Pagewidth printer and computer keyboard combination
View Patent ↗A keyboard 10 includes a housing 12 . An alphanumeric keypad 14 is carried by the housing 12 . A printer 16 is arranged in the housing 12 . The printer includes a print media feed mechanism having a spiked wheel for engaging the print media and transporting the print media through the keyboard housing.
1. A stand alone keyboard which includes
a housing separate from a computer;
an alphanumeric keypad carried byte housing, the keypad including key switches mounted on a circuit board;
a page width printer ranged in the housing; and,
an input slot in one side of the housing for receiving print sheets into the housing;
an ejection slot in an opposite side of the housing for ejecting printed sheets:
a feed mechanism positioned between the circuit board and an underside of the housing, the feed mechanism being arranged for carrying and feeding the print sheets from the input slot to the printer; and
an engaging means arranged intermediate the printer and the ejection slot for feeding the print media out of the ejection slot, said engaging means including a spiked wheel for engaging the print media.
2. The keyboard of claim 1 in which the housing has dimensions approximating those of a computer keyboard, the housing having an ejection slot through which print media can be ejected after an image has been printed on the print media by the printer.
3. The keyboard of claim 2 in which the ejection slot is in an opposed side of the housing to the input slot.
4. The keyboard of claim 1 in which the keypad includes a QWERTY keypad, a numerals keypad and a plurality of control keys.
5. The keyboard of claim 1 in which the housing includes an access opening for enabling an ink supply of the printer to be replenished.
6. The keyboard of claim 1 in which the printer is a full color printer.
7. The keyboard of claim 6 in which the printer is a photo quality color printer.
8. The keyboard of claim 1 in which the printhead comprises an array of nozzles, said array being fabricated by microelectromechanical techniques.