Electromagnetic scanning imager

A handheld imaging tool for locating hidden objects, the handheld imaging tool comprising:

• a transmitting module operable to transmit microwaves toward an object behind a surface;
• a detecting module operable to detect feedback from an interaction of the microwaves and the object;
• a tracking module operable to track movement of the handheld imaging tool along the surface;
• a display supported by the handheld imaging tool;
• and
• an imaging module coupled to the detecting module, the tracking module, and the display, the imaging module operable to
• render a grid on the display, the grid being representative of an area to be scanned by the handheld imaging tool, and
• fill in the grid with generated images based on data from the detecting module and the tracking module as the handheld imaging tool moves along the surface, wherein the generated images are representative of space behind the surface and indicate at least one of a location, size, and depth of the object.

A method of locating hidden objects, the method comprising,

• transmitting microwaves, by a handheld imaging tool, toward an object behind a surface;
• detecting feedback, by the handheld imaging tool, from an interaction of the microwaves and the object;
• tracking movement of the handheld imaging tool along the surface by a tracking device of the handheld imaging tool;
• generating an image on a display supported by the handheld imaging tool, the image including a representation of the object;
• storing the image in a memory with an accompanying tag;
• retrieving the image using the tag;
• and
• displaying the retrieved image on the display.

A handheld imaging tool for locating hidden objects, the handheld imaging tool comprising:

• a transmitting module operable to transmit microwaves toward an object behind a surface;
• a detecting module operable to detect feedback from an interaction of the microwaves and the object;
• a tracking module operable to track movement of the handheld imaging tool along the surface;
• a display supported by the handheld imaging tool;
• and
• an imaging module coupled to the detecting module, the tracking module, and the display, the imaging module being operable to
• generate an image on the display, the image including a representation of the object;
• store the image in a memory with an accompanying tag;
• retrieve the image using the tag;
• and
• display the retrieved image on the display.

A handheld imaging tool for locating hidden objects, the handheld imaging tool comprising:

• a body including,
• a horn assembly including an emitting horn and a receiving horn, wherein the emitting horn is operable to transmit microwaves toward an object behind a surface and the receiving horn is operable to receive feedback from an interaction of the microwaves and the object;
• a tracking module operable to track movement of the handheld imaging tool along the surface;
• an imaging module operable to generate images based on data from the tracking module and the feedback received by the receiving horn;
• and
• a display operable to display generated images as the handheld imaging tool moves along the surface, the generated images being representative of space behind the surface and indicating at least one of a location, size, and depth of the object;
• and
• a handle portion supporting the body of the handheld imaging tool, the handle portion including
• a trigger actuator and a thumb actuator, wherein the trigger actuator and the thumb actuator are operable to at least partially control the display.