Method for transferring data between a position-measuring device and an associated processing unit and position-measuring device therefor

A method for transferring data between a position-measuring device and an associated processing unit includes transferring first data having a first priority in successive cycles from the position-measuring device to the processing unit. The successive cycles are in each case initiated by a request command by the processing unit requesting the first data from the position-measuring device. Second data having a second, lower priority is transferred from the position-measuring device to the processing unit in at least a portion of the successive cycles with the first data. Types of the second data being transferred in a respective one of the successive cycles are variable. At least one particular type, of the types of the second data to be transferred, is assigned to individual cycles of the successive cycles using information stored in the position-measuring device without involvement of the processing unit.