Abstract: A time-of-flight (TOF) sensor device is configured to perform classification analytics on a waveform signal representing a reflected light pulse, and to classify an object from which the light pulse was received based on characteristic properties of the reflected pulse. The TOF sensor device can compare the reflected pulse waveform with stored characteristic waveform profiles indicative of different types of objects or atmospheric particulates, including but not limited to snow, aerosol, water, fog, or mist. Some embodiments of TOF sensor device can also detect excessive levels of mist or suspended particulates that may reduce the detection accuracy of the sensor. To this end, such embodiments project focused light beams according to a defined pattern, and compare the reflected pattern with the defined pattern to determine a degree of pattern distortion attributable to the presence of mist.

Abstract: A time-of-flight (TOF) sensor device is configured to perform classification analytics on a waveform signal representing a reflected light pulse, and to classify an object from which the light pulse was received based on characteristic properties of the reflected pulse. The TOF sensor device can compare the reflected pulse waveform with stored characteristic waveform profiles indicative of different types of objects or atmospheric particulates, including but not limited to snow, aerosol, water, fog, or mist. Some embodiments of TOF sensor device can also detect excessive levels of mist or suspended particulates that may reduce the detection accuracy of the sensor. To this end, such embodiments project focused light beams according to a defined pattern, and compare the reflected pattern with the defined pattern to determine a degree of pattern distortion attributable to the presence of mist.

Abstract: An optical safety scanner system comprises a first illumination source for detecting presence and distances of people or other objects within a hazardous industrial area based on triangulation, and a second illumination source that verifies accurate and reliable detection by the first illumination source. The first illumination source can project LED or laser light for triangulation of objects, and the second illumination source can project a wide beam of light for detection of other intrusive objects that may be blocking the scanner system's camera and preventing accurate triangulation of people or vehicles. If the image frame generated based on the second light identifies presence of an object that is not detected by the triangulation analysis of the laser light, the safety scanner system assumes that an object is obstructing the safety scanner system's camera, and performs a suitable safety action.

Abstract: An escape release mechanism that serves as a supplementary means for unlocking a solenoid-driven locking switch. The escape release mechanism comprises a knobbed escape release switch that can be pressed by an operator from inside a protected industrial area to override the solenoid-driven lock. In response to a single-direction linear movement of the escape release key, a pin extends from the escape release mechanism in a direction orthogonal to the escape release key's linear movement. This forward movement causes the pin to displace the locking bolt of the locking switch. As the single-direction linear movement of the escape release key continues, the pin retracts from the locking switch out of the path of the locking tongue, allowing the tongue to be removed. In this way, the pin is both extended and retracted in response to a single-direction linear action by the operator.

Abstract: An escape release mechanism that serves as a supplementary means for unlocking a solenoid-driven locking switch. The escape release mechanism comprises a knobbed escape release switch that can be pressed by an operator from inside a protected industrial area to override the solenoid-driven lock. In response to a single-direction linear movement of the escape release key, a pin extends from the escape release mechanism in a direction orthogonal to the escape release key's linear movement. This forward movement causes the pin to displace the locking bolt of the locking switch. As the single-direction linear movement of the escape release key continues, the pin retracts from the locking switch out of the path of the locking tongue, allowing the tongue to be removed. In this way, the pin is both extended and retracted in response to a single-direction linear action by the operator.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium may include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, may cause processor to receive a set of user data associated with a user that is attempting to access an electronic lock, receive a request to actuate a locking mechanism of the electronic lock configured to prevent the user from accessing a machine in an industrial automation system, actuate the locking mechanism in response to the request and the set of user data corresponding to an expected set of data, store a log of the request and the set of user data, and send the log to a cloud-based computing system.

Abstract: An optical safety scanner system comprises a first illumination source for detecting presence and distances of people or other objects within a hazardous industrial area based on triangulation, and a second illumination source that verifies accurate and reliable detection by the first illumination source. The first illumination source can project LED or laser light for triangulation of objects, and the second illumination source can project a wide beam of light for detection of other intrusive objects that may be blocking the scanner system's camera and preventing accurate triangulation of people or vehicles. If the image frame generated based on the second light identifies presence of an object that is not detected by the triangulation analysis of the laser light, the safety scanner system assumes that an object is obstructing the safety scanner system's camera, and performs a suitable safety action.

Abstract: A magnetic latch for industrial environments includes fixed magnetic pole pieces that may be sealed within a housing to resist environmental contamination and which provide for perpendicular engagement faces for use with gates having a rolling or swinging configuration. An RFID tag reader may be incorporated into the magnet assembly of the latch for reading a specially encoded RFID tag in a keeper portion of the magnetic latch.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a non-transitory computer readable medium may include computer-executable instructions that, when executed by a processor, may cause processor to receive a set of user data associated with a user that is attempting to access an electronic lock, receive a request to actuate a locking mechanism of the electronic lock configured to prevent the user from accessing a machine in an industrial automation system, actuate the locking mechanism in response to the request and the set of user data corresponding to an expected set of data, store a log of the request and the set of user data, and send the log to a cloud-based computing system.

Abstract: A time-of-flight (TOF) sensor device is provided that is capable of accurately recovering waveforms of reflected light pulses incident on the sensor's photo-receiver array using a low sampling rate. A number of samples for a received light pulse incident on a given photo-receiver are obtained by emitting a light pulse to the viewing field, integrating the electrical output generated by the photo receiver over an integration period, and adding the integral values for respective integration cycles to yield an accumulation value. This process is repeated for multiple accumulation cycles; however, for each consecutive accumulation cycle the start of the integration period is delayed relative the start time of the integration period for the previous cycle by a delay period. Sampled values for the waveform are obtained by determining the difference values between consecutive accumulation values for the respective accumulation cycles.

Abstract: A time-of-flight (TOF) sensor device is configured to perform classification analytics on a waveform signal representing a reflected light pulse, and to classify an object from which the light pulse was received based on characteristic properties of the reflected pulse. The TOF sensor device can compare the reflected pulse waveform with stored characteristic waveform profiles indicative of different types of objects or atmospheric particulates, including but not limited to snow, aerosol, water, fog, or mist. Some embodiments of TOF sensor device can also detect excessive levels of mist or suspended particulates that may reduce the detection accuracy of the sensor. To this end, such embodiments project focused light beams according to a defined pattern, and compare the reflected pattern with the defined pattern to determine a degree of pattern distortion attributable to the presence of mist.

Abstract: The subject matter disclosed herein describes an optical sensor used in a safety system. The sensor includes two pixel matrices on a single substrate. Each of the pixel matrices are arranged in a row and column format, and pixels from one matrix are interspersed with pixels from the other matrix such that alternating pixels in each row and column belong to separate matrices. Two sets of selection logic allow each matrix to be enabled separately. Additional monitoring logic is included to detect shorted pixels and/or shorted selection lines. In addition, the frames generated by each pixel array may be compared to detect variation in performance between arrays.

Abstract: An imaging sensor device is configured to illuminate a viewing field using an array of focused light spots spaced across the viewing field rather than uniformly illuminating the viewing field, thereby reducing the amount of illumination energy required to produce a given intensity of light reflected from the spots. In some embodiments, the imaging sensor device can project an array of focused light spots at two different intensities or brightness levels, such that high intensity and low intensity light spots are interlaced across the viewing field. This ensures that both relatively dark and relatively bright or reflective objects can be reliably detected within the viewing field. The intensities of the light spots can be modulated based on measured conditions of the viewing field, including but not limited to the measured ambient light or a determined dynamic range of reflectivity of objects within the viewing field.

Abstract: An industrial-enabled mobile electronic device, such as a personal mobile phone or tablet computer, allows a user to wirelessly interact with industrial devices for a variety of purposes. The mobile electronic device can communicate with an industrial device to read and write configuration settings, read and view log data, send commands to the industrial device, and other such functions. The mobile electronic device can perform various types of analysis on images and video of the industrial device captured by the mobile electronic device, including identifying and translating a model or device number printed on the device, or translating error codes displayed by the industrial device. The mobile electronic device can also retrieve additional information about the industrial device or the device's stored data via interaction with a remote technical support service, and can be used to facilitate dialog with a remote technical support person.

Abstract: A safety automation builder that assists in development of compliant safety functions for industrial safety systems is provided. The safety automation builder imports a system drawing or image of a user's manufacturing line, machine, or production area, and guides the user through a workflow that facilitates configuration of safety functions for each hazardous access point. The safety automation builder leverages a library of safety devices and encoded knowledge of industrial safety standards to guide the user toward selection of suitable safety devices for mitigating risks associated with the access points. Once configured, the safety automation builder can export the safety function data to an external verification system for confirmation that the configured safety functions comply with the prescribed industrial safety standards.

Abstract: An industrial safety system is provided that integrates optical safety monitoring with machine control. The safety system includes an imaging sensor device supporting pixel array processing functions that allow time-of-flight (TOF) analysis to be performed on selected portions of the pixel array, while two-dimensional imaging analysis is performed on the remaining portions of the array, reducing processing load and response time relative to performing TOF analysis for all pixels of the array. The portion of the pixel array designated for TOF analysis can be pre-defined through configuration of the imaging sensor device, or can be dynamically selected based on object detection and classification by the two-dimensional imaging analysis. The imaging sensor device can also implement a number of safety and redundancy functions to achieve a high degree of safety integrity.

Abstract: A safety automation builder that assists in development of compliant safety functions for industrial safety systems is provided. The safety automation builder imports a system drawing or image of a user's manufacturing line, machine, or production area, and guides the user through a workflow that facilitates configuration of safety functions for each hazardous access point. The safety automation builder leverages a library of safety devices and encoded knowledge of industrial safety standards to guide the user toward selection of suitable safety devices for mitigating risks associated with the access points. Once configured, the safety automation builder can export the safety function data to an external verification system for confirmation that the configured safety functions comply with the prescribed industrial safety standards.

Abstract: In distribution networks for safety sensors and devices, aspects of the invention provide routing individualized status signals in parallel to potential safety sensor locations in addition to serially routing safety signals to provide substantially increased protection. A shorting plug that electrically shorts together an individualized status signal to a voltage reference level at a safety sensor location, in addition to electrically shorting together the safety signals for electrical continuity, provides individualized status information for each potential safety sensor location in addition to the serial safety information provided by the safety signals. Another aspect of the invention provides a remote monitoring device coupled to one or more adapter ports, with each adapter port coupled to one or more safety sensors, wherein adapter ports are coupled via cabling with cable endings of the same type, thereby preventing circumvention of a safety sensor simply by coupling together adjacent cables.

Abstract: An industrial safety system is provided that integrates optical safety monitoring with machine control. The safety system includes an imaging sensor device supporting pixel array processing functions that allow time-of-flight (TOF) analysis to be performed on selected portions of the pixel array, while two-dimensional imaging analysis is performed on the remaining portions of the array, reducing processing load and response time relative to performing TOF analysis for all pixels of the array. The portion of the pixel array designated for TOF analysis can be pre-defined through configuration of the imaging sensor device, or can be dynamically selected based on object detection and classification by the two-dimensional imaging analysis. The imaging sensor device can also implement a number of safety and redundancy functions to achieve a high degree of safety integrity.

Abstract: An industrial safety system is provided that integrates optical safety monitoring with machine control. The safety system includes an imaging sensor device supporting pixel array processing functions that allow time-of-flight (TOF) analysis to be performed on selected portions of the pixel array, while two-dimensional imaging analysis is performed on the remaining portions of the array, reducing processing load and response time relative to performing TOF analysis for all pixels of the array. The portion of the pixel array designated for TOF analysis can be pre-defined through configuration of the imaging sensor device, or can be dynamically selected based on object detection and classification by the two-dimensional imaging analysis. The imaging sensor device can also implement a number of safety and redundancy functions to achieve a high degree of safety integrity.