Keyboard

• US 6,641,315 B2
• Filed: 09/28/2001
• Issued: 11/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Memjet Technology Ltd. (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, King, Tobin Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Nolan, Jr., Charles H.
• Application Number:
  US09/966,293
• Publication Number:
  US 20020044814A1
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 400/472, 400/489
• US Class Current: 400/472
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14 Structure thereof only for on-demand ink jet heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14314 Structure of ink jet print heads with electrostatically actuated membrane
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14427 Structure of ink jet print heads with thermal bend detached actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16 Production of nozzles
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1601 Production of bubble jet print heads B41J2/1606, B41J2/162 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1623 bonding and adhesion
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1626 etching
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1628 dry etching
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1629 wet etching
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1631 photolithography
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1632 machining
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1635 dividing the wafer into individual chips
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1637 molding
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1639 sacrificial molding
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1642 thin film formation by CVD [chemical vapor deposition]
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1643 thin film formation by plating
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1645 thin film formation by spincoating
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1646 thin film formation by sputtering
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1648 Production of print heads with thermal bend detached actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 : Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 : Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 : Ink pumps, ink valves
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/041 : Electromagnetic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/21 : Line printing
• 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 3/46 : Printing mechanisms combined with apparatus providing a visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 5/28 : Multiple-action keys, e.g. keys depressed by two or more amounts or movable in two or more directions to effect different functions or selections
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 : in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 : Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 : Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/0202 : Constructional details or processes of manufacture of the input device
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 3/021 : Arrangements integrating additional peripherals in a keyboard, e.g. card or barcode reader, optical scanner
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/121 : by printing code marks applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 : multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/073 : Special arrangements for circuits, e.g. for protecting identification code in memory protection against unauthorised use of computer memory G06F12/14
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 : using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 : 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/08 : by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/086 : by passive credit-cards adapted therefor, e.g. constructive particularities to avoid counterfeiting, e.g. by inclusion of a physical or chemical security-layer for security documents G07D7/00; for the reading of record-carriers in general G06K7/00; for the design of coded credit-cards G06K19/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/12 : Card verification
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/56 : using storage elements with more than two stable states represented by steps, e.g. of voltage, current, phase, frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 : Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 : Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2628 : Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation

Abstract

A keyboard 10 includes a housing 12. An alphanumeric keypad 14 is carried by the housing 12. A printer 16 is arranged in the housing 12.

Claims

1. A keyboard, for use with a computer, which includes

a housing;

an alphanumeric keypad carried by the housing, the keypad including key switches mounted on a circuit board;

a page width printer arranged in the housing;

a connector for connecting the keypad and the printer to the computer; and

a feed mechanism for feeding sheets from an input slot to the minter, the feed mechanism being positioned between the circuit board and an underside of the housing.

2. The keyboard of claim 1 in which the housing has dimensions approximating those of a computer keyboard, the housing having an ejection slot in one side through which print media can be ejected after an image has been printed on the print media by the printer.

3. The keyboard of claim 2 in which the input slot in an opposed side of the housing to the side having the ejection slot for feeding print media to the printer.

4. The keyboard of claim 2 which includes an engaging means arranged intermediate the printer and the ejection slot for feeding the print media out of the ejection slot.

5. The keyboard of claim 1 in which the keypad includes a QWERTY keypad, a numerals keypad and a plurality of control key.

6. The keyboard of claim 1 in which the housing includes an access opening for enabling an ink supply of the printer to be replenished.

7. The keyboard of claim 5 in which the ink supply of the printer includes an ink cartridge which is accessed through the access opening of the housing.

8. The keyboard of claim 1 in which the printer is a full color printer.

9. The keyboard of claim 8 in which the printer is a photo quality color printer.

10. The keyboard of claim 1 in which the printhead comprises an array of nozzles, said array being fabricated by microelectromechanical techniques.

11. A computer keyboard, for use with a computer, which includes

a housing defining a chamber;

a page width inkjet printer arranged within the chamber of the housing;

a keypad having a number of key switches mounted on a circuit board, the circuit board being mounted in the chamber;

an input slot in one side of the housing for feeding print media to the printer;

an ejection slot in an opposed side of the housing through which the print media is ejected after printing; and

a feed mechanism for feeding sheets from an input slot to the printer, the feed mechanism being positioned between the circuit board and an underside of the housing.