Prayer/study aid

Abstract

A prayer aid or study tool comprises first and second card members. The first card is wider, and includes spaced parallel slits of slightly larger width than the second card. The spacing of the slits is in an amount corresponding to regions on the second card. The second card is passed through the slits so as to be viewable in the window thereby defined. Topics or information provide on the second card are then viewable in discrete portions of the size of the window defined by the slots, while other portions of the second card can be blocked from view by the first card, to assist in focusing on topics. The first card may be provided with printing thereon to assist in the prayer or study, such as religious text, hymns, poetry, drawings/photos, or the like. The prayer aid is also suitably implemented on a computer or PDA.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a non-provisional of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/570,253, filed May 12, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to thought integration, and more particularly to a device to assist in prayer, meditation, studying or creation of song ideas, interpolation of ideas, and the like.

Some persons focus on specific ideas/topics one at a time. Other persons desire to integrate multiple ideas by infusing a subject with other novel or established ideas construed de novo or taken from existing religious literature, hymns, poetry or pictures. Previously, these persons integrating multiple ideas might, to assist them in focusing their prayers, highlight and underline portions of pages or passages of other religious texts, and then flag or otherwise mark the relevant pages, and flip to the flagged pages and religious text, in some sequence when praying, to help focus and direct their prayers. However, as might be imagined, this can be time consuming and cumbersome and the mechanics and timing of flipping around and finding the words of interest can distract from the prayer itself, especially when on the move as during a prayer walk.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the invention, first and second cards interact to provide a viewing window to the second card so that just a portion of the card may be viewed at any one time. The first card is printed with information useful to the study or prayer, such as religious text.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved device to assist in prayer and/or meditation.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved device providing prayer assistance to a person, to focus their prayer.

It is a further object of the present invention to expand prayer or thoughts by adding a second dimension of subject matter.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide an improved simple, yet useful device to assist with the study of items.

The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the concluding portion of this specification. However, both the organization and method of operation, together with further advantages and objects thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description taken in connection with accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to like elements.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of a first card in accordance with the prayer aid;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a second card in accordance with the prayer aid;

FIG. 3 is a view of the first and second card when interfaced in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 4 is a representative view of an implementation of the invention on a hand held computer device such as a personal digital assistant (PDA).

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The system according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a set of cards that interact to present information for prayer or study, or thought integration.

Referring to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, a representation of a first and second card in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, the device comprises two cards, 10 and 12, which are adapted to interact together to provide an improved prayer or study tool. Both cards 10 and 12 rounded edges at their respective 4 corners 10a, 10b, 10c, 10d, 12a, 12b, 12c and 12d for the ease of interfacing between the cards, for sliding into pockets and for the hand held comfort of the user. The cards are both substantially rectangular in shape, card 10 being wider than card 12, and card 10 includes first and second horizontal slots members 14, 16 defined centrally of the card, the two slots being in spaced relation to each other. The left to right (as considered in the drawing figure) width of the slots is slightly larger than the width of card 12.

Card 10 includes plural regions 18 defining horizontal bands along the extent of the card and which suitably include text in the regions and which may be of certain colors, for example, a different color for each band. Top and bottom margin bands 18A and 18B may be of slightly different height than the other regions 18.

Card 12 includes plural horizontal band regions 20, which may include top and bottom margins 20A and 20B, of slightly less height than the other bands in the illustrated embodiment. Each region 20 may include text, for example, and suitable comprise alternating white and gray backgrounds in the preferred embodiment. Alternatively, the regions may be absent of any text, and include the alternating background colors (white/gray) only from band to band.

In use, with reference to FIG. 3, card 12 is suitably inserted through the slot members 16, 14, from behind the face of card 10, so as to emerge from behind the card 10 via slot member 16, and to disappear behind card 10 again via slot member 14, whereupon as card 12 is slid upwardly and downwardly, the various regions 20 of card 12 may be suitably visible in the region 22 defined between the slot members 16 and 14, which operates as a viewing window, but otherwise other portions of card 20 may be hidden by the card 10.

The two cards interact by sliding card 12 upwardly and downwardly through the opening defined in card 10 by the slot members 14, 16, so that a portion of card 12 can be read through the center window defined in the in the middle of card 10 by the two slot members.

The text (or graphics, photos, drawings or mix thereof) material on the two cards is such that the cards are suitably useable for prayer or study.

For example, the text in the various regions of card 10 may comprise certain religious, poetic words or even small pictures or drawings (all of which may be related to a particular theme). The card 12 includes on its various regions topical subject matter for which the user may be desiring to pray. These may be pre-printed topics, such as health related issues, e.g. “Sam's back pain”, or, may be added by the user by writing or printing on the card (which is suitably accomplished with a blank card 12). Card 12 may suitably be partially populated with topics, with other regions 20 being blank for customization by the user.

In a particular embodiment, the color scheme of the card 10 is considered to be important, and proceeds as follows, from top to bottom. Margin portion 18A, is black and the included text (if any) in white. The subsequent regions 18, continuing downwardly, through slot member 16, may be divided into 7 color regions (although the drawing illustrates 2 regions 18 in this portion of the card, the preferred embodiment employs 7 regions of separate colors) yellow, light orange, light green, rose, tan, aqua and lime. The text (if any) in any of these regions is suitably black.

The region between slot 16 and 14 comprises a region upon which written text can also be placed.

Continuing from slot 14 to the bottom margin 18B, the colors are suitably repeated as 7 color regions, yellow, light orange, light green, rose, tan, aqua and lime, and the text (if any) in any of these regions is, again, suitably black.

Card 12 may be supplied in a form with a printing template so as to enable a user to produce a custom set of printing in the regions 20. For example, in the case of use for prayer, a first band 20 might include the name of a person or persons for whom the user would be wishing to pray, with 1 to 3 points on which the prayer might focus (e.g., praying for the raising of children, work issues, marriage growth, healing of injuries or sickness, obstacles which the person needs to overcome, etc). Card 10 can include religious words which touch on specific issues for which the user is praying, or a number of verses of different topics, to provide a more generic prayer card. If there were a specific list of things which the user was wishing to pray about, those items would be listed on card 12, and the user could individually move card 12 up and down so as to show an individual line or lines in the window portion of card 10, to remind the user of what the topic was, or to assist in focusing on the particular topic.

Card 10 employs the regions of different color to help distinguish different verses.

The device can also be applied to studying other than religious text or verse.

Card 10 is suitably a paper card, laminated, with verses and the color band configuration provided on both sides thereof. Card 12 may be laminated, or may be paper, depending on the use and durability desired, also having both sides used, if desired.

In a particular embodiment, the dimensions of card 10 are: Height (from bottom to top margin of regions 18A and 18B) 6 and 1/8 inches. Width, 4 and ¼ inches. Width of slot member 14, 16 (from left to right edges thereof), 3 and ¾ inches, leaving a ¼ inch from the edges of the slots to the edge of the card. The distance 22 between the slot members 14 and 16 is ¾ of an inch.

Card 12 has dimensions as follows: Height, suitably 6 and 1/8 inches. Width, 3 and 3/8 inches. The height of each region 20, is suitably ¾ inches, which corresponds to the distance 22 between the slot member 14, 16 of card 10. As the distance between the slot members is changed for any particular card 10 configuration, a corresponding change in the height of region 20 of the corresponding card 12 would also be made, to achieve the desired effect of a single region 20 being displayed when the cards are assembled.

These dimensions are not requirements, and, for example, cards 10 and 12 can be different heights if desired for the particular use.

In the particular card configuration show, the lowermost region 20 of card 12 may be slightly shorter than other regions, ½ inch in the particular embodiment.

The cards 10 and 12 suitably have rounded corners, and in the case of the cards being laminated, the lamination portion may also be suitably rounded.

An alternative card 12 includes horizontal markers, such as lines, to define the borders between the various regions 20.

The cards are suitably made of 32# paper or 110# cardstock, or may be made of any suitable plastic or other durable, thin, flexible medium capable of carrying printing or inscriptions thereon.

A software version of the invention, which may be provided on a PDA or hand held computer, for example, employs a graphic interface to emulate the paper version, with a color coded list of verses, for example, and the list of items being prayed on appearing in the central window, capable of being scrolled upwardly and downwardly, employing two sets of data, for example, novel in construction or from religious literature.

FIG. 4 is a representation of an implementation on a PDA or hand held computer, wherein the computer screen has lines 14′ and 16′ (representative of the slots in the card version of the invention). Between lines 14′ and 16′, is band region 20′ for displaying representative information as would be visible when in use on card 12 in the card version. Regions 18′ above and below region 20′ display information corresponding to that which would be on card 10 in the card version.

When the key word for the prayer item is entered, then the prayer or other item is displayed in region 20′ surrounded above and below in regions 18′ equidistantly with religious or other text that matches the keywords entered. The prayer item is found in central window 20′, surrounded above and below by other religious text. This text can be scrolled up or down, for example, by use of scroll arrows 24, and the prayer items can also be scrolled up or down, by use of scroll arrows 26, for example. Not illustrated corresponding scroll arrows may also be provided in the upper region 18′. If new prayer or other items have different key word coding, then a different set of verses or other text with corresponding key word coding will appear which can again be scrolled into place as the user desires.

Another feature of the software is a suggested prayer category which is coded to the key word and optionally to given scriptural text. Therefore the user can click on the font for suggested prayers by key word or click on the religious text for suggested prayers by religious text designation.

Another feature is praying by books of the religious text instead of key worded religious text. A font for each book of religious text is included with a scroll bar.

Another feature is praying by categories, with a similar of the same key word index as above. The viewer is able in this way to select a font for a particular theme, for example, and religious texts that have been coded to that theme will appear. These verses will surround the central prayer item window and allow for user scrolling.

Another feature is prayers by religious people, for example, “Prayers King David Prayed”. Other categories include prayers by women, men, children, etc. Information from various prayer organizations, churches, and quotes about prayer may be included.

Accordingly, the prayer or study aid may be particularly useful for ambulatory activities such as prayer walks or nature hikes so that multiple topical ideas can be juxtaposed in the most rapid fashion, so that the one praying/studying need not but glance at the aid to capture the topic thereupon. Once the idea is captured, the hiker can resume eye contact with the environs so as to absorb that and incorporate it into his prayer/study time and/or keep from stumbling across some rocks in the path.

The prayer or study aid comprises two mixing cards for integrating topics. It can be constructed in a small pocket size form, and the rounded edges enable easy access for sliding in or out of pockets.

The color scheme helps to retain a sense of whereabouts on the card from glance to glance because of the radical change from one color to another (as opposed to using multiple shades of a single color). Type setting may be bolded for key thoughts or concepts.

While plural embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that many changes and modifications may be made without departing from the invention in its broader aspects. The appended claims are therefore intended to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A thought integration aid, comprising:

a first member having a viewing window defined therein;

a second member adapted for scrolling through the viewing window of the first member, wherein the second member includes portions formatted to fit within the viewing window of the first member, for study thereof.

2. The thought integration aid according to claim 1, wherein said first member comprises a card member, wherein said viewing widow is defined by a first and a second slot member defined through said first member, said first and second members being in spaced relation to one another to provide a slit therein, and wherein said second member is a card sized and adapted to be received through said first and second slot members.

3. The thought integration aid according to claim 2, wherein said second member passes from a rear face of said first member, through said first slot member, above a front face of said first member, and through said second slot member.

4. The thought integration aid according to claim 3, wherein said second member is slidably engaged through said slot members so as to enable sliding of said first and second member relative to one another.

5. The thought integration aid according to claim 2, wherein said second member has one or more indicia thereon, formed of a size to be substantially coextensive in size to that of the viewing window.

6. The thought integration aid according to claim 5, wherein said indicia comprises text.

7. The thought integration aid according to claim 5, wherein said indicia comprises one or more images.

8. The thought integration aid according to claim 1, wherein said thought integration aid is a prayer aid.

9. A thought integration aid, comprising:

a first card member having plural regions carrying printed material thereon;

said first card having front and rear faces, and first and second slits being defined between the front and rear faces to provide an opening therebetween, said first and second slits being substantially parallel to one another and in spaced relation to one another to define a viewing window and having at least a length thereto;

a second card member having a width of less than the length of said slits, adapted to be passed therethrough so as to enable viewing thereof via the viewing window, said second card member having one or more regions sized to conform to the size of the viewing window, for enabling viewing of said one or more regions in substantially discrete units.

10. The thought integration aid according to claim 9, wherein said first card has plural indicia thereon, and wherein said second card has second plural indicia thereon.

11. The though integration aid according to claim 10, wherein said first plural indicia and said second plural indicia are selected from the group consisting of:

text, graphical information, photograph information, picture information, or drawings.

12. The thought integration aid according to claim 9, wherein ones of said plural regions are provided with different colors.

13. The thought integration aid according to claim 12, wherein said colors are selected from the group consisting of:

yellow, light orange, light green, rose, tan, aqua, lime, black and white.

14. The thought integration aid according to claim 9, wherein said thought integration aid is a prayer aid.

15. A method of providing a study aid device, comprising:

providing a first card member having plural regions carrying printed material thereon related to the topic being studied;

said first card having front and rear faces, and first and second slits being provided between the front and rear faces to provide an opening therebetween, said first and second slits being substantially parallel to one another and in spaced relation to one another to define a viewing window and having at least a length thereto;

providing a second card member having a width of less than the length of said slits, adapted to be passed therethrough so as to enable viewing thereof via the viewing window, said second card member having one or more regions sized to conform to the size of the viewing window, for enabling viewing of said one or more regions in substantially discrete units, said one or more regions carrying other printed material thereon related to the topic being studied;

inserting said second card member from behind a front face of said first card member, through one of said slits and then back through the other of said slits; and

sliding said first and second cards relative to one another through said slits to cause different portions of said second card member to be visible from the front face of said first card member.

16. The method according to claim 15, further comprising providing spiritual text on one of the first and second card members and topics to be prayed about on the other of said card members, to provide a prayer tool.

17. The method according to claim 16, wherein said spiritual verses comprise religious text.

18. The method according to claim 16, wherein said first card is provided with color regions comprising the following colors:

yellow, light orange, light green, rose, tan, aqua, lime, black and white.

19. The method according to claim 16, wherein at least on of said first card and said second card is provided indicia selected from the group consisting of:

text, graphical information, photograph information, picture information, or drawings.

20. The thought integration aid according to claim 1, wherein said first and second members are implemented as portions of a display on a computer.