Object detector

Abstract

An object of the present invention is to provide an object detector which can intuitively show detection information and facilitate the observation of a detected surface covered by a display screen. The detector includes a housing, a detecting circuit for detecting a hidden object behind a surface, which is arranged in the housing and includes at least one detecting element, a power supply electrically connected to the detecting circuit, and a display device 10 electrically connected to the detecting circuit, which includes a display screen attached to the housing. The display screen is transparent in a non-display stat while an information-displaying section of the display screen is opaque in a display state. By using such an object detector, an operator can obtain an intuitive indication from the object detector and simultaneously observe the marking condition on a section of a detected surface covered by a display screen during a detection operation.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

To understand the present invention, it will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of the object detector of the invention, showing the detector in a display condition wherein a wooden object, obscured behind a surface, is recognized by the object detector;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the object detector, showing the detector in a display condition wherein an obscured metallic object is recognized by the object detector;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of the object detector, showing the detector in a display condition wherein an obscured wire is recognized by the object detector;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of the object detector, showing the detector in a first display condition wherein an obscured object is recognized by the object detector;

FIG. 5 is a plan view of the object detector, showing the detector in a second display condition wherein the obscured object is recognized by the object detector; and

FIG. 6 is a plan view of the object detector, showing the detector in a third display condition wherein the obscured object is recognized by the object detector.

Claims

1. An object detector for detecting an object residing behind a surface, the object detector comprising: a housing having an object-detecting circuit, a power supply electrically connected to the object-detecting circuit; and a display device electrically connected to the detecting circuit, the display device including a display screen;wherein the display screen is transparent in a non-display state, and wherein a section of the display screen turns opaque in a display state to indicate the detection of an object.

2. The object detector of claim 1, wherein in the display state, the opaque section of the display screen is illuminated.

3. The object detector of claim 1, wherein in the display state, the remaining portion of the display screen is transparent.

4. The object detector of claim 3, wherein in the display state, the remaining portion of the display screen not illuminated.

5. The object detector of claim 1, the housing including a multi-function button with a calibration feature, and wherein the button is depressed prior to using the object detector.

6. The object detector of claim 5, wherein the multi-function button includes a detection feature, wherein the button is depressed during use to detect an object residing behind the surface.

7. The object detector of claim 5, wherein the power supply includes at least one battery.

8. An object detector for dynamically detecting an object residing behind a surface, the object detector comprising: a housing having an object-detecting circuit and a power supply electrically connected to the object-detecting circuit;the housing further having a display device that receives detection signals from the detecting circuit, the display device including a display screen with a section that displays a first visual indicator to indicate the detection of an object residing behind a surface to which the object detector is applied, and wherein the remaining portion of the display screen is transparent to allow an operator to view the surface.

9. The object detector of claim 8, wherein the first visual indicator displayed by the screen section corresponds to a first edge of the detected object.

10. The object detector of claim 9, wherein the screen section displays a second visual indicator that corresponds to a second edge of the detected object.

11. The object detector of claim 8, wherein the first visual indicator displayed by the screen section is a first pattern corresponding to a first type of detected object.

12. The object detector of claim 11, wherein the screen section displays a second visual indicator that is a second pattern corresponding to a second type of detected object.

13. The object detector of claim 8, wherein in a non-display state, the entire display screen is transparent to allow the operator to view the surface.

14. The object detector of claim 8, wherein the housing further includes a calibration and detection button operably connected to the object-detecting circuit.

15. An object detector for detecting the presence and the position of an object residing behind a surface, the object detector comprising: a housing having an object-detecting circuit and a power supply electrically connected to the object-detecting circuit;the housing further having a display screen that receives detection signals from the detecting circuit, the display screen having a plurality of indicating sections that provide a visible signal to indicate the detection of an object residing behind a surface; and,wherein the objector detector is moved along the surface between a first position where a first indicating section of the display screen provides a visible signal to indicate the presence of the object, and a second position where a second indicating section of the display screen provides a visible signal to indicate the presence of the object.

16. The object detector of claim 15, wherein the object detector is moved to a third position where a third indicating section of the display screen provides a visible signal to indicate the presence of the object.

17. The object detector of claim 15, wherein in either of the first or second positions, the remaining portion of the display screen is transparent to allow the operator to view the surface.

18. The object detector of claim 15, wherein the indicating sections display a pattern corresponding to the type of detected object.

19. The object detector of claim 15, wherein the visible signal provided by the indicating sections is an opaque segment that corresponds to the dimensions of the detected object.

20. The object detector of claim 15, wherein when an object is not detected, the entire display screen is transparent to allow the operator to view the surface through the display screen.