Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for utilizing time of flight sensors in an industrial automation environment. The method includes employing a multi pixel camera associated with a time of flight sensor to detect an object located within a defined or bounded target area, comparing pixels with adjacent pixels associated with an image of the object captured by the multi pixel camera, identifying the object as being a colored, texture, or highly reflective object, and controlling industrial machinery based on the identification of the object entering the target area.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for controlling industrial equipment in the performance of various industrial activities based on the detected body movement of a user in an industrial automation environment. The method includes employing a time-of-flight sensor to detect movement of a body part of the user, ascertaining whether or not the movement of the body part conforms to a recognized movement of the body part, interpreting the recognized movement of the body part as a performable action, and thereafter actuating industrial machinery to perform the performable action.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for utilizing time of flight sensors in an industrial automation environment. The method includes employing a multi pixel camera associated with a time of flight sensor to detect an object located within a defined or bounded target area, comparing pixels with adjacent pixels associated with an image of the object captured by the multi pixel camera, identifying the object as being a colored, texture, or highly reflective object, and controlling industrial machinery based on the identification of the object entering the target area.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for defining a safety zone in an industrial automation environment. The method includes monitoring an object that approaches an operating zone where equipment is controlled within the operating zone. This includes determining the speed or direction that the object approaches the operating zone. The method includes dynamically adjusting a safety region in view of the determined speed or direction of the object and enabling or disabling the equipment within the operating zone based in part on the object entering the safety region.