Pagewidth printer that includes a computer-connectable keyboard

• US 6,988,841 B2
• Filed: 09/27/2004
• Issued: 01/24/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Zamtec Limited (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, King, Tobin Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): CHAU, MINH H
• Application Number:
  US10/949,291
• Publication Number:
  US 20050041086A1
• Time in Patent Office: 484 Days
• Field of Search: 400472-489, 400/88, 345168-170, 361679-680
• 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 pagewidth printer includes a housing that defines a print media inlet and a print media outlet. A pagewidth printhead assembly is positioned in the housing between the print media inlet and outlet. A feed mechanism is interposed between the print media inlet and the printhead assembly to feed print media through the printhead assembly. A key pad assembly is positioned on the housing and is connectable to a computer.

Claims

1. A pagewidth printer that comprises

a housing that defines a print media inlet and a print media outlet;

a pagewidth printhead assembly that is positioned in the housing between the print media inlet and outlet;

a feed mechanism interposed between the print media inlet and the printhead assembly to feed print media through the printhead assembly, wherein the feed mechanism comprises a belt and roller assembly for feeding the print media from the media inlet to the printhead assembly; and

a key pad assembly that is positioned on the housing and is connectable to a computer.

2. A printer as claimed in claim 1, which includes control circuitry and a suitable connector to permit the control circuitry to be connected to the computer to receive print data from the computer.

3. A printer as claimed in claim 1, in which the housing is generally rectangular with a pair of opposed major sides and a pair of opposed minor sides, the print media inlet being defined in one of the major sides and the print media outlet being defined in the other major side.

4. A printer as claimed in claim 1, in which the belt and roller assembly includes an idler roller positioned proximate the media inlet, a drive roller positioned proximate the printhead assembly and a belt received over the drive and idler rollers, the assembly further including a late that bears against the belt to maintain planarity of the belt.

5. A printer as claimed in claim 1, which includes at least one engaging wheel interposed between the printhead assembly and the media outlet to engage the print media and feed the print media out of the media outlet.

6. A printer as claimed in claim 1, in which the printhead assembly includes a pagewidth inkjet printhead and an ink supply arrangement positioned on the printhead to supply the printhead with ink.