Timer including analog counter for Adhan

Abstract

A timer, such as a clock or a watch, is disclosed that displays a current time and an adhan analog counter. The timer includes at least one device that calculates five (5) adhan times based on at least one factor selected from the sun position, longitude position and latitude position, time zone, DST system, and date. The adhan analog counter may be attached to the at least one device and implemented as a pointer in the timer. A method of identifying the current time and displaying the adhan analog counter on the timer is also disclosed.

Description

[0001] CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0002] This application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 63 / 089,194, filed on October 8, 2020, the entire contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] The present disclosure generally relates to a timer such as a clock or watch that determines and indicates the time of the Islamic call to prayer ("adhan") by using a "programmed hand" as an adhan analog counter. The present disclosure also relates to analog watches and clocks that include the disclosed adhan analog counter. Background Art

[0004] The five pillars of Islam are presented in the Quran as a framework for worship and a sign of devotion to the faith. In addition to almsgiving, almsgiving, fasting and pilgrimage, one of the five pillars of Islam requires five daily prayers. The prayers are performed at specific times that vary throughout the year, depending on the rising and setting of the sun, which in turn depends on the date and geographic location. Each prayer is performed facing Mecca and involves repetitive movements and words.

[0005] In order to ensure that this important lesson of Islam is maintained, a device is needed to assist Muslims around the world in performing the five daily prayers, specifically by providing a countdown before the prayer time. This is particularly important for Muslims who travel internationally and need a timer that automatically updates based on the wearer's geographic location to provide an accurate countdown to the call to prayer. In the present disclosure, a timer is provided that simulates the countdown and countdown to the call to prayer using a watch / clock hand. Summary of the invention

[0006] In one embodiment, a timer is described that displays the current time and an analog adhan counter, the timer comprising: at least one device that calculates five (5) times of adhan based on at least one factor selected from the position of the sun, the longitude position and the latitude position and the date; and the analog adhan counter, the analog adhan counter attached to the at least one device and implemented as a pointer in the timer. In an embodiment, the timer comprises an analog watch or an analog clock, or has the appearance of an analog watch or an analog clock.

[0007] It is conceivable that the adhan analog counter described herein is implemented using a normal second hand in a watch or clock. However, in an embodiment, the adhan analog counter can also be implemented in a watch or clock in the form of a separate and different pointer from the normal second hand.

[0008] In an embodiment, the adhan analog counter is implemented in the form of a hidden display. For example, in this embodiment, the timer includes a smart watch, a hybrid watch, a smart clock or a hybrid clock. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in this application and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate the disclosed embodiments and, together with the description, serve to explain the disclosed embodiments. In the drawings:

[0010] Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 1C , Figure 1D and Figure 1E is a clock view of the location of the Adhan Analog Counter at different times, where the geographical location is based on Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on 16 September 2020, and the current Adhan is Zuhr at 11:48AM.

[0011] Figure 1F yes Figure 1A , Figure 1B , Figure 1C , Figure 1D and Figure 1E but the clock shows the time as 30 minutes after Zuhr and the next Adhan (Asr) is shown as 3:16, with the Adhan analog counter in the off position.

[0012] Figure 2A , Figure 2B and Figure 2C is based on Figure 1C View of an Islamic watch with an analog design of the embodiment shown in FIG.

[0013] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram showing a system according to the present disclosure, wherein the hands of the timer and the adhan indication are automatically adjusted based on the position.

[0014] Figure 4 It is an example of Figure 3 Flowchart of the operating method of the system having an MCU, a user interface and an analog movement described in. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0015] As used herein, "adhan" is defined as the Islamic call to prayer, usually but not required to be recited by the muezzin in a mosque. In a different context, the word "adhan" means "the current time for prayer".

[0016] As used herein, "timer" is meant to include stand-alone devices, such as a clock, as well as portable devices intended to be carried or worn by a person, such as a watch.

[0017] As used herein, "ordinary second hand" refers to the fastest moving hand on an analog clock. The ordinary second hand shows the seconds. In some embodiments, the ordinary second hand can also be used as an adhan analog counter. In other embodiments, the adhan analog counter is implemented as a separate and distinct hand from the ordinary second hand.

[0018] As used herein, an "azan taqweem system" is a publicly available system that provides the times of the azan for a specific location, such as a specific country in which the disclosed timepiece is located.

[0019] Muslims pray five times a day, their prayers are called Fajr (dawn), Zuhr (noon), Asr (afternoon), Maghrib (sunset) and Isha (night). The timer described herein provides a simulated counter for each of these prayers.

[0020] As used herein, a "balanced time interval" means that the number of minutes before the current adhan is the same as the number of minutes after the current adhan. Non-limiting examples of a balanced time interval are -30 minutes to +30 minutes from the current adhan, or an interval other than 30 minutes, such as -15 minutes to +15 minutes or -59 minutes to +59 minutes.

[0021] As used herein, "uneven time intervals" refers to the time before the current adhan is not the same as the time after the current adhan. A non-limiting example of an uneven time interval is -29 minutes to +59 minutes.

[0022] As used herein, the "current adhan" refers to the most recent adhan time within a predetermined interval. Therefore, the current time may have exceeded the "current adhan" time. For example, Figure 1E , the current adhan is 11:48AM, and the current time is 12:03PM.

[0023] The adhan simulation counter described herein uses a predetermined interval before the adhan and a predetermined interval after the adhan. Balanced predetermined intervals can be used, ie, the two intervals are the same, or unbalanced predetermined intervals can be used, ie, the two intervals are different.

[0024] The following examples assume that the interval of the balance is 29 minutes, that is, the countdown starts from (-29) minutes before the current adhan, until (29) minutes after the current adhan. In these examples, position 30 is used to represent inactivity. Certain embodiments of the present disclosure are best described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0025] For example, Figure 1AThe current time is shown as 11:04AM, which is 38 minutes before the call to prayer. In this embodiment, the call to prayer indicator hand is at position 30, which means an inactive counter. The reason why counting does not occur is that there are more than 29 minutes left before the call to prayer. Assuming that Figures 1A to 1E In the video, the timer reflects the call for Zuhr prayer at 11:48 AM on September 16, 2020 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

[0026] Figure 1B The current time is shown to be 11:19 AM, which is 29 minutes before the adhan. Therefore, the figure shows that the adhan indicator hand is at position 29, reflecting the number of minutes until the adhan.

[0027] Figure 1C The current time is shown to be 11:38 AM, which is 10 minutes before the adhan. Therefore, the figure shows the adhan indicator hand at position 10, reflecting the number of minutes until the adhan.

[0028] Figure 1D The current time is shown to be 11:48 AM, which is the time of the call to prayer. Therefore, the figure shows that the call to prayer indicator hand is at position 0, reflecting the call to prayer.

[0029] Figure 1E The current time is shown to be 12:03 PM, which is 15 minutes after the adhan. Therefore, the figure shows that the adhan indicator hand is at position 15, reflecting the number of minutes until the adhan.

[0030] Figure 1F The current time is shown as 12:21PM, which is 33 minutes after the call to prayer. Therefore, the call to prayer indicator hand is at position 30 to reflect that no counting is occurring. Since the current time in this example (12:21PM) is not within 29 minutes before or after any call to prayer, the call to prayer analog counter is in the off position.

[0031] FIG. 2A to FIG. 2C is a view of an Islamic watch with an analog design that has Figure 1C The same information is shown in the implementation shown in , for example, the current time is 11:38AM, which is assumed to be 10 minutes before the adhan. Figure 2A In one embodiment shown, an analog counter for the adhan is shown which is implemented using a normal second hand in a watch.

[0032] In another embodiment, Figure 2B It is shown that the adhan simulation counter is implemented using a separate dedicated pointer.

[0033] In another embodiment, Figure 2CAn analog counter for adhan is shown implemented as a hidden display. This embodiment can be used in a smart watch or hybrid watch or clock to provide a complete analog experience and appearance.

[0034] Timer implementation

[0035] The idea of ​​the adhan counter can also be implemented in a wristwatch and with different options. A non-limiting example of such an embodiment is provided below.

[0036] As described herein, a system including an analog movement with pointer position detection is described. The movement can automatically detect the position of the pointer. For example, in one embodiment, this can be done using a small LED sensor in the movement, or a mechanical device or mechanism. However, it should be understood that there can be one or more movements in the system, but there must be an independent motor to control the adhan counter pointer. In other words, the timing movement can have one or more motors to control the hour and minute hands; it is also possible to control the second hand, as long as there is an independent motor for the adhan counter pointer. Therefore, physically there can be a movement with at least two motors, which can control the adhan indicator pointer, and can also control two or three pointers. Figure 3 More details are shown on the MCU signal control of the movement hands to maintain the correct time and the correct adhan indication position.

[0037] In another embodiment, a system including an analog movement without position detection is described. In this embodiment, the position detection is set [once] by the user before using the clock / watch. In this embodiment, the movement structure is similar to the movement mechanism described above, except that one or more movements do not have a position detection device or mechanism. In this case, the pointer position is set [once] by the user before using the clock / watch, and the MCU control thereafter is the same as described above.

[0038] Figure 3 A more detailed description of an embodiment according to the present disclosure is provided in , specifically, the pointer will be automatically readjusted with or without pointer position detection. Figure 3 In the embodiment shown in , the system 300 includes: a processor, which includes a microcontroller unit (MCU); a memory; and a timing device or mechanism 310, which communicates with a digital liquid crystal display (LCD) 320; and a possible input push rod 330.

[0039] Figure 3Also shown are outputs from the processor or microcontroller unit 310, including a time movement 340 having two or more hands, an adhan indication (AI) movement 350 having one hand, or a combination thereof.

[0040] In one embodiment, the input 330 (location, date, time) to the microcontroller unit 310 is done once and every time the location changes, the input can be done manually by pressing a push bar on the timer 330, or using network communication.

[0041] In one embodiment, the time movement 340 and the adhan indication movement 350 are driven by pulses from the microcontroller unit interface 310. In one embodiment, both movements may have position sensors which may also communicate with the microcontroller unit.

[0042] In alternative embodiments, the time movement 340 and the adhan indication movement 350 may not have position sensors, in which case the wearer or operator of the timer will need to manually set the correct position first. In this embodiment, the timer will need to be set once during startup.

[0043] In an embodiment, manual setting of the correct position of the time movement 340 and the adhan indication movement 350 may be performed mechanically, such as using the crown through a push rod interface, or digitally using a microcontroller unit through network communication.

[0044] In one embodiment, the time movement 340 and the adhan indication movement 350 are independent. For example, the time movement 340 may have two or more hands, while the adhan indication movement 350 will have exactly one hand, which will indicate the adhan counter position.

[0045] In one embodiment, the microcontroller unit will maintain the correct time and date and will recalculate the adhan time at a predetermined time each day, such as at midnight. The microcontroller unit will synchronize the analog time movement 340 with the current digitized time and will also adjust the adhan indicator movement 350 according to the current time and the current adhan time. The adhan indicator hand position indicates the number of minutes remaining until the current adhan (or the number of minutes after the current adhan), as described herein.

[0046] Figure 4 Additional description of embodiments according to the present disclosure, particularly with respect to the operation of the disclosed watch or clock, is provided in the flowchart of Figure 3 A system with an MCU, a user interface and an analog core as described in .

[0047] Regarding actual operation, after the watch or clock is started 410, the watch or clock assumes a default time and a default city. The default city includes information about the city, including: longitude and latitude coordinates, time zone (relative to GMT), daylight saving time (DST) options (on, off, or automatic DST), and the adhan calendar system most widely used in the country. For example, the default city may be Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, with the following characteristics:

[0048] Longitude: 24°46'27"N

[0049] Latitude: 46°44'19"E

[0050] Time zone: GMT+3

[0051] DST option: Off

[0052] Adhan Schedule: Um Alqura System

[0053] MCU processor (such as Figure 3 ) uses the above information (and the current date) to calculate the time of the adhan for that location. In embodiments, a time movement needs to be calibrated. These are shown in Figure 4 In step 420 of . In some embodiments, the movement has a position detection device or mechanism, and this step is automatically completed after startup. Otherwise, the user will need to manually adjust the movement hands and the adhan indicator movement hands. This adjustment can be done by a conventional crown associated with an analog timepiece. This adjustment can also be done using an electronic crown (or E-crown). Alternatively, this adjustment can be done over the network

[0054] Refer again Figure 4 , step 430 shows the normal / operation display of the device. In normal operation, the device displays the adhan indicator pointer in the correct position (relative to the current time and the adhan time). During the operation of the embodiment of the present disclosure, the MCU will move the time movement pointer (minute hand and hour hand and possible second hand) as needed. The pointer rotation interval depends on the gear ratio of each pointer in the underlying movement. For example, in this embodiment, the minute hand will move one grid every 10 seconds, and the hour hand will move one grid every 2 minutes, and the second hand (when used) will move one grid every second. The device may include an electronic display (such as LCD, LED, etc.), which displays digitized time, date or other information. In one embodiment, the display can be completely turned off to give a simulated experience to the device.

[0055] If the MCU detects any change in city, date or time (hours or minutes), the MCU control will move to 440. Specific reference is made to the various contingencies and implementations within step 440. For example, in 441, when the city is changed (by the user or during initial startup), the MCU will reload all the information needed to calculate the times of the Adhan during the year, and the MCU will transfer control to step 450.

[0056] Step 442 shows the event when the date has been changed (by the user or at midnight) to the next date, and the MCU will transfer control to step 450.

[0057] Step 443 shows the contingency when the time (hours or minutes) has been changed (either by the user or when the seconds become 00). In this embodiment, the MCU will transfer control to step 460 since there is no need to recalculate the adhan time.

[0058] It should be noted that the time change from 11:59:59 PM to 12:00:00 AM (along with the date change) is processed in step 442. In this embodiment, the adhan time and adhan indication calculations are based on full minutes, such as seconds equal to 00 (at the adhan time). The same concept can be extended to use the adhan time with seconds, but is not necessary for this embodiment.

[0059] Step 450 is that the MCU will recalculate the new adhan time based on the date and city information given in 440. Non-limiting examples of variables that start recalculating the new adhan time include: longitude and latitude coordinates, time zone, daylight saving time (DST) options, and adhan schedule system. The adhan time is calculated based on the position of the sun in the sky relative to the position on the earth.

[0060] The times of the adhan in the Muslim world are usually calculated based on the angle of the sun (relative to the horizon). Different systems for calculating the adhan (called calendar systems) are used in different countries. Some calendars, such as Umm Qura in Saudi Arabia, use fixed time intervals to calculate the adhan, which is calculated to be one hour and thirty minutes after the adhan of Maghrib every day. As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the adhan is equal to the sunset time at the selected location. The position of the sun in the sky can be calculated based on the date and time. Alternatively, the position of the sun in the sky can be tabulated.

[0061] Similarly, the times of the adhan can be tabulated for some locations in the world, or they can be calculated for each day. Calculating the times of the adhan is often preferred over tabulating them because one can calculate the times of the adhan more accurately for locations around the world.

[0062] In our implementation, we use the sun position calculation to obtain better accuracy and allow the user to use the location coordinates of the location in case the location falls into a remote or rural area.

[0063] at last, Figure 4 Step 460 in the above example determines the next call for prayer. For example, step 461 shows that the MCU will determine the next call for prayer based on the current time. In this step, if 30 minutes have passed after the "current call for prayer", the current call for prayer will be changed to the next call for prayer.

[0064] In step 462, based on the current time and the current adhan, the MCU will calculate the adhan indication position. In this step, if the adhan time is not within + / -30 minutes of the current time, it is assumed that the indication is at 30 (off). In another embodiment, other time intervals can be used, such as +59 minutes after the adhan or -59 minutes to the adhan, and the 60 position can be used as off, as long as the adhan indication movement can support 120 positions (or grids).

[0065] In step 463, the MCU will move the adhan indicator pointer (or the second hand, if the second hand is used as the adhan indicator pointer) to the correct position. In one embodiment, during normal operation, the adhan indicator pointer will move one grid to the next position or remain in place.

[0066] In another embodiment, the adhan indicator hand has two alternating functions depending on the current time and the adhan time. When the current time is within + / - 30 minutes of the current adhan, the hand will be used as the adhan indication, otherwise it will be used as a normally operating second hand. In this embodiment, there is no off position for the adhan indicator hand.

[0067] In an embodiment, the timer described herein can also reflect the interval of the adhan other than 30 minutes. For example, the interval can be -59 minutes to +59 minutes from the start of the adhan indication operation, or it can be -15 minutes to +15 minutes, or any number of minutes between 59 and 15. In addition, the interval of the adhan (negative and positive) can be unbalanced. For example, in one embodiment, the interval of the adhan can be -29 minutes to +59 minutes. The above are non-limiting examples of both balanced adhan intervals and unbalanced adhan intervals. It will be appreciated that various other intervals are possible.

[0068] In one embodiment, an additional device or mechanism or system for pointing to the direction of Mecca is also included. For example, the device or mechanism or system includes a digital compass sensor that makes the analog needle point to Mecca (or north).

[0069] Since the actual time of prayer varies from one mosque to another and from one place to another (in addition to different calendar systems), the disclosed device is configured to adjust at fixed time intervals after each adhan. In one embodiment, the disclosed watch or clock is also configured to issue a reminder, such as a beep or alarm as a reminder of the actual prayer.

[0070] Unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities of ingredients, reaction conditions, and so forth used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification and attached claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present disclosure.

[0071] Other embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered exemplary only, with the true scope of the invention being indicated by the following claims.

Claims

1. A timer for displaying the current time and a simulated counter for adhan, the timer comprising: at least one device for calculating five adhan times based on longitude and latitude coordinates, a time zone, a daylight saving time option, an adhan calendar system, and a current date; as well as an adhan analog counter, the adhan analog counter being attached to the at least one device and being implemented in the timer in the form of an adhan indicator hand, wherein the position of the adhan indicator hand indicates the number of minutes remaining until the current adhan or the number of minutes after the current adhan.

2. The timepiece according to claim 1, which is a watch or a clock having the appearance of an analog watch or an analog clock.

3. The timer according to claim 1, wherein: The adhan analog counter is implemented as an adhan indication hand in a watch or a clock using a normal second hand or a hand separate and different from the normal second hand.

4. The timer according to claim 3, wherein: The adhan indication hand has two alternating functions that are different based on the current time and the adhan time.

5. The timer according to claim 4, wherein: When the current time is not within a predetermined interval of the current adhan, the adhan indication hand changes the function of the adhan indication hand to a normal second hand.

6. The timer according to claim 5, wherein: The predetermined interval of the current adhan is selected from a balanced time interval or a non-balanced time interval.

7. The timer according to claim 6, wherein: The predetermined interval of the current adhan is selected from a balanced time interval of -29 minutes to +29 minutes relative to the current adhan.

8. The timer according to claim 6, wherein: The predetermined interval of the current adhan is selected from an uneven time interval from -29 minutes before the current adhan to +59 minutes after the current adhan.

9. The timer according to claim 1, wherein: The adhan simulation counter is implemented in the form of a hidden display.

10. The timer according to claim 1, wherein: The timer comprises a microcontroller unit.

11. The timer according to claim 10, wherein: The microcontroller unit includes a movement device having three or more hands, wherein one hand shows an adhan indication movement.

12. The timer according to claim 11, wherein: The microcontroller unit comprises an input for manually entering at least one variable selected from location, date or time.

13. The timer according to claim 12, wherein: The timepiece includes a time movement and an adhan indication movement, which are driven by pulses from the microcontroller unit and move independently of each other.

14. The timer according to claim 13, wherein: The time movement and the adhan indication movement further comprise position sensors which communicate with the microcontroller unit.

15. The timer according to claim 13, wherein: The time movement and the adhan indication movement do not comprise position sensors but rather comprise means for mechanized setting of the timepiece, wherein the means for mechanized setting of the timepiece comprises a crown configured to pass through a push-rod interface.

16. The timer according to claim 10, wherein: The microcontroller unit is configured to maintain the correct time and date and recalculate the adhan time at a predetermined time each day.

17. The timer according to claim 10, wherein: The microcontroller unit is configured to synchronize the time movement with the current digitized time and also to adjust the adhan indication movement according to the current time and the current adhan time.

18. The timer according to claim 10, wherein: The microcontroller unit is configured to recalculate a new adhan time based on one or more variables selected from the group consisting of longitude and latitude coordinates, time zone, daylight saving time option, and adhan schedule system.

19. The timer according to claim 18, wherein: The adhan calendar system includes Umm al-Qura in Saudi Arabia.

20. The timer according to claim 1, wherein: The timepiece comprises a hybrid watch or a hybrid clock.

21. The timer according to claim 1, wherein: The timer comprises a smart watch or a smart clock, wherein the adhan indication hand is displayed on a digital display in a graphical manner without using any movement.

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