Abstract: An ergonomically designed metal detector is provided. The metal detector allows for operation of the metal detector between two modes of operation while maintaining an operator's hand position relative to the surface.

Abstract: An implementation of a system, device and method for projecting a visual indicator against a surface is provided. A display projection system in a handheld sensor device (e.g. a handheld wall scanner) projects a static or computer-controlled dynamic pattern of light onto a surface being scanned to indicate a specific feature, such as existence of solid structures of wood, metal or plastic, electric or magnetic fields, or a disturbance of a field. The projected light may be controlled by a computer via an aperture to allow flexibility in what is projected, such as icons, lines, graphics, characters and colors.

Abstract: An implementation of an apparatus and method for sensing electrical wiring, for example, hidden behind a surface such as a wall is provided. The apparatus and method use multiple sensor signals, which may measure electric fields or changes in a dielectric. Pairs of signals are combined and compared to a sensed reference signal. Multiple sensors help in determining a direction or gradient to electrical wiring. Combining or averaging sensed signal before comparing the combined signal to a reference single helps to make the detection of electrical wiring less dependent on the relative orientation between the sensor and the electrical wiring.

Abstract: An implementation of a system and method for a hand tool having a pivot grip is provided. The pivot grip provides an axis of rotation perpendicular and centered with a pair of concave finger holds positioned at the grip. The hand tool includes a housing forming the pivot grip, a sensor (e.g., stud sensor, capacitive sensor, electromagnetic sensor, metallic sensor, RF sensor, and/or the like) and a power switch.

Abstract: An implementation of a direction finding and magnetic nulling metal detector is provided. Some embodiments of the present invention provide for a metal detector having multiple resonant circuits and associated coils for transmitting a primary transmit signal, transmitting a magnetic nulling signal, and receiving a receive signal. A controller includes logic to process the generate the transmit signals and to process the received signal in order to determine a gradient vector along one or two dimensions, a depth and whether or not a metal object is ferrous.

Abstract: An ergonomically designed metal detector is provided. The metal detector allows for operation of the metal detector between two modes of operation while maintaining an operator's hand position relative to the surface.

Abstract: A sensor such as a stud sensor having a capacitor plate coupled with a spring to a head to provide a floating head. In other versions, the sensor has an on-switch coupled between a head and a body of a sensor; a head detachable from a body of the sensor; a marking instrument coupled with a lever to a body of a sensor; and a body having one or more low compression and/or low resistance slider pads.

Abstract: Given a situation where a projected laser line appears to have terminated or faded as it intersects with a work-surface (e.g., a wall), a fan-out redirecting means is used to capture and redirect energy radiating above and parallel to, or radiating away from the given work-surface area, where the captured energy is from a line projector mounted to the surface. The radiation capturing and redirecting means aims the captured energy at a greater angle towards the work-surface so that the redirected light is thereafter reflected back to a user to give the perception that a line of enhanced intensity or reborn existence is being created on the work-surface or on a reflective overlayer placed against the work-surface. The radiation capturing and redirecting means may include one or both of optically refractive means and optically reflective means (e.g., lens and mirrors) for performing the capturing and/or redirecting functions.

Abstract: A light emitting module and a modular light emitting system with leveling capability. The system relates to light-based (e.g. lower-based) layout tools of the type used in the construction industry. More specifically, the system relates to a modular light emitting system for projection visible patterns, such as dots, lines, cross-lines and other patterns, on one or more distant surfaces for purposes of alignment, construction, verification and the like.

Abstract: A spherically rotatable support for a light image projector has level and/or plumb indicators for leveling or plumbing a central reference frame of its spherical rotation. A projected light image, such as a laser line segment of relatively short length may be successively stepped across a long wall while maintaining its level or plumb condition. A low powered laser or other light source may be used to generate the short-length, line segment in place of a more high powered light source that would otherwise be needed to illuminate the full length of the wall or other such surface.

Abstract: A stud or joist sensor and associated sensing method using an amplitude and a ratio of capacitance measurements from a plurality of capacitive sensing elements. The sensor locates a feature of an object or discontinuity behind a surface or wall, such as an edge and/or a center of a stud behind the surface, a joist under a floorboard, a gap behind sheetrock, a metal conductor behind a surface or the like. The sensor may be moved over the surface, thereby detecting changes in capacitance. The change in capacitance is due to the effective dielectric constant caused by the passage over a hidden object such as a stud. When two capacitive sensing elements provide equivalent capacitance measures, the sensor is over a centerline of the stud. When a ratio of the capacitance measurements equals a transition ratio, the sensor is over an edge of the stud. When the sensor is over the stud and the capacitance measurements are low, the sensor is over a deep stud.

Abstract: A stud or joist sensor device and associated sensing method using a ratio of capacitance measurements from a plurality of capacitive sensing elements. The device locates a feature of an object or discontinuity behind a surface or wall, such as an edge and/or a center of a stud behind the surface, a joist under a floorboard, a gap behind sheetrock, a metal conductor behind a surface or the like. The device may be moved over a surface, thereby detecting changes in capacitance. The change in capacitance is due to the effective dielectric constant caused by the passage over an object such as a stud. When two capacitive sensing elements provide equivalent capacitance measures, the device is over a centerline of the stud. When a ratio of the capacitance measurements equals a transition ratio, the device is over an edge of the stud.

Abstract: A sensor and method that detects a mis-calibration and automatically recalibrates itself without operator intervention. If the sensor determines that it was calibrated over an object such as a stud, the sensor may automatically update the calibration value with a new lower value without operator intervention. This process may repeat until the calibration value is set to a value that represents the wall covering alone without hidden objects behind it.

Abstract: A stud or joist sensor and associated sensing method using an amplitude and a ratio of capacitance measurements from a plurality of capacitive sensing elements. The sensor locates a feature of an object or discontinuity behind a surface or wall, such as an edge and/or a center of a stud behind the surface, a joist under a floorboard, a gap behind sheetrock, a metal conductor behind a surface or the like. The sensor may be moved over the surface, thereby detecting changes in capacitance. The change in capacitance is due to the effective dielectric constant caused by the passage over a hidden object such as a stud. When two capacitive sensing elements provide equivalent capacitance measures, the sensor is over a centerline of the stud. When a ratio of the capacitance measurements equals a transition ratio, the sensor is over an edge of the stud. When the sensor is over the stud and the capacitance measurements are low, the sensor is over a deep stud.

Abstract: A sensor such as a stud sensor having a capacitor plate coupled with a spring to a head to provide a floating head. In other versions, the sensor has an on-switch coupled between a head and a body of a sensor; a head detachable from a body of the sensor; a marking instrument coupled with a lever to a body of a sensor; and a body having one or more low compression and/or low resistance slider pads.

Abstract: A transmitter that is electrically connected to a circuit and an associated receiver is used to identify an element of that circuit in the presence of other circuits. This may be used in AC or DC systems that are powered or not to identify or trace circuit elements such as lines, junctions, switches, fuses, or breakers. One version that identifies the circuit breaker of the circuit connected to the transmitter in a powered AC distribution system.

Abstract: A capacitive sensor including a pendulum for electronically determining an indication of angular offset and a capacitive leveling device having such a capacitive sensor for leveling an associated reference surface. The capacitive sensor detects a difference in capacitance of one or more capacitors on the pendulum and its housing, each capacitor having a first electrode movable apart from a second electrode as the housing tilts relative to the pendulum.

Abstract: A self-leveling tool for projecting a line of light along a wall or other vertical surface at one of a plurality of predetermined angles. The tool self-aligns to emit a plane of light at one of the predetermined angles (e.g., 0, 90, 180 or 270 degrees), thereby projecting a line on the wall in a desired direction (e.g., right, up, left or down).

Abstract: A transmitter that is electrically connected to a circuit and an associated receiver is used to identify an element of that circuit in the presence of other circuits. This may be used in AC or DC systems that are powered or not to identify or trace circuit elements such as lines, junctions, switches, fuses, or breakers. One version that identifies the circuit breaker of the circuit connected to the transmitter in a powered AC distribution system.

Abstract: A fluid-actuated level device for use, for instance, in the building trades, discovers points lying on a horizontal plane with a reference point. The level device has a tube with a referenceend and a working-end, and a housing unit attached to the reference-end. Electrodes in the housing unit measure fluid-levels in the reference-end. When the fluid-level in the working-end is positioned in the horizontal plane containing the reference point, then the level device emits a signal; in one embodiment, this signal is a single continuous sound. When the working-end is positioned slightly higher than the reference point, a second signal is emitted; in one embodiment, this signal is an intermittent sound. The second intermittent sound notifies the worker that the fluid-level in the working-end is too high relative to the reference plane, i.e., the worker has “overshot” the reference plane. Also provided are embodiments having a tube window, an alignment window, and a slidable backing assembly.