Patent ID: 6023159
Filing Date: 2000-02-08
Classification: G01B,G01V

Abstract:
A dual sensitivity method for determining a location of a stud positioned behind a surface, using a sensor that senses capacitive loading by the stud, comprising:moving the sensor over the surface, thus sensing a capacitive loading by the stud;providing a sensitivity mode control signal to the sensor indicating one of a high sensitivity mode and a low sensitivity mode;selecting a first digital signal representative of the sensed capacitive loading by the stud in response to selection of the high sensitivity mode;selecting a second digital signal representative of the sensed capacitive loading by the stud in response to selection of the low sensitivity mode, the second digital signal being identical to the first digital signal but shifted by one digital bit;adding the selected first or second digital signal to an averaged sensed capacitive loading data signal from the sensor;converting the added signals to an analog signal; andfeeding back the analog signal to the sensor.