Reference may be had to co-pending applications clainmin pnonty from Australian Provisional Patent Application number PQ0560 dated 25 may 1999. The co-pending applications descnbe related modules and methods for implemenung the compact pnnter system. The co-pending applications are as follows: PCT Application Number Docket No. PCT/AU00/00501 PPOI PCT/AU00/00503 PP03 PCT/AU00/00504PP04 PCT/AU00/00505 PP07 PCT/AU00/00506PP08 PCT/AU00/00507 PP09 PCT/AU00/00508 PPIO PCT/AUOO/00509 PPII PCT/AU00/00510 PP12 PCT/AU00/00512 PP13 PCT/AU00/00513 PP15 PCT/AU00/00514 PP16 PCT/AU00/00515 PP17

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Microelectromc manufactunng techniques have led to the muniatunzanon ot numerous devices. Mobile phones, personal digital assistant devices. and digital cameras are very common examples of the miniatunzauon trend.

One device that has not seen the avantage of microctectromc manufactunng techniques is the printer.

Commercially availabie pnnters are targe compared to many of the devices they could suppon. For instance. it is impracucal to carry a color pnnter for the purpose of instantly pnnting photoeraphs taken with known compact digital cameras.

A compact pnnthead has been described in co-pending Patent Cooperanon Treaty applications filed simultaneously to the present application and hereby incorporated by cross reference: NumberDocketNumberPCTApplication PCT/AUOO/0059) ! MJ62 PCT/AU00/00578 U52 i PCT/AU00/00579IJM52 PCT/AU00/00592MJ63 PCT/AU00/00590MJ58

Shaving a number of physical slots and connectors on a device such as a digital camera has an effect on the size. the cost. and the functionality of the device. The more physical connectivity standards a camera has to support the more the physical number ot connectors the camera must have. To be fully modular a compact printer system must have common modulesandasenalbustosuppontheconnectivity.between

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one form. the invention resides in a compact pnnter system compnsmg: a pnnter module having a full-width stauonarv pnnthead for pnntmg a stored image on pnntable media in a siele pass. and having at least one connection means: a piurality of further modules. each having at least one connection means connectable to said printer module: said connection means including physical connection means and logicai connection means: said physical connection means compnsmg a plue on a male connection means and a socket on a corresponding female connection means : and said logical connection means compnsme a senal bus.

Further teatures of the invention win be evident from the followine description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order to assist with descnbing preferred embodiments of the invention, reference will be made to the following figures in which : FIG I is a printer module: FIG 2 is a camera module: FIG 3 is a memory module: FIG 4 is a communication module: FIG 5 is an effects module ; FIG 6 is a timer module : FIG 7 is a flash module ; FIG 8 is an adapter module: FIG 10 is a characters module: FIG I I is a pen module : FIG 12 is a dispenser module: FIG 13 is a first compact pnnter configuration: FIG 14 is a second compact pnnter configuration: FIG 15 is a third compact pnnter configuration: FIG 16 is a fourth compact pnnter configuration: FIG 17 shows a female connector as pan of an adaptor module: and FIG 18 shows a male connector as pan of a communication module.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Refemng to FIGs 1 to 12. there are shown vanous modules that together form a compact pnnter system.

Individual modules can be attached and detached from the compact pnnter configuration to allow a user-definable solution to business-card siaced Dnntinz. images can also be transferred from one compact pnnter to another without the use of a secondary computer system. Modules have a minimal user-interface to allow straightforward interaction.

A compact pnnter system configuration consists of a number of comDact pnnter moduies connected together.

Each compact pnnter module has a function that contnbutes to the overall functionality of the parucular compact pnnter

configuration. Each compact pnnter module is typically shaped like pan of a pen. physically connecting with other compact pnntcr modules to form the complete pen-shaped device. The length of the compact pnnter device depends on the number and type of compact pnnter modules connected. The functionality of a compact pnnter configuration depends on the compact pnnter modules in the given configuration.

The compact pnnter modules connect both physically and logically. The physical connection ailows modules to be connected in any order. and the logical connection is taken care of by the compact pnnter Senal Bus-a bus that provides power. allows the modules to self configure and provides for the transfer of data.

In terms of physical connection. most compact pnnter modules consist of a central body. a male connector at one end. and a female connector at the other. Since most modules have both a male and female connector. the modules can typically be connected in any order. Certain modules only have a male or a female connector, but this is determined by the function of the module. Gender changmg modules allow these single-connector modules to be connected at either end of a given compact pnnter configuration.

A 4 wire physical connection between all the compact pnnter modules provides the logical connection between them in the form of the compact pnnter Serial Bus. The compact pnnter Serial Bus provides power to each module, and provides the means by which data is transferred between modules. Importantly. the compact pnnter Senal Bus and accompanyne protocol provides the means by which the compact pnnter system auto-configures. reducing the user- interface burden on the end-user.

Compact pnnter modules can be grouped into three types: image processing modules including a Printer Module. a Camera Module, and a Memory Module. Imaee processine modules are primarily what sets the compact printer system apart from other pen-like devices.

Image processing modules capture, pnnt. store or manipulate photographic images. housekeeping modules including an Adapter Module (FIG 10). an Effects Module (FIG 8). a Communications Module (FIG 4). and a Timer Module (FIG 6). Housekeeping modules provide services to other modules or extended functionality to other modules; and isolated modules including a Pen Module (FIG 11) and a Laser Module (FIG 7). Isolated modules are those that attach to the compact printer system but are completely independent of any other module. They do not necessarily require power, and may even provide their own power. Isolated Modules are defined because the functionality they provide is typically incorporated into other pen-like devices.

Although housekeeping modules and isolated modules are useful components in a compact pnnter system, they are extras in a system dedicated to image processing and photographic manipulation. Life size (1: 1) illustrations of the compact pnnter modules are shown in FIGs I to 12. and example configurations produced by connecting various modules together are shown in FIGs 13 to 16.

FIG I shows a printer module that incorporates a compact pnnthead described in co-pending United States Patent Applications listed in the Background section of this application. incorporated herewith by reference, and referred to herewith as a Memjet pnnthead. The Memjet pnnthead is a drop-on-demand 1600 dpi inkjet pnnter that produces bi- level dots in up to 4 colors to produce a pnnted page of a panicular width. Since the pnnthead pnnts dots at 1600 dpi. each dot is approxlmately''. 5pm in diameter, and spaced 15.875m apan. Because the pnnting is bi-level. the input image should be dithered or error-diffused for best results. Typically a Memjet pnnthead for a panicular application is page- width. This enables the pnnthead to be stationary and allows the paper to move past the pnnthead. A Memjet pnnthead is composed of a number of identical 1/2 inch Memjet segments.

The pnnter module 10 compnses a body 11 housing the Memjet pnnthead. Power is supplied by a three volt battery housed in battery compartment 12. The pnnthead is activated to commence pnnting when a business card (or similar sized pnntable medial is inserted into slot I 3. Maic connector 14 and temaie connector 15 tacilitate connection of other modules to the pnnter module 10.

FIG 2 shows a camera module 20. The camera module provides a pomt-and-shoot camera component to the compact pnnter system as a means ot'captunne images. The camera module compnses a body 21 having a female connector 22. A lens 23 directs an image to an image sensor and specialized image processing chip within the camera 24.

A conventional view finder 25 is provided as well as a lens cap 26. An image is captured when the Take button 27 is pushed. Captured images are transferred to the Printer Module 10 for subsequent pnntine. manipulation. or storage. The Camera Module also contains a self-timer mode similar to that found on regular cameras.

FIG 3 shows a Memory Module 30 comprising a body 31. LCD 32. IN button 33. OUT button 34 and SELECT button 35. The Memory Module 30 is a standard module used for stonng photographic images captured by the Camera 20.

The memory module stores 48 images. each of which can be accessed either at full resolution or at thumbnail resolution.

Full resolution provides read and wnte access to individual images, and thumbnail resolution provides read access to 16 images at once in thumbnail form.

The Memory Module 30 attaches to other modules via a female connector 36 or male connector 37. The male and female connectors allow the module to be connected at either end of a configuration. Power is provided from the Printer Module 10 via the Serial Bus.

A Communications Module 40 is shown in FIG 4. The communications module 40 consists of a connector 41 and a cabte 42 that terminates in an appropnate connector for a computer port. such as a USB port. RS232 serial port or parallel pon. The Communications Module 40 allows the compact printer system to be connected to a computer. When so connected, images can be transferred between the computer and the various modules of the compact printer system. The communications module allows captured images to be downloaded to the computer, and new images for printing to be uploaded into the printer module 10.

A Flash Module 50 is shown in FIG 5. The Flash Module 50 is used to generate a flash with flash cell 51 when taking photographs with the Camera Module 20. The Flash Module attaches to other modules via female connector 52 and male connector 53. It contains its own power source. The Flash Module is automatically selected by the Camera Module when required. A simple switch allows the Flash Module to be explicitly tumed off to maximize battery life.

FIG 6 shows a Timer Module 60 that is used to automate the taking of multiple photos with the Camera Module 20. each photo separated by a specific time interval. The captured photos are stored in Memory Module 30. Any flash requirements are handled bv the Camera Module 20. and can therefore be ignored by the Timer Module. The Timer Module 60 consists of a body 61 housing a LCD 62. START/STOP button 63 and UNITS button 64. A SELECT button 65 allows the user to select time units and the number of units are set by UNITS button 64. The Timer Module 60 includes a male connector 66 and female connector 67. The Timer Module takes its power from the Printer Module 10 via the Serial Bus.

A Laser Module 70 is shown in FIG 7. The Laser Module 70 consists of a body 71 containing a conventional laser pointer operated by button 72. As the Laser Module is a terminal module it only has one connector, which in the example is a male connector 73. The Laser Module is an isolated module. in that it does not perform any image capture. storage, or processing. lt exists as a functional addition to the compact printer system. It is provided because laser pointer services are typically incorporated into other pen-tike devices. The Laser Module contains its own power supply and does not appear as a device on the Serial Bus.

The Effects Module shown in FIG 8 is an image processing module. It allows a user to select a number of effects and applies them to the current image stored in the Printer Module 10. The effects include borders, clip-art. captions, warps, color changes. and paintine styles. The Effects Module compnses a body 81 housing custom electronics and a LCD 82. A CHOOSE button 83 allows a user to choose between a number of different types of effects. A SELECT button 84 alloas the user to select one effect from the number of effects of the chosen type. Pressing the APPLY button 85 applies the effect to image stored in the Pnnter Module 10. The Effects Module obtains power from the Serial Bus.

Male connector 86 and female connector 87 allow the Effects Module to be connected to other compact printer system modules.

FIG 9 shows a Character Module 90 that is a special type of Effects Module tdescnbed above) that only contains character clip-art effects of a given topic or genre. Examples include The Simpsons. Star Wars ~. Batman3. and Dilben-as weii as company specific modules for McDonaids'etc. As such it is an imaee processing module. It consists of a bodv 91 housmg custom electronics and a LCD 92. SELECT button 93 allows the user to choose the effect that is to be applied with APPLY button 94. The Character Module obtains power from the Serial Bus through male connector 95 and female connector 96.

The Adaptor Module 100. shown in FIG 10. is a female/female connector that allows connection between two modules that termunate m male connectors. A malcimale connector (not shown) allows connection between two modules that terminate in female connectors. The Adaptor Module is a housekeeping module, in that it facilitates the use of other modules, and does not perform any specific processing of its own.

All"throueh"modules have a male connector at one end. and a female connector at the other end. The modules can therefore be chained together, with each module connected at either end of the chain. However some modules, such as the Laser Module 70. are tcrmmatine moduies. and therefore have either a male or female connector only. Such single- connector modules can only be connected at one end of the chain. If two such modules are to be connected at the one time. an Adaptor Module 100 is required.

FIG 11 shows a Pen Module 1 10 which is a pen m a module form. It is an isolated module in that it attaches to the compact pnnter system but is completely independent of any other module. It does not consume or require any power.

The Pen Module is defined because it is a convenient extension of a pen shaped, pen sized device. It may also come with a cap 111. The cap may be used to keep terminating connectors clean in the case where the chain ends with a connector rather than a terminating module.

To assist with accurately feeding a business card sized pnnt media into slot 13 of the printer module 10. a dispenser module 120 is provided as shown in FIG 12. The dispenser module! 20 compnses a body 121 that holds a store of business card sized pnnt media. A Printer Module 10 locates into socket 122 on the dispenser module 120. When correct aligne, a card dispensed from the dispenser module by slider 123 enters slot 13 and is pnnted.

In the sense that a minimum configuration compact pnnter system must be able to pnnt out photos. a minimum compact pnnter configuration contains at least a Printer Module. The Pnnter Module holds a smgie photographic image that can be pnnted out via its Memjet pnnter. It also contains the 3V battery required to power the compact pnnter system.

In this minimum configuration, the user is only able to pnnt out photos. Each time a user inserts a business card 130 into the siot in the Printer Module. the image in the Printer Module is pnnted onto the card. The same image is printed each time a business card is inserted into the pnnter. In this minimum configuration there is no way for a user to change the image that is printed. The dispenser module 120 can be used to feed cards 130 into the Printer Module with a minimum of fuss. as shown in FIG 13.

By connecting a Camera Module 20 to the minimum configuration compact pnnter system the user now has an instant pnnting digital camera in a pen. as shown in FIG 14. The Camera Module 20 provides the mechanism for captunng images and the Printer Module 10 provides the mechanism for pnnting them out. The battery in the Printer Module provides power for both the camera and the pnnter.

When the user presses the"Take"button 27 on the Camera Module'0. the image is captured by the camera 24 and transferred to the Pnnter Module 10. Each time a business card is insened into the pnnter the captured image is pnnted out. If the user presses"Take"on the Camera Module again. the old image in the Pnnter Module is replace by the new image.

If the Camera Module is subsequently detached from the compact pnnter system. the captured image remains in the Printer Module. and can be pnnted out as many times as desired. The Camera Module is simply there to capture images to be placed in the Printer Module.

FIG 15 shows a further configuration m which a Memory Module 30 is connected to the configuration of FIG 14. In the embodiment of FIG! 5. the user has the ability to transfer images between the Printer Module 10 and a storage area contained in the Memory Module 30. The user sélects the image number on the Memory Module, and then either sends that image to the Printer Module (replacing whatever image was already stored there. or brings the current image from the Printer Module to the specified image number in the Memory Module. The Memory Module also provides a way of sending sets of thumbnail images to the Printer Module.

Multiple Memory Modules can be included in a given system. extending the number of images that can be stored. A given Memory Module can be disconnected from one compact pnnter system and connected to another for subsequent image pnnting.

With the Camera Module 20 attached to a Memory Module/Printer Module compact pnnter system. as shown in FIG 15. the user can'Take"an image with the Camera Module. then transfer it to the specified image number in the Memory Module. The captured images can then be pnnted out in any order.

By connecting a Communications Module 40 to the minimum configuration compact pnnter system. the user gains the ability to transfer images between a PC and the compact printer system. FIG 16 shows the configuration of FIG 15 with the addition of a Communications Module 40. The Communications Module makes the Printer Module 10 and any Memory Modules 30 visible to an extemai computer system. This allows the download or uploading of images. The communications module also allows computer control of any connected compact printer modules, such as the Camera Module 20.

In the general case. the Printer Module holds the"current"image, and the other modules function with respect to this central repository of the current image. The Printer Module is therefore the central location for image interchange in the compact pnnter system, and the Printer Module provides a service to other modules as specified by user interaction.

A given module may act as an image source. It therefore has the ability to transfer an image to the Printer Module. A different module may act as an image store. It therefore has the ability to read the image from the Printer Module. Some modules act as both image store and image source. These modules can both read images from and write images to the Printer Module s current image.

The standard image type has a single conceptual definition. The image definition is denved from the physical attributs of the pnnthead used in the Printer Module. The printhead is 2 inches wide and pnnts at 1600dpi in cyan. magenta and yellow bi-level dots. Consequently a pnnted image from the compact pnnter system is 3200 bi-level dots wide.

The compact printer system pnnts on business card sized pages (85mm x 55mm). Since the pnnthead is 2 inches wide. the business cards are pnnted such that I line of dots is 2 inches. 2 inches is 50.8mm. leaving a 2mm edge on a standard business-card sized page. The length of the image is derived from the same card size with a 2mm edge.

Consequently the pnnted image length is 81 mm. which equals 5100 1600dpi dots. The pnnted area of a page is therefore 81mmx51mm. or5100x3'00dots.

To obtain an integral contone to bi-level ratio a contone resolution of 267 ppi (pixels per inch) is chosen. This yields a contone CMY page size of 850 x 534. and a contone to bi-level ratio of 1: 6 in each dimension. This rauo of 1: 6 provides no perceived loss of quality since the output image is bi-level.

The pnnthead pnnts dots in cyan. magenta. and yellow ink. The final output to the pnnted page must therefore be in the gamut of the pnnthead and take the attributs of the inks into account. It would at first seem reasonable to use the CMY color space to represent images. However, the priter's CMY color space does not have a linear response. This is definitely true of pigmente inks. and partially true for dye-based inks The individual coior profile of a particular device

nnput and output) can vary considcrably. image capture devices (such as digital cameras) typtcaiiy work in RGB (red green blue) color space, and each sensor will have its own color response characteristics.

Consequently, to allow for accurate conversion. as well as to allow for future image sensors, inks. and printers. the CIE L*a*b* color model (CIE. 1986. CIE 15. 2 Colorimetry: Technical Report (2"'Edition). Commission Internationale De l'Eclairage j is used for the compact pnnter system. L*a*b* is well defined. perceptually linear. and is a superset of other traditionai color spaces (such as CMY. RGB. and HSV).

The Printer Module must therefore be capable of converting L*a*b* images to the parucuiar pecuhahties of its CMY color space. However. since the compact pnnter system allows for connectivity to PCs. it is quite reasonable to also allow highiy accurate color matching between screen and pnnter to be performed on the PC. However the printer driver or PC program must output L*a*b*.

Each pixel of a compact pnnter image is therefore represented by 24 bits: 8 bits each of L*. a*, and b*. The total image size is therefore 1.361.700 bytes (850 x 534 x 3).

Each image processing module is able to access the image stored in the Printer Module. The access is either to read the image from the Printer Module. or to wnte a new image to the Printer Module.

The communications protocol for image access to the Printer Module provides a choice of intemal image oreanization. images can be accessed either as 850 x 534 or as 534 x 850. They can also be accessed in interleaved or planar format. When accessed as interleaved. each pixel in the image is read or written as 24 bits: 8 bits each of L*, a*, b*.

When accessed as planar, each of the color planes can be read or wntten independently. The entire image of L* pixels, a* pixels or b* pixels can be read or wntten at a time.

A compact printer configuration is constructed by physically connecting multiple compact pnnter modules together via the maleifemale bayonet connectors. A female connector 171 is shown in FIG 17. The female connector 171 may be formed at one end of any of the modules defined above. FIG 17 shows a female connector of an adaptor module.

The connector consists of a body 172 that is an extension of the body of the module to which it is formed. The body 172 defines a socket 173 adapted to receive a male connector and having a notch 174 for alignment. Four metal contacts 175 provide power and data connection to other modules through the compact printer system serial bus. A recess 176 mates with a corresponding spring loaded catch on the male connector.

A commumcation module 180 is shown in FIG 18 havine a maie connector 181 joined by a cable to a printer port piug 187. The maie connector 181 compnses a body 182, which in other embodiments may be an extension of the body of any of the modules described above. A plug 183 is formed to match the socket 173 in the female connector. A ridge 184 fits the notch 174 to achieve correct alignment of the metal contacts 185 on the maie connector with the metal contacts 175 on the female connector. A spring loaded catch 186 seats in the recess 176 to keep the female and maie connectors together under moderate pressure.

The adaptor module 180 shown in FIG 18 has a plug 187 specifically arranged for connection to the universal serial bus (USB) pon of a personal computer. The USB protocol provides an appropnate protocol for the compact printer Serial Bus. An avantage of USB is that there is no specific"on/off'switch to take account of. The compact printer configuration runs in standby mode and allows hot attachment/detachment of modules.

A computer attached to the compact pnnter system via a USB Adaptor Module sees the various images on the compact printer device chain, and software (in the computer) allows images to be read from or written to the addresses within the compact pnnter devices.

In the loeical interface. the Printer Module's current image does not have to be the source or destination of each image transfer. Instead. the computer system becomes the effective current image. reading images from any of the compact pnnter modules. and whting images to any of the compact printer modules.

The compact printer Serial Bus is the internat backbone bus for the compact pnnter system. It provides power for the compact pnnter modules. allows the vanous compact pnnter modules to commumcate with each other, allows

images to be transferred between them. and provides the means for growing/expanding the range of modules in the compact printer system.

The following features are required by the compact pnnter Serial Bus: <BR> <BR> <BR> Reasonable Transfer Speed<BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> <BR> Dynamic Attach/Detach Auto Configuration Expandability/Room tbr Growth Low Cost * Low Power The Universal Serial Bus (USB) specification caters for the requirements of the compact printer system. USB is well defined and is easily integrated into a hardware architecture.

The compact pnnter Serial Bus requires a medium speed for transfemng images While not the high speed required for video, a reasonable speed for image transmission is required. Althoueh the maximum speed on USB is 12 MBits/sec. the maximum effective data transfer rate is 8MBits/sec due to protocol overhead and transmission redundancy.

The time taken to transmit a complete image (850 x 534 L*a*b*) is therefore 1.36 seconds (850x534x3x 8/8. 000.000).

Attachment or detachment of a module from the compact pnnter system does not adversely affect the module or the rest of the system. This is beneficial from an ease-of-use standpoint. Users of the compact printer can attach modules and detach modules to reconfigure the system. There is no need for individual on/off switches per module or special attachment procedures.

The compact printer modules are self identifying, and self configuring (including bus termination). Users do not need to know anything about the electrical system. Users may simply connect the appropriate modules together and the compact printer system configures itself appropriately.

Any given compact pnnter configuration consists of a number of compact pnnter modules connected to one another. The exact number of compact pnnter modules depends on the requirements of the user. In addition. the complete set of compact printer modules is not fixed. The compact pnnter serial bus allows new compact pnnter modules to be easily designed and added to the compact pnnter family. USB allows up to 127 physical devices to be connected at a given time (power requirements not withstanding). Since the devices are self identifying. new modules can be added to a compact pnnter system as long as they conform to the compact pnnter senal protocol.

The USB protocol is well-defined. this reduces design time. allows the use of pre-compiled cores. debugged protocois. and gives a large range of choice in terms of components. The choice of USB also allows the compact pnnter system to be easily integrated into a PC environment for image download and upload.

As described above, the pnnter module runs directly off an unregulated 3V power supply (a 3V battery). The compact printer Serial Bus also runs off this power. USB nominally runs at 5V. Under normal circumstances, voltage at a powered hub-pon must be no less than 4.75Vdc. while voltage at a bus-powered hub must be no less than 4.40Vdc.

However this is the case for a completely open system (which the compact printer system is not). Consequently the USB used within compact printer modules can be lower power, and therefore run off an unregulated 3V power supply. This is the only difference between regular USB and USB as used in compact pnnter.

Each compact pnnter module is visible on the compact pnnter Serial Bus. Each module is self identifying and self-configuring using standard USB protocois.

Apan from the standard protocol functions (including identification). there are a number of functions that each compact pnnter module is able of respondine to. These are outlined in Table 1. Each module also has a number of module-specific functions.

Table 1. Basic compact pnnter Module Funcuons Name Descnption GetlmageCountst) Returns two counts-the number of images that can be read from the module. and the number of images that can be written to the module. This allows read only, write only, and vinual read only images. GetCurremlmageiSumber If the module has a setting for the image number. this call returns the current image number. GetimageAccessMcthods Returns two sets of 8 access bus. The first set represents the read access bits. and the second set represents the wnte access bits. See Table 2 for an interpretation of the bits. Getlmage (N. Mode) Retums image number N using the specified 8-bit access mode. See Table 3 for an interpretation of the access mode bits. StoresanimageataddressNusingthespecified8-bitaccessmode.SeeS torelmage(N.Mode) Table 3 for an interpretation of the access mode bits. Transferimage (N 1. Mode. Dest. N2) Transfers the image at address N I using the specified 8-bit access mode to the image at address N2 at the serial device with id Dest. See Table 3 for an interpretation of the access mode bits.

The 8-bit mode retumed by GetlmageAccessMethods is interpreted as follows: Table codefromGetImageAccessMethodsreturn Bit Interpretation 0 Access 850 x 534 permitted I Access 534 x 850 permitted 2 Interleaved L*a*b* pernutted 3 Planar L*. a*, b* permuted 4-7 Reserved. and 0

The Printer Module is capable of all methods of image access and therefore retums Is for bits 0-3.

The 8-bit mode used for image read and write access via Getimage. Storelmage and Transferlmage is interpreted as follows: Table 3.8-bit code used for read & wnte access Bit interpretation 0Orientation : 0 = = 850 x 534. 1 = 534 x 850 1 0 = interleaved. I = planar 2-3 Color plane whenbit1=planar)only L*01=a*10=b*11=reserved00= and04-7Reserved.

The USB Communicauon module of FIG 18 is elfectivelv a translator between standard USB cabling and the compact pnnter serial bus. euh additional loeic for translation of USB calls. An application specific integrated circuit

(ASIC) in the body 182 provides the required translation. When connected. images can be transterred between the computer and the vanous modules of the compact pnnter system. The communication module allows captured images to be downloaded to the computer. and new images for pnnting to be uploaded into the compact pnnter.

The compact printer Communication Module has a physical mode of operation and a logical mode of operation.

The physical mode of operation Is where the user simply plues the Communication Module into a compact pnnter system, and the plug 187 into an appropnate computer communication port. There is no on/off switch on the compact printer Communication Module. The operating power is obtained from the computer's port power supply rather than the compact pnnter system power supply.

Once physically connected. the togicat mode of operation comes into play. The ASIC in the compact pnnter Communication Module translates the compact pnnter modules into a vinuai file system. Each compact printer module appears as a named sub-directory. each containinz a set of numbered image files. When a specific file is read. the Communication Module translates the call into an image read command. When a specific file is written, the Communication Module translates the call into an image wnte command.

In addition. each module appears as its own device. which allows the wnting of drivers specific to each module.

This is because the compact pnnter Communication Module acts as a standard hub.

Throughout the specification the aim has been to descnbe the preferred embodiments of the invention without limiting the invention to any one embodiment or specific collection of features. Persons skilled in the relevant art may realize variations from the specific embodiments that will nonetheless fall within the scope of the invention.