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US 10,518,474 B2Granted
Method and apparatus for printing three-dimensional structures with image information
AssigneeNIKE, Inc.
InventorTodd W. Miller
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A method and system for printing 3D structures using 2D monochromatic images (for example, greyscale images) is provided. The method can include instructing a printing device to print a 2D monochromatic image using print material in a reservoir known to contain a structural print material. Greater amounts of print material are printed in locations corresponding to relatively darker regions of the 2D monochromatic image.
Claims15
A method of printing with a printing system, comprising:
- receiving reservoir identification information corresponding to a reservoir of a printing device filled with a structural print material;
- receiving an image file including information corresponding to a monochromatic image;
- wherein the image file includes a shade level for each pixel of the monochromatic image;
- instructing the printing device to print the image file using the reservoir corresponding to the reservoir identification information;
- wherein a three-dimensional structure is formed as the printing device prints the image file;
- wherein each location on an upper surface of the three-dimensional structure has a corresponding pixel in the monochromatic image;
- wherein a height of the three-dimensional structure at each location is determined by the shade level for the corresponding pixel;
- wherein the printing device dispenses more structural print material at a first location corresponding with a first pixel having a first shade level than at a second location corresponding with a second pixel having a second shade level that is lighter than the first shade level;
- wherein the printing device forms the three-dimensional structure by printing multiple layers of the structural print material;
- wherein the printing device prints an equal number of layers in the first location and in the second location;
- and
- wherein each layer printed at the second location has less thickness than each layer printed at the first location.
9 more elements
A method of printing with a printing system, comprising:
- receiving reservoir identification information corresponding to a first reservoir of a printing device filled with a structural print material;
- receiving reservoir identification information corresponding to a second reservoir of the printing device filled with a color print material;
- receiving monochromatic image information corresponding to a monochromatic image, wherein the monochromatic image information includes a shade level for each pixel of the monochromatic image;
- receiving color image information corresponding to a color image;
- instructing the printing device to print the monochromatic image information using the first reservoir;
- and
- instructing the printing device to print the color image information using the second reservoir;
- wherein a three-dimensional structure is formed as the printing device prints the monochromatic image information using the structural print material from the first reservoir;
- wherein a two-dimensional color layer is formed as the printing device prints the color image information using the color print material from the second reservoir;
- wherein the printing device dispenses more structural print material at a first location of the three-dimensional structure than at a second location of the three-dimensional structure, the first location corresponding to a darker portion of the monochromatic image information relative to the second location;
- wherein the printing device forms the three-dimensional structure by printing multiple layers of the structural print material;
- wherein the printing device prints an equal number of layers in the first location and in the second location;
- and
- wherein each layer printed at the second location has less thickness than each layer printed at the first location.
11 more elements
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.