DE202009008950U1 - sensor arrangement - Google Patents

Abstract

Sensor arrangement with at least one sensor for detecting objects in a surveillance area, characterized in that a code in the form of a two-dimensional contrast pattern is attached to the sensor that a mobile communication unit is provided with a reading unit, wherein by means of the reading unit, the code in the mobile communication unit read is, and wherein by means of the code read, the mobile communication unit connects to at least one Internet page, from which user information of the sensor can be retrieved.

Description

The The invention relates to a sensor arrangement according to the preamble of the claim 1.

sensor arrays The type in question generally comprises a sensor used for monitoring purposes, generally used to capture objects in a surveillance area becomes. examples for Such sensors are optical sensors such as light barriers, light sensors, Distance sensors or light curtains. With such sensors, for example, production or conveying processes, performed with machinery or equipment. Furthermore, such Sensors are designed as safety sensors that are in the field of personal safety or generally in the field of safety technology be used. With such sensors is typically a danger area monitoring on machines or systems. Is a dangerous intervention with such a sensor in the surveillance area detected, for example in the form of intrusion of a person in the surveillance area, Thus, a shutdown command is generated with the sensor, with which the supervised Machine or plant is shut down, so no of this hazards can go out more.

Around the downtime of the machines and systems as possible low sensor availability is required, that is theirs Downtime is possible to keep low. A problem here is that when Errors of the sensors this possible need to be fixed quickly to get the sensor operational again do. For error control in known sensors error codes output. The operator or supervisor can, however, based this error code does not identify the error. This is a Error table necessary, which translates the error code into plain text. However, this is often not available at the site of the sensor, which troubleshooting undesirable delayed.

Similar Problems occur when a sensor is replaced on site, reinstalled or changed in functionality. This is a current configuration software and / or manual required, which the operating or supervisory staff often not to disposal stands.

Of the Invention is based on the object of providing a sensor arrangement with the availability increased by sensors can be.

to solution This object, the features of claim 1 are provided. advantageous embodiments and appropriate training The invention are described in the subclaims.

The inventive sensor arrangement comprises a sensor for detecting objects in a surveillance area. At the sensor is a code in the form of a two-dimensional contrast pattern appropriate. Furthermore, a mobile communication unit with a reading unit provided. By means of the reading unit is the code readable in the mobile communication unit. By means of the read Codes connect the mobile communication unit at least one website from which user information of the sensor are available.

By reading the code on the sensor thus becomes an internet connection made to websites of the sensor manufacturer, of which Websites quick and easy user information of the sensor be retrieved by the operator of the mobile communication unit can, the for a troubleshooting the sensor, a configuration of the sensor and / or the activation of specific functions of the sensor can be.

One cumbersome Having such user information available at the site of the sensor deleted Consequently. Because the user information is accessed quickly over the Internet can be can these are quickly used on site at the location of the sensor, to be able to correct errors on the sensor or around the sensor in the desired functionality to be able to use. This will be the availability the sensors in the respective application significantly increased.

Especially Advantageously, the mobile communication unit is a mobile phone and the reading unit is of one integrated in the mobile phone Camera formed.

The Mobile phone is as standard Device, this means without special adaptation to the sensor, to make the connection usable to the internet pages. Prerequisite is only the presence of a camera as a reading unit, which in modern day Mobile phones by default Case is. As an alternative to mobile phones, other mobile communication units can also be used such as blackberries and the like can be used.

The Reading the codes formed by QR codes or bar codes can, is also from untrained Persons easy to carry out.

According to one first embodiment The invention can connect to a user manual by reading the QR code or configuration software of the sensor.

In this case, by reading the code by means of the mobile communication unit, a connection are made to at least one Internet page, from which directly operator information on the mobile communication unit can be loaded.

In order to an operator can quickly and easily access the current Version of the operating instructions or configuration software received, which the operator for can use an installation of the sensor.

alternative or additionally can by reading the code by means of the mobile communication unit to connect to at least one website, from which directly operator information on the mobile communication unit loadable are.

Become For example, on a display of the sensor error messages in the form issued by error codes, the operator can by reading the Codes by means of the reading unit of the mobile communication unit Access to a website of the sensor manufacturer obtained from which the operator to the error code the error message in plain text can download directly. Thus, the error can be identified on site so that the operator can take appropriate countermeasures can initiate.

According to one Another embodiment of the invention is by reading the QR code a connection to produce a website, from which a release information for enabling at least one function of the sensor on the mobile Communication unit transferable is.

These Function is particularly advantageous when the sensor by the manufacturer by defining a specific parameterization a certain functionality is delivered. By downloading sharing information from The website of the sensor manufacturer will now be the user of the Sensors authorized to change the functionality of the sensor, causing a variation of the possible uses of the sensor is enabled.

Finally is by reading the code, connect to a website, from which an access to service functions for the sensor can be called up.

Of the Access to the service functions can be easily made be that the user by connecting to the website The sensor manufacturer may have to pay access to service telephone numbers gets over which the user gets access to a service.

The The invention will be explained below with reference to the drawings. It demonstrate:

1 : Schematic representation of a trained as a light curtain sensor.

2 Partial representation of the sensor with a display and a QR code and an associated mobile communication unit.

1 schematically shows the structure of a light curtain 1 as an example of a sensor for detecting objects in a surveillance area. Instead of the light curtain 1 Other versions of an optical sensor, such as light barriers, light sensors or distance sensors are possible. Furthermore, sensors can also be designed as ultrasonic sensors, capacitive or inductive sensors.

The light curtain 1 according to 1 has four beam axes, each of which is in a first sensor housing 2 integrated transmitter 3 and one in a second sensor housing 2 ' integrated receiver 4 are formed. The transmitter 3 and the receiver 4 a beam axis are arranged opposite one another, so that with free monitoring range from the transmitter 3 emitted light rays 5 on the assigned receiver 4 to meet.

The transmitters 3 be from a transmitter control 6 driven. Operation of the receiver 4 is via an evaluation unit 7 controlled. The synchronization of the transmitters 3 and receiver 4 takes place optically via the reception of the light beams 5 the transmitter 3 in the receivers 5 so the sender 3 and receiver 4 the individual beam axes are cyclically activated one after the other.

In the evaluation unit 7 becomes depending on the received signals of the receiver 4 generates a switching signal whose switching states indicate whether an object is in the surveillance area or not. The switching signal is via a switching output 8th output.

The light curtain 1 is designed in the present case as a safety sensor, which is suitable for use in the field of personal protection. For this purpose, the evaluation unit 7 a redundant structure, for example in the form of two mutually cyclically monitoring processors.

The switching signal of the sensor is used to control a machine or system whose danger zone is connected to the light curtain 1 is monitored. Will with the light curtain 1 registered an object intervention in the surveillance area and issued as a switching signal object message, so it is a shutdown command for the machine or system generated so that the machine or plant no hazards more can go out.

The light curtain 1 can be parameterized in different ways and thus operated with different functionalities.

The light curtain generates in the simplest functionality 1 an object message if any of the beam axes is broken.

Generally, the light curtain 1 be installed so that one or a part of the beam axes is permanently interrupted by that a machine part, a housing part or the like in the beam path of the light beams 5 this beam axis protrudes. In order for this non-safety-critical interruption does not lead to an unwanted object message, the light curtain 1 be operated in a blanking operation in which these beam axes are hidden, so that they do not contribute to the object message.

Furthermore, the light curtain 1 be operated in a muting operation in which, preferably defined in a specific time frame beam axes are muted, with an interruption of mute beam axes does not lead to the generation of an object message. In this operation of the light curtain 1 a distinction can be made between safety-critical and non-safety-critical objects. While an intervention of a safety-critical object, such as a person, leads to the monitoring area for generating an object message and thus a switch-off command, this is not the case when an object that is not safety-critical is engaged. For this purpose, it is determined by means of external muting sensors or in a teach-in process at which times the non-safety-critical object, such as a workpiece to be machined with the machine or system, interrupts certain beam axes so that they can then be muted.

2 shows a plan view of a portion of the outside of a wall of the receiver-side sensor housing 2 ' of the light curtain 1 , On this wall is on the one hand a display 9 provided in the form of a seven-segment display, on which error messages of the light curtain 1 can be output in the form of error codes.

Furthermore, on the outside of the wall of the sensor housing 2 ' a QR code 10 intended. Generally, on the sensor housing 2 ' a code with a two-dimensional contrast pattern may be provided, which may be designed in particular as a barcode.

The code may be read by a reader unit integrated in a mobile communication unit, wherein the coding of the QR code 10 is designed so that by reading the QR code 10 the mobile communication unit automatically connects to Internet sites of the manufacturer or distributor of the light curtain 1 manufactures, so that from these web pages user information of the light curtain 1 can be retrieved.

In the present case, as a mobile communication unit is a mobile phone 11 with integrated camera 12 provided as a reading unit. The mobile phone 11 is used in particular by a person, hereinafter referred to as an operator, who operates the monitored machine of the system or who is responsible for its maintenance or installation.

Shall the light curtain 1 On the machine or system are installed and put into operation, this is the current operating instructions and configuration software required. By reading the QR code 10 with the camera 12 of the mobile phone 11 puts the mobile phone 11 the Internet connection to the manufacturer's website, where a link is called, where the operator can download the current operating instructions and configuration software as user information.

Furthermore, by reading the QR code 10 and that through the mobile phone 11 made connection to the websites of the manufacturer of the light curtain 1 the operator will receive a link to an internet site where they can receive free of charge or fee-based clearance information for unlocking a particular feature.

This is particularly advantageous when as a function of the light curtain 1 whose parameter setting is set at the factory so that it can only be operated in the "normal operation", "blanking" or "muting" functionality. By downloading the release information, the operator authorizes the functionality of the light curtain 1 switch.

Furthermore, by reading the QR code 10 by means of the camera 12 also directly operator information of the light curtain 1 from the websites of the manufacturer of the light curtain 1 on the mobile phone 11 be charged, so that these by the operator directly at the place of use of the light curtain 1 can be used. For example, on the display 9 of the light curtain 1 When an error code is issued, the operator can not identify the error based solely on this error code. By reading the QR codes 10 with the mobile phone 11 However, the operator can connect to Internet sites of the light curtain manufacturer and from there plain text error messages on the mobile phone 11 load, so that the Bedienper son can immediately identify the error.

Finally, the operator can by reading the QR code 10 over the mobile phone 11 connect to Internet sites of the Light Curtain manufacturer from which access to service features can be obtained. For example, this gives the operator access to paid or free service telephone numbers to access these services.

1

light curtain

2

sensor housing

2 '

sensor housing

3

transmitter

4

receiver

5

light rays

6

transmitter control

7

evaluation

8th

switching output

9

display

10

QR code

11

mobile phone

12

camera

Claims (14)

Sensor arrangement with at least one sensor for detecting objects in a surveillance area, characterized in that a code in the form of a two-dimensional contrast pattern is attached to the sensor, that a mobile communication unit is provided with a reading unit, wherein by means of the reading unit, the code in the mobile communication unit read is, and wherein by means of the code read, the mobile communication unit connects to at least one Internet page, from which user information of the sensor can be retrieved. Sensor arrangement according to claim 1, characterized in that the mobile communication unit is a mobile telephone ( 11 ) and that the reading unit of one in the mobile phone ( 11 ) integrated camera ( 12 ) is formed. Sensor arrangement according to one of claims 1 or 2, characterized in that the code is a QR code ( 10 ). Sensor arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the code is a barcode. Sensor arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the sensor sensor components, which in at least one sensor housing ( 2 . 2 ' ), the code on the outside of the sensor housing ( 2 . 2 ' ) is attached. Sensor arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the sensor is an optical sensor is. Sensor arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the sensor is a safety sensor is. Sensor arrangement according to one of claims 6 or 7, characterized in that the sensor is a light curtain ( 1 ). Sensor arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that by reading the code a connection to a user manual or configuration software of the sensor can be produced. Sensor arrangement according to claim 9, characterized that an access can be provided by reading the code, over which the operating instructions or configuration software through a Charging is available. Sensor arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that by reading the code by means of mobile communication unit connects to at least one Website can be produced, from which directly operator information can be loaded on the mobile communication unit. Sensor arrangement according to claim 11, characterized in that that as operator information plain text error messages of the sensor available. Sensor arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that by reading the code a connection can be produced to a website, from which a release information to Freischal th at least one function of the sensor on the mobile Communication unit transferable is. Sensor arrangement according to one of claims 1 to 13, characterized in that by reading the code a connection can be made to a website from which access to Service functions for the sensor is available.