Abstract: A vehicle scent dispensing device may comprise a scent cartridge configured to contain a scenting agent, a controller configured to determine a scent diffusion level of the scenting agent, a valve, and a fan. The controller may be configured operate the valve and control the fan to regulate an airflow pathway to the scenting agent and to draw air through the airflow pathway and over the scenting agent based on the scent diffusion level.

Abstract: A print head has a jet stack, a jet stack heating and temperature measuring element thermally connected to the jet stack, the jet stack heating and temperature measuring element including: a first, etched copper layer having heat spreading characteristics and including a resistive heat source electrically connected in series to a voltage source and a switch; an electrically insulative on a back side of the first copper layer; and a second, etched copper layer on a side of the electrically insulative layer opposite the first copper layer, the second copper layer having a temperature sensing element to sense a temperature of the print head without a thermistor, the temperature sensing element connected in series with a voltage source and a transistor. A print head may use a thermistor but the heat spreading layer eliminates the need for a heat sink to attach to the print head.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrical interconnect includes etching a lattice pattern into a contact pad on a circuit substrate as a first connection point, at least partially filling the lattice pattern with a conductive epoxy, contacting the conductive epoxy with a second connection point, and curing the epoxy.

Abstract: A print head has a jet stack, a jet stack heating and temperature measuring element thermally connected to the jet stack, the jet stack heating and temperature measuring element including: a first, etched copper layer having heat spreading characteristics and including a resistive heat source electrically connected in series to a voltage source and a switch; an electrically insulative on a back side of the first copper layer; and a second, etched copper layer on a side of the electrically insulative layer opposite the first copper layer, the second copper layer having a temperature sensing element to sense a temperature of the print head without a thermistor, the temperature sensing element connected in series with a voltage source and a transistor. A print head may use a thermistor but the heat spreading layer eliminates the need for a heat sink to attach to the print head.

Abstract: Print head jet stack heating and temperature measurement systems and methods are disclosed that both heat the jet stack and determine a temperature of the jet stack. The heating and temperature determination are performed by a flex circuit that includes multiple layers. One of the layers heats the jet stack and another one of the layers provides data that determines the temperature of the jet stack. The heating layer and the temperature sensing layer are separated by an insulative material in the flex circuit. The temperature of the jet stack can be sent to a print head controller that then determines whether to increase or decrease the temperature of the jet stack.

Abstract: A method of forming an electrical interconnect includes etching a lattice pattern into a contact pad on a circuit substrate as a first connection point, at least partially filling the lattice pattern with a conductive epoxy, contacting the conductive epoxy with a second connection point, and curing the epoxy.

Abstract: An electrical interconnect has a circuit substrate and an electrical connection point on the circuit substrate. The electrical connection point includes a lattice of conductive material that is adjacent a gap in the circuit substrate and has anchor points that are attached to the circuit substrate. In some configurations, a conductive epoxy encapsulates at least a portion of the lattice of conductive material and may include a second electrical connection point that is bonded to the other electrical connection point through the conductive epoxy.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to containing a portion of liquid associated with a diesel machine (e.g., combustion fuel machine, and the like) used in an outside environment. A diesel machine and an associated fuel storage can be contained within a self containment device that prevents liquid(s) to be exposed to an outside environment such as, but not limited to, a ground, a soil, a water source, vegetation, plant, trees, and the like. The self containment device is a liquid-proof (e.g., no leakage) containment that can house a portion of liquid from at least one of the diesel machine, the fuel storage, or any other suitable feature used with the diesel machine and/or fuel storage.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flexible circuit, including forming a first set of traces, forming a second set of traces, and cutting a gap between the first and second set of traces.

Abstract: Print head jet stack heating and temperature measurement systems and methods are disclosed that both heat the jet stack and determine a temperature of the jet stack. The heating and temperature determination are performed by a flex circuit that includes multiple layers. One of the layers heats the jet stack and another one of the layers provides data that determines the temperature of the jet stack. The heating layer and the temperature sensing layer are separated by an insulative material in the flex circuit. The temperature of the jet stack can be sent to a print head controller that then determines whether to increase or decrease the temperature of the jet stack.

Abstract: Systems and methods of the invention relate to containing a portion of liquid associated with a diesel machine (e.g., combustion fuel machine, and the like) used in an outside environment. A diesel machine and an associated fuel storage can be contained within a self containment device that prevents liquid(s) to be exposed to an outside environment such as, but not limited to, a ground, a soil, a water source, vegetation, plant, trees, and the like. The self containment device is a liquid-proof (e.g., no leakage) containment that can house a portion of liquid from at least one of the diesel machine, the fuel storage, or any other suitable feature used with the diesel machine and/or fuel storage.

Abstract: A liquid ink transport assembly mitigates the migration of ink dye from one conduit in a plurality of conduits to another conduit in the plurality of conduits. The liquid ink transport assembly includes a plurality of conduits, each conduit in the plurality having a first end and a second end, the conduits in the plurality being arranged in a parallel configuration with at least one conduit being spatially separated from an adjacent conduit by a first distance that is greater than a second distance spatially separating other conduits in the plurality of conduits, and a heater, the plurality of conduits being positioned proximate to a first side of the heater to enable the heater to heat ink being carried between the first and the second ends of the plurality of conduits.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a flexible circuit, including forming a first set of traces, forming a second set of traces, and cutting a gap between the first and second set of traces.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing patient adherence to following medication treatment regimens. An adherence data processing and communication system generates and displays medication adherence data based on historical medication information. The system is linked to other systems involved with electronic ordering and filling of prescriptions, such as electronic prescription and pharmacy systems all connected by suitable wired and/or wireless communication protocols including the Internet. In one embodiment, the adherence data is displayed in the form of an interactive report card which provides a user with adherence metrics in both summary and more detailed formats for prescription medications taken by the patient. A related method executed by the data processing and communication system is disclosed.

Abstract: A system and method for increasing patient adherence to following medication treatment regimens. An adherence data processing and communication system generates and displays medication adherence data based on historical medication information. The system is linked to other systems involved with electronic ordering and filling of prescriptions, such as electronic prescription and pharmacy systems all connected by suitable wired and/or wireless communication protocols including the Internet. In one embodiment, the adherence data is displayed in the form of an interactive report card which provides a user with adherence metrics in both summary and more detailed formats for prescription medications taken by the patient. A related method executed by the data processing and communication system is disclosed.

Abstract: A flexible circuit substrate has an integrated circuit mounted on the substrate, a first set of traces arranged to connect between a first voltage source and a first set of connectors on the integrated circuit, a second set of traces arranged to connect between a second voltage source and a second set of connectors on the integrated circuit, and a gap in the flexible circuit substrate between the first and second set of traces, the gap of sufficient width to stop an electrical arc-tracking between the first set of traces and the second set of traces. The substrate may have a second gap between the first gap and other traces.

Abstract: A check valve unit is provided for a high-speed phase change ink image producing machine between a reservoir for receiving and holding a volume of melted ink from a source and a receiving unit, which may be a printhead system. The check valve unit includes a plurality of ball elements trapped between upper and lower housings defining a like plurality of inlet and discharge passageways. The passageways are configured to optimize flow of melted ink through the unit during charging of the secondary reservoir. The check valve unit is scalable as to size and number of reservoirs for a particular application. The unit further incorporates features that simplify the manufacturing and assembly process while maintaining optimal performance.

Abstract: A liquid ink transport assembly mitigates the migration of ink dye from one conduit in a plurality of conduits to another conduit in the plurality of conduits. The liquid ink transport assembly includes a plurality of conduits, each conduit in the plurality having a first end and a second end, the conduits in the plurality being arranged in a parallel configuration with at least one conduit being spatially separated from an adjacent conduit by a first distance that is greater than a second distance spatially separating other conduits in the plurality of conduits, and a heater, the plurality of conduits being positioned proximate to a first side of the heater to enable the heater to heat ink being carried between the first and the second ends of the plurality of conduits.