Abstract:
A printing apparatus and display system including a detachable printing apparatus that enables printing and/or erasing of display information directly to and/or from display systems. The printing apparatus may print and delete color images to/from a substrate using a printing mechanism and a plurality of color toners, using a detachable mobile printing apparatus. The printing apparatus may enable recycling of erased toner from previously erased images.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     The present invention relates to printed display boards in general, and more particularly to a system, apparatus and method for enabling printing on display boards and erasing there from.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     One common form of displaying media uses poster displays located at strategic locations for maximum exposure. Various methods and systems are used to print content on such poster displays. Further, methods and systems are known for enabling remote printing or writing on such poster displays, as described in US application, publication no. 20020109663 A1, and PCT application WO 02/065433 A2, both by a common inventor, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety.  
         [0003]     Printing apparatuses that may be integrated with printable display systems may be exposed to outdoor elements and/or vandalism that may damage various elements of the apparatus, and in particular, the printing apparatus. It would be highly advantageous to have an improved system and/or method to enable usage of a detachable printing apparatus for printing (writing) and deleting of content directly to/from display boards.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0004]     The present invention provides a printing apparatus and display system that enables printing and erasing of content directly to/from display apparatuses, such as billboards, notice boards, advertisement boards and any other display surfaces used for presenting, promoting, advertising and/or publicizing information. The present display system may enable a detachable printing apparatus to write (hereinafter referred to as “print”) a color image on at least one substrate of a multitude of display systems, using a printing mechanism and one or more color toners, and erasing the image from the substrate. In this way one printing and/or erasing apparatus may be used to write and/or erase content to and/or from multiple display systems.  
         [0005]     Moreover, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the printing apparatus and display system may identify each other or one another, and upon verification of their identities, may continue execution of printing and/or deleting commands.  
         [0006]     Furthermore, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the printing apparatus and/or display system may communicate with a printer server, to send/receive commands and/or data. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0007]     The principles and operation of the system, apparatus, and method according to the present invention may be better understood with reference to the drawings, and the following description, it being understood that these drawings are given for illustrative purposes only and are not meant to be limiting, wherein:  
         [0008]      FIG. 1  is a schematic illustration of an embodiment of a printable display system, as is known in the art;  
         [0009]      FIG. 2A  is a schematic illustration of a display system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0010]      FIG. 2B  is a schematic illustration of a printing apparatus, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0011]      FIG. 3  is a schematic illustration of a display system, according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a detachable printing apparatus attached;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  is an illustration of a narrow display system, according to an embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  is an illustration of a narrow display system, according to an embodiment of the present invention, with a mobile printing apparatus attached;  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is an illustration of a narrow display system, according to an embodiment of the present invention, where a substrate is stretched over the deleting and printing units of a printing apparatus; and  
         [0015]      FIG. 7  is an illustration of a method of implementing an embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
       [0016]     It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, elements shown in the drawings have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements may be exaggerated relative to other elements for clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the drawings to indicate corresponding or analogous elements throughout the serial views.  
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0017]     The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention as provided in the context of a particular application and its requirements. Various modifications to the described embodiments will be apparent to those with skill in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to other embodiments. Therefore, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments shown and described, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features herein disclosed. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.  
         [0018]     The printing apparatus and display systems according to the present invention may be similar in construction and operation to parts of the system described in embodiments of US application, publication no. 2002/0109663 A1 and/or PCT application WO 02/065433 A2, both by a common inventor, which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Other embodiments of the present invention may use different construction and different methods. As can be seen in  FIG. 1 , the erasing of an image from an imaging belt  11  may occur at erasing unit  12  while the imaging belt  11  is moving, for example, clockwise, as indicated by arrow  15 . Imaging and printing of a new color image may occur after the erasing of a prior image at erasing unit  12 , for example, at the cyan (C), magenta (M), yellow (Y), and/or black (K) units, respectively  10 C,  10 M,  10 Y and  10 K. Other suitable colors and color systems may be used.  
         [0019]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2A  which is a schematic block diagram illustration of a display system  21 , according to some embodiments of the present invention. Display system  21  may have at least one viewing window  27  for viewing of, for example, an internal substrate. Display system  21  may have a casing cover  22  that may be openable to enable a printing apparatus (described herein) to connect to display system  21 , and/or for entering a substrate and printing/deleting mechanisms etc., as are described in detail below. Display system  21  may have a printing substrate  23  for displaying printed images. Display system  21  may have guiding rollers  24  for enabling substrate  23  to be rolled over a suitable printer mechanism (described herein), for configuration, removal, deletion and printing etc. Display system  21  may include at least one attachment or registration mechanism  25  corresponding to a corresponding attachment or registration mechanism of an attachable printing apparatus, to enable such a printing apparatus to be securely and accurately attached to display system  21 . The attachment or registration mechanisms of the screen based display and printing apparatus may be capable of being mated and may hold the systems together. Various ways of achieving registration may be implemented, for example, using precision mechanical pins and holes, precision pins and slots, and/or other suitable mechanical solutions.  
         [0020]     Display system  21  may have an identifier  29 , which may include identity data or other suitable identifiable means for enabling identification of a display system to a printer apparatus and/or printer server. Identity verification may be used, for example, to enable a printing apparatus to determine which images are to be printed and/or deleted from one or more display systems  21 , or to execute other suitable operations. In one embodiment identifier  29  may be stored in, for example, a memory unit, and operated by a logic circuit or controller within display system  21 . The logic circuit may be a generic or dedicated controller, for managing printing operations of display system  21 . Identifier  29  may be stored in display system  21  in any format, for example, in a bar code form, magnetic strip form, as a mechanical key, or in other suitable forms, such that upon scanning or otherwise determining the identity data of display system  21 , display system  21  may be identified to an attachable printing apparatus and/or printing server.  
         [0021]     Display system  21  may have an identifying mechanism (not illustrated in figure), such as a data scanner mechanism (e.g., a barcode scanner), magnetic strip reader, mechanical key reader, or other suitable mechanism, for determining identity data of an attachable printing apparatus, following a registration (e.g., connection or attachment) procedure of a printing apparatus. The identifying mechanism may send the identification data to a logic circuit for verification. In the case where a display system is positively identified (e.g., matched) with a printer apparatus, such a printer apparatus may implement the relevant printing/delete or other commands for display system  21 .  
         [0022]     Display system  21  may have a communication mechanism (not illustrated in figure) for sending and/or receiving data to/from an attachable printing apparatus, via wire-based, for example, an electronic circuit and connection pins, antenna, wireless communication chip etc. The communication mechanism may enable display system  21  to communicate with an attachable printing apparatus and/or a data server etc.  
         [0023]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 2B  which is a schematic block diagram illustration of a detachable printing/erasing apparatus  100 , according to some embodiments of the present invention. The detachable printing apparatus  100  may be attached to one or more display systems  21 , and may thereby print on and/or erase from a plurality of display systems. The detachment of the printing apparatus  100  from display system  21  may enable, for example, preservation and protection of the printing apparatus  100 , and may enable multiple printouts and erasures of images using for example xerographic, ionographic, magnetographic or other suitable printing methods.  
         [0024]     Detachable printing apparatus  100  may include at least one printing unit  105 , for printing images on the substrate. Each printing unit, e.g., unit  105 , may include, for example imaging heads for pre-printing using light. Printing units may have, for example, printing heads, inkjet heads, or other suitable printing heads. Printing unit  105  may include, for example, toner or inkjet cartridges  110 . Printing apparatus  100  may include an erasure unit  115 , for erasing images from the substrate. Erasure unit  115  may be associated with a toner or inkjet receptacle  120 , for collecting the deleted toner or ink from deleted images.  
         [0025]     Printing apparatus  100  may include at least one memory device  125 . Memory device  125  may store relevant system data, network data and image data, etc. Image data may include previous, current, and future images for display system  21 . Memory device  125  may also store relevant display system data, such as identity data, such that all display systems  21  that are configured to be served by a printer apparatus  100  may be identified and interacted with by printing apparatus  100 . Memory device  125  may also store relevant printing and erasing data, for enabling printing and erasing operations by printing apparatus  100  and/or display system  21 . Memory device  125  may be an internal memory device and/or an external memory device.  
         [0026]     Printing apparatus  100  may include at least one controller, logic circuit, or CPU  130 , which may be a generic or dedicated processor, for managing printing, deleting, and other suitable operations of printing apparatus  100  and/or display system  21 . For example, controller  130  may enable printing apparatus  100  to verify which images are to be printed and/or deleted to/from display system  21 , and implement the relevant printing/deleting commands and other suitable operations for each particular display system  21 .  
         [0027]     Printing apparatus  100  may include at least one registration or attachment mechanism  135  that may be a mechanical component, or a set of mechanical components, to connect with at least one matching or associated registration mechanism in display system  21 , e.g. mechanism  25 . These matching registration components may function to connect, secure, and/or lock printing apparatus  100  into display system  21 , for example, to execute printing, deleting and/or other suitable operations.  
         [0028]     Printing apparatus  100  may include a communications unit  140 , which may include hardware and/or software components, to send/receive data to/from an external data server, printer server etc. (not illustrated in figure), and/or to send/receive data to/from display system  21 . Data may be transmitted via wire-based means (e.g., electronic circuit, connection pins etc.) and/or wireless means (e.g., a wireless communication chip that may enable printing apparatus  100  to communicate with a display system  21  or external printer server etc. even when not physically connected to a display system or data server etc.).  
         [0029]     Printing apparatus  100  may include an identifying mechanism  145  to enable printing apparatus  100  and/or a printer server etc. to identify display system  21 . The identifying mechanism may include, for example, a data scanner mechanism (e.g., a barcode scanner), magnetic strip reader, mechanical key reader, computer code etc., to enable printing apparatus  100  to determine identity data of display system  21 . For example, before, during, or after a registration (e.g., connection or attachment) procedure of printing apparatus  100  and display system  21 , identifying mechanism  145  may read identifier  29 , and send the read identification data to controller  130  for verification. In the case, for example, where a particular display system  21  is positively identified (matched) with a printer apparatus  100 , printer apparatus  100  may implement the relevant printing, deleting, or other suitable commands for display system  21 . Of course, other suitable structures, components, and dimensions may be used.  
         [0030]     Printing apparatus  100  may include an identifier (not shown in figure), for example, a number, code, password, barcode, or any other identifiable means, for enabling identification of a particular printing apparatus  100  to display system  21 .  
         [0031]      FIG. 3  illustrates a printer apparatus  100  connected to a display system  21 , according to some embodiments of the present invention. Display system  21  may include an openable display casing  22 , which may be opened to allow the printer apparatus  100  to be attached to display system  21 . Registration mechanism(s)  25  may connect to or be otherwise associated with registration or attachment mechanism(s)  135 , to hold printer apparatus  100  in place, for example to enable substrate  23  to be aligned with printing unit  105 , imaging unit, and deleting unit  115  etc. of printing apparatus  100 . Identification mechanism  145  may be associated with identifier  29 , to enable identification of display system  21 .  
         [0032]     According to some embodiments of the present invention, printing apparatus  100  may have an apparatus for recycling or otherwise collecting the deleted toner or ink from toner or ink receptacle  120 , for example for re-use in further printing. A method and apparatus to recycle or collect toner deleted from a display is described in embodiments of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/745,596, titled “APPARATUS AND METHOD FOR RECYCLING TONER IN A PRINTED IMAGE DISPLAY SYSTEM”, which is incorporated by reference in its entirety.  
         [0033]     According to some embodiments of the present invention, printing apparatus  100  may be too wide to fit into a narrower display system  40  structure, as can be seen with reference to  FIG. 4 . Display system  40  may include, for example, one or more auxiliary guiding rollers  41 ,  42  positioned such that auxiliary guiding rollers  41 ,  42  may engage one or more sliding mechanisms following a registration procedure of a printing apparatus  100 . One or more auxiliary slides, e.g., slide  44 , may additionally or alternatively be added to narrow display system  40 . Auxiliary slide  44  may be provided within narrow display system  40 , to enable at least one upper roller  46  to change position by sliding along auxiliary slide  44 . According to some embodiments of the present invention, an additional auxiliary slide may be integrated into display system  40 . Such an integration may require the auxiliary slide to be positioned such that following attachment or registration of printing apparatus  100  to display system  40 , the additional auxiliary slide may be engaged and moved into an appropriate operating position. Display system  40  may include at least one registration mechanism  25 , corresponding to a corresponding registration mechanism of an attachable printing apparatus, to enable such a printing apparatus to be securely and accurately attached to display system  40 .  
         [0034]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 5 , which illustrates a printing unit attached to a to narrow display system  40 , according to some embodiments of the present invention. In some embodiments, at least one additional (auxiliary) slide  45  may be provided within printing apparatus  100  and/or display system  40 , such that following a mechanical registration procedure by means of which printing apparatus  100  connects with or locks into display system  40 , a relevant auxiliary slide  45  may be placed in an appropriate position to engage auxiliary roller  42 , thereby enabling at least one auxiliary roller to slide along slide  45  into operating position.  
         [0035]     Since display system  40  may have a depth that is too narrow to accommodate a printer apparatus  100 , printer apparatus  100  may be attached to display system  40  such that at least one registration mechanism  25  is engaged to a corresponding registration mechanism of an attachable printing apparatus  100 , to enable such a printing apparatus to be securely and accurately attached to display system  40 . Following registration (connection) of printing apparatus  100  to display system  40 , auxiliary roller  42  may engage auxiliary slide  45 . This engagement may enable bending and/or maneuvering of substrate  43  into an alternative position that is accessible to the printing units  105  and deleting unit  115  within printing apparatus  100 , to enable deleting and printing of images by printing apparatus  100 . Attaching of the printer apparatus  100  may trigger auxiliary roller  42  to move along slide  45 , until roller  42  is placed, for example, adjacent to deletion unit  115  of printing apparatus  100 , or in an otherwise suitable position to enable appropriate positioning of substrate  43 . Attaching of printing apparatus  100  to display system  40  may trigger upper guide roller  46  to move along slide  44 , to compensate for the movement of auxiliary roller  42  as described above.  
         [0036]     As can be seen with reference to  FIG. 6 , both auxiliary guide roller  42  and guide roller  46  may move along auxiliary slides  44 ,  45  respectively until auxiliary roller  42  is located, for example, adjacent to deletion unit  115 , or in an otherwise suitable position to enable appropriate positioning of substrate  43 . The new positioning of auxiliary roller  42  may, for example, stretch substrate  43  from auxiliary guide roller  41  to auxiliary roller  42 , such that substrate  43  is placed in line with deletion unit  115  and printing units  105 , thereby being in a position ready for deletion and/or printing. Such a mechanism may be used for any size display system that is narrower than the width of a printing apparatus  100 .  
         [0037]     According to an embodiment of the present invention, a printing apparatus  100  may provide monochrome or colored printing, for example, using a four-color printing mechanism on a display system  21  or  40 , in the case of a narrow display system), which may have at least one substrate, to enable multiple printing of color images. Other suitable color systems may be used. Display system  21  may include a display surfaces that may have images printed on them, such as billboards, advertisement panels and/or alternative display panels. Display system  21  may be connected to a communication network, such that instructions can be transferred between a data server, web server, print server etc. and display system  21 , for example, to print a new image, erase a current image, display the new image, and communicate display status etc. Alternatively, or additionally, these instructions may be given to and/or received from detachable printing apparatus  100 .  
         [0038]     Printing apparatus  100  may enable printing and deletion of images for multiple display systems  21 ,  40 , and may contain or have access to printing/deleting data for a plurality of display systems  21 ,  40 . Images on display systems  21 ,  40  may be printed using xerographic, ionographic, magnetographic or any suitable printing method, on at least one single substrate. Printed images may not be fused on the substrate on which they are printed, thereby enabling deletion of the printed images and their replacement by new images. The detachable printing apparatus  100  may be connected to display system  21  using at least one connector or registration mechanism  25 . Upon connection, or registration, of printing apparatus  100  to display system  21 ,  40 , printing apparatus  100  may identify display system  21 ,  40  and implement the relevant printing/deletion instructions. According to other embodiments of the present invention, printing apparatus  100  and display system  21 ,  40  may identify each other before executing the printing/deleting commands. According to other embodiments of the present invention, display system  21 ,  40  may identify printing apparatus  100  before executing the printing/deleting commands.  
         [0039]     Reference is now made to  FIG. 7 , which illustrates a method to enable printing and/or deletion of content directly to/from a display system  21 ,  40  using a detachable printing apparatus  100 . At block  70  image deletion and/or printing commands may be configured, either within printing apparatus  100 , display system  21 ,  40 , or at a data and/or print server etc. At block  71  these commands may be communicated to either a printing apparatus  100  and/or a display system  21  using a data or printer server etc., display system  21 ,  40 , or printing apparatus  100 . At block  72  a detachable printing apparatus  100  may be attached to display system  21 ,  40  such that one or more connection mechanisms and/or registration mechanisms may connect printing apparatus  100  to display unit  21 ,  40 . At block  73  printing apparatus  100  may identify display unit  21 ,  40  and/or display unit may identify printing apparatus  100 . This identification and/or co-identification may include, for example, identification of printing apparatus  100  and/or display system  21 ,  40  by an identifying mechanism in printer apparatus  100  and/or in display system  21 ,  40 . For example, a data scanner mechanism (for example a barcode scanner), magnetic strip reader, mechanical key reader, software code etc., may be used following a registration (connection) procedure. The identifying mechanism may send the identification data to a logic circuit for verification, located at any suitable location. At block  74  the print and/or delete commands may be verified for display system  21 ,  40 . At block  75  printing and/or delete commands may be executed by printing apparatus  100 .  
         [0040]     In the case where commands are communicated from a printing apparatus  100  to display system  21 , these commands may be communicated via for example wire-based or wireless means. Execution of commands may be controlled by a controller  130  in printing apparatus  100  and/or a controller in display system  21 .  
         [0041]     The delete function of block  75  may include collecting ink or toner or other residue from a deleted image and collecting the substances in a receptacle such as a toner receptacle. The deleting function may further include separating a mixed toner collection into component colors. The deleting function may further include transferring the previously deleted toner to one or more toner cartridges for addition usage (e.g., recycling). For example, a deleting function may be implemented similar to that described in embodiments of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/745,596, as referenced above.  
         [0042]     According to some embodiments of the present invention, in the case where printing apparatus  100  is too wide to connect to the printable area of substrate  23 , additional rollers such as auxiliary rollers  41 ,  42 , and slides  44 ,  45  may be provided, for enabling the guide rolls  24  to slide into appropriate positions for stretching the substrate to a position adjacent to printing apparatus&#39;s printing  105  and/or deleting  115  units, so that printing apparatus  100  may print and/or delete images to/from the substrate.  
         [0043]     Any combination of the above steps may be implemented. Further, other steps or series of steps may be used.  
         [0044]     According to a further embodiment of the present invention, the display system may print at least one image onto a plurality of substrates, each substrate having a plurality of colors printed onto it. Upon erasing of such an image, the various colors that comprise the image on a particular substrate may be collected together, and the colors may be subsequently separated into the component colors.  
         [0045]     The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. It should be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that many modifications, variations, substitutions, changes, and equivalents are possible in light of the above teaching. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention.