TIMING SYSTEM AND DEVICE AND METHOD FOR MAKING THE SAME

• US 20130163392A1
• Filed: 12/17/2012
• Published: 06/27/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 12/23/2011
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Original Assignee: Vision Works IP Corp.
• Inventors: Braunberger, Alfred S.
• Granted Patent: US 9,298,167 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 368/107
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/00 Apparatus which can be set and started to measure-off predetermined or adjustably-fixed time intervals without driving mechanisms, e.g. egg timers
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/02 by consuming prefixed quantities of materials, e.g. by burning candle
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 13/04 using electrochemical means

Abstract

A timing device comprises an electrochemical timing structure and a mechanism that enables the timing device to be manually programmed to expire at a plurality of different time periods. In some embodiments, the mechanism is used to adjust the timing device to add a duration of time to an expiration time of the timing device. Alternatively the mechanism is used in order to subtract a duration of time from an expiration time of the timing device.

Claims

1. An adjustable timing device, comprising:

a. an electrochemical timing structure; and

b. a mechanism manually adjustable in order to adjust an expiration time of the timing device.

2. The timing device of claim 1, wherein the mechanism is external to the timing device.

3. The timing device of claim 1, wherein the mechanism regulates a current flow within the timing device.

4. The timing device of claim 1, wherein the mechanism is adjusted in order to increase the expiration time of the timing device.

5. The timing device of claim 1, wherein the mechanism is adjusted in order to decrease the expiration time of the timing device.

6. The timing device of claim 1, wherein a portion of the timing device is removed in order to adjust the expiration time of the timing device.

7. The timing device of claim 1, wherein the mechanism comprises a group of parallel resistors.

8. The timing device of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical timing structure comprises:

a. an anode;

b. a cathode;

c. a base;

d. an electrolyte; and

e. a means of activating the timing device.

9. The timing device of claim 1, wherein a visual change is seen as the timing device expires.

10. The timing device of claim 1, wherein the timing device is coupled to an additional object.

11. The timing device of claim 1, further comprising a scale for indicating the time of expiration of the timing device.

12. A timing system, comprising:

a. an anode layer;

b. a cathode layer;

c. an electrolyte; and

d. a manually adjustable mechanism that regulates an electron current flow from the anode layer to the cathode layer.

13. The timing system of claim 12, wherein the mechanism is external to the timing system.

14. The timing system of claim 13, wherein adjusting the mechanism increases the rate of the flow of electrons from the anode layer to the cathode layer.

15. The timing system of claim 13, wherein adjusting the mechanism decreases the rate of the flow of electrons from the anode layer to the cathode layer.

16. The timing device of claim 13, wherein a portion of the timing system is removed in order to adjust the flow of electrons from the anode layer to the cathode layer.

17. The timing system of claim 12, wherein the timing system comprises a group of parallel resistors.

18. The timing system of claim 12, wherein a visual change is seen as the timing device expires.

19. The timing system of claim 12, wherein the timing device is coupled to an additional object.

20. The timing system of claim 12, further comprising a scale for indicating the time of expiration of the timing device.

21. A method of using an adjustable timing device, comprising:

a. programing an expiration time of the timing device by changing an external characteristic of the timing device; and

b. activating the timing device.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein programming the timing device comprises adding a duration of time to the expiration time of the timing device.

23. The method of claim 21, wherein programming the timing device comprises subtracting a duration of time from the expiration time of the timing device.