The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Nov. 13, 2001
Filed:
Aug. 02, 1999
Ward Edwin Harris, Bellevue, WA (US);
Lokanathan M. Iyer, Bellevue, WA (US);
Brian D. Hench, Shoreline, WA (US);
Optiva, Snoqualmie, WA (US);
Abstract
A device use indicator (,), which is designed to signal a predetermined amount of use of a device as a function of the amount of vibration of the device is provided. The indicator is adapted to be coupled or attached to a device (,). The indicator includes a first disk (,), a second disk (,), and an intermediate layer (,) separating the first disk from the second disk. The first disk retains a chemical therein. In operation, when the device to which the use indicator is attached is used, vibration of the device and the indicator triggers release of the chemical from the first disk. The chemical then travels through the intermediate layer to be received by the second disk. The chemical, when received by the second disk in excess of a predetermined amount, creates a detectable indication. The detectable indication, for example, a color or shade change produced in the second disk, signals a user that the device has been used for a predetermined amount of time as a function of the amount of its vibration.