Process for detecting metallic items including a search path defined by a linear movement with a superimposed rotational movement along a curved closed path
First Claim
1. A process for detecting electrically conducting objects in a laterally extending search area, said process comprising:
- guiding at least one search probe along a search path in proximity to a search surface within said search area;
said search probe generating search signals indicative of electrically conducting objects located within said search path;
determining position of said at least one search probe, and generating position signals indicative thereof; and
automatically correlating said search signals with said position signals whereby position of electrically conducting objects may be determined within said search area;
wherein said search path is defined by superimposing a first movement which is substantially linear with a second movement which is rotational along a continuous curved closed path.
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Abstract
A process for detecting metallic or other electrically conducting objects in essentially flat search areas by means of at least one search probe which generates search signals is presented. The probe is guided relative to the search area parallel to its surface, along a search path situated in a search surface. By at least one analysis unit coupled with the search probe, the search signals are automatically correlated with the positions of the search probe on the search surface, as determined by localizing devices. The correlated data are converted to an image of the objects in the search area, such as an object map.
30 Citations
34 Claims
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1. A process for detecting electrically conducting objects in a laterally extending search area, said process comprising:
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guiding at least one search probe along a search path in proximity to a search surface within said search area; said search probe generating search signals indicative of electrically conducting objects located within said search path; determining position of said at least one search probe, and generating position signals indicative thereof; and automatically correlating said search signals with said position signals whereby position of electrically conducting objects may be determined within said search area; wherein said search path is defined by superimposing a first movement which is substantially linear with a second movement which is rotational along a continuous curved closed path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 13, 14, 15, 32, 33)
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12. An apparatus for detecting electrically conducting objects in a laterally extending search area, comprising:
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at least one search probe which generates electrical search signals indicative of presence of an electrically conducting object in proximity thereto; a probe guiding arrangement on which said at least one search probe is mounted, for guiding said at least one search probe along a search path in proximity to a search surface in said search area; a position sensor arrangement for determining position of said at least one search probe on said search surface; and an analysis unit coupled to receive said search signals from said at least one search probe for automatically correlating said search signals with position of said at least one search probe determined by said position sensor arrangement; wherein said search path is defined by superimposing a first movement which is substantially linear with a second movement which is rotational along a continuous curved closed path. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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34. A process for detecting electrically conducting objects in a laterally extending search area, said process comprising:
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guiding at least one search probe along a search path in proximity to a search surface within said search area; said search probe generating search signals indicative of electrically conducting objects located within said search path; determining position of said at least one search probe, and generating position signals indicative thereof; and automatically correlating said search signals with said position signals whereby position of electrically conducting objects may be determined within said search area; wherein said search path is defined by superimposing a substantially linear motion with a unidirectional rotation about a point or points which move with said substantially linear motion.
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Specification