|Publication number||US8123350 B2|
|Application number||US 12/100,988|
|Publication date||Feb 28, 2012|
|Filing date||Apr 10, 2008|
|Priority date||Jun 3, 2003|
|Also published as||EP2139697A1, EP2139697A4, EP2139697B1, US20080252671, WO2008128019A1|
|Publication number||100988, 12100988, US 8123350 B2, US 8123350B2, US-B2-8123350, US8123350 B2, US8123350B2|
|Inventors||Robert L. Cannell, Alan Hudd, Richard Wilkinson, James Fox|
|Original Assignee||Hexagon Metrology Ab|
|Export Citation||BiBTeX, EndNote, RefMan|
|Patent Citations (24), Non-Patent Citations (2), Referenced by (34), Classifications (4), Legal Events (3)|
|External Links: USPTO, USPTO Assignment, Espacenet|
This application is a continuation-in-part application of Ser. No. 11/386,180 filed on Mar. 22, 2006, which is a divisional of U.S. Pat. No. 7,044,665 entitled Computerized Apparatus and Method for Applying Graphics to Surfaces, issued to Cannell on May 16, 2006, which claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/475,409, filed Jun. 3, 2003. This application also claims the benefit of provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/911,711 filed on Apr. 13, 2007. All of these related applications and patents are incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The invention is directed generally to apparatus and methods for painting or printing graphics onto walls, ceilings, floors or surfaces of non-planar or curvilinear substrates. More specifically, the invention relates to computerized apparatus and methods for applying graphics to surfaces.
2. Description of Related Art
A popular means for varying the appearance of a dwelling, storefront or other building is the application of murals or other graphic displays to a wall, ceiling or floor. The owner can customize a design or picture that adds variety to a living space or provokes conversation among guests and customers. The design is then either painted directly onto the desired surface by an artist or painted onto a material that is applied to the surface. Unfortunately, artists that can reliably paint designs onto a wall or other surface are expensive and the process can take weeks or months to complete.
Previous inventions have attempted to simplify the painting of walls, floors and ceilings. U.S. Pat. No. 5,935,657, to Melendez, discloses an apparatus for painting walls that uses adjustable sets of spray nozzles supplied by a pressurized paint source. The apparatus is mounted on wheels and can be manually pushed across the surface of a wall. The use of the nozzles ensures even painting of the surface. The invention is designed for painting a single color onto a wall and does not allow for customized designs to be painted. Only a single color and horizontal/vertical orientation of each set of nozzles may be altered. Additionally, the apparatus uses multiple stationary paint nozzles, spaced in such a way that an entire section of the painting surface may be covered without gaps in a single pass. Movement of the apparatus is not automated, and it must be manually pushed across the width of the surface being painted.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,398,869, 6,319,555 and 5,944,893, to Anderson, attempt to automate movement of the painting device and to provide more customized coloration. The patents claim aspects of a specific print head device, in which paint is applied to an elongated filament and then blown from the filament onto a printing medium, such as vinyl, paper or plastic film. The patents disclose the possibility of using a rigid frame on which the printing device can be mounted. The patents also disclose the computerized control of the direction and coloration of printing performed by the particular print head.
The Anderson inventions are not usable for painting walls, floors or ceilings. The rigid frame disclosed in the patents' dicta seems to be a simple mount for the print head and does not control or possibly even allow movement of the print head about the frame. The rigidity of the frame mount prevents adaptability to surfaces of varying widths and lengths. No features are described that would maintain or vary the distance of the print head from a wall to avoid obstacles in the path of the print head. The Anderson invention is also unable to print around corners to a second surface at an angle with the first.
Hence, there is a great need in the art for an apparatus and method for applying graphics to surfaces such as walls, floors or ceilings. The apparatus must be portable and readily scalable to apply graphics to surfaces of varying sizes. It must be capable of painting or printing customized graphics communicated to it by a remote or connected computing device. The movement of the printing device across the surface being painted or printed must be automated. It should also be able to account for the topography of the surface and any obstacles, such as door and window frames, electrical outlets and switches, and the like. It should also be able to print seamlessly around corners.
Referring now to the figures, wherein like elements are indicated by like numerals, an apparatus and method for applying graphics to surfaces, such as a wall, ceiling or floor are shown. As stated previously, the surfaces may be planar or curvilinear where, for example, some bowing, warping or other curvature or inconstancy lies in the shape of the surface.
Vertical members 101 may be formed of any sturdy material that will not bend or warp in response to tension applied between them or the weight of any parts attached to travel bar 102. Examples of such materials may comprise steel, aluminum or other lightweight metal tubing, as well as poly-vinyl chloride or other suitable plastic tubing. Each vertical member 101 may be formed integrally with a base 105, such that one length of vertical member 101 and base 105 are one piece. Alternatively, they may be formed separately and connected modularly. Preferably, they are formed separately and connected modularly, such that base 106 may be removed when painting or printing a surface that does not require vertical members 101 to stand upright.
The arms of travel bar 102 may be formed of any sturdy material that will not bend or warp in response to the weight of any parts attached to it. Examples of such materials may comprise steel, aluminum or other lightweight metal tubing, as well as poly-vinyl chloride or other suitable plastic tubing. The material used to form travel bar 102 may comprise the same material as that used for vertical members 101. Alternatively, it may comprise a different material than that used for vertical members 101. Alternatively, it may comprise the same material with different thickness or other dimensions than that used for vertical members 101.
Also shown is a host device 103 that is movably attached to travel bar 102. Host device 103 comprises a housing that is adapted to receive one or more head attachments, which may include a print or paint head, or a mapping device, such as an optical sensor. Host device 103 also comprises an electronic step motor that controls the movement of host device 103 across travel bar 102.
Electronic step motors may also be placed in the base of each vertical member 101. The step motors may be used to gradually raise or lower the telescopic arms of vertical members 101. This allows host device 103 to move across the next highest or next lowest line to be mapped, painted or printed on the surface. Paint or ink supplies 104 may also be housed in the base of each vertical member 101, for re-filling a print head that is placed in host device 103.
The scaffolding system also contains at least one horizontal brace 202 connected with and perpendicular to vertical members 201. Each horizontal brace 202 is telescopic, such that its length may be varied to accommodate the width of the printing or painting surface. Preferably, two horizontal braces 202 are used, one about the midpoints of vertical members 201 when they are fully collapsed, and one at the distal ends of vertical members 201 or connected with platforms 209. The scaffolding system may also contain at least one tensioning turnbuckle 205 for maintaining an exact width between vertical members 201. Each tensioning turnbuckle 205 may grip the arms of both tensioning cams 204 at the proximal or distal ends of the vertical members 201. Alternatively, the tensioning turnbuckles 205 may hook around the arms 209 of the tensioning cams 209, thereby pulling the vertical members 201 toward one another.
The scaffolding system also contains at least one travel bar 203. Each travel bar 203 may comprise a flexible strip having evenly spaced apertures for receiving teeth of tensioning cams 204. Each travel bar is stretched between tensioning cams 204 at the proximal or distal ends of vertical members 201. The flexibility of travel bars 203 allows them to be adjusted to the telescoped length of the horizontal braces 202, while maintaining constant dimensions along the lengths of travel bars 203.
Vertical members 201 may be formed of any sturdy material that will not bend or warp in response to tension applied between them or the weight of any parts in contact with to travel bars 203. Examples of such materials may comprise steel, aluminum or other lightweight metal tubing, as well as poly-vinyl chloride or other suitable plastic tubing. Horizontal braces 202 may be formed of any sturdy material that will not bend or warp in response to the tension applied between vertical members 201 by parts attached to travel bars 203 or by tensioning turnbuckles 205. Examples of such materials may comprise steel, aluminum or other lightweight metal tubing, as well as poly-vinyl chloride or other suitable plastic tubing. The material used to form horizontal braces 202 may comprise the same material as that used for vertical members 201. Alternatively, it may comprise a different material than that used for vertical members 201. Alternatively, it may comprise the same material with different thickness or other dimensions than that of vertical members 201.
Tensioning cams 204 may be composed of any sturdy material that will not bend, warp or break in response to the tension of travel bars 203 against their teeth or tensioning turnbuckles 205 against their arms 209. Vertical members 201 may be formed such that tensioning cams 204 are integrated with the ends of vertical members 201. Alternatively, tensioning cams 204 may be separately formed and connected modularly with vertical members 201. Preferably, tensioning cams 204 are integrated with the ends of vertical members 201. Bases 210 may also be integrally formed with the distal end of each vertical member 201. Alternatively, bases 210 may be separately formed and connected modularly with vertical members 201. Preferably, bases 210 are separately formed and connected modularly with vertical members 201, such that platforms 210 may be removed when painting or printing a surface that does not require the scaffolding system to stand upright.
Travel bars 203 may be composed of any flexible material that may stretch and yet not sag or tear in response to the weight of parts that travel bars 203 support. Such materials may comprise rubber or a suitable flexible or semi-rigid polymer material.
The embodiment shown in
The embodiment shown in
Horizontal drive motor 211 moves vertical drive assembly 206 horizontally across travel bars 203, in incremental steps along the width of the surface to be painted or printed. Horizontal drive motor 211 contains motion control circuitry that receives instructions from computing device 200 via an electronic drive board, an antenna or other suitable communication means. Horizontal drive motor 211 turns horizontal drive rods 214, simultaneously, in the same direction. Horizontal drive rods 214 contact travel bars 203, either frictionally or with teeth that fit in the apertures of travel bars 203. The turning of horizontal drive rods 214 moves vertical drive assembly 206 across travel bars 203 in incremental steps, according to instructions received from the computing device 200.
Computing device 200 may comprise any suitable computing device for loading, displaying and editing graphic displays, storing and processing wall topography data, and communicating with the horizontal, vertical and host drive motors and other motors requiring instruction, as described herein. Computing device 200 may comprise a desktop or laptop computer or a portable computing device, such as a personal data assistant or pocket PC. Computing device 200 may communicate with the various motors described herein through direct electrical connection or via radio, infrared or other communication means. Preferably, remote communication means is used that does not interfere with other remote devices in a home or other structure, such as electronics equipment, wireless networks or cordless telephones.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the number of vertical towers used in
The host device also comprises a vertical motion platform 306 that is connected with housing 300 via guides 302. Vertical motion platform 306 connects with vertical drive belt 307 (also shown at 213 in
The host device also comprises a horizontal motion platform 309, which moves across guiderails 303. Guiderails 303 are parallel and connected with the corners of housing 300 as shown. Guiderails 303 enable horizontal motion platform 309 to move horizontally along them to reach areas of the painting or printing surface that are unreachable due to the position of the vertical drive assembly. For instance, when horizontal movement of the vertical drive assembly is prevented by either vertical tower, guiderails 303 allow the print head to continue moving horizontally. This prevents the width of the painting or printing surface from being reduced by the width of the towers or bases of the towers.
Head attachment 304 is removably and pivotally attached with horizontal motion platform at corner swivel 305. As stated, head attachment 304 may comprise a paint head, print head, or mapping device. Mapping devices may comprise an optical sensor, laser sensor, camera or other suitable device for mapping surface topography, and may include illumination devices. Head attachment 304 may be pivoted about swivel 305, in order to paint, print or map around corners or angles, and continue printing, painting or mapping adjoining surfaces. This is shown and described in further detail with reference to
The print or paint heads used in accordance with the present invention may comprise any industrial paint or print head suitable for printing graphics of the scale necessary to cover surfaces such as walls, ceilings or floors. Preferably, the print or paint head should be capable of holding a sufficient amount of colorant to prevent frequent refilling during painting or printing of a single surface. The print head also contains motion control circuitry that receives instructions from a computing device via an electronic drive board, an antenna or other suitable communication means, such that the print or paint head can move about guiderails on the host device, as described herein. The print head may also contain mapping devices, such that it maps a surface entirely without switching devices, or such that it maps the surface on the fly, a certain number of horizontal and vertical lines ahead of printing or painting. The print head may also be separate from the mapping device but have a sensor for verification of the topography during printing or painting. Preferably, the surface is mapped entirely by a separate mapping device, such that degradation of the mapping device or print head will not necessitate replacement of both devices. Preferably, the print head has a sensor for verifying topography on the fly.
Once printing or painting of the first surface is completed, vertical drive assembly 406 can either be manually replaced onto those travel bars 403 that face the second surface, or vertical drive assembly may automatically transition around the corners. Preferably, vertical drive assembly 406 automatically transitions around the corners. The horizontal drive rods (shown as 214 in
Described hereinafter is a computer-implemented method of painting or printing a graphic on surfaces, such as walls, floors or ceilings. As stated previously, the surfaces may be planar or curvilinear where, for example, some bowing, warping or other curvature or inconstancy lies in the shape of the surface.
In accordance with step 503, at least one graphic is received into random access memory of a computing device. The graphics may be selected from a database of graphics that is stored on the computing device or on a remote computing device that communicates with the computer via a local area network, a wide area network, or via the Internet. The selected graphics may be edited via the computing device, if necessary. Where two walls are painted or printed, the selected graphics may the same, different or continuations of each other.
In accordance with step 504, the topography of the surface to be painted or printed is mapped. A wall mapping device is attached to the host device of the scaffolding system, as described herein. The host device then steps across the surface to be painted or printed in horizontal or vertical lines and communicates the presence of obstacles and varying thicknesses on the surface. Where the host device is prevented from further movement, the host device moves across guiderails on the host device to access the full width of the surface, as described herein. The wall mapping device communicates data to the computing device for mapping the surface.
In accordance with step 505, a selected graphic is painted or printed onto the first surface. A print or paint head is attached with the host device of the scaffolding system, as described herein. The computing device communicates with the print or paint head and instructs it to emit colorants of varying colors, while communicating with motors that control the horizontal and vertical motion of the host device and the distance of the host device from the surface. It also communicates with the paint or print head to move along the disclosed guiderails when the movement of the host device is obstructed by the vertical members of the scaffolding system or other obstacles. Where two surfaces are being painted or printed, fiducials are painted or printed onto the second surface, in accordance with step 506. These fiducials may be painted or printed periodically, after each line or a number of lines has been printed on the first surface, or they may be printed or painted after the graphic is completed on the first surface. Alternatively, they may all be printed before the first surface is printed. Preferably, they are painted or printed periodically, after each of a certain number of lines are printed on the first surface.
In accordance with step 507, the topography of the next surface is mapped. A wall mapping device is attached with the host device and steps across the length and height of the next surface. In addition to communicating obstacles along the next surface to the computing device, it communicates the position of the fiducials painted or printed in step 506 to the computing device. In this way, the computing device may produce motions in the host device and print head that will yield alignment of the graphics on each surface. In accordance with step 508, the next surface is painted or printed in like manner to the first surface.
PCMM 601 additionally includes a coordinate processor and suitable software that are operable to determine, in real-time, the three-dimensional (3D) geometry of the free-end of the arm where the print head array is held. In one embodiment, real-time geometry data 614 includes the X, Y, and Z coordinate of the free-end of the PCMM arm, and angles A, B, and C, representing the angles relative to the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively. This set of real-time geometry data 614 represents the print head array's position and orientation relative to space, and is provided to a print processor and software 616 that use the received real-time PCMM arm geometry data to determine, also in real-time, which color colorants are to be applied by which print heads 701-704 in print head array 612, shown in
Because the precise real-time location and orientation of the print head array can be determined, the operator is not required to heed to a particular application format, such as only left-to-right and top-to-bottom. However, the operator's manual positioning and movement of the print head array attached to the PCMM arm does require a degree of accuracy to achieve complete surface coverage. A small band or gap of unprinted surface would require additional passes by the operator. Further, it may be desirable that the operator moves the print head array smoothly and at a relatively steady rate. In an alternate embodiment, PCMM arm 602 may include actuators that automatically advance, at a prescribed rate and direction, the print head array along a projected path following the contours of the target substrate surface. This embodiment employs a closed loop system in which the real-time geometry data are used to instruct the firing of the print head nozzles as well as advance the print head array.
Print processor and software 616 also includes a memory that stores a local copy of a set of color matrix maps 622 of print regions 620. The local copy of color matrix maps represents a subset of a set of color matrix overlay maps 800 of the entire image, such as shown representatively in
Color matrix maps 800 include multiple color matrix maps 801-804, where each color matrix map corresponds to a color to be applied and indicates the locations where the particular colorants are to be applied. Therefore, in the example shown in
As areas of the print region are printed, the local color matrix maps are updated to so indicate. A database or another form of suitable memory 624 is used to store the color matrix maps of the entire image, as well as other data. As described in more detail below, print head array firing instructions 626 are determined based on the real-time geometry data and the color matrix maps. In other words, knowing the precise location of the print head array relative to the target substrate surface, instructions for applying specific pixels to specific locations are generated and provided to the print head array. Applied in the right location and sequence, the color pixels applied to the substrate surface make up the desired color, and the desired graphical image is achieved.
Print processor and software 616 further includes additional hardware and/or software such as hardware and software 628 for the print head array, for example. A monitor and keyboard, laptop computer, desktop computer, or other computing and user interface devices 630 may be coupled to print processor 616 to enable the operator to study data, receive status feedback, provide operational parameters and other input. It is desirable to have high-speed communication between the various components of system 600, where suitable data protocols may be used in communication media that may be wired or wireless. The processing platforms for both coordinate and print processors may be any suitable device, including, for example, a processor chip, a digital signal processor, a field programmable gate array.
In another embodiment, print processor and software 616 may be resident in a suitable computer 630. In yet another alternative embodiment, the coordinate processor and accompanying software and print processor and software 616 may reside in the same computing platform and be incorporated into the physical configuration of the PCMM arm. Alternatively, the coordinate software and print software may reside on and execute in computer 630 coupled to PCMM arm 602.
In step 903, the operator calibrates PCMM arm 602 for mapping the target substrate. A mapping probe (not shown) is used with the PCMM arm to capture the geometry of the substrate surface that is to receive the graphical image. The substrate surface may be planar or non-planar, and can be oriented in any direction. During this step, the position of the arm relative to the target surface is determined so that the two share the same coordinate system. In step 904, the selected image is processed so that a set of color matrix maps representing the precise placement of all the color pixels is generated. The set of color matrix maps include a color matrix map for each colorant to be applied for the image with respect to the substrate surface. In step 905, the color matrix maps are further divided into print regions 620. As described above, each print region represents the work area on the substrate surface that can be reached by the PCMM arm without moving its base or temporarily fixed-end. A suitable algorithm may be used to determine the size and location of the print regions that make up the image, so that the number of times that the PCMM arm has to be positioned and repositioned is minimized.
In step 906, the arm is again calibrated but with the print head array installed on the free-end of the PCMM arm. In step 907, the operator positions the print head array at a starting location of a print region and provides input, via device 628, to initiate image application. In step 908, real-time geometry data is determined by PCMM 601 and received by print processor and software 616. The coordinate processor and software may make the computation in one of two ways: empirically or by interpolation. In an empirical computation cycle, the real-time geometry data are computed from the axes of rotation at the joints of the PCMM arm. In an interpolated cycle, the real-time geometry data are determined based on one or more sets of prior geometry data. For example, in an interpolated cycle, the six data values (X, Y, Z, A, B, C) are based on the results of an immediately prior empirical cycle and predicted delta values. The predicted delta values may be determined based on a vector representing the direction and speed of movement by the print head array.
In step 909, the print head array position and orientation relative to the target substrate surface are determined based on the real-time geometry data. The determination made in this step includes the determination of each nozzle's position. The nozzle's position can be computed using a number of methods, including a vector travel method, in which the nozzle position is updated when the X and Y values change by a predefined amount. Another method computes the new nozzle positions based on any change in the six data values. Yet another method uses a table storing a plurality of pre-stored values, so that the position of a particular nozzle can be identified from the table based on the six geometry data values. Process 900 may employ a combination of these methods to determine the nozzle position and orientation. As each print head array includes multiple print heads, and each print head includes multiple print nozzles, the position of each nozzle must be determined during this step.
Based on the nozzle position and orientation data and the local color matrix maps, the pixels or colorants to be applied are determined and then applied to the substrate surface in steps 910 and 911. In step 910, the unprinted pixels contained in the color matrix map are matched to specific nozzles on the print heads assigned the same color. Again, this matching process may be done on a real-time computation basis, or by table look-up. When real-time computation method is used, when a nozzle is within a predefined proximity or print target area of a pixel, it is selected for printing or firing. If the nozzle is “out of range,” the pixel is skipped or passed over. Process 900 may include a combination of both and other suitable methods of determining the nozzle position and firing. In step 911, the distance from the print head array to the substrate surface is verified to ensure that the distance is within tolerance for ideal printing. If the print head is outside of the predetermined distance, then the nozzle would not fire and the pixel is not applied. In step 912, the local and/or database color matrix maps are updated to indicate which pixels have been applied. The color matrix maps in database 624 are also updated so that the general overall image application process status can be tracked and monitored. In step 913, a determination is made as to whether the entire image has been completed. An image is completed if the images for all the print regions have been applied to the target substrate surface. If not, execution returns to step 907, where the operator advances or repositions the print head array. At the completion of each print region, the PCMM arm is repositioned so that the new print region may be easily reached by the print head array. If the entire image has been applied to the substrate surface, as determined in step 913, then the process ends in step 914.
As print heads fire its nozzles at the rate of 4,000 to 25,000 times per second, and the density of the drop placement is typically 90,000 to 360,000 drops per square inch, PCMM 601 must generate the geometry data fast enough to enable the real-time printing application described herein. For example, generating the geometry data at many thousands or tens of thousands of cycles per second may be needed for the real-time application described herein.
It should be noted that while
While the description herein uses words such as “print,” “print head,” “ink,” and “paint,” it should be understood that the system and method described herein are applicable to apply colorants of any form. For example, the system and method described herein may be used to apply glow-in-the-dark paint or colorant.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that various elements of the current invention may be varied without departing from the invention's scope. For instance, the scaffolding system may be readily adapted to paint or print three or four surfaces, whether by integrating additional sections with the scaffolding system or by positioning the one or two surface embodiments of the invention relative to one another. Additionally, vertical drive assembly may be suited with a cherry-picker type of device that allows printing or painting at a certain distance beyond the height of the fully extended towers. Additionally, the invention may be used for surfaces other than room constructs, such as tables, screens, canvases and other surfaces to which the invention may be sized. Finally, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the order of the steps of the method disclosed herein may be varied without departing from the scope of the invention.
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|Jun 28, 2008||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: DREAMSCAPE INTERIORS, INC., TEXAS
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNORS:CANNELL, ROBERT L.;HUDD, ALAN;WILKINSON, RICHARD;AND OTHERS;REEL/FRAME:021166/0281
Effective date: 20080424
|Feb 1, 2010||AS||Assignment|
Owner name: HEXAGON METROLOGY AB,SWEDEN
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DREAMSCAPE INTERIORS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:023881/0059
Effective date: 20100111
Owner name: HEXAGON METROLOGY AB, SWEDEN
Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:DREAMSCAPE INTERIORS, INC.;REEL/FRAME:023881/0059
Effective date: 20100111
|Aug 13, 2015||FPAY||Fee payment|
Year of fee payment: 4