Handheld Printing with Reference Indicia

• US 20070263062A1
• Filed: 05/09/2006
• Published: 11/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/09/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Lexmark International Incorporated (Ninestar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lexmark International Incorporated (Ninestar Corporation)
• Inventors: Reed, William, Noe, Gary
• Granted Patent: US 7,748,839 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/109
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence

Abstract

Methods and apparatus include a handheld printer manipulated back and forth by an operator during use to print an image on a media. The media includes reference indicia upon which users maneuver the printer whenever a location of the printer is unknown or needs updating or validating. A controller of the printer correlates the location of a printhead to the image and when lost communicates to a direction indicator to provide user notification of where to move the housing to reacquire the location. Embodiments of the reference indicia include guide and location patterns, with the guide pattern pointing to the location pattern. Other indicia include related tick marks of substantially equal size and shape with substantially equal spacing there between. Supply items for applying on the media include a substrate with reference indicia thereon that matches stores reference indicia in the printer.

Claims

1. A method of printing an image with a handheld printer, comprising:

providing a reference indicia on a media;

determining whether the printer is lost relative to the image; and

if lost, positioning the printer over the reference indicia to reacquire printer location.

2. The method of claim 1, further including, fi lost, indicating a direction of printer travel to the reference indicia.

3. The method of claim 1, further including, if lost, entering a mode of printer operation having no printing.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the reference indicia further includes printing the reference indicia on the media.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the reference indicia further includes laying the reference indicia on the media.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the laying the reference indicia on the media further includes adhering the reference indicia to the media.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the providing the reference indicia further includes obtaining the media with the reference indicia already printed.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the positioning the printer over the reference indicia further includes using a guide pattern of the reference indicia to direct the printer over a location pattern of the reference indicia.

9. A method of printing an image with a handheld printer to be manipulated back and forth by an operator during use, comprising:

providing a media;

providing a reference indicia on the media with a location pattern and a guide pattern; and

using the guide pattern of the reference indicia to direct the printer to the location pattern of the reference indicia to reacquire printer location.

10. The method of claim 9, further including determining whether the printer is lost relative to the image before the using the guide pattern.

11. The method of claim 9, further including indicating a direction of printer travel to the reference indicia.

12. The method of claim 9, further including entering a mode of printer operation having no printing during the using the guide pattern.

13. The method of claim 9, wherein the providing the reference indicia further includes printing the reference indicia on the media.

14. The method of claim 9, wherein the providing the reference indicia further includes obtaining the media with the reference indicia already printed.

15. A method of printing an image on a media with a handheld printer to be manipulated back and forth by an operator over the media during use, comprising:

providing a reference indicia on the media; and

traversing over the reference indicia to ascertain printer location.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein the traversing over the reference indicia includes positioning the printer over a guide pattern of the reference indicia to direct the printer over a location pattern of the reference indicia.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the traversing over the reference indicia includes occasionally passing the printer over a variety of related marks.

18. The method of claim 15, further including updating the printer location relative to the image.

19. The method of claim 15, wherein the providing the reference indicia further includes printing the reference indicia on the media, overlaying the reference indicia on the media or obtaining the media with the reference indicia already printed.

20. A handheld printer to be manipulated back and forth by an operator over a media during use to print an image on the media, comprising:

a hand maneuverable housing for the operator;

a direction indicator with the housing;

an inkjet printhead in the housing to print the image;

a controller communicating with the printhead to cause printing or not; and

a position sensor communicating with the controller to provide a location of the printhead during use,

wherein the controller correlates the location of the printhead to the image and when lost communicates to the direction indicator to provide user notification of where to move the housing to reacquire the location.