Patents by Inventor Michael D. Valentine

Michael D. Valentine has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11474198
    Abstract: Operating a police radar detector to suppress nuisance radar alerts due to received signals that are not police radar signals includes receiving electromagnetic signals; mixing received electromagnetic signals with a local oscillator signal that is swept at a constant sweep rate; and accumulating a virtual image of the signal environment represented by received electromagnetic signals. Analysis of the virtual image is performed for signals suspected of being nuisance signals that could result in nuisance radar alert so that any nuisance signals within the virtual image can be identified and ignored by the alarm portion of the police radar detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Valentine Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Valentine, Stephen R. Scholl, Richard L. Dickerson, Marwan E. Nusair
  • Publication number: 20200166604
    Abstract: Operating a police radar detector to suppress nuisance radar alerts due to received signals that are not police radar signals includes receiving electromagnetic signals; mixing received electromagnetic signals with a local oscillator signal that is swept at a constant sweep rate; and accumulating a virtual image of the signal environment represented by received electromagnetic signals. Analysis of the virtual image is performed for signals suspected of being nuisance signals that could result in nuisance radar alert so that any nuisance signals within the virtual image can be identified and ignored by the alarm portion of the police radar detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Publication date: May 28, 2020
    Inventors: Michael D. Valentine, Stephen R. Scholl, Richard L. Dickerson, Marwan E. Nusair
  • Patent number: 10585168
    Abstract: Operating a police radar detector to suppress nuisance radar alerts due to received signals that are not police radar signals includes receiving electromagnetic signals; mixing received electromagnetic signals with a local oscillator signal that is swept at a constant sweep rate; and accumulating a virtual image of the signal environment represented by received electromagnetic signals. Analysis of the virtual image is performed for signals suspected of being nuisance signals that could result in nuisance radar alert so that any nuisance signals within the virtual image can be identified and ignored by the alarm portion of the police radar detector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 10, 2020
    Assignee: Valentine Research Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Valentine, Stephen R. Scholl, Richard L. Dickerson, Marwan E. Nusair
  • Patent number: 10514441
    Abstract: A detector for detecting continuous wave police radar that includes an antenna configured to receive an input signal, a diplexer in communication with the antenna to separate the input signal into a high-band signal and a low-band signal, a local oscillator configured to sweep through a range of frequencies to produce FLO, and a frequency multiplier to generate a first mixing signal that is an integer multiple of FLO. The detector also includes a high-band intermediate-frequency signal and a low-band intermediate-frequency signal with a switch configured to select one of them as an output intermediate-frequency signal. A second-stage mixes the output intermediate-frequency signal with FLO to generate an output signal, and a determination is made whether the input signal includes a police radar signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2019
    Assignee: Valentine Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Valentine, Stephen R. Scholl, Richard L. Dickerson, Michael Negussu
  • Patent number: 10488490
    Abstract: Detecting continuous wave police radar includes receiving an input signal from a first antenna, the input signal comprising a continuous wave emission within at least one radar band; sweeping a composite local oscillator signal through a range of frequencies from a first frequency to a second frequency in a predetermined time period so that the composite local oscillator signal has a first chirp rate with a first chirp rate magnitude of between 0.15 MHz/?s and 3.5 MHz/?s or even higher; and mixing the input signal from the first antenna with the sweeping composite local oscillator signal to produce an output signal having an intermediate frequency. A next step can include determining that the input signal from the first antenna includes a police radar signal based on the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2019
    Assignee: Valentine Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Valentine, Stephen R. Scholl, Richard L. Dickerson, Marwan E. Nusair
  • Patent number: 10261171
    Abstract: A device includes a radar signal detector that can determine a signal strength of a police radar signal and a direction of a source of the police radar signal. Additionally, the device includes a display in communication with the radar signal detector that provides a single display region having a visual appearance which varies based on both the direction and on the signal strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2019
    Assignee: Valentine Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Valentine, Gary E. Carrelli, Richard L. Dickerson, Michael Negussu, Stephen R. Scholl
  • Publication number: 20170285135
    Abstract: A detector for detecting continuous wave police radar that includes an antenna configured to receive an input signal, a diplexer in communication with the antenna to separate the input signal into a high-band signal and a low-band signal, a local oscillator configured to sweep through a range of frequencies to produce FLO, and a frequency multiplier to generate a first mixing signal that is an integer multiple of FLO. The detector also includes a high-band intermediate-frequency signal and a low-band intermediate-frequency signal with a switch configured to select one of them as an output intermediate-frequency signal. A second-stage mixes the output intermediate-frequency signal with FLO to generate an output signal, and a determination is made whether the input signal includes a police radar signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: October 5, 2017
    Inventor: Michael D. Valentine
  • Publication number: 20170219687
    Abstract: Detecting continuous wave police radar includes receiving an input signal from a first antenna, the input signal comprising a continuous wave emission within at least one radar band; sweeping a composite local oscillator signal through a range of frequencies from a first frequency to a second frequency in a predetermined time period so that the composite local oscillator signal has a first chirp rate with a first chirp rate magnitude of between 0.15 MHz/?s and 3.5 MHz/?s or even higher; and mixing the input signal from the first antenna with the sweeping composite local oscillator signal to produce an output signal having an intermediate frequency. A next step can include determining that the input signal from the first antenna includes a police radar signal based on the output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Michael D. Valentine, Stephen R. Scholl, Richard L. Dickerson, Marwan E. Nusair
  • Publication number: 20170219688
    Abstract: Operating a police radar detector to suppress nuisance radar alerts due to received signals that are not police radar signals includes receiving electromagnetic signals; mixing received electromagnetic signals with a local oscillator signal that is swept at a constant sweep rate; and accumulating a virtual image of the signal environment represented by received electromagnetic signals. Analysis of the virtual image is performed for signals suspected of being nuisance signals that could result in nuisance radar alert so that any nuisance signals within the virtual image can be identified and ignored by the alarm portion of the police radar detector.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2017
    Publication date: August 3, 2017
    Inventors: Michael D. Valentine, Stephen R. Scholl, Richard L. Dickerson, Marwan E. Nusair
  • Patent number: 9658319
    Abstract: Detecting continuous wave police radar includes receiving an input signal from a first antenna, the input signal comprising a continuous wave emission within at least one radar band; sweeping a composite local oscillator signal through a range of frequencies from a first frequency to a second frequency in a predetermined time period so that the composite local oscillator signal has a first chirp rate with a first chirp rate magnitude of between 0.15 MHz/?s and 3.5 MHz/?s or even higher; and mixing the input signal from the first antenna with the sweeping composite local oscillator signal to produce an output signal having an intermediate frequency. A next step can include determining that the input signal from the first antenna includes a police radar signal based on the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2017
    Assignee: Valentine Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Valentine, Stephen R. Scholl, Richard L. Dickerson, Marwan E. Nusair
  • Publication number: 20160154090
    Abstract: A device includes a radar signal detector that can determine a signal strength of a police radar signal and a direction of a source of the police radar signal. Additionally, the device includes a display in communication with the radar signal detector that provides a single display region having a visual appearance which varies based on both the direction and on the signal strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2015
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Inventors: Michael D. Valentine, Gary E. Carrelli, Richard L. Dickerson, Michael Negussu, Stephen R. Scholl
  • Publication number: 20160103204
    Abstract: Detecting continuous wave police radar includes receiving an input signal from a first antenna, the input signal comprising a continuous wave emission within at least one radar band; sweeping a composite local oscillator signal through a range of frequencies from a first frequency to a second frequency in a predetermined time period so that the composite local oscillator signal has a first chirp rate with a first chirp rate magnitude of between 0.15 MHz/?s and 3.5 MHz/?s or even higher; and mixing the input signal from the first antenna with the sweeping composite local oscillator signal to produce an output signal having an intermediate frequency. A next step can include determining that the input signal from the first antenna includes a police radar signal based on the output signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 14, 2016
    Inventors: Michael D. Valentine, Stephen R. Scholl, Richard L. Dickerson, Marwan E. Nusair
  • Patent number: 9164166
    Abstract: A device includes a radar signal detector configured to detect a police radar signal and determine a frequency of the police radar signal and a display in communication with the radar signal detector and configured to provide a first display portion associated with a first range of frequencies. In particular, the display is further configured to provide a visual indicator associated with the police radar signal, the visual indicator having a first position within the first display portion which varies based on the frequency of the police radar signal and the visual indicator having a first visual appearance when the frequency is within a predetermined subset of the first range of frequencies and a second visual appearance when the frequency is outside the predetermined subset of the first range of frequencies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Valentine Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Valentine, Gary E. Carrelli, Richard L. Dickerson, Michael Negussu, Stephen R. Scholl
  • Patent number: 9110149
    Abstract: A device includes a radar signal detector that can determine a signal strength of a police radar signal and a direction of a source of the police radar signal. Additionally, the device includes a display in communication with the radar signal detector that provides a single display region having a visual appearance which varies based on both the direction and on the signal strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: Valentine Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Valentine, Gary E. Carrelli, Richard L. Dickerson, Michael Negussu, Stephen R. Scholl
  • Publication number: 20140043182
    Abstract: A device includes a radar signal detector that can determine a signal strength of a police radar signal and a direction of a source of the police radar signal. Additionally, the device includes a display in communication with the radar signal detector that provides a single display region having a visual appearance which varies based on both the direction and on the signal strength.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2012
    Publication date: February 13, 2014
    Inventors: Michael D. Valentine, Gary E. Carrelli, Richard L. Dickerson, Michael Negussu, Stephen R. Scholl
  • Publication number: 20120215396
    Abstract: A power supply configured to emulate the functionality of ignition-switched power in a vehicle is configured to plug into an on-board diagnostics port (OBD-II) in the vehicle. The power supply includes a controller that is configured to determine the operating protocol to use and then communicates queries based on the determined protocol to obtain the current values for the engine speed and vehicle speed. The controller compares the current values against predetermined thresholds to determine whether the vehicle operating state is in an ignition-on state. When in the ignition-on state, the controller asserts an enable control signal, which is provided to a switch that responds by switching the un-switched vehicle battery from the OBD-II port to an output interface of the power supply. When the controller determines that the vehicle is no longer in an ignition-on state, the controller de-asserts the enable control signal, thereby removing the power from the output interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 21, 2012
    Publication date: August 23, 2012
    Inventors: Brennan Todd Hamilton, Michael D. Valentine
  • Patent number: 7579976
    Abstract: A radar detector is operated to suppress nuisance radar alerts by identifying a first signal in radar band of interest, e.g., having a frequency that is a harmonic of a first nuisance local oscillator frequency leaked from a nearby radar detector and identifying a second signal having a frequency that is a harmonic of a second nuisance local oscillator frequency leaked from the radar detector where the first and second local oscillators are companion signals. A detector is also provided that suppresses nuisance radar alerts by detecting a first signal in a radar band, providing a first alert designating the detection of the first signal, determining that the first signal is a nuisance signal, providing a second alert designating that the first signal is a false alarm, and turning off the second alert after a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 25, 2009
    Assignee: Valentine Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Valentine, Gary E. Carrelli
  • Patent number: 7450051
    Abstract: A radar detector is operated to suppress nuisance radar alerts by identifying a first signal in radar band of interest, e.g., having a frequency that is a harmonic of a first nuisance local oscillator frequency leaked from a nearby radar detector and identifying a second signal having a frequency that is a harmonic of a second nuisance local oscillator frequency leaked from the radar detector where the first and second local oscillators are companion signals. A detector is also provided that suppresses nuisance radar alerts by detecting a first signal in a radar band, providing a first alert designating the detection of the first signal, determining that the first signal is a nuisance signal, providing a second alert designating that the first signal is a false alarm, and turning off the second alert after a predetermined period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Assignee: Valentine Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Valentine, Gary E. Carrelli
  • Patent number: 5300932
    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 signals, 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 signals toward the user's motor vehicle. 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 detected and is being monitored by the detector of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 1993
    Date of Patent: April 5, 1994
    Assignee: Valentine Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Valentine, Stephen R. Scholl, Clarence R. Groth
  • Patent number: 5250951
    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 signals, 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 signals toward the user's motor vehicle. 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 detected and is being monitored by the detector of the present invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 1992
    Date of Patent: October 5, 1993
    Assignee: Valentine Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael D. Valentine, Stephen R. Scholl, Clarence R. Groth