Portable information device having an output related to natural physical events
First Claim
1. A portable information device comprising means for establishing a time base;
- means for entering information identifying any one of a plurality of geographical locations;
means associated with the time base establishing means and the information entering means for determining one or more points in time having a predetermined temporal relationship to the occurrence, at the location entered, of one or more natural physical events the time of which is dependent on geographical location;
means for providing an output at the time determined; and
means associated with the information entering means for providing a signal indicative of the deviation from a basic terrestial direction of the direction from the location entered towards a predetermined location;
wherein there are provided magnetic compass means for ascertaining the basic terrestial direction, disc encoding means defining plurality of arcuate slots associated therewith and plurality of light sources and receivers associated with the disc encoding means and with the deviation indicative signal to provide an output serving as a pointer towards the predetermined location.
0 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A pocket sized portable information device provides an alarm indicating Moslem prayer times. Means are provided for entering information identifying geograpical location, from which the hours of sunrise and sunset are calculated and then the prayer times. The device includes an oscillator driving a clock calendar and an interrupt time both of which are linked to a microprocessor. Codes identifying geographical locations are input via suitable key pads, resulting in geographical co-ordinate information being supplied to the microprocessor from a location ROM. By means of suitable algorithms the microprocessor calculates sunrise, sunset and the prayer times, and at the appropriate times provides an audible alarm through an amplifier and a transducer (T). The device is also provided with a compass identifying the direction towards magnetic north. Using the information from the location ROM the microprocessor calculates the deviation from magnetic north to the direction towards Mecca for the location concerned. The device can then be oriented so as to point towards Mecca, i.e. at the correct deviation from Magnetic North. An audible output is given when the orientation is correct.
58 Citations
24 Claims
-
1. A portable information device comprising means for establishing a time base;
- means for entering information identifying any one of a plurality of geographical locations;
means associated with the time base establishing means and the information entering means for determining one or more points in time having a predetermined temporal relationship to the occurrence, at the location entered, of one or more natural physical events the time of which is dependent on geographical location;
means for providing an output at the time determined; and
means associated with the information entering means for providing a signal indicative of the deviation from a basic terrestial direction of the direction from the location entered towards a predetermined location;
wherein there are provided magnetic compass means for ascertaining the basic terrestial direction, disc encoding means defining plurality of arcuate slots associated therewith and plurality of light sources and receivers associated with the disc encoding means and with the deviation indicative signal to provide an output serving as a pointer towards the predetermined location. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 16, 24)
- means for entering information identifying any one of a plurality of geographical locations;
-
15. A portable information device comprising means for entering information identifying any one of a plurality of geographical locations;
- means associated with the information entering means for providing a signal indicative of the deviation from a basic terrestial direction of the direction from the location entered towards a predetermined location;
magnetic compass means for ascertaining the basic terrestial direction;
disc encoding means defining plurality of arcuate slots associated therewith and a plurality of light sources and receivers associated with the disc encoding means and with the deviation indicative signal, to provide an output serving as a pointer towards the predetermined location. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23)
- means associated with the information entering means for providing a signal indicative of the deviation from a basic terrestial direction of the direction from the location entered towards a predetermined location;
Specification