Computerized apparatus and method for applying graphics to surfaces

• US 20040247358A1
• Filed: 06/01/2004
• Published: 12/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 06/03/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Dreamscape Interiors, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Dreamscape Interiors, Inc.
• Inventors: Mills, Ross Neal, Demyanovich, William Frank, Cannell, Robert Lynn
• Granted Patent: US 7,044,665 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 400/29
• 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 3/407 for marking on special material

Abstract

The invention is directed to an apparatus for applying at least one graphic to at least one surface, comprising a portable scaffolding system that may be telescoped to accommodate a length and a width of the surface; a host device for receiving at least one head attachment; and a computing device for incrementally moving the host device along the width and the length of the surface and for controlling a distance between the host device and the surface. The invention is also directed to a computer-implemented method for applying at least one graphic to at least one surface, comprising receiving at least one selected graphic; receiving data for mapping the surface; communicating instructions to a horizontal drive means for moving a print head across a width of the surface; communicating instructions to a vertical drive means for moving the print head along a length of the surface; communicating instructions to a host drive means for moving the print head toward and away from the surface; and communicating instructions to the print head for applying at least one colorant to the surface.

Claims

1. An apparatus for applying at least one graphic to at least one surface, comprising:

a portable scaffolding system;

the scaffolding system being telescopically scalable to a length and a width of the surface;

a host device for receiving at least one head attachment; and

a computing device for incrementally moving the host device along the width and the length of the surface and for controlling a distance between the host device and the surface.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the portable scaffolding system further comprises:

at least two telescoping vertical members;

said vertical members connected via at least one telescoping horizontal brace, the horizontal brace extending between and perpendicular to the vertical members;

at least one travel bar connected between and perpendicular to the vertical members; and

the computing device incrementally moving the host device along the width of the surface by incrementally moving the host device along the travel bar.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the portable scaffolding system further comprises:

a drive assembly having a vertical drive motor and a horizontal drive motor;

the vertical drive motor connected with the host device via a vertical drive belt;

the horizontal drive motor connected with at least one travel bar via at least one horizontal drive rod;

the horizontal drive motor and vertical drive motor electronically communicating with the computing device;

the computing device incrementally moving the host device along the width of the surface by instructing the horizontal drive motor to move the drive assembly along the travel bar; and

the computing device incrementally moving the host device along the length of the surface by instructing the vertical drive motor to retract or extend the vertical drive belt.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the head attachment comprises at least one device selected from the group consisting of a print head, a paint head, and a wall mapping device.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the wall mapping device may be a device selected from the group consisting of an optical sensor, a laser sensor, and a camera.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the wall mapping device also comprises an illumination device.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the computing device communicates with the horizontal and vertical drive motors via direct electrical connection.

8. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the computing device communicates with the horizontal and vertical drive motors via remote communication means.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising:

the host device having a host drive motor for moving the host device toward and away from the surface;

the host drive motor communicating electronically with the computing device; and

the computing device moving the host device toward and away from the surface by instructing the horizontal drive motor to move the host device away from or toward the host drive motor.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the computing device communicates with the host drive motor via direct electrical connection.

11. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the computing device communicates with the host drive motor via remote communication means.

12. A computer-implemented method for applying at least one graphic to at least one surface, comprising:

receiving at least one selected graphic;

receiving data for mapping the surface;

communicating instructions to a horizontal drive means for moving a print or paint head across a width of the surface;

communicating instructions to a vertical drive means for moving the print or paint head along a length of the surface;

communicating instructions to a host drive means for moving the print or paint head toward and away from the surface; and

communicating instructions to the print or paint head for applying at least one pigment to the surface.

13. The method of claim 12, further comprising communicating instructions to the print or paint head for moving horizontally beyond a maximum movement of the horizontal drive means.

14. The method of claim 12, further comprising:

communicating instructions to the print or paint head to for applying fiducials

aligned with the graphic to a next surface;

receiving data for mapping the next surface;

communicating instructions to a horizontal drive means for moving the print or paint head across a width of the next surface;

communicating instructions to a vertical drive means for moving the print or paint head along a length of the next surface;

communicating instructions to a host drive means for moving the print or paint head toward and away from the next surface; and

communicating instructions to the print or paint head for applying at least one pigment to the next surface, such that a graphic applied to the next surface is aligned with the fiducials.