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Viewing and display apparatus position determination algorithms

  • US 20060168831A1
  • Filed: 03/14/2006
  • Published: 08/03/2006
  • Est. Priority Date: 06/04/2004
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A device for viewing celestial objects comprising:

  • viewing means having a viewing axis defined by an azimuth angle and a nadir angle;

    a magnetic field sensor array comprising a first magnetic field sensor aligned in parallel to the viewing axis, a second magnetic field sensor aligned perpendicular to the first magnetic field sensor, and a third magnetic field sensor aligned perpendicular to the first and second magnetic field sensor, each of the magnetic field sensors being operable to provide a signal corresponding to a sensed magnetic field along an axis of the sensor;

    a gravitational sensor array comprising a first gravitational sensor aligned in parallel to the viewing axis, and a second gravitational sensor aligned perpendicular to the first gravitational sensor, each of the gravitational sensors being operable to provide a signal corresponding to a sensed gravity along an axis of the sensor; and

    a microprocessor operably connected to the gravitational sensors, magnetic field sensors, database and output means;

    wherein the microprocessor is programmed to receive input from the magnetic field sensor array and the gravitational sensor array and calculate the nadir angle of the device using signals from the first gravitational sensor to determine a first component of gravity parallel to the viewing axis, and interpreting signals from the second gravitational sensor to determine a second component of gravity perpendicular to the viewing axis, and interpreting the signals from the first and second gravitational sensors to estimate a third component of gravity perpendicular the first and second components of gravity.

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