Timing system and device and method for making the same

• US 8,077,553 B2
• Filed: 07/08/2009
• Issued: 12/13/2011
• 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:
  US12/499,634
• Publication Number:
  US 20090266291A1
• Time in Patent Office: 888 Days
• Field of Search: 368/10, 368/113, 368/114, 368/121, 368/327, 116/206, 116/216, 324/432, 324/435, 374100-106, 429/90, 429/93
• US Class Current: 368/114
• CPC Class Codes: G01K 11/12 using changes in colour, translucency or reflectance
• CPC Class Codes: G01N 31/229 for investigating time/temperature history
• CPC Class Codes: G04B 47/00 Time-pieces combined with other articles which do not interfere with the running or the time-keeping of the time-piece clockwork cases for special purposes G04B37/12; clocks with magnifying glass built in the face G04B39/00; time-pieces in which parts or cases produce special effects, e.g. aesthetic effects, G04B45/00, particularly with inscriptions or pictures moved by hand G04B45/003, with specially shaped cases or parts G04B45/0069; combination of writing or drawing implements with devices for indicating time B43K29/087; combined with cameras, projectors, or photographic printing apparatus G03B29/00
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 13/04 using electrochemical means
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/04 Processes of manufacture in general
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/38 of elements or alloys
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 4/463 Aluminium based
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/18 with solid electrolyte
• CPC Class Codes: H01M 6/185 with oxides, hydroxides or oxysalts as solid electrolytes
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49002 Electrical device making
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/49126 Assembling bases

Abstract

A timing device for indicating a passage of a duration of time is disclosed. The timing device in accordance with the embodiments of the invention has a grid array architecture. The grid array architecture includes an electrode structure with an anode layer, a cathode layer and a thermistor layer. The anode layer and the thermistor layer are electrically coupled through a plurality of cathode line structures. In operation the timing device is actuated through a suitable mechanism to initiate depletion of the anode layer and, thereby, indicate a passage of a duration time. As the anode layer depletes, sequential cathode line structures are exposed and the thermistor layer acts as a variable resistor through a plurality of exposed cathode line structures.

Claims

1. A timing device comprising an electrochemical structure, the electrochemical structure comprising an electrolyte and electrodes in electrical communication with the 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 isolated zones configured to change color at different rates to 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, wherein the 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.

4. A timing device comprising:

a. electrode structures;

b. an electrolyte sandwiched between the electrode structures; and

c. an actuator 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, each of the sub cells isolated from each other, and having different resistivities.

5. A timing device comprising an electrochemical structure, the electrochemical structure comprising an electrolyte and electrodes in electrical communication with the 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 that collectively provide a visual indication of the passage of the duration of time, wherein each of the zones comprise different materials.

6. The timing device of claim 5, further comprising means to initiate depletion of the one or more electrodes.

7. The timing device of claim 5, wherein the 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.

8. A timing device comprising:

a. electrode structures;

b. an electrolyte sandwiched between the electrode structures; and

c. an actuator 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, each of the sub cells comprising different materials.

9. A timing device comprising:

a. electrode structures;

b. an electrolyte sandwiched between the electrode structures; and

c. an actuator 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, each of the sub cells having separate resistivities.