Device and method for safeguarding an automatically operating machine

A method for safeguarding a monitoring area in which an automatically operating machine is arranged, having the following steps:

• monitoring the monitoring area using a camera system,
• defining at least one protection area within the monitoring area,
• analyzing camera images provided by the camera system of the protection area to detect whether a foreign object is present in the protection area or penetrates into the protection area,
• classifying the foreign object based on the camera images if such a foreign object is determined to be present in the protection area or about to penetrate into the protection area, so as to determine on the basis of one or more features characteristic of welding sparks whether the foreign object is a welding spark, and
• triggering a safety-related function if the foreign object has not been recognized as a welding spark.

A computer program product for safeguarding a monitoring area in which an automatically operating machine is arranged, the computer program comprising program code means which, when executed on a computer, carry out the following steps:

• controlling a camera system to monitor the monitoring area,
• defining at least one protection area within the monitoring area,
• analyzing camera images provided by the camera system of the protection area to detect whether a foreign object is present in the protection area or penetrates into the protection area,
• classifying the foreign object based on the camera images if such a foreign object is determined to be present in the protection area or about to penetrate into the protection area, so as to determine on the basis of one or more features characteristic of welding sparks whether the foreign object is a welding spark,
• triggering a safety-related function if the foreign object has not been recognized as a welding spark.