Three-dimensional monitoring in the area of an elevator by means of a three-dimensional sensor

A method of monitoring an elevator area, wherein light reflected in the area to be monitored is detected by a sensor, comprising the steps of:

• a. ascertaining three-dimensional image information from the reflected light with consideration of the transit time and/or phase position of the light;
• b. evaluating the three-dimensional image information for recognition of a state of the area to be monitored;
• c. classifying the state;
• and
• d. triggering a situation-adapted reaction based upon the classification of the state.

A device for area monitoring at least one of within and outside an elevator car comprising:

• a three-dimensional semiconductor sensor for detection of image information, the three-dimensional semiconductor sensor including,
• a light source mounted in an elevator car area to be monitored and at least partly illuminating the area to be monitored,
• a sensor group mounted to receive light reflected in the area to be monitored and convert said received light into electrical signals, and
• a processing chip connected to said sensor group for converting said electrical signals into the image information;
• and
• a processing device connected to said sensor for generating three-dimensional image information from said image information and processing said three-dimensional image information to generate state information representing a state of the area to be monitored, wherein for reducing extraneous light influences said processing device generates said three-dimensional image information by double scanning the area to be monitored including one scan with said light source on and a second scan with said light source off.