Possible new feature?

**Rebel Gent** · 06-12-2008, 05:13 AM

I've been reading the posts on this web site for quite some time, but have had trouble creating an account...fortunately I was able to contact Radar Roy and he was able to straighten things out. Thank you!

I have read that the new XTR 695 will be able to flash a chosen color on its display when it detects the different bands. I was wondering if it might be possible for whistler to add a feature on their radar detector that would allow it to flash a different color when it detected the radar source from ahead or behind. I have a feeling in order to do this, it would need the dual antenna, but if this isn't the case, flashing the color red for a hit from the front and say the color blue for a hit from behind would convey the same information without having to use arrows.

Any thoughts??

**speed-dreams** · 06-12-2008, 05:20 AM

yes, you need a dual for directionality

**Ovencleaner** · 06-12-2008, 08:11 AM

You would need a rear antenna to do this. Front and rear antennas are a V1 patent.

**kuba** · 06-12-2008, 12:10 PM

hmm, how about side antennas. Then the differences in time that each antenna gets a signal could determine the direction. It could work hehe

**linkinpark9812** · 06-12-2008, 02:42 PM

Originally Posted by Ovencleaner

You would need a rear antenna to do this. Front and rear antennas are a V1 patent.

so, wait, no other company can stick another antenna on the back? Isn't that like saying Bel or Escort or another company has a patent for a front antenna and others must use something different.

Or does it mean the way that both antennas work with each other? just kinda sounds odd to me...

Just wanted clarification, thats all!

**Ck15** · 06-14-2008, 01:04 PM

why not just make the compass say what direction your getting hit from. have the compass flash with the strength mater

**jdong** · 06-14-2008, 01:07 PM

Originally Posted by linkinpark9812

so, wait, no other company can stick another antenna on the back? Isn't that like saying Bel or Escort or another company has a patent for a front antenna and others must use something different.

Or does it mean the way that both antennas work with each other? just kinda sounds odd to me...

Just wanted clarification, thats all!

The patent is on determining the DIRECTION of a radar alert by comparing signal strength between multiple receiver horns. Effectively, that means no other detector is allowed for now to display directional information on radar encounters.

I also think this is a ridiculous thing to patent, just like one-button mice and soft anti-slip grips on laptops.

**Rebel Gent** · 06-16-2008, 05:29 AM

I wonder just how much longer the patent for directionality for a RD is in force....?

**speed-dreams** · 06-16-2008, 06:50 AM

Originally Posted by Rebel Gent

I wonder just how much longer the patent for directionality for a RD is in force....?

Probably until VR is out of business because VR can choose to renew the patent before it expires

**djrams80** · 06-16-2008, 09:29 AM

Originally Posted by speed-demon

Probably until VR is out of business because VR can choose to renew the patent before it expires

The arrows and bogey counter patents are supposedly up sometime in 2011. I'm no lawyer, but I don't think patent renewal is as easy as "choosing to renew". I think patent renewals are only granted if the company can prove that their initial investment has not been recovered, basically that no profit was made on their invention. That's clearly not the case in this instance. If patent renewals were as easy as just renewing, there would be no such things as generic drugs, since drug companies would just renew their patents to lockout the competition. That might be apples to oranges, but I think the same laws apply to all businesses.