Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g. – Radar ew – Detection of surveilance
Reexamination Certificate
1999-05-28
2001-03-13
Blum, Theodore M. (Department: 3662)
Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g.,
Radar ew
Detection of surveilance
C342S357490, C342S357490, C701S213000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06201493
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to radar detectors, and in particular, to radar detectors useful in motor vehicles in which false alarms are reduced or eliminated.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In many current radar detectors, false alarms, i.e., the occurrence of an alarm as a result of radar signals emanating from fixed objects (such as burglar alarms) rather than from a radar speed detection device operated by law enforcement personnel, have become a problem. Generally, false alarms are avoided by including a manually operated switch that can reduce sensitivity of the detector in geographic areas, such as areas in which there are many businesses that have alarm systems that transmit energy in bands monitored by the radar detector. This is problematic, however, if a speed tracking radar system is operating in the same geographic area, since the real system either will not be detected (due to the decrease in sensitivity) or will be detected only when the radar detector is very close to the tracking system, which may be too late.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a radar detector is equipped with a positional tracking system, such as a global positioning satellite (GPS) system which can track the location of the vehicle in which the detector is located, and a processor enabling the detector to “learn” about the location of sources of false alarms, and optionally, other information about the characteristics of the false alarms. The learned information is stored in a “false alarm” database. In this way, when an alarm is detected at a later time, a comparison in made between the information relating to the alarm and the stored information, for example by comparing the present location of the vehicle in which the radar detector is located and stored information indicative of known locations at which false alarms have previously occurred. If the comparison is positive, the alarm is disabled, or the user is otherwise alerted to the fact that the alarm is likely to be false.
The present invention can be enhanced by storing additional information about false alarms, such as a signal strength profile, time of day information, or information identifying the frequency band of the signals which caused the alarm, during a learning mode, and using that information for comparison purposes during an operating mode. A further enhancement may use other information such as the direction of the moving vehicle to more accurately determine the veracity of the alarm.
REFERENCES:
patent: 5668739 (1997-09-01), League et al.
patent: 5977884 (1999-11-01), Ross
Blum Theodore M.
Lucent Technologies - Inc.
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