Mobile Printer With Scanning Contour Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional mobile printers are bulky and inefficient, as they require moving paper across the printing technology, making them less portable and less effective for use with stationary paper or three-dimensional objects.

Innovation Solution

A mobile printer with a non-transitory computer memory, processor, scanning device, and printing unit that can rest atop or adjacent to the paper or object, using carriage actuators and ink reservoirs to selectively apply ink or material based on existing-indicia or contour information, allowing for precise printing or additive material application without the need for lateral movement.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If paper is moved across the printing technology in conventional mobile printers, then printing function is achieved, but device portability and efficiency deteriorate due to bulkiness and lateral movement requirements

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidlateral movement mechanism

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the conventional printing approach by keeping the printing head stationary and moving the paper underneath it, rather than moving the printing head across the paper. This inversion eliminates the need for complex lateral movement mechanisms in the printer while maintaining printing functionality, thereby improving portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical lateral movement system with a scanning mechanism that reads existing indicia on the paper while the printing head remains stationary. This substitution reduces mechanical complexity and improves device portability by eliminating bulky movement components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Volume of moving object

If conventional mobile printers are designed to be portable, then device size is reduced, but printing effectiveness deteriorates due to inability to work with stationary paper or three-dimensional objects

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinter sizeVSAvoidcompatibility with stationary paper and 3D objects

Core Design Contradiction:

Volume of moving objectVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The patent creates a universal printing system that can work with both stationary paper and three-dimensional objects by using a scanning mechanism that reads existing indicia or contour information and a stationary printing head that can apply ink or material based on the scanned data, regardless of the substrate type.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces a scanning device as an intermediary that captures information from various substrates (paper or 3D objects) and translates it into printing instructions for the stationary printing head, enabling versatility without requiring the printer to physically contact or move the substrate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Manufacturing precision

If carriage actuators are used to move the printing unit, then printing precision is improved, but device complexity and portability deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting precisionVSAvoidcarriage actuator system

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces the mechanical carriage actuator system with a scanning device that reads existing indicia and a stationary printing head controlled by the scanned information. This substitution maintains printing precision through digital control while eliminating bulky mechanical movement components, thereby improving portability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Data Source

PatentUS11451680B1Mobile printer

Publication Date: 2022.09.20 NEWTONOID TECH L L C

AI summary

A three-dimensional printer for providing additive material to an object in need thereof includes a non-transitory computer memory; a processor in data communication with the computer memory; a material reservoir; an output device in communication with the material reservoir; a scanning device for obtaining existing contour information about the object; and a contour database accessible by the processor which has contour information about the object. The scanning device is in data communication with the processor. Programming causes: (1) the scanning device to obtain the existing contour information; (2) the computer memory to store the obtained existing contour information; and (3) the processor to create a print file based on data from each of: (a) the obtained existing contour information, and (b) the contour database. Further programming selectively actuates the output device, utilizing the print file, to apply the material from the material reservoir to the object in need thereof.