Abstract: The techniques discussed herein generally relate to a method and system for qualitative modeling of and reasoning about the behavior of spatio-temporal physical systems. In some embodiments, qualitative representations based on Tonti diagrams are used to describe lumped or distributed parameter systems. Using a topological structure of the physical system, some embodiments generate qualitative governing equations as symbolic constraints on qualitative state variables. The qualitative constraints may be used to produce a qualitative simulation of the physical system. The qualitative simulation may be used to guide conceptual design iterations with given design criteria, or for instantiation of quantitative or hybrid (qualitative and quantitative) models and simulations.

Abstract: Apparatuses have a processing device that is operable with a connection to a physical cryptographic key device that has a valid cryptographic key. Such devices further include a connector that is adapted to connect to the physical cryptographic key device. The processing device is operatively connected to the connector. The processing device is adapted to change available functionality based on connection to, and disconnection from, the physical cryptographic key device.

Abstract: Pigmented polymer particles may comprise a thermoplastic polymer and a pigment, wherein at least some of the pigmented polymer particles have a morphology according to (a), (b), (c), or any combination thereof: (a) the pigment having a coating comprising the thermoplastic polymer and the coated pigment adhered to a thermoplastic polymer particle, (b) the pigment being embedded in an outer surface of the thermoplastic polymer particle, and (c) the pigment being encapsulated by the thermoplastic polymer particle. The pigmented polymer particles, especially the highly spherical pigmented polymer particles, may be useful, among other things, as starting material for additive manufacturing. For example, a method may comprise: depositing, upon a surface, the foregoing pigmented polymer particles optionally in combination with other thermoplastic polymer particles; and once deposited, heating at least a portion of the particles to promote consolidation thereof and form a consolidated body.

Abstract: A process including combining polystyrene and a first solvent to form a polystyrene solution; heating the polystyrene solution; adding a second solvent to the polystyrene solution with optional stirring whereby polystyrene microparticles are formed via microprecipitation; optionally, cooling the formed polystyrene microparticles in solution; and optionally, removing the first solvent and second solvent. A polystyrene microparticle formed by a microprecipitation process, wherein the polystyrene particle has a spherical morphology, a particle diameter of greater than about 10 micrometers, and a weight average molecular weight of from about 38,000 to about 200,000 Daltons. A method of selective laser sintering including providing polystyrene microparticles formed by a microprecipitation process; and exposing the microparticles to a laser to fuse the microparticles.

Abstract: A multi-function device (MFD) is disclosed. For example, the MFD includes a communication interface to establish a communication path with a remote server, a user interface to receive a request to create an electronic file based on a scan of a document, a processor, and a non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a plurality of instructions. The instructions when executed by the processor cause the processor to scan the document to create the electronic file of the document, generate an encryption code associated with the electronic file of the document that is scanned, and transmit the electronic file to the remote server.

Abstract: A tensioner assembly for a belt of a device useful in printing, the tensioner assembly including a bracket, including a first plate including at least one slot, and a second plate, a third plate slidably connected to the first plate, a connector engaged with the at least one slot and connected to the third plate, and a resilient member including a first end engaged with the third plate and a second end engaged with the second plate, wherein the resilient member is operatively arranged to bias the third plate away from the second plate.

Abstract: A method of producing a polymer aerogel includes dissolving precursors into a solvent, wherein the precursors include monomers, crosslinkers, a controlling agent and an initiator to form a precursor solution, wherein at least one of the monomers or at least one of the crosslinkers has a refractive index of 1.5 or lower, polymerizing the precursor solution to form a gel polymer, and removing the solvent from the gel polymer to produce the polymer aerogel. A method of producing a polymer aerogel include dissolving precursors into a solvent, wherein the precursors include monomers, crosslinkers, a controlling agent and an initiator to form a precursor solution, polymerizing the precursor solution to form a gel polymer, removing the solvent from the gel polymer to produce the polymer aerogel, and reducing a refractive index of one of either the gel polymer or the polymer aerogel.

Abstract: A method of operating an inkjet printer identifies a thermal load that will be imposed on the printheads in the inkjet printer during execution of a print job and identifies a remedial action to reduce the thermal load if the thermal load increases the temperature of the printheads above an upper threshold of a predetermined temperature range. The thermal load is identified from the ink image content data for the print job, the print job parameters for the print job, and environmental condition measurements received from sensors in the printer. The remedial actions include manipulation of the print job queue, alteration of print job parameters, and active cooling to remove heat from the printheads or media within the printer.

Abstract: A method analyzes image data of a test pattern printed on an image receiving member by a printer to identify split inkjets in the printheads of the printer. The test pattern is formed by operating each inkjet of a printhead to form a dash and the areas of the dashes are compared to an average dash area to identify split inkjets. Firing signal parameters for the split inkjets are adjusted and subsequent firing signals are generated using the adjusted parameters. Image data of the pixels formed by the split inkjets are analyzed after the split inkjets have been operated using the adjusted firing signal parameters. If the pixel size for a split inkjets indicates that the split inkjet has been remediated, then the firing signal parameters are returned to their nominal values.

Abstract: A printing system comprises a print fluid deposition assembly, a media transport device, and an air flow control system. The print fluid deposition assembly comprises a carrier plate and a printhead arranged to eject a print fluid through an opening of the carrier plate to a deposition region. The media transport device holds a print medium against the movable support surface by vacuum suction and transports the print medium through the deposition region. The air flow control system comprises an air supply unit comprising air flow guide structure extending into the opening of the carrier plate between the carrier plate and the printhead to flow air through the opening. The air flow control system controls the air supply unit to selectively flow the air based on a location of a print medium relative to the printhead.

Abstract: A sun exposure sensor for disposable or single use including a substrate having an upper surface and a lower surface; a sun exposure sensing portion disposed on the upper surface of the substrate, the sun exposure sensing portion comprising a fluorescent toner image, wherein the fluorescent toner image increasingly fades upon exposure to sunlight; a sun exposure scale disposed on the upper surface of the substrate, the sun exposure scale comprising an evaluation image for evaluating an amount of fading of the fluorescent toner image; an optional coating layer disposed over all or a portion of the upper surface of the substrate; an optional backing layer disposed over all or a portion of the lower surface of the substrate. A process for preparing the sensor using xerographic toner printing.

Abstract: A method includes printing, by one or more printer heads of the printing system, a reactive layer onto print media. The method also includes printing, by the one or more printer heads, a determined number of transmission layers and a determined number of barrier layers in alternation with one another. At least a portion of the reactive layer is configured to migrate through the transmission layers. The method further includes printing, by the one or more printer heads, a reactant layer that is configured to change color responsive to a reaction that occurs between the reactant layer and the reactive layer upon migration of the reactive layer through the determined number of transmission layers. The reaction is configured to occur on a received expiration date.

Abstract: Methods and systems to commission building environmental sensors are disclosed. The system include a device that will move about the environment of a building (inside and/or outside) and detect building environmental sensor devices that are installed in the environment. For each of the sensor devices, in response to detecting the sensor device, the system will retrieve an identifier for the sensor device, and it will determine whether the sensor device is registered with a control system. If the sensor device is registered with the control system, the system will not automatically implement a commissioning process with the sensor device. If the sensor device is not registered with the control system, the system will automatically implement the commissioning process with the sensor device.

Abstract: A computing system framework and method for configuration thereof are provided. A plurality of processing modules are accessed. Each processing module includes a plurality of processing nodes and each processing node is associated with an intra-module port and an inter-module port. A plurality of intra-module networks are formed. Each intra-module network includes connections between at least a portion of the processing nodes in one of the processing modules via the associated intra-module ports. An enclosed shape of the processing modules is formed by connecting at one inter-module port on each processing module to one inter-module port on an adjacent processing modules. A cable is linked between one of the inter-module ports of one processing module of the enclosed shape to an inter-module port of another processing module of a different group of interconnected processing modules.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses methods and systems for managing different versions of a document in a document management system. The method includes receiving a request at the document management system from a user to access a document, wherein the document management system stores multiple versions of the document along with respective location information. Further, the method includes checking whether a location option is enabled at the document management system. Furthermore, based on the check, a version of the document matching the location of the user from where the user is accessing it, is presented to the user, via a user interface, for further action. The methods and systems further allow the user to upload one or more documents versions, where the document versions are stored along with location information for easy access, later retrieval and/or use.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method of forming an overhang for a three-dimensional printed part. The method includes ejecting one or more drops of a print material to create a preform onto a top layer of a three-dimensional printed part where the preform is oriented at an angle of 60 degrees or greater relative to a print bed in a first dimension, and bending the preform to form the overhang having an angle of less than 90 degrees relative to the print bed, and where no portion of the preform contacts the print bed. A printing system for executing a method of forming an overhang for a three-dimensional printed part is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method for producing highly spherical polymer particles comprising a polyamide having an optical absorber pendent from a backbone of the polyamide (OAMB-polyamide) may comprise: mixing a mixture comprising the OAMB-polyamide, a carrier fluid that is immiscible with the OAMB-polyamide, and optionally an emulsion stabilizer at a temperature greater than a melting point or softening temperature of the OAMB-polyamide and at a shear rate sufficiently high to disperse the OAMB-polyamide in the carrier fluid; and cooling the mixture to below the melting point or softening temperature of the OAMB-polyamide to form particles comprising the OAMB-polyamide and the emulsion stabilizer, when present, associated with an outer surface of the particles.

Abstract: A transistor includes a first layer comprising a group III-nitride semiconductor. A second layer comprising a group III-nitride semiconductor is disposed over the first layer. A third layer comprising a group III-nitride semiconductor is disposed over the second layer. An interface between the second layer and the third layer form a polarization heterojunction. A fourth layer comprising a group III-nitride semiconductor is disposed over the third layer. An interface between the third layer and the fourth layer forms a pn junction. A first electrical contact pad is disposed on the fourth layer. A second electrical contact pad is disposed on the third layer. A third electrical contact pad is electronically coupled to bias the polarization heterojunction.

Abstract: The disclosure discloses methods and systems for reserving a tray for a user for special media printing. The method includes receiving one or more special media sheets as loaded by the user in the tray. Based on the loaded special media sheets, a tray ID of the tray is automatically identified. A user interface is provided to the user to input loaded media details such as media size, type, and color. Then, it is checked with the user whether to reserve the identified tray for the user for special media printing. Based on the check, a user interface is further provided to the user to input a user ID. Finally, the identified tray is automatically reserved for the user using the user ID and the tray ID, for printing a document later received from the user on the one or more special media sheets as loaded in the identified/reserved tray.

Abstract: According to aspects illustrated herein, methods and systems for direct and automatically transferring a scanned document from a multi-function device to a personal device of the user, are disclosed. The method includes receiving a document for scanning. The received document is scanned to generate a scanned document. Upon completion of the scanning, a pre-defined code corresponding to the scanned document is generated. The pre-defined code is displayed to a user on a user interface of the multi-function device. Then, a request to scan the displayed pre-defined code is received via the personal device of the user. Upon successful scanning, the scanned document is automatically downloaded on the personal device of the user after appropriate authorization.