Infrared safety systems and methods
First Claim
1. An automated safety system, comprising:
- at least one projector to direct electromagnetic energy into a region of space;
a component that adjusts one or more zones having similar or differing shapes in the region of space;
at least one detector that senses an interruption of the electromagnetic energy at predetermined or periodic intervals in the zones; and
a processor and a storage component, the processor determines the interruption by comparing a current image from the detector with a previously stored image in the storage component.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to an automated safety system having at least one projector to direct electromagnetic energy into a region of space associated with a security, warning, or safety zone. A detector or detectors senses an interruption of the electromagnetic energy in the region of space by an object or person that may enter the space. The system includes a processor and a storage component, wherein the processor determines the interruption by comparing a current image from the detector with a previously stored image in the storage component. Upon detection, the processor triggers an event based upon the comparison, whereby the event includes such aspects as activating an output, de-energizing a machine, sounding a warning, sounding an alarm, storing data associated with the event, and sending a notification to a local or a remote system, for example.
49 Citations
28 Claims
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1. An automated safety system, comprising:
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at least one projector to direct electromagnetic energy into a region of space; a component that adjusts one or more zones having similar or differing shapes in the region of space; at least one detector that senses an interruption of the electromagnetic energy at predetermined or periodic intervals in the zones; and a processor and a storage component, the processor determines the interruption by comparing a current image from the detector with a previously stored image in the storage component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An automated security system, comprising:
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means for defining a security area; means for projecting infrared energy image into the security area; means for adjusting one or more zones having similar or differing shapes in the security area; means for detecting a blockage in the infrared energy image as received from at least one of the security area or zones by comparing a current image from the detector with a previously stored image.
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16. A method for providing automated security for an area, comprising:
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projecting an energy pattern into a defined area; adjusting one or more zones having similar or differing shapes in the defined area; capturing an initial image of the energy pattern and the defined area; monitoring the defined area at predetermined intervals; and automatically determining if an intrusion has occurred in a zone by comparing the initial image with subsequent captured images and determining whether or not one or more associated pixels said images after comparison are at a different intensity than initially captured pixels said images. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. An automated safety system, comprising:
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a projector that projects infrared energy into a predetermined area; at least two cameras that receive the infrared energy from the predetermined area; a safety output to control machinery; and a processor that activates the safety output based in part on determining a disruption of the infrared energy from the cameras.
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21. An automated safety system, comprising:
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at least one projector to direct electromagnetic energy into a region of space; at least two detectors that are placed at a predetermined distance with respect to each other, the detectors placed at a known angle with respect to the projector in order to determine a three dimensional contour of an object a recognition zone that is programmed in the detectors to determine a contour of an object; and
a component to determine if the contour meets pre-programmed requirements, then the object is allowed to enter a safety zone without causing associated outputs to change state. - View Dependent Claims (22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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Specification