SonyGranted patentSpace & aerospaceInterest 6/10

Sony patents satellite camera interface showing live map and time

Sony has been granted a patent for a system that displays a map of a planet or moon alongside a timeline of a satellite's orbit. The interface synchronizes the satellite's position on the map with the time, allowing users to see exactly where the camera is pointing at any given moment. A second screen can then show the actual camera image from the satellite, linked to that same time and location.

Why it mattersThis tool helps users visualize the specific location and timing of satellite photography, making it easier to understand where space images are captured.

In the filing’s own words

There is provided an information processing device and an information processing method for providing an imaging service for performing imaging with a camera mounted on an artificial satellite. The information processing device includes a display control unit that causes a first screen to be displayed, the first screen including a map display unit that displays an artificial satellite that orbits around a celestial object and an orbit of the artificial satellite on a map of the celestial object, and a time information display unit that displays time information on the orbit of the artificial satellite. The display control unit causes the first screen to synchronously display the position of the artificial satellite on the map of the celestial object on the map display unit and the time information about the artificial satellite on the time information display unit. The technology according to the present disclosure can be applied to an information processing device or the like that provides an imaging service for performing imaging with a camera mounted on an artificial satellite, for example.

What exactly they claim (claim 1)

1. An information processing device comprising: circuitry configured to cause a first screen to be displayed, the first screen including a map display and a time information display, the map display displaying an artificial satellite that orbits a celestial object and an orbit of the artificial satellite on a map of the celestial object, and the time information display displaying time information on the orbit of the artificial satellite, wherein the circuitry causes the first screen to synchronously display a position of the artificial satellite on the map of the celestial object on the map display, and the time information about the artificial satellite on the time information display, and wherein the circuitry is further configured to cause a second screen to be displayed, the second screen including a camera image display and the time information about the artificial satellite on the orbit.

Facts

Company: Sony (Sony Group Corporation)
Official title: Information processing device and information processing method
Patent number: US12739501B2
Application number: 18690748
Filed: Mar 14, 2022
Granted: Sep 15, 2026
Inventors: 2
Claims: 20

Classified under

H04N 23/66 Electricity & electronicsB64G 1/66 Operations & transportH04N 7/183 Electricity & electronicsH04N 23/632 Electricity & electronicsH04N 23/633 Electricity & electronicsH04N 23/69 Electricity & electronics

Read the full filing (official PDF) ↗ Open in the Patent Tracker

Summaries are simplified from the filing’s own abstract and first claim. A patent filing is not a product announcement.
Patent data and drawings: U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Nebula is not affiliated with or endorsed by the USPTO.