Abstract: A method for detecting body movements of a sleeping person includes continuously creating three-dimensional images using an imaging unit and providing distance measurement values pixel by pixel. A two or three-dimensional height profile has points on a surface, or on, or next to the person. The profile is stored and available for each time. A range indicating a body part or area depending on a reference point or range is selected as a first region of interest. Periods of changes of the profile of the first region exceeding a first threshold value, and intervals therebetween are determined. Noise values of the profile are determined pixel by pixel for the intervals. Further changes of the profile exceeding a second threshold value in the intervals are determined, considering the noise value pixel by pixel. The periods and further periods of changes of the profile are registered as body movements.

Abstract: A method and a device determine a time curve of the depth of breath of a sleeping person. Height profiles of the person at individual recording time points are continuously determined. Height profiles from adjacent recording time points are combined to give segments. The region which indicates the abdomen or chest region of the person depending on a corresponding reference point or reference region is selected as an observation region. For each height profile within the segment, the corresponding average value of the distances of the points of the height profile, which points lie within the observation region, from a reference point is determined. For the segment, a signal is determined and for each recording time point, the average value determined for this height profile is associated with the signal. On the basis of the determined signal, values which characterize the time curve of the depth of breath are determined.

Abstract: A method is used for analyzing scenes. The scene or objects in the scene and an optical sensor perform a relative movement and the scene information obtained is evaluated. Visual information of the scene is detected by the individual pixels of the optical sensor and pixel co-ordinates of established variations in intensity are determined. A temporization of the established variations in intensity is determined and a local accumulation of the variations in intensity is determined by statistical methods. The local accumulations are evaluated in terms of the number and/or position thereof by statistical methods and data area clearing methods. The determined values are used as parameters of a detected scene region. A parameter is compared with a pre-determined parameter considered characteristic of an object, and when the pre-determined comparison criteria are fulfilled, the evaluated local amassment associated with the respective scene region is seen as an image of the object.