Keyboard for a computer system

A keyboard for a computer system is provided. The keyboard comprises a housing having an upper surface defining an opening for a plurality of keys, a printer assembly positioned on a print media transport path within the housing, a print media entry slot defined in a first side of the housing, a print media ejection slot defined in a second side of the housing opposite the first side, a printer controller circuit positioned within the housing; and a serial bus for communicating with the computer system. The serial bus is operatively connected to the printer controller circuit. In use, print commands are received by the printer controller circuit from the computer system via the serial bus.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to a user interface with integrated printing. More particularly, the invention relates to a combination keyboard and printer apparatus.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

Printers for use with computers can be relatively expensive devices. Accordingly, in a work environment, it is common for a plurality of work stations to be serviced by a single printer station with the computers of those work stations communicating with the printer.

This necessitates people at the work station having to get up and collect their documents from the printer which can be time wasting. Often, all that is required is a single sheet of paper, for example, where a letter is to be generated or where an image is to be viewed and a hard copy of the image is required.

Desktop inkjet printers are available at low cost, but typically take up substantial desk space. Incorporation of the printing function in a desktop computer keyboard frees up this desk space.

While it is technically possible to incorporate a scanning ink jet printer into a keyboard, this has several disadvantages, including excess bulk, and side-to-side vibration as the printhead scans.

Recently, the present inventor has invented ink jet printer technologies suitable for incorporation in a desktop keyboard, such as:

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These ink jet technologies are suitable for the construction of miniature, low cost pagewidth printers, which can readily fit within a keyboard from factor.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a combination keyboard and printer apparatus, including;

a housing having an upper surface formed with an opening for a number of keyboard keys;

a printer assembly located on a print media transport path within a chamber defined by the housing;

a print media entry slot continuous with said transport path formed through a first side of the housing;

a print media ejection slot continuous with said transport path formed through a second side of the housing opposite the first side; and

a print media exit tray extending outwardly from the ejection slot formed as a unitary piece with the housing.

Preferably the keyboard keys are arranged to engage key switches of a keyboard circuit board located within the housing.

The keyboard circuit board may be coupled to a serial bus to communicate with a computer.

In a preferred embodiment the printer assembly includes a printer controller circuit that is coupled to the serial bus to communicate with the computer.

A belt-and-roller transport assembly may be disposed to transport print media along the transport path.

Preferably a planar member is biased against the belt-and-roller transport assembly to maintain planarity of print media in use.

It is desirable that the planar member and the belt-and-roller transport assembly are located beneath the keyboard circuit board.

Preferably the printer assembly comprises a pagewidth ink jet printhead.

The printer assembly may include a plurality of galleries each in fluid communication with the printhead and dedicated to store a different color ink.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, reference numeral10generally designates a keyboard in accordance with the invention. The keyboard10is intended particularly for use with a computer. The keyboard10comprises a housing12on which a keypad14is arranged. A printer16(FIGS. 2 and 3) is contained in a chamber18defined in the housing12of the keyboard10.

The housing12is dimensioned similarly to a conventional computer keyboard and is substantially rectangular when viewed in plan having a pair of opposed, longer sides and a pair of opposed, shorter sides. An input slot22is defined in one of the longer sides of the housing12for feeding print media in the form of a sheet of paper24to the printer16. Preferably, the input slot22is defined in that side of the housing12which, in use, is closer to a user of the keyboard10.

An ejection slot26is defined in an opposed, longer side of the housing through which the sheet of print media, incorporating an image28, is ejected after completion of printing. An exit tray30extends outwardly from the ejection slot26on to which the sheet of paper24is fed after printing.

The keypad14includes an array if keys38arranged in a QWERTY keypad32, a numerals keypad34and a plurality of control keys36. Each key38of the keypad14includes a key cap40which communicates with a keyboard circuit board42(FIGS. 2 and 3) through an opening in a top surface of the housing12. The key caps40engage key switches44mounted on the circuit board42.

The printer16comprises a page width ink jet printhead46mounted in a support48. The printhead46is a multi-color printhead for printing photo quality images28. Accordingly, the support48includes a plurality of galleries50, each of which contains a different color ink to be fed via passages52to the printhead46.

The printer16includes a controller printed circuit board (PCB)55. The PCB55receives printing commands from the computer (not shown) via a USB connector56(FIG. 1). A printhead PCB54communicates with the printhead46via a TAB automated bond film58or any other suitable, flexible film. The controller PCB55connects to the printhead PCB54via a flexible film.

A retaining device, in the form of a locking member60, releasably locks the printer16in position in the chamber18of the housing12. The locking device60includes a cam-like locking member62.

Further, the printer16includes an ink supply cartridge (not shown) for feeding ink to the galleries50of the printhead support48. The ink supply cartridge is accessed through an opening, closed off by a lid64(FIG. 1), in a top surface of the housing12to replace the cartridge when its supply of ink has been depleted.

The keyboard10includes a feed mechanism66for feeding the sheet of paper24to the printer16. The feed mechanism66comprises an endless belt68which is rotated by a drive roller70and extends about an opposed, idler roller72. A planar member in the form of a sprung metal plate74bears against the belt68to maintain the planarity of the belt68and, accordingly, the sheet of paper24.

An engaging means, in the form of at least one spiked wheel76, is arranged intermediate the printer16and the ejection slot26. The, or each, spiked wheel76engages the sheet of paper24, after printing of the image28, and feeds the sheet of paper24through the ejection slot26to be accessed by the user.

In use, when an image28is to be printed, the user inserts a sheet of paper into the keyboard through the input slot22where it is fed to the printer16by the feed arrangement66. By means of an appropriate command via the computer, the information or image to be printed is fed to the printer16via the USB connector56and the controller PCB55. The printer16is controlled by the PCB55to print the image28on the sheet of paper24and to cause ejection of the sheet of paper24together with its printed image28thereon through the ejection slot26.

It is an advantage of the invention that a computer peripheral is provided which enables a person rapidly to obtain copies of images while seated before the person's computer. In this regard, it is to be noted that the printer16is a high speed printer which can print at rates of up to 30 pages per minute. Hence, the need for using a communal work station is obviated. In addition, the incorporation of the printer within the keyboard10considerably reduces the space required for a computer together with its peripherals and, in so doing, providing more space to a user. It will be appreciated that this can be of major benefit where the work station is a confined working space.