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  Image processor with integrated printingUSPTO Application #: 20070058969Title: Image processor with integrated printing Abstract: An apparatus for recording and generating images includes a printing unit. The printing unit includes a carrier that is dimensioned to approximate a PCMCIA memory card. A media supply is receivable in the carrier. A page width print head assembly is mounted in the carrier to print images on the media. The page width print head assembly includes at least one print head chip and a suitable printing microprocessor that is configured to control operation of the print head chip. An ink supply mechanism is operatively arranged with respect to the print head assembly to supply the print head assembly with ink. A media feed mechanism is positioned in the carrier to feed media to and from the print head chip. The apparatus includes an image recordal apparatus that includes a housing in which the carrier is received. The housing is dimensioned to define a sleeve for the carrier so that at least half the carrier is received in the housing. An image sensing device is positioned on the housing to sense an image to be generated. An image sensing microprocessor is positioned in the housing and is operatively arranged with respect to the image sensing device to control operation of the image sensing device. Both the printing unit and the image recordal apparatus have complementary releasable data connectors so that the image sensing microprocessor can communicate image data to the printing microprocessor of the printing unit. (end of abstract) Agent: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd - Balmain, AU Inventor: Kia Silverbrook USPTO Applicaton #: 20070058969 - Class: 396429000 (USPTO) Related Patent Categories: Photography, Camera Combined With Or Convertible To Diverse Art Device The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070058969. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
REFERENCED US PATENTS/PATENT APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/942,601 filed on Aug. 31, 2001. U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 09/436,509, 09/436,750, 09,113,053, 09/425,419 and 09/922,105 are hereby incorporated by reference. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] Not applicable. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] This invention relates to an image recordal and generation apparatus. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] The Applicant has developed print head assemblies that are capable of generating images having a resolution of up to 1600 dpi. Furthermore, the print head assemblies that the Applicant has developed are of a relatively small size, allowing them to be incorporated into a camera-based device such as that described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/113,053. [0005] Details of such a print head assembly can be found in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/113,053. The relatively small size has been largely the result of the development of an ink jet print head that is the subject of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/425,419. [0006] The ink jet print head has allowed the Applicant to develop a compact portable printer that is directly engageable with a PCMCIA slot in a laptop or notebook computer. This compact portable printer is the subject matter of the above referenced U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/436,509. [0007] The Applicant has identified that it would be highly desirable to provide an image recordal and generation assembly or apparatus that is capable of generating the high-resolution images mentioned above and yet is of a size that is comparable to pocket sized cameras that are presently available. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] According to the invention, there is provided an apparatus for recording and generating images, the apparatus comprising [0009] a printing unit that comprises [0010] a carrier that is dimensioned to approximate a PCMCIA memory card, a media supply being receivable in the carrier; [0011] a page width print head assembly that is mounted in the carrier to print images on the media, the page width print head assembly including at least one print head chip and a suitable printing microprocessor that is configured to control operation of the print head chip; [0012] an ink supply mechanism that is operatively arranged with respect to the print head assembly to supply the print head assembly with ink; and [0013] a media feed mechanism positioned in the carrier to feed media to and from the print head chip; and [0014] an image recordal apparatus that comprises [0015] a housing in which the carrier is received, the housing being dimensioned to define a sleeve for the carrier so that at least half the carrier is received in the housing; [0016] an image sensing device that is positioned on the housing to sense an image to be generated; and [0017] an image sensing microprocessor that is positioned in the housing and is operatively arranged with respect to the image sensing device to control operation of the image sensing device; wherein [0018] both the printing unit and the image recordal apparatus have complementary releasable data connectors so that the image sensing microprocessor can communicate image data to the printing microprocessor of the printing unit. [0019] The invention is now described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be noted that the following specific description is for the purposes of illustrating a particular embodiment of the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed and is not intended to limit the broad scope of the preceding summary. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0020] In the drawings, [0021] FIG. 1 shows a three dimensional view of a printing unit of an apparatus, in accordance with the invention, for recording and generating images; [0022] FIG. 2 shows a partially exploded view of a print media cartridge of the printing unit of FIG. 1; [0023] FIG. 3 shows an exploded view of the printing unit of FIG. 1; [0024] FIG. 4 shows a partly cut away view of a print head of the printing unit of FIG. 1; [0025] FIG. 5 shows a three dimensional view of the apparatus for recording and generating images; [0026] FIG. 6 shows a rear view of the apparatus of FIG. 5; [0027] FIG. 7 shows the apparatus of FIG. 5 with the printing unit detached from an image recordal apparatus; [0028] FIG. 8 shows the apparatus of FIG. 5 with a print media cartridge detached from the printing unit; Continue reading... Full patent description for Image processor with integrated printing Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Image processor with integrated printing patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Image processor with integrated printing or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Telescoping camera crane Next Patent Application: Vision-assisted hand tools Industry Class: Photography ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Image processor with integrated printing patent info. 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