Abstract: A time-of-flight (TOF) sensor device includes: an illumination component that emitting a light beam toward a viewing space; a receiving lens element receiving reflected light and directing the reflected light to a photo-receiver array; and a processor. The processor is configured to generate distance information for a pixel corresponding to an object in the viewing space based on time-of-flight analysis of the reflected light; record a variation of an intensity of the reflected light from the object over time to yield intensity variation information; record a variation of the distance information for the pixel corresponding to the object over time to yield distance variation information; and apply a correction factor to the distance information in response to a determination that the intensity variation information and the distance variation information do not conform to an inverse-square relationship.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety photoelectric barrier for monitoring a protective field and to a corresponding method. A safety photoelectric barrier (100) comprises a single-sided transceiver bar with a housing (102), a plurality of transceiver modules (104) each having a radiation emitting unit (112) for emitting radiation towards a reference target (108), a radiation detecting unit (114) for detecting radiation incident on the transceiver module (104), and a signal processing unit for evaluating the detected radiation regarding a distance information and an intensity information and for generating a binary output signal indicating the presence or absence of an object within the protective field. A controller module (126) evaluates the binary output signals and generates a safety signal in response to the evaluated output signals. The radiation detecting unit comprises at least a first and a second photosensitive element (114) for redundantly evaluating the distance and intensity information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a safety photoelectric barrier for monitoring a protective field and to a corresponding method. A safety photoelectric barrier (100) comprises a single-sided transceiver bar with a housing (102), a plurality of transceiver modules (104) each having a radiation emitting unit (112) for emitting radiation towards a reference target (108), a radiation detecting unit (114) for detecting radiation incident on the transceiver module (104), and a signal processing unit for evaluating the detected radiation regarding a distance information and an intensity information and for generating a binary output signal indicating the presence or absence of an object within the protective field. A controller module (126) evaluates the binary output signals and generates a safety signal in response to the evaluated output signals. The radiation detecting unit comprises at least a first and a second photosensitive element (114) for redundantly evaluating the distance and intensity information.

Abstract: The present invention relates to light curtains, in particular safety light curtains, for monitoring a protective field. Furthermore, the present invention relates to optical units which are part of such a light curtain according to the present invention, an optical unit comprises a plurality of radiation emitting and/or radiation receiving elements for transmitting and/or receiving radiation beams forming said light curtain, and an elongated support element forming an outer housing of said optical unit said support element having two opposing peripheral regions which are formed to allow an abutting assembly with another identical optical unit. Said radiation emitting and/or radiation receiving elements are arranged within said support element to form a row, and wherein at least one peripheral one of said radiation emitting and/or radiation receiving elements is located directly adjacent to an outer wall of at least one of said peripheral regions of the support element.

Abstract: A light curtain system is configured to perform dynamic partial muting of the light curtain's beams to accommodate products of different heights. When a product enters the light curtain's protective field during muting mode, the system identifies the highest interrupted light beam, which is indicative of the product's height. The system then sets the muting height for the light curtain based on this highest interrupted beam. Beams higher than the set muting height are un-muted, while beams up to the set muting height remain muted. Both regions are actively monitored during the partial muting mode to confirm the expected non-interrupted, respectively interrupted conditions. When the product clears the light curtain, the muting height is reset, and a new muting height is set in a similar fashion when the next part enters the light curtain's protective field.

Abstract: A time-of-flight (TOF) sensor device is provided with features for correcting distance measurement offset errors caused by such factors as temperature, dynamic reflectivity ranges of objects in the viewing space, or other factors. In various embodiments, the TOF sensor device generates corrected distance values based on comparison of two different distance values measured for an object by two different measurement techniques, including but not limited to phase shift measurement, pulsed TOF measurement, distance measurement based on the focal length of the TOF sensor's lens, and comparison of distance variations with light intensity variations. In addition, some embodiments of the TOF sensor device perform self-calibration using internal waveguides or parasitic reflections as distance references.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for synchronizing the optical units of a photoelectric barrier and to such a photoelectric barrier. The synchronization method comprises the steps of transmitting radiation forming a synchronization signal from a first optical sender of the first optical unit; controlling a plurality of the optical receivers of the at least one second optical unit to monitor whether the synchronization signal has been received and performing a synchronization step if the synchronization signal has been received. The method further performs the step of defining at least one of said plurality of optoelectronic components to be used for the synchronization step.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transceiver element for an optical unit of a photoelectric barrier to such a photoelectric barrier. In particular, a transceiver element comprises at least one optical sender, at least one optical receiver and a control element, wherein said control element comprises a driver unit for driving said at least one optical sender to emit radiation and at least one receiver unit for sensing and evaluating electrical signals generated by said optical receiver.

Abstract: A time of flight, TOF, camera unit for an optical surveillance system and an optical surveillance system comprising such a TOF camera is disclosed. The TOF camera unit comprises a radiation emitting unit for illuminating a surveillance area defined by a first plane, a radiation detecting unit for receiving radiation reflected from said surveillance area and for generating a three-dimensional image from said detected radiation, and at least one mirror for at least partly deflecting said emitted radiation into at least one second plane extending across to said first plane and for deflecting the radiation reflected from said second plane to the radiation detecting unit. The TOF camera and the at least one mirror may be arranged on a common carrier element.

Abstract: An optical module for an optical unit associated with forming a light curtain for monitoring a protective or surveillance field. The optical module includes at least one radiation emitting and/or radiation receiving element for transmitting and/or receiving a radiation beam associated with forming a light curtain. The optical module includes a module body for mounting a radiation transmitter/receiver carrier that carries the at least one transmitting and/or receiving element associated with the radiation beam. The module body has at least one alignment element for aligning the optical module within a support element that forms an outer housing of the optical unit.

Abstract: A lens carrier and an optical module for forming a light curtain associated with monitoring a protective field. The lens carrier includes at least one lens for focusing a radiation beam forming said light curtain and a lens mask having at least one opening for shaping the radiation beam to have a predetermined aperture. The lens carrier is formed by overmolding said lens mask with a transparent material. The optical module has such a lens carrier and a module body for mounting a radiation transmitter/receiver carrier that comprises at least one transmitter and/or receiver for transmitting and/or receiving said radiation.