Patent ID: 9478034
Filing Date: 2016-10-25
CPC Classification: G01C,G01S,G06K,G06T

Claim Text:
1. A method for determining geoposition, comprising: obtaining at least one image of the sky containing a plurality of stars, wherein respective distances between pairs of stars in the at least one obtained image vary as a function of geoposition, due to a dependence of the refraction of light from said plurality of stars on geoposition; compiling a list or table of the plurality of stars and their positions in the sky from the at least one obtained image, the positions of the plurality of stars in said list being uncorrected for atmospheric refraction; pattern-matching the list or table of said plurality of stars at said uncorrected positions with a predetermined list or table of stars to identify each of the plurality of stars; computing the respective distances between the uncorrected positions of pairs of stars in said plurality of stars from the at least one obtained image; predicting distances between the identified pairs of stars in said plurality of stars as a function of geoposition, based on at least one atmospheric refraction model; comparing, using a processor, the respective distances between said pairs of stars in said plurality of stars computed from the uncorrected positions, to the predicted distances of said pairs of stars in said plurality of stars; and determining using the processor, the geoposition of a body based on said comparing step.