Pagewidth printer and computer keyboard combination

• US 7,217,048 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2005
• Issued: 05/15/2007
• 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): Nguyen; Anthony H.
• Application Number:
  US11/149,159
• Publication Number:
  US 20050226667A1
• Time in Patent Office: 704 Days
• Field of Search: 400472-489, 400/88, 345168-170, 361/680, 341/22
• US Class Current: 400/472
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14427 Structure of ink jet print heads with thermal bend detached actuators
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1626 etching
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1639 sacrificial molding
• 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 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 Ink pumps, ink valves
• 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 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 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: 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 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. The printer includes a print media feed mechanism having a spiked wheel for engaging the print media and transporting the print media through the keyboard housing.

Claims

1. A stand alone keyboard which includes

a housing separate from a computer;

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

a page width printer ranged in the housing; and

,

an input slot in one side of the housing for receiving print sheets into the housing;

an ejection slot in an opposite side of the housing for ejecting printed sheets;

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

an engaging means arranged intermediate the printer and the ejection slot for feeding the print media out of the ejection slot, said engaging means including a spiked wheel for engaging the print media.

2. The keyboard of claim 1 in which the housing has dimensions approximating those of a computer keyboard, the housing having an ejection slot 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 ejection slot is in an opposed side of the housing to the input slot.

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

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

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

7. The keyboard of claim 6 in which the printer is a photo quality color printer.

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