Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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1
DIGITAL PHOTO FRAME WITH INTEGRAL PRINTER
Field of the Invention
This invention relates to the display and printing of digital photos. It has
been
developed primarily to simplify the process of displaying, selecting and
printing digital
photos.
Cross References to Related Applications
Various methods, systems and apparatus relating to the present invention are
disclosed in
the following US Patents/ Patent Applications filed by the applicant or
assignee of the
present invention:
09/517539 6566858 6331946 6246970 6442525 09/517384 09/505951
6374354 09/517608 6816968 6757832 6334190 6745331 09/517541
10/203559 10/203560 7093139 10/636263 10/636283 10/866608 10/902889
10/902833 10/940653 10/942858 10/727181 10/727162 10/727163 10/727245
10/727204 10/727233 10/727280 10/727157 10/727178 7096137 10/727257
10/727238 10/727251 10/727159 10/727180 10/727179 10/727192 10/727274
10/727164 10/727161 10/727198 10/727158 10/754536 10/754938 10/727227
10/727160 10/934720 11 /212 702 11 /2 72491 11 /4742 78 11 /48 8 8 5 3 11 /48
8 841
10/296522 6795215 7070098 09/575109 6805419 6859289 6977751
6398332 6394573 6622923 6747760 6921144 10/884881 7092112
10/949294 11/039866 11/123011 6986560 7008033 11/148237 11/248435
11/248426 11 /4785 99 11/499749 10/922846 10/922845 10/854521 10/854522
10/854488 10/854487 10/854503 10/854504 10/854509 10/854510 7093989
10/854497 10/854495 10/854498 10/854511 10/854512 10/854525 10/854526
10/854516 10/854508 10/854507 10/854515 10/854506 10/854505 10/854493
10/854494 10/854489 10/854490 10/854492 10/854491 10/854528 10/854523
10/854527 10/854524 10/854520 10/854514 10/854519 10/854513 10/854499
10/854501 10/854500 10/854502 10/854518 10/854517 10/934628 11/212823
11/499803 10/728804 10/728952 10/728806 6991322 10/728790 10/728884
10/728970 10/728784 10/728783 7077493 6962402 10/728803 10/728780
10/728779 10/773189 10/773204 10/773198 10/773199 6830318 10/773201
10/773191 10/773183 10/773195 10/773196 10/773186 10/773200 10/773185
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10/773192 10/773197 10/773203 10/773187 10/773202 10/773188 10/773194
10/773193 10/773184 7018021 11/060751 11/060805 11/188017 11/298773
11/298774 11/329157 11/490041 11/501767 11/499736 11/505935 11/506172
11/505846 11/505857 11/505856 6623101 6406129 6505916 6457809
6550895 6457812 10/296434 6428133 6746105 10/407212 10/407207
10/683064 10/683041 6750901 6476863 6788336 11/097308 11/097309
11 /0973 3 5 11/097299 11/097310 11/097213 11/210687 11/097212 11 /21263 7
10/760272 10/760273 7083271 10/760182 7080894 10/760218 7090336
10/760216 10/760233 10/760246 7083257 10/760243 10/760201 10/760185
10/760253 10/760255 10/760209 10/760208 10/760194 10/76023 8 7077505
10/760235 7077504 10/760189 10/760262 10/760232 10/760231 10/760200
10/760190 10/760191 10/760227 10/760207 7104629 11/446227 11/454904
11 /4723 45 11/474273 11 /478 594 11/474279 11 /48293 9 11/482950 11/499709
10/815625 10/815624 10/815628 10/913375 10/913373 10/913374 10/913372
10/913 3 77 10/913 3 78 10/913 3 80 10/913 3 79 10/913 3 76 10/913 3 81 10/9 8
6402
11/172816 11/172815 11/172814 11/482990 11/482986 11/482985 11/454899
11 /003 78 6 11 /003 616 11 /003 418 11 /003 3 3 4 11 /003 600 11 /003 404 11
/003 419
11 /003 700 11 /003 601 11 /003 618 11 /003 615 11 /003 3 3 7 11 /003 698 11
/003 420
6984017 11/003699 11/071473 11/003463 11/003701 11/003683 11/003614
11 /003 702 11 /003 684 11 /003 619 11 /003 617 11 /293 800 11 /293 802 11
/293 8 01
11 /293 808 11/293809 11/482975 11/482970 11/482968 11/482972 11/482971
11/482969 11/246676 11/246677 11/246678 11/246679 11 /2466 8 0 11/246681
11/246714 11/246713 11 /246689 11/246671 11/246670 11/246669 11/246704
11/246710 11 /24668 8 11/246716 11/246715 11 /293 83 2 11 /293 83 8 11 /293
825
11 /293 841 11 /293 799 11 /293 796 11 /293 797 11 /293 79 8 11 /293 804 11
/293 840
11/293803 11/293833 11/293834 11/293835 11/293836 11/293837 11/293792
11 /293 794 11 /293 83 9 11 /293 826 11 /293 829 11 /293 83 0 11 /293 827 11
/293 828
11 /293 795 11 /293 823 11 /293 824 11 /293 831 11 /293 815 11 /293 819 11
/293 818
11 /293 817 11 /293 816 10/760254 10/760210 10/760202 10/760197 10/760198
10/760249 10/760263 10/760196 10/760247 10/760223 10/760264 10/760244
7097291 10/760222 10/760248 7083273 10/760192 10/760203 10/760204
10/760205 10/760206 10/760267 10/760270 10/760259 10/760271 10/760275
10/760274 10/760268 10/760184 10/760195 10/760186 10/760261 7083272
11 /5 01771 11/014764 11/014763 11/014748 11/014747 11/014761 11/014760
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11/014757 11/014714 11/014713 111014762 11/014724 11/014723 11 /01475 6
11/014736 11/014759 11/014758 11/014725 11/014739 11 /01473 8 11 /01473 7
11/014726 11/014745 11/014712 11/014715 11 /0147 51 11 /01473 5 11/014734
11/014719 11/014750 11/014749 11/014746 11/014769 11/014729 11/014743
11 /01473 3 11/014754 11 /0147 5 5 11 /01476 5 11/014766 11/014740 11/014720
11 /0147 5 3 11 /0147 5 2 11/014744 11/014741 11 /01476 8 11/014767 11/014718
11/014717 11/014716 11 /01473 2 11/014742 11/097268 11 /09718 5 11/097184
11 /293 820 11 /293 813 11 /293 822 11 /293 812 11 /293 821 11 /293 814 11
/293 793
11 /293 842 11 /293 811 11 /293 807 11 /293 806 11 /293 805 11 /293 810
11/246707
11/246706 11/246705 11/246708 11/246693 11/246692 11/246696 11/246695
11/246694 11 %48295 8 11 /48295 5 11/482962 11/482963 11/482956 11/482954
11/482974 11 /48295 7 11/482987 11/482959 11/482960 11/482961 11/482964
11/482965 11/482976 11/482973 11/495815 11/495816 11/495817 11/124158
11/124196 11/124199 11/124162 11/124202 11/124197 11/124154 11/124198
11/124153 11/124151 11/124160 11/124192 11/124175 11/124163 11/124149
11/124152 11/124173 11/124155 11/124157 11/124174 11/124194 11/124164
11/124200 11/124195 11/124166 11/124150 11/124172 11/124165 11/124186
11/124185 11/124184 11/124182 11/124201 11/124171 11/124181 11/124161
11/124156 11/124191 11/124159 11/124175 11/124188 11/124170 11/124187
11/124189 11/124190 11/124180 11/124193 11/124183 11/124178 11/124177
11/124148 11/124168 11/124167 11/124179 11/124169 11/187976 11/188011
11/188014 11/482979 11/228540 11/228500 11/228501 11/228530 11/228490
11/228531 11/228504 11/228533 11/228502 11/228507 11/228482 11/228505
11/228497 11/228487 11/228529 11/228484 11/228489 11/228518 11 /22853 6
11/228496 11/228488 11/228506 11/228516 11/228526 11/228539 11/228538
11/228524 11/228523 11/228519 11/228528 11/228527 11/228525 11/228520
11/228498 11/228511 11/228522 111/228515 11/228537 11/228534 11/228491
11/228499 11 /2285 09 11 /22 8492 11/228493 11 /22 8510 11/228508 11 /228 512
11/228514 11 /22 8494 11/228495 11 /228486 11 /228481 11/228477 11 /22 848 5
11/228483 11/228521 11/228517 11/228532 11/228513 11/228503 11/228480
11/228535 11/228478 11/228479 6238115 6386535 6398344 6612240
6752549 6805049 6971313 6899480 6860664 6925935 6966636
7024995 10/636245 6926455 7056038 6869172 7021843 6988845
6964533 6981809 11/060804 11/065146 11/155544 11/203241 11/206805
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11 /2 81421 11/281422 11/246687 11/246718 11 /24668 5 11/246686 11/246703
11/246691 11/246711 11/246690 11/246712 11/246717 11/246709 11/246700
11/246701 11/246702 11/246668 11/246697 11/246698 11/246699 11/246675
11/246674 11/246667 11 /2466 84 11/246672 11/246673 11 /2466 83 11 /2466 82
11/482953 11/482977 11/014721 29/219503 11/482981 11/482978 11/482967
11/482966 11/482988 11/482989 11/482982 11/482983 11/482984 11/495818
11/495819
The disclosures of these applications and patents are incorporated herein by
reference.
Background to the Invention
Digital photography has become a part of everyday life. Over the past decade
or so,
users have been provided with an increasing array of functionality in both
their digital
cameras and in the options available for downstream processing of their
digital photos. For
example, users now have a myriad of software applications, which may be used
to
manipulate their photos.
Paradoxically, many users are overwhelmed and confused by the increasing
functionality offered by these new technologies. For these users, who still
wish to enjoy the
benefits of digital photography, there is a need for simpler means of
processing and
printing their photos once they have been captured on their cameras.
At present, there are a number of options available for users who wish to
display
and print their photos. Typically, once a user captures a set of images on his
digital camera,
he uploads them onto a computer for storage, manipulation and processing. Some
users
enjoy using photo editing applications for manipulation of their photos; many
simply wish
to organize their photos into a format that can be displayed and/or printed.
Typically, this
involves selecting their favorite images from a set, saving these images into
a folder, and
optionally saving these selected images onto a CD, DVD or other memory device.
There are various display options for users who do not wish to print photos.
The
photos may be viewed directly on a computer screen. Another option is to view
photos
saved onto a CD or DVD using a home DVD player.
There are also various printing options. Some users may take their CD, DVD or
other memory device into a high street digital photo shop for printing their
photos. Other
users may prefer to print their photos at home using a color inkjet printer.
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Given the recognition in the art that many users enjoy simplicity over
functionality,
there are some commercially available options, which remove the need for
processing
photos on a PC.
PictBridge printers allow images to be printed directly from a digital camera
to a
5 printer, without having to connect the camera to a computer. By connecting a
PictBridge-
enabled printer to a PictBridge-enabled camera using a single USB cable, users
can easily
control print settings using their camera and produce high quality photos
without using a
PC. A major advantage of PictBridge printing is its simplicity for the user,
and especially
those users for whom complex photo application software may be a barrier.
However, a disadvantage of current PictBridge printers is that users must
select
photos for printing using the display screen on their cameras. Whilst digital
camera display
screens have increased in size over the years, they will never be able to
replicate a standard
6" x 4" photo, because digital cameras are required to be pocket-sized.
Accordingly, it is
difficult for users to properly view an image on their camera display screen
prior to
printing. It is especially difficult to see if a particular image is in focus,
which is a major
selection criteria for printing photos. This inherent disadvantage of
PictBridge printing
results in many unwanted photos being printed.
Alternatively, digital photo frames (or digital picture frames) were developed
in
recognition of the fact that users tend to print fewer photos using digital
photography. A
digital photo frame comprises a frame having a display screen (e.g. LCD
screen) of about
the same size and shape as an ordinary picture frame. Digital photo frames
display images
often directly from a memory card (or other flash memory device) in high
resolution. Most
digital photo frames also have the ability to display slide shows or short
movies. Examples
of digital photo frame manufacturers are Ceiva, Nikon, Polaroid and Kodak.
However, whilst digital photo frames conveniently allow the display of photos,
without the need for a PC, a user who wishes to print their favourite photos
from a set of
images is still required to select these photos and print them off. The user
could remember
which photos are his favourites, insert the memory card back into his camera
and print his
favourite photos using a PictBridge printer. This is obviously a somewhat
laborious
procedure. Otherwise, the user has to resort to file management via his PC,
and prepare a
new folder containing his favorite photos for printing. Clearly, this is
undesirable for users
who purchased a digital photo frame wishing to avoid using a PC.
In view of the above, it would be desirable to provide users with a simple
means for
conveniently displaying digital photos, whilst allowing selected photos to be
printed when
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required. It would be further desirable to achieve this goal without the need
for a computer
or the use of photo editing or photo management applications.
It would also be desirable to provide an improved PictBridge printer, which
provides users with improved options for selecting photos for printing,
without the need for
a computer or the use of photo editing or photo management applications.
It would also be desirable to provide users with simpler or more intuitive
methods
for printing than those methods currently used. It would be further desirable,
from a
commercial point of view, if such methods encouraged users to print more
photos.
Summary of the Invention
In a first aspect, there is provided a digital photo frame comprising:
a photo-sized display screen;
an internal memory for storing photo image files;
an interface for communication with an external memory device;
an integral inkjet printer for printing photos displayed on the display
screen; and
a processor communicating with the display screen, the internal memory, the
interface and
the printer.
Optionally, the display screen has a length of at least 5 inches and/or a
width of at
least 3.5 inches.
Optionally, the display screen is mounted on a support configured for viewing
photos displayed on the screen.
Optionally, the display screen is rotatably mounted on the support.
Optionally, the display screen is configurable in landscape-viewing or
portrait-
viewing orientations by rotation of the screen.
Optionally, the support comprises a base and mounting arm extending therefrom,
the display screen being mounted on the mounting arm.
Optionally, the digital photo frame comprises a memory card interface.
Optionally, the digital photo frame comprises one or more USB ports for
receiving:
a removable flash memory device or a USB cable connected to a digital camera.
Optionally, the processor is configured for transferring photo image files
from the
external memory device to the internal memory.
Optionally, the digital photo frame comprises a user interface in
communication
with the processor, the user interface enabling a user to perform any one of
the following
functions:
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(i) select a display mode;
(ii) select a photo-printing mode;
(iii) print a displayed photo;
(iv) store a displayed photo in the internal memory as either a landscape-
oriented photo or a portrait-oriented photo.
Optionally, the processor is configured to provide a display mode and a photo-
printing mode.
Optionally, in the display mode, photos stored in the internal memory are
displayed
on the display screen.
Optionally, in the photo-printing mode, photos stored on an external memory
device connected to the interface are displayed on the display screen.
Optionally, the photos are displayed as a slideshow.
Optionally, the digital photo frame is configured to print a displayed photo
upon
actuation of a print button during the slideshow.
Optionally, a period for displaying each photo during the slideshow is about
equal
to a period required for printing the photo.
Optionally, the period is in the range of 1 to 3 seconds.
Optionally, only photos stored as landscape-oriented photos are displayed when
the
display screen is configured for landscape-viewing. Optionally, only photos
stored as
portrait-oriented photos are displayed when the display screen is configured
for portrait-
viewing.
Optionally, the printer comprises a photo-width printhead.
Optionally, the printer comprises a dedicated print engine controller for
controlling
the printhead, the print engine controller communicating with the processor.
In a second aspect, there is provided a PictBridge printer comprising:
a printer housing;
an inkjet printer contained in the housing;
a PictBridge interface for communication with a PictBridge-enabled digital
camera;
a photo display screen associated with the housing; and
a processor contained in the housing for communicating with the display
screen, the
PictBridge interface and the inkjet printer,
wherein the processor and the inkjet printer are configured for printing
photos displayed on
the display screen.
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Optionally, the display screen is photo-sized. Optionally, the display screen
has a
length of at least 5 inches and a width of at least 3.5 inches.
Optionally, the display screen is a flip-up display screen.
Optionally, the display screen is hingedly mounted on the printer housing.
Optionally, the PictBridge printer comprises an internal memory for storing
photo
image files.
Optionally, the PictBridge printer comprises an interface for communication
with
an external memory device.
Optionally, the PictBridge printer comprises a memory card interface.
Optionally, the PictBridge printer comprises one or more USB ports for
receiving:
a removable flash memory device or a USB cable connected to a digital camera.
Optionally, the processor is configured for transferring photo image files
from the
external memory device or the camera to the internal memory.
Optionally, the PictBridge printer comprises a user interface in communication
with the processor, the user interface enabling a user to perform any one of
the following
functions:
(i) select a display mode;
(iii) select a photo-printing mode;
(iii) print a displayed photo.
Optionally, the processor is configured to provide a display mode.
Optionally, in the display mode, photos stored in the internal memory are
displayed
on the display screen.
Optionally, the processor is configured to provide a photo-printing mode.
Optionally, in the photo-printing mode, photos stored in a camera or in an
external
memory device connected to the interface are displayed on the display screen.
Optionally, the photos are displayed as a slideshow.
Optionally, the PictBridge printer is configured to print a displayed photo
upon
actuation of a print button during the slideshow.
Optionally, a period for displaying each photo during the slideshow is about
equal
to a period required for printing the photo.
Optionally, the period is in the range of 1 to 3 seconds.
Optionally, the inkjet printer comprises a photo-width printhead.
Optionally, the injet printer comprises a dedicated print engine controller
for
controllin2 the printhead, the print engine controller communicating with the
processor.
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Optionally, the PictBridge printer comprises a photo print media supply, the
supply
being contained in the housing.
In a third aspect, there is provided a method of storing and displaying photos
on a
digital photo frame, the digital photo frame having a photo-sized display
screen rotatably
mounted on a support such that the display screen is configurable in landscape-
viewing or
portrait-viewing orientations by rotation of the screen, the method comprising
the steps of:
storing photo image files tagged as either landscape orientation or portrait
orientation in an
internal memory of said digital photo frame;
receiving an instruction to display photos stored in said internal memory;
determining an orientation of said display screen; retrieving only photo image
files from
said internal memory that are tagged with an orientation corresponding to the
orientation of
said display screen; and
displaying said retrieved photo image files as photos on said display screen.
Optionally, the photo image files are stored by a method comprising the steps
of
identifying a tag associated with each photo image file, said tag indicating
the
orientation of the photo; and
storing the photo image files in said internal memory in accordance with
information contained in said tag.
Optionally, the photo image files are stored by a method comprising the steps
of:
displaying photo image files stored in an external memory device on said
display
screen;
selecting a landscape-orientation or a portrait-orientation for each displayed
photo
via a user interface associated with said digital photo frame;
tagging the corresponding photo image file as either landscape format or
portrait
format in accordance with orientation data received from said user interface;
and
transferring the tagged photo image files to the internal memory.
Optionally, the display screen has a length of at least 5 inches and a width
of at
least 3.5 inches.
Optionally, the method comprises the further step of:
rotating the display screen into a desired orientation.
Optionally, the digital photo frame comprises an integral inkjet printer for
printing
photos displayed on the display screen.
Optionally, the method comprises the further step of:
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receiving a print instruction from a user interface associated with the
digital
photo frame; and
printing the photo displayed on the display screen at the time when the print
instruction is received.
5 Optionally, the photos are displayed as a slideshow.
Optionally, a period for displaying each photo during the slideshow is about
equal
to a period required for printing the photo.
Optionally, the slideshow continues irrespective of whether a print
instruction is
received.
10 Optionally, the period is in the range of 1 to 3 seconds.
Optionally, the printer comprises a photo-width printhead.
In a fourth aspect, there is provided a method of printing photos from a photo-
viewing device, the photo-viewing device comprising a photo display screen, an
internal
memory and an integral inkjet printer, the method comprising the steps of:
displaying photos stored in the internal memory as a slideshow on the display
screen;
receiving a print instruction from a user interface associated with the
device; and
printing the photo displayed on the display screen at the time when the print
instruction is received.
Optionally, the photo-viewing device is a PictBridge printer having a photo
display
screen.
Optionally, the photo-viewing device is a digital photo frame.
Optionally, the display screen has a length of at least 5 inches and a width
of at
least 3.5 inches.
Optionally, the slideshow continues irrespective of whether a print
instruction is
received.
Optionally, a period for displaying each photo during the slideshow is about
equal
to a period required for printing the photo.
Optionally, the period is in the range of 1 to 3 seconds.
Optionally, the printer comprises a photo-width printhead.
Optionally, the display screen is a flip-up screen associated with a housing
of the
PictBridge printer.
ODtionally, the display screen is hingedly mounted on the housing.
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Optionally, the display screen is rotatably mounted on a support such that the
display screen is configurable in landscape-viewing or portrait-viewing
orientations by
rotation of the screen.
Optionally, the step of displaying the photos as a slideshow comprises:
determining an orientation of the display screen;
retrieving only photo image files from the internal memory that are tagged
with an
orientation corresponding to the orientation of the display screen; and
displaying the retrieved photo image files as a slideshow on the display
screen.
In a fifth aspect, there is provided a method of printing photos from a
printer, the
method comprising the steps of:
identifying a plurality of photo images files contained in a memory associated
with the
printer, each photo image file having an associated time and date of image
capture;
receiving an instruction to print all the photos contained in the memory;
printing the photos in reverse chronological order, starting from the most
recently captured
image; and
continuing to print the photos until an instruction to stop printing is
received.
Optionally, the memory is an internal memory of the printer.
Optionally, the memory is an external memory device in communication with the
printer.
Optionally, the external memory device is selected from any one of: a memory
card, a flash memory device, and a digital camera.
Optionally, the instructions to start printing and stop printing are received
from a
user interface associated with the printer.
Optionally, the printer is a PictBridge printer.
Optionally, the printer is an integral printer of a digital photo frame.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Specific forms of the present invention will be now be described in detail,
with
reference to the following drawings, in which:-
Fig. 1 is front perspective view of a digital photo frame according to the
first
aspect, with the display screen in its landscape orientation;
Fig. 2 is a front perspective view of the digital photo frame shown in Figure
1, with
the display screen rotated into its portrait orientation;
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Fig. 3 is rear perspective view of the digital photo frame shown in Figure 1;
Fig. 4 shows the components of a digital photo frame according to the first
aspect;
Fig. 5 is a front perspective view of a PictBridge printer according to the
second
aspect with display screen flipped open;
Fig. 6 is front perspective view of the PictBridge printer shown in Figure 5
with
display screen closed;
Fig. 7 is a front perspective view of an alternative PictBridge printer
according to
the second aspect with display screen flipped open;
Fig. 8 is front perspective view of the PictBridge printer shown in Figure 7
with
display screen closed;
Fig. 9 shows a top elevational perspective view of a printhead cartridge of an
inkjet
photo printer;
Fig. 10 shows a bottom elevational perspective view of the printhead
cartridge;
Fig. 11 shows a perspective view of the inkjet photo printer;
Fig. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the inkjet photo printer taken along
the line
I-I of Fig. 11;
Fig. 13 shows an exploded view of the printhead cartridge;
Fig. 14 shows an isolated view of a printhead of the printhead cartridge;
Fig. 15 illustrates an arrangement of printhead integrated circuits of the
printhead;
Fig. 16 illustrates an arrangement of ink ejection nozzles of the printhead
integrated
circuits;
Fig. 17 illustrates a nozzle triangle of the printhead;
Fig. 18 illustrates data and power connections between the printhead cartridge
and
a cradle unit of the inkjet photo printer;
Fig. 19 shows a top elevational, partial cross-sectional view of the printhead
taken
about line II-II of Fig. 14;
Fig. 20 shows a bottom elevational, partial cross-sectional view of the
printhead
taken about line II-II of Fig. 14;
Fig. 21 shows a side cross-sectional view of the printhead taken about line II-
II of
Fig. 14;
Fig. 22 shows a partial side cross-sectional view of the printhead cartridge
taken
about line III-III of Fig. 9;
Fig. 23 shows an isolated view of an ink supply bag of the printhead
cartridge;
Fig. 24 illustrates a folded leaf spring as removed from the ink bag;
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Fig. 25 illustrates the leaf spring unfolded;
Fig. 26 illustrates an alternative biasing arrangement of the ink bag;
Figs. 27A and 27B illustrate priming of ink into the printhead and a capping
position of a capper of the printhead cartridge;
Fig. 28 shows an isolated view of the capper;
Fig. 29 shows a cross-sectional view of an operational arrangement of actuator
features of the capper with a capping mechanism of the printer;
Fig. 30 illustrates a non-capping position of the capper;
Fig. 31 illustrates assembly of the printhead and capper to a body of the
printhead
cartridge; and
Fig. 32 illustrates a coordinate system of the printhead cartridge.
Detailed Description of the Invention
Digital Photo Frame With Integral Printer
Figure 1 shows a digital photo frame 1 according to the first aspect of the
present
invention. The digital photo frame 1 comprises a photo-sized LCD screen 2
surrounded by
a frame 3. The frame 3 has a user interface in the form of a plurality of
buttons 4
positioned along its bottom edge. The screen 2 is rotatably mounted on a
support 5, which
allows the screen to be configured in either a landscape orientation (as shown
in Figure 1)
or a portrait orientation (as shown in Figure 2). The screen 2 and/or the
support 5 may have
sensors suitable for determining the relative orientation of the screen.
The support 5 is fixed to a base 6, which houses an inkjet photo printer for
printing
photos displayed on the screen 2, and an internal non-volatile memory for
storing photo
image files. Referring to Figure 3, the base has a USB interface 13 for
communicating with
external memory devices (not shown), such as a flash memory device (e.g.
memory stick)
or a USB cable connecting the photo frame 1 to a PictBridge-enabled digital
camera. Like
standard digital photo frames, photo image files stored on a portable memory
device may
be loaded into the internal memory of the photo frame 1 by interfacing with
the USB
interface 13. There is also shown a memory card interface 12 for interfacing
with a
memory card in a similar manner.
A processor is housed in the base 6 and communicates with the display screen
2,
the internal memory, the interfaces 12 and 13 and the inkjet printer. As shown
in Figures 1-
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3, a stack of paper 8 (e.g. photo paper) is fed to the inkjet printer housed
in the base 6 via a
slot 9 in the base.
Referring now to Figure 4, the block diagram shows the interrelationship of
the
various components of the digital photo frame 1 in more detail. The processor
10 is a
standard DSP configured for communicating with the printer 7, the LCD screen
2, the
internal memory 11, the memory card interface 12, the user interface 4 and the
PictBridge
interface 13. Hence, the processor 10 coordinates the various functions of the
digital photo
frame 1.
When, for example, a PictBridge-enabled camera is connected to the PictBridge
interface 13, the processor 10 may be configured to automatically transfer
photo image
files stored in the camera's memory card to the internal memory 11.
Alternatively, this data
transfer may be initiated by an instruction from either the user interface 4
or a user
interface on the camera.
When transferring photo image files to the internal memory 11, a user may
select,
via the user interface 4, a portrait format or a landscape format for each
photo, depending
on the orientation of a particular photo. The corresponding photo image file
is then tagged
accordingly and stored in the internal memory 11. The portrait or landscape
tag allows
photo image files of one orientation only to be retrieved from the internal
memory. Hence,
depending on the orientation of the LCD screen 2, the processor 10 can
retrieve and
display photos captured in an orientation corresponding to the orientation of
the screen 2.
In a "photo-printing mode", the processor communicates with an external memory
device via interface 12 or 13, and the processor 10 instructs the LCD screen 2
to display
each photo individually. With a photo displayed on the screen 2, a user can
select, via the
user interface 4, to either print the photo or move on to the next photo
stored on the
external memory device.
Upon receipt of an instruction to print, the processor 10 instructs the
printer 7 to
print the displayed photo. The printer 7 comprises a print engine controller
14, which
communicates with the processor 10 and controls operation of a photo-width
printhead 15
and feed mechanism 16.
The processor 10 can also configure the photo frame 1 in a "display mode"
where
no external memory devices are connected to the interfaces 12 or 13. In the
display mode,
photo image files stored in the internal memory 11 are retrieved and
displayed, typically as
a slideshow, on the LCD screen. The LCD screen 2 may communicate its
orientation
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(portrait or landscape) to the processor 10, and the processor can be
configured to retrieve
only photo image files tagged with a corresponding orientation.
During the slideshow in the display mode, a user can also request photos to be
printed by pressing a print button on the user interface 4. If the processor
10 receives a
5 print instruction, the slideshow continues while the photo is printed. The
processor 10
coordinates the slideshow to display photos for about the same amount of time
it takes to
print a photo. This time period may be about 1, 2 or 3 seconds. Hence, photos
may be
generated at the same rate as the slideshow displays photos, providing users
with a facile
means for selecting and printing photos via the user interface 4 during a
slideshow.
10 It will be appreciated that the digital photo frame described above
advantageously
facilitates the displaying and printing of photos without the need for a
separate PC.
Moreover, since photos are viewed on a photo-sized display screen, as opposed
to a digital
camera screen, users are able to select more easily which photos they wish to
print. For
example, users can readily determine if a photo is in focus, which they cannot
do when
15 viewing an image displayed on a digital camera screen.
PictBridge Printer With Photo Display Screen
Figures 5 and 6 show a PictBridge printer 30 having a photo display screen 31.
The
display screen 31 approximates the size of a standard 6" x 4" photo and is
hingedly
mounted to a housing 32 of the printer 30. In use, a user flips up the screen
31 and views
photos for printing. In its closed position, shown in Figure 6, the back side
of the screen 31
becomes a lid for the printer 30.
The PictBridge printer 30 contains all the components described above in
connection with Figure 4, and functions similarly to the digital photo frame 1
described
above. Hence, the PictBridge printer 30 can operate either as a display unit,
as a printer or
both. Further, the PictBridge printer 30 can operate in the photo-printing
modes and
display modes described above. The skilled person will understand the
equivalent
functionalities of the PictBridge printer 30 and the digital photo frame 1, so
the operation
of the PictBridge printer requires no further elaboration here.
However, it will be appreciated that since the screen 31 is not rotatable, the
PictBridge printer 30 does not require an internal memory 11 adapted for
storing portrait
and landscape photos separately.
Figures 7 and 8 show another form of PictBridge printer 40 which is similar to
the
printer 30 shown in Figures 5 and 6. The printer 40 comprises a housing 41
having a CD
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16
reader 42 for reading a CD containing photo image files. It will be
appreciated that a CD is
simply another type of external memory device that communicates with the
processor 10
via an appropriate interface (the CD reader 42).
The housing 41 is dimensioned to contain a relatively large supply of photo
print
media.
It will be appreciated that the PictBridge printers described above
advantageously
facilitate the displaying and printing of photos without the need for a
separate PC.
Moreover, since photos are viewed on a photo-sized display screen, as opposed
to a digital
camera screen, users are able to select more easily which photos they wish to
print. For
example, users can readily determine if a photo is in focus, which they cannot
do when
viewing an image displayed on a digital camera screen.
Methods o Printing
The digital photo frame 1 and PictBridge printers 30 and 40 described herein
are
suitable for supporting various methods of displaying and printing photos.
A method in which a user requests printing of photos during a slideshow in
"display mode" has already been described above. This method advantageously
provides
an intuitive method for printing photos. The user sees the photo in a
slideshow, decides if
he wants to print it, and presses a print button accordingly. The method is
made possible by
the Applicant's high-speed inkjet printers, which can print photos on a
timescale
comparable to that of a photo slideshow (about 2 seconds or less per print).
Further, a method in which either portrait or landscape photos are retrieved
from
memory, depending on an orientation of a display screen, was also described.
This method
advantageously ensures that users only view photos oriented according to the
orientation of
the display screen of a digital photo frame. Hence, portrait-oriented photos
are not
displayed when the photo frame is in its landscape orientation. Likewise,
landscape-
oriented photos are not displayed when the photo frame is in its portrait
orientation.
An alternative method of printing is also envisaged whereby a user selects a
"Print
All" function and every photo stored on either an ex.ternal memory device
(e.g. memory
card, digital camera etc) or an internal memory is printed in reverse
chronological order,
starting with the most recently captured image. Printing continues until the
user presses a
"Stop" button. The method is preferably performed on a printer having a large
media
supply, such as the printer shown in Figures 8 and 9.
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This method of printing advantageously provides a facile method for printing
photos. It is anticipated that portable memory devices will soon be able to
hold a virtually
limitless number of photos. Accordingly, users will be unlikely to organize
their photos
into a number of different folders. Moreover, with the advent of low-cost,
high-speed
digital photo printing, users are more likely to be unperturbed by printing
out some
undesired images if it means they do not have to interact with photo file
management
applications on a PC. Thus, users can print out their most recent photos and
simply press a
stop button when they see that they have reached a point where they are
printing out
duplicates from a previous printing session. The convenience of this printing
method will
be appealing to those users who do not wish to invest time in selecting photos
for printing.
Inkjet Photo Printer Technolo, ies
The present Applicant has developed many different forms of inkjet photo
printers
suitable for use in the present invention. Such printers are described in some
of the
Applicant's copending applications listed above, the contents of which are
herein
incorporated by reference.
The skilled person will readily understand that digital photo frames and
PictBridge
printers according to the present invention may be produced by modification of
the
Applicant's previously disclosed inkjet photo printer technologies. For
example, the
essential components of the inkjet photo printer 100 described below may be
incorporated
into the base 6 of the digital photo frame 1. Alternatively, the inkjet photo
printer 100
described below may be modified so as to incorporate a photo display 2 in an
inside face of
a hinged lid of the cradle unit 400.
For completeness, a representative example of one of the Applicant's inkjet
photo
printers will now be described. A printer 100 is provided which is intended
for use as a
digital photo color printer and is dimensioned to print 100 millimetre by 150
millimetre
(4 inch by 6 inch) photos whilst being compact in size and light in weight. As
will become
apparent from the following detailed description, reconfiguration and
dimensioning of the
printer could be carried out so as to provide for other printing purposes.
The printer 100 of the illustrated photo printer embodiment has dimensions of
18.6
cm (W); 7.6 cm (H); 16.3 cm (D), and a weight of less than two Kilograms. The
compact
and lightweight design of the printer provides portability and ease of use.
The printer 100 may be easily connected to a PC via USB (such as a USB 1.1
port
for USB 2.0 compatible PCs) and to digital cameras and other digital photo
equipment,
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18
such as electronic photo albums and cellular telephones, via USB or
PictBridge. Direct
printing is available when using Pictbridge compatible digital photo
equipment. This
enables quick and convenient printing of digital photo images.
Connection to external power is used, preferably to mains power via a 12 Volt;
2
Amp (or 24 Volt; 1 Amp) DC power converter. However, the printer may be
configured to
operate from an internal power source. The printer is configured to
efficiently use power,
operating at a maximum power consumption of 36 Watts.
The printer 100 has three core components: a printhead cartridge 200 having a
printhead and ink supply; a printer or cradle unit 400 which supports the
printhead
cartridge and has a media transport mechanism for transporting print media
past the
printhead; and a media supply cartridge 600 for supplying the media to the
printer.
The present disclosure is concerned with the printhead cartridge 200, and
therefore
detailed description of the cradle unit and media supply cartridge is not
provided herein. A
full description of a suitable cradle unit and media supply cartridge for use
with the
printhead cartridge 200 is described in the Applicant's earlier US Patent
Applications
11/293794 (Docket No. RKBOOlUS), 11/293839 (Docket No. RKB002US), 11/293839
(Docket No. RKB003US), 11/293839 (Docket No. RKB004US), 11/293830 (Docket No.
RKB005US), 11/293827 (Docket No. RKB006US), 11/293828 (Docket No. RKCOOlUS),
11/293795 (Docket No. RKC002US), 11/293795 (Docket No. RKC003US), 11/293795
(Docket No. RKC004US), 11/293795 (Docket No. RKC005US), 11/293795 (Docket No.
RKC006US), 11/293819 (Docket No. RKC007US), 1 1/293 8 1 9 (Docket No.
RKC008US),
11/293819 (Docket No. RKC009US) and 11/293819 (Docket No. RKCO10US) all filed
on
December 5, 2005 and the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by
reference.
The printhead cartridge 200 is an assembly having the necessary components for
operation as a printer when mounted to the printer or cradle unit having a
media supply.
The printhead cartridge 200 has a body 202 which is shaped to fit securely in
a
complementarily shaped printhead cartridge 200 support of the cradle unit (see
Figs. 9 and
12). The body 202 of printhead cartridge 200 houses a printhead 204 and an ink
supply
206 for supplying ink to the printhead 204 and has a capper 208 for capping
the printhead
204 when the printhead 204 is not in use.
The printhead 204 comprises an ink distribution support 210 which is used to
mount the printhead 204 to the printhead cartridge body 202 and distribute ink
from the ink
supply 206 arranged in the body 202 to the printhead 204. The capper 208 is
also mounted
to the printhead cartridge body 202 via the ink distribution support 210 so as
to be located
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beneath the mounted printhead 204 relative to the ink supply 206. A media path
212 (see
arrow of Fig. 12) is formed between the printhead 204 and the capper 208 for
the transport
of print media past the printhead 204 when the capper 208 is not capping the
printhead
204.
In the illustrated embodiment, the printhead is a pagewidth inkjet printhead.
By
using a pagewidth printhead it is unnecessary to scan the printhead across
print media.
Rather, the printhead remains stationary with the print media being
transported therepast
for printing. By operating the printhead to continuously print as the print
media is
continuously fed past the printhead (so called `printing-on-the-fly'), the
need to stall the
media feed for each print line is obviated, therefore speeding up the printing
performed.
The printer incorporating the printhead 204 of the printhead cartridge 200 is
configured to print a full colour page in at most two seconds, which provides
high-speed
printing of about 30 pages per minute. This high speed printing is performed
at high
quality as well, with a resolution of at least 1600 dots per inch being
provided by the
printhead. Such a high resolution provides true photographic quality above the
limit of the
human visual system.
This is achieved by forming the printhead from thousands of ink ejection
nozzles
214 across the pagewidth, e.g., about 100 millimetres for 4 inch by 6 inch
photo paper. In
the illustrated embodiment, the printhead incorporates 32,000 nozzles. The
nozzles 214
are preferably formed as MemjetTM or microelectomechanical inkjet nozzles
developed by
the Applicant. Suitable versions of the Memjetrm nozzles are the subject of a
number of the
applicant's patent and pending patent applications, the contents of which is
incorporated herein by
cross reference and the details of which are provided in the cross reference
table above.
Brief detail of a printhead suitable for use in the printhead cartridge 200 is
now
provided. The printhead is formed as a`linking printhead' 216 which comprises
a series of
individual printhead integrated circuits (ICs) 218. A full description of the
linking
printhead, its control and the distribution of ink thereto is provided in the
Applicant's co-
pending US Application Serial Nos. 11/014769 (Docket No. RRCOOlUS), 11/014729
(Docket No. RRC002US), 11/014743 (Docket No. RRC003US), 11/014733 (Docket No.
RRC004US), 11/014754 (Docket No. RRC005US), 11/014755 (Docket No. RRC006US),
11/014765 (Docket No. RRC007US), 11/014766 (Docket No. RRC008US), 11/014740
(Docket No. RRC009US), 11/014720 (Docket No. RRCOlOUS), 11/014753 (Docket No.
RRCOIIUS), 11/014752 (Docket No. RRC012US), 11/014744 (Docket No. RRC013US),
11/014741 (Docket No. RRC014US), 11/014768 (Docket No. RRC015US), 11/014767
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(Docket No. RRC016US), 11/014718 (Docket No. RRC017US), 11/014717 (Docket No.
RRC018US), 11/014716 (Docket No. RRC019US), 11/014732 (Docket No. RRC020US)
and 11/014742 (Docket No. RRC021US), all filed December 20, 2004 and US
Application
Serial Nos. 11/097268 (Docket No. RRC022US), 11/097185 (Docket No. RRC023US),
5 11/097184 (Docket No. RRC024US), all filed April 4, 2005 and the entire
contents of
which are incorporated herein by reference. In the illustrated embodiment, the
linking
printhead 216 has five printhead ICs 218 arranged in series to create a
printing zone 219 of
a 100.9 millimetre pagewidth.
Each printhead IC incorporates a plurality of nozzles 214 positioned in rows
220
10 (see Fig. 15). The nozzle rows 220 correspond to associated ink colours to
be ejected by
the nozzles 214 in that row 220. The illustrated embodiment has ten such rows
220
arranged in groups of two adjacent rows 220a-e for five colour channels 222a-
e. However,
other arrangements may be used. In the illustrated arrangement, each printhead
IC has 640
nozzle per row, 1280 nozzles per colour channel, 6400 nozzles per IC and
therefore 32000
15 nozzles for the five ICs of the printhead. Of course, a different number of
printhead ICs,
including less or more than five printhead ICs may be used.
The nozzles 214 are arranged in terms of unit cells 224 containing one nozzle
214
and its associated wafer space. In order to provide the print resolution of
1600 dots per
inch, an ink dot pitch (DP) of 15.875 microns is required. By setting each
unit cell to have
20 dimensions of twice the dot pitch wide by five times the dot pitch high and
arranging the
unit cells 224 in a staggered fashion as illustrated in Fig. 16, this print
resolution is
achieved.
Due to this necessary staggered arrangement of the nozzles 214 discontinuity
is
created at the interface between the adjacent printhead ICs 218. Such
discontinuity will
result in discontinuity in the printed product causing a reduction in print
quality.
Compensation of this discontinuity is provided by arranging a triangle 226 of
nozzle unit
cells 224 displaced by 10 dot pitches at the interface of each adjacent pair
of printhead ICs
218 (see Fig. 17).
The nozzle triangles 226 allow the adjoining printhead ICs 218 to be
overlapped
which allows continuous horizontal spacing between dots across the multiple
printhead ICs
218 along the printhead and therefore compensates for any discontinuity. The
vertical
offset of the nozzle triangle 226 is accounted for by delaying the data for
the nozzles 214
in the nozzle triangle 226 by 10 row times. The serially arranged nozzles rows
220 and
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nozzle triangles 226 of the printhead ICs 218 together make up the printing
zone 219 of the
printhead.
The transfer of data and power to the printhead nozzles is controlled by print
control circuitry of the cradle unit when the printhead cartridge 200 is
inserted therein.
Connection of power and data is made to the printhead 204 via engagement and
electrical
connection of a connection interface of the cradle unit and a connection panel
228 of the
printhead cartridge 200 (see Figs. 9 and 12).
The connection panel 228 comprises a plurality of electrical contacts 230
positioned on a flexible printed circuit board 232. The flexible printed
circuit board 232 is
mounted to the ink distribution support 210 so as to wrap around one
longitudinal edge
thereof to expose the electrical contacts 230 to the connection interface of
the cradle unit
and to connect the contacts to the nozzles of the printhead 204 (see Figs. 14
and 21). The
specific connections made between the printer/cradle unit and the printhead
204 are
illustrated in Fig. 18. In the illustrated embodiment, 40 contacts are
provided in the
connection panel at a pitch of 2.54 millimetres. The power (Vpos) and data
delivered via
these contacts is bussed to pins of the printhead ICs 218 and a quality
assurance (QA) chip
234 of the printhead cartridge 200. The QA chip 234 is provided for ink
quality assurance
and defines technical compatibility between the printhead cartridge 200 and
printer/cradle
unit.
The QA chip 234 is configured to track usage of the nozzles, the number of
prints
that have been performed by the printhead cartridge 200 and the amount of ink
remaining
in the ink supply 206. This information is used to ensure that the printhead
cartridge 200 is
only used by a predetermined usage model. Such a usage model limits the use-
lifetime of
the printhead cartridge 200 in order to maintain consistent print quality.
For example, the model may either be a page-limited model which sets the
number
of pages which can be printed using the printhead cartridge 200 (e.g., 200
photo pages) or
an ink-limited model which sets a maximum number of pages that can be printed
without
depleting the ink of the (non-refillable) ink supply 206. In this way, the
printhead cartridge
200 is caused to be operational within the operational lifetime of the
printhead nozzles 214
and within the supply of ink for full colour printing. Other suitable models
for ensuring
consistent print quality may also be used.
The QA chip 234 may also be configured to store additional information related
to
the manufacture of the printhead cartridge 200, including manufacture date,
batch number,
serial number, manufacturing test results (e.g., a dead nozzle map), etc.
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The print control circuitry of the cradle unit interrogates the QA chip 234
via the
connection interface and connection panel to read all available information,
and uses the
results to control the operation of the printer.
In controlling the printhead, the print control circuitry controls the supply
of firing
power to the nozzles in order to control the ejection of ink onto the passing
print media.
Each nozzle is configured to eject an ink drop having a volume of about 1.2
picolitres and
a velocity of about eight metres per second. In order to consistently eject
drops having
these parameters, the power routed to the printhead by the cradle unit is
regulated at the
connection interface. The regulated power is restricted to have variations of
less than 100
milliVolts in the 5.5 Volts; 3.5 Amp supplied to the printhead from the 12
Volt; 2 Amp
power supply. Variations of this order have negligible effect on drop ejection
and
therefore the firing pulse width supplied by the print control circuitry can
be constant.
Firing of the nozzles may also cause brief peaks in the current consumption.
These
peaks are accommodated by the inclusion of energy storage circuitry in the
connection
interface of the cradle unit. Further energy storage can also be provided on
the printhead
204 in the form of decoupling capacitors 236 on the flexible printed circuit
board 232 (see
Figs. 19 and 21).
As discussed earlier, five colour channels 222a-e are provided in the
printhead 204.
In the illustrated embodiment, the channels comprise two magenta ink channels,
two cyan
ink channels and one yellow ink channel. In order to distribute ink from the
supply of the
magenta, cyan and yellow inks to the nozzle rows, the ink distribution support
210 has
three ink paths 238 as illustrated in Figs. 19 to 21. The three ink paths 238
include a
magenta ink path 238m, a cyan ink path 238c and a yellow ink path 238y.
The ink paths 238 are formed by the cooperation of an upper portion 240 and a
" lower portion 242 of the ink distribution support 210. The upper and lower
portion
240,242 are preferably molded portions having details 240a,242a for forming
the ink paths
238. Preferably, the upper and lower portion are molded from liquid crystal
polymer,
which is inert to the ink and can be configured to have thermal expansion
characteristics
similar to those of silicon which is used in the printhead ICs 218. The upper
and lower
portion 240,242 are bonded to one another to provide a seal for the ink paths
238.
The printhead 204 is an assembly of the ink distribution support 210 and the
linking
printhead 216 in which the linking printhead 216 is adhesively mounted to the
ink
distribution support 210 by a polymer sealing film 244. The sealing film 244
has a
plurality of through-holes 244a which correspond to, and align, with conduits
238a from
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each of the ink paths 238 to the underside of the lower portion 242 of the ink
distribution
support 210 and associated ink delivery inlets in the underside of each
printhead IC of the
linking printhead 216. The sealing film 244 provides an effective seal between
the ink
path 238a and the printhead ink delivery inlets to prevent the wicking and
mixing of ink
between the different nozzle rows and individual nozzles. It is noted that the
magenta and
cyan ink paths 238m and 238c each have conduits 238a for feeding ink to two of
the five
colour channels of the linking printhead 216.
The flexible printed circuit board 232 is mounted to a flange 246 of the upper
portion 240 of the ink distribution support 210 so that contact pads 232a of
the flexible
printed circuit board 232 are able to communicate data and power signals to
each of the
printhead ICs 218 via pads provided along one edge of the printhead ICs 218
(see Figs. 20
and 21).
A media shield 248 is also mounted to the ink distribution support 210 along
the
opposite edge of the linking printhead 216 to the flexible printed circuit
board 232. In the
illustrated embodiment, the media shield 248 is mounted via an adhesive film
250,
however other arrangements are possible. The media shield 248 is configured to
maintain
the passing media at a predetermined distance from the nozzles 214 of the
linking
printhead 216. This prevents damage being caused to the nozzles by contact of
the media
with the nozzles. The media shield 248 is preferably a molding formed of
liquid crystal
polymer. As can be seen from Fig. 20, the media shield 248 is spaced from the
surface of
the ink distribution support 210 by details 248a. A space 248b provided by the
details
248a provides the predetermined distance of the print media from the nozzles
214.
In the illustrated embodiment, the ink paths 238 of the ink distribution
support 210
each have a conical or cylindrical inlet member 238b for fluid connection to
an associated
ink bag 252 of the ink supply 206 (see Fig. 22). Three ink bags 252 are
provided, a
magenta ink bag, a cyan ink bag and a yellow ink bag. The ink bags 252 are
positioned in
a base 202a of the body 202 of the printhead cartridge 200 which is enclosed
by a lid 202b.
The base and lid of the body are preferably plastics moldings having clip
details for snap
fitting the lid to the base.
One of the ink bags 252 is illustrated in Fig. 23. The ink bag is formed of
two
profiled panels 252a which are sealed together to make an ink holding chamber
252b. The
ink holding chamber 252b of each ink bag is dimensioned to hold an ink volume
of at least
19 millilitres up to about 23 millilitres and is configured to be collapsible
so as to reduce
the available ink volume. The sealed panels 252a seal about a connector
assembly 254 and
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a folded leaf spring 256. The connector assembly 254 is used for both filling
of the ink
bag with the required ink volume during manufacture of the printhead cartridge
200 and
connecting the ink bag 252 with the inlet member 238b of the respective ink
path 238 of
the ink distribution support 210.
Distribution of ink from the ink bag 252 to the ink paths 238 via the
connector
assembly 254 is performed through an outlet 254c of the connector assembly
254. The
cylindrical outlet 254c is fitted with a coupling seal 254d which has ring
details on the
exterior cylindrical surface for preventing ink from leaking between the
outlet's inner
surface and the coupling seal, and ring details on the interior cylindrical
surface for
preventing ink from leaking between the coupling seal and the outer surface of
the inlet
member of the ink path (see Fig. 22).
Filling of the ink bag and priming of ink into the connector assembly 254 is
performed by injecting ink into an access hole 254e of the connector assembly
254. Air
within the ink bag/connector assembly is able to escape through an outlet 254b
during
filling. Once filled, a ball seal 254a seals the outlet 254b and the coupling
seal 254d,
which is provided with a cover seal (not shown), is positioned in the outlet
254c to seal off
the access hole, as illustrated in Fig. 22. Air is undesired within the ink
bag and connector
assembly 254 so as to prevent air from entering the ink distribution
support.210 and the
nozzles 214. Air or other gases may cause printing problems due to the
microscopic size
of the nozzles. A suitable air filter (not shown) may also be incorporated
within the
connector assembly 254 to exclude any air present in the ink bag from entering
the ink
distribution system.
The connector assembly 254 is. mounted within the interior of the cartridge
body
base 202a by engaging clips 254f of the connector assembly 254 with details
202c in the
base 202a which sealingly engages the outlets of the connector assemblies with
the inlet
members 238b of the respective ink paths 238 (see Fig. 22).
The folded leaf spring 256 of each bag 252 is formed by folding an elongate
plate
256a about a centrally disposed slot 256b (see Figs. 24 and 25). The elongate
plate 256a is
dimensioned so that when folded it fits within the sealed ink bag 252. The
elongate plate
256a is formed so as to be resilient to the folding and the folding is
performed so as to
create a curvature in the folded plate. This creates a folded leaf spring
which is resistant to
an inwardly directed force and which in turn applies an outwardly directed
force. A leaf
spring having a spring constant equivalent to 1.2 Newtons across an eight
millimetre
distance between the faces is suitable. Mylar is a suitable material for the
leaf spring for its
CA 02661933 2009-02-26
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shape memory characteristics. When Mylar is used the folded leaf spring may be
thermally formed. Other spring materials may be used, such as stainless steel.
The use of the leaf springs 256 within the ink bags 252 provides negative
fluid
pressure at the nozzles of the printhead 204 when the ink bags 252 are
connected to the
5 nozzles and the ink has been fully primed to the nozzles from the ink bags
252. Negative
fluid pressure is created by the leaf spring exerting outwardly directed force
on the interior
walls of the ink bag panels 252a. Negative fluid pressure is desired at the
nozzles to ensure
that uncontrolled ejection or leakage of ink from the nozzles does not occur.
A negative pressure head of about -100 millimetres is required to effectively
10 prevent ink from leaking at the nozzles. The illustrated leaf springs 256
may cause
fluctuations in the negative pressure head as ink is depleted from the ink
bags 252 and
therefore the ink volume decreases.
In an alternative embodiment, coil springs or like compression springs 258 may
be
used in place of the leaf springs 256. The use of a suitably configured
compression spring
15 258 within the ink bag 252, and attachment of the ink bag 252 to the
underside of the lid
202b of the cartridge body 202 with suitable adhesive, ensures that a constant
negative
pressure head is created at the nozzles independent of the ink volume in the
ink bags 252.
A suitably configured compression spring, for an ink bag of area 30
millimetres by 50
millimetres, is a spring having the required free length and a spring constant
of 14.7
20 Newtons per metre.
The required free length is a combination of a free length of 100 millimetres
and
the height of the printhead cartridge 200 (e.g., from the attached point of
the top of the ink
bag 252 to the ink ejection plane of the nozzles). In the illustrated
embodiment, the
printhead cartridge 200 has a height of 41 millimetres from the interior of
the lid 202b to
25 the nozzles of the printhead 204, resulting in a free length of 141
millimetres for the
compression spring 258 (see Fig. 26).
In the present embodiment, the leaf springs 256 also facilitate the priming of
ink
from the ink bags 252 to the connected nozzles. Priming is performed before
packaging of
the printhead cartridge 200 for distribution, and ensures that ink is situated
throughout the
operational system thereby removing any air or particulate matter in the
system prior to
printing. In order to prime ink into each of the ink paths 238 of the ink
distribution support
210 and nozzles 214, the ink bags 252 are effectively overfilled with ink..
That is, the
printing volume of ink within each ink bag is set to be less than a 19
millilitre volume. A
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26
priming volume of about four millilitres is needed from each ink bag for
priming the
system. Thus, a printing volume of at least 15 millilitres is provided in each
ink bag.
In practice, an additional volume of up to four millilitres is made available
in each
ink bag in order to account for the inability of the ink bags to be completely
collapsed due
to the non-zero width of the fully folded (i.e., compressed) leaf spring.
In order to prime the priming volume into the ink paths and nozzles, force is
applied with a suitable force applicator to the exterior surface of one or
both panels 252a of
the ink bags 252, as shown by the arrow in Fig. 27A. In order to provide
effective priming,
the folded leaf springs 256 are configured to contact the interior surfaces of
the ink bags
252 only once the printing volume has been reached in the ink bag. That is,
the leaf
springs 256 effectively float within the overfilled ink bags 252 prior to
priming being
performed. The force applicator is arranged to apply the inwardly directed
priming force
until the resistance caused by the outwardly directed force of the leaf spring
is
encountered, as shown by the arrows in Fig. 27B. In this way, negative
pressure is
immediately created at the primed nozzles.
As illustrated in Figs. 27A and 27B, a cap 260 of the capper 208 is at its
capping
position on the nozzles of the printhead 204 during the priming operation so
as to capture
any primed ink which is ejected from the nozzles during priming.
The manner in which the cap of the capper caps the printhead nozzles and the
operation of the capper is described in the Applicant's co-pending US Patent
Application
Serial Nos. 11/246676 (Docket No. FND001US), 11/246677 (Docket No. FND002US),
11/246678 (Docket No. FND003US), 11/246679 (Docket No. FND004US), 11/246680
(Docket
No. FND005US), 11/246681 (Docket No. FND006US), and 11/246714 (Docket No.
FND007US),
all filed October 11, 2005 and the entire contents of which are hereby
incorporated by reference.
For ease of understanding, a brief excerpt of the description provided in
these co-
pending Applications is now provided.
Referring to Figs. 27A to 30, the cap 260 of the capper 208 comprises an
elastically
deformable elongate pad 262 having a contact surface 262a mounted on a
elongate support
264 which has lugs or actuation features 266 protruding from each longitudinal
end. The
support 264 is housed within an elongate housing 268 so that the lugs 266
protrude through
slots 268a in the housing at each longitudinal end thereof. The housing is
mounted to the
ink distribution support 210 of the printhead 204 so as to align the pad 262
of the cap 260
with the printhead ICs 218 and the contact surface 262a of the pad 262 is
configured to
form a capping zone which is commensurate with the printing zone 219 of the
printhead
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27
204. Preferably the housing and support are formed as moldings from plastic or
like
material.
The support is slidably movable within the slots 268a of the housing 268,
allowing
the pad 262 to be slid relative to the housing 268. The extent of the pad's
slidable
moveiuent is defined by the length of the slots 268a due to the contact of the
lugs 266 with
the slot walls. At the upper extent of movement, the cap 260 is placed in its
capping
position (see Fig. 28) and at the lower extent of movement, the cap 260 is
placed in its non-
capping position (see Fig. 30). The range of movement may be from about 1.5
millimetres
to about 2.6 millimetres, thereby ensuring unobstructed passage of the print
media along
the media path 212.
A pair of springs 272 is fixed to the bottom wall of the housing 268 to bias
the cap
260 into the capping position. In the capping position, the contact surface
262a of the pad
262, which defines the capping zone 270, sealingly engages with the nozzles
214 of the
printhead 204 across the entire printing zone 219, thereby capping or covering
the nozzles.
This capping isolates the ink within the nozzles from the exterior, thereby
preventing
evaporation of water from the primed ink from the nozzles and the exposure of
the nozzles
to potentially fouling particulate matter during non-operation of the
printhead. In the non-
capping position, the contact surface 262a is disengaged from the nozzles, as
illustrated in
Fig. 30, allowing printing to be performed.
When the printhead cartridge 200 is mounted to the cradle unit 400, the lugs
266 of
the support 264 engage with a cam 402 of a capping mechanisin of the cradle
unit 400, as
illustrated in Fig. 29. Rotation of the cam 402, under control of the print
control circuitry
of the cradle unit 400, causes linear sliding movement of the support 264 and,
hence, the
pad 262, under control of the springs 272. Accordingly, the pad 262 may be
moved
reciprocally between its capping position and its non-capping position. The
springs 272
are positioned to ensure that all parts of the contact surface 262a of the pad
262 move at
the same rate with respect to the printhead 204.
By configuring the capper to be normally capping the printhead in its rest
position,
i.e., without requiring any electronic mechanism to hold the capper in its
capping position,
the potential of such an electronic mechanism failing, and therefore uncapping
the
printhead, is prevented.
As previously mentioned, the linking printhead 216 and capper 208 are commonly
mounted to the body 202 of the printhead cartridge 200 via the ink
distribution support
210. The ink distribution support 210 is mounted to the cartridge body 202 at
mounting
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28
zones 210a of the support arranged at either longitudinal end of the printing
zone 219 of
the linking printhead 216 (see Fig. 14). The mounting zones 210a are formed as
widened
sections of the upper and lower portion 240,242 of the ink distribution
support 210. These
widened sections are easily molded as part of the upper and lower moldings.
The mounting zone 210a at one end of the ink distribution support 210 (e.g.,
the
right hand end as depicted in Fig. 31) is formed with a through-hole 210b
which aligns
with a corresponding through-hole 268b formed in a tab 268c extending from the
capper
housing. 268, as illustrated in Fig. 31. These through-holes 210b,268b of the
ink
distribution support 210 and capper 208 further align with a similarly
positioned through-
hole (not shown) provided in the body 202 of the printhead cartridge 200.
The mounting zone 210a at the other end of the ink distribution support 210
(e.g.,
the left hand end as depicted in Fig. 31) is formed with a slot 210c (see Fig.
14) which
aligns with a corresponding slot 268d formed in a tab 268e extending from the
capper
housing 268, as illustrated in Fig. 31. These slots 210c,268d of the ink
distribution support
210 and capper 208 further align with a similarly positioned slot (not shown)
provided in
the body 202 of the printhead cartridge 200.
A pin 274 is passed through each of the aligned holes at the first end of the
printing
and capping zones and is locked in place so as to fix the printhead 204 and
capper 208 to
the cartridge body 202 by a locking member 276, such as a clip (e.g., an E-
clip is
illustrated).
A second pin 278 is passed through the aligned slots at the second end of the
printing and capping zones and is locked in place with a biasing member 280.
The biasing
member 280 is arranged to bias the cartridge body 202, printhead assembly 204
and capper
208 together at the second pin 278 whilst allowing relative movement of the
cartridge body
202, printhead assembly 204 and capper 208. The illustrated biasing member is
a sprung
clip 280, however other arrangements may be used.
In this way, relative movement of the components of the printhead cartridge
200 is
accommodated whilst maintaining a secure mount of, and proper alignment
between, the
components. In the illustrated embodiment, the slots are configured so as to
accommodate
movement along the longitudinal direction of the printhead 204 and capper 208
(i.e., in the
X-direction of the coordinate system illustrated in Fig. 24). Such
longitudinal movement
may occur during the performance of printing due to thermal expansion of the
linking
printhead silicon and the ink distribution support liquid crystal polymer. As
well as
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29
maintaining alignxnent, accommodating such thermal expansion alleviates the
effect of
stresses on the fragile printhead ICs.
Other slotted and/or confining arrangements are possible, so long as proper
alignment of the components is maintained throughout the movement accommodated
by
these arrangements.
While the present invention has been illustrated and described with reference
to
exemplary embodiments thereof, various modifications will be apparent to and
might
readily be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope
and spirit of
the present invention. Accordingly, it is not intended that the scope of the
claims appended
hereto be limited to the description as set forth herein, but, rather, that
the claims be
broadly construed.
