# US 2009/0266291 A1 · Timing system and device and method for making the same

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- Number: US 2009/0266291 A1
- Document ID: US20090266291A1
- Status: Published application
- Kind: A1
- Application number: 12/499,634
- Filed: 2009-07-08
- Published: 2009-10-29
- Earliest claimed: 2002-12-13
- Assignees: Vision Works IP Corporation
- Inventors: Alfred S. Braunberger
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20090266291A1

## CPC

- G04F 13/04: using electrochemical means
- G01K 11/12: using changes in colour, translucency or reflectance
- G01N 31/229: {for investigating time/temperature history}
- 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)
- H01M 4/04: Processes of manufacture in general
- H01M 6/18: with solid electrolyte
- H01M 4/38: of elements or alloys
- H01M 4/463: {Aluminium based}
- H01M 6/185: {with oxides, hydroxides or oxysalts as solid electrolytes}
- Y10T 29/49002: Electrical device making
- Y10T 29/49126: Assembling bases
- G04F: TIME-INTERVAL MEASURING (measuring pulse characteristics G01R, e.g. G01R29/02; in radar or like systems G01S)
- G01K: MEASURING TEMPERATURE; MEASURING QUANTITY OF HEAT; THERMALLY-SENSITIVE ELEMENTS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (radiation pyrometry G01J5/00)
- G01N: INVESTIGATING OR ANALYSING MATERIALS BY DETERMINING THEIR CHEMICAL OR PHYSICAL PROPERTIES (measuring or testing apparatus or processes other than immunoassay, involving enzymes or microorganisms C12M, C12Q)
- G04B: MECHANICALLY-DRIVEN CLOCKS OR WATCHES; MECHANICAL PARTS OF CLOCKS OR WATCHES IN GENERAL; TIME PIECES USING THE POSITION OF THE SUN, MOON OR STARS (spring- or weight-driven mechanisms in general F03G; electromechanical clocks or watches G04C; electromechanical clocks with attached or built-in means operating any device at pre-selected times or after predetermined time intervals G04C23/00; clocks or watches with stop devices G04F7/08)
- H01M: PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- Y10T: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER US CLASSIFICATION

## 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

### Claim at position 1

1-20. (canceled)

### Claim 21

A timing device comprising:
a. an electro-chemical structure comprising a solid-state electrolyte; and
b. an indicator for indicating when an electrode material of the electrochemical structure is at least partially depleted provides a visual indication of a passage of a duration of time.

### Claim 22 (depends on 21)

The timing device of claim 21, wherein the indicator comprises a dye.

### Claim 23 (depends on 22)

The timing device of claim 22, wherein the dye is a pH indicating dye.

### Claim 24 (depends on 21)

The timing device of claim 21, wherein the solid-state electrode 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.

### Claim 25

A method of making a timing device comprising:
a. forming a first electrode structure on a first piece of a substrate; and
b. forming a second electrode structure on a second piece of a substrate, wherein at least one of the first electrode structure and the second electrode structure comprises a solid-state electrolyte and wherein the first electrode structure and second electrode structure are configured to contact in a sandwich-like configuration and indicate passage of a duration of time.

### Claim 26 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25, further comprising forming a removable protective layer over the first electrode structure and the second electrode structure.

### Claim 27 (depends on 25)

The method of claim 25, wherein the solid-state electrode 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.

### Claim 28

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 configured to change color at different rates to collectively provide a visual indication of the passage of the duration of time.

### Claim 29 (depends on 28)

The timing device of claim 28, further comprising means to initiate depletion of the one or more electrodes.

### Claim 30 (depends on 28)

The timing device of claim 28, 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.

### Claim 31

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 different resistivities.

### Claim 32

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.

### Claim 33 (depends on 32)

The timing device of claim 32, further comprising means to initiate depletion of the one or more electrodes.

### Claim 34 (depends on 32)

The timing device of claim 32, 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.

### Claim 35

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

### Claim 36

A device for indicating a passage of time, the device comprising:
a. a lens;
b. a base;
c. a layer positioned between the lens and the base;
d. an altering mechanism for altering the transparency of the layer and thereby changing the visibility of the base to indicate a passage of time; and
e. an actuator to actuate the device.

### Claim 37 (depends on 36)

The device of claim 36, wherein after the device is actuated, the altering mechanism is inversely sensitive to temperature.

### Claim 38 (depends on 37)

The device of claim 37, wherein the altering mechanism changes the visibility of the base at an increasingly faster rate as the temperature increases.

### Claim 39 (depends on 36)

The device of claim 36, wherein the altering mechanism converts the layer from opaque to transparent.

### Claim 40 (depends on 36)

The device of claim 36, wherein the altering mechanism converts the layer from transparent to opaque.

### Claim 41 (depends on 36)

The device of claim 36, wherein the altering mechanism comprises a fluid medium between the lens and the base.

### Claim 42 (depends on 36)

The device of claim 36, wherein the altering mechanism comprises a reactive medium for depleting the layer.

### Claim 43 (depends on 42)

The device of claim 42, further comprising an indicator for indicating depletion of the layer.

### Claim 44

A device comprising:
a. a lens;
b. a base with a marking thereon;
c. an altering mechanism for altering the visibility of the marking on the base through the lens and thereby indicating a passage of time, wherein the altering mechanism comprises an optical medium positioned between the lens and the base; and
d. an actuator to actuate the device;
wherein after the device is actuated, the altering mechanism is sensitive to temperature.

### Claim 45 (depends on 44)

The device of claim 44, wherein after the device is actuated, the altering mechanism is inversely sensitive to temperature.

### Claim 46 (depends on 45)

The device of claim 45, wherein the altering mechanism alters the visibility of the marking on the base at an increasingly faster rate as the temperature increases.

### Claim 47 (depends on 44)

The device of claim 44, wherein the optical medium comprises a fluid material.

### Claim 48 (depends on 47)

The device of claim 47, wherein the optical medium further comprises a layer of opaque material which dissolves.

### Claim 49 (depends on 44)

The device of claim 44, wherein the optical medium changes from opaque to transparent.

### Claim 50 (depends on 44)

The device of claim 44, wherein the optical medium changes from transparent to opaque.

### Claim 51 (depends on 44)

The device of claim 44, wherein the optical medium further comprises a first material and a second material between the lens and the base and a membrane between the first material and the second material, wherein the first material dissolves the membrane and the first material reacts with the second material.

### Claim 52 (depends on 44)

The device of claim 44, wherein the optical medium further comprises an indicating material which changes color when the first material reacts with the second material.

### Claim 53

A system for managing food inventories, the system comprising:
a. a lens, a base, a middle layer, an altering mechanism for altering the transparency of the middle layer, an actuator to actuate the system and an attachment mechanism for attaching the lens, the base, the middle layer, the altering mechanism, and the actuator to an article;
wherein the transparency of the middle layer is altered to make the base more or less visible through the lens and further, wherein the altering mechanism is inversely sensitive to temperature after actuation.