Portable printer and portable printing system

Abstract

The present invention relates to a portable printer and a portable printing system, which further includes a portable body that houses a cartridge having a nozzle for printing an image by transferring a printing material to an object having a soft or hard surface, a mounting part that is exposed to the outside from a lower part of the body, faces the surface of the object, and at least partially surrounds the nozzle, rollers that are respectively installed in front of and behind the nozzle at the lower part of the body based on a direction in which the body moves along the surface of the object to transfer the printing material to the object, a magnetic body that rotates in response to the rotation of the rollers, a sensing part that detects a magnetic field caused by the rotation of the magnetic body, and a control part that controls the transfer of the printing material by the nozzle based on a sensing value of the sensing part.

Description

[Technical field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a portable printer and a portable printing system. [Background technology]

[0002] Typically, the skin of a body gives a person a certain appearance, and the skin can be tattooed. For example, a practitioner can apply tattoo ink to a tattoo needle and then penetrate the tattoo needle into the skin to create a tattoo. The practitioner can repeat this process to tattoo the skin with a particular pattern.

[0003] However, the process of applying ink to the tattoo needle and letting it penetrate the skin takes a long time, which can lengthen the time it takes to perform the tattoo, and can cause pain to the recipient. In addition, because the tattoo is applied to the dermis of the recipient, once a tattoo has been applied it is difficult to remove, and the cost of the tattoo treatment can increase as the time it takes to perform the tattoo treatment increases.

[0004] As an alternative to tattoos, methods such as henna, body painting, and stickers are being used, and research and development is also being carried out on printer products that can print specific designs on the skin.

[0005] Printer products have the advantage that a user can easily print a desired image on the skin and that various images can be used. However, since the skin is not flat, the distance between the nozzle of the printer product and the skin is not kept constant, and a large gap may occur between the original image that the user wants to print and the image printed on the skin.

[0006] On the other hand, home inkjet printers are used for printing on paper, photographic paper, etc. However, home inkjet printers generally require the use of a fixed size and type of paper.

[0007] Therefore, a portable printer with movable nozzles and rollers is required to print on diaries, notebooks, stickers, and other items regardless of the size or type of paper. Such portable printers have similar features to portable printers used on skin in that the user can move the nozzle and roller to the location where they want to print. However, skin and paper have different properties, being soft and hard, and there is a problem in that it is impossible to use the same roller and nozzle structure for both.

[0008] In addition, when a user uses a portable printer to print on skin, etc., there is a limitation in that the portable printer does not move at a uniform speed, causing problems such as distortion of the printed image or reduced clarity. Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0009] The present invention has been created to solve the problems of the prior art as described above, and one object of the present invention is to provide a portable printer and a portable printing system that can print a clear image on the skin by maintaining a constant distance between the skin and the nozzle.

[0010] Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable printer and a portable printing system that can appropriately change the distance between the nozzle and the surface of a target object so as to enable smooth printing on both targets on which the printing material is printed, such as soft objects such as skin, and hard objects such as paper.

[0011] Another object of the present invention is to provide a portable printer and a portable printing system that can improve the clarity of printing by detecting the rotation of a roller, checking the roller's moving speed and moving distance, etc., and printing an image accordingly.

[0012] Furthermore, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable printer and portable printing system that can recognize skin or paper mode through lift sensing and adjust the size of the nozzles ejecting accordingly, thereby printing clear images without smudging in either mode. [Means for solving the problem]

[0013] According to one aspect of the present invention, a portable printer further includes a main body that houses a cartridge having a nozzle for printing an image by transferring a printing material to a target object having a soft or hard surface, a mounting part that is exposed to the outside from a lower part of the main body, faces the surface of the target object, and at least partially surrounds the nozzle, rollers that are installed in front of and behind the nozzle at the lower part of the main body based on a direction in which the main body moves along the surface of the target object to transfer the printing material to the target object, a magnetic body that rotates in response to the rotation of the rollers, a sensing part that detects a magnetic field caused by the rotation of the magnetic body, and a control part that controls the transfer of the printing material by the nozzle based on a sensing value of the sensing part.

[0014] Specifically, the magnetic body is provided on the roller, or is provided separately from the roller, and can rotate in mesh with the rotation of the roller.

[0015] Specifically, the sensing unit detects the magnetic field generated by the rotation of the magnetic body to detect the rotation direction of the roller, and the control unit can interrupt the transmission of the printing material or send a notification signal when the sensing unit detects the rotation of the roller in the opposite direction.

[0016] Specifically, the sensing unit includes an encoder sensor that converts the change in the magnetic field due to the rotation of the magnetic body into an electrical signal, and the control unit calculates at least the moving distance of the roller based on the electrical signal converted by the sensing unit, and controls the transmission of the printing material by the nozzle for only the length of the image corresponding to the moving distance of the roller.

[0017] Specifically, the control unit may include a control unit that receives an electrical signal from the encoder sensor and generates a printing signal, an imaging unit that generates printing data from an image based on the printing signal, and a printing unit that controls the nozzle based on the printing signal and the printing data.

[0018] Specifically, the printing device may further include a printing adjustment unit that adjusts the height difference between the nozzle and the surface of the target object by moving the roller inward and outward directions of the main body to adjust the height difference between the nozzle and the roller.

[0019] Specifically, the printing adjustment unit moves the mounting unit inward and outward directions of the main body, and the roller can move integrally with the mounting unit.

[0020] Specifically, the device further includes a mode detection unit that detects the position of the mounting unit and detects the height difference between the nozzle and the surface of the target object, and the mode detection unit can detect a first mode in which the nozzle and the surface of the target object are at a first height, or a second mode in which the nozzle and the surface of the target object are at a second height higher than the first height, depending on the position of the mounting unit.

[0021] Specifically, the mode detection unit may have a light-emitting unit and a light-receiving unit, and may include an interrupt sensor that detects whether at least a part of the mounting unit is positioned between or misaligned with the light-emitting unit and the light-receiving unit.

[0022] Specifically, the nozzles are provided in a plurality of types, including first and second nozzles of different sizes, the first and second nozzles are alternately arranged on the head of the cartridge, and the control unit can variably control the nozzles from which the printing material is ejected depending on the position of the mounting part.

[0023] Specifically, the injection hole of the first nozzle is larger than the injection hole of the second nozzle, and the control unit can control the printing material to be transmitted by the first nozzle and the second nozzle when the mode detection unit detects the first mode, and can control the printing material to be transmitted by the first nozzle when the mode detection unit detects the second mode.

[0024] A portable printing system according to one aspect of the present invention includes the portable printer and a user terminal that communicates with the portable printer, and the portable printer further includes a communication unit that communicates with the user terminal and receives an image to be printed on the object, and a storage unit that stores the image to be printed on the object.

[0025] Specifically, the control unit of the portable printer may include a control unit that receives a sensing value of the sensing unit and generates a printing signal, an imaging unit that generates printing data from an image based on the printing signal, and a printing unit that controls the nozzle based on the printing signal and the printing data.

[0026] Specifically, the user terminal receives information about an object from a user or collects information about the object from the object, and generates a corrected image based on an image to be printed on the object and the information about the object, the communication unit receives the corrected image from the user terminal, and the imaging unit generates printing data based on the corrected image and the printing signal.

[0027] Specifically, the information about the object may include at least one of a hardness of the object and a color of the object. Effect of the Invention

[0028] The portable printer and portable printing system according to the present invention can print clear images on the skin by maintaining a constant optimum distance between the skin and the nozzle.

[0029] In addition, the portable printer and portable printing system according to the present invention can adjust the degree of protrusion of the head portion, thereby appropriately changing the distance between the nozzle and the surface of the target object, and can ensure printing quality even if the hardness of the target object changes, and can be used for both skin and paper.

[0030] In addition, the portable printer and portable printing system according to the present invention can detect the movement of the roller through changes in the magnetic field caused by a magnetic material that rotates together with the roller, thereby appropriately controlling the printing of the nozzles so that a clear image can be printed on the target object.

[0031] In addition, the portable printer and portable printing system according to the present invention can recognize skin or paper mode through lift sensing and adjust the size of the nozzles ejecting accordingly, thereby printing clear images without smudging in either mode. [Brief description of the drawings]

[0032] [Figure 1] 1 is a perspective view of a portable printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 2] 1 is a perspective view of a portable printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Diagram 3] 1 is a bottom plan view of a portable printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 4] 1 is a side view of a portable printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Diagram 5]1 is a side perspective view of a portable printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention; [Figure 6] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a portable printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 7] FIG. 1 is a plan view of a head of a portable printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 8] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a portable printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 9] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a mode detection unit of the portable printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 10] 1 is a perspective view of a portable printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 11] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a sensing unit of the portable printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 12] FIG. 2 is a conceptual diagram of a sensing unit of the portable printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 13] 4 is an operation flowchart of the portable printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 14] 1 is a circuit diagram of a portable printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 15] 1 is a conceptual diagram of a portable printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 16] 2 is a flowchart of a portable printing system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 17] 10 is a flowchart of a portable printing system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 18] 10 is a flowchart of a portable printing system according to a third embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 19] 10 is a flowchart of a portable printing system according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 20] 13 is a flowchart of a portable printing system according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0033] The object, particular advantages and novel features of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and preferred embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In this specification, when referring to the components of each drawing, it should be noted that the same components are referred to by the same numbers as much as possible even if they are displayed on different drawings. In addition, when describing the present invention, detailed descriptions of related publicly known technologies are omitted if they are deemed to unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention.

[0034] For reference, the portable printer described herein can transfer a printing substance to a target object, which may have a soft or hard surface, for example, the target object may be soft skin or hard paper, etc. (including base paper that can be attached to skin, nails, etc.).

[0035] In the portable printer according to the present invention, some of the components may be changed by movement or the like depending on the strength of the object, and the meaning of soft or hard, which will be described later, is relative. For example, in the present invention, the user's skin (not limited to a specific part) can be defined as a soft object, and an object harder than the skin can be defined as a hard object. In the following, the object referred to as skin is for the convenience of explanation, and it goes without saying that it can be interpreted as an object such as paper.

[0036] In addition, the image in the present invention includes or combines characters, numbers, pictures, designs, etc., and is not limited to shapes, patterns, colors, etc. Furthermore, the image does not only include images with colors that can be distinguished by the naked eye, but also images with colors that can be distinguished only through special equipment, etc.

[0037] DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0038] 1 and 2 are perspective views of a portable printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 3 is a bottom plan view of the portable printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 4 is a side view of the portable printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0039] Also, FIG. 5 is a side perspective view of the portable printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of the portable printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 7 is a plan view of the head of the portable printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0040] FIG. 8 is a conceptual diagram of a portable printer according to a first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 9 is a conceptual diagram of a mode detection unit of the portable printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the portable printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0041] 11 and 12 are conceptual diagrams of the sensing unit of the portable printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 13 is an operational flowchart of the portable printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 14 is a circuit diagram of the portable printer according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0042] Here, Fig. 1 shows a state in which the printer cover is installed, and Fig. 2 to Fig. 4 show a state in which the printer cover is removed. Also, Fig. 2(A), Fig. 4(A), Fig. 8(A), and Fig. 9(A) show a mode for printing on a hard object (such as paper), and Fig. 2(B), Fig. 4(B), Fig. 8(B), and Fig. 9(B) show a mode for printing on a soft object (such as skin).

[0043] 1 to 3, a portable printer 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 10, a cartridge 20, a mounting portion 30, a roller 40, a printer cover 50, and the like.

[0044] The main body 10 may form the exterior of the portable printer 1. The main body 10 may have a portable form, which means that the size, weight, etc., of the main body 10 are within the range generally known for portability.

[0045] The main body 10 may have various shapes so that the user can hold it. For example, the main body 10 may be box-shaped and may have rounded corners to improve portability.

[0046] The body 10 may include an upper body 11 and a lower body 12. The upper body 11 and the lower body 12 may be detachable by a separation button 13A provided on one side.

[0047] The upper body 11 provides an internal space capable of accommodating various components for operating the portable printer 1. That is, the upper body 11 may have a structure in which the lower part can be opened so that various components for operating the portable printer 1 can be inserted and removed.

[0048] Meanwhile, in this embodiment, the upper body 11 has been described as having an open lower portion, but the present invention is not limited thereto. For example, the upper body 11 may have an open upper portion, allowing various components for operating the portable printer 1 to be inserted and removed. In this case, the lower body 12 may be detachably coupled to the upper portion of the upper body 11.

[0049] The lower body 12 is coupled to the open lower part of the upper body 11 to prevent various components for operating the portable printer 1 from being exposed to the outside. Of course, the lower body 12 may have an open lower part so that the components for printing of the portable printer 1, such as the mounting part 30, the roller 40, and the nozzle 22, are exposed to the outside. In this case, the nozzle 22 may be a part that delivers a printing material to an object having a soft or hard surface.

[0050] At least one operation button for operating the portable printer 1 may be provided on the exterior of the main body 10. The operation buttons may include a printing button 13B and a power button (not shown). In the present invention, the printing button 13B, the power button, the separation button 13A, etc. may be collectively referred to as the button section 13.

[0051] The printing button 13B may be provided on the top of the upper body 11. The printing button 13B may cause the nozzle 22 to eject a printing material by a user's operation. Meanwhile, while FIG. 1 illustrates the printing button 13B being provided on the top of the upper body 11, this is not limiting. For example, the printing button 13B may be provided on the exterior side of the upper body 11, and may be variously disposed at a position that is convenient for the user to use.

[0052] The power button can turn on / off the power of the portable printer 1. The power button may be provided at the bottom of the lower body 12, or the power button may be provided at the side of the lower body 12. That is, the position of the power button is not limited, and it can be placed at a position on the outer surface of the body 10 that is easily accessible to the user.

[0053] At least one lamp (not shown) may be provided on a part of the exterior of the lower body 12. The lamp can indicate the operating status of the portable printer 1. The lamp may be provided on the lower part of the lower body 12, but is not limited to this. For example, the lamp may be provided on the side of the lower body 12, and can be variously arranged in a position where the user can easily recognize the operating status of the portable printer 1.

[0054] The configuration for displaying the status of the portable printer 1, the printing status, and the like, including the above-mentioned lamps, etc., can be collectively referred to as the display unit 130. Furthermore, the display unit 130 may be integrated with the button unit 13 so that the button unit 13 itself has a display function.

[0055] Meanwhile, various components for operating the portable printer 1 may be provided in the internal space of the upper body 11. For example, the internal space of the upper body 11 may include a cartridge 20 having a nozzle 22, a carriage (not shown) for accommodating the cartridge 20, a control unit 90, a communication unit 100, a storage unit 110, a power supply unit 120, etc.

[0056] The power supply unit 120 may be embodied to include a battery such as a rechargeable secondary battery, or may be provided as at least one battery. The power supply unit 120 can provide power required for the operation of the portable printer 1. Alternatively, the power supply unit 120 may be configured to continuously receive an external power supply without including a battery.

[0057] Among the components housed in the main body 10, the control unit 90, communication unit 100, and the like other than the power supply unit 120 will be described in detail below.

[0058] The cartridge 20 may contain a printing material required for printing, and may have a nozzle 22 for ejecting the printing material at its bottom. The nozzle 22 may have a slit shape extending in a direction perpendicular to the moving direction of the main body 10, and the periphery of the nozzle 22 may be defined as a head 21.

[0059] The cartridge 20 is accommodated in the main body 10, and the portion of the main body 10 in which the cartridge 20 is accommodated may be defined as a carriage (not shown). That is, the carriage is configured to be mounted so that the cartridge 20 can be detachably attached, and may have a shape in which at least a portion is open so that the head 21 and the nozzle 22 of the cartridge 20 are exposed downward through the open lower portion of the lower body 12. Therefore, the cartridge 20 may be accommodated in a carriage provided in the main body 10.

[0060] The carriage may have a shape corresponding to the shape of the cartridge 20, and one or more cartridges 20 may be mounted on one carriage. Of course, the carriage may have a partially partitioned structure so that a plurality of cartridges 20 can be mounted separately.

[0061] At least one cartridge 20 may be provided. For example, one cartridge 20 may be provided containing a printing material of a single color. When the cartridge 20 contains a printing material of a single color, the portable printer 1 can print an image composed of a single color on a target object.

[0062] In addition, the cartridge 20 may have a plurality of storage compartments (not shown) for storing printing materials of different hues, and may eject the printing materials through the nozzle 22. Therefore, when the cartridge 20 has a plurality of storage compartments for storing printing materials of different hues, the portable printer 1 can print a color image on a target object.

[0063] In addition, a plurality of cartridges 20 may be provided, each cartridge 20 containing a printing material of a different color. In addition, when a plurality of cartridges 20 are provided, the plurality of cartridges 20 may be configured as one module.

[0064] A distance sensor (not shown) may be provided on one side of the cartridge 20 to measure the distance between the skin and the nozzle 22. The distance sensor can measure the distance between the skin and the nozzle 22 and transmit the measured distance value to the control unit 90.

[0065] In addition, the control unit 90 can adjust the distance between the skin and the nozzle 22 using the distance between the skin and the nozzle 22 transmitted from a distance sensor provided on one side of the cartridge 20. That is, when the distance between the skin and the nozzle 22 measured by the distance sensor is not within an appropriate value, the control unit 90 can adjust the distance between the skin and the nozzle 22 by raising and lowering the mounting unit 30, etc. The raising and lowering of the mounting unit 30 will be described in detail below in the section explaining the printing adjustment unit 60.

[0066] The printing material stored in the cartridge 20 may be, but is not limited to, a printing solution having a viscosity of 4 mPa*s to 6 mPa*s. The printing material may contain at least one of a liquid and a solid (such as a powder) at least in part, and may also contain a gas component. Please note that in the following description, the printing solution does not necessarily mean one made of 100% liquid components.

[0067] The printing solution according to the present invention may have a viscosity of 4 mPa*s to 6 mPa*s. If the viscosity of the printing solution is less than 4 mPa*s, the printing solution may leak from the nozzle 22 or flow on the skin after being ejected onto the skin. If the viscosity of the printing solution exceeds 6 mPa*s, it may take a long time for the printing solution to dry after being ejected onto the skin. In particular, if the viscosity of the printing solution exceeds 10 mPa*s, the printing solution may not be ejected from the nozzle 22 or may be adsorbed to the nozzle 22, causing the nozzle 22 to close.

[0068] The printing solution may include a pigment or dye and a solvent to disperse the pigment or dye in. The solvent may include purified water and an organic solvent, and the organic solvent may determine the viscosity of the printing solution.

[0069] Here, the organic solvent may be a non-volatile organic solvent having a molecular structure containing a hydrophilic group, which is not easily separated when mixed with water. For example, the organic solvent may include at least one of PEG-8, glycerin, dipropylene glycol, butylene glycol, propylene glycol, and propanediol.

[0070] If the content of the organic solvent in the printing solution is 10 wt% or less, the viscosity of the printing solution is less than 4 mPa*s, and the printing solution may leak from the nozzle 22 or flow on the skin after being discharged onto the skin. If the content of the organic solvent in the printing solution is 40 wt% or more, the viscosity of the printing solution may exceed 6 mPa*s, and the printing solution may not be discharged from the nozzle 22 or may take a long time to dry. If the content of a single organic solvent in the printing solution is more than 20 wt%, the printing solution may not adhere to the skin and may flow on the skin or may become sticky.

[0071] The following Table 1 shows the compositions of the printing solutions of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 10, and Table 2 shows the results of property evaluation of Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 10.

[0072] [Table 1]

[0073] In Table 1, Examples 1 to 4 and Comparative Examples 1 to 10 are printing solutions prepared by weighing out the components and contents according to the components and contents listed in Table 1, stirring at 300 rpm for 20 minutes, degassing, and filtering through a filter with a pore size of 0.45 μm.

[0074] [Table 2]

[0075] In Table 2, the viscosity of the printing solution was measured using a Brookfield DV-E viscometer at spindle number 1, 60 rpm, and room temperature, and is expressed in mPa*s. The leakage of the printing solution was evaluated by filling 5 ml of the printing solution into an HP62 cartridge 20 and leaving it at room temperature for three days with the nozzle 22 facing downwards. In Table 2, if leakage occurred, it was marked as "O" and if no leakage occurred, it was marked as "X". The bleeding of the printing solution during printing was evaluated by checking the clarity of the image immediately after printing an image on the forearm using a portable printer 1 filled with the printing solution. If bleeding occurred in the printed image, it was marked as "O", and if no bleeding occurred, it was marked as "X". The bleeding of the printing solution after drying was evaluated by printing an image, drying it for one minute, and then rubbing it three times to check the drying state of the printing solution and the presence or absence of bleeding. If bleeding occurred in the image dried for 1 minute, it was marked with "O", and if bleeding did not occur, it was marked with "X". Referring to Tables 1 and 2 above, it can be seen that leakage occurred in Comparative Example 1, Comparative Example 2, Comparative Example 5, Comparative Example 6, and Comparative Example 9, in which the content of organic solvent in the entire printing solution is 10 wt% or less. It can also be seen that the printing solution is not discharged smoothly from the cartridge 20 in Comparative Example 4, Comparative Example 8, and Comparative Example 10, in which the content of organic solvent in the entire printing solution is 40 wt% or more. It can be seen that the printing solution flows on the skin after being discharged on the skin in Comparative Example 1, Comparative Example 2, Comparative Example 5, Comparative Example 6, and Comparative Example 9, in which the content of organic solvent in the entire printing solution is 10 wt% or less, and bleeding of the image occurs.

[0076] In Comparative Examples 3, 4, 7, and 8, in which the content of a single organic solvent in the entire printing solution exceeded 20 wt%, drying was not sufficient, and bleeding occurred when rubbed.

[0077] The nozzles 22 provided in the head 21 of the cartridge 20 may be multiple and may be different in size. For example, the nozzles 22 may include a first nozzle 22A and a second nozzle 22B, and the first nozzle 22A may be formed to have a larger hole size for ejecting the printing material than the second nozzle 22B.

[0078] Such nozzles 22 may be arranged side by side in one direction in the head 21, but the first and second nozzles 22A, 22B having different sizes may be arranged alternately. Also, the first nozzles 22A and the second nozzles 22B may be arranged in a zigzag manner while being arranged alternately. That is, the first nozzles 22A and the second nozzles 22B may not be arranged side by side, but may be arranged at least partially offset from each other.

[0079] The first nozzle 22A may be a nozzle 22 that is used basically regardless of the type of object, and the second nozzle 22B may be a nozzle 22 that is used auxiliary to increase image resolution when the object is hard, such as paper.

[0080] The first nozzle 22A and the second nozzle 22B can control the ejection of the printing material according to the distance between the nozzle 22 and the target object, which will be described in detail below.

[0081] The mounting part 30 is provided to be exposed to the outside from the lower part of the main body 10 and faces the surface of the target body. The mounting part 30 may be exposed or protrude downward from the lower part of the lower body 12, and may be provided to at least partially surround the nozzle 22.

[0082] That is, the mounting part 30 may be provided on the lower part of the lower body 12, i.e., on the surface of the lower body 12 that faces the skin during image printing of the portable printer 1. The mounting part 30 may expose the nozzle 22 provided on the lower part of the cartridge 20.

[0083] The mounting part 30 is provided with rollers 40, which will be described later, and is provided so that the mounting part 30 can rise and fall relative to the main body 10. As a result, the heights of the mounting part 30 and the rollers 40 differ based on the nozzle 22 of the cartridge 20, so that the vertical height between the nozzle 22 and the surface of the target object can be adjusted.

[0084] Therefore, when the portable printer 1 is used on soft skin, the present invention can maintain the distance between the skin and the nozzle 22 to a degree that allows a clear image to be printed even when pressed by a user. The adjustment of the height between the nozzle 22 and the target object will be described in detail below in the section explaining the printing adjustment unit 60.

[0085] An optical sensor (not shown) may be provided at the bottom of the mounting part 30 or the lower body 12. In the printing direction of the portable printer 1, the optical sensor may be provided at the rear of the head 21 to correspond to the center of the nozzle 22. When the portable printer 1 prints an image on the skin, the optical sensor can confirm the center line of the moving line of the nozzle 22.

[0086] The rollers 40 are provided in front and rear of the nozzle 22 on the lower part of the body 10. Here, the terms "front" and "rear" refer to the direction in which the body 10 moves along the surface of the target object to deliver the printing material to the target object. That is, the rollers 40 are provided in front and rear of the nozzle 22 based on the direction in which the body 10 slides on the surface of the target object.

[0087] The rollers 40 may have a soft portion that comes into contact with the object so as to smoothly guide the movement of the main body 10 without causing discomfort to the object while being in close contact with the surface of the object. That is, the rollers 40 may be made of a soft material or may be provided in a form in which a soft material is coated on a hard plastic material.

[0088] The rollers 40 include a first roller 41 and a second roller 42. The first roller 41 may be rotatably coupled to the lower part of the lower body 12. The first roller 41 is installed in front of the nozzle 22 based on the moving direction of the body 10, and can separate the nozzle 22 from the skin on which an image is to be printed.

[0089] For example, the first roller 41 includes at least one first rotation shaft (reference number not shown) provided parallel to the nozzle 22, and at least one first wheel (reference number not shown) provided on the first rotation shaft. In this case, the first wheel may be provided so as to overlap the nozzle 22 along the moving direction of the main body 10.

[0090] Meanwhile, when printing an image on the printer using the portable printer 1, the user may apply pressure to bring the portable printer 1 into contact with the skin, and in this case, the vertical distance between the skin and the nozzle 22 of the cartridge 20 may decrease according to the pressure applied by the user.

[0091] In the present invention, when using the printing solution described above through Table 1, etc., in order to print a clear image, it is preferable that the distance between the skin and the nozzle 22 of the cartridge 20 is kept at 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm. More preferably, the distance between the skin and the nozzle 22 of the cartridge 20 may be 1.0 mm to 2.0 mm.

[0092] If the vertical distance between the skin and the nozzle 22 is less than 0.5 mm or exceeds 2.5 mm, damage may occur to the image printed using the portable printer 1. That is, there may be a difference between the image desired by the user and the image printed on the skin.

[0093] In particular, if the vertical distance between the skin and the nozzle 22 is less than 0.5 mm, the nozzle 22 may come into contact with the skin. If the nozzle 22 comes into contact with the skin, the rear end of the nozzle 22 and the head 21 may come into contact with the skin. In this case, the printing solution discharged from the nozzle 22 may be damaged by the rear end of the nozzle 22 and the head 21.

[0094] If the vertical distance between the skin and the nozzle 22 exceeds 2.5 mm, the distance between the skin and the nozzle 22 is too far and the printing solution ejected from the nozzle 22 is dispersed over a wide area, so that a low-resolution image may be formed on the skin.

[0095] In the present invention, in order to maintain the distance between the skin and the nozzle 22 of the cartridge 20 at 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm, the height difference (H) between the lower end of the first roller 41 and the nozzle 22 on the cross section of the portable printer 1 can be in the range of 4.5 mm to 8.5 mm.

[0096] Preferably, the height difference (H) between the lower end of the first roller 41 and the nozzle 22 may be in the range of 5.5mm to 7.5mm. If the height difference (H) between the lower end of the first roller 41 and the nozzle 22 is kept at 4.5mm to 8.5mm, a clear image can be printed on the skin.

[0097] If the height difference (H) between the lower end of the first roller 41 and the nozzle 22 is less than 4.5 mm or exceeds 8.5 mm, damage may occur to the image printed using the portable printer 1. That is, a difference may occur between the image desired by the user and the image printed on the skin.

[0098] In particular, if the height difference (H) between the bottom end of the first roller 41 and the nozzle 22 is less than 4.5 mm, the distance between the skin and the nozzle 22 is too close and the printing material discharged from the nozzle 22 may clump together, causing damage to the image printed on the skin. This is because if the height difference (H) between the bottom end of the first roller 41 and the nozzle 22 is less than 4.5 mm, the nozzle 22 or head 21 will come into contact with the skin, damaging the image printed on the skin when the portable printer 1 is moved.

[0099] In addition, if the height difference (H) between the lower end of the first roller 41 and the nozzle 22 exceeds 8.5 mm, the distance between the skin and the nozzle 22 is large, and the printing solution discharged from the nozzle 22 is dispersed over a wide area, so that a low-resolution image may be formed on the skin. In other words, a unclear image may be formed on the skin.

[0100] The first roller 41 can guide the printing direction of the portable printer 1. That is, the first roller 41 can guide the movement of the main body 10. The first roller 41 may be shaped to extend parallel to the nozzle 22. For example, the first roller 41 may be in the form of a roll of a certain length, and may be provided in front of the head 21 (nozzle 22) in the movement direction of the main body 10. Here, the length of the first roller 41 may be the same as the extension length of the nozzle 22 or may be longer than the extension length of the nozzle 22.

[0101] Furthermore, the distance (W1) between the first roller 41 and the nozzle 22 on the plane of the portable printer 1 may be a distance that prevents the first roller 41 from being contaminated by the printing solution sprayed from the nozzle 22. For example, the distance (W1) between the first roller 41 and the nozzle 22 may be 6.9 mm to 13.1 mm. Preferably, the distance (W1) between the first roller 41 and the nozzle 22 may be 8.5 mm to 11.5 mm.

[0102] If the distance (W1) between the first roller 41 and the nozzle 22 is less than 6.9 mm, the first roller 41 may be contaminated by the printing solution sprayed from the nozzle 22. Also, if the distance (W1) between the first roller 41 and the nozzle 22 exceeds 13.1 mm, even if the skin is pressed by the first roller 41, the skin in the area corresponding to the nozzle 22 may recover due to the elasticity of the skin, so that the distance between the nozzle 22 and the skin may be less than 0.5 mm. Therefore, if the distance (W1) between the first roller 41 and the nozzle 22 exceeds 13.1 mm, the nozzle 22 or the head 21 may come into contact with the skin, damaging the printed image when the portable printer 1 is moved.

[0103] The second roller 42 may be rotatably coupled to the lower part of the lower body 12. The second roller 42 may be provided behind the head 21 (nozzle 22) based on the moving direction of the body 10. The second roller 42 separates the skin on which an image is to be printed from the lower surface of the lower body 12, and may roll along the skin together with the first roller 41.

[0104] The second roller 42 may be provided in the form of a wheel to reduce the contact area with the skin. For example, the second roller 42 may be formed in a plurality of pieces including a plurality of second rotating shafts (reference numbers not shown) provided in parallel to the nozzle 22, and a plurality of second wheels (reference numbers not shown) provided on each of the plurality of second rotating shafts. In this case, the plurality of second wheels are provided offset from the nozzle 22 along the moving direction of the main body 10. That is, the second roller 42 may be disposed apart from the moving line of the nozzle 22.

[0105] For example, two second rollers 42 may be provided. The two second rollers 42 may be arranged spaced apart from each other. For example, the two second rollers 42 may be arranged spaced apart from each other by at least the extended length of the nozzle 22 or more.

[0106] Therefore, the second roller 42 does not come into contact with the ejected printing solution while moving along the printing path of the portable printer 1. Since the ejected printing solution does not come into contact with the second roller 42, an image similar to the original image can be printed on the skin without bleeding.

[0107] In addition, since the ejected printing solution does not come into contact with the second roller 42, the printing solution can be prevented from being transferred to the second roller 42 and then onto the skin.

[0108] The distance (W2) between the second roller 42 and the nozzle 22 on the plane of the portable printer 1 may be substantially the same as the distance (W1) between the first roller 41 and the nozzle 22. For example, the distance (W2) between the second roller 42 and the nozzle 22 on the plane of the portable printer 1 may be 6.9 mm to 13.1 mm. Preferably, the distance (W2) between the second roller 42 and the nozzle 22 may be 8.5 mm to 11.5 mm.

[0109] If the distance (W2) between the second roller 42 and the nozzle 22 is less than 6.9 mm, the second roller 42 may be contaminated by the printing material ejected from the nozzle 22. Also, if the distance (W2) between the second roller 42 and the nozzle 22 exceeds 13.1 mm, even if the skin is pressed by the second roller 42, the skin in the area corresponding to the nozzle 22 may recover due to the elasticity of the skin, so that the distance between the nozzle 22 and the skin may be less than 0.5 mm. Therefore, if the distance (W2) between the second roller 42 and the nozzle 22 exceeds 13.1 mm, the nozzle 22 or the head 21 may come into contact with the skin, damaging the printed image when the portable printer 1 is moved.

[0110] In this embodiment, an example has been described in which the second roller 42 is provided behind the head 21 in the movement direction of the main body 10 and is provided with two second rollers 42 arranged at a distance from the movement line of the nozzle 22, but this is not limited to this.

[0111] Meanwhile, the first roller 41 and the second roller 42 may have a structure that allows them to be raised and lowered. If the first roller 41 and the second roller 42 are capable of being raised and lowered, the distance between the skin and the nozzle 22 can be maintained to a degree that ensures printing of a clear image even if the first roller 41 and the second roller 42 are pressed by the user while using the portable printer 1.

[0112] The printer cover 50 is detachably attached to at least one of the main body 10 and the mounting part 30 to seal the nozzle 22. The printer cover 50 is detachably coupled to the lower part of the lower body 12 to cover the lower part of the lower body 12. That is, the printer cover 50 can cover the head 21, the first roller 41, the second roller 42, etc., which are exposed or protruded from the lower part of the lower body 12.

[0113] As a result, the printer cover 50 prevents contamination of the head 21, the first roller 41, the second roller 42, etc., prevents printing solution from adhering to unnecessary areas, and protects the head 21, the nozzles 22, etc. from external impacts.

[0114] A method of using the above-described portable printer 1 on the skin will be described below.

[0115] First, a user can apply a primer for smoothing the skin onto the skin before printing an image on the skin using the portable printer 1. The above-mentioned primer can smooth the skin to make the image printed on the skin clearer by the portable printer 1. Here, the primer can be a liquid primer or a solid primer.

[0116] Liquid primers may contain large amounts of volatile solvents, such as ethanol, and film components for rapid drying. However, liquid primers can be irritating to the skin because ethanol is a volatile solvent. Also, the film components can be highly irritating to the skin and difficult to cleanse.

[0117] Meanwhile, solid primers have a significantly lower content of volatile solvents than liquid primers, and therefore may cause less skin irritation. In addition, solid primers have a low content of volatile solvents, and therefore may quickly smooth out the skin. Solid primers do not contain film components, and therefore may be easily cleansed. Therefore, it is preferable to use a solid primer as a primer.

[0118] After applying the primer to the skin, the user removes the printer cover 50 of the portable printer 1. Then, the user can use the power button to switch the portable printer 1 to the On state.

[0119] When the portable printer 1 is turned on, the battery provides power to each part of the portable printer 1 that requires power, so that the portable printer 1 can perform a printing operation.

[0120] This will be explained in more detail as follows: When the portable printer 1 is turned on, the user can select an image to be printed on the skin using an external device connected to the communication unit 100 by wire or wireless, such as a smartphone, tablet, computer, or server.

[0121] Here, the image may be any one of images pre-stored in the portable printer 1. Also, the image may be an image stored in an external device or available at a site connected to the external device. The image stored in the external device or at a site connected to the external device may be transmitted to the control unit 90 of the portable printer 1 via the communication unit 100.

[0122] Once the user has selected an image that they wish to print on the skin, they can attach the portable printer 1 to the skin. Once the portable printer 1 is attached to the skin, the user can operate the printing button 13B to start printing the selected image.

[0123] Once printing of the selected image has begun, the user can move the portable printer 1 at a constant speed to cause the portable printer 1 to print the selected image. Here, the portable printer 1 can move while being guided by the first roller 41. In addition, while the portable printer 1 is moving, the nozzle 22 that ejects the printing solution onto the skin can be spaced a constant distance from the skin by the first roller 41.

[0124] That is, while the portable printer 1 is carried by the user and moved over the surface of the skin, the distance between the skin and the nozzle 22 can be maintained at 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm by the first roller 41 so that an image is printed clearly on the skin.

[0125] After the image is printed by the portable printer 1, a bonding coating may be applied to protect the image. The bonding coating may be applied by spraying.

[0126] As described above, the portable printer 1 of the present invention maintains the distance between the skin and the nozzle 22 at 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm while printing an image, so that a clear image can be printed on the skin.

[0127] Additionally, using a primer to flatten the skin prior to printing the image allows for a clearer image to be printed onto the skin.

[0128] The printing adjustment unit 60 moves at least the roller 40 out of the mounting unit 30 and the roller 40 in the inner and outer directions of the main body 10. However, since the rotation axis of the roller 40 may be provided in the mounting unit 30, the roller 40 may be moved together with the mounting unit 30 by the printing adjustment unit 60.

[0129] The printing adjustment unit 60 can move the mounting unit 30 and the roller 40 inward and outward directions of the main body 10 by moving the mounting unit 30. At this time, the movement by the printing adjustment unit 60 may be in either the inward direction or the outward direction of the main body 10, or the other direction may be manually performed by a user.

[0130] The printing adjustment unit 60 adjusts the height difference between the nozzle 22 and the roller 40 by moving the mounting unit 30 inward and outward of the main body 10. In this way, the present embodiment can adjust the height difference between the nozzle 22 and the surface of the target object.

[0131] As mentioned at the beginning, the present invention can be used for both soft skin and hard paper. However, between the first roller 41 and the second roller 42, the skin will deform convexly toward the nozzle 22 due to the elasticity of the skin, but the paper will not.

[0132] Considering the characteristic that when a soft object is pressed by the first roller 41 and the second roller 42, it deforms convexly toward the nozzle 22 between the first roller 41 and the second roller 42, the present invention can adjust the vertical height of the nozzle 22 according to the hardness of the object by using the printing adjustment unit 60.

[0133] For example, the nozzle 22 is positioned offset toward the inside of the main body 10 compared to the roller 40, and the printing adjustment unit 60 can adjust the height between the nozzle 22 and the roller 40 to 6.0 mm to 7.0 mm by moving the roller 40 to a protruding position when delivering a printing material to soft skin.

[0134] Alternatively, when transferring the printing material to hard paper, the printing adjustment unit 60 may adjust the height between the nozzle 22 and the roller 40 to 0.5 mm to 2.5 mm by moving the roller 40 to the retracted position.

[0135] As described above, the printing adjustment unit 60 may be configured to assist the roller 40 in moving by applying external pressure, rather than automatically moving the roller 40.

[0136] When the nozzle 22 prints an image on a soft target such as skin, the printing adjustment unit 60 can maintain the vertical height of the head 21 and the lower end of the roller 40 at approximately 6.5 mm, thereby forming an appropriate gap between the nozzle 22 and the skin and preventing bleeding or clumping of the printing material.

[0137] Meanwhile, when the nozzle 22 is a hard object including paper (such as base paper for nail stickers), the printing adjustment unit 60 can maintain the vertical height of the head 21 and the lower end of the roller 40 at about 2.0 mm, so that an appropriate gap is formed between the nozzle 22 and the paper, ensuring the clarity of the printing material.

[0138] That is, in this embodiment, the distance between the nozzle 22 and the surface of the object, more precisely, the vertical distance between the roller 40 that presses the object and the nozzle 22 that delivers the printing material to the object, is changed according to the hardness of the object. As a result, this embodiment can fully guarantee the printing quality even if the hardness of the object differs.

[0139] The vertical height of the head 21 and the lower end of the roller 40 is changed as described above taking into consideration that when the target object is soft, the target object may deform into a convex shape toward the head 21 between the first roller 41 and the second roller 42. By utilizing the printing adjustment unit 60, the present invention can ensure that the vertical height between the surface of the target object and the nozzle 22 is formed the same regardless of whether the target object is hard or soft.

[0140] In addition, both the nozzle 22 and the head 21 are configured to be provided at the lower end of the cartridge 20, and the head 21 means the peripheral portion of the nozzle 22, and in this specification, the nozzle 22 and the head 21 are disposed at the same vertical height. Therefore, when the vertical height of the head 21 and the roller 40 is changed, the vertical height of the nozzle 22 and the roller 40 is also changed. However, as described above, the vertical height from the nozzle 22 and the head 21 to the surface of the target object is adjusted to a relatively constant value by moving the roller 40 according to the hardness of the target object.

[0141] Hereinafter, a detailed description will be given of how a user can use the printing adjustment unit 60 of the present invention to switch between a state in which the mounting unit 30 protrudes downward from the lower body 12 and a state in which the mounting unit 30 protrudes downward from the lower body 12 relatively less.

[0142] First, when a user selects a hard object such as paper as the object on which to print an image, the user can use the device with the mounting part 30 and roller 40 in the retracted position as shown in Fig. 2A, Fig. 4A, etc. In this case, the first roller 41 and the second roller 42 provided in front and behind the head 21 maintain an equal height difference with the nozzle 22 when the mounting part 30 is moved in and out by the printing adjustment part 60.

[0143] 2A, the vertical height between the first roller 41 and the nozzle 22 and the vertical height between the second roller 42 and the nozzle 22 can be approximately 2.0 mm. Therefore, for paper that does not deform convexly between the first roller 41 and the second roller 42, the vertical distance between the nozzle 22 is spaced at an appropriate level.

[0144] The user places the portable printer 1 shown in Fig. 2A in close contact with the paper and slides the main body 10 over the paper using the first roller 41. At this time, the distance between the nozzle 22 and the paper is set to an appropriate value of about 2.0 mm, so that a clear image can be printed on the paper.

[0145] On the other hand, when the user selects skin as the object on which the image is to be printed, the user can use the device with the mounting part 30 and the roller 40 in the protruding position as shown in Fig. 2B, Fig. 4B, etc. In this case, a first roller 41 and a second roller 42 are provided in front and behind the head 21, respectively, and the first roller 41 and the second roller 42 maintain the same height difference with the nozzle 22 when the roller 40 is moved inward and outward by the printing adjustment part 60.

[0146] 2B, the vertical height between the first roller 41 and the nozzle 22 and the vertical height between the second roller 42 and the nozzle 22 can be approximately 6.5 mm. Therefore, even if the skin has a characteristic of deforming into a convex shape due to the elasticity of the skin, the distance between the nozzle 22 and the skin between the first roller 41 and the second roller 42 is set at an appropriate level.

[0147] The user places the portable printer 1 shown in Fig. 2B against the skin and slides the main body 10 over the skin using the first roller 41. At this time, the nozzle 22 is spaced from the skin at an appropriate distance of about 2.0 mm, so that a clear image can be printed on the skin.

[0148] In this embodiment, the printing adjustment unit 60 may use a rack and a rack gear to move inward and outward with respect to the mounting unit 30 and the roller 40. Alternatively, various other means may be used to change and maintain the vertical height of the mounting unit 30 to two or more values. Hereinafter, a detailed structure that the printing adjustment unit 60 of the present invention may have will be described as an example.

[0149] Specifically, the printing adjustment unit 60 can adjust the height of the mounting unit 30 (or the roller 40) by using an elastic member 61, an operating member 62, and a cam 63.

[0150] The elastic member 61 is provided between the main body 10 and the mounting portion 30, and has an elastic force that tends to hold the mounting portion 30 in a restored position, which is either the retracted position or the extended position, with the main body 10 as a reference.

[0151] The mounting part 30 may have a wall 31 that is drawn into the main body 10 and extends to the inside of the upper main body 11, and an elastic member 61 may be provided between one point of the wall 31 and a specific point of the main body 10. Therefore, an elastic force is applied between the main body 10 and the mounting part 30 in the height direction.

[0152] The elastic member 61 may be a tension spring that maintains the mounting part 30 in the retracted position. That is, the elastic member 61 may be a spring that, when pulled, moves in the opposite direction due to an elastic force. For example, when the mounting part 30 protrudes based on the main body 10, the elastic member 61 between the main body 10 and the wall 31 is pulled, so that the mounting part 30 receives an elastic force that tries to return to the retracted position where it is retracted into the main body 10.

[0153] That is, the retracted position of the elastic member 61 can be set as the restored position with respect to the mounting part 30. Therefore, the printing adjustment part 60 can retract the mounting part 30 by using the elastic member 61.

[0154] The operating member 62 is provided on the mounting part 30 and is operated externally to place the mounting part 30 in the other one of the retracted position and the protruding position with respect to the main body 10. When the elastic member 61 sets the retracted position as the restored position, the operating member 62 can place the mounting part 30 in the protruding position.

[0155] For example, the operating member 62 is deformed by an external operation to push the main body 10 out from the mounting part 30 while pulling the elastic member 61, thereby disposing the mounting part 30 at the protruding position. That is, the operating member 62 can raise the main body 10 with respect to the mounting part 30, or conversely, can lower the mounting part 30 with respect to the main body 10.

[0156] The operation member 62 may be in the form of an operation button exposed to the outside. That is, the operation member 62 may be provided on the mounting unit 30, or may be arranged so as to be exposed from the surface of the mounting unit 30. In addition, the operation member 62 is surrounded by the mounting unit 30 and is provided so as not to protrude beyond the mounting unit 30, so as not to interfere with printing.

[0157] The operating member 62 is provided so as to be movable in the horizontal direction. That is, the operating member 62 can be provided so as not to protrude downward from the mounting part 30 regardless of whether it is operated or not. When the mounting part 30 is restored to the retracted position by the elastic member 61, the operating member 62 is disposed at the first position, and when the operating member 62 is moved to the second position in the horizontal direction, it can induce a force that lifts the main body 10 based on the mounting part 30.

[0158] The cam 63 is provided between the mounting part 30 and the main body 10, and one end of the cam 63 is provided so as to be rotatable by the operating member 62. That is, the cam 63 is provided in a form that rotates based on a rotation axis (symbol not shown), but one end and the other end may be provided asymmetrically.

[0159] When one end of the cam 63 is rotated by the operating member 62, the height of the other end facing the main body 10 can be changed. That is, when the operating member 62 moves from the first position to the second position, the cam 63 rotates in a certain direction and the height of the other end can rise. The other end of the cam 63 may be provided to abut against a certain point inside the main body 10, and when the height of the other end of the cam 63 rises, the main body 10 rises based on the mounting part 30.

[0160] At this time, the elastic member 61 is pulled by a force greater than the elastic force, and the mounting part 30 is disposed at a protruding position based on the main body 10. In particular, the cam 63 is configured so that the portion that pushes up the main body 10 has a flat shape as shown in Fig. 6(B), so that the mounting part 30 can be held at the protruding position in the state of Fig. 6(B) despite the elastic force of the elastic member 61.

[0161] A method of using the printing adjustment unit 60 will be described below.

[0162] First, in this embodiment, when the operating member 62 is in the first position and the mounting unit 30 is in the retracted position retracted into the main body 10 by the elastic member 61, the portable printer 1 has the form shown in Fig. 2(B) etc. At this time, the height of the nozzle 22 relative to the first roller 41 and the second roller 42 is about 2.0 mm.

[0163] The user can place the portable printer 1 in this state against a piece of paper and slide it so that an image is printed on the paper or the like with an appropriate resolution. At this time, the mounting part 30 is structurally engaged within the main body 10, so that further retraction is restricted, and the elastic member 61 also restricts the mounting part 30 from protruding despite its own weight. Therefore, the distance between the roller 40 and the nozzle 22 provided in the mounting part 30 can be kept constant.

[0164] On the other hand, when the user prints on a soft object such as skin instead of paper, the user horizontally pushes and moves the operation member 62. At this time, the cam 63 linked to the operation member 62 rotates, and the other end of the cam 63 pushes up and fixes the main body 10, and the elastic member 61 provided between the main body 10 and the mounting part 30 is pulled.

[0165] The user can place the portable printer 1 in the state shown in Fig. 2(B) against the skin and slide it so that an image is printed on the skin with an appropriate resolution. At this time, the flat portion of the other end of the cam 63 abuts against the inside of the main body 10, so that the movement of the mounting part 30 toward the inside of the main body 10 is restricted. In addition, the elastic force of the pulled elastic member 61 can strictly restrict further protrusion of the mounting part 30. Therefore, the distance between the roller 40 and the nozzle 22 provided on the mounting part 30 is maintained at about 6.5 mm.

[0166] When the user wishes to switch the portable printer 1 from the state shown in Fig. 2(B) to the state shown in Fig. 2(A), the user moves the operation member 62 from the second position to the first position. At this time, the moment the flat portion at the other end of the cam 63 comes off the portion that it abuts inside the main body 10, the mounting portion 30 and the roller 40 automatically move toward the inside of the main body 10 due to the elastic force of the elastic member 61.

[0167] That is, when the operating member 62 needs to move from the first position to the second position in order to move the mounting unit 30 from the retracted position to the protruding position, an external force equal to or greater than the elastic force of the elastic member 61 is required. On the other hand, when the operating member 62 needs to horizontally move from the second position to the first position in order to move the mounting unit 30 from the protruding position to the retracted position, the elastic force of the elastic member 61 can be used as an auxiliary, so that a smaller external force is required than when the mounting unit 30 is protruding.

[0168] Therefore, in this embodiment, the mounting portion 30 can be mainly maintained in a state where it is retracted into the main body 10, so that the mounting portion 30, the rollers 40, etc. can be protected from external impacts and foreign objects.

[0169] The following further describes configurations that the portable printer 1 can include, with reference to FIG. 8 and other figures in addition to the above-mentioned FIGS. 1 to 7.

[0170] 1 to 10, a portable printer 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a mode detection unit 70 and a control unit 90. As shown in FIG.

[0171] The mode detection unit 70 confirms whether the portable printer 1 is in a mode (first mode) for printing on a hard object (such as paper) or a mode (second mode) for printing on a soft object (such as skin). The first mode may be a mode in which the nozzle 22 and the surface of the object are at a first height, and the second mode may be a mode in which the nozzle 22 and the surface of the object are at a second height higher than the first height.

[0172] As described above, the portable printer 1 includes the printing adjustment unit 60, which moves the mounting unit 30 inward and outward directions of the main body 10. When the printing adjustment unit 60 moves the mounting unit 30, the roller 40 moves together with the mounting unit 30, adjusting the distance between the roller 40 and the nozzle 22, thereby adjusting the height between the nozzle 22 and the target object, as described above.

[0173] The mode detection unit 70 can detect mode switching and the current mode, such as in a first mode in which the mounting unit 30 is retracted into the main body 10 by operating the operating member 62, or in a second mode in which the mounting unit 30 protrudes from the main body 10.

[0174] For example, the mode detection unit 70 can detect the height difference between the nozzle 22 and the surface of the target object by detecting the position of the mounting unit 30, and estimate the current mode of the portable printer 1. To this end, the mode detection unit 70 may use an interrupt sensor 71.

[0175] The interrupt sensor 71 is a sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, and the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion may be spaced apart from each other with a certain distance therebetween. The interrupt sensor 71 may be U-shaped as shown in FIG.

[0176] The interrupt sensor 71 cooperates with the mounting unit 30 to detect the height of the mounting unit 30. Specifically, at least a part of the wall 31 of the mounting unit 30 may be provided to interact with the interrupt sensor 71.

[0177] A protrusion (not shown) may be provided on the wall 31 of the mounting part 30, and the protrusion moves along the height direction of the main body 10 in response to the inward and outward movement of the mounting part 30. In this case, the protrusion may be disposed between the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part of the interrupt sensor 71 by the elevation of the mounting part 30, or may be disposed at a height offset from between the light-emitting part and the light-receiving part.

[0178] For example, when the mounting unit 30 is retracted into the main body 10 as shown in Figures 8A and 9A, the protrusion of the mounting unit 30 is located at a position that interferes with the interrupt sensor 71. That is, the interrupt sensor 71 can detect the interference of received light and confirm the retraction of the mounting unit 30. In this case, the mode detection unit 70 detects that the portable printer 1 is in the first mode for printing on a hard object.

[0179] On the other hand, when the mounting unit 30 is protruding from the main body 10 as shown in Fig. 8B and Fig. 9B, the projection of the mounting unit 30 is misaligned with the interrupt sensor 71, causing the interrupt sensor 71 to receive light. Therefore, the interrupt sensor 71 confirms the reception of light and can detect that the mounting unit 30 is protruding. In this case, the mode detection unit 70 detects that the portable printer 1 is in the second mode for printing on a soft object.

[0180] Of course, the mode detector 70 can utilize a structure other than the wall 31 of the mounting unit 30 in addition to utilizing the wall 31 of the mounting unit 30. Also, considering that the rollers 40 rise and fall together with the mounting unit 30, the mode detector 70 can confirm the mode through detection of the rollers 40. Furthermore, the mode detector 70 can detect the position of the operation member 62 of the printing adjustment unit 60 to confirm the mode.

[0181] Also, the mode detection unit 70 may use sensing means other than the light-using interrupt sensor 71. Furthermore, the mode detection unit 70 may use physical sensing means in addition to electronic sensing means.

[0182] The control unit 90 can control the operation of the portable printer 1. For example, the control unit 90 can turn the power of the portable printer 1 on / off in response to a user's operation of a power button.

[0183] Also, the control unit 90 ejects the printing material contained in the cartridge 20 through the nozzle 22 in response to a signal generated by the user operating the printing button 13B, thereby printing an image on the skin of the human body.

[0184] The control unit 90 controls the delivery of the printing material through the nozzle 22 so that an image is printed clearly on the target object. To this end, the control unit 90 can control the nozzle 22 from which the printing material is discharged according to the position of the mounting unit 30, and in particular, the control unit 90 can utilize the mode detection result by the mode detection unit 70. When the mode detection unit 70 detects that the portable printer 1 is in the first mode or the second mode, the control unit 90 can control the discharge of the printing material through the nozzle 22 to be different depending on the mode. For example, the control unit 90 can appropriately control at least one of the first nozzle 22A and the second nozzle 22B described with reference to FIG. 7.

[0185] When printing on a hard material such as paper, the distance between the nozzle 22 and the paper becomes narrow, and the printing material hardly scatters. Therefore, when the mode detection unit 70 detects the first mode, the control unit 90 controls the printing material to be delivered by the first nozzle 22A and the second nozzle 22B. As a result, in this embodiment, in the first mode for printing on paper, the resolution of the image can be increased by using both the nozzle 22A with a large hole and the nozzle 22B with a small hole.

[0186] Meanwhile, when printing on a soft material such as skin, the distance between the nozzle 22 and the skin becomes greater, and the printing material is scattered farther due to the greater distance. That is, when the distance between the nozzle 22 and the target object becomes greater, the printing material sprayed from the smaller nozzle 22B may be scattered and spread. Therefore, when the mode detection unit 70 detects the second mode, the control unit 90 may control the printing material to be delivered using only the first nozzle 22A of the first nozzle 22A and the second nozzle 22B. Thus, in the second mode for printing on skin, the present invention sprays the printing material only from the nozzle 22A with a larger hole, so that the printing material is fixed at a fixed position, improving the printing quality.

[0187] In this manner, this embodiment senses the printing mode for skin / paper through lifting / lowering sensing of the mode detection unit 70, and adjusts the type (size) of the nozzle 22 from which the printing material is ejected according to each mode, thereby maintaining the highest print quality in any mode.

[0188] Of course, the nozzles 22 may be arranged in a plurality of nozzles 22 of the same size, unlike that of Fig. 7, and this embodiment may implement a printing method different from that described above. For example, this embodiment may deliver the printing material through at least some of the plurality of nozzles 22 in the first mode, and deliver the printing material through a number of nozzles 22 fewer than the number of nozzles 22 used in the first mode among the plurality of nozzles 22 in the second mode.

[0189] In addition, in this embodiment, when a plurality of nozzles 22 are arranged in the head 21, the interval between the nozzles 22 from which the printing material is discharged in the second mode can be made larger than that in the first mode. That is, in this embodiment, the minimum interval between the nozzles 22 from which the printing material is discharged in the first mode can be set as a first interval, and the minimum interval between the nozzles 22 from which the printing material is discharged in the second mode can be set as a second interval larger than the first interval.

[0190] Additionally, the present invention allows for a variety of nozzle 22 size, arrangement and control control to ensure the highest resolution when printing images on paper and skin, respectively.

[0191] As described above, the method of changing the nozzles 22 that eject the printing material according to the mode can be adjusted by the control unit 90 of the portable printer 1, or can be determined when an image to be printed is generated by an application APP of the user terminal 210, which will be described later, and then the control unit 90 of the portable printer 1 can control the nozzles 22 according to the determined method. Here, the image to be printed is an image (original) displayed to the user and selected by the user, which is converted into a pixelated form so that it can be printed by the portable printer 1.

[0192] In addition, the printing data described below is a printing image expressed in pixels that is processed into a form suitable for communication (a form that can be cut into small pieces and transmitted) so that it can be used to eject printing material. That is, the data in this embodiment can be processed in the order of original image (printing APP) - printing image (printing APP) - printing data (control unit 90).

[0193] Therefore, the portable printer 1 can use the printing data to cause the nozzle 22 to eject the printing material. Also, the control of the nozzle 22 can be performed by the control unit 90 included in the portable printer 1 or can be determined by the printing APP. For example, the printing APP can determine what size of hole the nozzle 22 has to use (control of the type of nozzle 22), and the control unit 90 can be in charge of controlling the nozzle 22 so that the printing material is actually delivered from the nozzle 22 to the target object.

[0194] Hereinafter, the sensing unit 80 included in the portable printer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention and the associated control contents of the control unit 90 will be described with reference to Figs. 10 to 14 and the like.

[0195] As described above, the portable printer 1 of this embodiment includes the roller 40, and the first roller 41 and the second roller 42 are provided in front of and behind the head 21, respectively. In this case, at least one of the first roller 41 and the second roller 42 may be provided with a magnetic body 43.

[0196] The magnetic body 43 includes a magnetic substance that induces a magnetic field and is configured to rotate together with the rotation of the roller 40. The magnetic body 43 may be provided on the roller 40 or may be provided separately from the roller 40 and may rotate in mesh with the rotation of the roller 40.

[0197] That is, the magnetic body 43 may be contained within the roller 40, applied to the surface of the roller 40, or provided at least one of both ends of the roller 40. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 10, the magnetic body 43 may be provided separately from the roller 40 and may rotate in response to the rotation of the roller 40 by engaging with the roller 40 via a gear (not shown).

[0198] The magnetic material 43 may rotate at the same RPM as the roller 40. Alternatively, the magnetic material 43 may rotate at an RPM that is proportional to the RPM of the roller 40. That is, the RPM of the magnetic material 43 is directly related to the rotation of the roller 40.

[0199] The magnetic body 43 generates a magnetic field through the magnetic material, and when the magnetic body 43 rotates, a change occurs in the magnetic field. That is, in this embodiment, when the roller 40 rotates, a change in the magnetic field is caused through the magnetic body 43, which means that when the portable printer 1 moves on the surface of the target object, a change in the magnetic field is induced.

[0200] Therefore, this embodiment utilizes the sensing unit 80 that detects the magnetic field of the magnetic body 43 to more accurately grasp the movement of the portable printer 1 and control the transfer of the printing material accordingly. The sensing unit 80 will be described in detail below.

[0201] The sensing unit 80 detects the magnetic field generated by the rotation of the magnetic body 43. The sensing unit 80 detects the change in the magnetic field, thereby making it possible to grasp the moving direction, moving speed, moving distance, etc. of the roller 40.

[0202] Also, in this specification, the moving speed and moving distance of the roller 40 grasped by the portable printer 1 may mean the degree to which the speed and distance change during the printing process, rather than the absolute numerical values ​​for the speed and distance. That is, the control unit 90 described below does not directly calculate or determine the moving speed of the roller 40, but detects that an electrical signal related to the moving speed of the roller 40 changes in real time, and controls the generation of a printing signal accordingly. Of course, the present invention does not exclude the case where the control unit 90 grasps and utilizes absolute numerical values ​​for the speed and distance.

[0203] The sensing unit 80 may include an encoder sensor 81 that detects a change in a magnetic field (rotation angle) caused by the rotation of the magnetic body 43 and converts the change into an electrical signal. The encoder sensor 81 is disposed adjacent to the magnetic body 43 and converts a change in a magnetic field generated when the magnetic body 43 rotates into an electrical signal.

[0204] Specifically, the encoder sensor 81 has a hall sensor installed therein, and converts the strength of the magnetic field that changes as the magnetic body 43 (which may be in the form of a shaft-end mount) arranged close to the hall sensor rotates into an electrical signal.

[0205] The Hall sensor can output a waveform signal (Sin / Cos waveform) as shown in Fig. 11 based on the strength of the detected magnetic field. Such a Hall sensor can measure the angle change of the magnetic body 43 even at speeds of 0 to 60,000 rpm.

[0206] In addition, the encoder sensor 81 can digitally modulate the waveform signal to calculate a digital signal (square wave) in the form of an ABZ signal as shown in FIG. 12, and such a digital signal (square wave, etc.) can be used as an input value for deriving the rotation angle of the roller 40.

[0207] The electrical signal generated by the encoder sensor 81 is transmitted to the control unit 90. At this time, the control unit 90 can calculate the moving speed and moving distance of the roller 40 based on the electrical signal received from the sensing unit 80.

[0208] Specifically, the frequency of the waveform varies according to the rotation speed of the roller 40 (the moving speed of the portable printer 1). When the moving speed is fast, the period of the waveform signal becomes shorter and the frequency becomes higher, and conversely, when the moving speed is slow, the period becomes longer and the frequency becomes lower. The control unit 90 can detect the period from the waveform signal of the encoder sensor 81 and determine the moving speed of the portable printer 1.

[0209] Furthermore, the control unit 90 can calculate the moving direction of the roller 40 from the electrical signal received from the sensing unit 80. For example, the control unit 90 can compare two signals Bx, By associated with the N / S poles of the magnetic body 43, and determine that the roller 40 rotates in the forward direction when phase A leads phase B, and can confirm that the roller 40 rotates in the reverse direction when phase B leads phase A by 90 degrees. That is, the control unit 90 can detect the forward or reverse rotation of the roller 40 by detecting the phases of the two signals included in the electrical signal.

[0210] The sensing unit 80 of this embodiment uses the above-mentioned encoder sensor 81, which is a magnetic encoder that has linearity and has the characteristic that the quality of the sensing value is consistent regardless of the difference in the properties of the bottom surface. In addition, the magnetic encoder can check whether or not there is reverse rotation, can grasp the travel distance of the roller 40 from the number of N / S counts, and can check the speed change of the roller 40 from the number of N / S counts per hour.

[0211] In this embodiment, because the change in speed of roller 40 corresponds to a change in printing speed, this embodiment including encoder sensor 81 can accurately detect changes in the speed at which lines are printed (printing speed) when an image is printed in line units (pixels), thereby enabling this embodiment to control the amount of printing material dispensed per unit time (dispensing speed) to eliminate image distortion.

[0212] The control unit 90 controls the transfer of the printing material by the nozzles 22 based on the sensing value of the sensing unit 80. The control unit 90 can grasp the rotation speed of the roller 40 using an electrical signal that is the sensing value, and the control unit 90 can control the ejection amount of the printing material per moving distance to be constant by increasing the amount of the printing material transferred when the rotation speed of the roller 40 is fast and decreasing the amount of the printing material transferred when the rotation speed of the roller 40 is slow.

[0213] The control unit 90 can control the printing start position by utilizing the moving distance of the roller 40. Here, the printing start position is the position where the roller 40 rotates a certain distance in the forward direction after the printing button 13B is pressed to start printing. At this time, the certain distance can be set arbitrarily, and for example, when setting the printing to start from the periphery of the portable printer 1, it can be set to a distance corresponding to the distance between the nozzle 22 and the periphery of the portable printer 1.

[0214] For example, the fixed initial movement distance is preferably 25 mm to 30 mm (approximately 28 mm), which is the distance from the nozzle 22 to the periphery of the portable printer 1. Since the roller 40 moving a distance of 1 mm corresponds to approximately 11.5 pulses in the encoder sensor 81, when 320 pulses are confirmed after the roller 40 starts to rotate, the control unit 90 can control the nozzle 22, etc., so that printing begins.

[0215] That is, the control unit 90 can determine whether the portable printer 1 has reached the printing start position by recognizing whether the roller 40 has moved a certain distance using the sensing value.

[0216] Therefore, the control unit 90 controls the roller 40 to rotate a certain distance before the printing material is discharged from the nozzle 22, thereby causing the portable printer 1 to print from the set start point.

[0217] That is, the control unit 90 receives the sensed position value of the roller 40 and generates a printing signal so that the printing data divided into rows is output at a predetermined position.

[0218] Meanwhile, the printing end position is not set separately, but is automatically determined according to the printing start position and image. When the printing material is discharged from the printing start position and the transmission and output of the printing data is completed, the printing ends at the corresponding point.

[0219] In addition, the control unit 90 can ensure image resolution by adjusting the transfer of the printing material from the nozzle 22 based on the moving distance of the roller 40. The control unit 90 calculates the moving distance of the roller 40 based on the electrical signal converted by the sensing unit 80, and calculates the length of the image to be printed corresponding to the moving distance of the roller 40. Thereafter, the control unit 90 controls the nozzle 22 to transfer the printing material to the target object for the calculated image length.

[0220] In particular, in this embodiment, the speed value of the roller 40 is not directly sensed, but the moving distance of the roller 40 is calculated according to an electrical signal (e.g., a digital signal) generated by the rotation of the magnetic body 43, and accordingly, the printing material is ejected based on image data of only the length of the image (pixel data).

[0221] For such control, the control unit 90 may include a control unit 91, an imaging unit 92, and a printing unit 93, as shown in FIG.

[0222] The control unit 91 (MCU) receives an electrical signal from the encoder sensor 81. The control unit 91 can receive digital signals such as those shown in FIG. 12, and can confirm the moving direction, moving speed, moving distance, etc. of the roller 40 based on such electrical signals. As described above, the moving speed confirmed by the control unit 91 may not be an absolute speed value, but may indicate a change in speed. In addition, the control unit 91 generates a printing signal based on the electrical signal received from the sensing unit 80 and the image to be printed on the target object, and transmits the printing signal to the imaging unit 92. In addition, the printing signal may include the electrical signal transmitted from the sensing unit 80 to the control unit 91.

[0223] The imaging unit 92 (FPGA) generates printing data based on an image selected by a user to be printed and a printing signal received from the control unit 91. The printing data may refer to data obtained by arithmetically processing an image (image for printing) into values ​​optimized for printing. Specifically, the imaging unit 92 may calculate an image based on the printing signal, electrical signals, and image processing signals transmitted from the control unit 91, and extract printing data for output.

[0224] For example, the imaging unit 92 can generate printing data by performing a calculation to extract image data for the length of the image, taking into account the moving speed and moving distance of the roller 40. Such extraction of image data can be performed repeatedly in real time, and the generated printing data is used for discharging the printing material by the cartridge 20.

[0225] The printing signal generated by the control unit 91 and the printing data generated by the imaging unit 92 are transmitted to a printing unit 93. The printing unit 93 (ASIC) is configured to control the nozzles 22 of the cartridge 20, and can directly control the ejection of the printing material from the nozzles 22.

[0226] The printing unit 93 controls the nozzle 22 according to the printing signal and printing data, so that an image of a certain length can be printed on the target object according to the moving distance of the roller 40. That is, the control unit 90 receives the sensed position value of the roller 40 and generates a printing signal so that the printing data divided into rows is output at a certain position according to timing. Therefore, this embodiment can prevent the image from being stretched or distorted even if the movement of the portable printer 1 on the surface of the target object is not uniform, and can guarantee an image resolution above a certain level.

[0227] That is, in this embodiment, the output value of the encoder sensor 81 (sensing value corresponding to the rotation angle of the roller 40, which may be an electrical signal such as a digital signal in FIG. 12) is calculated, the sensing value is transmitted to the control unit 91, and the imaging unit 92 processes the transmission of image data based on the sensing value (signal corresponding to the rotation angle of the roller 40) of the encoder sensor 81. Thereafter, the printing unit 93 controls the output of the cartridge 20 based on the image data received from the imaging unit 92, thereby performing high resolution printing.

[0228] That is, in this embodiment, the rotation angle of the roller 40 is detected in real time and printing data (pixel) is sent for each unit moving distance to jet the printing material, so the faster the rotation speed of the roller 40, the greater the amount of printing material jetted per unit time. Therefore, this embodiment can ensure high resolution by controlling to jet a constant amount per printing area (distance).

[0229] In addition, the control unit 90 recognizes the rotation direction of the roller 40 using the electrical signal transmitted from the sensing unit 80. Specifically, referring to Fig. 11, the strength of the magnetic field in two axial (x, y) directions is detected depending on the rotation direction of the magnetic body 43, and the two waveforms show characteristics of leading or lagging by 90 degrees depending on the rotation direction.

[0230] 11, when the rotation direction of roller 40 is forward, an electrical signal is generated in which phase A leads phase B by 90 degrees, and conversely, when the rotation direction of roller 40 is reversed, an electrical signal is generated in which phase B leads phase A by 90 degrees. Of course, in the present invention, the relationship between the degree of leading of phase A and phase B and the rotation direction of roller 40 described above can also be reversed.

[0231] Therefore, the control unit 90 can use the electrical signal to calculate whether the roller 40 is rotating in the forward or reverse direction, and when the roller 40 rotates in the reverse direction, control the roller 40 so that printing is not performed or limit the rotation of the roller 40. Furthermore, when the control unit 90 detects the rotation of the roller 40 in the reverse direction, it can send a notification signal to the user using the display unit 130, etc.

[0232] In addition, the roller 40 may be structurally provided so as to be rotatable in only one direction, in which case the control unit 90 can omit the detection and notification of the rotation direction of the roller 40 through an electrical signal.

[0233] Hereinafter, the printing operation performed by the control unit 90 will be described with reference to FIG.

[0234] When a user brings the portable printer 1 into contact with the surface of an object and moves the portable printer 1 in one direction on the surface of the object, the roller 40 rotates due to friction with the object. At this time, the magnetic body 43 also rotates, and the sensing unit 80 can detect the rotation of the roller 40 by detecting the rotation of the magnetic body 43.

[0235] The sensing unit 80 and the control unit 90 can check whether the rotation direction of the roller 40 is appropriate based on the rotation of the magnetic body 43. If the roller 40 rotates in the reverse direction, a printing failure or error can be notified to the user, and in this case, the display unit 130 may be utilized.

[0236] When the roller 40 rotates in the forward direction, the control unit 90 continuously checks the moving distance of the roller 40 based on the sensing value. At this time, when it is detected that the roller 40 has reached a set printing start position (point), printing by the nozzles 22 of the cartridge 20 can be started.

[0237] When the portable printer 1 is continuously moving on the surface of the target object while printing is being performed, the sensing unit 80 checks the moving distance (rotation angle) of the roller 40. Through this, the control unit 90 generates image data (pixel data) according to the moving distance of the roller 40 and controls the cartridge 20 based on the image data.

[0238] In FIG. 13, the steps of sensing the travel distance of roller 40, sending image data, and then ejecting printing material (ink) may be repeated until the entire image is printed.

[0239] For example, when the imaging unit 92 of the control unit 90 has completely transmitted the image data, the control unit 90 can recognize the end of printing. When the printing of the image is completed, the control unit 90 can notify the user by using the display unit 130, etc.

[0240] In this manner, the control unit 90 uses the sensing unit 80 to confirm the rotation angle of the roller 40 and transmits printing data to be output to the position to which the roller 40 has moved, thereby allowing an image of an appropriate length to be printed during the printing process according to the distance moved by the roller 40. Therefore, this embodiment allows a high resolution image to be printed even if the portable printer 1, which is manually operated by a user, is not moved at a uniform speed.

[0241] To explain again, this embodiment implements the transmission of pixel data and the ejection of printing material according to the pixel data, and the imaging unit 92 can sequentially receive the pixel data according to the moving distance of the roller 40 and use it to eject the printing material. Alternatively, the imaging unit 92 can receive the pixel data all at once (temporarily) store it, and eject the printing material according to the portion of the pixel data that corresponds to the moving distance of the roller 40.

[0242] Hereinafter, the communication unit 100, the storage unit 110, and the like included in the portable printer 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG.

[0243] The communication unit 100 can receive an image to be printed on a target object from the outside. The communication unit 100 may be connected by wire via a USB terminal or the like, or may be connected wirelessly via a Bluetooth® module or a Wi-Fi® transceiver module.

[0244] That is, the communication unit 100 can receive an image to be printed on a target object from an external device (eg, a user terminal 210, a server 220, etc.) via wired or wireless communication.

[0245] The storage unit 110 can store an image to be printed on an object. The storage unit 110 can transmit the image in cooperation with the communication unit 100. That is, in this embodiment, at least one of an image received by the communication unit 100 and an image stored in the storage unit 110 can be used.

[0246] The present invention can basically use an image received by the communication unit 100, and in this case, the image can pass through a volatile memory (SDRAM) of the storage unit 100. On the other hand, if the image transmitted through the communication unit 100 is stored in a non-volatile memory (FLASH#1) of the storage unit 100, the image stored in the storage unit 100 can be used for printing without receiving the image through the communication unit 100.

[0247] The image stored in the storage unit 110 by the communication unit 100 may be modified or updated. In addition, when it is difficult to use the communication unit 100 due to the printing environment of the portable printer 1 or when the use of the communication unit 100 is intentionally excluded, printing may be performed using the image stored in the storage unit 110 (particularly, in a non-volatile memory).

[0248] The storage unit 110 can store various data for processing images and implementing printing in addition to storing images. For example, a part of the storage unit 110 (SDRAM, FLASH#1) may be a memory for the operation of the control unit 91 of the control unit 90 and used for programming the control unit 91 and processing image data during printing. Another part of the storage unit 110 (FLASH#2) may be a memory for the operation of the imaging unit 92 of the control unit 90 and used to store internal logic control data of the imaging unit 92.

[0249] In the following, a portable printing system 200 including the portable printer 1 described above will be described.

[0250] FIG. 15 is a conceptual diagram of the portable printing system 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 16 is a flowchart of the portable printing system 200 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0251] 15 and 16, a portable printing system 200 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a portable printer 1 and a user terminal 210. The portable printing system 200 may operate in conjunction with a server 220 or may include the server 220.

[0252] 15, the portable printer 1 and the user terminal 210 can communicate with each other by wire or wirelessly, for example, by using Bluetooth (registered trademark). Of course, the communication method between the portable printer 1 and the user terminal 210 is not limited.

[0253] In addition, in the portable printing system 200, the user terminal 210 can communicate with the server 220 via wired or wireless communication, and can use an Internet network such as Wi-Fi (registered trademark). However, communication between the user terminal 210 and the server 220 can be limited as necessary.

[0254] The printing sequence of the portable printing system 200 will be described below with reference to FIG.

[0255] First, a user can connect the portable printer 1 using the user terminal 210. The user terminal 210 can scan for nearby portable printers 1 using a dedicated application (APP) for operating the portable printer 1 or the Bluetooth® function of the user terminal 210. When the user terminal 210 detects a connectable portable printer 1, it can inform the user of the connectable portable printer 1, and after the user's confirmation, it can transmit a connection request signal (Bluetooth® pairing) to the portable printer 1.

[0256] The portable printer 1 can allow the communication connection of the user terminal 210 based on a connection request signal received from the user terminal 210. The portable printer 1 checks the user terminal information included in the connection request signal transmitted from the user terminal 210, and if the user terminal 210 is a legitimate user terminal, it can return a connection permission signal to implement the connection (pairing). At this time, the portable printer 1 transmits printer information required for the user to use printing to the user terminal 210, and the user terminal 210 can display the information of the portable printer 1.

[0257] The printer information may include basic information of the portable printer 1 (such as Bluetooth name, firmware version, model name, S / N, MAC address, etc.), and may further include information such as battery level, printing material level, lifting mode, etc.

[0258] However, such a connection between the user terminal 210 and the portable printer 1 may be simplified when repeated connections are made. That is, at the first connection, a connection request signal is transmitted from the user terminal 210 to the portable printer 1 after the user's confirmation, but at the second or subsequent connection, the user terminal 210 can automatically connect the portable printer 1 when the APP for printing is started. At this time, the portable printer 1 that is automatically connected may be one that has been connected to the user terminal 210 at least once.

[0259] The user terminal 210 to which the portable printer 1 is connected can request the server 220 to check for a firmware update. That is, the user terminal 210 can check whether a firmware update for the portable printer 1 is necessary while transmitting printer information received from the portable printer 1 to the server 220.

[0260] The firmware update check utilizes the connection with the server 220, and when the user terminal 210 connects the portable printer 1, it can automatically communicate with the server 220 and check for firmware updates.

[0261] Alternatively, even if the portable printer 1 is connected, the user terminal 210 can request a firmware update from the server 220 only when there is a user request, or the user terminal 210 can transmit a firmware update to the server 220 only after a certain period of time has passed.

[0262] Alternatively, the user terminal 210 may update the firmware of the portable printer 1 using an APP for printing, without needing to perform a separate step of requesting a firmware update from the server 220. In this case, when the printing APP is updated in the user terminal 210, firmware data is embedded in the APP, so that data for firmware update can be transmitted to the user terminal 210. Therefore, when the user terminal 210 is connected to the portable printer 1 after the printing APP of the user terminal 210 is updated, the firmware update of the portable printer 1 can be automatically performed.

[0263] The firmware update data transmitted from the server 220 to the user terminal 210 is downloaded to the portable printer 1. Therefore, the portable printer 1 can perform a firmware update using the firmware update data transmitted from the user terminal 210. However, since the portable printer 1 and the user terminal 210 can use a Bluetooth (registered trademark) connection, when the firmware update data is transmitted to the portable printer 1, a guide can be displayed on the user terminal 210 to place it adjacent to the portable printer 1.

[0264] The present invention then reserves an image for printing. This may be done by at least one of two methods. The first method is for the image to be downloaded to the user terminal 210 via the server 220. The user can use a printing APP of the user terminal 210 to search for printable images in the server 220 and select a desired image, and the image can be transmitted from the server 220 to the user terminal 210.

[0265] At this time, the image may be transmitted from the server 220 to the user terminal 210 through an online service that is provided for a fee or free of charge. Also, the user terminal 210 may receive a set of images from the server 220 in addition to the image selected by the user to print, store the images, and use them later.

[0266] As a second method, the user terminal 210 can have printable images built in when the printing APP is installed, and one of the built-in images can be selected by the user, or one of the images already stored in the user terminal 210 can be selected and transferred to the printing APP for use in printing.

[0267] However, while an image included in the printing APP may be one that is easy to print using the nozzle 22 of the cartridge 20, an image stored in the user terminal 210, regardless of the printing APP, may be one that is not suitable for printing through the nozzle 22. Therefore, when an image stored in the user terminal 210 is selected, the printing APP can perform pixel processing (correction such as adjustment of resolution, color, brightness, etc.) to change the selected image to a state suitable for printing.

[0268] The printing APP installed in the user terminal 210 may provide an image editing function, which may include cropping, resizing, and adjusting brightness, saturation, and hue.

[0269] Furthermore, the user terminal 210 can upload an image for printing to the server 220. In this case, the user can use the user terminal 210 to correct the image into a form optimized for printing and then transmit it to the server 220. When other users download the image from the server 220, the user who created the image can earn revenue.

[0270] The user terminal 210 converts an image (original) selected by the user from among the built-in images or images transmitted from the server 220 into an image (for printing) that can be printed pixel by pixel through the nozzle 22. Specifically, in this embodiment, in order to directly use the original image for printing, a color conversion operation and a data compression operation may be performed in the printing APP, and the printing APP can convert the original image file such as JPG into an image file for printing in BMP format.

[0271] The printing APP performs a color conversion process to convert the RGB digital color of the image into CMY color for the cartridge 20. Because the nozzles 22 of the cartridge 20 use CMY as the printing material instead of RGB, the printing APP can convert the color of the image to be suitable for printing.

[0272] Then, the printing APP compresses the image data. Specifically, the printing APP converts the original image data into dots through a halftone image operation for printing by the cartridge 20, and performs image sampling according to the set DPI. For example, the printing APP can arbitrarily reduce the image resolution in consideration of the size of the hole through which the printing material is discharged from the nozzle 22.

[0273] The user terminal 210 can transmit the converted image for printing to the portable printer 1 through a printing APP, etc. At this time, the portable printer 1 can generate a printing signal for processing the image for printing using the control unit 90.

[0274] In addition, as described above, this embodiment can detect the moving distance of the roller 40 using the encoder sensor 81 and correct the printing signal accordingly. Therefore, the image can be printed without distortion while the portable printer 1 moves along the surface of the target object.

[0275] The portable printer 1 can notify the user of printing status information through the display unit 130 provided in the portable printer 1 during printing or when printing is completed, and can also transmit the printing status information to the user terminal 210, etc. The printing status information can include a printing operation status, a printing error status (communication error, poor contact of the cartridge 20, cartridge 20 not inserted, etc.), and can also include all other information that the user can refer to during the printing process.

[0276] The printing process can be summarized as follows: When a user selects or edits an image in the printing APP and presses the start printing button in the printing APP, image conversion is performed in the printing APP. When the image conversion is complete, the image for printing is transmitted to the portable printer 1 via Bluetooth.

[0277] After receiving the image to be printed and preparing for printing, the portable printer 1 can change from standby mode to printing mode by the user pressing the printing button 13B (once). When the user places the portable printer 1 on the surface of an object and moves it, the control unit 90, which detects the rotation of the roller 40, can sequentially output the images from the cartridge 20.

[0278] When the printing of the portable printer 1 is completed, a notification of the completion of printing may be displayed on the portable printer 1 and the user terminal 210. At this time, the user may move the portable printer 1 away from the surface of the target object, and the portable printer 1 may switch back to the standby mode.

[0279] The second to fifth embodiments of the present invention will be described below. The second to fifth embodiments of the present invention may further include content for tuning an image in consideration of the hue of an object, as compared to the first embodiment.

[0280] FIG. 17 is a flowchart of a portable printing system 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention.

[0281] The following description will focus on the differences between this embodiment and the above-mentioned embodiments, and the parts that are not described will be replaced with the above contents. This also applies to the third to fifth embodiments.

[0282] Referring to FIG. 17, in the portable printing system 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention, the user terminal 210 can receive information about an object from a user. At this time, the information about the object includes at least one of the hardness of the object and the color of the object. That is, the information about the object includes information about whether the object is paper or skin. Furthermore, in this embodiment, the user terminal 210 can receive the color tone of the object. That is, if the object is skin, the user terminal 210 can receive information about the skin color (skin tone) as the information about the object. For example, the color tone of the object is predefined to be classified into White (Paper) / White (skin) / Asian / Hispanic / Dark / Black, etc., and the user can select any one of them.

[0283] As described above, the user terminal 210 can convert an original image into an image for printing using a printing APP, and at this time, information on the subject may be reflected. For example, the brightness and saturation of the image can be adjusted according to the degree of brightness or darkness of the skin tone, and the image for printing can be generated through color conversion and data compression. In this specification, the image for printing reflecting information on the subject can be referred to as a corrected image.

[0284] The operation after the user terminal 210 generates the image for printing is the same as that described in the above embodiment. That is, compared to the above embodiment, this embodiment has an additional function in which the printing APP receives input (selection) of the color tone of the subject or the printing subject (paper or skin), etc., and the user terminal 210 corrects the image accordingly. As a result, this embodiment can print a clearer image when printing on skin of various colors.

[0285] This embodiment can automatically recognize the color tone of the object or the printing object (paper or skin) and perform image correction, and at this time, the mode detection unit 70 can be utilized. That is, this embodiment can detect the lifting mode of the nozzle 22 to automatically grasp the information of the object (soft or hard), and then reflect the information of the object when processing the image with the printing APP.

[0286] In addition, this embodiment utilizes automatic recognition of the object to prepare for the case where the object information input by the user to the printing APP does not match the actual object information. If the input object information differs from the automatically recognized object information, the portable printer 1 can notify the user of this fact.

[0287] FIG. 18 is a flowchart of the portable printing system 200 according to the third embodiment of the present invention.

[0288] Referring to FIG. 18, unlike the second embodiment in which a user inputs the hue tone of an object into a printing APP, the portable printing system 200 according to the third embodiment of the present invention allows a user terminal 210 to actively recognize the hue tone of an object using a camera or the like.

[0289] In this embodiment, the user terminal 210 can capture an image of an object using a built-in camera, and the user terminal 210 can extract information about the object from the image of the object using a printing APP or another program.

[0290] Therefore, in this embodiment, when a user photographs the surface of an object to be printed using the user terminal 210, the color tone of the object can be automatically reflected when converting the image for printing.

[0291] In this case, the user terminal 210 directly obtains information about the object without relying on user input, allowing for more appropriate printing of the image.

[0292] In addition, in this embodiment, in addition to using the camera of the user terminal 210, various sensors that may be provided in the user terminal 210 can also be utilized.

[0293] FIG. 19 is a flowchart of the portable printing system 200 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention.

[0294] Referring to FIG. 19, the portable printing system 200 according to the fourth embodiment of the present invention directly acquires information of an object, similar to the third embodiment described above, but differs from the third embodiment in that the portable printer 1 acquires information of the object.

[0295] In this embodiment, after the user terminal 210 and the portable printer 1 are connected via Bluetooth (registered trademark) or the like, the user terminal 210 transmits a sensing request for the hue tone of the target object to the portable printer 1, and the portable printer 1 can scan the surface of the target object.

[0296] When the user selects an image to be printed, the user terminal 210 can automatically instruct the portable printer 1 to scan the surface of the target object. Alternatively, when the user terminal 210 and the portable printer 1 are connected via Bluetooth (registered trademark), the portable printer 1 can automatically start scanning the target object. At this time, the portable printer 1 can display a notification that scanning of the target object will start on the display unit 130 or the like so that the user can place the portable printer 1 adjacent to the target object.

[0297] The portable printer 1 may include a color sensor (not shown) and can detect the hue tone of the target object using the color sensor. The sensing value of the color sensor is transmitted from the portable printer 1 to the user terminal 210, and the user terminal 210 generates an image for printing by referring to the hue tone of the target object, as described above.

[0298] The portable printer 1 of this embodiment may be equipped with a camera as described in the above embodiments, but considering the portability of the portable printer 1 and the program processing load, it is preferable for this embodiment to use a color sensor.

[0299] FIG. 20 is a flowchart of a portable printing system 200 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

[0300] Referring to FIG. 20, in a portable printing system 200 according to a fifth embodiment of the present invention, the portable printer 1 can process most of the functions described in the above embodiments by itself.

[0301] For example, the portable printer 1 receives an image from the user terminal 210, and the image may be a printing image that has undergone color conversion and data compression. Then, the portable printer 1 can detect the color tone of the object using a color sensor.

[0302] The portable printer 1 can correct the image for printing by combining the image for printing with the hue tone of the object, etc. In the second to fourth embodiments described above, the hue tone of the object is reflected when the image is converted into the image for printing by the printing APP of the user terminal 210, but in this embodiment, unlike the above, the portable printer 1 can correct the image for printing generated by the user terminal 210, taking into account the hue tone of the object.

[0303] That is, in the second embodiment, the process proceeds in the order of image selection → input / detection of the color tone of the object → generation of the image for printing → transmission from the user terminal 210 to the portable printer 1 → start of printing. On the other hand, in the present embodiment, the process proceeds in the order of image selection → generation of the image for printing → transmission from the user terminal 210 to the portable printer 1 → detection of the color tone of the object → correction of the image for printing → start of printing.

[0304] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the generation of an image for printing can also be processed by the portable printer 1. That is, in the present invention, at least the hue conversion of the hue conversion and data compression can be processed by the control unit 90 of the portable printer 1.

[0305] In this case, the present embodiment can operate in the order of image selection -> transmission from the user terminal 210 to the portable printer 1 -> detection of the hue tone of the object -> generation of an image for printing -> start of printing.

[0306] However, the image may also be stored in the storage unit 110 of the portable printer 1, and in this case, the image stored in the storage unit 110 may be an image for printing that has already been processed for color conversion, etc. Therefore, this embodiment may operate in the order of (in the portable printer 1) selection of an image for printing → detection of the color tone of the object → correction of the image for printing → start of printing. In this case, data processing by the user terminal 210 may be omitted.

[0307] The present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and may include new embodiments that combine at least two or more of the above embodiments, or that combine at least one of the above embodiments with publicly known technology.

[0308] The present invention has been described in detail above through specific examples. However, these are for the purpose of specifically explaining the present invention, and the present invention is not limited thereto. It is clear that modifications and improvements can be made by those having ordinary skill in the art within the technical spirit of the present invention.

[0309] Any mere variations or modifications of the present invention belong to the scope of the present invention, and the specific protection scope of the present invention will be made clear by the appended claims. [Explanation of symbols]

[0310] 1. Portable printer 10. Main Unit 20 Cartridge 30 Mounting part 40 Lola 43 Magnetic material 80 Sensing section 90 Control section

Claims

1. a portable body housing a cartridge having a nozzle for transferring a printing substance to a target having a soft or hard surface to print an image; a mounting part provided at a lower part of the main body so as to be exposed to the outside, facing a surface of the target object, and at least partially surrounding the nozzle; rollers provided at a lower portion of the body in front of and behind the nozzle in a direction in which the body moves along a surface of the object to deliver a printing material to the object; a magnetic body that rotates in response to the rotation of the roller; A sensing unit that detects a magnetic field generated by the rotation of the magnetic body; A controller for controlling delivery of the printing material by the nozzle based on a sensing value of the sensing unit.

2. The magnetic body is 2. The portable printer according to claim 1, further comprising a rotational member provided on said roller or separately from said roller, said rotational member rotating in mesh with said roller.

3. The sensing unit is detecting a magnetic field generated by the rotation of the magnetic body to detect a rotation direction of the roller; The control unit is 2. The portable printer according to claim 1, wherein when the rotation of the roller in the reverse direction is detected by the sensing unit, the printer stops transmitting the printing material or sends a notification signal.

4. The sensing unit is an encoder sensor that converts a change in a magnetic field caused by the rotation of the magnetic body into an electrical signal; The control unit is 2. The portable printer of claim 1, further comprising: a sensing unit that calculates at least a moving distance of the roller based on the electrical signal converted by the sensing unit; and controls the transfer of the printing material by the nozzle for a length of the image corresponding to the moving distance of the roller.

5. The control unit is a control unit that receives the electrical signal of the encoder sensor and generates a printing signal; an imaging unit for generating printing data from an image based on the printing signal; 5. The portable printer according to claim 4, further comprising: a printing unit that controls the nozzles based on the printing signal and the printing data.

6. The portable printer according to claim 1 , further comprising a printing adjustment unit that adjusts a height difference between the nozzle and the surface of the target object by moving the roller inward and outward directions of the main body to adjust a height difference between the nozzle and the roller.

7. The printing adjustment unit moves the mounting unit inward and outward directions of the main body, The portable printer according to claim 6 , wherein the roller moves integrally with the mounting portion.

8. A mode detection unit detects a position of the mounting unit and detects a height difference between the nozzle and a surface of the target object, The mode detection unit is The portable printer according to claim 6, wherein, depending on the position of the mounting portion, a first mode in which the nozzle and the surface of the target object are at a first height or a second mode in which the nozzle and the surface of the target object are at a second height higher than the first height is detected.

9. The mode detection unit is 9. The portable printer according to claim 8, further comprising an interrupt sensor having a light emitting portion and a light receiving portion, the interrupt sensor detecting whether at least a part of the mounting portion is positioned between the light emitting portion and the light receiving portion or is misaligned.

10. The nozzles are provided in a plurality, and include a first nozzle and a second nozzle of different sizes; The cartridge has a head in which first nozzles and second nozzles are alternately arranged, The portable printer according to claim 8 , wherein the control unit variably controls the nozzles from which the printing material is discharged depending on the position of the mounting unit.

11. The injection hole of the first nozzle is larger than the injection hole of the second nozzle, The control unit is 11. The portable printer of claim 10, wherein when the mode detection unit detects a first mode, the mode detection unit controls the first nozzle and the second nozzle to deliver the printing material, and when the mode detection unit detects a second mode, the mode detection unit controls the first nozzle to deliver the printing material.

12. The portable printer according to claim 1 ; a user terminal in communication with the portable printer; The portable printer includes: A communication unit that communicates with the user terminal and receives an image to be printed on the target object; The portable printing system further includes a storage unit for storing an image to be printed on the target object.

13. The control unit of the portable printer a control unit for receiving a sensing value from the sensing unit and generating a printing signal; an imaging unit for generating printing data from an image based on the printing signal; A printing unit that controls the nozzles based on the printing signal and the printing data.

14. The user terminal, receiving information of an object from a user or collecting information of the object from the object, and generating a corrected image based on an image to be printed on the object and the information of the object; The communication unit is receiving the corrected image from the user terminal; The imaging unit comprises: The portable printing system of claim 13 , further comprising: generating printing data based on the corrected image and the printing signal.

15. The information of the subject is The portable printing system of claim 14 , further comprising at least one of a hardness of the object and a hue of the object.

Images