DYNAMICALLY ADAPTABLE SAFETY ZONES
First Claim
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1. A method for defining a safety zone in an industrial automation environment, comprising:
- monitoring an object and operating zone where equipment is controlled within the operating zone;
determining a speed between the object and the equipment;
determining a direction that the object approaches the operating zone;
determining a speed or direction that a moving part associated with the equipment approaches the object;
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.
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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.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A method for defining a safety zone in an industrial automation environment, comprising:
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monitoring an object and operating zone where equipment is controlled within the operating zone; determining a speed between the object and the equipment; determining a direction that the object approaches the operating zone; determining a speed or direction that a moving part associated with the equipment approaches the object; 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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. An industrial control system that is employed to monitor and control a safety zone, comprising:
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a controller that monitors objects that approach an operating zone where equipment is controlled within the operating zone; a time of flight sensor that determines the speed or direction that the objects approach the operating zone; and a logic component associated with the controller to automatically adjust a safety region in view of the determined speed or direction of the objects. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20)
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19. An industrial control system that is employed to monitor and control a safety zone, comprising:
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means for monitoring objects that approach an operating zone where equipment is controlled within the operating zone; means for determining the speed or direction that the objects approach the operating zone; and means for adjusting a safety region in view of the determined speed or direction of the objects. - View Dependent Claims (21)
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Specification