Controller for a printer module

• US 6,958,826 B1
• Filed: 05/23/2000
• Issued: 10/25/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Memjet Technology Ltd. (Memjet Limited)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Lapstun, Paul, Walmsley, Simon Robert
• Primary Examiner(s): Coles, Edward
• Assistant Examiner(s): RAHIMI, IRAJ A
• Application Number:
  US09/575,119
• Time in Patent Office: 1,981 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.2, 358/525, 382/300, 345/604, 347/19, 347/98
• US Class Current: 358/1.2
• 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 controller for a printer module having a printhead that prints an image on printable media including a low speed central processing unit with associated program memory storing program steps for execution by the central processing unit to operate the printer module and associated scratch memory to store program variables. An image to be printed is stored in an image storage memory of approximately 1.3 Mbytes. An image access unit accesses the image and transfers the image to a printhead interface on command from the central processing unit. The printhead interface transforms the image to a 1600 dpi dithered CMY image for printing by a monolithic printhead. The controller also includes one or more interface units communicating with components of said printer module under control of the central processing unit. A Serial Bus interface communicates with the Serial Bus of a compact printer system to transfer data and power between modules.

Claims

1. A method of controlling a printer module to print an image, said printer module comprising a first authentication means, an ink cartridge incorporating a second authentication means, a printhead that prints an image on printable media with ink from the ink cartridge, image storage memory, an image access unit and a print generator unit, said method including the steps of:

authenticating the ink cartridge by comparing said first authentication means and said second authentication means;

said image access unit storing an image in the image storage memory;

sensing the presence of printable media in the printer module;

activating a motor to advance said printable media past said printhead in said printer module;

said print head interface retrieving said image from said image storage memory, transforming said image to a form suitable for said printhead, and transferring said transformed image to said printhead in a synchronous manner for printing by said printhead on said printable media.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of storing an image in image storage memory includes transferring an image from an image capture means to said image storage memory via said image access unit.

3. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transforming said image includes transforming said image to a dithered CMY image for printing by said printhead.

4. The method of claim 3 wherein said CMY image has a resolution of 1600 dpi.

5. The method of claim 1 wherein said image is stored in image storage memory in L*a*b* format and said step of transforming said image further includes the step of converting said image from L*a*b* format to CMY format.

6. The method of claim 5 wherein said step of converting said image from L*a*b* format to CMY format is a tri-linear interpolation process.

7. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of transforming said image further includes the steps of:

up-interpolating said image to a suitable resolution for printing;

dithering pixels in said image; and

formatting said image so that said image is represented by a dot function, each dot corresponding to an ink nozzle of said printhead.

8. The method of claim 1 wherein the step of dithering the image converts contone CMY to dithered bi-level CMY.

9. The method of claim 1 wherein said step of printing includes a further step of preheating and/or cleaning nozzles in said printhead.

10. A controller for a printer module having a printhead that prints an image on printable media, said controller comprising:

a central processing unit;

program memory associated with said central processing unit, said program memory storing program steps for execution by said central processing unit to operate said printer module to print said image;

one or more interface units communicating with components of said printer module;

image storage memory storing said image;

a printhead interface including a print generator unit and an interface unit; and

an image access unit in communication with said image storage memory, said central processing unit and the print generator unit of the printhead interface, said image access unit accessing said image in said image storage memory and transferring said image to said printhead interface on command from said central processing unit;

wherein said print generator unit transforms said image for transfer to the printhead by said interface unit.

11. The controller of claim 10 further comprising scratch memory associated with said central processing unit for variable storage.

12. The controller of claim 10 further comprising a serial bus interface communicating with a Serial Bus of a compact printer system including one or more further modules, said Serial Bus communicating power and data between said printer module and said one or more further modules.

13. The controller of claim 12 wherein said data includes image data stored in said image storage memory.

14. The controller of claim 10 wherein said central processing unit is a micro-controller running at about 1 Mhz.

15. The controller of claim 10 wherein at least one of said one or more interface units is a parallel interface unit communicating with at least a motor, said motor activating under control of said central processing unit to advance said printable media past said printhead.

16. The controller of claim 10 wherein said image storage memory is greater than 1 Mbytes.

17. The controller of claim 10 wherein said image storage memory is approximately 1.3 Mbytes.

18. The controller of claim 10 wherein said program memory is no greater than 8 Kbytes.

19. The controller of claim 11 wherein said scratch memory is no greater than 2 Kbytes.

20. The controller of claim 10 wherein said printhead interface includes a print generator unit that transforms said image stored in said image storage memory to a dithered CMY image for printing by said printhead.

21. The controller of claim 20 wherein said dithered CMY image has a resolution of 1600 dpi.

22. The controller of claim 10 wherein said printhead interface includes a synchronization generator unit that generates synchronization signals for transferring said image from said printhead interface to said printhead.

23. The controller of claim 22 wherein said synchronization generator unit generates signals for synchronization of a motor of said printer module.

24. The controller of claim 10 wherein at least one of said one or more interface units communicates with a QA chip of an ink cartridge.

25. The controller of claim 24 wherein two of said one or more interface units communicate with a pair of QA chips, one said QA chip being said QA chip of said ink cartridge and the other said QA chip being an associated QA chip, said QA chips cooperating to authenticate said ink cartridge for said printer module.

26. The controller of claim 10 wherein said controller is an application specific integrated circuit.

27. A controller for a printer module having an ink cartridge and a printhead that prints an image on printable media with ink from the ink cartridge, said controller comprising:

a central processing unit;

program memory associated with said central processing unit, said program memory storing program steps for execution by said central processing unit to operate said printer module to print said image;

two or more interface units communicating with components of said printer module, at least a first said interface unit connecting to an authentication means in the ink cartridge and at least a second interface unit connecting to an authentication means in the printer module;

image storage memory storing said image;

a printhead interface including a print generator unit and an interface unit; and

an image access unit in communication with said image storage memory, said central processing unit and the print generator unit of the printhead interface, said image access unit accessing said image in said image storage memory and transferring said image to said printhead interface on command from said central processing unit;

wherein said print generator unit transforms said image for transfer to the printhead by said interface unit.

28. The controller of claim 27 wherein said authentication means in the ink cartridge is a first QA chip and said authentication means in the printer module is a second QA chip.

29. A method of controlling a printer module to print an image using an approved ink cartridge incorporating a second authentication means, said printer module comprising a first authentication means, a printhead that prints an image on printable media with ink from the approved ink cartridge, image storage memory, an image access unit and a print generator unit, said method including the steps of:

authenticating the approved ink cartridge by comparing said first authentication means and said second authentication means and preventing printing if said authentication fails;

said image access unit storing an image in the image storage memory;

sensing the presence of printable media in the printer module;

activating a motor to advance said printable media past said printhead in said printer module;

said print head interface retrieving said image from said image storage memory, transforming said image to a form suitable for said printhead, and transferring said transformed image to said printhead in a synchronous manner for printing by said printhead on said printable media.