Patent · US Expired

Hand-held hidden object sensor for sensing a location of objects hidden behind a surface of an architectural structure

US6211662A · kind A · utility

84Cited by
16References
14Claims
0Family size

Assignee

Inventors

Key dates

Filing dateAug 7, 1998
Grant dateApr 3, 2001
Priority date
Expiry dateAug 7, 2018

Classification

  • Technology area (CPC G)Physics
  • CPC primaryG01V3/15
  • WIPO fieldMeasurement
  • WIPO sectorInstruments

Abstract

A hidden object sensor is described which senses and locates hidden objects hidden behind a surface of an architectural structure. The sensor includes sensing elements for sensing live wires behind the accessible surface, and separate sensing elements for respectively sensing metal and non-metallic objects behind the tested surface. A microprocessor alternates between the use of the various sensing elements and their associated circuits to detect live wires, metal objects, or wood studs. Visible and audible indicators are provided for indicating the device's mode of operation and the locations of sensed hidden objects. If a live wire is sensed, the processor may preclude an indication of a metal object or wood stud.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.