PRINTING SYSTEM FOR INSTALLATION IN A VEHICLE

• US 20090058943A1
• Filed: 11/06/2008
• Published: 03/05/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Granted Patent: US 7,760,236 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/49
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00315 with a radio transmission apparatus with a cordless telephone H04N1/00305; systems or arrangements for the transmission of a picture signal specially adapted for transmission via radio H04N1/00103; H04N1/00307 takes precedence; radio transmission systems H04B7/00; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0058 Docking-station, cradle or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0063 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0065 Converting image data to a format usable by the connected apparatus or vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof

Abstract

Provided is a printing system for installation in a vehicle for providing hard-copies from a digital camera. The printing system includes a wireless communications subsystem for receiving wireless image information from a camera, and a layout engine with rasterization and page compression modules linked to a printer controller. The printer controller controls a printer having a chassis with a top cover defining an access opening for receiving a cartridge, said opening closed off by a spring-biased flap, and a printhead housed in the chassis. The printer also includes a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted in the chassis with control circuitry linking the controller to the printer controller to control the printhead.

Claims

1. A printing system for installation in a vehicle for providing hard-copies from a digital camera, said printing system having a wireless communications subsystem for receiving wireless image information from a camera, and a layout engine with rasterization and page compression modules linked to a printer controller for controlling a printer comprising:

a chassis with a top cover defining an access opening for receiving a print media cartridge, said opening closed off by a spring-biased flap;

a printhead housed in the chassis; and

a printed circuit board (PCB) mounted in the chassis with control circuitry linking the controller to the printer controller to control the printhead.

2. The printing system of claim 1, having a pair of drive motors mounted on a sidewall of the chassis, a first drive motor for driving a first gear train mounted on a side molding of the chassis.

3. The printing system of claim 2, wherein a second drive motor drives a drive roller via a second gear train.

4. The printing system of claim 1, wherein the printhead is configured to receive ink from ink hoses which communicate with an ink supply reservoir of the cartridge via an ink supply manifold.

5. The printing system of claim 2, wherein the drive motors are stepper motors.

6. The printing system of claim 1, having a tape automated bond (TAB) film interposed between the PCB and the printhead via which the PCB communicates with the printhead.

7. The printing system of claim 1, wherein the printhead is a four color printhead for printing photo quality prints on print media stored in the cartridge.