The invention relates to a bus system (1) comprising a control unit (2) and at least one bus node (3.1, 3.2, 3.3). The control unit (2) is allocated at least two data communication interfaces (2.1, 2.2) which are respectively designed to transmit and receive data. The at least one bus node (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) comprises a bus coupler having at least two data communication interfaces (3.11, 3.12; 3.21, 3.22; 3.31, 3.32) respectively designed to transmit and receive data. The control unit (2) and the at least one bus node (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) are respectively connected together via their data communication interfaces and corresponding two-point connections (8) to form a ring topology. The bus coupler of the at least one bus node is designed to directly and without delay transmit, and thus forward, data received at one of its at least two communication interfaces via its other data communication interface.

The invention relates to a bus system (1) comprising a control unit (2) and at least one bus node (3.1, 3.2, 3.3). The control unit (2) is allocated at least two data communication interfaces (2.1, 2.2) which are respectively designed to transmit and receive data. The at least one bus node (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) comprises a bus coupler having at least two data communication interfaces (3.11, 3.12; 3.21, 3.22; 3.31, 3.32) respectively designed to transmit and receive data. The control unit (2) and the at least one bus node (3.1, 3.2, 3.3) are respectively connected together via their data communication interfaces and corresponding two-point connections (8) to form a ring topology. The bus coupler of the at least one bus node is designed to directly and without delay transmit, and thus forward, data received at one of its at least two communication interfaces via its other data communication interface.

Examples associated with ring network uplink designation are disclosed. One example includes detecting an operable connection between a member of a ring network and an external network. The operable connection may be detected by the member of the ring network. A signal is provided to a ring network management daemon. The signal may indicate the member of the ring network has the operable connection to the external network. A signal is received from the ring network management daemon. The signal may designate the ring network as an active uplink to the external network. The operable connection between the ring network and the external network is activated. Once activated, the operable connection may facilitate communication between members of the ring network and the external network.

Examples associated with ring network uplink designation are disclosed. One example includes detecting an operable connection between a member of a ring network and an external network. The operable connection may be detected by the member of the ring network. A signal is provided to a ring network management daemon. The signal may indicate the member of the ring network has the operable connection to the external network. A signal is received from the ring network management daemon. The signal may designate the ring network as an active uplink to the external network. The operable connection between the ring network and the external network is activated. Once activated, the operable connection may facilitate communication between members of the ring network and the external network.

A communication system includes master and slave devices connectable to each other and forming a ring communication path. The master device outputs management data to manage communication along the ring communication path in a CW and CCW directions and receives the management data in the CW direction and in the CCW direction, and outputs, in the CW direction and in the CCW direction, control data to be used by the slave device to control equipment. The slave device acquires a history of transmission of the management data output from the master device and received by the slave device in the CW direction and in the CCW direction, and processes, based on the acquired history, one of the control data output from the master device in the CW direction and the control data output from the master device in the CCW direction to control the equipment.

A communication system includes master and slave devices connectable to each other and forming a ring communication path. The master device outputs management data to manage communication along the ring communication path in a CW and CCW directions and receives the management data in the CW direction and in the CCW direction, and outputs, in the CW direction and in the CCW direction, control data to be used by the slave device to control equipment. The slave device acquires a history of transmission of the management data output from the master device and received by the slave device in the CW direction and in the CCW direction, and processes, based on the acquired history, one of the control data output from the master device in the CW direction and the control data output from the master device in the CCW direction to control the equipment.

A system of networked lighting devices includes a central controller and a group of lighting devices. Each lighting device may include a fixture controller, one or more lighting modules, and a communication interface. The central controller receives data packets and send them to the lighting devices via a ring topology. The lighting devices may be connected to each other via the ring topology, or a set of routers may be connected in the ring topology, with each router controlling one or more connected lighting devices. The central controller and/or the fixture controllers may each translate data packets from one protocol to a different protocol. The different protocol may be a protocol that is compatible with the local system of networked devices, and/or a protocol that is compatible with the lighting device(s) that will use the data packets to actuate according to a command from the central controller.

A system of networked lighting devices includes a central controller and a group of lighting devices. Each lighting device may include a fixture controller, one or more lighting modules, and a communication interface. The central controller receives data packets and send them to the lighting devices via a ring topology. The lighting devices may be connected to each other via the ring topology, or a set of routers may be connected in the ring topology, with each router controlling one or more connected lighting devices. The central controller and/or the fixture controllers may each translate data packets from one protocol to a different protocol. The different protocol may be a protocol that is compatible with the local system of networked devices, and/or a protocol that is compatible with the lighting device(s) that will use the data packets to actuate according to a command from the central controller.

A robotic surgical system is disclosed having a ring network for communicating information between a controller and nodes of one or more robotic arms. A communications protocol is described by which synchronous and asynchronous information can be communicated to and from the nodes of the robotic arms. Also disclosed are various aspects of a physical layer that can be used with the network.

A master device manages a plurality of slave devices constituting a network including a ring topology. The plurality of slave devices includes: a first slave device serving as a starting point and a terminal point of the ring topology; and a plurality of second slave devices connected between a first output port of the first slave device and a second output port thereof and constituting the ring topology. On the basis of a network configuration detected when the second output port and the output port of a second slave device paired with the second output port are available and of a network configuration detected when the second output port and the output port paired therewith have been made unavailable, the master device determines an incorrect wiring path between the first output port and the second output port and outputs information indicating the incorrect wiring path to an information processing device.