Abstract: An apparatus and method for embossing a substrate are disclosed. For example, the apparatus includes an embossing platform, a printhead to dispense ink on the embossing platform in a desired raised pattern on the embossing platform, a press to apply a load against a substrate placed on the desired raised pattern and the embossing platform to emboss the desired raised pattern onto the substrate, and an ink removal device to remove the ink that is dispensed on the embossing platform in the desired raised pattern.

Abstract: An image processing system and method provide for receiving a digital document page to be printed. The page includes a background region for which no color is specified. A user is presented with an option to select a print medium from a set of print media of different colors and to select an option for a color of the selected print medium be used as a color of a background layer of the digital document page. When the option is selected, a background layer is inserted into the page. A print job incorporating the processed digital document page is output to an associated printer that is configured to convert the color of the background layer to colorant values that use the print media as a colorant for rendering at least a part of the background region.

Abstract: Additive manufacturing processes, such as fused filament fabrication, may be employed to form printed objects in a range of shapes. It is sometimes desirable to form conductive traces upon the surface of a printed object. Conductive traces and similar features may be introduced in conjunction with fused filament fabrication processes by incorporating a metal precursor in a polymer filament having a filament body comprising a thermoplastic polymer, and forming a printed object from the polymer filament through layer-by-layer deposition, in which the metal precursor remains substantially unconverted to metal while forming the printed object. Suitable polymer filaments compatible with fused filament fabrication may comprise a thermoplastic polymer defining a filament body, and a metal precursor contacting the filament body, in which the metal precursor is activatable to form metal islands upon laser irradiation.

Abstract: Printing apparatuses include (among other components) a photoreceptor (that is adapted to contact and transfer marking material to a printing side of sheets of media), a transport belt adjacent the photoreceptor, a baffle, and an air outlet. The sheets of media are moved by the photoreceptor across a gap to the transport belt in a “processing direction.” The baffle is adjacent the back side of the sheets of media (the side that is opposite to the printing side of the sheets of media). The air outlet is also positioned adjacent the back side of the sheets of media, and the air outlet is adapted to direct a stream of air along the baffle and between the baffle and the back side of the sheets of media to lift the sheets of media off the photoreceptor without damaging the sheets of media or disturbing the unfused marking material thereon.

Abstract: A computer-implemented method is provided, comprising, based on information of a subject positioned on an object in an environment, generating a data stream; for the data stream, extracting features associated with a movement of the subject with respect to the object or the environment, wherein the movement is represented by spatio-temporal features extracted from sensors; generating a prediction associated with a likelihood of the movement based on the extracted features, and a risk profile of the movement based on a plurality of fall risk factors; and applying the prediction and the risk profile to a rule base to perform an action.

Abstract: Devices and methods use a processor, a scanner, and a display screen. The processor is used to recognize Braille characters within the field of view of the scanner. The processor is used to convert the Braille characters into text, and the display screen is used to display the text visibly.

Abstract: Apparatuses include, among other components, a user identification device operatively connected to a processor. In processing, the user identification device is adapted to identify a user of the apparatus. Also, a user interface is operatively connected to the processor. In such processing, the processor is adapted to select a communication format from a plurality of communication formats based on the user identified by the user identification device. With the processing, the processor is also adapted to control the user interface to communicate with the user using the selected communication format.

Abstract: A system and method enable determining a total colorant limit for printing images. The system includes memory which stores instructions for: determining a grain value for each of a set of printed patches printed on a first print media, the grain value being based upon a visual contrast sensitivity function computed for the respective patch, the set of printed patches including patches printed on the print media at different total colorant values; determining a total colorant limit for the first print media, as a function of the total colorant values and corresponding grain values for the printed patches in the set, wherein the total colorant limit is a total colorant value which corresponds to a grain value which does not exceed a threshold grain value for the first print media. A processor executes the instructions.

Abstract: A method for operating a printer can include draining a print material from a printer, placing a sacrificial metal into the printer, ejecting the sacrificial metal from a nozzle of the printer, and cooling to printer to a temperature that is below a melting point of the print material and the sacrificial metal. The print material can be or include aluminum and the sacrificial metal can be or include tin. The print material can be drained from the printer when the print material is in molten form, for example, from about 600° C. to about 2000° C. The sacrificial metal can be ejected from the nozzle at a temperature above the melting point of the sacrificial metal but below the melting point of the print material, for example, below about 300° C. The method can reduce or eliminate cracking of various printer structures such as the nozzle during a shutdown or cooling of the printer.

Abstract: A workflow process for packing and unpacking variable sized bundles of printed card signs includes providing identifiable codes that make the card signs highly visible and recognizable. Included on selected card signs is a color coded border with indexing added to each bundle in groupings to help in packing and unpacking the bundles into and from boxes. When the bundles are packed in a box on edge, both the person packing and unpacking the box can easily identify the beginning and end of each bundle and thereby limiting the time required to organize and process the bundles and reduce labor cost and errors.

Abstract: A method for improving z-axis strength of a 3D printed object is disclosed. For example, the method includes printing a three-dimensional (3D) object with a polymer and magnetic particles, heating the 3D object to a temperature at approximately a melting temperature of the polymer, and applying a magnetic field to the 3D object to locally move the magnetic particles in the polymer to generate heat and fuse the polymer around the magnetic particles to improve a z-axis strength of the 3D object.

Abstract: A system includes a processor that executes computer executable components stored in a memory. The system includes a first component to receive data generated by at least one sensor. The system further includes a second component to generate an array that determines between activating one of a purge routine and a diagnostic routine on a printhead based on the array. The array is a function of the data. The system further includes a control component operable to selectively activate the purge routine on the printhead based on the determination.

Abstract: The present teachings according to various embodiments provides a support material for 3D printing. The support material includes poly(alkylene carbonate) having a decomposition temperature of from 100° C. to about 300° C.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a toner composition, developer and additive for a toner composition. The toner composition includes toner particles including at least one resin, an optional colorant, an optional wax, and a polymeric toner additive on at least a portion of an external surface of the toner particles. The polymeric toner additive includes a polymeric resin including a fluorinated acrylic monomer, a cross-linkable monomer containing two or more vinyl groups at 8 wt % to 40 wt % of the polymeric resin, and optionally a charge control agent comprised of a nitrogen containing group at 0.1 wt % to 1.5 wt % of the polymeric resin.

Abstract: An image processing system and method provide for receiving a current print job comprising a set of digital page images to be printed on print media sheets, identifying, for each page image, a set of input parameters, the set of input parameters including one or more of a print media sheet weight, a print media sheet size, a print media sheet thickness, a print media sheet porosity, a print media sheet coating, a print media sheet color, and an area coverage. The method further includes generating an adjustment for each page image, based on the set of input parameters and based on stored magnification errors generated for prior printed pages of print jobs, the adjustment being predicted to reduce at least one magnification error when the page image of the current print job is rendered on print media to form a printed image.

Abstract: Provided herein is a topcoat composition comprising at least one fluorosilicone, a hydride-functional crosslinking agent, an infrared-absorbing filler, and at least one dispersant that is non-reactive with the hydride-functional crosslinking agent, by weight based on a total weight of the topcoat composition, wherein the topcoat composition has a degree of crosslinking between about 10 micrograms/hour/milligrams to about 20 micrograms/hour/milligrams. Further provided herein are methods of making the topcoat composition, as well as an imaging blanket and methods of reducing coating defects on a media coated using the imaging member.

Abstract: The present disclosure discloses methods and systems for securing a portable storage device connected to a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port of a mufti-function device. The method includes determining if the portable storage device is unattended at the multi-function device for a pre-defined time. Based on the determination, a retraction assembly is activated to secure the portable storage device inside the multi-function device. Once the retraction assembly is activated, the retraction process starts where the portable storage device is retracted to a first position within the multi-function device. Then, the portable storage device is moved from the first position to a second position within the multi-function device. Thereafter, the portable storage device is detached, in the second position, from the USB port to a container of the retraction assembly to secure the portable storage device.

Abstract: A method, system, and apparatus for rendering a security mark on a recording medium can involve creating a metameric pair of fluorescent inks with a first fluorescent ink among the metameric pair of fluorescent inks that blocks UV light and a second fluorescent ink among the metameric pair of fluorescent inks that does not block UV light, configuring at least one fluorescent ink among the metameric pair of fluorescent inks with a first pattern based on a constant pixel high surface and at least one other fluorescent ink among the metameric pair of fluorescent inks with a second pattern based on a substantial amount of white space, and defining a security mark for rendering on a recording medium with the metameric pair of fluorescent inks and based on the first pattern and the second pattern.

Abstract: A three-dimensional (3D) printer includes an ejector and a coil wrapped at least partially around the ejector. The 3D printer also includes a power source configured to transmit voltage pulses to the coil. The 3D printer includes a computing system causing one or more drops of the liquid to be jetted out of the nozzle, and a vibrational source configured to transmit vibrational energy towards the printing material. The frequency of the vibrational energy may be dynamically modulated as a 3D object is formed by the 3D printer, and may be directly or indirectly applied to the printing material or 3D object. The vibrational source may include a piezoelectric source, ultrasonic source, a focused acoustic energy source, a laser vibrational source, or combinations thereof.