US 8,477,563 B2 · Device for announcing prayer times

Abstract

The device for announcing prayer times provides for announcement of Muslim prayer times by recitation of athan throughout a large but localized area, e.g., a large office building or structure, a school or hospital, or a public transportation terminal, stadium, mall, etc. The device includes a single geographically fixed central unit initially programmed according to local geographical area and calendar to provide accurate output of the specific times for Muslim prayer, which are based upon the angle of the sun. While the sun angles for prayer remain constant, prayer times vary according to calendar. The central unit transmits cable or wireless audio signals to a geographically fixed auxiliary unit that transmits signals to one or more remote speakers. The central unit includes a clock display, and may include a radio and/or television receiver and/or DVD player providing output to a video screen to display various programs and messages.

Claims16

Dependent claims

A device for announcing prayer times, comprising:

a geographically fixed base unit;
a programmable electronic device disposed within the base unit, the programmable electronic device having means for input of local geographic location, date, and time, and means for automated output relative of athan times relative to the geographic location, date and time taking into account the angular position of the sun;
a clock and programming display disposed within the base unit;
at least one audible annunciator disposed within the base unit;
programming controls disposed within the base unit;
a wall mounting sconce;
and
at least one audible speaker disposed remote from the base unit, the at least one audible speaker communicating electronically with the base unit.

5 more elements

A device for announcing prayer times, comprising:

a geographically fixed base unit;
a programmable electronic device disposed within the base unit, the programmable electronic device having means for input of local geographic location, date, and time, and means for automated output relative of athan times relative to the geographic location, date and time taking into account the angular position of the sun;
a clock and programming display disposed within the base unit;
programming controls disposed within the base unit;
an electronic video player disposed within the base unit;
an electronic video display screen remotely disposed from the base unit, the electronic video display screen communicating electronically with the electronic video player;
at least one audible annunciator disposed within the base unit;
at least one audible speaker disposed remotely from the base unit, the at least one audible speaker communicating electronically with the base unit a geographically fixed auxiliary unit communicating electronically with the base unit;
at least one transmitter tower retractably extending from the auxiliary unit;
a central transmitter unit retractably extending from the auxiliary unit, the central transmitter unit communicating electronically with the at least one audible speaker;
a television broadcast receiver disposed within the base unit, the television broadcast receiver selectively communicating electronically with the electronic video display screen;
at least one audible annunciator disposed within the base unit;
at least one audible speaker disposed remotely from the base unit;
and
a radio broadcast receiver disposed within the base unit, the radio broadcast receiver selectively communicating electronically with the at least one audible annunciator of the base unit and with the at least one audible speaker disposed remotely from the base unit;
and
a remotely disposed programming device selectively communicating electronically with the base unit.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Device for announcing prayer times

Life of this patent

Device for announcing prayer times

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims16