A method and apparatus for receiving an expiry time in a smart clip and one of timing and counting down to the expiry time comprises coupling an electronic receiver to the smart clip and connecting a timer to the electronic receiver are disclosed. Receiving the expiry time by the electronic receiver, and one of timing and counting down to the expiry time by the timer are also disclosed. Other features and embodiments of the invention are also disclosed.

A time validation indicator is disclosed comprising at least a receiving layer and an activating layer. The receiving layer comprises at least one or more masking colorants and one or more deactivators that cause and maintain the one or more masking colorants in an initial colored state. The activating layer comprises at least one or more migratory activators that migrate into the receiving layer upon at least a portion of the receiving layer being placed in contact with at least a portion of the activating layer to initiate a predetermined time period. The migration of the one or more migratory activators into the receiving layer causes at least a portion of the one or more masking colorants to advance to a final colorless state resulting in a visual color change of the receiving layer that indicates the predetermined time period has elapsed. Also disclosed are methods for creating and using the inventive time validation indicator.

A chronometer to monitor the passage of time prior to a projected date of birth of a baby and to recognize and celebrate the birth of the baby. The chronometer includes a generally hollow egg-shaped housing including a bottom, a top, a hinge mechanism, and a latching mechanism. The hinge mechanism rotatably connects the top to the bottom so the top can open and close. The latching mechanism releasably connects the top to the bottom. The chronometer also includes a replica of a young chicken housed in the chronometer, and includes a display to indicate the length of time until the projected birth date of the baby.

A chronometer to monitor the passage of time prior to a projected date of birth of a baby and to recognize and celebrate the birth of the baby. The chronometer includes a generally hollow egg-shaped housing including a bottom, a top, a hinge mechanism, and a latching mechanism. The hinge mechanism rotatably connects the top to the bottom so the top can open and close. The latching mechanism releasably connects the top to the bottom. The chronometer also includes a replica of a young chicken housed in the chronometer, and includes a display to indicate the length of time until the projected birth date of the baby.

Techniques for allowing a remote or fielded receiver to derive a precise time reference (such as Coordinated Universal Time (UTC)) when the fielded receiver is not able to derive time directly from received GPS signals. One or more fixed DME reference stations are located within range of DME beacon signals from an existing DME beacon station, the DME reference stations also having the capability to receive GPS signals and derive UTC therefrom. Based on the known distance between the DME reference station and the DME beacon station, the DME reference station can determine the time of transmission from the DME beacon station of each DME beacon signal. This time tag information is then provided to the fielded receiver, which is also within range of DME beacon signals from the DME beacon station. With this time tag information, the fielded receiver can correlate that with the received DME beacon signals and derive UTC to within an acceptably small margin.

The timing device is a lifetime monitor for indicating when the usable lifetime of a product has ended or for indicating the timing for regular usage of a product. The timing device has a timing initiator, a power supply in the form of a membrane zinc air battery and a visual or audible indicator. The timing initiator is a tear-off air blocking membrane which lets in air when the tear off film is removed. The timing device is capable of indicating a predetermined passage of time which is substantially independent of ambient temperature.

The timing device is a lifetime monitor for indicating when the usable lifetime of a product has ended or for indicating the timing for regular usage of a product. The timing device has a timing initiator, a power supply in the form of a membrane zinc air battery and a visual or audible indicator. The timing initiator is a tear-off air blocking membrane which lets in air when the tear off film is removed. The timing device is capable of indicating a predetermined passage of time which is substantially independent of ambient temperature.

A processing indicating device to improve the efficiency of processing on an object. The device includes a first communication unit which communicates information with a plurality of processing devices for processing the object and a second communication unit which communicates information with a conveyance controlling device controlling conveying of the object to the plurality of processing devices. An arrival time predicting unit predicts on the basis of information received by the second communication unit, the time when the conveying device arrives at one of the processing devices. In addition, a finish time predicting unit receives information and predicts the time when the processing on the object in the one processing device finishes. A processing indicating unit causes processing control information that orders the execution of device state improvement treatment to be transmitted to the one processing device on the basis of the predicted respective times.

Described are techniques and systems for determining presence of airborne particles using one or more sensors on a user device. The airborne particles include, but are not limited to, smoke resulting from combustion, dust, fog, and so forth. In one implementation, an optical proximity sensor may be used to determine a distance to an object such as a ceiling. Smoke which collects on the ceiling reflects light that is detected by the proximity sensor and results in an apparent reduction in height. A notification of this change in height may be generated. In other implementations, other techniques may be used to detect airborne particles, such as images from a camera, dedicated particular sensors, and so forth. Information about airborne particles may aid user safety. For example, an alarm may be issued indicating a potential fire or unsafe level of pollution.

A device and or systems used to track and maintain a record of time used by individual poker players. This clock management system gives individual poker players a personal time clock for a finite amount of time to play out multiple hands of poker within a set time period. In essence this invention is using the premise of another skill based game called chess. In 1883, the chess clock was invented to move the game along, from days to minutes. The chess clock gives an individual player their own equal time clock to play out a game of chess within those time limits. A simple mechanism when only two players playing against each other, but much more complicated when there are hundreds, or even thousands of players playing against each other in multi-table tournaments. This is a device that uses micro-computing power to maintain a play time clock for every individual player within the tournament, that is what this invention is.