Safety system

Abstract

A safety system having at least one safety module, which is associated with a system controlled by a controller. A portable augmented reality unit is provided. The augmented reality unit has a camera and a projection unit. The safety module has a connection module. The connection module is designed to provide a data connection with the augmented reality unit, and further, a data connection with the controller. By means of the augmented reality unit, a code identifying the system is captured and transmitted to the connection module. Depending on the code captured by the augmented reality unit, parameters of operating elements are supplied. Based on the parameters, the operating elements are made visible by means of the projection unit of the augmented reality unit.

Claims

1. A safety system (1) with at least one safety module (2) that is assigned to a system (3) controlled by a controller (4), said system posing hazards, wherein the system (3) is protected in such a manner that a safety function is provided with the safety module (2) that securely prevents personal injuries during the operation of the system (3), comprising a portable augmented reality unit (8), which has a camera (9) and a projection unit (10), said safety module (2) having a connection module (11) that is embodied to provide a data connection (12) to the augmented reality unit (8), and further to provide a data connection (6, 7) to the controller (4), wherein by means of the augmented reality unit (8) a code identifying the system (3) is captured and transmitted to the connection module (11), wherein depending on the code captured, parameters of operating elements are supplied to the augmented reality unit (8), and wherein based on the parameters, the operating elements are made visible by means of the projection unit (10) of the augmented reality unit (8).

2. The safety system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that actuations of the virtual operating elements are captured by means of the augmented reality unit (8) and actuation data are generated from the actuations.

3. The safety system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that transmission of the actuation data is performed via the connection module (11) to the controller (4), whereby settings are automatically performed in the safety system (1) depending on the actuation data, and that the safety system (1) has a bus module (5), via which a data connection (6, 7) is established between the connection module (11) and the controller (4).

4. The safety system (1) according to claim 3, characterized in that in the bus module (5), a data protocol of the connection module (11) for communicating with the augmented reality unit (8) is converted into a data protocol for communicating with the controller (4).

5. The safety system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that in the connection module (11), an ID identifying the safety system (1) is stored, which can be verified against the controller (4).

6. The safety system (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that in the connection module (11), the ID is associated with the code read by the augmented reality unit (8).

7. The safety system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the system (3) is identifiable based on a QR code (13), a matrix code, or a barcode.

8. The safety system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the parameters of the operating elements are transmitted by the connection module (11) or an external unit to the augmented reality unit (8).

9. The safety system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection module (11) and/or the augmented reality unit (8) has an interface (14) for establishing a data connection with the external unit.

10. The safety system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the augmented reality unit (8) is embodied in the form of data goggles.

11. The safety system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that virtual operating elements are inserted into an image of the surroundings visible through the augmented reality unit (8).

12. The safety system (1) according to any claim 1, characterized in that the virtual operating elements can be set by means of gesture control units.

13. The safety system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that this is a safety guard locking system.

14. The safety system (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the connection module (11) constitutes a sub-module of a safety module (2).

15. The safety system (1) according to claim 14, characterized in that connection module (11) can be connected to safety module (2).

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The invention is explained below based on the drawings. They show the following:

(2) FIG. 1: a schematic view of an exemplary embodiment of the safety system according to the invention;

(3) FIG. 2: a schematic view of a safety system in the form a safety guard locking system.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

(4) FIG. 1 shows schematically an exemplary embodiment of the safety system 1 according to the invention. The safety system 1 has a safety module 2 by means of which a safety function is provided for a system 3, which is controlled by a controller 4. The term system 3 comprises generally also machines or automated devices. The controller 4 can, e.g., be constituted by a PLC.

(5) In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the safety system 1 comprises a safety module 2. Generally, also several safety modules 2 can be provided. The safety functions performed by the safety module(s) 2 are typically monitoring functions, by means of which it is ensured that the system 3 does not pose hazards for persons.

(6) The safety system 1 further comprises a bus module 5, via which data exchange between the safety module 2 and the controller 4 takes place.

(7) Between the module 5 and the controller 4, a data connection 6 is provided, which in the present case is constituted by an Ethernet connection.

(8) Between the bus module 5 and the safety module 2, another data connection 7 is provided.

(9) Generally, different data protocols are used for the data transmissions via data connections 6, 7 between the safety module 2 and the bus module 5 on one end, and the bus module 5 and the controller 4 on the other. The bus module 5 then provides for conversion of these data protocols, so that data exchange between safety module 2 and controller 4 via the bus module 5 is possible. For identifying the safety module 2, an ID is provided that is stored both in the safety module 2 and also in the controller 4, and which is used for communication between the safety module 2 and the controller 4.

(10) For setting process parameters, operating elements such as keys and the like need not be provided on the safety module 2. According to the invention, instead of such operating elements, an augmented reality unit 8 is provided, which is embodied in the form of data goggles or the like and is wearable by a user. In the augmented reality unit 8, a camera 9 and a projection unit 10 are integrated.

(11) The user wearing the augmented reality unit 8 sees an image of the surroundings into which information can be inserted by means of the projection unit 10, i.e., a virtual, visible image is superimposed on the real image of the surroundings.

(12) The safety module 2 has a connection module 11. The connection module 11 constitutes a sub-module of the safety module 2 and can be plugged onto the latter, whereby electrical contact is automatically established between the connection module 11 and the safety module 2.

(13) Between the connection module 11 and the augmented reality unit 8, a non-contact data connection 12 in the form of a WLAN connection, Bluetooth connection or the like is automatically established, where the required means of data transmission for this purpose are integrated both in the connection module 11 and also in the augmented reality unit 8.

(14) According to the invention, by means of the augmented reality unit 8 and of the connection module 11, process parameter setting for safety system 1 is performed.

(15) For this purpose, first, a QR code 13 attached to the system 3 is captured with the camera 9 of the augmented reality unit 8. Instead of a QR code 13, a matrix code, a barcode, or the like can also be provided.

(16) The code contained in the QR code 13, i.e., its code information, is transmitted by the augmented reality unit 8 to the connection module 11. In the connection module 11, the code is stored together with the ID identifying the safety system 1 so that an association between these elements is established.

(17) Based on the code and the ID, the system 3 and also the safety components constituting the safety system 1 are identified.

(18) Based on the code and the ID, parameters matching the system 3 for operating elements, which are, in particular, associated with the safety module(s) 2, are transmitted from the connection module 11 to the augmented reality unit 8. In principle, these parameters can be stored in the connection module 11 itself. Particularly advantageously, the connection module 11 has an interface 14 for connecting to an external unit, where these parameters are stored. Once the code of the system 3 is known in the connection module 11, the connection module 11 can read in the parameters from the external unit via the interface 14. The interface 14 can, in particular, be embodied as an Internet connection.

(19) Based on the parameters of operating elements transmitted from the connection module 11 to the augmented reality unit 8, the projection unit 10 of the augmented reality unit 8 is used to generate a virtual image of the operating elements, which is superimposed on the image of the surroundings the user sees through the augmented reality unit 8. Thus the user sees virtual operating elements in the surroundings. These virtual operating elements can be embodied in the form of keys, rotary knobs, or the like. The virtual operating elements can be operated by the user, in particular, by means of a gesture control unit. For example, the user puts a finger on an operating element in the form of a key. The camera 9 of the augmented reality unit 8 captures this, and the augmented reality unit 8 interprets this as operation of the operating element, in particular, as pressing the key.

(20) As the parameters of the operating elements are stored in the augmented reality unit 8, corresponding actuation data are generated in said unit by the recorded actuation, i.e., exactly the same actuation data are generated as if a user had actuated a real, hardware operating element provided on a safety module 2.

(21) These actuation data are sent to the connection module 11 by the augmented reality unit 8. The connection module 11 sends the actuation data via the bus module 5 to the controller 4. In doing so, the association between code and ID is used in the connection module 11 in order to then send the actuation data to the controller 4 under the ID via the bus module 5, in order to then perform setting of process parameters according to the actuation data, i.e., according to the actuation of the virtual operating elements generated by means of the augmented reality unit 8.

(22) FIG. 2 shows the safety components of a safety system 1 in the form of a safety guard locking system. The safety guard locking system is used to securely lock a separating guard device such as a safety door. The safety door is, e.g., integrated into fencing that surrounds a hazard area of this system 3. Thus a person can get to the system 3 only through the safety door.

(23) During operation in which hazards for persons can arise from the system 3, the safety door is locked by means of the safety guard locking system so that access to the hazardous area is not possible. Only when the system 3 is at a standstill or when it is running in an operating mode in which no hazards for persons arise from the system 3, the lock of the safety door is released by the safety guard locking system and access to the hazardous area through the safety door is allowed.

(24) The safety guard locking system according to FIG. 2 comprises a base module 15 and a handle module 16. The handle module 16 is arranged on the safety door. The base module 15 is arranged on a frame surrounding the safety door.

(25) Advantageously, the virtual operating elements are made visible by means of the projection unit 10 of the augmented reality unit 8 in the area of the base module 15 or in its vicinity.

(26) When the safety door is in its locked position, the handle module 16 rests against the base module 15 as shown in FIG. 2. The base module 15 contains means for locking by means of which locking can be effected, i.e., secure holding of the handle module 16 in the locked position shown in FIG. 2.

(27) The base module 15 is connected to the bus module 5 via the data connection 6, with the bus module 5 itself being connected to the controller 4 of the system 3 via the data connection 7.

(28) The safety guard locking system further comprises an expansion module 17, which forms a safety I/O module, i.e., a safe module for providing inputs and outputs. The expansion module 17 is connected to the bus module via a data connection T.

(29) Further, the safety guard locking system comprises an expansion module 18 connected to base module 15; said expansion module is used for connecting peripheral units such as signal transducers 19. The expansion module 18 is optional, i.e., providing it in the safety guard locking system is not mandatory.

(30) The connection module 11, which is not shown in FIG. 2, can be attached as a sub-module either to the base module 15 or to the expansion module 17.

(31) In principle, the safety system 1 according to FIG. 2 can also be operated without the base module 15 and the handle module 16 so that only the expansion module 17 is provided, to which the connection module 11 is then attached. Then, the safety system 1 does not constitute a safety guard locking system, but instead, a safety I/O system.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(32) (1) safety system (2) safety module (3) system (4) controller (5) bus module (6) data connection (7) data connection (7) data connection (8) augmented reality unit (9) camera (10) projection unit (11) connection module (12) non-contact data connection (13) QR code (14) interface (15) base module (16) handle module (17) expansion module (18) expansion module (19) transducer