Monitor Area Setting Device For Optical Scanning Unit

• US 20090289791A1
• Filed: 04/21/2009
• Published: 11/26/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/20/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Keyence Corporation (Keyence)
• Original Assignee: Keyence Corporation (Keyence)
• Inventors: Onishi, Tomohiro
• Granted Patent: US 8,063,780 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/555
• CPC Class Codes: B25J 9/1676 Avoiding collision or forbidden zones
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/144 using light grids
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/18 using mechanical scanning systems
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40197 Suppress, execute command depending on physical position of control panel
• CPC Class Codes: G05B 2219/40203 Detect position of operator, create non material barrier to protect operator

Abstract

This invention provides a monitor area setting device with which an area can be easily added to or deleted from a monitor area. The device includes: an area addition/deletion specifying unit that specifies an addition area and a deletion area based on an input signal from an operating unit; an inconsistent area extraction unit that extracts an area that is between the safety area and the addition area with respect to the safety sensor as an inconsistent area; and an area setting update unit that updates area setting information so as to set an area formed either by adding the addition area and the inconsistent area to the safety area or by excluding the deletion area and the inconsistent area from the safety area as a new monitor area.

Claims

1. A monitor area setting device that generates area setting information for designating a monitor area to an area monitoring sensor that emits detection light in different emitting directions and senses an intruder within the monitor area based on reflection of the detection light, the device comprising:

an area setting recording unit that holds the area setting information;

an addition area specifying unit that specifies an addition area based on an operation input;

an inconsistent area extracting unit that extracts an area that is between the monitor area and the addition area with respect to the area monitoring sensor as an inconsistent area; and

an area setting updating unit that updates the area setting information so as to set an area formed by adding the addition area and the inconsistent area to the monitor area as a new monitor area.

3. The monitor area setting device according to claim 1, further comprising:

an inconsistent area display unit that displays the inconsistent area; and

a dialogue display unit that displays an inquiry dialogue for inquiring whether or not the inconsistent area is to be added to the monitor area, wherein

the area setting updating unit updates the area setting information based on an operation input after the inquiry dialogue is displayed.

2. A monitor area setting device that generates area setting information for designating a monitor area to an area monitoring sensor that emits detection light in different emitting directions and senses an intruder within the monitor area based on reflection of the detection light, the device comprising:

an area setting recording unit that holds the area setting information;

a line specifying unit that specifies a line based on an operation input;

an inconsistent area extracting unit that extracts an area that is between the monitor area and the line with respect to the area monitoring sensor as an inconsistent area; and

an area setting updating unit that updates the area setting information so as to set an area formed by adding the inconsistent area to the monitor area as a new monitor area.

4. The monitor area setting device according to claim 2, further comprising:

an inconsistent area display unit that displays the inconsistent area; and

a dialogue display unit that displays an inquiry dialogue for inquiring whether or not the inconsistent area is to be added to the monitor area, wherein

the area setting updating unit updates the area setting information based on an operation input after the inquiry dialogue is displayed.

5. A monitor area setting device that generates area setting information for designating a monitor area to an area monitoring sensor that emits detection light in different emitting directions and senses an intruder within the monitor area based on reflection of the detection light, the device comprising:

an area setting recording unit that holds the area setting information;

a deletion area specifying unit that specifies a deletion area based on an operation input;

an inconsistent area extracting unit that extracts an area that is within the monitor area and on a backward side of the deletion area; and

an area setting updating unit that updates the area setting information so as to set an area formed by excluding the deletion area and the inconsistent area from the monitor area as a new monitor area.

7. The monitor area setting device according to claim 5, further comprising:

an inconsistent area display unit that displays the inconsistent area; and

a dialogue display unit that displays an inquiry dialogue for inquiring whether or not the inconsistent area is to be removed from the monitor area, wherein

the area setting updating unit updates the area setting information based on an operation input after the inquiry dialogue is displayed.

6. A monitor area setting device that generates area setting information for designating a monitor area to an area monitoring sensor that emits detection light in different emitting directions and senses an intruder within the monitor area based on reflection of the detection light, the device comprising:

an area setting recording unit that holds the area setting information;

a line specifying unit that specifies a line based on an operation input;

an inconsistent area extracting unit that extracts an area that is within the monitor area and on a backward side of the line; and

an area setting updating unit that updates the area setting information so as to set an area formed by excluding the inconsistent area from the monitor area as a new monitor area.

8. The monitor area setting device according to claim 6, further comprising:

an inconsistent area display unit that displays the inconsistent area; and

a dialogue display unit that displays an inquiry dialogue for inquiring whether or not the inconsistent area is to be removed from the monitor area, wherein

the area setting updating unit updates the area setting information based on an operation input after the inquiry dialogue is displayed.