Abstract: A method and system for producing electronic label are disclosed. The electronic label includes a first substrate and a second substrate. Layout information associated with the electronic label is developed. The layout information is automatically processed to develop print commands, circuit layout information, and component placement information therefrom. Information is printed on the first substrate in accordance with the print information and a conductive trace is deposited on the second substrate in accordance with circuit layout information. Components are placed on the deposited conductive trace in accordance with the component placement information.

Abstract: A battery includes a first conductive substrate portion having a first face, and a second conductive substrate portion having a second face opposed to the first face. Each of the first and second faces has a perimeter portion and an interior portion inside the perimeter portion. A first electrode material of the battery is disposed in contact with the interior portion of at least one of the first and second faces, and a jettable electrolyte material disposed in contact with the first electrode material. A second electrode material is disposed in contact with the electrolyte material, and a conductive tab is disposed in contact with the second electrode material. The conductive tab extends outwardly from the interior region beyond the perimeter portion of at least one of the first and second faces.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for placing components on an electronic circuit is disclosed. An adhesive applicator applies an adhesive to the electronic circuit. A component pick-and-place head places a component on the adhesive. A heater supplies sufficient heat to the electronic circuit to melt the adhesive and an outer portion of a contact pin of the component.

Abstract: A device for use in a high speed variable printing comprises a housing having at least one surface, a series of ejection nozzles mounted on the one surface, and a source of a gating agent communicating with the nozzles. The gating agent comprises from about 0.05 to about 10% by weight of a blocking agent, up to about 15% by weight of a surface tension modifying compound, up to about 8% by weight of viscosity modifier such that the gating agent has a viscosity within the range of about 1 to 14 mPa s, and the balance of the gating agent comprises a solvent. The gating agent has a dynamic surface tension of less than about 60 dynes/cm.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a monitoring device for detecting when an object may be subjected to a condition includes a processor, a first sensor, a second sensor, and a configuration circuit. A first sensor is polymer monolayer adapted to detect if the object is subjected to a magnitude of a first condition. A second sensor is a polymer bilayer adapted to detect if the object is subjected to a magnitude of a second condition. The resistance across the first sensor and second sensor are compared to determine whether an ambient/environmental condition has been detected. Indication of detection of an ambient/environmental condition, magnitude of the condition, and the time may be stored.

Abstract: An electronic label includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and an electronic circuit disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A switch and an indicator are coupled to the electronic circuit. The indicator is responsive to actuation of the switch to indicate usage of a product.

Abstract: An electronic label includes a first substrate, a second substrate, and an electronic circuit disposed between the first substrate and the second substrate. A switch and an indicator are coupled to the electronic circuit. The indicator is responsive to actuation of the switch to indicate usage of a product.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a monitoring device includes a processor, a sensor, and a configuration circuit. The sensor is adapted to detect if the sensor is subjected to at least a first magnitude of the particular condition. The configuration circuit may be used to specify a second magnitude of the particular condition, wherein the second magnitude is greater than the first magnitude. The processor remains in an inactive state if the object is subjected to a magnitude of the particular condition less than the second magnitude, and the sensor generates a signal in response to detection of sensor being subjected to at least the second magnitude of the particular condition. In response to the signal, the processor enters an active state to develop an indication of at least the second magnitude of the particular condition.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling application of a substance to a substrate involve the use of a functional agent that helps determine the association of a substance with the substrate. The apparatus and methods may utilize jet technology to apply the functional agent directly to the substrate or to an intermediate surface. The substance may be biological substance or a chemical in nature.

Abstract: The electrolyte material includes a polymer, a salt, and a solvent. The electrolyte material has a viscosity in the range from about 3.0 cP to about 20.0 cP such that the electrolyte material can be applied to a substrate using an ink jet print head.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a monitoring device for detecting when an object may be subjected to a condition includes a processor, a sensor, and a configuration circuit. The sensor is adapted to detect if the object is subjected to at least a first magnitude of the particular condition. The configuration circuit may be used to specify a second magnitude of the particular condition, wherein the second magnitude is greater than the first magnitude. The processor remains in an inactive state if the object is subjected to a magnitude of the particular condition less than the second magnitude, and the sensor generates a signal in response to detection of object being subjected to at least the second magnitude of the particular condition. In response to the signal, the processor enters an active state to develop an indication of at least the second magnitude of the particular condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for transferring a principal substance applies the principal substance onto a surface and deposits drops of a gating agent onto a first portion of the principal substance applied to the first surface. The depositing of each drop of gating agent is individually controlled. A second portion of the principal substance not covered by the gating agent is transferred from the first surface to a second surface. A printing system adapted to transfer principal substance from a first surface to a second surface is also disclosed, wherein the printing system exerts mechanical pressure between the first surface and the second surface.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for controlling application of a substance to a substrate involve the use of a functional agent that helps determine the association of a substance with the substrate. The apparatus and methods may utilize jet technology to apply the functional agent directly to the substrate or to an intermediate surface. The substance may be biological substance or a chemical in nature.

Abstract: According to one aspect, a monitoring device for detecting when an object may be subjected to a condition includes a processor, a sensor, and a configuration circuit. The sensor is adapted to detect if the object is subjected to at least a first magnitude of the particular condition. The configuration circuit may be used to specify a second magnitude of the particular condition, wherein the second magnitude is greater than the first magnitude. The processor remains in an inactive state if the object is subjected to a magnitude of the particular condition less than the second magnitude, and the sensor generates a signal in response to detection of object being subjected to at least the second magnitude of the particular condition. In response to the signal, the processor enters an active state to develop an indication of at least the second magnitude of the particular condition.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for producing an electronic device are disclosed. An adhesive material is jetted in a first pattern on a surface of a receiver substrate. A carrier having a metal foil disposed thereon is brought into contact with the first substrate such that a portion of the metal foil contacts the adhesive material. The adhesive material is activated using at least one of mechanical pressure and heat while the portion of the metal foil is in contact with the adhesive material. The first substrate and the second substrate are separated, whereby the portion of the metal foil is transferred to the first substrate.

Abstract: In a system and method for using a wiper to clean a nozzle plate of an inkjet head, a spring is disposed between the wiper and a mounting body, and the mounting body has a top portion and a bottom portion. The wiper is disposed proximate the top portion of the mounting body relative to the bottom portion of the mounting body. In addition, the wiper blade is transported across the face of a nozzle plate for wiping portions of the nozzle plate. A distance between the wiper blade and the bottom end of the mounting body is varied in accordance with variations in distances between the portions of the nozzle plate and the bottom portion of the mounting body.

Abstract: In a system and method for operating an ink supply to an inkjet cartridge, wherein the ink supply includes an ink reservoir and an ink tube, ink in the ink reservoir is coupled to ink in the ink tube. Ullage above the ink in the ink reservoir is coupled with ullage above the ink in the ink tube. Ink from the ink tube is supplied to the inkjet cartridge.

Abstract: Systems and methods for high-speed variable printing are provided. Ink jet technology and lithographic systems may be combined in such a way to create a fully variable and high-quality print system. Ink is applied to a first cylinder. Aqueous solution is applied to a second cylinder to produce a negative image. At least a portion of the ink from the first cylinder is transferred to the second cylinder. A positive image in ink is then transferred from the second cylinder to a print medium, and residue ink and aqueous solution is cleaned from the second cylinder. The systems and methods described herein may be used to create high-quality one-to-one marketing applications.

Abstract: A method of detecting an alignment error includes the steps of controlling a first portion of one or more imaging units to image on a substrate a first plurality of substantially parallel lines extending along a first direction and a second plurality of substantially parallel lines extending along a second direction and controlling a second portion of one or more imaging units to image a third plurality of substantially parallel lines extending along the first direction and a fourth plurality of substantially parallel lines extending along the second direction. One or more distances between adjacent lines of the second plurality of lines are varied and one or more distances between adjacent lines of the fourth plurality of lines are varied. Further, the lines imaged by the first and second portions form an alignment pattern.

Abstract: A method for operating a printing device and an image generation kit are disclosed. The image generation kit is adapted to controllably eject individual drops of a gating agent, and is operating the image generation kit in synchronism with a principal substance application apparatus to deposit the drops of the gating agent on a substrate and to transfer a principal substance to the substrate. The drops of the gating agent on the substrate define image and non-image areas of the substrate, the image and non-image areas of the substrate are undefined until the drops of the gating agent are deposited thereon, and the substrate with the principal substance transferred to the image areas is an end product of the printing device.