Sensor with a radiant indicator

• US 9,508,244 B2
• Filed: 03/07/2014
• Issued: 11/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/2014
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zircon Corporation
• Original Assignee: Zircon Corporation
• Inventors: Wingate, Barry, Chen, Chien-Hsu
• Primary Examiner(s): Bugg, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): AKKI, MUNEAR T
• Application Number:
  US14/201,637
• Publication Number:
  US 20150254959A1
• Time in Patent Office: 998 Days
• Field of Search: 340/540, 340/686.1, 324/67, 324/207.11, 332/86, 250/339.11, 250/339.01, 356/123
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G01D 11/28 Structurally-combined illuminating devices
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 11/00 Prospecting or detecting by methods combining techniques covered by two or more of main groups G01V1/00 - G01V9/00
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 3/15 specially adapted for use during transport, e.g. by a person, vehicle or boat
• CPC Class Codes: G01V 99/00 Subject matter not provided for in other groups of this subclass
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/182 Level alarms, e.g. alarms responsive to variables exceeding a threshold
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources

Abstract

An implementation of systems, devices and methods for a sensor to find a hidden element behind a surface are provided. The sensor includes a housing with a radiant indicator in a bottom section of the housing. The radiant indicator is translucent and acts as another indication that the sensor is over the hidden element. The sensor also includes a light source, such as an LED, which lights the radiant indicator with a beam, as well as optionally projecting an image on the surface, for example, formed by the bottom section and a top section of the housing. The same light source may also be used to project a second beam to an indicator on the top section of the housing.

Claims

1. A sensor configured to find a hidden element behind a surface, the sensor comprising:

a housing comprising a top section and a bottom section, wherein the bottom section comprises a radiant indicator in a front portion of the bottom section;

circuitry coupled to the housing, wherein the circuitry comprises a light chamber having a light surface, a light source and an opening, wherein the circuitry is configured to illuminate the radiant indicator by activating the light source;

a display positioned in the housing and coupled to the circuitry; and

an opaque material, wherein the opaque material is a backing position at a bottom side of the sensor;

wherein the light chamber is configured to reflect light from the light surface to the opening in the light chamber to form a first beam; and

wherein the radiant indicator is positioned to receive the first beam.

2. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a lens assembly coupled to the housing, wherein the lens assembly comprises a lens configured to optically connect the first beam to the radiant indicator.

3. The sensor of claim 2, wherein the lens assembly is insertable into the bottom section.

4. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the top section and the bottom section form an opening in the housing configured to form an image against an adjacent surface.

5. The sensor of claim 1, further comprising a backing to the radiant indicator to provide a contrast to the radiant indicator.

6. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the light chamber further comprises a second opening positioned to project a second beam to the display.

7. The sensor of claim 6, wherein the display comprises a notched display.

8. The sensor of claim 6, wherein the display comprises an LCD display.

9. The sensor of claim 6, wherein the second opening is further positioned to project the second beam to a material.

10. The sensor of claim 9, wherein the second beam passes between the display and the material.

11. The sensor of claim 1, wherein the radiant indicator is translucent and passive.

12. A method for finding a hidden element behind a surface using a sensor, the method comprising:

detecting the hidden element with the sensor comprising a housing comprising a top section and a bottom section, wherein the bottom section comprises a radiant indicator in a front portion of the bottom section;

activating a light source to emit a light, based on detecting the hidden element;

reflecting the light from a light surface in a light chamber comprising the light surface;

forming a first beam through an opening in the light chamber;

illuminating an opaque material, wherein the opaque material is a backing position at a bottom side of the sensor;

illuminating a radiant indicator with the first beam; and

illuminating a display wherein the display is positioned in the housing and coupled to the circuitry.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising optically connecting the first beam to the radiant indicator.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising inserting a lens assembly into a front portion of a bottom section of a housing comprising a top section and the bottom section.

15. The method of claim 12, further comprising forming an opening in a housing, comprising a top section and a bottom section, configured to a form an image against an adjacent surface.

16. The method of claim 12, further comprising placing a backing to an under portion of the radiant indicator to provide a contrast to the radiant indicator.

17. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

forming a second beam through a second opening in the light chamber;

wherein illuminating the display comprises illuminating the display with the second beam.

18. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

forming a second beam through a second opening in the light chamber; and

illuminating a material with the second beam.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein part of the second beam passes between the display and the opaque material.

20. A sensor configured to find a hidden element behind a surface, the sensor comprising:

means for detecting the hidden element with the sensor comprising a housing comprising a top section and a bottom section, wherein the bottom section comprises a radiant indicator in a front portion of the bottom section;

means for activating a light source to emit a light in a light chamber, based on the means for detecting the hidden element;

means for reflecting the light in the light chamber;

means for forming a first beam based on the means for reflecting the light;

means for illuminating an opaque material, wherein the opaque material is a backing position at a bottom side of the sensor;

means for illuminating the radiant indicator with the first beam; and

means for illuminating a display wherein the display is positioned in the housing and coupled to the circuitry.