Safe Optoelectronic Object Tracking Using Segmented Protected Fields
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current safety monitoring devices, such as safety laser scanners and cameras, lack the capability for precise object tracking due to limitations in data access and processing power, failing to meet safety standards for complex evaluations and position determination within protected fields.
Innovation Solution
A monitoring device with a first safe optoelectronic sensor and safety controller that divides protected fields into mutually separate partial fields, allowing for finer spatial resolution and enabling safe object tracking by evaluating time sequences of safe output signals, similar to incremental encoders, to determine object position and movement direction.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If classical object tracking algorithms are used with safety sensors, then object tracking capability is improved, but safety standards compliance deteriorates due to complexity and lack of safe data access
Solution Approach 1:
The protected field is divided into multiple partial protected fields arranged in rows, where each row contains partial fields from different protected fields alternating along a line. This segmentation enables position determination through safe output signals while maintaining safety standards compliance.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention adds a temporal dimension to the evaluation of safe output signals by analyzing time sequences of signal transitions. This allows position and movement direction determination without requiring additional computational resources or violating safety standards.
2Reliability
If safe protected field evaluation is used, then safety reliability is improved, but position determination precision deteriorates due to limited safe output information
Solution Approach 1:
Each protected field is divided into multiple partial protected fields that are spatially separated and arranged in alternating rows. This segmentation transforms limited binary safe output information into detailed position data by detecting which specific partial field is currently active.
Solution Approach 2:
The alternating arrangement of partial fields from different protected fields along rows creates a periodic pattern in the safe output signals. By analyzing the sequence and timing of signal transitions as objects move through these periodic patterns, precise position and movement direction can be determined.
3Measurement precision
If computational resources are increased for complex evaluations, then object tracking accuracy is improved, but device complexity and cost worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The safe optoelectronic sensor itself generates the detailed position information through its safe output signals, eliminating the need for external computational resources. The sensor's internal evaluation unit processes the data using the segmented partial field arrangement, making the system self-sufficient for safe object tracking.
Solution Approach 2:
The periodic alternating arrangement of partial fields creates regular signal patterns that can be decoded using simple temporal analysis rather than complex algorithms. This reduces computational requirements while maintaining high tracking accuracy.
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
Enables discrete safe object tracking with higher resolution and accuracy, leveraging existing safe protected field evaluations without additional computational resources, thus enhancing safety functionality and reducing potential errors in object tracking.
Implementation Method 1
a first safe optoelectronic sensor (10, 10a-b) with a light receiver (26) that generates a received signal from received light (22) from the monitored zone (18)
Implementation Method 2
A 3D camera measures a distance and thereby acquires depth information... The absolute phase shift between the transmitted signal and the received signal can thus be determined that is caused by the time of flight and this is in turn proportional to the object spacing in the scene
Data Source
AI summary
A monitoring device for a safe object tracking of an object in a monitored zone having at least a first safe optoelectronic sensor and a safety controller connected to the first optoelectronic sensor, wherein the first optoelectronic sensor monitors a first protected field and a second protected field for object intrusions and outputs a corresponding safe signal at a first or second safe output and the safety controller evaluates the safe output signals. In this respect, the first protected field has a plurality of first partial protected fields and the second protected field has a plurality of second partial protected fields and the first partial protected fields and the second partial protected fields are arranged alternatingly following one another are along a line.