IP Library Granted Patent US 10,332,173
Granted Patent B2
US 10,332,173 · App. 14/470,881 · Granted Jun 25, 2019

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

Inventors: Pete Jones (Pittsburgh, PA); Patrick Charles Cox (Gibsonia, PA); Lamonica Jo Titchnell (Kingwood, WV)
Assignee: Matthews International Corporation
G06Q30/0621A61G99/00E04H13/001E04H13/003G06F17/5004G06Q30/0635
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,332,173
App. No.
14/470,881
Granted
Jun 25, 2019
Kind
B2
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.

Claims (52)

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.

Assignments (3)
RELEASE OF SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 22, 2026
From: TRUIST BANK
To: MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 074944/0292 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 15, 2024
From: MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
To: CITIZENS BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 069379/0528 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Nov 15, 2024
From: MATTHEWS INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION
To: TRUIST BANK
Reel/Frame 069379/0573 →
Continuity (3)
Provisional Application 61870731 · Aug 27, 2013
Provisional Application 61954491 · Mar 17, 2014
Related Publication 20150066681A1 · Mar 5, 2015
Cited By (1)
US 12,340,404