupler (2) is configured to execute the called function, so that the coupler (2) switches from a current to a further operating mode based on the function. The coupler (2) according to claim 3, characterized in that the current and / or the further operating mode comprise: - a transmission mode in which the coupler (2) is designed to output data received from the master (1) according to the predetermined communication standard to the slave (3) according to the predetermined communication standard, - a configuration mode in which the coupler (2) is designed to be parameterized, and / or - a protected operating mode in which the coupler (2) is designed to be parameterized to an extent beyond the configuration mode.

5. Coupler (2) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that - the device data (7) comprise a service data unit according to a predetermined communication protocol of the predetermined communication standard, which has an area in which a plurality of standard parameters can be stored according to the predetermined communication protocol, and - the control command is stored in this area.

6. Coupler (2) according to claim 5, characterized in that - in the area of ​​the service data unit in which several standard parameters can be stored according to the predetermined communication protocol, a first sub-area for an application-specific tag, a second sub-area for a location tag and / or a third sub-area for a function tag are provided according to the predetermined communication protocol, and - the control command is stored in at least one of these sub-areas.

7. Coupler (2) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the coupler (2) is designed to output information (8) to the master (1) in response to the recognized control command.

8. Coupler (2) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that - the coupler (2) is designed to receive process data (6) according to the predetermined communication standard from the master (1), - wherein the process data (6) are optionally communicated cyclically according to the predetermined communication standard.

9. Coupler (2) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that - the coupler (2) is designed to receive further process data (6) and / or further device data (7) according to a predetermined communication standard from the slave (3) and to output them to the master (1) according to the predetermined communication standard, - wherein the further process data (6) are optionally communicated cyclically according to the predetermined communication standard, and - wherein the further device data (7) are communicated according to the predetermined communication standard triggered by the master (1), optionally by means of a further service data unit and / or acyclically.

10. Coupler (2) according to one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that the coupler (2) comprises an inductive coupler (2) or is designed as such.

11. Communication network (10), comprising: - a master (1), a coupler (2) and a slave (3) connected to the master (1) via the coupler (2), - wherein the coupler (2) is designed to receive device data (7) according to a predetermined communication standard from the master (1), characterized in that - the coupler (2) is designed to recognize a predetermined control command in the device data (7), and - to call a function stored in the coupler (2) according to the recognized control command.

12. Communication network (10) according to claim 11, characterized in that the master (1) is designed to generate the device data (7) comprising the predetermined control command and to output it to the coupler (2).

13. Communication network (10) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized in that the communication network (10) comprises the coupler (2) according to one of claims 2 to 10.

14. A method for operating a coupler (2) for connecting a master (1) to a slave (3) of a communication network (10), the method comprising: - Receiving (S1) device data (7) from the master (1) to the coupler (2) according to a predetermined communication standard, characterized in that the method comprises: - detecting (S2) a predetermined control command in the device data (7) by means of the coupler (2), and - calling (S2) a function stored in the coupler (2) according to the recognized control command by means of the coupler (2).

15. Computer program and / or computer-readable medium, comprising instructions which, when the program or instructions are executed by a coupler (2) for connecting a master (1) to a slave (3) of a communication network (10), cause the coupler (2) to carry out the method according to claim 14.

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