Patent ID: 9559515
Date: 2017-01-31
CPC Classifications: F16P,H02H

Claim:
1. A method for operating a sensor system, the sensor system including at least one capacitive sensor element which is attachable to a surface of a machine, the method comprising: receiving, by a control unit from each respective at least one capacitive sensor element in the sensor system, sensor values reflecting changes in electrical field lines at the respective sensor element based on at least one of an approach and a contact of one of a body and an object with the machine; analyzing, by the control unit, the received sensor values; triggering, by the control unit, a safety function of the machine if the control unit determines, based on the analysis, the safety function is warranted; using the received sensor values for an operating function of the machine, wherein the control unit uses received sensor values from the at least one sensor element both for triggering the safety function of the machine and for the operating function of the machine so that the at least one sensor element also has, in addition to the safety function, an operating function, wherein the control unit responds to the received sensor values in a first way when the control unit is triggering the safety function, and in a second way, different from the first way, when the control unit is using the received sensor values for the control function; wherein the control unit determines the operating function based on a location of the at least one sensor element and a time curve of the changes in the field lines, and wherein the control unit prioritizes the functions of the machine and, in a base state of the sensor system, the safety function has priority over the operating function.