Messaging system and method
First Claim
1. A method for sending and receiving messages comprising:
- receiving a message at a message center, wherein the message is created by a first person, said message having a designed time when it may be disclosed;
storing the message at the message center;
notifying a second person, who is at least one of a possible plurality of persons that the message is intended for, of the existence of the message;
receiving a request at the message center from the second person to have the message disclosed;
determining whether the second person has permission to access the message; and
providing the message to the second person after the designated time upon determining that the second person has permission to access the message.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A system provides messages from deceased relatives and friends, which messages are readily accessible. Before death a person records various messages for loved ones. The system stores these messages at a location and associates PIN numbers with each individual for whom there is a message. Either the intended recipient is given information about the message or leaving of a message by a symbol located in a conspicuous place, e.g., on the headstone of the deceased. The person then calls a 900 number or logs onto a specific website. In response to the correct answers to certain questions, the intended recipient is given their PIN. Using the PIN, the person can contact the system and received the recorded message at any time, e.g., by cell phone at the grave site. Alternatively, the grave site itself can be wired to provide the message, e.g., from a tape recorder over headphones or at special kiosks at the cemetery.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A method for sending and receiving messages comprising:
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receiving a message at a message center, wherein the message is created by a first person, said message having a designed time when it may be disclosed;
storing the message at the message center;
notifying a second person, who is at least one of a possible plurality of persons that the message is intended for, of the existence of the message;
receiving a request at the message center from the second person to have the message disclosed;
determining whether the second person has permission to access the message; and
providing the message to the second person after the designated time upon determining that the second person has permission to access the message. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for sending and receiving messages comprising:
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receiving a message at a message center from a first person contacting the message center;
recording the message at the message center;
storing the recorded message at the message center;
notifying a second person, who is at least one of a possible plurality of persons that the message is intended for, of the existence of the message after a specified event designated by the first person;
receiving at the message center a contact from the second person;
determining at the message center whether the second person has permission to access the message based on a response to at least one identifying question and verifying that the specified event has occurred; and
allowing the second person to access the message. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A system for providing messages at designated times, comprising:
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communications devices for sending and receiving messages;
a database for storing information about a message including the person sending the message, the intended recipient and a specific event before which the message is not to be disclosed;
a storage device for storing a received message created by a first person; and
a processor for determining whether a second person has permission to access the message, for notifying the second person of the existence of the message and for providing access to the message by the second person after their identity has been verified and after the specific event has occurred. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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21. A message center for providing access to messages at a gravesite comprising:
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a database of recorded messages and information concerning those to receive the messages and when they are to receive them, said information including biometric information about a second person who is to receive the message;
a communications network for receiving at the message center a message created by a first person, the communications network further receiving at the message center biometric information of the second person that has been scanned the gravesite of the first person;
a processor at the message center which compares the received biometric information with the stored biometric information of a person who has permission to access the message, and transmits the message to an output device located at the gravesite once it has been determined that the second person has permission to access the message. - View Dependent Claims (22)
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Specification