Abstract: A method is disclosed for electronically assisting a customer through a buying cycle at a product retail location having a product oriented display. The method includes sensing an amount of time the customer is interested in the display. Another operation is determining the customer's stage in a product buying cycle based on the amount of time the customer is interested in the display and displaying product detail based on the customer's stage in the buying cycle. The display can be changed to a subsequent stage in the buying cycle having more time and interaction between the customer and the display.

Abstract: A printing device includes a supply of colorant that is non-refillable from an end user perspective and that is at least substantially non-removable from the printing device from the end user perspective. The printing device also includes a printing mechanism that forms images on media using the supply of colorant.

Abstract: An embodiment of the invention relates to a method including determining when a print button widget on a webpage has been accessed by a user from a communication device accessing the webpage, recording an identity of an online publisher hosting or maintaining the webpage, issuing a print instruction to the communication device for the communication device to create a print job when the print button widget has been accessed by the user, identifying at least one detail of the print job, sending a notification and the at least one detail of the print job to an exchange server, and sharing an online publisher report including the at least one detail of the print job with at least one advertiser

Abstract: A method is disclosed for electronically assisting a customer through a buying cycle at a product retail location having a product oriented display. The method includes sensing an amount of time the customer is interested in the display. Another operation is determining the customer's stage in a product buying cycle based on the amount of time the customer is interested in the display and displaying product detail based on the customer's stage in the buying cycle. The display can be changed to a subsequent stage in the buying cycle having more time and interaction between the customer and the display.

Abstract: An apparatus for use in a fluid delivery system includes a housing configurable to separate a first volume of gas from a second volume of gas and an interface arranged within the housing. The interface includes a bubbler member that is fluidically wetted with a fluid via capillary action. The interface is configured to allow a gas from the first volume of gas to pass through the fluid into the second volume of gas when a pressure difference between the first and second volumes of gas reaches a first threshold level. The interface is also configured to allow a gas from the second volume of gas to pass through the fluid into the first volume of gas when the pressure difference between the first and second volumes of gas reaches a second threshold level.

Abstract: A pattern is imprinted into a substrate. The pattern has a number of raised regions and a number of trenches such that the raised regions are separated from one another by the trenches. The raised regions correspond to electrically isolated conductive traces to be formed on the substrate. At least an angle of deposition relative to the substrate at which an electrically conductive material is to be deposited on the substrate to form the electrically isolated conductive traces on the raised regions is determined. The angle of deposition is sufficient to ensure that adjacent raised regions remain electrically isolated. The electrically conductive material is deposited at no more than the angle of deposition relative to the substrate to form the electrically isolated conductive traces.

Abstract: A printing device includes a supply of colorant that is non-refillable from an end user perspective and that is at least substantially non-removable from the printing device from the end user perspective. The printing device also includes an inkjet printhead that forms images on media using the supply of colorant.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses are provided for use inkjet pens. One method includes, during an initial stage of pen life, drawing ink from an ink reservoir through a standpipe, and, during an extended stage of pen life, allowing external air to enter into the standpipe through a standpipe bubbler and drawing ink from within the standpipe but not the ink reservoir.

Abstract: A replaceable ink supply comprises an ink container with an internal chamber formed from a plurality of walls. An ink reservoir block can be located within the internal chamber. Further, a channel can be formed in at least one wall of the internal chamber and the channel having an open side exposing a portion of the ink reservoir block.

Abstract: A fluid containment structure includes a containment vessel having an interior fluid chamber for fluid containment. A flexible bag is disposed within the containment vessel; the bag is vented to the external atmosphere outside the containment vessel. A spring is coupled to the bag to hold the bag in a coiled state until a back-pressure within the fluid chamber exerts sufficient force to commence uncoiling the bag against the spring pressure, allowing air from the external atmosphere to enter the bag and enlarge an interior bag space which is sealed from the interior fluid chamber.

Abstract: A fluid supply including a body and a reversibly fluid absorbing material having a first surface energy and disposed in the body. In addition, the fluid supply has at least one fiber having a fiber surface energy where the fiber is disposed within the fluid absorbing material, and the fiber surface energy is less than the first surface energy of the fluid absorbing material.

Abstract: An ink delivery apparatus includes a pressure tuned rolling piston having a distal end. The distal end includes a pressure responsive portion. A first convolute portion supports the pressure responsive portion, and the first convolute portion is configured to provide a first level of resistance against a negative pressure.

Abstract: An ink delivery apparatus includes a chamber configured to contain ink, where that chamber includes a proximal end for connection to the ink delivery apparatus, and opposing side portions having at least one tapered section configured to support the chamber and to facilitate at least partial controlled collapse of the chamber in response to a negative pressure.

Abstract: An ink delivery regulation apparatus includes a support configured to be positioned within an ink chamber and a resilient deflection member coupled to the support. The resilient deflection member is configured to resiliently deflect from a generally concave shape to a generally convex shape in response to a change in said negative pressure.

Abstract: A fluid containment structure includes a containment vessel having an interior vessel space for fluid containment, and a fluid outlet communicating with the interior vessel space. A flexible bag with opposed side surfaces is disposed within the containment vessel, vented to an external atmosphere outside the containment vessel. A sacrificial bond structure is formed between the side surfaces, and restrains the side surfaces together until a back-pressure within the vessel space exerts sufficient force to break the sacrificial bond structure, allowing air from the external atmosphere to enter the bag and enlarge an interior bag space.

Abstract: A heat stake head assembly includes a heating module including a heatable head surface, and a module head which includes a housing having a plurality of through receptacles formed between a first surface and a second surface. The module head is mountable onto the heating module such that the first surface is in contact with the heatable head surface. A set of stake tip elements are provided, each having a head end and a tip, each for fitting into one of the plurality of through receptacles such that the tips of the stake tip elements protrude from the second surface. A plurality of biasing structures bias a respective stake tip element into contact with the heatable head surface.

Abstract: Ink reservoirs and methods are provided. One ink reservoir has at least one compartment and first and second vents that communicatively couple the compartment to an atmosphere surrounding an exterior of the ink reservoir.

Abstract: A high efficiency, liquid supply vessel is provided. The liquid supply vessel includes a chamber, either an open-foam or septum-based fluidic interconnect, a tower, and at least one gas-permeable vent. The tower includes a valve which remains closed when the vessel is inserted into a printer and the fluidic interconnect is engaged, thereby retaining the liquid in the vessel. When the printhead is operated, a sufficient vacuum is created to open the valve, thereby supplying the liquid to the printhead. Whereas the vacuum pressure may otherwise rise to unacceptable levels, the gas-permeable vent enables the pressure to be equalized. Similarly, the vent equalizes pressure during altitude and/or temperature changes, thereby preventing pressure increases or decreases which would otherwise be associated with such changes.

Abstract: Disclosed are mechanisms and methods for venting the fluid interconnect port of fluid container that is at least partially filled with a capillary material. Preferred embodiments include venting a fluid container to ambient air with a vent located on the upper portion of the container; internally venting the container to channel air from the ambient air vent to an internal location adjacent to the fluid interconnect port; and then restrictedly venting the fluid port. Preferred embodiments also include positioning the restricted venting away from the bulk of the capillary material in the fluid container, and providing a capillary break and capillary accumulator adjacent to the fluid interconnect port.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention comprise geometric features in the fluid interconnect region of an ink container which inhibit residual ink from contacting a removable seal on the container or the fingers and clothing of the container installer. The features comprise a fluid accumulator and capillary break.