CN1184529C - digital camera device with internal printer - Google Patents

Abstract

The present specification discloses a range of printer applications including a sticker camera device and cartridge assembly, a PC floppy drive port printer, a PCMCIA printer and camera using such a printer, digital cellular telephones with and without a print media source, a video game console device and a digital printer cartridge with an integrated print media transport mechanism. As a result, this specification contains 37 pages of description, 143 claims and 88 sheets of drawings. The first invention is a digital camera with an internal printer. The camera has an image pick-up button (14), a viewfinder (10), a camera lens (12), and a print button (15) for operating an internal ink jet print head. The camera additionally has a sticker storage and feed device, an image sensor, an ink supply and means for delivering ink to the print head to enable printing of the sensed image on the sticker.

Description

Digital camera unit with internal printer

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

The present invention has been developed in a preferred form to utilize inkjet technology using drop-on-command ink, and is described below on this basis. In most cases, however, aspects of the invention are equally applicable to the use of other preferred compact printing systems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a digital camera device for printing posters, said device comprising:

Poster storage device;

sticker feeding device;

an image sensor for sensing images;

an internal inkjet printhead operatively associated with said image sensor and adapted to print said sensed image, or a variation thereof, on stickers delivered by said sticker feeder;

an ink source; and

Means for delivering ink to said printhead, wherein the printhead includes at least one printhead chip.

Preferably, the device is sized and packaged to be easily portable, and more preferably hand-held.

The sticker printer and the camera may further include image effect setting means for setting image effects applied to the sensed image; interconnected with the image effect setting means and the image sensor, and Image processing means adapted to modify the sensed image according to the current setting of said image effect setting means.

The image effect setting means may include a dial or a slider on which several effect images are indicated. The sticker sources and ink sources are preferably replenishable, and at least one includes an associated authentication system.

A cutting device may also be provided to cut off the printed portion of the printed sticker.

Preferably the printhead is a pagewide printhead.

According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a cartridge used in the printing apparatus of the first aspect, the cartridge comprising:

A cartridge housing defines a first container portion in which a supply of adhesive-coated print media is contained, and a second container portion in which a supply of ink is stored.

Preferably, the cartridge includes some form of authentication means recognizable by the printing means.

Desirably, the ink storage container portion of the cartridge includes one or more ink outlets that, when installed, can be pierced to contact an ink distribution unit on the printing device.

In this preferred form, the housing houses a sticker roll of generally annular configuration, with an ink reservoir projecting outwardly from the housing. Preferably, the case is adapted to snap fit with the device in which it is to be used.

In a particularly preferred form, the cassette is sized and configured for use with a poster printing digital camera device of the kind hereinafter described.

A third aspect of the present invention thus provides a printer comprising: a printing device, a print medium transport device, an ink storage device, a fluid connection between said ink storage device and said printing device, and A data connection device for transmitting printing data to the printing device, wherein the data connection device is a PC card (PCMCIA) interface.

Preferably the print medium transport means is associated with a docking port adapted to receive a paper cassette and arranged to transport paper from the paper cassette over the print medium.

Preferably the printer is housed in a support housing and wherein the PC card interface protrudes from one end of the housing.

Preferably the printing device comprises an ink jet print head.

Preferably the printhead is a pagewide inkjet printhead.

In one form of the invention, the paper cassette is adapted to hold business card sized paper and the assembled cassette and printer are about the size of a Type III PC Card.

Preferably the printhead comprises an array of ink jet nozzles, each nozzle communicating with a chamber containing a blade moved by a thermal bend manipulator adapted to be actuated to eject ink on command from the nozzle.

The fourth aspect of the present invention therefore provides a print-on-command photographic system comprising a camera unit comprising: a lens, an image sensor, image processing means, a power source and an arrangement for obtaining information from the image sensor via the image processing means PCMCIA interface for receiving images, and a detachable printer unit that can be engaged with the camera unit.

Preferably, the printer unit has a support housing with a PCMCIA interface protruding from one end of the housing.

Preferably the printer unit includes a pagewide inkjet printhead, and a docking port adapted to receive a paper cassette and arranged to feed paper from the cassette through the printhead.

Preferably the docking port is adapted to receive a cardboard box.

In one form of the invention, the sheet carton is adapted to hold business paper sized sheets and the assembled carton and printer are about the size of a Type III PC Card.

The printhead preferably includes an array of ink jet nozzles, each nozzle communicating with a chamber containing a blade moved by a thermally curved manipulator adapted to be actuated to eject ink on command from the nozzle.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, there is a printer unit containing a print head, a print controller chip arranged to control the print head, and ink and paper supply means, the printer unit configured have to fit into a PC type floppy disk drive interface.

Preferably the printhead is a pagewide inkjet printhead.

The ink and paper supply is preferably provided in a removable cartridge.

Preferably, said removable cartridge is elongated and adapted to be inserted longitudinally into the printer unit.

Preferably the printer unit is rotatably mounted to a subframe configured to fit within the floppy disk drive interface so that the printer unit can be rotated between an operational position and a loading position in which the output from the paper Paper from the source unit is adapted to be ejected from the front of the floppy drive interface, and the removable cassette in the loading position is adapted to be inserted longitudinally into the printer unit.

Preferably, the printer unit rotates through an angle of approximately 90 degrees between the run position and the load position.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a hand-held mobile speaker device with integrated internal printing means and a source of print media, said device comprising:

A mobile phone unit for transmitting and receiving signals;

an internal print media storage unit;

processing means for processing said received and transmitted signals into a printable form;

a printhead and ink distribution unit integrally attached to said processing device for printing said processed signal on said print medium;

and print medium feeding means for feeding said print medium from said storage means to said printhead for printing said processed signal thereon.

In a first preferred form, the print medium comprises paper or card. The card is preferably substantially the size of a typical business card. Desirably, the print head and card storage unit form a snap fit with the mobile telephone unit.

In a second preferred form, the print medium is in the form of a paper print roll, and more preferably, the print roll is provided in a cartridge that also includes an integrated ink supply.

The printhead may consist of a paper-wide or card-wide single unit and may be formed by semiconductor manufacturing techniques.

The card storage unit can be detached from the device. The printhead or printhead and ink distribution unit assembly are separately removable from the microphone unit and print media storage unit.

The printheads may comprise full color printheads attached to a system ink supply reservoir via ink distribution units for supplying separate colors to the printheads of each color.

The printhead may contain an array of nozzle structures where liquid may be expelled by actuating a corresponding thermal bend manipulator attached to each nozzle structure.

The printhead may preferably include a series of attached ink supply reservoirs, with a first reservoir being significantly larger than the others. The printhead and ink distribution unit and/or print roll cartridge may preferably include an authentication chip which ensures that only approved consumables are used and which can also be used to set predetermined usage levels for each item.

Handheld mobile phones may be of any type and utilize any communication system as long as the transmitted signal can be processed into a printable form. Applicable phone types and/or types of communication systems include GSM, CDMA, PHS, satellite phone systems, and third generation (3G) interconnected mobile phone systems, including GPRS and WCDMA.

According to a seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a handheld mobile telephone device with integrated internal printing means, said device comprising:

a mobile telephone unit for transmitting and receiving signals;

processing means for processing said received and transmitted signals into a printable form;

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

print medium feeding means for feeding print medium received from a source external to said telephone device to said print head for printing said processed signal information on said print medium.

Preferably, the print medium comprises paper or card.

The printhead may contain a print medium-wide single unit, and may be formed by semiconductor manufacturing techniques.

Desirably, the printhead, or the printhead and ink distribution unit assembly, is detachable from the telephone device. In a preferred form, the printhead is part of a subassembly which also includes an ink distribution unit and ink supply, hereinafter referred to as the printhead and ink supply module.

The printheads may include full color printheads attached to a system ink supply reservoir via ink distribution units for separate colors to the printhead sources for each color.

In a preferred form, the printhead contains an array of nozzle structures wherein liquid can be expelled through corresponding manipulators attached to the nozzle vanes associated with each nozzle structure.

Preferably, said manipulator is a thermobending manipulator.

The printhead and ink supply module preferably comprise an ink distribution unit connected to a series of attached ink supply reservoirs, wherein preferably a first reservoir for storing black ink is substantially larger than the other reservoirs. The printhead and ink distribution unit assembly or the printhead and ink supply module optionally form a removable snap fit with the mobile phone unit.

The printhead or printhead and ink distribution unit assembly also preferably includes an authentication means, which in this preferred embodiment is in the form of an authentication chip. This allows the phone to use only approved consumables and also optionally records usage and consumption data and can also be used with printheads or printheads and ink supply modules that only allow a predetermined amount of usage.

Print media can be manually fed into the printer phone. Alternatively, a dispensing device for print media may be used, said dispensing device preferably comprising:

a print media storage area with a distribution outlet;

a printer phone bracket for supporting said printer phone and aligning the print media inlet thereon with the media storage area's dispense outlet; and

A dispense ejection mechanism operable to eject a predetermined amount of print media through the dispense outlet and into the printer phone print media inlet for engagement with an associated media feed provided in said phone.

Desirably, the print medium is in the form of a card or sheet of paper.

Preferably, the ejection mechanism comprises a slider which in operation selects and engages one of the cards or paper and then drives it through the dispensing outlet.

Desirably, the print media storage unit includes means for biasing a source of print media disposed therein toward said ejection mechanism and aligned with said dispense outlet.

Although the preferred telephone unit of the present invention is a PHS telephone set, the present invention is equally applicable to any type of mobile telephone using any communication system as long as the transmitted signal can be processed into a printable form. Examples of other suitable phone types and/or types of communication systems include GSM, CDMA satellite phone systems, and third generation (3G) interconnected mobile phone systems, including GPRS and WCDMA.

According to a first form of the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a video game console device comprising:

means for receiving a detachable interactive program storage device for executing programs through said console;

processing and operating means for executing said interaction program stored on said detachable interaction program storage means, execution of said program causing generation of images for display on image display means;

communication means for enabling interaction from the control means when executing said program; and

an integrated printer unit including a printhead, ink supply unit, and print media feed unit;

Said printer means is operatively associated with said processing and manipulation means to print images associated with said interactive program on a print medium.

In this preferred embodiment, the console is designed using a detachable controller module, which includes various interactive control devices, such as: joysticks, control buttons and the like. The controller may communicate with the console via radio communication means such as new "Bluetooth" or via cable or other suitable communication means.

Preferably, the integrated printer device includes an internal print medium supply unit.

In the preferred form, the print medium is in the form of a sheet or card, and the print medium supply unit and ink supply unit are housed in combination in one replaceable cartridge assembly.

In a particularly preferred form, said replaceable cartridge comprises a print medium feed roller arrangement which interacts with a non-replaceable print medium feed provided in the console.

Desirably, the interactive program is initiated to print the image via the printer device at a predetermined location in the program.

The printer means preferably comprises an inkjet printer, optionally in the form of a page-wide array of inkjet nozzles which eject ink by means of a system manipulator. Preferably, said manipulator is a thermobending manipulator.

In a preferred form, the removable program storage device is in the form of a digital video disc, also known as a digital versatile disc (DVD), playable by a DVD player. In other similarly preferred forms, CD-ROMs and semiconductor memory cards can be used in place of DVDs, using appropriate drives, connectors, hardware and software.

According to a ninth aspect of the present invention there is provided a digital card for a printing device, said card comprising a case having:

a first section to accommodate a source of print media therein;

a print media discharge opening; and

An integrated media transport mechanism that operatively picks up and drives a quantity of said print media through said output opening.

In this preferred form, the card includes a second storage portion for receiving an ink supply therein.

Desirably, the print media transport mechanism includes a pickup roller assembly, and more specifically includes:

a drive shaft;

a pick-up roller secured to the drive shaft; and

A drive gear, said shaft and rollers are captively supported within the housing.

Preferably, the drive gear is placed on the outside of the housing to engage a powered corresponding gear provided on the printing device it is intended to use. Alternatively an opening may be provided in the housing to facilitate such engagement with the powered gear of the printer unit.

Desirably, the ink storage portion is divided into a plurality of distinct chambers to store ink supplies of different colors.

Preferably, the ink is stored in a collapsible bladder within the second ink storage portion. The bladder may be in the form of a fully flexible bag within an outer rigid shell. More preferably, the ink may be stored in an area bounded on one side by the rigid part of the housing to which the shrinkable membrane bounding the other side has been sealed. Desirably, at least a portion of the rigid shell adjacent the side of the collapsible membrane or bag that is not in communication with ink liquid includes ventilation means to facilitate the entry of air to allow the membrane to collapse when the ink supply is consumed.

In this preferred form, the ink storage portion also includes one or more ink outlets, each having a seal that is broken when connected to the printing device. Desirably, these outlets are in the form of nozzle connectors suitable for connection with ink distribution connectors provided on the printer.

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

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

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

Figure 2 is a rear perspective view of the sticker printing camera of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a left side view of the sticker printing camera shown in the above figures;

Figure 4 is a right side view of the sticker printing camera shown in the above figures;

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the sticker printing camera assembly shown in Figure 1, including a sticker printing roller and an ink cartridge;

Figure 6 is a rear view of the sticker printing camera shown in the previous figure; the uppermost cover portion has been removed to show the sticker storage area, ink supply, feeder and printer mechanism;

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

Figure 8 is a top view of the device shown in Figures 1-5;

FIG. 9 is a top view, partially in section, showing details of the printer mechanism shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. FIG.

Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the sticker roll and cartridge;

Figure 11 is a front view of the sticker roll and cartridge, with the base module removed;

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

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

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a portable printer according to the present invention, showing a paper cassette engaged with the printer;

Figure 15 is a perspective view of the carton shown in Figure 1;

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

Figure 17 is an enlarged perspective view of the printhead and ink reservoir shown in Figure 16;

18 is a perspective view of a detachable printing unit for printing on command of the camera system according to the present invention;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a carton shown engaged with the printer of Figure 18;

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

Figure 21 is an enlarged perspective view of the printhead and ink reservoir shown in Figure 20;

22 is a front perspective view of a print-on-command camera system according to the present invention, including the printer shown in FIG. 18;

23 is a rear perspective view of the print-on-command camera system of FIG. 22;

Figure 24 is an illustration similar to Figure 22, showing the detachable printer unit detached from the camera unit;

Figure 25 is an illustration similar to Figure 24, showing the paper cassette removed from the detachable printer unit;

Figure 26 is a sectional view through the camera system at a certain depth from the plane shown in Figure 5;

Figure 27 is a cross-sectional view through the camera system at right angles to the cross-sectional view of Figure 26;

Figure 28 is a block diagram showing the operative interconnection between the various components of the camera system according to the present invention;

Figure 29 is a front view of a printer unit according to the present invention in an operational position;

Figure 30 is a view similar to Figure 29 in the loading position;

Figure 31 is a view similar to Figure 30, showing the loading door open, aligned with a removable cartridge for loading;

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

Figure 33 is an illustration similar to Figure 4, but with the printer in the position shown in Figure 30;

Figure 34 is a front view of the printer in the position of Figure 30;

Figure 35 is a view similar to Figure 6, but with the loading door open;

Figure 36 is an enlarged vertical sectional view through the printer unit;

Figure 37 is a vertical sectional view at right angles to Figure 36;

Figure 38 is a block diagram showing the operation of the printing unit;

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

Figure 40 is an exploded rear perspective view of the first embodiment;

Figure 41 is a further partially cutaway exploded perspective view of the internal structure of the first embodiment in more detail;

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

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

Figure 44 is a schematic block diagram showing the electrical interconnection of the first embodiment;

Figure 45 is a front view of a second preferred embodiment utilizing paper and ink cartridges and having a scanning facility;

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

Figure 47 is the rear view of the second embodiment printer phone according to the sixth aspect of the present invention shown in Figures 45 and 46;

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

Figure 49 is a top side plan view of the printer phone shown in Figure 45;

Figure 50 is a reverse plan view of the printer phone shown in Figure 45;

Figure 51 is a reverse plan view of the printer phone shown in Figure 50, showing the print roll compartment in the open position;

Figure 52 is a perspective view of the printer phone shown in Figure 45, showing insertion and ejection of a print roll through the print roll compartment; and

Figure 53 is a schematic block diagram showing the electrical interconnections of a second embodiment of the sixth aspect of the invention;

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

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

Figure 56 is a front perspective view of the phone shown in Figure 54, with the front cover removed;

Figure 57 is a front perspective view of the battery pack shown in the previous figures;

Figure 58 is a right side elevational sectional view of the printer phone shown in the preceding figures;

Figure 59 is a front perspective view of the subframe and printhead/ink supply module of the printer phone;

Figure 60 is a front perspective view of the stand shown in Figure 59;

Figure 61 is a front perspective partial cutaway view of the printhead/ink supply module shown in Figure 59;

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

Figure 63 is a front layered sectional view of the printer phone of the preceding figures;

Figure 64 is a plan view of the phone of the preceding figures attached to an associated print media delivery device;

Figure 65 is a plan view of the print media dispensing device shown in Figure 64;

Figure 66 is a left side view of the print media dispenser shown in Figures 64 and 65;

Figure 67 is a right side view of the print media dispenser shown in Figure 64;

Figure 68 is a plan view of the print media dispenser shown in Figure 64 with the upper portion of the housing removed;

Figure 69 is a schematic block diagram showing electrical interconnections;

70 is a front perspective view of a video game console with a detachable controller module showing printed cards being ejected from the integrated printer in accordance with the first embodiment of the present invention;

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

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

Figure 73 is a front view of the console shown in Figures 71 and 72;

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

Figure 75 is an exploded front perspective view of the console assembly shown in Figures 71-75;

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

Figure 77 is an exploded perspective view of a printing apparatus, including the printhead, print media feed mechanism, and printhead ink distribution assembly and excluding the ink supply;

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

Figure 79 is a schematic diagram of the assembly shown in Figure 78 showing insertion of a DVD into a DVD player module;

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

Figure 81 is a reverse perspective view of the cartridge shown in Figure 80;

Figure 82 is an exploded perspective top view in the same orientation as Figure 80;

Figure 83 is an exploded perspective top view in the same orientation as Figure 81;

Figure 84 is a top plan view of the cartridge of the previous figures;

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

Figure 86 is a reverse plan view of the cartridge shown in the previous figures;

Figure 87 is a left side view of the same cartridge;

Figure 88 is a front side view of the same cartridge;

Figure 89 is a rear side view of the same cartridge;

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

Figure 91 is a side sectional view taken along line 12-12 of Figure 84;

Preferred embodiments of the various aspects of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings 1 to 91.

Preferred embodiments of the first and second aspects of the present invention include a sticker printing camera for on-demand printing of stickers on a refillable print roll. The "poster cam" 1 shown in the drawings has: a multi-part housing bounded by an outer front cover module 2; an inner substructure and rear module 3, a sticker and cartridge module piece 4 and an external rear cover 5 .

The housing in the preferred form shown is generally teardrop shaped in longitudinal section, the generally circular portion 6 being suitable for storing stickers in the form of a print roll and the remainder housing the ink supply 7, printhead structure 8 and Poster Feed 9.

The viewfinder 10 is also placed at or near the center of the circular housing portion 6 and extends completely through the housing from the front cover 2 to an optional eyepiece 11 at the rear. Immediately below viewfinder 10 at the front of the housing is a camera lens 12 operatively associated with suitable image sensing and processing means, such as CCD 13 shown in FIG. In addition, a "retrieve" button 14 and a "print" button 15 are provided together on the top of the case, and they are used for retrieving and printing images, respectively.

The preferred "poster cam" as shown includes an "effects dial" 16 which can be turned to perform a range of effects such as normal, black and white, sepia and soft blends, and the like. It can also be used to add photo embellishments like hearts, flowers, surprise effects and more. On the dial, a series of insets can be provided, on which an indication of the effect in question is printed. The effect placed at the indicator sign 17 is the effect then applied by the camera. Effect dials can be implemented by placing a series of conductive segments on the reverse side of the wheel, which form a binary figure proposing the effect to be displayed. The conductive segments can complete a circuit that can be monitored by the sticker cam, providing the effect.

In this preferred form, the stickers are provided in the form of a sticker roll 18 which is preferably housed in a box assembly 19 which is detachably secured to the housing. The cartridge is of similar form and construction to the housing and contains a top module 20 defining a roll of stickers of a generally annular receiving portion 21 having an ink storage portion 22 of generally triangular cross-section. The ink storage portion is preferably divided into a plurality of distinct chambers 23 for providing both color and black and white printing. There are also two slots in the top module side wall of the box, the first being the sticker exit slot 24 and the second being the pick-up roller slot 25 which forms the opening for the sticker feed mechanism 27 to be described in more detail below. part. Cassette 19 also includes a base mold 28 which seals the sticker roll chamber and also seals the ink chamber. Preferably, the ink outlet aperture 29 is provided in the base module covered by a sealing membrane which is pierced to be in fluid communication with the printer mechanism 30 upon installation. Desirably, the cartridge is a sealed unit so that the decals and ink supply can be replenished simultaneously.

Conveniently, the box can be snap-fitted to the housing by means of the snap fit 31 shown in the figures.

The sticker feed mechanism 27 and printer mechanism 30 are best shown in FIGS. 2 , 5 , 7 , 9 and 12 . The sticker feed mechanism 27 includes a pick-up roller 32 which rolls the sticker forward after the cassette is inserted into the housing. Adjacent said pick-up rolls are pairs of drive or nip rolls 33 which are driven by motors 35 through suitable drive chains 34 . It is also possible to provide a toothed cutter 36 as part of the subassembly and arranged adjacent to a printed sticker outlet 37 forming part of the front module 2 of the shell. Alternatively, a knife-rolling structure may be provided.

The printer mechanism 30 is best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 and comprises a one page wide printhead chip 40 with an ink distribution unit 41 . Forming part of the ink distribution unit is an ink supply connection manifold 42 having a plurality of ink inlet projections 43 which engage ink outlet apertures 29 on the sticker roll and ink cartridge 19 . Preferably, the printer mechanism and sticker feeding mechanism are a single unit and can be disassembled for replacement or repair.

Turning now to FIG. 12 (and FIG. 5 ), there is shown schematically part of the circuitry for the control and operation of the sticker cam device. As can be seen in the Figures, a simple flex PCB harness can be used to interconnect the extraction and printing buttons 14 and 15 with the CCD 13 and printhead assembly 30. Also, as part of the circuit there is provided a contact 45 for a power source, preferably in the form of a 3 volt battery pack 46 . Additionally, the removable printhead and/or decal and ink supply cartridge preferably include an identification mechanism, such as described in the applicant's earlier PCT application number PCT/AU98/00544, entitled "A Camera with an Internal Printing System". The identifying chip contacts 47 are shown in FIG. 12 .

In use, the "poster cam" is oriented towards the target object and the extraction button 14 is operated to capture the image. The effect dial 16 can then be turned to select an effect. When the print button is subsequently operated, the sticker feed mechanism 27 sends the next sticker or portion of the sticker medium to the printhead assembly 30 to print the rendered image thereon.

Several variants are possible within the overall inventive concept. For example, the printhead unit may be adapted for use in Australian text patent application "Image Creation Method and Apparatus (ART79)", recently filed by the applicant, the contents of which are incorporated herein by cross-reference. Alternatively, the preferred implementation can be implemented as a rearrangement as disclosed in PCT patent application PCT/AU98/00549 (WO99/04551), entitled "AReplenishable One Time Use Camera System", also filed by the applicant . Advantageously, due to the small size of the sticker, the image sensor can be downsized compared to the above referenced PCT application.

Similarly, the electronic circuitry of the sticker cam may be based on a CMOS image sensor 19 which also includes processing circuitry for processing the image and forwarding it to the printhead 12 for printing. The internal control electronics can be defined essentially as described in the above mentioned PCT specification WO99/04551.

A preferred application of the cartridge according to the second aspect of the invention is with a poster printing camera which can print stickers on command on a refillable print roll.

In a preferred form according to the third aspect of the invention there is provided a small compact printer suitable for printing on business card sized sheets and the printer is sized within the constraints of PCMCIA Type III cards (PCMCIA a Personal Computer Memory Card International Association - parameter group for so-called PC Cards, where the typical dimensions of a Type III card are 85.6mm by 54mm and 10.5mm thick). It can be seen, however, that printers made in accordance with the present invention can be of a larger size, such as for printing 6 inch by 4 inch photo sized paper, while still incorporating a PCMCIA interface plug to engage the PCMCIA slot as will be described below. direct interface.

In a preferred form of the invention, the printer comprises a support housing 1 having a PCMCIA interface plug 2 protruding from one end, and a pagewidth inkjet printer extending substantially across the housing under cover 3 to the opposite end.

The printer comprises a docking port 4 which is adapted to receive a card cassette 5 which is shown more clearly in FIGS. 15 and 16 .

The carton 5 typically has a metal cover 6 which contains a pair of integrated leaf springs 7 arranged to bear against the top of the paper stack, forcing the paper downwards (shown in Figure 16). sense) to a lower position where the bottommost sheet in the stack can be fed out below the front module 9.

Said box is completed by a lower bottom member 10 and a back molding 11 .

The pagewidth printer 12 beneath the cover 3 includes a series of ink tank reservoirs, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, one reservoir for each color, in addition to an additional bulk reservoir of black ink. The reservoir is formed around a printhead having feed channels of decreasing size, as shown in Figures 15, 16, 17 and 18, which feed a printhead 30 formed from chip production technologies, including CMOS and MEMS technologies, The technology is similar to the technology disclosed in the Australian utility model patent application PP6534 handed over on October 16, 1998, titled "Micromechanical Device and Methods (IJ46A)", which was granted to the applicant, and is hereby incorporated as reference .

The printer unit 12 further comprises rollers 19, 20 arranged for drawing the bottommost sheet first from the stack 8 in the cassette 5, advancing the sheet on command across the printhead 30 for printing and ejecting the sheet from the printer through the exit slot 21. described paper. The rollers are driven by an electric motor 22 by means of a gearbox 23 .

The printer is controlled by a printer control chip interconnected between the PCMCIA interface 2 and the printing unit 12, and the control chip may be housed at 24 within the printhead, or in a flexible printed circuit board under the interface 4 chassis.

The electronic circuitry that drives the printhead may also include an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) device that is available to the single-use printer unit 12 before it must be replaced. The circuitry is in the form of a "discrimination chip", preferably similar to that disclosed in International Patent Application PCT/AU98/00544, also assigned to the applicant.

The removable paper cassette 5 in the form of a separate item from the printer mechanism enables quick replenishment of the paper supply.

There are many different applications for this type of portable printer, including on-demand printing of transaction cards from a very compact and portable device that can interface directly with a laptop or notebook computer PC card slots, without connecting cables or other devices. An enlarged version of the printer, also provided with a PCMCIA interface plug, can be used to print larger materials in a similar manner, such as printing 6 by 4 inch size photographs or other similar materials.

The print-on-command camera system of the fourth aspect is first described with reference to a detachable printer unit engageable with said camera system.

In a preferred form of the invention, a small compact printer is provided which is suitable for printing transaction card sized sheets and which is sized within the constraints of PCMCIA Type III cards (PCMCIA Type III Cards). Personal Computer Memory Card International Association - parameter group for so-called PC cards, where the typical size of a Type III card is 85.6mm by 54mm and 10.5mm thick). It can be seen, however, that printers made in accordance with the present invention can be of a larger size, such as for printing 6 inch by 4 inch photo sized paper, while still incorporating a PCMCIA interface plug to engage the PCMCIA slot as will be described below. direct interface.

In a preferred form of the invention, the printer comprises a support housing 1 having a PCMCIA interface plug 2 protruding from one end, and a pagewidth inkjet printer extending substantially across the housing under cover 3 to the opposite end.

The printer includes a docking port 4 adapted to receive a card cassette 5, which is shown more clearly in FIGS. 2 and 3. FIG.

The carton 5 typically has a metal cover 6 which contains a pair of integrated leaf springs 7 arranged to bear against the top of the paper stack, forcing the paper downwards (shown in Figure 20). sense) to a lower position where the bottommost sheet in the stack can be fed out below the front module 9.

Said box is completed by a lower bottom member 10 and a back molding 11 .

The pagewidth printer 12 beneath the cover 3 includes a series of ink tank reservoirs, as shown in Figures 13 and 14, one reservoir for each color, in addition to an additional bulk reservoir of black ink. The reservoir is formed around a printhead having feed channels of decreasing size, as shown in Figures 15, 16, 17 and 18, which feed a printhead 30 formed from chip production technologies, including CMOS and MEMS technologies, The technology is similar to the technology disclosed in the Australian utility model patent application PP6534 handed over on October 16, 1998, titled "Micromechanical Device and Methods (IJ46A)", which was granted to the applicant, and is hereby incorporated as reference .

The printer unit 12 further comprises rollers 19, 20 arranged for drawing the bottommost sheet first from the stack 8 in the cassette 5, as instructed to advance the sheet for printing across the printhead 30 and out of the printer through the exit slot 21 the paper. The rollers are driven by an electric motor 22 by means of a gearbox 23 .

The printer is controlled by a printer control chip interconnected between the PCMCIA interface 2 and the printing unit 12, and the control chip may be housed at 24 within the printhead, or in a flexible printed circuit board under the interface 4 chassis.

The electronic circuitry that drives the printhead may also include an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit) device that is available to the single-use printer unit 12 before it must be replaced. The circuitry is in the form of a "discrimination chip", preferably similar to that disclosed in International Patent Application PCT/AU98/00544, also assigned to the applicant.

The removable paper cassette 5 in the form of a separate item from the printer mechanism enables quick replenishment of the paper supply.

The printer unit is integrated into a camera system to provide a complete camera unit as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23 . The camera unit comprises a camera body 25 adapted to accommodate a printer unit, with the printer unit cover 3 and its outlet slot 21 protruding from the housing.

The camera further comprises a lens 26 and a viewfinder with a front window 27 and an eyepiece 28 . A convenient door 29 may be provided to access the battery or battery pack used to power the camera.

The camera includes a "shutter" button 30 and a print button 31 arranged to control the operation of a detachable printer unit.

As mentioned above, the paper cassette 5 is detachable from the printer unit to replenish paper sheets, as best seen in FIG. 25 .

The interior of the camera body 25 is provided with a PCMCIA notch 32 (FIG. 10) which can engage the PCMCIA plug 2 on the end of the detachable printer unit. When the printer unit is inserted into the camera body, the plug 2 engages in the notch 32 providing a suitable electrical connection between the detachable printer unit and the camera unit.

The camera unit further contains an image sensor, typically in the form of a CCD 33 located directly behind the lens 26 (Fig. 26). The CCD33 is connected to the main PCB35 through a flexible PCB34, and the PCB35 contains image processing means for processing signals from the CCD and delivering it to the PC card slot 32.

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

Referring back to Figure 28, there is schematically depicted the operative portion of the system interconnected by means of a communication bus and comprising a CMOS image sensor (CCD) 37 which captures high-resolution images through the lens of a camera. rate image. A processing unit 38 for processing the image and forwarding the image to a printer control chip 39 is located in the detachable printer unit and in turn controls the printhead 40 to generate the image 41 . A memory 42 is used to relay storage within the camera unit, which may also include a controller for manipulating the images prior to transmission to the printer unit.

In this way, a print-on-command camera system is provided which enables the use of a detachable and multi-purpose printer unit to provide photoprints as required, while also possibly interfacing with other devices via a PCMCIA interface, using for other purposes.

In a preferred embodiment of the fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a printer unit which is generally sized and shaped to fit into a conventional PC floppy disk drive interface. The printer unit uses a system containing a pagewide inkjet printhead, a print controller chip and a consumable ink and paper supply cartridge of the type fully described in International Application PCT/AU98/00544 Yes, the title of the application is "A Camera with an Internal Printing System", the content of which is included in this note for reference.

The aforementioned PCT application discloses a camera system with an integrated printer that uses a print roll containing ink and "paper" and other print media (referred to throughout this specification as paper) on which the command to print the image. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image sensing portion of the camera arrangement in International Application PCT/AU98/00544 is eliminated, and the print roll and printhead are designed to be added to the floppy disk drive interface formed on the PC. within the constraints of the printer unit.

The printer unit 1 is preferably rotatably mounted into a sub-frame 2 designed for insertion into a floppy disk drive unit of a PC and typically has an engagement protrusion 3, an eject button 4 and a power LED 5. The printer unit has a paper output slot 6, as can be clearly seen in FIG. 1 .

Figure 30 shows the printer in the unit of Figure 29 turned through a 90 degree angle to insert a paper and ink cartridge of the type described in the above-mentioned International Patent Application. The printer unit is typically rotated by a motor 7 (FIG. 32) which operates through a gear train 8 to rotate the printer unit between the operative position shown in FIG. 1 and the loading position shown in FIG. In the loading position, the loading door 9 can be hinged 10 outwardly as shown in FIG.

The ink and paper cartridge 12 is elongated in shape and adapted to be inserted longitudinally into the printer unit, as can be seen from FIG. 31 .

Figure 32 shows some of the internal arrangements of the machine unit, including flexible PCBs 13 and 14 which connect the electronics from the other PCB 15 to a PC floppy disk drive standard interface and print head respectively. standard connector 16 on.

The printhead is preferably a page wide inkjet printhead, as shown at 16 in Figure 32, provided with ink from an ink and paper cartridge, as proposed in International Application PCT/AU98/00544. The print roll ejector 17 can also be seen in FIG. 32 .

A cross-section of the pagewide printhead can be seen in FIG. 7 , which clearly shows the print chamber 18 , the capping mechanism 19 of the printhead, and the cutter 20 . Also clearly visible in Figure 35 is the print roll door electromagnet 21 which is operable to open and close the print roll door 22.

The vertical section in FIG. 36 clearly shows the print nipple connector 16 , the main printed circuit board 23 , the rotatable drum drive motor 7 gear 8 and the drum base 9 . FIG. 36 also shows the ink tank path 24 extending between the print roll 12 and the print chamber 18 . The cutter 20 is driven by a motor driver 25 .

Also visible in Figure 36 is a print roll motor 26 and gear train 27 which are arranged to drive the print roll in the same manner as described in the above International Application PCT/AU98/00544.

Turning now to Figure 38, there is shown schematically the operation of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Preferably, the computer system sends the print data to a print controller chip 28, which may be a modified form of the ACP chip described in the aforementioned PCT application. The ACP chip is responsible for controlling the printhead and print roll in motion, for printing images on command, and for identifying the print roll 29, which may carry an identification system as described in the aforementioned application.

In this way a printer unit is provided which can print photo-sized (typically 6 by 4 inches) images from a compact and simply arranged printer unit adapted to be contained entirely within the floppy disk drive port of a PC.

In two embodiments according to the sixth aspect of the present invention, there is a mobile phone having an internal detachable printer comprising a separate detachable printhead and ink distribution unit assembly, and It is further preferred to include a separate removable source of paper or other print media. At least the mobile phone of the first embodiment is of standard size, thereby bringing a high degree of convenience when working. The main differences between the two implementations relate to the form of print media and the location of the ink supply.

Turning first to Figure 39, there is shown a first preferred implementation of a printer phone 1 which looks like a conventional mobile phone and includes a headset 2, a microphone 3, an antenna 4, a series of buttons 5 and a preferably colored LCD screen6.

The back of the first embodiment phone 1 is shown in FIG. 40 with the battery cover 8 removed to reveal a print media stack 9 from which business card sized cards or paper 10 with images printed thereon using the printer unit 12 . Printed out on the card may be processed signal information downloaded by the mobile phone 1, such as e-mail or the like.

The mobile phone may optionally be equipped with a camera device 13 which may contain, for example a CMOS sensor, designed to sense and store images on command, so that the mobile phone 1 can effectively function as a camera device for Print out the image, or capture and transmit the image via the mobile phone network.

An exploded perspective view of the first mobile telephone device 1 is shown in FIG. 41 , partially in section, showing the printer assembly 12 in more detail, including the printhead assembly 16 and feeder 17 . The card stack container 9 comprises a series of cards 10 elastically compressed by leaf springs 14 . As shown in the other figures, the print media feed 17 is provided in the form of pinch rollers 18 driven by a motor 19 through a gear train 20 for driving each card 10 towards and past the printhead 16. . The printhead may form part of an alternative replaceable printhead and ink distribution unit assembly 21 comprising an ink distribution unit 22 and may be substantially identical to Australian Utility Model PP6534, entitled " Micromechanical Device and Method (IJ46A)", handed over on October 16, 1998, and its content is included in this article as a reference.

The ink distribution unit 22 of the first embodiment comprises a series of ink supply reservoirs 23 to 26 arranged for full color printing. The reservoir 23 is significantly larger than the reservoirs 22 to 26 and can be used to store black ink. The ink supply is estimated to be sufficient for printing 2,000 sheets at 15 percent black coverage, or 200 prints at 50 percent coverage in CMYK. A more detailed illustration of the printer assembly 12 is shown in Figure 42A, most of its technical description is disclosed in the above-mentioned utility model patent description.

Mobile phone systems can operate under the electronic control of a system one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICS) that contain the usual mobile phone capabilities in addition to camera and image processing capabilities. An exemplary block diagram is shown in Fig. 44, showing the electrical interconnection of this first embodiment. Suitable modifications of the present system may be used in the design of the ASICS as described in the applicant's PCT patent application PCT/AU98/00544. Other alternative system designs can be implemented within the knowledge of one of ordinary skill in the art.

The description following the reference numerals will clearly identify other parts/components of the telephone set and their functions. label Part/Component 30 speaker 31 camera lens array 32 Ni-Mh battery 33 print head cover module 34 Exit roller 35 Print head capping mechanism 36 Phone PCB with buttons 37 SIM card 38 SIM card ejector 39 battery contacts

Referring now to Figures 45 to 53, there is shown a printer phone according to a second embodiment of the present invention. Corresponding parts have been denoted by the same reference numerals wherever possible.

The main difference between the two embodiments is that instead of a card dispenser and a printhead with an integrated ink supply, the second embodiment uses a replaceable combination paper and ink print cartridge. The cartridge may be substantially the same as the applicant's earlier applications: 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 Rolled Media”; USSN09/112,823 “Miniature Color Printer using Ink and Paper Cartridges” and USSN09/112,783 “Ink and Media Cartridge with Axial Ink Cambers”, the contents of these applications are all incorporated herein by reference.

Another difference is the optional inclusion of a scanning facility which, although described with reference to the second embodiment, could also be included in the first embodiment, however, research has shown that said facility is more suitable for use with print media in roll form use. Also, the additional space to accommodate the scanning facility is less of a problem for the second embodiment which is not as compact as the first embodiment. Further details of these various features are described below.

In the second embodiment, the phone case 50 is configured to receive a paper and ink print roll cartridge 51 via a cartridge compartment 52 formed in the base of the phone. At the base of the phone there are also the usual DC and USB connectors 53 and 54, the DC being in the latter.

In this particular embodiment, the camera arrangement 13 is located on the rear of the phone and is operable via a camera extraction button 56 . The printer phone may also include a scan head (not shown) in the form of a linear CMOS image scanner, said scanner located on the right side of the housing adjacent to an image scan path connected by an access port 58 at the front of the phone and at the Scanned image slot 57 with outlet 59 is defined on the back of the phone.

Seen most clearly in Figure 52, the paper and ink cartridge 51 is identical in shape to the film cartridge of a conventional 35mm camera, with a paper outlet 61 which, after installation, connects to a corresponding printer formed on the left front side of the phone case 50. The outlet slots 62 are aligned. Cassette 51 is however much longer as it preferably contains enough print media and ink for 36 images each 100 mm x 150 mm, which is a customary size for photo printing. The printhead and ink distribution unit assembly 21 is located behind the portion of the base module indicated at 65 .

Second Embodiment The printer phone 1 can also operate under the control of a series of one or more ASIC chips which contain the usual mobile phone capabilities in addition to the camera and scanner image processing capabilities. Again, a suitable modification of the system can be used in ASIC chip design, as described in the applicant's PCT patent application PCT/AU98/00544.

In use, the operation of the second embodiment is very similar to that of the first embodiment, with the exception of the addition of the scanning facility. Paper and ink supply replacement is achieved by simply opening the cartridge compartment 52, removing the old cartridge and inserting a new cartridge. The cartridge includes pierceable ink outlets that engage nozzles on an ink distribution assembly connected to the printhead.

In a preferred embodiment of the seventh aspect of the present invention, there is provided a mobile phone with an internal printer comprising a separate detachable printhead and ink supply module. The printer phone can be manufactured in accordance with or close to a standard size phone of any system, including PHS, GSM and GPRS systems, thereby bringing a high degree of convenience while working.

Turning first to Figure 54, there is shown a first preferred embodiment 1 in the form of a PHS phone, which in many respects looks like and includes the features of such a conventional mobile phone, which comprises a headset 2, a microphone 3 , an antenna 4, a loudspeaker 5, a system button 6 and a preferably color LCD screen 7 for displaying information. A battery 8 is also included, as shown in FIG. 57 .

The phone 1 may optionally be equipped with a camera device 10 comprising: a lens 11 and an associated CCD chip or CMOS sensor 12 which enables the device to sense and store images on command , so that the mobile phone 1 can effectively function as a camera device for printing out images, or capture and transmit images through the mobile phone network. The work of the relevant part of the internal control electronic circuit can be basically the same as that described in the PCT application WO99/04551 filed earlier by the applicant, "A Replenishable One Time Use Camera System", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference. In other embodiments, the camera device is configured to enable video conference calls by facilitating simultaneous image processing during telephony transmissions. For this purpose, a camera function for mobile positioning mounted on the telephone device may be useful. For example, it can be rotated between a forward orientation facing the camera and a rear orientation facing the video conference call.

The printer unit, shown generally at 15 in the Figures, contains a printhead and ink supply module 16 which includes a printhead 17, an ink supply/distribution unit 18 and a print media feed 20. The feed means are of conventional form and comprise a motor 21 associated with a gear train 22 which drives a series of feed rollers 23 .

The packaging of the printer unit 15 is best shown in Figures 58, 59 and 62 . In this respect, the printer phone 1 is constructed around a rigid base module 25 . The base is adapted to slidably accommodate and hold the printhead and ink supply module 16 by means of a retaining flange 26, the flange being provided on the housing of the printhead module 16, the printhead module being arranged on the base module The lower cutting groove road 27 cooperates work.

The overall operation of the printing unit 13 is best shown in FIG. 62 . In use, print media 30 , preferably transaction card sized paper or card form, is fed through an input slot 31 provided on the outer phone casing 32 . This can be done manually or by a dispenser as described below. The card 30 is then picked up by the powered input feed roller 23 and sent to the printhead module 16 . The printing and ink source module can be basically the same as that described in the Australian utility model patent PP6534, which was entitled "Micromechanical Device and Methods (IJ46A)" and was handed over on October 16, 1998, and its content is also incorporated herein as a reference. In such an arrangement, the printhead is in the form of an elongated printhead chip that extends the full length of the print medium path so that the full width of the print medium is printed in a single pass without any movement of the printhead across. mechanism.

In this particularly preferred embodiment, the printhead and ink module form a sealed unit which is entirely replaced after a predetermined amount of use. This ink supply and printhead module is shown more clearly in FIG. 61 . Ink supply/distribution unit 18 is a molded multi-part construction unit comprising a cover 35, a large tank module 36 which defines four separate ink supply chambers 37-40 with selectable flow control levels plate 41. Connected to the aggregated outlet of the large tank module 36 is a small module 42 that similarly defines aggregated ink flow nozzles 43 that direct ink precisely to the micro ink supply inlet at the rear of the printhead 17 . Optionally, an ink filter 44 is provided between the two modules. A capping means 47 is also provided as part of the module for sealing and protecting the nozzle outlets when the printer head is not in use. The ink supply is estimated to be enough on average for about 1,000 sheets of paper at 15 percent black coverage, or 100 prints at 50 percent coverage for CMYK. For a more extensive technical description of the print head and ink source module, please refer to the above-mentioned utility model patent description PP6534 and related applications.

Mobile phone systems can operate under the electronic control of a system one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICS) that contain the usual mobile phone capabilities in addition to camera and image processing capabilities. Suitable modifications of the present system may be used in the design of the ASICS as described in the applicant's PCT patent application PCT/AU98/00544, which is also incorporated herein by reference. The electrical interconnection of the preferred embodiment is shown schematically in the block diagram of FIG. 16 . Other system designs known to those of ordinary skill in the art may also be used.

Referring now to Figures 64 to 68, there is shown a print medium dispenser 50 configured for use with the PHS telephone of the previous embodiment. The dispenser comprises a lower module 51 defining a media storage and dispensing area 52 and a stand 53 which supports the printer phone 1 and aligns the phone 1 with the outlet of the dispenser.

The interactive operation of the print media dispenser and phone 1 is best shown in FIG. 67 . As can be seen in the drawings, the dispenser 50 has a storage area 52 in which is placed a quantity of print media in the form of transaction card size paper or cards 54 . The cards are supported on a metallic base plate 55 which is held against opposing springs 56 as shown in FIG. 68 . In this way, the card source is constantly biased upwardly toward a media ejector mechanism 58 . The ejector mechanism includes an ejector slide 59 which is manually operable against the action of the return spring 60 to pick up the uppermost card and then sends this card out of the dispenser outlet 61 to feed into the inlet in the phone 1 slot 31. When released, the slider automatically returns to its original position to engage the next card for the next load.

Desirably, the printer phone 1 and/or the printhead and ink supply module 16 include an identification mechanism, such as that described in the applicant's earlier PCT application number PCT/AU98/00544, entitled "A Camera with an Internal Printing System". This can be used to ensure not only that the printer phone only uses identified approved consumables (such as printheads and ink supply modules), it can also be used to store data about the relative usage of consumables such as ink and the printhead itself, and can be used for Optionally used to set predetermined dosages for these items.

As previously stated, the telephony device of the present invention may be any type of mobile telephone that can transmit and receive signals in a manner that can be processed into a printable form. Also, while the preferred form has been illustrated as having a printhead and ink distribution unit with an integrally formed attached ink supply, the ink supply may be separate and alternatively independently replenishable.

In the illustrated preferred embodiment according to the eighth aspect of the present invention, there is a video game machine including an integrated printer capable of printing, preferably on transaction card sized cards, the increased Information describing the interactivity of the video game.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a video console 1 comprising a printer module 2 and a digital video disk (DVD) player module 3 . Connected with the console is an optional detachable controller module 4, as shown in FIG. 70 . The detachable controller module can communicate with the console through radio communication means including "Bluetooth" or any suitable communication means such as cables, and can be connected by magnetic coupling 5 or mechanical interlock. Any suitable device inside is fixed on the console.

The printer module 2 and the DVD player module 3 are interconnected by means of extensions 6 and 7 of the connection housing which are hinged about a pivot 8 as shown in FIG. 3 . The lower connection extension 7 preferably includes various input/output connectors and interfaces 9 for the optional connection of joysticks and other interactive devices. There is also a video output port for connecting common standard video devices in the field. There may also be an interface for an external power supply or other device, such as a sound system to be interconnected with the console.

The DVD player module 3 can accept standard DVD game discs 10 as such discs are widely used in the industry. The DVD player is interconnected with a high-end processor (not shown), which can be modeled on a standard high-end video game processor, or as discussed in PCT patent application PCT/AU98/00544, the The content is hereby included here as a comparative reference. The processor in turn utilizes standard video game function memory and interacts with a print controller chip also preferably mounted on the PCB 11 within the printer module 2 together with the high end processor. The controller chip (also not shown) can be constructed according to the Australian provisional patent application titled "Image Creation Method and Apparatus (ART77), which was delivered on November 9, 1998, and its content is also included here for reference. The battery for powering the console is preferably located at the base of the DVD player module, as indicated by arrow 12.

The printer module 2 is preferably designed to simultaneously provide a closure for the DVD player module 3 . This is achieved by attaching the printer module to the DVD module with a hinge as shown. The printer module 2 includes a base module 14 constructed to completely close a DVD disc receiving compartment 15 formed in the upper surface of the DVD player module 3 . Base module 14 is further configured to define an integral base structure 16 adapted to receive and seat ink and paper cartridges 18 on its underside.

The upper surface of the base structure 16 is configured to support a printhead and ink distribution assembly 19, a print medium feed mechanism 20, and an ink connection tube 21 that connects the ink outlet nozzles 22 on the base to the printhead and ink distribution assembly. The ink inlet nozzle 23 on 19 is connected. A printer and DVD control PCB 10 is also supported on base 16 and has flexible connector tubes 26 extending therefrom for interconnecting the DVD with print control buttons 27 and 28 provided on top cover module 29 .

The details of the printhead, ink distribution assembly and print media feed are best shown in FIG. 77 . The printing and ink distribution unit, preferably in the form of a pagewide inkjet printhead chip, is packaged together with a printhead cover into a printhead module 30 . This module 30 is supported on the printhead base module 32 and further includes a printhead capping mechanism 33, paired drive rollers 34 and 35, stepper motor 36 and associated gearbox 37 engaging the drive rollers 34 and 35 .

The preferred ink and paper cartridges are preferably as described in the applicant's contemporaneously filed application entitled "Ink and Print Media Cartridge with Integral Pickup Roller", the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In another embodiment shown in the drawings, the ink and paper cartridge includes a housing 40 which defines an upper print media storage area 41 suitable for holding paper cards or stacks of cards 42 . A card dispatch outlet is shown at 43 in the figure. The lower portion of the housing defines an ink supply area 45 which is internally divided into four sections each connected to a pierceable ink supply outlet 46 . When installed, these outlets 46 are pierced by formations on the underside of the base module so that ink flows from the cartridge to nozzles on the base 16 , through connecting tubes 21 to the printhead and ink distribution assembly 19 .

In another embodiment, the printer unit and print media container can be snap-fitted into the console and can be constructed in accordance with the principles described in the Australian Utility Model Patent entitled "Image Creation Method and Apparatus (ART79)", which is also claimed by the present The content submitted by the applicant is also included in this article as a reference.

In use, the console is connected to a video device and a DVD 48 is inserted into the DVD player module 3 . Then select the appropriate controller. They can be detachable controller modules 1 shown in FIG. 70, or other external interactive controllers. The printer can be operated manually or automatically when the program is executed on the DVD, as detailed below.

It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that the preferred embodiment provides a video game system that enables the printing of cards on command. These cards can be used for several purposes. First, at certain predetermined levels, the video game can print out a series of "brag cards". These cards can come up with high-resolution graphics that can only be achieved at a certain point in the game. The brag cards can be personalized with the player's name, score, selected characters, accumulated wealth or items, and the like. The cards also include photographic pictures when the video game arrangement includes an optional image sensor (not shown). With this option, brag cards can also be personalized with photographic pictures etc. mapped on the 3D characters.

DVDs can be adapted to play standard DVD movies, and can additionally be configured to read CD-ROMs to provide information on encyclopedias, maps, etc. from other CD-ROMs or DVD discs. In this way images from DVD movies and information from CD-ROM or DVD storage can be printed out. It should be noted that although in the preferred form a DVD player or drive is used, the interactive program may be stored on a CD-ROM or on a semiconductor memory cartridge, which is popularly used in pocket-sized prior art video game devices.

Also although the preferred embodiment described is designed for optional use with non-portable external playback and control devices, the game storage media, controls, game processor, screen, stereo and printer can all be housed in the same housing and The shell may be pocket sized if desired.

When equipped with educational software, the printer can be used to print out standard achievement certificates or graduation certificates at various levels. Such a system provides an ideal stimulus for children using the system, making them more fascinated by the educational software running on the system. The use of printers also enables parents to monitor children's use of the device by, for example, ordering certain information or diplomas to be printed out at various stages before the device becomes available as a game player. This arrangement can be a collaboration between the game player and the educational software, where the educational software prints out codes or hints that the user utilizes while playing the game. Of course many other interactive uses can be provided.

Referring to the drawings, there is shown a cartridge 1 for a printing apparatus according to a ninth aspect of the present invention, which comprises a casing generally indicated at 2 . In the preferred form shown, the housing is divided into two main sections containing a print media supply section 3 for holding sheets of paper and the like, and a second section for holding ink supplies. Storage part 4. This cartridge is designed for use in digital printing devices and is particularly suitable for drop-on-demand inkjet printing devices.

The housing 2 also defines a print medium outlet 5 which is connected to the print medium storage portion 3 and to a print medium delivery mechanism generally indicated at 7 . The delivery mechanism is placed in the print media housing portion 3 adjacent the print media outlet 5 so that in operation it picks up the print media 8 and expels the print media 8 through the print media outlet.

Turning now to the elements of the print media storage portion of the cartridge, it can be seen that this portion contains a media top module 10 which cooperates with a corresponding bottom module 11 . In this manner, the modules jointly define a generally rectangular print media storage area 12 within which print media in the form of stacks of sheets or cards is stored.

Both top and bottom modules 10 and 11 are configured at the front end for jointly defining the print medium outlet 5 . In use, the card stack 8 is arranged inside the storage area 12 . The card stack is biased downwardly into engagement with the upper surface 14 of the bottom module 11 by a thin metal spring 15 which bears against the inner lower surface 16 of the top module 10 .

The preferred form of print media transport mechanism shown is in the form of a geared pickup roller assembly 18 . This assembly consists of a drive shaft 19 , a pick-up roller 20 rigidly fixed to the drive shaft, and an external drive gear 21 .

The transport assembly 18 is held captive within the housing portion formed by the top and bottom printing modules, the drive shaft 19 is rotatably supported by arcuate ribs 22 formed in a channel 23 below the outlet 5 . The top module completely encloses the portion of the drive shaft supporting the pickup roller 20, but leaves the external drive gear 21 exposed, as shown. In a variant, the drive gear can be channeled through an opening in the housing to engage a corresponding powered roller on the printer unit. Adjacent to the outlet 5 there is also a plastic or metal foil 25 . This film is dimensioned down across the outlet so that only a single sheet or card is expelled through the outlet at any time after the transport mechanism has been operated.

The ink storage portion 4 is similarly delimited by two separate modules forming part of the cartridge housing. The basic module is the ink storage base module 26 which is configured to define a plurality of compartmentalized ink chambers 27 . Ultimately, these cavities are sealed by connecting the base module 26 directly or indirectly to the cover module, which in this preferred form is provided by the underside 28 of the print media storage bottom module 11 .

In the preferred form shown, the connection of the two modules is indirect, since there is an intermediate thin-walled deformable membrane 30, which is preferably initially contoured to fit into the contour defined in the base module 26. Match in the ink cavity 27. When assembled, the base module 26 is sealingly connected to a flange 31 provided at the periphery of a thin-walled deformable membrane 30 which in turn is sealingly connected to the underside 28 of the print media storage bottom module 11 .

As can be seen from the drawings, the ink chamber base module 27 preferably extends beyond the upper periphery of the print medium area, thereby defining an ink supply connection manifold area 32 . The upper part of said manifold 32 forms an extension 33 of the print medium storage bottom module 11 and comprises thereon a plurality of ink connection nozzles 34 which are closed by means of pierceable ink seals 35 . In use ink is stored on the deformable membrane and is thereby in fluid communication with ink connection nozzles 34 . To facilitate the collapse of the deformable membrane 30 as ink is withdrawn, a vent 37 is provided in the ink storage base module 26, preferably at the end remote from the ink nozzles. The various components of the case can be assembled by any suitable means, including gluing, ultrasonic welding, or mechanical fastening, among others.

A preferred application of the previously described cartridge of the invention is in a video game console with an integrated printer of the type described in Australian Utility Model Application PP7020, and the corresponding US patent application titled "A Video Game "Console with Integral Printer Device", which was recently handed over, and its content is included in this article as a reference.

In use, the cartridge of the present invention is inserted into a suitably configured printer unit so that the drive gears 21 are aligned and engage corresponding drive gears provided on the printer mechanism. The advantages of this configuration are several. Most importantly, having the transport within the cassette ensures accurate feeding of paper or other print media out of the cassette with minimal initial contamination since both the mechanism and print media are housed in the enclosed unit. In prior art cassettes, the cassette is pressed against a pick-up roller mounted in the printer unit which exposes the paper underneath. In contrast, the design of the present invention allows for greater structural integrity because there is no need for an opening that exposes the print media to the same degree. Additionally, the design provides a tamper-resistant unit.

Other advantages related to the preferred form include the provision of a seal over the ink outlet nozzle which can be automatically pierced by the printer mechanism on loading, in this regard the cartridge is only intended as a disposable product. Additionally, the structure of the ink chamber module such that the deformable membrane and substrate can be molded or combined in a simultaneous operation to form a completely sealed ink chamber has significant advantages in production cost and efficiency.

The print media transport mechanism is not necessarily limited to a pickup roller mechanism, but may include any other suitable mechanism that can be driven externally from outside the cassette housing. Similarly, the reservoir of ink is not limited to the form illustrated and may include the use of other deformable or non-deformable reservoirs.

Although the invention has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it can be seen that each of them can be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (26)

1. A sticker printing digital camera device, said device comprising: Poster storage device; sticker feeding device; Image sensors for sensing images; an internal inkjet printhead operatively associated with said image sensor and adapted to print said sensed image, or a modification thereof, onto a sticker delivered by said sticker feeder; Ink source; and Means for delivering ink to said printhead, wherein the printhead includes at least one printhead chip. 2. The sticker printing camera device of claim 1, wherein said device is sized and packaged for easy portability. 3. The sticker printing camera device of claim 2, wherein the device is sized to be hand-held. 4. The sticker printing camera device according to claim 1, further comprising: image effect setting means for applying an image effect to said sensed image: and Image processing means, interconnected with said image effect setting means and image sensor, and adapted to modify said sensed image according to the current settings of said image effect setting means. 5. The sticker printing camera device according to claim 4, wherein said image setting means comprises a dial or a slider on which a plurality of indicated effect images are provided. 6. The sticker printing camera apparatus of claim 1, wherein said sticker storage device is adapted to hold a printed roll of sticker material in the form of a glued sticker medium on a continuous protective background sheet . 7. The sticker printing camera device of claim 6, wherein said print roll has a plurality of pre-cut self-adhesive stickers. 8. The sticker printing camera device of claim 6, further comprising cutter means for cutting the printed portion of said print roll. 9. The poster printing camera apparatus of claim 1, wherein said print roll and said ink supply are replenishable. 10. The sticker printing camera device as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a consumable identification system for identifying consumables. 11. The sticker printing camera device according to claim 1, wherein the print head chip is manufactured by MEMS processing technology. 12. The sticker printing camera device of claim 11, wherein the print head includes a movable ink ejection blade that can move within the nozzle chamber under the control of a manipulator for ejecting the ink. Pushes out through a hole in the nozzle cavity. 13. The sticker printing camera device of claim 12, wherein the manipulator is a thermal bending manipulator. 14. The sticker printing camera device of claim 1, wherein said printhead is a pagewidth printhead. 15. A cartridge for use in a printing apparatus as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, said cartridge comprising: A cartridge housing defines a first container portion for containing therein a source of adhesive-coated print media, and defines a second container portion for storing an ink supply. 16. The cartridge of claim 15, wherein the first container portion is configured to hold the glued sticker material in the form of a printed roll containing stickers on a continuous roll of background material Material. 17. The cartridge of claim 15, wherein the ink storage container is divided into a plurality of compartments for storing inks of different colors. 18. The cartridge of claim 15, wherein the ink storage container includes one or more ink outlets that can be pierced when mounted on a printing device. 19. A cartridge as claimed in claim 15, including some form of identifying means recognizable by the printing means. 20. The case of claim 15, wherein the portion of the shell housing the roll of stickers is generally annular in configuration. 21. The cartridge of claim 16, wherein the portion containing the sticker reel is of generally annular configuration and the ink reservoir projects radially outwardly therefrom. 22. The cartridge of claim 15, wherein the housing is adapted to snap fit with a printing device. 23. The cartridge of claim 15, wherein the housing includes a sticker outlet and another opening adapted to receive a pick-up roller from the printing means. 24. The cartridge of claim 15, wherein the cartridge is sealed such that both the sticker and the ink supply must be replenished simultaneously. 25. The cartridge of claim 15, configured for use in a sticker printing digital camera device. 26. The cartridge of claim 15, comprising said glued print media and said ink supply.

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