Patents by Inventor Markus Hammes

Markus Hammes has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20260111018
    Abstract: A device for the safe recognition and classification of objects for the monitoring of at least one machine is specified. The device has at least one image sensor for the acquisition of two-dimensional image data and three-dimensional image data and a control and evaluation unit that is configured for a machine learning method for the recognition and classification of the objects. The machine learning method has a first input channel for two-dimensional image data and a second input channel for three-dimensional image data and thus jointly recognizes and classifies the objects from the two-dimensional image data and the three-dimensional image data. In this respect, the machine learning method has a third input channel for further image features obtained from image data of the image sensor and the machine learning method thus jointly recognizes and classifies the objects from an additional image modality in addition to two-dimensional and three-dimensional image data.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2025
    Publication date: April 23, 2026
    Inventor: Markus HAMMES
  • Publication number: 20250377637
    Abstract: A safety system for safeguarding a machine is provided that has at least one safe sensor and one unsafe evaluation unit, wherein the safe sensor has a protected field evaluation, a safe interface, and an unsafe interface to output sensor data to the unsafe evaluation unit; and wherein the unsafe evaluation unit determines object positions of objects located in the detection by an unsafe position evaluation. In this respect, the object positions are plausibilized based on the monitoring of the at least one protected field.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2025
    Publication date: December 11, 2025
    Inventor: Markus HAMMES
  • Patent number: 12469174
    Abstract: A method for the automatic configuration of a 3D sensor for safe object tracking in which at least one 3D image is recorded by the 3D sensor, a detection region in which safety related objects can move is fixed within a detection zone of the 3D sensor using the at least one 3D image, and the object tracking is restricted to the detection region. In this respect, picture elements corresponding to a reference area, in particular a floor level, are identified in the at least one 3D image and the detection region is fixed with respect to these picture elements.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2025
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventor: Markus Hammes
  • Publication number: 20250319597
    Abstract: A method for the safe operation of a movable machine comprises: that the movable machine is controlled by a control unit; that a sensor apparatus determines a 3D representation of an environment of the movable machine; that an initial protective field is predefined that is a defined spatial region within the environment of the movable machine; that a first adaptation apparatus and a second adaptation apparatus receive state data about the movable machine from the control unit, wherein the first adaptation apparatus, starting from the initial protective field, determines a first adapted protective field in dependence on the state data and the second adaptation apparatus, starting from the initial protective field, determines a second adapted protective field in dependence on the state data; that a relevant protective field is determined on the basis of both the first adapted protective field and the second adapted protective field; that an evaluation apparatus evaluates the determined 3D representation with re
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2025
    Publication date: October 16, 2025
    Inventors: Peter POKRANDT, Markus HAMMES
  • Publication number: 20250306609
    Abstract: A safety system assembly (1) serves to monitor a zone (5), such as a warehouse or a factory, in which objects (8), such as autonomously driving vehicles (4) and persons (8a), move together. The safety system assembly (1) comprises a central processing device (3) that is configured to receive sensor data (6) from a plurality of monitoring units (2), in which sensor data (6) the objects (8) detected in the monitored zone (5) by the monitoring units (2) are included. The central processing device (3) is configured to consolidate the received sensor data (6). The central processing device (3) is configured to create object lists (7) from the consolidated sensor data, with the object lists (7) including the detected objects (8) together with the respective object information, and to transmit these object lists (7) to the autonomously driving vehicles (4).
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2025
    Publication date: October 2, 2025
    Inventors: Markus HAMMES, Jörg SIGMUND, Nikolaus MAYER, Angelina MÜLLER
  • Patent number: 12349060
    Abstract: A safety system for the localization of at least one spatially variable object having at least one control and evaluation unit, having at least one radio location system, having at least one spatially resolving sensor for the detection of an object in a detection zone of the spatially resolving sensor, wherein the radio location system has at least three arranged radio stations, wherein at least one radio transponder is arranged at the object, wherein position data of the radio transponder and thus position data of the object can be determined by means of the radio location system, wherein the position data can be transmitted from the radio station of the radio location system to the control and evaluation unit, wherein the control and evaluation unit is configured to cyclically detect the position data of the radio transponder and information on the object in the detection zone can be determined by means of the spatially resolving sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2025
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventor: Markus Hammes
  • Publication number: 20250180752
    Abstract: An optical scanning sensor comprises a transmission unit, a reception unit and an evaluation unit. The transmission unit is configured to emit a transmission signal into a predetermined scanning zone of the sensor. The reception unit is configured to detect a reflected or remitted portion of the transmission signal and to output a corresponding reception signal. Furthermore, the evaluation unit is configured to detect at least one object in the scanning zone of the sensor based on the reception signal. The scanning zone comprises a partial zone that differs from the remaining scanning zone by at least one characteristic with respect to the transmission signal, the reception signal and/or the evaluation of the reception signal. The evaluation unit is configured to detect interference influences, which hinder the detection of the object, based on a portion of the reception signal that is associated with the partial zone.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2024
    Publication date: June 5, 2025
    Inventors: Patrick STEIN, Markus HAMMES
  • Patent number: 12290939
    Abstract: The invention relates to a sensor arrangement and to a method for safeguarding a monitored zone at a machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2025
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventors: Markus Hammes, Nicolas Löffler
  • Patent number: 12181596
    Abstract: A method using a safety system and a safety system for localizing at least one object, with varying locations, are provided. A radio location system has at least three arranged radio stations and at least one radio transponder is arranged at the object. Position data of the radio transponder and the object can be determined by means of the radio location system. The position data can be transmitted from a radio station of the radio location system to a control and evaluation unit which is configured to cyclically detect the position data of the radio transponder. A first inspection unit is connected to the control and evaluation unit, and the control and evaluation unit is checked by the first inspection unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2024
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventors: Markus Hammes, Carsten Natzkowski
  • Publication number: 20240342913
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for monitoring the operation of a robot, in particular an articulated arm robot having, for example, 6 axes, in a protective field, wherein the protective field has an outer boundary, wherein a respective space occupied by the robot is determined for different robot positions, the space occupied by the robot in the respective robot position is removed from the protective field, wherein an inner boundary of the protective field is created and/or changed by removing the occupied space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Inventors: Christoph HOFMANN, Markus HAMMES
  • Patent number: 12111424
    Abstract: A safety laser scanner (10) for detecting objects in a monitored zone (20) is provided that has a light transmitter (12) for transmitting a scan beam (16), a movable deflection unit (18) for the periodic scanning of the monitored zone (20) by the scan beam (16), a light receiver (26) for generating a received signal from the scan beam (22) remitted by the objects, a front screen (38), and a control and evaluation unit (32) that is configured to acquire information on the objects in the monitored zone (20) from the received signal and to recognize an impaired light permeability of the front screen (38) in a front screen monitoring by evaluating a front screen reflection beam (54) that is generated from the scan beam (16) by reflection at the front screen (38), At least one light deflection unit (56, 58) is provided in the optical path of the front screen reflection beam (54) that guides the front screen reflection beam (54) to the front screen (38) again in a region (60) to be tested so that a twice-reflected
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2024
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventors: Joachim Krämer, Markus Hammes, Ino Geisemeyer
  • Publication number: 20240316778
    Abstract: A system and a method for monitoring a hazardous zone of a machine comprising at least one sensor having a spatial monitored zone for monitoring the hazardous zone and a control and evaluation unit, wherein the sensor is configured to cyclically transmit 3D data of the monitored zone to the control and evaluation unit, wherein the sensor is further configured to generate at least one protected zone in the monitored zone, wherein the control and evaluation unit is configured to compare the received 3D data of the monitored zone with known position data of the machine and to check them for agreement, wherein the control and evaluation unit is configured to localize objects in the monitored zone of the sensor with reference to the 3D data and to determine their distance from a dangerous part of the machine, and wherein the control and evaluation unit is configured to bridge the sensor having the protected zone as long as there is an agreement of the position data and not to bridge the sensor having the protected
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2024
    Publication date: September 26, 2024
    Inventors: Markus HAMMES, Christoph HOFMANN
  • Publication number: 20240310521
    Abstract: A monitoring device for a safe object tracking of an object in a monitored zone having at least a first safe optoelectronic sensor and a safety controller connected to the first optoelectronic sensor, wherein the first optoelectronic sensor monitors a first protected field and a second protected field for object intrusions and outputs a corresponding safe signal at a first or second safe output and the safety controller evaluates the safe output signals. In this respect, the first protected field has a plurality of first partial protected fields and the second protected field has a plurality of second partial protected fields and the first partial protected fields and the second partial protected fields are arranged alternatingly following one another are along a line.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventor: Markus HAMMES
  • Publication number: 20240310530
    Abstract: A method of a contactless safeguarding of a machine is provided in which a plurality of protected fields configured in the environment of the machine are monitored for protected field intrusions by at least one optoelectronic sensor and, on a protected field intrusion, a safe output signal is generated at a safe output associated with the protected field. The protected fields are configured such that a vehicle approaching the machine results in a different sequence of protected field intrusions than a person approaching the machine and the sequence of protected field intrusions is evaluated to distinguish the vehicle and the person from one another. Three-dimensional protected fields are monitored that have at least two layers, having a lower layer and an upper layer arranged thereabove; and in that the configuration of the protected fields in the lower layer differs from the configuration of the protected fields in the upper layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2024
    Publication date: September 19, 2024
    Inventors: Markus HAMMES, Christoph HOFMANN
  • Patent number: 12061457
    Abstract: An optoelectronic safety sensor (10) for safeguarding a machine (34), the sensor (10) comprising a light receiver (24) for optical detection of object data and a control and evaluation unit (26) configured to use the object data to decide whether a safety-critical object (36) is detected in a vicinity of the machine (34) and in this case to trigger a safety-related reaction, and wherein the control and evaluation unit (26) is further configured to adapt the sensitivity of a criterion for deciding whether a safety-critical object (36) is detected as a function of at least one of previously detected objects and simultaneously detected objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventor: Markus Hammes
  • Publication number: 20240233186
    Abstract: A method for the automatic configuration of a 3D sensor for safe object tracking in which at least one 3D image is recorded by the 3D sensor, a detection region in which safety related objects can move is fixed within a detection zone of the 3D sensor using the at least one 3D image, and the object tracking is restricted to the detection region. In this respect, picture elements corresponding to a reference area, in particular a floor level, are identified in the at least one 3D image and the detection region is fixed with respect to these picture elements.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2024
    Publication date: July 11, 2024
    Inventor: Markus HAMMES
  • Patent number: 12007495
    Abstract: A method and a safety system for localizing at least two objects has a control and evaluation unit, and at least one radio location system. The radio location system has at least three arranged radio stations, wherein at least two respective radio transponders are arranged at the objects. The two radio transponders are arranged spaced apart from one another. Position data of the radio transponders and thus position data of the objects can be determined by means of the radio location system, and the position data can be transmitted from the radio station of the radio location system to the control and evaluation unit and/or the position data can be transmitted from the radio transponder to the control and evaluation unit. The control and evaluation unit is configured to cyclically detect and compare the position data of the radio transponders.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2024
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventors: Markus Hammes, Patrik Feth, Magnus Albert, Andreas Sixt, Tobias Hofmann, Eduard Mosgalewsky, Dominic Ruh, Matthias Neudorf, Lasse Dau, Jan Schlemmer, Mathias Ams, Hagen Feth
  • Publication number: 20240183981
    Abstract: An optoelectronic sensor for the detection and distance determination of objects in a monitored zone has a light transmitter for transmitting a transmitted pulse, a deflection unit for transmitting the transmitted pulses in different angular positions, a light receiver for generating a received signal, and a control and evaluation unit configured to recognize a received pulse that the transmitted pulse remitted or reflected in the monitored zone generates in the received signal, and to measure a distance between the transmission of the transmitted pulse and the reception of the received pulse with reference to a time of flight, as well as to recognize the presence of fog by evaluating the received signal. The control and evaluation unit is furthermore configured to recognize the presence of fog by checking a time portion of the received signal with a fog signature corresponding to the received pulse.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2023
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Patrick STEIN, Christiane FILLHARDT, Markus HAMMES, Joachim KRÄMER, Michael BREINDL
  • Publication number: 20240061391
    Abstract: A method using a safety system having at least one sensor system having at least one sensor in a first housing and at least one programmable controller in a second housing, wherein the sensor system has a first control and evaluation unit, with the first control and evaluation unit being configured to evaluate sensor data from the sensor of the sensor system and to form first result signals, wherein the programmable controller has a second control and evaluation unit, with the sensor system being configured to transfer sensor data to the second control and evaluation unit, with the second control and evaluation unit being configured to evaluate sensor data from the sensor of the sensor system and to form second result signals, and wherein a comparator unit is provided, with the comparator unit
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2023
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Markus HAMMES, Nikolaus MAYER
  • Patent number: 11892551
    Abstract: A safety system for localizing a movable machine having a safety controller, having at least one radio location system, and having at least one sensor for position determination, wherein the radio location system has radio stations arranged as stationary, wherein at least one radio transponder is arranged at the movable machine, wherein position data of the movable machine can be determined by means of the radio location system, wherein the position data can be transmitted from the radio station or from the radio transponder of the radio location system to the safety controller and position data of the movable machine can be determined by means of the sensor, and wherein the safety controller is configured to compare the position data of the radio location system and the position data of the sensor and to form checked position data on agreement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2024
    Assignee: SICK AG
    Inventors: Fabio Brunner, Markus Hammes, Matthias Ams