Self-aligning telescope

Details Self-aligning telescope Self-aligning telescope

2005-04-20

2008-03-04

Allen, Stephone B. (Department: 2872)

Optical: systems and elements

Compound lens system

Telescope

C250S203600

Reexamination Certificate

active

07339731

ABSTRACT:
Embodiments of the present disclosure include self-aligning telescope control systems and self-alignment methods. In an embodiment, a telescope control system orients a telescope with respect to the celestial sphere by pointing the telescope in the direction of an alignment star or alignment area of the sky. The telescope control system images a field of view in the alignment area, and processes the images to determine the celestial coordinates of a center of the filed a field of view the alignment area. The telescope control system then maps the telescope's coordinate system to the celestial coordinate system. Once mapped, the telescope control system can advantageously slew the telescope to any desired celestial object in the viewable sky based on, for example, user selection, system recommendations, combinations of the same, or the like.

REFERENCES:
patent: D268786 (1983-04-01), Galindo
patent: 5223702 (1993-06-01), Conley
patent: 5335190 (1994-08-01), Nagle et al.
patent: 5525793 (1996-06-01), Holmes et al.
patent: D390583 (1998-02-01), Diebel et al.
patent: D392657 (1998-03-01), Diebel et al.
patent: 5745869 (1998-04-01), van Bezooijen
patent: D412920 (1999-08-01), Diebel et al.
patent: 5935195 (1999-08-01), Quine
patent: D417680 (1999-12-01), Diebel et al.
patent: D417881 (1999-12-01), Diebel et al.
patent: D422610 (2000-04-01), Diebel et al.
patent: 6304376 (2001-10-01), Braun et al.
patent: 6369942 (2002-04-01), Hedrick et al.
patent: 6392799 (2002-05-01), Braun et al.
patent: 6445498 (2002-09-01), Braun et al.
patent: 6563636 (2003-05-01), Braun et al.
patent: D492334 (2004-06-01), Hines et al.
patent: D496672 (2004-09-01), Hines et al.
patent: D496673 (2004-09-01), Hines et al.
patent: D502201 (2005-02-01), Hines et al.
patent: D502481 (2005-03-01), Hines et al.
patent: 2003/0156324 (2003-08-01), Braun et al.
patent: 2003/0197930 (2003-10-01), Braun et al.
patent: 2004/0047036 (2004-03-01), Baun et al.
patent: 2004/0233521 (2004-11-01), McWilliams
patent: 2006/0103926 (2006-05-01), Meyers et al.
patent: 2006/0158722 (2006-07-01), Fujimoto et al.
Copending U.S. Appl. No. 10/864,134, filed Jun. 9, 2004.

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Self-aligning telescope does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Self-aligning telescope, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Self-aligning telescope will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-3980798