Layered label structure with timer
First Claim
1. A thin, layered structure with an active display, comprising:
- a base layer and a cover layer of material;
a display component situated between the base layer and the cover layer, the display component including a layer of electrochromic ink and a pair of spaced apart electrodes in electrical connection with the layer of electrochromic ink, wherein the layer of electrochromic ink is visible through a window in the cover layer; and
an actuator configured to complete an electrical connection between a power source and the pair of spaced apart electrodes of the display component.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present invention relates to a thin, layered, variable label structure with built-in electronic functionality. The display and/or other functional elements in the structure may be formed by printing processes. The label structure includes a thin, layered structure with an active display, comprising a base layer and a cover layer of material and a display component situated between the base layer and the cover layer. The display is formed with a layer of electrochromic ink and a pair of spaced apart electrodes. The cover layer includes a window to allow for the layer of electrochromic ink to be visible through the cover layer. The label also is configured to respond to an actuating event by completing an electrical connection between a power source and the pair of spaced apart electrodes of the display component, thereby causing the display to change its appearance. The actuating event may include a variety of occurrences, such as: pressing a switch on the label, introducing a power source to activate the display, and a sensor sensing a condition near the label.
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Citations
37 Claims
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1. A thin, layered structure with an active display, comprising:
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a base layer and a cover layer of material;
a display component situated between the base layer and the cover layer, the display component including a layer of electrochromic ink and a pair of spaced apart electrodes in electrical connection with the layer of electrochromic ink, wherein the layer of electrochromic ink is visible through a window in the cover layer; and
an actuator configured to complete an electrical connection between a power source and the pair of spaced apart electrodes of the display component. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A thin, layered timer structure with an active display for communicating elapsed time, comprising:
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a base layer and a cover layer of material;
a display component situated between the base layer and the cover layer, the display component including a layer of electrochromic ink forming a first pixel and a second pixel, wherein the first and second pixels are visible through a window in the cover layer;
a first electrode and a second electrode, the first electrode and the second electrode being spaced apart and being in electrical connection with the layer of electrochromic ink, the first electrode being in electrical connection with the first pixel with a first resistance therebetween and the first electrode further being in electrical connection with the second pixel with a second resistance therebetween;
a power source and a pair of electrical traces for electrically connecting the power source to the first and second electrodes; and
an actuator configured to complete an electrical connection between the power source and the first and second electrodes of the display component. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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23. A thing, layered structure with an active display comprising:
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a base layer and a cover layer;
a display component situated between the base layer and the cover layer, the display component including a layer of electrochromic ink and a pair of spaced apart electrodes in electrical connection with the layer of electrochromic ink, wherein the layer of electrochromic ink is visible through a window in the cover layer;
a power source and a pair of electrical traces for electrically connecting the power source to the pair of spaced apart electrodes; and
a user selectable input with at least two states, the display providing a first display with the input in a first state and a second display with the input in a second state.
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24. A thin, layered structure with an active display, comprising:
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a base layer and a cover layer of material;
a display component situated between the base layer and the cover layer, the display component including a layer of electrochromic ink and a pair of spaced apart electrodes in electrical connection with the layer of electrochromic ink, wherein the layer of electrochromic ink is visible through a window in the cover layer;
a power source and a pair of electrical traces for electrically connecting the power source to the pair of spaced apart electrodes; and
an actuator configured to complete an electrical connection between the power source and the pair of spaced apart electrodes of the display component. - View Dependent Claims (25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37)
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Specification