Detection system

Abstract

To provide a technique capable of identifying channels easily in a detection system having a controller with multiple channels to which a projector and a light receiver are connected in a pair.SOLUTION: A detection unit includes: a projector; a light receiver; and a controller. The projector projects light. The light receiver receives light from the projector. The controller includes multiple channels to which the projector and the light receiver are connected in a pair, and performs predetermined detection processing on the basis of signals inputted from the light receiver via the multiple channels. The projector and the light receiver have a display unit. The controller controls the display unit of the projector and the light receiver connected to the channels in an adjustment mode and performs first display processing based on the channels.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a detection system.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, a detection system that projects light from a projector and detects a measurement object based on information obtained when such light is received by a light receiver is known. For example, an edge detection system that converts laser light or LED light into parallel light and detects it with a line sensor or the like to detect the position of the edge of a measurement object is known. Patent Document 1 discloses an inspection system including a plurality of electronic sensors and a controller, and the controller inspects the edge of a specific object based on the sensor measurement results of the plurality of electronic sensors.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] The present disclosure provides a technique for easily identifying channels in a detection system including a controller having a plurality of channels in which a projector and a light receiver are connected in pairs.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0005] A detection system according to one aspect of the present disclosure comprises a light emitter, a light receiver, and a controller. The light emitter emits light. The light receiver receives light from the light emitter. The controller has a plurality of channels to which the light emitter and light receiver are connected in pairs, and performs predetermined detection processing based on signals input from the light receiver via the plurality of channels. The light emitter and light receiver are equipped with display units. In adjustment mode, the controller controls the display units of the light emitter and light receiver connected to the channels to perform a first display processing based on the channels. [Effects of the Invention]

[0006] According to this disclosure, in a detection system equipped with a controller having multiple channels to which a light emitter and a light receiver are connected in pairs, the channels can be easily identified. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0007] [Figure 1] Figure 1 shows an example of the configuration of a detection system according to an embodiment. [Figure 2] Figure 2 is a block diagram showing an example configuration of the controller and sensor according to the embodiment. [Figure 3] Figure 3 shows an example of the configuration of a light emitter and light receiver according to an embodiment. [Figure 4] Figure 4 shows an example of a blinking pattern of the CH display unit in the embodiment. [Figure 5] Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the edge detection process by the detection system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6A] Figure 6A is a flowchart showing the steps of the processing performed by the detection system according to the embodiment. [Figure 6B] Figure 6B is a flowchart showing the procedure for the second display process performed by the detection system according to the embodiment. [Figure 7] Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the steps of the processing performed by the detection system according to the embodiment. [Figure 8] Figure 8 shows an example of the operation of the detection system according to the embodiment. [Figure 9] Figure 9 shows an example of the configuration of a light emitter and light receiver according to a modified embodiment. [Figure 10] Figure 10 shows an example of the operation of a detection system according to a modified embodiment. [Figure 11] Figure 11 shows an example of the operation of a detection system according to a modified embodiment. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0008] The embodiments for implementing the detection system described herein (hereinafter referred to as "Embodiments") will be described in detail below with reference to the drawings. However, the disclosure is not limited by these embodiments. Furthermore, each embodiment can be combined as appropriate, provided that the processing content is not inconsistent. Also, the same parts are denoted by the same reference numerals in each of the following embodiments, and redundant descriptions are omitted.

[0009] Furthermore, in the embodiments described below, expressions such as "constant," "orthogonal," "perpendicular," or "parallel" may be used, but these expressions do not require strict adherence to "constant," "orthogonal," "perpendicular," or "parallel" conditions. In other words, each of the above expressions allows for deviations, for example, in manufacturing accuracy or installation accuracy.

[0010] Conventionally, edge detection sensors are known that convert laser light or LED light into parallel light and detect it with a line sensor or the like to detect the position of the edge of an object to be measured. Patent Document 1 discloses an inspection system comprising multiple electronic sensors and a controller, in which the controller inspects the edge of a specific object based on the sensor measurement results of the multiple electronic sensors.

[0011] However, when multiple electronic sensors, as described in Patent Document 1, are each connected to a controller and the controller has multiple channels, if such electronic sensors are placed far from the controller, it becomes difficult for each electronic sensor to identify the channel.

[0012] As a method of identifying channels from the electronic sensor side, for example, a method of labeling channel information on a cable connecting the electronic sensor and the controller is known, but since it is troublesome for the operator, there is room for further improvement.

[0013] Therefore, in a detection system including a controller having a plurality of channels in which a light emitter and a light receiver are connected in pairs, a technique that can easily identify channels is expected.

[0014] First, using FIG. 1, a configuration example of the detection system 100 according to the embodiment will be described. FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the detection system 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, the detection system 100 includes a controller 1 and a plurality of sensors 2. Each sensor 2 includes a light emitter 20 and a light receiver 30. The controller 1 has a plurality of channels in which the light emitter 20 and the light receiver 30 are connected in pairs. The light emitter 20 and the light receiver 30 are provided at a predetermined installation location and are each connected to the controller 1 via a signal line. The signal line includes a power supply line for supplying power to the light emitter 20 and the light receiver 30 and a communication line for communication (data transmission).

[0015] When a plurality of sensors 2 can be connected as in the controller 1 according to the embodiment, when installing the plurality of sensors 2 (light emitter 20 and light receiver 30) at a predetermined installation location, there is a risk of mispairing the pairs of the light emitter 20 and the light receiver 30. For example, there is a risk of pairing the light emitter 20 connected to channel 1 with the light receiver 30 connected to channel 2. Also, when connecting the installed sensor 2 to the controller 1, there is a risk of misidentifying the channel to be connected. For example, there is a risk of erroneously connecting the light emitter 20 and the light receiver 30 to be connected to channel 1 to channel 2.

[0016] In addition, the installation locations of the plurality of sensors 2 may be far from the location where the controller 1 is installed. In this case, it is difficult to perform the installation work of the projector 20 and the light receiver 30 while checking the information displayed on the controller 1 (for example, information for identifying a channel).

[0017] Therefore, in the detection system 100 according to the embodiment, a display unit (CH display units 23 and 33 described later) is provided in the projector 20 and the light receiver 30, and display processing using the CH display units 23 and 33 is performed so that a user at the installation location (a worker installing the sensor 2) can easily identify the channel.

[0018] Next, a configuration example of the controller 1 and the sensor 2 according to the embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a configuration example of the controller 1 and the sensor 2 according to the embodiment. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing a configuration example of the projector 20 and the light receiver 30 according to the embodiment. As shown in FIG. 2, the controller 1 includes a plurality of communication units 10, an input unit 11, a display unit 12, an external communication unit 13, a storage unit 14, and a control unit 15.

[0019] The communication unit 10 is a communication interface for communicating with the sensor 2. The plurality of communication units 10 are provided corresponding to the plurality of channels provided in the controller 1. Here, a case where the controller 1 includes four channels (hereinafter, may be described as CH1 to CH4) and includes four communication units (hereinafter, may be described as CH1 to CH4 communication units 10) corresponding to these CH1 to CH4 will be described as an example. Note that the number of channels provided in the controller 1 is not necessarily limited to four. The controller 1 may include at least two or more channels.

[0020] The CH1 to CH4 communication units 10 have connection terminals for connecting to signal lines, and transmit and receive information to and from the projector 20 and the light receiver 30 via such connection terminals and signal lines.

[0021] Each of the CH1-CH4 communication units 10 has a light-emitting communication unit 101 and a light-receiving communication unit 102. The light-emitting communication unit 101 transmits information to the light emitter 20. The light-receiving communication unit 102 transmits and receives information with the light receiver 30.

[0022] The input unit 11 receives various types of information. The input unit 11 may consist of, for example, buttons, a touch panel, a mouse, a keyboard, etc. The input unit 11 may also accept operation input via voice. The display unit 12 displays various types of information.

[0023] The external communication unit 13 transmits and receives information with other devices via wired or wireless communication lines. For example, when communicating wirelessly, it transmits and receives information with other devices using a wireless LAN (Local Area Network) or infrared communication, and when communicating via a wired connection, it transmits and receives information with other devices using signal lines such as power lines or fiber optic cables. The external communication unit 13 is also equipped with connection terminals for connecting to the aforementioned wired and wireless communication lines. For wireless connections, wireless devices or infrared ports can be used, and for wired connections, ports that can connect to communication lines (cables) (USB (Universal Serial Bus) ports, LAN ports) can be used.

[0024] The storage unit 14 is a processing unit that stores various data and programs executed by the control unit 15, and is implemented by, for example, memory or a hard disk. The control unit 15 controls the operation of the detection system 100 by reading and executing programs stored in the storage unit 14. The control unit 15 of the controller 1 performs predetermined detection processing based on signals input from the photodetector 30, which will be described later, via multiple channels. The detection processing performed by the control unit 15 will be described later with reference to Figure 5.

[0025] Such a program may have been recorded on a computer-readable recording medium and installed from that medium to the storage unit 14 of the controller 1. Examples of computer-readable recording media include hard disks (HDs), flexible disks (FDs), compact discs (CDs), magnetic optical discs (MOs), and memory cards.

[0026] The floodlight 20 emits light. The floodlight 20 has a light-emitting unit 21, a light-emitting display unit 22, and a CH display unit 23. The light-emitting display unit 22 and the CH display unit 23 are examples of display units. The light-emitting unit 21 emits light to the light receiver 30. The detailed configuration of the light-emitting unit 21 will be described later with reference to Figure 5. The light-emitting display unit 22 displays information indicating whether or not light is being emitted from the floodlight 20, according to instructions from the controller 1. As shown in Figure 3, the light-emitting display unit 22 is arranged, for example, next to the CH display unit 23. The light-emitting display unit 22 may be composed of, for example, an LED. The controller 1 "lights up" the light-emitting display unit 22 when light is being emitted by the light-emitting unit 21, and "turns off" the light-emitting display unit 22 when light is not being emitted.

[0027] The CH display unit 23 displays information based on the connected channel of the light emitter 20, according to instructions from the controller 1. The CH display unit 23 may be composed of, for example, LEDs. The controller 1 controls the illumination of the CH display unit 23 for each connected channel, for example. Alternatively, when the user specifies a channel for optical axis adjustment, the controller 1 controls the illumination of the CH display unit 23 of the light emitter 20 connected to that channel. The blinking pattern of the CH display unit 23 during such illumination control will be described later with reference to Figure 4. The CH display unit 23 is an example of a first display unit. The illumination control process of the CH display unit 23 by the controller 1 is an example of a first display process. Optical axis adjustment refers to the process of adjusting the position of the light emitter 20 or the light receiver 30 so that the light emitted from the light emitter 20 is properly incident on the light receiver 30.

[0028] The light receiver 30 receives light from the light emitter 20. The light receiver 30 has a light receiving unit 31, an optical axis indicator unit 32, and a CH indicator unit 33. The optical axis indicator unit 32 and the CH indicator unit 33 are examples of indicator units. The light receiving unit 31 receives light emitted from the light receiver 30. The detailed configuration of the light receiving unit 31 will be described later with reference to Figure 5. The optical axis indicator unit 32 displays information indicating whether or not the optical axis is aligned, according to instructions from the controller 1. As shown in Figure 3, the optical axis indicator unit 32 is located next to the CH indicator unit 33. The optical axis indicator unit 32 may be composed of, for example, LEDs. The controller 1 "lights up" the optical axis indicator unit 32 when the optical axis is aligned, and "turns off" the optical axis indicator unit 32 when the optical axis is not aligned. The optical axis indicator unit 32 is an example of a second indicator unit. The lighting control process of the optical axis indicator unit 32 by the controller 1 is an example of the second display process.

[0029] The CH display unit 33 displays information based on the connected channel of the photodetector 30, in accordance with instructions from the controller 1. The CH display unit 33 may be composed of, for example, LEDs. The controller 1 controls the illumination of the CH display unit 33 for each connected channel, for example. Alternatively, when the user specifies a channel for optical axis adjustment, the controller 1 controls the illumination of the CH display unit 33 of the photodetector 30 connected to that channel. The blinking pattern of the CH display unit 33 during such illumination control will be described later with reference to Figure 4. The CH display unit 33 is an example of a first display unit. The illumination control process of the CH display unit 33 by the controller 1 is an example of a first display process.

[0030] Next, the blinking patterns of the CH display units 23 and 33 in this embodiment will be explained using Figure 4. Figure 4 shows an example of the blinking patterns of the CH display units 23 and 33 in this embodiment. The blinking patterns of CH1 to CH4 shown in Figure 4 are stored in the storage unit 14 as the blinking patterns of the CH display units 23 and 33 when channel display processing is performed.

[0031] The control unit 15 causes the CH indicator units 23 and 33 of the sensor 2 connected to CH1 to blink once per predetermined cycle. The control unit 15 also causes the CH indicator units 23 and 33 of the sensor 2 connected to CH2 to blink twice per predetermined cycle. The control unit 15 also causes the CH indicator units 23 and 33 of the sensor 2 connected to CH3 to blink three times per predetermined cycle. The control unit 15 also causes the CH indicator units 23 and 33 of the sensor 2 connected to CH4 to blink four times per predetermined cycle. By checking the number of times the CH indicator units 23 and 33 blink in one cycle, the operator can recognize which channel the light emitter 20 and light receiver 30 are connected to. Note that the blinking pattern is not limited to the above example; other blinking patterns may be used, for example, by changing the interval between turning on and off.

[0032] Next, the detection process by the detection system 100 according to the embodiment will be described using Figure 5. Figure 5 is an explanatory diagram of the detection process by the detection system 100 according to the embodiment. As shown in Figure 5, the light-emitting section 21 of the light emitter 20 is positioned opposite the light-receiving surface of the line sensor 310 of the light receiver 30 and comprises a light source 210 made of a laser diode (LD) and a light-emitting lens 211. The light source 210 is provided on a moving stage (not shown) and its distance from at least the light-emitting lens 211 in Figure 5 is adjustable. By adjusting this distance, the light-emitting lens 211 outputs (emits) the light generated by the light source 210 as a light beam that is aligned with the optical axis to the center of the line sensor 310 and focused within a predetermined range from parallel to the optical axis.

[0033] The light-receiving section 31 of the light receiver 30 includes a line sensor 310 and an A / D conversion unit 311. The line sensor 310 has a light-receiving surface in which a plurality of light-receiving cells (pixels) are arranged at a predetermined pitch in a certain direction, and receives the light beam irradiated from the light emitter 20. The A / D conversion unit 311 converts the analog output signal from the line sensor 310 into a digital signal and outputs it to the controller 1.

[0034] The controller 1 analyzes the output of the line sensor 310, which has been digitally converted by the A / D conversion unit 311, and detects the edge position in the arrangement direction of the light-receiving cells of the object to be measured 5, which partially shields the light beam in the measurement space 4.

[0035] In the light emitter 20, the light generated by the light source 210 is converted into a luminous beam that is focused from parallel to the optical axis to a predetermined range by the light emitter lens 211, and then irradiated onto the line sensor 310. In the measurement space 4 between the light emitter 20 and the line sensor 310, when the object to be measured 5 moves so as to cross the optical path of the luminous beam emitted from the light emitter 20, a portion of the luminous beam that should be received by the line sensor 310 is blocked.

[0036] The control unit 15 of the controller 1 detects the edge position of the object to be measured by analyzing the change in the total amount of light received by the line sensor 310 caused by the object to be measured blocking a portion of the light beam in the measurement space 4, or by the light reception pattern caused by Fresnel diffraction occurring at the edge portion of the object to be measured 5. The measurement results, such as the edge position of the object to be measured 5, detected in this way can also be displayed on the display unit 12, allowing the user to visually confirm the measurement results.

[0037] Next, the processing steps performed by the detection system 100 according to the embodiment will be described using Figures 6A and 6B. Figure 6A is a flowchart showing the processing steps performed by the detection system 100 according to the embodiment. Figures 6A and 6B show the processing steps when the user does not specify the sensor 2 to be adjusted.

[0038] The processing in this flowchart may start, for example, when the adjustment mode is turned ON by an input operation to the user's input unit 11. Alternatively, the processing in this flowchart may start when the power to the detection system 100 is turned ON.

[0039] First, turn on the adjustment mode on controller 1 (step S101).

[0040] Next, the controller 1 performs the first display process (step S102) and the second display process (step S103). In the first display process, the controller 1 uses the CH display unit 23 of the light emitter 20 and the CH display unit 33 of the light receiver 30 connected to each channel to control the lighting in different ways for each channel, as described above in the explanation of Figure 4. After that, the controller 1 proceeds to step S104.

[0041] Thus, in adjustment mode, the controller 1 controls the CH display units 23 and 33 of the light emitter 20 and light receiver 30 connected to the channel to perform a first display process based on the channel.

[0042] Figure 6B is a flowchart showing the procedure for the second display processing performed by the detection system 100 according to the embodiment. Here, at the start of processing in this flowchart, the optical axis display unit 32 of the light receiver 30 is "off".

[0043] In the second display process, the controller 1 determines whether the optical axes are aligned (step S201). Whether the optical axes are aligned is determined based on the amount of light received by the light receiver 30 from the light emitter 20. Specifically, the controller 1 determines that the optical axes are aligned if the amount of light received by the light receiver 30 is equal to or greater than a threshold. On the other hand, the controller 1 determines that the optical axes are not aligned if the amount of light received by the light receiver 30 is less than a threshold.

[0044] If the optical axes align (step S201, Yes), the controller 1 lights up the optical axis indicator 32 of the light receiver 30 (step S202) and proceeds to step S104 in Figure 6A.

[0045] As described above, in adjustment mode, the controller 1 controls the optical axis display unit 32 of the light receiver 30 connected to the channel to perform a second display processing based on the amount of light received by the light receiver 30.

[0046] Returning to Figure 6A, Controller 1 determines whether the adjustment mode has been turned OFF or not (step S104). For example, Controller 1 determines that the adjustment mode has been turned OFF if the adjustment mode is turned OFF by an input operation to the user's input unit 11. If Controller 1 determines that the adjustment mode has been turned OFF (step S104, Yes), it terminates the processing in this flow. On the other hand, if Controller 1 determines that the adjustment mode has not been turned OFF (step S104, No), it returns to steps S102 and S103.

[0047] As described above, according to the detection system 100 of the embodiment, the controller 1 can identify each channel in a detection system 100 having multiple channels. That is, it can identify which sensor 2 is connected to which channel. Therefore, even if the light emitter 20 and light receiver 30 are located far from the controller 1, the user can recognize the light emitter 20 and light receiver 30 corresponding to each channel without having to look at the controller 1.

[0048] Furthermore, as described above, in adjustment mode, controller 1 controls the CH display units 23 and 33 to perform the first display processing and controls the optical axis display unit 32 to perform the second display processing. By providing display units according to their functions, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of users confusing the channel display with the optical axis adjustment display.

[0049] Next, the processing steps performed by the detection system 100 according to the embodiment will be described using Figures 7 and 8. Figure 7 is a flowchart showing the processing steps performed by the detection system 100 according to the embodiment. Figure 8 is a diagram showing an example of the operation of the detection system 100 according to the embodiment. Figures 7 and 8 show the processing steps when the user specifies the sensor 2 to be adjusted.

[0050] First, controller 1 performs the same process as in step S101 (step S301). That is, controller 1 turns on the adjustment mode. Next, controller 1 acquires the channel for optical axis adjustment (hereinafter also referred to as the designated channel) via the input unit 11 (step S302).

[0051] Next, the controller 1 performs a first display process using the light emitter 20 and light receiver 30 connected to the specified channel acquired in step S302 (step S303). For example, the controller 1 may blink the CH display unit 23 of the light emitter 20 and the CH display unit 33 of the light receiver 30 connected to the specified channel in a lighting pattern corresponding to the connected channel. Alternatively, the controller 1 may blink the CH display unit 23 of the light emitter 20 and the CH display unit 33 of the light receiver 30 connected to the specified channel in a lighting pattern independent of the connected channel. Alternatively, the controller 1 may simply light up the CH display unit 23 of the light emitter 20 and the CH display unit 33 of the light receiver 30 connected to the specified channel.

[0052] As described above, in adjustment mode, controller 1 controls the CH display units 23 and 33 of the light emitter 20 and light receiver 30 connected to the channel to perform a first display process based on the channel.

[0053] Furthermore, the controller 1 performs a second display process using the light receiver 30 connected to the specified channel acquired in step S202 (step S304).

[0054] Here, Figure 8 shows the state in which the CH indicator units 23 and 33 of the light emitter 20b and light receiver 30b connected to the specified channel are "lit" or "flashing". Note that here, the example shows the case where there is one specified channel, but there may be multiple specified channels. As described above, in the first display processing, when the controller 1 receives a specification of a target channel from among the multiple channels connected to the controller 1, it controls the lighting of the CH indicator units 23 and 33 of the light emitter 20 and light receiver 30 connected to the specified channel. With this configuration, the user can recognize the light emitter 20 and light receiver 30 corresponding to the specified channel without checking the controller 1. Furthermore, by performing lighting control in a manner corresponding to the connected channel, the controller 1 can easily recognize the light emitter 20 and light receiver 30 corresponding to each channel even when multiple channels are specified by the user.

[0055] As shown in Figure 8, in adjustment mode, the controller 1 turns off the CH indicators 23 and 33 of the transmitters 20a, 20c, 20d and receivers 30a, 30c, 30d that are connected to channels other than the designated channel. In other words, the CH indicators 23 and 33 of the transmitters 20a, 20c, 20d and receivers 30a, 30c, 30d are neither "lit" nor "flashed".

[0056] Next, controller 1 performs the same process as in step S104 (step S305). When the adjustment mode is switched to OFF, controller 1 terminates the process in this flowchart. On the other hand, if the adjustment mode is not switched to OFF, controller 1 returns to steps S303 and S304.

[0057] (modified version) In the embodiments described above, an example was described in which the light emitter 20 and the light receiver 30 each have multiple (two) display units. However, the light emitter 20 and the light receiver 30 may each have only one display unit. A detection system 100 with such a configuration will be described below with reference to Figures 9 to 11. Figure 9 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the light emitter 20 and the light receiver 30 according to a modified embodiment.

[0058] As shown in Figure 9, the floodlight 20 may include a display unit 24 equipped with a CH display function and a floodlight display function. For example, the display unit 24 switches between three lighting patterns: "on," "flashing," and "off," according to instructions from the controller 1. The following describes these lighting patterns using Figures 10 and 11. Figures 10 and 11 show examples of operation of the detection system 100 according to a modified embodiment.

[0059] First, in adjustment mode, when the controller 1 receives a channel specification for optical axis adjustment via input operation to the user's input unit 11, it "flashes" the display units 24 of the floodlights 20 connected to channels other than the specified channel (hereinafter also referred to as unspecified channels) in different ways for each channel. In Figure 10, the display units 24 of the floodlights 20a, 20c, and 20d of the unspecified channels are "flashing".

[0060] Furthermore, if a laser beam is emitted from the floodlight 20 connected to the designated channel, the controller 1 "lights up" the display unit 24 of the floodlight 20. On the other hand, if a laser beam is not emitted from the floodlight 20 connected to the designated channel, the controller 1 "turns off" the display unit 24 of the floodlight 20. In Figure 10, the display unit 24 is "off" because no laser beam is being emitted from the floodlight 20b of the designated channel. In Figure 11, the display unit 24 is "lit" because a laser beam is being emitted from the floodlight 20b of the designated channel.

[0061] According to this process, even if the floodlight 20 has only one display unit, both the CH display function and the floodlight display function can be realized. The controller 1 may also set the light emission color of the display unit 24 of the floodlight 20 to be different for the CH display function and the floodlight display function. By setting the light emission color to be different, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of users confusing the CH display and the floodlight display compared to simply changing the lighting pattern.

[0062] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 9, the light receiver 30 may also include a display unit 34 equipped with a CH display function and an optical axis display function. For example, the display unit 34 switches between three lighting patterns: "on," "flashing," and "off," according to instructions from the controller 1. These lighting patterns will be explained below using Figures 10 and 11.

[0063] First, in adjustment mode, when controller 1 receives a user input specifying a channel for optical axis adjustment, it "flashes" the display unit 34 of the light receiver 30 connected to the unspecified channel in a different manner for each channel. In Figure 10, the display units 34 of the light receivers 30a, 30c, and 30d of the unspecified channel are "flashing".

[0064] Furthermore, based on the signal from the light receiver 30 connected to the designated channel, the controller 1 determines that the optical axis is aligned if the amount of laser light received from the light emitter 20 is above a threshold, and turns on the display unit 34 of the light receiver 30. On the other hand, if the amount of laser light received is below the threshold, the display unit 34 of the light receiver 30 is turned off. In Figure 10, no laser light is being emitted from the light emitter 20b of the designated channel, and the amount of light received is below the threshold, so the display unit 34 is turned off. In Figure 11, laser light is being emitted from the light emitter 20b of the designated channel, and the amount of laser light received from the light emitter 20b is above the threshold, so the display unit 34 is turned on.

[0065] This process allows for the implementation of both a channel indicator and an optical axis indicator, even when the receiver 30 has only one display unit. Furthermore, if, for example, the display unit 34 of the receiver 30 for a specified channel is switched between "flashing" and "on," the user may have difficulty easily recognizing whether the optical axis is aligned or whether the channel indicator is displayed. This is because, when fine-tuning the position of the transmitter 20 or receiver 30 for optical axis adjustment, if the amount of light received repeatedly exceeds or falls below a threshold, it becomes difficult to determine whether the light briefly lit up and then turned off, or whether it is flashing. Therefore, as described above, by switching the display unit 34 of the receiver 30 for a specified channel between "on" and "off" according to the amount of light received, the user can easily recognize whether the optical axis is aligned.

[0066] Furthermore, the controller 1 may be configured to emit different colors of light from the display section 34 of the floodlight 20 for the CH display function and the optical axis display function. By using different colors of light, it is possible to reduce the likelihood of users confusing the CH display and the optical axis display compared to simply changing the lighting pattern.

[0067] The embodiments disclosed herein should be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Indeed, the embodiments described above can be embodied in a variety of forms. Furthermore, the embodiments described above may be omitted, replaced, or modified in various ways without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0068] 1 Controller 2 sensors 5. Object to be measured 10 CH1~CH4 Communications Department 11 Input section 12 Display section 13 External Communications Department 14 Storage section 15 Control Unit 20 Floodlights 21. Lighting unit 22 Projection display unit 23 CH display section 30 Receiver 31 Light receiving part 32 Optical axis display section 33 CH display section 100 detection systems 210 Light source 211 Floodlight Lens 310 Line Sensor 311 A / D Conversion Unit

Claims

1. A floodlight that projects light, A light receiver that receives light from the aforementioned light emitter, The system includes a controller having multiple channels to which the light emitter and light receiver are connected in pairs, and which performs predetermined detection processing based on signals input from the light receiver via the multiple channels. The light emitter and the light receiver are equipped with a display unit. In adjustment mode, the controller controls the display units of the light emitter and light receiver connected to the channel to perform a first display process based on the channel. The controller is a detection system that, in the first display processing, when it receives a designation of a target channel from among the plurality of channels, controls the lighting of the display units of the light emitter and light receiver connected to the designated channel.

2. The detection system according to claim 1, wherein, in the first display processing, if there are multiple designated channels, the controller controls the lighting of the display unit in a different manner for each channel.

3. The detection system according to claim 1, wherein the controller, in the adjustment mode, controls the display unit of the light receiver connected to the channel to further perform a second display processing based on the amount of light received by the light receiver.

4. The display unit of the light receiver includes a first display unit and a second display unit. The detection system according to claim 3, wherein the controller controls the first display unit to perform the first display processing and controls the second display unit to perform the second display processing in the adjustment mode.

5. The detection system according to claim 3, wherein the controller causes the light emission color of the display unit to differ between the first display process and the second display process.

6. The light receiver is equipped with a line sensor, The light emitter comprises a light source that generates the light and a light-emitting lens that converts the light from the light source into a light beam and projects it onto the line sensor. The detection system according to any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the controller performs edge position detection processing of the object to be measured based on information obtained from the light receiver.

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