Abstract: The present disclosure provides a linked antenna pair for a shipping container having a thermally insulated and electromagnetically shielded cavity for holding a payload. The linked antenna pair comprises a first antenna disposed inside the cavity, a second antenna disposed outside the cavity, and a feed line that electrically connects the first antenna to the second antenna.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a linked antenna pair for a shipping container having a thermally insulated and electromagnetically shielded cavity for holding a payload. The linked antenna pair comprises a first antenna disposed inside the cavity, a second antenna disposed outside the cavity, and a feed line that electrically connects the first antenna to the second antenna.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transmitter and receiver includes a MEMS composite transducer. The MEMS composite transducer includes a substrate. Portions of the substrate define an outer boundary of a cavity. A first MEMS transducing member includes a first size. A first portion of the first MEMS transducing member is anchored to the substrate. A second portion of the first MEMS transducing member extends over at least a portion of the cavity and is free to move relative to the cavity. A second MEMS transducing member includes a second size that is smaller than the first size of the first MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the second MEMS transducing member is anchored to the substrate. A second portion of the second MEMS transducing member extends over at least a portion of the cavity and is free to move relative to the cavity. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the first and second MEMS transducing members.

Abstract: An energy harvesting device includes a MEMS composite transducer. The MEMS composite transducer includes a substrate. Portions of the substrate define an outer boundary of a cavity. A MEMS transducing member includes a beam having a first end and a second end. The first end is anchored to the substrate and the second end cantilevers over the cavity. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the compliant membrane covers the MEMS transducing member. A second portion of the compliant membrane is anchored to the substrate. The compliant member is configured to be set into oscillation by excitations produced externally relative to the energy harvesting device.

Abstract: A method of harvesting energy from the environment includes providing an energy harvesting device. The energy harvesting device includes a MEMS composite transducer. The MEMS composite transducer includes a substrate. Portions of the substrate define an outer boundary of a cavity. A MEMS transducing member includes a beam having a first end and a second end. The first end is anchored to the substrate and the second end cantilevers over the cavity. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the compliant membrane covers the MEMS transducing member. A second portion of the compliant membrane is anchored to the substrate. The energy harvesting device is configured so that the compliant membrane is set into oscillation by excitations produced external to the energy harvesting device. The MEMS transducing member is caused to move into and out of the cavity by the oscillating compliant membrane.

Abstract: Operating an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver includes providing a MEMS composite transducer. The MEMS composite transducer includes a substrate. Portions of the substrate define an outer boundary of a cavity. A first MEMS transducing member includes a first size. A first portion of the first MEMS transducing member is anchored to the substrate. A second portion of the first MEMS transducing member extends over at least a portion of the cavity and is free to move relative to the cavity. A second MEMS transducing member includes a second size smaller than the first size of the first MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the second MEMS transducing member is anchored to the substrate. A second portion of the second MEMS transducing member extends over at least a portion of the cavity and is free to move relative to the cavity. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the first and second MEMS transducing members.

Abstract: A printer includes a printhead die including liquid ejectors separated by walls. Each liquid ejector includes a nozzle orifice and an associated drop forming mechanism. First and second liquid feed channels, extending in opposite directions, are in fluid communication with each liquid ejector. A liquid inlet includes a plurality of first and second segments in fluid communication with the first liquid feed channels and the second liquid feed channels, respectively. The first and second segments are located on opposite sides of the nozzle orifice. For a given liquid ejector, both of the first and second segments are directly in line with the liquid ejector. An electrical lead extends from each drop forming mechanism toward an edge of the printhead die. At least one of the electrical leads is positioned between neighboring segments of at least one of the first and second segments of the liquid inlet.

Abstract: A liquid ejector includes a structure defining a plurality of chambers with one of the chambers including a first and second surface. The first surface includes a nozzle orifice. A drop forming mechanism is located on the second surface of the chamber opposite the nozzle orifice. First and second liquid feed channels are in fluid communication with the chamber. First and second segments of a segmented liquid inlet are in fluid communication with the first and second liquid feed channels, respectively. The first and second segments of the segmented liquid inlet are also in fluid communication with another one of the plurality of chambers. Liquid is provided to the chamber through the first and second liquid feed channels from the segmented liquid inlet. A drop of the liquid is ejected through the nozzle orifice of the chamber by operating the drop forming mechanism.

Abstract: A method of operating a scanning apparatus including a transparent platen, a memory, a lid to cover the transparent platen, and a door in the lid, the method includes exposing a portion of the transparent platen through the door in the lid; placing a user identifier into the door in the lid; providing a user identification initiation signal; emitting light from a light source to illuminate the exposed portion of the transparent platen; moving a photosensor array to scan the user identifier through the exposed portion of the transparent platen; providing a digitized image of the user identifier from the scan by the photosensor array; comparing the digitized image to a stored pattern; and authorizing a function of the scanning apparatus if it is determined that the digitized image of the user identifier adequately matches the stored pattern.

Abstract: A method of reducing air in an ink passageway in an inkjet printer by pressurizing a thermally actuated degassing unit that includes an air chamber, venting air through a check valve configured to allow air to vent from the air chamber to ambient when the pressure in the air chamber exceeds ambient air pressure by a predetermined amount The pressurizing is performed by heating an element inside the air chamber. A power supply is connected to the heating element, and power is applied to the heating element during a first time interval to increase the pressure in the air chamber above ambient pressure. Gas is vented from the check valve which allows the heating element to cool during a second time interval to reduce the pressure in the air chamber below ambient pressure. Gas is then drawn from the ink passageway through the membrane into the air chamber.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead having a drop ejector array, an ink passageway for providing ink to the drop ejector array, and a thermally actuated degassing unit. The degassing unit itself includes a body enclosing an air chamber, a check valve configured to allow air to vent from the air chamber to ambient when the pressure in the air chamber exceeds ambient air pressure by a predetermined amount. The thermal degassing unit includes a thermally-induced pressure build-up time to increase the pressure in the air chamber. The air chamber is allowed to cool which causes internal pressure to drop below ambient and draws gas out of the ink.

Abstract: An ink tank that is detachably mountable to an inkjet printhead, the ink tank includes a first ink source including a first ink supply port; a second ink source including a second ink supply port, the second ink supply port being separated from the first supply ink port along a first direction; and a latch for securing the detachably mountable ink tank, wherein the latch extends from an exterior wall of the ink tank, and wherein the exterior wall is adjacent the second ink source and is not adjacent the first ink source.

Abstract: A stationary printing apparatus includes a display; a camera to capture an image, the camera being mounted proximate the display; and a printing mechanism configured to print the image.

Abstract: A method for monitoring relative position of a carriage and a recording medium in an inkjet printing system having a roller for advancing the recording medium along a recording medium advance direction, the method includes sending light from a light source toward at least a portion of the roller; receiving reflected light in a two-dimensional sensor mounted on the carriage; sending a signal from the two-dimensional sensor to a controller, wherein the signal indicates the pattern of reflected light received by the two-dimensional sensor; comparing the received signal by the controller to a signal stored in memory; and calculating a shift between the received signal and the signal stored in memory.

Abstract: An ultrasonic transmitter and receiver includes a MEMS composite transducer. The MEMS composite transducer includes a substrate. Portions of the substrate define an outer boundary of a cavity. A first MEMS transducing member includes a first size. A first portion of the first MEMS transducing member is anchored to the substrate. A second portion of the first MEMS transducing member extends over at least a portion of the cavity and is free to move relative to the cavity. A second MEMS transducing member includes a second size that is smaller than the first size of the first MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the second MEMS transducing member is anchored to the substrate. A second portion of the second MEMS transducing member extends over at least a portion of the cavity and is free to move relative to the cavity. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the first and second MEMS transducing members.

Abstract: Operating an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver includes providing a MEMS composite transducer. The MEMS composite transducer includes a substrate. Portions of the substrate define an outer boundary of a cavity. A first MEMS transducing member includes a first size. A first portion of the first MEMS transducing member is anchored to the substrate. A second portion of the first MEMS transducing member extends over at least a portion of the cavity and is free to move relative to the cavity. A second MEMS transducing member includes a second size smaller than the first size of the first MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the second MEMS transducing member is anchored to the substrate. A second portion of the second MEMS transducing member extends over at least a portion of the cavity and is free to move relative to the cavity. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the first and second MEMS transducing members.

Abstract: An energy harvesting device includes a MEMS composite transducer. The MEMS composite transducer includes a substrate. Portions of the substrate define an outer boundary of a cavity. A MEMS transducing member includes a beam having a first end and a second end. The first end is anchored to the substrate and the second end cantilevers over the cavity. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the compliant membrane covers the MEMS transducing member. A second portion of the compliant membrane is anchored to the substrate. The compliant member is configured to be set into oscillation by excitations produced externally relative to the energy harvesting device.

Abstract: A method of harvesting energy from the environment includes providing an energy harvesting device. The energy harvesting device includes a MEMS composite transducer. The MEMS composite transducer includes a substrate. Portions of the substrate define an outer boundary of a cavity. A MEMS transducing member includes a beam having a first end and a second end. The first end is anchored to the substrate and the second end cantilevers over the cavity. A compliant membrane is positioned in contact with the MEMS transducing member. A first portion of the compliant membrane covers the MEMS transducing member. A second portion of the compliant membrane is anchored to the substrate. The energy harvesting device is configured so that the compliant membrane is set into oscillation by excitations produced external to the energy harvesting device. The MEMS transducing member is caused to move into and out of the cavity by the oscillating compliant membrane.

Abstract: A method of controlling in a printer the maintenance of an inkjet printhead supplied with fluid from a plurality of fluid sources, the method includes the steps of (a) monitoring the usage of the plurality of fluid sources; (b) identifying a preferred fluid source for use in a maintenance operation based on the monitored usage of the plurality of fluid sources; and (c) performing the maintenance operation using a first quantity of fluid from the preferred fluid source.

Abstract: An inkjet printhead assembly for use in an inkjet printer, the inkjet printhead assembly includes an array of nozzles disposed along a nozzle array direction; an ink chamber including an ink outlet that is fluidly connected to the array of nozzles; and an air-permeable membrane positioned in the ink chamber at an angle that is inclined relative to the nozzle array direction.