Managing project information with a hand-propelled device

• US 8,485,743 B1
• Filed: 10/23/2012
• Issued: 07/16/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 03/02/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marvell Asia Pte Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Original Assignee: Marvell International Limited (Marvell Technology Group Limited)
• Inventors: Simmons, Asher, Mealy, James, Bledsoe, J. Daren
• Primary Examiner(s): CULLER, JILL E
• Application Number:
  US13/658,577
• Time in Patent Office: 266 Days
• Field of Search: 400/62
• US Class Current: 400/62
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/107 with manual scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/04712 using unbroken arrays of detectors, i.e. detectors mounted on the same substrate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/04734 Detecting at frequent intervals, e.g. once per line for sub-scan control
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/04743 by detecting the image directly detecting reference images H04N2201/04717
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3245 of image modifying data, e.g. handwritten addenda, highlights or augmented reality information
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3271 Printing or stamping

Abstract

A hand-propelled printer/scanner is disclosed for use in updating a project document, such as any diagram, schematic, floor plan, or other document. The project document is updated with revision drawings and/or notes printed by the hand-propelled printer/scanner directly on an existing project document. The hand-propelled printer/scanner is sized for single hand use and is moved about on the project document for printing the revisions and notes. A position module provides absolute position data so that the revisions and notes are printed at the correct locations on the existing document. Use of the hand-propelled printer/scanner allows project documents to be updated on the job site, as an example.

Claims

1. A processor configured to:

receive update data corresponding to an updated document;

receive position data from a position module in response to detecting movement of a printer, wherein the position data includes a location and an orientation of the printer in relation to a copy of the document that has not been updated;

determine whether the printer is located at a correct updating position on the copy of the document based on the position data and the update data; and

selectively generate a command to print updates on the copy of the document according to the update data when the printer is determined to be located at the correct updating position on the copy of the document.

2. The processor of claim 1, wherein the update data is generated by another printer processor based on a scanned image of the updated document that includes updates to be printed on the copy of the document.

3. The processor of claim 1, wherein the printer processor is further configured to:

selectively generate a command to print updates on the copy of the document in a color that is different from a corresponding object on the copy of the document that is being updated according to the update data.

4. The processor of claim 1, wherein the printer processor is further configured to generate a command to output a signal when all updates according to the update data have been printed on the copy of the document.

5. The processor of claim 4, wherein the signal is an audio signal or a visual signal.

6. The processor of claim 1, wherein the printer processor is further configured to:

receive additional update data obtained from the copy of the document, and

transmit the update data and the additional update data to another printer.

7. The printer of claim 1, further comprising:

a scanner configured to scan the copy of the document, wherein the scanned copy of the document includes additional updates.

8. The printer of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to:

identify the additional updates from the scanned copy of the document, and

generate a command for controlling the communications module to transmit the update data and the additional update data to another printer.

9. The printer of claim 7, wherein the processor is further configured to:

identify the additional updates from the scanned copy of the document, and

generate a command for controlling the communications module to transmit the update data and the additional update data to an external host.

10. A method comprising:

receiving update data corresponding to an updated document;

receiving position data from a position module in response to detecting movement of a printer, wherein the position data includes a location and an orientation of the printer in relation to a copy of the document that has not been updated;

determining whether the printer is located at a correct updating position on the copy of the document based on the position data and the update data; and

selectively generating a command to print updates on the copy of the document according to the update data when the printer is determined to be located at the correct updating position on the copy of the document.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the update data is generated by another printer processor based on a scanned image of the updated document that includes updates to be printed on the copy of the document.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

selectively generating a command to print updates on the copy of the document in a color that is different from a corresponding object on the copy of the document that is being updated according to the update data.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

generating a command to output a signal when all updates according to the update data have been printed on the copy of the document.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the signal is an audio signal or a visual signal.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising:

scanning an additional update made on the copy of the document,

receiving additional update data obtained from the copy of the document, and

transmitting the update data and the additional update data to another printer.

16. A printer, comprising:

a communications module configured to receive update data corresponding to an updated document;

a position module configured to determine position data of the printer in response to detecting movement of the printer, wherein the position data includes a location and an orientation of the printer in relation to a copy of the document that has not been updated; and

a processor configured to;

determine whether the printer is located at a correct updating position on the copy of the document based on the position data and the update data,

selectively generate a command to print updates on the copy of the document according to the update data when the printer is determined to be located at the correct updating position on the copy of the document.

17. The printer of claim 16, wherein the update data is generated by another printer based on a scanned image of the updated document that includes updates to be printed on the copy of the document.

18. The printer of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to:

selectively generate a command to print updates on the copy of the document in a color that is different from a corresponding object on the copy of the document that is being updated according to the update data.

19. The printer of claim 16, wherein the processor is further configured to generate a command to output a signal when all updates according to the update data have been printed on the copy of the document.

20. The printer of claim 19, wherein the signal is an audio signal or a visual signal.