公开(公告)号：US06304376B1

公开(公告)日：2001-10-16

申请号：US09551332

申请日：2000-04-18

申请人： Kenneth W. Baun ,  John E. Smith ,  John E. Hoot ,  Michael A. Wachala ,  Brian G. Tingey ,  Brent G. Duchon ,  Stanley H. Dewan

发明人： Kenneth W. Baun ,  John E. Smith ,  John E. Hoot ,  Michael A. Wachala ,  Brian G. Tingey ,  Brent G. Duchon ,  Stanley H. Dewan

IPC分类号： G02B2300

CPC分类号： G02B23/00 ,  F16M11/10 ,  F16M11/18 ,  F16M11/2014 ,  F16M11/32 ,  G02B23/16 ,  G02B23/165

摘要： A fully automated telescope system is able to be fully operable in both Alt-Az and polar configurations. In either configuration, the telescope aligns itself to be celestial coordinate system following a simplified initialization procedure during which the telescope tube is first pointed north and then pointed towards a user's horizon. A command processor, under application software program control orients the telescope system with respect to the celestial coordinate system given the initial directional inputs. The initial telescope orientation may be further refined by initially inputting a geographical location indicia, or by shooting one or two additional celestial objects. Once the telescope's orientation with respect to the celestial coordinate system is established, the telescope system will automatically move to and track any desired celestial object without further alignment invention by a user.

摘要翻译： 全自动望远镜系统能够在Alt-Az和极地配置中完全可操作。 在任一配置中，望远镜本身就是天文坐标系，遵循简化的初始化过程，在此期间望远镜管首先朝北，然后指向用户的地平线。 在应用软件程序控制下，命令处理器控制望远镜系统相对于给定初始方向输入的天体坐标系。 可以通过初始输入地理位置标记，或者通过拍摄一个或两个额外的天体来进一步改进最初的望远镜取向。 一旦建立了相对于天体坐标系的望远镜取向，望远镜系统将自动地移动到并跟踪任何期望的天体，而无需使用者进一步对准发明。

公开(公告)号：US06445498B1

公开(公告)日：2002-09-03

申请号：US09427385

申请日：1999-10-25

申请人： Kenneth W. Baun ,  John E. Smith ,  Michael A. Wachala ,  Brian G. Tingey ,  Brent G. Duchon ,  Stanley H. Dewan

发明人： Kenneth W. Baun ,  John E. Smith ,  Michael A. Wachala ,  Brian G. Tingey ,  Brent G. Duchon ,  Stanley H. Dewan

IPC分类号： G02B2300

CPC分类号： G02B23/16

摘要： A telescope system facilitates easy upgrading from friction lock mounting to manual worm drive, and from manual worm drive to motor drive. Vibration isolation provides a steady field of view for enhanced observation and photography. A telescope mount facilitates enhanced below the horizon and zenith viewing. A tripod has detents which hold the legs thereof in a deployed position during handling of the tripod. A cam lock reliably maintains a desired length of telescoping tripod legs. An X-Y adjustable finder scope facilitates easy alignment thereof with the telescope

摘要翻译： 望远镜系统便于从摩擦锁安装到手动蜗杆传动，以及从手动蜗杆传动到电机驱动器的轻松升级。 振动隔离为观察和摄影提供了稳定的视野。 望远镜座便于在地平线和天顶观测之下进行增强。 三脚架具有在处理三脚架期间将其腿部保持在展开位置的棘爪。 凸轮锁可靠地保持所需长度的伸缩式三脚架腿。 X-Y可调式取景器镜架便于与望远镜轻松对准

公开(公告)号：US06563636B1

公开(公告)日：2003-05-13

申请号：US09427386

申请日：1999-10-25

申请人： Kenneth W. Baun ,  Brian G. Tingey ,  Stanley H. Dewan

发明人： Kenneth W. Baun ,  Brian G. Tingey ,  Stanley H. Dewan

IPC分类号： G02B2300

CPC分类号： G02B23/16 ,  G02B23/165

摘要： A telescope system has an intelligent motor controller for accurately controlling telescope position to facilitate location of celestial objects and to precisely control the speed at which the telescope moves to facilitate tracking of celestial objects. An optical encoder utilizes two photodetectors to provide enhanced servo control of the telescope positioning motors, a calibration circuit eliminates a need to test LED's during assembly of the optical encoder and a brushless mount provides electrical communication to an altitude drive motor located in a fork thereof in a manner which mitigates problems due to undesirable wrapping of an electrical cable around the mount as the mount rotates in azimuth.

摘要翻译： 望远镜系统具有智能马达控制器，用于精确地控制望远镜位置，以便于天体的定位，并精确地控制望远镜移动的速度以便于跟踪天体。 光学编码器利用两个光电检测器来提供对望远镜定位电动机的增强的伺服控制，校准电路消除了在组装光学编码器期间测试LED的需要，并且无刷安装件向位于其叉的位置的高度驱动电动机提供电气通信 这是当安装座以方位旋转时由于电缆绕安装件的不期望的缠绕而减轻问题的方式。

公开(公告)号：US07079317B2

公开(公告)日：2006-07-18

申请号：US10358754

申请日：2003-02-05

申请人： Kenneth W. Baun ,  John E. Hoot ,  Brian G. Tingey

发明人： Kenneth W. Baun ,  John E. Hoot ,  Brian G. Tingey

IPC分类号： G02B23/00

CPC分类号： G02B23/00 ,  F16M11/10 ,  F16M11/18 ,  F16M11/2014 ,  F16M11/32 ,  G02B23/16 ,  G02B23/165

摘要： An automated telescope includes an optical system and respective altitude and azimuth motor systems. Each motor system is configured to rotate the optical system about a corresponding altitude or azimuth axis. Each of the altitude and azimuth motor systems includes a motor and a microprocessor configured to control its respective motor. A third microprocessor is connected to microprocessors of both the altitude and azimuth motor systems. The third microprocessor is programmed to determine a relationship between a celestial coordinate system and an altitude-azimuth coordinate system and to generate motion control commands based at least in part on the determined relationship. Each microprocessor of the altitude and azimuth motor systems then controls its respective motor based at least in part on the motion control commands.

摘要翻译： 自动望远镜包括光学系统和相应的高度和方位电机系统。 每个电动机系统被配置为围绕相应的高度或方位角轴旋转光学系统。 每个高度和方位电动机系统包括电动机和被配置为控制其相应电动机的微处理器。 第三个微处理器连接到高度和方位电机系统的微处理器。 第三微处理器被编程以确定天体坐标系和高度 - 方位坐标系之间的关系，并且至少部分地基于确定的关系产生运动控制命令。 高度和方位角马达系统的每个微处理器至少部分地基于运动控制命令控制其相应的马达。

公开(公告)号：US07339731B2

公开(公告)日：2008-03-04

申请号：US11110626

申请日：2005-04-20

申请人： Kenneth W. Baun ,  John E. Hoot

发明人： Kenneth W. Baun ,  John E. Hoot

IPC分类号： G02B23/00

CPC分类号： G01S3/7867 ,  G02B23/00 ,  G02B23/16

摘要： 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.

摘要翻译： 本公开的实施例包括自对准望远镜控制系统和自对准方法。 在一个实施例中，望远镜控制系统通过将望远镜指向天空的对准星或对准区域的方向来定向相对于天球的望远镜。 望远镜控制系统在对准区域中对视场进行成像，并对图像进行处理，以确定场景中心的天体坐标的对准区域。 然后望远镜控制系统将望远镜的坐标系映射到天体坐标系。 一旦映射，望远镜控制系统可以有利地将望远镜在可视天空中基于例如用户选择，系统建议，相同的组合等将望远镜旋转到任何期望的天体。

公开(公告)号：US20080017784A1

公开(公告)日：2008-01-24

申请号：US11490786

申请日：2006-07-21

申请人： John E. Hoot ,  Kenneth W. Baun

发明人： John E. Hoot ,  Kenneth W. Baun

IPC分类号： G01J1/20 ,  G01C21/24 ,  G01C21/02

CPC分类号： G01S3/7861 ,  G01J1/4228 ,  G01S3/7835 ,  G01S3/784

摘要： Apparatus and methods are disclosed that enable a device to locate and track a light source. In certain preferred embodiments, the device is a telescope and the light source is the sun. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a plurality of photodetectors and a plurality of shade casting members. The shade casting members may be disposed substantially symmetrically about an optical axis of the apparatus. In certain embodiments, the apparatus can locate and track the light source by comparing one or more signals produced by the photodetectors in response to light received from the light source.

摘要翻译： 公开了使装置能够定位和跟踪光源的装置和方法。 在某些优选实施例中，该装置是望远镜，光源是太阳。 在一些实施例中，该装置包括多个光电检测器和多个阴影浇铸构件。 阴影浇铸构件可以围绕装置的光轴大致对称地设置。 在某些实施例中，该装置可以通过响应于从光源接收的光比较由光电检测器产生的一个或多个信号来定位和跟踪光源。

公开(公告)号：US07221527B2

公开(公告)日：2007-05-22

申请号：US11189005

申请日：2005-07-25

申请人： Kenneth W. Baun ,  John E. Hoot

发明人： Kenneth W. Baun ,  John E. Hoot

IPC分类号： G02B23/00

CPC分类号： G02B23/00 ,  G02B23/06 ,  G02B23/16 ,  Y10S359/90

摘要： Embodiments of an automated telescope system are operable in multiple modes, including alt-az and equatorial modes. The telescope system aligns and orients itself to the celestial coordinate system using, for example, data gained through tracking the drift of a celestial object. In various embodiments, an imager may be used to find and track celestial objects.

摘要翻译： 自动望远镜系统的实施例可以在多种模式中操作，包括alt-az和赤道模式。 望远镜系统使用例如通过跟踪天体的漂移获得的数据将自身对准和定向到天体坐标系。 在各种实施例中，可以使用成像器来发现和跟踪天体。

公开(公告)号：US07482564B2

公开(公告)日：2009-01-27

申请号：US11110484

申请日：2005-04-20

申请人： Kenneth W. Baun ,  John E. Hoot

发明人： Kenneth W. Baun ,  John E. Hoot

IPC分类号： G01C21/02 ,  H01L27/00 ,  G02B23/00 ,  G01B11/26

CPC分类号： G01S3/7867 ,  G02B23/00 ,  G02B23/12

摘要： 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.

摘要翻译： 本公开的实施例包括呈现与电子显示器（例如高清晰度显示器）上的望远镜捕获的图像信息有关的数据。 例如，望远镜控制系统可有利地在多媒体或图像呈现中将视频或其他信号输出到一个或多个显示器。 在某些优选实施例中，这种显示器包括高清晰度显示器等。 例如，这样的显示可以包括娱乐，学术或其他演示。

公开(公告)号：US07092156B2

公开(公告)日：2006-08-15

申请号：US10357912

申请日：2003-02-04

申请人： Kenneth W. Baun ,  John E. Hoot

发明人： Kenneth W. Baun ,  John E. Hoot

IPC分类号： G02B23/00

CPC分类号： G02B23/00 ,  F16M11/10 ,  F16M11/18 ,  F16M11/2014 ,  F16M11/32 ,  G02B23/16 ,  G02B23/165

摘要： A fully automated telescope system is able to be fully operable in both Alt-Az and polar configurations. In either configuration, the telescope aligns itself to the celestial coordinate system following a simplified initialization procedure during which the telescope tube is first pointed north and then pointed towards a user's horizon. A command processor, under application software program control orients the telescope system with respect to the celestial coordinate system given the initial directional inputs. The initial telescope orientation may be further refined by initially inputting a geographical location indicia, or by shooting one or two additional celestial objects. Once the telescope's orientation with respect to the celestial coordinate system is established, the telescope system will automatically move to and track any desired celestial object without further alignment invention by a user.

摘要翻译： 全自动望远镜系统能够在Alt-Az和极地配置中完全可操作。 在任何一种配置中，望远镜都按照简化的初始化过程将自身对准天体坐标系，在此过程中望远镜管首先朝北，然后指向用户的地平线。 在应用软件程序控制下，命令处理器控制望远镜系统相对于给定初始方向输入的天体坐标系。 可以通过初始输入地理位置标记，或者通过拍摄一个或两个额外的天体来进一步改进最初的望远镜取向。 一旦建立了相对于天体坐标系的望远镜取向，望远镜系统将自动地移动到并跟踪任何期望的天体，而无需使用者进一步对准发明。

公开(公告)号：US20080212176A1

公开(公告)日：2008-09-04

申请号：US12042279

申请日：2008-03-04

申请人： Kenneth W. Baun ,  John E. Hoot

发明人： Kenneth W. Baun ,  John E. Hoot

IPC分类号： G02B23/00

CPC分类号： G01S3/7867 ,  G02B23/00 ,  G02B23/16

摘要： 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.

摘要翻译： 本公开的实施例包括自对准望远镜控制系统和自对准方法。 在一个实施例中，望远镜控制系统通过将望远镜指向天空的对准星或对准区域的方向来定向相对于天球的望远镜。 望远镜控制系统在对准区域中对视场进行成像，并对图像进行处理，以确定场景中心的天体坐标的对准区域。 然后望远镜控制系统将望远镜的坐标系映射到天体坐标系。 一旦映射，望远镜控制系统可以有利地将望远镜在可视天空中基于例如用户选择，系统建议，相同的组合等将望远镜旋转到任何期望的天体。