Data processing: measuring – calibrating – or testing – Measurement system – Time duration or rate
Reexamination Certificate
1999-02-22
2001-03-13
Shah, Kamini (Department: 2764)
Data processing: measuring, calibrating, or testing
Measurement system
Time duration or rate
C368S021000, C368S010000, C368S015000, C368S069000, C342S443000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06202035
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to communications, and more particularly to directive radio wave systems and devices.
2. Description of the Related Art
From the early beginnings of Islam determining of the correct time and location (and astronomy) have been of great importance, mostly on account of the central idea of Islam that correct times for prayer and the correct direction of prayer (toward the Kaaba, the shrine situated on the courtyard of the Great Mosque in Mecca) must be adhered to as meticulously as possible. The calculation of the correct times (the starting times or temporal margins, i.e. the period of time between the earliest and latest permitted time of the different prayers to be performed daily) is related to the position of the sun and therefore requires tables and/or calculations which relate to the location at which a believer finds himself on earth (or above the earth, for instance in an aircraft) at any given moment.
In the Islamic countries the channels set aside for this purpose (e.g. daily newspapers) give the correct times for prayer for number of important cities in a country, taking into account the rules relating to a denomination (Sunnite, Shiite) and school of law predominant in that particular country.
From a practical viewpoint it is virtually impossible for muslims on their own to determine really accurately the correct direction and/or time for prayer at a random location on earth, this with the exception of the city of Mecca and its immediate environs where the direction of prayer can actually be determined visually on the inner square of the Great Mosque and, at least in theory, outside of it.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a device for determining a time and/or direction for prayer, comprising:
receiving means for receiving signals indicative of a position on or above the earth;
computing means for computing a time for prayer on the basis or the received signals; and
display means for displaying a computed time for prayer.
Such a device is known from the French patent specification 2.683.056. Described herein are a device and method wherein a time for prayer is determined using the computing means on the basis of the time kept in this device. In an embodiment which is not further developed reference is made to a computer set up at a distance or calculator which computes a prayer direction based on the position of the device on the basis of signals transmitted by the device. The known device is therefore equipped with both a receiver and a transmitter. The computation of the prayer direction using a signal coming from a satellite does not take place in the device itself, whereby loss of time can occur, while for undisturbed communication the device will require quite a strong transmitter. Before such a system can be implemented in practice a large number of participants must be available in order to enable realization of the necessary infrastructure. In addition, the reading of the prayer direction is cumbersome in the known device since use must be made of a protractor.
The present invention has for its object to provide a device, method and system wherein the above stated drawbacks are obviated and/or wherein the device is less bulky and complicated, wherein the greatest possible use can be made of existing infrastructure and/or wherein the desired prayer direction is easy to read.
This object is achieved in that the receiving means are adapted to receive GPS signals coming from satellites, that the computing means are adapted and connected to the receiving means such that the desired prayer direction on the basis of position as well as the desired time for prayer are computed directly from the GPS signals, and both are displayed on a screen of the display means.
GPS (Global Positioning System) is understood to means in this respect any system with which determining of position (and direction) takes place using three or more satellites present above the earth's surface; a number of systems are currently known such as NAVSTAR and GLONASS. Inter alia the following projects will possible offer comparable services in the future: ARIES, ELLIPSO, GLOBALSTAR, IRIDIUM and ODYSSEY.
In a preferred embodiment the device according to the present invention is provided with second memory means for storing inter alia relevant table data and/or algorithms or formulae for computing the times for prayer for a particular location and/or date subject to the rules as applied at a particular location and within a particular denomination or religious school of law.
Use is preferably made herein of the following six positions of the sun;
1. the beginning of the astronomical (morning) twilight
2. the beginning of sunrise
3. the position of the sun wherein the rear part of the solar disc leaves the zenith
4. the position of the sun wherein the length of the shadow of an object is equal to its shadow at the moment when the centre of the sun is at the zenith plus once or twice the length of the object
5. the end of sunset
6. the end of the astronomical (evening) twilight.
In this preferred embodiment of the device according to the present invention the user can set the correct calculation method in effective manner so that relevant phenomena are taken into account such as light refraction and diffusion, which may possible be evaluated differently per location, denomination and/or school of law.
According to the present invention it is therefore possible to obtain the correct prayer time(s) and/or the correct prayer direction extremely quickly and precisely at any location on earth. Within the Islamic world, and also outside it, the device according to the present invention can be arranged in public places with display means of large dimension, wherein it is conceivable that receiving and/or computing means are arranged separately of the display means and even that receiving, computing and/or display means are each situated at a separate location and are mutually connected in wireless manner or with electrical connections. A device can also be envisaged which has small dimensions such that it is easily portable.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4659231 (1987-04-01), Barkouki
patent: 5173709 (1992-12-01), George et al.
patent: 5208790 (1993-05-01), Sato
patent: 6097945 (2000-08-01), Geir
patent: 0660205 (1995-06-01), None
patent: 2681159 (1993-03-01), None
patent: 2683056 (1993-04-01), None
patent: 2136609 (1984-09-01), None
Ballad Investment N.V.
Ostrolenk Faber Gerb & Soffen, LLP
Shah Kamini
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