The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Jun. 20, 2006
Filed:
Jan. 08, 2001
Werner Lehner, Gröbenzell, DE;
Anton Kummert, Sprockhövel, DE;
Jörg Velten, Remscheid, DE;
Leuze lumiflex GmbH & Co., München, DE;
Abstract
The invention relates to an apparatus and a method for monitoring a detection region of a working element (). The apparatus has at least one camera for continuously monitoring the detection region, and an evaluation unit (), into which image information generated by the camera is read. In the evaluation unit (), a comparison of the image information to reference images, and/or a color-feature analysis, allows the detection of endangered objects within at least one protection zone in the detection region. If at least one endangered object is detected inside the protection zone, the evaluation unit () disables the working element (). In contrast, if no endangered object () is located inside the protection zone, the evaluation unit () enables the working element ().