The invention relates to a method of setting a plurality of part regions of a desired protected zone, in which a) the positions of a plurality of monitoring units are detected, with each monitoring unit detecting a detection zone; b) a maximum size of each detection zone is determined; c) the desired protected zone is fixed in a graphical user interface; d) the part regions to be monitored by the respective monitoring units are fixed with reference to the positions of the monitoring units, to the maximum size of the detection zones and of the desired protected zone; and e) the part regions are assigned to the respective monitoring units.

A control device according to one or more embodiments may execute an initialization process before it causes a robot to perform a task. After the initialization process is done, the control device may cause the robot to perform the task repetitively. On detection of entry of a person into a work area of the robot while the robot is performing the task repetitively, the control device may cause the robot to suspend the task and execute a re-initialization process. After the re-initialization process is done, the control device may cause the robot to perform the task repetitively.

A control system for operation of an industrial machine includes a processor and a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable memory communicating with the processor. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory includes instructions that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including: receiving image data from an imaging device that monitors an image zone around the industrial machine, and analyzing the image data. The processor further performs operations including determining, based upon the analyzing, that the control system is functional, determining, based upon the analyzing, that the image data includes at least one of a predefined color, a predefined pattern, and a predefined shape, and transmitting a proximity signal to at least one relay module coupled between the processor and the industrial machine to halt operation of the industrial machine.

A method, system, and one or more computer-readable storage media for controlling a robot in the presence of a moving object are provided herein. The method includes capturing a number of frames from a three-dimensional camera system and analyzing a frame to identify a connected object. The frame is compared to a previous frame to identify a moving connected object (MCO). If an unexpected MCO is in the frame a determination is made if the unexpected MCO is in an actionable region. If so, the robot is instructed to take an action.

A control system for monitoring operation of an industrial machine includes a processor and a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable memory communicating with the processor. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory includes instructions that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including: receiving image data from an imaging device that monitors an image zone around the industrial machine, analyzing the image data, generating, based upon the analyzing, operational data associated with the industrial machine, and transmitting the operational data to a display that is communicatively coupled to the control system.

A control system for operation of an industrial machine includes a processor and a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable memory communicating with the processor. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory includes instructions that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including: receiving image data from an imaging device that monitors an image zone around the industrial machine, and analyzing the image data. The processor further performs operations including determining, based upon the analyzing, that the control system is functional, determining, based upon the analyzing, that the image data includes at least one of a predefined color, a predefined pattern, and a predefined shape, and transmitting a proximity signal to at least one relay module coupled between the processor and the industrial machine to halt operation of the industrial machine.

A control system for operation of an industrial machine includes a processor and a tangible, non-transitory, computer-readable memory communicating with the processor. The tangible, non-transitory computer-readable memory includes instructions that, in response to execution by the processor, cause the processor to perform operations including: receiving image data from an imaging device that monitors an image zone around the industrial machine, and analyzing the image data. The processor further performs operations including determining, based upon the analyzing, that the control system is functional, determining, based upon the analyzing, that the image data includes at least one of a predefined color, a predefined pattern, and a predefined shape, and transmitting a proximity signal to at least one relay module coupled between the processor and the industrial machine to halt operation of the industrial machine.

A monitoring system, a monitoring device, and a monitoring method that can facilitate designing of a working environment are provided. Positions of a worker and a robot in a three-dimensional space are specified, at least one protection area to secure safe work of the worker and the robot is set, whether at least one of the worker and the robot intrudes into the protection area is determined, the motion of the robot is limited when at least one of the worker and the robot intrudes into the protection area, a protection area for executing the determination is being switched from multiple set protection areas, and it is possible to set the protection area when the worker works in a common area in which a work area of the worker and a work area of the robot overlap and set the protection area when the robot works in the common area.

A method, system, and one or more computer-readable storage media for controlling a robot in the presence of a moving object are provided herein. The method includes capturing a number of frames from a three-dimensional camera system and analyzing a frame to identify a connected object. The frame is compared to a previous frame to identify a moving connected object (MCO). If an unexpected MCO is in the frame a determination is made if the unexpected MCO is in an actionable region. If so, the robot is instructed to take an action.

A method, system, and one or more computer-readable storage media for controlling a robot in the presence of a moving object are provided herein. The method includes capturing a number of frames from a three-dimensional camera system and analyzing a frame to identify a connected object. The frame is compared to a previous frame to identify a moving connected object (MCO). If an unexpected MCO is in the frame a determination is made if the unexpected MCO is in an actionable region. If so, the robot is instructed to take an action.