Computer with attached printer

Typewriting machines – Means auxiliary to typewriting function – Frame – casing – or support for typewriter

Reexamination Certificate

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Details

C400S680000, C361S689000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06206593

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a computer, and in particular, to a computer with an attached printer.
2. Related Applications
This invention is related to the inventions described in and claimed in pending U.S. patent applications (Attorney Docket Nos. JAO 30911, JAO 30912, JAO 30914, JAO 30915, JAO 30916, JAO 30917 and JAO 30918), filed on the same day as this application, which are hereby incorporated by reference.
3. Description of Related Art
Information devices having attached printers are known. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,017 to Sherman et al. discloses a typewriter having a pivotable lid on which a display screen is positioned such that the display screen is visible above the printing portion of the typewriter.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,808,800 to Nishijima et al. discloses a calculator having an attached printer through which paper from a roll is fed before the paper exits through an opening in a top surface of the calculator.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,047,615 to Fukumoto et al. discloses a bar code printing and reading apparatus. The bar code printing and reading apparatus includes a printer portion through which paper is fed in an upward direction before the paper exits through an opening in a top surface of the printer portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,883,376 to Iwasi et al. discloses a data processing apparatus with a printer. The printer, which is of the impact type, is positioned rearward of the display screen. The printer prints individual sheets of paper that are inserted into and exit from a paper opening in a top surface of the data processing apparatus.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,345,403 to Ogawa et al. discloses an information processing apparatus and printer. The printer is positioned rearward of the display screen. A sheet of paper are inserted from a front side into a slot in the display screen. The printed sheet exits the slot from a rear side opposite the front side. The printer is detachable from the information processing apparatus.
None of the prior art devices provide a printer that remains concealed from view during operation when the computer is viewed from a display screen side. As a result, the prior art printers remain exposed to any adverse environmental conditions of the workplace. Furthermore, the printers of the prior art devices change the configuration of the front sides of those devices.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a information device having an attached printer that overcomes the problems of the prior art devices. According to one embodiment, the information device having an attached printer includes a body and a printer portion for housing the printer and a printing medium. The body includes a display screen side in which a display screen is positioned and a printer side positioned opposite the display screen side. The printer portion is attached to the printer side of the body such that the printer portion and the printing medium remain concealed during operation of the printer when the information device is viewed from the display screen side.
Preferably, the printer portion includes a movable upper section and a stationary lower section. The printing medium is preferably paper wound into a paper roll, and the printer portion is preferably configured to hold the paper roll such that it is rotable on a paper roll axis. In a preferred embodiment, the upper section includes an exit opening through which the printing medium exits. In addition, the upper section preferably includes a feed button actuatable to feed the printing medium through the printer.
In a preferred embodiment, the upper section includes a printing mechanism of the printer. Preferably, the printing mechanism is a thermal-type printing mechanism, and the printing medium is heat-sensitive paper. Preferably, the printer mechanism is operatively connected to a controller of the information device by a flexible connection link.
In a preferred embodiment, the upper section is pivotable about a pivot point on the lower section between a first position and a second position. The upper section preferably includes an upper section release button actuatable to release the upper section from first position.
The upper section in the first position preferably extends upward at an angle to a vertical direction. The upper section in the first position preferably defines a direction of a pre-printing feed path of the printing medium from the lower section to the upper section of the printer portion. The rear surface of the upper section preferably includes an exit opening through which the printing medium exits. The direction of the exit opening preferably defines a post-printing feed path of the printing medium that intersects the pre-printing feed path at an angle. In a preferred embodiment, when the upper section is in the second position, a paper roll is exposed.
In a preferred embodiment, the body has a first width and the printer portion has a second width, the second width being less than the first width. Preferably, the body has a first vertical dimension defined by a distance between a bottom surface and an uppermost surface of the body and the printer portion has a second vertical dimension defined by a distance between a bottom surface and an uppermost surface of the printer. The second vertical dimension is less than the first vertical dimension.
According to another embodiment, the information device having a thermal printer for printing paper supplied from a paper roll includes a body and a printer portion. The body includes a display screen side in which a display screen is positioned and a keyboard storage side having a keyboard storage portion shaped to at least partially receive the keyboard. The printer portion that encloses the printer and the paper roll is attached to the keyboard storage side of the body. As a result, a profile of the body is greater than a profile of the printer portion from the display screen side such that the printer portion is concealed from view.
According to another embodiment, the invention includes a control system for an information device connected to a printer. The device includes a memory for storing at least one data file and a controller for selectively reading the data file stored in memory. With respect to the data file selectively read by the controller, a display screen displays the data file itself or a designation for the data file. A dedicated printer switch connected to the controller can be closed to interrupt operation of the controller and print the entire data file displayed or designated on the display screen. Preferably, the print control element is a plunger-type switch connectible to a printer. The print control element is preferably disposed on a display screen side of the information device.


REFERENCES:
patent: 4790431 (1988-12-01), Reel et al.
patent: 4808017 (1989-02-01), Sherman et al.
patent: 4808800 (1989-02-01), Nishijima et al.
patent: 4837590 (1989-06-01), Sprague
patent: 4851812 (1989-07-01), Holmberg
patent: 4859092 (1989-08-01), Makita
patent: 4883376 (1989-11-01), Iwase et al.
patent: 4946300 (1990-08-01), Makita
patent: 5021984 (1991-06-01), Meade et al.
patent: 5047615 (1991-09-01), Fukumoto et al.
patent: 5214574 (1993-05-01), Chang
patent: 5229921 (1993-07-01), Bohmer
patent: 5275494 (1994-01-01), Petracca et al.
patent: 5308174 (1994-05-01), Kuki
patent: 5345403 (1994-09-01), Ogawa et al.
patent: 5364196 (1994-11-01), Baitz
patent: 5475413 (1995-12-01), Hashimoto et al.
patent: 5560719 (1996-10-01), Ballard et al.
patent: 5646872 (1997-07-01), Yonenaga et al.

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