This application was prepared with financial support from the Saudia Arabian Cultural Mission, and in consideration therefore the present inventor has granted The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia a non-exclusive right to practice the present invention.
In Islam, each person has to perform prayers five times a day. Each prayer must be performed at a predetermined time. The predetermined time is a function of geographical location and date. In addition, each prayer consists of specific steps that the person must perform. The steps are different for each predetermined time. Each prayer requires a prefixed number of bows to be performed.
According to the World Health Organization, between the years of 2000 to 2050, the number of people aged 60 years and over should increase from 605 million to around 2 billion. Muslims suffering from memory loss issues may be confused while performing the prayers while counting. Accordingly, it will be beneficial as recognized by the present inventor if a prayer mat is equipped with a bow counting system that helps the Muslim performs the prayers correctly and with peace of mind.
The foregoing “background” description is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the inventor, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description which may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly or impliedly admitted as prior art against the present invention. The foregoing paragraphs have been provided by way of general introduction, and are not intended to limit the scope of the following claims. The described embodiments, together with further advantages, will be best understood by reference to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
The present disclosure relates to a prayer mat that comprises a tactile sensor secured to a lower surface of the prayer mat in proximity to the middle of the prayer mat configured to generate an output signal in response to detecting a pressure applied by knees of a user, a bow count indicator configured to generate a visible signal, a memory, and processing circuitry configured to receive the output signal from the tactile sensor, determine whether the output signal is valid by comparing the output signal to a predetermined signal level stored in the memory, update a count in response to determining that the output signal is valid, and activate the bow count indicator.
A more complete appreciation of the disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts throughout several views, the following description relates to a prayer mat with a bow counting system and associated methodology for determining when a user is performing a prayer and counting the number of bows performed by the user.
There are five prayers that must be performed by any Muslim every day. Each prayer is performed at a predetermined time of the day. The prayer times in Islam depend on the condition of the sun and geography. Hence, the prayer times vary at different locations on the earth. A morning prayer is performed right before sunrise. Following the morning prayer is a noon prayer which is followed by an afternoon prayer, followed by a sunset prayer, and finally an evening prayer. One difference between each prayer is the number of bows that have to be performed. That is, each prayer has a required number of bows that have to be performed. For example, the required number of bows is two for the morning prayers, four for the noon and afternoon prayers, three for the sunset prayers, and four for the evening prayers.
A major common factor between all prayers performed by all Muslims around the world is the prayer mat. Every Muslim must perform their daily prayers on a clean surface, and since all floors tend to become dirty over time, the use of a prayer mat becomes very essential.
Over the years, technology have evolved and aided religion practices to help reach a wider range of worshipers. The use of speakers in mosques have been highly adapted throughout every mosque to amplify the sound. In addition, the use of green light emitting diodes (LEDs) is sometimes implemented to help guide the worshiper to the closest mosque. Any new technology that aids the worshiper to perform his daily prayer tasks without being a distraction, is more than welcomed in the Islamic religion.
Prayer is necessary for all capable Muslims above the age of 11. As worshipers start learning how to pray, they sometimes confuse the number of bows that must be performed during which prayer of the day. The confusion may cause a worshiper to lose focus on the actual prayer and try to remember how many bows have to be performed. The confusion not only occurs with new worshipers, but with Muslim's who have one type or another of a memory slip. The memory slip usually occurs in the middle of a prayer where the person may forget which bow he is performing. The worshiper may also forget how many bows he has to perform. The confusion may cause loss of focus as the person tries to remember how many bows are left. Sometimes, the confusion may cause the person performing the prayer to start the prayer from the beginning, as the person may be unsatisfied with the quality of the prayer.
The prayer mat of the present disclosure is an aid to new worshipers and the aging population with loss of memory issues to better perform their daily prayers. The prayer mat described herein may help them focus on performing the actual prayer and be in tune with God rather than trying to remember how many bows have performed, or how many bows are still left.
In one embodiment, the prayer mat described herein may be used to help kids that are younger than the age of 11 by indicating whether they have completed each prayer by showing the number of bows performed. The prayer mat shows the kids when they have completed the required number of bows. By teaching them the correct number of bows at a young age, it helps them to perform their daily prayers easier as they grow older.
An advantage of the prayer mat described herein is that it does not alter the primary goal of traditional prayer mats. The traditional prayer mats have been around for hundreds of years with slight modifications over the years in term of cosmetic design. Thus, the primary goal is a slick and concealed design to avoid any distraction to the worshipers.
The tactile sensor 200 detects when the knees of the user touches the prayer mat 100 and provides an output signal to the processing circuitry. The output signal may be amplified using an amplifier so that the processing circuitry can read it. The tactile sensor 200 may have an analog or digital output depending on the specification of the processing circuitry.
The placement of the tactile sensor 200 may start at ⅓ the total distance from the short upper side 104 of the prayer mat 100 and ends at ⅓ of the prayer mat 100 from the short lower side 106 of the prayer mat 100. The tactile sensor 200 may have a surface area equals to ⅓ of the surface are of the prayer mat 100 to achieve good contact. In one embodiment, the placement of the tactile sensor 200 may be adjustable corresponding to the height of the user.
In one embodiment, the tactile sensor 200 may include a bottom layer and a top layer. An array of pressure sensing elements may be placed between the bottom layer and the top layer. The pressure sensing elements may be electromechanical pressure sensors or other types of sensors as would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. The pressure sensing elements may include pressure sensitive resistors. The pressure sensitive resistors may be that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,948,990 entitled PRESSURE SENSITIVE RESISTOR, the entire disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The voltage output of the pressure sensitive resistor varies with applied pressure. The processing circuitry may use the voltage output to determine whether the applied pressure was caused by the knees of the user 104. For example, the processing circuitry may compare an output voltage with a predetermined voltage. The predetermined voltage may correspond to the minimum voltage that may be due to a pressure from the knees of the user. This feature is beneficial to minimize of erroneous output signals from the tactile sensor 200 that may be caused by objects other than the knees of the user.
The prayer mat 100 may turn off automatically after detecting the predetermined number of bows by the tactile sensor 200. In one embodiment, a delay timer may be used to turn off the light indicator after a suitable period. In one embodiment, the predetermined number of bows may be equal to four. In other embodiments, the predetermined number of bows may be based on the prayer time. Thus, the predetermined number of bows may be equal to the required number of bows. In other embodiments, the predetermined number of bows may be fixed by the user at the beginning of each prayer. In other embodiments, the predetermined number of bows may be greater than the required number of bows.
The bow count indicator 102 has the advantage of indicating to the user the number of performed bows in a discreet manner to avoid any distractions while praying. The bow count indicator 102 may include small LED lights. The LED lights receive an input signal from the processing circuitry. For example, the LED lights may receive the input signal from the Johnson ring counter's outputs. In one embodiment, the bow count indicator 102 is placed near short upper side 104. In one embodiment, the bow count indicator 102 may be placed on the long sides of the prayer mat 100. For example, the bow count indicator 102 may be fixed to the prayer mat 100 using clips. Thus, the user may change the position of the bow count indicator 102. The bow count indicator 102 may be positioned anywhere in the field of view of the user as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment, the bow count indicator 102 may include four LEDs that correspond to the maximum required number of bows. In other embodiments, the bow count indicator 102 may include four or more LEDs to indicate the count for the recommended additional bows. In one embodiment, the LEDs used to indicate the required number of bows may have a different color than those used to indicate the number of additional bows that may be performed by the user.
In one embodiment, the bow count indicator 102 may include an additional LED light that is activated when the user has performed the required number of bows. For example, the bow count indicator 102 may include four LEDs to indicate the count and a fifth LED to indicate that the required number of bows has been performed. Once the processing circuitry determines that the count is equal to the required number of bows, the fifth LED is activated. In one embodiment, the payer mat 100 may also include a speaker. The processing circuitry may generate a sound through the speaker to indicate that the required number of bows has been performed.
In one embodiment, the bow count indicator 102 may include a single LED. The single LED is activated when the count is equal to the required number of bows. That is, the processing circuitry may compare the count with the required number of bows. In response to determining that the count is equal to the required number of bows, the processing circuitry generates a signal to activate the single LED. Once the single LED is activated, the user is informed that the required number of bows has been completed.
In one embodiment, the bow count indicator 102 may be a one-digit display. The one digit display may be an LED display. The one digit display may receive the input from a CMOS4518 with a binary-coded decimal (BCD) to 7-segment decoder such as 4511IC. The bow count indicator 102 may be configured to display the count, which corresponds to the number of bows performed by the user. In other embodiments, the bow count indicator may display a remaining number of bows that the user must perform. The processing circuitry determines the remaining number of bows based on the count and the required number of bows. In one embodiment, the bow count indicator 102 may indicate the number of bows done and the number of bows remaining. For example, the bow count indicator 102 may include two one-digit displays to indicate both the number of bows performed and the number of bows remaining. In an embodiment, the one-digit display may display a character indicating that count is equal to the required number of bows. For example, the one-digit display could present or flash and “8” digit. As the required number of bows generally would not be as high as eight, the presentation or flashing of the “8” digit would indicate to the user that the required number of bows has been achieved.
In one embodiment, the tactile sensor 200, the bow count indicator 102, and the processing circuitry may be detachable from the prayer mat 100. In other words, the bow count system may be added to any prayer mat the user already owns.
In one embodiment, the prayer mat 100 may further include communication circuitry and location detection circuitry. For example, Global Positioning System (GPS) circuitry may be included within the prayer mat 100 to detect the location as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. The processing circuitry based on the current time, the current date, and the location may determine the required number of bows. The processing circuitry may connect to a server or a computer to determine an exact prayer time and the required number of bows. In other embodiments, the processing circuitry may determine the required number of bows based on the current time. That is, the processing circuitry may check whether the current time is within a predetermined interval associated with a prayer. For example, when the prayer mat 100 is turned ON, the processing circuitry may determine the current time. When the current time is between 4 am to 6 am, the processing circuitry may determine that the prayer is “Fajr” and thus 2 bows are required. The processing circuitry may then compare the number of bows performed with the required number of bows associated with the prayer time. In response to determining that the count is larger than the required number of bows, the prayer mat 100 may be turned off.
Table 1 shows an exemplary setting for prayer time detection. The table may be stored in a memory. The time intervals shown in table 1 are exemplary time intervals. The time interval values may depend on the location of the user and the current date as would be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art.
The microcontroller may be an Arduino board, a Raspberry Pi, a Beagle bone or the like. The Arduino board is a single board microcontroller.
In one embodiment, the processing circuitry may store the user log in the memory. The user log may contain the number of bows performed and the time when the bows have been performed. The user log may also store a status. The status may indicate whether the predetermined number of bows associated with the prayer time are performed by the user. The processing circuitry compares the predetermined number with the bow count detected by the tactile sensor. The user log may be used by a guardian, a parent or a caregiver to check whether the user is complying with the predetermined number of bows. In one embodiment, the memory may be a USB flash drive. The USB flash drive is removable from the prayer mat 100. The processing circuitry may also compute a percentage of correct prayer performed so that the caregiver may check whether an improvement is made by the learner. The percentage may also be used to diagnose a deterioration in the mental health of the user when the prayer mat 100 is used by an elderly.
In one embodiment, the processing circuitry may generate an alert message when the predetermined number of bows is not performed by the user. The alert message may be sent via the network 802 to a caregiver.
Next, a hardware description of the computer 800 according to exemplary embodiments is described with reference to
Further, the claimed advancements may be provided as a utility application, background daemon, or component of an operating system, or combination thereof, executing in conjunction with CPU 1000 and an operating system such as Microsoft Windows 7, UNIX, Solaris, LINUX, Apple MAC-OS and other systems known to those skilled in the art.
The hardware elements in order to achieve the computer 800 may be realized by various circuitry elements, known to those skilled in the art. For example, CPU 800 may be a Xenon or Core processor from Intel of America or an Opteron processor from AMD of America, or may be other processor types that would be recognized by one of ordinary skill in the art. Alternatively, the CPU 800 may be implemented on an FPGA, ASIC, PLD or using discrete logic circuits, as one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize. Further, CPU 800 may be implemented as multiple processors cooperatively working in parallel to perform the instructions of the inventive processes described above.
The computer 800 in
The computer 800 further includes a display controller 1008, such as a NVIDIA GeForce GTX or Quadro graphics adaptor from NVIDIA Corporation of America for interfacing with display 1010, such as a Hewlett Packard HPL2445w LCD monitor. A general purpose I/O interface 1012 interfaces with a keyboard and/or mouse 1014 as well as a touch screen panel 1016 on or separate from display 1010. General purpose I/O interface also connects to a variety of peripherals 1018 including printers and scanners, such as an OfficeJet or DeskJet from Hewlett Packard.
A sound controller 1020 is also provided in the computer 800, such as Sound Blaster X-Fi Titanium from Creative, to interface with speakers/microphone 1022 thereby providing sounds and/or music.
The general purpose storage controller 1024 connects the storage medium disk 1004 with communication bus 1026, which may be an ISA, EISA, VESA, PCI, or similar, for interconnecting all of the components of the computer 800. A description of the general features and functionality of the display 1010, keyboard and/or mouse 1014, as well as the display controller 1008, storage controller 1024, network controller 1006, sound controller 1020, and general purpose I/O interface 1012 is omitted herein for brevity as these features are known.
The exemplary circuit elements described in the context of the present disclosure may be replaced with other elements and structured differently than the examples provided herein. Moreover, circuitry configured to perform features described herein may be implemented in multiple circuit units (e.g., chips), or the features may be combined in circuitry on a single chipset, as shown on
In
For example,
Referring again to
The PCI devices may include, for example, Ethernet adapters, add-in cards, and PC cards for notebook computers. The Hard disk drive 1160 and CD-ROM 1166 can use, for example, an integrated drive electronics (IDE) or serial advanced technology attachment (SATA) interface. In one implementation, the I/O bus 1182 can include a super I/O (SIO) device.
Further, the hard disk drive (HDD) 1160 and optical drive 1166 can also be coupled to the SB/ICH 1120 through a system bus. In one implementation, a keyboard 1170, a mouse 1172, a parallel port 1178, and a serial port 1176 can be connected to the system bus 1180 through the I/O bus 1182. Other peripherals and devices that can be connected to the SB/ICH 1120 using a mass storage controller such as SATA or PATA , an Ethernet port, an ISA bus, a LPC bridge, SMBus, a DMA controller, and an Audio Codec.
Moreover, the present disclosure is not limited to the specific circuit elements described herein, nor is the present disclosure limited to the specific sizing and classification of these elements. For example, the skilled artisan will appreciate that the circuitry described herein may be adapted based on changes on battery sizing and chemistry, or based on the requirements of the intended back-up load to be powered.
The functions and features described herein may also be executed by various distributed components of a system. For example, one or more processors may execute these system functions, wherein the processors are distributed across multiple components communicating in a network. The above-described hardware description is a non-limiting example of corresponding structure for performing the functionality described herein.
The hardware description above, exemplified by any one of the structure examples shown in
A prayer mat which includes the features in the foregoing description provides numerous advantages to users. In particular, the prayer mat fulfills the need of Muslims with memory loss issues to become independent and perform their daily prayers in a correct manner. It provides the feeling of fulfillment that a worshiper seeks when trying their best to perform their daily prayers. The worshiper may remain focused on performing the actual prayer rather than feeling guilty for forgetting the number of bows left in the prayer.
In addition, the prayer mat described herein does not require additional actions by the user. The prayer mat 100 starts automatically counting the number of bows when pressure is applied on the tactile sensor. The prayer mat has a low cost. The prayer mat may be also used by newly converted Muslims or children learning how to pray.
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
Thus, the foregoing discussion discloses and describes merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof Accordingly, the disclosure of the present invention is intended to be illustrative, but not limiting of the scope of the invention, as well as other claims. The disclosure, including any readily discernible variants of the teachings herein, define, in part, the scope of the foregoing claim terminology such that no inventive subject matter is dedicated to the public.