Redundant touchless inputs for automation system
US11774940B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Mar 29, 2021 |
| Grant date | Oct 3, 2023 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Sep 15, 2041 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC G)Physics
- CPC primaryG05B2219/50198
- WIPO fieldControl
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A human machine interface for an industrial automation control system includes at least one touchless input device that is adapted to be in a first state in which said human machine interface provides a first input to said industrial automation control system or a second state in which said human machine interface provides a second input to said industrial automation control system. The at least one touchless input device includes first and second touchless input sensors each configured to detect hand gestures of an operator's hand to provide input to said human machine interface based upon said gestures. The first and second touchless input sensors can be identical with respect to each other or different. In one example, one or both of the sensors are both time-of-flight sensors and one of the sensors can be an electric field proximity sensor. A method of providing a human machine interface with at least one touchless input device is provided. In one embodiment, the touchless input device provides an emergency stop (Estop) switch device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.