Patent ID: 6950778

Claim:
A system for programming a photoelectric sensor and for monitoring the performance of said photoelectric sensor, said system comprising: an external processor coupled to said photoelectric sensor via a data port provided on said photoelectric sensor, said external processor operative for generating at least one graphical user interface and for programming the operation of said photoelectric sensor; and an external display device coupled to said external processor for displaying said at least one graphical user interface; said external processor controlling an internal processor contained in said photoelectric sensor in accordance with a selection of an operator utilizing said at least one graphical user interface, wherein said at least one graphical user interface depicts a plurality of modes of operation for said photoelectric sensor, said external processor programming said photoelectric sensor to operate in a given one of said plurality of modes of operation upon selection of said given mode of operation via said at least one graphical user interface, and wherein said plurality of modes of operation of said photoelectric sensor include a beam break mode of operation, a beam make mode of operation and a mark sensing mode of operation.