Timing system and device and method for making the same

• US 20090086586A1
• Filed: 12/03/2008
• Published: 04/02/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Original Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Inventors: Braunberger, Alfred S.
• Granted Patent: US 8,014,234 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 368/327
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 3/04 in respect of time
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/066 using electrical contact device
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 13/04 using electrochemical means
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49 Method of mechanical manufacture
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49826 Assembling or joining

Abstract

A timing device for indicating the passage of a duration of time is disclosed. The timing device and system, in accordance with the embodiments of the invention, comprise an electrochemical component which generates a visual and/or audio indication of the passage of time. The timing device further comprises a compensating element, such as a varistor, a thermistor and/or combinations thereof. The compensating element regulates the response of the device with respect to changes in temperature. The timing device is configured to indicate the passage of a single duration of time or comprises zones that are activated in a range of prescribed times and individually or collectively indicate the passage of time or the passage of a range of times.

Claims

1-29. -29. (canceled)

30. A timing device comprising:

a. an electrochemical structure; and

b. an indicator coupled to the electrochemical structure, wherein the indicator actively participates in an electrochemical process to generate a response to indicate the passage of a duration of time.

31. The timing device of claim 30, wherein the indicator is configured to allow a movement of a cation.

32. The timing device of claim 31, wherein the cation is a proton.

33. The timing device of claim 30, wherein the indicator comprises a pH indicator, a reactive dye indicator, an electrolyte, an optical medium or a combination thereof, further wherein a change of color, brightness, or transparency of the indicator indicates the passage of a duration of time.

34. The timing device of claim 30, wherein the indicator comprises an ion exchange membrane.

35. The timing device of claim 30, wherein the indicator comprises a timing circuit.

36. The timing device of claim 35, wherein the timing circuit comprises an electrochromic layer, wherein the operation of the timing circuit causes a color change in the electrochromic layer.

37. The timing device of claim 30, wherein the response is indicated by a proton movement, a change of a proton concentration, an occurrence of an electric current, a cessation of an electric current, or a change of an electric current.

38. The timing device of claim 30, wherein the electrochemical structure comprises a first electrode material, a second electrode material and an electrolyte.

39. The timing device of claim 38, wherein the first electrode material comprises a polymeric material.

40. The timing device of claim 39, wherein the polymeric material has charges.

41. The timing device of claim 38, wherein the electrolyte is colored.

42. The timing device of claim 30, wherein the electrochemical structure comprises a battery or an electrolytic cell.

43. The timing device of claim 30, wherein the electrochemical structure converting a chemical energy to electrical energy.

44. A timing device comprising:

a. an electrochemical structure; and

b. an electrochromic layer coupled to the electrochemical structure, wherein the electrochromic layer generates a visual response to indicate the passage of a duration of time.

45. The timing device of claim 44, wherein the electrochemical structure moves an electron to the electrochromic layer.

46. The timing device of claim 45, wherein the movement of the electron to the electrochromic layer causing a cation to move to the electrochromic layer.

47. The timing device of claim 46, wherein the electron and the cation are combined in the electrochromic layer, wherein the combination causes a color change in the electrochromic layer.

48. The timing device of claim 44, wherein the electrochromic layer comprises an electrolyte.

49. The timing device of claim 48, wherein the electrolyte is colored.

50. The timing device of claim 44, wherein the electrochromic layer comprises a membrane.

51. The timing device of claim 50, wherein the membrane is an ion exchange membrane.

52. The timing device of claim 44, wherein the electrochemical structure comprise an electrode, wherein the electrode contains a chargeable polymeric material.

53. A timing device comprising an electrochemical cell comprising:

a) a first electrode to generate electricity indicating the passage of a duration of time;

b) a second electrode; and

c) an electrolyte.

54. The timing device of claim 53, wherein the second electrode receives an cation.

55. The timing device of claim 54, wherein the cation is a proton.

56. The timing device of claim 53, wherein the first electrode comprises a polymeric matter capable of carrying a charge.

57. The timing device of claim 53 further comprises a timing circuit electrically coupled to the first electrode.

58. The timing device of claim 57, wherein the timing circuit comprises an electrochromic layer.

59. The timing device of claim 53, wherein the first electrode comprises a metal member.

60. The timing device of claim 59, wherein the depletion of the metal member on the first electrode indicates the termination of timing.