APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR PROVIDING A GRAPHIC REPRESENTATION OR GRAPHIC REPRESENTATION SEQUENCE FOR DETECTION BY A DETECTOR

Abstract

For providing an apparatus and method for providing a graphic representation (1) or a graphic representation sequence for detection by a detector (3) which provide a simple and effective variation of a graphic representation (1) or a graphic representation sequence for detection by the detector (3) an apparatus is claimed, comprising: a sequence of graphic representations (1) along an optical axis (2), an optical device (4) for focusing on at least one of the graphic representations (1), so that the at least one of the graphic representations (1) is visible by a detector (3) preferably with a predefinable sharpness, a control unit (5) for defining and providing a focusing sequence on the at least one of the graphic representations (1) by the optical device (4) for providing a change of visibility of the graphic representations (1) or of a part of the graphic representations (1) by the detector (3) in order to allow for the verification of the correct functioning of the detector.

Claims

1-15. (canceled)

16. Apparatus for providing a graphic representation (1) or a graphic representation sequence for detection by a detector (3), said apparatus comprising: a sequence of graphic representations (1) along an optical axis (2); an optical device (4) configured for focusing on at least one of the graphic representations (1), so that the at least one of the graphic representations (1) is visible by the detector (3); and a control unit (5) configured for defining and providing a focusing sequence on the at least one of the graphic representations (1) by the optical device (4) so as to provide a change of visibility of the graphic representations (1) or of a part of the graphic representations (1) by the detector (3).

17. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the focusing sequence comprises a switch of focus from either at least one graphic representation (1) to another graphic representation (1) or from at least one part of a graphic representation (1) to a part of another graphic representation (1).

18. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the graphic representations (1) are arranged in parallel planes behind each other along the optical axis (2).

19. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the graphic representations (1) are arranged with a predefined distance from each other.

20. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the distances between the graphic representations (1) are equal.

21. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein either: the graphic representations (1) comprise graphically designed foils; or the graphic representations (1) comprise a code, code sequence, binary code, bar code or data matrix code or a combination or superposition thereof.

22. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the sequence of graphic representations (1) forms a hologram.

23. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the optical device (4) comprises means for varying the focus.

24. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein: the optical device (4) is either attached to or integrated in the detector (3); and the detector (2) forms part of the apparatus.

25. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the optical device (4) comprises a fixed-focus lens.

26. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the graphic representations (1) are assigned or attached to a movable device for moving the graphic representations (1) along the optical axis (2).

27. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the detector (3) forms a part of the apparatus and comprises a sensor being movable along the optical axis (2).

28. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein evaluating means (10) are provided for verifying a coincidence or relationship of the provided graphic representation (1) or graphic representation sequence with corresponding data detected by the detector (3).

29. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the apparatus is part of a system for reliably determining the position of an object (6) regarding a relative movement between the object (6) and a path (7), the system comprising: a detector (3) either attached to or integrated in the object (6); and at least one marker (8) located along the path (7), wherein: the at least one marker (8) is detected by the detector (3) within its spatial detection range (9) for determining the position of the object (6) relative to the marker (8); and the apparatus provides the graphic representation (1) or graphic representation sequence for detection by said detector (3).

30. Method for providing a graphic representation (1) or graphic representation sequence for detection by a detector (3), said method being performed by an apparatus according to claim 16 and comprising the steps of: providing a sequence of graphic representations (1) is along an optical axis (2); focusing an optical device (4) on at least one of the graphic representations (1), so that the at least one of the graphic representation (1) is visible by the detector (3); and defining and providing, via a control unit (5), a focusing sequence on the at least one of the graphic representations (1) by the optical device (4) for providing a change of visibility of the graphic representations (1) or of a part of the graphic representations (1) by the detector (3).

31. Method according to claim 30, wherein the focusing, via the optical device (4), is provided with a pre-definable sharpness.

32. Apparatus according to claim 16, wherein the optical device (4) is focused with a pre-definable sharpness.

33. Apparatus according to claim 19, wherein the predefined distance is defined by one or more spacers.

34. Apparatus according to claim 21, wherein the foils are printed foils.

Description

[0021] There are several ways how to design and further develop the teaching of the present invention in an advantageous way. To this end it is to be referred to the patent claims subordinate to patent claim 1 on the one hand and to the following explanation of preferred embodiments of the invention, by way of example, illustrated by the figures on the other hand. In connection with the explanation of the preferred embodiments of the invention by the aid of the figures, generally preferred embodiments and further developments of the teaching will be explained. In the drawing

[0022] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of an apparatus for providing a graphic representation or graphic representation sequence according to an embodiment of the present invention and

[0023] FIG. 2 is a schematic view of a system for reliably determining the position of an object which can be used together with an apparatus according to FIG. 1.

[0024] FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of an apparatus for providing a sequence of graphic representations 1 which are arranged along an optical axis 2 for detection by a detector 3. An optical device 4 is provided for focusing on at least one of the graphic representations 1, so that the at least one of the graphic representations 1 is visible by the detector 3 with a predefinable sharpness. A control unit 5 defines and provides a focusing sequence on the graphic representations 1 by the optical device 4 for providing a change of visibility of the graphic representations 1 or of a part of the graphic representations 1 by the detector 3. The detector 3 shown within FIG. 1 is a digital camera.

[0025] The control unit 5 is designed for providing a focusing sequence between the graphic representations 1 by suitable adjustment of the optical device 4, wherein the embodiment according to FIG. 1 provides four graphic representations 1.

[0026] The graphic representations 1 have a planar structure and are arranged in parallel planes behind each other along the optical axis 2. The graphic representations 1 are arranged with equal distances between the graphic representations 1. The graphic representations 1 comprise graphically designed foils or a code, code sequence, binary code, bar code or data matrix code or a combination or a superposition thereof. Within the embodiment of FIG. 1 the optical device 4 is adjusted for visibility of the second graphic representation 1 of said four graphic representations 1.

[0027] The optical device 4 comprises an adjusting functionality or means for simply adjusting a focus for a predefinable focusing sequence. Such a focusing sequence can comprise switching of focus between said four graphic representations 1 within FIG. 1. Various planes of sharpness are considered within such a focusing sequence. Graphic representations 1 can be provided in a stacked manner. Different data can be detected from differently adjusted planes of sharpness.

[0028] FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of an embodiment of a system for reliably determining the position of an object 6 regarding a relative movement between the object 6 and a path 7 for use with the apparatus according to the invention. The system comprises a detector 3 attached to the object 6, wherein the detector 3 corresponds to the detector 3 of FIG. 1.

[0029] A plurality of markers 8 is located along the path 7. The markers 8 are realized by data matrix codes positioned along the path 7. The markers 8 are detected by the detector 3 within its spatial detection range 9 for determining the position of the object 6 relative to the markers 8. For verifying the correct function of the detector 3 the apparatus provides a graphic representation 1 for detection by the detector 3. The graphic representation 1 or graphic representations 1 can be identical with the markers 8. In other words, the markers 8 can be realized by a sequence of graphic representations 1 along an optical axis 2 which is arranged vertically with regard to the drawing plane of FIG. 2. For verifying a coincidence or relationship of the provided representation 1 or a graphic representations 1 with corresponding data detected by the detector 3 corresponding evaluating means 10 are assigned to the object 6.

[0030] Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention set forth herein will come to mind to the one skilled in the art to which the invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0031] 1 graphic representation

[0032] 2 optical axis

[0033] 3 detector

[0034] 4 optical device

[0035] 5 control unit

[0036] 6 object

[0037] 7 path

[0038] 8 marker

[0039] 9 detection range

[0040] 10 evaluating means