Method and apparatus for locating objects using parametric inversion

An apparatus for locating a target object, at least a portion of which is buried, comprising:

• a signal injector capable of injecting a signal into the target object;
• a magnetic field receiver;
• a matching processor for matching to a magnetic field received by said magnetic field receiver a parametric magnetic field distribution model corresponding to the target object and at least one other object;
• and
• a locating processor for locating the target object using parameters from said parametric magnetic field distribution model.

A computer program product for use in a computer adapted for locating a target object, at least a portion of which is buried, the computer program product comprising a computer readable medium for storing computer readable code means, which when executed by the computer, enables the computer to locate the target object, and wherein the computer readable code means includes computer readable instructions for causing the computer to execute a method comprising:

• injecting a signal into the target object;
• receiving a magnetic field radiated from the target object;
• matching to said received magnetic field a parametric magnetic field distribution model corresponding to the target object and at least one other object;
• and
• locating the target object using parameters from said parametric magnetic field distribution model.

An apparatus for locating a target object, at least a portion of which is buried, comprising:

• means for injecting a signal into the target object;
• means for receiving a magnetic field radiated from the target object;
• means for matching to said received magnetic field a parametric magnetic field distribution model corresponding to the target object and at least one other object;
• and
• means for locating the target object using parameters from said parametric magnetic field distribution model.

A method for locating a target object, at least a portion of which is buried, comprising:

• injecting a first signal into the target object;
• injecting a second signal into a secondary object, at least a portion of which is buried;
• receiving a magnetic field at a first frequency attributable to the target object;
• receiving a second magnetic field at a second frequency attributable to the secondary object;
• matching said first and second magnetic fields to a parametric magnetic field distribution model corresponding to at least two objects;
• and
• locating the target object and the secondary object using parameters from said parametric magnetic field distribution model.