Operating InstructionsPocket Pictor™

For use with Pocket Pc’s

Introduction

The compact size and low power consumption of Pocket PC’s make them ideal for usein the field. Pocket Pictor is designed for Pocket PC and CCD users requiring a highlyportable ‘grab and go’ imaging solution. Because of the limited storage space on mostPocket PC’s, only the tools required for successful imaging collecting are included;image processing functions are absent. Images gathered by the Pocket Pictor may bedownloaded to a PC for processing at a later date.

This manual assumes that the user is already familiar with CCD operation andterminology.

Features

The initial release of Pocket Pictor only supports the Pictor 416 series cameras.Subsequent versions will support the 208 and 216 series as well. The camera isconnected to the imager through a serial cable, with a maximum baud rate of115,200. Below are some of the features included with this release of PocketPictor:

• Supports full frame imaging and analog binning.• 2X Focus Mode for easy focus.• Multiple exposure capability.• Color Filter Wheel support.• Shift and Combine exposure mode.• Dark Frame capability.• Image AutoSave option.• Two image display modes: Fit To Window and Full Resolution.• Images saved in standard FITS format.• Basic image scaling function.

Download and Installation Instructions

1. Download the appropriate .zip file from the Meade web site(www.meade.com). Pocket PC’s come with a variety of different processors,so choose the software that matches your Pocket PC’s model and processor.It is recommended you download and save the .zip file to your Windowsdesktop.

2. After downloading the zip file, extract the files using a program such asWinZip to a new folder on your desktop. Once the extraction is complete,open the new folder. Below is a sample of the files that may display in thefolder.

3. Next, connect your Pocket PC to your desktop via your cable or cradle.ActiveSync must be running and you must have an open connection to yourPocket PC to continue. Once connected, a screen similar to the one in theexample below displays, showing that your device is connected.

4. If you have not already done so, open the folder containing the extractedsetup files and click on the setup icon to begin program installation. A screensimilar to the one shown below displays.

5. Click the Next button to continue. The following screen displays.

6. Enter your name and your company name. You may enter “User” in thecompany name field if the software is to be used for personal use. Afterentering your user information, click the Next button. The setup programattempts to connect to your device and retrieve the application information.The following screen displays.

7. After the setup program has connected to the device and determined that thesoftware is the correct version for your device, you are prompted to installPocket Pictor into the default application directory, as shown below. SelectYes to begin the installation process.

8. During installation, a screen displays installation progress, as shown below.

9. Once installation is complete, the following screen displays. Click OK to finishthe installation.

10. Next, the following screen displays. Click Finish to exit the setup program.Pocket Pictor is now be installed on your Pocket PC. To start the program,click on the Start Button and then on the Pocket Pictor menu item.

Setup

It is recommended that the first time you use Pocket Pictor that you hook up yourimager indoors and become familiar with the software operation before taking itoutdoors for an imaging session.

After running the Pocket Pictor setup program on your Pocket PC, the applicationnow appears on the start menu of your PC. Tap on Pocket Pictor with the stylusto launch the application and to bring up the main screen. The first time thesoftware is run, default program values are created and stored in the registry. Ascreen displays as shown below.

Main Screen

Before using the software or connecting to the camera, set your default setting inthe appropriate dialog boxes. Tap the File menu item and then tap thePreferences menu item. The following screen displays.

Preferences Dialog

Select your Camera type, Comm Port, and Baud Rate from the ‘drop down’boxes. Most Pocket PC’s Comm ports are Comm 1. It is recommended that youuse the maximum baud rate your camera supports. Next, set your desired defaultCCD temperature. This data is transmitted to the camera when a connection isestablished. After you set your preferences, tap the OK button to save yourchanges and return to the main screen.

Next tap the File menu and then tap on the Fits Info menu item. The followingscreen displays.

Fits Info Dialog

The information stored here is used when saving your images. It’s a good idea toenter your user name, location and telescope now so you will already have thisinformation stored when you ready to start your first imaging session. The onlythings you will have to fill in during your session are the object and commentsections, if desired. This information is used only for saving images and does notreflect the header information of the currently opened image. When you arefinished entering the data, tap OK to save your changes and return to the mainscreen.

If you are using a Meade Color Filter wheel, you now need to enter settings forthat device. If you are not using the Color Filter wheel, skip this step and continueon to the Exposure Settings and Preferences described in the following section.

To select the Color Filter Wheel menu, tap the Camera menu and then tap theFilter Wheel menu item. The following screen displays.

Filter Wheel Dialog

Select your filter type at each wheel position from the drop down boxes. Next,check the boxes for the filters you want included in an RGB exposure. Finally, setthe exposure percentage for each particular filter. For example, if the exposuresettings are set to take a 1 minute exposure, a 50% setting for that filter takesonly a 30 second exposure.

Note: When a Color Filter Wheel is attached, use the Clear Filter setting forfocusing (the Clear Filter is the default setting in the Filter Wheel menu). TheClear Filter allows more light (or a dimmer star) to the sensor, which results in ashorter integration time and therefore a quicker focus. In the example above, theClear filter is at position 1. Once you have entered all the data for your FilterWheel, tap the OK button to save your changes and return to the main screen.

Finally, set the Exposure settings and Preferences. These settings areaccessed from the menu toolbar. The icons on the toolbar from left to right are:

- Exposure Settings. - Take Gray Scale Exposure Button. - Take RGB Exposure Button. - Image Scaling Button. - Save Image Button. - Help Screen Button.

Tap the exposure setting icon. The following screen displays.

Exposure Setup

Set the minutes, seconds and milliseconds for your exposure and also set thenumber of exposures you wish to take.

Note: When you wish to take more than one image, your images areautomatically saved and indexed with an image number, regardless of whetherthe AutoSave Images checkbox is checked or not.

The Dark Frame option, if checked, keeps the shutter closed on the 416 seriesimager. This option may also be used when taking multiple exposures or whentaking RGB exposures. This comes in handy when taking dark frames for yourRGB images. By checking the Dark Frame and then taking R,G, and Bexposures, all three Dark Frames are taken and saved automatically, eliminatingthe need to take three separate Dark Frames and manually adjusting theexposure times of each frame.

The Shift and Combine option allows you to take multiple exposures that alignand sum automatically. When using this option, the software first takes a DarkFrame. The dark frame is downloaded and saved. Next, the first image of theseries is taken and downloaded. The Dark Frame is subtracted and the resultingimage displays on the screen. You are then prompted to tap on a guide star withthe stylus. Once you select a guide star, the remaining exposures are taken,downloaded and added using the selected guide star as a reference. After each

integration, the summed image displays. Guiding information briefly displays inthe status bar between each exposure.

Note: when using Shift and Combine, each individual exposure is notautomatically saved to the device. If you wish to cancel multiple exposures thathaven’t yet been completed, press the action button on your Pocket PC. A tone isplayed and the exposures stop after the current operation is finished. Be sure tosave your image when the Shift and Combine sequence is complete.

The 2x2 Binning option enables the analog binning feature of the imager,greatly reducing image download and image-reducing times.

AutoSave Images gives you the option of automatically saving your image.Note: the AutoSave Images check box does not save images taken in the Shiftand Combine mode.

Getting Connecting

A user-supplied serial sync cable and a DB9M-to-DB9M null modem adapter,plus the serial cable supplied with Pictor are needed to connect your imager toyour Pocket PC.

First, insert the serial cable into your Pocket PC. Next, connect one end of theDB9M null modem adapter to the serial cable. Finally, hook the serial cablesupplied with your Pictor to the other side of the null modem adapter.

After making the connections, power up the imager and the Pocket PC. After theimager performs its self-test, you are ready to connect. Launch Pocket Pictorfrom the Start menu. Make sure you have setup up the correct camera type,serial port, baud rate and default temp as described earlier.

Tap the Camera menu and then the Connect menu item. An hourglass cursordisplays as a connection is established with the imager. If the connection issuccessful, tone is played and a brief message appears on the status bar lettingyou know the connection has been established and that CCD cool down hasbegun. This message is followed by a message displaying temperature andpower levels as well as the current selected filter if a Filter Wheel is attached.The status message is updated every 3 seconds and displays as depicted in thefollowing image.

Status Message

In the above example, F1 indicates that filter 1 is the currently selected filter.Online indicates that you have an open connection to the camera.Temperature, chip temperature and current power level display as the finalthree indicators.

As stated earlier, this information is updated approximately every 3 secondsexcept when an exposure is in progress. If you need to make an adjustment tothe temperature after connecting to the camera, go to the preferences dialog andset the desired temperature. To transmit the new setting to the camera, tap theCamera menu and then tap the Set Temperature menu item. The new settingstake effect within a few updates of the status message.

To close the connection to the camera at the end of your session, tap theCamera menu followed by the Disconnect menu item. The camera thenperforms a safe thermal shutdown and the communications port closes.

Note: while the software is connected to the camera, the automatic power offfeature of your Pocket PC turns off to keep your connection established. Thebacklight still times out and turns off as usual. When you disconnect from thecamera, the auto power off function is restored to a 1 minute timeout.

Focus Mode

To focus the imager, use the procedures outlined above: connect to the cameraand select the appropriate exposure settings.

Tap the Camera menu and then the Focus Mode menu item. If you haveselected an exposure over 5 seconds you will be asked if you are sure. An imageis then taken and downloads from the camera. The status bar displays exposureand download progress. Once an image downloads, the min and max pixelvalues display on the status bar. Finally, the image displays and you areprompted to tap on an object in the image to center the focus frame.

The current release of Pocket Pictor uses a fixed 100 x 100 pixel focus frame.After tapping an object in the image, subsequent images download and display.The focus frame displays at twice the normal size, 200 x 200 pixels, which allowsyou to see and focus easily on the smaller screen of your Pocket PC. Once yourare satisfied you have achieved the best possible focus, tap the Done button.This selection completes any pending operations and returns you to the mainscreen.

Taking a single unfiltered exposure

Using the procedures outlined above, connect to the camera and select theappropriate exposure settings. If you want your image to be automatically savedafter it is downloaded, be sure to check the AutoSave exposure option in theexposure dialog.

Tap the Take Exposure toolbar icon. An image is taken, downloads from thecamera and displays on the screen. If you want to save the image, tap the Filemenu followed by the Save File menu item. You are prompted to enter afilename. Enter a filename and tap OK. The image is saved in the “MyDocuments” folder of your Pocket PC.

Taking multiple unfiltered exposures

Using the procedures outlined above, connect to the camera and select theappropriate exposure settings. Be sure you set the number of exposures to avalue greater than 1. When taking multiple unfiltered exposures, each image willbe saved to your “My Documents” folder. The filenames will begin with “Img”unless you have checked the Dark Frame option, in which case they will startwith “Dark.” The filename is followed by a number, which increments after eachimage.

Tap the Take Exposure toolbar icon. Each image is taken, downloads from thecamera and displays on the screen. The status bar displays the progress of theoperation. After all images are taken and display, the status bar once againdisplays temperature information. If you wish to cancel the operation before it iscomplete, press your Pocket PC’s action button. A tone will be heard and thecurrent operation is finished. All remaining operations are canceled.

Taking multiple unfiltered exposures using Shift andCombine

Using the procedures outlined above, connect to the camera and select theappropriate exposure settings. Be sure you have set the number of exposures toa value greater than 1 and the Shift and Combine option checked on. Rememberthat each individual exposure is not saved, even if the AutoSave option ischecked on.

Tap the Take Exposure toolbar icon. A Dark Frame is taken and downloads toyour device. The first image of the set is then taken and downloads. This imagedisplays and you are prompted to select a star to guide on. Select a star in thefield. but one not to close to the edge of the image. After tapping on the image,the coordinates of the star you have selected display. Tap OK to continue.

Next, the centroid information of the star displays in the 21 x 21 pixel guide box.Tap OK and the process of taking the remaining images begins. Each image istaken, downloads from the camera and displays on the screen. Each image hasthe Dark Frame subtracted, aligned and summed with the previous images. Thestatus bar displays the progress of the operation and of the alignment correctionsmade to the images.

After all images have been taken and displayed, the status bar once againdisplays temperature information. If you wish to cancel the operation before it iscomplete, press your Pocket PC’s action button. A tone is heard and currentoperation is completed. All remaining operations are canceled. After theoperation is complete, be sure to save your image tapping on the File menufollowed by the Save File menu item.

Taking a RGB Exposure

Using the procedures outlined above, connect to the camera and select theappropriate exposure settings. Be sure to enter filter wheel information asdescribed previously.

Tap the Take RGB Exposure toolbar icon. The filter wheel moves to the first RGBposition and an exposure is taken. Once the image downloads, the image issaved automatically to your “My Documents” folder. The image is saved with afilename such as “Red12.fit, Blue12.fit, or Green12.fit,” which indicates the filtertype and the image set. Each image is taken, downloads from the camera, issaved and displays on the screen.

This process is repeated for each filter position that has been selected for anRGB image. The status bar displays the progress of the operation. After allimages have been taken, the combination of the red, green and blue imagesdisplay on the screen. After the process is complete, the status bar once againdisplays temperature information.

Taking a single filtered exposure

Using the procedures outlined above, connect to the camera and select theappropriate exposure settings.

By checking only one filter position to include in an RGB exposure, you can takea single filtered image. Tap the Take RGB Exposure toolbar icon. The FilterWheel moves to the RGB position you selected and an exposure taken. Once theimage downloads, the image is saved automatically to your “My Documents”folder. The image is saved with a filename such as “Red12.fit,” which indicatesthe filter type and the image number. The status bar displays the progress of theoperation. After the process is complete, the status bar once again displaystemperature information.

Opening Files

To open a single fits image, tap the File menu followed by the Open File menuitem. You are prompted to select a image. Tap on the image you wish to open.The image is loaded and displays on the screen.

To view a set of RGB images, tap the File menu followed by the RGB Mergemenu item. You are prompted to select a red, green and blue file in that order.After selecting all 3 files, the image displays on the screen.

Note: Pocket Pictor currently does not align the images but stacks them toproduce a color image. Pocket Pictor only opens fits files that are saved usingPocket Pictor.

Saving Files

To save a image, tap the File menu followed by the Save File menu item. A savefile dialog appears that prompts you for a filename. Enter a filename and tap OK.The file is saved in the “My Documents” folder of your Pocket PC.

Image Scaling

Once an image displays on the screen, it may be necessary to adjust the scalingof the image to view it correctly. Tap the Image Scaling toolbar icon. A set ofsliders appears as depicted in the example below. Adjust the scaling to best suiteyour tastes. By default, the image initially displays using the min and max pixelvalues in the image. When you are finished, tap the OK button or Cancel tocancel the changes you made and return to the main screen.

Note: the top slider adjusts the background and the bottom slider adjusts therange.

Scaling Example

Image Display Modes

Pocket Pictor offers two different display modes: Fit To Window and FullResolution. The Fit To Window option toggles between the Fit To Windowmode, which resizes the displayed images to fit the screen, and the FullResolution mode. The Fit to Window mode is the default setting; if you wish toview the image in the Full Resolution mode, tap the File menu followed by the Fit

To Window menu item. Images that are larger than the screen can be draggedaround the display using the stylus. The Fit To Window mode is active when acheckmark appears beside it in the File menu, as shown below.

Fit To Window Enabled

Note: Shift and Combine and some other features do not work when in FullResolution mode. If you incorrectly attempt to perform an operation that requiresFit To Window, you are prompted to change the display mode.

If you have a question concerning the use of the Pocket Pictor, call the MeadeInstrument Customer Service Department at (949) 451-1450, or fax to (949) 451-1460. Customer Service hours are 8:30 AM to 4:30 PM, Pacific Time, Mondaythrough Friday.

A D V A N C E D P R O D U C T S D I V I S I O N

Meade Instruments CorporationW o r l d ’ s L e a d in g M a n u f a c t u r e r o f Ast r o n o m ic a l T e le s co p e s f o r th e Se r io u s Am a t e u r 6001 Oak Canyon, Irvine, California 92618 ■ (949) 451-1450FAX: (949) 451-1460 ■ www.meade.com © 2001