US20080195720A1 - System and method for delivering information at inaccessible locations - Google Patents

Abstract

Systems and methods of using the systems for delivering information related to an inaccessible location to individuals at the inaccessible location are disclosed. The system comprises a memory device affixed to the inaccessible location, the information related to the inaccessible location residing on the memory device, and a portable memory reading device, separate from the memory device, that retrieves the information from the memory device when positioned at the inaccessible location and communicates the information to a party located at the inaccessible location. The system may further comprise a database wherein the information residing on the memory device is replicated and the database can be accessed by a user of the system via a suitable communications medium or combination of mediums. The system may also comprise a portable memory reading device having a GPS receiver positioned at an inaccessible location and a database, such that the GPS coordinates of the inaccessible location are determined by the portable memory reading device and communicated to the database over a communications link, and the database communicates the information related to the inaccessible location back to the portable memory reading device over the communications link.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS
• This application is a continuation application of application Ser. No. 09/777,729, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,254,666, filed Feb. 6, 2001, entitled ‘System And Method For Delivering Information At Inaccessible Locations’, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/481,577, filed on Jan. 12, 2000, the entire disclosure of patent application Ser. No. 09/777,729 is hereby included by reference herein as if being set forth in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention relates generally to the delivery of information, and more particularly to a system and method for delivering information related to an inaccessible location to individuals at the inaccessible location.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• In common occurrence, many notable locations are physically removed from easily accessible sources of power and/or communication, such as electrical outlets and wireline telephone jacks.
• This is particularly true in the case of cemeteries, historically significant locations, dedication or donation plaques, and outdoor, as well as some indoor, equipment. Consequently, it is difficult to place information about the notable locations and/or instructions in close proximity thereto and to revise that information once so placed. In the case of cemeteries, friends and loved ones typically place memorial and/or genealogical information such as name, date born, date passed, notable accomplishments, parents, siblings, children, etc., about the deceased party directly on the tombstone or other graveyard marker. Friends and loved ones also sometimes place photographs of the deceased and/or the family of the deceased on or nearby the tombstone or other graveyard marker that may or may not have been weatherized in some form or another.
• In the case of historically notable locations, interested parties typically place signs, placards, photographs, artist's renderings, etc., about the historically notable location, that may or may not have been weatherized, in close proximity to the notable location. Occasionally, interactive tape recordings and/or videos are placed in close proximity to the notable location.
• In the case of dedication or donation plaques, interested parties typically place memorial and/or historical information such as name, date of dedication, date of donation, notable accomplishments, etc., about the donating party directly on the plaque or other marker.
• In the case of outdoor, and inaccessible indoor, equipment, interested parties typically place manuals, warranties, instructions, etc., about the equipment that may or may not have been weatherized in some form or another, or that may or may not have been treated for extreme indoor conditions, or that may or may not have been, for example, sterilized for certain applications.
• In any event, whether the inaccessible location is a cemetery location, historically notable location, dedication or donation plaque, indoor or outdoor equipment, or some other notable but remote or inaccessible location, the need for the information and any equipment necessary for accessing that information to both withstand the weather conditions likely encountered at the location and any attempts to remove them from the location without authorization severely limits both the amount and types of information that may be placed at the remote location with current systems.
• Accordingly, there is a need for a system and method of placing and communicating large quantities and varied types of information at inaccessible locations that can withstand the conditions and attempts to remove that information likely to be encountered at the remote location.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• The present invention is directed to a system and method for delivering information related to a remote and/or inaccessible location at the inaccessible location. In one embodiment, the invention comprises a system for providing information related to an inaccessible location comprising a memory device affixed to the inaccessible location, the information residing on the memory device; and a portable memory reading device, separate from the memory device, that retrieves the information from the memory device when positioned at the inaccessible location, wherein the portable memory reading device communicates the information to a party located at the inaccessible location. In another embodiment, the invention comprises a system for providing information related to an inaccessible location comprising a memory device affixed to a physical object at the inaccessible location, the information residing on the memory device; a portable memory reading device, separate from the memory device, that retrieves the information from the memory device when positioned at the inaccessible location and communicates the information to a party located at the inaccessible location; and a database wherein the information residing on the memory device is replicated; and wherein the memory device is uniquely associated with an identifying code.
• In yet another embodiment, the invention comprises a system for providing historical information about a historically notable location comprising a memory device affixed to a physical object positioned at the historically notable location, the historical information residing on the memory device; and a portable memory reading device, separate from the memory device, that retrieves the historical information from the memory device when positioned at the historically notable location and communicates the historical information to a party located at the historically notable location. In a still further embodiment, the invention comprises a system for providing memorial information about a deceased party interred at a cemetery location comprising a memory device affixed to a physical object positioned at the cemetery location, the memorial information residing on the memory device; and a portable memory reading device, separate from the memory device, that retrieves the memorial information from the memory device when positioned at the cemetery location and communicates the memorial information to a party located at the cemetery location.
• In yet another embodiment of the invention, the invention comprises a system for providing dedication or donation information for a substantially complete explanation about the reasons for the gift at any location, such as a hospital, comprising a memory device affixed to a physical object positioned at the location, the dedication or donation information residing on the memory device; and a portable memory reading device, separate from the memory device, that retrieves the dedication or donation information from the memory device when positioned at the location and communicates the dedication or donation information to a party located at the location. In a still further embodiment, the invention comprises a system for providing instructions, manuals, and/or warranty information about indoor or outdoor equipment, such as a lawn tractor, at any location, comprising a memory device affixed to the equipment positioned at any location, the instructions, manuals, and/or warranty information residing on the memory device; and a portable memory reading device, separate from the memory device, that retrieves the instructions, manuals, and/or warranty information from the memory device when positioned at the location and communicates the instructions, manuals, and/or warranty information to a party located at the location.
• In yet another embodiment of the invention, the invention comprises a method for providing information related to an inaccessible location, comprising the steps of storing the information on a memory device, the information being stored in a format that can be retrieved from the memory device and displayed to a party with a portable memory reading device, separate from the memory device, when the portable memory reading device is in close proximity to the memory device; and affixing the memory device to a physical object positioned at the inaccessible location. Additional steps in the method may include replicating the information stored on the memory device in a database; revising the replicated information at the database, and communicating the revised replicated information to the memory device over a communicable connection between the database and the memory device; and/or providing the replicated information over a communications medium upon receipt by the database of an identifying code, the identifying code being uniquely associated with the memory device having the information stored thereon.
• Therefore, the present invention provides a system and method of placing and communicating large quantities and varied types of information at inaccessible locations, that can withstand the conditions and attempts to remove that information likely to be encountered at the inaccessible location.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
• The invention will become more readily apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments thereof shown, by way of example only, in the accompanying drawings wherein:
• FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system for providing information related to an inaccessible location in accordance with a first preferred embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system for providing information related to an inaccessible location in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a system for providing information related to an inaccessible location in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a system for providing information related to an inaccessible location in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the invention;
• FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system for providing information related to an inaccessible location in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the invention; and
• FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a system for providing information related to an inaccessible location in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
• It is to be understood that the figures and descriptions of the present invention have been simplified to illustrate elements that are relevant for a clear understanding of the present invention, while eliminating, for purposes of clarity, many other elements found in a typical information delivery system. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other elements are desirable and/or required in order to implement the present invention. However, because such elements are well known in the art, and because they do not facilitate a better understanding of the present invention, a discussion of such elements is not provided herein.
• Referring toFIG. 1, there is shown a block diagram of aninformation generator1 for providing information related to inaccessible locations in accordance with preferred embodiments of the invention. A number of locations2-3 in acemetery10 havememory devices2B-3B permanently affixed to tombstones2A-3A at locations2-3 respectively.Cemetery10 may comprise a catacomb, cinerarium, crypt, mausoleum, ossuary, sepulcher, tomb, vault, or any other location where a deceased party may be laid to rest either temporarily or permanently. A deceased party may comprise any living organism that has passed, including but not limited to human beings that have passed. Tombstones2A-3A may comprise any type of physical object used to mark the locations2-3 of deceased parties withincemetery10.Memory devices2B-3B have memorial and/or genealogical information about the deceased party interred at locations2-3 stored therein or thereon. This information may comprise any information related to the deceased party that a friend or loved one may find interesting including, but not limited to the name, date born, date passed, notable accomplishments, parents, siblings, children, etc., of the deceased party as well as photographic and artistic images of or relating to the deceased party.
• In preferred embodiments of the invention,memory devices2B-3B comprise contact memory devices, and each memory device may be uniquely associated with an identifying code. Contact memories generically comprise physical devices that attach directly to an object and can be read through active or passive contact with a reading device. Typically contact memories are approximately the size of a clothing button, and comprise a stainless steel container housing a small memory chip inside. Information can usually be written to the contact memory through temporary active or passive contact with the contact memory as well. In preferred embodiments of the invention,memory devices2B-3B comprise an iButton® contact memory device, the mechanical and technical standards for which are available at http://www.ibuttom.com/ibuttons/stan-dard.pdf, and are incorporated herein by reference.Memory devices2B-3B may also comprise, in addition to contact memories, read only memory (ROM) devices, electronically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM) devices, electronically programmable read only memory (EPROM) devices, random access memory (RAM) devices, static random access memory (SRAM) devices, static bar codes, or any other device that is small in size, can be easily and permanently attached to a physical object, can store large quantities and varied types of information, and can withstand extreme weather conditions without losing or damaging the information stored therein and/or thereon. The information is stored in and/or on the memory device in a format suitable for the type of memory device used, extensible markup language or hypertext markup language comprising the preferred format.
• Referring still toFIG. 1,system1 further comprises a portablememory reading device5. Portablememory reading device5 may comprise a special purpose computer, a portable general purpose computer such as a laptop computer, or any other type of portable computerized device, including a hand-held portable computer, a wireless communications device, and/or a smart wireless communications device, that has the ability to read, receive, and/or display all or a portion of the information stored onmemory devices2B-3B when placed at locations2-3 or in close proximity tomemory devices2B-3B. Typically, portablememory reading device5 will have an integrated means of reading, receiving, and/or writing information from or tomemory devices2B-3B. In other cases, portablememory reading device5 may have a hand-held probe attached thereto through some type of serial and/or parallel electrical connection for reading, receiving, and/or writing information from and/or tomemory devices2B-3B. The precise means of reading, receiving, and/or writing of the information employed is a matter of design choice and will necessarily depend on the type ofmemory device2B-3B employed. Where thememory devices2B-3B employed are contact memories, a preferred means of reading and/or writing comprises a single signal plus ground probe, whether integrated or hand-held, configured to an input/output line of a microcomputer.
• Referring now toFIG. 2, there is shown a block diagram of a system20 for providing information related to aninaccessible location21 in accordance with a second preferred embodiment of the invention. System20 comprises amemory device2B permanently affixed to post21 A located at historicallynotable location21, and portablememory reading device5.Memory device2B and portablememory reading device5 comprise the same elements as insystem1 described above, except that the information stored in and/or onmemory device2B comprises historical information about historicallynotable location21.Post21A comprises a stake anchored to the ground at historicallynotable location21, but may also comprise a sign, lamppost, doorframe, fencepost, cannon, or any other physical object, whether stationary or movable and whether permanent or temporary, located at or near historicallynotable location21. Historicallynotable location21 comprises any location physically removed from convenient access to electrical and/or wireline telephone service that a person may find historically interesting because of events that have occurred, are occurring, or may be occurring in the future, and historically notable information comprises any information about the events that have occurred, are occurring, or may be occurring atinaccessible location21 in the future.
• Referring now toFIG. 3, there is shown a block diagram of asystem300 for providing information related to aninaccessible location340 in accordance with a third preferred embodiment of the invention. An inaccessible location is a location that cannot easily be wired for electricity and/or electronic communication.System300 comprises amemory device2B affixed, such as permanently affixed, toequipment320, such as an automobile or a lawn tractor, or indoor equipment, such as a television or a stereo, located at anyinaccessible location340, and portablememory reading device5.Memory device2B and portablememory reading device5 preferably comprise the same elements as insystem1 described above, except that the information stored in and/or onmemory device2B includes, but is not limited to, instructions, such as manuals, and/or warranty information, about theequipment320. As shown,equipment320 comprises, for example, outdoor equipment in the form of a lawn tractor atlocation340, but may also comprise, for example, snow blowers, mulchers, tillers, or any other physical object, whether stationary or movable, and whether permanent or temporary, located at or nearlocation340.Location340 comprises any location physically removed from convenient access to electrical and/or wireline telephone service, and instructions, manuals, and/or warranty information comprises any information about the equipment atinaccessible location340.
• Referring now toFIG. 4, there is shown a block diagram of asystem400 for providing information related to aninaccessible location440 in accordance with a fourth preferred embodiment of the invention.System400 comprises amemory device2B affixed, such as permanently affixed, proximate to, i.e. on or near, a dedication ordonation plaque420 orart piece420 located at anyinaccessible location440, and portablememory reading device5. As used herein, plaque includes any device, item, piece, or mechanism capable of signifying, for example, a donor's donation, and, as used herein, a dedication or donation would include the generator of the dedication, such as the painter of a painting, or the donator of a painting.Memory device2B and portablememory reading device5 comprise the same elements as insystem1 described above, except that the information stored in and/or onmemory device2B comprises dedication or donation information, including a substantially complete story about why the gift was given by the donating party tolocation440, such as a hospital, or how a gift was created, such as the artist who created artwork. A dedication ordonation plaque420 comprises a sign atlocation440 as illustrated, but may also comprise a photograph, engraving, drawing, painting, or any other physical object, whether stationary or movable and whether permanent or temporary, located at or nearlocation440.Location440 comprises any location physically removed from convenient access to electrical and/or wireline telephone service, and dedication or donation information comprises any information about the donating party atinaccessible location440.
• Referring now toFIG. 5, there is shown a block diagram of a system30 for providing information related to aninaccessible location21 in accordance with a fifth preferred embodiment of the invention. System30 comprisesmemory device2B,3B, and2B′ permanently affixed totombstones2A and3B and post21A respectively, tombstones2A-3A located incemetery10 and post21A located at historicallynotable location21, portablememory reading devices5 and5′, anddatabase31 communicably connected32 tomemory devices2B,3B, and2B′.Memory devices2B,3B, and2B′, tombstones2A-3A, post21A, historicallynotable location21, and portablememory reading devices5 and5′ comprise the same elements as insystems1 and/or20 described above.Database31 comprises a single or central database wherein the information stored in and/or onmemory devices2B,3B, and/or2B′ is replicated in whole or in part, or a plurality of distributed databases wherein the information stored in and/or onmemory devices2B,3B, and/or2B′ is replicated in whole or in part.
• Referring back toFIG. 3, there is shown a block diagram of asystem300 for providing information related to aninaccessible location340.System300 may comprisememory device2B permanently affixed toequipment320, such as a lawn tractor, portablememory reading devices5, anddatabase31 communicatively connected32 tomemory reading device5.Memory device2B,equipment320,location340, and portablememory reading device5 comprise the same elements as in the systems described hereinabove.Database31 comprises a single or central database wherein the information stored in and/or onmemory device2B is replicated in whole or in part, or a plurality of distributed databases wherein the information stored in and/or onmemory devices2B is replicated in whole or in part.
• Referring now toFIG. 4, there is shown a block diagram of asystem400 for providing information related to aninaccessible location440.System400 may comprisememory device2B permanently affixed toplaque420,plaque420 located in aninaccessible location440, such as a hospital or any other building, portablememory reading device5, anddatabase31 communicatively connected32 tomemory device2B.Memory device2B,plaque420,inaccessible location440, and portablememory reading device5 comprise the same elements as in the systems described hereinabove.Database31 comprises a single or central database wherein the information stored in and/or onmemory device2B is replicated in whole or in part, or a plurality of distributed databases wherein the information stored in and/or onmemory device2B is replicated in whole or in part.
• In the case wheredatabase31 comprises a plurality of distributed databases, the plurality of databases may be connected to one another via an internet connection, limited or wide area network connection, or some other type of suitable communicable connection or combination of connections as would be known in the art, and the information stored in and/or onmemory devices2B,3B, and/or2B′ may be replicated on each or some lesser number of the databases in the plurality. Thecommunicable connection32 tomemory devices2B,3B, and/or2B′ may comprise an internet connection, a limited and/or wide area network connection, a wireless communications connection, a wireline telephone connection, or some other type of suitable communicable connection or combination of connections as would be known in the art. The replicated information residing ondatabase31 may be revised atdatabase31 and the revised replicated information communicated tomemory devices2B,3B, and/or2B′ overcommunicable connection32.
• In certain embodiments of the invention insystem30,300, and400,communicative connection32 need not comprise a permanent communicative connection, as in the case where the information residing onmemory devices2B,3B, and/or2B′ may be overwritten with portablememory reading device5 and/or5′. In those embodiments, revised replicated information may be transferred fromdatabase31 to portablememory reading device5 and/or5′ over a suitable connection and subsequently read tomemory devices2B,3B, and/or2B′ whenmemory reading device5 and/or5′ is placed in close proximity tomemory devices2B,3B, and/or2B′.
• In still further embodiments ofsystem30,300, and400, users of the system may utilize the identifying codes that are uniquely associated withmemory devices2B,3B, and/or3B′ to access the replicated information residing ondatabase31 either with or without the use ofmemory reading device5 and/or5′, depending on the type of devices employed asmemory reading device5 and/or5′. A user of the system accessesdatabase31 through an internet with a browser or some other suitable form of software, a telephone connection, including wireless telephone connections, or any other type of suitable communications medium or combination of mediums as would be known in the art, provides the identifying code for theinaccessible location2,3, and/or21 he or she is interested in receiving information about, anddatabase31 provides the replicated information corresponding toinaccessible location2,3, and/or21 to the user over the communication medium employed upon receipt of the identifying code.
• Referring now toFIG. 6, there is shown a block diagram of a system40 for providing information relate to inaccessible locations in accordance with a sixth embodiment of the invention. System40 compriseslocations2 and3 withincemetery10, historicallynotable location21,plaque location440,equipment location340,memory reading devices5 and5′,database32, communication links42 betweenmemory reading devices5 and5′ anddatabase32, the Global Positioning System (GPS)infrastructure41, and GPS signals43.Locations2 and3,cemetery10, historicallynotable location21,plaque location440,equipment location340,memory reading devices5 and5′, anddatabase32 comprise the same elements as insystems1,20, and/or30 described above. In system40 though,memory reading devices5 and5′ also comprise GPS receivers, and preferably wireless communications devices or smart wireless communications devices with GPS receivers integrated therein. Communication links42 comprise the same types of connections a user would employ to accessdatabase32 insystem30,300, and400. Whenmemory reading device5 or5′ is positioned nearcemetery location2 or3, historicallynotable location21,plaque location440, orequipment location340,memory reading device5 or5′ determines its position on the surface of the earth through the use of GPS signals43 transmitted byGPS system infrastructure41, accessesdatabase32 viacommunication links42, and communicates its GPS position todatabase32.Database32 determines the inaccessible location associated with the GPS position received frommemory reading device5 or5′ viacommunication links42, in thiscase cemetery location2 or3 orhistorical location21, and communicates the information related toinaccessible locations2,3, and/or21 tomemory reading device5 or5′ over communication links42. The information may then be displayed or communicated to a user of system40 located at or nearinaccessible location2,3, and/or21. In some embodiments of the invention, a user of system40 may be required to initiate access todatabase32 overcommunication links42, and/or may be required to provide an identification number, code or password before the information related toinaccessible location2,3, and/or21 can be accessed by and/or communicated tomemory reading device5 or5′.
• In any embodiment of the invention, including the embodiments shown and described above, the information related to an inaccessible location may also comprise, in addition to information specifically related to the inaccessible location, data, symbols, codes, and/or other information not specifically related to the inaccessible location that may be used to access the information specifically related to the inaccessible location, whether resident on a memory device at an inaccessible location or a database located somewhere other than the inaccessible location. Moreover, the inaccessible locations where the invention may be employed are not limited to cemetery and historically notable locations, but may comprise any location that a person may find notable that is physically removed from easily accessible sources of power and communication, regardless of whether the climatic conditions likely encountered would be considered extreme. Thus, systems and methods for providing information related to an inaccessible location have been shown and described. Users of the systems and methods have the ability among other things to store, receive, and/or revise the information related to the inaccessible location in a number of ways.
• The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make or use the present invention. Various modifications to the embodiments described above however will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the generic principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments without the use of inventive faculty. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific systems and methods shown herein but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the claims set forth below.

Claims (36)

1. A system for providing and receiving instructions directly relating to a stationary item positioned at a remote location, comprising:

at least one processor and memory device, wherein said at least one processor and memory device is affixed to said stationary item, the instructions residing on said memory device and uniquely and directly relating to said stationary item to which the memory device is affixed;

a portable device for wirelessly uploading and downloading the instructions to and from said affixed memory device;

wherein said at least one processor processes the instructions to and from said memory device, including processing for forwarding of the instructions from the associated memory device to said portable device.

2. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one memory device comprises a contact memory device.

3. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one memory device comprises a programmable read only memory device.

4. The system ofclaim 1, wherein said at least one memory device comprises a weather resistant memory device.

5. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the information resides on said at least one memory device in extensible markup language format.

6. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the information resides on said at least one memory device in hypertext markup language format.

7. The system ofclaim 1, further comprising:

a database associated with said at least one memory device, wherein the information on said memory device is replicated; and

wherein said memory device is uniquely associated with an identifying code.

8. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the replicated information is accessed upon receipt of the identifying code the database.

9. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the replicated information is accessed through an internet.

10. The system ofclaim 8, wherein the replicated information is accessed through an internet.

11. The system ofclaim 7, wherein the database is communicatively connected to said memory device.

12. The system ofclaim 11, wherein the replicated information is revised at the database, and wherein the revised replicated information is communicated from the database to said memory device via the communicative connection.

13. A system for providing information directly relating to a stationary dedication at a remote location, comprising:

at least one spatially fixed processor and memory device affixed proximate to said stationary dedication, the information uniquely and directly relating to said stationary dedication;

a portable device for wirelessly uploading and downloading the dedication information to and from said memory device;

wherein said at least one processor processes the information to and from the associated memory device, including processing for forwarding of the information from the associated memory device to said portable device.

14. The system ofclaim 13, wherein at least one of the plurality of memory devices comprises a contact memory device.

15. The system ofclaim 13, wherein said memory device comprises a weather resistant memory device.

16. The system ofclaim 13, wherein the information resides on said memory device in extensible markup language format.

17. The system ofclaim 13, wherein said information resides said memory device in hypertext markup language format.

18. The system ofclaim 13, further comprising:

a database wherein the information residing on said memory device is replicated; and

wherein said memory device is uniquely associated with an identifying code.

19. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the replicated information is capable of

being accessed upon receipt of the identifying code by the database.

20. The system ofclaim 19, wherein the replicated information is accessed through an internet.

21. The system ofclaim 29, wherein the replicated information is accessed through a telephone network.

22. The system ofclaim 18, wherein the database is communicatively connected to said memory device.

23. The system ofclaim 22, wherein the replicated information is revised at the database, and wherein the revised replicated information is communicated from the database to said memory device via the communicative connection.

24. An information generator for use at a remote location, comprising:

at least one spatially fixed processor and memory device affixed at least one remote location, wherein said at least one memory device includes thereon information uniquely and directly related to said at least one remote location;

a portable device for wirelessly connecting to said memory device;

wherein said portable device is capable of loading said information directly

related to the associated at least one remote location onto the associated memory device;

wherein, upon establishing a wireless communicative connection with said associated memory device, said portable device receives the information for display; and

wherein said associated processor processes the information to and from said associated memory device, including processing for forwarding of the information from the associated memory device to said portable device.

25. The information generator ofclaim 24, wherein said at least one memory device comprises a contact memory device.

26. The information generator ofclaim 25, wherein said at least one memory device comprises a weather resistant memory device.

27. The information generator ofclaim 24, further comprising:

a database wherein the information residing on said at least one memory device is replicated; and

wherein said at least one memory device is uniquely associated with an identifying code.

28. The information generator ofclaim 27, wherein the replicated information may be accessed upon receipt of the identifying code by the database.

29. The information generator ofclaim 28, wherein the replicated information is accessed through an internet.

30. The information generator ofclaim 28, wherein the replicated information is accessed through a telephone network.

31. The information generator ofclaim 27, wherein the database is communicatively connected to said at least one memory device.

32. The information ofclaim 31, wherein the replicated information may be revised at the database, and wherein the revised replicated information is capable of being communicated from the database to said at least one memory device via the communicable connection.

33. A method for providing information related to a remote location, comprising:

storing and retrieving information directly related to a remote location on at least one spatially fixed processor and memory device uniquely and directly associated with the remote location, such that said information can be wirelessly written to and retrieved from said memory device associated with said remote location at different points in time by a portable device, and wherein the information is displayed by said portable device;

affixing said at least one memory device at said remote location,

wherein said at least one processor processes the information to and from the associated memory device, including processing for forwarding of the information from said at least one memory device to said portable device.

34. The method ofclaim 33, further comprising the step of:

replicating the information stored on said at least one memory device in a database.

35. The method ofclaim 34, further comprising the step of:

revising the replicated information at the database, and communicating the revised replicated information to said at least one memory device over a communicable connection between the database and said at least one memory device.

36. The method ofclaim 34, further comprising the step of:

providing the replicated information over a communication medium upon receipt by the database of an identifying code, the identifying code being uniquely associated with said at least one memory device having the information stored thereon.

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