HINGED PERSONAL DIGITAL ASSISTANT (PDA) WITH INTERNAL PRINTER

• US 20090027475A1
• Filed: 10/06/2008
• Published: 01/29/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 01/17/2001
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Granted Patent: US 7,887,180 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/109
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/706 using a cutting tool mounted on a reciprocating carrier
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 15/044 Cassettes or cartridges containing continuous copy material, tape, for setting into printing devices
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16 Production of nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16552 using cleaning fluids
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1752 Mounting within the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/023 with reduced dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/13 Cases or covers
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/38 Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
• 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: G06F 1/1616 with folding flat displays, e.g. laptop computers or notebooks having a clamshell configuration, with body parts pivoting to an open position around an axis parallel to the plane they define in closed position
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1696 the I/O peripheral being a printing or scanning device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2200/202 Air convective hinge
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 15/00 Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data , e.g. computer output printersprinting or plotting combined with another operation, e.g. with conveying, G06K17/00
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 2215/0082 : Architecture adapted for a particular function

Abstract

A personal digital assistant (PDA) includes a body housing circuitry and an internal printer. The body bears a keypad and defines a print media ejection slot. A display is pivotally connected to the body about a hinge joint so that the display can be folded over the keypad. A releasable retainer portion is hingedly secured to the body. A print engine is housed within the body. The print engine is configured to transport the print media past the internal printer during printing and out through the print media ejection slot.

Claims

1. A personal digital assistant (PDA) comprising:

a body housing circuitry and an internal printer, bearing a keypad and defining a print media ejection slot;

a display pivotally connected to the body about a hinge joint so that the display can be folded over the keypad;

a releasable retainer portion hingedly secured to the body; and

a print engine housed within the body, and configured to transport the print media past the internal printer during printing and out through the print media ejection slot.

2. A PDA as claimed in claim 1, in which a catch mounted to the body and configured to secure the retainer portion to the body in a closed position.

3. A PDA as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printer includes a monolithic page-width ink ejection printhead which remains stationary during printing.

4. A PDA as claimed in claim 1, wherein the display includes a touch screen allowing a user to control the PDA using a input device through which the user selects items on a displayed menu, the PDA configured to allow a user to enter information by writing on the screen with the input device whereafter the user input is converted into text.

5. A PDA as claimed in claim 1, wherein the print engine includes:

a chassis;

a print cartridge mounted to the chassis, and including a print roll defining a plurality of ink reservoirs and carrying a wound length of the print media;

a first motor assembly mounted to the chassis and configured to drive a roller of the print cartridge to transport the print media;

a printhead assembly engaged with the print cartridge to eject ink from the reservoirs upon the transported print media;

a cutter assembly configured to cut a printed length of print media from the remaining wound length; and

a second motor assembly mounted to the chassis and configured to drive the cutter assembly.

6. A PDA as claimed in claim 5, wherein the print cartridge is located within the hinge joint.

7. A PDA as claimed in claim 5, wherein the first motor assembly is further configured to drive a pump which draws air through an air filter in the print cartridge and blows air over an ink ejection printhead of the printhead assembly, the first motor assembly including a first gear train for driving the pump and a second gear train for driving the roller.