GB2364421A - Method and apparatus for information emission - Google Patents

Abstract

An apparatus for information emission comprises an emitter 10 or 24, which may be in the form of a spot light or a laser, adapted to produce an emission beam, a user interface 14 adapted to receive information from one or more users via a communications network, a means to control the emitter such that the emission beam contains said processed information, a monitor means 22, which may include such recording devices such as a "web cam" or a digital camera, to record beam data, and a supply means to supply said beam data top said user. Said user interface may be in the form of a home page, said home page may also comprise an activation means for receiving payment from a user. The present invention can be used to emit personal information received from said user, e.g. information to commemorate a birth, death or anniversary, in the form of an emission beam to an empty region of space. Such a beam, in theory, would then exist for the duration of the universe.

Description

2364,421 METHOD OF INFORMATION EMISSION AND APPARATUS THEREFOR This

invention' relates to a method of emitting information, particularly but not exclusively to a method 5 of emitting information to commemorate a deceased person or to commemorate or celebrate an event.

Information as hereinafter described is defined as information relating to a deceased person, a commemorative event or a celebratory event, or any other information.

10 Emission as hereinafter described is defined as emitting or transmitting radiation, particularly but not exclusively as emitting radiation in the form of light by means of a light source such as a search light or a laser.

In life many events happen. Some of these events have 15 a great impact on people's personal lives such as the birth -of a child or the loss of a relative or close f riend. Over the ages customs and traditions have been developed to celebrate or commemorate such events. In our society examples of these are the celebration of birthdays and the 20 erection of monuments and memorials. A problem associated with the existing methods of celebrating or commemorating and apparatus therefor is that no everlasting token of celebration or commemoration is constituted. Further, some of the above methods of commemorating are not available to 25 commemorate ordinary people.

The present inventions aim to obviate or at least mitigate the above described problems and/or to provide improvements generally.

According to the inventions there are provided a 30 method of information emission and an apparatus for information emission according to any of the accompanying claims.

In an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method of information emission -comprising providing an 35 emitter adapted to produce an emission beam, providing a user interface adapted to receive information from one or more users via a communications network, providing a processing means for processing said information, providing a means adapted to control said emitter such that the emission beam contains the processed information, providing 5 monitor means for recording beam data relating to said -emission beam and providing a data supply means for supplying said beam data to said user, said method further comprising the steps of receiving information from said user interface, processing said information, controlling 10 said emitter to produce said emission beam, and providing said beam data to said user.

In this way one or more users control one or more emitters such as a laser beam to emit a beam. The beam may comprise user information which is entered via a suitable is user interface such as an internet home page. The beam is monitored and the supply means supply the monitoring data to the user via the user interface. In this way the user can view the operation of the emitter. Alternatively, the user is presented with a report or data which relate to the 20 beam emission. In an embodiment, the supply means may supply the beam data to said user interface via the communications network so that the user can be at a remote location relative to the emitter. The emitter may emit the emission beam in a generally upward direction so that the 25 emission beam is transmitted into an empty region of space. In theory the beam of radiation would exist long after a persons lifetime and would be the most permanent action which could be achieved. Such a beam of light or radiation would exist until the end of the universe and would travel 30 forever into space.

In a further embodiment of the inventions, the monitor means may comprise further processing means for processing said beam data and the processed beam data may be provided to the user. The control means and/or the processing means 35 may each comprise a computer. A single computer may form both the control means and the processing means.

In yet another embodiment of the inventions, the user may select the emission beam characteristics, and the control means operates the emission beam in accordance with 5 the selected characteristics depending on the processed information. The characteristics of the emission beam may comprise the duration, modulation, pulsation, colour, width, frequency and/or any of combination of the aforesaid characteristics.

10 In an embodiment, first storage means may be provided for storing said information and/or said processed information, the method further comprising the step 'of storing said information in said first storage means. In this way, said information may be stored before the emitter is is controlled. The emitter is thus - not controlled immediately after the information is received and processed.

In an alternative embodiment of the inventions, the data supply means may supply beam data to the user 20 interface concurrently with the operation of the emission beam. The data supply means may comprise a further storage means for storing said beam data, said method comprising the step of storing said beam data in said further storage means. This arrangement allows beam data to be supplied to 25 the user at a later stage. Emission of the beam may take place at a time when the user is not connected to the user interface. The beam data can then be supplied to the user at a later time, for example via email.

In another embodiment of the inventions, the method 30 may comprise the step of providing an activating means for receiving payment from a user and activating said control means, said method comprising the step of receiving payment from a user and activating said control means. Payment may be received by the user by entering credit card details or 35 by any other suitable form of payment such as e-cash.

In a further embodiment of the inventions, there is provided an apparatus adapted for information emission according to a method as hereinbefore disclosed.

In yet another embodiment of the inventions, there is 5 provided an apparatus for information emission comprising an emitter adapted to produce an emission beam, a user interface adapted to receive information from one or more users via a communications network, a processing means for processing said information, a means adapted to control 10 said emitter such that the emission beam contains said processed information, a monitor means for recording beam data relating to said emission beam, and a data supply means for supplying said beam data to said user.

In a further embodiment, the supply means may supply 15 beam data to said user interface via the communications network.

In an embodiment of the inventions, the monitoring means may comprise a recording device such as a digital camera and/or a web cam. The processing means may comprise 20 modulation means for modulating the information. The emission beam may be modulated to contain the user information.

In a further embodiment of the inventions, the user information may comprise information in the form of textual 25 information or sound recordings or image recordings or information in any other format and/or combinations of the aforesaid forms of information, so that any type of information can be processed and emitted. The beam data may comprise images and/or text and/or sound and/or moving 30 images relating to the emission of said beam. These beam data are passed on to the user. The beam data may be processed before they are supplied to the user. The beam data supply means may be adapted to provide a beam emission report to the user.

35 In another embodiment of the inventions, the apparatus may comprise multiple emitters which are locatable at various locations. The user interface may comprise selection means for selecting a suitable emitter which is in a location for which the weather conditions are favourable for emitting a beam.

In yet another embodiment, the user interface may be provided on a computer and the computer is coupled to the communications network. The user interface may be separate from the computer and information is exchanged via a 10 communications network. The user interface may be remote from the computer and the user interface may comprise a further computer. The user interface may also be in the f orm. of a home page, said home page being accessible via a communications network by a user. Said communications 15 network preferably comprises the Internet.

In another embodiment of the inventions, there is provided an apparatus for information emission comprising an emitter adapted to produce an emission beam, a user interface adapted to receive information from one or more 20 users via a communications network, and a means adapted to control said emitter.

There are thus provided a method of information emission and an apparatus according to embodiments of the 25 inventions.

In an embodiment of the invention there is provided a method of information emission comprising the steps of providing an emitter suitable for producing an emission beam in upward direction, such as a laser beam, providing 30 a user interface suitable for receiving information from one or more users via a communications network, providing a processing means for processing said information, providing a computer suitable for controlling said emitter such that the emission beam contains said processed 35 information, providing a monitor means for recording data relating to said emission beam, said method further comprising the steps of receiving information via said user interface, processing said information, controlling said emitter and providing monitoring data to said users.

5 In this way a method is achieved for commemorating any special event in life making a religious or spiritual statement or any other statement by an individual or a group. The statement may consist in a beam of light or a burst of electro radiation which is transmitted into an 10 empty region of space. In theory the beam of radiation would exist long after a persons lifetime and would be the most permanent action which could be achieved. Such a beam of light or radiation would exist until the end of the universe and would travel forever into space. - 15 To the user, the existence of the beam itself is important. All that matters to the user is that the beam exists and that it will remain as it was made by the user for the time of the Universe as we know it. The beam can signify a simple remembrance of a person or event.

20 Alternatively, the beam transmission can be part of a new way of life or a force to improve the user's life. This philosophy which is based around the beam transmission can bring self-confidence, contentment, peace and happiness to the user.

25 A further advantage of this invention is that one or more users can access the user interface from a remote location via the communications network. Also, one or more users can receive information relating to the operation of the emitter.

30 To the best knowledge of the Applicant it is new to provide a system in which radiation energy or light energy is beamed upward containing information which relates to a deceased person or a commemorative event, whereby the emitter is operated via a communications network by one or 35 more users. Although Applicant is aware of semaphore systems and radio transmission systems, such systems produce signals which are directed at one or more receivers. Further, in such systems no monitoring means is present for monitoring the operation of the emitter and 5 transferring said information to the user.

In an alternative embodiment of the inventions, there is provided a method of information emission, comprising an emitter suitable for producing an emission beam in upward direction, a user interface suitable for receiving 10 information from one or more users via a communications network, a computer suitable for controlling said emitter and monitor means for recording data relating to said emission beam, said method further comprising the steps of receiving information f rom a user, said computer 15 controlling said emitter, and transferring said monitoring data to said user.

In an embodiment of the inventions, the method may comprise the step of providing a processing means for processing the information such that the emission beam can 20 contain said information.

The information may relate to the deceased or to a commemorative event or to the user himself/ herself and may contain textual information, sound recordings, video recordings or information in any other recordable form.

25 In an alternative embodiment, the information may relate to emission beam characteristics such as the intensity and/or duration and/or modulation and/or pulsation and/or colour and/or width and/or frequency of the beam. In this embodiment the user can select the 30 emission beam characteristics directly which are subsequently processed and controlled by the computer when operating the emission beam. The computer may control the emission beam such that the characteristics of the emission beam depend on the processed information.

35 The monitoring data may comprise images and/or text and/or moving images relating to the emission beam. The moving images may also be recorded on a recording medium such as video tape. The recording medium may be sent to the user. In this way, the operation of the emitter in 5 commemorating a deceased person can be viewed. Alternatively, the images are transmitted co-currently with the operation of the emission beam to the user interface. This allows the user to view the operation of the emission beam instantaneously.

10 In an alternative embodiment of the inventions, the method may comprise the step of generating a report during or after operation of the emitter. The report may be generated by the computer and/or monitoring means. The report may relate to the operation of the emis&ion beam.

15 The report may be displayed on the user interface and/or on a further user interface and/or on the communications network. That way, any user accessing the user interface, or any further user interface, can view the evidence of a deceased person or other event being commemorated by means 20 of a method as hereinbefore described. Alternatively, the report is sent to the user either in a digital format as an email or as a file or in printed format as a letter or a certificate or any other suitable format.

In a further embodiment of the inventions, the method 25 comprises the step of providing an activation means for receiving payment from a user. The activation means may comprise a credit card debit arrangement, an e-cash arrangement or a similar method or means of receiving payment via a communications network. After receipt of 30 payment the user can proceed with the operation of the emitter. The user can input information relating to a deceased person, an event to be commemorated or any other information. This information is either forwarded directly to the computer and processed on said computer or first 35 processed and subsequently forwarded to the computer preferably via a communications network.

In a further embodiment of the inventions, there is provided an apparatus suitable for performing a method as hereinbefore described.

In an embodiment there is provided an apparatus for information emission comprising an emitter suitable for producing an emission beam in upward direction, a user interface suitable for receiving information from one or more users via a communications network, a processing means 10 for processing said information, a computer suitable for controlling said emitter such that the emission beam contains said processed information, and a monitor means for monitoring and recording data relating to said emission beam, the monitor means transferring said data to-said user interface.

The processing means may be provided on the user interface and/or on the computer. The processing means may comprise suitable software for processing the information.

The monitoring means may be provided on the computer.

20 The monitoring means may comprise a recording device such as a digital camera or a webcam.

The user interface may comprise an activation means for receiving payment from a user. The activation means prevents users from activating the emitter or entering the 25 information prior to receipt of payment.

In an alternative embodiment of the inventions, the emitter may be situated in a location which provides unrestricted access to the sky so that the emission beam when projected upwards remains undistorted and is not 30 obscured by unfavourable weather conditions such as clouds, rain or fog. Alternatively, the apparatus may comprise multiple emitters which may be situated at various locations. The user interface and/or the computer may comprise selection means for selecting a suitable emitter 35 which is on a location for which the weather conditions are favourable for emitting a beam. The selection means may comprise software for selecting a suitable emitter. The selection means may further be provided with weather data. Said weather data may be supplied via a communications 5 network such as the internet. Alternatively the selection means may comprise a further computer for selecting a suitable emitter. The further computer may be connectable to said computer via a communications network. multiple computers may further be provided for controlling the 10 multiple emitters.

In another embodiment of the inventions moving means may be provided for moving the emitter to a suitable location. The emitter may be mounted on said moving means. The moving means may comprise a vehicle such as-a car, a 15 truck or a trailer. This particular embodiment has the advantage that the emitter can be transported to places which have special significance to the user such as ancient sites, historical sites and sites of specific geographic or religious significance.

20 To the user the operation of the beam transmission is most visible at night. In order to accommodate users accessing the user interface at any time during the day for operating the emitter, in an alternative embodiment of the inventions, multiple emitters may be situated in different 25 time zones in various locations around the world, so that a suitable emitter can be selected which is situated in the dark and/or in favourable weather conditions.

In a specific embodiment of the inventions, the user interface may be provided on the computer and the computer 30 is directly coupled to the communications network. Alternatively, the user interface may be separate from the computer and data are exchanged via a communications network. This latter embodiment is particularly advantageous if multiple computers are used in connection 35 with multiple emitters which are situated in different locations as hereinbefore described.

In an alternative embodiment of the inventions, the user interface may be in the form of a home page which can be accessed via a communications network by a user. The 5 communications network may comprise the Internet. The home page may provide suitable information which explains the method of information emission as hereinbefore described. After studying this information, the user can proceed to the part of the home page in which the access means is 10 provided for providing access to the operation of the emitter.

In a specific embodiment of the inventions, there is provided a computer for operating a light source such as a laser or a search light and a camera connected to said 15 computer for recording images of said light source. The computer may be connected to a server which is connected to the Internet or alternatively the computer is directly connected to the Internet. On another server which is again connected to the Internet, a home page may be provided to 20 which users can gain unlimited access via various Internet channels. The home page may comprise an introductory section in which the purpose of the system as herein described is explained to the user. Furthermore, there may be provided an activating means for allowing the user to 25 proceed with the operation of the light source. This activating means may comprise a click button. Alternatively other means of gaining access to the light source may be provided such as software suitable for registering a payment transaction such as payment by credit card or any 30 other methods of payment such as e-cash. After activation or payment the user can enter data relating to the selection of light parameters. These parameters may relate to the colour and/or duration and/or intensity and/or other characteristics of the light beam. Alternatively 35 information is entered by the user and subsequently processed. This information can relate to a deceased person or a commemorative event. Data on the basis of these input parameters or information entered by the user is transferred to the computer via the Internet. The computer 5 processes the data and after processing the data activates the camera. After awaiting instructions from the user, or alternatively, directly, the light source is activated by the computer and data or images relating to the activated light source are sent back to the home page. On the home 10 page live images of the activated light source are then displayed. Preferably the images are displayed in a moving format. After operation of the light source the computer generates a report confirming operation of the light source. This report could also refer to the data-that were 15 processed by the computer or entered by the user to activate the light source. The report is subsequently displayed on the home page and a copy is sent to the user via email or surface mail.

An example of the method and apparatus as herein 20 described is found on the internet on the site www.alphapolaris.com.

To allow users to enter their information and simultaneously operate the emission beam, multiple emitters may be provided which can be operated simultaneously.

25 Alternatively, the user interface may comprise queueing means which allows users to activate the emitter on a first come- f irst serve basis. The queueing means may comprise software which is provided on the user interface and/or computer.

30 The emitter may further be mounted on a vehicle or a trailer or the emitter itself may be mobile. This allows beam emission from an ancient historical, geographical or religious site, since planning permission for the installation of a permanent emitter would probably not be 35 granted for those locations. In this way a beam can be sent from an ancient historical, geographical or religious site to give the user added significance to the beam emission.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by 5 way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:- Figure 1 presents a diagrammatic view of an apparatus according to an embodiment of the invention, and; 10 Figure 2 presents a diagrammatic view of a method according to an alternative embodiment invention.

In Fig. 1 an emitter 10 is presented which is suitable for producing an emission beam 12 -in upward 15 direction. A user interface in the form of a homepage is provided on a server 14 which is connected to the internet 16. The home page can be accessed by various known means such as computers 18 and mobile phones 20 via the internet. A camera 22 is connected to the server 14 for recording the 20 emission beam when the emitter is in operation.

The user can enter information relating to a deceased person on the home page. This i nformation is subsequently processed by the server 14 to control the emitter 12 such that the emission beam 12 contains information which 25 relates to the information as originally entered by the user. The images recorded by the camera 22 are displayed on the home page.

As presented in Fig. 1 additional emitters 24 can he provided to enable users to operate the emitters 30 simultaneously. Alternatively the additional emitters 24 may be provided in different locations and/or time zones where conditions for operating the emitters 24 are favourable as discussed hereinbefore.

In the alternative embodiment of the invention as 35 presented in Fig. 2, the home page 50 can be provided on an internet server, so that the computer 52 for controlling the emitter is separate from the server and does not support the homepage 50 directly. Instead, data between the server or homepage and the computer are exchanged via the 5 internet. This configuration has the advantage that the number of emitters and/or computers is easily extendible.

After providing the user with explanatory information relating to the operation of the apparatus and the service provided, the user can activate the emission apparatus by 10 payment. Upon activation 54 the user can enter information 56 relating to for example a deceased person. The information is forwarded 58 to the computer 52 where the information is processed 64. After processing 64 the monitoring means in the form of a web-camer-a 66 and 15 suitable recording means (not shown) is activated by the computer 52. Also, the emitter in the form of a light source is activated 68 whereby the processed information is contained in the light beam. The recorded images are forwarded 70 to the homepage 50 and the images are 20 displayed 60 on the homepage 50. The computer 52 also generates a report 72 which is forwarded to the homepage 50 and displayed 62 there.

I

Claims (32)

1 A method of information emission comprising: - 5 providing an emitter adapted to produce an emission beam, providing a user interface adapted to receive information f rom one or more users via a communications network, 10 providing a processing means for processing said inf ormat ion, providing a means adapted to control said emitter such that the emission beam contains the processed information 15 providing monitor means for recording beam data relating to said emission beam providing a data supply means for supplying said beam data to said user, said method further comprising the steps of 20 receiving information from said user interface, processing said information, controlling said emitter to produce said emissi. on beam, and providing said beam data to said user.

2. Method according to claim 1, wherein the supply means supply beam data to said user interface via the communications network.

30

3. Method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the monitor means comprises further processing means for processing said beam data, said method comprising the step of providing said processed beam data to said user.

4. Method according to any of the preceding claims wherein the user selects the emission beam characteristics, and the control means operate the emission beam in accordance with the selected 5 characteristics depending on the processed information.

5. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the step of 10 providing a first storage means for storing said information and/or said processed information, said method further comprising the step of storing said information in said first storage means.

is

6. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the data supply means supply beam data to the user interface concurrently with the operation of the emission beam.

20

7. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the data supply means comprises a further storage means for storing said beam data, said method comprising the step of storing said beam data in said further storage means.

8. Method according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the method comprises the step of providing an activating means for receiving payment from a user and activating said control means, said 30 method comprising the step of receiving payment from a user and activating said control means.

9. A method of information emission comprising:

providing an emitter adapted to provide an emission 35 beam, providing a user interface adapted to receive information from one or more users via a communications network, providing a means adapted to control said emitter, 5 said method further comprising the steps of receiving information from said user, and controlling said emitter.

10. An apparatus for information emission 10 comprising adapted to perform a method according to any of the preceding claims.

11. An apparatus for information emission comprising:

is an emitter adapted to produce an emission beam, a user interface adapted to receive information from one or more users via a communications network, ò processing means for processing said information, ò means adapted to control said emitter such that the 20 emission beam contains said processed information, a monitor means for recording beam data relating to said emission beam, and a data supply means for supplying said beam data to said user.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the supply means supply beam data to said user interface via the communications network.

30

13. Apparatus according to claim 11 or 12, wherein the monitor means comprises further processing means for processing said beam data.

14. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 13, 35 wherein the user interface comprises processing means -18and/or the control means comprises processing means.

15. Apparatus according to claim 11 to 14, wherein the control means comprises a computer.

16. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 15, wherein the control means comprises said monitoring means.

10

17. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 16, wherein the monitoring means may comprise a recording device such as a digital camera and/or a web cam.

18. Apparatus according to any of claims-11 to 17, 15 wherein the user interface comprises an activation means for receiving payment from a user and activating said control means.

19. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 18, 20 wherein the processing means comprises modulation means for modulating the information.

20. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 19, wherein the emission beam is modulated to contain the 25 user information.

21. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 20, wherein the user information comprises information in the form of textual information or sound recordings 30 or image recordings or information in any other format and/or combinations of the aforesaid forms of information.

22. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 21, 35 wherein the beam data comprises images and/or text and/or sound and/or moving images relating to the emission of said beam.

23. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 22, 5 wherein the beam data supply means are adapted to provide a beam emission report to the user.

24. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 23, wherein the apparatus comprises a first storage means 10 for storing said information and/or said processed information.

25. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 24, wherein the data supply means supply data to the user 15 interface concurrently with the operation of the emission beam.

26. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 25, wherein the data supply means comprises a further 20 storage means for storing said data.

27. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 26, wherein the apparatus comprises multiple emitters which are locatable at various locations.

28. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 27, wherein the user interface comprises selection means for selecting a suitable emitter which is in a location for which the weather conditions are 30 favourable for emitting a beam.

29. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 28, wherein the user interface is provided on a computer and the computer is coupled to the communications 35 network.

30. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 29, wherein the user interface is separate from the computer and information is exchanged via a 5 communications network.

31. Apparatus according to any of claims 11 to 30, wherein the user interface is in the form of a home page said home page being accessible via a 10 communications network by a user, said communications network preferably comprising the Internet.

32. An apparatus for information emission comprising an emitter adapted to produce an emission 15 beam, a user interface adapted to receive information from one or more users via a communications network, and a means adapted to control said emitter.