Printer for a mobile device

摘要

Systems, apparatuses, and methods for a printing device for use with a mobile device are described herein. The printing device may include an image capture module to capture surface images of a medium and a positioning module to determine positioning information based at least in part on navigational measurements and the captured surface images. A print module of the printing device may cause print forming substances to be deposited based at least in part on the positioning information. A mobile device may include one or more features of the printing device including the image capture module, the positioning module, and the print module. Other embodiments may be described and claimed.

主权项

1. A method for operating a printing apparatus that is attachable to a mobile phone, the method comprising:
mechanically attaching the printing apparatus to the mobile phone; receiving, by the printing apparatus, image data from the mobile phone; capturing, by a navigation sensor of the printing apparatus, first navigational measurements of a first portion of a medium while the printing apparatus is placed on the medium, wherein the first navigational measurements of the first portion of the medium comprises one or more images of the first portion of the medium; capturing, by an optical imaging sensor of the printing apparatus, a first plurality of surface images of the first portion of the medium while the printing apparatus is placed on the medium; based at least in part on the first navigational measurements, determining a position of the printing apparatus relative to a first reference point; based on the first plurality of surface images, calibrating the determined position of the printing apparatus relative to the first reference point, wherein calibrating the determined position of the printing apparatus relative to the first reference point further comprises
based on the first plurality of surface images, constructing a composite image,comparing the composite image to at least a portion of the image data, andbased on comparing the composite image to at least the portion of the image data, calibrating the determined position of the printing apparatus relative to the first reference point; while the printing apparatus is mechanically attached to the mobile phone and based on (i) the image data and (ii) the determined position of the printing apparatus as calibrated, depositing, by the printing apparatus, a printing substance on the medium; and transmitting, by the printing apparatus to the mobile phone, an operating status associated with the printing apparatus, wherein depositing the printing substance on the medium further comprises
depositing, via a plurality of nozzles of a print head of the printing apparatus, the printing substance on the medium, wherein the plurality of nozzles are arranged around the optical imaging sensor.