MODULAR COMPACT PRINTER SYSTEM

Abstract: A compact printer system consists of at least a printer module and a range of further modules. The modules are connectable together to form a rod-shaped printer system. Each module has a connection means at one or both ends for interconnection of the modules. The connection means include a physical connection means and logical connection means. The physical connection means comprises a plug on a male connection means and a socket on a corresponding female connection means. The logical connection means comprises a serial bus. The serial bus consists of four conductive strips that carry power and data between modules.

Description: MODULAR COMPACT PRINTER SYSTEM FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a compact pπnter system able to pπnt full-color, business card size documents from a device about the size ot a pen. The system includes vaπous hoi-conncctable modules that provide a range ot functions. In particular the invention relates to a scπal bus that facilitates physical and logical connection between modules. Reference may be had to co-pending applications claiming pπoπty from Australian Provisional Patent Application number PQ0560 dated 25 May 1999 The co-pending applications dcscπbe related modules and methods for implementing the compact pππtcr system The co-pending applications are as follows- BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Microelectronic manutactuππg techniques have led to the miniatuπzation ol numerous devices. Mobile phones, personal digital assistant devices, and digital cameras are very common examples ot the miniatuπzation trend. One device that has not seen the advantage of microelectronic anufactuπng techniques is the pπnter. Commercially available pπnters are large compared to many of the devices they could suppoπ. For instance, it is impractical to carry a color pπntcr for the purpose of instantly pπnting photographs taken with known compact digital cameras. A compact pπnthead has been descπbed in co-pending Patent Cooperation Treaty applications filed simultaneously to the present application and hereby incorporated by cross reference- Having a number ot physical slots and conneciors on a device such as a digital camera has an effect on the size, the cost, and the functionality of the ice The more physical connectivity standards a camera has to suppoπ the more the physical number oi conneciors the camera must To be fully modular a compact pnnter svstem must have common connectn ity between modules ana a seπal bus to suppoπ the connects SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one form, the invention resides in a compact pπnter system compπsing: a pπnter module having a full-width stationary pπnthead for pπnting a stored image on pπntable media in a single pass. and having at least one connection means: a plurality of further modules, each having at least one connection means connectable to said pπnter module: said connection means including physical connection means and logical connection means; said physical connection means compπsing a plug on a male connection means and a socket on a corresponding female connection means: and said logical connection means compπsing a seπal bus. Fuπher teatures ot the invention will be evident from the following dcscπption. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to assist with descπbing preferred embodiments of the invention, reference will be made to the following figures in which: FIG 1 is a printer module: FIG 2 is a camera module: FIG 3 is a memory module: FIG 4 is a communication module: FIG 5 is an effects module; FIG 6 is a timer module; FIG 7 is a flash module; FIG 8 is an adapter module: FIG 10 is a characters module. FIG 1 1 is a pen module: FIG 12 is a dispenser module: FIG 13 is a first compact pπnter configuration: FIG 14 is a second compact pπnter configuration: FIG 15 is a third compact pπnter configuration: FIG 16 is a fourth compact pπnter configuration: FIG 17 shows a female connector as pan of an adaptor module: and FIG 18 shows a male connector as part of a communication module. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Referπng to FIGs 1 to 12. there are shown vaπous modules that together form a compact pπnter system. Individual modules can be attached and detached from the compact pπnter configuration to allow a user-definable solution to business-card sizcα Dπnting. Images can also be transferred from one compact pπnter to another without the use of a secondary computer system. Modules have a minimal user-interface to allow straightforward interaction. A compact pπnter system configuration consists of a number of comoact pπnter modules connected together. Each compact pπnter module has a lunction mat coπtπbutcs to the overall functionality ot the particular compact pnmer configuration Each compact pπnter module is typically shaped like pan of a pen. physically connecting with other compact pπntcr modules to iorm the complete pen-shaped device The length of the compact pπnter device depends on the number and type 01 compact pπnter modules connected. The functionality ot a compact pπnter configuration depends on the compact pπnter modules in the given configuration. The compact pπnter modules connect both physically and logically The physical connection allows modules to be connected in any order, and the logical connection is taken care of by the compact pπnter Scπal Bus - a bus that provides power, allows the modules to self configure and provides for the transfer of data. In terms ot physical connection, most compact pπnter modules consist of a central body, a male connector at one end. and a temale connector at the other. Since most modules have both a male and female connector, the modules can typically be connected in any order. Ccπain modules only have a male or a female connector, but this is determined by the function of the module Gender changing modules allow these single-connector modules to be connected at either end of a given compact pπnter configuration A 4 wire physical connection between all the compact pπnter modules provides the logical connection between them in the tor ot the compact pπntcr Seπal Bus. The compact pπnter Serial Bus provides power to each module, and provides the means bv which data is transferred between modules, lmpoπantly. the compact pπnter Seπal Bus and accompanying protocol provides the means by which the compact pπnter system auto-configures, reducing the user- interface burden on the end-user. Compact pπnter modules can be grouped into three types: image processing modules including a Pπnter Module, a Camera Module, and a Memory Module. Image processing modules are pπmaπly what sets the compact pπnter system apaπ from other pen-like devices. Image processing modules capture, pπnt. store or manipulate photographic images. • housekeeping modules including an Adapter Module (FIG 10). an Effects Module (FIG 8). a Communications Module (FIG 4). and a Timer Module (FIG 6). Housekeeping modules provide services to other modules or extended functionality to other modules; and • isolated modules including a Pen Module (FIG 1 1 ) and a Laser Module (FIG 7). Isolated modules are those that attach to the compact pπnter system but are completely independent of any other module. They do not necessaπiy require power, and av even provide their own power Isolated Modules are defined because the functionality they provide is typically incorporated into other pen-like devices Although housekeeping modules and isolated modules are useful components in a compact pπnter system, they are extras in a system dedicated to image processing and photographic manipulation. Life size ( I I ) illustrations of the compact pπnter modules are shown in FIGs I to 12. and example configurations produced by connecting vaπous modules together are shown in FIGs 13 to 16. FIG 1 shows a pπnter module that incorporates a compact pπnthead descπbed in co-pending United States Patent Applications listed in the Background section of this application, incorporated herewith by reference, and referred to herewith as a Me jet pπnthead. The Me jet pπnthead is a drop-on-demand 1600 dpi inkjet pπnter that produces bi- level dots in up to 4 colors to produce a pπnted page of a paπicular width. Since the pπmhead pπnts dots at 1600 dpi. each dot is approximately 22.5μm in diameter, and spaced 15 875μm apaπ. Because the pπnt g is bi-level. the input image should be dithered or eπor-diffused for best results. Typically a Memjet pπnthead for a particular application is page- width. This enables the pπnthead to be stationary and allows the paper to move past the pπnthead. A Memjet pπnthead is composed of a number of identical 1/2 inch Memjet segments The pπnter module 10 compπses a body 1 1 housing the Memjet pπnthead Power is supplied by a three volt battery housed in battery compaπment 12 The pπnthead is activated to commence pπntina when a business card (or similar sizeα pπntable media) is inseπed into slot 13 Male connector 14 and temale connector 15 facilitate connection of other modules to the pπnter module 10 FIG 2 shows a camera module 20. The camera module provides a pomt-and-shoot camera component to the compact pπnter system as a means ot captuπng images. The camera module compπses a body 21 having a female connector 22. A lens 23 directs an image to an image sensor and specialized image processing chip within the camera 24. A conventional view finder 25 is provided as well as a lens cap 26. An image is captured when the Take button 27 is pushed. Captured images are transfeπed to the Pπnter Module 10 for subsequent pπnting. manipulation, or storage. The Camera Module also contains a sell-timer mode similar to that found on regular cameras FIG 3 shows a Memory Module 30 compπsing a body 31. LCD 32. IN button 33. OUT button 34 and SELECT button 35. The Memory Module 30 is a standard module used for stoπng photographic images captured by the Camera 20. The memory moduie stores 48 images, each of which can be accessed either at full resolution or at thumbnail resolution. Full resolution provides read and wπte access to individual images, and thumbnail resolution provides read access to 16 images at once in thumbnail form. The Memory Module 30 attaches to other modules via a female connector 36 or male connector 37. The male and female connectors allow the module to be connected at either end of a configuration Power is provided from the Pπnter Module 10 ia the Seπal Bus A Communications Module 40 is shown in FIG 4 The communications module 40 consists of a connector 41 and a cable 42 that terminates in an appropπate connector for a computer poπ. such as a USB port. RS232 seπai port or parallel poπ. The Communications Module 40 allows the compact pπnter system to be connected to a computer. When so connected, images can be transfeπed between the computer and the vaπous modules of the compact pπnter system. The communications module allows captured images to be downloaded to the computer, and new images for pπnting to be uploaded into the pπnter module 10. A Rash Module 50 is shown in FIG 5. The Flash Module 50 is used to generate a flash with flash cell 51 when taking photographs with the Camera Module 20. The Flash Module attaches to other modules via female connector 52 and male connector 53. It contains us own power source. The Flash Module is automatically selected by the Camera Module when required. A simple switch allows the Rash Module to be explicitly turned off to maximize battery life. FIG 6 shows a Timer Module 60 that is used to automate the taking of multiple photos with the Camera Module 20. each photo separated by a specific time interval. The captured photos are stored in Memory Module 30. Any flash requirements are handled by the Camera Module 20. and can therefore be ignored by the Timer Module. The Timer Module 60 consists of a body 61 housing a LCD 62. START/STOP button 63 and UNITS button 64. A SELECT button 65 allows the user to select time units and the number of units are set by UNITS button 64. The Timer Module 60 includes a male connector 66 and female connector 67 The Timer Module takes its power from the Pπnter Module 10 via the Serial Bus. A Laser Module 70 is shown in FIG 7. The Laser Module 70 consists of a body 71 containing a conventional laser pointer operated by button 72. As the Laser Module is a terminal module it only has one connector, which in the example is a male connector 73. The Laser Module is an isolated module, in that it does not perform any image capture. storage, or processing. It exists as a functional addition to the compact pπnter system. It is provided because laser pointer services are typically incorporated into other pen-like devices. The Laser Module contains its own power supply and does not appear as a device on the Seπal Bus The Effects Module shown in FIG 8 is an image processing module. It allows a user to select a number of effects and applies them to the cuπent image stored in the Pπnter Module 10. The effects include borders, clip-art. captions, warps, color changes, and painting styles. The Effects Module compπses a body 81 housing custom electronics and a LCD 82 A CHOOSE button 83 allows a user to choose between a number of different types of effects A SELECT button 84 allows the user to select one effect from the number of effects of the chosen tvpc. Pressing the APPLY button 85 applies the effect to image stored in the Pπnter Module 10 The Effects Module obtains power trom the Seπal Bus. Male connector 86 and temale connector 87 allow the Effects Module to be connected to other compact pπnter system modules. FIG 9 shows a Character Module 90 that is a special type of Effects Module idcscπbcd above i that only contains character clip-an cttccts ot a given topic or genre. Examples include The Simpsons ^. Star Wars "". Batman 5 , and Dilbeπ 1 as well as company specific modules for McDonalds 5 etc. As such it is an image processing module. It consists of a body 1 housing custom electronics and a LCD 92. SELECT button 93 allows ihc user to choose the effect that is to be applied with APPLY button 94 The Character Module obtains power from the Scπal Bus through male connector 95 and female connector 96 The Adaptor Module 100. shown in FIG 10. is a female/female connector that allows connection between two modules that terminate in male connectors. A male/male connector (not shown ) allows connection between two modules that terminate in female connectors The Adaptor Module is a housekeeping module, in that it facilitates the use of other modules, and does not perform any specific processing of its own. All "through " modules have a male connector at one end. and a female connector at the other end. The modules can therefore be chained together, ith each module connected at cither end of the chain. However some modules, such as the Laser Module 70. arc terminating modules, and therefore have either a male or temale connector only. Such single- connector modules can only be connected at one end of the chain. If two such modules are to be connected at the one time. an Adaptor Module 100 is required. FIG 1 1 shows a Pen Module 1 10 which is a pen in a module form. It is an isolated module in that it attaches to the compact pπnter system but is completely independent of any other module. It does not consume or require any power. The Pen Module is defined because it is a convenient extension of a pen shaped, pen sized device. It may also come with a cap 1 1 1. The cap may be used to keep terminating connectors clean in the case where the chain ends with a connector rather than a terminating module. To assist with accurately feeding a business card sized pπnt media into slot 13 of the pπnter module 10. a dispenser module 120 is provided as shown in FIG 12. The dispenser module 120 compπses a body 121 that holds a store of business card sized pπnt media. A Pπntcr Module 10 locates into socket 122 on the dispenser module 120. When correctly aligned, a card dispensed from the dispenser module by siider 123 enters slot 13 and is pπnted. In the sense that a minimum configuration compact pπnter system must be able to pπnt out photos, a minimum compact pπnter configuration contains at least a Pπnter Module. The Pπnter Module holds a single photographic image that can be pπnted out via its Memjet pπnter. It also contains the 3 V battery required to power the compact pπnter system. In this minimum configuration, the user is only able to pπnt out photos. Each time a user inserts a business card 130 into the slot in the Pπnter Module, the image in the Pπnter Module is pπnted onto the card. The same image is printed each time a business card is inserted into the pπnter. In this minimum configuration there is no way for a user to change the image that is pπnted. The dispenser module 120 can be used to feed cards 130 into the Pπnter Module with a minimum of fuss, as shown in FIG 13 By connecting a Camera Module 20 to the minimum configuration compact pπnter system the user now has an instant pπntiπg digital camera in a pen. as shown in FIG 14. The Camera Module 20 provides the mechanism for captuπng images and the Pπnter Module 10 provides the mechanism for pπnting them out. The battery in the Pπnter Module provides power for both the camera and the pπnter. When the user presses the "Take" button 27 on the Camera Module 20. the image is captured by the camera 24 and transferred to the Pπnter Module 10 Each time a business card is mseπed into the pπnter the captured image is pπnted out. If the user presses "Take " on the Camera Module again, the old image in the Pπnter Module is replaced by the new imaee. If the Camera Module is subsequently detached from the compact pπnter system, the captured image remains in the Pπnter Module, and can be pππted out as many times as desired. The Camera Module is simply there to capture images to be placed in the Pπnter Module. FIG 15 shows a luπhcr configuration in which a Memory Module 30 is connected to tne configuration of FIG 14. In the embodiment ot FIG 15. the user has the ability to transter images Between the Pπntcr Module 10 and a storage area contained in the Memory Module 30. The user selects the image number on the Memory Module, and then either sends that image to the Pπnter Module (replacing whatever image was already stored there), or bπngs the current image from the Pπnter Module to the specified image number in the Memory Module. The Memory Module also provides a way of sending sets of thumbnail images to the Pπnter Module. Multiple Memory Modules can be included in a given system, extending the number of images that can be stored. A given Memory Module can be disconnected from one compact pπnter system and connected to another for subsequent image pπnting. With the Camera Module 20 attached to a Memory Module/Pππter Module compact pπnter system, as shown in FIG 15. the user can Take " an image with the Camera Module, men transfer it to the specified image number in the Memory Module. The captured images can then be pπnted out in any order. By connecting a Communications Module 40 to the minimum configuration compact pπnter system, the user ga s the ability to transfer images between a PC and the compact pπnter system. FIG 16 shows the configuration of FIG 15 with the addition of a Communications Module 40. The Communications Module makes the Pπnter Module 10 and any Memory Modules 30 visible to an external computer system. This allows the download or uploading of images. The communications module also allows computer control of any connected compact pπnter modules, such as the Camera Module 20. In the general case, the Pπnter Module holds the "current" image, and the other modules function with respect to this central repository of the current image. The Pπnter Module is therefore the central location for image interchange in the compact pπnter system, and the Pπnter Module provides a service to other modules as specified by user interaction. A given module may act as an image source. It therefore has the ability to transfer an image to the Printer Module. A different module may act as an image store. It therefore has the ability to read the image from the Printer Module. Some modules act as both image store and image source These modules can both read images from and wπte images to the Pπnter Module ' s current image. The standard image type has a single conceptual definition. The image definition is deπved from the physical attπbutes of the pπnthead used in the Pπnter Module. The pπnthead is 2 inches wide and pπnts at 1600dpi in cyan. magenta and yellow bi-level dots. Consequently a pπnted image from the compact pπnter system is 3200 bi-level dots wide. The compact pπnter system pπnts on business card sized pages (85mm x 55mm). Since the pπnthead is 2 inches wide, the business cards are pπnted such that I line of dots is 2 inches. 2 inches is 50.8mm. leaving a 2mm edge on a standard business-card sized page. The length of the image is deπved from the same card size with a 2mm edge. Consequently the pπnted image length is 81 mm. which equals 5100 1600dpi dots. The pπnted area of a page is therefore 81mm x 51mm. or 5100 x 3200 dots. To obtain an integral contone to bi-level ratio a contone resolution of 267 ppi (pixels per inch) is chosen. This yields a contone CMY page size of 850 x 534. and a contone to bi-level ratio of 1.6 in each dimension. This ratio of 1 :6 provides no percened loss of quality since the output image is bi-level. The pπnthead pπnts dots in cyan, magenta, and yellow ink The final output to the pπnted page must therefore be in the gamut of the pπnthead and take the attπbutes of the inks into account It would at first seem reasonable to use the CMY color space to represent images. However, the pπnter ' s CMY color space does not have a linear response. This is definitely true of pigmented inks, and partially true for dye-based inks The mαividual color profile ot a particular device unput and output) can vary considerably. Image capture devices (such as digital cameras) typically work in RGB (red green blue) color space, and each sensor will have its own color response charactcπsucs. Consequently, to allow for accurate conversion, as well as to allow for future image sensors, inks, and pπnters. Lhe CIE L*a*b* color model (CIE. 1986. CIE 15.2 Coloπmetry : Technical Report (2 I>J Edition). Commission Internationale De I'Eclairagej is used for the compact pπnter system. L*a*b* is well defined, perceptually linear, and is a superset of other traditional color spaces (such as CMY. RGB. and HSV) The Pπnter Module must therefore be capable of converting L*a*b* images to the particular pecuhaπties of its CMY color space. However, since the compact pπnter system allows tor connectivity to PCs. it is quite reasonable to also allow highly accurate color matching between screen and pπnter to be performed on the PC However the pπnter dnver or PC program must output L*a*b*. Each pixel of a compact pπnter image is therefore represented by 24 bits: 8 bits each of L*. a*, and b*. The total image size is heretore 1.361.700 bytes (850 x 534 x 3). Each image processing module is able to access the image stored in the Pπnter Module. The access is either to read the image from the Pπnter Module, or to wπte a new image to the Pπnter Module. The communications protocol for image access to the Pπntcr Module provides a choice of internal image organization. Images can be accessed either as 850 x 534 or as 534 x 850. They can also be accessed in interleaved or planar format. When accessed as interleaved, each pixel in the image is read or wπtten as 24 bits: 8 bits each of L*. a*, b*. When accessed as planar, each of the color planes can be read or wπtten independently. The entire image of L* pixels, a* pixels or b* pixels can be read or wπtten at a time. A compact pπnter configuration is constructed by physically connecting multiple compact pπnter modules together via the male/female bayonet connectors. A female connector 171 is shown in FIG 17. The female connector 171 may be formed at one end of any of the modules defined above. FIG 17 shows a female connector of an adaptor module. The connector consists of a body 172 that is an extension of the body of the module to which it is formed. The body 172 defines a socket 173 adapted to receive a male connector and having a notch 174 for alignment. Four metal contacts 175 provide power and data connection to other modules through the compact pπnter system senal bus. A recess 176 mates with a corresponding spπng loaded catch on the male connector A communication module 180 is shown in FIG 18 having a male connector 181 joined by a cable to a pπnter poπ plug 187 The male connector 181 compπses a body 182. which in other embodiments may be an extension of the body of any of the modules descπbed above. A plug 183 is formed to match the socket 173 in the female connector. A πdge 184 fits the notch 174 to achieve coπect alignment of the metal contacts 185 on the male connector with the metal contacts 175 on the female connector. A spπng loaded catch 186 seats in the recess 176 to keep the female and male connectors together under moderate pressure. The adaptor module 180 shown in FIG 18 has a plug 187 specifically arranged for connection to the universal seπal bus (USB) port of a personal computer. The USB protocol provides an appropπate protocol for the compact pπnter Seπal Bus. An advantage of USB is that there is no specific "on/off switch to take account of. The compact printer configuration runs in standby mode and allows hot attachment/detachment of modules. A computer attached to the compact pπnter system via a USB Adaptor Module sees the vaπous images on the compact pπnter device chain, and software (in the computer) allows images to be read from or wntten to the addresses within the compact pπnter devices. In the logical interface, the Pπnter Module ' s current image does not have to be the source or destination of each image transfer Instead, the computer system becomes the effective cuπent image, reading images from any of the compact pπnter modules, and wnting images to any of the compact pπnter modules. The compact pπnter Seπal Bus is the internal backbone bus for the compact pπnter system. It provides power for the compact oπnter modules, allows the vaπous compact pπntcr modules to communicate with each other, allows lmages to be transterred between them and provides the means lor growing /expanding the range ot modules in the compact pπnter svstem The following lcaturcs are required bv the compact pπntcr Seπal Bus Reasonable Transfer Speed Dynamic Attach / Detach Auto Configuration Expandability / Room tor Growth Low Cost Low Power The Universal Seπal Bus (USB) specification caters for the requirements of the compact pπnter system USB is well defined and is easily integrated into a hardware architecture The compact pπnter Seπal Bus requires a medium speed for transfemng images While not the high speed required for video, a reasonable speed for image transmission is required Although the maximum speed on USB is 12 MBits/sec. the maximum effective data transfer rate is 8MBιts sec due to protocol overhead and transmission redundancy The time taken to transmit a complete image (850 x 534 L*a*b") is theretore 1 36 seconds (850x534x3x 8/8.000.000). Attachment or detachment ol a module from the compact pπnter system does not adversely affect the module or the rest of the system This is beneficial from an ease-of-use standpoint Users of the compact pπnter can attach modules and detach modules to reconfigure the system There is no need for individual on/off switches per module or special attachment procedures The compact pπnter modules are self identifying, and self configuπng (including bus termination). Users do not need to know anything about the electπcal system Users may simply connect the appropπate modules together and the compact pπnter system configures itself appropπately Any given compact pπnter configuration consists of a number of compact pπnter modules connected to one another The exact number of compact pπnter modules depends on the requirements of the user In addition, the complete set of compact pπnter modules is not fixed The compact pπnter seπal bus allows new compact pπnter modules to be easily designed and added to the compact pπnter family USB allows up to 127 physical devices to be connected at a given time (power requirements not withstanding) Since the devices are self identifying, new modules can be added to a compact pπnter system as long as they coπtorm to the compact pπnter seπal protocol The USB protocol is well-defined, this reduces design time, allows the use of pre-compiled cores, debugged protocols, and gives a large range of choice in terms of components The choice of USB also allows the compact pnnter system to be easily integrated into a PC environment for image download and upload As descπbcd above, the pπnter module runs directly off an unregulated 3 V power supply (a 3 V battery). The compact pnnter Seπal Bus also runs off this power USB nominally runs at 5V Under normal circumstances, voltage at a powered hub-port must be no less than 4 75Vdc. while voltage at a bus-powered hub must be no less than 440Vdc. However this is the case for a completely open system (which the compact pπnter system is not) Consequently the USB used within compact pπnter modules can be lower power, and therefore run off an unregulated 3V power supply. This is the only difference between regular USB and USB as used in compact pπnter Each compact pπnter module is visible on the compact pπnter Seπal Bus Each module is self identifying and self-configuπng using standard USB protocols Apart from the standard protocol functions ( including identification), there are a number of functions that each compact pnnter module is able ot responding to These are outlined in Table 1 Each module also has a number of module-specific functions The 8-bit mode returned by GetlmageAccessMethods is interpreted as follows- The Pπnter Module is capable of all methods of image access and therefore returns 1 s for bits 0-3. The 8-bit mode used for image read and wnte access via Getlmage. Storeimage and Transferlmage is interpreted as follows: The USB Communication module of FIG I S is eltectivelv a translator between standard USB cabling and the compact pπnter seπai bus. w ith additional logic tor translation of USB calls An application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) in the body 182 provides the required translation When connected, images can be transteπed between the computer and the vaπous modules of the compact pπntcr system. The communication module allows captured images to be downloaded to the computer, and new images tor pπnting to be uploaded into the compact pπnter. The compact pπnter Communication Module has a physical mode of operation and a logical mode of operation. The physical mode of operation is here the user simply plugs the Communication Module into a compact pπnter system, and the plug 187 into an appropπatc computer communication port. There is no on/off switch on the compact pπnter Communication Module. The operating power is obtained from the computer ' s port power supply rather than the compact pπnter system power supply Once physically connected, the logical mode of operation comes into play The ASIC in the compact pnnter Communication Module translates the compact pπnter modules into a virtual file system. Each compact pπnter module appears as a named sub-directory, each containing a set of numbered image files. When a specific file is read, the Communication Module translates the call into an image read command. When a specific file is wπtten. the Communication Module translates the call into an image wnte command. In addition, each module appears as us own device, which allows the wπting of dπvers specific to each module. This is because the compact pπnter Communication Module acts as a standard hub Throughout the specification the aim has been to descπbe the preferred embodiments ot the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize vaπations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention.

Claims: CLAIMS I A compact pπnter system compnsing a pnnter module having a lull-width stationary pπnthead for pπnting a stored image on pπntable media in a single pass. and having at least one connection means. a pluralitv ot further modules, each having at least one connection means connectable to said pnnter module, said connection means including physical connection means and logical connection means. said physical connection means compπsing a plug on a male connection means and a socket on a corresponding female connection means; and said logical connection means compπsing a seπal bus 2 The compact pπnter system of claim 1 wherein the connection means provides both power connection and data connection 3 The compact pπnter system of claim I wherein the seπal bus is a universal seπal bus 4 The compact pnnter system of claim 1 wherein the physical connection means is a bayonet fitting compπsing a πdge on one of said connection means and a notch on another of said connection means, said πdge and notch corresponding tor correct alignment ot said one and another connection means 5 The compact pnnter system ot claim 4 wherein the ndge is on the male connection means and the notch is on the female connection means. 6 The compact pπnter system of claim 1 wherein the physical connection means further compπses a spnng loaded catch on one said connection means and a recess on another of said connection means. 7. The compact pπnter system of claim 6 wherein the spπng loaded catch is on the male connection means and the recess is on the female connection means. 8. The compact pπnter system of claim 1 wherein the logical connection compπses four metal tracks carrying power and data. 9 The compact pπnter system of claim 1 wherein said pπnter module and one or more of said further modules have two connectors, said two connectors being a male connector and a female connector 10 The compact pπnter system of claim 1 wherein said pπnter module and said further modules are stackable together in a seπes manner by connecting a male connection means on one said module to a temale connection means on another said module I I The compact pπnter system of claim 1 wherein said connection means allows dynamic attachment and detachment of modules 12. The compact pπntcr system of claim 1 wherein said further modules are selected from one or more of: a camera module, a flash module, a timer module, a memory module, an effects module, a character module: and a communications module. 13 A seπal bus for a compact pπnter system having a plurality of modules, said seπai bus compπsing- four conduc e stπps: a power source providing power on two of said stπps. an integrated circuit connected to two of said conductive stπps. said integrated circuit receiving data from said stπps and transmitting data on said stπps

Inventors: KING TOBIN ALLEN, SILVERBROOK KIA, WALMSLEY SIMON ROBERT, KING, TOBIN, ALLEN, SILVERBROOK, KIA, WALMSLEY, SIMON, ROBERT
Applicants: KING TOBIN ALLEN, SILVERBROOK KIA, SILVERBROOK RES PTY LTD, WALMSLEY SIMON ROBERT, KING, TOBIN, ALLEN, SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LTD, SILVERBROOK, KIA, WALMSLEY, SIMON, ROBERT
Application year: 2000
Main classification: B41M
IPC codes: B41J2, B41J3, B41J13, B41J23, B41J29, H04N1, H04N5