Temperature monitor
First Claim
Patent Images
1. A passive temperature monitor comprising:
- an electronic paper display comprising an electronically active ink, the electronic paper display configured to have a first visual display state and a second visual display state, wherein the electronic paper display is configured to utilize the electronically active ink in at least one of the first visual display state or the second visual display state to produce visual information; and
a passive temperature sensor electrically coupled to the electronic paper display, the passive temperature sensor configured such that when the temperature of the passive temperature sensor attains a predetermined value, the passive temperature sensor directly or indirectly produces a response that is communicated to, or sensible by, the electronic paper display, wherein the response is produced without an energy input other than ambient temperature; and
wherein the electronic paper display is configured to change from the first visual display state to the second visual display state upon receiving the communicated response, or sensing the response, from the passive temperature sensor.
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Abstract
A temperature monitor, a temperature monitoring system, and method are provided. The temperature monitor includes an electronic paper display and a passive temperature sensor. The electronic paper display has first and second display states. The passive temperature sensor is coupled to the display such that when the temperature of the sensor attains a predetermined value, the display changes from the first display state to the second display state.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A passive temperature monitor comprising:
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an electronic paper display comprising an electronically active ink, the electronic paper display configured to have a first visual display state and a second visual display state, wherein the electronic paper display is configured to utilize the electronically active ink in at least one of the first visual display state or the second visual display state to produce visual information; and a passive temperature sensor electrically coupled to the electronic paper display, the passive temperature sensor configured such that when the temperature of the passive temperature sensor attains a predetermined value, the passive temperature sensor directly or indirectly produces a response that is communicated to, or sensible by, the electronic paper display, wherein the response is produced without an energy input other than ambient temperature; and wherein the electronic paper display is configured to change from the first visual display state to the second visual display state upon receiving the communicated response, or sensing the response, from the passive temperature sensor. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A passive temperature monitoring system, comprising:
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a first temperature monitor that includes a first electronic paper display comprising an electronically active ink, the first electronic paper display configured to have a first visual display state and a second visual display state, wherein the first electronic paper display is configured to utilize the electronically active ink in at least one of the first visual display state or the second visual display state to produce visual information, and a first passive temperature sensor electrically coupled to the first electronic paper display, the first passive temperature sensor configured such that when the temperature of the first passive temperature sensor attains a first predetermined value, the first passive temperature sensor directly or indirectly produces a first response that is communicated to, or is sensible by, the first electronic paper display, wherein the first response is produced without an energy input other than ambient temperature, and wherein the first electronic paper display is configured to change from the first visual display state to the second visual display state upon receiving the communicated first response, or sensing the first response, from the first passive temperature sensor; and a second temperature monitor that includes a second electronic paper display comprising an electronically active ink, the second electronic paper display configured to have a first visual display state and a second visual display state, wherein the second electronic paper display is configured to utilize the electronically active ink in at least one of the first visual display state or the second visual display state to produce visual information, and a second passive temperature sensor electrically coupled to the second electronic paper display, the second passive temperature sensor configured such that when the temperature of the second passive temperature sensor attains a second predetermined value, the second passive temperature sensor directly or indirectly produces a second response that is communicated to, or is sensible by, the second electronic paper display, wherein the second response is produced without an energy input other than ambient temperature, and wherein the second electronic paper display is configured to change from the first visual display state to the second visual display state upon receiving the communicated second response, or sensing the second response, from the second passive temperature sensor; wherein the first predetermined value is lower than the second predetermined value. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. A package comprising:
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a structure sized to contain one or more temperature sensitive devices, which structure includes at least one surface; and a passive temperature monitor that includes; an electronic paper display comprising an electronically active ink, the electronic paper display configured to have a first visual display state and a second visual display state, wherein the electronic paper display is configured to utilize the electronically active ink in at least one of the first visual display state or the second visual display state to produce visual information; and a passive temperature sensor electrically coupled to the electronic paper display, the passive temperature sensor configured such that when the temperature of the passive temperature sensor attains a predetermined value, the passive temperature sensor directly or indirectly produces a response that is communicated to, or sensible by, the electronic paper display, wherein the response is produced without an energy input other than ambient temperature; and wherein the electronic paper display is configured to change from the first visual display state to the second visual display state upon receiving the communicated response, or sensing the response, from the passive temperature sensor; wherein the temperature monitor is secured to the surface of the structure.
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19. A method of determining whether a product has been exposed to a temperature outside of a desired range, the method comprising:
securing to a product or product packaging at least one passive temperature monitor that includes; an electronic paper display comprising an electronically active ink, the electronic paper display configured to have a first visual display state and a second visual display state, wherein the electronic paper display is configured to utilize the electronically active ink in at least one of the first visual display state or the second visual display state to produce visual information; and a passive temperature sensor electrically coupled to the electronic paper display, the passive temperature sensor configured such that when the temperature of the passive temperature sensor attains a predetermined value, the passive temperature sensor directly or indirectly produces a response that is communicated to, or is sensible by, the electronic paper display, wherein the response is produced without an energy input other than ambient temperature; and wherein the electronic paper display is configured to change from the first visual display state to the second visual display state upon receiving the communicated response, or sensing the response, from the passive temperature sensor; and visually inspecting the display state of the electronic paper display(s).
Specification