International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security (IJCSIS),

Vol. 15, No. 4, April 2017

A Proposed Design of a Smart Bracelet for Facilitating the Rituals of

Hajj and Umra

Gamal H. El-Adl1
1
Information Systems Department, Faculty of Computer and Information Sciences, Mansoura
University, Mansoura, 35516, Egypt

gamalhelmy@mans.edu.eg

Abstract

In this paper, a proposed design of a smart bracelet for facilitating the rituals of Hajj
and Umra in order to mitigate the problem of congestion/overcrowding between pilgrims.
Every year, there are nine million of Hajj and Umra performers/visitors. The proposed smart
bracelet is based on multiple technologies such as (GPS, GIS, LED, Smart Card, wireless
sensors, its tags). It is used to determine the correct direction of the rotation of the Holy
Kabba (TAWAF) without repetition or decrease/lack. Furthermore, it can be used to provide
the support and the guidance in the correct seeking (SAEE) between Safa and Marwa for 7
times. There are many advantages that are associated with applying this smart bracelet; this
technology is not limited as an alternative to religious guide, it can be used as a quick
assistant and as a religious facilitator. Furthermore, it can be used as an answer to queries
within crowd of pilgrims and allows them to focus on the worship and pray.

Keywords: Smart Bracelet, Hajj/Umra, Holy Kabba, GPS, GIS, Sensor, Religious facilitator

1. Introduction:
Nowadays, there is no doubt that there is a competition between companies in the
provision of different innovative solutions that are always characterized by speed and
accuracy. These innovation solutions or products are used to solve real-world
problems. It should be based on scientific research methods as well as the
performance of the service and provide them also effectively and well .Technology has
been developed for the purposes of facilitating the delivery of services.

A smart wearable device has become today's fashion. Electronic wearable devices
can be worn on the body. It has the ability to connect to the Internet, enabling data to
be exchanged between network's devices [1]. Examples of wearable devices include
smart watches, glasses, e-textiles and smart fabrics, headbands, jewelry such as smart
bracelets. Smart bracelet includes smart watches and smart wristbands, but in bracelet
form rather than watch. It has a screen, various sensors and has the ability to connect
to the phone. Companies have started to evolve more types of smart wearable devices
that include powerful sensor technologies that can collect and deliver information
about their surroundings. In general, wearable computing can change the way of
human life as it is experienced today. Wearable small sensors and gadgets are
increasingly used in healthcare, sports, and fitness [2]. Therefore, there is a need to
design smart bracelet in order to facilitate the huge visitors of Holy Kaaba. According
to the statically reports of Saudi Ministry of Hajj and Umra (MHU), on the beginning
of Umra season, a number of Umra pilgrims will be increased over the past year by
100% proper ratio. Furthermore, in order to mitigate the problem of

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 International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security (IJCSIS),
Vol. 15, No. 4, April 2017

congestion/overcrowding between pilgrims. To this purposes, a proposed smart

bracelet is designing as an attempt to utilize the usage of Information and
Communication Technology (ICT) on generally and in particular a smart bracelet.

This paper is organized into the following: Section 2 introduced a related work. A
prototyping of the proposed design of smart bracelet is presented in section 3.
Additional features of the proposed smart bracelet are investigated in section 3.1.A
summary of the benefits of applying the proposed smart bracelet is discussed in
section 4. The conclusion is drawn in section 5.

2. Related Work
Leonardo et al.(2013) presented a desirable smart bracelet for older adults. It aimed to
enhance the life of elderly people by monitoring their health status, reminding
medications and supporting their everyday activities [3]. Its smart bracelet was based
on digital payment for shopping and transportation, gave health monitoring alert,
health data storage for facilitating health care diagnosis. Furthermore, it supported the
multimodal interaction and contained a reminder with message notification. Pebble
[4] and Sony Ericsson Live View [5] are the two common examples of Smartwatches
that offer message and application notification from the smartphone in a small screen
with easier, small touch zones, and small physical buttons.

In the last year, MHU presented E-Bracelet for pilgrims/ mu'tamir

identification. E-bracelet ID can be used as a part of safety measure which stores that
personal information of each pilgrim/mu'tamir such as (Visa No., Passport No., Place
of entry, etc.) The information can be accessed using a smartphone by employees of
the ministry, and security and services bodies [6].

Furthermore, MHU presented e-services for Hajj and Umra services such as
'Hajj QR Mobile App' for reading the Hajj e-bracelet. It can be used to help
representatives of Authorized Agencies of Annual Haj pilgrimage identify the
international and the local pilgrims present inside Saudi Arabia performing Haj
rituals. By simply using our Android App, an Authorized Agency Representative User
can scan the e-Bracelet worn by a Pilgrim to get his ‘Personal Info', 'Haj Service
Provider Info’, and ‘Logistical Info’. Figure 1 shows the Hajj Bracelet Reader [7].

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 International Journal of Computer Science and Information Security (IJCSIS),
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Fig. (1) Hajj QR Mobile Application [7]

3. A Prototype of the Proposed Smart Bracelet

In this section, the paper attempts to explain how the smart bracelet meets the
requirements of pilgrims/mu'tamir needs with the newly developed concept of
wearable assistant devices such as (smart bracelet). It is important to specifying the
major functions of the proposed bracelet. Its major functionalities are depicted in
figure (2) and it illustrates the religious rituals of TAWAF and SAEE. Furthermore, a
demo version of the basic functions of the proposed smart bracelet is depicted in
figure (3). Therefore, the next points summarize these basically functions of the
proposed bracelet as follow:

1- Identifying the correct starting place for the pillars of Tawaf (inn/ Exit)
2- Recording the latitude and longitude of the Holy places (Black Stone,
Master Abraham, Al-Safa hill, and Al-Marwa hill, Scrambling area)
3- Directing the Correct route in your left direction of the Holly Kaaba
4- Correct Counting for the complete route (Tawaf) from 1:7
5- Giving an alert after finishing the current ritual

1
Fig. (2) Illustration Diagram of the Tawaf and SAEE Rituals

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Fig. (3) a Demo Version of the basic functions of the proposed Smart Bracelet

It is easy to program the previous functions inside the proposed smart bracelet by
using the advantages of the current modern technologies. These technologies are not
only Geographical Information System (GIS) which link the spatial location with its
database but also the Global Positioning System (GPS) that will be used as a satellite-
based navigation system. We can't ignore the role of wireless sensors and its tag
which use as an electronic module/component in order to detect event or changes in
its surrounding environment. The smart card can be imbedded inside the proposed
bracelet components because of its major function in the identification of personal and
its strong security authentication. Furthermore, it can be used to store personal
information and support application processing. Light-Emitting Diode (LED) is a
semiconductor light source which lights when activated. It can be used as an
integrated optical component in order to alert environmental and task lighting.

3.1 Additional Features Consideration

In the near future, this proposed bracelet will be the base for developing and
adding any further feature. It can be used as a permanent requirement for performing
the rituals of Hajj and Umra. It can embed all modern technologies such as Bluetooth,
ZigBee, WI-FI. It is not limited to a particular technology. The proposed smart
bracelet will be an integrated solution for the pilgrim/mu'tamir in order to arrive to
his/her homeland safely after completing the rituals of Hajj and Umra.

4. Benefits Gaining from Applying the Proposed Smart Bracelet

According to Saudi press Agency (SPA) 2015, the death ratio was 226 and the
loss ratio was 462 for the 2015 Hajj. Therefore, after applying this smart bracelet we
will gain multiple advantages such as facilitating the easy access to the religious
places. Moreover, it can be used as an assistant guidance and allows easy access to the
holy places. Also, it can be used as an integrated info about the pilgrim/mu'tamir.
Table 1 shows the differences between the current technologies and our proposed
smart bracelet.

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Table 1. The differences between the current technologies and the proposed smart bracelet

Items Current Technologies The Proposed Smart Bracelet

GPS, GIS Not supported Fully Supported
Smart Card Not Supported Fully Supported
Direction Manual Direction Automatic Direction
Personal Identification Supported Fully Supported
Lossless& Crowding problem Founded Reduce
Guidance and Inquiring Human Based Automatic Based
Infrastructure Limited mobile-based Smart wearable devices/smart bracelet
application

5. Conclusion
There are advantages from applying the smart bracelet. It can be used as an alternative
and facilitator of the religious guidance for Hajj and Umra. I recommend all
companies implement and deploy this technology as soon as possible in order to
reduce the deaths and lossless ratio. It can help huge numbers of pilgrims to answer
his/her queries, allows them to focus only on the worship and pray and return to their
homelands safely.

References

[1] Wearable Technology Definition Investopedia

http://www.investopedia.com/terms/w/wearabletechnology.asp#ixzz4eDl8VMWI last
accessed January 2017.
[2] Tehrani, Kiana, and Andrew Michael. “Wearable Technology and Wearable Devices:
Everything You Need to Know.” Wearable Devices Magazine, WearableDevices.com,
March 2014. Online available at http://www.wearabledevices.com/what-is-a-wearable-
device/
[3] Leonardo Angelini, et al, "Designing a Desirable Smart Bracelet for Older Adults",
UbiComp'13, Zurich, Switzerland, September 8-12, 2013.
[4] Pebble, E-Paper Watch for iPhone and Android. Online available at
http://getpebble.com/ Last accessed January 2017.
[5] Sony LiveView, a wearable wireless micro display. Online available at
https://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/products/smart-products/smartband2-wrist-strap/
Last accessed January 2017.
[6] "E-bracelets a 'must' for pilgrims this Hajj", Arab News, Published at Thursday, 30-
June-2016 on line available http://www.arabnews.com/node/947221/saudi-arabia Last
accessed February 2017.
[7] Hajj Services & Umrah Services, "Hajj Bracelet Reader", Online available at
www.haj.gov.sa/english/eservices/pages/apps.aspx Last accessed February 2017
[8] Definition of Modern Technology (LED, GPS), Wikipedia , online available at
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Light-emitting_diode last accessed February 2017

Gamal H. Eladl Completed his Ph.D. from Mansoura University,

Egypt. He is having over 13 years' of experience in researching and teaching
undergraduate and post-graduate students of Computer and information sciences. He
published more than 18 International journal and conference papers. He has visited
several countries such as KSA, Greece and Qatar for academic and research purposes.
His research interests include Medical Information System, Security and Privacy
Issues, E-society services and new innovation methods in Computer technologies.

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