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: 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: A method for monitoring two or more movable objects in a monitoring region. A substantially horizontal light barrier grid having a plurality of parallel light barriers monitors the region. To permit a plurality of objects to simultaneously move in the monitored region without deactivating the monitoring function of the system, the system controls an entry area for the objects, the size of the objects as well as the distance between the objects to ascertain that predetermined criteria therefor are met. If one or more of these criteria is not met, a control signal is generated which can be used, for example, to deactivate the machinery and/or prevent access to the monitored region.

Abstract: A method for monitoring two or more movable objects in a monitoring region. A substantially horizontal light barrier grid having a plurality of parallel light barriers monitors the region. To permit a plurality of objects to simultaneously move in the monitored region without deactivating the monitoring function of the system, the system controls an entry area for the objects, the size of the objects as well as the distance between the objects to ascertain that predetermined criteria therefor are met. If one or more of these criteria is not met, a control signal is generated which can be used, for example, to deactivate the machinery and/or prevent access to the monitored region.

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.