Optical Sensor Protective Field Adaptation for False Alarm Prevention
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical sensors for monitoring safety areas, particularly in vehicles, face limitations in adaptability due to a fixed protective field definition, leading to unnecessary safety measures when permissible objects or environmental contours are detected, which can result in inappropriate triggering of safety protocols.
Innovation Solution
The method involves an optical sensor that dynamically adapts the protective field by incorporating permissible object structures into its boundary, allowing for continuous adjustment and inclusion of environmental contours, thereby preventing unnecessary safety measures and ensuring optimal monitoring of the area.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a fixed protective field is defined in the optical sensor, then the monitoring function is simple and reliable, but the adaptability to changing environmental conditions and vehicle movement is poor, causing false safety triggers
Solution Approach 1:
The protective field is transformed from a static, fixed definition to a dynamic one that automatically adapts to changing environmental conditions and vehicle position. The evaluation unit continuously adjusts the protective field boundaries based on detected permissible object structures, enabling the system to maintain monitoring effectiveness while moving through different environments without manual reconfiguration.
Solution Approach 2:
The system changes the parameters of the protective field dynamically by incorporating detected permissible object structures into the field definition. When permissible objects are detected, the protective field boundaries are adjusted to exclude these objects, effectively changing the field's shape and coverage area in real-time to prevent false triggers while maintaining safety monitoring.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple predefined protective fields are stored for different distances, then adaptability to distance changes is improved, but the number of fields is limited and adaptability remains constrained
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of relying on a finite set of predefined protective fields for different distances, the system dynamically generates and adjusts the protective field based on real-time detection of permissible object structures. This continuous adaptation eliminates the need to pre-store multiple fields while achieving superior distance adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The evaluation unit automatically detects permissible object structures and adjusts the protective field definition without requiring manual intervention or pre-programming of multiple field configurations. The system serves itself by learning the environment and adapting the protective field autonomously, eliminating the need for extensive preconfiguration.
3Reliability
If the protective field is dynamically adjusted to include permissible objects, then false alarms are reduced, but the complexity of real-time detection and adjustment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary detection and classification of object structures before finalizing the protective field adjustment. By identifying permissible object structures in advance and incorporating them into the protective field definition, the system ensures accurate classification while managing complexity through a structured, multi-step process rather than attempting all adjustments simultaneously.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables precise adaptation to changing environmental conditions with a single protective field, reducing the risk of false alarms and enhancing safety by ensuring that only impermissible objects trigger safety measures, while allowing permissible structures to be integrated into the monitoring area.
Implementation Method 1
a transmitter that emits light beams and a receiver that receives light beams
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3a~3b
Figure 4a~4b
AI summary
The invention relates to a method for detecting objects (9) within a detection area and comprises an optical sensor (1) with a sensor unit generating sensor signals and an evaluation unit (5) in which the sensor signals are evaluated. In the evaluation unit (5), a protective field (15) located within the detection area and bounded by a protective field boundary (15a) is defined. An object detection signal is generated in the evaluation unit (5) when the sensor signals indicate that an unauthorized object has entered the protective field (15). Upon detection of the entry of a permissible object structure into the protective field (15), the sensor unit in the evaluation unit (5) replaces a portion of the protective field boundary (15a) into the protective field (15) with the contour of the permissible object structure.