Abstract: An incident management system in a public transit network receives incident data collected by one or more sensors of the transit network, segments a display screen into multiple cells so that each of the cells corresponds a route segment and a time segment in which one or more vehicles in the transit network traveled, and outputs a graphical representation for each cell. The sensors may be installed on a vehicle to detect various types of incidents such as disturbance, safety and mechanical issues, or any incidents external to the vehicle. The graphical representation may be indicative of the estimated future incident rate for the route segment and the time segment to which each cell corresponds, and displayed by a color scale in a heatmap. The system may estimate the incident rate using a linear model that can be obtained in a training process.

Abstract: An incident management system in a public transit network receives incident data collected by one or more sensors of the transit network, segments a display screen into multiple cells so that each of the cells corresponds a route segment and a time segment in which one or more vehicles in the transit network traveled, and outputs a graphical representation for each cell. The sensors may be installed on a vehicle to detect various types of incidents such as disturbance, safety and mechanical issues, or any incidents external to the vehicle. The graphical representation may be indicative of the estimated future incident rate for the route segment and the time segment to which each cell corresponds, and displayed by a color scale in a heatmap. The system may estimate the incident rate using a linear model that can be obtained in a training process.

Abstract: A method of proactively identifying print device incidents for servicing by a service provider may include receiving print device data for one or more print devices, determining a probability value for each of the one or more of the print devices based on the print device data, where each probability value represents a likelihood that the print device will experience a subsequent incident of an incident type within a timeframe, identifying one or more of the print devices associated with probability values that each exceed a threshold value, and for one or more of the print devices that is identified, automatically initiating a service request for the subsequent incident.

Abstract: A method and structure for flattening or straightening a curled flexible printed circuit, such as a flexible printed circuit that has been curled during a contact embossing process. The structure can include a cylindrical opening and a support shaft suspended within the cylindrical opening that prevents buckling of the flexible printed circuit during straightening. To flatten the curled flexible printed circuit, the curled end of the flexible printed circuit can be inserted into the cylindrical opening until the curled end is wrapped partially or completely around the support shaft.

Abstract: A method, non-transitory computer readable medium, and apparatus for predicting a service call for digital printing equipment from a customer are disclosed. For example, the method detects a triggering event based upon a number of detections of an event on a digital printing equipment exceeding a threshold within a predefined time period, wherein the number of detected events on the digital printing equipment exceeding the threshold within the predefined time period is indicative of an impending soft failure, calculates a probability that the customer will place the service call due to the impending soft failure within a second predefined period of time based on a fusion of a hazard model of the digital printing equipment, a customer behavior model and the number of detections of the event in response to the triggering event being detected and determines an action based upon the probability using a cost based utility function.

Abstract: A method for forming a printhead including one or more channels. The method can include depositing and selectively sintering a first layer of powder into a sintered layer that forms a first discrete cross-sectional region of a printhead structure for the printhead. A plurality of layers of powder can be sequentially deposited and selectively sintered into a plurality of sintered layers that form discrete cross-sectional regions of the printhead structure and form at least a portion of at least one or more channels. Each of the plurality of layers of powder is deposited directly onto at least one sintered layer. Each of the plurality of sintered layers is integrally bonded to at least one other sintered layer.

Abstract: An ink jet print head can be formed using a laser to melt a plating layer interposed between a piezoelectric actuator and a circuit layer bump. The plating layer can be formed on the circuit layer bump, the piezoelectric actuator, or both, and a laser beam output by the laser is used to melt the plating layer to provide a laser weld. In another embodiment, the circuit layer bump or the trace itself functions as the plating layer, which is melted using a laser to provide the laser weld.

Abstract: A structure and method for a post plate of a die set that can be used to emboss a plurality of contact pads of a flexible printed circuit during the formation of a printer printhead. In one embodiment, a plurality of post plate posts can be formed, where each post plate post has a flat upper surface, generally straight sides, and a sharp corner where the flat upper surface and the generally straight sides intersect. Each post can be polished using, for example, a pad and an abrasive polishing compound or an electrochemical polishing process, to round the sharp corners to form a post having a rounded contour. In another embodiment, a plurality of post plate posts each having a rounded contour can be formed using a molding process.

Abstract: In some aspects of the present application, a method of manufacturing a print head is disclosed. The method can include providing a jet stack including an array of jets, bonding an actuator layer to the jet stack, the actuator layer including an actuator array, applying a standoff adhesive layer to the actuator layer and the jet stack, the standoff layer having an array of holes, wherein each hole of the array of holes overlies one of the actuators of the actuator array. A flex circuit layer having an array of bumped contact pads is aligned such that each bumped contact pad aligns with one of the holes of the standoff adhesive. Further, the flex circuit layer is boned to the jet stack layer.

Abstract: An actuator assembly including a flexible printed circuit and a method for making such an actuator assembly are provided. The flexible printed circuit includes a body having a top side and a bottom side, with the body defining a plurality of bumps extending from the bottom side. A first bump of the plurality of bumps is disposed adjacent to a second bump of the plurality of bumps, and the body further defines at least one relief configured to reduce movement of the second bump caused by movement of the first bump. The flexible printed circuit also includes a plurality of contact pads disposed on the bottom side of the body at least partially at the plurality of bumps, with the plurality of contacts pads being configured to be electrically coupled to a power source and to a piezoelectric transducer.

Abstract: A method and structure for an ink jet printhead, and a printer including the ink jet printhead. The printhead can include a polymer as a film spacer which separates an electrical interconnect such as a printed circuit board or a flexible circuit from a printhead diaphragm, such that the film spacer is interposed between the electrical interconnect and the diaphragm. In an embodiment, a piezoelectric actuator is free from contact with the film spacer. Embodiments of a process for forming the printhead may have reduced processing stages requiring fewer manufacturing tools than some other processes. Embodiments of the resulting printhead and printer may have fewer structural components than some other printheads and printers.

Abstract: A method and structure for flattening or straightening a curled flexible printed circuit, such as a flexible printed circuit that has been curled during a contact embossing process. The structure can include a cylindrical opening and a support shaft suspended within the cylindrical opening that prevents buckling of the flexible printed circuit during straightening. To flatten the curled flexible printed circuit, the curled end of the flexible printed circuit can be inserted into the cylindrical opening until the curled end is wrapped partially or completely around the support shaft.

Abstract: A structure and method for a post plate of a die set that can be used to emboss a plurality of contact pads of a flexible printed circuit during the formation of a printer printhead. In one embodiment, a plurality of post plate posts can be formed, where each post plate post has a flat upper surface, generally straight sides, and a sharp corner where the flat upper surface and the generally straight sides intersect. Each post can be polished using, for example, a pad and an abrasive polishing compound or an electrochemical polishing process, to round the sharp corners to form a post having a rounded contour. In another embodiment, a plurality of post plate posts each having a rounded contour can be formed using a molding process.

Abstract: A printhead assembly comprises a plurality of plates stacked together. The plates form a flow path having an inlet and a nozzle. An ejection chamber is in fluid connection with the flow path. A diaphragm is in operable connection with the ejection chamber. A micro actuator is in operable connection with the diaphragm, the micro actuator being configured to actuate the diaphragm. An adhesive layer bonds at least two of the plurality of plates together. The adhesive comprises silicone.

Abstract: An ink jet printhead including a substrate such as an ink reservoir or an interposer and a printing device. The printing device can be attached to the substrate with a first adhesive and with a second adhesive that is different than the first adhesive. The second adhesive can be applied to the printing device and to the substrate after attaching the printing device to the substrate with the first adhesive. The second adhesive can seal a gap from an ink channel in the substrate to a location between the printing device and the substrate.

Abstract: Disclosed is a process for preparing an ink jet printhead which comprises: (a) providing a diaphragm plate having a plurality of piezoelectric transducers bonded thereto with an adhesive; (b) placing an encapsulant thin film on the piezoelectric transducers; and (c) applying heat, pressure, or a combination thereof to the encapsulant thin film to a degree sufficient to cause the encapsulant to encapsulate the adhesive.

Abstract: An actuator assembly including a flexible printed circuit and a method for making such an actuator assembly are provided. The flexible printed circuit includes a body having a top side and a bottom side, with the body defining a plurality of bumps extending from the bottom side. A first bump of the plurality of bumps is disposed adjacent to a second bump of the plurality of bumps, and the body further defines at least one relief configured to reduce movement of the second bump caused by movement of the first bump. The flexible printed circuit also includes a plurality of contact pads disposed on the bottom side of the body at least partially at the plurality of bumps, with the plurality of contacts pads being configured to be electrically coupled to a power source and to a piezoelectric transducer.

Abstract: An ink jet print head including a plurality of standoff layer supports in an interstitial region between adjacent piezoelectric elements, and method of formation. The plurality of standoff layer supports can be formed from the same layer(s) as the piezoelectric elements, or from a dielectric layer such as a polymer. The standoff layer supports increase an area to which a standoff layer can be attached, thereby forming a more secure attachment of a circuit layer such as a flex circuit or a printed circuit board to a jet stack subassembly.

Abstract: An ink jet print head including a plurality of standoff layer supports in an interstitial region between adjacent piezoelectric elements, and method of formation. The plurality of standoff layer supports can be formed from the same layer(s) as the piezoelectric elements, or from a dielectric layer such as a polymer. The standoff layer supports increase an area to which a standoff layer can be attached, thereby forming a more secure attachment of a circuit layer such as a flex circuit or a printed circuit board to a jet stack subassembly.

Abstract: A printhead assembly comprises a plurality of plates stacked together. The plates form a flow path having an inlet and a nozzle. An ejection chamber is in fluid connection with the flow path. A diaphragm is in operable connection with the ejection chamber. A micro actuator is in operable connection with the diaphragm, the micro actuator being configured to actuate the diaphragm. An adhesive layer bonds at least two of the plurality of plates together. The adhesive comprises silicone.