Video enhanced gravemarker

• US 20040085337A1
• Filed: 10/31/2002
• Published: 05/06/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RM Barrows Incorporated
• Original Assignee: RM Barrows Incorporated
• Inventors: Barrows, Robert M.
• Granted Patent: US 7,089,495 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 345/717
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 13/003 Funeral monuments, grave sites curbing or markers not making part of vaults E04H13/008 takes precedence

Abstract

A tombstone for communicating audio and visual data related to the deceased from the tombstone to a user, the tombstone comprising an indicia bearing and viewing portion, a visual display, an audio transmitter for communicating sound waves to a user, data related to the deceased, the data comprising audio and visual images of the deceased, the data stored within storage media, and means for reproducing the audio and visual images of the deceased from the data related to the deceased utilizing one or more players, readers or drivers for the one or more of the storage media. The visual display of the tombstone is one or more selected from the group consisting of a television monitor, other CRT or any flat panel, LCD, LED, plasma, crystal or thin film visualization display or monitor or other viewing means. The storage media of the tombstone is selected from the group consisting of video, film, DVD, CD, hard drive, floppy disk, flash memory chip or card or other digital storage means, traditional phonographic means including vinyl record, 8-track and standard cassette tape, or other magnetic tape, etc., computer server, internet based websites and webpages. The one or more players, readers or drivers for the one or more of the storage media is selected from the group consisting of video player, film projector, DVD player, CD player, hard drive interface, floppy drive, memory chip or card reader record player, 8-track player and standard cassette tape player, or other magnetic tape player, etc., client computer, and network computer. The audio transmitter comprises a speaker. The tombstone further comprises a wireless user headset for listening to the audio data transmitted by the tombstone. The tombstone is weather-proof and is secure from vandalism. The tombstone comprises a sliding door which covers the visual display, for protection thereof from the weather and natural elements, damage by animals, vandalism, etc. The tombstone further includes one or more of the devices in the group consisting of telecommunication devices including telephonic equipment, digital data processing equipment, faxes, modems, cable and internet access, including DSL or cable or ISDN, T1 data lines, television, satellite and radio and microwave and RF communications systems, other types of receivers and transmitters. The tombstone further includes one or more of the devices in the group consisting of power sources, UPS systems, back-up power systems, power distribution and transformation and other power conditioning systems for operating and control, recording, broadcast and viewing, data acquisition, storage, processing, receipt and transmission, etc., and other processes. The tombstone further includes one or more of the devices in the group consisting of computer processors, math and RISC processors and co-processors, PC and MAC operating systems, other computer and electronic architecture and systems, associated software, firmware and hardware.

Claims

1. A tombstone for communicating audio and visual data related to the deceased from the tombstone to a user, the tombstone comprising:

an indicia bearing and viewing portion;

a visual display;

an audio transmitter for communicating sound waves to a user;

data related to the deceased, the data comprising audio and visual images of the deceased, the data stored within storage media; and

means for reproducing the audio and visual images of the deceased from the data related to the deceased utilizing one or more players, readers or drivers for the one or more of the storage media.

2. The tombstone of claim 1 in which the visual display is one or more selected from the group consisting of a television monitor, other CRT or any flat panel, LCD, LED, plasma, crystal or thin film visualization display or monitor or other viewing means.

3. The tombstone of claim 1 in which the storage media is selected from the group consisting of video, film, DVD, CD, hard drive, floppy disk, flash memory chip or card or other digital storage means, traditional phonographic means including vinyl record, 8-track and standard cassette tape, or other magnetic tape, etc., computer server, internet based websites and webpages.

4. The tombstone of claim 1 in which the one or more players, readers or drivers for the one or more of the storage media is selected from the group consisting of video player, film projector, DVD player, CD player, hard drive interface, floppy drive, memory chip or card reader record player, 8-track player and standard cassette tape player, or other magnetic tape player, etc., client computer, and network computer.

5. The tombstone of claim 1 in which the audio transmitter comprises a speaker.

6. The tombstone of claim 1 further comprising a wireless user headset for listening to the audio data transmitted by the tombstone.

7. The tombstone of claim 1 in which the tombstone is weather-proof.

8. The tombstone of claim 1 in which the tombstone is secure from vandalism.

9. The tombstone of claim 1 further comprising a sliding door which covers the visual display, for protection thereof from the weather and natural elements, damage by animals, vandalism, etc.

10. The tombstone of claim 1 further including one or more of the devices in the group consisting of telecommunication devices including telephonic equipment, digital data processing equipment, faxes, modems, cable and internet access, including DSL or cable or ISDN, T1 data lines, television, satellite and radio and microwave and RF communications systems, other types of receivers and transmitters.

11. The tombstone of claim 1 further including one or more of the devices in the group consisting of power sources, UPS systems, back-up power systems, power distribution and transformation and other power conditioning systems for operating and control, recording, broadcast and viewing, data acquisition, storage, processing, receipt and transmission, etc., and other processes.

12. The tombstone of claim 1 further including one or more of the devices in the group consisting of computer processors, math and RISC processors and co-processors, PC and MAC operating systems, other computer and electronic architecture and systems, associated software, firmware and hardware.