RU2354070C2 - Hand-held mobile phone with built-in printer with print medium source - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: information technologies. ^ SUBSTANCE: hand-held mobile phone assembly with built-in printer and print medium source comprises mobile phone unit for signal transmission and receiving, internal storing unit for print medium, processing facility for transformation of received and transmitted signals into printable form, printing head and ink allocator assembly attached to processing facility for printing processed signals on print medium, and print medium feeder to feed print medium from internal print medium storing unit to printing head for printing processed signal information on it. ^ EFFECT: providing proper printing by printer built in mobile phone. ^ 21 cl, 92 dwg

Description

The present invention relates to printing devices and, more specifically, the use of printing devices and related units such as cartridges of print media, etc.

The inventions were developed in preferred embodiments for using ink-jet printing technology on demand and are described below on this basis. However, in most cases, aspects of the invention are equally applicable to systems using other preferably compact printing systems.

In accordance with a first aspect of the invention, there is provided a device for printing a digital camera on gummed paper, including: gummed paper storage means, gummed paper supply means, an image sensor for reading an image, an integrated inkjet printhead operatively connected to the image sensor and adapted for printing on gummed paper supplied by gummed paper feed means, read image or its modification, ink source, and means for feeding ink in the print head.

The device is preferably sized and packaged so that it can be easily transported, and more preferably it can be held in the hand.

The gummed paper printer and the camera device may further comprise a mirror effect setting means for setting a mirror effect to be applied to the read image, and image processing means interconnected with the mirror effect setting means and the image sensor and adapted to modify the read image in accordance with the current setting installation tools for mirror effect.

The mirror effect installation tool may include a dialer or a slider on which there are a number of effect images. The gummed paper source and the ink source are preferably refillable and at least one of them preferably includes an associated identification system.

It is also possible to provide cutting means for separating the printed portions of the printed gummed paper.

The print head is preferably a page-print head.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a cartridge for a printing apparatus including a cartridge case defining a first part of a container for receiving a source of adhesive coated print medium therein and a second part of an ink source storage container.

The cartridge preferably includes some form of identification means that can be recognized by the printing device.

Optionally, a portion of the cartridge ink storage container includes one or more ink outlets that can be pierced during installation to connect to an ink distribution unit on a printing apparatus.

In a preferred embodiment, the casing accommodates rolls of gummed paper, typically in an annular configuration, with an ink storage container extending outwardly. The cartridge housing is preferably adapted to snap fit onto the device with which it is to be used.

In one particularly preferred embodiment, the cartridge is sized and designed for use with a digital camera device with printing on gummed paper of the type described below.

Therefore, a third aspect of the present invention relates to a printer including printing means, means for moving print medium, ink storing means, fluid communication between ink storing means and printing means, and data input means for transmitting print data to the printing means, where the data input means represents a PC (personal computer) card interface device (MAPPP PC (PCMCIA) (International Association of Memory Card Manufacturers for Personal Computers)).

The medium for moving the print medium is preferably connected to a docking panel adapted to position the paper cartridge and arranged to move paper from the cartridge past the printing means.

The printer is preferably contained within a support case, and where the PC board interface device protrudes from one end of the case.

The printing means preferably comprises an inkjet printhead.

The print head is preferably a page-print inkjet head.

In one embodiment of the invention, the sheet paper cartridge is adapted to hold sheets of paper the size of a business card, and the assembled cartridge and printer are approximately the size of a type III card MAPP PC.

The print head preferably includes a chain of ink injection nozzles, where each nozzle communicates with a chamber containing a shutter movable by a thermal bending actuator adapted to be activated to eject ink on demand from the nozzle.

Therefore, a fourth aspect of the present invention relates to an on-demand print camera system comprising: a camera unit, an accommodating lens, an image sensor, image processing means, a power source, and an MAPP PC interface device for receiving a signal from an image sensor through an image processing means, and a removable unit printer having a device interface MAPPP PC, made with the possibility of coupling with the camera unit.

The printer unit preferably has a support casing with an MAPPP interface device protruding from one end of the casing.

The printer unit preferably includes a paginated inkjet printhead and a docking panel adapted to position the paper cartridge and adapted to feed paper from the cartridge past the print head.

The docking panel is preferably adapted to accommodate a sheet paper cartridge.

In one embodiment of the invention, the sheet paper cartridge is adapted to hold sheets of paper the size of a business card, and the assembled cartridge and printer are approximately the size of a type III card MAPP PC.

The print head preferably includes a chain of ink injection nozzles, where each nozzle communicates with a chamber accommodating a shutter movable by a thermal bending actuator adapted to be activated to eject ink on demand from the nozzle.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a printer unit accommodating a print head, a print controller chip adapted to control a print head, and ink and paper source means, said printer unit being configured to accurately fit inside a niche for mounting a personal computer type drive .

The print head is preferably a paginated inkjet print head.

The ink and paper source means is preferably located inside the collapsible cartridge.

The collapsible cartridge preferably has an elongated shape and is adapted to be inserted into the printer unit in the longitudinal direction.

The printer unit is preferably pivotally attached to a subframe designed to fit snugly inside the niche for mounting the drive so that the printer unit can rotate between the working position, in which the paper from the paper source means is adapted to push out from the front of the niche for mounting the drive, and the fill position wherein the collapsible cartridge is adapted for longitudinal insertion into the printer unit.

The printer unit preferably rotates approximately 90 ° between the operating position and the refueling position.

In accordance with a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hand-held mobile phone device with an integral internal printing apparatus and a source of print media, said device comprising a mobile phone unit for transmitting and receiving signals, an internal storage medium storage unit, processing means for processing the received and transmitted signals in a printable form, the print head assembly and the ink distribution unit, attached to the processing means for I print the processed signals on a print medium and print medium feeding means for feeding print media from the storage means to the printhead for printing thereon the processed signal information.

In a first preferred embodiment, the recording medium comprises sheets of paper or cards. The cards are preferably substantially the size of an average business card. Optionally, the print head and the card storage unit form a snap fit to the mobile phone unit.

In a second preferred embodiment, the print medium is in the form of a paper roll for printing, and more preferably, the print roll is provided in a cartridge, which also includes a single ink source.

The print head may comprise a separate block of paper or card width and may be formed using semiconductor manufacturing technology.

The card storage unit may be separable from the device. The print head or the assembly of the print head and the ink distribution unit may be independently detachable from the telephone device and the storage medium storage unit.

The print head may comprise a full-color print head attached by an ink distribution unit to a number of ink source reservoirs to supply individual colors to each of the colors of the print head.

The print head may comprise a chain of ink injection nozzle devices from which liquid can be injected by activating a corresponding thermal bending drive connected to each of the nozzle devices.

The print head may preferably include a number of attached ink source reservoirs, where the first reservoir is substantially larger than the others. The print head and ink distribution unit and / or roll cartridge for printing can preferably include an identification chip that guarantees the use of only approved supplies and which can also be used to establish a predetermined number of uses for each product.

A mobile phone held in the hand can be of any kind and use any communication system, while the transmitted signals can be processed in a printable form. Examples of suitable types of telephones and / or communication systems include GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access), SPRT (Personal Hand-Held Telephone System), satellite telephone systems and mobile telephone systems connected to a third generation Internet network (3G), including OUPR (General Packet Radio Services) and ShMDKRK (Broadband Code Division Multiple Access).

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hand-held mobile phone device with an integral internal printing apparatus, said device comprising a mobile phone unit for transmitting and receiving signals, processing means for processing received and transmitted signals in a printable form , a printhead and ink distribution unit assembly attached to said processing means for printing said processing signals on the nose a print driver and print medium supply means for supplying a print medium received from a source external to the telephone device to a print head for printing information of a processed signal thereon.

The recording medium preferably contains sheets of paper or cards.

The print head may comprise a separate block of width of the print medium and may be formed by semiconductor manufacturing technology.

Optionally, the printhead or the printhead assembly and the ink distribution unit are separable from the telephone device. In a preferred form, the print head is part of a subassembly also including an ink distribution unit and an ink source, hereinafter referred to as a print head and ink source module.

The print head may comprise a full color print head attached through an ink distribution unit to a series of ink supply tanks to supply individual colors to each of the colors of the print head.

In a preferred form, the print head comprises a chain of ink injection nozzle devices in which fluid can be injected by means of appropriate actuators attached to injection valves associated with each of the nozzle devices. The drives are preferably thermal bending drives.

The print head and ink source module preferably includes an ink distribution unit connected to a number of attached ink supply tanks, where the first tank, used preferably for storing black ink, is substantially larger than the others. The printhead assembly and the ink distribution unit, or the printhead module and ink source assembly, optionally form a snap-fit connection with the mobile phone unit.

The print head or assembly of the print head and the ink distribution unit also preferably includes identification means, which in a preferred embodiment is in the form of an identification chip. This makes it possible to use only approved consumables with the telephone device, as well as optional records of usage and consumption data, and which can be used to enable only a predetermined amount of use of the print head or print head module and ink source.

Print media can be fed into the printer telephone manually. Alternatively, a print medium dispenser may be used, which preferably includes a print medium storage area having a distribution outlet, a printer telephone jack for supporting the printer telephone and aligning the inlet of the print media thereon with the distribution outlet of the print medium storage area, and a distribution ejector mechanism for ejecting a predetermined number of print media through the outlet edeleniya and the inlet of the printer print media phone for engaging with associated means for supplying print media provided in the phone.

Optionally, print media are in the form of sheets of cards or paper.

The ejector mechanism preferably comprises a slider operable for selecting and gripping one of the sheets of cards or paper and passing it through the distribution outlet.

Optionally, the storage medium for the print medium includes means for rejecting the source of the print medium located therein toward the ejector mechanism and in alignment with the distribution outlet.

Although the preferred telephone unit of the invention is an SPRT telephone device, the invention is equally applicable to any type of mobile phone using any communication system, as long as the transmitted signals can be processed in a printable form. Examples of other suitable types of telephone and / or communication systems include GSM, CDMA satellite telephone systems, and mobile telephone systems (3G) connected to a third generation interconnect, including OPR and SMDRC.

According to a first embodiment of the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video game control panel including means for locating removable means for storing an interactive program for execution by a control unit, processing and executing means for executing an interactive program stored in removable means for storing an interactive program, wherein executing the program causes the formation of images for display on the image display means, communication means for providing There are operational interactions from control devices during program execution, and one complete printer device, which includes a print head, an ink supply unit, and print medium supply means, where the printer device is operatively connected to processing and execution means for printing images onto an print medium corresponding to the interactive program.

In a preferred embodiment, a control panel is developed for use with a removable controller module, which includes a number of interactive control devices such as joysticks and control buttons, etc. This controller can communicate with the control panel using a radio communication tool such as the new "Bluetooth" system, or a cable, or other suitable communication tool.

An integral printer device preferably includes an integrated print media supply unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the print media is in the form of sheets of paper or cards, and the media supply unit and the ink supply unit are co-located in a replaceable cartridge assembly.

In one particularly preferred embodiment, the replaceable cartridge includes a roller media supply device that interacts with the non-replaceable media delivery mechanism provided in the control panel.

Optionally, an interactive program is activated to print an image through a printer device at certain predetermined locations in the program.

The printer device preferably comprises an inkjet printer, which is optionally in the form of a chain of ink injection nozzles per page width that ejects ink through a series of drives. The drives are preferably thermal bending drives.

In a preferred embodiment, the removable program storage medium is in the form of a digital video disc, also known as a multi-purpose digital disc (DVD), executed by a DVD player. In other exactly the same preferred embodiments, instead of DVD discs with the corresponding drives or connectors, hardware and software, you can use non-rewritable CDs and semiconductor memory cartridges.

According to a ninth aspect of the invention, there is provided a digital cartridge for a printing device, comprising a housing having a first portion for receiving a source of print media therein, an outlet for output of print media, and a complete mechanism for moving the print media, arranged during operation for gripping and feeding some the number of print media through the outlet.

In a preferred embodiment, the cartridge includes a second storage area for receiving an ink source therein.

Optionally, the print media transfer mechanism comprises a gripper roll assembly, and more particularly includes a drive shaft, gripper rollers attached to the drive shaft, and where the drive mechanism, shaft, and rollers are gripped in an enclosed manner.

The drive mechanism is preferably located outside the casing to engage the corresponding drive gear provided on the printing device with which it is to be used. Alternatively, a hole is provided in the casing to facilitate this engagement with the drive gear of the printer device.

Optionally, the ink storage section is divided into many different chambers for storing ink sources of various colors.

The ink is preferably stored inside the second ink storage section in a foldable elastic bottle. The elastic balloon may take the form of a fully flexible airtight pouch that is located inside an external rigid casing. More preferably, the ink can be stored within an area defined on one side by a hard portion of the casing to which a folding membrane defining the other side is sealed. Optionally, at least a portion of the rigid body adjacent to the side of the collapsible membrane or pouch that is not in fluid communication with the ink includes a vent for facilitating air access, for folding the membrane using an ink source.

In a preferred embodiment, the ink storage section also includes one or more ink outlets, each of which has a seal that can pierce when connected to a printing device. Optionally, these outlet openings are in the form of nozzle assemblies adapted for attachment to the ink distribution connection provided on the printer.

The digital printing device is preferably an on-demand inkjet printing device.

Preferred examples of the inventions are described below, by way of example only, with respect to the accompanying drawings, in which:

figure 1 is a perspective view in front of a camera for printing on gummed paper in accordance with the first aspect of the invention;

figure 2 is a perspective view from the rear of the camera printing on gummed paper shown in figure 1;

figure 3 is a left side view of a camera for printing on gummed paper shown in the previous drawings;

4 is a right side view of a gummed paper printing chamber shown in the previous drawings;

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view of the gummed paper printing apparatus of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1, including a cartridge of a gummed paper and ink roller;

6 is a rear view of a gummed paper printing chamber shown in the previous drawings, with the uppermost portions of the lid removed to illustrate the gummed paper storage area, ink source, feeding mechanism, and printer mechanism;

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

Fig. 8 is a plan view from above of the device of Figs. 1-5;

Fig.9 is a plan view from above partially in section, showing a detailed drawing of the printer mechanism depicted in Fig.6 and 7;

10 is an exploded perspective view of a gummed paper roll and ink cartridge;

11 is a front view of a cartridge roll of gummed paper and ink, shown with the removed base casting;

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

Fig.13 is a perspective view illustrating the main components of the electrical circuit control camera printing on gummed paper;

14 is a perspective view of a portable printer of the invention, illustrating a sheet paper cartridge engaged with a printer;

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

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

Fig.17 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the print head and ink tank shown in Fig.16;

Fig. 18 is a perspective view of a removable printer unit for use in an on-demand print camera system in accordance with the invention;

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

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

Fig.21 is a perspective view on an enlarged scale of the print head and ink tank shown in Fig.20;

FIG. 22 is a front perspective view of an on-demand print camera system in accordance with the invention, comprising the printer of FIG. 18;

FIG. 23 is a rear perspective view of an on-demand print camera system shown in FIG. 22;

Fig.24 is a view similar to Fig.22, showing a removable printer unit removed from the camera unit;

FIG. 25 is a view similar to FIG. 24 showing a paper cartridge removed from a removable printer unit; FIG.

Fig.26 is a section through the camera system, at a certain depth from the front surface shown in Fig.5;

Fig.27 is a section through the camera system at right angles to the section in Fig.26;

28 is a block diagram showing an operational connection of various components of a camera system in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 29 is a front perspective view of a printer unit of the invention in an operational position; FIG.

Fig. 30 is a view similar to Fig. 29 in the fueling position;

FIG. 31 is a view similar to FIG. 30 showing an open refueling door and a removable cartridge aligned for refueling; FIG.

Fig is a horizontal section through the printer in the position shown in Fig;

Fig.33 is a view similar to Fig.4, with the printer in the position shown in Fig.30;

Fig.34 is a front view of the printer in the position shown in Fig.30;

Fig.35 is a view similar to Fig.6, with the fueling door open;

Fig is a view in vertical section through a printer unit on an enlarged scale;

Fig.37 is a view in vertical section at a right angle relative to Fig.36;

Fig. 38 is a flowchart for explaining an operation of a printer unit;

Fig. 39 is a front view of a first preferred embodiment in accordance with a sixth aspect of the invention;

Fig. 40 is an exploded perspective view of a rear portion of a first embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 41 is an exploded perspective view, partially in section, of a first embodiment of the invention, showing in more detail internal structures;

42 and 42A are cross-sectional views from the rear and side of the first embodiment, respectively;

Fig. 43 is a perspective view in section of a printing apparatus of a first embodiment;

Fig. 44 is a schematic block diagram showing electrical connections for a first embodiment;

Fig. 45 is a front view of a second preferred embodiment using a paper and ink cartridge and having scanning capability;

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

Fig. 47 is a rear view of a second embodiment of a printer telephone in accordance with a sixth aspect of the invention shown in Figs. 45 and 46;

Fig. 48 is a left side view of the printer telephone shown in Fig. 45;

Fig. 49 is a plan view from above of the printer telephone shown in Fig. 45;

Fig. 50 is an inverted plan view of the printer telephone shown in Fig. 45;

Fig. 51 is an inverted plan view, as shown in Fig. 50, illustrated with the hatch of the printing roller in the open position;

Fig. 52 is a perspective view of the printer telephone shown in Fig. 45 illustrating the insertion / removal of the printing roller through the hatch of the printing roller; and

Fig. 53 is a schematic block diagram showing electrical connections for a second embodiment of a sixth aspect of the invention;

Fig. 54 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a printer telephone in accordance with a seventh aspect of the invention;

Fig. 55 is a perspective view from the rear of the telephone of Fig. 54;

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

Fig. 57 is a front perspective view of the battery shown in the previous drawings;

Fig.58 is a right side view in section of the layers of the printer phone shown in the previous drawings;

Fig. 59 is a front perspective view of a sub-chassis of a printer telephone and a print head / ink source;

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

Fig. 61 is a front perspective view partially in sectional view of the print head module and ink source shown in Fig. 59;

Fig. 62 is a cross-section through a telephone unit and a printhead / ink source module;

Fig.63 is a front view in section along the layers of the printer phone shown in the previous drawings;

Fig. 64 is a plan view of the telephone shown in the previous drawings attached to a related distribution device of print media;

FIG. 65 is a plan view of a print medium dispenser shown in FIG. 64;

Fig.66 is a left side view of the media supply device of the print media shown in Fig.64 and 65;

Fig.67 is a right side view in section of a device for supplying print media shown in Fig.64;

Fig.68 is a top view of the media supply device of the print media shown in Fig.64, with the removed upper part of the casing;

Fig. 69 is a schematic block diagram showing electrical connections;

70 is a front perspective view of a first embodiment of a video game control panel according to the invention with a removable controller module illustrating a printed card removed from a single printer;

Fig. 71 is a front perspective view of a control panel comprising a printer module and a DVD module with a remote top controller module;

Fig. 72 is a perspective view from the rear of the control panel shown in Fig;

Fig. 73 is a front view of the control panel shown in Figs. 71 and 72;

Fig.74 is a side view of the node of the control panel shown in Fig;

FIG. 75 is an exploded perspective view of a control panel assembly shown in FIGS. 71-75;

Fig. 76 is a front perspective view of a control panel with the top cover of the printer module removed;

FIG. 77 is an exploded perspective view of a printer apparatus including a print head of a printer, a print medium supply mechanism, and an ink distribution unit of a print head, but excluding an ink source;

78 is a front perspective view of a control panel showing a printer module in a raised position for inserting a print medium cartridge and an ink source;

Fig.79 is a schematic view of the assembly shown in Fig.78 illustrating the introduction of a DVD into a DVD player module;

Fig. 80 is a perspective view from above of a cartridge in accordance with the invention;

Fig. 81 is an inverted perspective view of the cartridge of Fig. 80;

Fig. 82 is an exploded perspective view from above, shown in the same orientation as shown in Fig. 80;

Fig is an inverted perspective view in disassembled form, shown in the same orientation as in Fig;

84 is a plan view from above of the cartridge shown in the previous drawings;

Fig is a right side view of the cartridge shown in Fig;

Fig is an inverted perspective view from above of the cartridge shown in the previous drawings;

Fig. 87 is a left side view of the same cartridge;

Fig.88 is a front view of the same cartridge;

89 is a rear view of the same cartridge;

Fig. 90 is a sectional rear view taken along line 11-11 of Fig. 84; and

Fig is a side view in section, taken along the line 12-12 in Fig. 84.

Preferred embodiments of various aspects of the invention are described below with respect to FIGS. 1-91 of the accompanying drawings.

A preferred embodiment of the first and second aspects of the invention comprises a camera for printing on gummed paper, capable of printing on gummed paper on demand with a refillable print roller. "Camera for gummed paper" 1, as shown in the accompanying drawings, has a casing consisting of several parts defined by casting 2 of the outer front cover, inner substructure and back casting 3, casting 4 cartridges of gummed paper and ink and the outer back cover 5.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment, the side view housing is generally teardrop-shaped, where a generally circular portion 6 is adapted to store gummed paper in the form of a printing roller, and the rest accommodates an ink source 7, a printhead assembly 8, and a gummed paper supply unit 9.

The viewfinder 10 is also located in the center or near the center of the round section 6 of the housing and passes through the entire housing from the front cover 2 to the optional part 11 of the eye on the rear side. Immediately below the viewfinder 10 on the front side of the casing is a camera lens 12, which is operatively connected to a suitable means of reading and processing images such as USS (charge-coupled device) 13, shown in Fig.12. Further, a “capture” button 14 is made at the top of the housing along with a “print” button 15 for capturing and printing images, respectively.

The preferred “gummed paper camera”, as shown in the drawings, also includes an “effect dial” 16, which can be rotated to realize a number of effects such as normal, black and white, sepia, soft blending, etc. It can also be used to add graphic illustrative inserts such as hearts of love, colors, unexpected effects, etc. On the dial, you can provide a series of icon images on which effect indicators are printed. The effect placed at the indicator mark 17 is an effect which is then applied by the camera. A stacked effects disk can be implemented by placing a series of conductive segments on the back of the wheel with conductive segments forming a binary configuration, showing the type of effect to be displayed. Segments can complete the pattern tracked by the camera for gummed paper to provide an effect.

In a preferred embodiment, the gummed paper is provided in the form of a roll 18 of gummed paper, preferably placed in the cartridge assembly 19, which is removably attached to the outer casing. The cartridge has a shape and structure similar to the outer casing, and includes an upper casting 20, which defines a generally annular portion 21 containing a roll of gummed paper, with an ink storage section 22 in a generally triangular section. The ink storage section is preferably divided into many different cameras 23, in order to provide both color and black and white printing. Two slots are also provided in the side wall of the upper casting of the cartridge, where the first is a slot 24 for the output of gummed paper, and the second is a slot 25 of the pick rollers that form part of the gummed paper supply 27 described in more detail below. The cartridge 19 also includes a base cast 28, which seals both the cavity of the roll of gummed paper and the ink chamber. In the base casting, ink outlet perforations 29 are preferably provided, which are covered by a sealing film punched during installation so that they are in fluid communication with the printer mechanism 30. Optionally, the cartridge is a sealed unit, so that the gummed paper and the ink source must be replenished at the same time. The cartridge can conveniently be snapped into the outer housing by a snap-fit fastener 31 shown in the drawings.

The gummed paper feed mechanism 27 and the printer mechanism 30 are better shown in FIGS. 2, 5, 7, 9, and 12. The gummed paper feed mechanism 27 includes a pickup roller 32 that rewinds the gummed paper forward when the cartridge is inserted into the outer casing. Next to the pickup roller are several pairs of pulling rollers or contact rolls 33, which are driven through the corresponding drive chain 34 by the motor 35. A gear cutter 36 can also be provided as part of the feed subassembly, and placed next to the outlet 37 of the gummed printing paper that is formed as part of casting 2 of the front of the housing. Alternatively, an attachment such as a guillotine can be provided.

The printer engine 30 is best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and includes a print head chip 40 of a page width with an ink distribution unit 41. The forming part of the ink distribution unit is an ink source communication header 42, which has a plurality of ink inlets 43 for engaging the ink exit holes 29 on the cartridge 19 of the gummed paper and ink roll.

The printer mechanism and the gummed paper feed mechanism are preferably a single and removable unit for replacement or repair.

In Fig. 12 (and Fig. 5), a schematic arrangement of a portion of an electrical circuit for controlling and operating a camera device for gummed paper is shown. As you can see, to connect the buttons 14 and 15 capture and print with the device UZS 13 and the node 30 of the print head, you can use a simple flexible bundle PP (printed circuit board). Also included as part of the circuit are contacts 45 for supplying electricity, which is preferably provided in the form of a three-volt battery 46. Further, the removable cartridge of the print head and / or gummed paper and ink source preferably includes an identification mechanism such as the identification mechanism presented in the earlier Patent Application No. PCT / AU98 / 00544 entitled “Camera with Integrated Printing System”. Pin 47 of the identification chip is shown in FIG.

When using the “camera for gummed paper” is oriented towards the target object, and then the capture button 14 is actuated so as to capture the image. After that, you can return to the dial 16 effects and select the effect. When the print button 15 is then actuated, the gummed paper supplying mechanism 27 feeds the next gummed paper or part of the gummed paper carrier to the print head assembly 30 to print an image processed therefrom.

Numerous modifications are possible within the full concept of the invention. For example, the print head block may be a suitably adapted print head block proposed in the Australian provisional patent application entitled “Method and apparatus for creating images (ART 79)”, simultaneously registered by the present applicant, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Alternatively, the preferred embodiment may be in the form of a rearrangement of the system disclosed in patent application PCT / AU98 / 00549 (WO 99/04551) under the title “Camera system replenished simultaneously with use” also registered by the present applicant. It is advisable that the image sensor has a reduced size to that described in the aforementioned PCT patent application due to the small size of the gummed paper.

Similarly, the electronics of the gummed paper camera can be placed around the CMOS image sensor 19 (complementary MOS structure), which also includes a processing circuit for processing the image and directing it to the print head 12 for printing. The operation of the internal control electronics can be essentially as set out in the above description of PCT application WO 99/04551.

A preferred use of the cartridge according to the second aspect of the invention relates to a gummed paper printing chamber capable of printing on gummed paper on demand on a refillable printing roller.

In a preferred embodiment of the third aspect of the invention, a small compact printer is provided which is suitable for printing on business card-sized pieces of paper and which has a size for installation within the limitations of a type III board MAPP PC (MAPPP PC parameters for the so-called PC boards with a type III board having a typical size of 85.6 mm by 54 mm and a thickness of 10.5 mm). However, it is obvious that a printer made in accordance with the invention may be larger, for example, to print photographs on paper with a size of 6 inches by 4 inches (152.4 mm by 101.6 mm), while still including direct pairing with the MAPPP PC socket via the MAPPP mating plug, as will be described later.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the printer comprises a support casing 1 having an MAPP PC mating fork 2 protruding from one end and a page-printing inkjet printer extending substantially across the casing under the cover 3 from the opposite end.

The printer includes a docking panel 4 adapted to position a sheet paper cartridge 5, shown in more detail in FIGS. 15 and 16.

The paper cartridge 5 usually has a metal cover 6 containing a pair of integral leaf springs 7 arranged to rest on the top of the paper stack 8, pressing the paper down (as shown in FIG. 16) to the lower position, where the lowest a sheet in a stack may be output under the front casting 9.

The cartridge is completed by the lower base element 10 and the rear casting 11.

The page-printing printer 12, located under the lid 3, includes a series of channel ink tanks of the type shown at 13 and 14, with one tank for each ink color, in addition to an additional large-capacity black ink tank. The reservoirs are formed around a print head having feed channels with a gradually decreasing size, such as shown by reference numerals 15, 16, 17 and 18, supplying to the print head 30 formed using microcircuit technology and incorporating CMOS technology (complementary MOS structure) and MEMS, similar to those disclosed in Australian provisional patent application No. PP6534, registered October 16, 1998, under the name "Micromechanical device and method (IJ46a)", assigned to the present applicant and Turning herein by cross-reference.

The printer unit 12 further includes rollers 19, 20 arranged to first remove the bottommost sheet from the stack 8 in the cartridge 5, push the sheet through the print head 30 on demand for printing, and push the sheet out of the printer through the exit slot 21. The rollers are driven from the electric motor 22 by means of the gear box 23.

The printer is controlled by a printer control chip connected between the MALPP PC interface 2 and the printer unit 12, and it can be included in the print head at location 24 or in a flexible circuit board under the base of the docking panel 4.

The electronic circuits for driving the print head may also include an ISPO device (Integrated Circuit Applied Orientation), which provides a one-time use of the printer unit 12 until it is replaced. This scheme, in the form of an “identification chip,” is preferably similar to that disclosed in international patent application No. PCT / AU98 / 00544, also assigned to the present applicant.

Providing a removable paper cartridge 5 as a separate product for the printer mechanism 12 allows for easy replenishment of the paper source.

This type of portable printer has many different uses, including on-demand printing of business cards from an extremely compact and portable device that can be plugged directly into the PC card slot in a compact laptop or laptop computer without connecting cables or other devices. The enlarged version of the printer, also provided by the MAPPP PC mating fork, can be used to print large materials in the same way, for example, to print photographs measuring 6 by 4 (inches) (152.4 by 101.6 mm) or other similar material.

First, an on-demand print camera system according to a fourth aspect with respect to a removable printer unit that can be connected to the camera system will be described.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, a small compact printer is provided which is capable of printing on business card-sized sheets of paper and which is sized to fit within the limitations of a type III board MAPP PC (MAPP PC (International Association of Memory Card Manufacturers for Personal Computers) sets the parameters for the so-called PC boards with a type III board having a typical size of 85.6 mm by 54 mm and a thickness of 10.5 mm). However, it should be understood that the printer made in accordance with the invention may have a larger size, for example, for printing on paper with a photo size of 6 inches by 4 inches (152.4 mm by 101.6 mm), at the same time, all also including direct pairing with a socket for inserting the MAPPP PC replacement board by means of the MAPPP PC mating plug, as will be described later.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the printer comprises a support casing 1 having an MAPP PC mating fork 2 protruding from one end and a page-printing inkjet printer extending substantially through the casing under the cover 3 at the opposite end.

The printer includes a docking panel 4, adapted for the location of the cartridge 5 of sheet paper, shown in more detail in figure 2 and 3.

The paper cartridge 5 typically has a metal cover 6 including a pair of integral leaf springs 7 arranged to rest on the top of the paper stack 8, pressing the paper down (as shown in FIG. 20) to the lower position, where the lowest a sheet in a stack may be output under the front casting 9.

The cartridge is completed by the lower base element 10 and the rear casting 11.

The page-printing printer 12 , located under the cover 3, includes a series of channel ink tanks of the type shown at 13 and 14, with one tank for each ink color, except for an additional large-capacity black ink tank. Tanks are formed around a print head having feed channels of gradually decreasing size, such as shown at 15, 16, 17, and 18, supplying to the print head 30 formed by chip manufacturing technology and incorporating CMOS and MEMS technologies, similar to those disclosed in the Australian provisional patent application No. PP6534, registered October 16, 1998, under the name "Micromechanical device and method (IJ46a)", assigned to the present applicant and incorporated here by cross links.

The printer unit 12 further includes rollers 19, 20 arranged so as to first remove the bottommost sheet from the stack 8 in the cartridge 5, push the sheet through the print head 30 on demand for printing, and eject the sheet from the printer through the exit slot 21. The rollers are driven powered by an electric motor 22 by means of a gear box 23.

The printer is controlled by a printer control chip connected between the MAPPP 2 interface device 2 and the printer unit 12, and it can be included in the print head at location 24 or in a flexible circuit board under the base of the docking panel 4.

The electronic circuits for driving the print head may also include an ISPO (Application Oriented Integrated Circuit) device that provides a one-time use of the printer unit 12 before it needs to be replaced. This scheme, in the form of an “identification chip,” is preferably similar to that disclosed in international patent application No. PCT / AU98 / 00544, also assigned to the present applicant.

Providing a removable paper cartridge 5 as a separate product for the printer mechanism 12 enables easy replenishment of the paper source.

The printer unit is inserted into the camera system to provide a complete camera unit, as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23. The camera unit includes a camera body 25 adapted to position the printer unit with a cover 3 of the printer unit and its output slot 21 protruding from the housing .

The camera further includes a lens 26 and a viewfinder having a front window 27 and a part of the eye 28. A convenient door 29 may be provided to access the battery or batteries used to power the camera.

The camera includes a “shutter” button 30 and a print button 31 arranged to control the operation of the removable printer unit.

As described above, the paper cartridge 5 can be disconnected from the printer unit to replenish paper, as can be clearly seen in FIG. 25.

The inner part of the camera body 25 is provided with a MAPPT PC socket 32 (Fig. 10), capable of connecting to the MAPPP PC plug 2 at the end of the removable printer unit. When the printer unit is inserted into the camera body, the plug 2 is inserted into the socket 32, providing an appropriate electrical connection between the removable printer unit and the camera unit.

The camera unit further includes an image sensor, usually in the form of an USS (charge coupled device) 33 (Fig. 26), located directly below the lens 26. The device USS 33 is connected via a flexible PC (printed circuit board) 34 to the main PP 35, including image processing means that processes the signal from the USS and transmits it, in turn, to the socket 32 of the PC board.

The camera system is powered by a battery 35 inserted through the hinged door 29.

On Fig, schematically shows the working parts of the system, connected via a communication bus and including a CMOS image sensor (SLM) 37, which captures a high-resolution image through the camera lens. A processor 38 for processing the image and directing it to the printer control chip 39, which is located in the removable printer unit, and, in turn, controls the print head 40 to create an image 41. The memory 42 is used for intermediate storage inside the camera unit and may also include control for manipulating the image before transferring it to the printer unit.

Thus, an on-demand print camera system is provided that allows the use of a removable and universal printer unit to provide on-demand prints of photographs, while at the same time providing the ability to use the printer unit for other purposes by connecting to other devices through the MAPPP PC interface device.

In a preferred embodiment of the fifth aspect of the invention, there is provided a printer unit having an overall size and shape adapted to be mounted inside a niche for mounting a conventional PC drive. The printer unit uses a system including a page-print inkjet head, a print controller chip, and an ink cartridge of a type of ink and paper that is fully described in International Patent Application No. PCT / AU98 / 00544, entitled “Camera with Integrated Printing System” , the contents of which are hereby incorporated into this description by cross-reference.

The aforementioned PCT patent application discloses a camera system having a single printer that uses a printing roller containing ink and “paper” or other recording medium (referred to as paper in this description), on which images are printed on demand. In a preferred embodiment of this invention, image-reading portions of a camera device according to International Patent Application No. PCT / AU98 / 00544 are dispensed with without a print roller, and a print head is mounted to be included in a printer unit configured to fit inside a niche for mounting a PC drive.

The printer unit 1 is preferably mounted rotatably in a subframe 2 mounted for insertion into the PC drive unit and typically having engagement projections 3, an eject button 4, and a power supply (light emitting diode) 4. The printer unit has an exit slot 6 for paper, as can be clearly seen in FIG.

FIG. 30 shows a block of FIG. 29 with a printer unit rotated 90 ° to insert a paper and ink cartridge of the type described in the aforementioned international patent application. The printer unit is usually rotated by an electric motor 7 (FIG. 32) acting through a gear 8 to rotate the printer unit between the operating position shown in FIG. 1 and the refueling position shown in FIG. 30. In the refueling position, the refill door 9 can be opened outward on the suspension 10, as shown in FIG. 31, to open an opening 11 adapted to receive the ink cartridge 12 and paper.

The ink and paper cartridge 12 has an elongated shape and is adapted to be inserted into the printer unit in the longitudinal direction, as seen in FIG.

On Fig shows a part of the internal device of the printer unit, including the flexible printed circuit boards 13 and 14 of the PP, which connect the electronic circuitry from the next PP 15 using a standard connector 16, capable of connecting to a standard pairing device in a niche for installing a PC drive, and a print head , respectively.

The printhead is preferably a page-by-line inkjet printhead, as shown at 16 in FIG. 32, provided with ink from an ink and paper cartridge, as presented in PCT / AU98 / 00544. On Fig also shows the ejector 17 of the print roller.

7 shows a cross-section through a page-by-head print head that clearly shows the print chamber 18, the print head nozzle mechanism 19, and the paper cutter 20. On Fig also shows the solenoid 21 of the door of the printing roller, acting to open and close the door 22 of the printing roller.

The vertical section in Fig. 36 shows the connector of the printing roller panel, the main circuit board 23 of the printer, the drive motor 7 of the rotary drum, gears 8 and the base 9 of the drum. 36 also shows ink channels 24 extending between the printing roller 12 and the print chamber 18. The paper cutter 20 is driven by a drive motor 25.

36 also depicts a printing roller motor 26 and a gear 27 located to drive the printing roller in the same manner as previously described in international patent application PCT / AU98 / 00544.

On Fig, schematically shows the operation of a preferred embodiment of the invention. The computer system preferably sends the printing data to the chip 28 of the print controller, which may be a modified form of the chip OPS (auxiliary control processor), as discussed in the aforementioned PCT patent application. The OPC chip is responsible for the operational management of the print head and the printing roller in order to print images on demand and identify the printing roller 29, which, as described in the aforementioned patent application, may have an identification system on the panel.

Thus, there is provided a printer unit capable of printing photograph-sized images (typically 6 inches by 4 inches) (152.4 mm by 101.6 mm) from a compact and easy-to-install printer unit adapted to fit completely inside a niche for mounting a PC drive .

In both embodiments, in accordance with a sixth aspect of the invention, a mobile telephone is described having an internal removable printer, which includes a separately removable assembly of a print head and an ink distribution unit, and further preferably a separately removable source of paper or other print medium. The printer of the mobile phone of at least the first preferred embodiment has a standard size, thereby providing very great convenience when working. The main differences between the two embodiments relate to the shape of the print medium and the location of the ink source.

On Fig shows a printer phone 1 of the first preferred embodiment, which resembles a conventional mobile phone, including a handset sink 2, microphone 3, antenna 4, a number of push buttons 5 and preferably a color screen 6 LCD (liquid crystal display) for displaying information.

FIG. 40 shows the backs of the telephone 1 of the first embodiment, with the battery cover 8 removed to show a container 9 for a stack of printing medium from which cards or sheets 10 the size of a business card are used to print images onto them by the printer unit 12. Printing onto a card may be processed signal information downloaded via mobile phone 1, such as email or other means.

The mobile phone may optionally be equipped with a camera device 13, which may include, for example, a CMOS sensor for reading and storing images on demand so that the mobile phone 1 can effectively act as a camera device for printing images or collecting and sending them via a mobile network.

FIG. 41 illustrates an exploded perspective view, partially in cross-section, of a first mobile telephone device 1, showing in more detail a printer assembly 12 including a print head assembly 16 and a supply means 17. The paper stack container 9 includes a series of cards 10 that are elastically compressed by means of leaf springs 14. As shown in other figures, the print medium supply means 17 is provided in the form of pinch rollers 18 that drive the motor 19 through a gear train 20 and which USED to bring individual cards 10 to and past the print head 16. The printhead may form part of an optionally replaceable printhead assembly 21 and an ink distribution unit including an ink distribution unit 22, and may be substantially the same as that disclosed in Australian Provisional Patent Application No. PP6534 entitled “Micromechanical Device and Method (IJ46A) ", Registered on October 16, 1998, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by cross-reference.

The ink distribution unit 22 of this first embodiment includes a series of ink supply tanks 23-26 that are provided for full color printing. Reservoir 23 is substantially larger than reservoirs 22-26 and can be used to store black ink. It should be estimated that the ink source is sufficient to print approximately 2,000 pages with 15% black coverage or 200 photographs with 50% coverage of the CMYK color system (turquoise-magenta-yellow-black). A more detailed view of the printer assembly 12 is illustrated in FIG. 42A with the expanded technical description disclosed in the aforementioned description of the provisional patent application.

The mobile phone system can be electronically controlled by a series of one or more application-oriented integrated circuits (IAS), which include the usual capabilities of a mobile phone in addition to camera and image processing capabilities. An exemplary block diagram showing electrical connections for this first embodiment is shown in FIG. A suitable system adaptation may be used in the design of the IAS, as presented in PCT / AU98 / 00544, the patent registered in this application. Other alternative system designs may be used in accordance with the knowledge of those skilled in the art.

Other features / elements of the telephone device, the function of which is obvious, are identified in the accompanying drawings by the following reference positions.

Reference position Feature / Element thirty Speaker 31 Camera lens grill 32 Rechargeable NiMh Battery 33 Cast head cover casting 34 Paper output wheels 35 Print head attachment mechanism 36 PP phone with buttons 37 MIA card (subscriber identity module) 38 MIA Card Ejector 39 Battery contacts

Figures 45-53 show a printer telephone of a second embodiment in accordance with the invention. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used to refer to the corresponding elements.

The main differences between the two variants of the invention are that instead of having a card dispenser and a print head with a single source of ink, in this second embodiment, a replaceable combined paper cartridge and ink roller is used. The cartridge may be essentially the same as described in earlier applications of the US patent of the present applicant with registration numbers 09/113073 under the name "Digital camera system with made in one piece printing roller"; 09/113053 under the name "Replaceable cartridge roll media and ink"; 09/112744 under the name "Anisotropic stiffness to reduce the twisting of a rolled media"; 09/112823 entitled “Miniature color printer using ink and paper cartridges” and 09/112783 called “Cartridge for ink and print media with axial ink chambers”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by cross-reference.

Another difference is the optional inclusion of a scan feature, which, although described with respect to the second embodiment, can also be included in the first embodiment, although it is believed that in practice this feature is better suited for use with print roll media . Further, the additional space required to accommodate the scanning capability presents a smaller problem in the case of the second embodiment, which according to the construction cannot be as compact as the first embodiment. Other details of these various elements are described below.

In a second embodiment of the invention, the phone case 50 is configured to receive a paper cartridge 51 and an ink printing roller through a cartridge hatch 52 formed at the base of the phone. Also at the base of the phone are conventional connectors 53 and 54 of direct current and universal serial bus.

In this particular embodiment, the camera device 13 is located on the back of the telephone and is controlled by the camera capture button 56. The printer telephone may also include a scanning head (not shown) in the form of a linear CMOS image sensor, which is located inside the right side of the housing next to the image scanning path defined by a scan image slot 57 having an inlet 58 in front of the telephone and an outlet 59 in the back of the telephone .

As best shown in FIG. 52, the paper cartridge 51 and the ink roller have a shape similar to a conventional 35 mm film camera cartridge having a paper exit 61 which, when installed, aligns with the corresponding slot 62 of the printer exit formed in the front left side of the casing 50 of the phone. However, the cartridge 51 is substantially longer since it preferably contains sufficient print media and ink for 36 images, each 100 mm × 150 mm in size, equal to the conventional print size of photographs. Node 21 of the print head and the ink distribution unit is located behind the base casting portion indicated at 65.

The printer telephone 1 of the second embodiment may also operate under the control of a series of one or more ICE chips, which include the usual capabilities of a mobile phone in addition to the image processing capabilities of the camera and scanner. Again, a suitable system fixture may be used in the design of the ISPI chip, as described in patent application PCT / AU98 / 00544, registered by the present applicant.

In use, the operation of this second embodiment is very similar to the operation of the first, with the exception of the scanner's additional capability. Replacing the paper and ink source is achieved simply by opening the cartridge door 52, removing the old cartridge and introducing a new one. The cartridge includes pierced ink outlets that engage with nozzles on an ink distribution assembly connected to a print head.

In a preferred embodiment of the illustrated seventh aspect of the invention, a mobile telephone is described having an internal printer that includes a separately removable printhead and ink source module. A printer telephone can be made in a telephone set of a standard size or close to it for any system, including SPRT, GSM and OPR, thereby providing a higher level of convenience during operation.

On Fig shows a preferred embodiment in the form of a telephone device 1 SPRT and which in many respects resembles and includes the details of a conventional mobile phone of this type, including earpiece 2, microphone 3, antenna 4, speaker 5, a number of push buttons 6 and preferably an LCD color screen 7 for displaying information. A battery 8 is also included, as shown in FIG. 57.

The telephone apparatus 1 may optionally be equipped with a camera device 10, comprising a lens 11 and an associated USC chip or CMOS sensor 12. The SLD or CMOS sensor allows the device to store images on demand so that the phone can act effectively as a camera device for printing images or for capturing and sending them through a mobile telephone network. The operation of the corresponding part of the internal control electronics may be essentially the same as that presented in an earlier PCT patent application No. WO 99/04551 entitled “Reusable Single Use Camera System”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In other embodiments, the camera device may also be configured to allow video conferencing, while facilitating simultaneous image processing during telephone transmission. For this purpose, the ability of a camera that is mounted for selective movable location on a telephone device may be useful. For example, it can rotate between the orientation of the camera facing forward and the orientation of the video conferencing facing back.

The printer device is shown at 15 and includes a print head and ink source module 16 comprising a print head 17, an ink supply / distribution unit 18, and a print medium supply device 20. The feed device has a conventional shape, including an engine 21 with an associated gear 22, which drives a series of printing rollers 23.

Mounting in the housing of the printer device 15 is better shown in FIGS. 58, 59 and 62. In this regard, the printer telephone 1 is constructed with respect to the hard casting 25 of the chassis. The chassis is adapted to slide and hold the printhead module 16 and the ink source by means of retaining protrusions 26 formed on the outer casing of the printhead module 16, which interact with the cut channels 27 provided on the chassis casting.

The full operation of the printer device 15 is best illustrated in FIG. In use, the print medium 30, preferably in the form of sheets of paper the size of a business card or sheets of cards, is fed through an inlet slot 31 formed in the outer casing 32 of the telephone. This can be done manually or through a switchgear, as described below. Then, the card 30 is captured by the driven input feed rollers 23 and fed to the print head module 16. The printhead and ink source module may be essentially the same as that disclosed in Australian Provisional Patent Application No. PP6534 entitled “Micromechanical Device and Method (IJ46A)”, registered October 16, 1998, the contents of which are also hereby incorporated by cross links. In such a device, the print head is in the form of an elongated chip of the print head, which extends the entire length of the path of the print media in order to print across the entire width of the print media in one pass without the need for any movement mechanisms of the print head.

In this particular preferred embodiment, the printhead and ink module is formed as a sealed unit that is replaced entirely after a predetermined amount of use time. A detailed construction of the ink source module and the print head is shown more clearly in FIG. The ink source / distribution unit 18 has a molded structure consisting of a plurality of parts, including a cover 35, a macrochannel casting 36 defining four separate ink source chambers 37-40 having optional flow control deflectors 41. A micro-casting 42 is connected to converging outlets of the macrochannel casting 36, which defines similarly converging ink flow nozzles 43 that accurately direct ink to the small ink supply inlets on the back of the print head 17. Optionally, an ink filter 44 is provided between the two castings. As part of the module a cover device 47 is also provided for sealing and protecting nozzle outlets when the printer head is not in use. It was found that the ink source on average is enough to print about 1000 pages with 15% black coverage or 100 photographs with 50% coverage of the CMYK color rendering system. An extended technical description of the printhead module and ink source can be found in the above description of provisional patent application No. PP6534 and related applications.

A mobile phone system may be operated by a series of one or more application-oriented integrated circuits (IAS), which include the usual capabilities of a mobile phone in addition to the capabilities of a camera and image processing. In the design of ISPO, you can use the adaptation of the system presented in patent application PCT / AU98 / 00544, registered by this applicant (also listed here as a reference). The electrical connections for the preferred embodiment are schematically shown in block diagram form in FIG. 16. You can also use other system designs known to specialists in this field of technology.

FIGS. 64-68 illustrate a print medium distribution device 50 configured for use with an SPRT telephone apparatus of previous embodiments. The dispenser includes a bottom casting 51, which defines a storage and distribution area of print media 52, and a tray 53 that supports the printer telephone 1 and aligns it with the outlet of the dispenser.

The interactive operation of the print medium dispenser with the telephone 1 is best shown in FIG. 67.

As can be seen, the dispenser 50 has a storage area 52 in which there are a number of print media in the form of paper the size of a business card or card sheets 54. These cards are supported on a metal base plate 55 that is spring-loaded by means of oppositely directed spring fingers 56, as shown in FIG. Thus, the card source is constantly shifted upward towards the print media ejector mechanism 58. The ejector mechanism includes an ejector slider 59, which is able to act with a manual bias against the return spring 60 to pick up the top card and issue it from the output of the dispenser 61 and into the input slot 31 of the print media in the telephone 1. When released, the slider automatically returns to the original position to hook on the next card, ready for further loading.

Optionally, the printer telephone 1 and / or the print head and ink source module 16 includes an identification mechanism of the type described in the earlier patent application No. PCT / AU98 / 00544 under the name “Camera with an integrated printing system”. This can be used to ensure not only that an identified, approved consumable (such as a print head module and ink source) is used with a printer telephone, but can also be used to remember data regarding the use of consumable components, such as ink or the print head itself , and may optionally be used to establish a predetermined use of these components.

As noted above, the telephone device of the invention can be any kind of mobile phone that sends and receives signals in a way in which they can be processed into a printable form. Further, although the described preferred form has a printhead and ink distribution unit, which has an integrally formed and attached ink source, the ink source can be separate, and furthermore not necessarily capable of being replenished separately.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment, according to an eighth aspect of the invention, there is provided a video game player that includes a single printer capable of printing, preferably on cards the size of a business card, information that improves the interactivity of a video game.

The drawings show a console 1 for controlling video games, comprising a printer module 2 and a multipurpose digital disc (DVD) player module 3. An optional removable controller module 4 is connected to the control panel, as shown in FIG. The removable controller module can be connected to the control panel by any suitable means, including wireless systems such as "Bluetooth" or cable, etc., and can be detachably attached to the control panel by any suitable means, including magnetic clutch 5 or mechanical interlock.

The printer module 2 and the DVD player module 3 are connected by connecting lugs 6 and 7 of the housing, which rotate relative to the axis of rotation 8, as shown in FIG. 3. The lower connection extension 7 preferably includes various input / output connectors and ports 9 for optional connecting joysticks and other interactive devices. In addition, a video output port is provided for communication with standard video tape recorders, as is usually the case in technology. Additional ports may also be provided for an external power source or other devices, such as sound systems, that are to be connected to the control panel.

DVD player module 3 is capable of accepting standard 10 gaming DVDs that are becoming popular in the industry. The DVD player is connected to a high-performance processor (not shown) that can be constructed in a direction similar to standard high-performance video game processors, or in the direction of the processors described in patent application PCT / AU98 / 00544, the contents of which are expressly incorporated herein by cross-reference. The processor, in turn, uses memory for the capabilities of standard video games and interacts with the print controller chip, which is also preferably located with the high-performance processor on the PP 11 inside the printer module 2. The controller chip (also not shown) can be designed in the direction set in the Australian provisional patent application entitled "Method and device for creating images (ART 77)", registered November 9, 1998, the contents of which are again incorporated by cross-reference. The batteries for actuating the control panel are preferably located at the base of the DVD player module, as indicated by arrow 12.

The printer module 2 is preferably configured to simultaneously close the module 3 of the DVD player. This is achieved by hinging the printer unit to the DVD module as shown. The module 2 of the printer contains a casting 14 of the base, which is designed to completely close the compartment 15 of the location of the DVD-ROM formed in the upper surface of the module 3 of the DVD player. The casting 14 of the base is further made to determine the structure 16 made in one whole chassis, adapted to its lower side, for receiving and placing the cartridge 18 for ink and paper.

The upper surface of the chassis structure 16 is configured to support the print head and ink distribution unit 19, the print medium supply mechanism 20 and ink connecting hoses 21 that connect the ink output nozzles 22 on the chassis to the ink input nozzles 23 provided on the node 19 print head and ink distribution unit. The printer and the DVD control software 10 are also supported on the chassis 16 and have flexible connections 26 extending from there to communicate with the DVD and printer control buttons 27 and 28 provided on the top cover casting 29.

Details of the print head of the ink distribution unit and the medium for supplying print media are best shown in FIG. The print head, which is preferably in the form of an inkjet printhead chip, is integrated with the ink distribution unit and the print head cover into the print head unit 30. This module 30 is supported on a casting 32 of the chassis of the print head and further includes a mechanism 33 for covering the print head, paired drive rollers 34 and 35, a stepper motor 36, and a connected gearbox 37 that engages the drive rollers 34 and 35.

The preferred ink and paper cartridge is advantageously made in accordance with the cartridge described in the patent application pending simultaneously under the name of “Ink cartridge and print medium with an integral capturing roller”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In an alternative embodiment shown in the accompanying drawings, the ink and paper cartridge comprises a housing 40 defining an upper storage medium storage area 41 adapted to hold a stack of paper cards or sheets 42. The card distribution exit port is shown at 43. The lower portion of the casing defines an area 45 ink supply, which is divided internally into four sections, each of which is connected with pierced outlet openings 46 of the ink supply. When installed, these outlets 46 are punctured by formations on the underside of the base casting so that ink flows from the cartridge to the outlet nozzles on the chassis 16 through connecting hoses 21 to the print head assembly and ink distribution unit 19.

In yet another embodiment, the printer unit and the container of print media can be snapped into the control panel and can be designed in accordance with the principles defined in the Australian provisional patent application entitled "Method and device for creating images (ART 79)", also registered by the present applicant, the contents of which are hereby also incorporated herein by cross-reference.

In use, the control panel is connected to the video device, and the DVD 48 is inserted into the module 3 of the DVD player. Then select the appropriate controllers. They can be a removable controller module 1, as shown in FIG. 70, or alternatively, other external interactive controllers. After that, the printer can be powered up during the execution of the program in DVD either manually or automatically, as described in more detail below.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the preferred embodiment provides a video game system that allows cards to be printed on demand. These cards can be used for a number of purposes. First, a video game, at some predetermined levels, can print a series of "boasting cards." They can provide high-resolution images that can only be achieved at a specific point in the game. Bragging cards can be personalized by the name of the video game players, tags, the chosen sign, the accumulated wealth or objects, etc. Cards may also include photographic similarities, where the video game device includes an optional image sensor (not shown). With such an added feature, boasting cards can also be personalized with photographic similarities displayed on 3D signs, etc.

The DVD player can be adapted to play standard DVD movies in addition to being configured for reading CD-ROMs (non-rewritable CDs) to provide information from encyclopedias, cards, etc. provided by other CD-ROMs or DVDs -discs. Thus, it is possible to print images from DVD movies and information from such information archives on a CD-ROM or DVD. It should be noted that although a DVD player or drive is used in a preferred form, interactive programs can be stored on CD-ROMs or on semiconductor memory cartridges, where the latter are popularly used with known pocket size video game devices.

In addition, although the described preferred embodiment is designed for optional use with non-portable external display and control devices, game storage media, controls, a game processor, a screen, a sound reproducing device, and a printer can be housed in the same package, and it can have pocket size if required.

Where educational software is provided, the printer can be used to print standard award certificates or diplomas at various levels. Such a system provides an ideal incentive for children using the system in relation to more intensive involvement in the educational program carried out on the system. Using a printer also allows parents to control their children in using the device, for example, by requiring certain information or diploma certificates printed at various stages, before the device can be used as a gaming machine. The layout may be mutually reinforcing between playing the game and the educational program, where the educational program prints a code or key for use by the user during the game. Of course, many other interactive uses can be provided.

Consider the drawings, in which a cartridge 1 is shown in accordance with a ninth aspect of the invention for a printing apparatus including a cover shown generally by reference number 2. In an illustrative preferred form, the cover is divided into two main sections containing a portion 3 of a recording medium source for placing paper sheets and similar print media, and a second storage portion 4 for hosting an ink source. This cartridge is designed for use with digital printers, and is particularly suitable for on-demand inkjet printers.

The casing 2 also defines an outlet 5 of the recording medium, which is connected to the portion 3 of the storage medium of the print media and the mechanism of movement of the print medium, shown in General position 7. This movement mechanism is located inside the section 3 containing the print media, next to the outlet 5 of the print medium, so that during operation, it grips and moves the print medium 8 through the outlet of the print media.

Looking first at the elements of the print media storage area of the cartridge, it can be seen that it contains an upper cast 10 of print media that mates with a corresponding lower cast 11. Therefore, the casts are combined to define a generally rectangular storage medium storage area 12 in which the media is located prints in the form of a stack of paper sheets or cards.

The upper and lower castings 10 and 11 are made at the front end so as to determine, in combination, the outlet 5 of the recording medium. When using a stack of cards 8 is located inside the storage area 12. They are shifted down toward engagement with the upper surface 14 of the lower casting 11 by means of thin metal springs 15, which abut against the inner lower surface 16 of the upper casting 10.

The mechanism for moving the print media of the preferred illustrated form has the form of a node 18 of the pick rollers. This assembly includes a drive shaft 19, pick rollers 20 that are rigidly attached to the drive shaft, and a drive gear 21 with external gearing.

The moving unit 18 is gripped in a gripping manner inside the portion of the casing formed by the upper and lower castings of the print media, the drive shaft 19 being rotationally supported by arched ribs 22 formed in the channel 23 located under the outlet 5. The upper casting completely covers the portion of the drive shaft holding pick rollers 20, but leaves the drive gear 21 with external gear open as shown. In an alternative form, the pinion gear can be accessed through an opening in the housing for engaging with a corresponding driven roller in the printer device. A plastic or metal foil 25 is also provided next to the outlet 5. This foil is sized so that it passes downward through the outlet so that during operation of the movement mechanism only one sheet of paper or one card passes through the outlet at a time.

The ink storage portion 4 is likewise defined by two separate castings forming part of the cartridge case. The primary casting is an ink storage base casting 26, which is configured to define a plurality of different ink chambers 27. Ultimately, the chambers are sealed by direct or indirect connection of this base casting 26 with a cover casting, which in this preferred form is provided with a lower surface 28 of the lower casting 11 of the storage medium.

In the preferred embodiment shown, the connection of the two castings is indirect, since there is provided an intermediate thin deformable film 30 surrounded by a wall, which preferably initially has a contour for insertion into the ink chambers 27 defined in the base casting 26. During assembly, the base casting 26 is sealed in a sealing manner with a flange 31 provided on the periphery of a thin walled deformable film 30, which, in turn, is sealed in a sealing manner with a lower surface 28 of the lower casting 11 of the storage medium.

As shown in the drawings, the casting of the base of the ink chambers 27 preferably extends beyond the peripheral edge of the aforementioned storage medium storage region to define an ink source connection manifold region 32. The upper portion of the collector 32 is formed as an extension 33 of the lower casting 11 for storing print media and contains a plurality of connecting nozzles 34 for the ink, which are closed by means 35 pierced sealing ink. In use, the ink is stored above the deformable film and, as a result, is in fluid communication with the ink connection nozzles 34. To facilitate the destruction of the deformable film 30, when removing ink, ducts 37 are provided in the casting 26 of the ink storage base, preferably at an end remote from the ink nozzles. The various components of the cartridge housing can be assembled using any suitable means, including the use of glue, ultrasonic welding or mechanical connectors or similar means.

A preferred use of the cartridge of the invention, as described above, is for use in a video game control unit having a single printer, such as described in Australian Provisional Patent Application PP7020 and the corresponding US patent application, entitled "Video Game Control Unit with one the whole printer device ", registered at the same time, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

In use, the cartridge of the invention is inserted into an appropriately configured printer device, whereby the drive gear 21 is aligned and engaged with the corresponding driven gear provided in the printer mechanism. This configuration has numerous advantages. Most importantly, providing a moving means within the cartridge ensures that paper or other recording medium is accurately and with minimal initial contamination fed from the cartridge, since the mechanism and the recording medium are located inside the enclosed unit. In known cartridges, the cartridge is pressed against the pick roller installed in the printer device, which opens the paper on the bottom surface. In contrast, the present design provides greater structural integrity, since it is not necessary to provide an opening that opens the print medium to the same extent. Further, the design provides a shielded impermeable unit.

Additional advantages with respect to preferred options include providing seals on the ink outlet nozzles, which can be punctured automatically by the printer mechanism when refueling. In this regard, the cartridge is intended for single use only. In addition, the structure of the casting chamber for the ink, due to which the deformable film and the base can be molded or combined at the same time to form a completely sealed chamber for ink, clearly offers advantages in terms of efficiency and plant-wide overhead.

The mechanism for moving the print media is not necessarily limited to the mechanism of the pick rollers, but may include any other suitable mechanisms that can be externally driven from the outside of the cartridge case. Similarly, the ink storage means is not limited to the described form and may include the use of other deformable or non-deformable storage means.

Although the invention has been described with respect to certain examples, it should be understood that each of them can be implemented in many other ways.

Claims (21)

1. A mobile phone device held in one hand with an integral printing apparatus and a source of print media, comprising a mobile phone unit for transmitting and receiving signals, an internal storage medium storage unit, processing means for processing received and transmitted signals in a printable form , a printhead and ink distribution unit assembly attached to the processing means for printing the signals to be processed on the print medium, and the medium for feeding the furnace and supplying printing from the internal storage unit of print media, the media to the printhead for printing thereon the processed signal information. 2. The device according to claim 1, in which the print medium includes sheets of paper or cards. 3. The device according to claim 1, in which the print head contains a single block of the print head width substantially equal to the width of the print medium, and which is formed using semiconductor manufacturing technology. 4. The device according to claim 1, in which the storage unit of the print medium is detachable from the device. 5. The device according to claim 1, in which the node of the print head and ink distribution is independently detachable from said apparatus and the storage medium of print media. 6. The device according to claim 1, in which the print head assembly includes a full color print head, and the ink distribution unit assembly includes a number of ink source reservoirs, for
supplying individual colors to each of said print head colors. 7. The device according to claim 1, in which the print head is an inkjet print head. 8. The device according to claim 7, in which the print head is a print head chip manufactured using MEMS processing technology. 9. The device according to claim 7, in which the print head contains a number of devices for nozzles of ink injection, in which ink is ejected from the nozzle chambers by activating the corresponding thermal bending drive attached to each of the nozzle devices. 10. The device according to claim 2, in which the sheets of paper or cards essentially have a size of 85.6 and 54 mm 11. The device according to claim 1, in which the ink distribution unit connected to the printhead includes a number of attached ink source reservoirs, the first of which is larger than the others. 12. The device according to claim 1, in which the node of the print head and the ink distribution unit and the storage medium of the print media is installed with a snap with the block of the mobile phone. 13. The device according to claim 1, including a camera. 14. The device according to claim 1, in which the print medium has the form of a paper roll. 15. The device according to 14, in which the paper roll of the print is placed in the cartridge, which also accommodates the ink source. 16. The device according to 14, in which the print head contains a single block of the print head width of the print roll, and which is formed using semiconductor manufacturing technology. 17. The device according to clause 15, in which the print head is a full color print head, and the cartridge includes a number of ink source reservoirs for supplying a separate color to each of the colors of the print head. 18. The device according to 14, in which the print head is an inkjet print head. 19. The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the printhead is a printhead chip manufactured using MEMS processing technology. 20. The device according to p, in which the print head contains a number of devices nozzles of ink injection, in which ink is ejected from the chambers of the nozzles by activating the corresponding thermal bending drive attached to each of the nozzle devices. 21. The device according to 14, including a camera.

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