AR Sensor Positioning for Industrial Safety Coverage Planning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Positioning and configuring industrial safety sensors in real-world environments requires high technical expertise and near-perfect visualization skills, as the process relies on pre-positioned sensors and actual measurement data, making it unclear if the sensor is correctly installed and its detection range sufficient.

Innovation Solution

A method using augmented reality to visualize simulated parameters of virtual sensors, allowing users to plan and optimize sensor positioning and configuration in three dimensions, without requiring physical sensors or actual data, by adjusting position and configuration parameters within an augmented reality view.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If a real sensor is pre-positioned and actual measurement data is used for configuration, then positioning accuracy can be achieved, but the process requires high technical expertise and near-perfect visualization skills

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepositioning accuracyVSAvoiduser expertise requirement
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a virtual copy (digital twin) of the real sensor that replicates all physical and technical properties. This virtual sensor can be positioned and configured in the augmented reality environment without requiring the real sensor to be physically installed, thereby eliminating the need for pre-positioning while maintaining positioning accuracy through the virtual model.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The augmented reality system acts as an intermediary between the user and the sensor positioning process. It overlays virtual sensor representations and measurement data visualizations onto the real-world view, providing intuitive spatial feedback that eliminates the need for near-perfect visualization skills while maintaining precise positioning capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of information

If a real sensor is pre-positioned and connected, then actual measurement data can be obtained, but it remains unclear whether the sensor is installed in a suitable location with sufficient detection range

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemeasurement data availabilityVSAvoidinstallation suitability assessment
Core Design Contradiction:
Loss of informationVSDifficulty of detecting and measuring

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary positioning and assessment using virtual sensors before the real sensor is physically installed. The augmented reality environment allows users to test different positions and configurations virtually, visualizing detection ranges and coverage areas, thereby determining suitable installation locations before actual hardware deployment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

By using a virtual copy of the sensor with identical detection characteristics, the system can simulate and visualize the sensor's detection range and coverage in the actual environment before physical installation, enabling assessment of installation suitability without requiring the real sensor to be in place.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #26Copying

3Reliability

If multiple sensors are positioned and configured, then comprehensive safety coverage can be achieved, but the complexity of coordination and optimization increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesafety coverageVSAvoidsensor coordination complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges multiple virtual sensor representations into a single augmented reality visualization environment. The system simultaneously displays and coordinates multiple sensors' positions, detection ranges, and coverage areas, allowing intuitive optimization of sensor networks to achieve comprehensive safety coverage while reducing coordination complexity through unified visual feedback.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4707999A1Method for positioning an industrial safety sensor in an industrial installation by means of augmented reality
Publication Date: 2026.03.11 SICK AG
  • EP4707999A1 patent drawingFigure 1A~1B
  • EP4707999A1 patent drawingFigure 2A~2B
  • EP4707999A1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3C

AI summary

The invention relates to a method for positioning at least one real sensor, in particular a safety sensor or a camera for industrial safety applications, in a real environment of an industrial plant by means of an augmented reality view based on the real environment of the industrial plant, wherein at least one simulated parameter of a virtual sensor is visualized for a user in the augmented reality view by means of a display device, wherein the virtual sensor is based on the real sensor to be positioned, wherein the simulated parameter comprises at least one position parameter, wherein the at least one position parameter specifies a position and/or an orientation of the virtual sensor in the augmented reality view, and wherein a change in the position parameter is obtained.wherein the updated position parameter based on the received change is visualized for the user in the augmented reality view by means of the display device, and wherein at least one output parameter is output which is based on the updated position parameter of the virtual sensor and which enables the positioning of the real sensor in the real environment.