Abstract: The apparatus for detecting a foreign object mounted in the near range of an input means used for identification and/or authentication includes at least a coupler. The coupler is arranged to supply an oscillating signal to two input terminals of an antenna for generating a standing wave, to supply the oscillating signal with a predetermined level to a detection device, and to couple out, for the detection device, a reflection signal received by the antenna. Furthermore, the coupler is arranged to detect a phase difference between the supplied oscillating signal with the predetermined level and the reflection signal that is coupled out, in order to detect the foreign object.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for operating automatic storage systems (1) for distributing objects to a plurality of persons. Each object to be distributed and to be transferred to authorized persons is stored by at least one authorized deliverer in a receiving compartment (3, 3?, 3?) of an automatic storage system (1) compartment arrangement (4) that consists of multiple receiving compartments (3, 3?, 3?). The objects are then released by a control system (6) to authorized persons for removal dependent on use or access rights to the respective object or to the respective receiving compartment (3, 3?, 3?). At least one evaluating system is used in the control system (6) with respect to an ergonomic and/or person-specific reachability or accessibility of the individual receiving compartments (3, 3?, 3?) of the compartment arrangement (4).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a control device (2) for operating an electrically controllable technical device (1), in particular a machine, an installation, a device or a technical process. A control panel (4) with input means (6) for issuing control commands to the technical device (1) and for inputting data into the control device (T) by an operator (7) is provided in this case. This control panel (4) also comprises a graphics-enabled output means (8) for displaying subsets of information which is available overall for an operator (7). The important factor here is to provide at least one second screen layout, which is designed to display a second subset of information on the graphics-enabled output means (8) and is intended to be viewed from a relatively great distance, in particular from outside an immediate control range (9) of the control panel (4) or the technical device (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to methods and appropriate devices for safely, unequivocally and exclusively, temporarily assigning the command authority of an operator (1) to a controllable technical system (60) using a mobile control device (2) which is technically suitable for periodically controlling a plurality of controllable technical systems (60), which is equipped as standard with safety switch elements (38, 39) such as an emergency stop switch, ok key and operating mode selection switches and for a data coupling with the controllable technical system (60) in spite of having only normal transmission means (6) or network technologies without any particular features specific to safety function.

Abstract: The invention relates to a foundation system (2) for receiving the load of a housing or at least one housing module (13, 13?, 13?) of a self-service machine (1), comprising at least one base element (14, 14?, 14?), which has at least one support surface (16, 16?, 16?) for a housing or for at least one housing module (13, 13?, 13?) of a self-service machine (1). The base element (14, 14?, 14?) comprises a concrete body (17, 17?, 17?) and at least one metal carrier element (18, 18?, 18?) supported thereon, on which the least one support surface (16, 16?, 16?) for a housing or housing module (13, 13?, 13?) of a self-service machine (1) is formed, and the metal carrier element (18, 18?, 18?) can be leveled relative to the concrete body (17, 17?, 17?) of the base element (14, 14?, 14?) by means of at least one adjusting device (19).

Abstract: The invention relates to a storage machine (1) for objects, comprising a compartment system (4) with a plurality of compartments (3) which are at least partially enclosed by a machine housing (2) or some other surround, and with at least one closure mechanism (7) which can be displaced relative to a central, predefined access orifice (6) in the machine housing (2) to release or prevent access to a specific individual compartment (3) or a specific group of adjacent compartments (3). The storage machine (1) also has at least one drive system for displacing the closure mechanism (7) in a controlled manner and the ability of the closure mechanism (7) to move is dependent on an access right which can be checked by a control system. This storage machine (1) has at least one safety system (28) for affording extensive, increased personal safety with respect to risks posed by automated sequences or with respect to its displacement drives which can be activated automatically.

Abstract: A cabinet provided with a cabinet body having at least one vertical row of superimposed compartments which are separated by shelves and which can be opened and closed with compartment doors articulated on the cabinet. This invention simplifies and substantially reduces the cost of parts and of mounting the cabinet. Thus, a joint rod extending over a height of the cabinet body is assigned to each vertical row of compartments. The shelves are guided by a shoulder in the hinge zone having the joint rod and are fixed vertically on the joint rod by flange sleeves overlooking the upper and/or lower side of the shelves and their shoulder. The compartment doors which are adjusted to the heights of the compartments bear, on their rear surface, in the hinge zone, housings for the flange sleeves and can be covered with a shroud.

Abstract: A machine for storing objects includes a compartment system with a plurality of compartments and having at least one closure mechanism which can be moved relative to a central, predefined access orifice in the machine housing to permit or prevent access to a specific, individual compartment or to a specific group of adjacent compartments. A driving force of the drive system for the closure mechanism is dimensioned or can be set and/or a drive train or a motion transmitting path between the drive system and closure mechanism has a force or torque limiting device such that maximum force or torque transmitting values acting on the closure mechanism are fixed or can be set so that automatic movements of the closure mechanism can not cause serious injuries to a user, and in addition the closure mechanism can be manually held open or pushed open in spite of the active drive system.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method and a control device (2) for operating an electrically controllable technical device (1), in particular a machine, an installation, a device or a technical process. A control panel (4) with input means (6) for issuing control commands to the technical device (1) and for inputting data into the control device (T) by an operator (7) is provided in this case. This control panel (4) also comprises a graphics-enabled output means (8) for displaying subsets of information which is available overall for an operator (7). The important factor here is to provide at least one second screen layout, which is designed to display a second subset of information on the graphics-enabled output means (8) and is intended to be viewed from a relatively great distance, in particular from outside an immediate control range (9) of the control panel (4) or the technical device (1).

Abstract: The invention relates to a method enabling a user to create, edit, monitor and/or optimise the overall machine process of a programmable machine or system assisted by a graphics editor. The programmable machine or system is initially put together as a system of individual machine units which are involved in the overall machine process during certain times by running a number of partial machine processes. These partial machine processes of the machine units involved in the overall machine process are firstly synchronised with one another once they have been set up and parameters are then set for them. All of the aforementioned method steps take place in a two-dimensional process diagram created by the graphics editor, in the diagram area of which all the partial machine processes involved in the overall machine process are plotted by means of assigned process symbols.

Abstract: Transferring a package from a source location to a target location, including obtaining the package from a shipper at the source location, the package containing no indication of the target location; affixing to the package a unique identifier; storing, in a package routing system, the unique identifier, and associating therewith, information identifying the target location; transporting the package toward the target locations associated with the unique identifier; and delivering the package to the target location associated with the unique identifier in the package routing system.

Abstract: A cabinet provided with a cabinet body having at least one vertical row of superimposed compartments which are separated by shelves and which can be opened and closed with compartment doors articulated on the cabinet. This invention simplifies and substantially reduces the cost of parts and of mounting the cabinet. Thus, a joint rod extending over a height of the cabinet body is assigned to each vertical row of compartments. The shelves are guided by a shoulder in the hinge zone having the joint rod and are fixed vertically on the joint rod by flange sleeves overlooking the upper and/or lower side of the shelves and their shoulder. The compartment doors which are adjusted to the heights of the compartments bear, on their rear surface, in the hinge zone, housings for the flange sleeves and can be covered with a shroud.

Abstract: A portable device (1) with at least one optical output device (2) for displaying at least process data of a machine, a robot or a technical process, with at least one input device (3) for at least intervening in the operating functions of the device (1) and/or for operating the machine or robot or technical process, and having a safety switch device (12) for preventing the output of undesirable, unintended control commands for the machine, robot or technical process. The output devices (2) and input devices (3) are connected to a control device (14), which is accommodated in a housing (7) that is unbreakable as far as possible and at least one communication interface (17) is provided to an external control device disposed at a distance away. Several of the input and output devices (2, 3) are functionally combined by means of a touch-sensitive screen (4) in the form of a touch-screen (5) and the touch-sensitive screen (4) extends across substantial regions of the surface of the housing (7).

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety switch unit (1) for electrically controlled machines for use in combination with the actual control elements of the machine control system in a hand-held application or for manual control, with at least one operating element which is displaced relative to a mounting frame (8) in accordance with the switching function desired by a user, which is designed to change the switch status of at least one electric switch element, the safety switch unit (1) having at least one switch position which is maintained only as long as a sufficiently high operating force is applied to the displaceable operating elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a reading unit (1) for a document (2) having a control and/or evaluation device (44), incorporating a scanner device (25) for reading the document (2), and a guide mechanism (6) for the document (2) and a conveyor device (17) to effect a relative displacement between document (2) and scanner device (25). The control and/or evaluation device (44) cooperates with a compensating device (39) containing corrective values to correct the image signals (37) emitted by an optoelectric transducer (34) of the scanner device (25) in real time.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of connecting a mobile, electronic control and/or monitoring unit (9) to at least one machine or at least one machine component in a group or a plurality of machines (2) or machine components to be controlled and/or monitored. During a connection or log-on procedure between the control and/or monitoring unit (9) and a co-operating distant point on the respective machine (2), a clear link or log-on connection is set up either by means of interfaces (14, 15) to the selected, wireless direction-finder of the co-operating distant point or alternatively by means of transmitters and/or receivers (16, 17) tuned to a restricted, localized functional or operating range (21).

Abstract: An electronic housing system is provided which includes at least two, especially plate shaped, electronic housings which can be snapped onto a mounting rail. The housing system includes a locking system including at least two housing portions, namely a starter unit and an end unit, and a key element. The starter unit is constructed as a key receptacle and the end unit is constructed as a lock complementary to the key element. The two housing portions can be locked with one another by rotation of the key element in the end unit. The locking system further includes an intermediate housing portion for positioning between the starter unit and the end unit, whereby the intermediate portion has an intermediate end unit for interlocking with the end of the key element, and an intermediate starter unit.