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:
Jul. 28, 2009
Filed:
Nov. 06, 2003
Lutz Lohmann, Olching, DE;
Lutz Lohmann, Olching, DE;
Leuze lumiflex GmbH + Co. KG, Fuerstenfeldbruck, DE;
Abstract
The invention relates to a method and a device for monitoring an area of coverage around a working tool with the aid of at least one camera. In a first method step, an object-free security zone within the area of coverage is recorded with the camera as reference background. Subsequently, the reference background is checked with respect to its non-homogeneity. In the process, the reference background is rejected as non-valid only if within a predetermined variance distance, the detected non-homogeneity falls below a predetermined level. Otherwise, the reference background is classified as valid. If the reference background is classified as valid, the detection of safety-critical objects entering the security zone is released. The detection occurs through a comparison of the actual images of the security zone recorded with the camera and the valid reference background. A safety-critical object is considered recognized if the respective actual image deviates significantly from the reference background.