Image printing apparatus including a microcontroller
First Claim
Patent Images
1. An image printing apparatus that comprises:
- a print head for printing images; and
a microcontroller, in which the processor circuitry is in the form of VLIW processor circuitry, that comprises;
a wafer substrate;
the processor circuitry positioned on the wafer substrate;
print head interface circuitry that is positioned on the wafer substrate and is connected between the processor circuitry and the print head, the print head interface circuitry being configured to facilitate communication between the processor circuitry and the print head and to define a number of registers for storing clocking and control information to be received by the print head in accordance with a predetermined algorithm, whereby the print head interface circuitry is connected to a buffer memory that, in turn, is connected to the processor circuitry, the print head interface circuitry being configured to receive a print image from the processor circuitry via the buffer memory in accordance with said clocking and control information and to pass the print image to the print head; and
bus interface circuitry that is discrete from the print head interface circuitry and is connected to the processor circuitry so that the processor circuitry can communicate with devices other than the print head via a bus.
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Abstract
An image printing apparatus includes a print head for printing images. A microcontroller that includes a wafer substrate is provided. Processor circuitry is positioned on the wafer substrate. Print head interface circuitry is also positioned on the wafer substrate and is connected between the processor circuitry and the print head. The print head interface circuitry is configured to facilitate communication between the processor circuitry and the print head. Bus interface circuitry that is discrete from the print head interface circuitry is connected to the processor circuitry so that the processor circuitry can communicate with devices other than the print head via a bus.
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Citations
4 Claims
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1. An image printing apparatus that comprises:
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a print head for printing images; and
a microcontroller, in which the processor circuitry is in the form of VLIW processor circuitry, that comprises;
a wafer substrate;
the processor circuitry positioned on the wafer substrate;
print head interface circuitry that is positioned on the wafer substrate and is connected between the processor circuitry and the print head, the print head interface circuitry being configured to facilitate communication between the processor circuitry and the print head and to define a number of registers for storing clocking and control information to be received by the print head in accordance with a predetermined algorithm, whereby the print head interface circuitry is connected to a buffer memory that, in turn, is connected to the processor circuitry, the print head interface circuitry being configured to receive a print image from the processor circuitry via the buffer memory in accordance with said clocking and control information and to pass the print image to the print head; and
bus interface circuitry that is discrete from the print head interface circuitry and is connected to the processor circuitry so that the processor circuitry can communicate with devices other than the print head via a bus.
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2. An image printing apparatus that comprises:
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a page width print head that is the product of an integrated circuit fabrication technique and which includes a plurality of nozzle arrangements, each nozzle arrangement defining a micro electromechanical device that is capable of being actuated to eject ink from a nozzle chamber of the nozzle arrangement; and
a microcontroller, in which the processor circuitry is in the form of VLIW processor circuitry, that comprises;
a wafer substrate;
the processor circuitry positioned on the wafer substrate;
print head interface circuitry that is positioned on the wafer substrate and is connected between the processor circuitry and the print head, the print head interface circuitry being configured to facilitate communication between the processor circuitry and the print head and to define a number of registers for storing clocking and control information to be received by the print head in accordance with a predetermined algorithm, whereby the print head interface circuitry is connected to a buffer memory that, in turn, is connected to the processor circuitry, the print head interface circuitry being configured to receive a print image from the processor circuitry via the buffer memory in accordance with said clocking and control information and to pass the print image to the print head; and
bus interface circuitry that is discrete from the print head interface circuitry and is connected to the processor circuitry so that the processor circuitry can communicate with devices other than the print head via a bus. - View Dependent Claims (3)
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4. A microcontroller, in which the processor circuitry is in the form of VLIW processor circuitry, for an image printing apparatus, the microcontroller comprising:
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a wafer substrate;
the processor circuitry positioned on the wafer substrate;
print head interface circuitry that is positioned on the wafer substrate and is connected between the processor circuitry and the print head, the print head interface circuitry being configured to facilitate communication between the processor circuitry and the print head and to define a number of registers for storage clocking and control information to be received by the print head in accordance with a predetermined algorithm, whereby the print head interface circuitry is connected to a buffer memory that, in turn, is connected to the processor circuitry, the print head interface circuitry being configured to receive a print image from the processor circuitry via the buffer memory in accordance with said clocking and control information and to pass the print image to the print head; and
bus interface circuitry that is discrete from the print head interface circuitry and is connected to the processor circuitry so that the processor circuitry can communicate with devices other than the print head via a bus.
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Specification