Electronic multi-depth object locator with self-illuminating optical element warning and detection
First Claim
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1. A sensing device, comprising:
- a sensing circuit configured to sense the presence of an object beneath a surface and to operate in at least three sensitivity modes; and
a mode selection input device configured to allow a user to select a desired mode from among the at least three sensitivity modes, the mode selection input device comprising a single button, wherein each sensitivity mode is respectively accessible by the mode selection input device without a need to first access at least one other sensitivity mode.
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Abstract
An embodiment of the invention provides a sensing device that includes a sensing circuit and a mode selection input device. The sensing circuit senses the presence of an object beneath a surface. The mode selection input device allows a user to select, using a single button, a desired mode from among at least three sensitivity modes without first accessing another sensitivity mode. In another embodiment, a sensing device includes a sensing circuit and a display. The sensing circuit senses the presence of a live electrical wire beneath a surface. The display includes an optical element and a light source to indicate the sensed presence of the live electrical wire.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A sensing device, comprising:
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a sensing circuit configured to sense the presence of an object beneath a surface and to operate in at least three sensitivity modes; and a mode selection input device configured to allow a user to select a desired mode from among the at least three sensitivity modes, the mode selection input device comprising a single button, wherein each sensitivity mode is respectively accessible by the mode selection input device without a need to first access at least one other sensitivity mode. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A sensing device, comprising:
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an A/C sensing circuit configured to sense the presence of A/C beneath a surface; and a display to indicate the presence of A/C beneath the surface, the display comprising an elongated light pipe and at least one light source configured to illuminate the light pipe, wherein the light pipe is at least in part textured. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A sensing device, comprising:
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an A/C sensing circuit configured to sense the presence of A/C beneath a surface; and a display to indicate the presence of A/C beneath the surface, the display comprising an elongated light pipe and at least one light source configured to illuminate the light pipe, wherein the display includes text that is illuminated by the light pipe.
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14. A sensing device, comprising:
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an A/C sensing circuit configured to sense the presence of A/C beneath a surface; and a display to indicate the presence of A/C beneath the surface, the display comprising an elongated light pipe and at least one light source configured to illuminate the light pipe, wherein the light pipe comprises an optical fiber disposed in an arcuate configuration and can be viewed by the user.
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15. A sensing device, comprising:
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a sensing circuit configured to sense the presence of an object beneath a surface and to operate in a plurality of sensitivity modes; a mode selection input device configured to allow a user to select a desired mode from among the plurality of sensitivity modes; and a mode indication region configured to visually indicate to the user a currently selected sensitivity mode, the mode indication region including a respective symbolic representation and associated light source for each sensitivity mode, wherein the respective light source of the currently selected sensitivity mode is illuminated. - View Dependent Claims (16)
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- 17. The sensing device of claini 15, wherein the symbolic representation comprises a label.
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19. A sensing device, comprising:
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a sensing circuit configured to sense the presence of an object beneath a surface; a display to indicate the presence of the object beneath the surface, the display comprising an elongated light pipe and at least one light source configured to illuminate the light pipe, wherein the display includes text that is illuminated by the light pipe. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A sensing device, comprising:
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a sensing circuit configured to sense the presence of an object beneath a surface; a display to indicate the presence of the object beneath the surface, the display comprising an elongated light pipe and at least one light source configured to illuminate the light pipe, wherein the light pipe is at least in part textured.
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22. A sensing device, comprising:
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a sensing circuit configured to sense the presence of an object beneath a surface; a display to indicate the presence of the object beneath thc surface, the display comprising an elongated light pipe and at least one light source configured to illuminate the light pipe, wherein the light pipe comprises an optical fiber disposed in an arcuate configuration and can be viewed by the user.
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Specification