Open confined area object detection

US9630557B2 · kind B2 · utility

Assignee

• SICK AG · DE

Inventors

• Dale Hoepner · Minneapolis, US
• Monisha Shivanna · Minneapolis, US
• Aaron Rothmeyer · Minneapolis, US
• Don Alexander · Parsons, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Aug 13, 2015
• Grant date: Apr 25, 2017
• Expiry date: Aug 13, 2035

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G08G1/166
• WIPO field: Control
• WIPO sector: Instruments

Abstract

Alarm indications of objects (431, 631) in spaces (113) subject to vehicle movements are provided using a scanner unit configured to provide indications of directions and distances of objects within a scan area. A computer compares the signal output from a scanner unit (121) and resolves the signal output to a pattern of the indications of directions and distances, and further resolve multiple instances of the indications over time to resolve the pattern of indications and distances to movement corresponding to the movement of the objects (431, 631). The indications are compared to render an indication of objects (431) partially blocked by other ones (631) of the objects from line-of-sight of the scanner unit (121). Predetermined relative movements of the objects (431, 631) as resolved by the computer render predetermined indicator or alarm signals (341, 342, 345).