HOME BASE FOR A MOBILE PRINTING APPARATUS

• US 20140212197A1
• Filed: 01/25/2013
• Published: 07/31/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/25/2013
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Original Assignee: Eastman Kodak Company
• Inventors: Burke, Gregory Michael, Kneezel, Gary Alan
• Application Number:
  US13/749,736
• Publication Number:
  US 20140212197A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 400/352
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/28 for printing downwardly on flat surfaces, e.g. of books, drawings, boxes , envelopes, e.g. flat-bed ink-jet printers
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence

Abstract

A mobile printing system includes a mobile printing apparatus including: a chassis; a first wheel rotatably mounted on the chassis; a second wheel rotatably mounted on the chassis; a first motor for rotating the first wheel; a second motor for rotating the second wheel; a first encoder for monitoring an amount of rotation of the first wheel; a second encoder for monitoring an amount of rotation of the second wheel; a photosensor array; and an array of marking elements disposed proximate the photosensor array; a printing region for the mobile printing apparatus; a home base including a cap configured to surround the array of marking elements; and a controller for controlling the operation of the mobile printing apparatus.

Claims

1. A mobile printing system comprising:

a mobile printing apparatus including;

a chassis;

a first wheel rotatably mounted on the chassis;

a second wheel rotatably mounted on the chassis;

a first motor for rotating the first wheel;

a second motor for rotating the second wheel;

a first encoder for monitoring an amount of rotation of the first wheel;

a second encoder for monitoring an amount of rotation of the second wheel;

a photosensor array; and

an array of marking elements disposed proximate the photosensor array;

a printing region for the mobile printing apparatus;

a home base including a cap configured to surround the array of marking elements; and

a controller for controlling the operation of the mobile printing apparatus.

2. The mobile printing system of claim 1, wherein the home base is located outside of the printing region.

3. The mobile printing system of claim 1, wherein the cap is configured to be raisable and lowerable.

4. The mobile printing system of claim 1, wherein the home base further includes a charger.

5. The mobile printing system of claim 1, wherein the home base further includes a liquid refill station.

6. The mobile printing system of claim 1, wherein the home base further includes a docking station.

7. The mobile printing system of claim 6, wherein a ramp is pivotably connected to the docking station.

8. The mobile printing system of claim 6, wherein the cap is included in the docking station.

9. The mobile printing system of claim 8, wherein the cap is configured to be raisable and lowerable.

10. The mobile printing system of claim 9, wherein the docking station further includes a rotatable element for transmitting rotational power from at least one of the first wheel and the second wheel of the mobile printing apparatus.

11. The mobile printing system of claim 10, wherein the docking station further includes an idler disposed between the rotatable element and the cap.

12. The mobile printing system of claim 6, wherein the docking station further includes a motor.

13. The mobile printing system of claim 6 further comprising a replenishment station located proximate the docking station.

14. The mobile printing system of claim 13, wherein the replenishment station includes a liquid refill station.

15. The mobile printing system of claim 13, wherein the replenishment station includes a charger.

16. The mobile printing system of claim 13 further including a connector for connecting between the replenishment station and the mobile printing apparatus.

18. The mobile printing system of claim 1, wherein the home base includes a pump that is connected to the cap by flexible tubing.

19. The mobile printing system of claim 1, wherein the home base includes a display.

20. The mobile printing system of claim 1, wherein the home base includes a position reference element.

17. The mobile printing system of claim 17 further including a flexible link for connecting between the replenishment station and the connector.