Patent Application
20190126644
The present invention relates to systems and methods for determining a remaining amount of a consumable resource, such as print media, and more particularly relates to determining the remaining amount based on a center of mass calculation.
Generally, mobile printers allow a user to print labels and other print media while on the move. For instance, mobile printers may be used in a warehouse environment, in a retail setting, in the transportation industry, and in other environments where users might not be confined to an office but may instead be required to perform activities, including printing, in many different locations.
When a user is moving around within an area and performing multiple printing jobs, the user may be unaware that the mobile printer may be running out of paper, labels, or other print media on which the mobile printer may be designed to print. When the print media is used up, the user may be required to reload more print media into the mobile printer. However, it can be time-consuming and/or inconvenient for the user if the print media runs out when the user is far from a supply of replacement media. Therefore, a need exists for communicating to the user of a mobile printer when the print media is empty, almost empty, or below a certain threshold.
Accordingly, in one aspect, the present invention embraces systems and methods for calculating center of mass of a device (e.g., mobile printer). From the center of mass calculations, a remaining amount of a consumable resource (e.g., paper) can be calculated. The remaining amount of the consumable resource can be calculated by comparing the center of mass reading with pre-established reference points that represent center of mass points when the device is full or empty.
In an exemplary embodiment, a method is provided for estimating the remaining amount of consumable resource. The method includes detecting the center of mass of a mobile printer, where the mobile printer comprises print media. The method also includes determining a remaining print media level based on the detected center of mass.
In another exemplary embodiment, a printer is described. The printer includes a housing and a printing mechanism mounted within the housing. The printing mechanism is configured to print onto a print media. The printer further includes a media level detection module mounted with the housing. The media level detection module is configured to detect the center of mass of the printer. The media level detection module is further configured to determine a remaining print media level based on the detected center of mass of the printer.
In yet another exemplary embodiment, a device configured to use a consumable resource is provided. The device includes a housing that includes a containment area where the consumable resource is to be stored. The device further includes a detection module configured to detect the center of mass of the device and determine a remaining level of the consumable resource based on the detected center of mass.
The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other exemplary objectives and/or advantages of the invention, and the manner in which the same are accomplished, are further explained within the following detailed description and its accompanying drawings.
The present invention embraces systems and methods for sensing the amount of a consumable resource (e.g., print media) that remains within a device (e.g., a mobile printer). The remaining amount of the resource can be measured using an accelerometer and/or gyroscopic sensor to determine the center of mass of the mobile printer at different times during the use of the mobile printer. As the print media is consumed, the mobile printer not only loses overall mass but also experiences a change in its center of mass or center of gravity. Since the print media by itself is usually not centered within a housing of the mobile printer, the change in mass of the print media as it is consumed thereby changes the center of mass of the mobile printer.
Furthermore, the mobile printer may be configured to store reference points that define the extremes of the locations of the center of mass with respect to a housing in which the print media is contained. The stored reference points may include an initial location of the center of mass when the mobile printer contains a new full roll of print media. This initial location can be regarded as being the location of the center of mass when the print media is “full.” Also, the mobile printer may also be configured to store an ending location, which represents the location of the center of mass of the mobile printer when the print media has been completely used up. This ending location can be regarded as being the location of the center of mass when the print media is “empty.”
Some mobile printers may already include an accelerometer and/or gyroscopic sensor for determining orientation and dynamic positional states of the device. The present invention may also utilize these elements for making center of mass calculations. The accelerometer and/or gyroscopic sensor can measure approximate weight of the mobile printer, which may also be used to estimate the amount of print media left in the mobile printer. In addition to mobile printers, some embodiments may include incorporating an accelerometer and/or gyroscopic sensor in a stationary printer that may be moved occasionally. In this respect, for stationary printers that may be moved for printing at different locations, the embodiments disclosed herein may also to these printers as well.
The main contributors to the weight of a mobile printer are typically the battery and the print media. As the print media is consumed due to printing operations, the concentration of the weight or center of mass is shifted. The accelerometer and/or gyroscopic sensor readings will vary with the changes in the center of mass. Furthermore, the center of mass calculations can be correlated with the amount of print media remaining in the mobile printer. Thus, as the print media is consumed, the center of mass gradually moves from a first point (when the print media is full) to a second point (when the print media is empty).
The mobile printer 10 is illustrated in a condition when print media 14 within the housing 12 of the mobile printer 10 is full. In addition to the print media 14, one or more batteries 16, a motor and printing mechanism 18, and a media level detection module 20 are contained within the housing 12 of the mobile printer 10.
The media level detection module 20 may include a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) or other suitable detecting elements for detecting center of mass. In some embodiments, the media level detection module 20 may further include or have access to memory for storing reference points corresponding to full and empty conditions of the consumable resource. For example, the MEMS or media level detection module 20 may include an accelerometer and/or a gyroscopic sensor. The media level detection module 20 may also be configured for determining whether the mobile printer 10 is in a horizontal orientation or a vertical orientation. As illustrated in
The housing 12 and each of the internal components of the mobile printer 10 naturally includes a certain mass. It should be recognized, however, that the mass of most of the components does not change significantly over time. However, during use, the print media 14 is consumed until the print media 14 eventually runs out and must be replaced with a new roll. Therefore, the overall mass of the mobile printer 10 gradually declines with use of the print media 14.
The various masses of the different components of the mobile printer 10 contribute to a point representing the center of mass (or center of gravity) that may not necessarily be consistent with the center of mass of the housing 12. For instance, certain components, such as the print media 14 and battery 16 may have a greater mass that contributes more significantly to the overall center of mass of the mobile printer 10 than other components of the mobile printer 10. And, as mentioned above, the print media 14 is gradually consumed, which consequently results in a shift of the center of mass of the mobile device 10 from one extreme point (i.e., when the print media 14 is “full”) to another extreme point (i.e., when the print media 14 is “empty”).
As shown in
During a manufacturing process, reference points that serve to represent the locations of the center of mass points in at least the two extreme conditions can be calculated. The first extreme condition is the full condition when the print media is completely full. For example, using the media level detection module 20, the center of mass of the mobile printer 10 can be calculated to determine the “full” point 26. As an example, the center of mass may be determined to be at the point 26, which is shown slightly off center of the geometrical center of the housing 12. The contribution of the mass of the print media 14 may shift the center of mass of the housing 12 and its contents in the direction of the print media 14.
Theoretically, the center of mass point changes from the initial point 26 to the final point 28 in a linear manner. However, in some circumstances, the change in the center of mass may follow a non-linear, curved path. Also, the amount of change of the center of mass per unit of print media consumed may increase or decrease based on various factors and/or unknowns in the device.
When positioned in the vertical orientation, the mobile printer 10 may include a first reference point 34 related to the center of mass of the mobile printer 10 when the print media 14 is full. Also, the mobile printer 10 may include a second reference point 36 related to the center of mass of the mobile printer 10 when the print media 14 is empty.
As mentioned above, the print media 14 is confined by the peg 22. Although the peg 22 may be configured to substantially maintain the print media 14 in the designated area within the housing 12, the effect of gravity may slightly alter the center of mass readings. Therefore, during manufacture, the reference points for indicating the positions of the center of mass at the extreme conditions of the print media 14 can be calculated when the mobile printer 10 is also configured in the vertical position. Another component that may slightly alter the center of mass readings is the belt clip 32.
For these reasons, it may be advantageous to determine at least four center of mass points for each specific mobile printer design. The first center of mass point 26 may be calculated to represent the condition when the print media 14 is full and the mobile printer 10 is oriented horizontally (
When the mobile printer 10 is put into use, the media level detection module 20 may be configured to determine the center of mass of the mobile printer 10. The media level detection module 20 may also detect the orientation of the mobile printer 10. Based on these factors, the media level detection module 20 can compare the current center of mass point with the pre-stored reference points (i.e., 26, 28, 34, 36). By comparing with these and/or other additional reference points, the media level detection module 20 can estimate how much of the print media 14 remains. In some embodiments, the media level detection module 20 can provide an indication to the user when the print media 14 drops below a certain threshold.
According to some embodiments, the media level detection module 20 may alternatively be installed in the housing of another type of device that contains a consumable resource other than print media. For example, some devices may use various types of consumable resources, such as paper, labels, solid or liquid fuels, ammunition, or other resources that when used will essentially alter the center of mass of the respective device. The respective housing of the various devices may include chambers, tanks, or other designated areas where the consumable resource is stored. Throughout the use of the device, the consumable resource is consumed. As the consumable resource is consumed, the overall mass of that resource will naturally decrease from an initial mass representing a full condition to a final mass representing an empty condition.
According to some embodiments, the mobile printer 10 may include various types of components for indicating a remaining amount of the print media 14 and/or for indicating when the amount of the print media 14 falls below certain thresholds. In some embodiments, a graduated gauge may be used for indicating an amount of print media 14 remaining in the mobile printer 10. The media level detection module 20 may utilize a processing device, such as a microprocessor, for comparing a current center of mass measurement with pre-stored reference points. For example, if a center of mass measurement is determined to be halfway between full and empty conditions, the processing device may be configured to conclude that the consumable resource is about half full.
According to various embodiments, the center of mass calculations may be used to indicate fractions or percentages of the remaining resource. For example, if the center of mass is calculated as being ⅞ths of the distance from a “full” center of mass location (e.g., point 26) to an “empty” center of mass location (e.g., point 28), then the processing device may determine that the consumable resource is approximately ⅛ths full. If it is determined that the consumable resource drops below a certain threshold (e.g., below ⅛ full, below 10%, below 5%, etc.), then an alert indication can be provided to the user. The alert indication may include, for example, the illumination of a light emitting diode (LED) or other visual indicator, an audio output, a display message on a user screen, and/or other various types of indications. In some embodiments, a wireless signal may be transmitted from the mobile printer 10 to a remote device or server to provide an indication of the amount of print media remaining.
For example, some indications may include a first LED that is illuminated to show that the consumable resource is below a certain threshold. The LED, for example, may be a specific color, such as yellow. Additionally, another LED may be used to indicate a more urgent condition, such as when the consumable resource drops below an even lower threshold. This second LED, for example, may be another color, such as red.
In other embodiments, an indication device may be used to show a more gradual decrease in the amount of consumable resource remaining. For instance, a graduated gauge may be used. A needle or other marking or indicating device (mechanical and/or electrical) may be used for indicating an amount ranging from “E” to “F” or from 0% to 100%.
It should be noted that the use of an accelerometer and/or gyroscopic sensor may require that the mobile printer 10 be in motion, at least around the time that the measurements are made. Otherwise, the media level detection module 20 may not be able to calculate parameters that rely on a mechanical force (e.g., gravitational force).
Without means for centering the print media 42 within the cylindrical compartment 40, the print media 42 may be allowed to move freely within the cylindrical compartment 40. It should be noted that as the print media 42 is consumed, the center of mass of the print media 42 will also shift within the cylindrical compartment 40, particularly based on the orientation of the mobile device 38.
As mentioned above with respect to
It should be noted that the method 54 of
Method 54 includes a first step of calculating the center of mass of the mobile printer with no print media included, as indicated in block 56. This center of mass point is correlated with a condition of the print media being “empty,” as indicated in block 58.
The method 54 also includes a step of properly loading a full amount (e.g., full roll) of the print media into the mobile printer, as indicated in block 60. In some embodiments, the method 54 may alternatively include adding a weight other than an actual roll of print media to the interior of the mobile printer. For example, the weight may be configured to mimic the size, mass, and weight distribution of an actual full roll of print media.
With a full amount of print media (or substitute weight), the method 54 includes the step of calculating, according to block 62, the center of mass of the mobile printer a second time. Also, the method 54 includes correlating the calculated center of mass of the full mobile printer with a print media condition of “full,” as indicated in block 64.
In addition, the method 54 includes storing the center of mass readings (i.e., obtained in blocks 56 and 62) and the corresponding print media conditions (i.e., obtained in blocks 58 and 64). The center of mass and corresponding media conditions can be stored in memory, which may preferably be contained within the housing of the mobile printer.
In some embodiments, the method 54 may also include calculating one or more additional center of mass points corresponding to conditions in which the print media may be in state between a full amount and an empty amount. By establishing additional points, the mobile printer, during use, may be configured to more easily indicate multiple threshold levels that may fall between the two extremes of full and empty.
The method 54 may also include steps to account for differences in various types of print media that may be installed in the printer 10, 38, 44. For example, print media types may differ with respect to mass or density. If this is the case, the center of mass calculations can be made for each type of media. Then, the user can inform the printer what type of media is installed and the parameters for that type of media can be used for correlating center of mass with remaining print media. Therefore, the steps related to blocks 60, 62, and 64 may include repeating the processes of determining center of mass when full for each type of print media that may be installed in the printer.
The method 70 includes a first decision block 72, which determines when certain conditions are met for monitoring the print media. The print media may be monitored at certain predetermined times or under certain conditions. For example, the print media may be monitored when the mobile printer is first powered on, booted up, or when a user closes the media door. Or the print media may be monitored after a certain number of print jobs have been done. In some cases, the print media may be monitored periodically (e.g., once every one-, five-, ten-minute interval or other suitable time periods). Block 72 may also include determining what type of print media has been installed in the printer
Also, decision block 72 may include determining the angular orientation of the mobile printer to determine which set of algorithms and/or reference points to use to monitor the print media. For instance, method 70 may need to compare current calculations with certain reference points that were specifically obtained when the mobile printer was oriented in a horizontal manner or specifically obtained when the mobile printer was oriented in a vertical manner.
It should be noted that, during use, a user of the mobile printer 10 may position the mobile printer 10 at any angle, not just a zero degree horizontal configuration and a 90 degree vertical configuration. Hence, the gyroscopic sensor may be configured to detect any orientation angle. Also, the processing device may be configured to use interpolation or other suitable algorithm if an angle falls between angles at which the initial reference points were obtained. Then, an intermediate reference point (between reference point 26 shown in
Furthermore, it should be noted that the mobile printer 10 may be tilted in more than just a pitching angle as illustrated. Instead, the mobile printer 10 may be oriented at any angle with reference to three dimensions. Therefore, the gyroscopic sensor of the present invention may be configured to calculate pitch, roll, and yaw angles of the mobile printer 10. Therefore, the original detection of reference points as described herein may include detection of various print media amounts at multiple sets of angles in three dimensions.
In order for the gyroscopic sensor to operate properly, the mobile printer 10 should be in motion at least for a certain amount of time before the mobile printer 10 is configured to print. Therefore, the media level detection module 20 can detect the pitch, roll, and yaw angles, which can be used for detecting the proper reference points or for calculating (e.g., interpolating) intermediate reference points derived from predetermined reference points.
When it is determined in decision block 72 that the print media is to be monitored, the method 70 proceeds to block 74, which indicates that the center of mass of the mobile printer is calculated. As indicated in block 76, the method 70 includes converting the center of mass reading into a state of remaining print media. For example, the center of mass reading may be compared with the two extreme points obtained with respect to a full state and an empty state. Additionally, if multiple intermediate points are determined in the method 54 of
The method 70 includes the decision block 78, which determines whether the print media is empty. If empty, the method 70 proceeds to block 80, which indicates that the user is alerted that the print media needs to be loaded into the mobile printer. The method then includes the step of waiting for the print media to be loaded, as indicated in block 82. In some embodiments, waiting for the print media to be loaded may include waiting for the media cover to be opened to allow the print media to be loaded and waiting for the media cover to be closed. The method 70 then returns back to decision block 72 in order that it can be determined whether the print media is to be monitored again.
If it is determined in decision block 78 that the print media is not empty, then the method 70 proceeds to decision block 84, which determines if the print media is low. A low print media state may be determined based on threshold comparisons, which may be part of the step of block 76. If the print media is not low, the method loops back to decision block 72. However, if the media is low, the method proceeds to block 86, which indicates that the user is alerted that the print media is low. The alert may include a visual and/or audible indication for communicating the state of print media.
The step of block 86 may include providing an estimation of the level of print media remaining. For example, one indication may include an alert that the print media is below a certain percentage of full (e.g., below 5%) or may include an alert that the print media can conduct an estimated number of print jobs before running out (e.g., “less than 10 labels remaining” or other indication). In some embodiments, several levels may be detected in a similar manner as diamond 84 and several corresponding alerts can be provided to the user in a similar manner as block 86.
To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporates entirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patent application publications, and patent applications:
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In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of the invention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited to such exemplary embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. The figures are schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale. Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic and descriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.
