WO2002003349A1

WO2002003349A1 - Module network and method for processing data

Info

Publication number: WO2002003349A1
Application number: PCT/EP2001/007715
Authority: WO
Inventors: Daniel Groos
Original assignee: Daniel Groos
Priority date: 2000-07-06
Filing date: 2001-07-05
Publication date: 2002-01-10
Also published as: DE10032943A1; AU2001279713A1; DE10032943C2

Abstract

The invention relates to a modular network for processing, especially for acquiring and/or monitoring and/or evaluating, at least one measuring variable which can be allocated to at least one person, especially to a user of a sports device or a medical device, comprising at least two base modules, each of which has a communications component for transferring data internally within the network and a data processing device with a dynamic and/or permanent data and/or programme memory. At least one base module is connected to a functional component by which means at least one function can be allocated to the base module within the framework of the modular network. The invention also comprises means for distributing as chosen or automatically, especially variably, data processing and/or data storage tasks to be carried out within the framework of the modular network among the data processing devices or data and/or programming memories of the respective base modules.

Description

Module network and method for processing data

The present invention relates to a module network and a method for processing data according to the preamble of claim 1 and the preamble of claim 6. The invention further relates to an expandable module network according to the preamble of claim 7, a method for expanding a module network according to the preamble of claim 9 and a module according to the preamble of claim 10.

First, the following should be noted regarding the terminology used in the context of the present application: Various data types are dealt with in the context of this application. Specifically, this is, for example, data recorded by modules which are designed as sensor units, which are referred to below as sensor data or raw data. In this context, raw data are also data which are introduced from outside into a module network according to the invention in a manner other than by means of a recording by a sensor unit. Based on this sensor or raw data, measurement data, e.g. B. fitness data, performance data or environmental data (such as temperature or humidity) determined. Such measurement data are referred to below as "measurement quantities" (fitness quantities, performance quantities, environmental quantities, etc.) for a more concise presentation. Finally, reference is made to data containing network internal data, for example data for identifying individual modules or processing instructions for a data processing device of a module taken. Such data are generally referred to as "system data". Furthermore, the term "data" is used in general, this use can encompass all the types of data mentioned and, as can then be seen from the respective context, relate to a specific type of data.

The prior art and the invention are described below in particular with reference to sports equipment in which sensor or raw data of a user of the sports equipment are to be recorded and processed to obtain measured variables. The invention can also be used wherever data of any kind are to be processed using a module network. In addition, medical technology applications, for example in the case of convalescents, should also be pointed out.

The quantitative review of athletic performance and / or measurable fitness sizes or medical sizes is becoming increasingly important for both professional and recreational athletes. As an example for a check of a sporting performance, reference is made to a bicycle tachometer or a distance meter, and as an example for fitness quantities to a heart rate measuring device or a blood pressure measuring device.

In bicycle tachometers, it is known to display the raw data recorded by a sensor as a measured variable on a display unit in the field of view of a user. Conventional devices of this type are usually designed for recording and evaluating sensor data and for displaying corresponding measured variables. It is of course possible to derive a number of measured variables based on data from a sensor, for example in the case a bike tachometer's speed, distance traveled, average speed, etc.

If a user wishes to determine or display a further, independent measured variable, it has hitherto generally been necessary to use an additional, independent system, which in turn has a sensor and an evaluation or display device. Monitoring a number of measured variables thus proves to be relatively cost-intensive since a large number of independent devices have to be made available. Simultaneous use of such devices is considered to be complex and complicated.

Integrated devices have also been proposed in this connection, which combine, for example, a bicycle tachometer and an altimeter. Here too, however, the functionality of such a device is limited to these two functions, an expansion of the functionality to include a further function is not possible.

DE 197 36 513 A1 discloses a method for configuring a measuring arrangement for physical, in particular thermal conditions on a measuring section with at least one locally distributed sensor. The measuring arrangement consists of programmable modules with the minimum properties of capturing, editing, saving, displaying and reporting the measurement data. The method is characterized in that the modules are initialized with parameter sets with which processing steps of the individual modules are functionally assigned to one another.

A patient monitoring device with a communication network is known from WO 94/13 198. The communi- cation network collects and displays data received from a patient. The device comprises a portable monitor which is connected to a number of data acquisition modules which in turn are coupled to sensors. The monitor is connected to a docking station and is able to feed data into the network via the docking station.

The object of the invention is to create a system for processing data with which any or any number of data that can be expanded can be processed simultaneously and in a flexible manner to provide desired measured variables.

This object is achieved by a module network with the features of patent claim 1, a method with the features of patent claim 6, an expandable module network with the features of patent claim 7, a method for expanding a module network with the features of patent claim 9 and a module with the Features of claim 10.

According to the invention, a module network for processing, in particular recording and / or monitoring and / or evaluating data that can be operated in a simple and flexible manner, in particular expandable, is now provided. The network according to the invention is characterized in that, in contrast to conventional systems, it can be expanded or supplemented in any way. For example, when using the module network of the invention as part of a health monitoring, hereinafter also referred to as a health monitor, it is advantageous that a user does not have to specify on possible functions of fitness monitor in advance, but each ^"~ to technological and sporting development of new features ( examples by integrating modules with new sensor functions) into the system. The module network according to the invention is characterized in that it is particularly "future-proof" since measurement variables that have not yet been considered can be easily integrated into an already existing system. It should be mentioned again that the reference to sports applications or fitness applications is given purely by way of example. Regarding terminology: In the following, the term "module" is used in such a way that it can include both the combination of a basic module with a function module and a basic module without an assigned function module.

Advantageous embodiments of the system according to the invention and the method according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims.

Transmitter and / or receiver and / or transceiver and / or cable are expediently provided as communication modules. Depending on the desired configuration of the network, such communication modules can be used to provide a wireless or wired connection between the individual modules of the network.

It is preferred to use display units, in particular LCD monitors and / or keyboards and / or sensors and / or interfaces in external systems as function modules. By means of such function modules, base modules can be assigned the corresponding functions in the desired manner. It should be noted that any other conceivable display units can be used here, for example an acoustic display or speech display.

It is possible, for example, a first ^'s Bäεfismodul only with a sensor, and a second base module with an LCD monitor. Thus, by means of the data processing devices of the first and / or second base module, data acquired by the sensor, processed in the desired manner, can be displayed to the user on the LCD monitor.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of the module network according to the invention, the data or program memory of at least one first basic module is used to store data or programs that can be processed by a second basic module. With this measure, it is possible, for example, to assign a central control function within the network to the second base module, since the at least one first base module initially stores data or processing instructions (system data), with this system data being transferred to the second base module if necessary. If, for example, the second base module is part of a module network, which is used to process or display a number of measured variables, a further sensor module, ie here the combination of a further "first" base module with a sensor, can be easily integrated into the existing network, in that the system data stored in the further first base module, which the second base module or the existing network requires for processing sensor data provided by the first base module, are transmitted from the first base module to the second base module.

It proves to be particularly advantageous when using a module network according to the invention for processing at least one measurement variable that can be assigned to at least one person, in particular a user of a sports device or a medical device, a first module as a sensor unit for recording raw or sensor data on which the measurement variables are based, and a second module as a receiving unit for to form at least partial evaluation of the recorded data to obtain the at least one measured variable, a device for storing system data which can be evaluated by the second module and which can be assigned to the first module being provided in the first module. It is provided here that system data that can be evaluated by the second module (data for identifying the first module, processing instructions for the second module) are initially stored in the first module. This means that the data that can be evaluated by the second module, which can include, for example, data for controlling the second module with regard to cooperation with the first module, can be stored on the side of the first module and can only be transferred to the second module if necessary. In this way, it is possible to provide a relatively small-sized central receiving unit (second module), since the data required to control the system in connection with certain sensor units (first modules) can first be stored on the side of the first module. To evaluate the data recorded by a number of first modules or sensor units, it is therefore not necessary to equip a second module (receiving unit) with system or control data for all conceivable first modules at the factory. In other words, according to the present invention, it is possible first to store software (processing instructions) which requires a second module for interacting with a first module in the first module and only to upload it to the second module when necessary. This makes it z. B. possible in a simple manner to integrate a sensor unit, which is to be added to an overall system subsequently, into the system or network. It is also conceivable that such a sensor unit has software for modifying or updating vision units (or further modules) that are already integrated in the system. So it can be guaranteed be that when purchasing a new sensor and integrating it into an existing system, all control software of the modules previously used can be updated or optimized. A corresponding modification of already existing control software in connection with an integration of the newly added sensor unit or the newly added module is also possible in this way.

According to a further preferred embodiment of the network or method according to the invention, the communication or data transfer between the individual modules takes place wirelessly. Such a wireless transmission avoids the need for cabling, which can hinder the freedom of movement of a user or patient, for example.

It is further preferred that the first module has a transmitter and / or transceiver as a communication module and at least one sensor as a function module, the second module having a receiver and / or a transceiver as a communication module and an LCD monitor and / or a as a function module Keyboard. It is conceivable here to provide a number of first modules which transmit data detected by their respective sensors to the second module. This second module thus occupies a special position coordinating all sensor data in such a network. It is conceivable here to interconnect any number of modules to form a wireless network, in particular, it being possible for the individual components of the network, ie the first or second modules, to be mutually programmable. When a number of first modules each equipped with a sensor are networked, it is possible, for example, to select one of the modules according to a presettable hierarchy that has the functions reception, storage, evaluation and display of the data determined within the network is fulfilled.

At least one module expediently has a removable memory chip or a removable memory card and / or an updatable memory chip or an updatable memory card.

An example of this is a SIMM card. Such a removable storage device would make it possible, for example, to manage the data of a number of users in a simple manner. In the event that at least one user of the system according to the invention decides to upgrade at a later point in time, his previous performance data could easily be transferred to a new module, which is also expediently designed with a removable or arbitrarily usable storage device ,

It also proves to be expedient that at least one module is designed in such a way that the received data, in particular the sensor data or processing instructions, can be permanently stored. Flash memory, EEPROMs and buffered RAM memory are particularly suitable as building blocks for this. Such programmability proves to be advantageous in particular in connection with the storage of software transferred from a first module to a second module. Regarding terminology: In this context, permanent storability is understood to mean that a memory content stored in this way remains stored even after being decoupled from a corresponding current or voltage supply. In contrast to this, dynamic storability is understood to mean "storage" which, when disconnected from a power supply supply, for example a battery power supply, does not remain stored. Due to the permanent storability, it is possible, for example, to change the processing instructions during normal operation of a module network according to the invention, for example in the sense of a redistribution between the individual modules. This means that in the event that, for example, a module detects that its power supply (for example battery power supply) is weaker or falls below a certain level, it can at least partially transfer the processing instructions it has carried out or processed to another module. It is thus possible to optimize the power consumption of the individual modules with an individual power supply for the individual modules. It should be emphasized again that such a programmability or reprogrammability of a module or a module network can be carried out during normal operation, for example as part of the determination and processing of performance data of an athlete.

This reprogrammability enables, for example, a distribution of the data processing and / or data storage occurring within the module network to the data processing devices or memory of the respective modules or base modules that is adapted to the respective computing and memory loads of the individual modules. With this reprogrammability, distribution and / or data storage can also be carried out as a function of specific tasks that the module network has to master. Thus, it may be useful, for example, to transfer in the presence of two specific modules in a module, a data processing network that would be only one of these modules of a third module ^'carried out in the presence, on one of the first-mentioned modules. This Transmission can be carried out automatically when the module network or modules recognize that a specific module configuration is present.

A module network according to the invention, which has a certain number of modules or base modules, can be expanded in any manner with further base modules or modules according to a further aspect of the invention. This aspect of the invention is realized in that the data processing device and / or the data and / or program memory of the at least one further base module with which an existing module network is to be expanded can be programmed in such a way that the at least one further base module for expanding the module network contains usable and / or necessary data and / or programs, in particular data and / or programs that can be processed by at least one further module of the existing module network, means for transmitting the data that can be used and / or required to expand the module network from the at least one further basic module at least one module of the existing module network is provided. It is possible, for example, to extend an existing module network with a further module to bring this into communication connection with the respective modules of the existing network. The further module is then able to transfer usable or necessary data or programs (for example for system configuration) to the modules of the existing module network for its integration into the existing module network. It has proven to be advantageous here that the further module can also contain update data for the further modules, as a result of which an existing module network can be updated in a simple manner, to a certain extent as a side effect, when an additional module is integrated. Since the transmission of the data or programs from the further module on the modules of the existing network, a manual update of the modules of the existing network is not necessary.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment of a module according to the invention, which can be used in the context of a module network according to the invention, the module has means for its assignment to a defined module network and / or means for determining further modules available within the defined module network. This is illustrated by an example: A number of modules, which are at least partially designed with sensor devices, are assigned to a user of a sports device or a medical device. The affiliation to this module network can be defined, for example, by means of appropriate software coding. If this existing module network is to be expanded by a further module, for example a module to which a further sensor function is assigned, the modules of the existing module network are brought into communication connection (wired or wireless) with the module to be added. The respective identification codes or codes of the modules of the existing module network are transmitted to the further module, so that the latter can recognize the identification code of the modules and generate a corresponding identification code for itself. This measure makes it possible to prevent modules from influencing different networks, which are assigned to different people, for example. In this context, it would also be possible to use appropriate identification codes to define groups of users, each of which is assigned to an overall module network. If a module of an existing module • network from this network module removed and ^'another module network are added, it is possible that corresponds to change the speaking coding manually. An automatic change in the identification coding is also conceivable, for example by determining new identification codes over a certain period of time.

The principle underlying the system according to the invention and a preferred embodiment of the system or method according to the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing. In this shows

1 shows a schematic diagram for the construction of the modules used in the module network according to the invention, and FIG. 2 shows a block diagram for the schematic representation of essential components of a preferred embodiment of the module network according to the invention. FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram to explain the module structure of the modules used in the module network according to the invention.

Each module initially has a base module, designated 100, which has a communication module 101 for internal data transfer and a data processing device 102 with a dynamic and / or permanent data and program memory 103. A transmitter, a receiver, a transceiver or transceiver or a cable are particularly suitable as communication modules.

As mentioned, each module used in the module network according to the invention has a base module. To assign special functions within the module network, it is possible to supplement a basic module with at least one function block 105. As radio tion modules may be mentioned in particular an LCD monitor, a keyboard, a sensor, or an interface in an external system.

Should a module network for recording data, e.g. B. sensor data, and serve to output measured variables on the basis of the data, a first base module expediently has at least one transmitter or cable as a communication module, and at least one sensor as a function module. A corresponding module, on which the measured variables obtained on the basis of the data are displayed, expediently has at least one receiver or a cable as a communication module, and at least one LCD monitor as a function module. The arithmetic processing of the recorded sensor data can be distributed as desired between the two modules, each of which is designed with a data processing device 102.

The general designations module and base module used in the introduction to the description and the claims are specified in the description of FIG. 2 for the sake of clarity of the illustration. A first module, which has at least one sensor as a function module and at least one transmitter as a communication module, is referred to below as a sensor unit, while a second module, which has at least one LCD monitor as a function module and at least one receiver as a communication module, is referred to as a receiving unit becomes.

The embodiment of the module network according to the invention shown in FIG. 2 has at least one sensor unit, which is denoted overall by 1, and a receiving unit, which is denoted overall by 4. The sensor unit has a sensor element 1 a, a data and program memory 1 b, a data processing device, in particular a controller 1 c and a transmitting and / or receiving device, hereinafter referred to as transceiver 1d. It is conceivable to use a pure transmitter instead of the transceiver ld, as will be explained further below.

Another sensor unit is denoted overall by 2, and, analogously to sensor unit 1, has a sensor element 2a, a program memory 2b, a data processing device, in particular a controller 2c and a transceiver ld.

The receiving unit 4 has a transceiver 5, wherein a pure receiver can be used instead of the transceiver 5 in certain embodiments. Via the transceivers 1d and 5, the sensor unit 1 and the receiving unit 4 are able to communicate with one another wirelessly, as is illustrated by means of the connecting line 10, which is shown partly in broken lines. Of course, it is also possible to implement a wired connection between sensor unit 1 and receiving unit 4, which can be advantageous, for example, in connection with an altimeter. Sensor unit 2 and receiving unit 4 also communicate wirelessly with one another, as illustrated by the dashed connecting line 10 ′. Finally, the transceivers 1d and 2d of the sensor units 1 and 2 are also able to communicate with one another wirelessly, as illustrated by the dashed line 10 ″. The three modules shown are capable of, depending on requirements, for example depending on the specific tasks to be solved by the module network to exchange stresses, data functions and programs with one another in the most efficient way possible.

The transceiver 5 is connected to a controller (data processing device) 6 via data lines 11 and 12, respectively. The data line 11 serves for the transmission of data received from the transceiver 5 to the controller 6, while a switch-on or switch-off command can be given by the controller 6 to the transceiver 5 via the data line 12. The controller 6 is preferably designed as a flash controller and fulfills i.a. the functions of providing a communication protocol between individual components of the system and the control of the transceiver 5. The controller can be operated using buttons 9, preferably menu-driven. Finally, it is used to send evaluated or processed data to a display controller or monitor controller 7. It is of course possible to integrate the controller 6 and the controller 7 or to design them as a uniform data processing device. The separate or integrated controllers provide an updatable processing unit with dynamic or permanent data or program memory. A data and program memory βa is also provided, which is operatively connected to the data processing device.

The display controller (or the integrated data processing device 6, 7) in turn controls an LCD 8, and also carries out decoding of the data obtained and, if appropriate, multiplexing. A multiplexing of the data received by the display controller 7 proves to be expedient in particular when a plurality of sensor units 1 which cooperate with the transceiver 5 are provided. Communication ^" on controller 6 and display controller 7 via a serial unidirectional tional protocol spi proves to be advantageous. In the terminology of the introduction to the description and the claims, the controllers 6, 7 together with the transceiver 5 constitute a basic module, the LCD 8 and the keyboard 9 forming function modules, resulting in a module as a whole.

With regard to the preferred embodiment of the controller 6 as a flash controller, it should be noted that an operating voltage of 2.7 to 3.6 V is expedient to ensure trouble-free programming / deletion of a corresponding flash memory, while an operating voltage of 1 during normal operation , 8 to 3.6 V is sufficient. In this context, it should be pointed out that a flash memory can be reprogrammed even when a battery voltage of 3 volts is used, so that no mains connection is necessary if such a flash controller or flash memory is provided. The controller 6 also provides a real time clock (real time clock) even when the LCD 8 is turned off.

The LCD 8, which is controlled by the monitor controller 7, has a dot matrix area designed in accordance with the specifications or requirements of the system.

The system shown in the figure will now be further explained with the aid of a concrete example for further illustration: It is assumed that the system initially has only one sensor unit 1, for example a sensor unit with a bicycle tachometer function, and a receiving unit 4.

It is first necessary for the sensor unit 1 and the receiving unit 4 to recognize that they are communicating with one another in order to provide a system according to the invention should. A corresponding identification code is therefore first transmitted, for example, between the transceivers 1d and 5. In the event that the identification code indicates that the desired communication is possible, the sensor unit 1 transmits the software necessary for evaluating the data it sends to the receiving unit 4, which permanently stores the received data in the memory 6a of the controller 6. After the necessary transmission of a software necessary or suitable for the operation of the sensor unit 1 to the controller 6, it is possible to display bicycle tachometer functions, such as speed or distance traveled, on the LCD screen 8.

If the system consisting of the one sensor unit 1 and the receiving unit 4 is now put into operation, the operational readiness of the individual components is first determined. In the event that both the sensor unit 1 and the receiving unit 4 are switched on and within radio range of one another, a data transmission scheme is agreed which optimizes the transmission parameters and, for example, also the energy consumption of the system. Here it is conceivable, for example, to design a time coordination of the switch-on and switch-off phases of components 1 and 4 in such a way that both components are switched on simultaneously only during relatively short intervals and are switched off during relatively long intervals. If, for example, a switch-on time of 0.1 s and a corresponding switch-off time of 1 s are set, this proves to be sufficient for a large number of applications, with the energy consumption of the system being minimized. Since the system is expediently battery-operated (when using, for example, 3 volt button cells), the service life of the battery used can be effectively extended. The flexibility of the system according to the invention comes into play, for example, when the user wants to integrate the further sensor unit 2 into the system at a later point in time, for example in a continuation of the above example a bicycle cadence sensor or a heart rate monitor. In an analogous manner, the second sensor unit 2 (cadence meter) transmits the software required for evaluating its signals to the receiving unit 4. This software is also advantageously stored in the memory area 6a of the controller 6. The receiving unit 4 can now, depending on the need, selectively or simultaneously, access the software of both sensor units 1 and interpret and display their data. Sensor units 1 and 2 can also communicate directly with one another.

If the system comprising a total of three components (two sensor units 1, 2 and a receiving unit 4) is put into operation, the operational readiness of the individual components is first determined again. In the event that all components are switched on, the data transfer is optimized by means of the controller 6. In this case, emphasis is placed on avoiding interference and low energy consumption. To agree a corresponding transmission protocol, it is conceivable that the first sensor unit 1 (bicycle tachometer) and the second sensor unit 2 z. B. (cadence counter) both communicate with the receiving unit 4 and with each other. For effective utilization of the potential energy savings, it is conceivable, for example, short in the sense described above as possible transmission times as long as possible with the interposition off intervals and decommissioning of ^'currently not provide the required components. It is also bar to briefly switch off components of the individual components, such as the transceivers 1d or 5 and / or the controller 6 or the integrated data processing device 6, 7.

According to the principle shown, it is possible to provide further sensor units (modules) to form an arbitrarily complex network. The central component of this network is then the receiving unit (module) 4, which can record, process, relate and display the data from the various sensor units. When starting up again, for example when a further sensor element is integrated, the transmission parameters between the individual system elements are expediently optimized.

It is conceivable to carry out a software update for sensor units already integrated in the system by introducing a new sensor unit. This means that the new sensor unit to be added can contain not only the software necessary for its own operation in connection with the receiving unit 4, but also update software for further sensor elements. This update software is expediently first transferred to the controller 6 together with the software for operating the sensor element, and from there is passed on to the corresponding sensor units as required, direct transfer to the latter also being possible.

It is also conceivable to provide an interface module (not shown) via which communication with other systems is possible. It z. B. conceivable to transfer the data to other systems, for example a PC. A PC interface can be used, for example, to store data from individual sensor units or cumulative data or make processed information of the receiving unit 4 available in a PC. The PC interface can also be used to reprogram the software of the individual sensors in order, for example, to integrate an updated or improved software version into the system without incorporating a new sensor unit (update function).

It is also conceivable to integrate a GPS module into the system, which can be used to implement navigation applications as well as applications relating to distance, speed and altitude measurement. Other data can also be recorded and evaluated with such a GPS module. As further examples of systems to which the system data can be transmitted, reference is made to GSM systems, fixed networks or mobile radio networks with current or future mobile radio standards.

It is also conceivable to provide controller functions in one or a number of the sensor units, so that the receiving unit 4 only has to be carried out with a display function. Depending on the application, it is conceivable to distribute the "intelligence" of the system to the individual components or modules in any way.

Finally, preferred sensor units or module types are listed, the use of which is conceivable within the framework of a module network according to the invention. Particular attention is drawn to bicycle tachometer sensor units, inline skate sensor units, jogging sensor units, ski sensor units, swimming sensor units and golf sensor units, which are known per se.

There are also sensor units for determining a heart rate within the framework of a module network according to the invention or pulse rate, a cadence, a temperature, a humidity, an air pressure etc. conceivable. The inclusion of a lap counter, which is conceivable, for example, for athletics applications, in a network according to the invention is also possible.

The system presented according to the invention can be used in particular in connection with sports which are not yet known or have not yet been considered by a user, for example trend sports, since appropriate sensors can be developed or purchased for new sports if required, which are combined with an already existing one System can be used.

Finally, it should be noted that several modules can be combined in one housing. It is also conceivable, for example, to combine several base modules in one housing and to place the function modules, for example sensors, assigned to the respective base modules outside the common housing.

Claims

claims

1. Module network for processing, in particular recording and / or monitoring and / or evaluating, at least one measurement variable that can be assigned to at least one person, in particular a user of a sports device or a medical device, with at least one. two basic modules (100;

1, 4), which each have a communication module (101; ld, 5) for network-internal data transfer and a data processing device (102; lc, 6, 7) with a dynamic or permanent data and / or program memory, at least one base module (100 ; 1, 4) is connected to a function block (105; la, 8, 9), by means of which the base module can be assigned at least one function within the framework of the module network, characterized by

Means (102, 103, 101) for the optional or automatic, in particular changeable distribution of data processing and / or data storage to be carried out within the module network to the data processing devices or the data and / or programming memories of the respective base modules.

2. Module network according to claim 1, characterized in that at least one transmitter and / or receiver and / or transceiver (ID, 2D) and / or cable is provided as the communication module, and / or at least one display unit, in particular one, as the function module (105) LCD monitor (8), and / or a keyboard (9) and / or a sensor

(la, 2a) and / or an interface in an external system is provided.

3. Module network according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the data or program memory

(103) at least one first basic module (1) is used to store data or programs that can be processed by a second basic module (4).

4. Module network according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by means (ID, 5) to ensure wireless communication between the individual base modules or modules.

5. Module network according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first base module has a transmitter and / or transceiver as a communication module and at least one sensor as a function module, the second base module having a receiver and / or a transceiver as a communication module and an LCD as a function module -Monitor and / or a keyboard, and / or at least one module has a removable memory chip or a removable memory card and / or an updatable memory chip or an updatable memory card.

6. A method for processing, in particular recording and / or monitoring and / or evaluating, data using a module network comprising at least two basic modules or modules according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by an optional or automatic, the respective computing and memory loads of the individual basic modules and / or modified by the module network tasks to be performed distribution of ^'kit under the Modulnetzwer data processing occurring and / or data storage on the data Processing device or the data and / or program memory of the respective base modules.

7. Expandable module network, comprising a module network (14), in particular according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, and at least one further base module (2), in particular a base module with an associated function block (2a), characterized in that the data processing device (2c) and / or the data program memory (2b) of the at least one further base module is programmable such that the at least one further base module can be used and / or necessary data and / or programs for expanding the module network, in particular of at least one further base module or module (1) of the existing module network contains processable data and / or programs, means (2d, ld, 5) for transmitting the data that can be used and / or required to expand the module network from the at least one further basic module (2) to the at least one module or basic module (1, 4) of the existing module network are provided d.

8. Expandable module network according to claim 7, characterized by means for optional or automatic distribution of the data processing and / or data storage occurring in the context of the expanded module network, depending on the respective computation and memory load of the individual modules (1, 2, 4) the data processing devices or the data and / or program memories of the respective base modules or modules.

9. The method for expanding a module network (1, 4) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5, ^"" with little at least one further basic module (2), in particular one

Basic module with assigned function block, g e k e n n z e i c h n e t d u r c h the following steps:

Programming the data processing device (2c) and / or the data and / or program memory (2b) of the at least one further module or base module (2) in such a way that the further base module can be used or necessary data and / or programs, in particular, to expand the module network contains data and / or programs that can be processed by the other modules of the module network,

Transfer of the data which can be used or necessary for expanding the module network (1, 4) from the at least one further base module (2) to at least one further module (1, 4) of the module network.

10. Module for use in the context of a module network according to one of the preceding claims 1 to 5 or 7 or 8, with a base module (100, 1, 2, 4) with a communication module

(101, ld, 2d, 5) for network-internal data transfer and a data processing device (102, lc, 2c, 6) with a dynamic or permanent data and / or program memory (103, lb, 2b, 6a), characterized in that the data processing device (102, lc, 2c, 6) and / or the data and / or program memory (103, lb, 2b, 6a) are programmable in such a way that the basic module or module can be used or necessary to expand an existing module network and / or Contains programs, in particular data and / or programs that can be processed by at least one further module of the module network to be expanded, the module (100, 1, 2, 4) comprising means

(101, ld, 2d, 5) to transfer the to expand the Module network usable or necessary data and / or programs on the at least one further module of the module network to be expanded.

11. Module according to claim 10, characterized by at least one function block (105, 2a, 2b, 7, 8), by means of which the base module (100) can be assigned at least one function within the framework of a module network.

12. The module of claim 10 or 11, gekennzeich ^'netdurch

Means (102, 103, lc, 2c, 7) for assigning the module to a defined module network and / or means (102, 103, lc, 2c, 7) for ascertaining further modules available within the defined module network.