High definition telescope

• US 20060238861A1
• Filed: 04/20/2005
• Published: 10/26/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 04/20/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Meade Instruments Corporation
• Original Assignee: Meade Instruments Corporation
• Inventors: Hoot, John E., Baun, Kenneth W.
• Granted Patent: US 7,482,564 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 359/430
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 3/7867 Star trackers navigation using star trackers G01C21/025
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/00 Telescopes, e.g. binoculars; Periscopes; Instruments for viewing the inside of hollow bodies; Viewfinders; Optical aiming or sighting devices
• CPC Class Codes: G02B 23/12 with means for image conversion or intensification

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure include presenting data related to image information captured by a telescope on an electronic display, such as, for example, a high definition display. For example, a telescope control system may advantageously output video or other signals to one or more displays in a multi-media or image presentation. In certain preferred embodiments, such display comprises high definition displays, or the like. For example, such display may comprise entertainment, academic or other presentations.

Claims

1. A system for viewing celestial objects, the system comprising:

a microprocessor; and

a electronic display device configured to be connected to a telescope comprising an imaging device, wherein the microprocessor is configured to identify a star pattern in a first electronic image acquired by the imaging device, wherein the microprocessor is configured to align the telescope with a celestial object, and wherein the microprocessor is configured to display a second electronic image of the celestial object on the electronic display device.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic display device is remotely located from the microprocessor.

3. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic display device comprises a high definition television.

4. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic display device is configured to be connected to a dome telescope.

5. The system of claim 1, wherein the second image comprises a mosaic of a third electronic image and a fourth electronic image.

6. The system of claim 5, wherein the third electronic image overlays the fourth electronic image.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein the third electronic image comprises a first field of view and the fourth electronic image comprises a second field of view.

8. The system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to control a light source coupled to the telescope so as to direct light toward the celestial object.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the light source comprises a laser.

10. The system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to play an audio file associated with the celestial object.

11. The system of claim 1, wherein the microprocessor is further configured to change one or more optical characteristics of the telescope.

12. The system of claim 11, wherein the one or more optical characteristics are selected from the group comprising diffraction, optical filtering, image sizing, and spectrum selection.

13. A method for viewing a celestial object on a display device, the method comprising:

receiving the identity of a celestial object;

receiving a first electronic image;

identifying one or more stars in the first electronic image;

based at least in part on the identity of the one or more stars in the electronic image, slewing a telescope to the celestial coordinates of the celestial body;

acquiring a second image of the celestial body; and

displaying the second image on a display device.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the identity of the celestial object is received from a user controlled device.

15. The method of claim 13, wherein at least one of the first electronic image and the second electronic image are received from an imaging device configured to acquire images through the telescope.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein at least one of the first electronic image and the second electronic image are received through a network connection.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the first electronic image and the second electronic image are received through a wireless network connection.

18. The method of claim 13, wherein identifying the one or more stars in the first electronic image comprises one or more of measuring differences in magnitude between at least two stars in the electronic image and measuring angular distances between the at least two stars in the electronic image.

19. The method of claim 13, wherein displaying the second image comprises displaying the second image in high definition.

20. The method of claim 13, further comprising:

receiving a third image having a first field of view;

receiving a fourth image having a second field of view;

superimposing the third image and the fourth image to create the second image.