Motor vehicle entertainment unit with a printer

• US 7,575,290 B2
• Filed: 02/13/2008
• Issued: 08/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, King, Tobin Allen
• Primary Examiner(s): Huffman; Julian D
• Assistant Examiner(s): Uhlenhake; Jason S
• Application Number:
  US12/030,823
• Publication Number:
  US 20080129767A1
• Time in Patent Office: 552 Days
• Field of Search: 347/2, 347/13, 347/42, 347 85- 86
• US Class Current: 347/2
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/026 Stackable
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/00 Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B60R 11/02 for radio sets, television sets, telephones, or the like; Arrangement of controls thereof

Abstract

The invention relates to an in-car entertainment unit for operative mounting in a cockpit of a motor vehicle. The unit includes a printer having a pagewidth printhead, an ink and media cartridge, and a feed system for feeding the media past the printhead. The unit also includes a slot with electrical contacts for operatively receiving a digital camera so that information is downloadable from the camera for printing via the printer, and a display for previewing the information prior to printing.

Claims

1. An in-car entertainment unit for operative mounting in a cockpit of a motor vehicle, the unit comprising:

a printer having a pagewidth printhead, an ink and media cartridge, and a feed system for feeding the media past the printhead, the printer being configured to be mounted in the cockpit in connection with a power supply of the motor vehicle, wherein the feed system includes a pick-up roller for engaging a sheet of media, a first motor, and a first gear train for coupling the motor to the pick-up roller, wherein the cartridge includes two first racks for engaging corresponding cogs mounted to an axle of the unit to thereby prevent skewing of the cartridge as it is inserted into and removed from the unit, the cartridge further including a second rack for engaging the first gear train such that operation of the gear train can be used to feed the cartridge into the unit;

an electrical connecting arrangement in a slot defined by the printer for operatively receiving a digital camera so that information is downloadable from the camera for printing via the printer; and

a display for previewing the information prior to printing.

2. The unit as claimed in claim 1, which includes controls for controlling printing from the printer.

3. The unit as claimed in claim 1, which includes a radio for receiving radio broadcasts with the printer configured to print information from the radio broadcasts.

4. The unit as claimed in claim 1, which includes a compact disk (CD) player, the printer being configured to print information from the CD player.

5. The unit as claimed in claim 1, which includes a satellite navigation unit, the printer configured to print information from said satellite navigation unit.

6. The unit as claimed in claim 1, which includes a television receiver for receiving television signals, the printer configured to print information from the television receiver.