Apparatus and method for providing a graphic representation or graphic representation sequence for detection by a detector

1. 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 path ( 7 ) having a path axis;

a plurality of markers ( 8 ) located on the path ( 7 ) and extending along the path axis;

an object ( 6 );

a detector ( 3 ) either attached to or integrated in the object ( 6 ), the detector ( 3 ) comprising a sensor; and

an apparatus comprising:

a sequence of graphic representations ( 1 ) arranged along an optical axis ( 2 ), wherein the graphic representations ( 1 ) are identical with the markers ( 8 );

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 );

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 ); and

evaluating means ( 10 ) configured for verifying a coincidence or relationship of the provided graphic representation ( 1 ) or graphic representation sequence with corresponding data detected by the detector ( 3 ),

wherein:

each of the plurality of markers ( 8 ) are detected by the detector ( 3 ) within a spatial detection range ( 9 ) of the detector ( 3 ), so as to determine the position of the object ( 6 ) relative to the detected marker ( 8 );

the apparatus provides the graphic representation ( 1 ) or graphic representation sequence for detection by said detector ( 3 );

absence of the coincidence or relationship is indicative of a malfunctioning or a lack of functioning of the detector ( 3 ), the malfunctioning or the lack of functioning of the detector ( 3 ) involving a frozen image or a time delay or shift between images; and

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 ).

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

3. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the graphic representations ( 1 ) are arranged with a predefined distance from each other.

4. Apparatus according to claim 3 , wherein the distances between the graphic representations ( 1 ) are equal.

5. The system according to claim 3 , wherein the predefined distance is defined by one or more spacers.

6. The system according to claim 3 , wherein:

the graphic representations ( 1 ) comprise graphically designed foils; and

the foils are printed foils.

7. The system according to claim 1 , 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.

8. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the sequence of graphic representations ( 1 ) forms a hologram.

9. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the optical device ( 4 ) comprises means for varying the focus.

10. The system according to claim 1 , wherein:

the optical device ( 4 ) is either attached to or integrated in the detector ( 3 ); and

the detector ( 2 ) forms part of the apparatus.

11. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the optical device ( 4 ) comprises a fixed-focus lens.

12. The system according to claim 1 , wherein the optical device ( 4 ) is focused with a pre-definable sharpness.

13. Method for providing a graphic representation ( 1 ) or graphic representation sequence for detection by a detector ( 3 ), said method being performed by the system according to claim 1 and comprising the steps of:

providing a sequence of graphic representations ( 1 ) is along an optical axis ( 2 );

focusing the optical device ( 4 ) 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 );

defining and providing, via the 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 );

detecting, via the detector ( 3 ) and within the spatial detection range ( 9 ) of the detector, the at least one marker for determining the position of the object ( 6 ) relative to the marker ( 8 ); and

verifying, via the evaluating means, a coincidence or relationship of the provided graphic representation ( 1 ) or graphic representation sequence with corresponding data detected by the detector ( 3 ), absence of the coincidence or relationship identifying malfunctioning of the detector ( 3 ), the malfunctioning or the lack of functioning of the detector ( 3 ) involving a frozen image or a time delay or shift between images.

14. Method according to claim 13 , wherein the focusing, via the optical device ( 4 ), is provided with a pre-definable sharpness.