Interactive information device with integral printer

• US 7,077,748 B2
• Filed: 10/29/2004
• Issued: 07/18/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 11/09/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, Lapstun, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): SAGER, MARK ALAN
• Application Number:
  US10/975,422
• Publication Number:
  US 20050090316A1
• Time in Patent Office: 627 Days
• Field of Search: 463/1, 463/30, 463/36, 463/39, 463 43- 45, 273/148.R, 340/323.R, 700 91- 92, 342 1- 2, 342/5, 342/20, 342/40, 342/54, 342/108, 342/109
• US Class Current: 463/30
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/00 Video games, i.e. games using an electronically generated display having two or more dimensions gaming systems which provide a financial reward G07F17/32
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/235 using a wireless connection, e.g. infrared or piconet
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/28 responding to control signals received from the game device for affecting ambient conditions, e.g. for vibrating players' seats, activating scent dispensers or affecting temperature or light controlling the output signals based on the game progress A63F13/50
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/655 by importing photos, e.g. of the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/85 Providing additional services to players
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 13/95 Storage media specially adapted for storing game information, e.g. video game cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/1031 using a wireless connection, e.g. Bluetooth, infrared connections
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/202 the game platform being a DVD player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/206 Game information storage, e.g. cartridges, CD ROM's, DVD's, smart cards
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/302 specially adapted for receiving control signals not targeted to a display device or game input means, e.g. vibrating driver's seat, scent dispenser
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/57 details of game services offered to the player
• CPC Class Codes: A63F 2300/695 Imported photos, e.g. of the player
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/00 Devices or arrangements of selective printing mechanisms, e.g. ink-jet printers or thermal printers, specially adapted for supporting or handling copy material in short lengths, e.g. sheets
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/103 for the sheet feeding section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/026 Stackable
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 : Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 1/1632 : External expansion units, e.g. docking stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/21 : Combinations with auxiliary equipment, e.g. with clocks or memoranda pads
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/724 : User interfaces specially adapted for cordless or mobile telephones
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 : Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0063 : Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 : Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence

Abstract

An interactive information console is configured to accept information defined by an interactive program on a detachable storage medium, such as a DVD, CD-ROM, cartridge or the like. The information, may include educational and/or gaming data, with which a user interacts via a controller device. At predetermined points defined by the program, such as a certain level being achieved or a task being completed, an integral printing apparatus prints images pertaining to the information. Enhanced interactivity is achieved.

Claims

1. An interactive information device comprising

a program storage module tht has a receptacle for accepting detachable storage means that contains an interactive program;

communication means for receiving interaction data from at least one control device operable by a user;

processing means for executing said interactive program at least partially in reliance upon the interaction data, thereby to generate display images for output to an image display means; and

a printer module including a printhead, a print media feed mechanism and a replaceable cartridge which houses an ink supply unit and print media supply, said printer module being operatively associated with said processing means to print one or more images pertaining to information stored by the detachable storage means onto print media in response to execution of said interactive program, said printer module and program storage module being hinged together and the printer module being configured to define a closure for the program storage module.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein said print media is in the form of sheets of paper or card.

3. A device as claimed in claim 2, wherein said sheets are substantially business card size.

4. A device according to claim 3, wherein said cartridge includes a print media feed roller device for interacting with the print media feed mechanism to feed media from the cartridge to the printhead as required.

5. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein, either automatically or in response to said interactive data from the control device, said one or more images are printed via said printer module at one or more points of said interactive program.

6. A device as claimed in claim 5, wherein the interactive program includes an interactive educational program, said one or more points being predetermined educational events defined by the interactive educational program.

7. A device as claimed in claim 6, wherein said one or more points are reached upon successful completion of an educational goal by a user or users.

8. A device as claimed in claim 7, wherein the interactive program further includes an interactive video gaming program, said one or more points being predetermined gaming events defined by the interactive video gaming program.

9. A device as claimed in claim 8, wherein said one or more points are reached upon successful completion of a gaming goal by a user or users.

10. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said printhead comprises an inkjet printhead.

11. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said ink jet printhead comprises a pagewidth array of ink ejection nozzles configured to selectively eject ink by means of a series of actuators.

12. A device as claimed in claim 11, wherein said actuators are thermal bend actuators.

13. A device as claimed in claim 10, wherein said printhead is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) printhead.

14. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said detachable storage means comprises means selected from the group consisting of a Digital Video Disk (DVD), a compact disk-read only memory (CD-ROM) and a semiconductor memory cartridge.

15. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein said communication means comprises a wireless communication system.

16. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the images are different to the corresponding display images.

17. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the images include interaction information that can be utilized by the user to change, or continue along, the course of the interactive program.

18. A device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the images are indicative of successful completion of a predetermined task or level of the interactive program.

19. A device as claimed in claim 18, wherein the images take the form of one or more certificates.