A slope detection device includes a structure provided with a spherical surface, multiple optical sensors provided on a spherical surface of the structure in a manner that face different directions, the optical sensors measuring a quantity of sunlight, an optical sensor receiving unit receiving output information of each of the optical sensors, a time providing unit providing calendar information on a date and a time when the output information is received, and an operation unit configured to analysis an incidence angle of the sunlight from the collected pieces of the output information, calculate a horizontal coordinate system from the analyzed incidence angle of the sunlight, the calendar information, and a sun path equation, and calculate a three-dimensional slope information for a current location in comparison with the horizontal coordinate system.

A slope detection device includes a structure provided with a spherical surface, multiple optical sensors provided on a spherical surface of the structure in a manner that face different directions, the optical sensors measuring a quantity of sunlight, an optical sensor receiving unit receiving output information of each of the optical sensors, a time providing unit providing calendar information on a date and a time when the output information is received, and an operation unit configured to analysis an incidence angle of the sunlight from the collected pieces of the output information, calculate a horizontal coordinate system from the analyzed incidence angle of the sunlight, the calendar information, and a sun path equation, and calculate a three-dimensional slope information for a current location in comparison with the horizontal coordinate system.

The orientation of imagery relative to a compass bearing may be determined based on the position of the sun or other information relating to celestial bodies captured in the image.

The orientation of imagery relative to a compass bearing may be determined based on the position of the sun or other information relating to celestial bodies captured in the image.

The invention relates to a daytime and nighttime stellar sensor (1), comprising: at least one video camera (2) suitable for taking images of stars (3) in the sky; and a control unit (4), characterized in that it furthermore comprises: a polarizer (5), the control unit (4) being configured: to obtain an estimation of a direction of polarization of the polarized light received from the sky by the video camera (2); and to control the orientation of the polarizer (5) so that said polarizer (5) filters polarized light from the sky directed toward the video camera (2) and having said polarization direction.

The present invention provides a method of estimating an orientation of a wind turbine. The method comprises determining, using a polarising light compass of the wind turbine, a sun polarisation value, and determining a yaw angle of the wind turbine associated with the sun polarisation value. A sun direction vector is determined based on the sun polarisation value and the associated yaw angle; and an orientation of the wind turbine is estimated relative to a fixed direction using the sun direction vector.

The present invention provides a method of estimating an orientation of a wind turbine. The method comprises determining, using a polarising light compass of the wind turbine, a sun polarisation value, and determining a yaw angle of the wind turbine associated with the sun polarisation value. A sun direction vector is determined based on the sun polarisation value and the associated yaw angle; and an orientation of the wind turbine is estimated relative to a fixed direction using the sun direction vector.

Disclosed are a three-dimensional slope detection device and a slope detection method thereof, the slope detection device including: a structure provided with a spherical surface; multiple optical sensors provided on a spherical surface of the structure in a manner that face different directions, the optical sensors measuring a quantity of sunlight; an optical sensor receiving unit receiving output information of each of the optical sensors; a time providing unit providing calendar information on a date and a time when the output information is received; and an operation unit configured to analysis an incidence angle of the sunlight from the collected pieces of the output information, calculate a horizontal coordinate system from the analyzed incidence angle of the sunlight, the calendar information, and a sun path equation, and calculate a three-dimensional slope information for a current location in comparison with the horizontal coordinate system.

Disclosed are a three-dimensional slope detection device and a slope detection method thereof, the slope detection device including: a structure provided with a spherical surface; multiple optical sensors provided on a spherical surface of the structure in a manner that face different directions, the optical sensors measuring a quantity of sunlight; an optical sensor receiving unit receiving output information of each of the optical sensors; a time providing unit providing calendar information on a date and a time when the output information is received; and an operation unit configured to analysis an incidence angle of the sunlight from the collected pieces of the output information, calculate a horizontal coordinate system from the analyzed incidence angle of the sunlight, the calendar information, and a sun path equation, and calculate a three-dimensional slope information for a current location in comparison with the horizontal coordinate system.

A method for orienting includes: setting a digital optical imaging device including a photosensitive device, a lens, and a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver; allowing an optical axis of the lens to pass through a geometric center of the photosensitive device, so that a celestial body is imaged on the photosensitive device; and positioning a current position by using the GNSS receiver, and recording an accurate time; calculating an accurate azimuth angle of the celestial body at this moment, wherein, at this time, an imaging position of the celestial body on the photosensitive device is located on an extension line of a ligature of the azimuth of the celestial body and a geometric center of the photosensitive device, thereby through accurately extracting the imaging position of the celestial body, a placement orientation of the digital optical imaging device is determined, and a north direction is obtained.