Celestial Tracking via Image Analysis
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for automatically tracking and capturing celestial objects with image-capturing devices face challenges in achieving high accuracy due to the complexity of celestial object movement, which is often approximated as circular motion, leading to inaccuracies, especially with lenses of long focal lengths, and require costly and complex sensors for accurate latitude and tilt information.
Innovation Solution
The solution involves capturing preliminary images of celestial objects, analyzing their movement to obtain tracking-control information, and adjusting the image sensor accordingly to accurately track and capture celestial objects using a digital camera with a simple structure, employing focal-length information, latitude, and tilt data to simulate the object's trail, thereby improving tracking accuracy.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If complex sensors are used to obtain accurate latitude and tilt information, then tracking precision is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical sensors (latitude sensors, tilt sensors) with a computational approach using image processing and coordinate transformation. The system captures images at different orientations, calculates position information through image analysis, and derives tracking data mathematically, substituting physical sensing mechanisms with an optical-computational system.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent creates a virtual model of the celestial object's movement by capturing multiple images and simulating the trail through coordinate transformations. Instead of directly measuring physical movement with sensors, the system copies the movement pattern through image sequences and reconstructs the trajectory computationally.
2Device complexity
If circular motion approximation is used for celestial object tracking, then device complexity is reduced, but tracking accuracy deteriorates, especially with long focal length lenses
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the mathematical model from simple circular motion approximation to a more accurate coordinate transformation system that accounts for the specific geometry of celestial object movement. By modifying the computational parameters and transformation equations, the system achieves higher accuracy without adding physical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a dynamic tracking system that continuously adjusts the image sensor's position based on calculated movement vectors. The system adapts to the actual movement pattern of celestial objects through real-time coordinate transformations, rather than relying on a fixed circular approximation model.
Data Source
AI summary
An image-capturing device includes an image-capturing optical system; an image sensor; and processing circuitry configured to: control the image-capturing optical system to capture one or more preliminary images of an object to be tracked; analyze the one or more preliminary images; calculate tracking-control information using results of the analysis; and adjust at least one of the image-capturing optical system and the image sensor with movement of the object, in accordance with the tracking-control information to capture an image of the object that is being tracked.