Self-contained electronic memorial

• US 6,414,663 B1
• Filed: 02/02/1999
• Issued: 07/02/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 02/02/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Delbert N. Manross Jr
• Original Assignee: Delbert N. Manross Jr
• Inventors: Manross, Delbert N. Jr.
• Primary Examiner(s): Chow, Dennis-Doon
• Assistant Examiner(s): ENGLISH, ALECIA DIANE
• Application Number:
  US09/243,052
• Time in Patent Office: 1,246 Days
• Field of Search: 345/1, 345/2, 345/3, 521/03, 521/04, 521/34, 521/36, 521/28, 362/86
• US Class Current: 345/87
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 17/08 Urns columbaria E04H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/46 for temperature
• CPC Class Codes: A61G 2203/726 for automatic deactivation, e.g. deactivation of actuators or motors
• CPC Class Codes: E04H 13/003 Funeral monuments, grave sites curbing or markers not making part of vaults E04H13/008 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 2330/022 in absence of operation, e.g. no data being entered during a predetermined time
• CPC Class Codes: G09G 3/3611 Control of matrices with row and column drivers

Abstract

An electronic memorial comprising a programmable memory for storing data regarding a selected individual; a control unit for receiving and processing the data from the programmable memory; an electronic display configured to receive and visually display the processed data; a power source for providing power to the programmable memory, the control unit, and the display; and, a memorial unit corresponding to the selected person and configured to hold the programmable memory, the control unit, the electronic display, and the power source.

Claims

1. An electronic memorial comprising:

a single environmentally sealed unit designed to be impervious to moisture and environmental exposure, including,

a programmable memory for storing data regarding a selected individual,

a control unit for receiving and processing the data from the programmable memory,

an electronic display configured to receive and visually display the processed data,

a power source for providing power to the programmable memory, the control unit, and the display; and

a memorial corresponding to the selected person and configured to hold the single environmentally sealed unit, such that the single environmentally sealed unit is mounted into a recess of the memorial such that the electronic display is viewable at the memorial.

2. The electronic memorial according to claim 1 wherein the programmable memory is a electronic programmable ROM (EPROM).

3. The electronic memorial according to claim 1 wherein the electronic display is an LCD.

4. The electronic memorial according to claim 1 wherein the power source is one of batteries and solar cells.

5. The electronic memorial according to claim 1 wherein the memorial unit is at least one of a headstone, cremation urn, and mausoleum plaque.

6. The electronic memorial according to claim 1, further including a casing with a hinged door covering the electronic display when in a closed position.

7. The electronic memorial according to claim 6 further including a switch associated with the hinged door, wherein when the hinged door is opened, the electronic display is activated.

8. The electronic memorial according to claim 1 wherein the programmable memory is capable of storing 256 pages of information.

9. The electronic memorial according to claim 8 wherein the pages of information stored may be changed.

10. The electronic memorial according to claim 1 further including a temperature sensor and controller, wherein when a temperature is sensed outside of a preset value the display is turned off.

11. The electronic memorial according to claim 1 wherein the memorial unit is one of a headstone, gravestone, urn or coffin.

12. The electronic memorial according to claim 1 wherein the control unit is designed to enter a low power consumption mode when the electronic display is in an off state.

13. The electronic memorial according to claim 1 wherein the power source is carried in a same casing as the programmable memory and control unit.