WO2023234682A1

WO2023234682A1 - Wireless autofocusing device for telescopes

Info

Publication number: WO2023234682A1
Application number: PCT/KR2023/007400
Authority: WO
Inventors: 이호재; 김미선
Original assignee: 이호재; 김미선
Priority date: 2022-05-30
Filing date: 2023-05-30
Publication date: 2023-12-07
Also published as: KR20230166937A

Abstract

Provided is a wireless autofocusing device for telescopes, comprising: a short-distance communication module capable of wirelessly connecting a remote terminal that transmits and receives control commands and control results; a communication control module for controlling the short-distance communication module; a motor control module for controlling the position of a motor; a motor module for rotating or moving a focusing device attached to a telescope; a memory module capable of storing, even when power is not applied, information such as system settings and user information; a system control module that, according to user commands transmitted through the short-distance communication module and the communication control module, stores system setting information in the memory module, controls a system, and drives the motor control module; and a battery charging module.

Description

Wireless autofocusing device for telescopes

The present invention relates to a wireless autofocusing device attached to a focusing device of a telescope, and specifically to a device that can wirelessly adjust the focus of a telescope through a short-range wireless communication module.

In order to use a telescope, you must first aim at the object to be observed and then turn the focusing device attached to the eyepiece to achieve accurate focus.

In the case of low-magnification binoculars or small telescopes, it is easy to focus by manually turning the focus control device, but in the case of high-magnification astronomical telescopes, manually adjusting the focus not only causes the previously introduced astronomical object to shake violently, but also causes worst problems. In most cases, it is difficult to achieve accurate focus because it is common for the object introduced to move out of the field of view by moving the telescope's barrel.

In addition, existing registered patents on automatic focus control (Patent Publication Nos. 10-0124583, 10-0247286, 10-2350710, etc.) describe a method of adjusting focus by moving the objective lens or zoom lens, which cannot be applied to devices such as telescopes. These technologies can only be used in small cameras such as DSLRs, and cannot be used in equipment such as telescopes with fixed objective lenses.

Autofocus products currently on the market for telescopes were developed without wireless functionality in mind, so when using them, you must use a dedicated wired hand controller or connect a mini PC or small computer similar to Raspberry Pi by wire. Therefore, it must be used as a controller.

However, the biggest problem with using these wires is that when using them outdoors for night-time celestial observation without light, there are dozens of wires connected to numerous accessories used during observation, so the observer cannot see the hanging wires while moving and touches them or the telescope becomes an object. It often happens that several hours of astrophotography exposure work is in vain, as several wires become twisted together and fall out of the port while moving in search of the object.

Also, recently, there are cases where applications on smart phones are used. Even in this case, the inconvenience mentioned above is not resolved because the smartphone application cannot be used alone, but only when the smartphone remotely connects to another controller (PC, etc.) connected by wire to the autofocus device.

The object of the present invention is to provide a wireless autofocusing device for a telescope.

The wireless autofocusing device for a telescope according to the object of the present invention described above includes a short-range wireless communication module capable of connecting to a remote terminal such as a smart phone installed with control software; A communication control module for controlling a wireless communication module; A motor module that rotates the focusing axis in direct connection with the telescope focusing device; a motor control module that controls the motor module; Memory module for storing current device state or user settings; battery charging module; It may be configured to include a system control module capable of integrated management of the wireless communication control module, motor control module, memory module, and battery charging module.

The wireless auto-focusing device for a telescope described above can remotely adjust the focus of the telescope using a short-range wireless communication module.

In addition, since a short-distance wireless communication module is used, remote terminals such as smart phones can wirelessly connect to the device and directly control it, eliminating unnecessary wired control lines, preventing wire jams and tangled wires that occur when used at night when there is no light. It can solve various problems such as port failure.

1 is a block diagram of a wireless autofocusing device for a telescope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a flowchart of the operation of a wireless auto-focusing device for a telescope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a photograph showing a wireless auto-focusing device for a telescope according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to a refractive telescope.

Figure 4 is a photograph showing a wireless autofocusing device for a telescope according to an embodiment of the present invention attached to a Schmidt-Cassegrain type telescope.

Since the present invention can make various changes and have various embodiments, specific embodiments will be illustrated in the drawings and detailed descriptions will be given for carrying out the invention. However, this is not intended to limit the present invention to specific embodiments, and should be understood to include all changes, equivalents, and substitutes included in the spirit and technical scope of the present invention. While describing each drawing, similar reference numerals are used for similar components.

Terms such as first, second, A, and B may be used to describe various components, but the components should not be limited by the terms. The above terms are used only for the purpose of distinguishing one component from another. For example, a first component may be named a second component, and similarly, the second component may also be named a first component without departing from the scope of the present invention. The term and/or includes any of a plurality of related stated items or a combination of a plurality of related stated items.

When a component is said to be "connected" or "connected" to another component, it is understood that it may be directly connected to or connected to the other component, but that other components may exist in between. It should be. On the other hand, when it is mentioned that a component is “directly connected” or “directly connected” to another component, it should be understood that there are no other components in between.

The terms used in this application are only used to describe specific embodiments and are not intended to limit the invention. Singular expressions include plural expressions unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. In this application, terms such as “comprise” or “have” are intended to designate the presence of features, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof described in the specification, but are not intended to indicate the presence of one or more other features. It should be understood that this does not exclude in advance the possibility of the existence or addition of elements, numbers, steps, operations, components, parts, or combinations thereof.

Unless otherwise defined, all terms used herein, including technical or scientific terms, have the same meaning as commonly understood by a person of ordinary skill in the technical field to which the present invention pertains. Terms defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with the meaning in the context of the related technology, and unless explicitly defined in the present application, should not be interpreted in an ideal or excessively formal sense. No.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments according to the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

Referring to FIG. 1, the wireless auto-focusing device 100 for a telescope according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a system control module 101, a communication control module 102, a motor control module 103, and a memory module 104. ), a motor module 105, a short-range communication module 106, and a battery charging module 107.

The remote terminal 200 is a device capable of wireless connection, and includes a device 201, a smart phone 202, a tablet 203, and a telescope remote control server such as ASCOM and INDI, which are open software developed for telescope remote control. Includes PC/desktop (204) and laptop/notebook (205).

In the case of a general refractive telescope, the wireless automatic focusing device 100 for a telescope may be connected to a focusing device located near the eyepiece using a fixed mount and coupling as shown in FIG. 3.

Additionally, in the case of the Schmidt-Cassegrain telescope, the wireless auto-focusing device 100 may be connected as shown in FIG. 4 using a fixed mount and coupling.

Hereinafter, the detailed configuration will be described.

The system control module 101 processes command sets received from remote devices and performs overall operation of the system, including control of the communication control module 102, motor control module 103, and memory module 104. .

The communication control module 102 controls the short-range wireless communication module 106 and controls data exchange with the remote terminal 200.

The motor control module 103 controls the motor module 105 according to the control signal received from the system control module 101.

The memory module 104 stores various setting values used by the system.

The motor module 105 moves the focus control device of the telescope to adjust the focus of the telescope.

The short-range wireless communication module 106 is wirelessly connected to the remote terminal 200 and exchanges data through a wireless (Radio Frequency) communication protocol.

The battery charging module 107 stops charging when the battery is fully charged and transmits the charging status to the system control module 101.

Figure 2 is a flowchart of a method of operating a wireless autofocusing device for a telescope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 2, when power is first applied, the short-range wireless communication module 106 stands by in a state where connection is possible from a remote terminal 200 such as a smartphone (S101).

Next, when a connection is attempted from the remote terminal 200, if there is no previously set security password, the connection is completed immediately and proceeds to the next step. However, if a security password has been set, it is checked whether the password matches, and the security password is set. If they do not match, the connection is released and the connection returns to the standby state. If the security password matches, the process proceeds to the next step (S102).

Here, it waits for a command transmitted from the remote terminal 200 (S103).

Next, when a command to move the motor module 105 to a specific speed and a specific position is received from the remote terminal 200, the motor module 105 is operated through the motor control module 103 (S104).

Here, the motor module 105 completes moving to a specific position and returns to the command waiting (S103) state (S108).

Additionally, if an emergency situation occurs while the motor module 105 is moving, a motor emergency stop command is received, and the motor module 105 is immediately stopped through the motor control module 103 (S105).

Here, the emergency stop of the motor module 105 is completed and the state returns to the command waiting (S103) state (S108).

Next, when a command to change the network name (SSID) and security password information is received from the remote terminal 200, the corresponding information is modified/saved in the memory module 104 and the system is rebooted. Here, since the remote access information has been changed, the wireless connection is automatically released, and the remote terminal 200 switches to a connection standby mode for the wireless device through the short-distance communication module 106 because it needs to be reconnected. (S106).

Next, when disconnection is requested from the remote terminal 200, the connection is released and converted to connection standby mode (S107).

When power is applied to the device, charging progresses and information such as charging progress and completion of charging is continuously monitored (S108).

Figure 3 is a configuration diagram of a method in which a wireless autofocusing device for a telescope is connected to a refractive telescope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 3, a wireless autofocusing device 301 for a telescope is attached to a coupling 303 and an L-shaped mount 304.

Next, the L-shaped mount 304 is fixed below the focus adjuster 302 located in the eyepiece of the telescope.

Additionally, the coupling 303 is fixedly attached to the rotation axis attached to the focusing device 302.

And, the focus adjustment device 302 is attached to the bottom of the telescope barrel 305.

The remote terminal 200 wirelessly connects to a wireless autofocusing device for a telescope and transmits and receives control commands.

Figure 4 is a configuration diagram of a method in which a wireless autofocusing device for a telescope is connected to a Schmidt-Cassegrain type telescope according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 4, a wireless autofocusing device 401 for a telescope is attached to a U-shaped mount 402 and a coupling 403.

Additionally, the coupling 403 is fixedly attached to the rotation axis of the telescope telescopic adjustment device.

And, the focus adjustment device combined with the coupling 403 is attached to the bottom of the telescope barrel 404.

Although the description has been made with reference to examples, those skilled in the art will understand that various modifications and changes can be made to the present invention without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. .

Claims

A short-distance wireless communication module capable of communicating by wirelessly connecting a remote terminal with built-in software that transmits specific commands for control and displays data received as a control result on a screen;

A communication control module that controls the short-range wireless communication module;

a system control module that analyzes and executes a command set received from the short-range communication control module and transmits the execution result to the communication control module;

a motor control module that drives the motor by receiving a command to rotate the shaft of the motor to a specific position from the system control module;

a motor module that is directly connected to the focus control unit of the telescope and whose axis rotates according to a control signal from the motor control module;

A memory module capable of storing information such as system settings and user information even when power is not turned on;

Comprising a battery charging module that controls the charging state of the battery,

Wireless autofocusing device for telescopes.
The method according to claim 1, wherein the short-range wireless communication module,

It is characterized in that it communicates with a remote terminal using RF wireless communication, transmits and receives necessary control data, and transmits the control results and status of the wireless autofocusing device for the telescope to the remote terminal.