United States Patent
`Valentine et al.
`
`[19]
`
`[54] MOTOR VEHICLE POLICE RADAR
`DETECTOR FOR DETECTING MULTIPLE
`RADAR SOURCES
`[75] Inventors: Michael D. Valentine; Stephen R.
`Scholl; Clarence R. Groth, all of
`Cincinnati, Ohio
`Valentine Research, Inc. , Cincinnati,
`Ohio
`[21] Appl. No. : 982, 594
`[22] Filed:
`Nov. 27, 1992
`
`[73] Assignee:
`
`Related U. S
`[62] Division of Ser. No
`division of Ser. No.
`5, 146, 226.
`[5 1] Int. Cl. 5 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
`[52] U. S. Cl.
`[58] Field of Search . . . . .
`
`Application Data
`891, 715, Jun. 1, 1992, which is a
`687, 282, Apr. 18, 1991, Pat. No.
`
`G01S 7/40; GOSB 29/00
`. . . . . . . . . . . . 342/20; 340/506
`. . . 342/20; 340/500, 502,
`340/506
`
`[56]
`
`References Cited
`U. S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`Jaffe .
`12/1963
`3, 115, 622
`.
`2/1982
`4, 315, 261
`Mosher
`Fende et al. .
`9/1986
`4, 613, 989
`Baba et al. .
`11/1986
`4, 622, 553
`.
`12/1986
`4, 626, 857
`Imazeki
`.
`4, 630, 054
`12/1986
`Martinson
`. . . . . . . . . . .
`4, 631, 542
`12/1986
`Grimsley
`Imazeki et al. .
`5/1987
`4, 668, 952
`.
`8/1987
`4, 686, 499
`Furnish
`Gregg, Jr. .
`9/1987
`4, 692, 763
`Baba et ak .
`10/1987
`4, 698, 632
`.
`2/1988
`4, 725, 840
`Orazietti
`6/1988
`4, 750, 215
`Biggs .
`6/1989
`.
`4, 841, 302
`Henry
`Ryan et al. .
`8/1990
`4, 949, 088
`Orr .
`9/1990
`4, 954, 828
`Roy, III et al. .
`10/1990
`4, 965, 732
`
`. . . 340/502 X
`
`IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII
`US005250951A
`[1 1] Patent Number:
`[45] Date of Patent:
`
`5, 250, 951
`Oct. 5, 1993
`
`.
`5, 001, 777 3/1991 Liautaud
`. . . 342/20
`5, 164, 729 11/1992 Decker et al.
`Primary Examiner — Gilberto Barr6n, Jr.
`Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Killworth, Gottman, Hagan
`
`dk Schaeff
`
`[57]
`ABSTRACT
`A police radar signal detector detects and monitors
`radar signals from up to nine (9) radar sources until a
`detected
`radar signal has not been redetected
`for a
`given number of detector operations, or spectrum
`sweeps, or until a detected signal has been displaced by
`a higher priority radar signal. In the police radar signal
`detector of the present invention, a user of the detector
`is advised not only of the presence of detected radar
`the frequency band of detected radar signals
`signals,
`and the relative field strength of the signals but also of
`the number of different radar signal sources which are
`transmitting
`the user's motor vehicle.
`toward
`signals
`The information provided
`to the user for the frequency
`band of detected
`radar signals and the relative
`field
`strength of the signals
`is for the highest priority radar
`signal detected if more than one signal has been de-
`tected and is being monitored by the detector of the
`present
`invention.
`In addition,
`the directions of radar
`sources are determined
`and the user of the detector is
`advised of the direction or directions,
`front, side and
`rear, of origin of radar sources
`transmitting
`signals
`toward the user's motor vehicle. If sources are oriented
`at more than one direction relative to the user's motor
`vehicle, an indicator is illuminated
`to advise the user of
`all the directions of origin with the indicator for the
`direction of origin of the highest priority signal being
`flashed to so advise the user of the detector. Further,
`since multiple radar signals can be detected, each time a
`new radar signal is detected, a distinctive memo alarm is
`activated to alert the user to the presence of a new radar
`signal source.
`
`5 Claims, 4 Drawing Sheets
`
`SAM
`
`Ho
`
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`
`K-40 Electronics, LLC Exhibit 1006, page 1
`
`

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`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 5, 1993
`
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`K-40 Electronics, LLC Exhibit 1006, page 2
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`

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`U. S. Patent
`US. Patent
`
`Oct. 5, 1993
`Oct. 5, 1993
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`U. S. Patent
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`Oct. 5, 1993
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`K-40 Electronics, LLC Exhibit 1006, page 4
`
`

`

`U. S. Patent
`
`Oct. 5, 1993
`
`Sheet 4 of 4
`
`5, 250, 951
`
`ALARM TABLE
`
`~HR ~A
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`BIN ~
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`INDICATOR(S)
`FOR THREATS
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`42
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`TONE AT
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`MORE
`SOURCE
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`NUMBER
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`AT
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`I NTERRUPT
`PROPORTIONAL
`TO I/ SIGNAL
`STRENGTH
`
`K-40 Electronics, LLC Exhibit 1006, page 5
`
`

`

`5, 250, 951
`
`MOTOR VEHICLE POLICE RADAR DETECTOR
`FOR DETECTING MULTIPLE RADAR SOURCES
`
`This is a division of application Ser. No. 07/891, 715 5
`filed Jun. 1, 1992 which is a division of application Ser.
`No. 07/687, 282 filed Apr. 18, 1991, now U. S. Pat. No.
`5, 146, 226, issued Sep. 8, 1992.
`CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATION
`The present application
`is related to U. S. patent appli-
`cation Ser. No. 659, 625 filed Feb. 25, 1991 now U. S.
`Pat. No. 5, 083, 129 and entitled Police Radar Detector
`for Detecting Radar Signals and Determining
`the Di- 15
`rectional Origin of the Signal Source.
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`The present
`invention
`to police
`relates generally
`radar detectors used in motor vehicles and, more partic- 20
`ularly, to a police radar detector which not only detects
`radar signals incident on a motor vehicle but also deter-
`mines if detected radar signals are coming from more
`than one radar signal source and alerts the operator of
`the motor vehicle of both the radar signals and that one 25
`or more sources of radar signals are present.
`Radar signals have been commonly used by police for
`the speed of motor vehicles. In
`some time to determine
`response to radar speed monitoring and to signal motor
`vehicle operators when such monitoring
`is taking place, 30
`police radar detectors have likewise been used for al-
`most a coincident period of time. Currently
`available
`the presence of radar signals,
`radar detectors
`indicate
`the frequency band of detected signals and the relative
`field strength of detected signals.
`Widely varying operating procedures for using police
`radar and the proliferation of other signals assigned
`to
`the same frequency bands as police radar has led to the
`need for police radar detectors which give more infor-
`mation than that provided by currently available radar 40
`detectors. For example, two or more police speed moni-
`toring radars may be deployed close to one another
`such that motorists become complacent after having
`passed the first unit only to encounter
`the second. Com-
`binations of mobile «nd stationary units also may be 45
`used in an effort to mask one another and thereby defeat
`radar detectors.
`to the possible variations
`In addition
`in police radar
`there are many different sources of
`signal encounters,
`microwave signals
`in the frequency bands allocated to 50
`police radar by the U. S. Federal Communications Com-
`mission (FCC) since these bands have also been allo-
`cated for transmitters performing other functions. For
`example, motion-detecting
`burglar alarms, automatic
`door openers, and low-power speed measuring devices 55
`used in sports also operate in the frequency bands allo-
`cated to police radar. Unfortunately, police radar detec-
`tors cannot distinguish between signals generated by a
`police radar transmitter
`and those generated by other
`devices which utilize microwave
`the 60
`signals within
`same frequency bands.
`In addition to producing annoying
`false alarms to the
`operators of motor vehicles utilizing
`radar detectors,
`to such radar detector
`motorists become accustomed
`activating signals
`in certain locations along commonly 65
`traveled streets and highways. Police radar units may
`be deployed by the side of the roadway at these loca-
`tions since the police also are aware of the local activat-
`
`35
`
`ing signals and that the signals tend to mask their own
`speed monitoring
`radar units.
`Accordingly,
`there is a need for an improved police
`radar detector which can assist the operator of a motor
`vehicle using the detector to accurately interpret signals
`generated by the detector to alert the operator of police
`radar signals incident on the motor vehicle.
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`This need is met by the police radar detector of the
`present
`invention which detects and monitors multiple
`radar sources. In the illustrated embodiment, up to nine
`(9) radar sources are monitored by the detector, which
`to monitor up to nine (9) detected radar sig-
`continues
`nals until a detected signal has not been redetected for a
`given number of detector operations, or spectrum
`sweeps, or until a detected signal has been displaced by
`a higher priority radar signal. In the police radar detec-
`tor of the present
`invention, a user of the detector
`is
`advised not only of the presence of detected radar sig-
`nals, the frequency band of detected radar signals and
`the relative field strength of the signals but also of the
`number of different
`radar signal sources which are
`transmitting
`toward
`the user's motor vehicle.
`signals
`The information provided to the user for the frequency
`band of detected
`radar signals and the relative
`field
`strength of the signals
`is for the highest priority radar
`signal detected if more than one signal has been de-
`tected and is being monitored by the detector of the
`present invention.
`the directions of radar sources are deter-
`In addition,
`mined and the user of the detector
`is advised of the
`direction or directions of origin of radar sources trans-
`mitting signals toward
`the user's motor vehicle. In the
`illustrated embodiment,
`three source origin directions:
`front, side and rear, are determined
`and indicated
`to a
`user of the detector. If sources are oriented at more than
`one direction
`to the user's motor vehicle, an
`relative
`indicator
`to advise
`is illuminated
`the user of all the
`directions of origin with the indicator for the direction
`of origin of the highest priority signal being flashed to
`so advise the user of the detector.
`Since multiple radar signals are detected, each time a
`new radar signal is detected, a distinctive memo alarm is
`activated to alert the user to the presence of a new radar
`signal source. Further,
`to reduce operator annoyance,
`each time the detector is muted, all radar signals which
`have been detected at that time aie marked as muted
`and are sounded only at a reduced volume. The muted
`marking of a detected
`radar signal
`is removed only
`when
`the radar signal
`is not detected for a period of
`time. Thus, if a signal comes and goes due to terrain or
`otherwise,
`it remains muted unless it is unmarked
`and
`detected thereafter as a new radar signal. Such opera-
`tion can be used even for detectors which do not alert
`an operator of multiple
`radar sources since it prevents
`reinstatement of full volume alerting
`signals for such
`signals.
`In accordance with one aspect of the present
`inven-
`tion, a motor vehicle police radar signal detector for
`alerting an operator of a motor vehicle
`to incoming
`radar signals from more than one radar signal source
`comprises receiver means for receiving
`incoming radar
`signals. Detector means are coupled
`to the receiver
`means for detecting
`the incoming radar signals. Signal
`processing means are coupled to the detector means for
`identifying detected radar signals, storing identification
`representative of detected
`signals
`radar signals, and
`
`K-40 Electronics, LLC Exhibit 1006, page 6
`
`

`

`the number of stored identification
`determining
`signals
`to incoming radar signals generated
`which correspond
`by different radar signal sources. Alarm means are pro-
`vided and operated by the signal processing means for
`alerting an operator of a motor vehicle using the radar
`signal detector of the number of different radar signal
`sources which are transmitting
`radar signals toward the
`motor vehicle.
`The alarm means may comprise a numeric display
`the number of different
`which displays
`incoming radar
`incident on the motor vehicle. The signal pro-
`signals
`cessing means identifies each detected radar signal by
`means of the value of a ramp signal which
`is used to
`control the detector means. The value of the ramp con-
`trol signal upon detection of a radar signal is stored and,
`together with the frequency band of the detected radar
`signal, serves to uniquely
`identify each detected radar
`signal.
`In one embodiment of the present
`the de-
`invention,
`tector means comprises an analog-to-digital
`converter
`which receives the ramp signal and generates a digital
`thereof for the signal processing means.
`representation
`The analog-to-digital
`converter defines the resolution
`of the frequency
`for each frequency band
`spectrum
`monitored by the motor vehicle police radar detector,
`to 2" where n equals
`the resolution being equal
`the
`number of digital places of digital output signals of the
`converter. In one embodiment of the
`analog-to-digital
`invention, n=8 and
`the frequency
`spectrum
`present
`is equal to 256 frequency divisions for each
`resolution
`frequency band monitored by the radar detector
`In accordance with another aspect of the present
`invention, a motor vehicle police radar signal detector
`for alerting an operator of a motor vehicle to incoming
`radar signals from a plurality of radar signal sources
`comprises receiver means for receiving
`incoming radar
`signals. Detector means are coupled
`to the receiver
`means for detecting
`radar signals. Signal
`the incoming
`processing means are coupled to the detector means for
`identifying each of the incoming radar signals detected,
`storing identification
`thereof, and
`signals representative
`the number of different stored identifica-
`determining
`tion signals. Alarm means are operated by the processor
`means for alerting an operator of a motor vehicle using
`the radar signal detector of the number of different
`stored identification
`signals.
`The alarm means may comprise a single digit digital
`the plurality of radar signal sources is
`display whereby
`limited to nine (9) radar signal sources. De-
`effectively
`tected radar signal sources exceeding nine (9) are de-
`in the signal processing means
`leted from storage
`in
`accordance with defined priority
`lowest
`the
`levels,
`first. The priority
`levels being deleted
`levels
`priority
`from highest priority to lowest priority are from highest
`to lowest weighted
`weighted
`strength
`signal
`signal
`radar signal sources having equally
`strength. Multiple
`signal strengths are further prioritized
`large weighted
`to lowest priority by frequency
`from highest priority
`from Ka, K, Ku to X. Multiple equally
`band
`large
`weighted signals in the same frequency band are further
`to lowest priority by
`prioritized
`from highest priority
`direction of source from front, rear to side, respectively.
`In accordance with yet another aspect of the present
`invention, a method of operating a motor vehicle police
`radar signal detector for alerting an operator of a motor
`vehicle to incoming
`radar signals from more than one
`the steps of: detecting
`radar signal source comprises
`identifying detected radar sig-
`radar signals;
`incoming
`
`nals to generate identification
`signals; storing identifica-
`representative of detected
`tion signals
`radar signals;
`the number of stored identification
`determining
`signals
`to incoming radar signals generated
`which corresponds
`5 by different radar signal sources; and, alerting an opera-
`tor of a motor vehicle using the radar signal detector
`that radar signals
`from more
`than one radar signal
`source are incident on the motor vehicle.
`The step of alerting an operator of a motor vehicle
`10 using the radar signal detector that radar signals from
`more than one radar signal source are incident on the
`motor vehicle preferably comprises indicating
`the num-
`ber of different radar signal sources which are directing
`the motor vehicle. The step of
`radar signals
`toward
`15 alerting an operator of a motor vehicle using the radar
`signal detector that radar signals from more than one
`radar signal source are incident on the motor vehicle
`may comprise: generating
`tone representa-
`an audible
`tive of detected radar signals, the audible tone having an
`20 operator selected volume; switching
`the radar signal
`detector to a mute state in response
`to a mute signal
`such that the audible
`tone is reduced
`in volume; and,
`canceling the mute state only when no radar signals are
`being detected or monitored. Preferably,
`the volume of
`25 the mute tone is set by an operator to a volume equal to
`or greater
`than a minimum
`tone volume. To ensure
`operator recognition of the detection of new radar sig-
`nals, the step of alerting an operator of a motor vehicle
`using the radar signal detector that radar signals from
`30 more than one radar signal source are incident on the
`motor vehicle preferably comprises generating a dis-
`tinct memo alarm upon the detection of radar signals
`from a new radar signal source.
`In addition to the previously noted radar signal char-
`the method of operating a motor vehicle
`35 acteristics,
`police radar signal detector for alerting an operator of a
`motor vehicle to incoming radar signals from more than
`one radar signal source preferably
`further comprises:
`the direction of each source of detected
`determining
`40 radar signals,
`the identification
`the
`signals
`including
`determined direction of each source of detected radar
`signals; and, alerting an operator of a motor vehicle
`using the radar signal detector of the direction of at least
`one source of detected radar signals.
`The step of alerting an operator of a motor vehicle
`using the radar signal detector of the direction of at least
`one source of detected
`radar signals may comprise
`lighting a corresponding
`indicator
`light. When radar
`signal sources are detected as originating
`from more
`50 than one direction, the step of alerting an operator of a
`motor vehicle using
`the radar signal detector of the
`direction of origin of at least one source of radar signals
`may comprise: blinking a corresponding
`indicator light
`for the direction of a source of a detected radar signal
`55 having a highest priority; and, lighting a corresponding
`indicator light for each additional detected radar signal
`from a direction other than the direction of
`originating
`the highest priority source. Preferably,
`the indicated
`directions of origin of detected radar signals are front,
`60 side and rear of the motor vehicle.
`In accordance with still another aspect of the present
`invention, a method of operating a motor vehicle police
`radar signal detector for alerting an operator of a motor
`vehicle to incoming radar signals comprises the steps of:
`65 detecting
`incoming radar signals; generating an audible
`tone representative of detected radar signals, the audi-
`ble tone being sounded at a defined volume; switching
`the radar detector to a mute state in response to a mute
`
`45
`
`K-40 Electronics, LLC Exhibit 1006, page 7
`
`

`

`5, 250, 951
`
`10
`
`signal such that the audible tone is reduced in volume to
`an operator set mute tone volume equal to or above a
`tone level; and, canceling the mute state only
`minimum
`when no radar signals are being detected.
`Thus, it is an object of the present
`to pro- 5
`invention
`vide an improved police radar signal detector which
`to that provided by
`provides
`information
`in addition
`radar signal detectors to assist the opera-
`conventional
`tor of a motor vehicle in accurately
`interpreting
`signals
`to provide an improved
`generated by the detector;
`police radar signal detector which provides information
`to that provided by conventional
`in addition
`radar sig-
`nal detectors to assist the operator of a motor vehicle in
`accurately
`alarms generated by the detec-
`interpreting
`tor wherein multiple
`radar signals are monitored and 15
`to a user of the detector; and, to provide an
`indicated
`improved police radar signal detector which provides
`to that provided by conven-
`in addition
`information
`tional radar signal detectors to assist the operator of a
`motor vehicle in accurately
`interpreting
`alarms gener- 20
`ated by the detector wherein multiple
`radar signals are
`the direction of the origin of those
`monitored with
`signals being determined, both the number and direc-
`tions of origin of detected radar signals being indicated
`to a user of the detector.
`Other objects and advantages of the invention will be
`from the following description,
`apparent
`the accompa-
`nying drawings and the appended claims.
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a radar detec-
`tor including
`the present
`invention;
`FIG. 2 is a graph of an antenna pattern function fi(8)
`for one frequency band of a forwardly directed front
`antenna of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a graph of an antenna pattern function fz(8)
`for one frequency band of a rearwardly directed rear
`antenna of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 4 is a graph oF a radar source oriented at an
`angle 8 relative
`to the forward direction of a vehicle 40
`and at an angle P, (m — 8), relative to the rear direction
`of the vehicle;
`FIG. 5 is a graphic overlay of the functions
`i5, P(8),
`Ppfi(8) and Ppfz(n — 8) illustrating
`the difference be-
`tween the weighted powers of the signals received by 45
`the front and rear antennas of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 6 is an empirically determined
`table for deter-
`mining the angular orientation of a radar source relative
`the radar detector of FIG. 1;
`to a vehicle utilizing
`FIG. 7 is a flow chart of the operations of the radar 50
`detector of FIG. 1 for determining
`the angular orienta-
`tion of a radar source relative to a vehicle utilizing
`the
`radar detector of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 8 is an elevational view of a three directional
`display for use in the radar detector of FIG. 1;
`FIG. 9 is a schematic representation of an alarm table
`used for long term processing of up to nine (9) radar
`the radar detector of the
`in accordance with
`signals
`present invention; and
`FIG. 10 is a flow chart of the operations of the radar 60
`detector oF FIG. 1 for threat display determinations.
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE
`INVENTION
`As previously noted, the present
`relates to 65
`invention
`a motor vehicle radar detector which not only detects
`the presence of radar signals incident on a motor vehicle
`but also determines whether
`the signals are coming
`
`35
`
`from more than orie radar signal source and alerts the
`operator of the motor vehicle of both the presence of
`radar signals and also the number of sources of radar
`signals being monitored by the detector.
`The radar detector 100 of FIG. 1 monitors one or
`more police radar bands to sense radar signals 102 inci-
`dent upon receiver means comprising antennas 104, a
`generally
`forwardly directed front antenna 104F and a
`generally rearwardly directed rear antenna 104R, of the
`detector 100. While the antennas 104F, 104R are illus-
`trated as generally
`facing the front and the rear of a
`vehicle including
`the detector 100, it is to be understood
`that the antenna directions can be different for given
`applications and as a result of existing or future require-
`ments. Signals received by the antennas 104F, 104R are
`passed to connector means comprising a switching cir-
`cuit 106 in the illustrated
`for connecting
`embodiment
`signals from the antennas 104F, 104R to detector means
`which detects incoming signals and distinguishes
`radar
`signals from noise such that valid incoming radar signals
`can be indicated
`to the person using the detector 100.
`In the embodiment
`in FIG. 1, the detector
`illustrated
`means comprises any appropriate
`radar detector circuit
`108 capable of generating a signal strength (SS) output
`signal which indicates the strength of valid radar signals
`detected by the detector circuit 108. The switching
`circuit 106 and radar detector circuit 108 are not impor-
`tant to the invention of the present application, can take
`a wide variety of forms and can include amplifiers,
`mixers, diplexers, and other circuitry commonly used in
`the radar detector field as are well known
`to those
`skilled in the art. Accordingly,
`the switching circuit 106
`and the radar detector 108 will not be further described
`herein.
`Processor means taking the form of a microprocessor
`110 in the illustrated embodiment control the switching
`circuit 106 to selectively connect signals from the anten-
`nas 104F and 104R to the detector circuit 108. While the
`detector circuit 108 may operate autonomously, opera-
`tion and control of the detector circuit 108, for example
`for the detection of radar signals
`in different frequency
`to police radar signals,
`bands allocated
`is also per-
`formed by the microprocessor 110 in the illustrated
`embodiment. The microprocessor 110 additionally con-
`trols alarm circuits 112 to communicate
`information
`regarding detected radar signals
`to the operator of a
`motor vehicle using the radar detector 100 by means of
`one or more alarm tones and/or visual indicators which
`are included within
`the alarm circuits 112 and will be
`further described hereinafter. As shown in FIG. 1, the
`antennas 104F and 104R are preferably
`positioned
`within a single housing which can be the radar detector
`housing 100H, schematically
`represented by the dotted
`line box of FIG. 1.
`The determination of the direction of the source of
`radar signals
`incident on a motor vehicle in the radar
`detector 100 will now be described with reference to
`FIGS. 2-8. FIG. 2 is a graphic
`representation of an
`antenna pattern
`function fi(8) for one frequency band
`received by the forwardly directed antenna 104F where
`8 represents
`the incident angle relative to the forward
`direction F of the motor vehicle utilizing
`the radar
`detector 100. Similarly, FIG. 3 is a graphic representa-
`tion of an antenna pattern
`function
`fz(8) for the same
`band of the rearwardly
`frequency
`directed antenna
`104R where 8 represents
`the incident angle relative to
`the rear direction R of the motor vehicle utilizing
`the
`(m — 8). Thus, as
`radar detector 100 with 8 equalling
`
`25
`
`3P
`
`55
`
`K-40 Electronics, LLC Exhibit 1006, page 8
`
`

`

`5, 250
`, 951
`in FIG. 4, a radar source 120 is oriented at an
`shown
`angle 8 relative to the forward direction F of the vehi-
`cle and at an angle 8, (m — 8), relative to the rear direc-
`tion R of the vehicle.
`FIG. 5 is a graphic overlay representing
`the functions
`dP(8), Peft(8) and Pofz(n' — 8) wherein EP(8) is the
`the weighted power of the signal
`difference between
`received
`the
`directed
`forwardly
`104F,
`in
`antenna
`Pefi(8), and the power of the signal received
`in the
`rearwardly directed antenna 104R, Pofz(n — 8), thus:
`~e)=W~(e&-RA( -el.
`
`5
`
`to
`
`8
`circuit 108 stopping upon
`initial
`signal detection
`permit storage of identification
`signals.
`As soon as a valid radar signal has been detected and
`the detector circuit 108 stopped,
`the selection of the
`antennas 104 is switched and the same signal is detected
`for the other antenna, see block 20&. The signal strength
`of the signal in the other antenna
`is recorded, see block
`210. At this point, a valid radar signal will have been
`detected, and the strength of the signal in both antennas
`104F and 104R will have been determined and recorded
`by the microprocessor 110. The microprocessor 110
`the angular direction of the source 120
`next determines
`relative to the motor vehicle which contains the radar
`detector 100, see block 212.
`The determination of the direction of the detected
`radar source can be performed by table look-up using
`the appropriate
`table for the band
`the de-
`including
`tected radar signal and the signal strengths of the signal
`in the antennas 104F and 104R. While it would be possi-
`ble to precisely
`the angular direction of the
`identify
`radar source 120, for the motor vehicle radar detector
`100 of the present
`identification of one of
`invention,
`three directions appears to be adequate for the operator
`of a motor vehicle including
`the detector 100: front, side
`or rear.
`Thus, as shown in FIG. 6, it is possible to select upper
`and lower thresholds TH1 and TH2 with the direction
`of the radar source 120 being
`identified as: from the
`front if the power difference dP(8) exceeds the upper
`threshold TH1; from the rear if the power difference
`EP(8) is below the lower threshold TH2; and, from the
`side if the power difference b, P(8) is equal to or between
`the upper threshold TH1 and the lower threshold TH2.
`As shown in FIG. 6, the thresholds TH1 and TH2 cor-
`to +20 db and — 20 db, respec-
`respond approximately
`0'-50'
`tively which
`to approximately
`corresponds
`front, approximately 50'-120' side, and approximately
`120'-180' rear. Of course the precise selections of the
`designations of front, side and rear depend upon user
`comfort and will ultimately be determined during field
`testing of the detector 100. The actual designations of
`front, side and rear can be programmed
`into the micro-
`processor 110 and may even be made selectable
`if
`deemed desirable from a user's standpoint.
`The alarms are next updated based on the preceding
`determinations,
`see block 214. In addition to an audible
`indication of a detected radar signal, a visual indication
`will be given to the operator which visual
`indication
`will indicate the identified direction of the radar source
`120. For example, as shown
`in FIG. 8 a three element
`visual display 130 is provided. For a radar source identi-
`fied as being in front of the vehicle, an upward or for-
`wardly directed arrow
`indicator 132 is lighted; for a
`radar source identified as being to the side of the vehi-
`cle, a double-ended,
`sidewardly directed arrow indica-
`tor 134 is lighted; and, for a radar source identified as
`being to the rear of the vehicle, a downwardly or rear-
`wardly directed arrow indicator 136 is lighted.
`The antennas 104 are then switched again to restore
`the radar detector to receive signals from the antenna
`from which it was receiving signals when a valid radar
`signal was detected, see block 216. If the low band was
`being swept and was not completely swept, the sweep
`of the low band continues
`from where the sweep was
`see block 218. If the low band was com-
`interrupted,
`pletely swept or the high band was being swept,
`the
`sweep of the high band commences or is continued from
`where
`it was
`interrupted,
`see block 220. Any radar
`
`As can be seen from FIG. 5, EP(8) is symmetric with
`respect to + 8 and is monotonic for 0~8~ir. In prac- 15
`tice, a table is prepared for each frequency band to be
`in FIG. 6 wherein
`for example as shown
`monitored,
`hP(8), listed in decibels (dB), has been determined
`for
`every 10' of the sourc