Abstract: A method for identifying in camera images individual structural elements of a structural pattern projected by a projector onto a scene. First and second cameras are used to pick up the structural pattern. The cameras are positioned at a distance from one another, and the projector is positioned outside a straight line connecting the two cameras and at a distance from the cameras. With respect to a particular structural element to be identified in the camera image of the first camera, the structural element in the camera image of the second camera which can be associated one-to-one with the particular structural element is determined by way of calibration data. The calibration data for the individual structural elements comprises combinations of parameters which correlate the respective structural element with the location and orientation of both the first camera and the projector, and of the second camera and the projector.

Abstract: A method for identifying in camera images individual structural elements of a structural pattern projected by a projector onto a scene. First and second cameras are used to pick up the structural pattern. The cameras are positioned at a distance from one another, and the projector is positioned outside a straight line connecting the two cameras and at a distance from the cameras. With respect to a particular structural element to be identified in the camera image of the first camera, the structural element in the camera image of the second camera which can be associated one-to-one with the particular structural element is determined by way of calibration data. The calibration data for the individual structural elements comprises combinations of parameters which correlate the respective structural element with the location and orientation of both the first camera and the projector, and of the second camera and the projector.

Abstract: A camera system for monitoring a space area has a camera unit including an image sensor and a number of optical elements which form an imaging optics. A system body has at least one receptacle for the camera unit. A mounting part serves for aligning the system body relative to the space area. The optical elements are fastened on an objective body which has a mounting flange. The objective body is fastened in the receptacle by means of the mounting flange.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a spatial area, in particular for safeguarding a hazardous area of an automatically operated installation, comprises an illumination device which at least temporarily emits light signals into the spatial area. A first image recording unit records a first image of the spatial area. The first image recording unit comprises an image sensor having a plurality of pixels. An evaluation unit determines a distance value for at least one spatial area point, which is located in the spatial area and is imaged on at least one pixel, by means of a propagation type measurement. The propagation type measurement suffers from a limited unambiguity range. Therefore, a test device is designed to check the distance value by means of a reference distance value determined from a second image of said spatial area.

Abstract: A method for checking the functional reliability of an image sensor evaluates statistical fluctuations in the grey-scale values provided by the pixels of the image sensor. An actual noise factor, which is derived for light impinging on the pixels, is evaluated. A pixel failure is assumed if the actual noise factor misses a predetermined criterion defined by a reference noise factor. According to one embodiment, the reference noise factor is a dark noise factor. An electronic camera that operates in accordance with the above-described method is also disclosed.

Abstract: In order to safeguard a hazardous area, in particular the hazardous area of an automatically operating machine, images of the hazardous area are recorded with at least a first and a second image recording unit that are arranged offset from one another. The images of the scene are subjected to three-dimensional scene analyses using different three-dimensional scene analysis methods, and the hazardous area is safeguarded when at least one of the scene analysis methods detects a foreign object.

Abstract: A camera system for monitoring a space area has a camera unit including an image sensor and a number of optical elements which form an imaging optics. A system body has at least one receptacle for the camera unit. A mounting part serves for aligning the system body relative to the space area. The optical elements are fastened on an objective body which has a mounting flange. The objective body is fastened in the receptacle by means of the mounting flange.

Abstract: An apparatus for monitoring a spatial area, in particular for safeguarding a hazardous area of an automatically operated installation, comprises an illumination device which at least temporarily emits light signals into the spatial area. A first image recording unit records a first image of the spatial area. The first image recording unit comprises an image sensor having a plurality of pixels. An evaluation unit determines a distance value for at least one spatial area point, which is located in the spatial area and is imaged on at least one pixel, by means of a propagation type measurement. The propagation type measurement suffers from a limited unambiguity range. Therefore, a test device is designed to check the distance value by means of a reference distance value determined from a second image of said spatial area.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a protective device for safeguarding a hazardous area and a method for checking the functional reliability of such a device. The protective device has an image recording unit with an image sensor which includes a large number of light-sensitive pixels. During operation, the image recording unit records an object image. The image sensor is also supplied with a defined test image in order to check the functional reliability, wherein the test image recorded by the image sensor is compared with a defined expectation. According to one aspect of the invention, the object image is specifically made dynamic by means of a testing device and the modified object image is used as the test image.

Abstract: In order to safeguard a hazardous area, in particular the hazardous area of an automatically operating machine, images of the hazardous area are recorded with at least a first and a second image recording unit that are arranged offset from one another. The images of the scene are subjected to three-dimensional scene analyses using different three-dimensional scene analysis methods, and the hazardous area is safeguarded when at least one of the scene analysis methods detects a foreign object.

Abstract: A method for checking the functional reliability of an image sensor evaluates statistical fluctuations in the grey-scale values provided by the pixels of the image sensor. An actual noise factor, which is derived for light impinging on the pixels, is evaluated. A pixel failure is assumed if the actual noise factor misses a predetermined criterion defined by a reference noise factor. According to one embodiment, the reference noise factor is a dark noise factor. An electronic camera that operates in accordance with the above-described method is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a protective device for safeguarding a hazardous area and a method for checking the functional reliability of such a device. The protective device has an image recording unit with an image sensor which includes a large number of light-sensitive image points (pixels). During operation, the image recording unit records an object image. The image sensor is also supplied with a defined test image in order to check the functional reliability, wherein the test image recorded by the image sensor is compared with a defined expectation. According to one aspect of the invention, the object image is specifically made dynamic by means of a testing device and the dynamized object image is used as the test image.

Abstract: Apparatus for measurement of light waves with an unbalanced optical interferometer. The apparatus consists of waveguides on a flat substrate material characterized by direction-dependent thermal expansion. Thermal compensation is achieved without active regulation by a predetermined spatial arrangement and length ratio of the light paths so that the optical lengths of the two waveguides change by precisely the same amount. As a result, the optical path difference is independent of temperature changes.