Opto-electronic apparatus for monitoring and detection of intrusion of an object

• US 6,737,970 B2
• Filed: 05/25/2001
• Issued: 05/18/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/26/2000
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Sick AG (Sick)
• Original Assignee: Sick AG (Sick)
• Inventors: Plasberg, Georg, Juers, Heiner, Mutter, Gehard, Wuestefeld, Martin
• Primary Examiner(s): Swarthout, Brent A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): PHAM, LAM P
• Application Number:
  US09/866,545
• Publication Number:
  US 20020070860A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,089 Days
• Field of Search: 340/541, 340/555, 340/556, 340/557, 340/565, 340/567, 340/552, 340/568.1, 348/152, 348/135, 348/161, 348/143, 348/61, 250/221, 250/222.1, 382/181, 382/224
• US Class Current: 340/552
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/142 using image capturing devices
• CPC Class Codes: F16P 3/144 using light grids
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 17/04 Systems determining the presence of a target
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 8/20 using multiple transmitters or receivers
• CPC Class Codes: G06V 10/145 Illumination specially adapted for pattern recognition, e.g. using gratings

Abstract

An opto-electronic apparatus for the monitoring of a protection area which has at least one protection device, which works in a non-contact manner, is described. The protection device, which works in a non-contact manner, has an evaluation unit for the generation of an object detection signal on the intrusion of an object into the protection area. An image detection unit is coupled to the protection device, which works in a non-contact manner, for the detection of an areal or spatial image detection area, with a secondary monitoring area disposed close to the protection area, but outside the protection area, being detected by the image detection unit. The protection device, which works in a non-contact manner, is controllable by the image detection unit.

Claims

1. An opto-electronic apparatus for the monitoring of a protection area comprising at least one protection device which works in a non-contact manner and which comprises an evaluation unit for the generation of an object detection signal on the intrusion of an object into the protection area, wherein an image detection unit is coupled to the protection device, which works in a non-contact manner, for the detection of an areal or spatial image detection area, with a secondary monitoring area disposed close to the protection area, but outside the protection area, being detectable by said image detection unit, and wherein the protection device which works in a non-contact manner, is controllable by the image detection unit and a classification of objects intruding into the secondary monitoring area can be carried out by the image detection unit.

2. An opto-electronic apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the protection function of the protection device, which works in a non-contact manner, can be deactivated at least regionally and/or for a time on the detection of an object with pre-set characteristic features inside the secondary monitoring area.

3. An opto-electronic apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein a quality control of objects penetrating into the secondary monitoring area can be carried out by the image detection unit.

4. An opto-electronic apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the protection device, which works in a non-contact manner, comprises at least one transmitter unit emitting light signals and at least one receiver unit receiving the emitted light signals directly or indirectly, and wherein the protection area is defined by the signal path of the emitted light signals.

5. An opto-electronic apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the protection device, which works in a non-contact manner, is formed as a camera system.

6. An opto-electronic apparatus in accordance with claim 5, wherein the camera system comprises an active illumination unit.

7. An opto-electronic apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the image detection unit is formed as a camera.

8. An opto-electronic apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein at least the secondary monitoring area can be displayed on a display unit.

9. An opto-electronic apparatus in accordance with claim 8, wherein the display unit comprises a screen.

10. An opto-electronic apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein the protection device, which works in a non-contact manner, is formed as a light grid or as a light scanner.

11. An opto-electronic apparatus in accordance with claim 1, wherein an illumination unit and the image detection unit are arranged in a common housing or in different housings.

12. An opto-electronic apparatus for the monitoring of a protection area comprising at least one protection device which includes an image detection unit for the detection of an areal or spatial image detection area and an evaluation unit for the generation of an object detection signal on the intrusion of an object into the protection area, wherein only a part of the image detection area forms the protection area and the remaining part of the image detection area forms a secondary monitoring area at least in part;

wherein the evaluation unit is formed for the separate evaluation of the detected protection area and of the detected secondary monitoring area, and wherein a classification of objects intruding into the secondary monitoring area can be carried out by the image detection unit.

13. An opto-electronic apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein the protection function of the protection device, which works in a non-contact manner, can be deactivated at least regionally and/or for a time on the detection of an object with pre-set characteristic features inside the secondary monitoring area.

14. An opto-electronic apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein a quality control of objects penetrating into the secondary monitoring area can be carried out by the image detection unit.

15. An opto-electronic apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein the protection device, which works in a non-contact manner, comprises at least one transmitter unit emitting light signals and at least one receiver unit receiving the emitted light signals directly or indirectly and, wherein the protection area is defined by the signal path of the emitted light signals.

16. An opto-electronic apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein the protection device, which works in a non-contact manner, is formed as a camera system.

17. An opto-electronic apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein the image detection unit is formed as a camera.

18. An opto-electronic apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein at least the secondary monitoring area can be displayed on a display unit.

19. An opto-electronic apparatus in accordance with claim 12, wherein the protection device, which works in a non-contact manner, is formed as a light grid or as a light scanner.

20. An opto-electronic apparatus in accordance with claimed 12, wherein an illumination unit and the image detection unit are arranged in a common housing or in different housings.