Mobile electronic detection device with user selectable alerts

• US 8,421,667 B2
• Filed: 06/01/2011
• Issued: 04/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: The Whistler Group Incorporated
• Original Assignee: The Whistler Group Incorporated
• Inventors: Batten, Michael, Autio, Craig R
• Primary Examiner(s): Sotomayor, John B
• Assistant Examiner(s): Barker, Matthew M
• Application Number:
  US13/151,129
• Publication Number:
  US 20110228253A1
• Time in Patent Office: 685 Days
• Field of Search: 342/20
• US Class Current: 342/20
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096716 where the received information does not generate an automatic action on the vehicle control
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/09675 where a selection from the received information takes place in the vehicle
• CPC Class Codes: G08G 1/096783 where the origin of the information is a roadside individual element

Abstract

A detection device for detecting the presence of a speed detection system, red light camera, or other electronic surveillance means. The device includes a display means whereby the graphical and audible presentation changes from the non alert condition to the alert condition in accordance to a user selectable choice of options, thereby increasing awareness to the surveillance threat.

Claims

1. A detector device for altering an operator to the presence of a speed detection or traffic surveillance system, the detector device comprising:

a housing comprising;

detection circuitry responsive to laser energy, wherein detection of a laser pulse rate is configured to cause a detection event that is unique to the detected laser pulse rate;

an alerting device responsive to the detection circuitry output configured to produce an alarm/alert upon detection of an un-stored laser pulse rate;

a display device responsive to the detection circuitry output; and

a storage device configured to manually store one or more unwanted laser pulse rates;

wherein the detection circuitry is configured to cause the alerting device to sound an alternate audible alarm in response to detection of a laser pulse rate that is substantially the same as a manually stored unwanted laser pulse rate.

2. A detector device of claim 1, the detector device further comprising:

an operator selection device for allowing the operator to instruct the detector device to alter a detection event that is substantially the same as the manually stored unwanted laser pulse rate, or to generate an alternate display and alert in response to detection of a laser pulse rate that is substantially the same as the manually stored unwanted laser pulse rate.

3. A detector device of claim 1, the detector device further comprising:

an operator selection device for allowing the operator to program the storage device with one or more laser pulse rates.