Patent ID: 7743865
Filing Date: 2010-06-29
Classification: G01S,G05D

Abstract:
1. A method for identifying an object within a protective zone with a protective device for a vehicle, wherein the protective device comprises an optical sensor installed on the vehicle and wherein an area of coverage monitored by the optical sensor includes a protective zone, within which object detection is realized, the method comprising: (a) locating objects within the area of coverage at predetermined points in time with the optical sensor; (b) based on detected locations of the objects, determining at least one of a driving direction or a speed of the vehicle; (c) based on the determined driving direction and/or speed: (d) monitoring the protective zone with the optical sensor for detection of an object; (e) generating a switching signal in the optical sensor if: (f) evaluating the switching signal via a redundant evaluation unit associated with the optical sensor, wherein the redundant evaluation unit satisfies safety requirement standards for the protection of persons; (g) forwarding the switching signal from the optical sensor to the vehicle control unit, wherein the switching signal comprises a shutdown command; (h) receiving the shutdown command by the vehicle control unit; and (i) stopping the vehicle with the vehicle control unit.