Abstract: A multi-function printer having a compact size and portable configuration while providing printing, scanning and copying functionalities is disclosed herein. The multi-function printer includes a printer assembly and a scanner assembly configured to cooperatively utilize the same pick and paper movement systems along a common feed or paper path to perform these printing, scanning and copying functions. Thus, the disclosed multi-function printer may require a less complex paper movement and control system which, in turn, reduces the printer's overall weight while increasing its flexibility and/or portability.

Abstract: A method for forming through wafer vias in a substrate uses a Cr/Au seed layer to plate the bottom of a blind trench formed in the front side of a substrate. Thereafter, a reverse plating process uses a forward current to plate the bottom and sides of the blind hole, and a reverse current to de-plate material in or near the top. Using the reverse pulse plating technique, the plating proceeds generally from the bottom of the blind hole to the top. To form the through wafer via, the back side of the substrate is ground or etched away to remove material up to and including the dead-end wall of the blind hole.

Abstract: A method for providing access to a feature on a device wafer, and located outside an encapsulation region is described. The method includes forming a cavity in the lid wafer, aligning the lid wafer with the device wafer so that the cavity is located substantially above the feature, and removing material substantially uniformly from the bottom surface of the lid wafer, until an aperture is formed at the cavity, over the feature on the device wafer. By removing material from the lid wafer in a substantially uniform manner, difficulties with the prior art procedure of saw cutting, such as alignment and debris generation, are avoided.

Abstract: A material for forming a conductive structure for a MEMS device is described, which is an alloy containing about 0.01% manganese and the remainder nickel. Data shows that the alloy possesses advantageous mechanical and electrical properties. In particular, the sheet resistance of the alloy is actually lower than the sheet resistance of the pure metal. In addition, the alloy may have superior creep and higher recrystallization temperature than the pure metal. It is hypothesized that these advantageous material properties are a result of the larger grain structure existing in the NiMn alloy film compared to the pure nickel metal film. These properties may make the alloy appropriate for applications such as MEMS thermal electrical switches for telecommunications applications.

Abstract: Methods and systems for transferring information between a movable system and another system.

Abstract: A method, system and device for testing an integrated circuit or device under test over a range of temperatures with a plunger, clamp or lid over the integrated circuit or device under test is disclosed.

Abstract: A different adaptive control method is used to control a motor during each of two or more phases of motor operation. Thus, in a first phase of motor operation the motor is controlled using a first adaptive control method, in a second phase of motor operation the motor is controlled using a second adaptive control method, and so forth. The motor can be controlled in this manner in any number of phases, in which the motor is used for any of a number of corresponding purposes. The method used in each phase can be optimized to suit that type of operation without compromising operation during other phases.

Abstract: An inkjet nozzle array includes a plurality of nozzles. Each nozzle includes a chamber having an input aperture adapted to receive ink into the chamber and an output aperture through which ink is ejected from the chamber. Each chamber further includes a window adapted to receive electromagnetic radiation and operable to heat ink in the chamber responsive to the electromagnetic radiation and eject an ink droplet through the output aperture.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are disclosed for using a drive belt as a position encoder. A position control apparatus includes a belt coupled to a mechanism, where the belt contains a machine-readable position indication and is operable to convey the mechanism. A position control method includes reading a position indication from a belt that is operable to convey a mechanism, and using the position indication to determine a position of the mechanism.

Abstract: The velocity of a printhead scanning across a sheet of paper or other print medium is varied on the basis of whether masking patterns for selectively activating nozzle of the printhead include activations in consecutive pixel locations of the masking pattern. The pixel locations are “firing opportunities” as defined by the maximum firing frequency assigned to the nozzles when the printhead is scanned at a particular velocity. The printhead is moved at that velocity when a masking pattern includes activation in consecutive pixel locations. On the other hand, a higher scanning velocity is available when a constraint is enforced to prevent occasions of firings in consecutive pixel locations. In one embodiment, the constraint is not enforced, but masking patterns are analyzed on a pattern-by-pattern basis to detect those patterns which satisfy the constraint, so that the scanning velocity can be increased during the suitable masking patterns.

Abstract: A hermetic interconnect is fabricated on a substrate by forming a stud of conductive material over a metallization layer, and then overcoating the stud of conductive material and the metallization layer with a layer of compliant dielectric material. In one embodiment, the layer of compliant dielectric material is low Young's modulus silicon dioxide, formed by sputter-deposition at low temperature, in a low pressure argon atmosphere. The interconnect may provide electrical access to a micromechanical device, which is enclosed with a capping wafer hermetically sealed to the substrate with an AuInx alloy bond.

Abstract: Systems and methods for forming an encapsulated device include a hermetic seal which seals an insulating environment between two substrates, one of which supports the device. The hermetic seal is formed by an alloy of two metal layers, one deposited on a first substrate and the other deposited on the second substrate, along with a raised feature formed on the first or the second substrate. At least one of the metal layers may be deposited conformally over the raised feature. The raised feature penetrates the molten material of the first or the second metal layers during formation of the alloy, and produces a spectrum of stoichiometries for the formation of the desired alloy, as a function of the distance from the raised feature. At some distance from the raised feature, the proper ratio of the first metal to the second metal exists to form an alloy of the preferred stoichiometry.

Abstract: A handheld printer that provides an appropriate application of ink to a print medium without a bulky and complex mechanical system for positioning a print head with respect to the print medium. A handheld printer according to the present teachings includes a navigation subsystem that tracks a motion of the handheld printer with respect to a printing surface and a print head controller that causes a print head to fire ink drops onto the printing surface in response to the motion and in response to an image contained in an image buffer.

Abstract: A different adaptive control method is used to control a motor during each of two or more phases of motor operation. Thus, in a first phase of motor operation the motor is controlled using a first adaptive control method, in a second phase of motor operation the motor is controlled using a second adaptive control method, and so forth. The motor can be controlled in this manner in any number of phases, in which the motor is used for any of a number of corresponding purposes. The method used in each phase can be optimized to suit that type of operation without compromising operation during other phases.

Abstract: A multiple-function inkjet printing system includes a media transport assembly which routes a print medium through the inkjet printing system, a carriage assembly which holds an inkjet print head assembly and traverses the print medium, a scan assembly connected to the carriage assembly which holds a scan head and traverses a scan medium, and a single motor operatively coupled to the carriage assembly. As such, the single motor drives both the carriage assembly and the scan assembly.

Abstract: A multifunction image processing apparatus is disclosed. The apparatus includes a communications module, a scan subsystem, a print subsystem, and a digital signal processor (DSP) block. The communications module is used to communicate with a host computer to send and receive image data files. The scan subsystem is used to scan images. The print subsystem is used to print images. The DSP block includes at least two digital signal processors. The digital signal processors can be programmed to symmetrically multiprocess portions of an image data file to process it more quickly. Alternatively, digital signal processors can be programmed to simultaneously process the image data for the scan subsystem and image data for the print subsystem.

Abstract: A method, system and program product for modeling an environment containing a collection of items are disclosed. In accordance with the method, an environmental hierarchy describing a model environment, a product catalog containing data describing a plurality of items that may be utilized to populate the modeled environment, and a configuration library containing data describing a spatial relationship between first and second items among the plurality of items in the product catalog are created. The modeled environment is then populated by storing, in a database, data representative of the spatial relationship between the environmental hierarchy and a collection of items including the first item.

Abstract: A system comprising a processor and a memory comprising firmware is provided. The firmware is executable by the processor to cause the processor to operate a print mechanism in accordance with a first state associated with a capability of the print mechanism, change the first state associated with the capability to a second state in response to receiving first information from an external interface, and operate the print mechanism in accordance with the second state associated with the capability.

Abstract: A flatbed scanner includes a housing, a transparent platen atop the housing for receiving an object to be scanned, and a carriage operable to travel along a horizontal direction and a vertical direction. The carriage includes a light source for illuminating the object and a rectangular photodetector array for simultaneously detecting light intensity of multiple scan lines.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for making colored silicone hydrogel contact lenses.