Laser scanners are optical area scanners that work contactlessly with
periodically emitted light pulses that an integrated rotating mirror
scatters into the working area. Objects that penetrate the defined
protective field are detected by reflection of these light pulses and
the coordinates of the "obstacle" are calculated from the time of flight
of the light. If the "obstacle" is in the defined protective field, a
stop function is effected via safety-related outputs (OSSD).