Controller for an inkjet printer
First Claim
1. A printer controller for an inkjet printer, the controller comprising:
- a central processor;
connections for linking the central processor to a source of print data, a printhead, a paper transport mechanism and a print media sensor;
a memory module; and
a power source or a power source connection,wherein the central processor includes an integrated circuit fabricated on a single substrate, the integrated circuit comprising a data bus and purpose-specific functional units operatively connected to said data bus, the units comprising;
a JPEG decoder;
a compressed bi-level expander;
a halftoner; and
a printhead interface.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A printer controller for an inkjet printer comprises a purpose-specific microprocessor; connections for linking the microprocessor to an external USB module, a printhead, a paper transport mechanism and a print media sensor; a memory module; a power source connection and an authentication chip. The microprocessor represents an integrated circuit fabricated on a single substrate. The integrated circuit includes a data bus and purpose-specific functional units connected to the data bus. The functional units include a JPEG decoder, a compressed bi-level expander, a halftoner, and a printhead interface. A general-purpose processor may also be connected to the data bus for controlling the functional units. The processor may be connected to run software that coordinates the functional units to receive, expand and print pages.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A printer controller for an inkjet printer, the controller comprising:
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a central processor; connections for linking the central processor to a source of print data, a printhead, a paper transport mechanism and a print media sensor; a memory module; and a power source or a power source connection, wherein the central processor includes an integrated circuit fabricated on a single substrate, the integrated circuit comprising a data bus and purpose-specific functional units operatively connected to said data bus, the units comprising; a JPEG decoder; a compressed bi-level expander; a halftoner; and a printhead interface. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification