IP2M Logo
IP2M

Patent Information & Production OptionsSmart Pencil Cap That Checks the Point with a Camera · Patent CN106427302B

Patent CN106427302B: bibliographic data, legal status, family, a plain-language reading of the claims, plus customization, US compliance points and how a manufacturing project runs.

At a glance

Patent numberCN106427302B (application CN201611100021)
TypeChina invention patent (发明专利) - examined; protects the technical solution
Original titlePencil cap and pencil (铅笔笔帽和铅笔)
Patent ownerNanjing Lianhan Machinery Co., Ltd. (current, after a transfer registered 2018-09-18); originally filed by Yancheng City Experimental Primary School
InventorsHuan Haixiang, Huan Bowen, Gu Tianzhu, Gu Qingyun
Filing date2016-12-02
Grant date2017-10-03
Status (China)Lapsed - terminated for non-payment of annual fees (recorded 2021-11-12, effective 2020-12-02)
Patent familyChinese filings only - no US, European, Japanese, PCT or other filings listed
Cited byNo later citations listed
SourceGoogle Patents (search for CN106427302B)

What the claims cover, in plain language

Claim 1 - a pencil cap with a hollow body (open end for the pencil, closed end), an image unit inside at the closed end, a sensor and a controller. On a check command the controller has the sensor confirm a pencil is inside, has the image unit photograph the point, reads the lead diameter from the image, compares it with a preset value and sends a reminder signal if it is larger.

Claims 2-3 - a display showing the image, with a ring scale centered on the lead whose diameter equals the preset value. Claim 4 - an outside check button that issues the command. Claim 5 - a reminder unit using sound, light, vibration or a combination. Claims 6-10 - several preset buttons to choose the limit, preset values of 0.5 mm or 0.7 mm, the camera at the center of the closed end, an alarm when no pencil is detected, and a pencil made of the cap and a barrel.

This is a simplified reading for orientation only. The legal scope is defined by the exact claim wording in the official Chinese document.

What this means for US production

This patent was filed only in China and has lapsed, so it no longer restricts anyone in China either. It has no US or other foreign counterpart.

Before production, keep in mind:

  • Other patents may exist. Smart pens and camera-equipped writing tools appear in US patents. Have a freedom-to-operate (FTO) search done by a US patent attorney before volume production.
  • Engineering. The patent describes functions rather than circuits; the camera, optics, lighting inside the cap and measuring software are developed and calibrated in the prototype stage.

Customization and manufacturing

What can be customized

AreaOptions
ShapeRound, hexagonal or character-shaped caps for standard pencils
ElectronicsCamera module, LED ring for lighting the point, microcontroller
FeedbackBuzzer, LED, vibration motor; with or without a screen
PowerCoin cell or small rechargeable battery with USB-C
Presets0.5 mm and 0.7 mm, or other values for art pencils - to be confirmed in design
VersionsFinished product, or an educational kit with open code

Things to plan for (US market)

  • Children’s products - a cap for children 12 and under needs CPSIA lead and phthalate testing, tracking labels and a Children’s Product Certificate; a product designed as a toy also falls under ASTM F963.
  • Coin and button cells - Reese’s Law (16 CFR 1263) requires secured battery compartments, warnings and special packaging for products with button or coin batteries.
  • FCC - the electronics fall under FCC Part 15 (and a radio authorization if a wireless module is added).
  • Small parts - for young children, the cap itself may be a choking hazard; design and age labeling must address this.

How a project runs

  1. Inquiry - target users, features, power source and quantity.
  2. Design - optics and lighting inside the cap, electronics, measurement software.
  3. Prototype - working caps calibrated on real pencils.
  4. Pilot run - small batch with CPSIA, battery and FCC testing.
  5. Production - volume production, packaging and shipping.

Quantities & timeline

The cap needs injection molds and a custom circuit board; development time depends mostly on the measurement software and certification. Send us your target users, features, quantity and target price and we will reply with options.

Patent drawings

Smart Pencil Cap That Checks the Point with a Camera - Patent Fig. 1
Fig. 1 - Pencil: 100 pencil; 110 cap; 120 barrel; 111 hollow body; 1112 open end; 1114 closed end; 115 check button; 116 reminder; 117 preset buttons; 118 alarm; 119 display.
Smart Pencil Cap That Checks the Point with a Camera - Patent Fig. 2
Fig. 2 - Front view of the cap: 112 controller; 113 image unit; 114 sensors.
Smart Pencil Cap That Checks the Point with a Camera - Patent Fig. 3
Fig. 3 - Top view of the cap: 1192 ring scale on the display; preset buttons marked 0.5 mm and 0.7 mm.
Smart Pencil Cap That Checks the Point with a Camera - Patent Fig. 4
Fig. 4 - Electrical connections (labels in Chinese): 117 preset buttons; 115 check-command button; 114 sensor; 113 image unit; 112 controller; 118 alarm; 116 reminder; 119 display.

Drawings reproduced from the public patent document for reference.

🔥 Popularity – views

Bring this product to market

  1. ✓ Patent vetted China-only family and legal status checked
  2. 2 Product brief · now How it works, uses and options written up
  3. 3 Prototype First samples for buyers to review
  4. 4 Pilot run Small first batch for launch customers
  5. 5 Volume production Repeat orders at scale

Buyer interest

– of 100 buyers needed to start prototyping

or request a quote Share to speed it up:

One click, no sign-up. Each vote is one real visitor, and products with the most interest go to prototyping first.

Build team: no members yet. Need a partner, co-funding or skills to build this? Join and we introduce the team once it forms.

Join the build team

Want to develop this product with others? Tell us what you can bring. When the team has enough people, we introduce the members to each other by email.

I can help with (pick any)

Letters only. The team list on this page shows your country and the first 5 letters of your name (e.g. "Micha**"); leave the name blank to appear as "Anonymous".

No money is collected on this site. IP2M does not hold or manage funds, and pledges are non-binding. We email you a link to confirm; only confirmed members are introduced to each other. See our privacy policy.

Interested in building this?

Tell us your target market, quantity and timeline. We reply with options for prototyping, small-batch runs or volume production.

More product-ready patents

All School, Office & Art patents →
Long-Point Sketch Pencil Sharpener - patent drawing

School, Office & Art

Long-Point Sketch Pencil Sharpener

Crank sharpener that cuts only the wood of sketch pencils, leaving a long, round lead about 30 mm long.

Patent CN207241257U

Fold-Out Desk Organizer Insert for School Backpacks - patent drawing

School, Office & Art

Fold-Out Desk Organizer Insert for School Backpacks

Backpack insert that unfolds into a hanging desk organizer for workbooks, stationery and a water bottle.

Patent CN209436546U

Expanding Clipboard Folder with Spring-Mounted Hinge and Catch - patent drawing

School, Office & Art

Expanding Clipboard Folder with Spring-Mounted Hinge and Catch

Hard folder whose spring-mounted hinge and catch let the cover clamp any thickness of paper.

Patent CN105667120B

This page is based on the public patent document CN106427302B, assigned to Nanjing Lianhan Machinery Co., Ltd. (current owner; originally filed by Yancheng City Experimental Primary School). IP2M is an independent manufacturing service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or licensed by the patent owner. Images marked as concept renderings are illustrations, not photos of an existing product. Patent status information is provided for reference only and is not legal advice; confirm freedom to operate for your market before production. Full disclaimer.