Patent ID: 7656159

Claim:
A method for locating stationary magnetic objects in an area of detection, said method comprising: placing a plurality of magnetic sensors arranged in an array on a movable and adjustable platform; for each said plurality of magnetic sensors, measuring a total magnetic field signal in said area of detection; using said plurality of magnetic sensors to identify a line upon which a target stationary magnetic object is located within said area of detection; and fixing a location of said target stationary magnetic object, wherein the fixing process comprises: moving said platform over said area of detection in substantially straight lines until a target stationary magnetic object is detected by at least two of said plurality of magnetic sensors; using the measured total magnetic field signals to determine a first path on which said target stationary magnetic object lies; positioning said plurality of magnetic sensors so that a line connecting two of said plurality of magnetic sensors intersects said first path on which said target stationary magnetic object lies; moving said platform along a second path substantially parallel to said first path; recording two positions at which at least two of said plurality of magnetic sensors detect a maximum total magnetic field signal from said target stationary magnetic object; and identifying a third path through said two positions.