Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a select frequency phase measurement (SFPM) time of flight (TOF) system including an emitter and a receiver. The emitter may generate a modulated emitted signal by at least one frequency. The emitted signal may, for example, be a pulsed light signal. The receiver may generate a signal in response to receiving a reflection of the emitted signal off a target object. An ADC element may digitize a signal generated by the receiving element, and a reference signal generated by a monitored signal of the modulated emitted signal. A processing element may generate a phase signal using single frequency analysis of the digitized signals. A distance measurement signal may be generated as a function of the phase signal. Various embodiments may, for example, advantageously enable sub-millisecond sensor response times using commodity processing elements.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to pairing a receiver with an emitter based on a presence of an amplitude of a spectral profile at at least one predetermined frequency. In an illustrative example, a receiver may receive, from the emitter, an emitted optical signal modulated by the at least one predetermined frequency. A receiver may, for example, generate a digital signal corresponding to the optical signal received. A controller may, for example, generate the spectral profile from the digital signal. The controller may, for example, apply a predetermined threshold to the spectral profile. The controller may, for example, generate an output signal based on the presence of the amplitude of the spectral profile above the first predetermined threshold at the at least one predetermined frequency. Various embodiments may advantageously discriminate a corresponding emitter to establish an optical source-to-detector-link, for example, in the presence of other emitters and/or optically noisy environments.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a safety control system having a processor that (1) automatically interrogates a portable data storage device, (2) determines whether a configuration profile of the safety control system matches a stored configuration profile in the portable data storage device, (3) obtains network settings of the safety control system, and (4) stores network settings into the portable data storage device. In an illustrative example, a safety control system may include a processor designed to perform operations to configure the safety control system with a configuration profile stored in the portable data storage device or download network settings of the safety control system to the portable data storage device under some predetermined conditions. By using the above method, the safety control system may be quickly configured, and network settings may be easily obtained and backed up.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a method of non-contact motion detection. A one-dimensional optical sensor detects motion of a target or objects on a conveyor belt through a continuous measurement of targets or objects and a real-time comparison of the pixel images captured by the one-dimensional optical sensor. In an illustrative embodiment, a one-dimensional sensor may be configured to determine motion of objects based on changes to the captured intensities of pixel images over time. The sensor may continually capture photoelectric pixel images and compare a current pixel image with a previous pixel image to determine a frame differential image value. The frame differential image value is evaluated against a predetermined threshold over a predetermined time period. Based on the evaluation, a signal is output indicating whether the objects on the conveyor belt are moving or jammed.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a side-mounted field-installable indication module (SMFIIM) configured to reflect a status of a manufacturing area (e.g., a status of a machine, status of a light curtain). In an illustrative example, the SMFIIM may include a light emitting module configured to emit a visual indicium corresponding to the status of the manufacturing area, and a coupling member configured to be releasably captured within a longitudinally extending channel of a housing of a light curtain. After installation, for example, the SMFIIM may be disposed on a side of and substantially parallel to the housing. The light emitting module may emit the visual indicium in an emitting plane oriented at an angle less than 90° to a plane tangential to a mounting surface of the light curtain housing. Various embodiments may advantageously provide a wide viewing angle of the light emitting module around the lighting curtain.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to generating a wiring schema with more than one safety device sharing at least one test signal through one or more external terminal blocks when the number of terminals required by safety devices exceeds the number of available terminals of a safety controller. In an illustrative example, the method may include determining a total number of terminals A of safety devices to be connected to a safety evaluation device having a number of terminals B. If A is greater than B, the method may then include generating a wiring schema that one or more external terminal blocks may show indicia of electrical connections between an identified set of safety devices and a shared terminal of the safety evaluation device associated with that set. Various embodiments may advantageously expand a number of devices possible to be connected beyond a number of terminals.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to pairing a receiver with an emitter based on a presence of an amplitude of a spectral profile at at least one predetermined frequency. In an illustrative example, a receiver may receive, from the emitter, an emitted optical signal modulated by the at least one predetermined frequency. A receiver may, for example, generate a digital signal corresponding to the optical signal received. A controller may, for example, generate the spectral profile from the digital signal. The controller may, for example, apply a predetermined threshold to the spectral profile. The controller may, for example, generate an output signal based on the presence of the amplitude of the spectral profile above the first predetermined threshold at the at least one predetermined frequency. Various embodiments may advantageously discriminate a corresponding emitter to establish an optical source-to-detector-link, for example, in the presence of other emitters and/or optically noisy environments.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a volumetric measurement system using three dimensional (3D) ToF cameras. In an illustrative example, a VMS may include at least one 3D distance sensor unit for monitoring a volume of objects in a region of interest (ROI). The VMS may, for example, include a set of user-defined parameters including the ROI, and temporal distribution of measurement attributes associated with the ROI. In some implementations, the VMS may be activated to automatically generate a set of error compensated volumetrics. For example, the VMS may apply a 3D profile, generated based on signals received from the 3D distance sensor, to an error compensation model. Based on measurement attributes generated from applying the error compensation model, the VMS may, for example, generate a set of error compensated volumetrics. Various embodiments may advantageously compensate for errors including occlusion of objects from the 3D distance sensor.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to enabling a radar system to use different sensing mechanisms to estimate a distance from a target based on different detection zones (e.g., far-field and near-field). In an illustrative example, a curve fitting method may be applied for near-field sensing, and a Fourier transform may be used for far-field sensing. A predetermined set of rules may be applied to select when to use the near-field sensing mechanism and when to use the far-field mechanism. The frequency of a target signal within a beat signal that has less than two sinusoidal cycles may be estimated with improved accuracy. Accordingly, the distance of a target that is within a predetermined distance range (e.g., two meters range for 24 GHz ISM band limitation) may be reliably estimated.

Abstract: The current technology relates to an in-line modular indicator assembly. Each of a plurality of in-line modular indicators are configured to be coupled in a series with a first electrical cable and a second electrical cable. The plurality of in-line modular indicators is configured to define an electrically conductive path to transmit electricity from the first electrical cable to the second electrical cable. Each of the in-line modular indicators have detection circuits having alternate configurations and notification devices configured to provide alternate notifications.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to generating a wiring schema with more than one safety device sharing at least one test signal through one or more external terminal blocks when the number of terminals required by safety devices exceeds the number of available terminals of a safety controller. In an illustrative example, the method may include determining a total number of terminals A of safety devices to be connected to a safety evaluation device having a number of terminals B. If A is greater than B, the method may then include generating a wiring schema that one or more external terminal blocks may show indicia of electrical connections between an identified set of safety devices and a shared terminal of the safety evaluation device associated with that set. Various embodiments may advantageously expand a number of devices to be connected to the safety evaluation device.

Abstract: Some embodiments of the technology disclosed herein relate to a sensor device. An elongate sleeve has a first end and a second end and extends along a longitudinal axis. A plurality of sensors are fixed relative to the sleeve. A first endcap is coupled to the first end, where the first endcap has an endcap body. A first axle is coupled to the endcap body, where the first axle extends along the longitudinal axis and the first axle defines a retaining feature. An intermediate component is coupled to the first axle, and the intermediate component is selectively rotatable about the longitudinal axis. The sensor device has an orientation locking structure that is configured to be engaged to selectively fix the orientation of the intermediate component about the longitudinal axis relative to the endcap body.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to generating a wiring schema with more than one safety device sharing at least one test signal through one or more external terminal blocks when the number of terminals required by safety devices exceeds the number of available terminals of a safety controller. In an illustrative example, the method may include determining a total number of terminals A of safety devices to be connected to a safety evaluation device having a number of terminals B. If A is greater than B, the method may then include generating a wiring schema that one or more external terminal blocks may show indicia of electrical connections between an identified set of safety devices and a shared terminal of the safety evaluation device associated with that set. By using the method, the number of devices that can be connected to the safety evaluation device may be expanded.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a vibrational sensing system (VSS) including an accelerometer and a data processor, which determines an “operational state” of a mechanical drive unit, the processor further employing the “operational state” to gate learning of long-term vibrational data to exclude collection of non-operational data, the long-term data collected to calculate alarm thresholds. For example, vibrations from a target motor are sensed by a coupled accelerometer. Vibrational data from the accelerometer is fed into a data processor which determines the operational state of the motor. The operational state (e.g., on/off indication) may gate data collection such that data is only acquired during on-time, which may advantageously create accurate baselines from which alarm thresholds may be generated, and nuisance alarms may be avoided.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to enabling a radar system to use different sensing mechanisms to estimate a distance from a target based on different detection zones (e.g., far-field and near-field). In an illustrative example, a curve fitting method may be applied for near-field sensing, and a Fourier transform may be used for far-field sensing. A predetermined set of rules may be applied to select when to use the near-field sensing mechanism and when to use the far-field mechanism. The frequency of a target signal within a beat signal that has less than two sinusoidal cycles may be estimated with improved accuracy. Accordingly, the distance of a target that is within a predetermined distance range (e.g., two meters range for 24 GHz ISM band limitation) may be reliably estimated.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a method of non-contact motion detection. A one-dimensional optical sensor detects motion of a target or objects on a conveyor belt through a continuous measurement of targets or objects and a real-time comparison of the pixel images captured by the one-dimensional optical sensor. In an illustrative embodiment, a one-dimensional sensor may be configured to determine motion of objects based on changes to the captured intensities of pixel images over time. The sensor may continually capture photoelectric pixel images and compare a current pixel image with a previous pixel image to determine a frame differential image value. The frame differential image value is evaluated against a predetermined threshold over a predetermined time period. Based on the evaluation, a signal is output indicating whether the objects on the conveyor belt are moving or jammed.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a stretchable cover assembly permeable to electromagnetic signals formed within an enclosed device envelope to increase the resilience of the actuator body envelope against high-pressure fluid. In an illustrative example, a cover assembly is configured to encapsulate an electronic device. For example, the cover assembly may include a unitary envelope formed from a translucent, radio permissive, and ultraviolet light reflective material. An internal cavity defined by the unitary envelope may repeatedly receive substantially an entire exposed surface of the electronic device. The cover assembly may include an elastic opening that, in a relaxed state, the elastic opening is configured to be sealingly pressed against the enclosed electronic device forming a seal around the entire elastic opening to form a dust-tight and watertight cover.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to an open-loop control circuit (OLCC) configured to determine a photodiode element (PDE) drive voltage as a function of a commanded photodiode gain level and a measured temperature signal. In an illustrative example the OLCC may receive a current temperature of an APD element. The OLCC may, for example, receive a commanded gain for the APD relative to a predetermined reference gain. The OLCC may, for example, retrieve a predetermined efficiency characteristic (PEC) of the APD based on the current temperature. If the temperature corresponds to a substantially non-linear portion of the PEC, the OLCC may, for example, determine the drive voltage as a function of the temperature and the commanded gain based on the PEC. Various embodiments may advantageously provide direct control of output gain of photodiodes over a wide dynamic range of temperature associated with the photodiode.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a lens alignment system having opposing end effectors configured to control a position of a rigid lens body with respect to a plane. In an illustrative example, each of the opposing end effectors may engage a corresponding receptacle on respective opposite faces of the lens body. Each of the end effectors may, for example, frictionally contacts each of the corresponding receptacles within a respective portion of each of at least two contact regions. During the engagement, each of the contact regions may, for example, lie on opposite sides of an axis of rotation that extends between the end effectors. In response to at least a predetermined minimum net moment applied to the lens body, the lens body may, for example, be rotatable about the axis of rotation. Various embodiments may advantageously enable precise and/or rapid positioning of the lens body in the plane.

Abstract: Apparatus and associated methods relate to a side-mounted field-installable indication module (SMFIIM) configured to reflect a status of a manufacturing area (e.g., a status a machine, status a light curtain). In an illustrative example, the SMFIIM may include a light emitting module configured to emit a visual indicium corresponding to the status of the manufacturing area, and a coupling member configured to be releasably captured within a longitudinally extending channel of a housing of a light curtain. After installation, for example, the SMFIIM may be disposed on a side of and substantially parallel to the housing. The light emitting module may emit the visual indicium in an emitting plane oriented at an angle less than 90° to a plane tangential to a mounting surface of the light curtain housing. Various embodiments may advantageously provide a wide viewing angle of the light emitting module around the lighting curtain.