WO2009144689A1

WO2009144689A1 - Digital tally counter finger ring

Info

Publication number: WO2009144689A1
Application number: PCT/ID2008/000007
Authority: WO
Inventors: Edward Chandri Subiakto
Original assignee: Edward Chandri Subiakto
Priority date: 2008-05-26
Filing date: 2008-05-26
Publication date: 2009-12-03

Abstract

A 4 in 1 digital tally counter finger ring is equipped with a Finger ring belt (1) and a Casing of digital tally counter (6) and a Unit of, torch and laser light (9) consisting of a Torch light (10) with an On/Off button (12) and a Laser light (11) with a n On/Off button (13) and a Hi/Lo button (16) for adjusting the laser 1 ight intensity, can be put on a hand finger or placed on the ground closed to the user's head at the time of use, having a Count/Set button (2) as a switch to do counting operation which is useful for religious activities (tasbih for Muslim, mala for Buddhists), and other activities such as counting for data collections or inventories in the day and night time (dark). Furthermore, the uniqueness of this digital tally counter is having a Mode button (3) functions as to select from 'Normal Count' i.e. counting numbers individually, to 'Group Count' i.e. counting numbers individually as well as in grouping. Also, given for other counting operational system is an IRP (Infra Red Proximity) sensor or close range detection sensor com prising an IR Transmitter (17) and an IR Receiver (18) which is useful for counting number of prostrations in Muslim daily prayers or other similar activities, and has an On/Off button (19).

Description

DIGITAL TALLY COUNTER FINGER RING

Field of the Invention

This i nvention is related to a d igital tal ly counter instrument for the purpose of counting numbers ind ividually or so called

'Normal Count' and counting numbers individually as well as in grouping or so called 'G roup Count', i n particular a 4 in 1 digital tally counter fi nger ring which is electronical ly having simple functions to support the needs for religious activities as a tool to count number of chanting of praises (tasbih for Muslim or mala for

Buddhist), number of prayer rituals, and for other purposes such as data collections, inventories, and the like. To enhance its counting purposes, this digital tally counter is equipped with a m ini torch light for use to support visibility in the n ight time (dark) or expandable for use as super-mini projector to present pictures

(writings) and a laser light for use to poi nt at stationary or moving articles/objects (targets) in the day and night time (dark) or expandable for use as pointer for presentation. For its counting operation switch, this digital tally cou nter has a Push button

(touch switch may be used for this application) for comfort such as to avoid user's finger fatigue and an I RP (I nfra Red Proximity) sensor or close range detection sensor for the use of counting in close range without touching the d igital tal ly cou nter such as passing an object in front of this digital tally counter. The purpose of this I RP sensor is mainly used for counting the number of prostrations in Muslim daily prayers or may be used for similar activities. For a display, this instrument has a LED (Light Emitting Diode) with red and green color or may have a LCD (Liquid Crystal Display) with backlight, and beep sound or alarm and/or vibration.

This digital tally counter finger ring consists of a unit composes of 2 (two) systems i.e. Push button and IRP sensor, whereas the other unit composes of 2 (two) systems also i.e. torch light and laser light. In accordance with the desire of the user, the digital tally counter finger ring which constitutes of one unit with the torch and laser light as the other unit can be separated and incorporated because they have "sliding and click" mechanism of which are in pairs to one with the other and may be possible with "push and click" mechanism and are not limited only like the above mentioned mechanisms.

The uniqueness of this invention is due to the fact that the digital tally counter finger ring which consists of Push button and IRP sensor has the interrelated use with the torch light and the laser light as such this invention can be mentioned as 4 in 1.

Background of the Invention

Tally counter is frequently needed and used as a supporting instrument for counting of the works as well as activities which are difficult to count and to remember and helps the user to have a better concentration especially for religious activities. The mechanical counter and the digital tally counter that are commonly used have only the purpose of counting numbers individually not in grouping, and have a sufficiently large form (in the smallest form, the size of a clutch of an adult person) and are not comfortable for users to carry around, especially the mechanical tally counter which makes user's finger fatiguing quicker in case of counting in a large quantity. Furthermore, the mechanical and digital tally counter in the market are not equipped with torch and laser light, especially the laser light is very useful to count stationary and moving articles/objects (targets) from a distance such as counting moving cars or trains.

United States Patent No. 2,572,784 (Anton Van Veen) reveals the fact of a tally or counter and particularly to a small handy and usually manually operated counter having a plurality of digit wheels positioned closely adjacent each other on the same axis.

United States Patent No. 5,088,072 (Bernard Fitzmorris) reveals the fact of an athletic performance measuring device which can be conveniently worn on the user's finger. The device can provide a variety of functions such as lap counting and timing. An actuator is provided in the form of a thumb switch, to allow the counter/timer to be held and operated by one hand, without disrupting the athlete's performance.

United States Patent No. 5,813,766 (Mei-Yen Chen) reveals the fact of a finger temperature indicating ring for wearing around a finger to measure and indicate the finger temperature of the wearer.

United States Patent No. 6,065,971 (Ralph E. Lennon) reveals the fact of a finger ring counting device enables persons to accurately count prayers while saying the Rosary. The counting device is embodied in a ring, and on which can be inconspicuously worn on the hand, and on which there are a number of beads which are manually movable around the circumference of the ring for counting.

United States Patent No. 6,778,380 (William P Murray, Jr.) reveals the fact of a TV Mute Ring with a hollow C shaped finger ring housing. The housing contains a standard electronics and IR transmitting LED associated with activating the mute function of a standard TV.

United States Patent No. 6,783,822 (Hassan Faouaz) reveals the fact of a Muslim prayer counter comprising a short upper edge and a parallel shrot lower edge with ling parallel side edges there between, the rug having an exposed planar upper surface and a lower surface adapted to be supported on a floor; a counter secured to the upper surface of the carper adjacent the upper edge in proximity to one side edge thereof; a switch located on the upper surface of the carper mid-way between side edge; a battery secured to the lower surface of the rug adjacent the upper in proximity to the counter, the battery including an electrical lines coupling the counter and the battery and the switch.

United States Publication No. 2003/0086521 (Irshad A. Rana) reveals the fact of an electronic hand held rosary apparatus with beads counting digital mechanism and storing such counts of various Muslim/non-Muslim prayers/recitations in separately identifiable registers (with keys or vocal means). The goal is to facilitate the worshipper in knowing the specific counts of prayers made and therefore derive gratification in doing the correct religious worship/meditation.

French Patent No. 2648330 (Guessous Ahmed) reveals the fact of an electronic system for counting rosary beads for Islamic prayers with means for memorizing and totaling, including a microcontroller or a specialized circuit having in the memory the various parameters to be compared, a display which visualizes the number of beads counted, the time, the date and the alarm times, an audible element which is triggered as a function of the values introduced, the entry interface and which are compared with those placed in memory.

Brazil Patent No. 9907593 (Correa De Lacerda Josue) reveals the fact of a digital rosary has a micro-controlled electronic chip supplied by little batteries, having inside a recorded program to perform the rosary functions being controlled by intelligent command buttons, which one with more than one function, differed by the kind of touch applied the same, being doted with memory to memorize the point its functions is stopped and make it return at any time desired by the user, besides memorize the day its functions were practiced or started, having resources as auto power off after three minutes on idle, memorizing its last position, sound signals to audible information, alarm signals, vibration, rotate texts, image alternating with texts, Rosary and Third functions and calendar in real time. None of the above mentioned patents i ncludes a method of counting numbers i n groupi ng , and a way of 'make thi ngs easy' counting si ngle handed ly (conveniently placed i n a fi nger) with the torch light as a lighting device in the night time (dark) and with the laser light as a poi nting device for stationary or moving articles/objects (targets ) in the day and night time (dark), and a method of counting movements from a close range with I RP sensor.

With those thi ngs i n mind , inventor conducted a survey which can support further the person who uses this digital tally counter to carry out the work of counting as well as the daily rel igious activities in which pleasant feeling and sim plicity are the priority in view of small and practical shape with a soft Push button and wil l not be lost easi ly and convenient to carry around because it sticks to the user's fi nger. I n order to enha nce the value-added function of this digital tally counter, this i nvention combines itself with the torch light and the laser light which have an interrelated use and can be released and recom bined in accordance with the user's desire that the user can choose the more practical one without prejud ice to the main key of this i nvention , namely the pleasant feeling and simple to use for the user. Specifical ly for the Muslim religion where the counting of the number of prostrations is sometimes miscount (due to lose of concentration) during the daily prayers, thereof, this d igital tal ly counter is equipped with an I RP sensor. The IRP sensor is designed in such a way that it can be placed closed to the user's head d uring prostration to activate the counting. The combination of the digital tally counter finger ring with IRP sensor and torch light and laser light make this invention has the terminology of 4 in 1 digital tally counter.

Summary of the Invention

In order to give better and more perfect results, therefore a 4 in 1 digital tally counter finger ring is created which has more advance counting capabilities (count in grouping) as well as more effective (count with lighting devices) as supporting instrument to count for activities which are difficult to count and to remember.

The other purpose of this invention is to supply a digital tally counter which can be used easily and better because it has a Finger ring belt and can be worn on a finger. This digital tally counter is very practical for use, with its small shape, comfortable and can be hidden in its use.

The other purpose of this invention is to supply a digital tally counter which has a Count/Set button in the form of a Push button to do the counting, and to change the function from 'Normal Count' indicated with "," sign in the LED screen of the instrument to 'Group Count' indicated with "/" sign in the LED screen of the instrument and to set beep sound or alarm and/or vibration.

The other purpose of this invention is to supply a digital tally counter which has a Mode button of which to select the function from 'Normal Count' to 'Group Count' in accordance to the owner's desire of said instrument.

The other purpose of this invention is to supply a digital tally counter which has an On/Off/Reset button to turn on and off, and reset the count and the selection in the instrument.

The other purpose of this invention is to supply a digital tally counter which has a display to interact with the user which is visible in the day and night time (dark) in the form of a LED with red and green color or may be in the form of a LCD with backlight (to conserve energy in the battery).

The other purpose of this invention is to supply a digital tally counter which has a function to do 'Normal Count'. The 'Normal Count' mode is indicated with a "," sign in the LED. In this selected function, the digital tally counter is counting numbers individually starting from 00,000 to 99,999 (5 digits) with 1 (one) number for each increment and a beep sound may be chosen by the user to accompany a number increment.

The other purpose of this invention is to supply a digital tally counter which has a function to do 'Group Count'. The 'Group Count' mode is indicated with a "/" sign in the LED. In this selected function, the digital tally counter is counting numbers individually as well as in grouping. The 'Group Count' relates to count on a whole number which is already pre-selected in the 'Normal Count¹ earlier by the user and shown on the right hand side of the 7" sign (the maximum number is 999) and the number presented in red color LED. The pre-selected whole number is a base where the number will be counted individually as well as counted as a group. Every completion of said whole number counted individually, the count will have an increment of 1 (one) num ber per group of said whole nu mber. The count that does the groupi ng shown on the left hand side of the 7" sign (the maximum number is 99) and the number presented in green color LED. To increase the awareness of the user when using , the user may choose to activate a beep sou nd per number or sou nd of alarm and/or vibration on every com pletion of a whole num ber to indicate one group has been reached .

The other purpose of this i nvention is to supply a digital tally counter which has very bright small Torch light so that for those who have the digital tally counter can use as a lighting device to do count in the location with i nsufficient lig hting , and may be used for read i ng by pressi ng On/Off button on the part of the device . Because of the very bright small Torch light, it can also function as super-mini projector to present pictures or writi ngs by placing a small film screen in front of bulb of the device . Still within part of the Torch light, there is a Laser light located next to the Torch light (may be placed opposite to each other) which can be used as supporti ng device to point at stationary or movi ng articles/objects (targets) in the day and night time (dark) to make the counting easy. There is an On/Off button to activate and deactivate the device and a Hi/Lo button to increase and decrease the intensity of the laser l ighting .

The other purpose of this invention is to supply a digital tally counter that has an I RP sensor which is usefu l for counti ng purposes from a close range . This I RP sensor in the digital tally counter is mainly designed for the use to count the num ber of prostrations in Muslim daily prayers. The digital tally counter is placed on the floor closed to the user's head at the time of use. The IRP sensor which is comprised of IR Transmitter and IR Receiver will detect the different light intensity when an object passes in front of the sensor. There is an On/Off button to activate the IRP sensor.

For the said purposes, inventor intends to produce comfort for the user and functions which are easy (simple) to use with features among other things:

1. To have a Finger ring belt (may be made of plastic, rubber, Velcro ™, or flexible metal that can be adjusted for size);

2. To have a Count/Set button;

3. To have a Mode button;

4. To have an On/Off/Reset button;

5. To have a LED or LCD screen for display;

6. To have a Casing of digital tally counter;

7. To have 1 (one) Long hole for slot binder on the upper wall of casing;

8. To have 2 (two) Small holes for binder on the upper wall of casing;

9. To have a Unit of torch and laser light;

10. To have a Torch light;

11. To have a Laser light;

12. To have an On/Off button for Torch light;

13. To have an On/Off button for Laser light; 14. To have 1 (one) Slot long bump on the lower wall of torch and laser light;

15. To have 2 (two) Small bumps on the lower wall of torch and laser light;

16. To have a Hi/Lo button for laser light intensity adjustment;

17. To have a IR Transmitter for IRP sensor;

18. To have a IR Receiver for IRP sensor;

19. To have an On/Off button for IRP sensor.

• This digital tally counter ring uses 1 (one) button cell battery

• This torch and laser light uses 3 (three) button cell batteries

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1A is a front view of a Digital tally counter finger ring with a Unit of torch and laser light.

Figure 1B is a right hand side view of a Digital tally counter finger ring with a Unit of torch and laser light.

Figure 1C is a top view of a Digital tally counter finger ring without a Unit of torch and laser light.

Figure 1 D is a bottom view of a Unit of torch and laser light.

Figure 2 shows the illustration of 'Normal Count' and 'Group Count' and their patterns.

Figure 3 shows the block diagram of the digital tally counter system. Detailed Description of the Invention

Referring to drawings of the invention (Figure 1A-D) contain the part of Finger ring belt (1) that is connected to the upper part and the lower part of the Casing of digital tally counter (6) and can be easily put on a finger and can be adjusted to the size of the user's finger.

The part of Casing of digital tally counter (6) has the Mode button (3) located on the middle left side whereas the On/Off button (19) for IRP sensor located on the top left side, and the On/Off/Reset button (4) located on the top right side.

The part of Count/Set button (2) functions as a switch for the user to do the counting in the 'Normal Count¹ or 'Group Count'. Also, it functions to change the 'Normal' mode which is indicated by "," sign to 'Group' mode which is indicated by "/" sign and to set a beep sound or alarm and/or vibration.

The part of Mode button (3) functions as a selector to set from 'Normal Count' to 'Group Count' with the assist of Count/Set button (2) to change the mode.

The part of On/Off/Reset button (4) functions as turning on and off, and resetting the count and the selection of the digital tally counter.

The part of Casing of digital tally counter (6) has LED or LCD screen (5) as a display which is visible in the day and night time (dark). This display may be in the form of LED with red and green color or LCD with backlight (to conserve the battery's usage), depending on the market demand. The part of Unit of torch and laser light (9) consists of a Torch light (10) and a Laser light (11 ), namely under 2 (two) systems, in which the positions are next to each other. The function of the Torch light (10) is different from that of the Laser light (11 ) of which the Torch light (10) is useful for seeing something at close range which cannot be seen in the dark condition and also functions as a super mini projector required to present drawings or writings, and the Laser light (11 ) is useful for pointing something at close and long range either for the dark or bright condition and also functions as a pointer required for presentation. And, this part has locking and dismantling grooves (screw) on the other end for the replacement of batteries.

Still on the part of Torch light (10) and Laser light (11) have its respective On/Off buttons. The Torch light (10) has an On/Off button (12) to activate and deactivate and the Laser light (11 ) also has its On/Off button (13) to do likewise. A Hi/Lo button (16) is provided for the adjustment of the Laser light (11) intensity from high to low.

The part of Casing of digital tally counter (6) has 1(one) Long hole for slot binder on the upper wall of casing (7) and 2 (two) Small holes for binder on the upper wall of casing (8).

The part of Unit of torch and laser light (9) has 1 (one) Slot long bump on the lower wall of torch and laser light (14) and 2 (two) Small bumps on the lower wall of torch and laser light (15).

The part of Casing of digital tally counter (6) and the part of Unit of torch and laser light (9) can be joined with the mechanism of "sliding" between 1 (one) Long hole for slot binder on the upper wall of casing (7) and 1 (one) Slot long bump on the lower wall of torch and laser light (14), and the "click" mechanism when 2 (two) Small holes for binder on the upper wall of casing (8) combine with 2 (two) Small bumps on the lower wall of torch and laser light (15) as such form a locking mechanism.

The part of Unit of torch and laser light (9) consisting of torch and laser light namely 2 (two) systems can be attached to Casing of digital tally counter (6) consisting of Push button and IRP sensor namely 2 (two) systems also as such these two units will form into a 4 in 1 digital tally counter.

The part of IRP sensor is comprised of an IR Transmitter (17) and an IR Receiver (18) in the Casing of digital tally counter (6). The purpose of having another type of switch other than Push button as such that the user can have additional option to do the counting i.e. count with Push button or count with the IRP sensor. To do count using IRP sensor is mainly used for the Muslim daily prayers to count the number of prostrations within a prayer or may be used for other similar activities. To change the system from Push button to IRP sensor, the user needs to activate the On/Off button (19) for IRP sensor.

A better illustration on the scope of counting operation is shown in Figure 2. When the digital tally counter is turned on, the instrument is automatically set to the 'Normal' mode which is indicated with a "," sign and able to count numbers individually from 00,000 to 99,999 (5 digits) with an increment of 1(one) number per activated Count/Set (A2). When the user decides to change the 'Normal Count' (B5) to 'Group Count' (B5x), the user has to decide on a whole number, for example 99 (the chosen number may vary from 1 to 999), in the 'Normal Count' then the user needs to activate Mode (A3) to select said whole number which is indicated with a blinking LED display then the user needs to change the mode from 'Normal Count' indicated with "," sign to 'Group Count' indicated with 7" sign by activating Count/Set (A2), and then activate the Mode (A3) again to confirm the selection of the 'Group Count' and the LED display will stop blinking. The 'Group Count' will count the whole number individually as well as count the whole number in grouping which has an increment of 1 (one) number per group. In other words, the 'Group Count' will count number from 1 to 99 with 1 (one) number for each increment as shown count individually from 01/001 to 01/099, thus upon completion, it will start to count the next group which is group 2 from 1 to 99 again with 1 (one) number for each increment per group as shown count in grouping from 01/099 to 02/001, and this count process will repeat itself to maximum group count of 99 as shown 99/099. In the 'Group' mode, the numbers are displayed in two segments which consist of the pre-selected whole number in the 'Normal Count' as mentioned which is located on the right hand side of the "/" sign indicated with red color LED, and the number that does the grouping count of said whole number is located on the left hand side of the "/" sign indicated with green color LED. To reset the operation, On/Off/Reset (A4) is activated. The block diagram representation of the digital tally counter as shown in Figure 3. The purpose of said digital tally counter is to provide user with 2 (two) systems to do count. The count can be done either with Push button (a2) or with IRP sensor (a17 & a18). Mode (a3) functions as to change from 'Normal Count' (b5) to 'Group Count' (b5x) with the assist of Push button only (IRP sensor is not applicable) to activate. The count operation can be seen on the Display (c5) and accompanied with Beep/Alarm (c5x) if required by the user. The On/Off/Reset (a4) will turn on and off, and reset the count and selection of the digital tally counter.

The previous elucidation of this invention has been represented for the purpose of illustration and explanation. Certainly, in this case it should be understood that the items described are not limited only to those mentioned above. Consequently, all the varieties and modifications which can be made by the experts to the digital tally counter finger ring with IRP sensor and Torch light and Laser light or the digital tally counter as described are understood as the scope of this invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

What is claimed:

1. Digital tally counter finger ring is used as a counter instrument of which to be connected to a hand finger, having Finger ring belt (1) and Casing of digital tally counter (6), characterized in which the Finger ring belt (1) can use various kinds of binders/links device that can be adjusted to finger of the user;

2. Digital tally counter finger ring as claimed in claim 1 is characterized for which Count/Set button (2) in the form of Push button (touch switch may be used for this application) is used as a switch to do 'Normal Count' which is counting numbers individually from 00,000 to

99,999 (5 digits) with 1 (one) number for each increment, and to do 'Group Count' which is counting pre-selected whole number (chosen by the user in the

'Normal Count') individually from 000 to 999 (3 digits) with 1(one) number for each increment as well as in grouping from 00 to 99 with 1(one) number for each increment per group. Also, the Count/Set button (2) functions as to change the mode from 'Normal Count' indicated with "," sign to 'Group Count' indicated with

"/" sign;

3. Digital tally counter finger ring as claimed in claim 1-2 is characterized for which the Mode button (3) is used as a selector to set from 'Normal Count' to 'Group Count¹;

4. Digital tally counter finger ring as claimed in claim 1-3 is characterized for which the On/Off/Reset button (4) is used for turning on and off the instrument and resetting the count and selection;

5. Digital tally counter finger ring as claimed in claim 1-4 is characterized for which the LED or LCD screen (5) is used as a display which is visible in the day and night time (dark). For LED application, the display has a red color number and a green color number to differentiate between counting numbers individually to counting numbers in grouping respectively in 'Group Count'. For LCD application (to conserve the battery's usage), the display has a black color number with backlight;

6. Digital tally counter finger ring as claimed in claim 1-5 is characterized for which the Casing of digital tally counter (6) is equipped with Count/Set button (2), Mode button (3), On/Off/Reset (4), LED or LCD screen (5), IR Transmitter (17), IR Receiver (18), and On/Off button (19) for IRP sensor;

7. Digital tally counter finger ring as claimed in claim 1-6 is characterized for which the Casing of digital tally counter (6) can stand alone or join (depending on the user's need) with the Unit of torch and laser light (9) consisting of Torch light (10) with On/Off button (12) and Laser light (11) with On/Off button (13) and a Hi/Lo button (16) for laser light intensity adjustment, and the positioning of said torch light to said laser light are located next to each other (may be located opposite to each other);

8. Digital tally counter finger ring as claimed in claim 1-7 is characterized for which the Torch light (10) is used as a lighting device to do counting in the night time (dark) and the Laser light (11) is used as a pointing device to do counting on stationary or moving articles/objects (targets) in the day and night time (dark);

9. Digital tally counter finger ring as claimed in claim 1-8 is characterized for which the Casing of digital tally counter (6) has 1 (one) Long hole for slot binder on the upper wall of casing (7) and 2 (two) Small holes for binder on the upper wall of casing (8), whereas the Unit of torch and laser light (9) has 1 (one) Slot long bump on the lower wall of torch and laser light (14) and 2 (two) Small bumps on the lower wall of torch and laser light (15), and these two units can be joined as well as separated by means of sliding and click mechanisms or alike;

10. Digital tally counter finger ring as claimed in claim 1-9 is characterized for which the IRP sensor or close range detection sensor comprises IR Transmitter (17) and IR Receiver (18) is used as a replacement switch to the Count/Set button (2) to do count the number of prostrations during Muslim daily prayers and other similar activities as such the instrument is placed on the floor closed to the user's head at the time of use; 11. Digital tally counter finger ring as claimed in claim 1-10 is characterized for which the Casing of digital tally counter (6) consisting of 2 (two) systems i.e. Push button and IRP sensor, has interrelated use with the Unit of torch and laser light (9) consisting of another 2 (two) systems i.e. torch and laser light, to form a 4 in 1 digital tally counter.