Patent ID: 7696469

Claim:
A multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor including a plurality of light axes to provide a safety control signal corresponding to light pass/block status of the plurality of light axes, comprising: a distinguish portion for distinguishing whether all of the plurality of light axes are passed through or at least one of the plurality of light axes is blocked; a detector to detect an abnormal condition of the multi optical axis photoelectric sensor; a control unit to control the safety control signal based on the result distinguished by the distinguish portion and the result detected by the detector, wherein the control unit sets the safety control signal representing the result distinguished by the distinguish portion on a normal operating status, the control unit sets the safety control signal representing at least one of the plurality of light axes is blocked regardless of the result distinguished by the distinguish portion on an abnormal status detected by the detector, and the control unit sets the safety control signal representing all of the plurality of light axes are passed through regardless of the result distinguished by the distinguish portion on a special operating status; an operating status indicating portion for confirming an operating status of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor from the normal operating status, the abnormal status and the special operating status and for providing a signal representing the confirmed operating status of the multi-optical axis photoelectric sensor to an external device via the same output line regardless of the determined operating status; and wherein the operating status indicating portion provides the signal to the external device via the same output line in response to confirming of shifting of the operating status.