Patent ID: 6979813

Claim:
An intrusion detection system for altering the operation of an associated machine when an appropriate intrusion is detected, the system comprising: a transmitter coupled to an object and adapted to emit a first distinguishing property, wherein the first distinguishing property is at least one of a radio wave, a microwave, an infrared wave, a visible light wave, an ultraviolet light wave, and an X-ray; a first intrusion detector to detect the presence of the first distinguishing property and to selectively produce an intrusion signal when the first distinguishing property associated with the object is detected within a danger zone approximate a pinch point of a machine, wherein an area approximate the pinch point of the machine does not exhibit the first distinguishing property; and, a controller, operatively coupled to the intrusion detector and the machine, for controlling the operation of the machine, wherein the controller generates a corrective action signal directed toward the machine when intrusion signals are received from the intrusion detector.