BUS SYSTEM AND SUPPORT DEVICE EQUIPPED WITH SUCH A BUS SYSTEM - Patent application

Abstract

A bus system, in particular a bus system for rack rails, comprising a first wiring for determining a reference potential, a second wiring for providing a supply voltage as a target value for this reference potential, at least one third wiring, preferably a single third wiring, for communicating signals and / or data, and a supply facility electrically connected to said wirings and configured to supply power and also provide communication for electronic devices that can be connected to the bus system, wherein the supply facility is configured to supply power to different types of equipment and also to provide communication technologies specific to the type of equipment.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to wiring and a method for supplying power to a device and of Communication Technology Management The present invention relates to a bus system having a supply facility for supplying a plurality of electrical components, a device adapted to the bus system, and a supporting device having such a bus system. [Background technology]

[0002] US 2007 / 0133963 A1 discloses a support device in the form of a rack rail with a basic support adapted for mechanically fixing an electronic display unit, the basic support delimiting a storage area for accommodating the display unit by three side walls arranged in a U-shape, i.e. where the storage area is delimited from three sides and the display unit can be inserted into or removed from the rack rail from the front through the open side of the U-shape.

[0003] The central first side wall is formed by a plate which serves as a reference or mounting surface, allowing the display unit to be mounted on the rack rail by means of its rear wall. The plate has sockets arranged in a grid pattern, which serve to bring the contact pins of the display unit into contact with electrical conductor tracks in order to supply the display unit with power. The conductor tracks are arranged on a wiring support which is arranged on the side of the first side wall opposite the receiving area.

[0004] The support device includes a display unit of Communication Technology Manage effectively Along with To the display unit A power supply is also provided, which is electrically connected to the conductors and is arranged behind the wiring carrier, supporting the battery required for the battery operation, where a bus system for the supporting device is formed by the combination of the power supply and the conductors.

[0005] The bus system is designed to work exclusively with one type of device: display units with screens that have extremely low energy requirements (this is possible, for example, by using "electronic ink" technology). [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0006] [Patent Document 1] International Patent Publication No. 2017 / 153481 [Patent Document 2] International Patent Publication No. 2015 / 124197 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0007] In view of the above background, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved bus system. [Means for solving the problem]

[0008] This problem is solved by a bus system according to claim 1. The subject of the invention is therefore a bus system, in particular a bus system for rack rails, which comprises a first line for determining a reference potential, a second line for providing a supply voltage as a setpoint value for said reference potential, at least one third line, preferably a single third line, for communicating signals and / or data, and a third line, which is electrically connected to said lines and which supplies power to electronic devices which can be connected to the bus system and which also serves the communication and power supply functions. too and a supply facility configured to provide, said supply facility providing power to different types of equipment, Different types of equipment Identification Later By device type Specialize Communication Technology Manage effectively The bus system is configured as follows.

[0009] Furthermore, this problem is solved by an electronic device according to claim 16. The subject of the invention is therefore an electronic device, which comprises a bus interface adapted for connection to lines of a bus system, the bus system having a first line for defining a reference potential, a second line for providing a supply voltage relative to said reference potential, at least one third line, preferably a single third line, for communicating signals and / or data, and a third line electrically connected to said lines and for supplying power to electronic devices which can be connected to said bus system and for communicating signals and / or data. too and a supply facility configured to provide, said device being configured to be identified to the supply facility for the purpose of subsequent device-specific communication with the supply facility.

[0010] Furthermore, this object is achieved by a supporting device according to claim 34. The subject of the invention is therefore a supporting device, in particular a rack rail, which is provided with a bus system according to the invention.

[0011] The measures according to the invention have the advantage that, in contrast to known bus systems, a very diverse range of devices can now be operated on the supporting device, which allows for a very flexible equipment arrangement of the supporting device, which can be differentiated in terms of type (i.e., for example, by device class) for example electronic display units, sensor units, input units or image detection units, so that the functionality of the supporting device can be expanded virtually arbitrarily or even adapted to individual needs.

[0012] However, even within one device class, for example the device class of electronic display units, a very large variety of device types can be presented. These display units can be differentiated with respect to their type by the screen size, the number of pixels, the range of colors they can display, the technology they use (electrophoretic, OLED, LCD, etc.), etc. The situation is the same with the device class of image detection units. These image detection units can be differentiated with respect to the type of their image detection result, i.e. still image or video stream, as well as by the resolution, spectral band, etc. All these differences within one device class may require device-specific driving or communication in order to be able to optimally exploit the very diverse functions.

[0013] The availability of different types of equipment is achieved in particular by two interrelated measures.

[0014] A first measure is provided by the supplying equipment being adapted to communicate with different types of equipment, in particular in an equipment-specific manner. This can be realised by storing flexibly callable or adaptable communication-technical parameter settings, such as, for example, communication protocols and / or command sets, for different types of equipment. These communication-technical parameter settings can then, for example, be pre-stored in the supplying equipment or can be called up by the supplying equipment from an equipment management server as required. These communication-technical parameter settings can also be provided directly by the associated electronic equipment. It can also be provided that the provision of the supply voltage or power is adapted by the supplying equipment in an equipment-specific manner.

[0015] A second measure is provided in that each appliance is arranged to be identified to the supplying installation, in particular in a generic or appliance-type-independent manner with respect to the appliance type, before it is enabled for appliance-specific communication with the supplying installation, which will be addressed in more detail below, in particular in connection with both the collection of identification data by the supplying installation and the output of the identification data by the electronic device, in which said identification data is transmitted, which then enables appliance-specific communication between the supplying installation and the appliance in question.

[0016] Further particularly advantageous embodiments and refinements of the invention emerge from the dependent claims and the following description.

[0017] The following provides details on establishing and carrying out communication in a bus system.

[0018] Initiation of a change of operating state or mode is relevant in this respect. In this case, it has proven advantageous for the supply installation to be configured to temporarily change the supply voltage in order to initiate a change of operating mode. On the side of the electronic device, it is provided that this device comprises a detection stage configured to detect a temporary change of the supply voltage and that this device is configured to change its operating mode upon such detection.

[0019] These measures have the advantage that, unlike known bus systems, the signaling of the change of operating mode no longer necessarily has to take place via separate signal or data lines specially provided for that purpose. Instead, the lines provided for the power supply are utilized, without the at least one third line provided for signal and / or data communication. It is therefore also not necessary for the devices connected to the bus to be in a synchronized state with the supplying equipment at the start of the change of operating state. Instead, the respective devices can be in any device-specific operating mode, such as, for example, a sleep or hibernation mode with low or almost no power consumption, or a processing or active mode in which the devices process information, signals and / or data autonomously. The same, however, also applies to the supplying equipment. Here, the fact that a change of operating mode has been initiated, or at least that it has already been initiated on the part of the supplying equipment, is signaled or reported by the supplying equipment to the electronic devices connected to the bus system by a temporary change in the supply voltage, and can be detected there and possibly even realized.

[0020] In this case, the change of operating mode can be solely a change of operating mode of the supply equipment, which is simply communicated to other devices in order to inform them about it, such that the devices informed can remain in their own operating mode scheme and essentially do not have to respond or react in any way to the outside world.

[0021] However, this change of operating mode can also be a change of the operating mode of the appliance requested by the supply facility, which is to be initiated in the appliance, for example, independently of the operating mode of the supply facility currently present, in which case the need for a change of the operating mode of the appliance is communicated to the appliance and can be detected and implemented there.

[0022] However, this change of operating mode can also be a common change of the operating mode of the supplying facility and of the devices, in which case the need for a change of operating mode is signalled or reported, so to speak, with effect for the entire bus system, and all devices connected to the bus system initiate a change of their operating mode as required by the supplying facility, for example to match the operating mode of the supplying facility which has also been initiated. This can also be understood as a synchronization of the device-specific operating modes which just appears between the supplying facility and the devices connected to the bus system.

[0023] These measures support the flexibility of the bus system to operate and drive almost any variety of different devices or different types of devices with the bus system, in particular without the obligatory need to take into account the specific communication protocol or functional characteristics of each device in the first place.In stark contrast to known measures in which a change of operating mode must be signalled by data communication based on a communication protocol suited to the devices connected to the bus system, the present invention makes use of bus system wiring normally provided only for power supply to inform the devices connected to the bus system that a change of operating mode should be initiated by a temporary change in the supply voltage.

[0024] This also makes it possible for the first time to use in a bus system devices which can be electronically (circuit-technically) configured to be disconnected or separated from the at least one third wiring and nevertheless be supplied with power via the first and second wiring. Despite being disconnected from this at least one third wiring, devices connected to the bus system remain reachable in communication-technical or signal-technical terms to the supply facility and can be provided with "basic information", in this context, such as control information to initiate a change of operating mode.

[0025] The numerous different devices already mentioned above, which cannot be exhaustively enumerated, may possess basic functions or configurations and may include, for example, sensors such as temperature sensors or proximity sensors, cameras for still photography, videography or infrared photography, input devices such as individual keys, keypads, rotary buttons or rotary controllers, touch screens, display units such as electronic rack displays with one or more light emitting diodes (LEDs), video screens, energy saving two-color screen technologies such as e-ink, e-paper, and active screen technologies such as e.g. liquid crystal displays (LCDs), organic light emitting diodes (OLEDs), etc.

[0026] All these different devices are connected to a bus system and are adapted to be compatible with the bus system of the supporting device in order to be used therein.

[0027] That is, the devices described above basically have one basic function. However, such devices can also have combined basic functions or provide one dominant basic function supplemented with other supporting functions. As such, these devices can also provide other complementary communication functions, such as, for example, an NFC interface for activating the device, transmitting data to and from the device, controlling the device's functions from close range (from a few millimeters to a few centimeters), establishing a connection between the product and the electronic device, or a Bluetooth low energy radio module for wireless communication with compatible devices over a wide distance.

[0028] Each of these devices comprises an electronic device circuit which can be structurally and functionally divided into different circuit blocks, such that the electronic device circuit can comprise at least one circuit block for the respective basic function, possibly a circuit block for additional functions and a circuit block for energy supply, and possibly at least one circuit block for connection to a bus system, which is divided on the one hand into a connection with at least one third wiring and on the other hand into a connection with the second wiring.

[0029] Depending on the circumstances in which the bus system is applied, the supply facility can be assigned different tasks or roles.

[0030] One of these tasks is the fundamental task of supplying the devices connected to the bus system with power. For this purpose, the supply equipment itself can be powered by local or central network equipment or else wirelessly, for example using Power over WiFi technology. This supply equipment can also be connected to a (rechargeable) battery assigned to it, from which it receives power both for its own operation and for the operation of the devices connected to the bus system.

[0031] Another role is to initiate a change of operating mode with the supply voltage. This may be necessary, for example, if the supply equipment is used as a rack rail controller for the rack rails supporting the wiring, in case a central management station (e.g. a cloud service or a local server on which management software for managing the electronic devices fixed to the rack rails runs, also called a higher-level "software entity") must identify the individual devices on the rack rails and extract, drive or provide data to them. In this case, the supply equipment may also proactively perform a collection of the devices mounted on the rack rails in advance of the actual communication with the central management station, store the identification data thus collected and output this data to the central management station only at a later point in time.

[0032] The cloud service is connected via the Internet to a local LAN or WLAN infrastructure where one or more access points provide connectivity to the supply equipment.

[0033] This local server may also be connected to such access points via a LAN or WLAN infrastructure.

[0034] Each access point can be configured to communicate with the supplying installation via a wireless connection. In this case, (de facto) standardized communication methods (e.g. ZigBee, Bluetooth, Low Energy, WLAN, etc.) or proprietary communication methods can be used. Such proprietary communication methods are known, for example, from US Pat. No. 6,399,323, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. In this case, unlike US Pat. No. 6,399,323, the time-division communication method disclosed there is not used in the equipment mounted on the rack rails, which is indeed connected in a wired manner to the supplying installation, but in the supplying installation for communication with the access points. In connection with the electronic display units (referred to there as radio tags) disclosed in US Pat. No. 6,399,323, a systematic switching between an extremely energy-saving sleep state and a comparatively energy-consuming active state is implemented in the supplying installation in this case, in order to ensure, on the one hand, an operation as energy-saving as possible and, on the other hand, synchronization with the access points.

[0035] Regardless of the wireless communication method selected, a group of supply facilities can be assigned to an access point providing wireless technology, with each supply facility providing wired connections to the devices connected to its bus system, i.e. each supply facility constitutes an access node or a control node for the devices mounted on a support device, e.g. a rack rail.

[0036] Essentially, the supply can be provided to remain in its extremely energy-saving sleep state at all times when there is no need for its activity.

[0037] This supply also comprises a supply electronic circuit which can be divided into circuit blocks. So, here too, a circuit block is provided which supplies power to the supply. This can be, for example, a voltage controller such as a longitudinal controller, in particular an LDO (LDO stands for Low-Drop-Out) linear controller, which is connected to an internal or external energy store (for example a battery, battery pack or rechargeable battery cell arrangement) which outputs a voltage between 3.7 and 4.2 volts, generating an internal supply voltage of about 3.3 volts for the supply.

[0038] Another circuit block may in particular be a logic stage powered by an internal supply voltage, implemented by means of a microcontroller, which provides different functions of the supply facility, possibly including its peripherals, which functions are implemented by means of software executed by the microcontroller, apart from the hardware features, and which possibly utilizes the hardware features during its execution, and stored in the memory of the microcontroller.

[0039] Another circuit block may be a stage for generating an (external) supply voltage for the second line of the bus system, for example a step-up converter may be used for this purpose, connected at its input to an external energy store, which generates at its output a supply voltage for the bus system of a defined setpoint value, for example 5 volts.

[0040] Another circuit block may be configured to detect errors on the at least one third wire and may consist of an error detection circuit connected between the at least one third wire and a transmit / receive pin of the microcontroller, such as an analog-to-digital converter pin (ADC input) of the microcontroller, which may use the ADC input to detect, and possibly measure or evaluate, a voltage on the at least one third wire. Another analog-to-digital converter pin (ADC input) of the microcontroller may also be connected directly to the second wire, such that the microcontroller may detect, and possibly measure or evaluate, a voltage on the at least one third wire.

[0041] Another circuit block may in particular serve to detect an overload of the bus system occurring on this at least one third wiring and is configured to disconnect the output of the step-up converter from the second wiring in case of detecting an overload.

[0042] Another circuit block can be a block related to the radio system used for radio traffic with said access point. This circuit block can comprise both an antenna arrangement and an adaptation network. Also provided here is a circuit for converting analog signals received radio-technically into digital signals and vice versa. This circuit block is connected to a microcontroller, so that the microcontroller can receive radio traffic with the access point and output the data to be transmitted on its side for each radio signal.

[0043] Furthermore, a signal transmission unit which can be driven by a microcontroller, in the simplest case a circuit block with a single LED, can be provided.

[0044] Furthermore, there may also be provided an input unit, in the simplest case a circuit block equipped with keys, which can be interrogated by a microcontroller.

[0045] As another circuit block, there may also be provided a memory stage, in this case for example a flash memory, which can be addressed by the microcontroller, for example via a peripheral serial interface (abbreviated SPI).

[0046] It should be noted that, even though in the quoted language the supply unit electronics and the appliance electronics are discussed conceptually in terms of circuit blocks, each electronics may be implemented, for example, as an ASIC (application specific integrated circuit) or "system on a chip", such that the electronics are divided into functional units of an integrated circuit rather than into individual circuit blocks.

[0047] The external energy store can be a conventional battery or a battery cell or arrangement of battery cells. However, it has proven to be particularly advantageous for the supply facility to be coupled to an external energy store for the purpose of supplying the facility with power, the external energy store being particularly advantageously a "smart energy store", the supply facility being configured to collect and process information or data from the external energy store via data or signal lines, regarding one or more of the type of energy store, the power storage capacity, the usage history and the energy supply status. The smart energy store can comprise an internal battery microcontroller, which controller can be, for example, an I 2Via a communication interface implemented according to the C or SMBUS (System Management Bus) specifications, it can be connected to an electronic circuit of the supply installation with a compatible communication interface and, for example, via a cable, in particular to a logic stage. With the aid of this battery microcontroller, various smart functions can be implemented, which can for example include precise detection of the charge or consumption state, as well as other information related to the energy store, which the energy store can report to the supply installation. This energy store can be integrated into the supply installation. However, this store is advantageously arranged externally, as mentioned above, so that in case of insufficient charge it can be easily removed from the supply installation and replaced by a charged energy store, in particular so that the supply installation does not have to be removed from the support device as such (for example the rack rail).

[0048] Furthermore, the external (smart) energy store may advantageously comprise a security component, preferably implemented by a security chip, by means of which the external energy store can be authenticated to the supply installation, the advantages and effects of which are considered in the following general description text when dealing with electronic devices which may also be equipped with such a security component.

[0049] The transmission of signals and / or data via the wires of the bus system can be performed synchronously by means of at least one control wire and one or more data wires. In this bus system, depending on the implementation, several third wires are provided. However, in an advantageous embodiment, the at least one third wire provided for the transmission of signals and / or data is in fact realized by only a single third wire in each case. In this advantageous embodiment, the bus system is therefore a purely three-wire system. In the following, for easier reading, therefore, only one third wire will be mentioned in the sense of a single third wire, if it is installed.

[0050] These three wires can be realized as flat wiring tracks, similar to those used in printed circuits, and can be mounted on typical for such tracks, for example on a "Pertinax plate", but preferably by wires with an approximately circular cross section. In a preferred embodiment, these wires are not provided with an insulating layer, i.e. they are bare wires and are integrated into the surface of an insulating, i.e. non-conductive, plate, also called the wiring carrier, preferably a plastic plate, where they can be contacted with the contacts of the device.

[0051] In the following, the change of the supply voltage is considered. Basically, it is sufficient to use a change of the supply voltage that is detectable on the device side. To detect this, the device comprises a detection stage that is arranged to detect a temporary change of the supply voltage, and upon such detection, the device is arranged to change its operating mode. However, in order to prevent the risk of false positives, or even the risk of an unintentional "reset" (hardware reset) of the device connected to the system bus, it has proven advantageous if the supply facility is arranged to change the supply voltage on the basis of a predefined signal shape. Advantageously, the detection stage of the device is also arranged to detect the predefined signal shape of the supply voltage. This has the advantage that the detection on the device side is easier, since indeed the signal shape to be detected is already known. The detection stage can therefore be purposefully arranged on the device side to detect the predefined signal shape of the supply voltage.

[0052] It should further be noted here that different predefined signal shapes can be provided, for example, to enable certain device groups, device types, device varieties or device classes, or otherwise individual devices, to be called as desired, and other devices, device types, device varieties, device classes or device groups do not need to react.

[0053] This can be implemented in different ways: the first predefined signal shape of the supply voltage can thus be defined by at least one parameter from the following group: a) a falling edge, in particular a falling edge with a defined falling edge transition, preferably a falling edge with a value of the falling edge slope (voltage change per unit time) within a defined value range, particularly preferably a falling edge with a voltage value difference defined, b) a rising edge, in particular a rising edge with a defined rising edge transition, preferably a rising edge with a value of the rising edge slope (voltage change per unit time) within a defined value range, particularly preferably a rising edge with a voltage value difference defined, c) a voltage value applied during a time period that differs from the target value of the supply voltage, preferably a voltage value applied during a time period that is a value lower than the value of the supply voltage, more preferably a voltage value applied during a time period that is a value corresponding to a digital low state, particularly preferably a voltage value applied during a time period that is a value equal to the reference potential.

[0054] These variables are considered to be roughly equivalent in terms of their signal transmission behavior, but the variable based on point c) has proven to be the easiest to implement and, in particular, the easiest to detect.

[0055] Thus, for example, the device may comprise a microcontroller, by means of which the detection stage is realized, an interrupt input of the microcontroller being used to detect a predefined signal shape, the interrupt input of the microcontroller being connected or coupled to the second line, the appearance of the predefined signal shape triggering the interrupt input of the microcontroller, which changes the operating mode of the device. Since the interrupt input of the microcontroller is precisely configured to detect a signal shape according to point c) as a trigger for an interrupt, possibly with a corresponding rising or falling edge for the interrupt input, no further measures are necessary to ensure reliable detection.

[0056] As mentioned above, a reset should not be triggered by a temporary change of the supply voltage, the purpose of which is to initiate a change of the operating state. It has therefore proven advantageous to predefine not only the signal shape, but in particular also its duration. In this respect, the duration of the temporary change of the supply voltage, in particular the time length between the start of the change of the supply voltage and the restoration of the supply voltage to the target value relative to the reference potential, should be less than 500 μs, advantageously less than 250 μs, particularly advantageously less than 100 μs. about 100μ In s be.

[0057] On the device side, this aspect is taken into account as follows: the device comprises a second voltage generator, which is adapted to receive a supply voltage via a second line of the bus system and to generate a supply voltage for the device inside the device using this supply voltage, whereby the relatively short time periods for changing the supply voltage can be taken into account by simple measures on the device side in order to prevent an undesired triggering of a reset due to an interruption in the supply voltage. In terms of circuit technology, this can be seen in that the second voltage supplier is protected against temporary changes in the supply voltage by means of a buffer capacitor on the input side. This buffer capacitor is itself protected against discharging itself towards the second line by means of a diode, which is arranged to be connected directly to the second line for the purpose of introducing the supply voltage and is arranged with a polarity towards this capacitor in the forward direction. The buffer capacitor is dimensioned in such a way that sufficient electrical energy can be stored therein to ensure the energy supply inside the device during the time period for changing the supply voltage.

[0058] For the purpose of effecting a change in the supply voltage, the supply arrangement may be configured to comprise a first voltage generation stage configured to generate a target supply voltage and to output the supply voltage at an output, and a switching stage operable by a control signal and configured to switchably connect the second wiring to the first wiring or to the output of the voltage generation stage in response to the control signal, the microcontroller of the supply arrangement being configured to have its output connected to the switching stage and to output the control signal to the switching stage, so that the microcontroller digitally controls the switching stage, which is realized using MOS-FET transistors.

[0059] In this case, it has proven to be particularly advantageous if the switching stage is made up of two parts: a first switching stage part is provided for interrupting the current supply via the second line of the bus system; a second switching stage part is provided for actually connecting the second line with the reference potential. In operation, the first switching stage part is first activated and interrupts the current supply, with a pre-step of a few microseconds for activating the second switching stage part in order to prevent short circuits. Upon termination of the temporary change of the supply voltage, the deactivation of the two switching stage parts is carried out in the reverse order.

[0060] In the following, the operating modes and their changes will be discussed. The perspectives exemplified and discussed here are particularly useful for collecting devices that are connected to the bus system and subsequently develop communication therewith.

[0061] In one aspect of the invention, the supplying equipment has a collection mode, in which the supplying equipment is configured to collect identification data for uniquely identifying an electronic device connected to the bus system from among one or more electronic devices connected to the wiring. In order to start the collection on the supplying equipment side, i.e. to change the operating mode accordingly, the supplying equipment is configured to enter the collection mode before or during the implementation of a change in the supply voltage. Except in special cases, each device connected to the bus system and individually addressable in the bus system is configured to provide the identification data and to enter the identification mode, in which the device is configured to output the identification data via at least one third wiring. Furthermore, the device is configured to enter the identification mode in order to change its operating mode, and to change the operating mode accordingly and enter the identification mode if a change in the supply voltage is detected.

[0062] Since at the start of the collection mode the supply facility does not yet need to collect information about the number of devices connected to the bus system, it has been found to be particularly advantageous for the supply facility to be configured to remain in the reception mode and receive the identification data until no further identification data are received. As mentioned above, since an essentially unknown number of devices can be connected to the bus system and all of them can be in the identification mode at the same time, processes or methods are implemented in these devices that allow them to transmit the identification data reliably and completely, despite the competing connections to the bus system. In particular, each device is configured in the identification mode to output its identification data, possibly even to repeat this output (possibly the output of at least a part of the identification data), until it can output the identification data completely uninterrupted. In particular, each device is provided with at least one open-drain connection to the third line in order to output the identification data in the identification mode. This is realized with respect to the transmitting output of the device. In the identification mode, all devices connected to the third line in the bus system are connected in parallel with each other by this special output configuration. This ensures that in the case of competing transmissions of different information units (bits), a "low" logic state or signal level state or a logic symbol of "0" prevails over a "high" logic state or signal level state or a logic symbol of "1". In order to ensure that one device is trying to transmit a logic "1" while another device is transmitting a logic "0", these devices are arranged to simultaneously tap the third wire while transmitting their data in the identification mode. That is to say, each device is arranged to simultaneously check, in the identification mode, whether the signal sequence occurring on the at least one third wire by outputting the identification data corresponds to the sequence of logic states defined by its own identification data, and to interrupt the output of the identification data when a difference occurs between the respective signal states of the at least one third wire and the respective logic states of its own identification data, and to start anew again only when it is detected that the at least one third wire is free for a new transmission of its own identification data.This can be given by a time progression, a signal level or the receipt of a command. In other words, this means that each device whose attempt to transmit a logic "1" is "negated" by the transmission of a logic "0" by another device stops transmitting its identification data. Since each device is characterized by a unique identification data, this other device or these other devices, which simultaneously transmit a predominant "0" and detect this state by the above-mentioned simultaneous interception on the third line, continue transmitting their identification data until finally all devices have stopped transmitting except for the unique device. After this identification data of the remaining unique device has been transmitted to the supply facility and stored there, all the remaining devices start transmitting their individual identification data anew in a competitive manner in order to finally transmit only the identification data of the unique device again completely. This process continues until the identification data of all devices have been transmitted completely and uninterrupted. This is confirmed in the supply facility in such a way that after the identification data of the last transmitting device in a time slot has been transmitted, no further identification data is received.

[0063] Furthermore, it should be noted that the expression "starting anew only when at least one third line is detected as free for a new transmission of identification data" can be realized in various ways. In this way, it is possible to know the length / output time of the identification data consisting of a certain number of symbols, and wait until all symbols of the identification data of one device are output, and then automatically start with a new output of the identification data. It is also possible to wait until an output command sent by the supply facility is received after each output of the identification data, and then start with a new output of the identification data.

[0064] As considered here, the transmission of the identification data can proceed without further synchronization signals during that period. However, this presupposes relatively heavy electronics in the devices, since they must operate synchronously with one another at least for the maximum expected transmission time. Typically, for this purpose, relatively expensive quartz resonant circuits (crystal resonators) are used in each device, which generate a system clock for the respective device.

[0065] In order to avoid such an expensive construction of the equipment, it can also be provided that the supply facility provides a synchronization signal on at least one third line during the collection of the identification data, so that all the equipment connected to the bus system which plans to output the identification data tunes to this signal, which can be a periodic signal of defined structure, which is in any case always reliably received by the equipment listening in the identification mode.

[0066] Advantageously, the collection and output of the identification data is performed in such a way that a certain number of bytes (for example 6 bytes) is specified or defined for this purpose. This number of bytes is known in advance to all devices in the system, i.e. programmed, and advantageously cannot be changed. The actual transmission of the identification data is performed by a clock pattern by the supply facility, which sends a start bit (logical symbol "0", power state "low") at the beginning of each transmission of a byte. Here, the start bit has the function of a synchronization signal or clock signal, so that the devices can synchronize to it at the beginning of each output of a byte. This measure makes it possible to produce these devices very cheaply, omitting the above-mentioned expensive crystal resonator circuit.

[0067] An advantageous method of transmitting this identification data may involve a stop bit sent by the supply facility after the time period reserved for the transmission of one byte, defined by a logical "1" symbol and a power state of "high".

[0068] As previously considered, the supplying equipment will attempt to receive the identification data until no more identification data is transmitted. By definition, this situation occurs when a "high" symbol state or power state is not observed by the supplying equipment during the entire reception period defined for the transmission of one byte. This means that the equipment's identification data must by definition not present a byte with the hexadecimal value "FF" (in bit representation "11111111").

[0069] As long as it is provided that identification data is embedded in every byte between the start and stop bits, the synchronization of the device is achieved by the start bit of the total 10 bits, i.e. variations in the electronics are tolerated in such a way that the synchronization of the device is maintained for at least this period of time.

[0070] Of course, it can also be provided that the entire byte defined for the transmission of identification data is not used exclusively for the transmission of device address data. Rather, one or more bytes can be defined for the transmission of status information or for the transmission of a number of individual status flags. Data for authenticating each device can also be included in advance in the identification data.

[0071] In this supply facility collection mode and device identification mode, the two entities are configured to communicate in a slow communication operation, in which only a very limited set of commands is available, such as a query command that all devices understand and upon receipt all devices transmit their identification data as described above, and a selection command that allows a single device to be selected, which will be discussed in more detail below.

[0072] Here, in order to initiate the operation of collecting identification data, a configuration can be implemented in which all devices that are synchronized by a temporary change in supply voltage output their identification data, as previously discussed, without regard to or the presence of start or stop bits.

[0073] It can also be provided that after detection of this temporary change in the supply voltage, all devices remain in a state of listening to the signals on the at least one third wire, in this variant, during this initial time period, i.e. before collecting the identification data, only the supply installation has the authority to use this at least one third wire.

[0074] Here, the actual output of the identification data can begin with the occurrence of the first start bit.

[0075] During this initial time period, it is also possible to wait for the supply facility to send a query command within said initial time period in order to start the operation of collecting the identification data, i.e. also to start the output of the identification data, after which, depending on the implementation, the actual output of the identification data can take place either not embedded in a frame of start and stop bits, or exactly embedded in a frame of start and stop bits.

[0076] In all implementations or variants, in the acquisition mode, the supplying facility is configured to receive the identification data at a low-speed operation, in particular at a symbol rate of up to 100 kbaud per second. Similarly, the (each of the devices included in the bus system) is configured to output, in the identification mode, the identification data at a low-speed operation, in particular at a symbol rate of up to 100 kbaud per second. That is to say, the applied symbol rate per second is predefined and fixed, in particular set in an unalterable manner, both in the supplying facility and in the devices included in the bus system. This achieves a configuration in which the supplying facility does not need to know in advance what devices are connected to the system bus at all.

[0077] After each device has output its identification data, it waits to receive a selection command from the supply facility, by means of which the supply facility selects a single communication partner from the pool of devices involved in detecting the identification data for further individual communication, by specifying the address of the device to be selected as a component of the selection command.

[0078] For this purpose, in the collection mode, the supplying facility is arranged to select a single device from which identification data has been collected for further operation in the bus system, this being done by means of a detectable selection command for determining said device, said command being outputted by the supplying facility at a still slower rate and comprising the address component of the identification data.

[0079] It should be mentioned here that the identification data can also represent other information components besides a pure address component, which can convey information about, for example, the type of device or the class of device, etc. In any case, in order to collect the identification data, a predefined and fixed number of symbols or bytes must be defined, so that the collection of the identification data can be performed without further coordination between the communication partners, as considered.

[0080] Basically, it has been found to be advantageous for each device to have a bus system inactive mode in which the device enters a bus system inactive state, in which the device can be powered by means of the first and second lines but is electrically disconnected from at least one third line, the device being configured to enter the bus system inactive mode when no communication request occurs.

[0081] In this identification mode, the or each device involved is configured to check, after outputting its identification data, whether it should enter the bus system inactive state or whether it has been selected by the supply facility and therefore should continue to operate further in the bus system. This means that a device which has entered the bus system inactive state no longer influences or loads the third wiring, advantageously being electrically isolated from this third wiring. That is to say, this at least one third wiring is then in a state in which all non-selected devices are isolated from the third wiring, and these devices no longer load or influence electrically (capacitively or inductively), except for the communication between the supply facility and the selected devices.

[0082] The supply facility has an individual communication mode, in which the supply facility is configured for bidirectional communication with a single selected device at high speed communication operation, in this case above 100 kbaud per second, particularly advantageously about 1,000kbo - A symbol rate can be applied, where the symbol rate applied is in any case faster than the lower speed communication operation.

[0083] The supply facility is configured to switch from a collection mode to an individual communication mode after selection of a single device, and each device has its own individual communication mode in which it is configured to communicate individually with the supply facility through high speed communication operations, and each device is configured to exit the identification mode and enter the individual communication mode when selection is confirmed.

[0084] After the communication partner switches to the individual communication mode, communication can be carried out in accordance with the capabilities and functions of the selected device.

[0085] Advantageously, both on the supply facility side and on the device side, a so-called UART (Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter) implemented therein is activated, by means of which communication between the selected device and the supply facility is then developed in individual communication mode.

[0086] Each device is configured to perform high speed communication operations based on a device-specific or device type-specific communication protocol and / or instruction set, thereby ensuring that, unlike the identification mode, the entire range of communication means can be utilized and the entire range of device functions can be driven or used.

[0087] To take advantage of this on the supplying equipment side, it is advantageous for the supplying equipment to store a data structure for storing device-specific or device type-specific communication technical parameters, and for the equipment to be configured to use this data structure to perform high-speed communication operations based on a device-specific or device type-specific communication protocol and / or instruction set.

[0088] The data structure may store, for example, parameters that individually define the communication speed. The data structure may also store information including information about available commands or commands that can be translated by the device and their arguments. In other words, in general, the data structure may store communication technology specifications for each device type.

[0089] Thus, for example, if the device is realized as an electronic display unit, image data can be transmitted in a data format that the display unit can understand, so that the reception or execution status can be consulted on a screen, etc. The same applies analogously for other devices having other functions, such as, for example, sensors, image capture devices, etc.

[0090] When the equipment is first collected, the equipment specification data, which is predefined and stored in a form that the supply equipment can understand and use, can be retrieved from the equipment and then stored in a data structure so that the equipment can communicate or cooperate efficiently. Similarly, these specification data can be managed (e.g., stored in a central management server or cloud) by a higher-level electronic management department across the system, and these specification data can be retrieved by this central management department with reference to the identification data only after the identification data is collected, and then stored in the supply equipment's data structure.

[0091] Furthermore, it has proven to be extremely advantageous for each electronic device to be equipped with a secure component by means of which it can be uniquely authenticated to the supplying facility, i.e. can be authenticated to the supplying facility. This secure component can be based on software and / or hardware, for example by means of a "security chip" (also called in English "Secure Element"). During this authentication, a key pair can be used. This secure component allows the authentication of each device to the supplying facility before it is enabled or allowed to work in a device-specific manner with the supplying facility. The term "authentication" is understood to be a process or operation that serves to identify the device and to check the identifier. Only devices that can be authenticated by the supplying facility are allowed to be used by the supplying facility. This can be implemented by known methods known in the field of "machine-to-machine (M2M) communication" or the Internet of Things (IoT), such as for example "X.509 certificates", "Trusted Platform Modules (TPM)" or "symmetric keys".

[0092] For authentication purposes, for example in the identification data, besides the address component, the data can also contain an authentication component that enables the supplying facility to authenticate the device as early as in the collection mode. If the authentication fails, the supplying facility refuses to select the device for the individual communication mode.

[0093] However, it may be provided that for authentication purposes the collection of devices takes place without direct authentication and then only at the beginning of the individual communication mode is authentication checked before it is actually possible to communicate in a device-specific manner with the authenticated devices. If authentication of a device is not possible, the supplying equipment will refuse further communication with that device and will terminate the individual communication mode.

[0094] Furthermore, a higher-level control station can be used to perform authentication of the devices collected by the supply facility, so that, apart from the pure collection of identification data, such devices must first be authorized or approved for use in the bus system, in particular by a given supply facility, by the control station, which is also communicated to the supply facility by the control station before the supply facility is allowed or able to work with the device in the first place. This can advantageously be necessary once to make a device newly accommodated in the system available to the supply facility. The same applies when transferring devices from one supply facility to another.

[0095] That is, the supplying equipment may be provided with a control unit for checking the permission to operate in cooperation with a device present in its bus system, and only if this permission is obtained in the sense of authentication, communicates with the device in a device-specific manner by means of high-speed communication operations, or, in some cases, does not perform selection with respect to the device at all in advance if this permission does not exist.

[0096] However, this authentication can also be prescribed for supplying equipment, so that only supplying equipment that is authenticated to or by a central control authority can operate with the system.

[0097] Successful authentication can be indicated by an optically detectable status indication on the device or even in the supply facility. This can be done, for example, via a screen. This visual indication can be done, for example, by an LED that emits light in a spectral band detectable by the human eye or, for mechanical processing, in a spectral band other than that detectable by the human eye.

[0098] The authentication considered here makes it possible to ensure that only authorized equipment can be used in the system or in the bus system. This authorization can be obtained for individual equipment, but also for groups, for example for equipment types or classes of equipment, or else in a manufacturer-specific manner. This ensures that the use of counterfeit or questionable supply equipment and equipment is prevented, which contributes greatly to the quality of the system, since it ensures protection against the intrusion of malicious software and also prevents the use of unproven (possibly non-compliant) hardware. Furthermore, these measures allow the use of various electronic equipment, whereby different equipment manufacturers can bring their specific core competencies, but at the same time manage the access to the system, realizing a merchant model that runs in line with both the business and strategic interests of the system provider. The same applies to the behavior with the supply equipment.

[0099] The same applies analogously to external energy stores (battery packs) supplying the supply installation already mentioned at the outset, which can also be equipped with the above-mentioned safety components for the above-mentioned purposes (identification / authentication).

[0100] When the individual communication in the individual communication mode is terminated (this can be communicated to the device by command or can be automatically determined from the communication status), the device changes its operating mode and enters the bus system inactive mode.

[0101] From now on, if a request for collection and communication with one of the devices occurs from the supply facility, the whole process can be started anew from the beginning, including the initiation of the change in the supply voltage. Rather than a new whole collection process being performed after the initiation of the change in the supply voltage, it can also be provided that one of the devices is selected based on the identification data already detected in the slow communication operation, without the need for another device to output its identification data anew. After this selection, data can be exchanged with the selected device by the fast communication operation.

[0102] In order not to be in a state where only the supplying installation can initiate communication between the equipment and the supplying installation, the equipment and the supplying installation are configured to operate without a change in the supply voltage by the supplying installation to initiate communication. For that purpose, it is provided on the part of the equipment that it has a connection initiation mode, in which the equipment is configured to indicate a request to establish a connection to the supplying installation by temporarily creating a load, in particular a load with a high impedance, of at least one third line of the supplying installation. Furthermore, this equipment is configured, as previously considered, such that its operation modes, i.e. the connection initiation mode for entering the identification mode, are followed by the individual communication mode.

[0103] It is provided that the supply equipment is configured on its side to detect a temporary, approximately high impedance load on the third line by a device connected to the bus system and, possibly, to distinguish how many connected devices are generating a load at the same time. As a result of detecting this load, the supply equipment is configured to enter its operating mode, i.e. the acquisition mode, followed by the individual communication mode.

[0104] That is, not all of the devices mounted on the bus system are activated to output their respective identification data to the supplying equipment, but rather the supplying equipment is now activated in the collection mode by purposefully changing the signal levels on at least one third wire provided for signal or data traffic in order to retrieve the identification data of the devices loading the at least one third wire.

[0105] This can involve recalling the identification data of just a single device and then immediately (ie, without the need for a selection command) communicating with that single device individually through high speed communication operations.

[0106] However, as mentioned above, the high impedance loading of the at least one third line can also be realized by a number of devices loading the at least one third line at the same time. In this case, a signal level is generated on the at least one third line, which is determined by a voltage divider. The voltage divider is composed of a resistor on the supply side on one side and a parallel circuit of high impedance resistors of the devices loading the at least one third line, which are connected in series with the resistor on the supply side. At least one third line is connected between the resistors of the supply side and the parallel circuit of high impedance resistors of the devices. The voltage divider is supplied with a voltage in the supply and is connected to a reference potential in the device. The signal level generated by the supply, which corresponds to the number of devices loading the at least one third line, can then be directly intercepted by the at least one third line in the supply and processed by means of an analog-to-digital converter in the supply. Knowing the value of the high impedance resistor, the value of the internal resistance of the supply and the value of the voltage supplied to the voltage divider, the microcontroller can calculate exactly how many devices are loading the at least one third line at the same time. Then, in the acquisition mode, identification data of the number of devices calculated in advance can be received. However, rather than performing this calculation, the collection of identification data can be performed without knowing the number of devices, as previously discussed.

[0107] Subsequently, individual fast communication with only one of the collected devices is performed after selection of that device, while the remaining collected devices remain in a standby state and are able to monitor at least one third line.

[0108] Upon completion of the individual high speed communication with the first selected device, the supply facility exits the collection mode and immediately switches to low speed communication operation to select the next previously detected device and then provide technical service in the individual communication mode. This can be repeated multiple times until all previously detected devices are provided technical service, loading at least one third line with a high impedance.

[0109] To complete the general description, a further overview will now be given regarding the different components and functions of the system previously considered in detail.

[0110] The supply facility provides the following functions in the system: It can interrupt the supply voltage available to the bus system in order to save energy. This can be useful, for example, at night or if an error is detected in the bus system. The facility can change the current limiting configuration in accordance with the current requirements of the bus system. If a demand for a higher voltage or power occurs in the bus system, for example when an LED is activated, a screen needs to be updated or a camera has to be operated, the facility can also increase the supply voltage in particular, at least temporarily, in accordance with this demand. The facility can use an analog-digital converter to pull at least one third line provided for the transmission of signals or data towards the value of the supply voltage in terms of its signal level and to detect, as mentioned above, that one of the devices is pulling or loading this line in terms of its signal level towards the reference potential. This can be used to detect that a device is newly connected to the bus system and spontaneously seeks to communicate with the supply facility in order to be registered in the supply facility. However, it can also be used by one of the devices already connected to the bus system to spontaneously issue an "attention alarm" to indicate that it wants to enter into communication with the supplying facility, sending in this communication details about the reason for the attention alarm. The supplying facility can also perform a so-called "bus reset", which briefly interrupts the supply voltage available to the bus system. This bus reset is considered to be equivalent to the temporary change of the supply voltage discussed at the beginning. As mentioned before, this facility is also configured to communicate at low speed (100 kbaud) with the devices connected in "open drain" mode, in order to be able to carry out basic commands understood by all devices, and collection operations that collect all devices available on the bus system.The equipment is also configured to communicate at high speeds (approximately 1,000 kbaud), as previously described, using a Universal Asynchronous Transmitter / Receiver (UART) to allow larger or otherwise smaller amounts of data to be transmitted to or received from a single device at higher speeds (in both directions) in a device-specific manner. The supply equipment also monitors the bus system for errors, which are detected, for example, by at least one third wire being held at a "low" logic level for more than 1 ms.

[0111] Each device can enter a low-energy mode that generates the lowest possible power consumption. For this purpose, it is often sufficient to shut down the microcontroller installed in the device and possibly operate further functional blocks with a locally generated supply voltage in the device. However, it can also be provided that in particular the supply voltage generators installed locally in the device are completely switched off. This is therefore possible since the supply equipment certainly provides the function of causing a temporary change of the supply voltage in the bus system. This change of supply voltage can be used on the part of the device to switch on or start up the supply voltage generators installed in the device again. Basically, the device can be switched on automatically, for example, when the main switch is operated manually, when the device is plugged into the bus system, when the supply equipment performs a bus reset or when the start-up of the device is initiated by means of the optionally installed NFC module or an external NFC device (integrated in a smartphone or PDA, for example). In summary, the equipment is configured to detect a bus reset and initiate a change of its operating mode, apply a weak load to at least one third wire to indicate its presence or to send said alarm, perform slow "open drain" coupled communication to announce its identification data, in particular its address, perform fast UART based communication for individual data transfer with the supply equipment, and be disconnected or interrupted from at least one third wire to minimize or prevent its effects during high speed communication between the supply equipment and another equipment.

[0112] The bus system can exhibit various states, which are summarized below.

[0113] In the "power off" state, the supply voltage is switched off, and the at least one third wire is pulled to a "high" logic level, possibly to make it possible to detect a short circuit by the appliance, or even the load.

[0114] In the "low power" state, the bus system is powered by means of a battery. The at least one third wire is pulled to a "high" logic level, possibly to make short circuits by the equipment or even the load detectable. For example, an equipment comprising a display unit with an E-paper screen can switch off its internal supply voltage. For example, an equipment having a display unit with an LCD screen can switch off its internal microcontroller and operate only the LCD screen with its internal supply voltage. A sensor equipment can be periodically awakened to perform measurements or to collect physical parameters with its sensor elements. In this case, all these equipment can be disconnected from the at least one third wire.

[0115] In the "Presence or Alarm" state, each device can pull the at least one third wire to a "low" logic level to request communication with the supplying equipment, which can generally mean an alarm. Each device newly connected to the bus system can indicate its presence by applying a weak load to the at least one third wire. The supplying equipment can enter a collection mode without having to wake up other devices from their hibernation state.

[0116] In the "bus reset" state, the supply equipment can switch the supply voltage off and on in order to start up the devices, after which it can enter a collection mode in order to collect the identification data of the individual devices, in particular their addresses.

[0117] In the "low speed" state, these devices are connected in "open drain" fashion to at least one third wire of the bus system, and each device can pull this wire to a "low" logic level. This mode is initiated by a bus reset. This mode serves to collect the devices in the bus system, for example, 48 bits are defined to identify the devices individually. With one command, all devices except selected ones can be isolated from the bus system.

[0118] In the "high speed communication" state, two-way communication can be performed, where the supply facility communicates only with a single selected device, for example to transmit image data in the case of a display unit.

[0119] An "error" state occurs if the at least one third wire is at a "low" logic level for a time period lasting longer than permitted for communication, if a too high current consumption is identified, or if the at least one third wire cannot be pulled to a "low" or "high" logic level. As a reaction to the detection of this error state, the supply equipment can switch off the supply voltage until the error no longer occurs. For this purpose, the supply equipment can be configured to periodically check whether the error still occurs or has been removed.

[0120] Therefore, a system with a bus system including a supply facility and at least one device has two signal transmission modes and two communication modes.

[0121] In the first signalling mode, a temporary change in the supply voltage is provided to initiate a change in operating mode by the supply equipment.

[0122] In the second signal transmission mode, a high impedance loading (even a temporary loading) of the at least one third line is provided to initiate a change of operating mode by the at least one device.

[0123] In the first communication mode, the supply facility provides a low speed communication operation, possibly even in the context of a collection of devices, to select a single device and control it with a limited command set, specifically a command set (and / or parameter range) available in a manner that is advantageous to the device (and that is understood by all devices that fit into the bus system).

[0124] The second communication mode provides high speed communication operations for two-way communication between the supply facility and exactly one selected piece of equipment, particularly based on the equipment type, equipment model, equipment class or equipment group to which the equipment is assigned, or by equipment specific individual command set or range of functions individually available to the selected equipment.

[0125] It can further be provided that along the rack rail there are machine-readable, in particular optically readable, markings which enable each piece of equipment to measure its position fixed to the rack rail. These equipment can be equipped at their rear side with a suitable reading device, in particular an optical reader (e.g. a miniature camera), by means of which the markings can be detected and the position information provided thereby can then be further processed by the equipment's electronic circuits.

[0126] Furthermore, the system described here can also be configured to measure the position of electronic devices whose position is unknown. In this case, the position of the electronic devices installed on a support device (for example, a rack rail) can be spatially limited by a position measurement of the supplying equipment. In this case, the position measurement of the supplying equipment relative to an access point whose position is known is performed using ultra-wideband wireless communication between the access point and the supplying equipment. This measure has the advantage that, unlike known measures, the measurement of the position of an electronic device or even of several electronic devices no longer depends on the knowledge of the absolute position of the other electronic devices, which in the known measures serve as stationary anchor points for the position measurement. Instead, a dynamic anchor point is used here, which is realized by the supplying equipment. This point changes its position in space over time, for example by the movement of the rack or also by repartitioning the rack bottom to which the rack rail is fixed. That is to say, before a position measurement is performed for the electronic device, a position measurement is first performed for the supplying equipment and, if necessary, the position of the electronic device is determined or limited building on it, i.e. in relation to this position of the supplying equipment. In this case, finally, the situation is exploited that the electronic device to be located or limited is located on a support device, on which the respective associated supply equipment is also installed or located. That is to say, once the current location of the supply equipment is determined, the location of the electronic device served by means of said supply equipment is obtained practically automatically, since the location of said device can only be determined relative to said supply equipment. In this context, ultra-wideband wireless communication is understood to be wireless communication based on Ultra-Wideband (UWB, in English Ultra-Wideband) technology. The most important feature is the use of a very wide frequency band, the bandwidth of which is at least 500 Mhz or at least 20% of the arithmetic mean value of the lower and upper frequencies of the frequency band used. In the method described here, the measurement of the location of the power supply equipment is based on a distance measurement between its location and the location of the associated access point, using each ultra-wideband wireless communication. In this case, a "time of flight" measurement and possibly also an "angle of arrival" measurement are used.Thereby, by subsequent measures, such as triangulation, a very precise measurement of the position of each supply equipment is obtained. To implement this measure, the access points as well as the supply equipment simply need to be equipped with UWB radio modules and transmit the acquired UWB radio measurement data to a central data processing device, which builds on this data to determine the exact position of the supply equipment within the space (store).

[0127] In particular, when a supplying equipment is arranged to communicate with an access point according to a standardized communication protocol (e.g. ZigBee, Bluetooth, Low Energy, WLAN, etc.) and is powered by said battery, it has proven to be extremely advantageous for this equipment to have a sleep state in which it is not ready for wireless communication with the access point, and an active state in which it is ready for wireless communication with the access point, in order to operate in an energy-saving manner. In order to guarantee the communication-technical operability of the supplying equipment, it has proven to be advantageous for the access point to comprise an additional wake-up transmitter arranged to transmit a wake-up radio signal with addressing information. This addressing information can be used to address a given supplying equipment or a group of such supplying equipment. Each supplying equipment further comprises a very energy-saving wake-up receiver arranged to receive the wake-up signal and to check whether it is addressed. If the addressing is confirmed, the supplying equipment wakes up from its sleep state and is then available to communicate with the access point by means of a standardized communication process.

[0128] In order to allow the electronic device to operate even when it is not directly powered by the supply facility, it has been found to be advantageous for the electronic device to also comprise, in addition to the buffer or smoothing capacitors normally provided, a rechargeable long-term energy store. This store is provided for at least temporarily autonomous operation of the electronic circuit of the electronic device during time periods when no power is provided by the supply facility. The long-term energy store is charged whenever the electronic device is electrically connected to the supply facility, i.e. when the electronic device is fixed to the support device. Furthermore, a form of coordination can be implemented between the support device and the electronic device as to whether the long-term energy store should actually be charged at a given time, whether it is allowed to be charged, or whether this should be done at another time, for example because the charging of the battery store of the supply facility has now reached an unfavorable low level. Similarly, the permissible charging time can be negotiated or adjusted. In the electronic device, for example, the long-term energy store can take over the supply of power when the electronic device is removed from the support device and therefore a direct supply by the supply facility is no longer possible. In this way, even after the electronic device is disconnected from the supporting device, it is possible to change the image content of the screen, perform image or video capture, obtain physical parameters, and perform inputs or outputs in a manner that can be understood by machines and humans. In an advantageous embodiment, this long-term energy store can be realized by a so-called "supercapacitor" (also called "ultracapacitor") ("Supercap" for short). Of course, rechargeable batteries or accumulators can also be used. However, the advantage of the aforementioned supercapacitors lies in the following fact: Supercapacitors, also called "ultracapacitors", are high-power capacitors with a much higher capacitance value than other capacitors, but with a lower limit voltage, bridging the gap between electrolytic capacitors and rechargeable batteries.These capacitors typically store 10 to 100 times more energy per unit volume or weight than electrolytic capacitors, can be charged and delivered much faster than batteries, and can withstand many more charge-discharge cycles than rechargeable batteries.

[0129] Another aspect concerns the transmission of visually perceptible signals to the supporting device, output via the electronic device, which can be done, for example, by means of a screen of the electronic device. For this purpose, the electronic device can (in addition to its screen, as already mentioned by the way) be equipped with light output units, advantageously realized as LEDs, which are then distributed along the supporting device in correspondence with the positions of the electronic devices, so that position-dependent light signals can be output by the supply facility under the control of the individual or central one. Similarly, the supply facility can be equipped with such light output units, so that light signals can be output at the position of the supply facility under the control of the supply facility. It can also be provided that the mechanical structure of the supporting device comprises light output units at defined fixed positions, which are in a detachable electrically connected manner with the supply facility, so that light signals can be output at the position of the light output devices under the control of the supply facility.

[0130] These and other aspects of the present invention will become apparent from the drawings considered below. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0131] The invention is explained in more detail below again on the basis of examples with reference to the attached drawings, to which the invention is not limited, in which the same components are provided with the same reference numerals in the different figures. [Figure 1] A schematic diagram of part of the mechanical structure of a rack with rack rails, and supply equipment attached to the rack rails from the bottom and sides of the rack. [Diagram 2]Schematic of the rack with the bottom removed, thereby revealing the battery structure located underneath that powers the supply equipment. [Diagram 3] Schematic diagram of rack rail with electronic display unit inserted in front [Figure 4] Schematic diagram of the rack rail with the electronic display unit incompletely inserted [Diagram 5] Schematic diagram of the rack rail with the electronic display unit fully inserted [Figure 6] A perspective view of the broken electrical connection between the supply equipment and the three electrical wiring of the rack rail [Figure 7] Schematic diagram of Figure 6, viewed from the right in a direction parallel to the rack rail [Figure 8] Electrical block diagram of the supply equipment and its three wiring connections [Figure 9] Electrical block diagram of the electronic display unit and its three wire connections [Figure 10] Schematic diagram of a reduced-function variant of a device that can be operated with three wires [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a time sequence diagram of signal states occurring in the wiring of the rack rails when communication between the supply equipment and the electronic equipment according to the first embodiment proceeds; [Figure 12A] FIG. 11 is another time sequence diagram of a signal state occurring in the wiring of the rack rail according to the second embodiment; [Figure 12B] FIG. 11 is another time sequence diagram of a signal state occurring in the wiring of the rack rail according to the second embodiment; DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0132] FIG. 1 shows part of a rack 1 made from steel, showing a rack base 2, rack rails 3 and a power supply 4 inserted laterally into the rack rails 3.

[0133] In Figure 2 said part of the rack 1 is shown, with the rack bottom 2 removed, so that one can see the lateral support 5 on which is fastened a battery arrangement 6 arranged to supply power to a supply installation 4. This battery arrangement 6 is connected to the supply installation 4 via a cable 19 (not visible in this perspective view, but visible in Figure 8). This battery arrangement 6 is fastened to the support 5 by means of magnets (not visible here).

[0134] In Fig. 3, a supply installation 4 and two devices fixed thereto, more specifically a rack rail 3 with electronic display units, i.e. a first display unit 7A and a second display unit 7B (hereinafter referred to as electronic shelf labels, ESL for short), are shown. Here, the mechanical fixing of the ESLs 7A and 7B is performed by a snap mechanism which cooperates with notches (not visible in this perspective view) arranged along the reference or main wall 9 of the rack rail 3 on the rear side of the ESLs 7A and 7B, so that each ESL 7A or 7B is pressed upwards against an upper part (hereinafter referred to as the upper ceiling wall 10) of the rack rail 3, so that the ESLs 7A or 7B are fitted into this upper part from above and are held there in a spread-out form between the main wall 9 and the ceiling wall 10 which is slightly inclined downwards towards the front. Since the focus of the present patent application is on the electronic aspects, the details of this snap mechanism are not shown in the drawings, which will therefore be dealt with in more detail below.

[0135] 4 and 5 show a cross section of the rack rail 3 between ESLs 7A and 7B. Here, the cross section of the structure of the rack rail 3 made of steel and the wiring support 8 inserted in the upper area of ​​this structure are clearly visible. This wiring support 8 is made of plastic and comprises three electrically conductive electric wires (for example copper wires) L1, L2 and L3 that run along the longitudinal extension of the rack rail 3, which are inserted directly into the surface of the wiring support 8 without insulation and then protrude from the wiring support 8 along the wiring support 8, approximately along its entire length, at a height that allows them to come into contact with ESLs 7A and 7B without any problems. These three electric wires L1 to L3 are installed on the side of the wiring support 8 that faces the reference or main wall 9 of the rack rail 3, respectively, so that they cannot be seen from the direction of observing the screens of ESLs 7A and 7B.

[0136] Each ESL 7A and 7B has a head slot in which the wire support 8 is placed. The ESL 7A or 7B can be pushed from below into the rack rail 3 until it abuts against the ceiling wall 10 above or the wire support 8 reaches the deepest point of the slot. To contact the three wires L1 to L3, each ESL 7A and 7B has three contact parts, in this case made of three steel belts, which cannot be seen in detail here. These have raised or convex contact zones in their end sections E1, E2 and E3, which protrude from the housing of each ESL 7A and 7B (see FIG. 4). These end sections E1 to E3 are supported in a substantially spring-like manner by the flexibility of the steel belts and, as can be seen in FIG. 5, come into contact with the wires L1 to L3, which are indicated according to their assigned numbers, when each ESL 7A or 7B is fully inserted into the rack rail 3. In this case, each steel belt exerts an elastic effect due to its flexibility, so that contact with the wires L1 to L3 under pressure or force is ensured. The steel belts are arranged with a sufficient distance between each other, i.e., so as not to come into contact with each other, and are oriented parallel to each other.

[0137] For the sake of completeness it should be further mentioned here that, of course, the wiring support 8, the reference wall 9 and the upper ceiling wall 10 can also be seen in FIGS.

[0138] In the following, the electrical connection of the supply facility 4 to the three wires L1-L3 is described, and in this connection reference is made to figures 6 and 7. In figure 6, the housing of the supply facility 4 as well as the antenna arranged for wireless traffic have been removed in order to be able to see the connection of the three wires L1-L3 with the equipment electronic circuit 11 of the supply facility 4. Here, it is possible to see the printed circuit board in the equipment electronic circuit 11 and the electronic components arranged thereon, connected via some wiring paths not shown, which will not be described in detail. In this figure, three steel belts S1, S2 and S3 can be seen, each connected (soldered) to the electronic circuit 11 in a first end area and having a raised, arch-shaped structure as contact zone in their respective second end areas E4, E5 and E6. These wires L1-L3 are in contact with the second end areas E4-E6. Here too, each steel belt S1-S3 exerts an elastic effect due to its flexibility, so that contact with the wires L1-L3 under pressure is ensured. These steel belts S1-S3 are configured in a C-shape or an L-shape and surround the outer end of the reference wall 9 with a sufficient distance between them so that the outer end of the reference wall 9 made of steel does not come into contact with the reference wall 9. Furthermore, these steel belts S1-S3 are installed with a sufficient distance between them, i.e., so as not to come into contact with each other, and are oriented in parallel to each other.

[0139] It should further be mentioned that in this case, as already visible in FIG. 3, in FIG. 7 the left end plate 12 of the rack rail 3 is visible, in this case made from plastic.

[0140] This supply equipment 4 together with the three wirings L1 to L3 forms a bus system of the rack rails 3 to which, as considered in the general description, different devices can be connected, but here we limit our consideration to only the ESLs 7A and 7B and a device with greatly reduced functionality, namely the so-called LED device 7C illustrated in FIG. 10.

[0141] In the following, we will consider the block connection diagram of the equipment electronic circuit 11 (hereinafter, briefly referred to as the first electronic circuit 11) shown in Figure 8 and the ESL electronic circuit 13 (hereinafter, briefly referred to as the second electronic circuit 13) shown in Figure 9.

[0142] In Fig. 8, which illustrates a block connection diagram of the first electronic circuit 11, besides the three wires L1-L3, the end areas E4-E6 of the steel belts S1-S3 for contacting the supply device 4 with the wires L1-L3 are also shown. This first electronic circuit 11 comprises a flash memory unit 14, a key input unit 15, a first display unit 16, for example with LEDs, a Bluetooth low energy radio unit 17, in particular with a suitable antenna (not shown), and a central first microcontroller 18, which provides the functions or operating modes of the supply device 4 by means of software stored in its memory and, when this software is executed, possibly in combination with its peripheral circuits. This first microcontroller 18 is connected via its peripheral terminals to said units 14-16 for using, driving or querying said units. For example, in connection with this microcontroller 18, a chip named CSR1021 from the company Qualcomm Technologies is mentioned.

[0143] This first electronic circuit 11 is connected to an intelligent rechargeable battery arrangement 6 via a supply cable 19, which on the one hand integrates a supply line 19A for the supply of electrical energy and a data line 19B for the transmission of information. This battery arrangement 6 is connected to an intelligent rechargeable battery arrangement 6 via an intelligent rechargeable battery cable 19, which on the one hand integrates a supply line 19A for the supply of electrical energy and a data line 19B for the transmission of information. 2A smart battery controller 39 is provided for providing usage and status parameters (and possibly also authentication information) of the battery configuration 6 to the central microcontroller 18 via the C-bus. The supply cable 19 also includes a potential wiring line 19C defining a reference potential GND.

[0144] A first voltage controller 20 is connected at its input to the battery arrangement 6 and generates an internal supply voltage VCC2 (for example, about 3.3 volts) defined for the operation of the supply facility 4. This first voltage controller 20 can be realized as a "Low Dropout" (LDO for short) controller.

[0145] This first electronic circuit 11 also comprises a second voltage controller 21, which is also powered by the battery arrangement 6 and is arranged to provide the bus system with a supply voltage VCC1 for the bus system (for example, about 5 volts). For this too, an LDO controller can be used. This second voltage controller 21 is also connected to the microcontroller 18 (see line SC1 as input of the microcontroller 18 and line SC2 as output of the microcontroller 18) in order to retrieve the status of the microcontroller, to influence its operating behavior or to receive its operating state. A first buffer capacitor 22 is connected to the output of the second voltage controller 21.

[0146] Furthermore, this first electronic circuit 11 comprises an overload detection unit 23 (represented by an operational amplifier) ​​arranged to detect an overload on the third line L3. Here, it is mainly checked that the actual value of the voltage on the third line L3 is below a limit value. In order not to cause an unintentional switch-off, this check can in particular be performed in a time-related manner, i.e. carried out at one time or within one time period and not at all at another time or period, but this is not taken up further in the drawings shown here as block diagrams.

[0147] The overload detection unit 23 has an output connected to a switching stage 24 which is configured to switch the value of the supply voltage VCC1 for the bus system between a target value of the supply voltage VCC1 for the bus system generated by the second voltage controller and a reference potential GND, i.e. when an overload is detected, the second line L2 is connected to the reference potential GND by the switching stage 24.

[0148] Furthermore, the first microcontroller 18 connects its first analog-to-digital converter input ADC1, or ADC input ADC1 for short, to the second line L2 so as to be able to detect the signal level on the second line L2.

[0149] Between the serial transmit output TX and serial receive input RX of the microcontroller 18 on the one hand and the third wire L3 on the other hand, an error protection unit 25 is arranged, with which the terminals TX and RX of the microcontroller 18 are protected against incompatible signal situations. This error protection unit 25 is further arranged to enable the first microcontroller 18 to obtain, by means of its second ADC input ADC2, the signal state or signal level of the third wire L3, which is necessary for one of these devices 7A or 7B to detect a weak (high impedance) load of the third wire L3, which has been considered in detail in the general description.

[0150] The first microcontroller 18 is further connected to the switching stage 24 in order to drive the switching stage 24 with a VCC control signal VCCS to cause a temporary change in the supply voltage VCC1 as discussed in detail in the general description (which in the circuit implementation here is realized by a temporary switching off of the supply voltage VCC1 for the bus system).

[0151] It should further be mentioned that the circuit-technical connection with the third line L3 can be implemented in such a way that, first of all, a protection circuit is provided which protects the first electronic circuit 11 against overvoltages and electrostatic discharges. Furthermore, depending on the need or the operating mode, a variable bus pull-up circuit can be provided which pulls the signal level of the third line L3 more strongly or less strongly (i.e. lowers or raises the impedance) towards the internal supply voltage VCC2. This circuit is controllable by the first microcontroller 18 and functions between the protection circuit and the communication terminals TX, RX of the first microcontroller 18. Pulling the signal level more strongly towards the internal supply voltage VCC2 can be achieved, for example, by setting a value of about 5k o M This can be realized by a resistor and is used, for example, during low speed communication operations.

[0152] In Fig. 9, which illustrates the second electronic circuit 12, besides the three wires L1-L3, the steel belt end areas E1-E3 for contacting the ESL 7A or 7B with the wires L1-L3 are also shown. This second electronic circuit 13 comprises, for example, a second identification unit 26 with LEDs, an E-paper display unit 27, an NFC communication unit 28 and a central second microcontroller 29, possibly in combination with the peripherals of this circuit, and by means of software stored in its memory, which, when executed, provides the functions or operating modes of the supply installation 4 detailed in the general description. This second microcontroller 29 is connected to said units 26-28 via its peripheral terminals in order to use, drive or query these units. For example, in connection with the second microcontroller 29, a chip named EFM32® Pearl Gecko 32-bit microcontroller from the company Silicon Labs should be mentioned.

[0153] The second electronic circuit 13 comprises a third voltage controller 30, which is connected to the second line L2 and generates an internal supply voltage VCC3 (for example, about 3.3 volts) defined for the operation of the ESL 7A or 7B. The third voltage controller 30 can also be configured as an LDO controller. On the input side, a second buffer capacitor 31 and a first diode 32 are arranged with a forward polarity toward the third voltage controller 30. The second buffer capacitor 31 ensures the operation of the third voltage controller 30 during times when temporary changes in the supply voltage VCC1 for the bus system occur. During such time periods, the first diode 32 also serves to prevent the second buffer capacitor 31 from discharging in the direction of the second line L2. The capacitance value of the second buffer capacitor 31 is designed to be sufficient for safety against the known (maximum) power demand of the second electronic circuit 13 during the corresponding time period.

[0154] Furthermore, the interrupt input IRQ of the second voltage controller 29 is connected to the second line L2 via a second diode 33 with a polarity that is forward from this interrupt input IRQ towards the second line L2, so that upon the occurrence of a temporary change in the value of the supply voltage VCC1 for the bus system (this is indicated by the application of the reference potential GND to the second line L2 for a short period (approximately 100 microseconds)), an interrupt is generated for the second microcontroller 29, which causes a change from the current operating mode to an identification mode, which has been considered in detail in the general description. In this microcontroller 29, the occurrence of the interrupt causes the execution of software provided for this purpose, by means of which the identification mode is provided.

[0155] The serial transmit output TX and serial receive input RX of this microcontroller 29 are connected to the third line L3 via a high impedance resistor 34 (of about 100 kOhms), which allows, in the start-up mode, to generate a high impedance loading of the third line L3, as discussed in detail in the general description. This high impedance loading generates a signal level on the third line L3, which is typically, but depends on the number of devices to be loaded, and which is acquired and evaluated by the first microcontroller 18 by means of its second ADC input ADC2. Advantageously, this signal level is designed to be distinguished from the signal levels which typically occur in connection with logic states (especially during digital data communication).

[0156] The second diode 35, which connects the resistor 34 with a high impedance to the output of the third voltage controller 30 with the direction of the third voltage controller 30 as the forward direction, becomes reverse polarity in the event of a short circuit, thereby protecting the third voltage controller 30 in the event of a short circuit. Furthermore, this diode, in combination with the resistor 34, acts to limit the current, thereby protecting the third voltage controller 30 in the event of an overvoltage on the third wiring L3.

[0157] It should further be mentioned that a circuit-technical connection with the third line L3 can be implemented so that, first of all, a protection circuit is provided which protects the second electronic circuit 13 against overvoltages and electrostatic discharges. This can be accompanied by a coupling circuit for switching the bus on or off, which circuit allows, under the control of the second microcontroller 29, to electrically couple or disconnect the second electronic circuit 13 to the third line L3. Instead of a complete disconnection, a relatively high impedance connection can also be left established here. Furthermore, a variable bus pull-down circuit can be provided which, depending on the need or the operating mode, pulls the signal level of the third line L3 more or less strongly towards the reference potential (lower impedance or higher impedance). This circuit can be controlled by the second microcontroller 29 and is connected between the protection circuit and the coupling circuit. A weak load can be, for example, a load with a value of about 100k ohms to 1M ohms M This can be realized by a resistor and used, for example, during low-speed communication operations. Furthermore, a soft-start circuit can be provided which ensures that no short circuit occurs between the first wire L1 and the second wire L2 when inserting a device (e.g., an ESL) into the rack rail 3. This circuit limits the initial current consumption at that point, since the internal capacitors are further discharged upon insertion into the rack rail 3.

[0158] In the following, a relatively simple LED device 7C with a third electronic circuit 36 ​​is considered, diagrammatically in FIG. 10. It is constituted essentially by a bistable flip-flop 37 with a light-emitting diode 38 connected to its output Q. Here too, the combination of a first diode 32 and a buffer capacitor 31 serves the function of adjusting the time duration of a temporary change in the supply voltage VCC1 for the bus system. This LED device 7C adapts the logic state of its output Q to the logic state of a third line L3 connected to a data input D of the flip-flop 37, which occurs respectively at the time of a change in the supply voltage VCC1 for the bus system. In this case, a temporary change in the supply voltage VCC1 for the bus system, which is fed to a timing input (also called clock input) of the flip-flop 37, serves as the timing for the state takeover. This LED device 7C is not explicitly addressable. It does not provide any identification data.

[0159] Using FIG. 11, we consider the cooperative operation of the supply facility 4 and the two ESLs 7A and 7B in the bus system according to the first embodiment.

[0160] 11 shows four time-synchronized graphs arranged one above the other. The top graph shows the progression of the supply voltage VCC1 for the bus system with respect to time t. The second graph counting from top to bottom shows the signal state on the third wiring L3. The third graph counting from top to bottom shows the logic symbol ESL1_BV output by the first ESL7A to the third wiring L3. The fourth graph at the bottom shows the logic symbol ESL2_BV output by the second ESL7B to the third wiring L3.

[0161] First, assume that ESLs 7A and 7B are in a hibernate or sleep state that consumes as little current as possible.

[0162] Starting from the instant t0, the supply facility 4 causes a temporary change of the supply voltage VCC1 for the bus system for about 100 microseconds, during which time the value deviates from the target value of 5 volts, in particular the reference potential (GND, 0 volts) is applied. At the latest at the end of this time period, the supply facility 4 enters its acquisition mode. This change of the supply voltage VCC1 for the bus system triggers an interrupt to the second microcontroller 29 of the ESLs 7A and 7B, so that these devices enter an identification mode and start to output simultaneously their identification data as address data ADR-ESL1 and ADR-ESL2 by open-drain connection to the third line L3 in a low-speed communication operation. As is clear from the comparison of the logic symbols in the third and fourth graphs, the two ESLs 7A and 7B thus are able to present their first five logic symbols of the address data ADR-ESL1 and ADR-ESL2, since, by monitoring the third wiring L3, they verify that the time sequence of the signal states occurring there conforms to the time sequence of the logic symbols ESL1_BV and ESL2_BV respectively presented by them. That is, each logic symbol ESL1_BV and ESL2_BV is the same up to the fifth logic symbol. However, from the sixth logic symbol onwards, the second ESL7B ceases its transmission, since, by monitoring the third wiring L3, it determines that it has a symbol different from the unique one of the other ESL7A, i.e. the symbol that prevails in the open-drain connection (specifically "0" or "low"). Only after the output of the address data ADR-ESL1 by the first ESL7A is completed, the second ESL7B starts anew the transmission of its address data ADR-ESL2, this time successfully and without interruption. The operation of newly transmitting the entire address data ADR-ESL2 of this second ESL 7B with a delay is indicated by two arrows P1 and P2.

[0163] Then, one of the ESLs 7A or 7B, in this case the first ESL 7A, is selected, i.e., addressed and called, by the supply facility 4 using a selection command in low speed communication operation (this is illustrated by the selection sequence SEL-ESL1 in the second graph) and switches to the identification communication mode.

[0164] The second ESL 7B again switches to its bus inactivity or sleep mode, in which it is disconnected from the third line L3 so as not to interfere with high speed communication operations.

[0165] Here, the first ESL 7A communicates bidirectionally with the supply facility 4 using a UART in a high speed communication operation, which is shown by the communication sequence COM-ESL1 in the second and third graphs, in which case, for example, image data is transmitted to the ESL 7A and its reception or internal processing is confirmed.

[0166] After that, the first ESL7A also switches back to the hibernation state.

[0167] To avoid any misunderstanding, it should further be mentioned that, unlike the sequences in which the address data ADR-ESL1 and ADR-ESL2 are illustrated in detail with respect to their logical symbols, in illustrating the sequences SEL-ESL1 and COM-ESL1, the individual logical symbols transmitted in these sequences and occurring on the third wiring L3 are no longer taken separately.

[0168] As mentioned above, one of the ESLs 7A or 7B, or both together, can spontaneously load the third line L3 with a high impedance in order to signal a request for communication with the supply 4. In this case, the supply 4 switches directly from its hibernation mode, without an initial temporary change of the supply voltage VCC1 for the bus system, into a collection mode in which address data from one or more ESLs 7A, 7B are collected and then a targeted communication with only one selected ESL 7A or 7B is performed in a high-speed communication operation, as shown in FIG. 11. This can be a task performed in the background or a status report of the ESL 7A or 7B regarding a user's input via the input unit of the ESL 7A or 7B, or an interaction with an NFC device on the ESL 7A or 7B, etc. All these events wake up the devices connected to the bus system from their hibernation mode and issue a request for communication with the supply 4, to which the ESL 7A or 7B reacts in the manner considered.

[0169] In Figures 12A and 12B, which show the time-related signal states in two separate figures, the cooperative operation of the supply facility 4 and the two ESLs 7A and 7B in a bus system is considered according to a second embodiment. In this embodiment, prior to the transmission of each byte of identification data, a start bit X is output by the supply facility 4 on the third wire L3, here with the logic value "0" or with the signal state "low". This triggers the ESLs 7A and 7B to output the bits of the first byte of identification data according to the procedure according to the first embodiment, but to terminate the output by the second ESL 7B after the fifth bit of the first byte for the reasons explained in connection with Figure 11. The output of the byte is now terminated by the supply facility 4 outputting a stop bit Y on the third wire L3 with the logic value "1" or with the signal state "high".

[0170] This sequence consisting of the initiation of a start bit X by the supply facility 4 (which acts as a synchronization signal or timing for all ESLs 7A and 7B connected to the bus system) followed by the output of byte-by-byte of identification data by at least one of the ESLs 7A or 7B, terminated by a stop bit Y after each byte, can be repeated for a predefined or determined number of bytes (here, for ease of discussion, two sections shown as the first byte B1 and the second byte B2 of each address partial byte ADR-ESL1-B1 and ADR-ESL1-B2 for the first ESL 7A and each address partial byte ADR-ESL2-B1 and ADR-ESL2-B2 for the second ESL 7B) until one of these devices (here, the first ESL 7A) presents its complete identification data. This operation is then repeated to collect further identification data for another device (here, for the second ESL7B), and is essentially repeated again and again until all devices connected to the bus system (here, the first ESL7A and the second ESL7B) have output their identification data.

[0171] In this case, since the supply facility 4 detects the end of the detection of the identification data by not being able to identify any signal state different from the logic value "1" or the signal state "high" between each start bit X and stop bit Y during the period of two bytes, it is prohibited by convention for the identification data to be composed only of bits consisting of the logic value "1" or the signal state "high". This is illustrated in Fig. 12B by the sequence N. This means that all the devices (here the first and second ESLs 7A, 7B) up to the last device (here the second ESL 7B) have already output their identification data in the preceding acquisition cycle.

[0172] Thereby, the collection of the identification data is finished and the supply facility 4 selects one of these devices 7A or 7B based on the selection command by outputting the address of the device, which is entered in Fig. 12B as the last writing in time by ESL-SEL1, similarly to Fig. 11. As previously considered in connection with Fig. 11, the supply facility 4 and the selected device (for example the first device 7A) switch to the individual communication mode, whereas the other device 7B again enters its bus system inactive state or switches to the hibernation mode. After the individual communication is performed, the first device ESL 7A also releases the third line L3 and switches to the hibernation mode.

[0173] Finally, it is pointed out once again that the figures detailed above are merely examples that can be modified in various ways by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention, and for the sake of completeness, it is also pointed out that the use of the infinitive "a" does not exclude the possibility of a plurality of relevant features. In addition to the invention described in the claims, the disclosure of this application also includes the following: 1. A bus system, in particular a bus system for rack rails, comprising: A first wiring (L1) for determining a reference potential (GND); a second wiring (L2) for providing a supply voltage (VCC1) having a target value relative to the reference potential (GND); At least one third wiring (L3) for communicating signals and / or data, advantageously a single third wiring (L3); a supply facility (4) electrically connected to the wiring (L1, L2, L3) and configured to supply power to electronic devices (7A, 7B, 7C) that can be connected to the bus system and also provide communication thereto; Equipped with The bus system is configured such that the supply facility (4) supplies power to different types of equipment and, after identifying the different types of equipment, manages them in terms of communication technology specific to the type of equipment. 2. 2. The bus system according to claim 1, wherein the supply facility (4) is adapted to temporarily change the supply voltage (VCC1) in order to initiate a change of operating mode. 3. 3. The bus system according to claim 2, wherein the supply facility (4) is adapted to vary the supply voltage (VCC1) based on a predefined signal shape. 4. The first predefined signal shape of the supply voltage can be selected from the group listed below, namely: a) falling edges, in particular falling edges with defined falling edge profiles, preferably falling edges with slope values ​​within a defined numerical range, particularly preferably falling edges with defined voltage value differences; b) a rise, in particular a rise defined by a curve of the rise, preferably a rise whose slope is within a defined numerical range, particularly preferably a rise defined by a difference in voltage values; c) A bus system as described in claim 3 above, which is defined by at least one parameter among the voltage values ​​occurring during a time period which is different from a target value of the supply voltage, advantageously a value lower than the value of the supply voltage, more advantageously a value corresponding to a digital low state, particularly advantageously a value corresponding to the reference potential (GND). 5. 5. A bus system according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the duration of the temporary change of the supply voltage, in particular the duration between the start of this change and the restoration of the supply voltage (VCC1), at which the supply voltage reaches its target value relative to the reference potential (GND), is less than 500 μs, advantageously less than 250 μs, particularly advantageously around 100 μs. 6. The supply facility (4) is configured to change the supply voltage. a first voltage generation stage (21) configured to generate a supply voltage (VCC1) of a target value and to output the supply voltage (VCC1) at an output; a switching stage (24) operable by a control signal (VCCS) configured to switchably connect the second wiring (L2) to the first wiring (L1) or to connect the second wiring (L2) to an output of the voltage generation stage (24) in a manner dependent on the control signal (VCCS); a microcontroller (18) having an output connected to the switching stage (24) and configured to output a control signal (VCCS) to the switching stage (24); 6. The bus system according to any one of claims 2 to 5, comprising: 7. 7. The bus system according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the supply equipment (4) has a collection mode, in which the supply equipment (4) is configured to collect identification data for uniquely identifying one electronic device (7A, 7B) connected to the bus system from one or more electronic devices (7A, 7B) connected to the wiring (L1, L2, L3), and wherein the supply equipment (4) is configured to enter the collection mode for the purpose of initiating a change of its operating mode. 8. 8. The bus system according to claim 7, wherein the supply facility (4) is adapted to remain in collection mode and receive identification data until no further identification data is received. 9. 9. A bus system according to claim 7 or 8, wherein the supply facility (4) is adapted to receive, in collection mode, identification data in a low-speed communication operation, in particular at a symbol rate of up to 100 kbaud per second. 10. A bus system as described in any one of claims 7 to 9, wherein in a collection mode, the supply facility (4) is configured to select a single device (7A, 7B) from which it has received the identification data in order to continue further activity in the bus system. 11. 11. A bus system according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the supply facility (4) has an individual communication mode, in which the supply facility (4) is configured for bidirectional communication with a selected single device (7A, 7B) in high-speed communication operation, advantageously at a symbol rate of more than 100 kbaud per second, particularly advantageously of the order of 1,000 kbaud, and wherein the supply facility (4) is configured to switch from the collection mode to the individual communication mode after selection of the single device (7A, 7B) has been carried out. 12. 12. The bus system of claim 11, wherein the supply facility (4) stores a data structure that stores device-specific or device-type-specific parameters, and the supply facility (4) is configured to use the data structure to perform high-speed communication operations with a selected single device (7A, 7B) based on a device-specific or device-type-specific communication protocol and / or command set. 13. 13. A bus system according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the supply facility (4) is configured to detect a temporary, approximately high impedance load of the third line (L3) caused by devices (7A, 7B) connected to the bus system, advantageously to determine how many connected devices (7A, 7B) are generating this load simultaneously, and to enter an operating mode according to claim 7 to 12 as a result of detecting this load. 14. 14. The bus system according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the supply facility (4) is connected to an external energy store (6) for the purpose of supplying the facility with power, the external energy store being advantageously a "smart energy store", and the supply facility (4) is configured to receive and process information regarding one or more of the following from the external energy store (6) via data or signal wiring: type of energy store, electrical storage capacity, usage history and energy supply status. 15. 15. The bus system according to any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the supply facility (4) is connected to an external energy store (6) for the purpose of supplying this facility with power, the external energy store comprising a security component, in particular realized by a security chip, by means of which the external energy store can be authenticated with respect to the supply facility. 16. An electronic device (7A, 7B, 7C) comprising a bus interface configured for connection to wiring of a bus system, the bus system comprising: A first wiring (L1) for determining a reference potential (GND); a second wiring (L2) for providing a supply voltage (VCC1) relative to this reference potential (GND); At least one third wiring (L3) for communicating signals and / or data, advantageously a single third wiring (L3); a supply facility (4) electrically connected to the wiring (L1, L2, L3) and configured to supply power to electronic devices (7A, 7B, 7C) that can be connected to the bus system and also provide communication thereto; Equipped with An electronic device (7A, 7B, 7C) configured such that the device (7A, 7B, 7C) is identified to the supply installation (4) for the purpose of subsequent device-specific communication with the supply installation. 17. The apparatus comprises a detection stage (29; 37) adapted to detect a temporary change in the supply voltage, 17. Apparatus (7A, 7B, 7C) according to claim 16, wherein the apparatus (7A, 7B, 7C) is configured to change its mode of operation upon such detection. 18. 17. Apparatus (7A, 7B, 7C) according to claim 16, wherein said detection stage (29; 37) is adapted to detect a predefined signal shape of the supply voltage (VCC1). 19. The device (7A, 7B) according to any one of claims 16 to 18, wherein the device (7A, 7B) comprises a microcontroller (29), the detection stage is realized by means of the microcontroller (29), an interrupt input (IRQ) of the microcontroller (29) is utilized to detect the predefined signal shape, the interrupt input (IRQ) of the microcontroller (29) is connected to a second wiring (L2), and the appearance of the predefined signal shape activates the interrupt input (IRQ) of the microcontroller (29), which changes the operating mode of the device. 20. The device (7A, 7B) includes a second voltage generator (30) configured to receive a supply voltage (VCC1) via a second wiring (L2) of the bus system and generate a device supply voltage (VCC3) for the device using the supply voltage (VCC1); This second voltage generator (30) is protected against temporary changes in the supply voltage by a buffer capacitor (31) on the input side, 20. The device (7A, 7B) according to any one of claims 16 to 19, wherein the buffer capacitor (31) is protected against discharge of the buffer capacitor (31) into the second wiring (L2) by a diode (32) having a forward polarity towards the buffer capacitor (31) and arranged in direct connection with the second wiring (L2) for the purpose of taking on the supply voltage. 21. The devices (7A, 7B) have identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2) that uniquely identifies the devices (7A, 7B), the devices (7A, 7B) have an identification mode, and in this mode, the devices (7A, 7B) are configured to output identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2) via at least one third wiring (L3); 21. The device (7A, 7B) according to any one of claims 16 to 20, wherein the device (7A, 7B) is configured to enter an identification mode in order to change its operation mode. 22. 22. The device (7A, 7B) according to claim 21, configured in an identification mode to output, possibly repeatedly output, the identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2) until the identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2) can be completely output without interference. 23. 23. An apparatus (7A, 7B) according to claim 21 or 22, which has an open-drain connection with at least one third wiring (L3) for outputting identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2) in an identification mode. 24. The device (7A, 7B) according to claims 21 to 23, wherein the device (7A, 7B) is configured in an identification mode to check, simultaneously with the output of the identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2), whether a signal sequence occurring on at least one third wiring (L3) coincides with a sequence of logic states for defining the identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2), to interrupt the output of the identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2) if a deviation occurs between the respective signal states of the at least one third wiring (L3) and the respective logic states thereof, and to resume this output only anew when it is detected that the at least one third wiring (L3) is free for a new transmission of the identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2). 25. 25. Apparatus (7A, 7B) according to any one of claims 21 to 24, wherein the apparatus (7A, 7B) is configured to output identification data in an identification mode for low-speed communication operation, in particular at a symbol rate of up to 100 kbaud per second. 26. An apparatus (7A, 7B) according to any one of claims 21 to 25, configured to check, in an identification mode, after outputting its identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2), whether it should enter a bus system inactive state or whether it has been selected by the supply facility (4) to continue further activity. 27. The device (7A, 7B) according to any one of claims 21 to 26, wherein the device (7A, 7B) has an individual communication mode, in which the device (7A, 7B) is configured to communicate individually with the supply facility (4), and wherein the device (7A, 7B) is configured to exit the identification mode and enter the individual communication mode when the selection is confirmed. 28. 28. The device (7A, 7B) according to claim 27, wherein the device (7A, 7B) is configured for bidirectional communication with the supply facility (4) in a separate communication mode, in high-speed communication operation, advantageously at a symbol rate of more than 100 kbaud per second, particularly advantageously at a symbol rate of the order of 1,000 kbaud. 29. 29. An apparatus (7A, 7B) as described in claim 28, wherein the apparatus (7A, 7B) is configured to perform high speed communication operations based on an apparatus-specific or apparatus type-specific communication protocol and / or instruction set. 30. 30. The device (7A, 7B) according to any one of claims 16 to 29, wherein the device (7A, 7B) has a bus system inactive mode, in which the device (7A, 7B) enters a bus system inactive state and is powered using the first and second wirings (L1, L2) but is electrically disconnected from at least one third wiring (L3), and wherein the device is configured to enter the bus system inactive mode when no communication request occurs. 31. The device (7A, 7B) according to any one of claims 16 to 30, having a connection initiation mode in which the device (7A, 7B) is configured to indicate its connection establishment request by temporarily creating a load, advantageously a load with high impedance, on at least one third wiring (L3) of the supply facility (4). 32. The device (7A, 7B) according to claim 31, which is configured to enter an operation mode based on any one of claims 21 to 30 following a connection start mode. 33. 33. Device according to any one of claims 16 to 32, which device advantageously comprises a secure component implemented by a security chip, by means of which it is possible to authenticate itself to the supply installation. 34. A support device (3), advantageously a rack rail, comprising a bus system according to any one of claims 1 to 13 above.

Claims

1. 1. A bus system comprising: A first wiring (L1) for determining a reference potential (GND); a second line (L2) for providing a supply voltage (VCC1) having a target value relative to this reference potential (GND); At least one third wiring (L3) for communicating signals and / or data; a supply facility (4) electrically connected to the wirings (L1, L2, L3) and configured to supply power to electronic devices (7A, 7B, 7C) that can be connected to the bus system and also provide communication therewith; Equipped with This supply facility (4) supplies power to different types of equipment, and manages the different types of equipment in a communication technology manner specific to the type of equipment after identifying the different types of equipment; The bus system, wherein the supply facility (4) is adapted to temporarily change the supply voltage (VCC1) in order to initiate a change of operating mode.

2. 2. The bus system according to claim 1, wherein the supply facility (4) is adapted to vary the supply voltage (VCC1) on the basis of a predefined signal shape.

3. The first predefined signal shape of the supply voltage may be selected from the group listed below: a) a falling edge or a falling transition defined, or a falling edge whose slope value is within a defined numerical range, or a falling edge defined by a voltage value difference; b) a rise or a rise transition defined, or a rise whose slope is within a defined numerical range, or a rise whose difference in voltage values ​​is defined; c) voltage values ​​occurring during a certain time period that are different from the target value of the supply voltage or that are lower than the value of the supply voltage or that correspond to a digital low state or that correspond to a reference potential (GND); 3. The bus system according to claim 2, wherein the bus system is defined by at least one parameter selected from the group consisting of:

4. 4. The bus system according to claim 1, wherein the temporary change in supply voltage has a duration of less than 500 μs, or less than 250 μs, or approximately 100 μs.

5. The supply facility (4) is configured to change the supply voltage, a first voltage generation stage (21) configured to generate a target supply voltage (VCC1) and to output the supply voltage (VCC1) at an output; a switching stage (24) operable by a control signal (VCCS) configured to switchably connect the second wiring (L2) to the first wiring (L1) or to connect the second wiring (L2) to an output of the voltage generation stage (24) in a manner dependent on the control signal (VCCS); a microcontroller (18) having an output connected to a switching stage (24) and configured to output a control signal (VCCS) to the switching stage (24); 5. The bus system according to claim 1, further comprising:

6. 6. The bus system according to claim 1, wherein the supply facility (4) has a collection mode, in which the supply facility (4) is configured to collect identification data for uniquely identifying an electronic device (7A, 7B) connected to the bus system from among one or more electronic devices (7A, 7B) connected to the lines (L1, L2, L3), and wherein the supply facility (4) is configured to enter the collection mode in order to initiate a change of its operating mode.

7. 7. The bus system according to claim 6, wherein the supply facility (4) is arranged to remain in a collection mode and to receive the identification data until no further identification data is received.

8. 8. A bus system according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that the supply facility (4) is adapted to receive, in a collection mode, in a low-speed communication operation, identification data at a symbol rate of up to 100 kbaud per second.

9. 9. The bus system according to claim 6, wherein in a collection mode, the supply facility (4) is adapted to select a single device (7A, 7B) from which it has received identification data for further activity in the bus system.

10. 10. The bus system according to claim 1, wherein the supply facility (4) has an individual communication mode, in which the supply facility (4) is configured for bidirectional communication with a selected single device (7A, 7B) in high-speed communication operation at a symbol rate of more than 100 kbaud or of about 1,000 kbaud per second, and wherein the supply facility (4) is configured to switch from the collection mode to the individual communication mode after selection of the single device (7A, 7B) has been performed.

11. 11. The bus system of claim 10, wherein the supply facility (4) stores a data structure for storing device-specific or device type-specific parameters, and the supply facility (4) is configured to use the data structure to perform high-speed communication operations with a selected single device (7A, 7B) based on a device-specific or device type-specific communication protocol and / or command set.

12. 12. The bus system according to claim 6 or any one of claims 7 to 11 directly or indirectly citing claim 6, wherein the supply facility (4) is adapted to detect a temporary increase in the load on the third wiring (L3) due to devices (7A, 7B) connected to the bus system or to determine how many connected devices (7A, 7B) are simultaneously temporarily increasing the load on the third wiring (L3) and to enter a collection mode as a result of detecting this load.

13. 13. The bus system according to claim 1, wherein the supply facility (4) is connected to an external energy store (6) for the purpose of supplying the facility with power, the external energy store being able to realize various smart functions by means of a microcontroller, which may include precise detection of the charge or consumption state as well as other information related to the energy store which the energy store can report to the supply facility, and the supply facility (4) is adapted to receive and process information on one or more of the following from the external energy store (6) via data or signal lines: type of energy store, electrical storage capacity, usage history and energy supply status.

14. 14. The bus system according to claim 1, wherein the supply facility (4) is connected to an external energy store (6) for the purpose of supplying the facility with power, the external energy store comprising a security component realized by a security chip, by means of which the external energy store can be authenticated with respect to the supply facility.

15. An electronic device (7A, 7B, 7C) comprising a bus interface configured for connection to a wiring of a bus system, the bus system comprising: A first wiring (L1) for determining a reference potential (GND); a second line (L2) for providing a supply voltage (VCC1) relative to this reference potential (GND); At least one third wiring (L3) for communicating signals and / or data; a supply facility (4) electrically connected to the wirings (L1, L2, L3) and configured to supply power to electronic devices (7A, 7B, 7C) that can be connected to the bus system and also provide communication therewith; Equipped with said equipment (7A, 7B, 7C) being identified to said supply installation (4) for the purpose of subsequent equipment-specific communication with said supply installation, a detection stage (29; 37) configured to detect a temporary modification of the supply voltage, The electronic device (7A, 7B, 7C), wherein the device (7A, 7B, 7C) is configured to change its mode of operation upon such detection.

16. 16. An apparatus (7A, 7B, 7C) according to claim 15, wherein said detection stage (29; 37) is adapted to detect a predefined signal shape of the supply voltage (VCC1).

17. 17. The device (7A, 7B) according to any one of claims 16, wherein the device (7A, 7B) comprises a microcontroller (29), the detection stage being realized by means of which an interrupt input (IRQ) of the microcontroller (29) is used for detecting the predefined signal shape, the interrupt input (IRQ) of the microcontroller (29) being connected to a second line (L2), the appearance of the predefined signal shape triggering the interrupt input (IRQ) of the microcontroller (29), which changes the operating mode of the device.

18. The device (7A, 7B) includes a second voltage generator (30) configured to receive a supply voltage (VCC1) via a second wiring (L2) of the bus system and generate a device supply voltage (VCC3) inside the device by utilizing the supply voltage (VCC1); This second voltage generator (30) is protected against temporary changes in the supply voltage by a buffer capacitor (31) on the input side, The device (7A, 7B) according to any one of claims 15 to 17, wherein the buffer capacitor (31) is protected against discharge of the buffer capacitor (31) into the second wiring (L2) by a diode (32) with a forward polarity towards the buffer capacitor (31) arranged in direct connection with the second wiring (L2) for the purpose of picking up the supply voltage.

19. The devices (7A, 7B) have identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2) that uniquely identifies the devices (7A, 7B), the device (7A, 7B) has an identification mode, and in this mode, the device (7A, 7B) is configured to output identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2) via at least one third wiring (L3); Device (7A, 7B) according to any one of claims 15 to 18, wherein said device (7A, 7B) is adapted to enter an identification mode in order to change its operating mode.

20. The device (7A, 7B) according to claim 19, wherein in the identification mode, the device (7A, 7B) is configured to output, and possibly repeat, the identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2) until the identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2) can be completely output without interference.

21. The device (7A, 7B) according to claim 19 or 20, wherein the device (7A, 7B) has an open-drain connection with at least one third wiring (L3) for outputting, in an identification mode, identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2).

22. The device (7A, 7B) according to any one of claims 19 to 21, characterized in that in the identification mode, the device (7A, 7B) is configured to check, simultaneously with the output of the identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2), whether a signal sequence occurring on at least one third wire (L3) coincides with a sequence of logic states for defining the identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2), and to interrupt the output of the identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2) if a deviation occurs between the respective signal state of the at least one third wire (L3) and its respective logic state, and to only start this output anew again when it is detected that the at least one third wire (L3) is free for a new transmission of the identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2).

23. The device (7A, 7B) according to any one of claims 19 to 22, wherein the device (7A, 7B) is configured in an identification mode to output identification data at a symbol rate of up to 100 kbaud per second in low speed communication operation.

24. An apparatus (7A, 7B) according to any one of claims 19 to 23, characterized in that in an identification mode, this apparatus (7A, 7B) is configured to check, after outputting its identification data (ADR-ESL1, ADR-ESL2), whether it should enter a bus system inactive state or whether it has been selected by the supply facility (4) to continue further activity.

25. An apparatus (7A, 7B) according to any one of claims 19 to 24, wherein the apparatus (7A, 7B) has an individual communication mode, in which the apparatus (7A, 7B) is configured to communicate individually with the supply installation (4), and wherein the apparatus (7A, 7B) is configured to leave the identification mode and enter the individual communication mode upon confirmation of the selection.

26. 26. The device (7A, 7B) of claim 25, configured for bidirectional communication with the supply facility (4) in a separate communication mode, in high speed communication operation, at a symbol rate of greater than 100 kbaud or of about 1,000 kbaud per second.

27. 27. An apparatus (7A, 7B) according to claim 26, wherein said apparatus (7A, 7B) is adapted to perform high speed communication operations based on an apparatus specific or apparatus type specific communication protocol and / or instruction set.

28. A device (7A, 7B) according to any one of claims 15 to 27, characterized in that the device (7A, 7B) has a bus system inactive mode, in which the device (7A, 7B) enters a bus system inactive state and is powered by means of the first and second lines (L1, L2) but is electrically disconnected from the at least one third line (L3), the device being adapted to enter the bus system inactive mode when no communication request occurs.

29. The device (7A, 7B) according to any one of claims 15 to 28, wherein the device (7A, 7B) has a connection initiation mode, in which the device (7A, 7B) is configured to present its connection establishment request by temporarily creating an increased load on at least one third wiring (L3) of the supply installation (4).

30. 30. The device (7A, 7B) according to claim 29, which relies directly or indirectly on claim 19, wherein the device (7A, 7B) is adapted to enter an identification mode subsequent to a connection initiation mode.

31. 31. The device according to any one of claims 15 to 30, comprising a secure component implemented by a security chip, by means of which the device can be authenticated to the supply facility.

32. A supporting device (3) comprising a bus system according to any one of the preceding claims.

33. A support device (3) as described in claim 32, formed as a rack rail and wherein the bus system is a bus system for a rack rail.

Images