def read_probes(self, key = None):
        """
        function is overloaded:
            - read_probes()
            - read_probes(key)

        Args:
            key: name of requested value

        Returns:
            - if called without argument: returns the values of all probes in dictionary form
            - if called with argument: returns the value the requested key

        """

        print(('xxxxx probes', key, self._PROBES()))

        if key is None:
            # return the value all probe in dictionary form
            d = {}
            for k in list(self._PROBES.keys()):
                d[k] = self.read_probes(k)
            return d
        else:
            # return the value of the requested key if the key corresponds to a valid probe
            assert key in list(self._PROBES.keys())

            value = None

            return value