Camera and printer having slidably detachable interface
View Patent ↗A digital camera with printer which is configured to print images taken by the camera is provided. The camera includes a casing having an elongate socket having open and closed ends, a first industry standard interface located at the closed end of the socket and a printer unit received within the socket and having a printhead. The printer unit has a second interface compatible with the first interface, whereby the printer unit is detachably engaged with the casing by sliding the unit into the socket to engage the first and second interfaces together.
1. A digital camera with printer, configured to print images taken by the camera, said camera including:
a casing having an elongate socket that is open at one end and closed at the other end;
a first industry standard interface located at the closed end of the socket;
a printer unit received within the socket, the printer unit having drive circuitry configured to authenticate the printer unit for one-time use and a second interface compatible with the first interface, whereby the printer unit is detachably engaged with the casing by sliding the unit into the socket to engage the first and second interfaces together,
the printer unit including a printhead for printing of said images upon engagement of the first and second interfaces and authentication of the printer unit.
2. The camera with printer of claim 1 wherein the printer unit further includes a paper cartridge and a paper feed configured to feed one page at a time, from the cartridge past the printhead.
3. The camera with printer of claim 1 wherein the printhead is located outside of the socket.
4. The camera with printer of claim 2 wherein the printer unit includes a carrier that detachably supports the paper cartridge.
5. The camera with printer of claim 4 wherein replacement of the paper cartridge requires detachment of the printer unit from the casing.
6. The camera with printer of claim 1 wherein the printer unit is configured to fit within a space conforming to a space occupied by a type III PCMCIA card.
7. The camera with printer of claim 1 wherein the socket conforms to a socket for a type III PCMCIA card.
8. The camera with printer of claim 1 wherein the printhead is a color-printhead having a plurality of ink reservoirs.
9. The camera with printer of claim 1 wherein the casing has a base and the socket is located in the base,
wherein the socket conforms to a socket for a type III PCMCIA card,
wherein the printer unit is configured to fit within a space conforming to a space occupied by a type III PCMCIA card,
wherein the width of the printer unit and the casing are substantially the same, and
wherein the depth of the printer unit and the casing are substantially the same.