Patent Application
20250074072
The present invention generally relates to the field of printing devices. More specifically, the present invention relates to a novel mobile phone picture developer device. The device is attached to the rear surface of a mobile phone. The device includes a printing head for applying ink or heat to blank photo paper stored in an internal compartment, and a picture dispenser slot for outputting printed images. The device supports both wired and wireless connections via a connection port and a wireless communication module, respectively. A corresponding software application installed on the mobile phone facilitates image selection and printing using the device. Accordingly, the present disclosure makes specific reference thereto. Nonetheless, it is to be appreciated that aspects of the present invention are also equally applicable to other like applications, devices, and methods of manufacture.
By way of background, individuals frequently use their smartphones or digital cameras to capture photos, which are then stored locally on these devices or uploaded to cloud storage. Accessing these digital photos generally require digital devices. However, developing these digital photos into physical prints requires significant effort and can be a frustrating process, particularly for those who are not technologically savvy. The steps involved in transferring photos from a phone or digital camera to a printer can be cumbersome and time-consuming.
Moreover, digital cameras are used to click photographs at events and gatherings. However, the inability to print photos instantly at events or gatherings using such devices means individuals often have to wait to receive their printed pictures. The delay diminishes the immediate joy and satisfaction of looking at printed pictures. Additionally, individuals like to have printed photos for personalizing their living areas, office spaces, and other environments. However, the process to obtain printed pictures remains inconvenient and inaccessible for many. Accordingly, there is a need for a portable, user-friendly device that enables for instant photo printing directly from mobile phones.
Therefore, there exists a long felt need in the art for a portable, user-friendly device that enables for instant photo printing directly of images stored in mobile phones. There is also a long felt need in the art for a printing device that instantly prints selected images stored in a mobile device. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a special user-friendly device that enables for instant photo printing directly from mobile phones, eliminating the complexities and delays associated with traditional photo printing methods. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a uniquely designed handheld mobile phone picture developer device that simplifies the process of printing photos captured by a handheld device such as a mobile device, tablet, and more. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a versatile and user-friendly device that enhances the mobile photography experience by enabling instant photo printing directly from a mobile phone. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a portable photo printer that enables users to print photos directly from their mobile phone. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a uniquely designed printing device that obviates individuals from having to wait to print out their photos or be forced to take the phone or tablet to a professional for printing.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a printing device for printing images captured by a mobile device. The device comprises a planar body adapted to adhere to the rear surface of a mobile phone, a pair of adjustable arms are integrated into the opposite side edges of the planar body for securing the device to the mobile phone. A printing head is disposed within the planar body for applying ink or heat to a blank photo paper to print an image, a blank photo paper compartment is operatively coupled to the printing head for holding blank photo papers, a picture dispenser slot is disposed on an edge of the planar body for dispensing a printed image, a connection port is disposed in the planar body for making a wired connection between the device and the mobile phone, a wireless communication module is disposed within the planar body for wirelessly coupling the device to the mobile phone, and an internal battery is disposed within the planar body for providing power to the device. The device communicates with an application for receiving a print command for printing an image selected on the mobile phone.
In this manner, printing device of the present invention accomplishes all of the forgoing objectives and provides users with a novel portable photo printer that enables users to print photos directly from their mobile phone. The device can connect to a mobile phone and an image selected on the mobile phone can be instantly printed using the printer. The device prevents individuals from having to wait to print out their photos or be forced to take the phone or tablet to a professional for printing.
The following presents a simplified summary in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the disclosed innovation. This summary is not an extensive overview, and it is not intended to identify key/critical elements or to delineate the scope thereof. Its sole purpose is to present some general concepts in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detailed description that is presented later.
The subject matter disclosed and claimed herein, in one embodiment thereof, comprises a mobile phone picture developer device. The device is configured to print images stored in a mobile device and comprises a planar body adapted to adhere to the rear surface of a mobile phone, a pair of adjustable arms are integrated into the opposite side edges of the planar body for securing the device to the mobile phone. A printing head is disposed within the planar body for applying ink or heat to a blank photo paper to print an image, a blank photo paper compartment is operatively coupled to the printing head for holding blank photo papers, a picture dispenser slot is disposed on an edge of the planar body for dispensing a printed image, a connection port is disposed in the planar body for making a wired connection between the device and the mobile phone, a wireless communication module is disposed within the planar body for wirelessly coupling the device to the mobile phone, and an internal battery is disposed within the planar body for providing power to the device.
In yet another embodiment, a mobile phone picture developer system is disclosed. The system includes a mobile phone picture developer device comprising a planar body adapted to adhere to the rear surface of a mobile phone, a pair of adjustable arms are integrated into the opposite side edges of the planar body for securing the device to the mobile phone, a connection port disposed in the planar body for making a wired connection between the device and the mobile phone, a wireless communication module disposed within the planar body for wirelessly coupling the device to the mobile phone, and a power button for activating the device. The system also includes a software application installed on the mobile phone, the software application configured to establish a connection between the mobile phone and the device via the connection port or the wireless communication module, display an interface on the mobile phone for selecting an image to print, and send a print command to the mobile phone picture developer device to print the selected image.
In another embodiment, a method for printing photos using a mobile phone picture developer device is described. The method includes the steps of detachably attaching the mobile phone picture developer device to the rear surface of a mobile phone using adjustable arms, activating the device by powering it on, establishing a connection between the device and the mobile phone via a wired connection or a wireless communication module, selecting an image for printing using an interface displayed on the mobile phone, and printing the selected image in real-time, wherein the printed image is dispensed from a picture dispenser slot of the device.
In another aspect, a mobile phone picture developer device for instant photo printing is disclosed. The device includes a planar body having an inner panel and an exterior panel, the planar body adapted to adhere to the rear surface of a mobile phone, a pair of adjustable arms integrated into the opposite side edges of the planar body for securing the device to the mobile phone, the arms adapted to be stretched or adjusted (i.e., elastic) in opposite directions and return to their original positions, a transverse wall extends along the bottom edge of the inner panel to support the mobile phone, a visual indicator on the exterior panel for indicating battery status, a picture dispenser slot on the bottom edge for dispensing printed images, a printing head for applying ink or heat to blank photo paper, and a blank photo paper compartment for holding blank photo papers.
Numerous benefits and advantages of this invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which it pertains upon reading and understanding of the following detailed specification.
To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, certain illustrative aspects of the disclosed innovation are described herein in connection with the following description and the annexed drawings. These aspects are indicative, however, of but a few of the various ways in which the principles disclosed herein can be employed and are intended to include all such aspects and their equivalents. Other advantages and novel features will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the drawings.
The description refers to provided drawings in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the different views, and in which:
The innovation is now described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding thereof. It may be evident, however, that the innovation can be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form in order to facilitate a description thereof. Various embodiments are discussed hereinafter. It should be noted that the figures are described only to facilitate the description of the embodiments. They are not intended as an exhaustive description of the invention and do not limit the scope of the invention. Additionally, an illustrated embodiment need not have all the aspects or advantages shown. Thus, in other embodiments, any of the features described herein from different embodiments may be combined.
As noted above, there exists a long felt need in the art for a portable, user-friendly device that enables for instant photo printing directly of images stored in mobile phones. There is also a long felt need in the art for a printing device that instantly prints selected images stored in a mobile device. Additionally, there is a long felt need in the art for a special user-friendly device that enables for instant photo printing directly from mobile phones, eliminating the complexities and delays associated with traditional photo printing methods. Moreover, there is a long felt need in the art for a uniquely designed handheld mobile phone picture developer device that simplifies the process of printing photos captured by a handheld device such as a mobile device, tablet, and more. Further, there is a long felt need in the art for a versatile and user-friendly device that enhances the mobile photography experience by enabling instant photo printing directly from a mobile phone. Furthermore, there is a long felt need in the art for a portable photo printer that enables users to print photos directly from their mobile phone. Finally, there is a long felt need in the art for a uniquely designed printing device that prevents individuals from having to wait to print out their photos or be forced to take the phone or tablet to a professional for printing.
The present invention, in one exemplary embodiment, is a method for printing photos using a mobile phone picture developer device. The method includes the steps of detachably attaching the mobile phone picture developer device to the rear surface of a mobile phone using adjustable arms, activating the device by powering it on, establishing a connection between the device and the mobile phone via a wired connection or a wireless communication module, selecting an image for printing using an interface displayed on the mobile phone, and printing the selected image in real-time, wherein the printed image is dispensed from a picture dispenser slot of the device.
Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and the description to refer to the same or like parts.
Referring initially to the drawings,
A transverse wall 116 extends along the bottom edge 117 of the inner panel 104. The transverse wall 116 extends horizontally in a plane perpendicular to the inner panel 104 and is adapted to support the mobile phone to which the device 100 is adhered as illustrated later in the disclosure. A detachable cover 118 is disposed on the inner panel 104 for covering and securing the internal components of the mobile phone picture developer device 100. The detachable cover 118 is fastened using a plurality of fasteners 120 and can be removed to access the internal components of the device 100.
A connection port 128 which is preferably a USB port or can be any connection port is disposed in the planar body 102. The connection port 128 is used for making a wired connection between the printer device 100 and a mobile phone. In some embodiments, the printer device 100 includes a wireless communication module (
It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that the printer device 100 is detachably attached to a mobile phone using the adjustable arms 108, 110 and is used for instant photo printing for printing photos stored in a mobile phone. The printer device 100 enables users to print photos directly from their phones to use in scrapbooks or photo albums. The device 100 can be designed for different mobile phones and can be made in different colors and designs. The device 100 is preferably made of plastic and the exterior panel 106 can include a logo or indicium 130 for branding and marketing purposes.
The printing head 126 is operatively coupled to a blank photo paper compartment 132. The blank photo paper compartment 132 is designed to hold a stack of blank photo papers and a single blank photo paper is used in one instance for printing an image. In some embodiments, the detachable cover 118 can be removed to refill the compartment 132 with the stack of blank photo papers.
An internal battery 134 is disposed in the device 100 for providing electric power for operation of the device 100. The internal battery 134 is replaceable and can be removed for recharging. In the preferred embodiment, the internal battery 134 is Li-Ion battery and is disposed in the body 102. A power button 136 when activated enables the battery 134 to provide the electric power to the device 100 and helps in printing images on blank papers. The wireless communication module 138 establishes preferably a Bluetooth channel between the device 100 and a mobile phone. The Bluetooth channel enables a user to wirelessly transmit an image from the mobile phone to the device 100 for printing on the blank photo paper. In other embodiments, different types of other communication channels such as Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi Direct, and more can be established by the wireless communication channel.
Certain terms are used throughout the following description and claims to refer to particular features or components. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, different persons may refer to the same feature or component by different names. This document does not intend to distinguish between components or features that differ in name but not structure or function. As used herein “mobile phone picture developer device”, “printing device”, “instant printing device”, “device”, and “instant photo printing device” are interchangeable and refer to the mobile phone picture printing device 100 of the present invention.
Notwithstanding the forgoing, the mobile phone picture printing device 100 of the present invention can be of any suitable size and configuration as is known in the art without affecting the overall concept of the invention, provided that it accomplishes the above stated objectives. One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the mobile phone picture printing device 100 as shown in the FIGS. are for illustrative purposes only, and that many other sizes and shapes of the mobile phone picture printing device 100 are well within the scope of the present disclosure. Although the dimensions of the mobile phone picture printing device 100 are important design parameters for user convenience, the mobile phone picture printing device 100 may be of any size that ensures optimal performance during use and/or that suits the user's needs and/or preferences.
Various modifications and additions can be made to the exemplary embodiments discussed without departing from the scope of the present invention. While the embodiments described above refer to particular features, the scope of this invention also includes embodiments having different combinations of features and embodiments that do not include all of the described features. Accordingly, the scope of the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the scope of the claims, together with all equivalents thereof.
What has been described above includes examples of the claimed subject matter. It is, of course, not possible to describe every conceivable combination of components or methodologies for purposes of describing the claimed subject matter, but one of ordinary skill in the art may recognize that many further combinations and permutations of the claimed subject matter are possible. Accordingly, the claimed subject matter is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim.
The present application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/579,667, which was filed on Aug. 30, 2023, and is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63579667 | Aug 2023 | US |
