TIME-BASED VISUAL NOTIFICATION DEVICE AND METHODS OF USE THEREOF

• US 20160379469A1
• Filed: 06/23/2016
• Published: 12/29/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 06/23/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Steridate LLC
• Original Assignee: Steridate LLC
• Inventors: Flodin, Jason T., Newman, Allen
• Application Number:
  US15/191,445
• Publication Number:
  US 20160379469A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 21/24 Reminder alarms, e.g. anti-loss alarms
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 5/36 using visible light sources

Abstract

A time-based visual notification device (TND) provides visual, time-based notifications relating to a usability of an item via a visual indicator, power source and microcontroller programmed to track time intervals and illuminate the visual indicator with particular colors or patterns of illuminations to provide customized visual indications of the time intervals. The TND may be embodied as a sticker or tag, embedded within packaging, labels, storage containers, or even integrated within a product such as a medical device. The time intervals may be customized for a particular item, device or application and may either be pre-programmed for a desired time interval or customized to a desired time interval at the time of activation. A dispensing mechanism may be provided with a housing which contains a plurality of TNDs connected in sequence and a dispensing activator to activate each TND as it is removed from the dispensing mechanism.

Claims

1. A time-based visual notification device, comprising:

a housing forming at least a top surface and a bottom surface and defining an interior space;

a power source positioned within the interior space;

a visual indicator connected with the power source and positioned within the top surface which displays one or more visual indications;

a controller connected with the power source and the visual indicator which activates the visual indicator to display a first visual indication at a specified time interval of a limited period of time; and

an affixing mechanism attached with a portion of the housing which affixes the time-based visual notification device to an item.

2. The time-based visual notification device of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator displays a second visual indication upon expiration of the limited period of time.

3. The time-based visual notification device of claim 1, wherein the first visual indication and the second visual indication differ in one or more of:

a color, a display pattern, a display time, a shape and a symbol.

4. The time-based visual notification device of claim 3, wherein the first visual indication is a first color and the second visual indication is a second color.

5. The time-based visual notification device of claim 4, wherein the limited period of time represents a temporary usability of the item.

6. The time-based visual notification device of claim 5, wherein the temporary usability refers to a cleanliness, sterility, life span or quality of the item.

7. The time-based visual notification device of claim 1, further comprising an activation mechanism which activates the controller to begin measuring the limited period of time and activate the visual indicator at the specified time intervals within the limited period of time.

8. The time-based visual notification device of claim 7, wherein the activation mechanism is a pull-tab which activates the controller when the pull-tab is depressed.

9. The time-based visual notification device of claim 1, wherein the visual indicator is one of:

a light emitting diode (LED), a phosphorescent indicator, a chemical indicator, an electrochemical indicator and an electrophoretic indicator.

10. The time-based visual notification device of claim 1, wherein the affixing mechanism is one of:

an adhesive, a strap, a magnet and a clip.

11. A method of monitoring a usability of an item, comprising the steps of:

activating a time-based visual notification device to begin measuring a first time interval of a limited period of time;

displaying a first visual indication of the specified time interval during the limited period of time;

affixing the time-based visual notification device to the item; and

displaying a second visual indication at a second specified time interval upon expiration of the limited period of time.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the first visual indication and the second visual indication differ in one or more of:

a color, a display pattern, a display time, a shape and a symbol.

13. The method of claim 11, wherein the first visual indication is a first color and the second visual indication is a second color.

14. The method of claim 11, wherein the limited period of time represents a temporary usability of the item.

15. The method of claim 11, further comprising an activation mechanism which activates the controller to begin measuring the limited period of time and activate the visual indicator at the specified time intervals within the limited period of time.

16. The method of claim 11, further comprising activating the time-based visual notification device by depressing a pull-tab on the time-based visual notification device.

17. A medical device, comprising:

a housing defining an interior space within the medical device;

a power source positioned within the interior space;

a visual indicator which displays one or more visual indications and which is connected with the power source, wherein the visual indicator is positioned within the housing so as to be visible on an exterior surface of the medical device;

a controller connected with the power source and the visual indicator which activates the visual indicator to display a first visual indication at a specified time interval of a limited period of time; and

an activation mechanism located on the exterior surface of the medical device which activates the controller to begin measuring the limited period of time and activate the visual indicator at the specified time intervals within the limited period of time.