Abstract: A system includes a structure configured to hold items, at least one capacitive touch sensor, and an item scanner configured to move the capacitive touch sensor relative to the structure and to identification elements disposed on the items held by the structure. Each identification element represents a multi-digit code. The capacitive touch sensor is configured to generate a sensor signal comprising sequences of waveforms in response to movement of the capacitive touch sensor relative to the identification elements. Each sequence of waveforms includes the multi-digit code that identifies one of the items.

Abstract: A print feedstock has a base material and a marker material, the base material and the marker material having different physical properties. A system to validate objects includes at least one printer to print feedstock onto an object, the feedstock comprising a base material and a marker material, the base material and a marker material having different properties, a device to create a unique identifier for the object based upon a pattern of the feedstock, and a store in which the unique identifier can be stored.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling a patterned liquid, can involve creating a heat image on an imaging blanket by selectively heating the imaging blanket with a digitally controlled energy source, and subjecting the heat image to a selective deposition of a fountain solution material to enable vapor condensation on unheated areas and vapor rejection from heated areas to generate a fountain material image.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a tag system. The methods comprising: emitting a wireless signal from an antenna of the tag with a first signal characteristic when the tag is proximate to an active antenna modulation marker; changing an impedance of a sensor from a first impedance value to a second impedance value when the active antenna modulation marker is exposed to a stimulus; and emitting a wireless signal from the antenna of the tag with a second signal characteristic when the tag is proximate to the active antenna modulation marker and the sensor has the second impedance value.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing a unique scheme by which to execute digital vapor phase patterning on metals, semiconductor substrates and other surfaces using a proposed variable data digital lithographic image forming architecture or technique. For certain substrate printing and manufacturing applications, including some printed electronics applications, the disclosed schemes implement techniques to digitally pattern metal layers with bulk material properties in a manner that is aligned with underlying layers on the fly. The disclosed digital printing process may pattern a release oil on a substrate in support of a metal deposition process. Changeable patterning is implemented with an ability to modify the alignment of the patterns on-the-fly. The release layer on a drum is laser patterned in order that the patterned release layer is transferred to the substrate, or the patterning of the release layer is accomplished directly on the substrate.

Abstract: A pressure-activated membrane switch and methods of use are provided. The pressure-activated membrane switch includes an electrically-conductive membrane, and a compliant conductive material having an electrically-conductive inner surface, wherein contact between the electrically-conductive membrane and the electrically-conductive inner surface of the compliant material is configured to cause an electrical circuit, of which the switch is a part, to close. The pressure-activated membrane switch further includes a plurality of spacers dispersed between the electrically-conductive membrane and the compliant conductive material. The plurality of spacers form one or more gaps between the electrically-conductive membrane and the compliant conductive material, and, with an application of pressure against the compliant conductive material, the compliant conductive material is configured to deform between the one or more gaps to contact the electrically-conductive membrane.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a tag system. The methods comprising: emitting a wireless signal from an antenna of the tag with a first signal characteristic when the tag is proximate to an active antenna modulation marker; changing an impedance of a sensor from a first impedance value to a second impedance value when the active antenna modulation marker is exposed to a stimulus; and emitting a wireless signal from the antenna of the tag with a second signal characteristic when the tag is proximate to the active antenna modulation marker and the sensor has the second impedance value.

Abstract: A method and system for enabling a patterned liquid, can involve creating a heat image on an imaging blanket by selectively heating the imaging blanket with a digitally controlled energy source, and subjecting the heat image to a selective deposition of a fountain solution material to enable vapor condensation on unheated areas and vapor rejection from heated areas to generate a fountain material image.

Abstract: A print feedstock has a base material and a marker material, the base material and the marker material having different physical properties. A system to validate objects includes at least one printer to print feedstock onto an object, the feedstock comprising a base material and a marker material, the base material and a marker material having different properties, a device to create a unique identifier for the object based upon a pattern of the feedstock, and a store in which the unique identifier can be stored.

Abstract: A pressure-activated membrane switch and methods of use are provided. The pressure-activated membrane switch includes a first electrically-conductive membrane, and a second electrically-conductive membrane. Contact between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane is configured to cause an electrical circuit, of which the switch is a part, to close. The pressure-activated membrane switch further includes a plurality of spacers dispersed between the first electrically-conductive membrane and the second electrically-conductive membrane, and one or more columns positioned on an outer surface of the second electrically-conductive membrane.

Abstract: Provided is a manufacturing process for electronic circuit components such as bare dies, and packaged integrated chips, among other configurations, to form electronic assemblies. The surface of the electronic circuit component carries electronic elements such as conductive traces and/or other configurations including contact pads. A method for forming an electronic assembly includes providing a tacky layer. Then an electronic circuit component is provided having a first side and a second side, where the first side carries the electronic elements. The first side of the electronic circuit component is positioned into contact with the tacky layer. A bonding material is then deposited to a portion of the adhesive layer that is not covered by the first side of the electronic circuit component, to a depth which is sufficient to cover at least a portion of the electronic circuit component. The bonding material is then fixed or cured into a fixed or cured bonding material, and the tacky layer is removed.

Abstract: An input device includes one or more groups of two or more touch sensitive elements. Each group of two or more touch sensitive elements is arranged to generate a sequence of electronic waveforms corresponding to a multi-digit code that identifies the group in response to a swiping touch across the two or more touch sensitive elements.

Abstract: A system includes a structure configured to hold items, at least one capacitive touch sensor, and an item scanner configured to move the capacitive touch sensor relative to the structure and to identification elements disposed on the items held by the structure. Each identification element represents a multi-digit code. The capacitive touch sensor is configured to generate a sensor signal comprising sequences of waveforms in response to movement of the capacitive touch sensor relative to the identification elements. Each sequence of waveforms includes the multi-digit code that identifies one of the items.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a tag system. The methods comprising: wirelessly communicating, from a tag, a first signal at a first frequency spectrum that allows a tag reader to detect the first signal, when the tag is not proximate to an antenna modulation marker or when the antenna modulation marker has a first orientation relative to the tag; and performing operations by the tag to wirelessly communicate a second signal at a second frequency spectrum that does not allow the tag reader to detect the first signal, when the tag is proximate to the antenna modulation marker or when the antenna modulation marker has a second different orientation relative to the tag.

Abstract: There is described is described a modular point-of-purchase display, system and method. The modular point of purchase display includes a back wall and a front wall, a bottom wall, at least one side wall, and at least one shelf. A printed electronic device is affixed to a surface of the back wall, the front wall, the bottom wall, the at least one side wall, and the at least one shelf. The display includes a microcontroller electrically coupled to the printed electronic device. The display includes a power supply electrically coupled to the printed electronic device. The display includes a connection device coupled to the printed electronic device. The display includes a modular component coupled to the connection device, wherein the modular component can be removed and replaced with an alternate modular component compatible with the connection device.

Abstract: An input device includes one or more groups of two or more touch sensitive elements. Each group of two or more touch sensitive elements is arranged to generate a sequence of electronic waveforms corresponding to a multi-digit code that identifies the group in response to a swiping touch across the two or more touch sensitive elements.

Abstract: Disclosed are a substrate package, a method of fabricating the substrate package, and a system including the substrate package. The substrate package includes a stack of substrate sheets in an individual form, a continuous form, or a roll form. The stack has a sidewall defined by edges of the substrate sheets and a mark on the sidewall includes mark segments on respective edges. The mark segments vary such that one or more of the mark segments have a respective segment characteristic, such as a length. The segment characteristic can encode information about an attribute of the substrate sheet, such as a physical characteristic of the sheet.

Abstract: Systems and methods for operating a tag system. The methods comprising: wirelessly communicating, from a tag, a first signal at a first frequency spectrum that allows a tag reader to detect the first signal, when the tag is not proximate to an antenna modulation marker or when the antenna modulation marker has a first orientation relative to the tag; and performing operations by the tag to wirelessly communicate a second signal at a second frequency spectrum that does not allow the tag reader to detect the first signal, when the tag is proximate to the antenna modulation marker or when the antenna modulation marker has a second different orientation relative to the tag.

Abstract: A system and method are provided for implementing a unique scheme by which to execute digital vapor phase patterning on metals, semiconductor substrates and other surfaces using a proposed variable data digital lithographic image forming architecture or technique. For certain substrate printing and manufacturing applications, including some printed electronics applications, the disclosed schemes implement techniques to digitally pattern metal layers with bulk material properties in a manner that is aligned with underlying layers on the fly. The disclosed digital printing process may pattern a release oil on a substrate in support of a metal deposition process. Changeable patterning is implemented with an ability to modify the alignment of the patterns on-the-fly. The release layer on a drum is laser patterned in order that the patterned release layer is transferred to the substrate, or the patterning of the release layer is accomplished directly on the substrate.

Abstract: There is described is described a modular point-of-purchase display, system and method. The modular point of purchase display includes a back wall and a front wall, a bottom wall, at least one side wall, and at least one shelf. A printed electronic device is affixed to a surface of the back wall, the front wall, the bottom wall, the at least one side wall, and the at least one shelf. The display includes a microcontroller electrically coupled to the printed electronic device. The display includes a power supply electrically coupled to the printed electronic device. The display includes a connection device coupled to the printed electronic device. The display includes a modular component coupled to the connection device, wherein the modular component can be removed and replaced with an alternate modular component compatible with the connection device.