Module system and method for exchanging information and/or power between modules of a module system

Abstract

A module system and to a method for exchanging information and/or power between modules of a module system and to a corresponding computer program product. Thus a particularly simple and verifiable linking of individual modules of a modular system can be carried out, wherein the linking is possible at any time and in particular without structural changes to positions or mechanical couplings of the modules combined with one another.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A module system, comprising:
 at least two modules that are combinable with each other;   a control arrangement which facilitates an interconnection of a first module of the at least two modules with a second module of the at least two modules so that an information or energy connection is provided between the first module and the second module so that the first module and the second module are enabled to exchange information or energy,   wherein the module system is configured so that the interconnection does not cause any physical change of the first module or the second module,   wherein the control arrangement includes a display unit which indicates a selected interconnection in at least one operating mode of the module system,   wherein the control arrangement includes an input unit, and   wherein the input unit is configured to render a desired interconnection selectable in the at least one operating mode of the module system by a selection of an interconnection option that is displayed on the display unit.   
     
     
         2 . The module system according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the module system includes at least three modules that are combinable with each other,   wherein a first information or energy connection is provided between at least two modules of the at least three modules,   wherein the control arrangement is adapted to establish a second information or energy connection between at least two modules of the at least three modules alternatively or in addition to the first information or energy connection without any physical change of the at least three modules or of the information or energy connection.   
     
     
         3 . The module system according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein each module of the at least three modules includes display devices with at least two display conditions,   wherein the module system is configured in at least one operating mode of the module system to display an interconnection of two modules by coinciding display statuses of the respective display devices at the two modules,   wherein the display devices are configured as illuminants with different color conditions or light shapes.   
     
     
         4 . The module system according to  claim 3 , wherein the module system is configured to associate respective different display statuses to different groups of interconnected modules of the at least three modules in an operating mode of the module system so that differentiation is provided. 
     
     
         5 . The module system according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the at least two modules include activation devices that are adapted to establish a connection between the at least two modules when their respective activation devices are activated, and   wherein the respective activation devices are adapted to establish an interconnection when they are actuated simultaneously.   
     
     
         6 . The module system according to  claim 1 , wherein the control arrangement includes at least one control device which is configured to be associated with one module of the at least two modules in order to control the one module. 
     
     
         7 . The module system according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the display unit is adapted at least in one operating mode of the module system to represent all combined modules as module representatives,   wherein the control arrangement is adapted to display basic interconnection options of the combined modules through the display unit as interconnection lines between the respective module representatives, or   wherein the control arrangement is adapted to provide the module representative on the display unit with a display status which corresponds to the display status of the module that is represented by the module representative.   
     
     
         8 . The module system according to  claim 6 ,
 wherein the at least one control device includes a display device in at least one operating mode of the module system,   wherein a display status of the display device corresponds to a display status of the module associated with the control device, and   wherein the display unit of the control arrangement is adapted to represent the display device.   
     
     
         9 . The module system according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein the input unit is configured as a touch screen, or   wherein the input unit is configured to adjust the interconnection by tapping on an interconnection line by finger or by mouse.   
     
     
         10 . The module system according to  claim 1 ,
 wherein all combined modules are connected at a common data bus, and   wherein each module includes a unit address to provide identification.   
     
     
         11 . A method, comprising the step:
 providing information or energy exchange between modules of a module system with at least two modules that are combinable with each other,   wherein a control arrangement is provided which facilitates an interconnection of a first module of the at least two modules with a second module of the at least two modules, so that an information or energy connection is establishable between the first module and the second module, so that the first module and the second module are enabled to exchange information or energy,   wherein the interconnection does not cause any physical change of the first module or the second module,   wherein the control arrangement includes a display unit which indicates a selected interconnection in at least one operating mode of the module system,   wherein the control arrangement includes an input unit, and   wherein the input unit is configured to render a desired interconnection selectable at least in one operating mode of the module system by a selection of a displayed interconnection option.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising the step:
 using a module system, including   at least two modules that are combinable with each other,   a control arrangement which facilitates an interconnection of a first module of the at least two modules with a second module of the at least two modules so that an information or energy connection is provided between the first module and the second module so that the first module and the second module are enabled to exchange information or energy,   wherein the module system is configured so that the interconnection does not cause any physical change of the first module or the second module,   wherein the control arrangement includes a display unit which indicates a selected interconnection in at least one operating mode of the module system,   wherein the control arrangement includes an input unit, and   wherein the input unit is configured to render a desired interconnection selectable in the at least one operating mode of the module system by a selection of an interconnection option that is displayed on the display unit.   
     
     
         13 . A computer program product that is stored on a computer readable medium, the computer program product comprising computer readable program devices which cause the computer to execute a method according to  claim 11  when the computer readable program devices are executed on the computer.