Timing system and device and method for making the same

• US 7,372,780 B1
• Filed: 06/09/2004
• Issued: 05/13/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 12/13/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Original Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Inventors: Braunberger, Alfred S.
• Primary Examiner(s): Miska; Vit W
• Application Number:
  US10/865,724
• Time in Patent Office: 1,434 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/113, 368/114, 368/121, 368/327, 116/206, 116/216, 324/432, 324/435, 359/269, 359/270, 359/274, 359/290, 359/291, 359/295, 422/90, 422/93
• US Class Current: 368/114
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 13/04 using electrochemical means
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 10/486 for measuring temperature
• CPC Class Codes: Y02E 60/10 Energy storage using batteries

Abstract

A timing device for indicating the passage of a duration of time is disclosed. The timing device in accordance with the embodiments of the invention comprises an electrochemical component that generates a visual and/or audio indication of the passage a duration of time. The electrochemical component preferably comprises two or more electrode structures that sandwich a suitable solid-state electrolyte. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, a timing device comprises an electrochemical component with an indicating electrolyte and an indicating layer that absorbs or reacts with the indicating electrolyte when an electrode material is depleted, providing a visual indication of the passage of a duration time.

Claims

1. A timing device comprising an electrochemical structure, the electrochemical structure comprising a solid-state electrolyte and electrodes in electrical communication with the solid-state electrolyte, wherein depletion of one or more of the electrodes provides an indication of a passage of a duration of time, further wherein the electrochemical structure is divided into zones, wherein the zones are made to have different rates of reactivity, that collectively provide a visual indication of the passage of the duration of time.

2. The timing device of claim 1, further comprising means to initiate depletion of the one or more electrodes.

3. The timing device of claim 1, further comprising a compensating element.

4. The timing device of claim 1, wherein the solid-state electrolyte comprises a material selected from the group consisting of a silver halide, a silver selenide, a sodium ion complex, a lithium ion complex, an oxide and a Fluoride ion complex.

5. The timing device of claim 1, further comprising an indicator that changes color when one or more of the electrodes are at least partially depleted.

6. The timing device of claim 5, wherein the indicator comprises a pH indicator.

7. The timing device of claim 2, further comprising a switch mechanism that is configured to place the electrodes in electric communication with each other.

8. The timing device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the electrodes are formed on a first piece of a substrate and a second portion of the electrodes are formed on a second piece of the substrate, wherein contacting the first piece of the substrate with the second piece of the places the electrodes in electrical communication with each other and actuates the timing device.

9. The timing device of claim 8, wherein the substrate is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of plastic, glass and metal.

10. A timing device comprising:

a) electrode structures;

b) a solid-state electrolyte sandwiched between the electrode structures; and

c) means to actuate depletion of a portion of at least one of the electrode structures and thereby indicate a passage of a duration time, wherein the at least one of the electrode structures comprises a plurality of corresponding sub cells, further wherein the sub cells have different rates of reactivity.

11. The timing device of claim 10, further comprising a compensating element coupled to the electrode structures.