STATIONARY FEATURE DETECTOR
First Claim
1. An obscured feature detector comprising:
- a plurality of sensor plates, each having a capacitance that varies based on;
(a) the proximity of the sensor plate to one or more surrounding objects, and (b) the dielectric constant(s) of the surrounding object(s);
a sensing circuit coupled to the sensor plates, the circuit being configured to measure the capacitances of the sensor plates;
a controller coupled to the sensing circuit, the controller being configured to analyze the capacitances measured by the sensing circuit to identify sensor plates located in one or more regions of relative high capacitance, as well as sensor plates located in one or more regions of relative low capacitance; and
a plurality of indicators coupled to the controller, each indicator capable of toggling between a deactivated state and an activated state,wherein the controller is configured to activate one or more of the indicators to identify the location of region(s) of relative high capacitance.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An obscured feature detector operates from a stationary position on a surface being examined. The detector includes a plurality of sensor plates positioned in an array on the underside of the device, which sense the examined surface. The sensor plates are connected to a capacitance sensing circuit, which connects to indicators positioned on the back side of the detector through additional circuitry. A handle positioned on the back of the detector allows the user to grasp the device and place it in a stationary position on the surface being examined while also observing the indicators on the back side of the detector. Increases in capacitance caused by the presence of features behind or within the surface being examined are detected by the sensor plates and the capacitance sensing circuit. The indicators identify locations of larger capacitances, associated with the presence of a feature, such as a stud, beam, or electrical wiring.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. An obscured feature detector comprising:
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a plurality of sensor plates, each having a capacitance that varies based on;
(a) the proximity of the sensor plate to one or more surrounding objects, and (b) the dielectric constant(s) of the surrounding object(s);a sensing circuit coupled to the sensor plates, the circuit being configured to measure the capacitances of the sensor plates; a controller coupled to the sensing circuit, the controller being configured to analyze the capacitances measured by the sensing circuit to identify sensor plates located in one or more regions of relative high capacitance, as well as sensor plates located in one or more regions of relative low capacitance; and a plurality of indicators coupled to the controller, each indicator capable of toggling between a deactivated state and an activated state, wherein the controller is configured to activate one or more of the indicators to identify the location of region(s) of relative high capacitance. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A stationary obscured feature detector comprising:
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a housing having a top, a bottom, and an interior cavity, with a handle located near the top, the housing being configured to be placed against a surface at a first location to detect the presence of one or more features obscured by the surface near the first location, without requiring movement of the stationary obscured feature detector; a plurality of sensor plates arrayed substantially in a plane near the bottom of the housing, each sensor plate having a capacitance that varies based on;
(a) the proximity of the sensor plate to one or more surrounding objects, and (b) the dielectric constant(s) of the surrounding object(s);a sensing circuit located in the interior cavity of the housing and coupled to the sensor plates, the sensing circuit being configured to transmit charge to the sensor plates and read the capacitances of the sensor plates; a controller located in the interior cavity of the housing and coupled to the sensing circuit, the controller being configured to analyze the capacitances measured by the sensing circuit; and a plurality of indicators located near the top of the housing and coupled to the controller, wherein the controller is configured to control the indicators to identify the location of the feature(s) obscured by the surface near the first location. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13)
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14. A method of detecting an obscured feature behind a surface, comprising:
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placing an obscured feature detector in a stationary position on the surface, the obscured feature detector having a plurality of sensor plates arranged in an array; measuring capacitance readings sensed in a plurality of regions, each region corresponding to an area surrounding one or more of the sensor plates; comparing the sensed capacitance readings in different regions; identifying, based on the compared capacitance readings, one or more regions of relative high capacitance; and activating one or more indicators corresponding to the location of the region(s) of relative high capacitance. - View Dependent Claims (15, 16, 17, 18)
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Specification