Viewing and display apparatus

• US 20050250085A1
• Filed: 05/07/2004
• Published: 11/10/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/07/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Yamcon Inc.
• Original Assignee: Yamcon Inc.
• Inventors: Hatalski, Michael, Lemp, Michael III
• Application Number:
  US10/841,215
• Publication Number:
  US 20050250085A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 434/284
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 23/06 for physics
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 27/04 Star maps
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/007 using computer methods
• CPC Class Codes: G09B 29/106 using electronic means

Abstract

A celestial object location and identification device.

Claims

1. A apparatus for use in viewing a predetermined subject and presenting information to the user about features of the subject visible in the field of view, comprising:

a housing, said housing containing;

viewing means defining the field of view and a viewing axis;

direction sensing means for sensing a characteristic three-dimensional direction of said field of view, said direction sensing means comprising a 3-axis magnetic sensor and an inclinometer;

a database containing data about the predetermined subject, the data being arranged in said database to be correlated with three-dimensional directions;

output means for providing data from said database to a user,

microprocessor means responsive to said direction sensing mechanism and coupled to said database and to said output means to provide data about the subject to the user, the provided data being correlated with three-dimensional directions falling within said field of view of predetermined size;

wherein the inclinometer is rotatably fixed in relation to the housing.

2. A apparatus for use in viewing a predetermined subject and presenting information to the user about features of the subject visible in the field of view, comprising:

a housing, said housing containing;

viewing means defining the field of view and a viewing axis;

a single axis magnetic sensor rotatably fixed to the housing, and a motor operable to rotate the magnetic sensor, and means for sensing the angle between the sensor and the viewing axis;

a single axis inclinometer or gravitational sensor rotatably fixed to the housing,

a database containing data about the predetermined subject, the data being arranged in said database to be correlated with three-dimensional directions;

output means for providing data from said database to a user,

microprocessor means responsive to the magnetic sensor and the inclinometer or gravitational sensor, and operable to determine the viewing axis, and coupled to the database and to the output means to provide data about the subject to the user, the provided data being correlated with the viewing axis.

3. The device of claim 2, further comprising means for sensing the angle between the inclinometer or gravitational sensor and the viewing axis.

4. A apparatus for use in viewing a predetermined subject and presenting information to the user about features of the subject visible in the field of view, comprising:

a housing, said housing containing;

viewing means defining said field of view and a viewing axis;

direction sensing means for sensing a characteristic three-dimensional direction of said field of view, said direction sensing means comprising a 3 axis magnetic sensor and single axis gravity sensor;

a database containing data about the predetermined subject, the data being arranged in said database to be correlated with three-dimensional directions;

output means for providing data from said database to a user,

microprocessor means responsive to said direction sensing mechanism and coupled to said database and to said output means to provide data about the subject to the user, the provided data being correlated with three-dimensional directions falling within said field of view of predetermined size;

wherein the single axis gravity sensor has an axis of maximum sensitivity and is fixed in relation to the housing such that the axis of maximum sensitivity is parallel to the viewing axis.