Hand-held modular system with printer and memory modules

• US 7,468,816 B2
• Filed: 10/25/2006
• Issued: 12/23/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, Walmsley, Simon Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Safaipour, Houshang
• Assistant Examiner(s): Beckley, Jonathan R
• Application Number:
  US11/585,946
• Publication Number:
  US 20070041052A1
• Time in Patent Office: 790 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.18, 358/1.15, 358/1.8, 358/472, 399/108, 101/2, 347/42
• US Class Current: 358/472
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/008 Controlling printhead for accurately positioning print image on printing material, e.g. with the intention to control the width of margins
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/02 Rollers roller platens B41J11/04
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/103 for the sheet feeding section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/12 specially adapted for small cards, envelopes, or the like , e.g. credit cards, cut visiting cards
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 19/207 Encoding along a bar
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/155 for line printing
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16508 connected with the printer frame
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16579 Detection means therefor, e.g. for nozzle clogging
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1752 Mounting within the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17523 Ink connection
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17566 Ink level or ink residue control
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 23/02 Mechanical power drives
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/02 Framework
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/023 with reduced dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/393 Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine ; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence
• 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 3/445 : Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/46 : Printing mechanisms combined with apparatus providing a visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/05 : Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 : Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/50 : with both developing and finishing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/05 : Combinations of cameras with electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 29/00 : Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 : for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 : wherein the operator is informed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 : Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00249 : with a photographic apparatus, e.g. a photographic printer or a projector photographic apparatus per se G03B, G03D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00265 : with a photographic printing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 : with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 : with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00397 : Switches, knobs or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00538 : Modular devices, i.e. allowing combinations of separate components, removal or replacement of components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00541 : with detachable image reading apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00557 : Connection or assembly of components or elements H04N1/00538 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0083 : Arrangements for transferring signals between different components of the apparatus, e.g. arrangements of signal lines or cables for control or supervision between image input and output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00962 : Input arrangements for operating instructions or parameters, e.g. updating internal software program loading in general G06F9/445; network-specific protocols involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/107 : with manual scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 : using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2154 : the still video camera incorporating a hardcopy reproducing device, e.g. a printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32358 : using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter H04N1/17 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32598 : Bus based systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/387 : Composing, repositioning or otherwise geometrically modifying originals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/405 : Halftoning, i.e. converting the picture signal of a continuous-tone original into a corresponding signal showing only two levels
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/52 : Circuits or arrangements for halftone screening
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/60 : Colour correction or control H04N1/54 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/6019 : using look-up tables H04N1/6025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/62 : Retouching, i.e. modification of isolated colours only or in isolated picture areas only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 : Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/001 : Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 : Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 : Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 : Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0096 : Portable devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 : Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 : Housings

Abstract

A printer module for a compact printer system has an elongate body having a longitudinal axis and a stationary printhead housed within the body. Two opposing slots are interconnected by a paper path which passes through the body. An ink reservoir within the body provides ink to the printhead. Images to be printed are transferred to the printhead from a storage device.

Claims

1. A hand-held modular printer system for printing a stored image, the printer system comprising:

a memory module in which the image can be stored;

a printer module adapted to be releasably interconnected with memory module, the printer module including an elongate body defining a transverse print media passage and a printer which is arranged within the body so that the stored image can be printed onto print media which passes through the passage, the printer module further including a print media feed arrangement located within the body, the print media feed arrangement comprising a plurality of rollers configured to feed the print media through the passage and a motor arrangement for driving at least one of the roller; and

a pen module adapted to be releasably interconnected with the printer module and which includes a nib for dispensing ink.

2. A hand-held modular printer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of rollers includes a quartet of rollers with a pair of the rollers being driven by the motor arrangement and another pair of the rollers being neutral.

3. A hand-held modular printer system as claimed in claim 1, including a sensor which is configured to sense the feeding of the print media within the passage and an actuator operatively connected to the motor arrangement and responsive to the sensor sensing the feeding of the print media into the passage.

4. A hand-held modular printer system as claimed in claim 1, including a print media dispenser module defining a print media outlet and which can be releasably interconnected with the printer module so that the outlet is in register with the passage, the dispenser module being configured to store a stack of sheets of print media and comprising a dispensing mechanism configured to dispense an outermost sheet of the stack through the outlet and into the passage for printing.

5. A hand-held modular printer system as claimed in claim 4, wherein the dispenser module comprises a housing in which the stack of sheets can be stored and the dispensing mechanism comprises a sliding mechanism which can slide with respect to the housing to dispense the outermost sheet.

6. A hand-held modular printer system as claimed in claim 5, wherein the housing is sized to accommodate a stack of business card sized sheets.

7. A hand-held modular printer system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a communications module which can be releasably interconnected with the memory module and is configured to facilitate transfer of images between the memory module and a personal computer.

8. A hand-held modular printer system as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a camera module which can be releasably interconnected with the printer module and is configured to capture the stored image.

9. A hand-held modular printer system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the memory module and camera module can be interconnected at opposite ends of the printer module.

10. A hand-held modular printer system as claimed in claim 8, wherein the body further houses a power supply for supplying power to the printer and the camera module.