Patent Application
20060084449
This invention relates in general to devices for taking environmental measurements and more particularly to a device for taking and evaluating environmental measurements according to principles of Feng Shui.
Among known methods of evaluating surroundings is Feng Shui, an ancient Chinese art of creating a harmonious environment. Recently, Feng Shui has increased in popularity in many societies around the world. Feng Shui principles are widely applied in the fields of interior decorating and real estate. Despite the increased popularity of Feng Shui, its complexity detracts ordinary people from using it to improve their overall lifestyle and associated environment.
Handheld electronic devices, such as cellular telephones and personal digital assistants, have also become more prevalent in recent years. Some handheld electronic devices today can include the capability to measure environmental characteristics.
The accompanying figures where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention.
The present disclosure concerns communications devices that operate with systems providing services such as voice and data communications services to the communications devices or units. The communications devices, often referred to as subscriber devices or handsets, can be, for example, cellular telephones, wireless messaging devices, personal digital assistants, or equivalents thereof.
More particularly various inventive concepts and principles and combinations thereof are advantageously employed to provide a method and apparatus for evaluating locations according to Feng Shui principles within a communication device.
The communication devices that are of particular interest are those that provide or facilitate voice communication services or data or messaging services on systems, such as conventional two way systems and devices, various cellular phone systems including analog and digital cellular, CDMA (code division multiple access) and variants thereof, GSM (Global System for Mobile communications), GPRS (General Packet Radio System), 2.5 G and 3G systems such as UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunication Service) systems, integrated digital enhanced networks, and variants or evolutions thereof. Similarly, the communication systems and devices can include LAN (local area network) systems that employ anyone of a number of access technologies and networking protocols, such as TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) or any other packet structures.
The instant disclosure is provided to further explain in an enabling fashion the best modes of making and using various embodiments in accordance with the present invention. The disclosure is further offered to enhance an understanding and appreciation for the inventive principles and advantages thereof, rather than to limit in any manner the invention. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued.
It is further understood that the use of relational terms, if any, such as first and second, top and bottom, upper and lower and the like are used solely to distinguish one from another entity or action without necessarily requiring or implying any actual such relationship or order between such entities or actions.
The terms “a” or “an” as used herein are defined as one or more than one. The term “plurality” as used herein is defined as two or more than two. The term “another” as used herein is defined as at least a second or more. The terms “including,” “having” and “has” as used herein are defined as comprising (i.e., open language). The term “coupled” as used herein is defined as connected, although not necessarily directly and not necessarily mechanically.
Much of the inventive functionality and many of the inventive principles are best implemented with or in software programs or instructions and integrated circuits (ICs) such as application specific ICs. It is expected that one of ordinary skill, notwithstanding possibly significant effort and many design choices motivated by, for example, available time, current technology, and economic considerations, when guided by the concepts and principles disclosed herein will be readily capable of generating such software instructions and programs and ICs with minimal experimentation. Therefore, in the interest of brevity and minimization of any risk of obscuring the principles and concepts according to the present invention, further discussion of such software and ICs, if any, will be limited to the essentials with respect to the principles and concepts used by the preferred embodiments.
Referring to
The communication device 112 includes a controller 114. The controller 114 includes a processor 116 and a memory 118. The memory 118 includes a first section 142 for storing an operating system and one or more device drivers (not shown), a second section 144 for storing algorithms or other instructional information for measuring environmental characteristics and for performing analysis based on Feng Shui principles, a third section 146 for storing a chi table, and a fourth section 148 for storing other data or programs used by the processor 116 to operate the communication device 112.
Coupled to the controller 114 are a receiver 120 and a transmitter 122. The receiver 120 and the transmitter 122 are coupled to an antenna 123 (or alternatively a transceiver (not shown) for performing the functionality of the receiver and the transmitter). The receiver 120 and the transmitter 122 perform transmission and reception of various communications with the base station 150 using a common communication protocol as is well known in the art.
The receiver 120 can be used to measure the proximity of a given location to the nearest communications tower, e.g. the tower with the antenna 151 for base station 150. For example, cellular telephone receivers can detect a bit error rate of an incoming signal. The bit error rate is an indication of signal strength, which translates to an indication of the distance between the communication device 112 and the nearest communications tower. The distance from a location to the nearest communications tower can influence the Feng Shui evaluation of a location, as discussed below.
In one embodiment, an AM/FM (amplitude modulation/frequency modulation) receiver 124 of a known type is coupled to the controller 114. An antenna 125 is coupled to the AM/FM receiver 124. The AM/FM receiver 124 allows the user of the communication device 112 to listen to AM and FM radio stations in a conventional manner. Further, the AM/FM receiver 124 provides the capability to measure in a known manner the power of radio transmissions on the AM and FM bands for use in the Feng Shui evaluation as described further below.
In one embodiment, a three-dimensional Hall-effect sensor 226 is coupled to the controller 114. The Hall-effect sensor 226 is a known three-dimensional sensor for measuring the strength of electromagnetic fields. The Hall-effect sensor 226 can be a combination of a two-dimensional Hall-effect sensor 226 and a one-dimensional sensor to form a three-dimensional Hall-effect sensor in a manner known to those skilled in the art. The electromagnetic field strength at a given location can be used in evaluating locations according to the principles of Feng Shui, which is discussed in more detail below.
As shown in
The Hall-effect sensor 226 can be used to form a compass. Only two of the outputs of the Hall-effect sensor 226 are needed to perform the function of a compass. That is, the x-axis and y-axis outputs are used, but the z-axis output is not used. When using the compass function, a user holds the communication device 112 so that the display 134 is parallel to the ground and so that the top of the communication device 112 is directed towards a main wall of a house, for example. That is, when standing inside the house, a line from the top of the communication device 112 to the main wall of the house is perpendicular to the front of the house. Then, the user selects an icon, for example, that causes the processor 116 to store magnetic field information from the Hall-effect sensor 226 in the memory 118. From the stored magnetic field information, the processor 116 can determine the geographic direction in which the main wall of the house faces in a manner known to those skilled in the art. In the Feng Shui evaluation of this embodiment, the main wall of a house is the wall in which the most windows are located.
Referring back to
In one embodiment, a GPS receiver 130 of a known type is coupled to the controller 114. An antenna 131 is coupled to the GPS receiver 130 for receiving signals from GPS satellites in a known manner. The GPS receiver 130 can determine the geographic location of the communication device 112 and provides data representing the geographic location of the communication device 112 to the controller 114. It will be appreciated that other location tracking methods and devices, such as triangulation or identification information (cell site IDs) associated with known locations, can be utilized by the communication device 112 to determine its geographic location in accordance with the present invention. Along with other data, geographical location can be used by the communication device 112 in performing a Feng Shui analysis of a given location, as discussed in more detail below.
A user interface 132 is also coupled to the controller 114. The user interface 132 can include a display 134, which can be, for example, a QCIF display (Quarter Common Interchange Format Display). The user interface 132 further includes a microphone 136 of the type conventionally used in cellular telephones and the like for detecting audio such as spoken words. The user interface 132 further can include a conventional speaker 138 and/or a conventional keypad 140.
The base station 150 is coupled to a station antenna 151 for wirelessly communicating within the communication system, for example with the communication device 112. The base station 150 includes a transmitter and receiver (not shown) or alternatively a transceiver (not shown) for such communication. In the illustrated embodiment, the base station 150 is coupled to a GIS (geographic information systems) database server 152. The GIS database is a known database of geographic information maintained by the USGS (United States Geological Survey). The GIS database server 152 provides access to the GIS database. Therefore, through the base station 150, the communication device 112 can wirelessly access the GIS database.
The GIS database server 152 can include a GIS server processor 154 and a GIS server memory 156. The GIS server memory 156 can include at least a first server section 158 for storing an operating system, a second server section 160 for storing a routine for retrieving geographic information relating to a given location and for sending that information to the communication device 112 when necessary, e.g. when requested. Also, the GIS server memory 156 can include a third server section 162 for storing the GIS database.
The image processing performed at 300 is shown in more detail in the flow chart of
Finally, at 470, the processor 116 determines whether the colors are balanced. Thus, for example, the processor 116 determines whether the number of red pixels, blue pixels, and green pixels are approximately equal in the image. An evaluation of the color order and balance is performed in the Feng Shui analysis at 324 of
Referring back to
The Hall-effect sensor 226 can also be used as a compass at 312 of
The noise level of the location can be measured with the microphone 136 at 314 of
At 316, the signal strength of the AM/FM radio is measured. That is, in two separate measurements, the signal strength of the AM signal is detected and the signal strength of the FM signal is detected. Signal strength information is typically provided by accessing an automatic gain control register (not shown) associated with the receiver 124 in the communication device 112. The signal strength of the AM and FM signals can be used as an indicator of the distance between the communication device 112 and the nearest AM or FM transmission tower.
The signal strength of a cellular phone signal is measured by the receiver 120 in units of dBm/m2 at 318. As mentioned above, the signal strength can be determined by accessing the bit error rate or the like of the receiver 120.
At 320, the geographical location of the communication device 112 is determined, for example, by using the GPS receiver 130. Once the location is known, the location is sent wirelessly through a communication network to the base station 150 and further to the GIS database server 152. The GIS database server 152 provides information concerning the surroundings of the location. For example, the distance between the current location of the communication device 112 and undesirable sites such as major airports, landfills, and factories is determined. The distances to the undesirable sites are determined from data provided by the GIS database 162.
Processing of data from the GIS database to determine the distances of interest can be performed in the GIS database server or by the processor 116 in the communication device 112. The Feng Shui analysis of this embodiment, which is described below, requires only the distances of interest and not other information such as the actual location of the airports, landfills or factories. Thus, if it is desired to reduce the load on the processor 116 and to minimize the memory requirements of the communication device 112, it is advantageous to perform most of the geographical processing in the GIS database server 152 and to transmit only the distance data of the undesirable sites to the communication device 112 after the communication device 112 transmits its current location to the base station 150. Routines to calculate distances between locations using geographical information including GPS data can be created by programmers of ordinary skill and are thus not described herein.
Feng Shui analysis is performed at 324. The Feng Shui analysis, for example, includes determining whether a particular measured characteristic is positive, neutral, or negative according to Feng Shui principles. Chi can be considered a measurement of Feng Shui.
Referring back to
The direction in which the main wall of a house faces influences the Feng Shui evaluation. Thus, for example, a point can deducted from a score if the main wall faces west. Two points can be deducted if the main wall faces north. No points are added or deducted if the main wall faces northeast. One point can be added to the score if the main wall faces east or southeast. Finally two points can be added if the main wall faces south. The final score can be used to determine a positive, neutral or negative rating.
Alternatively, as shown in the table of
With regard to the image captured (for example: a digital image taken with the camera 128) at 300 of
In Feng Shui, there is a desirable order of colors. The most favorable order of colors is that corresponding to the enhancement cycle, which is a cycle well known in Feng Shui. The enhancement cycle is shown in
In an exemplary process of evaluating the captured image, the image can be given ten points initially. Points can be added to the total for desirable features and deducted from the total for undesirable features. For example, with regard to color balance, an average can be taken of the average value of the red pixels, the average value of the green pixels and the average value of the blue pixels. In other words, the total of the three (red, green and blue) average pixel values is divided by three to find an overall average. If each of the average values of the red pixels, green pixels, and blue pixels is within plus or minus 50 percent of the overall average, then three points can be added to the score. One point is deducted for each of the color averages that is outside the range of plus or minus 50 percent of the overall average.
With respect to color order, an undesirable color order will reduce the number of points by one, for example. Also, if a color is missing from those that exist in the enhancement cycle, one point can be deducted. The resulting point value is used to rate the image as having positive, neutral or negative chi, where a high point value corresponds to positive chi and a low point value corresponds to negative chi, as indicated in the table of
Referring back to
Further, the user can select an option to have a Chinese compass, known as a lo pan, displayed on the display 134. A compass can be displayed using two outputs of the Hall-effect sensor 226 in a manner well known to those skilled in the art. Points on a Chinese lo pan correspond to points on a conventional compass; however, the lo pan has twenty-four directions. Therefore, a Chinese lo pan can be displayed in the same manner that conventional compasses are displayed, for example, on watches and other portable electronic devices. The Chinese lo pan can be used for further Feng Shui analysis.
The apparatus and methods discussed above and the inventive principles thereof are intended to and will alleviate short comings of conventional wireless communication units. Using these principles of environmental evaluation will contribute to user satisfaction. It is expected that one of ordinary skill given the above described principles, concepts and examples will be able to implement other alternative procedures and constructions that offer the same or similar benefits. It is anticipated that the claims below cover many such other procedures and constructions. For example, environmental characteristics other than those specifically mentioned can be measured and used in the Feng Shui analysis. Also, characteristics of the image taken by the digital camera 128 other than the color order and balance can be evaluated. In addition, the order of the measurements shown in
The disclosure is intended to explain how to fashion and use various embodiments in accordance with the invention rather than to limit the true, intended and fair scope and spirit thereof. The forgoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described to illustrate the principles of the invention and its practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims, as may be amended during the pendency of this application for patent, and all equivalents thereof, when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
