Abstract: An atmospheric-pressure plasma treatment system includes a plasma source including at least one electrode, a gas in a gas chamber, and an AC power supply that supplies power to the at least one electrode to form a plasma in the gas. A radial-flow surface has a jet nozzle through which the gas flows and the radial-flow surface has a surface profile that conforms to a nonplanar treatment surface of an object. The radial-flow surface is separated from the nonplanar treatment surface by a gap that is less than 2 times a diameter of the jet nozzle so that the gas flows radially outward from the nozzle and between the radial-flow surface and the nonplanar treatment surface.

Abstract: An atmospheric-pressure plasma treatment system includes a plasma source including at least one electrode, a gas in a gas chamber, and an AC power supply that supplies power to the at least one electrode to form a plasma in the gas. A radial-flow surface has a jet nozzle through which the gas flows and the radial-flow surface has a surface profile that conforms to a nonplanar treatment surface of an object. The radial-flow surface is separated from the nonplanar treatment surface by a gap that is less than 2 times a diameter of the jet nozzle so that the gas flows radially outward from the nozzle and between the radial-flow surface and the nonplanar treatment surface.

Abstract: A printing system is used printing an image on a web of media that is photoelastic and at least partially transparent. A web advance system advances the web of media supplied from an input roll in an in-track direction along a web transport path. At least one printing station is disposed along the web transport path for printing on the web of media. One or more photoelastic measurement devices disposed along the web transport path for characterizing stress in the web of media, and a controller that controls at least one aspect of the printing system responsive to signals received from the one or more photoelastic measurement devices.

Abstract: A method for controlling a printing system adapted to print images on a web of media that is photoelastic and at least partially transparent. One or more printing stations are used deposit a pattern of printing material on a web of media travelling along a web transport path, thereby producing a printed image. A pattern of stress in the web of media is measured using one or more photoelastic measurement devices disposed along the web transport path, wherein the pattern of stress is at least partially induced by the deposited printing material. The measured pattern of stress is analyzed to detect the presence of one or more print defects, and a at least one aspect of the printing system is controlled responsive to detecting a print defect.

Abstract: A printing system including a plurality of printheads for printing on a web of media traveling along a web transport path, at least one of the printheads being configured to print at first and second print lines. A plurality of web transport rollers guide the web of media along the web transport path. At least some of the plurality of web transport rollers are constrained to have a roller circumference that is substantially equal to an integer fraction of a span of the web of media along the web transport path between two successive print locations in successive print heads. A span extension member provides an increased span of the web of media between the first and second print lines in a particular printhead such that the increased span is an integer multiple of the roller circumferences of the constrained web transport rollers.

Abstract: A method for forming a second pattern in registration with a first pattern on a substrate is disclosed. The method comprises providing the substrate having a first magnitude of an associated electrical characteristic and at least one alignment structure that is associated with a second magnitude of the electrical characteristic different from the first magnitude. A controller is used to control an electrical probe to measure the electrical characteristic at a plurality of positions proximate the substrate. The measured electrical characteristic corresponds to the alignment structure when the probe is proximate to the alignment structure and to the substrate when the probe is not proximate to the alignment structure. The measured electrical characteristics are used to identify a location of the alignment structure. The second pattern is formed so that it is in registration with the first pattern, based on the identified location of the alignment structure.

Abstract: A system for forming a second pattern in registration with a first pattern on a substrate is disclosed. The system comprises the substrate having a first magnitude of an associated electrical characteristic and at least one alignment structure. The alignment structure has a second magnitude of the electrical characteristic different from that of the substrate. An advancing mechanism is used for moving the substrate. A probe is used for measuring an electrical characteristic at a plurality of positions proximate the moving substrate. A controller is used for interpreting the measured electrical characteristic as a function of position for identifying a location of the alignment structure. A first patterning station is used for forming the second pattern on a surface of the substrate in registration with the first pattern based on the identified location of the alignment structure.

Abstract: A system for determining an alignment location associated with a pattern formed on a substrate is disclosed. Electrical measurements are made as the substrate is moved along an advancement direction. An alignment structure is formed on the substrate. The alignment structure has a first member extending along a first direction that is not parallel to the advancement direction and a second member extending along a second direction that is not parallel to either the advancement direction or to the first member. The first member and the second member are electrically conductive and substantially transparent. One or more probes are used to identify portions of the first and second members of the alignment structure and produce signals in response to relative motion between the substrate and the probes. A controller, responsive to signals produced by the probe, determines an alignment location associated with the pattern formed on the substrate.

Abstract: A method of electrolessly plating a web of media, including advancing the web of media from an input roll through a pan of plating solution to a take-up roll, wherein a plating substance in the plating solution is plated onto predetermined locations on a surface of the web of media. The plating solution is circulated from a sump to the pan and back to the sump through enclosed pipes, such that plating solution in the enclosed pipes is not exposed to air. An amount of dissolved oxygen in the plating solution is measured, and an inert gas is injected into the plating solution at a rate that is controlled according to the measured amount of dissolved oxygen.

Abstract: A printing system for printing on a web of media traveling along a web transport path, including a plurality of printheads for printing on the web of media, each of the printheads being configured to print at one or more corresponding print locations along the web transport path. A plurality of web transport rollers guide the web of media along the web transport path. Each of the plurality of web transport rollers has a roller circumference that is substantially equal to an integer fraction of a span of the web of media along the web transport path between two successive print locations.

Abstract: A printing system including a plurality of printheads for printing on a web of media traveling along a web transport path, at least one of the printheads being configured to print at first and second print lines. A plurality of web transport rollers guide the web of media along the web transport path. At least some of the plurality of web transport rollers are constrained to have a roller circumference that is substantially equal to an integer fraction of a span of the web of media along the web transport path between two successive print locations in successive print heads. A span extension member provides an increased span of the web of media between the first and second print lines in a particular printhead such that the increased span is an integer multiple of the roller circumferences of the constrained web transport rollers.

Abstract: A printing system for printing on a web of media traveling along a web transport path, including a plurality of printheads for printing on the web of media, each of the printheads being configured to print at one or more corresponding print locations along the web transport path. A plurality of web transport rollers guide the web of media along the web transport path. Each of the plurality of web transport rollers has a roller circumference that is substantially equal to an integer fraction of a span of the web of media along the web transport path between two successive print locations.

Abstract: A method for forming a second pattern in registration with a first pattern on a substrate is disclosed. The method comprises providing the substrate having a first magnitude of an associated electrical characteristic and at least one alignment structure that is associated with a second magnitude of the electrical characteristic different from the first magnitude. A controller is used to control an electrical probe to measure the electrical characteristic at a plurality of positions proximate the substrate. The measured electrical characteristic corresponds to the alignment structure when the probe is proximate to the alignment structure and to the substrate when the probe is not proximate to the alignment structure. The measured electrical characteristics are used to identify a location of the alignment structure. The second pattern is formed so that it is in registration with the first pattern, based on the identified location of the alignment structure.

Abstract: A system for determining an alignment location associated with a pattern formed on a substrate is disclosed. Electrical measurements are made as the substrate is moved along an advancement direction. An alignment structure is formed on the substrate. The alignment structure has a first member extending along a first direction that is not parallel to the advancement direction and a second member extending along a second direction that is not parallel to either the advancement direction or to the first member. The first member and the second member are electrically conductive and substantially transparent. One or more probes are used to identify portions of the first and second members of the alignment structure and produce signals in response to relative motion between the substrate and the probes. A controller, responsive to signals produced by the probe, determines an alignment location associated with the pattern formed on the substrate.

Abstract: A system for forming a second pattern in registration with a first pattern on a substrate is disclosed. The system comprises the substrate having a first magnitude of an associated electrical characteristic and at least one alignment structure. The alignment structure has a second magnitude of the electrical characteristic different from that of the substrate. An advancing mechanism is used for moving the substrate. A probe is used for measuring an electrical characteristic at a plurality of positions proximate the moving substrate. A controller is used for interpreting the measured electrical characteristic as a function of position for identifying a location of the alignment structure. A first patterning station is used for forming the second pattern on a surface of the substrate in registration with the first pattern based on the identified location of the alignment structure.

Abstract: A printing system for printing on a web of media traveling along a web transport path, including a plurality of printheads for printing on the web of media, each of the printheads being configured to print at one or more corresponding print locations along the web transport path. A plurality of web transport rollers guide the web of media along the web transport path. A drive roller causes the web of media to move along the web transport path. The drive roller has an affixed driven gear driven by a motor using a gear train including one or more drive gears which transfer torque from the motor to the driven gear. The driven gear and the drive gears are constrained to rotate substantially an integer number of times as the web of media is advanced along the web transport path between two successive print locations.

Abstract: A method of determining a position of a mobile apparatus includes: firing a laser mounted on the mobile apparatus; rotating the laser and a first and second photo detector that are disposed proximate the laser while monitoring an amount of rotation; detecting a first amplitude of light received by the first photo detector and a second amplitude of light received by a second photo detector as a function of rotation; identifying a first orientation corresponding to perpendicularity of the laser to a position referencing structure; identifying a second orientation corresponding to perpendicularity of the laser to the position referencing structure; identifying a third orientation corresponding to perpendicularity of the laser to the position referencing structure; and calculating the position of the mobile apparatus based on the first orientation, the second orientation, the third orientation, and a predetermined distance associated with the position referencing structure.

Abstract: A mobile printing system includes a mobile printing apparatus including: a chassis; a first wheel rotatably mounted on the chassis; a second wheel rotatably mounted on the chassis; a first motor for rotating the first wheel; a second motor for rotating the second wheel; a first encoder for monitoring an amount of rotation of the first wheel; a second encoder for monitoring an amount of rotation of the second wheel; a photosensor array; and an array of marking elements disposed proximate the photosensor array; a printing region for the mobile printing apparatus; a home base including a cap configured to surround the array of marking elements; and a controller for controlling the operation of the mobile printing apparatus.

Abstract: A method of controlling a maintenance operation of an inkjet printhead in an inkjet printer, the method includes providing at least one parameter of the maintenance operation as a function of humidity condition; receiving data corresponding to a current outdoor humidity condition; determining a humidity condition corresponding to the current outdoor humidity condition; and controlling the maintenance operation, wherein the at least one parameter is determined in accordance with the determined humidity condition.

Abstract: A method of determining a position of a mobile apparatus includes: firing a laser that is mounted on the mobile apparatus; rotating the laser and a first and second photo detector that are disposed proximate the laser while monitoring an amount of rotation; detecting a first amplitude of light received by the first photo detector and a second amplitude of light received by a second photo detector as a function of the amount of rotation; identifying a first orientation corresponding to perpendicularity of the laser to a position referencing structure; identifying a second orientation corresponding to perpendicularity of the laser to the position referencing structure; identifying a third orientation corresponding to perpendicularity of the laser to the position referencing structure; and calculating the position of the mobile apparatus based on the first orientation, the second orientation, the third orientation, and a predetermined distance associated with the position referencing structure.