Meade patents "Self-aligning Telescope"

[citivolus]

Ref US Patent # 7339731, granted 4 March 2008.

Basically it takes goto to the next level using CCD to augment the data and do an automated polar alignment.

http://www.patentstorm.us/patents/7339731.html

[citivolus]

OK, more information.

It looks like the Meade hand controller may be going the way of the Vixen StarBook, and additionally include a DSI interface. The patent is for using a DSI type imager to do a fully automated alignment using on-board logic in the telescope itself. It also makes several references to having a high resolution display.

However, the caveat is that the patent is vague enough that the processing can be happening on a computer connected to the scope via an ethernet connection, so it doesn't necessarily mean that the hand controllers are getting an update. In the end it may all be handled through the autostar suite.

[g__day]

Isn't this what MaximDL / MaxPoint do automatically anyway? Or does it level, and automatically adjust Alt and Az for you? About time - but expensive!

[h0ughy]

is this taking their sky thingy to the next level? this would be a huge party trick and eagerly sought after by astrophotographers everywhere

[citivolus]

The flow charts in the patent include all steps including level detection, star selection, and plate solve. Given that their main target is fork mounts, they don't have alt-az adjustment to worry about. Amusingly the sample telescope in the patent looks to be an ETX series.

[Zuts]

But they cant polar align it, so its just a fancy automated goto, great i suppose for getting your object bang on each time.

Paul

[citivolus]

Combined with a field derotator it could technically still do some decent imaging work. The patent does not implicitly specify alt-az mounts, but as that would seem to be the majority of Meade's money makers due to a lack of a high end GEM, I think we can assume that they don't really intend to come out with a self aligning equatorial mount any time soon.