Celestial object location device

• US 20050046581A1
• Filed: 08/17/2004
• Published: 03/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/03/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Yamcon Inc.
• Original Assignee: Yamcon Inc.
• Inventors: Lemp, Michael III
• Granted Patent: US 7,068,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/686.100
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/06 for physics
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 27/00 Planetaria; Globes
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 27/04 Star maps

Abstract

A hand-held electronic celestial object-locating device assists in identifying a celestial object or directing a user to a desired celestial object. The device is useful for locating or identifying any celestial object including stars, constellations, planets, comets, asteroids, artificial satellites, and deep sky objects to name a few. The device utilizes sensors for 3-axis magnetic field and 3-axis gravitational field detection. The device utilizes a processor and an electronic database to perform the required calculations. The device'"'"'s database may be updated through access to the Internet through which the updates may be purchased.

Claims

1. A device for viewing from a location at a time and date, said device comprising:

a. viewing means to observe along a viewing axis defined by a first angle and a second angle;

b. a processor;

c. a 3-axis magnetic sensor adapted to provide the processor with a first set of data representing the first angle;

d. a 3-axis gravitational sensor adapted to provide the processor with a second set of data representing the second angle;

e. location means for providing location data representing the location to the processor;

f. time means for providing time and date data representing the time and date to the processor; and

g. a database adapted to be accessed by the processor and provide data such that the processor can determine the coordinates of right ascension and declination corresponding to the viewing axis based on the first set of data, the second set of data, the location data, and the time and date data.

2. The device of claim 1 wherein the viewing means is adapted to be held in a human hand.

3. The device of claim 1 wherein the viewing means is mounted on a telescope.

4. The device of claim 1 wherein the viewing means is mounted on binoculars.

5. The device of claim 1 wherein the viewing means further comprises a means for communication.

6. The device of claim 5 wherein the means for communication comprises a wireless telephone.

7. The device of claim 5 wherein the means for communication comprises a cellular telephone.

8. The device of claim 1 wherein the processor is further programmed to correct errors in the determined coordinates, wherein said errors are caused by misalignment of a sensor selected from the group consisting of the 3-axis magnetic sensor, the 3-axis gravitational sensor and a combination thereof.

9. The device of claim 1 wherein:

the 3-axis gravitational sensor comprises a first accelerometer having a first orientation, a second accelerometer having a second orientation and a third accelerometer having a third orientation;

each accelerometer measures acceleration along each accelerometer'"'"'s orientation;

each of the accelerometers is oriented approximately perpendicular to the other two accelerometers; and

each accelerometer is operably connected to the processor.

10. The device of claim 9 wherein the processor is further programmed to correct errors in the second set of data, wherein said errors are caused by misalignment of an accelerometer selected from the group consisting of the first accelerometer, second accelerometer and third accelerometer.

11. The device of claim 9 wherein:

the first accelerometer is most sensitive when the first accelerometer is pointed in a predetermined direction;

the second accelerometer is most sensitive when the second accelerometer is pointed in the predetermined direction;

the third accelerometer is most sensitive when the third accelerometer is pointed in the predetermined direction;

the second set of data comprises data determined from an accelerometer selected from the group consisting of the first accelerometer, the second accelerometer and the third accelerometer; and

the processor is programmed to select the accelerometer from which the second set of data will be determined based on which accelerometer is most closely pointed in the predetermined direction.

12. A method of identifying an object observed from a distance, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a device for viewing from a location at a time and date, said device comprising;

a. viewing means to observe along a viewing axis defined by a first angle and a second angle;

b. a processor;

c. a 3-axis magnetic sensor adapted to provide the processor with a first set of data representing the first angle;

d. a 3-axis gravitational sensor adapted to provide the processor with a second set of data representing the second angle;

e. location means for providing location data representing the location to the processor;

f. time means for providing time and date data representing the time and date to the processor;

g. a database adapted to be accessed by the processor and provide data such that the processor can determine the coordinates of right ascension and declination corresponding to the viewing axis based on the first set of data, the second set of data, the location data, and the time and date data, said database also containing data representing the expected values of right ascension and declination of a plurality of objects when the plurality of objects are observed from a particular location at a particular time and on a particular date, said database also containing data representing at least one fact regarding each of the plurality of objects;

h. a means for conveying the at least one fact to a user, said means for conveying operably connected to the processor;

pointing the viewing axis at an object to be identified;

measuring the first angle and the second angle of the viewing axis;

determining the time and the date and determining the location of the viewing means;

determining the values of right ascension and declination of the viewing axis based on the first angle and the second angle;

comparing the values of right ascension, declination, the location of the viewing means, the time and the date with corresponding values in the database of the expected right ascension and the expected declination of the plurality of objects at the location, time and date;

selecting an object in the database that has an expected right ascension and an expected declination that most closely matches the corresponding determined values of right ascension and declination; and

conveying to the user at least one fact regarding the selected object.

13. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of conveying to the user at least one fact comprises conveying to the user the name of the selected object.

14. The method of claim 12 wherein the step of providing a device further comprises providing a switch operably connected to the viewing means and a display operably connected to the viewing means, and wherein the method further comprises the steps of:

after selecting an object, storing the orientation of the viewing means;

changing the orientation of the viewing means to a second orientation; and

displaying the at least one fact on the display.

15. The method of claim 14 wherein the step of storing the orientation of the viewing means is accomplished by actuating the switch.

16. A method of finding an object located a distance from a user, said method comprising the steps of:

providing a device for viewing from a location at a time and date, said device comprising;

a. viewing means to observe along a viewing axis defined by a first angle and a second angle;

b. a processor;

c. a 3-axis magnetic sensor adapted to provide the processor with a first set of data representing the first angle;

d. a 3-axis gravitational sensor adapted to provide the processor with a second set of data representing the second angle;

e. location means for providing location data representing the location to the processor;

f. time means for providing time and date data representing the time and date to the processor;

g. a database adapted to be accessed by the processor and provide data such that the processor can determine the coordinates of right ascension and declination corresponding to the viewing axis based on the first set of data, the second set of data, the location data, and the time and date data, said database also containing data representing the expected values of right ascension and declination of a plurality of objects when the plurality of objects are observed from a particular location at a particular time and on a particular date;

providing to the processor the identity of an object that the user desires to find;

selecting, with the processor, the expected right ascension and expected declination of the viewing axis that is needed to align the viewing axis with the object when the viewing means is at a particular place on a particular date at a particular time;

prompting the user to change the direction in which the viewing means is pointed towards the selected values of right ascension and declination;

prompting the user that the viewing axis is aligned with the object when the viewing axis and the object are aligned with each other.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein the step of providing a device further comprises providing a device having a database containing data representing at least one fact regarding each of the plurality of objects and a means for conveying the at least one fact to a user, said means for conveying operably connected to the processor, wherein the method further comprises the step of:

announcing to the user at least one fact regarding the object when the viewing axis is aligned with the object.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein the step of announcing to the user at least one fact comprises announcing the name of the object.