A Focus Mask, known more formally as a Bahtinov mask after its inventor in 2005, creates three angled diffraction spikes when the telescope is aimed at a bright star. Two of the spikes form an X while the third spike moves from side to side as you adjust the focus.
I turned on the SkyProdigy and let it do its AutoAlign and then slewed to Vega. Next I entered our Focus Mask close command on the laptop to move the Focus Mask in place.
Now I was ready to try out the Remote Dark Mask concept. For this I had cut out a simple felt pocket square that slips over the Focus Mask. Richard and I have discussed having a separate Dark Mask on the same ring that can be flipped into place when needed. But the felt pocket over the Focus Mask worked for my prototype test. Here is a clip of how it worked last night.
All in all I was pleased with the concept and ease of use of both the MallinCam DSc camera, the MALLINCAMSKY application, and our Remote Focus Mask/Dark Mask prototype. I'll definitely be trying this out more at ECVAR this week!