Observation instrument and remote control handle assembly

• US 5,898,400 A
• Filed: 09/16/1997
• Issued: 04/27/1999
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: MPH Industries, Inc. (MPD Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: MPH Industries, Inc. (MPD Incorporated)
• Inventors: Williams, Carroll D., Jones, David W.
• Primary Examiner(s): Pihulic, Daniel T.
• Application Number:
  US08/931,728
• Time in Patent Office: 588 Days
• Field of Search: 342/104, 341/176
• US Class Current: 342/104
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/92 for velocity measurement

Abstract

A velocity/speed measurement radar unit incorporates a handle assembly for detachment from a base unit to allow for convertibility from a hand-held unit to a remote controlled radar unit. The removable handle assembly controls the operating parameters and secondary functions of the radar unit in a simple and user friendly manner. The operating parameters are established using multifunctional switches incorporated in the handle assembly, such as a trigger-type switch, rocker switches, and push button switches. The secondary functions are similarly controlled using a rotary encoder/push button switch combination. A microprocessor in the handle assembly receives inputs from the multifunctional switches and generates a corresponding control signal for transmission to the base unit. The handle assembly and base unit communicate via infra-red transmitters and receivers. The handle assembly is ergonomically designed to insure ease of use. The base unit is independently mounted when converted to the remote mode of operation.

Claims

1. A handle assembly for attachment to, support and control of an observation instrument with a primary receiver for convertibility from a hand-held instrument to a remote instrument comprising:

a coupler to secure said handle assembly to provide the support of said observation instrument;

an input device to establish the operating parameters of said observation instrument;

a controller to generate a control signal based on the operating parameters established by said input device; and

a primary transmitter to communicate the control signal to said observation instrument through said primary receiver,

said handle assembly controls and supports said observation instrument in a hand-held mode or controls said instrument by remote control in a remote mode within range of said control signal.

2. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said input device includes at least one non-momentary switch.

3. The handle assembly of claim 2, wherein said controller includes control circuitry to receive the operating parameters from said at least one non-momentary switch and to generate the control signal for transmission to said observation instrument.

4. The handle assembly of claim 2, wherein said transmitter is an infrared transmitter and said receiver is an infrared receiver.

5. The handle assembly of claim 1, further comprising:

a secondary receiver to receive data from a secondary transmitter in said observation instrument; and

a display,

whereby data from said observation instrument when in the hand-held mode, or when in the remote mode within range may be received and displayed by said handle assembly.

6. The handle assembly of claim 5, wherein said transmitters are infra-red transmitters and said receivers are infra-red receivers.

7. The handle assembly of claim 5, wherein is further provided a peripheral device positioned within range having a compatible transmitter,

whereby data from said peripheral device within range when in the remote mode may be received and displayed by said handle assembly.

8. The handle assembly of claim 1, wherein said observation instrument is a radar base unit for observing the speed of an object.

9. The handle assembly of claim 8, wherein said input device includes at least one non-momentary switch.

10. The handle assembly of claim 9, wherein said at least one non-momentary switch is a three position switch operable to select the mode of operation of said radar base unit,

whereby a stationary, a moving same direction, or a moving opposite direction mode is selected and said radar base unit operates to determine the speed of a target dependent upon the selected mode of operation.

11. The handle assembly of claim 9, wherein said input device further includes a trigger type switch operable to select between standby mode in a first position and transmit mode in a second position, whereby said radar base unit momentarily transmits a radar signal dependent upon the position of said trigger type switch.

12. The handle assembly of claim 11, wherein said trigger type switch is further operable to select a continuous transmit mode of operation by remote control when in the remote mode within range of said control signal, whereby said radar base unit continuously transmits a radar signal.

13. The handle assembly of claim 12, wherein said trigger type switch is further operable to selectively lock the speed of a target as determined and displayed by said radar base unit, whereby the speed of said target is continuously displayed by said radar base unit.

14. The handle assembly of claim 9, wherein said input device further includes a push button switch, said push button switch enabling a fastest target mode when activated, whereby said radar base unit displays the speed of the fastest target from a group of targets.

15. The handle assembly of claim 9, wherein said input device further includes a rotary encoder switch, whereby the secondary functions of said radar base unit can be selected and adjusted.

16. The handle assembly of claim 8, wherein said controller includes control circuitry to receive the operating parameters from said at least one non-momentary switch and to generate the control signal for transmission to said radar base unit.

17. The handle assembly of claim 8, wherein said transmitter is an infra-red transmitter and said receiver is an infrared receiver.

18. The handle assembly of claim 8, further comprising:

a secondary receiver to receive data from a secondary transmitter in said radar base unit,

whereby data from said radar base unit when in the hand-held mode, or when in the remote mode within range may be received and displayed by said handle assembly.

19. The handle assembly of claim 18, further comprising:

a display, whereby data from said radar base unit when in the hand-held mode, or when in the remote mode within range may be displayed by said handle assembly.

20. The handle assembly of claim 18, wherein said transmitters are infra-red transmitters and said receivers are infra-red receivers.

21. A velocity measurement radar system comprising:

a radar base unit with a primary receiver for convertibility from a hand-held system to a remote system; and

a handle assembly for attachment to said radar base unit,

said handle assembly controls said radar system in a hand-held mode or by remote control in a remote mode within range of said control signal.

22. The velocity measurement radar system of claim 21, wherein said handle assembly comprises:

a coupler to secure said handle assembly to said radar base unit;

an input device to establish the operating parameters of said radar base unit;

a controller to generate a control signal based on the operating parameters established by said input device; and

a primary transmitter to communicate the control signal to said primary receiver,

whereby said handle assembly controls said radar base unit when in the hand-held mode or by remote control when in the remote mode within range of said control signal.

23. The radar system of claim 22, wherein said input device of said handle assembly includes at least one non-momentary switch.

24. The radar system of claim 22, wherein said controller of said handle assembly includes control circuitry to receive the operating parameters from said at least one non-momentary switch and to generate the control signal for transmission to said radar base unit.

25. The radar system of claim 22, wherein said radar base unit further includes a controller to generate a data signal based on the velocity measured by said radar base unit;

and

a secondary transmitter to transmit said data signal; and

said handle assembly further includes a secondary receiver to receive data from said secondary transmitter; and

a display;

whereby said handle assembly receives and displays data from said radar base unit when in the hand-held mode, or when in the remote mode within range of said data signal.

26. The radar system of claim 25, wherein said radar base unit further includes a tertiary transmitter to transmit said data signal;

and

a tertiary receiver to receive said control signal, whereby the receipt and transmission of said signals is enhanced in the remote mode within range of said signals.

27. The radar system of claim 26, wherein said primary, secondary and tertiary transmitters are infra-red transmitters and said primary, secondary and tertiary receivers are infra-red receivers.

28. A method for converting an observation instrument with a primary reciever from a hand-held instrument to a remote instrument including the steps of:

removing a handle assembly having a primary transmitter and attached to an supporting said instrument;

mounting said instrument a distance from said handle assembly;

activating said observation instrument by remote control in a remote mode by transmitting a control signal from said transmitter to said reciever.

29. The method as claimed in claim 28, further comprising the steps of receiving data from said instrument;

and

displaying the data on said handle assembly.

30. The method as claimed in claim 28, wherein the step of activating said observation instrument includes the steps of:

establishing the operating parameters of said instrument; and

generating a control signal based on the operating parameters of said instrument;

whereby said handle assembly controls said observation instrument by remote control when in the remote mode within range of said control signal.

31. The method as claimed in claim 30, wherein said observation instrument is a speed measurement radar system for observing the speed of an object.

32. The method as claimed in claim 31, wherein the step of establishing the operating parameters of said speed measurement radar system includes switching at least one non-momentary switch, whereby the remote mode of operation of said radar system is established.

33. The method as claimed in claim 32, wherein the step of establishing the operating parameters of said radar system further includes operating a trigger switch to select between standby mode in a first position, and momentary transmit mode in a second position, whereby said radar system momentarily transmits a radar signal dependent upon the position of said trigger type switch.

34. The method as claimed in claim 33, wherein the step of operating said trigger type switch further includes selecting a continuous transmit mode of operation, whereby said radar system continuously transmits a radar signal.

35. The method as claimed in claim 32, wherein the step of establishing the operating parameters of said radar system further includes enabling a fastest target mode, whereby the speed of the fastest target from a group of targets is displayed by said radar system.

36. The method as claimed in claim 32, wherein the step of establishing the operating parameters of said radar system further includes operating a rotary encoder switch to select a secondary function of said radar system and to adjust said secondary function.

37. The method as claimed in claim 31 further comprising the steps of receiving data from said radar system;

and

displaying said data on said handle assembly.