Device for printing an image on a large surface

• US 20060221403A1
• Filed: 01/10/2004
• Published: 10/05/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 01/23/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Francois Bancel
• Original Assignee: Francois Bancel
• Inventors: Bancel, Francois
• Application Number:
  US10/543,071
• Publication Number:
  US 20060221403A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/3.240
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/407 for marking on special material

Abstract

A device for printing an image on a large surface and that may be held and moved manually and is able to determine position and direction on a surface. The device uses this knowledge to determine which colors are to be applied on the surface. This determination is accomplished by matching the determined coordinates and an image stored in a memory of the device. The stored image may then be superimposed to the surface to be painted.

Claims

1. A device adapted to print an image on a large surface, the device comprising:

dye transferring means for transferring a dye on a large surface;

at least one handling means for allowing an operator to handle the device to reproduce an image on the large surface;

position determining means for determining a position of the device on a plane of the large surface;

direction determining means for determining a direction of the device on the plane of the large surface; and

projecting means for projecting a coordinate system;

wherein the direction determining means, the position determining means, and the projecting means cooperate with the dye transferring means to match the dye transfer with the device position and direction on the large surface.

2. The device of claim 1, wherein the position determining means comprise an optical sensor adapted to read a grill covering the large surface.

3. The device of claim 2, wherein each grill crossing is associated with position data read by the sensor.

4. The device of claim 1, wherein the position determining means comprise an optical sensor adapted to read position data on the large surface.

5. The device of claim 1, wherein the position and direction determining means comprise localizing means, and wherein the localizing means comprise an ultrasonic receiver.

6. The device of claim 1, wherein the direction determining means comprise a gyroscope.

7. The device of claim 1, wherein the direction determining means comprise a sensor adapated to estimate the path already taken by the device moving on the large surface.

8. The device of claim 1, further comprising a memory adapted to store an image to be transferred on the large surface.

9. The device of claim 1, wherein the dye transferring means comprise an ink jet device.

10. The device of claim 1, wherein the dye transferring means comprise a paint jet device.