EP0958923A2 - Multipurpose printing apparatus - Google Patents
Multipurpose printing apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP0958923A2 EP0958923A2 EP99303954A EP99303954A EP0958923A2 EP 0958923 A2 EP0958923 A2 EP 0958923A2 EP 99303954 A EP99303954 A EP 99303954A EP 99303954 A EP99303954 A EP 99303954A EP 0958923 A2 EP0958923 A2 EP 0958923A2
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- printing apparatus
- printhead
- output data
- ink
- multipurpose printing
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Images
Classifications
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J19/00—Character- or line-spacing mechanisms
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
-
- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
- B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
- B41J3/407—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed for marking on special material
- B41J3/4073—Printing on three-dimensional objects not being in sheet or web form, e.g. spherical or cubic objects
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a printing apparatus.
- a printer is a typical computer peripheral output device for forming an image on a recording medium.
- ink-jet printer are popular with users due to their low price and high print quality.
- Fig. 1 shows the structure of a conventional ink-jet printer.
- a sheet of paper 11 is fed by a line feed motor and a carriage 13 in which an ink-cartridge 12 is mounted prints an image on the paper 11, while reciprocating across the paper 11.
- the ink in the ink-cartridge 12 is injected at specified time intervals, while the carriage 13 is driven at constant speed.
- a line feed is performed so that the paper 11 is moved to the correct position for the next line.
- the driving of the carriage motor at constant speed and the ejection of the ink from the ink-jet head are controlled by periodic distributed timing based on a standard clock of the printer system.
- these operations of all part of the ink-jet printer controlled by a timing value so that the printing operation can be performed at maximum speed.
- ink-jet printers cannot be used to print an image onto an object which does not coincide with the structure of the printer. That is, if the size and structure of the object is different from that of the paper, the printing operation cannot be performed. For example, it is not possible to print the image directly onto a surface of a box using the printer. Instead, after printing the image onto paper, the printed paper must be attached to the surface of the box.
- the present invention provides a multipurpose printing apparatus comprising:
- the multipurpose printing apparatus further comprises:
- the means for receiving the output data may comprise a wireless communications interface.
- the stationary part comprises a base frame in which a linear gear is mounted and the movable part comprises a main frame and a sensor, mounted on one side of the main frame, and adapted to generate position information while reciprocating along the linear gear.
- the printhead is an ink-jet printhead;
- the movable part further comprises an ink-carriage, including the printhead, which is mounted on the other side of the main frame; and the control means is adapted to control ink-ejection operations of the ink-carriage according to the position information from the sensor.
- the sensor may comprise a rotational gear which engages the linear gear of the base frame, a circular encoder which is coupled to the rotational gear and a sensor element for detecting the degree of rotation of the circular encoder.
- the circular encoder may be a graduated transparent film or it may be formed with periodically spaced holes.
- the sensor element my be an infrared sensor element.
- the printing apparatus comprises a data storage part 21 for storing a data, position detecting part 22 for detecting a variation of a print head, a printing control part 23 for controlling a printing operation so that the data output from the data storage part 21 is printed on a position corresponding to a position information from the position detecting part 22 and a printing operation part 24 for performing the printing operation according to a signal from the printing control part 23.
- the data storage part 21 stores data output from a data generating apparatus or a computer.
- the data to be stored in the data storage part 21 may be transmitted by wire or wireless.
- position information of the print head at present is needed.
- the information is provided by the position detecting part 22.
- the printing operation part 24 is controlled by the printing control part 23 so as to print the data output from the data storage part 21 at a desired position according to the position information provided by the position detecting part 22.
- the multipurpose printing apparatus 200 comprises a base frame 32, a main frame 50 which slides in a guiding groove 41 formed in the base frame 32, a sensing part 33 for generating a position information signal, an ink-cartridge 34 which is mounted on one side of the main frame 50 and a control circuit part 35 for controlling an ejection operation of the ink-cartridge 34 according to the position information from the sensing part 33.
- a linear gear 31 is horizontally disposed on the base frame 32.
- the sensing part 33 is mounted on the other side of the main frame 50 and reciprocates along the linear gear 31.
- the control circuit part 35 is mounted in the main frame 50.
- the sensing part 33 comprises a rotational gear 36, a circular encoder 37 and a sensor 39 for detecting the degree of rotation of the circular encoder 37.
- the rotational gear 36 engages the linear gear 31.
- the circular encoder 37 is coaxial with the rotational gear 36 leaving a space in between, and a shaft 38 is fixed to the circular encoder 37 and the rotational gear 36 so that they rotate together.
- the circular encoder 37 may be a transparent film which is marked with degrees or a laminate which is formed with a plurality of holes, periodically.
- the sensor 39 may be an infrared sensor.
- a printing button 40 for controlling the printing operation is disposed in the main frame 50.
- the printing apparatus 200 is placed on an object 100 on which the printing operation is to be performed.
- the main frame 50 is moved by a user to a printing position on which an image is to be printed. Since the sensing part 33 is fixed on the main frame 50, the sensing part 33 is also moved to the printing position. Further, if the printing button 40 is not pressed during movement of the main frame 50, the ink ejection operation is not performed.
- the rotational gear 36 of the sensing part 33 rotates while engaging with the linear gear 31 of the base frame 32, and the main frame moves along the guiding groove 41.
- Rotational of the rotational gear 36 is transmitted to the encoder 37 through the shaft 38. Therefore, the amount of rotation of the encoder 37 is the same as that of the rotational gear 36.
- the amount of rotation of the encoder 37 is detected by the infrared sensor 39. The detected signals are transmitted to the printing control part 23.
- the printing control part 23 supplies an ink ejection signal to the ink-cartridge 34 so that data from the data storage part 21 is printed on the object according to the position information of the sensing part 33.
- the multipurpose printing apparatus can directly perform the printing operation on the object. Therefore, it is possible to perform the printing operation on various objects. Further, since it is not necessary to use a carriage driving motor and a line feed motor, the structure of the printing apparatus can be simplified.
Abstract
Description
- The present invention relates to a printing apparatus.
- A printer is a typical computer peripheral output device for forming an image on a recording medium. In particular, ink-jet printer are popular with users due to their low price and high print quality.
- Fig. 1 shows the structure of a conventional ink-jet printer. In Fig. 1, a sheet of
paper 11 is fed by a line feed motor and acarriage 13 in which an ink-cartridge 12 is mounted prints an image on thepaper 11, while reciprocating across thepaper 11. The ink in the ink-cartridge 12 is injected at specified time intervals, while thecarriage 13 is driven at constant speed. After completion of a line of printing, a line feed is performed so that thepaper 11 is moved to the correct position for the next line. The driving of the carriage motor at constant speed and the ejection of the ink from the ink-jet head are controlled by periodic distributed timing based on a standard clock of the printer system. Thus, these operations of all part of the ink-jet printer controlled by a timing value so that the printing operation can be performed at maximum speed. - However, ink-jet printers cannot be used to print an image onto an object which does not coincide with the structure of the printer. That is, if the size and structure of the object is different from that of the paper, the printing operation cannot be performed. For example, it is not possible to print the image directly onto a surface of a box using the printer. Instead, after printing the image onto paper, the printed paper must be attached to the surface of the box.
- It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a multipurpose printing apparatus which can print directly onto various kinds of objects.
- Accordingly, the present invention provides a multipurpose printing apparatus comprising:
- a stationary part and a movable part including a printhead;
- a position detector for detecting the position of the printhead relative to the stationary part; and
- control means for controlling the printhead to print from an output data store output data corresponding to the position detected by the position detector.
-
- Preferably, the multipurpose printing apparatus further comprises:
- the output data store; and
- means for receiving the output data from a computer into the output data store.
-
- The means for receiving the output data may comprise a wireless communications interface.
- Preferably, the stationary part comprises a base frame in which a linear gear is mounted and the movable part comprises a main frame and a sensor, mounted on one side of the main frame, and adapted to generate position information while reciprocating along the linear gear.
- Preferably, the printhead is an ink-jet printhead; the movable part further comprises an ink-carriage, including the printhead, which is mounted on the other side of the main frame; and the control means is adapted to control ink-ejection operations of the ink-carriage according to the position information from the sensor.
- The sensor may comprise a rotational gear which engages the linear gear of the base frame, a circular encoder which is coupled to the rotational gear and a sensor element for detecting the degree of rotation of the circular encoder. The circular encoder may be a graduated transparent film or it may be formed with periodically spaced holes. The sensor element my be an infrared sensor element.
- The present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a conventional ink-jet printer;
- Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a printing apparatus according to the present invention;
- Fig. 3 is a left side view showing the printing apparatus according to the present invention; and
- Fig. 4 is the other side view.
-
- In Fig. 2, the printing apparatus according to the present invention comprises a
data storage part 21 for storing a data,position detecting part 22 for detecting a variation of a print head, aprinting control part 23 for controlling a printing operation so that the data output from thedata storage part 21 is printed on a position corresponding to a position information from theposition detecting part 22 and aprinting operation part 24 for performing the printing operation according to a signal from theprinting control part 23. - The
data storage part 21 stores data output from a data generating apparatus or a computer. The data to be stored in thedata storage part 21 may be transmitted by wire or wireless. In order for theprinting control part 23 to perform the printing operation, position information of the print head at present is needed. The information is provided by theposition detecting part 22. Theprinting operation part 24 is controlled by theprinting control part 23 so as to print the data output from thedata storage part 21 at a desired position according to the position information provided by theposition detecting part 22. - In Figs. 3 and 4, the
multipurpose printing apparatus 200 comprises abase frame 32, amain frame 50 which slides in a guidinggroove 41 formed in thebase frame 32, asensing part 33 for generating a position information signal, an ink-cartridge 34 which is mounted on one side of themain frame 50 and acontrol circuit part 35 for controlling an ejection operation of the ink-cartridge 34 according to the position information from thesensing part 33. Alinear gear 31 is horizontally disposed on thebase frame 32. Thesensing part 33 is mounted on the other side of themain frame 50 and reciprocates along thelinear gear 31. Thecontrol circuit part 35 is mounted in themain frame 50. - The
sensing part 33 comprises arotational gear 36, acircular encoder 37 and asensor 39 for detecting the degree of rotation of thecircular encoder 37. Therotational gear 36 engages thelinear gear 31. Thecircular encoder 37 is coaxial with therotational gear 36 leaving a space in between, and ashaft 38 is fixed to thecircular encoder 37 and therotational gear 36 so that they rotate together. - The
circular encoder 37 may be a transparent film which is marked with degrees or a laminate which is formed with a plurality of holes, periodically. Thesensor 39 may be an infrared sensor. - Further, a
printing button 40 for controlling the printing operation is disposed in themain frame 50. - To allow the printing operation to be performed, the
printing apparatus 200 is placed on anobject 100 on which the printing operation is to be performed. Themain frame 50 is moved by a user to a printing position on which an image is to be printed. Since thesensing part 33 is fixed on themain frame 50, thesensing part 33 is also moved to the printing position. Further, if theprinting button 40 is not pressed during movement of themain frame 50, the ink ejection operation is not performed. - If the
printing button 40 is pressed during the movement of themain frame 50 by the user, therotational gear 36 of thesensing part 33 rotates while engaging with thelinear gear 31 of thebase frame 32, and the main frame moves along the guidinggroove 41. - Rotational of the
rotational gear 36 is transmitted to theencoder 37 through theshaft 38. Therefore, the amount of rotation of theencoder 37 is the same as that of therotational gear 36. The amount of rotation of theencoder 37 is detected by theinfrared sensor 39. The detected signals are transmitted to theprinting control part 23. - The
printing control part 23 supplies an ink ejection signal to the ink-cartridge 34 so that data from thedata storage part 21 is printed on the object according to the position information of thesensing part 33. - As described, the multipurpose printing apparatus according to the present invention can directly perform the printing operation on the object. Therefore, it is possible to perform the printing operation on various objects. Further, since it is not necessary to use a carriage driving motor and a line feed motor, the structure of the printing apparatus can be simplified.
Claims (10)
- A multipurpose printing apparatus comprising:a stationary part and a movable part including a printhead;a position detector for detecting the position of the printhead relative to the stationary part; andcontrol means for controlling the printhead to print from an output data store output data corresponding to the position detected by the position detector.
- The multipurpose printing apparatus according to claim 1 further comprising:the output data store; andmeans for receiving the output data from a computer into the output data store.
- The multipurpose printing apparatus according to claim 2 in which the means for receiving the output data comprises a wireless communications interface.
- The multipurpose printing apparatus according to any preceding claim in which:the stationary part comprises a base frame in which a linear gear is mounted; andthe movable part comprises a main frame and a sensor, mounted on one side of the main frame, and adapted to generate position information while reciprocating along the linear gear.
- The multipurpose printing apparatus according to claim 4 in which:the printhead is an ink-jet printhead;the movable part further comprises an ink-carriage, including the printhead, which is mounted on the other side of the main frame; andthe control means is adapted to control ink-ejection operations of the ink-carriage according to the position information from the sensor.
- The multipurpose printing apparatus according to claim 5 in which the sensor comprises a rotational gear which engages the linear gear of the base frame, a circular encoder which is coupled to the rotational gear and a sensor element for detecting the degree of rotation of the circular encoder.
- The multipurpose printing apparatus according to claim 6 in which the circular encoder is a graduated transparent film.
- The multipurpose printing apparatus according to claim 6 in which the circular encoder is formed with periodically spaced holes.
- The multipurpose printing apparatus according to any one of claims 6-8 in which the sensor element is an infrared sensor element.
- A multipurpose printing apparatus as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in FIGs. 2-4 of the accompanying drawings.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
KR1019980018423A KR100309490B1 (en) | 1998-05-21 | 1998-05-21 | Multipurpose printer |
KR1842398 | 1998-05-21 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP0958923A2 true EP0958923A2 (en) | 1999-11-24 |
EP0958923A3 EP0958923A3 (en) | 2000-08-09 |
Family
ID=19537597
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP99303954A Withdrawn EP0958923A3 (en) | 1998-05-21 | 1999-05-21 | Multipurpose printing apparatus |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP0958923A3 (en) |
JP (1) | JPH11348355A (en) |
KR (1) | KR100309490B1 (en) |
Cited By (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1182044A1 (en) * | 2000-08-24 | 2002-02-27 | Hewlett-Packard Company, A Delaware Corporation | Beam for supporting a carriage |
CN100391744C (en) * | 2005-04-18 | 2008-06-04 | 凌阳科技股份有限公司 | Automatic identification system and method for printer recording medium |
US9412880B2 (en) | 2004-10-21 | 2016-08-09 | Vishay-Siliconix | Schottky diode with improved surge capability |
US9419092B2 (en) | 2005-03-04 | 2016-08-16 | Vishay-Siliconix | Termination for SiC trench devices |
US9472403B2 (en) | 2005-03-04 | 2016-10-18 | Siliconix Technology C.V. | Power semiconductor switch with plurality of trenches |
US9496421B2 (en) | 2004-10-21 | 2016-11-15 | Siliconix Technology C.V. | Solderable top metal for silicon carbide semiconductor devices |
US9627552B2 (en) | 2006-07-31 | 2017-04-18 | Vishay-Siliconix | Molybdenum barrier metal for SiC Schottky diode and process of manufacture |
US9627553B2 (en) | 2005-10-20 | 2017-04-18 | Siliconix Technology C.V. | Silicon carbide schottky diode |
Families Citing this family (2)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US7166890B2 (en) | 2003-10-21 | 2007-01-23 | Srikant Sridevan | Superjunction device with improved ruggedness |
US7659588B2 (en) | 2006-01-26 | 2010-02-09 | Siliconix Technology C. V. | Termination for a superjunction device |
Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4305674A (en) * | 1977-02-09 | 1981-12-15 | Sycor, Inc. | Lateral position control means for data printer heads |
US4640634A (en) * | 1978-09-05 | 1987-02-03 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Printer with improved carriage and character wheel driving means |
EP0300823A2 (en) * | 1987-07-23 | 1989-01-25 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Incremental positioning system |
US5110225A (en) * | 1989-07-27 | 1992-05-05 | Mutoh Industries Ltd. | Manual printer |
US5402161A (en) * | 1988-07-21 | 1995-03-28 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Serial recording apparatus |
US5567063A (en) * | 1995-03-28 | 1996-10-22 | Nk Techology Ltd. | Cordless printing head control system |
-
1998
- 1998-05-21 KR KR1019980018423A patent/KR100309490B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
-
1999
- 1999-05-21 JP JP11142401A patent/JPH11348355A/en active Pending
- 1999-05-21 EP EP99303954A patent/EP0958923A3/en not_active Withdrawn
Patent Citations (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US4305674A (en) * | 1977-02-09 | 1981-12-15 | Sycor, Inc. | Lateral position control means for data printer heads |
US4640634A (en) * | 1978-09-05 | 1987-02-03 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Printer with improved carriage and character wheel driving means |
EP0300823A2 (en) * | 1987-07-23 | 1989-01-25 | Hewlett-Packard Company | Incremental positioning system |
US5402161A (en) * | 1988-07-21 | 1995-03-28 | Canon Kabushiki Kaisha | Serial recording apparatus |
US5110225A (en) * | 1989-07-27 | 1992-05-05 | Mutoh Industries Ltd. | Manual printer |
US5567063A (en) * | 1995-03-28 | 1996-10-22 | Nk Techology Ltd. | Cordless printing head control system |
Cited By (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP1182044A1 (en) * | 2000-08-24 | 2002-02-27 | Hewlett-Packard Company, A Delaware Corporation | Beam for supporting a carriage |
US6695499B2 (en) | 2000-08-24 | 2004-02-24 | Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. | Beam for supporting a carriage |
US9412880B2 (en) | 2004-10-21 | 2016-08-09 | Vishay-Siliconix | Schottky diode with improved surge capability |
US9496421B2 (en) | 2004-10-21 | 2016-11-15 | Siliconix Technology C.V. | Solderable top metal for silicon carbide semiconductor devices |
US9419092B2 (en) | 2005-03-04 | 2016-08-16 | Vishay-Siliconix | Termination for SiC trench devices |
US9472403B2 (en) | 2005-03-04 | 2016-10-18 | Siliconix Technology C.V. | Power semiconductor switch with plurality of trenches |
CN100391744C (en) * | 2005-04-18 | 2008-06-04 | 凌阳科技股份有限公司 | Automatic identification system and method for printer recording medium |
US9627553B2 (en) | 2005-10-20 | 2017-04-18 | Siliconix Technology C.V. | Silicon carbide schottky diode |
US9627552B2 (en) | 2006-07-31 | 2017-04-18 | Vishay-Siliconix | Molybdenum barrier metal for SiC Schottky diode and process of manufacture |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
KR100309490B1 (en) | 2002-04-24 |
KR19990085801A (en) | 1999-12-15 |
EP0958923A3 (en) | 2000-08-09 |
JPH11348355A (en) | 1999-12-21 |
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