Abstract: A device for monitoring an area of coverage on a work tool may comprise a sensor, a camera, an evaluation unit, and at least one circuit output to activate the work tool only if no object is located in the area of coverage. The sensor may comprise a lighting unit to emit light rays to illuminate the area of coverage and a camera to detect three-dimensional images of the area of coverage, where the camera may include receiving elements in a matrix-type arrangement, the receiving elements to generate output signals. The evaluation unit is adapted to measure the output signals, to determine a distance value for each receiving element based on emitted light rays from the lighting unit traveling to the area of coverage and being reflected back.

Abstract: Objects within an area of coverage are located at predetermined points in time with an optical sensor. Based on detected locations of the objects, a driving direction and/or a speed of the vehicle is determined as a function of measuring variables measured with the optical sensor. Based on the determined direction and/or speed, (a) a protective zone is selected among a plurality of protective zones previously stored in the optical sensor, or (b) a validity of a preset protective zone or a preset vehicle parameter value stored in the optical sensor is checked.

Abstract: A light grid detects includes a number of light emitting transmitters. The transmitted light rays of the individual transmitters are imprinted with a code that characterizes the transmitted light rays. The transmitters are activated cyclically and successively. Corresponding receivers aligned with the transmitters form transmitter/receiver pairs. The receivers are activated continuously for reception of the transmitted light rays. An evaluation unit coupled to the receiver outputs generates an object detection signal in dependence on the signals received at the receiver outputs. The received signals are conducted in parallel to evaluation unit inputs. Only the received signals associated with the active transmitter are recorded and stored in the evaluation unit by muting the inputs onto which the signals received by the remaining receivers are conducted. The correctness of the codes transmitted by the transmitters and their sequence are checked in the evaluation unit by evaluating the stored received signals.

Abstract: A device is provided for detecting an object within a monitored area of a machine or installation. The device includes at least one sensor for detecting objects within the monitored area. At least one configuration module is fixedly connected to the machine or the installation. The configuration module includes configuration data for the sensor, wherein the at least one configuration module feeds the sensor with the configuration data upon being connected to the sensor.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for generating light pulses includes an electro-optical converter; a switching element; and a charge store. The electro-optical converter is connected to the charge store via the switching element. The closing of the switching element triggers a discharging process in the charge store and, in the process, generates an electrical pulse that is converted to a light pulse in the electro-optical converter. First and second impedance matching circuits are arranged, respectively, between the charge store and the switching element and between the switching element and the electro-optical converter.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for processing a receiver output signal, as well as to an optical sensor. The first method step relates to storing the course of a receiver output signal. In a second method step, the receiver output signal is scanned in a predetermined time interval ?t. The subsequent scanning step relates to correlating the values obtained during the scanning with a filtering matrix, consisting of a sequence of matrix values, for generating a filtered receiver output signal that consists of a discrete sequence of receiver output signal values. In a final method step, the filtered receiver output signal is evaluated with at least one threshold value for generating an object detection signal.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring an area of coverage around a working tool with the aid of at least one camera. In a first method step, an object-free security zone within the area of coverage is recorded with the camera as reference background. Subsequently, the reference background is checked with respect to its non-homogeneity. In the process, the reference background is rejected as non-valid only if within a predetermined variance distance, the detected non-homogeneity falls below a predetermined level. Otherwise, the reference background is classified as valid. If the reference background is classified as valid, the detection of safety-critical objects entering the security zone is released. The detection occurs through a comparison of the actual images of the security zone recorded with the camera and the valid reference background. A safety-critical object is considered recognized if the respective actual image deviates significantly from the reference background.

Abstract: A device for monitoring an area of coverage on a work tool may comprise a lighting unit, a camera, and an evaluation unit. The lighting unit may be adapted to emit light rays for illuminating the area of coverage. The camera may be adapted to detect two-dimensional images of the area of coverage, and the camera may comprise receiving elements arranged linearly. The evaluation unit may be coupled to the camera to evaluate the output signals of the receiving elements to determine a distance value for each receiving element based on the light rays emitted by the lighting device and reflected back from the area of coverage. The evaluation unit may have at least one switching output coupled to the work tool to activate the work tool such that the work tool is operational only if no object is located in the area of coverage.

Abstract: A light barrier arrangement for detecting objects in a monitored area includes first and second casings adapted for being arranged at opposite ends, respectively, of the monitored area. Each casing comprises a basic body having longitudinal ends. End caps close off the longitudinal ends of the basic body for the casing. Optical elements are integrated into the end caps and generate a predetermined number of beam axes formed, respectively, by emitted light rays.

Abstract: A device is provided for detecting an object within a monitored area of a machine or installation. The device includes at least one sensor for detecting objects within the monitored area. At least one configuration module is fixedly connected to the machine or the installation. The configuration module includes configuration data for the sensor, wherein the at least one configuration module feeds the sensor with the configuration data upon being connected to the sensor.

Abstract: A light barrier arrangement for detecting objects in an area to be monitored includes a transmitting unit comprising a predetermined number of transmitters which emit light rays, a first storage unit, and a first integrated interface unit. The light barrier arrangement further includes a receiving unit comprising a predetermined number of receivers, each receiver being aligned with an associated transmitter to receive the light rays from the associated transmitter, a second storage unit, and an second integrated interface unit. Operational parameters of the transmitters and receivers are stored in each of the first and second storage units. The first interface unit is operative to transmit the operational parameters to and receive the operational parameters from the receiving unit. The second interface unit is operative to receive the operational parameters from and transmit the operational parameters to the transmitting unit.

Abstract: Objects within an area of coverage are located at predetermined points in time with an optical sensor. Based on detected locations of the objects, a driving direction and/or a speed of the vehicle is determined as a function of measuring variables measured with the optical sensor. Based on the determined direction and/or speed, (a) a protective zone is selected among a plurality of protective zones previously stored in the optical sensor, or (b) a validity of a preset protective zone or a preset vehicle parameter value stored in the optical sensor is checked.

Abstract: A circuit arrangement for generating light pulses includes an electro-optical converter; a switching element; and a charge store. The electro-optical converter is connected to the charge store via the switching element. The closing of the switching element triggers a discharging process in the charge store and, in the process, generates an electrical pulse that is converted to a light pulse in the electro-optical converter. First and second impedance matching circuits are arranged, respectively, between the charge store and the switching element and between the switching element and the electro-optical converter.

Abstract: An optical sensor arrangement includes a transmitter that emits light rays and a receiver that receives light rays reflected from an object. A deflection unit deflects the transmitted light rays to periodically sweep across a monitoring range. An evaluation unit stores parameters of several safety zones that form respectively predetermined areas of the monitoring range. An object detection signal is generated in the evaluation unit in dependence on receiving signals at the receiver output, which object detection signal indicates whether or not an object is located within an activated safety zone. A communication interface is coupled to the evaluation unit and is operative for bi-directional data transmission with an external unit. At least one of the stored safety zones is activated by reading into the evaluation unit activation signals from the external unit via the communication interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for monitoring a detection region of a working element (100). The apparatus has at least one camera for continuously monitoring the detection region, and an evaluation unit (53), into which image information generated by the camera is read. In the evaluation unit (53), a comparison of the image information to reference images, and/or a color-feature analysis, allows the detection of endangered objects within at least one protection zone in the detection region. If at least one endangered object is detected inside the protection zone, the evaluation unit (53) disables the working element (100). In contrast, if no endangered object (54) is located inside the protection zone, the evaluation unit (53) enables the working element (100).

Abstract: A light grid for detecting objects in an area to be monitored comprises a transmitting unit including a number of transmitters that emit light rays and a receiving unit including a number of receivers. Each transmitter is assigned one receiver to form a beam path with the assigned receiver. The light rays emitted by each transmitter are guided onto a respective one of the receivers when there is a clear beam path and causing the respective receiver to produce an output signal representing the light rays guided onto that receiver. An evaluation unit comprising a digital signal processor has an input coupled to the receivers to evaluate the receiver output signals and to generate an object detection signal if at least one beam path is interrupted through an object intervention in the area to be monitored.

Abstract: A device for monitoring an area of coverage on a work tool may comprise a sensor, a camera, an evaluation unit, and at least one circuit output to activate the work tool only if no object is located in the area of coverage. The sensor may comprise a lighting unit to emit light rays to illuminate the area of coverage and a camera to detect three-dimensional images of the area of coverage, where the camera may include receiving elements in a matrix-type arrangement, the receiving elements to generate output signals. The evaluation unit is adapted to measure the output signals, to determine a distance value for each receiving element based on emitted light rays from the lighting unit traveling to the area of coverage and being reflected back.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light grid (1), comprising a predetermined number of pairs of transmitters (7) emitting light rays (6) and receivers (9), which form beam axes, wherein the light rays (6) emitted by the respective transmitter (7) impinge on the receiver (9) if the path of a beam axis is clear. Also provided is a control unit for controlling the transmitters (7) and for evaluating the signals received at the receiver (9) output, wherein an object detection signal can be generated in dependence on the signal received when an object interferes with at least one of the beam axes. A separate bit word is assigned to each beam axis via the control unit, wherein the beam axes can be divided into predetermined regions via at least one bit BLK of the bit words and wherein the object detection mode within this region can be preset by presetting the bit value of at least one additional bit of the bit words for the beam axes within one region.

Abstract: An optical sensor arrangement includes a transmitter that emits light rays and a receiver that receives light rays reflected from an object. A deflection unit deflects the transmitted light rays to periodically sweep across a monitoring range. An evaluation unit stores parameters of several safety zones that form respectively predetermined areas of the monitoring range. An object detection signal is generated in the evaluation unit in dependence on receiving signals at the receiver output, which object detection signal indicates whether or not an object is located within an activated safety zone. A communication interface is coupled to the evaluation unit and is operative for bi-directional data transmission with an external unit. At least one of the stored safety zones is activated by reading into the evaluation unit activation signals from the external unit via the communication interface.

Abstract: The invention relates to a light grid (1), comprising a predetermined number of pairs of transmitters (7) emitting light rays (6) and receivers (9), which form beam axes, wherein the light rays (6) emitted by the respective transmitter (7) impinge on the receiver (9) if the path of a beam axis is clear. Also provided is a control unit for controlling the transmitters (7) and for evaluating the signals received at the receiver (9) output, wherein an object detection signal can be generated in dependence on the signal received when an object interferes with at least one of the beam axes. A separate bit word is assigned to each beam axis via the control unit, wherein the beam axes can be divided into predetermined regions via at least one bit BLK of the bit words and wherein the object detection mode within this region can be preset by presetting the bit value of at least one additional bit of the bit words for the beam axes within one region.