Patent ID: 6202035
Filing Date: 2001-03-13
Classification: G01C,G04G

Abstract:
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 of the received signals; anddisplay means for displaying a computed time for prayer;wherein the receiving means is adapted to receive GPS signals coming from satellites,the device being provided with first memory means for storing program data for the computing means, and second memory means for storing relevant table data and/or algorithms or formulae for determining the times for prayer subject to the rules as applied at a particular location and within a particular denomination or religious school of law,wherein in the first or second memory means the stored data relates to the following six positions of the sun:the beginning of the astronomical twilight;the beginning of sunrise;the position of the sun wherein the rear part of the solar disc leaves the zenith;the position of the sun wherein the length of the shadow of an object is equal to its shadow at the moment when the center of the sun is at the zenith plus once or twice the length of the object;the end of sunset; and/orthe end of the astronomical (evening) twilight; andwherein the computing means is adapted and connected to the receiving means and the first and/or second memory means such that the desired prayer direction on the basis of the position as well as the desired time for prayer subject to the rules applied at a particular location and within a particular denomination or a religious school of law are computed directly from the GPS signals and from the relevant formulae at a particular location for a particular denomination or religious school of law, and both the direction and time for prayer are displayed on a screen of the display means.