Sensor with a radiant indicator
An implementation of systems, devices and methods for a sensor to find a hidden element behind a surface are provided. The sensor includes a housing with a radiant indicator in a bottom section of the housing. The radiant indicator is translucent and acts as another indication that the sensor is over the hidden element. The sensor also includes a light source, such as an LED, which lights the radiant indicator with a beam, as well as optionally projecting an image on the surface, for example, formed by the bottom section and a top section of the housing. The same light source may also be used to project a second beam to an indicator on the top section of the housing.
1. A sensor configured to find a hidden element behind a surface, the sensor comprising:
a housing comprising a top section and a bottom section, wherein the bottom section comprises a radiant indicator in a front portion of the bottom section;
circuitry coupled to the housing, wherein the circuitry comprises a light chamber having a light surface, a light source and an opening, wherein the circuitry is configured to illuminate the radiant indicator by activating the light source;
a display positioned in the housing and coupled to the circuitry; and
an opaque material, wherein the opaque material is a backing position at a bottom side of the sensor;
wherein the light chamber is configured to reflect light from the light surface to the opening in the light chamber to form a first beam; and
wherein the radiant indicator is positioned to receive the first beam.
2. The sensor of claim 1 , further comprising a lens assembly coupled to the housing, wherein the lens assembly comprises a lens configured to optically connect the first beam to the radiant indicator.
3. The sensor of claim 2 , wherein the lens assembly is insertable into the bottom section.
4. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the top section and the bottom section form an opening in the housing configured to form an image against an adjacent surface.
5. The sensor of claim 1 , further comprising a backing to the radiant indicator to provide a contrast to the radiant indicator.
6. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the light chamber further comprises a second opening positioned to project a second beam to the display.
7. The sensor of claim 6 , wherein the display comprises a notched display.
8. The sensor of claim 6 , wherein the display comprises an LCD display.
9. The sensor of claim 6 , wherein the second opening is further positioned to project the second beam to a material.
10. The sensor of claim 9 , wherein the second beam passes between the display and the material.
11. The sensor of claim 1 , wherein the radiant indicator is translucent and passive.
12. A method for finding a hidden element behind a surface using a sensor, the method comprising:
detecting the hidden element with the sensor comprising a housing comprising a top section and a bottom section, wherein the bottom section comprises a radiant indicator in a front portion of the bottom section;
activating a light source to emit a light, based on detecting the hidden element;
reflecting the light from a light surface in a light chamber comprising the light surface;
forming a first beam through an opening in the light chamber;
illuminating an opaque material, wherein the opaque material is a backing position at a bottom side of the sensor;
illuminating a radiant indicator with the first beam; and
illuminating a display wherein the display is positioned in the housing and coupled to the circuitry.
13. The method of claim 12 , further comprising optically connecting the first beam to the radiant indicator.
14. The method of claim 12 , further comprising inserting a lens assembly into a front portion of a bottom section of a housing comprising a top section and the bottom section.
15. The method of claim 12 , further comprising forming an opening in a housing, comprising a top section and a bottom section, configured to a form an image against an adjacent surface.
16. The method of claim 12 , further comprising placing a backing to an under portion of the radiant indicator to provide a contrast to the radiant indicator.
17. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
forming a second beam through a second opening in the light chamber;
wherein illuminating the display comprises illuminating the display with the second beam.
18. The method of claim 12 , further comprising:
forming a second beam through a second opening in the light chamber; and
illuminating a material with the second beam.
19. The method of claim 18 , wherein part of the second beam passes between the display and the opaque material.
20. A sensor configured to find a hidden element behind a surface, the sensor comprising:
means for detecting the hidden element with the sensor comprising a housing comprising a top section and a bottom section, wherein the bottom section comprises a radiant indicator in a front portion of the bottom section;
means for activating a light source to emit a light in a light chamber, based on the means for detecting the hidden element;
means for reflecting the light in the light chamber;
means for forming a first beam based on the means for reflecting the light;
means for illuminating an opaque material, wherein the opaque material is a backing position at a bottom side of the sensor;
means for illuminating the radiant indicator with the first beam; and
means for illuminating a display wherein the display is positioned in the housing and coupled to the circuitry.