Compact printer module for an imaging system

• US 20040032441A1
• Filed: 08/08/2003
• Published: 02/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Zamtec Limited (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, Walmsley, Simon Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,023,567 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/14
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/008 Controlling printhead for accurately positioning print image on printing material, e.g. with the intention to control the width of margins
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/02 Rollers roller platens B41J11/04
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/103 for the sheet feeding section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/12 specially adapted for small cards, envelopes, or the like , e.g. credit cards, cut visiting cards
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 19/207 Encoding along a bar
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/155 for line printing
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16508 connected with the printer frame
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16579 Detection means therefor, e.g. for nozzle clogging
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1752 Mounting within the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17523 Ink connection
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17566 Ink level or ink residue control
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 23/02 Mechanical power drives
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/02 Framework
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/023 with reduced dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/393 Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine ; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/44 : Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms having dual functions or combined with, or coupled to, apparatus performing other functions
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 : Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/46 : Printing mechanisms combined with apparatus providing a visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/05 : Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 : Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/50 : with both developing and finishing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/05 : Combinations of cameras with electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 29/00 : Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 : for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 : wherein the operator is informed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 : Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00249 : with a photographic apparatus, e.g. a photographic printer or a projector photographic apparatus per se G03B, G03D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00265 : with a photographic printing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 : with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 : with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00397 : Switches, knobs or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00538 : Modular devices, i.e. allowing combinations of separate components, removal or replacement of components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00541 : with detachable image reading apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00557 : Connection or assembly of components or elements H04N1/00538 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0083 : Arrangements for transferring signals between different components of the apparatus, e.g. arrangements of signal lines or cables for control or supervision between image input and output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00962 : Input arrangements for operating instructions or parameters, e.g. updating internal software program loading in general G06F9/445; network-specific protocols involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/107 : with manual scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 : using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2154 : the still video camera incorporating a hardcopy reproducing device, e.g. a printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32358 : using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter H04N1/17 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32598 : Bus based systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/387 : Composing, repositioning or otherwise geometrically modifying originals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/405 : Halftoning, i.e. converting the picture signal of a continuous-tone original into a corresponding signal showing only two levels
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/52 : Circuits or arrangements for halftone screening
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/60 : Colour correction or control H04N1/54 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/6019 : using look-up tables H04N1/6025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/62 : Retouching, i.e. modification of isolated colours only or in isolated picture areas only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 : Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/001 : Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 : Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 : Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 : Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0096 : Portable devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 : Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 : Housings

Abstract

A compact printer module for an imaging system comprising a stationary printhead, an ink reservoir, a feeder and an image storage device all housed within a housing. The feeder carries a printable media past the printhead which prints a full width image in a single pass. A power supply is also preferably housed within the housing.

The body is preferably cylindrical and approximately the size of a large pen. The printhead is suitably a monolithic drop-on-demand inkjet printer.

Claims

1. A compact printer module for an imaging system comprising:

a housing;

a printhead fixedly connected to said housing;

an ink reservoir releasably engageable to said housing and including a least one port in fluid communication with said printhead;

a feeder disposed adjacent said printhead and said reservoir for moving printable media past said printhead;

a storage device including a first memory for storing at least one image;

a processor configured in accordance with at least one set of instructions and at least one input to process said at least one image, wherein to process said at least one image includes printing said at least one image;

a media input opening;

a paper sensor that senses the media inserted into the opening and causes the feeder to operate to draw the media past the printhead and to print the at least one image stored in said first memory onto the media.

2. The printer module of claim 1 wherein said storage device includes flash memory associated with said processor.

3. The printer module of claim 2 wherein said flash memory includes said at least one set of instructions.

4. The printer module of claim 1 including a power source mounted to said housing.

5. The printer module of claim 1 including at least one connector fixed to said housing for connecting one or more modules to said printer module.

6. The printer module of claim 5 wherein said one or more modules includes a second memory, said one or more modules being operable to replace said at least one image in said first memory with a different image in said second memory.

7. The printer module of claim 5 wherein said at least one connector includes at least one bus providing said at least one input allowing the printer module to self configure upon connecting to said one or more modules.

8. The printer module of claim 7 wherein said at least one bus provides power between said printer module and said one or more modules.

9. The printer module of claim 7 wherein said at least one bus provides data between said printer module and said one or more modules.

10. The printer module of claim 1 wherein a portion of said housing includes a lid releasably mounted to said housing.

11. The printer module of claim 10 wherein said lid is removed by operating a latch to reveal said cartridge, said latch being slidably mounted to said cartridge.

12. The printer module of claim 1 wherein said printhead is a pagewidth printhead.

13. The printer module of claim 1 wherein said printhead prints said image on substantially the full width of said printable media in a single pass.

14. The printer module of claim 1 wherein the printhead is a monolithic drop-on-demand inkjet printer.

15. The printer module of claim 1 wherein said feeder includes a drive for driving one or more powered rollers adjacent one or more neutral rollers.

16. The printer module of claim 15 wherein said drive is an electric motor and gearbox.

17. The printer module of claim 1 wherein said processor incorporates image processing and quality assurance integrated circuits.

18. The printer module of claim 1 wherein said storage device only stores one image and said storage device is configured so the printhead only prints the image in memory.