KR20040101462A - A printer incorporating a pcmcia interface - Google Patents

Abstract

The scope of new printer applications includes sticker printing camera devices and new cartridge assemblies, PC disk drive bay printers, PCMCIA printers and cameras using such printers, digital mobile printer phones with or without print media feeders, video game console devices, and And a digital printer cartridge having an integrated print media transport mechanism.

Description

Printer with PCMCIA interface {A PRINTER INCORPORATING A PCMCIA INTERFACE}

The present invention relates to a printing device, and more particularly to related components such as printing device applications and print media cartridges.

The present invention will be developed and described based on a preferred embodiment using a drop on demand inkjet printing technique. However, in most embodiments, the aspects of the invention are equally applicable to systems using other preferred small printing systems.

It is of utmost importance that a vehicle is provided in the cartridge so that the mechanism and print media can be housed in the shield unit so that the paper or other media is accurate and transported out of the cartridge with minimal initial contamination. In the cartridge of the prior art, the cartridge is pressed by a pickup roller mounted in the printer device, thereby ejecting the paper to the lower side. In contrast, the design of the present invention does not need to provide openings that expose the print media to the same range, resulting in greater structural maturity. The design also provides a temper proof unit.

1 is a front perspective view of a sticker printing camera according to a first aspect of the present invention,

2 is a rear perspective view of the sticker printing camera of FIG.

3 is a left side of the sticker printing camera of the drawing,

4 is a right side view of the sticker printing camera of the drawing,

5 is an exploded perspective view of the sticker printing camera shown in FIG. 1 including a sticker print roll and an ink cartridge;

FIG. 6 is a rear view of the sticker printing camera of the figure with the top cover removed to show the sticker storage area, ink supply, transfer and printer mechanism;

7 is an enlarged perspective view of the printer mechanism shown in FIG. 6;

8 is a top view of the device shown in FIGS. 1-5,

FIG. 9 is a partial top view showing details of the printer mechanism shown in FIGS. 6 and 7;

10 is an exploded perspective view of a sticker roll and an ink cartridge,

11 is a front view of the sticker roll and the ink cartridge shown with the base molding removed;

12 is a front view showing the interaction of the cartridge with the printer mechanism;

13 is a perspective view showing the main components of the electrical control circuit of the sticker printing camera,

14 is a perspective view of a movable printer according to the present invention showing a paper cartridge engaged with a printer;

15 is a perspective view of the paper cartridge shown in FIG. 1;

16 is an exploded perspective view of the printer and cartridge shown in FIG. 14;

17 is an enlarged perspective view of the print head and the ink container shown in FIG. 16;

18 is a perspective view of a detachable printer unit used in a print on demand camera according to the present invention;

19 is a perspective view of the paper cartridge shown in engagement with the printer shown in FIG. 18;

20 is an exploded perspective view of the printer and cartridge shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 21 is an enlarged perspective view of the print head and the ink container shown in FIG. 20;

22 is a front perspective view of a print on demand camera system according to the present invention mounted on the printer shown in FIG. 18;

FIG. 23 is a right side perspective view of the print on demand camera system shown in FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a view similar to FIG. 22 showing a detachable printer unit separated from the camera unit;

FIG. 25 is a view similar to FIG. 24 showing a paper cartridge separated from the detachable printer unit; FIG.

FIG. 26 shows a cross section through the camera system in a slightly depth position from the face shown in FIG. 5; FIG.

27 is a cross-sectional view of the camera system seen from the right side of the cross section of FIG. 26;

28 is a block diagram illustrating the operational interconnections of various components of a camera system according to the present invention;

Fig. 29 is a front perspective view of the printer unit according to the present invention in the position of operation;

30 is a view similar to FIG. 29 in a loading position;

FIG. 31 is a view similar to FIG. 30 showing an open state of the loading door and of a detachable cartridge aligned to load;

32 is a horizontal sectional view through the printer in the position shown in FIG. 29;

FIG. 33 is a view similar to FIG. 4, with a printer at the location shown in FIG. 30;

34 is a front view of the printer at the position of FIG. 30;

35 is a view similar to FIG. 6 with the loading door open;

36 is an enlarged view of a horizontal cross section through the printer unit;

37 is a horizontal sectional view of FIG. 36 viewed from the right;

38 is a block diagram showing an operation of a printer unit;

39 is a front view of a first preferred embodiment according to the sixth aspect of the present invention;

40 is an enlarged perspective view of the back side of the first embodiment,

41 is a partial cross-sectional exploded perspective view of the first embodiment showing the internal structure in more detail;

42 and 42A are cross sectional views of the back and side surfaces of the first embodiment, respectively;

43 is a sectional perspective view of the printing apparatus of the first embodiment;

44 is a schematic block diagram showing battery interrelationship of the first embodiment;

45 is a front view of a second preferred embodiment using paper and ink cartridges and equipped with scanning equipment;

46 is a right side view of the printer phone of the second embodiment shown in FIG. 45;

FIG. 47 is a rear view of the printer phone of the second embodiment according to the improved sixth aspect shown in FIGS. 45 and 46;

48 is a left side view of the printer phone shown in FIG. 45;

49 is a top view of the printer phone shown in FIG. 45;

50 is a plan view of the opposite side of the printer phone shown in FIG. 45;

51 is an opposite side plan view as shown in FIG. 50 shown in the open position of the printer roll hatch;

52 is a perspective view of the printer phone of FIG. 45 showing insertion / removal of the print roll through the print roll hatch;

53 is a schematic block diagram showing the electrical interconnection relationship of the second embodiment of the sixth aspect of the present invention;

54 is a front perspective view of the printer phone of the first embodiment according to the seventh aspect of the present invention;

55 is a rear perspective view of the phone shown in FIG. 54;

56 is a front perspective view as shown in FIG. 54 with the front cover removed;

57 is a front perspective view of the battery shown in the drawing,

58 is a layered right sectional view of the printer phone shown in the figure,

59 is a front perspective view of the printer phone sub-chassis and printhead / ink supply module;

60 is a front perspective view of the support chassis shown in FIG. 59;

61 is a front partial cross-sectional perspective view of the printhead and ink supply module shown in FIG. 59;

62 is a cross sectional view through the phone unit and the printhead / ink supply module;

63 is a layered front sectional view of the printer phone of the figure;

64 is a plan view of the phone of the figure attached to the associated print media distribution device;

65 is a top view of the print media distribution device shown in FIG. 64;

FIG. 66 is a left side view of the print media distributor shown in FIGS. 64 and 65;

FIG. 67 is a right cross-sectional view of the print media distributor shown in FIG. 64;

FIG. 68 is a top view of the print media dispenser shown in FIG. 64 with the top of the casing removed; FIG.

69 is a schematic block diagram showing an electrical interconnection relationship;

70 is a front perspective view of the video game console of the first embodiment according to the present invention, having a removable controller module showing a printed card ejected from the integrated printer;

71 is a front perspective view of a console including a printer module and a DVD module with the upper controller module removed;

FIG. 72 is a rear perspective view of the console shown in FIG. 71;

73 is a front view of the console shown in FIGS. 71 and 72;

FIG. 74 is a side view of the console assembly shown in FIG. 73;

75 is a front exploded perspective view of the console assembly shown in FIGS. 71 to 75;

76 is a front perspective view of the console with the printer module top cover removed;

77 is an exploded perspective view of a printer device including a printhead, a print media transfer mechanism, and a printhead ink dispensing assembly except for an ink supply;

78 is a front perspective view of the console showing the printer module in a raised state for insertion of the print media and ink supply cartridge;

FIG. 79 is a schematic diagram of the assembly shown in FIG. 78 illustrating inserting a DVD into the DVD player module; FIG.

80 is a top perspective view of a cartridge according to the present invention;

81 is a top perspective view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 80 inserted;

82 is an exploded top perspective view shown in the same direction as shown in FIG. 80;

83 is an exploded perspective view of the insert shown in the same direction as shown in FIG. 81;

84 is a top plan view of the cartridge of the figure;

85 is a right side view of the cartridge shown in FIG. 84;

86 is a plan view in which the cartridge of the drawing is inserted;

87 is a left side view of the same cartridge;

88 is a front view of the same cartridge;

89 is a rear view of the same cartridge;

FIG. 90 is a rear cross sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 84;

FIG. 91 is a side sectional view taken on line 12-12 of FIG. 84;

According to one aspect of the present invention, a sticker printing digital camera device is provided, the device comprising:

Sticker storage means;

Sticker conveying means;

An image sensor for sensing an image;

An embedded inkjet printhead operative in connection with said image sensor and used for printing said sensed image and its variants on a sticker fed by a sticker conveying means;

Ink supply; And

Means for supplying ink to the printhead.

Preferably, the device is packaged and sized for ease of transport, more preferably portable.

The sticker printer and the camera device may include image effect setting means for setting an image effect on the sensed image; And image processing means interconnected to the image effect setting means and the image sensor to modify the sensed image according to the current setting of the image effect setting means.

The image effect setting means may comprise a dial or slider on which a plurality of effect images are displayed. The sticker feeder and the ink feeder are preferably refillable and at least one preferably comprises an associated authentication system.

Cutting means for cutting the printed portion of the printed sticker may be provided.

Preferably the printhead is a pagehead size printhead.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, a cartridge of a print device is provided, wherein the cartridge is:

And a cartridge casing defining a first container portion containing a feeder of an adhesive coated print medium and a second container portion storing an ink supply.

Preferably, the cartridge comprises any form of authentication means recognizable by the printing device.

Preferably, the ink reservoir portion of the cartridge includes one or more discharge ports that can penetrate the device to connect to the ink dispensing unit of the printing device.

In a preferred embodiment, the casing houses a sticker roller which is generally annular in configuration and an ink reservoir extending outward from the sticker roller. Preferably, the cartridge casing is snap fit to the device in which the casing is to be used.

In one particular preferred embodiment, the cartridge is sized and configured for use with a sticker printing digital camera device of the type described below.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printing device, a print medium transport means, an ink storage means, a fluid connection between the ink storage means and the printing means; And data connection means for transmitting print data to the printing means, wherein the data connection means is a PC Card (PCMCIA) interface.

Preferably the print media transporter is associated with a docking bay used to receive the paper cartridge and is arranged to transfer paper from the cartridge past the printing means.

The printer is housed in a support case, and the PC card interface is preferably projected from one end of the case.

The printing means preferably comprises an inkjet printhead.

The printhead is preferably an exit printhead of page width size.

In one embodiment of the present invention, a paper cartridge is used to support business card size paper, and the assembled cartridge and printer have a size of approximately PCMCIA type III card.

The printhead preferably includes an array of ink ejection nozzles, each nozzle in communication with a chamber containing paddles moved by a thermal bend actuator used to start for ink ejection from the nozzle as needed.

Thus, the fourth aspect of the present invention can be combined with a camera unit including a lens, an image sensor, an image processing means, a power supply, a camera unit including a PCMCIA interface arranged to receive a signal from the image sensor via the image processing means. And a print-required camera system that includes a separate printer unit with a PCMCIA interface.

The printer unit preferably includes a support case having a PCMCIA interface protruding from one end of the case.

The printer unit preferably includes a page width sized inkjet printhead, and a docking bay that is used to receive the paper cartridge and is arranged to convey paper from the cartridge past the printhead.

The docking bay is preferably used to receive sheet paper cartridges.

In one embodiment of the present invention, sheet paper cartridges are used to receive business card size sheets of paper, and assembled cartridges and printers have a size of approximately PCMCIA type III.

The printhead preferably includes an array of ink ejection nozzles, each nozzle in communication with a chamber containing a paddle that is moved by a thermal bend actuator used to start for ink ejection from the nozzle as needed.

According to a fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a printhead, a printer unit comprising a print controller chip and ink arranged to control the printhead, and a paper feed means, the printer unit being fitted in a personal computer type disk drive bay. It is configured to

The printhead is preferably an inkjet printhead of page width size.

Ink and paper supply means are preferably provided in a removable cartridge.

The removable cartridge has a long shape and is preferably used to be inserted into the printer unit in the longitudinal direction.

The printer unit is preferably rotatably mounted in a subframe configured to fit within the disk drive bay, so that the printer unit is rotatable between the operating position and the loading position of the printer unit, and paper from the paper feed means is ejected from the front of the disk drive bay. The removable cartridge is inserted into the printer unit in the longitudinal direction and used.

The printer unit is preferably rotated approximately 90 degrees between the operating position and the loading position.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a portable cellular phone device having an integrated embedded print device and a print media feeder, the device comprising:

A mobile phone unit for transmitting and receiving signals;

An embedded print media storage unit;

Processing means for processing the transmitted and received signal in a printable form;

A printhead and ink dispensing unit assembly attached to said processing means for printing said processing signal onto said print medium; And

Print medium supply means for supplying the print medium from the storage means to the print head for printing the processed signal information on the print medium.

In a first preferred embodiment, the print media comprises paper or card sheets. It is desirable for the card to have substantially normal business card size. The printhead and card storage unit are preferably snap fit into the cellular phone unit.

In the second preferred embodiment, the print medium is in the form of a paper print roll, more preferably a print roll provided in the cartridge further including an integrated ink supply.

The printhead preferably comprises a single unit of paper or card width size and can be manufactured by semiconductor manufacturing techniques.

The card storage unit is detachable from the device. The printhead, or printhead and ink distribution unit assembly, is detachable to the phone device and print media storage unit separately.

The printhead includes a color printhead attached to a series of ink supplies through an ink dispensing unit to supply a separate color to each color of the printhead.

The printhead may comprise an array of ink ejection nozzle arrangements and liquid may be ejected by the action of a corresponding thermal bend actuator attached to each nozzle arrangement.

It is preferred that the printhead can include an attached series of ink supplies, with a first cylinder substantially larger than others. The printhead and ink supply unit and / or print roll cartridge may preferably include an authentication chip that can only be used to ensure the use of approved products and also to set the usage of any given item.

Any type of mobile phone can be used, and any communication system can be used as long as the transmitted signal can be processed in printable form. Examples of suitable phone types and / or communication systems include GSM, CDMA, PHS satellite telephone systems, and third generation (3G) Internet connected cellular systems including GPRS and WCDMA.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, a mobile phone device having an integrated embedded printing device can be used, which device comprises:

A mobile phone unit for transmitting and receiving a signal;

Processing means for processing the transmitted and received signal in a printable form;

A printhead and ink distribution unit assembly attached to said processing means for printing said processed signal on a print medium; And

And print media conveying means for conveying print media received from a supply external device of the phone device to the print head for printing the processed signal information.

Preferably the print media comprises paper and card sheets.

The printhead may comprise a single unit of print media width and may be fabricated by semiconductor manufacturing techniques.

Preferably the printhead or printhead and ink distribution unit assembly is detachable to the phone device. In a preferred embodiment the printhead is part of a subassembly comprising an ink dispensing unit and an ink feeder, which is then referred to as a printhead and ink supply unit.

The printhead includes a color printhead attached to a series of ink supplies through an ink dispensing unit to supply a separate color to each color of the printhead.

In a preferred embodiment, the printhead may comprise an array of ink ejection nozzle arrangements through which liquid can be ejected by corresponding actuators attached to ejection paddles associated with each nozzle arrangement. Preferably, the actuator is a thermal bend actuator.

The printhead and ink supply unit

The printhead and ink supply unit are preferably used to store black ink and may comprise a series of attached ink supply bottles, including a first container, substantially larger than others. The printhead and ink supply unit assembly, or printhead and ink supply module, optionally take the form of releasable snap fit with the cell phone unit.

The printhead or printhead and ink dispensing unit assembly also preferably further comprises authentication means taking the form of an authentication chip in a preferred embodiment. It can only use approved products with phone devices, and can also optionally record usage and consumption data, which can be used to allow certain usage of the printhead or printhead and ink supply module.

The print media may be supplied manually to the printer phone. As an alternative, the print media distribution device is:

A print medium storage area having a dispense outlet;

A printer phone cradle having a dispensing outlet of a print media storage area, said printer phone cradle supporting said printer phone and supporting a print media insert; And

Preferably, the printer phone print media insert, which engages with the associated print media conveying means installed in the phone, comprises a dispense ejector mechanism operable to eject a predetermined amount of print media through the dispense outlet.

Preferably the print media is in the form of a card or paper sheet.

Preferably, the ejector mechanism includes a slider operable to select and abut one of the card or paper sheet and to move it through the dispensing outlet.

Preferably, the print media storage means comprises means for biasing the supply of print media facing the ejector mechanism and arranged in alignment with the dispensing outlet.

Although the preferred telephony unit of the present invention is a PHS phone device, the present invention is equally applicable to any type of cellular phone using any communication system, provided that it can process the transmitted signal in a printable form. Examples of other suitable phone types or / and communication systems include GSM, CDMA, satellite telephone systems, and third generation Internet connected cellular (3G) systems including GPRS & WCDMA.

According to the eighth aspect of the present invention,

Means for receiving removable interactive program storage means executed by the video game console;

Processing and operating means for executing the interactive program stored in the removable interactive program storage means;

Communication means for enabling a conversation about an operation from a control device while said program is executed; And

There is provided a video game console comprising; an integrated printer device comprising a printhead, an ink supply unit, and a print media transport means.

By executing the program, an image displayed on the image display means is generated, and the printer apparatus operates in conjunction with processing and computing means for outputting a print media image associated with the interactive program.

In a preferred embodiment, the console is designed for use with a removable controller module including various interactive control devices such as joysticks and control buttons. The controller may communicate with the console via wireless communication means, such as a new "Bluetooth" system, cable or other suitable communication means.

Preferably, the integrated printer apparatus includes an integrated print media supply unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the print media takes the form of paper or a card, and the print media supply unit and the ink supply unit are housed together in a replaceable cartridge assembly.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the replaceable cartridge includes a print media transport roller device that interacts with an irreplaceable print media transport mechanism provided in the console.

Preferably, the interactive program is operative to output an image through the printer device at any predetermined location within the program.

The printer device preferably includes an inkjet printer in the form of an array of page width sizes of any ink ejection nozzles for ejecting ink using a series of actuators. Preferably, the actuator is a thermal bend actuator.

In a preferred embodiment, the removable program storage means takes the form of a digital video disc, known as a digital multifunction disc, executable on a DVD player. In other similar preferred embodiments, CD-ROMs and semiconductor memory cartridges may be used in place of DVDs, with appropriate drives or connectors, hardware and software.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital cartridge for a printing device, the cartridge comprising:

A first portion containing a print medium to be supplied;

Print media ejection openings; And

And in operation, a case having an integrated media transport mechanism for picking up and moving a predetermined amount of said print media through said ejection opening.

In a preferred embodiment, the cartridge includes a second reservoir portion for receiving the ink supply.

Preferably the print media transport mechanism comprises a pickup roller assembly:

driving axle;

Pick-up roller fixed to the drive shaft; And a drive gear, wherein the drive shaft and the roller are accommodated in the case and supported.

Preferably the drive gear is located outside of the casing and meshes with a corresponding gear for distributing power, which is installed in the printing device in which the drive gear is used. Alternatively, an opening may be provided in the casing to facilitate the engagement with the power transmission gear of the printer device.

Preferably, the ink storage portion is divided into a plurality of separate chambers containing different color ink supplies.

Preferably, the ink is stored in the second ink reservoir in the collapsible wind bag. The air pocket may be in the form of an overall flexible sealed bag, which is located in an external curing casing. More preferably, the ink can be stored in an area defined on one side by the hardened portion of the casing sealed with a collapsible film defining the other side. Preferably, at least a portion of the collapsible membrane adjacent to the membrane or the collapsible membrane that is not in liquid transfer relationship with the ink includes ventilation means for facilitating the intake of air so that a portion of the membrane is folded as the ink supply is consumed. do.

In a preferred embodiment, the ink reservoir further comprises one or more ink outlets each having a seal which can pressurize upon connection with the printing apparatus. This outlet is preferably in the form of a nozzle connection suitable for attachment to an ink dispensing connection provided in the printer.

Preferably the digital printing device is a drop on demand inkjet printing device.

(Example)

Preferred embodiments of various aspects of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, FIGS.

Preferred embodiments of the first and second aspects of the present invention include a sticker printing camera capable of printing a sticker on a refillable print roll as needed. As shown in the accompanying drawings, the "sticker cam" 1 is a multi-part housing, an inner substructure and a rear mold part 3, a sticker and an ink cartridge molding, partitioned by an outer front cover molding 2. The part 4 and the outer back cover 5 are provided.

The housing in the preferred embodiment shown is generally in the form of droplets at the front, and the circular part 6 as a whole is suitable for storing stickers in the form of print rolls, with the remainder being the ink feeder 7, the printhead equipment 8. And a sticker transfer mechanism 9.

The view finder 10 is arranged at the center or the rear of the circular housing part 6 and extends through the casing from the front cover 2 to any eyepiece 11 at the rear. Just below the viewfinder 10 in front of the casing is provided a camera lens 12 which operates in association with suitable image sensing and processing means, such as the CCD shown in FIG. In addition, a "shooting" button 14 is installed on the upper portion of the casing together with a "print" button to take and print images respectively.

Preferred "sticker cams" as shown include a rotatable " effect dial " 16 that gives a series of effects such as normal, black and white, sepia, soft blending, and the like. It can also be used to add graphic clip art such as love hearts, flowers, surprise effects, and the like. On the dial is provided a series of icon pictures with the effect's symbol printed on it. The effect indicated by the sign 17 is applied to the camera. The effect dial can be implemented by placing a series of conductive parts on the opposite side of the wheel with conductive parts forming two patterns representing the type of effect to be displayed.

In a preferred embodiment, the sticker is preferably provided in the form of a sticker roll 18 housed in the cartridge assembly 19 detachably fixed to the outer casing. The cartridge has a shape and structure similar to that of the outer housing, and the upper molding portion 20 forms an overall circular sticker roll receiving portion 21 together with the ink storage portion 22 of the triangular region as a whole. 20). The ink reservoir is preferably divided into a plurality of separate chambers 23 to provide color and monochrome printing. Two slots are provided on the side wall of the cartridge upper molding part, the first part being the sticker ejection slot 24 and the second part forming part of the sticker conveying mechanism 27 described in detail below. Becomes The cartridge 19 further includes a base molding portion 28 that seals the sticker roll hollow portion and the ink chamber. Preferably, an ink ejection perforation 29 is formed in the base molding portion covered by the sealing film passing during the installation to achieve liquid transfer with the printer mechanism 30. Preferably, the cartridge is a sealed unit in which the sticker and the ink supply are refilled at the same time. Conveniently, the cartridge is snap fit into the outer housing by the pressure snap mount 31 shown in the figure.

The sticker transfer mechanism 27 and printer mechanism are best shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 7, 9 and 12. The sticker transport mechanism 27 includes a pickup roller 32 which winds the sticker once before the cartridge is inserted into the outer housing. Adjacent pickup rollers are a pair of drive rollers or nip rollers 33 which are operated by a motor 35 through an appropriate gear mechanism 34. A serrated cutter 36 may further be provided as part of the conveying substructure and is arranged to adjoin the printed sticker outlet 37 formed as part of the housing front molding 2. Alternatively, guillotine-type equipment may be provided.

The printer mechanism 30 is best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and includes a printhead chip 40 of page width size with the ink dispensing unit 41. The forming portion of the ink injection unit is an ink supply connection manifold 42 having a plurality of ink discharge protrusions 43 engaged with the ink discharge perforation 29 on the sticker roll and the ink cartridge. Preferably the printer mechanism and sticker transfer mechanism are single unit and detachable for refilling or repairing.

12 (and 5), a schematic arrangement of a portion of the electrical circuit of control and operation of a sticker cam device is shown. As shown, a simple flexible PCB harness is used to interconnect the imaging button 14 and print button 15 to the CCD 13 and printhead assembly 30. In addition, a contact for a power supply device in which the form of the 3-volt battery 46 is preferable is provided in a part of the circuit. Removable printheads and / or stickers and ink supply cartridges are also posted in "A camera with an internal printing system", which is the applicant's former PCT application number PCT / AU98 / 00544.

In use, the "sticker cam" is oriented towards the target and the shooting button 14 is activated to capture the image. Effect dial 16 can be rotated to select an effect. When the print button 15 is activated, the sticker transfer mechanism 27 supplies a portion of the next sticker or sticker media to the printhead assembly 30 for printing the effect processed image.

Many variations are possible within the overall inventive concept. For example, the printhead unit may be the one to which the Australian provisional application "Image Creation Method and Apparatus (ART 97)", which is simultaneously filed by the present applicant, is a suitable application, and is incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, it may be practiced by relocating the system published in "A Replenishable One Time Use Camera System", filed by the present applicant, PCT patent application PCT / AU98 / 00549 (WO99 / 04551). As an advantage, the image sensor can be reduced in size than described in the referenced PCT application due to the small size of the sticker.

Similarly, the electronic component of the sticker cam may be based on the CMOS image sensor 19 which further includes a processing circuit for processing the image and transmitting it to the printhead 12 for printing. The internal control electronics are generally as described in the above-mentioned PCT specification WO99 / 04551.

A preferred embodiment of the cartridge according to the second aspect of the present invention may be a sticker printing camera capable of printing a sticker on a refillable print roll when necessary.

In a preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the present invention, it is possible to print on a card of business card size, and the parameters of the PCMCIA Type III card (PCMCIA-International Personal Computer Memory Card Association-so-called PC Cards are 85.6 mm x 54 mm thick, A small printer sized to fit the 10.5 mm type III card) is provided. However, a printer made in accordance with the present invention, for example, as described below, in a way larger than a 6 inch by 4 inch photo paper, including a direct interface with a PCMCIA slot, in the manner of a PCMCIA interface plug Can be.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the printer comprises a support case 1 having a PCMCIA interface plug 2 protruding from one end and a page width size inkjet printer extending substantially across the case under the cover 3 on the opposite side. ).

As described in detail in FIGS. 15 and 16, the printer includes a docking bay 4 containing a paper cartridge 5.

The printer cartridge 5 typically includes a pair of integral leaf springs 7 arranged to support the top of the paper stack 8, with the paper downwards (as approximately shown in FIG. 16) toward the lower position. A pressurized metal cover 6 is provided, and the bottom sheet of the stack can be discharged under the front molding part 9.

The cartridge consists of a lower base member 10 and a rear molding 11.

The page width sized printer 12 located under the cover 3 has a series of ink channel bins consisting of one ink bin of each color in addition to an additional large capacity black ink bin, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Include. The reservoirs were significantly reduced in size, as shown in FIGS. 15, 16, 17 and 18, and described in 'Micromechanical Devices and Methods (IJ46A)', Australian Provisional Patent Application No. PP6534, filed October 16, 1998. It is formed around the printhead with a transfer channel for transferring the printhead 30, including chip fabrication techniques and CMOS and MEMS techniques, similar to those disclosed.

The printer unit 12 preferentially ejects the bottommost paper from the stack 8 in the cartridge 5, and moves the paper across the printhead 30 to print the eject slot 21 in order to print if necessary. It further includes rollers (19, 20) installed to remove the paper from the printer through. The roller is driven by the electric motor 22 in the manner of a gear box 23.

The printer is controlled by a printer control chip interconnected between the PCMCIA interface 2 and the printer unit 12, which is located in the flexible printed circuit board under the floor of the printhead and docking bay 4 in the eject slot 24. May be included.

In addition, the electronic circuitry for driving the printhead may include an AICS (application specific integrated circuit) device that provides a disposable printer unit 12 before being replaced. The circuit in the form of an "authentication chip" is preferably similar to that published in international patent application PCT / AU98 / 00544, which is also assigned to the present applicant.

By providing a detachable paper cartridge 5 as an item that is separated from the printer mechanism 12, easy refilling of paper supply is possible.

A mobile printer of this type prints business cards on demand by a compact mobile device that can be directly engaged with a PC card slot in a laptop cup computer or notebook type computer without the use of interconnect cables or other devices. It has a number of different applications, including doing so. In addition, an extended version of a printer provided with a PCMCIA interface plug can be used in a similar manner to print larger data such as, for example, a 6 × 4 size photograph or similar material.

The printable camera interface on demand of the fourth aspect will first be described with reference to a removable printer unit that can be combined with a camera system.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, a compact printer is used for printing on business card size paper, and the parameters of PCMCIA Type III cards (PCMCIA-International Personal Computer Memory Card Association-so-called PC Cards are 85.6 mm x 54 mm, thickness 10.5 There is provided a small printer sized to meet the standard of mm type III card). However, a printer built in accordance with the present invention will be larger than a 6 inch by 4 inch photo paper, including a direct interface with a PCMCIA slot in the manner of a PCMCIA interface plug, for example, as described below. Can be.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the printer comprises a support case 1 having a PCMCIA interface plug 2 protruding from one end and a page width size inkjet printer extending substantially across the case under the cover 3 on the opposite side. It includes.

As described in detail in FIGS. 15 and 16, the printer includes a docking bay 4 containing a paper cartridge 5.

The printer cartridge 5 typically includes a pair of integral leaf springs 7 arranged to support the top of the paper stack 8, with the paper downwards (as approximately shown in FIG. 16) toward the lower position. A pressurized metal cover 6 is provided, and the bottom sheet of the stack can be discharged under the front molding part 9.

The cartridge consists of a lower base member 10 and a back molding 11.

The page width sized printer 12 located under the cover 3 has a series of ink channel bins consisting of one ink bin of each color in addition to an additional large capacity black ink bin, as shown in FIGS. 13 and 14. Include. The reservoirs were significantly reduced in size, as shown in FIGS. 15, 16, 17 and 18, and described in 'Micromechanical Devices and Methods (IJ46A), filed Oct. 16, 1998 and in Australian Patent Application No. PP6534. It is formed around the printhead with a transfer channel for transferring the printhead 30, including chip fabrication techniques and CMOS and MEMS techniques, similar to those disclosed.

The printer unit 12 preferentially ejects the paper under the ego from the stack 8 in the cartridge 5 and moves the paper across the printhead 30 to print the eject slot 21 to print if necessary. It further includes rollers (19, 20) installed to remove the paper from the printer through. The roller is driven by the electric motor 22 in the manner of a gear box 23.

The printer is controlled by a printer control chip interconnected between the PCMCIA interface 2 and the printer unit 12, which is located in the flexible printed circuit board under the floor of the printhead and docking bay 4 in the eject slot 24. May be included.

In addition, the electronic circuitry for driving the printhead may include an AICS (application specific integrated circuit) device that provides a disposable printer unit 12 before being replaced. The circuit in the form of an "authentication chip" is preferably similar to that published in international patent application PCT / AU98 / 00544, which is also assigned to the present applicant.

By providing a detachable paper cartridge 5 as an item that is separated from the printer mechanism 12, easy refilling of paper supply is possible.

As shown in Figs. 22 and 23, the printer unit is engaged with the camera system to provide a completed camera unit. The camera unit includes a printer unit cup 3 and a camera body 25 for accommodating the printer unit with its discharge slot 21 protruding from the housing.

The camera further includes a lens 26 with a windshield 27 and an eyepiece 28 and a viewfinder. An easy-to-use door 29 is provided for accessing a battery or a plurality of batteries used to power the camera.

The camera includes a 'shutter' button 30 and a print button 31 for controlling the operation of the detachable printer unit.

As described above, the paper cartridge 5 is detachable from the printer unit to refill the paper, as shown precisely in FIG.

Inside the camera body 25, a PCMCIA slot 32 (FIG. 10) is provided which is engageable with a PCMCIA plug 2 at the end of the detachable printer unit. When the printer unit is inserted into the camera body, the plug 12 is engaged with the slot 32 to provide proper battery interconnection between the removable printer unit and the camera unit.

The camera unit typically further comprises an image sensor in which the CCD 33 (FIG. 26) is located directly behind the lens 26. The CCD 33 is connected via a flexible PCB 34 to a main PCB 35 which includes image processing means for processing a signal from the CCD and transmitting it back to the PC card slot 32.

The camera system powers the battery 35 inserted through the hinged door 29.

Returning to FIG. 28, schematically illustrates an operating portion of a system that includes a CMOS image sensor (CCD) 37 interconnected via a communication bus and capturing a high resolution image through the lens of a camera. The processing unit 38 which processes the image and sends it to the printer control chip 39 is located in the detachable printer unit and controls the printhead 40 to generate the image 41. The memory 42 is used for intermediate storage in the camera unit to control the manipulation of the image before the image is sent to the printer unit.

In this way, the print on demand camera system allows the printer unit to be used in conjunction with other devices via the PCMCIA interface, or to enable the removable multipurpose printer unit to print photos as desired.

In a preferred embodiment of the fifth aspect of the present invention, a printer unit is provided in which the overall size and shape is suitable for installation in a disk drive bay of a conventional PC. The printer unit is a page width size inkjet printhead described in detail in the international patent application PCT / AU98 / 00544, entitled “Camera with integrated printing system”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, Use a system with a print controller chip and supplies and ink and paper feed cartridges installed.

The PCT application referred to above discloses a camera system with an integrated printer using a print roll comprising ink and 'paper' or other print media (which is considered paper throughout the specification) for printing images as needed. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image sensing portion of the camera equipment of the international patent application PCT / AU98 / 00544 is omitted, the print roll and the printhead are configured to fit in the disk drive bay of the PC, and are designed to be installed in the printer unit. .

The printer unit 1 is designed to be inserted into a disk drive unit of a PC and is typically rotatably mounted on a subframe 2 having an engagement lug 3, an eject button 4 and a power LED 5. . As can be clearly seen in FIG. 1, a paper discharge slot 6 is provided.

FIG. 30 shows the unit of FIG. 29 with the printer unit rotated 90 ° as a whole for the insertion of paper and ink cartridges of the type described in the above international patent application. The printer unit is typically rotated by an electric motor 7 (FIG. 32), which is operated via a gear train 8 to rotate the printer unit between the operating position shown in FIG. 1 and the loading position shown in FIG. 30. to be. In the loading position, the loading door 9 can be opened out by the hinge 10 as shown in FIG. 31 so that the opening 11 suitable for the ink and paper cartridge 12 can be seen.

The ink and paper cartridge 12 is elongated to be inserted in the longitudinal direction, as is apparent from FIG.

FIG. 32 shows a printer unit including flexible PCBs 13 and 14 that connect electronic circuitry from the additional PCB 15 to the standard interface of the PC disk drive bays, and to the standard connector 16 coupleable to the printhead, respectively. Some built-in equipment is shown.

The printhead is preferably a page width size inkjet printhead shown in 16 of FIG. 32 which supplies ink from ink and paper cartridges, as described in international application PCT / AU98 / 00544. Also shown in FIG. 32 is a print roll ejector 17.

A cross section of a printhead of page width size is shown in FIG. 17, which clearly shows the print chamber 18, the lid mechanism 19 of the printhead, and the paper cutter 20. Also shown in FIG. 35 is a print roll door solenoid 21 capable of opening and closing the print roll door 22.

In the longitudinal cross-sectional view of FIG. 36 the print roll bay connector 16, the main printer circuit board 23, the rotatable drum drive motor 7, the gear 8 and the drum base 9 are shown well. 36 also shows an ink channel 24 extending between the print roll 12 and the print chamber 18. The paper cutter 20 is driven by the motor drive 25.

36 also shows a print roll motor 26 and gear train 27 arranged to drive the print roll in the same manner as described in the international application PCT / AU98 / 00544 as described above.

38, a schematic operation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown. Preferably the computer system transmits the print data to the print controller chip 28 which can be modified from the ACP chip as described in the PCT application described above. The ACP chip is required to output an image when necessary and to control the operation of the printhead and the print roll to authenticate the print roll 29 which may be provided with an onboard authentication system, as described in the above application.

In this manner, there is provided a small, convenient printer unit capable of printing an image of a photo size (typically 6 inches by 4 inches) and arranging the printer unit so as to be entirely contained in a disk drive bay of a PC.

In two embodiments according to an improved sixth aspect, there is provided a mobile phone having a removable printhead and ink dispensing unit assembly and more preferably a built-in removable printer that separately includes a removable paper or other print media feeder. . The mobile phone of at least the first preferred embodiment is of standard size, which provides considerable convenience in operation. An important difference between the two embodiments relates to the manufacture of the print media and the location of the ink supply.

In FIG. 39, similar to a conventional mobile phone, it comprises an earpiece 2, a microphone 3, an antenna 4, a series of push buttons 5 and an LCD screen which is preferably colored to display the degree. A printer phone 1 of the first preferred embodiment shown is provided.

In Fig. 40, the back of the phone 1 of the first preferred embodiment is shown with the battery cover 8 detached, so that the card or paper 10 of the business card size is printed to print an image by the printer unit 12. The print media storage container 9 used can be seen. The output to the card is made by processing the signal information downloaded through the mobile phone 1 by e-mail or other useful item.

The mobile phone may optionally be equipped with a camera device 13, which may include, for example, a CMOS sensor designed to detect and store the image when needed, such that the image or its captured image is output and transmitted via a mobile network. The function of the camera device can be efficiently performed.

FIG. 41 shows a partially exploded perspective view of the first cellular phone device 1, showing more details of the printer assembly 12 including the printhead assembly 16 and the conveying means 17. The paper storage container 9 includes a series of cards 10 which are elastically pressurized by the leaf springs 14. As shown in the other figures, the print media conveying means 17 is driven by a motor through the gear train 20 and passes the individual cards 10 through the printhead 16 to the printhead 16. It is provided in the form of a pinch roller 18 used for driving. The printhead may take the form of an optionally replaceable printhead and ink dispensing unit assembly 21, including an ink dispensing unit 22, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference October 16, 1998. It may be substantially the same as that published in Australian Publication No. PP6534, "Micromechanical Devices and Methods (IJ46A)," issued on May.

The ink dispensing unit 22 of the first embodiment includes a series of ink supply barrels 23 to 26 for providing color printing. The kegs 23 are substantially larger than the kegs 22-26 and can be used to store black ink. The ink supply is estimated to be sufficient to print about 200 pictures in the range of about 15% of black to 2000 pages or 50% of CMYK. Further details of the printer assembly 12 are illustrated in FIG. 42A and described in the broad technical disclosure published in the above-described published patent specification.

The mobile phone system is electronically operated under the control of a series of one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), including the performance of a low cost mobile phone in addition to camera and image processing capabilities. A sample block diagram showing the electrical interconnection relationship of the first embodiment is shown in FIG. As shown in PCT patent application PCT / AU98 / 00544 filed by the applicant, suitable applications of the system can be used in the design of ASICs.

Other alternative system designs can be included according to the knowledge of those skilled in the art. Other features / components of the phone device whose functions are easily understood are identified in the accompanying drawings by the following reference numbers.

Reference number Properties / Components 30 loud speaker 31 Camera lens array 32 NiMh Batteries 33 Printhead cover molding 34 Paper exit wheel 35 Printhead Cover Mechanism 36 Telephone pcb with button 37 SIM card 38 SIM card ejector 39 Battery contacts

45-53, a second embodiment of a printer phone according to the present invention is shown. Identical part numbers will be used to denote the same properties.

An important difference between the two embodiments is that instead of a printhead and a card dispenser with an integrated ink feeder, the second embodiment uses replaceable combined paper and ink print roll cartridges. The cartridge is substantially equivalent to Applicant's previous application USSN 09 / 113,073 "Digital Camera System with Integral Print Roll"; USSN 09 / 113,053 "Print Media Roll and Ink Replaceable Cartridge"; USSN 09 / 112,744 "Anisotropic Rigidity to Reduce Curl in Rolled Media"; USSN 09 / 112,823 "Miniature Color Printer using Ink and Paper Cartridge"; And USSN 09 / 112,783 "Ink and media Cartridge with Axial Ink Chambers", the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

Another difference is that although the scanning device actually appears to be more suitable for use with the print media in the form of a print roll, an optional addition of scanning device that can be added to the first embodiment will be described with reference to the second embodiment. Is in the device. In addition, the additional space required for accommodating the scanning apparatus is a slight problem in the second embodiment because it cannot be made as compact as the first embodiment in design. Further details of these different specifics are described below.

In the second embodiment, the phone casing 50 is configured to receive the paper and ink print roll cartridge 51 through a cartridge hatch formed at the base of the phone. A general DC 53 and USB connector 54 are further provided at the base of the phone.

In this particular embodiment, the camera device 13 is located at the back of the phone and is operated via the camera capture button 56. The printer phone is linear, located on the right side of the casing adjacent to an image scan path defined by a scanning image slot 57 having an insertion opening 58 located at the front of the phone and an exit 59 located at the back of the phone. It further comprises a scanning head in the form of a CMOS image sensor.

As shown in FIG. 52, the paper and ink print roll cartridge 51 has a shape similar to a conventional 35 mm camera film, and is aligned with a corresponding printer exit slot 62 formed on the left side of the phone casing 50. And a paper outlet 61 provided. However, the cartridge 51 is substantially longer because it is preferable to include sufficient print media and ink for 36 images having a size of 100 mm x 150 mm in a typical photograph. The printhead and ink dispensing unit assembly 21 is located behind the base molding portion shown in FIG.

The printer phone 1 of the second embodiment can be operated under the control of a series of one or more ASIC chips, including the performance of a conventional cellular phone in addition to the camera and scanner image processing capabilities. Again, suitably adapted systems such as those disclosed in PCT patent application PCT / AU98 / 00544 can be used in the design of ASIC chips.

In use, the operation of the second preferred embodiment is very similar to the first embodiment except for the additional scanner device. Open the cartridge hatch 52 to remove the old cartridge and insert a new cartridge to replace the paper and ink feeder. The cartridge includes a penetrable ink outlet that engages a nozzle of an ink dispensing assembly connected to the printhead.

In a preferred embodiment of the seventh improved aspect described, a mobile phone is provided having a built-in printer, each of which is capable of attaching a printhead and an ink supply module. Printer phones are made more convenient in operation by being produced at or near the standard size of the phones of any system, including PHS, GMS and GPRS.

Returning to FIG. 54 again, an earpiece 2, a microphone 3, an antenna 4, a speaker 5, a series of buttons 6 and preferably a color LCD screen displaying information are installed, and the PHS A preferred embodiment 1 in the form of a phone and similar in many respects is shown.

The phone 1 can optionally mount a camera device 10 having a lens 11 and an associated CCD chip or CMOS sensor 12. The CCD or CMOS sensor enables the device to store images when needed, effectively acting as a camera device to output the phone or the captured image and transmit it over the cellular network. The operation of the relevant part of the embedded control electronic component operates substantially the same as that disclosed in the present PCT application WO 99/04551, "A replenishable one time camera system", the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. can do. In other embodiments, the camera device may also be configured to enable video conferencing by enabling image processing simultaneously during voice transmission. Camera functions mounted at selectively movable positions of the phone device are useful for this purpose. For example, it may be rotatable in the front camera direction and in the rear video conferencing direction.

The printer apparatus is shown generally in FIG. 15 and includes an ink supply module 16 having a printhead and a printhead 17, an ink supply / distribution unit 18, and a print medium transport apparatus 20. . The conveying device takes the form of a prior art comprising a motor 21 with an associated gear train for driving a series of conveying rollers 23.

Packages of the printer device 15 are shown in FIGS. 58, 59 and 62. In this regard, the printer phone 1 is configured to surround the fixed chassis molding portion 25. The chassis is capable of sliding the printhead and ink supply module 16 by means of a support flange 26 installed in the outer casing of the printhead module 16 and working with the lower cutting groove 27 installed in the chassis molding. To be stored and supported.

The overall operation of the printer apparatus 15 is shown well in FIG. In the use of the print medium 30, which is preferably in the form of business card size paper or card paper, the print medium is conveyed through an insertion slot 31 provided in the outer phone casing 32. This can be done manually or through a distributor described below. The card 30 is lifted up by the power insertion slot roller 23 and transferred to the printhead module 16. The printhead and ink supply modules are substantially the same as those published in the Australian Micro Patent Device and Method (IJ46A), filed Oct. 16, 1998, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. It can be the same. In the device, the printhead takes the form of a long printhead chip that reaches the full length of the print media, so that it can print the entire width of the print media by passing once, without requiring any printhead movement mechanism.

In this preferred embodiment, the printhead and ink supply module are in the form of a sealed unit that replaces the whole after using a predetermined amount. The detailed structure of the ink supply and printhead module is shown in more detail in FIG. The ink supply / distribution unit 18 optionally has a flow control partition 41 and includes a macro groove molding 36 and a cover 35 defining four separate ink supply chambers 37-40. It has a molded multipart structure. A micro molding portion 42 defining a converging ink flow nozzle for supplying ink to the fine ink supply insertion hole on the back of the printhead precisely is connected to the converging discharge port of the micro groove molding portion 36. Optionally, an ink filter 44 is provided between the two moldings. When the print head is not used, a lid device 47 is provided as part of the module to seal and protect the nozzle outlet. The ink supply is estimated to be enough to print about 100 photos on average in the range of about 15% black and 1000 pages or 50% of CMYK. Further technical description of the printhead and ink supply module can be found in the above-mentioned provisional patent specification PP6534 and related applications.

The cell phone system can be operated under the control of a series of one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), including conventional cell phone performance in addition to camera and image processing capabilities. Variants of the system disclosed in the PCT patent application PCT / AU98 / 00544 filed by the present applicant (also incorporated by reference) can be used in the design of the ASIC. The electrical interconnection of the preferred embodiment is schematically shown in block diagram in FIG. Other system designs known to those skilled in the art can also be used.

Next, referring to Figs. 64 to 68, a printer media distributor 50 configured for use in the PHS phone of the embodiment is shown. The dispenser comprises a lower molding 51 defining a media storage portion and a dispensing area 52 and a cradle 53 supporting the printer phone 1 and aligning with the outlet of the dispenser.

The interaction of the print media dispenser with the phone 1 is best shown in FIG. As shown, the dispenser 50 has a storage area 52 in which a large amount of print media in the form of business card size paper or card sheet 54 is arranged. The card is supported on the spring finger 56 metal base plate 55 in the opposite direction as shown in FIG. At this time, the card feeder keeps the direction upward in a constant direction in the direction of the medium ejection mechanism 58. The media ejection mechanism manually slides the return spring 60 to pick up the card at the top and transport it to the outside of the ejector outlet 61 to transport the media ejection slot 31 on the phone 1. And a discharge slider 59. Upon ejection, the slider automatically returns to its original position and is ready for further loading by hitting the next card.

Preferably, the printer phone 1 or / and the printhead and ink supply module 16 are as published in Applicant's previous PCT application PCT / AU98 / 00544, “A camera with an internal printing system”. It includes authentication mechanisms. This allows not only authorized approved products (such as printheads and ink supply modules) to be used in the printer phone, but also to store data relating to the use of consumer goods components such as ink or printheads, and to regulate certain uses of such items. It is used to ensure that it can be used.

As mentioned above, the phone device of the present invention may be any kind of cellular phone that transmits and receives signals in a manner that can be processed in a printable form. Further, while the above-described preferred form has a printhead and an ink dispensing unit to which the ink supply unit is integrally attached, the ink supply unit can be separate, and can also be optionally refilled separately.

In a preferred embodiment according to the eighth improved aspect, there is preferably provided a video game player comprising an integrated printer capable of printing information which enhances the interactivity of the video game on a card of business card size.

With reference to the drawings, a video game console 1 is shown comprising a printer module 2 and a digital video disc (DVD) player module 3. As shown in FIG. 70, any removable controller module 4 is connected to the console. The detachable controller module is communicable with the console via any suitable means including a wireless system or cable such as "Bluetooth" and releasably secured to the console via any suitable means including magnetic coupling or mechanical coupling members. Can be.

The printer module 2 and the DVD player module 3 are interconnected by means of connecting the housing projections 6, 7 hinged by the pivot 8, as shown in FIG. 3. The lower connection protrusion 7 preferably includes various input / output connectors and ports 9 for selectively connecting joysticks and other interactive devices. Video output ports are provided for connecting with standard video type devices common in the art. Other ports are provided for external devices such as external power sources or sound systems interconnected to the console.

The DVD player module 3 may take a standard DVD game disc 10 used in this field. The DVD player is interconnected with a high-end processor (not shown), which is a line similar to a standard high-end video game processor, or as disclosed in PCT patent application PCT / AU98 / 00544, incorporated herein by reference. Can be configured along a line. The processor uses memory for standard video game functions and interacts with the print controller chip, which is preferably housed with a high-end processor in the PCB 11 in the printer module 2. The controller chip (not shown) may be constructed along the line published in Australian provisional application "Image creation method and apparatus (ART77), filed November 9, 1998, which is incorporated herein by reference. The battery is preferably located at the base of the DVD player module as shown by arrow 12.

The printer module 2 is preferably configured to be a cover of the DVD player module 3 at the same time. This is done by hinge the printer unit to the DVD module as shown. The printer module 2 includes a base molding portion 14 configured to receive all of the DVD disk storage compartments formed on the top surface of the DVD player module. The base molding 14 forms a unitary chassis structure 16, which houses and positions the ink and paper cartridges 18 underneath.

The upper structure of the chassis structure 16 supports the printhead and ink dispensing assembly 19, the print media transport mechanism 20, and the ink connection hose 21, which hoses the ink ejection nozzles 22 on the chassis. And the ink injection nozzles 23 provided to the printhead and the ink dispensing assembly 19. The printer and DVD control PCB 10 is also supported by the top of the chassis 16 and extends from this top to interconnect the printer control buttons 27 and 28 provided on the DVD and top cover molding 29. The flexible connection part 26 is provided.

Details of the printhead, ink dispensing assembly and print media conveying means are shown in detail in FIG. 77. The printhead, preferably in the form of a page width size inkjet printhead chip, is packaged in the printhead module 30 with the ink distribution unit and printhead cover. The module 30 is supported on the printhead molding 32 and includes a printhead cover mechanism 33, a pair of printhead drive controllers 34 and 35, a stepper motor 36 and drive rollers 34 and 35. And an associated gearbox 37 which meshes with.

Preferred ink and paper cartridges are preferably those specified in the pending "Ink and Print media cartridge with integral pickup roller" filed concurrently with the present application, which is incorporated herein by reference. In another embodiment according to the accompanying drawings, the ink and paper cartridge includes a casing 40 that houses an upper print media storage area 41 that is used to hold a stack of paper cards or sheets 42. The card dispense outlet is shown at 43. The lower part of the casing forms an ink supply area divided into four parts which are connected to the penetrable ink supply outlet 46. At the time of installation, the outlet 46 is drilled by the formation of the lower part of the base molding so that ink flows from the cartridge to the ejection nozzle above the chassis 16, through the connection hose 21, the printhead and the ink dispensing assembly. Flows into 19.

In other embodiments, the printer unit and print media container are snap-fitted to the console, and the console is specified in the Australian provisional application "Image creation method and apparatus (ART79), filed by Applicant, which is incorporated herein by reference. It can be configured according to the principle as described.

In use, the console is connected to the video device and the DVD 48 is inserted into the DVD player module 3. After that, the appropriate controller is selected. This controller may be the removable controller module 1 shown in FIG. 70 or alternatively may be another external interconnect controller. The printer may be operated while the program is being executed manually or automatically, as described in detail below.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the preferred embodiment provides a video game system capable of printing a card when needed. These cards can be used for many purposes. First, the video game machine can print a series of 'brag cards' at any predetermined level. This can provide a high resolution picture that can only be executed at any point in the game. Bragg cards can be personalized with game player names, scores, selected characters, accumulated property or possessions, and the like. The card may also include a picture at a location with any image sensor (not shown) in the video game arrangement. With this option, Bragg cards can be personalized with photos mapped to 3D features, etc.

In addition to being configured to read CD-ROMs, a DVD player can be used to play standard DVD movies, providing information from encyclopedias, maps provided by CD-ROMs or DVD discs, and the like. In this way, images from a DVD movie and information from the CD-ROM or DVD storage medium can be printed. While the preferred form is to use a DVD player or drive, an interactive program can be stored in a CD-ROM or a semiconductor memory cartridge, which is widely used as a pocket size video game device of the prior art.

Alternatively, while the preferred embodiment is configured for arbitrary use with an external display and control device that is not portable, game storage media, controls, game processors, screen audio, and printers may be housed in the same housing and, if necessary, pocket sized. Can be.

Where educational software is provided, the printer can be used to print certificate listings or certificates at various levels. Such systems induce psychological incentives for children to use the system, so that they are more immersed in the educational software running on the system. For example, by using a printer, parents can monitor the children using the device, by printing out any information or listings needed in various steps before the device is used as a game playing machine. The arrangement may be a complementary relationship between game playing and educational software, in which the educational software prints the code or the answer that the user playing the game intends to use. Of course, other interactive uses are also provided.

With reference to the drawings, a cartridge 1 according to a ninth improved aspect of a printing device comprising a casing, shown generally at two, is provided. In a preferred form, the casing is divided into two main parts, including a print media supply section 3 containing paper and the like and a second storage section 4 containing an ink supply. The cartridge is designed to use a digital print device and is particularly suitable for drop-on-demand inkjet printing devices.

The casing 2 also defines a print media discharge opening 5 connected to the print media storage section 3 and the print media transport mechanism shown generally at 7. The transport mechanism is provided in the print media housing section 3 adjacent to the print media discharge port to pick up the print media and to move it to the print media discharge opening during operation.

In view of the components of the print media reservoir of the cartridge, it can be seen that it comprises a media topmost molding 10 that is paired with a corresponding bottom molding 11. In this way, the moldings are combined to define a generally rectangular print media storage area 10 in which the print media is received in the form of a stack of paper or cards.

The top and bottom moldings 10, 11 are both configured at the front end and joined to define the print media opening 5. In use, a stack of cards 8 is disposed in storage area 12. The stack of cards is faced down by a thin metal spring 15 to abut the upper surface of the bottom molding part 11, which is supported in an opposite direction to the inner lower surface of the top molding part 10. Doing.

The print media conveying mechanism of the preferred form shown takes the form of a geared pickup roller assembly 18. The assembly includes a drive shaft 19, a pickup roller 20 firmly connected to the drive shaft, and an external drive gear 21.

The transport assembly 18 is housed in and retained in a casing portion formed by the top and bottom print media moldings, and the drive shaft 19 is formed in an arcuate lip 22 formed in a groove 23 located below the discharge opening 5. Is rotatably supported. The uppermost molding part includes the drive shaft supporting the pickup roller 20 as a whole, but the external drive gear 21 is left exposed as shown. In an alternative form, the drive gear can be accessed through an opening in the casing for engaging the corresponding power roller of the printer device. Plastic and metal pieces 25 are provided adjacent the discharge opening 5. This piece is sized to extend downwards across the outlet so that once a transport mechanism is activated, only one sheet of paper or card is moved through the outlet once.

The ink reservoir 14 is identically formed with two separate moldings forming part of the cartridge casing. The first molding portion is an ink reservoir base molding portion 26 configured to form a plurality of separate ink chambers 27. Ultimately, the chamber is sealed by direct or indirect connection with the base molding 26 to cover the molding, which in a preferred embodiment is provided by the lower side 28 of the print media storage bottom molding 11. do.

In the preferred form shown, a wall-mounted interposed thin deformable film 30 is provided so that the connection of the two molding parts is indirect, and the film is preferably formed by the base molding part 26 so that the ink chamber 27 It is desirable to be encased to be encased in. In assembly, the base molding 26 is connected to and sealed with a flange 31 provided around the outer edge of the thin deformable film 30, which is the lower portion of the print media storage bottom molding 11 ( 28) to seal.

As can be seen from the figure, the ink chamber base molding 27 extends from the circumferential edge of the print media storage area, thereby forming an ink supply connection manifold area 32. A protrusion 33 of the print medium storage button molding portion 11 is formed on the upper part of the manifold 32 and includes a plurality of ink connection nozzles sealed by the penetrating ink seal 35. In use, ink is stored in the deformable film and is in fluid distribution with the ink connection nozzle 34. In order to facilitate the collapse of the deformable film 30 as the ink escapes, it is preferable that a vent is provided in the ink storage base molding portion 26, preferably at an end far from the ink nozzle. Various components of the cartridge casing can be assembled by any suitable method, including using adhesives, ultrasonic welding or mechanical desorption.

A preferred embodiment of the cartridge of the present invention is to use in a video game console, as mentioned above, which video game console is incorporated herein by reference and simultaneously filed in Australian Provisional Patent Application PP7020 and corresponding US application "Video. game console with integral printer device.

In use, the cartridge of the present invention is inserted into a suitably configured printer device and is aligned and engaged with a corresponding drive gear provided in the printer mechanism. There are many advantages of this configuration. It is of utmost importance that a vehicle is provided in the cartridge so that the mechanism and print media can be housed in the shield unit so that the paper or other media is accurate and transported out of the cartridge with minimal initial contamination. In the cartridge of the prior art, the cartridge is pressed by a pickup roller mounted in the printer device, thereby ejecting the paper to the lower side. In contrast, the design of the present invention does not need to provide openings that expose the print media to the same range, resulting in greater structural maturity. The design also provides a temper proof unit.

A further advantage with respect to the preferred embodiment includes the provision of a seal of the ink ejection nozzle which is automatically drilled by the printer mechanism at the time of loading. In this regard, the cartridge uses only disposable products. Moreover, the structure of the ink chamber molding, in which the deformable film and the base can be molded and assembled simultaneously to form a completely sealed ink chamber, provides an advantage in manufacturing cost and efficiency.

The print media transport mechanism is not limited to the pickup roller mechanism but may be any other suitable mechanism that can be driven externally from the outside of the cartridge casing. Similarly, the ink storage means is not limited to the form specified, and includes using other deformable or non-deformable means.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments, it will be appreciated that they may be embodied in many other forms.

It is of utmost importance that a vehicle is provided in the cartridge so that the mechanism and print media can be housed in the shield unit so that the paper or other media is accurate and transported out of the cartridge with minimal initial contamination. In the cartridge of the prior art, the cartridge is pressed by a pickup roller mounted in the printer device, thereby ejecting the paper to the lower side. In contrast, the design of the present invention does not need to provide openings that expose the print media to the same range, resulting in greater structural maturity. The design also provides a temper proof unit.

A further advantage with respect to the preferred embodiment includes the provision of a seal of the ink ejection nozzle which is automatically drilled by the printer mechanism at the time of loading. In this regard, the cartridge uses only disposable products. Moreover, the structure of the ink chamber molding, in which the deformable film and the base can be molded and assembled simultaneously to form a completely sealed ink chamber, provides an advantage in manufacturing cost and efficiency.

Claims (21)

Printing means, print medium transport means, ink storage means, a fluid connection portion between the ink storage means and the printing means, and data connection means for transferring print data to the printing means, wherein the data connection means comprises a PC card ( PCMCIA) interface characterized in that the printer. A printer according to claim 1, wherein the print media transport means is associated with a docking bay used to receive the paper cartridge and is arranged to transport paper from the cartridge past the printing means. A printer according to claim 2, wherein the printer is housed in a support case and the PC card interface protrudes from one end of the case. A printer as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printing means comprises an inkjet printhead. 5. The printer as claimed in claim 4 wherein the printhead is a pagewidth sized injection printhead. 4. The printer as claimed in claim 3, wherein the paper cartridge is suitable for holding paper of business card size. 7. The printer as claimed in claim 6 wherein the assembled cartridge and printer are approximately the size of a PCMCIA card. 6. The printhead of claim 5, wherein the printhead comprises an array of ink jetting nozzles, each nozzle connected with a nozzle chamber including a paddle moveable in the chamber by a thermal bend actuator to jet ink from the nozzles as needed. Printer characterized in that. 6. The printer as claimed in claim 5, wherein the printhead includes a color printhead including an ink container for a tricolor ink and a black ink. The printer of claim 1, comprising a paper cartridge adapted to hold a stack of cut paper and engaged in a docking bay. 12. The printer as claimed in claim 10, wherein the cut paper is approximately a business card size. A camera comprising a detachable printer unit having a lens, an image sensor, an image processing means, a power supply and a PCMCIA interface arranged to receive signals from the image sensor through the image processing means, and a PCMCIA interface that can be combined with the camera unit. Print on demand camera system comprising a unit. 13. The print on demand camera system according to claim 12, wherein the printer unit has a support case having a PCMCIA interface protruding from one end of the case. 13. The print on of claim 12, wherein the printer unit includes a page width sized inkjet printhead, and a docking bay arranged to receive a paper cartridge, the docking bay disposed to transfer paper from the cartridge past the printhead. Demand camera system. 15. The print on demand camera system of claim 14, wherein the docking bay is suitable for receiving a paper cartridge. 16. A print on demand camera system as claimed in claim 15, wherein the paper cartridge is suitable for holding business card size paper. 17. The print on demand camera system of claim 16, wherein the assembled cartridge and printer are approximately the size of a PCMCIA card. 15. The inkjet printhead of claim 14 wherein the printhead comprises an array of ink jetting nozzles, each nozzle being connected to a nozzle chamber including a paddle movable in the chamber by a thermal bend actuator to jet ink from the nozzles as needed. Print on demand camera system, characterized in that. 19. A print on demand camera system as claimed in claim 18, wherein the printhead includes a color printhead including tri-color and black ink bins. 15. The print on demand camera system of claim 14, comprising a paper cartridge adapted to hold a stack of cut sheets and engaged in a docking bay. 21. The print on demand camera system of claim 20, wherein the cut sheet is approximately business card size.