Toh with metal detector [not relevant]

answered 2014-01-22 15:10:40 +0200

This post is a wiki. Anyone with karma >75 is welcome to improve it.

updated 2014-01-22 15:10:40 +0200

JayBeRayBearGun
645 ●17 ●20 ●28

http://www.rhebergen.net/

There are several approaches to detect metal. Induction being one of them. This could be considered active as a pulse is emitted. This would be something that could be included in TOH. A passive way to detect (ferrous) metal is using a compass. The phone has a magnetometer(right?) So in principle this could be used. However it needs to be pretty close to the target to work. Beside I don't know it the magnetometer is a total field magnetometer or a tri-axial one. At any rate the orientiation (gyro?) sensor or accelerometer should also be employed to determine the orientation of the phone.

So a basic proof of principle should be possible with the phone just like it is using the various sensors on board. How effective it is going to be depends on sensitivity. I would not expect too much from it though.

Alternatively,... the fact that a magentometer is on board opens up all kinds of other possibilities. Like referencing the phone's position with respect to known magnetic or ferrous objects. Consider this an exercise for getting the creative juices flowing ;) Thinks about games but also serious applications.