Prayer mat

Abstract

What is proposed is a prayer mat comprising a power supply unit, an electronic compass, a GNSS unit, a GSM communication unit, an information processing unit, a memory unit, wireless communication units for enabling connection to a smartphone or to the Internet or to another prayer mat or to peripheral devices, a flexible display, at least one microphone, and at least one speaker, wherein the information processing unit is configured to be capable of comparing current coordinates, together with information about a corresponding correction, with a current compass reading, and wherein the resulting corrected readings can be communicated via the display and / or via the speaker and / or via a peripheral device. The present device can serve as the basis for scalable digital ecosystems within Islamic communities, enabling communication and coordination within a community and promoting the safety of its members. In addition, the device provides a communication format that can be adapted to the specific user and their circumstances, including video and audio formats, or a combination thereof. The proposed device also provides a more correct indication towards Mecca (the Kaaba) than known prior art devices, and makes it possible to provide for and / or improve the reliability of readings among a plurality of prayer mats that are connected to one another by communication channels.

Description

[0001] RECEIVED RO / RU 28 JUL 2025 PCT / RU2025 / 000224

[0002] Prayer rug

[0003] The proposed technical solution relates to religious accessories, namely prayer rugs.

[0004] Prayer rugs of various designs are known to have built-in electronic devices that expand the functional range of such products and make the use of the rug more convenient.

[0005] The closest analogue of the proposed technical solution is the device described in utility model RU 172212, published on June 30, 2017, Bulletin No. 19. The device described in utility model RU 172212 is classified as a religious accessory. The built-in electronic orientation device, similar to a GPS navigator, allows the user to comply with one of the most important requirements of the Quran: to orient themselves strictly toward Mecca (the Kaaba) during prayer using a preset position for the Kaaba.

[0006] One of the most important requirements of the Quran—orienting oneself strictly toward Mecca (the Kaaba) when performing namaz—must be observed at any location where prayer is performed. Such locations may include those significantly distant from areas with reliable GSM coverage (or even complete lack thereof) or areas with magnetic anomalies. Furthermore, ensuring the operation of various electronic devices when the signal from global navigation satellite systems (GNSS), such as GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZNSS, and NavIC, is unstable and / or inconsistent has recently become quite important. This situation can arise, among other things, due to external interference with navigation systems, which is becoming increasingly common, including for the purpose of ensuring security in a specific area during a limited period.

[0007] Known mats from the prior art, including mats according to Utility Model No. 172212, do not provide the required level of stable determination of the direction to the Kaaba in conditions of unstable and / or incorrect operation of global navigation satellite systems in the place and time when it is needed by the user of the mat. Mats with a built-in compass (usually electronic) are also known. It should be taken into account that in areas with large iron ore deposits, local deviations in compass readings, or "anomalies" (for example, the Kursk Magnetic Anomaly, etc.), occur, which can significantly deviate the compass needle (up to 10 degrees in azimuth) from the meridian direction. In addition to magnetic anomalies, deviations of the compass needle can be caused by the proximity of RECEIVED RO / RU 28 JUL 2025 PCT / RU2025 / 000224

[0008] 2 magnets and magnetic metal objects, as well as near a source of magnetic waves. These errors, caused by the influence of nearby magnetic objects, can significantly deflect the needle, up to tens of degrees from the horizontal.

[0009] This drawback can be significantly reduced or completely eliminated by integrating the device with a navigator, including an electromagnetic compass, a data processing unit, a memory unit, units that provide connectivity to a smartphone and / or the internet, and a pre-installed database of compass corrections for various geographic locations, taking into account the meridian's deviations. The device can also be equipped with at least one video camera. When the device is in a stable and accurate positioning zone using global navigation satellite systems, it reads the electronic compass readings and the necessary compass correction for a given coordinate point from the pre-installed database.If a global positioning system signal is present and stable at the location where the mat is being used, the device's data processing system reads and stores information about the mat's location and orientation via GNSS and compass, stores the magnitude and sign (clockwise or counterclockwise) by which the compass reading should be corrected at that location, and displays the desired direction to the user on the display. If, during subsequent uses of the device, the GNSS signal is unstable but sufficient to determine the mat's approximate location, or if the mat's location is determined only via GSM networks or manually entered by the user, the user receives a compass direction indication adjusted by the correction value stored in the device's memory, provided that the correction value has been determined for that location.If the correction value has not been entered into the database, the direction is reported using the compass without correction.

[0010] If the mat is in motion during use (e.g., on a train or ship), determining its orientation relative to the cardinal directions is also possible using GNSS, based on the direction of the device's movement. When used on moving objects, including ships, especially large ones like cruise ships, massive metal structures and sources of electromagnetic radiation such as servos and power units, as well as the unstable position of the hull, can distort the compass's operation. RECEIVED RO / RU 28 JUL 2025 PCT / RU2025 / 000224 This can be compensated for by determining the direction using GNSS.It also becomes possible to identify and store in the device's memory a correction to the compass readings, taking into account the constant distortion introduced for a given vehicle, for example, for a given ship, taking into account the prayer place at the stern and the location of the prayer place relative to the power plant and / or navigation equipment and communication systems.

[0011] If the device is equipped with an upward-facing video camera, in addition to GNSS signals and compass readings, it can determine the mat's position and orientation using the starry sky in conditions of good star visibility at night. This option improves the reliability and relevance of the correction applied to compass readings using a pre-installed correction database. Aside from local magnetic anomalies, only a large industrial facility or a stationary telecommunications station emitting an electromagnetic field can cause a relatively significant and long-term deviation in compass readings. Small mobile sources of electromagnetic waves generally cannot cause a significant, long-term change in compass readings, unless the user deliberately places a strong magnet near their mat (which is unlikely given the mat's intended use).This makes updating the pre-installed database practical, since industrial facilities do not appear or change their position in space so frequently that such amendments would have to be made promptly and on an ongoing basis.

[0012] The installed video camera can also transmit an image of the surrounding environment (room or natural objects) to the memory device, along with information on the cardinal directions for that location. When the device is subsequently turned on, the image analysis program can compare the image received from the camera with a series of images stored in the memory block and match them to the mat's orientation, making it possible to indicate the desired direction to the user even if the device's other direction-detection systems are disabled.

[0013] Considering that the user may be visually impaired, the user can, if necessary, enable voice alerts on the device to help navigate the mat. When using the Bluetooth protocol in combination with headphones or directly connecting headphones to the device via the jack, audio alerts are provided. RECEIVED RO / RU 28 JUL 2025 PCT / RU2025 / 000224

[0014] 4 can be transmitted to the user via headphones. This feature is especially useful in areas where the use of loudspeakers may disturb others or is prohibited, and also allows for volume adjustments tailored to the individual user. Thus, the device can provide more accurate direction to the Kaaba when a GNSS signal (GPS, GLONASS, and similar devices) is occasionally unavailable, using multiple direction-determining methods, combining them, and storing the settings for a specific location.

[0015] A prayer mat is proposed, comprising a navigator operating via at least one global navigation satellite system, an electronic compass, a display that is preferably flexible, a battery or a unit for replaceable batteries, at least one connector for connecting to a computer or smartphone, a connector for charging the battery, GSM, WiFi, and Bluetooth modules, at least one speaker for audio playback, and at least one microphone. The mat may also be equipped with an input device. A preferred embodiment is a flexible touchpad, which can generally be integrated with the flexible display or provided as a separate flexible touchscreen within the mat.The input device allows the user to enter commands into the information processing unit that are typical for smart devices (e.g., turning on / off one of the modules (GPS, GSM, WiFi, Bluetooth), displaying the battery charge on the screen, changing the volume, resetting settings, etc.). Generally, commands can be entered by the user by giving voice commands through a microphone or a connected headset, which is typically used in conjunction with headphones.

[0016] This ensures the ability to accurately orient the mat toward Mecca in the face of possible instability in various communication protocols, including GSM and WiFi, as well as possible interruptions in satellite navigation signals (including GPS and GLONASS systems), minimizing the error in determining direction using the built-in compass in the complete or partial absence of alternative methods for determining the device's orientation. RECEIVED RO / RU 28 JUL 2025 PCT / RU2025 / 000224

[0017] 5 according to the star map, according to a pre-compiled map of the prayer location, according to the reading of the built-in compass calibrated at the moment of a stable GPS signal.

[0018] Since the mat is equipped with wireless communication protocols for communicating with other electronic devices, when turned on at the intended prayer location, it communicates with other similar devices within range and exchanges correction information relative to different geographic coordinates. This allows for the creation of an ecosystem of such devices, ensuring the constant updating and refinement of the correction database for different coordinates. This, in turn, improves the reliability of the devices and the achievement of desired results, as integrating devices into a system duplicates the mats' systems (e.g., compasses or GNSS systems). It also enables the analysis and averaging of the information processed by the devices for a given location (e.g., correction data), which can improve the reliability of the correction applied.

[0019] The desired technical result of the proposed technical solution is to offer a version of a prayer rug that would make it possible to accurately determine the user's desired orientation of the rug, regardless of possible interference affecting the operation of the compass, GNSS systems (including in the case of artificial suppression of GNSS signals at the location of use of the rug), including on transport while moving.

[0020] Since the proposed concept, as one of the possible options, involves the creation of a digital electronic ecosystem using these devices, in addition to the technical results mentioned above, it makes it possible, if necessary, to ensure communication between the worshipers and the imam.

[0021] The issue of ensuring the safety of both parishioners and church staff is now more pressing and urgent than ever before. The main threats that could render religious services unsafe or impossible at this time include epidemics, military action, and terrorist attacks.

[0022] * In such cases, remote participation of believers can be ensured through remote access (primarily the Internet) in joint worship services with the ability to hear or hear and see RECEIVED RO / RU 28 JUL 2025 PCT / RU2025 / 000224

[0023] 6 imams, as well as one of the possible options for ensuring communication with other participants in the worship service during epidemics and / or the introduction of quarantine measures that limit or exclude the holding of joint worship services in mosques.

[0024] A characteristic feature of epidemics is the need to impose quarantine measures, limiting or even eliminating congregational worship services in mosques. This can be achieved by using communications equipment in the product, which can be connected to a smartphone, directly to GSM networks, WiFi, and Bluetooth. Using the product itself, even through a smartphone, rather than the smartphone itself, is important, as it eliminates the possibility of distracting worshipers, including children, from prayer due to notifications and messages typically received on a smartphone.

[0025] In this case, it is possible to simultaneously ensure communication between worshippers and with the person conducting the service, as well as the receipt of alarm signals (for example, a message about the need for urgent evacuation) and service commands (for example, a command to turn off the transmitting and receiving modules of the proposed device for a specified period of time to ensure low radio visibility of users to reduce the likelihood of the successful use of weapons against them, guided by the radiation of the communication modules).

[0026] In addition to the above-mentioned primary desired technical results, the following are also achieved. Due to the fact that not all cities where mosques are located have adequate GSM signal quality, the availability of alternative communication protocols to which the device can quickly switch, including automatically, without distracting the user from prayer or listening to a sermon, ensures comfortable and uninterrupted communication.

[0027] ' г Device usage. The device may also feature an automatic communication protocol selection mode based on the cost of various types of communication in the local area. This feature may be particularly useful for Muslim travelers, as GSM device users are typically roaming in foreign regions, which can significantly increase communication costs and lead to loss of service once the allotted minutes within the package are exhausted.

[0028] It is also important for ensuring security to be able to provide communication between several devices previously connected to one local network, for example, via WiFi or RECEIVED RO / RU 28 JUL 2025 PCT / RU2025 / 000224

[0029] 7

[0030] Bluetooth protocol with an external source of information exchange via the GSM protocol. In cases where a group of worshippers has gathered for prayer, a large number of GSM devices can be tracked and identified as a potential target for attack. However, the presence of a signal from only one GSM device, provided that the GSM modules on all other mats and phones are disabled, eliminates this vulnerability.

[0031] The proposed technical solution can also serve as a primary device for creating scalable digital electronic ecosystems for Muslim communities, enabling both communication and organization within the community and regulating the safety of its members. The device also provides a communication format appropriate for the specific user and usage situation, including video, audio, and possible combinations thereof.

[0032] Moreover, the proposed device can operate completely autonomously, with limited functionality for playing the required audio, video, and text content without interacting with other devices, using its built-in memory and pre-loaded information.

[0033] I

Claims

RECEIVED RO / RU 28 JUL 2025 PCT / RU2025 / 000224 8 Invention formula 1. A prayer rug that includes a power supply unit, an electronic compass, a GNSS unit, a GSM communication unit, an information processing unit, a memory unit, wireless communication units that provide connection of the device to a smartphone, the Internet, another similar device, peripheral devices, a flexible display, at least one microphone, at least one speaker, wherein the information processing unit is configured to compare the current coordinates with information on the corresponding correction with the current compass reading with the ability to output the resulting corrected readings to the display and / or to the speaker and / or to the peripheral device.

2. A prayer rug according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the wireless communication units provide communication via Bluetooth and WiFi protocols.

3. A prayer rug according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the power supply is in the form of a battery.

4. A prayer rug according to paragraph 1, characterized in that the power supply is made in the form of a block for using batteries.

5. A prayer rug according to paragraph 1, characterized in that it is additionally equipped with at least one camera, wherein the camera is configured to transmit information to a memory unit, and the logical memory unit is configured to perform a comparative analysis of images from the camera and images in the memory unit and the corresponding corrective adjustments, followed by the output of the resulting information about the required direction to the user.

6. A prayer rug according to paragraph 1, characterized in that it is designed with the ability to connect and exchange information with other similar devices about correction adjustments for different geographic locations.

7. A prayer rug according to paragraph 1, characterized in that it is designed with the ability to connect and exchange information with the place where the service is being held to ensure the user's remote participation in the worship service.