Abstract: A method for optically monitoring an object within a monitoring area includes transmitting light rays with a light transmitting unit that form a line of light on the object. The line of light reflected from the object is imaged on an array of receiving elements that detects the reflected line of light and produces receiving element signals that correspond to measuring points on the object. The receiving element signals are evaluated to structure a distance profile of the object using a triangulation principle. The evaluating includes generating at least one evaluation window which covers in a first direction a local region extending along the line of light and in a second direction a distance range, and using the measuring points located farthest outside within the evaluation window for a left limit point and a right limit point for determining object data.

Abstract: A method for optically detecting objects includes emitting light rays that are projected as a light line onto an object structure to be detected. The light rays are imaged on a matrix of receiving elements of a receiver to produce receiving element signals. The receiving element signals are evaluated by a triangulation principle to generate a distance profile. The evaluating includes: generating at least one evaluation window which encompasses a local range extending in a direction along the light line, generating a number of object points representing outputs of the respective receiving element that correspond to respective distances extending in a second direction, and generating a binary state information as a function of the number object points that fall within the evaluation window.