Tracking device

Abstract

Handheld locating device (10) with a locating unit (12) which is provided for detecting the presence of an object (16) arranged in an object under investigation (14) by means of an investigation signal (18), and a motion sensor unit (20) comprising at least one acceleration sensor which is provided for detecting at least one motion parameter (BK) i ) along at least one direction of movement (22, 24, 26), wherein an evaluation unit (28) is provided to measure the movement parameter (BK) i ) and at least one location parameter (OK i ) of the tracking unit (12) to evaluate together, characterized in that the motion sensor unit (20) is provided to detect the placement of the hand-held tracking device (10) on a wall and / or the approach of the hand-held tracking device (10) to the wall.

Description

State of the art

[0001] The invention relates to a locating device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] A tracking device, in particular a handheld tracking device, is already known, comprising a tracking unit designed to detect the presence of an object located within a test object by means of a test signal. Furthermore, the tracking device includes a motion sensor unit designed to detect at least one movement parameter along at least one direction of movement. Such tracking devices are known, for example, from DE 102 07 477 A1, US 2005 / 0 156 776 A1, EP 1 341 005 A2, and US 2008 / 0 129 275 A1. Disclosure of the invention

[0003] The invention relates to a locating device, in particular a hand-held locating device, with a locating unit which is provided for detecting the presence of an object arranged in an object under investigation by means of an investigation signal, and a motion sensor unit which is provided for detecting at least one motion parameter along at least one direction of movement.

[0004] It is proposed that the tracking device include an evaluation unit designed to evaluate the motion parameter and at least one location parameter of the tracking unit. In this context, "designed" is to be understood as specifically equipped, specially designed, and / or specially programmed. The tracking unit may include an inductive sensor, a capacitive sensor, a 50 / 60 Hz sensor, a radar sensor, an IR sensor, and / or other sensors deemed useful by a person skilled in the art for detecting objects located within the object under investigation. The location parameter of the tracking unit may consist of a voltage parameter, a dielectric parameter, a current parameter, and / or other parameters deemed useful by a person skilled in the art.The motion sensor unit can comprise any motion sensors deemed appropriate by a person skilled in the art to detect movement and / or acceleration of the tracking device. Advantageously, the motion sensor unit includes an accelerometer and / or an optical sensor and / or a mechanical sensor. The accelerometer can, for example, be a MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical System) sensor, which outputs the acceleration of the tracking device as voltage values, making them available for data processing. The optical sensor can function essentially analogously to, for example, an optical computer mouse. The mechanical sensor can be a sensor essentially analogous to a ball-type computer mouse and / or a vibration and / or tilt sensor.The motion parameter can be formed by a parameter of voltage and / or an optical parameter and / or a parameter of an angle of inclination and / or other motion parameters that appear meaningful to a person skilled in the art. In this context, an "evaluation unit" is understood to be, in particular, a unit that can be formed by a processing unit and / or a control unit, wherein the evaluation unit can be formed by a processor alone or, in particular, by a processor and other electronic components, such as a storage medium. The evaluation unit can be formed by a microcontroller or a digital data processing unit, and advantageously, an analog-to-digital converter is arranged upstream of the evaluation unit.

[0005] The inventive design allows for advantageous spatially resolved processing of data from the tracking unit, resulting in a high-performance tracking device with high user-friendliness and ease of operation. Furthermore, it enables particularly fast and coordinated data evaluation of the various parameters, thereby facilitating rapid detection of the internal structure of the object under investigation, such as a wall. In particular, the evaluation unit can advantageously distinguish between unwanted interference signals, which can be caused, for example, by tilting the tracking device and / or by wall inhomogeneities, and a measurement signal originating from an object within the object under investigation.

[0006] Furthermore, it is proposed that the evaluation unit be designed to calibrate the tracking unit, at least partially, automatically using a location parameter of the tracking unit and a movement parameter. This advantageously eliminates the need for manual calibration of the tracking unit or device, particularly time-consuming calibration. Moreover, it can advantageously prevent miscalibration, such as that which can occur when a conventional tracking device is placed on a wall surface, especially one with an inhomogeneous structure, and at least reduce the resulting measurement errors. The evaluation unit is particularly advantageously designed to automatically calibrate the tracking unit at the beginning of a measurement process.

[0007] In an advantageous further development, it is proposed that the evaluation unit be designed to set a dynamic threshold for a measurement depending on a positioning parameter of the positioning unit and / or the motion parameter. In this context, a "threshold" is understood to be, in particular, a value for a lower limit of the positioning parameter that enables advantageous object detection and, at the same time, advantageous suppression of noise signals and / or background signals, so that an advantageous output of a positioning process or a measurement result for the operator can be achieved. Furthermore, a "dynamic threshold" is understood to be, in particular, a threshold that is continuously adapted by the evaluation unit to current sensor signals and / or positioning parameters and / or the motion parameter.Preferably, the threshold value is set automatically by the evaluation unit during a measurement process. This embodiment of the invention enables precise detection or measurement of objects within the object under investigation and at least reduces undesirable misinterpretations of the location parameters.

[0008] Furthermore, it is proposed that the evaluation unit include at least one storage device designed to store a location parameter of the tracking unit and / or a movement parameter. During a measurement process using the tracking device, particularly when repeatedly traversing the same wall surface, it is advantageous to store location information about objects located in the wall and / or wall inhomogeneities, thereby enabling the measurement process and / or the display of a tracking device's display unit to be aligned with the object.

[0009] It is further proposed that the tracking device has a display unit with a display area, wherein the evaluation unit is designed to automatically adjust the display area, at least partially, to the tracking parameter. In this context, a "display unit" is understood to mean, in particular, a unit that, during operation of the tracking unit, is provided for the optical output of measurement results to an operator. Preferably, the display unit comprises a display means and / or an output means, such as a display and / or other output means that would appear useful to a person skilled in the art.Furthermore, the term "display range" refers specifically to an area of ​​the display unit that can be varied depending on the size, particularly the amplitude, of a measurement signal. A larger scale can be used for displaying measurement signals with small amplitudes than for displaying measurement signals with large amplitudes. This allows for a detailed representation of the different measurement signals and advantageously avoids the need for manual switching of the display range. Additionally, it enables a user-friendly output of the location process.

[0010] The motion sensor unit is particularly advantageously designed to detect movement along at least two directions and, more preferably, along three directions. Preferably, the at least two or the three directions are each orthogonal to one another. It is advantageous to detect movement of the tracking device in three-dimensional space and to advantageously detect and differentiate individual movement sequences of the tracking device, such as placing the tracking device on a wall, approaching the wall, moving the tracking device on the wall surface, changing direction during movement, etc., and to advantageously take these into account when evaluating the tracking parameters.

[0011] Furthermore, it is proposed that the tracking unit have at least two sensor elements, enabling redundant and, in particular, effective object detection. This allows for particularly easy differentiation between objects and interfering signals, such as tilting of the tracking device and / or inhomogeneities in a wall, etc. It is especially advantageous if the at least two sensor elements each consist of a capacitive sensor.

[0012] Preferably, the evaluation unit is designed to minimize disturbances to the location parameter during data evaluation by means of the motion parameter, thereby enabling efficient and at least partially error-free location tracking of objects. The evaluation unit advantageously includes at least one disturbance reduction algorithm. The disturbance reduction algorithm and / or its application can advantageously be controlled by the evaluation unit using the acquired motion parameter, such as in the case of median calculation, which depends on a specific method of the tracking device and is preferably performed only during one specific method of the tracking device and should not occur when the tracking device is stationary.Furthermore, it is also conceivable that the median calculation can be performed depending on the speed of the tracking device during a procedure, whereby a strong averaging of measured data and / or parameters can be carried out in a tracking device procedure with a high movement speed and a weak averaging of the measured data and / or parameters in a tracking device procedure with a low movement speed.

[0013] In a further embodiment of the invention, a method, particularly with a tracking device, is proposed, wherein a motion parameter along at least one direction of movement and a location parameter are recorded and evaluated together. Data from the tracking unit can advantageously be processed with spatial resolution, and a high-performance tracking device with high user-friendliness and ease of operation for the operator is advantageously achieved. Furthermore, particularly fast and coordinated data evaluation of the different parameters can be carried out, and consequently, a rapid determination of the internal structure of the object under investigation, such as a wall, can be achieved.In particular, an advantageous distinction can be achieved in the evaluation unit between unwanted interference signals, which can be caused, for example, by tilting the tracking device and / or wall inhomogeneities, and a measurement signal resulting from an object within the object under investigation. The motion parameter can also be directly incorporated into data analysis, for example, by improving the signal-to-noise ratio, particularly by mediating and / or averaging measurement data over a path and / or location. Preferably, mediating is linked to movement and / or a movement of the tracking device, so that in the further measurement process, if the tracking device does not move and / or move, mediating is also omitted, thus advantageously avoiding erroneous data weighting, such as at a location index.

[0014] It is further proposed that a locating unit be calibrated at least partially automatically. This would advantageously eliminate the need for manual calibration, particularly time-consuming calibration, of the locating unit or device by the operator. Furthermore, it would advantageously prevent miscalibration, such as that which can occur when a conventional locating device is placed on a wall surface, especially one with an inhomogeneous structure, and at least reduce the resulting measurement errors. Additionally, miscalibration can be advantageously avoided, particularly with a metal detector, by having the operator simply hold the device aloft, thus ensuring the absence of any metal during the calibration process.The evaluation unit is particularly advantageous for automatically calibrating the locating unit at the beginning of a measurement process.

[0015] Furthermore, it is proposed that a dynamic threshold for a measurement be set depending on the location parameter and / or the motion parameter. Preferably, the dynamic threshold is set automatically by the evaluation unit during a measurement process. This embodiment of the invention can simplify the detection and measurement of objects within the object under investigation and at least reduce undesirable misinterpretations of the location parameters.

[0016] Furthermore, it is proposed that the display range of a display unit be at least partially automatically adjusted to a measurement amplitude. This allows for a detailed representation of the different measurement signals and advantageously avoids the need for manual switching of the display range. Additionally, it enables a user-friendly output of the location process. drawing

[0017] Further advantages will become apparent from the following description of the drawing. The drawing illustrates an embodiment of the invention. The drawing, the description, and the claims contain numerous features in combination. A person skilled in the art will expediently consider the features individually and combine them into meaningful further combinations.

[0018] They show: Fig. 1 a tracking device with a tracking unit in a schematic view, Fig. 2. The tracking device together with an object under investigation in a schematic view, Fig. 3 a schematic circuit diagram of the locator device, Fig. 4. A procedure for a location measurement, Fig. 5 a representation of a signal progression of motion parameters along three directions of motion depending on a time t, Fig. 6. A representation of a signal profile of a localization parameter depending on a direction of movement. Fig. 7 a representation of a signal profile of location parameters of three sensor elements depending on a direction of movement and Fig. 8 a representation of a differentiated object signal. Description of the exemplary embodiment

[0019] In the Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a schematic representation of a handheld locating device 10. The locating device 10 has a locating unit 12, which is designed to detect the presence of an object 16 located in an object under investigation 14, such as a wall, by means of a detection signal 18. The locating device 10 also has an evaluation unit 28, which is designed to evaluate a measured signal. Furthermore, the locating device 10 has a motion sensor unit 20, which is designed to detect a motion parameter BK. iThe tracking device 10 is provided along at least one direction of movement 22, 24, 26 during operation, and includes a display unit 32 for the optical output of a measurement result to an operator of the tracking device 10 during a measurement process or operation. The display unit 32 comprises a display element 42. Alternatively, the display unit 32 may include further display elements, such as a light-emitting diode and / or other display elements 42 that appear useful to a person skilled in the art. The tracking device 10 also includes an acoustic output unit 44 for the acoustic output of information to the operator.

[0020] In Fig. Figure 3 shows a schematic circuit diagram of the tracking device 10 in more detail. The tracking unit 12 has at least one sensor unit 46 or several sensor units 46, which may be formed by an inductive sensor unit and / or a capacitive sensor unit and / or a 50 / 60 Hz sensor unit and / or a radar sensor unit and / or an infrared sensor unit and / or other sensor units 46 that appear useful to those skilled in the art. However, a subsequent description of the invention is essentially limited to an embodiment of the sensor unit 46 as a capacitive sensor unit, wherein a function for evaluating tracking parameters OK i the sensor unit 46 and motion parameters BK i The motion sensor unit 20 remains essentially the same in the case of a different design of the sensor unit 46.

[0021] The sensor unit 46, or the capacitive sensor unit, records 12 location parameters during operation of the tracking unit. OK i , which are transmitted to the evaluation unit 28 via a data line (not shown). The capacitive sensor unit records 10 location parameters during operation of the tracking device. OK i , which are formed by dielectric constants, wherein information or a dielectric property of the object under investigation 14 or of the object 16 arranged therein is recorded by means of the dielectric constants. The evaluation unit 28 has a microcontroller 48, which is used for an evaluation of the localization constant OK i is planned. OK for a conversion of the location parameters. i The evaluation unit 28 includes an analog-to-digital converter 50 to convert the data, which is primarily composed of analog data and / or parameters, into digital data. Furthermore, the evaluation unit 28 is designed to transmit the motion parameters BK.i connected to the motion sensor unit 20 via the data line (not shown). In this embodiment, the motion sensor unit 20 detects motion parameters BK i along three directions of movement 22, 24, 26, wherein the individual directions of movement 22, 24, 26 are essentially orthogonal to each other. In principle, however, it is conceivable that in an alternative embodiment of the invention, the motion sensor unit 20 detects only one movement parameter BK1 along only one direction of movement 22, 24, 26 or two directions of movement 22, 24, 26. Two of the three directions of movement 22, 24, 26 span an area that is parallel to a housing surface 52 of the tracking device 10, which, in the intended operation of the tracking device 10, is arranged parallel to a wall surface 54 of the object under investigation 14 ( Fig. 2).

[0022] The motion sensor unit 20 can include an accelerometer, such as a MEMS sensor, which measures acceleration in a motion parameter BK formed by a voltage parameter. i outputs a velocity by integrating the motion parameter BK. i can be determined over a time t, or a distance traveled can be determined by a double integration of the motion parameter BK. i can be determined. Furthermore, the motion sensor unit 20 can have an optical sensor for detecting the motion parameter BK. iThe optical motion sensor can be constructed analogously to an optical computer mouse, which has image capture elements and evaluates reflected brightness differences by illuminating a measuring surface, for example by means of an LED and / or a laser, etc., and determines a direction and / or speed. The motion sensor unit 20 can also include a mechanical sensor, which can be constructed analogously to a ball-type computer mouse. Alternatively, the mechanical sensor can also be a vibration / tilt sensor with a conductive sphere, whereby the vibration / tilt sensor can detect the position of the sphere in a metal housing of the sensor unit by closing a contact. Furthermore, the motion sensor unit 20 can include an inclination sensor with an electrolyte, in which an angle of inclination is detected by closing a contact.Alternatively, the motion sensor unit 20 can be configured with any sensors that a specialist would deem useful. Furthermore, the motion sensor unit 20 can be equipped with signal preprocessing, which may include drift and / or temperature correction.

[0023] The data or the movement parameters BK i During operation of the tracking device 10, the data from the motion sensor unit 20 are transmitted to a detection unit 56 of the evaluation unit 28, where initial signal processing takes place. In the evaluation unit 28, the parameters of the sensor unit 46 and the motion sensor unit 20 are evaluated together. Measurement results are output via the display unit 32 and / or the acoustic output unit 44. Fig. 3) Furthermore, the locating device 10 has an input unit 114 via which the operator of the locating device 10 can select a measurement mode and / or enter other control data that a person skilled in the art would consider useful. The input unit 114 may at least partially consist of a keyboard.

[0024] In Fig. 5 are the motion parameters BK sensed by the motion sensor unit 20 i represented over a time t. The three motion parameters BK1, BK2, BK3 each characterize a movement along a motion direction 22, 24, 26, where the individual motion directions 22, 24, 26 are orthogonal to each other ( Fig. 1 and Fig. 2) The first and second directions of movement 22, 24 essentially span the area that is oriented essentially parallel to the housing surface 52, wherein, in correct measurement operation, the housing surface 52 is formed by a surface of the locator 10 facing the object under investigation 14, which is essentially parallel to the surface of the object under investigation 14. The third direction of movement 26 is oriented essentially perpendicular to the first and second directions of movement 22, 24. After the locator 10 is switched on, it is moved essentially along the third direction of movement 26 towards the object under investigation 14, which is noticeable by a steep increase 58 in the motion parameter BK3 along the third direction of movement 26.After the locator 10 is placed 60 on the wall surface 54, it essentially moves towards the wall surface 54, so that the motion parameter BK3 along the third direction of movement 26 remains almost constant and only indicates a signal change when the locator 10 is lifted 62, whereby the motion parameter BK3 of the third direction of movement 26 forms a negative signal value 64. In the signal profile of the motion parameters BK1, BK2 of the first and second directions of movement 22, 24, a movement of the locator 10 parallel to the wall surface 54 can be detected during operation of the motion sensor unit 20. The locator 10 can be moved directly on the wall surface 54 by an operator.The locator 10 can be moved or moved parallel to the wall surface 54 at a distance, wherein the locator 10 has sliding elements (not shown in detail), which may be formed by felt glides, that enable a precise distance between the locator 10 and the wall surface 54 when the locator 10 is moved or moved. Depending on the movement of the locator 10, a different signal profile is observed in the two movement parameters BK1 and BK2. In addition, a change of direction 66 can be detected by a negative signal value 68 in one of the two movement parameters BK1 and BK2 along one of the two directions of movement 22 and 24. A stop 70 of the movement of the locator 10 is recognizable by a signal drop to a base level in the movement parameters BK1, BK2, and BK3.

[0025] In Fig. 6 is a signal waveform of a localization parameter OK iA sensor element 34, 36, 38 of the tracking unit 12 is shown over a distance s. An object 16 is detected by a signal deflection 72 in the tracking parameters OK. i The sensor elements 34, 36, 38 detect an object 16 located in the test object 14 at a distance of approximately 4 cm along the direction of movement 22. This is initially noticeable through a slow signal increase at the beginning of the signal deflection 72 and a parabolic shape of the signal deflection 72. Furthermore, the signal profile of the localization parameter OK i to detect further signal spikes formed by interference signals 74.

[0026] In Fig. Figure 4 shows a schematic sequence of a measurement process of the locator 10 in more detail. After the locator 10 is switched on and / or activated, the evaluation unit 28 detects a possible wall contact 76 between the locator 10 and the wall to be examined ( Fig. 4) The wall contact 76 is essentially determined by detecting a movement that occurs perpendicular to the wall surface 54 along the third direction of movement 26. Subsequently, a movement 78 of the locator 10 on or parallel to the wall surface 54 is detected by the motion sensor unit 20 in the form of two movement parameters BK1, BK2, and the locator unit 12 is automatically calibrated by the evaluation unit 28. For calibration 80, the movement parameters BK are used by the evaluation unit 28. i together with the location parameters OK ievaluated, which are detected by the sensor unit 46. The sensor unit 46 has several sensor elements 34, 36, 38, each of which has a localization parameter OK. iThe calibration 80 of the tracking unit 12 can be performed both when the tracking device 10 is moved across the wall surface 54 or along a direction parallel to the wall surface 54, and when the tracking device 10 is stationary. If the sensor unit 46 has more than two capacitive sensor elements 34, 36, 38, the evaluation unit 28 can select for calibration 80 those sensor elements 34, 36, 38 that exhibit maximum sensitivity along a direction of movement of the tracking device 10. Furthermore, for calibration 80, the operator can hold the tracking device 10 in the air so that the sensor elements 34, 36, 38 of the sensor unit 46 remain unaffected by any disturbances, particularly from metal objects that may be present in the object being measured.

[0027] If calibration 80 is performed during movement 78 or a procedure of the locating device 10 along the direction parallel to the wall surface 54, the evaluation unit 28 can automatically adjust 82 the sensitivity or set a dynamic threshold value for the individual sensor elements 34, 36, 38. The sensitivity of the dynamic threshold value depends on a change in the sensed signals or locating parameters. iabout the path traveled by the tracking device 10 or about a characteristic of the object under investigation 14 along the path traveled by the tracking device 10. For example, inhomogeneities in a surface layer of the object under investigation 14 can generate large background signals, which can be at least partially suppressed by adjusting the sensitivity 82. An adjustment 82 of the sensitivity or the dynamic thresholds of the individual sensor elements 34, 36, 38 is constantly adjusted by the evaluation unit 28 to current tracking parameters OK. iThe sensitivity and dynamic thresholds are adjusted by the evaluation unit 28 such that interference signals are not displayed in the display unit 32. Interference signals can be caused not only by inhomogeneities but also by surface effects of the object under investigation 14, which can influence the sensor signal more strongly than an object 16. The sensitivity of the individual sensor elements 34, 36, 38 can be reduced and the dynamic thresholds increased by the evaluation unit 28 to such an extent that these interference effects are below a certain sensitivity range.

[0028] The location parameters will then be OK. i The individual sensor elements 34, 36, 38 of the sensor unit 46 are evaluated depending on their location. The sensor elements 34, 36, 38 are spatially distributed within the sensor unit 46 ( Fig. 7) When the locating device 10 is moved along a preferred direction or a preferred travel direction 86 of the locating device 10 parallel to the wall surface 54, the individual sensor elements 34, 36, 38 successively cover the same partial areas of the object under investigation 14 or the object 16. The preferred travel direction 86 of the locating device 10 is oriented essentially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis 84 of the locating device 10. For data evaluation, the evaluation unit 28 determines the travel direction 86 of the locating device 10 from the motion parameters BK. i the motion sensor unit 20 is determined and then the individual sensor elements 34, 36, 38 of the sensor unit 46 are checked with regard to a change 88 of the location parameter OK ianalyzed. In the data of the sensor element 38, which first passes over or covers 86 sub-areas of the object under investigation 14 or the object 16 along the direction of travel, the evaluation unit 28 first detects a change in the localization parameter OK. 38 sought which may be an indication of an inhomogeneity and / or a sought-after object 16 within the object of investigation 14. As soon as a change in the location parameter OK 38 If this is the case, then in another procedure of the tracking device 10 the remaining sensor elements 36, 34 will also be OK with regard to a change 90 of the tracking parameter. 36 , OK 34 , which essentially corresponds to change 88 of the location parameter OK 38The signal pattern of the first sensor element 38 is evaluated. If the remaining sensor elements 34, 36 display a substantially identical signal pattern, which must be sensed successively in the individual sensor elements 34, 36, 38 along the direction of travel 86, these are identified by the evaluation unit 28 as an object 16 arranged in the object under investigation 14. This is in Fig. 7, a representation of the location parameters OK I The individual sensor elements 34, 36, 38 are shown over the distance s. A signal output 92 of the measurement results for the operator is provided in the display unit 32. If there is no match in the location parameters, OK 38 , OK 33 , OK 34If a fault is detected, this is identified as a malfunction by the evaluation unit 28, and no output of the results 94 is generated. Furthermore, the evaluation unit 28 stores the data 96 from the sensor unit 46 and the motion sensor unit 20 in a storage medium 30 of the evaluation unit 28, so that if the tracking device 10 changes direction or passes over the area of ​​the object under investigation 14 again, these measured values ​​are available for data analysis. The measurement process is repeated as described above if the tracking device 10 is moved again.

[0029] Furthermore, the motion parameters BK can be used iThe motion sensor unit 20 filters out interference signals or background signals from the individual sensor signals of the sensor elements 34, 36, 38 by the evaluation unit 28. For the unambiguous identification of an object 16, such as a beam, a cable, a pipe, etc., signal changes in the location parameters must be detected. i The changes must be detectable in all sensor elements 34, 36, 38 and must also be sensed at essentially the same position within the object under investigation 14. If the signal changes in the individual sensor elements 34, 36, 38 differ, the evaluation unit 28 can infer an undesired disturbance, such as a tilting of the tracking device 10 and / or an undesired lifting of the tracking device 10 ( Fig. 6) Furthermore, a pattern search for the identification of objects 16 can be carried out via the evaluation unit 28 by searching for objects 16 according to a specific pattern in the location parameters OK i , such as a parabolic curve of the location parameter OK i etc., from background signals and / or interference signals. A fixed threshold for object detection is disregarded by the evaluation unit 28, as objects 16 are selected solely based on the signal pattern.

[0030] The evaluation unit 28 can be used here from the movement parameters BK i Determine the distance traveled and / or a change of direction and / or speed of the tracking device 10 and use this information to evaluate or interpret the data from the individual sensor elements 34, 36, 38 ( Fig. 5 and Fig. 6) In addition, a drift signal 98 from object signals 100 can be generated by the evaluation unit 28 in the localization parameters OK. i Distinctions can be made and / or a superposition of a drift signal 98 and the object signal 100 can be detected, and signal processing can be adapted to the respective situation. The drift signal 98 can be caused by temperature fluctuations, especially temperature increases, in the sensor unit 46, whereby a signal change or a change in the localization parameters OK occurs. i This can occur even when the tracking device 10 is stationary. Furthermore, it is also possible to detect a signal maximum in the tracking parameters OK. i to analyze the direction of movement 22, 24, 26 so that the evaluation unit 28 can precisely locate an object 16. Based solely on the location parameters OK i It is unclear whether a signal drop in the location parameter is OK. ia sensor element 34, 36, 38 due to complete coverage of the object 16 followed by removal from the object 16 or due to a change of direction 66 of the tracking device 10. By means of the motion parameter BK i This information gap can be filled, and a clear localization of object 16 within evaluation unit 28 can be achieved. Evaluation unit 28 can also determine the movement parameters BK. i and the location parameters OK i The data for a detected object 16 is stored in the storage medium 30. Upon passing over the object 16 again, a display area of ​​the display unit 32 can be set to a maximum amplitude of the location parameters OK. i automatically from the evaluation unit 28 based on the stored location parameters OK i and / or motion parameters BK iThe display unit 32 can be set to a maximum resolution for the operator to display the sensed object 16, thus eliminating the need for manual range switching by the operator.

[0031] During operation of the tracking device 10, the number or frequency of measurement averaging can be dynamically adjusted by the evaluation unit 28 to the tracking device's movement speed. If the tracking device 10 is moved at high speed over the object under investigation 14, measurement averaging of the movement parameters BK is infrequent. iThe individual sensor elements 34, 36, 38 are measured by the evaluation unit 28, resulting in low sensitivity of the locating unit 12 and a rough estimate of the objects 16 located within the object 14 under investigation. If, however, the locating device 10 is moved slowly over the object 14, the evaluation unit 28 performs frequent averaging of the measured values, thus improving the signal-to-noise ratio and increasing the sensitivity of the locating unit 12. Objects 16 within the object 14 can then be precisely detected and located. The measurement results are displayed on the display unit 32 or, in the case of an acoustic output unit 44, by emitting a signal tone.Furthermore, the measurement averaging depends on a specific method of the tracking device 10 and only occurs when a specific method of the tracking device 10 is active, so that measurement averaging does not take place if the tracking device 10 is stationary. The measurement averaging is performed using interference reduction algorithms of the evaluation unit 28, whereby the application of the interference reduction algorithms depends on the motion parameters BK. i , such as depending on the speed of a procedure of the tracking device 10 and / or a distinction between a procedure and a standstill of the tracking device 10.

[0032] To simplify the identification of a detected object 16 for the operator of the tracking device 10, the evaluation unit 28 is also designed to determine the tracking parameter OK during signal processing. i or a signal pattern of the location parameter OK i to differentiate according to the distance s ( Fig.8) Edges or peripheral areas of the object 16 are particularly noticeable in the differentiated localization parameters due to a steep signal increase 102 or signal decrease 104. i The signal indicates to the operator a beginning 106 and an end 108 of the object 16 along the direction of travel 86 of the locating device 10. Due to an almost flat signal profile 110 in the middle 112 of the object 16 along the direction of travel 86 of the locating device 10, the middle 112 is hardly visible in this chosen form of display.

Claims

[1] Handheld locating device (10) with a locating unit (12) designed to detect the presence of an object (16) arranged in an object under investigation (14) by means of an investigation signal (18), and a motion sensor unit (20) comprising at least one acceleration sensor designed to detect at least one motion parameter (BK) i ) along at least one direction of movement (22, 24, 26), wherein an evaluation unit (28) is provided to measure the movement parameter (BK) i ) and at least one location parameter (OK i ) of the location unit (12) to evaluate together, characterized by , that the motion sensor unit (20) is designed to detect when the handheld locator (10) is placed on a wall and / or when the handheld locator (10) approaches the wall. [2] Handheld locating device (10) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the evaluation unit (28) is intended to use the location parameter (OK) i ) and the motion characteristic (BK i ) to calibrate the locating unit (12) at least partially automatically. [3] Handheld locating device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the evaluation unit (28) is designed to provide a dynamic threshold for a measurement depending on the localization parameter (OK) i ) and / or the movement parameter (BK) i to adjust. [4] Handheld locating device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the evaluation unit (28) has at least one storage means (30) which allows for the storage of the location parameter (OK) i ) and / or the movement parameter (BK) i ) is planned. [5] Handheld locating device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized bya display unit (32) with a display area, wherein the evaluation unit (28) is provided to automatically adjust the display area at least partially to the location parameter (OK). i ) to adapt. [6] Handheld locating device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the motion sensor unit (20) is designed to detect movement along at least two directions of movement (22, 24, 26). [7] Handheld locating device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the locating unit (12) has at least two sensor elements (34, 36, 38). [8] Handheld locating device (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the evaluation unit (28) is designed to detect a disturbance of the location parameter (OK) during data evaluation i ) using the motion parameter (BK) i to minimize. [9] Handheld locating device (10) according to claim 8, characterized by , that the evaluation unit (28) has at least one noise reduction algorithm. [10] Method with a hand-held locating device (10) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein at least one motion parameter (BK) i ) the motion sensor unit (20) and at least one location parameter (OK i ) of the location unit (12) are evaluated together, characterized by , that the placement of the handheld locator (10) on a wall and / or the approach of the handheld locator (10) to the wall is detected. [11] Method according to claim 10, characterized by , that the locating unit (12) is at least partially calibrated automatically. [12] Method at least according to claim 10, characterized by , that a dynamic threshold for a measurement depends on the location parameter (OK) i ) and / or the movement parameter (BK) i) is set up. [13] Method at least according to claim 10, characterized by , that a display area of ​​the display unit (32) is at least partially automatically adjusted to a measurement amplitude.

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