An apparatus for recording and generating images includes a printing unit. The
printing unit includes a carrier that is dimensioned to approximate a PCMCIA memory
card. A media supply is receivable in the carrier. A page width print head assembly
is mounted in the carrier to print images on the media. The page width print head
assembly includes at least one print head chip and a suitable printing microprocessor
that is configured to control operation of the print head chip. An ink supply mechanism
is operatively arranged with respect to the print head assembly to supply the print
head assembly with ink. A media feed mechanism is positioned in the carrier to
feed media to and from the print head chip. The apparatus includes an image recordal
apparatus that includes a housing in which the carrier is received. The housing
is dimensioned to define a sleeve for the carrier so that at least half the carrier
is received in the housing. An image sensing device is positioned on the housing
to sense an image to be generated. An image sensing microprocessor is positioned
in the housing and is operatively arranged with respect to the image sensing device
to control operation of the image sensing device. Both the printing unit and the
image recordal apparatus have complementary releasable data connectors so that
the image sensing microprocessor can communicate image data to the printing microprocessor
of the printing unit.
