Viewing and display apparatus position determination algorithms
First Claim
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1. A method of viewing celestial objects comprising the steps:
- providing a celestial object viewing device having a viewing axis defined by an azimuth angle and a nadir angle, a magnetic field sensor array having a first, second and third magnetic field sensors arranged orthogonally with the first magnetic field sensor aligned parallel to the viewing axis and each magnetic field sensor generating a signal proportional to a sensed magnetic field, a gravitational sensor array having two perpendicular gravity sensors, with a first gravity sensor aligned parallel to the viewing axis and each gravity sensor generating a signal proportional to a sensed gravity field, a microprocessor, a database, and output means;
the microprocessor receiving signals from the magnetic field sensors and the gravity field sensors;
the microprocessor computing an azimuth angle and a nadir angle relative to the viewing axis;
the microprocessor providing data from the database to the output means related to celestial objects aligned with the viewing axis.
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Abstract
Celestial object location devices with sensor arrays of having less that one sensor for each of three orthogonal components of gravity and magnetic field vectors. The accuracy of position sensing is enhanced by estimating “missing” sensor input based on input from two orthogonal sensors provided, or determined with limitations from the two gravitational sensors provided.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A method of viewing celestial objects comprising the steps:
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providing a celestial object viewing device having a viewing axis defined by an azimuth angle and a nadir angle, a magnetic field sensor array having a first, second and third magnetic field sensors arranged orthogonally with the first magnetic field sensor aligned parallel to the viewing axis and each magnetic field sensor generating a signal proportional to a sensed magnetic field, a gravitational sensor array having two perpendicular gravity sensors, with a first gravity sensor aligned parallel to the viewing axis and each gravity sensor generating a signal proportional to a sensed gravity field, a microprocessor, a database, and output means; the microprocessor receiving signals from the magnetic field sensors and the gravity field sensors; the microprocessor computing an azimuth angle and a nadir angle relative to the viewing axis; the microprocessor providing data from the database to the output means related to celestial objects aligned with the viewing axis. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3)
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4. A celestial viewing device comprising:
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a housing defining a viewing axis forming an azimuth angle and a nadir angle; a magnetic sensor array in the housing, the magnetic sensor array having a first, second and third magnetic field sensors arranged orthogonally with the first magnetic field sensor aligned parallel to the viewing axis and each magnetic field sensor operable to produce a magnetic signal proportional to a sensed magnetic field; a gravitational sensor array in the housing, the gravitational sensor array having two perpendicular gravity sensors, with a first gravity sensor aligned parallel to the viewing axis and each gravity sensor operable to produce a gravity signal proportional to a sensed gravity field; a database; output means for presenting data to a user; and a microprocessor operable to receive the magnetic signals and compute the azimuth angle relative to the viewing axis, and receive the gravity signals and compute the nadir angle relative to the viewing axis, and interact with the database to provide data to the output means related to the viewing axis. - View Dependent Claims (5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of viewing celestial objects comprising the steps:
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providing a celestial object viewing device having a viewing axis defined by an azimuth angle and a nadir angle, a magnetic field sensor array having a first, second and third magnetic field sensors arranged orthogonally with the first magnetic field sensor aligned parallel to the viewing axis and each magnetic field sensor generating a signal proportional to a sensed magnetic field, a gravitational sensor array having two perpendicular gravity sensors, with a first gravity sensor aligned parallel to the viewing axis and each gravity sensor generating a signal proportional to a sensed gravity field, a microprocessor, a database, and output means; the microprocessor receiving signals from the magnetic field sensors and the gravity field sensors; the microprocessor computing an azimuth angle and a nadir angle relative to the viewing axis. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10)
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11. A celestial viewing device comprising:
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a housing defining a viewing axis forming an azimuth angle and a nadir angle; a magnetic sensor array in the housing, the magnetic sensor array having a first, second and third magnetic field sensors arranged orthogonally with the first magnetic field sensor aligned parallel to the viewing axis and each magnetic field sensor operable to produce a magnetic signal proportional to a sensed magnetic field; a gravitational sensor array in the housing, the gravitational sensor array having two perpendicular gravity sensors, with a first gravity sensor aligned parallel to the viewing axis and each gravity sensor operable to produce a gravity signal proportional to a sensed gravity field; output means for presenting data to a user; and a microprocessor operable to receive the magnetic signals and compute the azimuth angle relative to the viewing axis, and receive the gravity signals and compute the nadir angle relative to the viewing axis, and provide data to the output means related to the viewing axis. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14)
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Specification