Method and optical sensor for the detection of objects

US8482720B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SICK AG · DE

Inventors

• Ingolf Hörsch · Emmendingen, DE
• Felix Lang · Schliengen, DE
• Philipp Fortenbacher · Gundelfingen, DE
• Gerhard Merettig · Waldkirch, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 7, 2009
• Grant date: Jul 9, 2013
• Expiry date: May 6, 2032

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G01S17/50
• WIPO field: Measurement
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

The subject matter disclosed relates to a method for the detection of objects, wherein one transmitted light bundle is transmitted into a detection region, transmitted light reflected back from an object, when present, is detected by a receiver unit having reception elements arranged in an M×N matrix, wherein M>1 and N>1, and the distance of the object is determined by triangulation from the position of the light patch produced by the reflected light at the receiver unit. In addition to the position of the reflected light, the two-dimensional energy distribution of the received light patch within the light incident on the receiver unit is evaluated to determine further information on the object in addition to the distance of the object determined by triangulation, with a light patch quality value being determined which includes information on the homogeneity of the light reflected or remitted at the object.