Patents by Inventor Steven K. Orr

Steven K. Orr 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: 11061108
    Abstract: In one embodiment, a police activity detector is provided. The detector includes a receiver section and a warning section. The receiver section is configured to receive signals generated in the context of law enforcement activity. The warning section is configured to respond to a pulsed signal received by the receiver section and provide an alert if a received signal correlates to a law enforcement signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Escort Inc.
    Inventor: Steven K. Orr
  • Patent number: 10197665
    Abstract: A radar detector suppresses alerts from vehicle guidance systems, by sweeping for a consistent radar signal; the center frequency of the signal is stored and the detector suppresses warnings of radar signals near that frequency. The detector uses an enhanced method for suppression of signals near a known location of a false signal source; in the event the detector detects a radar signal and finds a matching stored false signal, the detector will first compare the strength of the received signal to a threshold strength that is computed based upon the distance of the detector from the stored false signal, and will only suppress signals below threshold. The detector includes a camera directed to the road in the vicinity of the vehicle. Image data from the camera is processed to identify police vehicles as identified by flashing lights, a profile including a rooftop light bar and/or highly contrasting colored panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2019
    Assignee: Escort Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Orr, John Kuhn, Jeff Stevens, Thomas W. Humphrey
  • Publication number: 20160187461
    Abstract: A radar detector suppresses alerts from vehicle guidance systems, by sweeping for a consistent radar signal; the center frequency of the signal is stored and the detector suppresses warnings of radar signals near that frequency. The detector uses an enhanced method for suppression of signals near a known location of a false signal source; in the event the detector detects a radar signal and finds a matching stored false signal, the detector will first compare the strength of the received signal to a threshold strength that is computed based upon the distance of the detector from the stored false signal, and will only suppress signals below threshold. The detector includes a camera directed to the road in the vicinity of the vehicle. Image data from the camera is processed to identify police vehicles as identified by flashing lights, a profile including a rooftop light bar and/or highly contrasting colored panels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Publication date: June 30, 2016
    Inventors: Steven K. Orr, John Kuhn, Jeff Stevens, Thomas W. Humphrey
  • Patent number: 9279881
    Abstract: A radar detector suppresses alerts from vehicle guidance systems, by sweeping for a consistent radar signal; the center frequency of the signal is stored and the detector suppresses warnings of radar signals near that frequency. The detector uses an enhanced method for suppression of signals near a known location of a false signal source; in the event the detector detects a radar signal and finds a matching stored false signal, the detector will first compare the strength of the received signal to a threshold strength that is computed based upon the distance of the detector from the stored false signal, and will only suppress signals below threshold. The detector includes a camera directed to the road in the vicinity of the vehicle. Image data from the camera is processed to identify police vehicles as identified by flashing lights, a profile including a rooftop light bar and/or highly contrasting colored panels.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2016
    Assignee: Escort Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Orr, John Kuhn, Jeff Stevens, Thomas W. Humphrey
  • Publication number: 20150260851
    Abstract: A GPS enabled radar detector dynamically handles radar sources based upon previously-stored geographically-referenced information on such sources and data from the GPS receiver. The detector includes technology for determining the location of the detector, and comparing this location to the locations of known stationary sources, to improve the handling of such detections. The detector may ignore detections received in an area known to contain a stationary source, or may only ignore specific frequencies or may handle frequencies differently based upon historic trends of spurious police radar signals at each frequency. Notification of the driver will take on a variety of forms depending on the stored information, current operating modes, and vehicle speed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2015
    Publication date: September 17, 2015
    Inventor: Steven K. Orr
  • Patent number: 9046594
    Abstract: A GPS enabled radar detector incorporated in a general purpose navigation device dynamically handles radar sources based upon previously-stored geographically-referenced information on such sources and data from the GPS receiver. The detector may ignore detections received in an area known to contain a stationary source, or may only ignore specific frequencies or may handle frequencies differently based upon historic trends of spurious police radar signals at each frequency. Notification of the driver may take a variety of forms depending on the stored information, current operating modes, and vehicle speed. The device includes navigational functions as well. In one embodiment, the detector uses a transparent touch screen and a readily aligned mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2013
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: Escort Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Orr, Timothy A. Coomer, John Kuhn, Kevin L. Kipper
  • Patent number: 8525723
    Abstract: A GPS enabled radar detector incorporated in a general purpose navigation device dynamically handles radar sources based upon previously-stored geographically-referenced information on such sources and data from the GPS receiver. The detector may ignore detections received in an area known to contain a stationary source, or may only ignore specific frequencies or may handle frequencies differently based upon historic trends of spurious police radar signals at each frequency. Notification of the driver may take a variety of forms depending on the stored information, current operating modes, and vehicle speed. The device includes navigational functions as well. In one embodiment, the detector uses a transparent touch screen and a readily aligned mounting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Assignee: Escort Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Orr, Timothy A. Coomer, John Kuhn, Kevin L. Kipper
  • Publication number: 20110102232
    Abstract: A GPS enabled radar detector incorporated in a general purpose navigation device dynamically handles radar sources based upon previously-stored geographically-referenced information on such sources and data from the GPS receiver. The detector may ignore detections received in an area known to contain a stationary source, or may only ignore specific frequencies or may handle frequencies differently based upon historic trends of spurious police radar signals at each frequency. Notification of the driver may take a variety of forms depending on the stored information, current operating modes, and vehicle speed. The device includes navigational functions as well. In one embodiment, the detector uses a transparent touch screen and a readily aligned mounting.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2010
    Publication date: May 5, 2011
    Applicant: ESCORT INC.
    Inventors: Steven K. Orr, Timothy A. Coomer, John Kuhn, Kevin L. Kipper
  • Patent number: 7804440
    Abstract: A GPS enabled radar detector dynamically handles radar sources based upon previously stored geographically referenced information on such sources and data from the GPS receiver. The detector includes technology for determining the location of the detector, and comparing this location to the locations of known stationary sources, to improve the handling of such detections. The detector may ignore detections received in an area known to contain a stationary source, or may only ignore specific frequencies or may handle frequencies differently based upon historic trends of spurious police radar signals at each frequency. Notification of the driver will take on a variety of forms depending on the stored information, current operating modes, and vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 28, 2010
    Assignee: Escort Inc.
    Inventor: Steven K. Orr
  • Publication number: 20090256736
    Abstract: A GPS enabled radar detector dynamically handles radar sources based upon previously-stored geographically-referenced information on such sources and data from the GPS receiver. The detector includes technology for determining the location of the detector, and comparing this location to the locations of known stationary sources, to improve the handling of such detections. The detector may ignore detections received in an area known to contain a stationary source, or may only ignore specific frequencies or may handle frequencies differently based upon historic trends of spurious police radar signals at each frequency. Notification of the driver will take on a variety of forms depending on the stored information, current operating modes, and vehicle speed. The detector may be also incorporated within a general purpose navigation device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: ESCORT INC.
    Inventor: Steven K. Orr
  • Patent number: 7576679
    Abstract: A GPS enabled radar detector dynamically handles radar sources based upon previously stored geographically referenced information on such sources and data from the GPS receiver. The detector includes technology for determining the location of the detector, and comparing this location to the locations of known stationary sources, to improve the handling of such detections. The detector may ignore detections received in an area known to contain a stationary source, or may only ignore specific frequencies or may handle frequencies differently based upon historic trends of spurious police radar signals at each frequency. Notification of the driver will take on a variety of forms depending on the stored information, current operating modes, and vehicle speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2009
    Assignee: Escort Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Orr, Robert Gregory Blair, John Kuhn, Timothy A. Coomer
  • Patent number: 7397416
    Abstract: Calibration of an acceleration detector is initiated by a user depressable button such as a button indicating a vehicle is at rest and/or by the detector reading an OBDII vehicle communication protocol to determine the condition of the vehicle. Calibration permits more accurate measurements in a vehicle performance test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Escort Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Orr, John Kuhn, Jeffrey J. Clawson
  • Patent number: 7098844
    Abstract: Calibration of an acceleration detector is initiated by a user depressable button such as a button indicating a vehicle is at rest and/or by the detector reading an OBDII vehicle communication protocol to determine the condition of the vehicle. Calibration permits more accurate measurements in a vehicle performance test.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Escort Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Orr, John Kuhn, Jeffrey J. Clawson
  • Patent number: 6836238
    Abstract: A method of factory calibrating a police radar/laser detector including a controller, an accelerometer, and a memory, by manipulating the detector to rotate the accelerometer, measuring and feeding real time measurements from the accelerometer to a Least Squares Elliptical Fit algorithm executed by the controller, applying the Least Squares Elliptical Fit algorithm to the real time measurements to find the equation of an ellipse formed by the measurements, storing the coefficients of the ellipse in the memory. The coefficients are then recalled from the memory to thereby calibrate the accelerometer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2004
    Assignee: Escort Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Orr, John Kuhn, Jeffrey J. Clawson
  • Publication number: 20040246171
    Abstract: A method of factory calibrating a police radar/laser detector including a controller, an accelerometer, and a memory, by manipulating the detector to rotate the accelerometer, measuring and feeding real time measurements from the accelerometer to a Least Squares Elliptical Fit algorithm executed by the controller, applying the Least Squares Elliptical Fit algorithm to the real time measurements to find the equation of an ellipse formed by the measurements, storing the coefficients of the ellipse in the memory. The coefficients are then recalled from the memory to thereby calibrate the accelerometer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: December 9, 2004
    Applicant: Escort Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Orr, John Kuhn, Jeffrey J. Clawson
  • Patent number: 6670905
    Abstract: A GPS enabled radar detector (20) that aids in the management of unrelated or otherwise unimportant sources (16), permitting the detector to dynamically improve its handling of such sources based upon previously-stored geographically-referenced information on such sources. The detector includes technology (30, 32) for determining the location of the detector, and comparing this location to the locations of known stationary sources, to improve the handling of such detections. The detector may ignore detections received in an area known to contain a stationary source, or may only ignore specific frequencies or may handle frequencies differently based upon historic trends of spurious police radar signals at each frequency. A Global Positioning Satellite System (GPS) receiver (30, 32) is used to establish current physical coordinates. The detector maintains a list (50, 82) of the coordinates of the known stationary source “offenders” in nonvolatile memory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2003
    Assignee: Escort Inc.
    Inventor: Steven K. Orr
  • Publication number: 20030218562
    Abstract: A GPS enabled radar detector (20) that aids in the management of unrelated or otherwise unimportant sources (16), permitting the detector to dynamically improve its handling of such sources based upon previously-stored geographically-referenced information on such sources. The detector includes technology (30, 32) for determining the location of the detector, and comparing this location to the locations of known stationary sources, to improve the handling of such detections. The detector may ignore detections received in an area known to contain a stationary source, or may only ignore specific frequencies or may handle frequencies differently based upon historic trends of spurious police radar signals at each frequency. A Global Positioning Satellite System (GPS) receiver (30, 32) is used to establish current physical coordinates. The detector maintains a list (50, 82) of the coordinates of the known stationary source “offenders” in nonvolatile memory.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2003
    Publication date: November 27, 2003
    Applicant: Escort Inc.
    Inventor: Steven K. Orr
  • Patent number: 6614385
    Abstract: A police activity transponder utilizes data available through a vehicle on-board diagnostic system or a intelligent vehicle data bus to adjust the sensitivity of the police activity transponder to law enforcement signals based on speed data. A police activity transponder is configured to read speed data available through an on-board diagnostic system or an intelligent vehicle data bus and using an internal clock, calculate a 0 to 60 mile per hour or a quarter mile time for display and function as a speedometer. A police activity transponder is configured to read engine revolutions per minute (rpm) data and function as a tachometer. A police activity transponder is configured to allow a user to input shift points, read engine rpm data, and provide a user indication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2003
    Assignee: Escort Inc.
    Inventors: John Kuhn, Steven K. Orr
  • Publication number: 20020113727
    Abstract: A police activity transponder utilizes data available through a vehicle on-board diagnostic system or a intelligent vehicle data bus to adjust the sensitivity of the police activity transponder to law enforcement signals based on speed data. A police activity transponder is configured to read speed data available through an on-board diagnostic system or an intelligent vehicle data bus and using an internal clock, calculate a 0 to 60 mile per hour or a quarter mile time for display and function as a speedometer. A police activity transponder is configured to read engine revolutions per minute (rpm) data and function as a tachometer. A police activity transponder is configured to allow a user to input shift points, read engine rpm data, and provide a user indication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 17, 2001
    Publication date: August 22, 2002
    Inventors: John Kuhn, Steven K. Orr
  • Patent number: 5668554
    Abstract: A radar detector includes a graphical display for displaying a spectral representation of detected signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 1996
    Date of Patent: September 16, 1997
    Assignee: Cincinnati Microwave, Inc.
    Inventors: Steven K. Orr, Julie Roth