Handheld Imaging Locator Orientation-Independent Map Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing locating devices face challenges in efficiently detecting and mapping hidden objects under examination surfaces without direct contact, particularly in providing accurate and intuitive two-dimensional map information that remains orientation-independent during device rotation.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held imaging locating device equipped with a first locating device, position sensor, evaluation device, and display device, which acquires and processes locating data to generate and display two-dimensional map information, including superimposing different categories of data to provide comprehensive and orientation-independent maps.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If the locating device is rotated on the examination surface, then the device can be repositioned to cover different areas, but the displayed map orientation becomes misaligned with the actual object positions

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedevice repositioning capabilityVSAvoidmap orientation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

Instead of rotating the map display to match the device orientation, the patent rotates the display in the opposite direction of device rotation. When the device rotates clockwise, the map rotates counter-clockwise by the same angle, maintaining the alignment between displayed object positions and their actual locations on the examination surface regardless of device orientation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

2Loss of information

If multiple categories of locating data are processed separately, then comprehensive information can be obtained, but the complexity of data processing and display increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecompleteness of locating informationVSAvoiddata processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of informationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines multiple categories of locating data (first category and second category) into a single unified map display. The evaluation device processes different types of locating data from multiple locating devices and integrates them into one coherent two-dimensional map, allowing comprehensive information about hidden objects to be displayed together without requiring separate displays for each data category.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP3161526B1Locating device and method of operating a locating device

Publication Date: 2021.09.15 ROBERT BOSCH GMBH

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AI summary

The invention describes an image-generating location device (10, 10'), in particular a handheld location device (10') comprising at least one first location unit (38, 38a) which is provided to detect location data for location objects (36, 36', 36") concealed under an examination surface (34), a position sensor (46) for recording position data from the location device (10, 10') with respect to the examination surface (34), an evaluation unit (30) which is provided to determine a first at least two-dimensional map information (20, 20a) by assigning location data from a first category of the first location device (38, 38a) to position data. According to the invention, the evaluation device (30) is provided to determine at least one additional at least two-dimensional map information (20, 20b, 20c, 20d) different from the first at least two-dimensional map information (20, 20a). Further, a method according to the invention is also described for operating an image-generating location device (10, 10').