# US 7,609,397 B2 · Modular printer system with logically and physically interconnected modules

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- Number: US 7,609,397 B2
- Document ID: US7609397B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/764,782
- Filed: 2007-06-18
- Published: 2007-11-29
- Granted: 2009-10-27
- Earliest claimed: 1999-05-25
- Assignees: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
- Inventors: Paul Lapstun; Simon Robert Walmsley
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7609397B2

## CPC

- B41J 3/36: for portability {, i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers (B41J3/4075 takes precedence)}
- B41J 2/01: Ink jet
- B41J 2/155: for line printing
- B41J 2/16508: {connected with the printer frame}
- B41J 2/16579: {Detection means therefor, e.g. for nozzle clogging}
- B41J 2/17503: {Ink cartridges}
- B41J 2/17513: {Inner structure}
- B41J 2/1752: {Mounting within the printer}
- B41J 2/17523: {Ink connection}
- B41J 2/17553: {Outer structure}
- B41J 3/44: Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms having dual functions or combined with, or coupled to, apparatus performing other functions
- B41J 3/445: {Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras}
- B41J 3/46: Printing mechanisms combined with apparatus providing a visual indication
- B41J 11/008: {Controlling printhead for accurately positioning print image on printing material, e.g. with the intention to control the width of margins}
- B41J 13/02: Rollers (roller platens B41J11/04)
- B41J 13/103: {for the sheet feeding section}
- B41J 13/12: specially adapted for {small} cards, envelopes, or the like {, e.g. credit cards, cut visiting cards}
- B41J 23/02: Mechanical power drives
- B41J 29/02: Framework
- B41J 29/023: {with reduced dimensions}
- B41J 29/393: Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine {; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns}
- G03B 15/05: Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units
- G03B 17/02: Bodies
- G03B 17/50: with both developing and finishing apparatus
- G03B 29/00: Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects (combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03)
- G07F 17/32: for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F 17/3232: {wherein the operator is informed}
- G07F 17/3262: {Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played}
- H04N 1/00249: {with a photographic apparatus, e.g. a photographic printer or a projector (photographic apparatus per se G03B, G03D)}
- H04N 1/00265: {with a photographic printing apparatus}
- H04N 1/00278: {with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer}
- H04N 1/00347: {with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus (circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32)}
- H04N 1/00397: {Switches, knobs or the like}
- H04N 1/00538: {Modular devices, i.e. allowing combinations of separate components, removal or replacement of components}
- H04N 1/00541: {with detachable image reading apparatus}
- H04N 1/00557: {Connection or assembly of components or elements (H04N1/00538 takes precedence)}
- H04N 1/0083: {Arrangements for transferring signals between different components of the apparatus, e.g. arrangements of signal lines or cables (for control or supervision between image input and output device H04N1/32)}
- H04N 1/00962: {Input arrangements for operating instructions or parameters, e.g. updating internal software (program loading in general G06F9/445; network-specific protocols involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34)}
- H04N 1/107: with manual scanning
- H04N 1/2112: {using still video cameras}
- H04N 1/2154: {the still video camera incorporating a hardcopy reproducing device, e.g. a printer}
- H04N 1/32358: {using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter (H04N1/17 takes precedence)}
- H04N 1/32598: {Bus based systems}
- H04N 1/387: Composing, repositioning or otherwise {geometrically} modifying originals
- H04N 1/405: Halftoning, i.e. converting the picture signal of a continuous-tone original into a corresponding signal showing only two levels
- H04N 1/52: Circuits or arrangements for halftone screening
- H04N 1/60: Colour correction or control {(H04N1/54 takes precedence)}
- H04N 1/6019: {using look-up tables (H04N1/6025 takes precedence)}
- H04N 1/62: Retouching, i.e. modification of isolated colours only or in isolated picture areas only
- H04N 23/50: Constructional details
- H04N 23/51: Housings
- B41J 2/17566: {Ink level or ink residue control}
- B41J 19/207: {Encoding along a bar}
- G03B 2215/05: Combinations of cameras with electronic flash units
- H04N 2101/00: Still video cameras
- H04N 2201/001: Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
- H04N 2201/0081: Image reader (H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence)
- H04N 2201/0082: Image hardcopy reproducer (H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence)
- H04N 2201/0084: Digital still camera
- H04N 2201/0096: Portable devices
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D)
- G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00})
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

A modular printer system includes a number of modules that are capable of being logically and physically connected together. The modules include a printer module having a body that defines a print media feed path extending from an input end to an output end and a pagewidth printing mechanism positioned adjacent the media feed path between the input end and the output end for printing onto print media in the media feed path. At least one modular connector is arranged on the body to permit at least an image processing module to be connected to the body. A bus interconnects the printing mechanism and the image processing module to facilitate communication between the printing mechanism and the image processing module.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A modular printer system that comprises:
a number of elongate, substantially cylindrical modules that are capable of being logically and physically connected together, the modules including a printer module comprising:
a body that defines a print media feed path extending from an input end to an output end and a pagewidth printing mechanism positioned adjacent the media feed path between the input end and the output end for printing onto print media in the media feed path;
at least one modular connector arranged on a longitudinal end of the body to permit at least an image processing module to be attached to the body; and
a communications bus that interconnects the printing module and the image processing module to facilitate communication between the printing mechanism and the image processing module for receiving print data.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A modular printer system as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body is dimensioned to be generally pen-sized.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A modular printer system as claimed in claim 2, in which the body defines a feed opening such that print media can be positioned in the input end of the print media feed path.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A modular printer system as claimed in claim 1, in which the pagewidth printing mechanism incorporates a drop-on-demand pagewidth inkjet printhead.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

A modular printer system as claimed in claim 4, in which the pagewidth inkjet printhead is configured to generate 1600 dpi resolution with bi-level dots in up to four colors to produce a printed page of a particular width.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A modular printer system as claimed in claim 1, in which the at least one attachment is configured to permit an image sensing module to be connected to the body, the communications bus being configured to receive image data from the image sensing module and the printing mechanism being configured to generate print data representing said image data.