Thermochromic game piece

Details Thermochromic game piece Thermochromic game piece

2000-02-14

2001-10-23

Mack, Ricky (Department: 2873)

Optical: systems and elements

Optical modulator

Light wave temporal modulation

C283S087000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06307664

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates generally to a thermochromic game piece or prize or message indicator, and, more particularly, to a thermally responsive game piece or prize or message indicator that may be incorporated with a battery tester mounted directly to a battery or to the battery packaging.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
A typical thermochromic or thermally sensitive battery tester includes a conductive substrate which is capable of generating heat when a voltage source is applied thereto and a thermally responsive display thermally coupled to the conductive layer. When the conductive layer is electrically coupled to the terminals of a battery to be tested, the conductive layer generates heat as a function of the voltage generated by the battery. The thermally responsive material of the thermally responsive display responds to the heat generated by the conductive layer to provide a visual indication of the charge state of the battery being tested. Battery testers of this variety are typically incorporated into the battery packaging or may be provided directly on the battery housing.
However, the above-battery testers only serve to determine the amount of charge left in a battery.
It would be desirable to provide a battery tester which could, in addition to determining the amount of charge left in a given battery, also act as a game piece or prize or message indicator.
It would also be desirable to provide a game piece or prize or message indicator that could be incorporated directly onto a battery or battery packaging.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is a thermally responsive game piece or prize or message indicator that may be incorporated with a battery tester mounted directly to a battery or to the battery packaging. Examples of battery testers with which the game piece may be used are those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,389,470; 5,059,895; 4,702,564 and 5,604,049, although the game piece may be used with other battery testers or alone or in conjunction with other devices. The entire disclosures of U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,389,470; 5,059,895; 4,702,564 and 5,604,049 are incorporated by their reference.
The thermally responsive game piece or prize or message indicator of the present invention combines, for example, a typical thermochromic or thermally sensitive battery testers coupled to a first conductive substrate with a second thermally responsive display which is coupled to a second conductive substrate.
Alternatively, the thermally responsive game piece or prize or message indicator of the present invention combines, for example, a typical thermochromic or thermally sensitive battery testers coupled to the conductive substrate with an extension of the conductive substrate.
In one embodiment the thermochromic game piece is mounted directly on a battery.
In one embodiment the thermochromic game piece contains a desired message indicia which can be a prize determining indicia.
In another embodiment the thermochromic game piece contains a desired message indicia which is selected from the group consisting of a printed verbal message, an icon and a color change.
Also disclosed is a method for delivering a message via a thermochromic game piece comprising the steps of placing a battery into contact with a thermally responsive prize verification display via a conductive substrate; and generating heat to produce a visual indication in the thermally responsive prize verification display, wherein the thermally responsive prize verification display reveals a desired message indicia.
In another embodiment the method for delivering a message via a thermochromic game piece comprises the steps of placing a battery into contact with a thermochromic batter tester and a thermally responsive prize verification display via a first and second conductive substrate respectively; and generating heat to produce a visual indication in the thermally responsive prize verification display, wherein the thermally responsive prize verification display reveals a desired message indicia.


REFERENCES:
patent: 5344191 (1994-09-01), Chang et al.
patent: 5867028 (1999-02-01), Bailey
patent: 5925480 (1999-07-01), Shacklett, III et al.
patent: 6156450 (2000-12-01), Bailey
patent: 0 450 938 A2 (1991-10-01), None
patent: 0 473 447 A2 (1992-03-01), None
Patent Abstracts of Japan, vol. 96, No. 9, 30 (Sep. 1996 & 08 126775 A (Tomatsu Tsutomu), May 21, 1996.

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