Celestial object location device
First Claim
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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.
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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.
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Citations
18 Claims
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1. A device for viewing from a location at a time and date, said device comprising:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A method of identifying an object observed from a distance, said method comprising the steps of:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of finding an object located a distance from a user, said method comprising the steps of:
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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. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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Specification