Time-Dependent Color-Changing Tag for Long-Term Inventory Tracking

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current systems for inventorying physical assets require manual inspection and querying of encoded information, which is time-consuming and inefficient, especially when assets need to be inventoried periodically or have long expiration dates, as existing color-changing tags change color too quickly to provide useful indications.

Innovation Solution

A time-dependent color-changing tag using particles embedded in a polymer that changes color after a predetermined period, such as months or years, providing a clear visual indication of the elapsed time, with options for sensitivity to oxygen, pressure, or light exposure, and including an attachment structure and encapsulation to control the color change.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Duration of action of moving object

If existing color-changing tags are used, then color change indication is provided, but the color change occurs too quickly to indicate long-term inventory periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor change durationVSAvoidindication accuracy for inventory period

Core Design Contradiction:

Duration of action of moving objectVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent changes the chemical parameters of the color-changing material to achieve a much slower reaction rate. Specifically, it uses a dye composition with a phenolic hydroxyl group that reacts with copper ions at a controlled rate, allowing the color change to occur over months or years rather than seconds or minutes. This parameter change enables the tag to reliably indicate long-term inventory periods while maintaining clear visual indication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs a composite material system consisting of a dye composition (with specific chemical structures containing phenolic hydroxyl groups), copper ions, and a polymer matrix. This composite structure allows the color-changing function to be tuned for long-duration indication while maintaining structural integrity and visual clarity. The combination of these materials creates a stable, slow-reacting system suitable for annual or multi-year inventory tracking.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Measurement precision

If manual inspection and database queries are used for inventorying assets, then accurate inventory tracking is achieved, but excessive time is required for inspection

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveinventory tracking accuracyVSAvoidinspection time

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses a visible color change mechanism that provides immediate visual indication of inventory status. The tag transitions from one color to another as the inventory period elapses, allowing inspectors to quickly identify assets that need attention without manual data entry or database queries. This visual signaling system maintains accurate tracking while dramatically reducing inspection time by enabling rapid visual assessment of multiple assets.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #32Color changes

3Reliability

If the color-changing material is exposed to oxygen, then color change occurs, but the rate of change is difficult to control for long time periods

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor change timingVSAvoidsensitivity to environmental conditions

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent encapsulates the color-changing composition in an oxygen-impermeable or oxygen-controlled environment. This encapsulation allows the material to remain stable during storage and only react at a controlled rate when exposed to oxygen over time. The encapsulation structure provides a barrier that moderates oxygen exposure, enabling reliable long-term timing while reducing sensitivity to short-term environmental variations in oxygen levels.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #39Inert atmosphere (Inert environment)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The tag provides a clear and immediate visual indication of the elapsed time, reducing the need for manual inspection and database queries, and can be used for various assets with different inventory or expiration schedules, improving efficiency and accuracy.

Implementation Method 1

the particles may include an oxygen-sensitive material that changes color based on the amount of time the oxygen-sensitive material has been exposed to oxygen

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectOxidation: Oxidation

Implementation Method 2

the particles may include a light-sensitive material that changes color based on the amount of time the light-sensitive material has been exposed to ultraviolet light

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectPhotochromism: Photochromism

Data Source

PatentUS11468798B2Systems, methods, and articles of manufacture for time-dependent color-changing article

Publication Date: 2022.10.11 CAPITAL ONE SERVICES LLC

AI summary

Disclosed embodiments may relate to a time-dependent color-changing label for a product. The label may include a first layer comprising a plurality of particles, the particles comprising a time dependent color-changing material that changes color after a predetermined time period, the predetermined time period being greater than one month. The label may also include an attachment structure attaching the first layer to the product. In certain embodiments, the first layer may include a polymer, and the particles may include glass microspheres containing the time-dependent color changing material. The particles may be embedded in the polymer.