Mobile Skin Printer Curvature and Color Compensation

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Mobile image forming apparatuses struggle to accurately print images on skin due to variations in skin color and curvature, resulting in differences between the original and printed images.

Innovation Solution

A mobile image forming apparatus equipped with a surface measurer, image processor, and image former that measures the skin's surface state, retrieves curvature and moisture data, and compensates the image by adjusting ink discharge and color based on these data to ensure the printed image resembles the original.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a mobile printer is used to print images on skin, then accessibility and ease of use are improved, but image fidelity and color accuracy deteriorate due to skin curvature and color variations

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveaccessibilityVSAvoidimage fidelity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The system performs preliminary measurement of skin curvature and color using sensors before printing. The curvature measurement unit measures the curved state of the skin surface, and the color sensor detects skin color characteristics. Based on these preliminary measurements, the system pre-compensates the image data to counteract expected distortions, ensuring accurate reproduction on curved skin surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system dynamically adjusts printing parameters based on measured skin conditions. The curvature measurement unit detects skin curvature to determine compensation amounts for image distortion. The color sensor measures skin color to adjust ink discharge amounts and color tones. These parameter changes enable accurate printing adapted to each specific skin surface

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If standard printing methods are used on curved skin surfaces, then printing speed is maintained, but image shape accuracy deteriorates due to skin curvature

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprinting speedVSAvoidimage shape accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The curvature measurement unit measures the curved state of the skin surface before printing begins. Based on this preliminary measurement, the system calculates and applies compensation amounts to the image data to pre-correct for expected shape distortions. This allows maintaining printing speed while ensuring shape accuracy through advance preparation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes image rendering parameters based on measured curvature. The curvature measurement unit detects the degree of skin curvature, and the controller adjusts printing parameters including compensation amounts for radial and tangential directions. This dynamic parameter adjustment maintains printing efficiency while adapting to curved surfaces

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Illumination intensity

If ink discharge is increased to compensate for dark skin areas, then color visibility is improved, but ink consumption and potential skin irritation increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecolor visibilityVSAvoidskin irritation

Core Design Contradiction:

Illumination intensityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The color sensor measures skin color characteristics in real-time, and the controller dynamically adjusts ink discharge amounts based on these measurements. For darker skin areas, the system precisely increases ink discharge only where needed, rather than uniformly across the entire printing area. This targeted parameter adjustment improves color visibility while minimizing unnecessary ink consumption and potential skin irritation

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

4Manufacturing precision

If the printing apparatus adapts to different skin conditions, then image quality is improved, but device complexity increases due to additional sensors and processing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveimage qualityVSAvoidapparatus complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system uses a multi-functional integrated approach where the controller coordinates multiple sensors (curvature measurement unit, color sensor, brightness sensor) to perform multiple functions: measuring skin conditions, compensating for curvature distortion, adjusting color tones, and controlling ink discharge. This universal controller manages all adaptation functions, improving image quality without proportionally increasing overall system complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9931863B2Mobile image forming apparatus, image compensation method thereof and non-transitory computer readable recording medium

Publication Date: 2018.04.03 SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO LTD

AI summary

A mobile image forming apparatus and an image compensation method of the mobile image forming apparatus are provided. The mobile image forming apparatus includes a surface measurer configured to measure an area touched by the mobile image forming apparatus among a surface area on which a print image is to be printed, an image processor configured to retrieve at least one of curvature data and moisture data from the measured result, and compensate the print image based on the at least one of the curvature data and moisture data retrieved, and an image former configured to print the compensated print image on the surface.