Abstract: The invention relates to a method of setting a plurality of part regions of a desired protected zone, in which a) the positions of a plurality of monitoring units are detected, with each monitoring unit detecting a detection zone; b) a maximum size of each detection zone is determined; c) the desired protected zone is fixed in a graphical user interface; d) the part regions to be monitored by the respective monitoring units are fixed with reference to the positions of the monitoring units, to the maximum size of the detection zones and of the desired protected zone; and e) the part regions are assigned to the respective monitoring units.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic safety sensor comprising an electronic measuring device for generating measured signals which depend on a state of a safety zone observed by the safety sensor and an electronic evaluation unit for evaluating the measured signals. The electronic evaluation unit comprises a programmable logic controller integrated into the optoelectronic safety sensor for the logic evaluation of logic state variables which are derived from the measured signals.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of setting a plurality of part regions of a desired protected zone, in which a) the positions of a plurality of monitoring units are detected, with each monitoring unit detecting a detection zone; b) a maximum size of each detection zone is determined; c) the desired protected zone is fixed in a graphical user interface; d) the part regions to be monitored by the respective monitoring units are fixed with reference to the positions of the monitoring units, to the maximum size of the detection zones and of the desired protected zone; and e) the part regions are assigned to the respective monitoring units.

Abstract: A system for configuring a monitored zone of an optoelectronic monitoring device has an optical reception device for detecting an optical sequence generated by a sequence generation unit. A first memory device is used to store an association between the optical sequences selectable at the sequence generation unit and shape elements. A second memory device stores a shape of the monitored zone, and an evaluation unit determines the shape of the monitored zone from the detected optical sequences and the shape elements.

Abstract: A method is described of connecting a hardware module to a fieldbus, wherein a data connection between the hardware module and the fieldbus is established by a network module which is connected to the fieldbus and which has an internal memory, said method comprising the steps that the hardware module is connected to the network module, that the communication software is read out of the memory of the network module by the hardware module, said software being provided for the communication of the hardware module with the fieldbus, that the communication software is stored in the hardware module, and that the hardware module is use to communicate over the fieldbus.

Abstract: The invention relates to an optoelectronic safety sensor comprising an electronic measuring device for generating measured signals which depend on a state of a safety zone observed by the safety sensor and an electronic evaluation unit for evaluating the measured signals. The electronic evaluation unit comprises a programmable logic controller integrated into the optoelectronic safety sensor for the logic evaluation of logic state variables which are derived from the measured signals.

Abstract: A distance measuring optoelectronic safety sensor (10) for monitoring a monitored zone (18) having at least one protected zone (48) is provided, wherein the safety sensor (10) has a light receiver (24) for generating a received signal on light reception from the monitored zone (18) as well as an evaluation unit (30, 32) which is designed to detect objects (52) in the monitored zone (18) with the aid of the received signal and to determine their position, including their distance from the safety sensor (10), and to output a securing signal on recognition of an unpermitted object intrusion (52) into a protected zone (48). In this respect, the evaluation unit (30, 36) is designed to determine and output the distance of detected objects (52) from the protected zone (48).

Abstract: A system for configuring a monitored zone of an optoelectronic monitoring device has an optical reception device for detecting an optical sequence generated by a sequence generation unit. A first memory device is used to store an association between the optical sequences selectable at the sequence generation unit and shape elements. A second memory device stores a shape of the monitored zone, and an evaluation unit determines the shape of the monitored zone from the detected optical sequences and the shape elements.

Abstract: A method is described of connecting a hardware module to a fieldbus, wherein a data connection between the hardware module and the fieldbus is established by a network module which is connected to the fieldbus and which has an internal memory, said method comprising the steps that the hardware module is connected to the network module, that the communication software is read out of the memory of the network module by the hardware module, said software being provided for the communication of the hardware module with the fieldbus, that the communication software is stored in the hardware module, and that the hardware module is use to communicate over the fieldbus.

Abstract: A distance measuring optoelectronic sensor (10) for mounting at a passage opening (40) is provided which is designed to acquire depth-resolved image information of that object section of an object (48) moved through the passage opening (40) which is in each case located in the detection zone of the sensor (10), having a memory unit (32) which holds known objects and their reference contour information as well as having an evaluation unit (30) which is designed to compare the image information and the reference contour information to decide whether an object (48) to be checked which is located in the passage opening (40) is permitted there, wherein the sensor (10) has a safety output (34) via which a securing signal can be output if the object (48) to be checked is not in the passage opening (40).

Abstract: An apparatus for the recognition an object in space in accordance with the pulsed time-of-flight principle. The apparatus has a pulsed laser and a photoreceiver arrangement which receives the light pulses reflected back from the object present in the space. The apparatus has a first light deflection apparatus which outputs a first angular position signal representative of its instantaneous angular position to the evaluation circuit, wherein the first light deflection apparatus is arranged rotatably or pivotably about a first axis of rotation and is made for the transmission of light pulses following one another at changing angles in a first plane, wherein a second light deflection apparatus is arranged between the first light deflection apparatus. The apparatus outputs a second angular position signal representative of its instantaneous angular position to the evaluation circuit which has a deflection plate which is arranged rotatably or pivotably about a second axis of rotation.

Abstract: A distance measuring optoelectronic safety sensor (10) for monitoring a monitored zone (18) having at least one protected zone (48) is provided, wherein the safety sensor (10) has a light receiver (24) for generating a received signal on light reception from the monitored zone (18) as well as an evaluation unit (30, 32) which is designed to detect objects (52) in the monitored zone (18) with the aid of the received signal and to determine their position, including their distance from the safety sensor (10), and to output a securing signal on recognition of an unpermitted object intrusion (52) into a protected zone (48). In this respect, the evaluation unit (30, 36) is designed to determine and output the distance of detected objects (52) from the protected zone (48).

Abstract: The invention relates to a safety scanner for the securing of the environment of a vehicle, in particular of a driverless transport system, comprising a light transmitter, a light deflection unit for the deflection of the light into a protected field to be monitored, a receiver for the provision of received signals in dependence on light remitted at objects present in the field of view of the scanner, an evaluation unit for the evaluation of the received signals and of the incremental encoder signals and for the provision of a safety signal, a first input connected to a vehicle speed determination unit for the reception of first signals which are representative of a vehicle speed and comprising switchover means for the safe switching over between at least two different protected fields in dependence on the vehicle speed.

Abstract: A method for detecting an object inside a monitored zone includes monitoring at least a part of a monitored zone. Sensors generate respective single digital images of the total monitored zone, with the single images of all sensors being generated in a uniform coordinate system. Coordinate points of the single images are flagged as “safe” by each sensor if they are free of the object, with all other coordinate points being flagged as “unsafe”. The single images are each transmitted to an evaluation unit and are superimposed to form a resulting total image. The coordinate points of the total image, which are flagged as “safe”, correspond to those flagged as safe in at least one of the single images. All other coordinate points of the total image are flagged as unsafe. The coordinate points flagged as unsafe in the total image are used for the determination of the object coordinates.

Abstract: The invention relates to an apparatus (10) for the recognition of the presence of an object (110) in space (100) in accordance with the pulsed time-of-flight method having a pulsed laser (20) which transmits light pulses into the space (100) in a controlled manner, having a photoreceiver arrangement (40) which receives the light pulses reflected back from the object (110) present in the space, having an evaluation circuit which determines a distance signal characteristic for the distance (d) of the object (110) from the pulsed laser (20) from the time (t) between the transmission and the reception of a light pulse, and having a first light deflection apparatus (50) which outputs a first angular position signal representative of its instantaneous angular position to the evaluation circuit, wherein the first light deflection apparatus (50) is arranged rotatably or pivotably about a first axis of rotation (90) and is made for the transmission of light pulses following one another at changing angles in a first pl

Abstract: An apparatus for the control of at least one safety-relevant function of a machine is described having a machine control for the control of the movements of the machine, having at least one sensor for the sensing of an object inside a monitored zone and having an evaluation unit for the setting of a danger zone and for the triggering of the safety-relevant function on the intrusion of the sensed object into the danger zone. To set the danger zone, the evaluation unit is coupled to the machine control and the evaluation unit is designed for the derivation of the parameters required for the setting of the danger zone starting from the control signals used by the machine control for the movement control of the machine. A corresponding method is furthermore described.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the control of a monitored zone, in particular at transport devices for objects, wherein the monitored zone is scanned by means of at least one spatially resolving sensor, in particular a laser scanner and/or a camera system, the positions of object points in the monitored zone are determined and a contour search is carried out in at least a sub-set of the determined positions in that these positions are mathematically examined as to whether the respective object points lie on at least one model line pre-determined with respect to shape and/or length within a pre-determinable tolerance, said model line corresponding to at least a part of a contour of a permitted object in the monitored zone, with the contour search being carried out independently of the location of the positions relative to the sensor.

Abstract: A protective device working in a contact-free manner for the securing of a danger zone of a machine or the like comprises an optical evaluation field and a control and evaluation device which allows, in addition to a securing operation, in which a warning or machine stop signal is generated as a result of a respective intrusion into the evaluation field, a cyclical operation in which a release signal is generated as a result of at least one respective intrusion into the evaluation field in order to release a respective machine cycle, with one and the same evaluation field being provided for securing operation and for cyclical operation and with the control and evaluation device being designed such that only a part of the evaluation field is monitored accordingly both for securing operation and cyclical operation.

Abstract: A method for monitoring the surroundings of vehicles, especially driverless transport vehicles, and controlling the vehicle. Objects in the surroundings of the vehicle are monitored with a surface sensor. Data generated by the surface sensor is grouped into monitoring strips that run parallel to the driving direction of the vehicle. A speed relative to the vehicle and parallel to the driving direction is determined for each monitoring strip. The positions of objects relative to the vehicle are determined, and objects are distinguished from each other on the basis of their relative speeds and/or positions. The possible occurrence of a collision of the vehicle with the object is calculated, and a signal is generated and sent to the vehicle for adjusting its speed and/or driving direction so that a collision with the object is prevented. The application also concerns apparatus for practicing the method.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for the control of a monitored zone, in particular at transport devices for objects, wherein the monitored zone is scanned by means of at least one spatially resolving sensor, in particular a laser scanner and/or a camera system, the positions of object points in the monitored zone are determined and a contour search is carried out in at least a sub-set of the determined positions in that these positions are mathematically examined as to whether the respective object points lie on at least one model line pre-determined with respect to shape and/or length within a pre-determinable tolerance, said model line corresponding to at least a part of a contour of a permitted object in the monitored zone, with the contour search being carried out independently of the location of the positions relative to the sensor.