Handheld Printer Sensor Switching for Power and Precision

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing handheld printing apparatuses face challenges in efficiently managing sensor displacement and angle changes during manual scanning, leading to potential inaccuracies and increased power consumption due to unnecessary sensor activation.

Innovation Solution

A printing apparatus equipped with a processor that dynamically switches the sensing state of sensors based on the determined position relative to the printing medium, using a plurality of sensors to optimize sensor usage and reduce power consumption by deactivating unnecessary sensors.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If multiple sensors are activated continuously to track printing apparatus position and angle, then measurement precision is improved, but power consumption increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveposition detection accuracyVSAvoidsensor power consumption

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by switching sensors on and off based on the printing apparatus position relative to the printing region. When the apparatus is within the printing region, sensors are activated for precise tracking; when outside, sensors are deactivated to save power. This dynamic activation strategy resolves the contradiction between continuous measurement precision and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements periodic sensor activation by continuously monitoring position and periodically switching sensor states based on whether the printing apparatus is within the printing region. This periodic on-off cycling maintains measurement capability when needed while reducing average power consumption, resolving the contradiction between continuous tracking and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

2Loss of energy

If sensors are deactivated to reduce power consumption, then energy efficiency is improved, but position detection accuracy deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesensor energy wasteVSAvoiddisplacement sensing accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by differentiating sensor activation based on spatial location. Sensors are activated only when the printing apparatus is within the printing region (local area of interest) and deactivated when outside. This localized activation ensures measurement precision is maintained only where needed, while reducing energy waste in areas where printing does not occur.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses dynamic sensor activation that adapts to the printing apparatus position. The system continuously monitors position and dynamically switches sensor states, ensuring high measurement precision during active printing while minimizing energy consumption during non-printing periods. This dynamic adaptation resolves the contradiction between energy efficiency and measurement accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Reliability

If all sensors remain active throughout the printing process, then continuous monitoring is ensured, but unnecessary sensor activation increases power consumption

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontinuous position monitoringVSAvoidsensor power usage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements periodic monitoring by continuously checking position and periodically switching sensor states based on whether the apparatus is within the printing region. This ensures continuous monitoring capability is maintained when needed while allowing periodic power-saving modes when the apparatus is outside the printing region, resolving the contradiction between reliability and power consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #19Periodic action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies dynamic sensor management where the activation state changes based on real-time position feedback. The system maintains reliable continuous monitoring during printing operations while dynamically reducing sensor activation during non-printing periods, thereby resolving the contradiction between uninterrupted monitoring and energy efficiency.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentUS10752018B2Printing apparatus, printing method and non-transitory storage medium

Publication Date: 2020.08.25 CASIO COMPUTER CO LTD

AI summary

A printing apparatus includes: a printer head that prints, in accordance with a movement of the printing apparatus by a user within a printing region of a printing medium, a print-target image on the printing medium; a plurality of sensors each capable of sensing a displacement of the printing apparatus; and a processor that determines, based on the displacement sensed by the sensor, a position of the printing apparatus relative to the printing region, and switches, among the plurality of sensors, a sensing state of a sensor that is sensing the displacement and a sensing state of a sensor that is not sensing the displacement, in accordance with the determined position of the printing apparatus.