Hand-Held Planetarium Orientation Sensing and Display

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing personal planetarium devices and software are difficult to use with ease and accuracy for amateur astronomers to identify celestial objects, particularly deep space objects, due to complexity and usability issues.

Innovation Solution

A hand-held planetarium device with a sensing system, controller, and database that determines the orientation of the device to display celestial objects based on proximity, using sensors for altitude and azimuth angles, and allowing operation in normal or downward orientation modes, with optional auto-switching between modes.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If prior art planetarium devices and software are used to identify celestial objects, then celestial object identification capability is provided, but ease of operation deteriorates due to complexity

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveease of useVSAvoidcomplexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The planetarium device automatically determines orientation using sensors (accelerometer, magnetometer, gyroscope) and autonomously queries the celestial object database based on sensed orientation, eliminating the need for manual input of location, time, and orientation data by the user

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations (physically pointing the device, manually entering coordinates) with electronic sensing systems that automatically detect orientation and compute celestial object positions through software algorithms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Measurement precision

If prior art planetarium devices and software are used to identify celestial objects, then celestial object identification capability is provided, but measurement precision deteriorates due to usability issues

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccuracyVSAvoidusability

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The device continuously monitors orientation changes through sensors and automatically updates the displayed celestial objects in real-time, providing feedback that ensures accurate tracking of celestial positions as the device moves or is repositioned

Inventive Principle:

Principle #23Feedback

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual orientation input with electronic sensing systems that precisely measure orientation angles through accelerometers, magnetometers, and gyroscopes, achieving high measurement accuracy without manual intervention

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Ease of operation

If hand-held planetarium device is used in normal orientation mode, then celestial object display is provided, but arm fatigue increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveuser experienceVSAvoidarm fatigue

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The device dynamically adapts its operation mode based on orientation sensing, automatically switching between normal and inverted modes to maintain optimal viewing conditions while reducing the physical burden on the user's arm and hand

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

4Ease of operation

If hand-held planetarium device is used in normal orientation mode, then celestial object display is provided, but view obstruction increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveviewing experienceVSAvoidobstructed view

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The device dynamically switches between normal and inverted operation modes based on real-time orientation sensing, allowing the user to hold the device in the most comfortable position while maintaining an unobstructed view of the sky by displaying celestial objects appropriately for each orientation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

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

Enables easy and accurate identification of celestial objects by providing a user-friendly interface for displaying sky patterns and controlling motorized telescopes, improving user experience and reducing arm fatigue and obstructed views.

Implementation Method 1

A sensing system comprising one or more sensors provides information about an orientation of the device

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSensing system detection:

Data Source

PatentUS8684745B2Hand-held personal planetarium

Publication Date: 2014.04.01 NANTONG SCHMIDT OPTO ELECTRICAL TECH CO LTD

AI summary

Method and apparatus are provided for a hand-held planetarium which displays a sky pattern comprising graphical representations of one or more celestial objects. A sensing system comprising one or more sensors provides information about an orientation of the device. A controller receives the information about the orientation of the device from the sensing system and determines therefrom an altitude angle of a pointing axis and an azimuthal angle of the pointing axis. The controller accesses a database of celestial objects and determines, from within the database, one or more selected celestial objects for display based at least in part on a measure of proximity of the celestial objects to the pointing axis. Graphical representations of the one or more selected celestial objects are displayed on a display screen. The planetarium may switch between a normal orientation mode and a downward facing orientation mode.