Stud sensor with over-stud miscalibration via circuit which stores an initial calibration density, compares that to a current test density and outputs result via indicator
First Claim
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1. A method for determining miscalibration of a stud sensing device for finding a location of a stud positioned behind a surface, comprising the steps of:
- placing the stud sensing device in a calibration mode;
attempting to calibrate the stud sensing device by holding it at a first location on the surface in the calibration mode;
moving the stud sensing device to a second location on the surface;
placing the stud sensing device in an operating mode;
determining in the stud sensing device if said calibration attempt has occurred when the stud sensing device was located over a stud by comparing a density sensed at the first location in the calibration mode to a density sensed at the second location in the operating mode; and
indicating that the calibration attempt has occurred over a stud when the sensed density at the second location in the operating mode is less than that sensed at the first location in the calibration mode.
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Abstract
A dual sensitivity stud sensor senses studs through both thick and thin surfaces. Studs are sensed by detecting a change in the capacitive loading of plates as they are moved along a surface and into proximity with a stud. The sensor informs the operator when the sensor has (incorrectly) been calibrated over a stud. The sensor also informs the operator if the sensor is placed against a surface either too thick or too thin for stud detection. Through use of a digital register, the sensor remains calibrated indefinitely while the sensor is powered on.
109 Citations
7 Claims
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1. A method for determining miscalibration of a stud sensing device for finding a location of a stud positioned behind a surface, comprising the steps of:
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placing the stud sensing device in a calibration mode; attempting to calibrate the stud sensing device by holding it at a first location on the surface in the calibration mode; moving the stud sensing device to a second location on the surface; placing the stud sensing device in an operating mode; determining in the stud sensing device if said calibration attempt has occurred when the stud sensing device was located over a stud by comparing a density sensed at the first location in the calibration mode to a density sensed at the second location in the operating mode; and indicating that the calibration attempt has occurred over a stud when the sensed density at the second location in the operating mode is less than that sensed at the first location in the calibration mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5)
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6. A stud sensing device capable of providing an indication of when it has erroneously been calibrated at a location over a stud, comprising;
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a sensor adapted to be applied to a surface, thereby determining a density behind the surface; a calibration circuit operationally connected to the sensor for providing to the sensor a signal of the sensor in a calibration mode of the stud sensing device; and indicator circuitry for comparing a determined density in the calibration mode to a determined density in an operating mode of the stud sensing device, and indicating a miscalibration when the determined density in the calibration mode is greater than that in the operating mode.
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7. A method for determining miscalibration of a stud sensing device for finding a location of a stud positioned behind a surface, comprising the steps of:
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attempting to calibrate the stud sensing device by holding it at a first location on the surface; moving the stud sensing device to a second location on the surface; determining in the stud sensing device if said calibration attempt has occurred when the stud sensing device was located over a stud by comparing a density sensed at the first location to a density sensed at the second location; and indicating that the calibration attempt has occurred over a stud when the sensed density at the second location is less than that sensed at the first location; wherein the step of attempting to calibrate includes; providing an analog signal that nulls an output signal of a sensor portion of the stud sensing device; and storing a digital representative of the analog signal in the stud sensing device.
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Specification