Patent Application
20240149300
This disclosure relates generally to repairing complex aircraft parts, and more particularly to using a variety of processes to repair in-production images, as well as post-production images.
Proper adherence of materials applied to surfaces of aircraft can be difficult. Adhering materials to aircraft surfaces becomes more complicated when the materials are associated with the repair of an altered image on the surface of the aircraft.
The subject matter of the present application has been developed in response to the present state of the art, and in particular, in response to the shortcomings of identifying and repairing images on aircraft surfaces, that have not yet been fully solved by currently available techniques. Accordingly, the subject matter of the present application has been developed to provide methods and systems that overcome at least some of the above-discussed shortcomings of prior art techniques.
The following is a non-exhaustive list of examples, which may or may not be claimed, of the subject matter, disclosed herein.
In one example, a method includes a step of receiving an aircraft or an aircraft part having an altered surface image on a surface of the aircraft. Upon receiving the aircraft part, the method includes a step of selecting a repair process from one of a paint repair process, a decal repair process, or an inkjet repair process, based on characteristics of the altered surface image. In response to selecting the paint repair process, the method also includes a step of applying paint to the surface over the altered surface image. In response to selecting the decal repair process, the method also includes a step of printing a first image on a decal based on the characteristics of the altered surface image and/or a second image associated with the altered surface image and a step of applying the decal to the surface at least partially over the altered surface image. In response to selecting the inkjet repair process, the method also includes a step of performing the inkjet repair process to at least a portion of the surface based on the characteristics of the altered surface image.
In another example, a system includes an imaging device and a processor. The imaging device generates an image scan of an altered surface image on a surface of an aircraft part. The processor analyzes the image scan to determine characteristics of the altered surface image and selects a repair process from a plurality of repair processes based on the characteristics of the altered surface image. The plurality of repair processes includes a paint repair process, a decal repair process, and an inkjet repair process.
In still another example, an apparatus includes an imaging device and a processor. The imaging device generates an image scan of an altered surface image on a surface of an aircraft part. The processor analyzes the image scan to determine characteristics of the altered surface image and selects a repair process from a plurality of repair processes based on the characteristics of the altered surface image. The plurality of repair processes includes a paint repair process, a decal repair process, and an inkjet repair process.
The described features, structures, advantages, and/or characteristics of the subject matter of the present disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more examples and/or implementations. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to impart a thorough understanding of examples of the subject matter of the present disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter of the present disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific features, details, components, materials, and/or methods of a particular example or implementation. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain examples and/or implementations that may not be present in all examples or implementations. Further, in some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter of the present disclosure. The features and advantages of the subject matter of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of the subject matter as set forth hereinafter.
In order that the advantages of the subject matter may be more readily understood, a more particular description of the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific examples that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical examples of the subject matter, they are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope. The subject matter will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the drawings, in which:
Reference throughout this specification to “one example,” “an example,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the example is included in at least one example of the present disclosure. Appearances of the phrases “in one example,” “in an example,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same example. Similarly, the use of the term “implementation” means an implementation having a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with one or more examples of the present disclosure, however, absent an express correlation to indicate otherwise, an implementation may be associated with one or more examples.
Reference is made to herein to the term “printed” or “inkjet printed” or “ink-jet printed” or “ink jet printed” to mean a method of forming a printed surface using ink as the print medium. The ink may be solid or liquid or the like ink. The term “painted” or “painting” refers to the process of using paint in the application method. The term “decal” refers to a separately printed flexible material that is adherable to the surface. Interior and exterior decals are used on aircraft for non-painted technical markings, logos, flags and liveries. Decals are adhesive films with digitally-printed designs (i.e., applique, large area graphic decals, aeronautic film, etc.). Aircraft manufacturers use decals and aftermarket vendors use them for decorative livery and are typically used for photorealistic images and other design elements (e.g. fades) that are difficult/costly to achieve with paint. Decals offer airline customers cost effective brand differentiation and allows the use of complex liveries without addition to cost and flow, improves rate, reduces usage of hazardous materials and may reduce weight.
The following detailed description is intended to provide both apparatuses, systems, and methods for carrying out the disclosure. Actual scope of the disclosure is defined by the appended claims.
Referring to
The method 100 includes (block 105) receiving an aircraft part in need of surface image/livery repair. As defined herein, an image/livery on the surface of an aircraft in need of repair is termed an altered surface image because the image has been altered relative to or is different from an intended surface image or the image as originally applied. Additionally, the method 100 includes (block 110) manually and/or automatically determining characteristics of an altered surface image on a surface of the aircraft part. The characteristics of the altered surface image may include paint and/or ink defects (e.g., bleeding, low or high saturation, banding errors, surface contamination (e.g., debris, grease, fluid, or other contaminants), overspray, stretching, shrinkage, edge defects, washout, color outage, etc.), particulate contamination (e.g., dust, lint, insects, etc.), craters (e.g., fish eyes), runs, drips, avalanching, improper paint adhesion, ghosting, hazing, dulling, blushing, micro-holing, tape or masking caused deformities, micro-blistering, orange peeling, or comparable surface defects. The characteristics of the image may also include the sizing and positioning of the altered surface image.
Additionally, the method 100 includes (block 115) manually or automatically, using a paint defect detection system, selecting a repair process based on the determined characteristics of the altered surface image and/or how the original livery was applied. If the repair process selected at block 115 is a paint repair process 122, the method 100 includes (block 120) preparing the surface area of the altered surface image based on the determined characteristics of the altered surface image. Surface preparation may include applying compressed air, applying cleaning solvents or thinners, wiping with a moist wiper, applying a tack rag, sanding, abrading, or any comparable surface preparation techniques. After the surface is prepared at block 120, the paint repair process 122 of the method 100 includes (block 125) spraying and/or applying colored paint to visually blend in with an image area of the surface associated with the altered surface image, based on the determined characteristics of the altered surface image and (block 130) applying a finishing coat over the applied paint.
If the repair process selected at block 115 is a decal repair process 124, the method 100 includes (block 140) printing an image on a decal that is sized based on the determined characteristics of the altered surface image. After the image is printed on the decal, the decal repair process 124 of the method 100 includes (block 145) preparing the area associated with the altered surface image, applying the decal, and applying a finishing coat over the decal.
Referring to
If no clearcoat is present, as determined at block 150, the inkjet repair process 126 of the method 100 includes (block 155) removing the altered surface image using a solvent wipe(s), (block 160) inkjet printing a livery over the area of the removed image, and (block 165) applying a clearcoat based on the determined characteristics of the altered surface image, then the method 100 ends. This would typically be the case where the image was altered after an inkjet printing application on a new aircraft part before a clearcoat application.
If a clearcoat is present, as determined at block 150, the inkjet repair process 126 of the method 100 includes (block 170) mechanically abrading the clearcoat, (block 175) applying a white basecoat, proceeds to block 160 and block 165 of the inkjet repair process 126 of the method 100, if it is determined (block 180) that the area under repair is in need of a livery replacement, then the method 100 ends.
Referring to
The processor 210 analyzes the generated image scan to produce characteristics of the altered surface image and selects a repair process from a plurality of repair processes based on the characteristics of the altered surface image. The decal generating device 215 performs at least part of a decal repair process. The decal generating device 215 may select a size of the decal and print a livery on the decal based on the characteristics of the altered surface image. In various embodiments, the decal generating device 215 may include robotically-controlled components for applying the decal to the aircraft part and applying a clearcoat over the decal.
The inkjet printing device 220 performs at least part of an inkjet repair process. The inkjet printing device 220 with help from surface treatment equipment is configured to remove the altered surface image on the surface down to a basecoat and inkjet print the livery on the surface. If sanding was performed, the a basecoat may be applied before inkjet printing the livery. The livery is associated with an unaltered surface image (e.g., original image) associated with the altered surface image on the surface (e.g., an alteration of the original image has taken place). The inkjet printing device 220 with help from clearcoat applicators is further configured to apply a clearcoat over at least the inkjet printed image. An adhesion promoter may also be applied. In various embodiments, the inkjet printing device 220 may include robotically-controlled components for applying the livery to the aircraft part and/or applying a clearcoat over the livery.
In various embodiments, the inkjet printing device 220 is configured to remove the altered surface image using a solvent wipe or comparable product. The inkjet printing device 220 may remove a clearcoat in response to a clearcoat being present before removing the altered surface image and apply a basecoat, both before applying the inkjet printed image.
Referring to
In various embodiments, movement of the aircraft part 340 into and between each of the bays may be performed by various motion devices, such as an overhead crane system, aircraft tugs, tracked systems, or the like. The aircraft part 340 or the aircraft parts may be moved between adjacent to bays without being exposed to the environment external to the surface treatment bays but still within the hangar bay 300. Because each of the bays are adjacently located with sealable doors or partitions 325, 330, 335 between the bays, respectively, and a sealable entrance partition 350 to the paint removal bay 302 and a sealable exit partition 355 to the surface finishing bay 315, environmental integrity is maintained around the aircraft part 340 from when repair processing starts at the paint removal bay 302 to when repair processing ends at the surface finishing bay 315. In other words, the aircraft part 340 or multiple parts may be moved between adjacent bays, without being exposed to the environment external to the surface treatment bays, because the environments within each of the bays are controlled and the partitions 325, 330, 335 are sealable.
The paint removal bay 302 and the surface preparation bay 305 are separated by a movable door or partition 325. The partition 325 may be sealable for keeping the environment of the paint removal bay 302 separate from the environment of the surface preparation bay 305. In the paint removal bay 302, any images, decals, surface defects, or the like are removed or fixed by a variety of different processes based on the characteristics determined by the processor 210. The paint removal bay 302 allows for surface treatment to be applied to fleet aircraft as well as in-production aircraft. The paint removal bay 302 may include a heating and ventilation air conditioning (“HVAC”) system 304, the imaging device 205, a fire suppression system, and devices for safely handling materials used or produced in the paint removal bay 302.
The partition 325 may be sealable for temporarily keeping the environment of the surface preparation bay 305 separate (e.g., isolated or sealed) from the environment of the paint removal bay 302. After the process performed in the paint removal bay 302 is complete, the partition 325 is opened and the aircraft part 340 is moved, via the motion device, into the surface preparation bay 305. Because the hangar bay 300 may be configured to process multiple aircraft in different bays at the same time, the aircraft part 340 is not moved into the surface preparation bay 305 until any aircraft part 340 in the surface preparation bay 305 is moved to the livery application bay 310.
In the surface preparation bay 305, the surface of the aircraft part 340 is prepared before any one of a primer, a basecoat, or a monocoat is applied. The aircraft part 340 may be a fully assembled aircraft or a portion of a fully assembled aircraft, such as, without limitation, a fuselage with or without a vertical stabilizer, a fuselage with or without wings, unattached wings, unattached vertical stabilizer, or unattached elevators. A maskant or covering is applied to the surface of the aircraft part 340 to expose only those portions of the surface to be prepared based on the determined characteristics of the scanned aircraft part. Maskants are also used to protect the surrounding areas from any cleaning materials (i.e. solvent, paint stripper, etc) from damaging areas outside the repair area. The exposed portions of the surface may also receive livery in the livery application bay 310. Accordingly, the maskant or covering may stay in place for the entire preparation and printing process if the maskant material is used for overspray protection and does not become compromised during the preparation process. Wheel well coverings are an example where the coverings can be left on for the processes performed in the paint removal bay 302, the surface preparation bay 305, the livery application bay 310, and the surface finishing bay 315.
After the maskant is applied onto the surface, particulates are removed from the surface. The surface preparation bay 305 may include an air compressor for applying forced air on the surface to remove particulates from the surface. Additionally or alternatively, the surface preparation bay 305 may include solvents, moist wipes, dry wipes, and/or tack rags that are applied to the surface to remove particulates from the surface. One or more of a primer, basecoat, or monocoat is then applied in accordance with aircraft surface material properties, the characteristics of the livery to be applied to the aircraft surface, based on the determined characteristics and surface protection requirements.
The surface preparation bay 305 may include an HVAC system 307 that maintains humidity, air pressure, air quality, or the like at levels conducive to preparing the surface and applying a basecoat and/or monocoat. The surface preparation bay 305 may include a heating device 309 if drying of the surface or curing of materials applied to the surface is to be performed. The processes performed in the surface preparation bay 305 may be performed manually. However, robotic devices or mechanically assisted devices may also be used. Any fully robotic devices may be controlled automatically by a controller/processor having a user interface for allowing an operator to control processes.
In the surface preparation bay 305, the surface of the aircraft part 340 is masked and cleaned based on the determined characteristics of the scanned aircraft part. Primer is then applied in accordance with aircraft surface material properties, a to-be-applied livery, and surface protection requirements. The surface preparation bay 305 and the livery application bay 310 are separated by a movable door or partition 330. The partition 330 may be sealable for temporarily keeping the environment of the livery application bay 310 separate (e.g., isolated or sealed) from the environment of the surface preparation bay 305. After the process performed in the surface preparation bay 305 is complete, the partition 330 is opened and the aircraft part 340 is moved, via the motion device, into the livery application bay 310. Because the hangar bay 300 may be configured to process multiple aircraft in different bays at the same time, the aircraft part 340 is not moved into the livery application bay 310 until any aircraft part 340 in the livery application bay 310 is moved out of the surface finishing bay 315.
In the livery application bay 310, a livery is applied to at least a portion of the surface of the aircraft part 340 based on the determined characteristics. The livery application bay 310 includes environmental features that adhere to various predefined requirements that are associated with efficient, effective livery application. For example, the livery application bay 310 may include an HVAC system 312 that maintains humidity, air pressure, air quality, or the like at predefined levels. The livery application bay 310 includes a livery application device, such as, without limitation, an automated robotic inkjet system. The livery application bay 310 may include a heating device 314 if drying of the surface or curing of materials applied to the surface is to be performed. The processes performed in the livery application bay 310 may be performed manually using manual paint application techniques. In certain examples, the hangar bay 300 is configured to process multiple aircraft in different bays at the same time. In such examples, the aircraft part 340 is not moved into the livery application bay 310 until any aircraft part 340 in the in the livery application bay 310 is moved out of the livery application bay 310 and into the surface finishing bay 315.
In the surface finishing bay 315, surface finishing steps are performed, such as, without limitation, touch up and application of a clearcoat based on the determined characteristics. The surface finishing bay 315 may include an HVAC system 317 that maintains humidity, air pressure, air quality, or the like at levels conducive to preparing the surface and applying the clearcoat. The surface finishing bay 315 may include a heating device 319 if drying of the surface or curing of materials applied to the surface is to be performed. The processes performed in the surface finishing bay 315 may be performed manually, however, robotic devices or mechanically assisted devices may also be used. Any fully robotic devices may be controlled automatically by a controller/processor having a user interface for allowing an operator to control processes. The partition 335 may be sealable for temporarily keeping the environment of the surface finishing bay 315 separate (e.g., isolated or sealed) from the environment of the livery application bay 310.
The livery application bay 310 and the surface finishing bay 315 are separated by a movable door or partition 335. The partition 335 may be sealable for keeping the environment of the livery application bay 310 separate from the environment of the surface finishing bay 315. Once the process performed in the livery application bay 310 is complete, the partition 335 is opened and the aircraft part 340 is moved into the surface finishing bay 315 provided any aircraft or aircraft part previously within the surface finishing bay 315 has been moved out.
In various embodiments, movement of the aircraft part 340 may be performed by various devices, such as an overhead crane system, aircraft tugs, tracked systems, or the like. The aircraft part 340 or the aircraft parts may be moved between adjacent to bays without being exposed to the environment external to the surface treatment bays.
The paint removal bay 302, the livery application bay 310, and/or the surface finishing bay 315 may be sized according to the aircraft or aircraft part 340, such as a fuselage or wing. In certain examples, the surface preparation bay 305, the livery application bay 310, and the surface finishing bay 315 are limited in size to improve the cost and reduce the complexity of controlling heat/cool, humidity, and air quality. Also, by performing the processes for the aircraft part 340 within multiple adjoining bays, safety is improved because there is less of a need for wing stands and stacker/lifts, thereby reducing collision avoidance incidents.
In various embodiments, the livery application bay 310 may include a livery-making system (e.g., the inkjet printing device 220) that includes an automated robotically controlled actuator and nozzles. The inkjet printing device 220 uses a control path and real-time sensor information to control a robotic printing system for performing livery printing of aircraft parts based on characteristics received form the processor 210.
In various embodiments, the inkjet printing device 220 may include a training and/or control system that include a processor, an input/output (“I/O”) device(s), and a memory device. The processor is in data communication with the I/O device(s) and the memory device. The memory device is a computer-readable medium that includes program code instructions (i.e., software) that when executed by the processor performs a number of predefined tasks. The processor receives a three-dimensional (3D) digital model of the aircraft part to be painted. The 3D model may be stored in the memory device or the 3D model may be received from another 3D model generating system. The memory device includes a non-transient computer-readable medium, such as random-access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), or other memory structure.
In various embodiments, the inkjet printing device 220 receives simulated sensor data or actual sensor data received from sensors. The simulated or actual sensor data includes environmental information, such as humidity, atmospheric pressure, or other environmental data. Additionally, or alternatively, the simulated or actual sensor data includes simulated or actual measurement information.
In various embodiments, the inkjet printing device 220 may include a robotic component, a printhead assembly, and/or a memory device. The printhead assembly includes a plurality of printheads, a plurality of actuators, and a plurality of sensors. The printhead assembly is robotically controlled. As used herein, a robotic system can include one or more robotic controllers, actuator arms, motors, wheels, pullies, end effectors, and the like, which in some examples are well known in the art. The robotic controller of the robotic system is programmable to control actuation of the actuatable components of the robotic system.
As discussed above, the robotic controller is programmed to transmit operational commands to the printhead assembly and other actuators/motors for controlling movement of the other actuators/motors and the actuators of the printhead assembly.
In various embodiments, the sensors are configured to scan and collect data during operation of the printing system, including printing operations performed by the robotic controller, the actuators/motors, and the printhead assembly. In some examples, the sensors include vision data sensors, such as a digital camera or other such vision sensors, distance data sensors, such as a time-of-flight camera, a LIDAR sensor or other such distance measurement sensors, topography sensors, such as an interferometer, a profilometer or other such surface topography sensors, capacitive transducers, or ultrasound transducers.
In one non-limiting example, the sensors include surface scanning lasers configured to scan and collect surface topography data of the contoured surface of the aircraft part and the surrounding areas. The surface topography data may include surface roughness data, surface imaging data, location/positioning data, height sense data, angular orientation data, and any other such surface data.
The methods and processes described herein with regard to printing may also be used with other surface treatment equipment, such as, without limitation, cleaning, abrading, priming, protecting, repairing, or other such surface treatment applied along the contoured surface of the object to be treated.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 1 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 1, a method includes a step of receiving an aircraft part having an altered surface image on a surface of the aircraft. Upon receiving the aircraft part, the method includes a step of selecting a repair process from one of a paint repair process, a decal repair process, or an inkjet repair process, based on characteristics of the altered surface image. In response to selecting the paint repair process, the method also includes a step of applying paint to the surface over the altered surface image. In response to selecting the decal repair process, the method also includes a step of printing a first image on a decal based on the characteristics of the altered surface image and a second image associated with the altered surface image and a step of applying the decal to the surface at least partially over the altered surface image. In response to selecting the inkjet repair process, the method also includes a step of performing the inkjet repair process to at least a portion of the surface based on the characteristics of the altered surface image.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 2 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 2, which encompasses example 1, above, the method also includes steps of removing the altered surface image on the surface down to a basecoat between the surface and the altered surface image, inkjet printing a third image on the surface to create an inkjet printed image, and applying a clearcoat over the third image.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 3 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 3, which encompasses example 2, above, the method also includes the step of removing the altered surface image includes using a solvent wipe.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 4 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 4, which encompasses any one of examples 2-3, above, the method further includes, further in response to selecting the inkjet repair process, before removing the altered surface image, removing a clearcoat over the altered surface image, and after removing the altered surface image, applying a basecoat at a location where the altered surface image was removed.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 5 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 5, which encompasses any one of examples 1-4, above, in response to selecting the inkjet repair process, before removing the altered surface image, the method includes a step of removing a clearcoat over the altered surface image and after removing the altered surface image, the method includes a step of applying a basecoat at a location where the altered surface image was removed.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 6 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 6, which encompasses example 5, above, the method includes steps of generating an image scan of the altered surface image on the surface to create a generated image scan and analyzing the generated image scan to determine the characteristics of the altered surface image.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 7 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 7, which encompasses any one of examples 5 or 6, above, the step of printing the first image on the decal includes selecting a size of the decal based on the characteristics of the altered surface image determined from analyzing the generated image scan and printing the first image on the decal based on the characteristics of the altered surface image determined from analyzing the generated image scan.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 8 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 8, which encompasses any one of examples 5-7, above, the step of performing the inkjet repair process is based on the characteristics of the altered surface image determined from analyzing the generated image scan.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 9 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 9, a system includes an imaging device and a processor. The imaging device generates an image scan of an altered surface image on a surface of an aircraft part. The processor analyzes the image scan to determine characteristics of the altered surface image and selects a repair process from a plurality of repair processes based on the characteristics of the altered surface image. The plurality of repair processes includes a paint repair process, a decal repair process, and an inkjet repair process.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 10 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 10, which encompasses example 9, above, the system further includes a decal generating device that generates a decal based on selecting the decal repair process.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 11 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 11, which encompasses example 10, above, the decal generating device further selects a size of the decal based on characteristics of the altered surface image and prints a first image on the decal based on an unaltered version of the altered surface image.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 12 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 12, which encompasses any one of examples 9-11, above, the system further includes an inkjet printing device that prints a first image on the surface based on an unaltered version of the altered surface image.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 13 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 13, which encompasses example 12, above, the inkjet printing device further removes or equipment (e.g., solvent wipes) associated with the inkjet printing device is used to remove the altered surface image on the surface down to a basecoat between the surface and the altered surface image, inkjet prints the first image on the surface based on the unaltered version of the altered surface image, applies an adhesion promoter, and applies a clearcoat over the first image and the adhesion promoter.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 14 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 14, which encompasses example 13, above, the inkjet printing device further removes the altered surface image using a solvent wipe.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 15 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 15, which encompasses examples any one of 13 or 14, above, the inkjet printing device further removes a clearcoat before removing the altered surface image and applies a basecoat after removing the altered surface image.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 16 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 16, an apparatus includes an imaging device and a processor. The imaging device generates an image scan of an altered surface image on a surface of an aircraft part. The processor analyzes the image scan to determine characteristics of the altered surface image and selects a repair process from a plurality of repair processes based on the characteristics of the altered surface image. The plurality of repair processes includes a paint repair process, a decal repair process, and an inkjet repair process.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 17 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 17, which encompasses example 16, above, the processor, in response to selecting the decal repair process, further selects a size of a decal based on the characteristics of the altered surface image and determines an image to print on the decal based on an unaltered version of the altered surface image.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 18 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 18, which encompasses any one of examples 16 or 17, above, the processor, in response to selecting the paint repair process or the inkjet repair process, further determines the image to paint or inkjet print on the surface based on an unaltered version of the altered surface image.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 19 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 19, which encompasses any one of examples 16-18, above, the processor further provides altered surface image removal instructions based on the characteristics of the altered surface image.
The following portion of this paragraph delineates example 20 of the subject matter, disclosed herein. According to example 20, which encompasses any one of examples 16-19, above, the processor further transmits repair instructions to a paint repair facility, a decal production facility, or an inkjet application facility based on the repair process selected.
In the above description, certain terms may be used such as “up,” “down,” “upper,” “lower,” “horizontal,” “vertical,” “left,” “right,” “over,” “under” and the like. These terms are used, where applicable, to provide some clarity of description when dealing with relative relationships. But these terms are not intended to imply absolute relationships, positions, and/or orientations. For example, with respect to an object, an “upper” surface can become a “lower” surface simply by turning the object over. Nevertheless, it is still the same object. Further, the terms “including,” “comprising,” “having,” and variations thereof mean “including but not limited to” unless expressly specified otherwise. An enumerated listing of items does not imply that any or all of the items are mutually exclusive and/or mutually inclusive, unless expressly specified otherwise. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” also refer to “one or more” unless expressly specified otherwise. Further, the term “plurality” can be defined as “at least two.”
Additionally, instances in this specification where one element is “coupled” to another element can include direct and indirect coupling. Direct coupling can be defined as one element coupled to and in some contact with another element. Indirect coupling can be defined as coupling between two elements not in direct contact with each other but having one or more additional elements between the coupled elements. Further, as used herein, securing one element to another element can include direct securing and indirect securing. Additionally, as used herein, “adjacent” does not necessarily denote contact. For example, one element can be adjacent another element without being in contact with that element.
As used herein, the phrase “at least one of”, when used with a list of items, means different combinations of one or more of the listed items may be used and only one of the items in the list may be needed. The item may be a particular object, thing, or category. In other words, “at least one of” means any combination of items or number of items may be used from the list, but not all of the items in the list may be required. For example, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean item A; item A and item B; item B; item A, item B, and item C; or item B and item C. In some cases, “at least one of item A, item B, and item C” may mean, for example, without limitation, two of item A, one of item B, and ten of item C; four of item B and seven of item C; or some other suitable combination.
Unless otherwise indicated, the terms “first,” “second,” etc. are used herein merely as labels, and are not intended to impose ordinal, positional, or hierarchical requirements on the items to which these terms refer. Moreover, reference to, e.g., a “second” item does not require or preclude the existence of, e.g., a “first” or lower-numbered item, and/or, e.g., a “third” or higher-numbered item.
As used herein, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is indeed capable of performing the specified function without any alteration, rather than merely having potential to perform the specified function after further modification. In other words, the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware “configured to” perform a specified function is specifically selected, created, implemented, utilized, programmed, and/or designed for the purpose of performing the specified function. As used herein, “configured to” denotes existing characteristics of a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware which enable the system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware to perform the specified function without further modification. For purposes of this disclosure, a system, apparatus, structure, article, element, component, or hardware described as being “configured to” perform a particular function may additionally or alternatively be described as being “adapted to” and/or as being “operative to” perform that function.
The schematic flow chart diagrams included herein are generally set forth as logical flow chart diagrams. As such, the depicted order and labeled steps are indicative of one example of the presented method. Other steps and methods may be conceived that are equivalent in function, logic, or effect to one or more steps, or portions thereof, of the illustrated method. Additionally, the format and symbols employed are provided to explain the logical steps of the method and are understood not to limit the scope of the method. Although various arrow types and line types may be employed in the flow chart diagrams, they are understood not to limit the scope of the corresponding method. Indeed, some arrows or other connectors may be used to indicate only the logical flow of the method. For instance, an arrow may indicate a waiting or monitoring period of unspecified duration between enumerated steps of the depicted method. Additionally, the order in which a particular method occurs may or may not strictly adhere to the order of the corresponding steps shown.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that at least a portion of the controllers, devices, units, and/or processes described herein can be integrated into a data processing system. Those having skill in the art will recognize that a data processing system generally includes one or more of a system unit housing, a video display device, memory such as volatile or non-volatile memory, processors such as microprocessors or digital signal processors, computational entities such as operating systems, drivers, graphical user interfaces, and applications programs, one or more interaction devices (e.g., a touch pad, a touch screen, an antenna, etc.), and/or control systems including feedback loops and control motors (e.g., feedback for sensing position and/or velocity; control motors for moving and/or adjusting components and/or quantities). A data processing system may be implemented utilizing suitable commercially available components, such as those typically found in data computing/communication and/or network computing/communication systems.
The term controller/processor, as used in the foregoing/following disclosure, may refer to a collection of one or more components that are arranged in a particular manner, or a collection of one or more general-purpose components that may be configured to operate in a particular manner at one or more particular points in time, and/or also configured to operate in one or more further manners at one or more further times. For example, the same hardware, or same portions of hardware, may be configured/reconfigured in sequential/parallel time(s) as a first type of controller (e.g., at a first time), as a second type of controller (e.g., at a second time, which may in some instances coincide with, overlap, or follow a first time), and/or as a third type of controller (e.g., at a third time which may, in some instances, coincide with, overlap, or follow a first time and/or a second time), etc. Reconfigurable and/or controllable components (e.g., general purpose processors, digital signal processors, field programmable gate arrays, etc.) are capable of being configured as a first controller that has a first purpose, then a second controller that has a second purpose and then, a third controller that has a third purpose, and so on. The transition of a reconfigurable and/or controllable component may occur in as little as a few nanoseconds, or may occur over a period of minutes, hours, or days.
For example, a central processing unit/processor or the like of a controller may, at various times, operate as a component/module for displaying graphics on a screen, a component/module for writing data to a storage medium, a component/module for receiving user input, and a component/module for multiplying two large prime numbers, by configuring its logical gates in accordance with its instructions. Such reconfiguration may be invisible to the naked eye, and in some embodiments may include activation, deactivation, and/or re-routing of various portions of the component, e.g., switches, logic gates, inputs, and/or outputs. Thus, in the examples found in the foregoing/following disclosure, if an example includes or recites multiple components/modules, the example includes the possibility that the same hardware may implement more than one of the recited components/modules, either contemporaneously or at discrete times or timings. The implementation of multiple components/modules, whether using more components/modules, fewer components/modules, or the same number of components/modules as the number of components/modules, is merely an implementation choice and does not generally affect the operation of the components/modules themselves. Accordingly, it should be understood that any recitation of multiple discrete components/modules in this disclosure includes implementations of those components/modules as any number of underlying components/modules, including, but not limited to, a single component/module that reconfigures itself over time to carry out the functions of multiple components/modules, and/or multiple components/modules that similarly reconfigure, and/or special purpose reconfigurable components/modules.
The foregoing detailed description has set forth various embodiments of the devices and/or processes via the use of block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples. Insofar as such block diagrams, flowcharts, and/or examples contain one or more functions and/or operations, it will be understood by those within the art that each function and/or operation within such block diagrams, flowcharts, or examples can be implemented, individually and/or collectively, by a wide range of hardware, software (e.g., a high-level computer program serving as a hardware specification), firmware, or virtually any combination thereof, limited to patentable subject matter under 35 U.S.C. 101. In an embodiment, several portions of the subject matter described herein may be implemented via Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), digital signal processors (DSPs), or other integrated formats. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that some aspects of the embodiments disclosed herein, in whole or in part, can be equivalently implemented in integrated circuits, as one or more computer programs running on one or more computers (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more computer systems), as one or more programs running on one or more processors (e.g., as one or more programs running on one or more microprocessors), as firmware, or as virtually any combination thereof, limited to patentable subject matter under 35 U.S.C. 101, and that designing the circuitry and/or writing the code for the software (e.g., a high-level computer program serving as a hardware specification) and or firmware would be well within the skill of one of skill in the art in light of this disclosure. In addition, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the mechanisms of the subject matter described herein are capable of being distributed as a program product in a variety of forms, and that an illustrative embodiment of the subject matter described herein applies regardless of the particular type of signal bearing medium used to actually carry out the distribution. Examples of a signal bearing medium include, but are not limited to, the following: a recordable type medium such as a floppy disk, a hard disk drive, a Compact Disc (CD), a Digital Video Disk (DVD), a digital tape, a computer memory, etc.; and a transmission type medium such as a digital and/or an analog communication medium (e.g., a fiber optic cable, a waveguide, a wired communications link, a wireless communication link (e.g., transmitter, receiver, transmission logic, reception logic, etc.), etc.).
With respect to the appended claims, those skilled in the art will appreciate that recited operations therein may generally be performed in any order. Also, although various operational flows are presented in a sequence(s), it should be understood that the various operations may be performed in other orders than those which are illustrated or may be performed concurrently. Examples of such alternate orderings may include overlapping, interleaved, interrupted, reordered, incremental, preparatory, supplemental, simultaneous, reverse, or other variant orderings, unless context dictates otherwise. Furthermore, terms like “responsive to,” “related to,” or other past-tense adjectives are generally not intended to exclude such variants, unless context dictates otherwise.
While the disclosed subject matter has been described in terms of illustrative embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various modifications can be made thereto without departing from the scope of the claimed subject matter as set forth in the claims.
The present subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described examples are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.
