Semi-Reflective Optical System for Bright Astronomical Object Guidance

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing optical systems, such as telescopes, struggle with low-quality natural image restoration due to limited light capture, low resolution, and low contrast, leading to user errors in identifying astronomical objects, especially for novice users, and require complex alignment procedures or expensive systems that reduce luminosity and add weight.

Innovation Solution

An optical system using a single semi-reflective plate to split light beams for natural and digital image restoration, combined with a processing unit for pattern recognition and metainformation, allowing quick identification of astronomical objects and intuitive user guidance, while preserving luminosity and enabling collaboration through communication means.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple semi-reflective plates are used to create digital images, then object identification accuracy is improved, but luminosity is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobject identification accuracyVSAvoidluminosity

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSIllumination intensity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides the optical path into separate channels: one for natural light observation and another for digital image projection. By segmenting the light paths, the system can project digital images without blocking the natural light, thus maintaining high luminosity while enabling accurate object identification through digital processing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a beam splitter and separate optical paths as intermediaries between the objective lens and the eyepiece. This intermediary system allows digital images to be projected onto the natural image field without directly blocking the natural light, resolving the contradiction between digital processing capability and luminosity preservation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Extent of automation

If motorized alignment procedures are implemented, then automated object localization is improved, but device complexity and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomated object localizationVSAvoidalignment procedure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent enables the system to automatically identify and localize astronomical objects through digital image processing and pattern recognition algorithms. The system serves itself by using the captured natural light images to automatically determine object positions and characteristics, eliminating the need for complex external motorized alignment procedures while maintaining automation capabilities.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces mechanical motorized alignment systems with electronic digital image processing. Instead of using physical motors to automatically point the telescope, the system uses computational algorithms to analyze captured images and identify objects, substituting mechanical complexity with electronic processing that achieves the same automated localization function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Reliability

If natural image quality is improved through better optical systems, then observation reliability is improved, but cost and weight increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveobservation reliabilityVSAvoidsystem weight

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSWeight of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent makes the optical system multi-functional by enabling it to perform both natural light observation and digital image projection through a single integrated system. The same optical path and detector serve dual purposes: capturing natural astronomical images and projecting enhanced digital versions, thereby improving observation reliability without requiring separate heavy systems for each function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

The system provides high-luminosity natural images with accurate object identification, ergonomic user guidance, and collaborative data sharing, enhancing observation comfort and reliability for novice users.

Implementation Method 1

a semi-reflective plate to reflect a first subset of incoming light beams towards the active face of said capture means and transmit a second subset of incoming light beams towards the eyepiece

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectReflection: Reflection

Implementation Method 2

an objective lens to collect a set of incoming light beams from a study scene

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectRefraction: Refraction

Implementation Method 3

capture means having an active face, to capture all or some of the incoming light beams

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotoelectric Effect: Photoelectric Effect

Data Source

PatentUS12366743B2Method for producing a digital image, associated computer program product and optical system

Publication Date: 2025.07.22 UNISTELLAR

AI summary

The invention relates to an optical system for restoring a natural image combined with a digital image, in order to characterise and highlight the objects represented on the natural image. The optical system includes an objective lens, an eyepiece, a semi-reflective plate, a processing unit, capturing means and restoring means. The invention also relates to a method for producing such a digital image.