Functional application of photochromic compound materials to products
US7044614B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Sep 18, 2003 |
| Grant date | May 16, 2006 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jul 30, 2024 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S362/806
- WIPO fieldComputer technology
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A device (50) capable of selectively altering its appearance can include a housing portion (64) of the device having at least one photochromic compound and an ultraviolet light source (60) forming a portion of the device for exposing the portion of the device having the photochromic compound to the ultraviolet light source. A reaction by the photochromic compound can provide or serve as a status indicator for the device. The device can be any number of devices such as a portable communication device, a personal digital assistant, a laptop computer, a camera, a GPS device, a printer, a camcorder, a vehicle, a toy, a personal hygiene device, a watch, a calculator, and a writing instrument for example. The device can be formed so that reactions by the photochromic compounds within the device are controlled solely by the ultraviolet light sources (54 and 60) within the device.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.