Abstract: Push buttons utilizing dome switches are often preloaded to take up any tolerances in the push button design causing a gap and provide consistent tactile feedback to a user. However, conventional push button preload techniques can be costly and difficult to consistently reproduce during push button manufacturing. A new pre-load design does not require pre-depression of the dome switch to close the gap, which permits a more forgiving tolerance to manufacturing variations.

Abstract: Push buttons utilizing dome switches are often preloaded to take up any tolerances in the push button design causing a gap and provide consistent tactile feedback to a user. However, conventional push button preload techniques can be costly and difficult to consistently reproduce during push button manufacturing. A new pre-load design does not require pre-depression of the dome switch to close the gap, which permits a more forgiving tolerance to manufacturing variations.

Abstract: A fastener (100) for retaining a plurality of components (334, 348) in an electronic device includes a body (102) with a bottom end and a top end, where the bottom end includes a mechanical interlocking feature (104) integrally formed with the bottom end and the top end includes a head (106) integrally formed with the top end. Between the head (106) and the mechanical interlocking feature (104), the body includes an integrally formed shoulder (108). A neck (110) is positioned between the shoulder (108) and the head (106) with a neck outer diameter that is less than a head outer diameter and a shoulder outer diameter.

Abstract: A backlight unit for a display device comprising a chassis, a reflector affixed to the chassis, optical sheets affixed to the chassis, one or more light emitters affixed to the chassis, and optically-calibrated internal support structures. There is an air gap between the reflector and the optical sheets. The optically-calibrated internal support structures are disposed within the air gap and affixed to the chassis. The optically-calibrated internal support structures are configured to increase rigidity of the chassis, and to substantially not alter the uniformity of light emitted by the one or more light emitters through the optical sheets.

Abstract: A backlight unit for a display device comprising a chassis, a reflector affixed to the chassis, optical sheets affixed to the chassis, one or more light emitters affixed to the chassis, and optically-calibrated internal support structures. There is an air gap between the reflector and the optical sheets. The optically-calibrated internal support structures are disposed within the air gap and affixed to the chassis. The optically-calibrated internal support structures are configured to increase rigidity of the chassis, and to substantially not alter the uniformity of light emitted by the one or more light emitters through the optical sheets.

Abstract: A printing process identifies conditions for operating an image receiving member to transfer a plurality of ink images from the image receiving member to a plurality of media sheets between applications of release agent to the image receiving member. The printing process transfers a first ink image from the image receiving member to a first media sheet, identifies a size of a second ink image, and forms the second ink image entirely within a portion of the surface of the image receiving member that carried the first ink image. The printing process enables printing with acceptable quality while reducing the consumption of release agent and wear on components in the printer.

Abstract: A release agent applicator displaying decreased and consistent surface resistivity, and a method of making same. The release agent applicator includes an foam delivery surface having an ionic layer such that the surface resistivity of the delivery surface is reduced, thereby decreasing the chances of static charge accumulation on the roller that may interfere with high quality printing.

Abstract: A method implemented in an imaging device senses the remaining life of a drum maintenance system in the imaging device. The method includes detecting a buoyant member, which is pivotably coupled to a proboscis extending from an end cap of a reservoir in a reservoir of the DMU, reaching a predetermined position in the reservoir and then updating an estimate of the remaining release agent in the reservoir with reference to a total media area and total inked area.

Abstract: In a method of operating a printer, a release agent application system is operated to conserve release agent. The method of operation rotates the image receiving member that receives the release agent at a slower speed to reduce the amount of release agent applied to the image receiving member at select times. Thus, the release agent supply in the release agent application system lasts longer. For every page that is preceded by this method of image receiving member preparation, image gloss is increased and simplex and duplex image transfer efficiency is improved.

Abstract: A process is implemented in a printer having a release agent application system that enables a controller in the printer to detect gel ink in the release agent application system exceeding a predetermined threshold. The process monitors a plurality of print characteristics with reference to print data and quantifies a risk of gel ink developing in the release agent application system. The print characteristics include a print area value identifying a total surface area of a print, an inked area value identifying an area of surface area covered with ink, and a print type indicating whether the print is a simplex print or a duplex print.

Abstract: A method implemented in an imaging device senses the remaining life of a drum maintenance system in the imaging device. The method includes detecting a buoyant member, which is pivotably coupled to a proboscis extending from an end cap of a reservoir in a reservoir of the DMU, reaching a predetermined position in the reservoir and then updating an estimate of the remaining release agent in the reservoir with reference to a total media area and total inked area.

Abstract: A drum maintenance system for use in an imaging device includes a reservoir for the storage of release agent used by the drum maintenance unit. The reservoir includes a bottle, an end cap, and a float sensor. The float sensor has a buoyant member that is pivotably coupled to a proboscis extending from the end cap into the bottle and movement of the buoyant member enables detection of the release agent in the bottle reaching a predetermined level.

Abstract: In a method of operating a printer, a release agent application system is operated to conserve release agent. The method of operation rotates the image receiving member that receives the release agent at a slower speed to reduce the amount of release agent applied to the image receiving member at select times. Thus, the release agent supply in the release agent application system lasts longer. For every page that is preceded by this method of image receiving member preparation, image gloss is increased and simplex and duplex image transfer efficiency is improved.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a controller configured to operate the printer in a gel maintenance cycle to clean residual ink and other material from an image receiving member in the printer to maintain image quality in the printer. The controller operates the image receiving member and a drum maintenance unit in the printer to flood the image receiving member with release agent that is removed from the member by wipers in the drum maintenance unit. The removed release agent is removed from a sump, filtered, and returned to an applicator for use in printing operations.

Abstract: A peristaltic pump mechanism comprises a gear having teeth configured for meshed engagement with a drive source, such as a DC motor and a pair of occlusion members configured to compress a transport tube against an occlusion surface. Each occlusion member is mounted on an axle, with one end of the axle mounted on the first gear and an opposite end of each axle engaged by a support member. Two support ribs are mounted between the gear and the support element. The pair of occlusion members includes a first pair of rollers mounted on the gear 180° apart from each other. The two support ribs are mounted on the gear 180° apart from each other and offset 90° from the pair of rollers. The DC motor drives a worm gear in meshed engagement with the gear of the pump mechanism.

Abstract: A process is implemented in a printer having a release agent application system that enables a controller in the printer to detect gel ink in the release agent application system exceeding a predetermined threshold. The process monitors a plurality of print characteristics with reference to print data and quantifies a risk of gel ink developing in the release agent application system. The print characteristics include a print area value identifying a total surface area of a print, an inked area value identifying an area of surface area covered with ink, and a print type indicating whether the print is a simplex print or a duplex print.

Abstract: An inkjet printer includes a controller configured to operate the printer in a gel maintenance cycle to clean residual ink and other material from an image receiving member in the printer to maintain image quality in the printer. The controller operates the image receiving member and a drum maintenance unit in the printer to flood the image receiving member with release agent that is removed from the member by wipers in the drum maintenance unit. The removed release agent is removed from a sump, filtered, and returned to an applicator for use in printing operations.

Abstract: A drum maintenance system for use in an imaging device includes a reservoir for the storage of release agent used by the drum maintenance unit. The reservoir includes a bottle, an end cap, and a float sensor. The float sensor has a buoyant member that is pivotably coupled to a proboscis extending from the end cap into the bottle and movement of the buoyant member enables detection of the release agent in the bottle reaching a predetermined level.

Abstract: A drum maintenance system for use in an imaging device includes a reservoir for the storage of release agent used by the drum maintenance unit. The reservoir includes a bottle, an end cap, and a float sensor. The float sensor operates to detect the release agent in the bottle reaching a predetermined minimum level.

Abstract: A method of servicing a customer replaceable unit of an imaging device includes providing a customer replaceable unit configured for insertion and removal from an imaging device. The customer replaceable unit includes at least an applicator configured to apply a release agent to a surface of an intermediate transfer drum of the imaging device, a reservoir including a supply of the release agent for the applicator, a delivery pump configured to pump release agent from the reservoir to the applicator, a recirculation pump configured to pump release agent from the applicator to the reservoir, and a memory including operational data for the customer replaceable unit. A maintenance procedure is then performed on the customer replaceable unit.