Patent Publication Number: US-2013247945-A1

Title: Contacting assembly for conductors present on flat structures, in particular glass panels

Description:
The invention relates to an arrangement for operating a handheld geophysical locating device according to patent claim  1 . 
     Several embodiments for operating geophysical locating devices made by OKM Ortungstechnik Krauss &amp; Müller GmbH, Windischleube, are known. 
     It is known for example from DE 10 2005 011 264 A1 to perform object location in a predetermined area through magnetic field sensing. For this purpose the area is divided into a virtual search field with measuring points distributed in a grid over the search field. Thus, a current position of a magnetic field sensing device that is being moved in the area is captured through a position detection device and transposed into a position within the search field. When reaching an area position of the magnetic field sensing device that corresponds to a measuring point within the search field, a magnetic field measurement is performed. The magnetic field values that are determined in the search field location specific within the area are processed to generate an image. It is a disadvantage of this method that a large number of devices are required. In order to generate a representation that visualizes the location values and the measurement values, a magnetic field sensing device, a position detection system, a processing device for location- and measurement value data and a processing and display device are required. Therefore, the method is rather time- and labor intensive. 
     In case only one person wants to search for objects, a device according to the teachings of DE 10 2005 057 154 A1 is quite practicable. The device described therein is based on a handheld geophysical locating device through processing magnetic field changes, wherein the device includes flux gate sensors and an evaluation and display unit. The flux gate sensors are arranged in a separate probe, wherein the display unit is configured as a pair of video glasses, and wherein a connection is provided between the evaluation unit and the pair of video glasses. 
     However, it has become apparent that overt searching for objects hidden in the ground has numerous disadvantages. Thus, attention of the public is drawn to the user and the search area through the use of the detection devices. Often pedestrians enter the search area and disturb the user of the device during the search in that, for example, ground markers are stepped on. Furthermore, some pedestrians may be motivated to look for objects that are hidden in the area themselves so that the chances for everybody to find valuable objects are reduced. 
     Thus, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved arrangement for operating a portable, in particular handheld geophysical locating device, wherein simple handling has to be assured and simultaneously a locating device is provided which is not apparent as such for third parties. 
     The object is achieved through an arrangement for operating a portable, in particular handheld geophysical locating device including a sensor and a power supply, an operating unit and an interface for wireless data transmissions according to the feature combination according to patent claim  1 , wherein the dependent claims provide at least advantageous embodiments and improvements. 
     Thus, an arrangement for operating a handheld geophysical locating device is provided which includes at least one sensor, a power supply, an operating unit and an interface for wireless data transmission. 
     According to the invention, the components are provided concealed, this means camouflaged in and/or at a sports pole element or a general pole element, wherein data is transferrable to a mobile evaluation and display unit through the interface for wireless data transmissions. 
     It is appreciated that it is irrelevant in the arrangement according to the invention for operating a locating device on which principle the detection of hidden objects is based. Thus, for example flux gate sensors can be used. 
     Preferably at least two sensors are arranged in or at the general pole element. 
     Sports—or general pole elements are for example hiking poles, walking poles, umbrellas, sun umbrellas or Nordic walking poles, wherein the pole elements are advantageously provided with a handle. By a arranging the components associated with the locating device in or at a general pole element, the locating device is not detectable as such so that a user does not run the risk to be discovered by pedestrians when performing his activity. 
     Components associated with the locating device can also be arranged at or in the handle associated with the pole element. Installed in the handle or pole element subsequently stands for a component being completely installed in the handle and enveloped by the handle, so that the component is not visible. An arrangement in an interior of the pole element is also feasible. 
     The designation “at the general pole element” or “at the handle” states that the component is not arranged completely concealed, but that it can be discovered when looking at the locating device. However, the components are configured in this case so that they are not detectable as components associated with a locating device. 
     The power supply, for example, is a battery or an accumulator. Also attaching a power generating solar cell is conceivable. 
     The operating unit is configured for example as start-stop key. It is furthermore conceivable to arrange a trigger for manual measuring impulses. This trigger can also be integrated in the start-stop key. 
     Advantageously, the operating unit is arranged at the handle of the general pole element. 
     The mobile evaluation—and display unit in a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention is a mobile telephone or a PDA. The data to be processed is transmitted by the locating device through the recited interface for wireless transmission to the mobile telephone or the PDA. The transmission is advantageously performed through Bluetooth, wherein infrared transmissions or other wireless communication options can also be used for data transmissions. 
     A program is stored on the mobile telephone through which the measurement values can be received by the locating device via Bluetooth and can be simultaneously represented as a three-dimensional diagram. This facilitates moving, rotating or zooming the diagram. 
     Using a mobile telephone as evaluation—and display unit has the additional advantage that this everyday item does not reveal that anybody is looking for hidden objects. Video glasses or large screens, however, attract the curiosity of third parties. 
     Preferably the mobile evaluation—and display unit includes a memory. In a mobile telephone, this is for example a flash card on which measurements of the display device can be stored in order to be able to transmit them to a computer after the positioning process. 
     Through a GPS module integrated into the mobile telephone or the PDA, also the GPS coordinates of the measuring points can be stored and used for additional navigation. 
     It can be furthermore provided to arrange a radio receiving unit in or at the general pole element so that the arrangement can be used for example as a hiking pole with radio function when the mobile telephone is not being used. This explanation can be provided for example when third parties ask questions regarding the start/stop keys arranged at the handle unit. 
     In order to be able to imitate the appearance and the shape of a hiking pole even more closely, the general pole element can be configured as a telescope pole. 
     The invention shall be described in more detail based on an embodiment with reference to a drawing figure. 
     Thus, the figure illustrates an arrangement for a handheld geophysical locating device which includes several components which are arranged in or at a general pole element  1  in a disguised manner. 
     The components initially include at least one sensor  2 , a power supply which is a battery  4  in the illustrated embodiment, an operating unit  5  and an interface  6  for wireless data transmissions. 
     The general pole element  1  is configured as a hiking pole with a handle  3 , wherein the detection sensor  2  is arranged in an interior of the pole element  1  and enveloped by the tube system so that the sensor  2  cannot be discovered. 
     The battery  4  and the operating unit  5 , however, are arranged in the handle  3 , wherein the battery  4  is completely enveloped by the material of the handle  3  and the operating unit  5  includes a start/stop key which is arranged at the handle and visibly points in outward direction. The interface for wireless data transmissions is also arranged at the handle  3 . 
     Thus, measurement values determined by the sensor  2  can be wirelessly transmitted through the Bluetooth interface  6  to an evaluation and display unit  7  which is provided as a mobile telephone in the illustrated embodiment. A program stored in the mobile telephone evaluates the determined data and can graphically display the data in the display field. 
     Furthermore, a radio receiver  9  is installed in the pole element  1  which is configured as a telescopic pole  8 . 
     When pedestrians approach the radio receiver  9  can be activated through the operating unit  5  so that no explanations regarding the configuration of the hiking pole have to be provided. 
    
    
     REFERENCE NUMERALS AND DESIGNATIONS 
     
         
           1  general pole element 
           2  sensor 
           3  handle 
           4  battery 
           5  operating unit 
           6  interface 
           7  evaluation- and display unit 
           8  telescopic rod 
           9  radio receiver