Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for generating a memorial product

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10332173-B2
Application number	US-201414470881-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Aug 27, 2014
Priority date	Aug 27, 2013
Publication date	Jun 25, 2019
Grant date	Jun 25, 2019

Abstract

Systems, methods, and computer-readable media for generating memorial products using a memorial product design and ordering system (the “design system”). The design system may generally be configured to provide users with a platform, tools, design elements, automated processes, and/or the like for designing, customizing and ordering memorial products. The design system may be configured to present users with graphical or virtual representations of physical memorial products (“virtual product templates”) that may be customized by specifying product characteristics and adding various design elements. In some embodiments, the virtual product templates may be and/or may include photo-realistic and/or three-dimensional (3D) representations of the actual physical memorial products. In this manner, the design system may be configured to provide a customer with a realistic user experience from a virtual and/or online design tool.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A system for generating a virtual memorial product, the system comprising:
a processor;
a display device; and
a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium in operable communication with the processor, wherein the computer-readable storage medium contains one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
receive subject information and customer information,
obtain, from a third party entity, one or more memorial product characteristics;
generate at least one virtual memorial product based on the one or more memorial product characteristics, the at least one virtual memorial product comprising at least one memorial product template and at least one virtual design element selected based on the subject information and the customer information,
display, on the display device, the at least one virtual memorial product, wherein displaying the at least one virtual memorial product comprises:
displaying a three dimensional (3D) visual representation of the at least one virtual memorial product,
providing a user with an ability to change a spatial orientation of the displayed 3D visual representation to view each side of the virtual memorial product, and
displaying a visual representation of a physical memorial product in an actual placement location where the physical memorial product is to be installed, and

generate an order for a physical memorial product based on the at least one virtual memorial product, wherein the virtual memorial product is usable by a manufacturer to print or produce the physical memorial product.

2. The system of claim 1 , wherein the virtual memorial product comprises at least one of a grave marker, a headstone, an urn, a vase, a plaque, a medal, a trophy, an award, a sculpture, a statue, a sign, a picture, a display, and a combination thereof.

3. The system of claim 1 , wherein the virtual memorial product comprises a cast bronze memorial product.

4. The system of claim 3 , wherein the cast bronze memorial product comprises a cast bronze plaque.

5. The system of claim 1 , wherein the at least one virtual design element comprises at least one of a text element, an image, an emblem, a logo, a symbol, a religious symbol, a symbol of affiliation, a signature, a pattern, a design, a color, a texture, and a computer-readable element.

6. The system of claim 1 , wherein the subject information comprises at least one of name, age, gender, religion, nationality, native language, marital status, familial relationships, organizational affiliations, vocation, and education.

7. The system of claim 1 , wherein the customer information comprises information associated with a cemetery operator.

8. The system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one virtual memorial product is selected based on the cemetery operator.

9. The system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one design element is selected based on the cemetery operator.

10. The system of claim 9 , wherein the at least one design element comprises a border of the memorial product.

11. The system of claim 7 , wherein the at least one virtual memorial product and the at least one design element are selected based on the cemetery operator.

12. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium contains one or more programming instructions that, when executed, further cause the processor to:
receive patron information,
wherein the at least one virtual memorial product is generated based on the subject information, the customer information, and the patron information.

13. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium contains one or more programming instructions that, when executed, further cause the processor to:
receive patron information,
wherein the at least one virtual memorial product is generated based on the subject information, the customer information, and the patron information.

14. The system of claim 1 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium contains one or more programming instructions that, when executed, further cause the processor to:
print or produce a physical memorial product based on the virtual memorial product.

15. A system for generating a virtual memorial product, the system comprising:
a processor;
a display device; and
a non-transitory, computer-readable storage medium in operable communication with the processor, wherein the computer-readable storage medium contains one or more programming instructions that, when executed, cause the processor to:
generate a virtual memorial product in response to receiving a memorial product template selection from a client logic device, wherein the virtual memorial product comprises one or more memorial product characteristics obtained from a third party,
add at least one virtual design element to the virtual memorial product using at least one design function in response to receiving at least one design element selection from the client logic device, wherein the at least one design function comprises at least one of a snap-to-grid design function, a target location design function, a collision detection design function, and a placeholder design function,
display, on the display device, the virtual memorial product, wherein displaying the virtual memorial product comprises:
displaying a three dimensional (3D) visual representation of the at least one virtual memorial product,
providing a user with an ability to change a spatial orientation of the displayed 3D visual representation to view each side of the virtual memorial product, and
displaying a visual representation of a physical memorial product in an actual placement location where the physical memorial product is to be installed, and

generate an order for a physical memorial product based on the virtual memorial product, wherein the virtual memorial product is usable by a manufacturer to print or produce the physical memorial product.

16. The system of claim 15 , wherein the virtual memorial product comprises a cast bronze memorial product.

17. The system of claim 15 , wherein the target location design function is configured to select at least one target location based on at least one of a template, a customary placement location, a placement of at least one other virtual design element.

18. The system of claim 15 , wherein the placeholder design function is configured to represent a virtual design element not included in a system design element inventory.

19. The system of claim 15 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium contains one or more programming instructions that, when executed, further cause the processor to:
receive subject information and customer information,
wherein the at least one virtual memorial product is generated based on the subject information and the customer information.

20. The system of claim 15 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium contains one or more programming instructions that, when executed, further cause the processor to:
receive order information comprising historical order information,
wherein the at least one virtual memorial product is generated based on the subject information, the customer information, and the order information.

21. The system of claim 15 , wherein the computer-readable storage medium contains one or more programming instructions, that, when executed, further cause the processor to:
print or produce a physical memorial product based on the virtual memorial product.

Assignees

• Matthews Resources Inc
• Matthews Int Corp

Inventors

• Jones Pete
• Cox Patrick Charles
• Titchnell Lamonica Jo

Classifications

• G06F30/13

  Architectural design, e.g. computer-aided architectural design [CAAD] related to design of buildings, bridges, landscapes, production plants or roads · CPC title

• E04H13/001

  Accessories for grave sites, e.g. liners, covers, vault lowering devices (E04H13/003 takes precedence) · CPC title

• E04H13/003

  Funeral monuments, grave sites curbing or markers not making part of vaults (E04H13/008 takes precedence) · CPC title

• G06Q30/0621 Primary

  by configuring or customising goods or services · CPC title

• G06Q30/0635

  replenishment orders; recurring orders · CPC title