Modular Printer With Readily Interchangeable Modules
The present invention relates to a modular printer. The modular printer includes at least two modules each defining oppositely located male and female connectors to facilitate interconnection of the modules in any order. Each module includes a serial bus including power and data lines to enable communication between the modules. One of the modules is a printer module including an elongate body defining a print media entry slot. A printhead is housed within the body and is configured to print upon print media inserted into the print media entry slot.
1 . A modular printer comprising at least two modules each defining oppositely located male and female connectors to facilitate interconnection of the modules in any order, each module having a serial bus with power and data lines to enable communication between the modules, one of the modules being a printer module comprising:
an elongate body defining a print media entry slot; and
a printhead housed within the body and configured to print upon print media inserted into the print media entry slot.
2 . A modular printer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the printer module has a battery housed in the body and configured to provide power to the serial bus.
3 . A modular printer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein said at least two modules interconnect together so that the modular printer is elongate and generally cylindrical in shape.
4 . A modular printer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein another one of said modules is a memory module configured to store captured photographic images.
5 . A modular printer as claimed in claim 4 , wherein the memory module comprises a body, an LCD mounted to the body, and at least one operational button mounted on the body.
6 . A modular printer as claimed in claim 1 , wherein another one of said modules is a communications module which allows the modular printer to be connected to a computer.
7 . A modular printer as claimed in claim 6 , wherein the communications module has a connector and a cable that terminates in a connector to couple to a computer port.