Mobile Phone Guided Digital Telescope for Fast Planet Finding
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional planet-finding methods require manual adjustment and professional knowledge, making the process time-consuming and prone to errors, especially for non-experts using telescopes.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus utilizing a digital telescope, electronic compass, pan/tilt mechanism, mobile phone, and image digital signal processor to automatically adjust the telescope's orientation and focus, aided by a historical planet map and planet positioning data on the mobile phone app, enabling quick planet detection.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If manual adjustment and professional knowledge are required for planet finding, then measurement precision can be maintained, but device complexity and ease of operation deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
A mobile phone application serves as an intermediary between the user and the telescope system. The APP provides automated planet location services, historical planet map comparison, and real-time guidance, eliminating the need for users to manually adjust the telescope while maintaining accurate planet location through computer-controlled positioning mechanisms.
2Measurement precision
If manual adjustment and professional knowledge are required for planet finding, then measurement precision can be maintained, but loss of time increases
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by pre-loading historical planet maps and calibration data into the mobile phone application before actual planet-finding operations. The system automatically compares real-time telescope images with pre-stored historical data to quickly identify and locate planets, eliminating time-consuming manual calibration and adjustment processes.
3Ease of operation
If automated planet-finding telescope is used, then ease of operation improves, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The mobile phone application serves multiple functions including planet location, historical map comparison, real-time image processing, and user guidance. This multi-functional approach consolidates what would otherwise require separate complex calibration systems and professional knowledge bases into a single unified application, making the automated telescope easier to operate without proportionally increasing perceived system complexity.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
Facilitates easy and accurate planet finding without requiring expert knowledge, allowing non-experts to quickly locate planets using a mobile phone app, enhancing user experience and reducing operational complexity.
Implementation Method 1
A main camera configured to photograph target starry sky
Implementation Method 2
a planet-finding camera configured to search for and photograph a target planet
Implementation Method 3
The electronic compass is installed at one end that is of the telescope housing and that is away from the starry sky
Implementation Method 4
An X-axis motor configured to drive the installing base to rotate around an X-axis is installed on the Z-axis revolving base. A Z-axis motor that is configured to drive the Z-axis revolving base to rotate around a Z-axis
Implementation Method 5
A focus motor configured to focus the main camera and a focus driver configured to control operation of the focus motor
Implementation Method 6
An image digital signal processor configured to drive operation of the focus driver and process a real-time starry sky image obtained through photographing by the main camera and a real-time planet image obtained through photographing by the planet-finding camera
Data Source
AI summary
The present invention discloses an apparatus for quickly finding a planet by using a mobile phone, including: a digital telescope, an electronic compass, a pan/tilt configured to install the digital telescope, a mobile phone, a PC terminal, and a data converter. The digital telescope includes a telescope housing. A main camera configured to photograph target starry sky and a planet-finding camera configured to search for and photograph a target planet are disposed at one end that is of the telescope housing and that faces starry sky. The present invention is used more easily when a user's professional level is reduced.