WO2021127721A1

WO2021127721A1 - A tattoo machine power supply

Info

Publication number: WO2021127721A1
Application number: PCT/AU2020/000145
Authority: WO
Inventors: Byron Royce DRECHSLER; Kenneth Josheph TISSEN
Original assignee: Inkjecta Pty Ltd
Priority date: 2019-12-23
Filing date: 2020-12-24
Publication date: 2021-07-01
Also published as: AU2020412957A1

Abstract

A hand-held tattoo machine, comprising: a body; a power supply integrated within the body; a control system integrated within the body; a user input interface on the body to receive input from a user holding the tattoo machine; and a needle connected to the body controlled and driven by the control system and the power supply; wherein the control system and the power supply is configured and adapted to provide incremental voltages to drive the needle based on an input from the user input interface; and wherein there are at least 10 incremental voltages, with the highest voltage being more than 10 V.

Description

A TATTOO MACHINE POWER SUPPLY

PRIORITY DOCUMENT

The present application claims priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application No. 2019904909 titled “A TATTOO MACHINE POWER SUPPLY” and filed on 23 December 2019, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to a tattoo machine. In a particular form, the present disclosure relates to a power supply of a tattoo machine.

BACKGROUND

[0002] A tattoo machine is a hand-held mechanical device used to create a tattoo, a permanent marking of the skin with indelible ink. Transfer of the ink to the skin is achieved through the use of a reciprocating needle that pushes ink into the skin.

[0003] There are many types of tattoo machines which can be generally categorised under the following groups: (a) Having a conventional control box and applicator, and (b) A single unit but with conventional control.

[0004] In relation to a tattoo machine having conventional control box and applicator, during operation, a tattoo artist uses a separate and independent control panel on the control box to control the speed and penetration rate of the needle in the applicator. This action is done either by hand or by foot-pedal and is not convenient or comfortable for the tattoo artist. Further, the applicator and the control box may be linked through a cable attachment or wireless radio protocols. In the wired case, the cable is cumbersome, obstructive, restrictive and distracting, thereby limiting the user or artist’s movement or techniques of tattooing. In the wireless case, the cost of the entire system may increase due to the need of the wireless module and often experiences drop-out or failure in the continuity of connectivity leading to erratic behaviour. Further, in the wireless case, the applicator and the control box may require a separate power supply; thus increasing the cost, reliability and awkwardness further.

[0005] In relation to a single unit tattoo machine with conventional control, there are several disadvantages. In particular, conventional control means there is often a dial/button/actuator for controlling the speed, and a dial/button/actuator for controlling the depth. Two hands are required to change the speed and/or needle depth while operating the tattoo machine and in most cases the applicator has to be switched-off or powered-down completely before doing so.

[0006] Further, existing tattoo machines have the limitations of limited or accurate speed selection, or both. Owing to the limitation of conventional power supply, the speed of the motor of the applicator is generally limited to controlling the speed only and does not compensate for the variation or fluctuation of the speed during the tattooing process caused by different skin toughness, the varying pressure applied by a user of the tattoo machine, rate of application, angle of incident of the needle and type of needle format employed. Conventional power supplies do not compensate for needle torque and speed variations during the tattooing process. Note that the needle of a tattoo machine is known as an applicator, and the two terms may be used interchangeably.

SUMMARY

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hand-held tattoo machine, comprising: a body; a power supply integrated within the body; a control system integrated within the body; a user input interface on the body to receive input from a user holding the tattoo machine; and a needle connected to the body controlled and driven by the control system and the power supply; wherein the control system and the power supply is configured and adapted to provide incremental voltages to drive the needle based on an input from the user input interface; and wherein there are at least 10 incremental voltages, with the highest voltage being more than 10V.

[0008] In one form, the incremental voltages are within 5V to 15V. In one form, the control system comprises a fixed frequency Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) module. In one form, the control system comprises a Buck-Boost converter. In one form, the control system controls a speed and a torque of the needle In one form, the control system comprises a voltage regulation and an amplifier feedback loop.

[0009] In one form, the hand-held tattoo machine further comprises a memory to record a current setting of the hand-held tattoo machine such that when the hand-held tattoo machine is turned off and turned on again, the hand-held tattoo machine maintains the current setting just before the hand-held tattoo machine is turned off.

[0010] In one form, the user input interface comprises a single button and an accelerometer to detect the orientation of the hand-held tattoo machine. In one form, the hand-held tattoo machine further comprises a display to indicate a charge level of the power supply. In one form, the hand-held tattoo machine further comprises an indicator to indicate a speed, a torque level, or both of the needle. In one form, the control system stops a provision of any voltage to drive the needle when a charge of the power supply is below a predetermined threshold. In one form, the hand-held tattoo machine further comprises a wireless module to connect to optional external modules.

[0011] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a power supply integrated into a hand-held tattoo machine, configured and adapted to provide incremental voltages to drive the needle based on an input from the user input interface; and wherein there are at least 10 incremental voltages, with the highest voltage being more than 10V.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] Embodiments of the present invention will be discussed with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:

[0013] Figure 1 depicts an exemplary tattoo machine;

[0014] Figure 2 depicts one example of the functional block of an exemplary tattoo machine.

[0015] Figure 3 depicts an exemplary circuit comprising a movement sensor within a tattoo machine;

[0016] Figure 4 depicts an exemplary circuit of the needle end of a tattoo machine;

[0017] Figure 5 shows a circuit comprising a dynamic feedback correction for a main boost regulator circuit;

[0018] Figure 6 depicts a battery cell with protection circuit module to provide the power for all circuitry; and

[0019] Figure 7 and Figure 8 together show circuit comprising the main motor voltage/speed boost regulator for the main motor driver of a tattoo machine.

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

[0020] The present disclosure presents a new and inventive tattoo machine which addresses one or more of the aforementioned disadvantages of existing tattoo machines.

[0021] In one embodiment, the new and inventive tattoo machine is a hand-held tattoo machine, with a power supply and control system integrated within the body of the tattoo machine. A power supply takes the form of a battery. Examples include, but are not limited to, Li-ION batteries; 183503.6V at 0.9Ah and/or 18500 at 3,7V 2,04Mah. In one form, the battery includes built-in PCM (protection circuit modules) with fixed dimensions.

[0022] A control system can be considered as the “mind” of the tattoo machine. It can comprise more than one microprocessor, or it can just be a single microprocessor. The microprocessor is connected to parts of a tattoo machine to control the functionality of the tattoo machine.

[0023] The term integrated means that the power supply and the control system is within a body of the tattoo machine, and is lifted together when the body of the tattoo machine is lifted. In other words, the power supply and the control system are not separated from the body, for example, the power supply is not a main supply; the power supply is not from a separate box supplying power to the tattoo machine through a cable longer than say 20cm. Similarly, the control system is not from a separate box controlling the tattoo machine through a cable longer than say 20cm, or through wireless.

[0024] The body of the tattoo machine also includes a user interface to receive input from a user holding the tattoo machine The user interface can be buttons, touch-sensitive surfaces etc.

[0025] The tattoo machine comprises a needle connected to the body controlled and driven by the control system and the power supply. The needle may be a standard tattoo machine needle or a specialised needle to suit certain applications. The needle is controlled by the control system and the power supply integrated within the body of the tattoo machine. The movement of the needle is dependent, which can be in a direct manner or indirect manner, on the amount of power it receives from the power supply. By controlling the power supply, the torque and speed of the needle can be controlled.

[0026] The torque or speed, or both, is controlled in an incremental form. Incremental form may be linear incremental or exponential incremental, or increase without a fixed pattern. In one form there are at least 10 incremental voltages, with the highest voltage being more than 10 V. hi another form, there are 21 incremental voltages, spanning linearly from 5 V to 15 V, with each increment being 0.5 V. In one form, there are more than 20 incremental voltages. In one form, the maximum voltage is between 15 V to 25 V.

[0027] The control system is configured to transform the power supply to the required or desired voltage, current, or both. In one form, the control system comprises a fixed-frequency Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) module. As an exemplary embodiment, the control system generates a fixed frequency signal, say a square wave signal at 200 kHz. By changing the duty cycle of the fixed frequency signal, the output may be controlled. The output then drives a voltage regulation and amplifier feedback loop to provide the required or desired voltage driving the needle. [0028] In one embodiment, the control system of the tattoo machine comprises a Buck-Boost converter. A Buck-Boost converter is a switch mode DC to DC converter in which the output voltage can be transformed to a level less than or greater than the input voltage. The magnitude of output voltage depends on the duty cycle of the switch. Sometimes, a Buck-Boost converter is also known as a step up/step down converter.

[0029] Note that the term hand-held means the tattoo machine is small enough to be handled and operated by a person. It does not mean that it must be operated by a person. While it is expected, at the current technological advancement, that a person is required to operate such a hand-held tattoo machine, it is possible that in the future, an AI controlled robot or machines may be able to mount and operate such a hand-held tattoo machine

[0030] In one embodiment, the tattoo machine also comprises a “memory” function, in that when the tattoo machine is turned off, it remembers the current settings of the tattoo machine by saving into a memory the settings of the tattoo machine or a marker representing the current settings of the tattoo machine. When the tattoo machine is turned on again, the tattoo machine continues to operate under the saved settings. Of course, such memory function can be disabled or activated depending on the preference of the user of the tattoo machine.

[0031] In one form, the user input interface of the hand-held tattoo machine can detect movement and, based on the movement, changes the setting of the tattoo machine. In one form, it comprises a single button and an accelerometer to detect the orientation of the hand-held tattoo machine When the button is pressed and a certain movement is detected, the setting of the machine is updated depending on the detected movement For example, when a tilt left movement is detected when the button is pressed, the speed of the needle is reduced, and when a tilt right movement is detected when the button is pressed, the speed of the needle is increased, and vice versa.

[0032] There are many other ways to detect movement. One way is to use one or more accelerometers. Other way may include optical or laser positioning.

[0033] The hand-held tattoo machine may further comprise a display to indicate a charge level of the power supply. This may alert the user of the tattoo machine when the charge is dropping very low. Further, the control system may stop a provision of any voltage to drive the needle when a charge of the power supply is below a predetermined threshold. This is to prevent an unexpected end of supply and an unexpected ceased working of the tattoo machine. [0034] The hand-held tattoo machine may further comprise an indicator to indicate a speed, a torque level, or both, of the needle. This assists the user of the tattoo machine to make various decisions when tattooing.

[0035] While the present disclosure works without a need to connected to another external module through a connecting wire or through a wireless connection, it is possible to integrate a wireless module into the body of the tattoo machine to connect to one or more optional external modules. For example, it is possible to connect through WIFI, 3G, 4G, 5G, or Bluetooth to connect the tattoo machine to Internet. It may use the Internet connectivity to track the use of the tattoo machine, feedback the condition of the tattoo machine back to the manufacturer etc.

[0036] Figure 1 depicts an exemplary tattoo machine.

[0037] Figure 2 depicts one example of the functional block of an exemplary tattoo machine

[0038] There is a main button block 21. When activated, block 21 sends a signal to block 23 which is a functional block of an accelerometer to sensor one or more of attitude, orientation, movement, and position of the tattoo machine. Depending on the sensed one or more of attitude, orientation, movement, and position of the tattoo machine, block 23 may trigger the function of block 25, which is to turn off the tattoo machine. When activated, block 21 also sends a signal to turn on block 27 which is a functional block of the system of the tattoo machine.

[0039] Block 27 also receives a signal from a left hand button 29 and a right hand button 31. In other words, pressing any button may turn on the system (block 27). Similar, just like block 21 , the left hand button 29 and the right hand button 31 can turn on block 23.

[0040] The system of block 27 receives a signal and power from the battery block 33 through protection circuit block 35 The system of block 27 includes a programmable microprocessor controller block 37, which can perform a series of functions comprising, and not limited to, the following:

• Turning the system on or off

• Reverse boost regulator protect control

• Main motor voltage control (dc motors)

• Correction amplifier control

• Battery management control

• Battery monitoring and constant level display

• Thermal protection control (internal)

• Accelerometer attitude interpretation

• Analogue to Digital and Digital to Analogue interpretation and control • Needle adjust motor control

• Needle end-stop control

• Needle motor direction control

• Button interpretation and function control

• Led voltage/speed display and drive control

• Red LED warning control

• Voltage boost regulation control

• Memory-last state conditions

[0041] Most blocks are linked to block 37 directly or indirectly. Block 37 can be considered as the “brain” of the tattoo machine. Further, additional blocks such as left hand side LED display (block 39), for example a green LED; right hand side LED display (block 41), for example a green LED; left and right hand side LED (block 43), for example a red warning LED, and in-circuit programming ports (block 45) may be linked to block 37. The functions of them are described in the later part of this specification.

[0042] Block 27 controls block 47 which is an overload fuse protection, which in turn controls block 49 which functions to boost voltage regulation for reverse polarity protection (block 51 ) Block 51 is linked to logic voltage regulation (block 53) and also to main voltage boost regulation (block 55). The main voltage boost regulation controls the main motor drivers (block 57) that feed through EMI protection (block 59) to drive the main motor (block 61). The motor may take many different forms. One example is a 3-phase DC brushless motor.

[0043] Main voltage boost regulation (block 55) is controllable through signals from accelerometer (block 23). In this example, Voltage/Speed ratio adjust (block 63) with 24 possible increments is effected through pressing of main button (block 21) and a detection of certain movement through the accelerometer (block 23).

[0044] The accelerometer (block 23) also provides output to the needle motor control block 65, which in turn drives the needle adjust motor (block 71 ) through needle motor end-stop detect control (block 67) and EMI protection (block 69). The needle adjust motor may take many forms. One example is a motor with DC geared 6-350:1 reduction.

[0045] Both needle motor control (block 65) and main motor drivers (block 57) are linked to an error correction amplifier (block 73).

[0046] Figure 3 depicts an exemplary circuit 101 of a movement sensor within a tattoo machine, taking a form of an accelerometer The chip may be ADXL344 By detecting the movement, the tattoo machine can act according to the detected movement. Some examples are provided throughout this specification. For example, control of the Voltage/Speed can be changed depending on the movement of the tattoo machine when a button is pressed

[0047] Figure 4 depicts an exemplary circuit of the needle end of a tattoo machine, where circuit 103 is an end-stop detect control to detect needle limit stops and controls circuit 105 for needle motor control to reverse and halt. Circuit 107 is an EMI protection for EMI filtering and for noise reduction of noise from circuit 109 where circuit 109 is the needle adjust drive representing the geared DC motor for the needle protrusion adjust drive mechanism.

[0048] Figure 5 shows a circuit 111 which is a dynamic feedback correction for main boost regulator circuit 121 of Figure 7 to maintain torque and motor speed. Circuit 105 for needle motor control may send circuit 111 feedback to control main boost regulator circuit 121 in relation to speed pre-set for needle- adjustment.

[0049] Figure 6 depicts battery cell 113 with a protection circuit module to provide the power for all circuitry. Fuse 115 acts as a protection fuse to the circuits. Circuit 119 is a boost regulator, producing 15 V, to enable polarity protection gate of circuit 1 17.

[0050] Figure 7 and Figure 8 together show circuit 121 which is the main motor voltage/speed boost regulator for circuit 123 which is the main motor driver. A suitable chip for circuit 121 is LM3488.

Circuit 123 translates voltage variation of circuit 121 to drive circuit 127 (mam motor drive) at the desired speed and torque. Circuit 127 represents the 3-phase DC motor for reciprocating drive mechanism. In between circuit 127 and circuit 123 is circuit 125 which is for EMI filtering, and for noise reduction of noise from circuit 127. A microprocessor (not shown) is used in all intelligence, interpretation and electronic decisions. It also detects and controls thermal conditions, thermal overload warnings and shutdown.

[0051] As an example, an exemplary operating procedure is provided below to assist the understanding of the present invention. As a first step, a charged battery is inserted into the tattoo machine. To turn ON, press any button once momentarily. The Motor Speed will be that at which it was last running before it was switched OFF. An LED Display shows the battery status/charge level during the entire ON condition. To switch OFF - hold tool vertical with needle pointing upwards and press the middle button once.

[0052] To decrease motor speed, hold the tool in right hand with a main button facing inwards toward the user’ s body with the LED Display in a horizontal direction. As the MAIN (middle) button is pressed, the LED Display will change from Battery Level indication to Motor Speed indication. The full Motor Speed range is divided into 24 increments and is represented by 12 green LEDs arranged to look like the “hours” on a clock face. The Voltage/Speed range is divided into 24 incremental speed-steps (12 x “hours”, and 12 x “half-hours”). These are displayed with a full single “LED-ON” for the hour-steps and each alternate increment as 2 x consecutive “LEDs-ON” demarcating the half-hour-steps (hence: 2 x 12 = 24).

[0053] By holding the middle button depressed, the speed will decrease continuously until the lowest Voltage/Speed rate is attained. The Red LED will come ON when the lowest speed limit is reached. For fine adjustment of the speed, pulse-press the middle button. This will decrease the Voltage/Speed rate in increments (of l/24ths of the total 15-5 Volt range) displayed as “half-hour” increments.

[0054] Green LEDs will light up and sequentially progress in an anti-clockwise direction as the speed decreases. The Red LED in the centre of the display comes ON indicating the minimum speed has been reached and will remain ON for 3 seconds after which it reverts back to the Battery Level display.

[0055] To Increase Motor Speed, hold the tool in the right hand with a Main button facing inwards toward the user’s body with the LED Display in a horizontal direction. Then the user flips his/her wrist orientation so that the LED Display is on the opposite side and in the horizontal position. To increase the Motor Speed repeat the procedure for decreasing the speed and the conditions for increasing the Voltage/Speed rate except in opposite attitude/orientation.

[0056] For fine adjustment of the speed, pulse-press the Main button. This will increase the Voltage/Speed rate in increments (of l/24ths of total the 5-15Volt range) displayed as “half-hour” increments. Green LEDs move in a clockwise direction as the speed changes until the Red LED in centre of the display comes ON indicating maximum speed has been reached and will remain ON for 3 seconds after which it reverts back to the Battery Level display.

[0057] The following explains an exemplary way of adjusting the needle and the depth of the needle of the tattoo machine To retract needle protrusion, hold tool vertical with the needle pointing upwards and the Main button facing towards the user and with the motor running. Press the Left button so the motor speed goes to half-full speed and slowly retracts the needle. Release the button when the desired needle protrusion height is attained. Pulse-press the Left button should the user want to retract in minute increments.

[0058] While the retracting motor is engaged, the Green LED display spins anticlockwise to indicate the needle is retracting. The Red LED in centre of display comes ON and stops the motor indicating the needle has been fully retracted. The Red LED stays ON for 3 seconds, after which it reverts back to the Battery Level display [0059] To Extend Needle Protrusion, hold tool vertical with the needle pointing upwards, the Mam button facing towards the user and with the motor running. Press the Right button so the motor speed goes to half-full speed and slowly extends the needle. Release the button when the desired needle protrusion height is attained. Pulse-press the Right button should one want to extend in minute increments.

[0060] While the extending motor is engaged, the Green LED display spins anticlockwise to indicate the needle is extending. The Red LED in centre of display comes ON and motor stops indicating the needle has been fully extended. The Red LED stays ON for 3 seconds, after which it reverts back to the Battery Level display.

[0061] In relation to the Battery Charge Display, the LED Display will constantly display the current and diminishing battery level/charge during its operation and after each change of action of the tattoo machine. Screen will display the battery charge level during operation, moving anticlockwise for example as charge reduces.

[0062] The last 2 Green LEDs flash to show low-battery charge and progress to the Red LED flashing before the critical (minimum) battery charge is reached. At this point, one should replace the depleted battery with a charged one. Failing which, the tattoo machine automatically switches OFF when the critically Low-Battery Voltage is reached. This low voltage condition will be recorded within the device memory and may only permit a fully charged battery to power-up the device for further operation.

[0063] In summary, the tattoo machine according to the present disclosure may be:

• Portable and not tethered to any other device

• Operated totally independent of external control or influence

• Operated within a sterile bag- wrapping

• Battery powered without any external wiring attached so the applicator is not connected to or influenced by any RF, Bluetooth, WIFI or wireless performance or protocol

• Battery operated and fully portable. Its performance does not depend on any other device(s), influence or control and is completely self-contained

• Automatically adjusted in relation to needle torque compensation for different skin textures, density, tautness and/or toughness encountered during tattooing

• Adjusted based on an on-the-fly variable depth of needle-penetration adjustment feature that is fully electronically controlled without the need to unwrap the device. Needle drive extension between 0mm-6mm maximum protrusion delivered by way of a geared motor and lead-screw drive. [0064] In one form, the tattoo machine is with a “Haptic-feedback” through the motor drive to assist human interaction.

[0065] In one embodiment, there is provided with a tattoo machine which is untethered or not comrected to any external control system. It is battery powered, and light weight (< 700g). In one form, it is lighter than 1kg In one form, it is lighter than 600g. Its power supply is Lithium-ion batteries.

[0066] In one embodiment, the tattoo machine is with settings to change from a Right-handed configuration to a Left-handed configuration.

[0067] In one embodiment, the tattoo machine is with switch “ON” function by pressing any button of the tattoo machine To turn off align the tattoo machine vertically and press any single button.

[0068] In one embodiment, the tattoo machine uses a 3-phase DC brushless motor with a 5-15 V range.

In another embodiment, the tattoo machine uses a geared reduction motor.

[0069] Those of skill in the art would understand that information and signals may be represented using any of a variety of technologies and techniques. For example, data, instructions, commands, information, signals, bits, symbols, and chips may be referenced throughout the above description may be represented by voltages, currents, electromagnetic waves, magnetic fields or particles, optical fields or particles, or any combination thereof.

[0070] Those of skill in the art would further appreciate that the various illustrative logical blocks, modules, circuits, and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, computer software or instructions, or combinations of both. To clearly illustrate this interchangeability of hardware and software, various illustrative components, blocks, modules, circuits, and steps have been described above generally in terms of their functionality. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the overall system. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

[0071] The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be embodied directly in hardware, in a software module executed by a processor, or in a combination of the two. For a hardware implementation, processing may be implemented within one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), processors, controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, other electronic units designed to perform the functions described herein, or a combination thereof. Software modules, also known as computer programs, computer codes, or instructions, may contain a number a number of source code or object code segments or instructions, and may reside in any computer readable medium such as a RAM memory, flash memory, ROM memory, EPROM memory, registers, hard disk, a removable disk, a CD- ROM, a DVD-ROM, a Blu-ray disc, or any other form of computer readable medium. In some aspects the computer-readable media may comprise non-transitory computer-readable media (e.g., tangible media).

In addition, for other aspects computer-readable media may comprise transitory computer- readable media (e.g., a signal). Combinations of the above should also be included within the scope of computer- readable media In another aspect, the computer readable medium may be integral to the processor. The processor and the computer readable medium may reside in an ASIC or related device. The software codes may be stored in a memory unit and the processor may be configured to execute them. The memory unit may be implemented within the processor or external to the processor, in which case it can be communicatively coupled to the processor via various means as is known in the art.

[0072] Further, it should be appreciated that modules and/or other appropriate means for performing the methods and techniques described herein can be downloaded and/or otherwise obtained by computing device For example, such a device can be coupled to a server to facilitate the transfer of means for performing the methods described herein. Alternatively, various methods described herein can be provided via storage means (e.g., RAM, ROM, a physical storage medium such as a compact disc (CD) or floppy disk, etc.), such that a computing device can obtain the various methods upon coupling or providing the storage means to the device. Moreover, any other suitable technique for providing the methods and techniques described herein to a device can be utilized.

[0073] In one form the invention may comprise a computer program product for performing the method or operations presented herein. For example, such a computer program product may comprise a computer (or processor) readable medium having instructions stored (and/or encoded) thereon, the instructions being executable by one or more processors to perform the operations described herein. For certain aspects, the computer program product may include packaging material.

[0074] The methods disclosed herein comprise one or more steps or actions for achieving the described method. The method steps and/or actions may be interchanged with one another without departing from the scope of the claims In other words, unless a specific order of steps or actions is specified, the order and/or use of specific steps and/or actions may be modified without departing from the scope of the claims.

[0075] As used herein, the term “determining” encompasses a wide variety of actions. For example, “determining” may include calculating, computing, processing, deriving, investigating, looking up (e.g., looking up in a table, a database or another data structure), ascertaining and the like. Also, “determining” may include receiving (e.g., receiving information), accessing (e.g., accessing data in a memory) and the like. Also, “determining” may include resolving, selecting, choosing, establishing and the like.

[0076] Throughout the specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the words “comprise” and “include” and variations such as “comprising” and “including” will be understood to imply the inclusion of a stated integer or group of integers, but not the exclusion of any other integer or group of integers.

[0077] The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as, an acknowledgement of any form of suggestion that such prior art forms part of the common general knowledge.

[0078] It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention is not restricted in its use to the particular application described. Neither is the present invention restricted in its preferred embodiment with regard to the particular elements and/or features described or depicted herein. It will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the embodiment or embodiments disclosed, but is capable of numerous rearrangements, modifications and substitutions without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth and defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A hand-held tattoo machine, comprising: a body; a power supply integrated within the body; a control system integrated within the body; a user input interface on the body to receive input from a user holding the tattoo machine; and a needle connected to the body controlled and driven by the control system and the power supply; wherein the control system and the power supply is configured and adapted to provide incremental voltages to drive the needle based on an input from the user input interface; and wherein there are at least 10 incremental voltages, with the highest voltage being more than 10 V.

2. The hand-held tattoo machine of claim 1, wherein the incremental voltages are within 5 V to 15 V.

3. The hand-held tattoo machine of claim 1, wherein the control system comprises a fixed frequency Pulse Width Modulated (PWM) module.

4. The hand-held tattoo machine of claim 1, wherein the control system comprises a Buck-Boost converter.

5. The hand-held tattoo machine of claim 1, wherein the control system controls a speed and a torque of the needle.

6. The hand-held tattoo machine of claim 1, wherein the control system comprises a voltage regulation and an amplifier feedback loop.

7. The hand-held tattoo machine of claim 1 , further comprises a memory to record a current setting of the hand-held tattoo machine such that when the hand-held tattoo machine is turned off and turned on again, the hand-held tattoo machine maintains the current setting just before the hand held tattoo machine is turned off.

8. The hand-held tattoo machine of claim 1, wherein the user input interface comprises a single button and an accelerometer to detect the orientation of the hand-held tattoo machine.

9 The hand-held tattoo machine of claim 1, further comprises a display to indicate a charge level of the power supply.

10. The hand-held tatoo machine of claim 1 , further comprises an indicator to indicate a speed, a torque level, or both of the needle.

11. The hand-held tatoo machine of claim 1 , wherein the control system stops a provision of any voltage to drive the needle when a charge of the power supply is below a predetermined threshold.

12. The hand-held tatoo machine of claim 1 , further comprises a wireless module to connect to optional external modules.

13. A power supply integrated into a hand-held tattoo machine, configured and adapted to provide incremental voltages to drive the needle based on an input from the user input interface; and wherein there are at least 10 incremental voltages, with the highest voltage being more than 10V.