Effects module for a compact printer system

• US 20040032609A1
• Filed: 08/08/2003
• Published: 02/19/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1999
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, Lapstun, Paul, Walmsley, Simon Robert
• Granted Patent: US 7,139,084 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.13
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/008 Controlling printhead for accurately positioning print image on printing material, e.g. with the intention to control the width of margins
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/02 Rollers roller platens B41J11/04
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/103 for the sheet feeding section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/12 specially adapted for small cards, envelopes, or the like , e.g. credit cards, cut visiting cards
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 19/207 Encoding along a bar
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/155 for line printing
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16508 connected with the printer frame
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16579 Detection means therefor, e.g. for nozzle clogging
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1752 Mounting within the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17523 Ink connection
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17566 Ink level or ink residue control
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 23/02 Mechanical power drives
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/02 Framework
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/023 with reduced dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/393 Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine ; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/44 : Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms having dual functions or combined with, or coupled to, apparatus performing other functions
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 : Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/46 : Printing mechanisms combined with apparatus providing a visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/05 : Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 : Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/50 : with both developing and finishing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/05 : Combinations of cameras with electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 29/00 : Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 : for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 : wherein the operator is informed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 : Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00249 : with a photographic apparatus, e.g. a photographic printer or a projector photographic apparatus per se G03B, G03D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00265 : with a photographic printing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 : with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 : with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00397 : Switches, knobs or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00538 : Modular devices, i.e. allowing combinations of separate components, removal or replacement of components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00541 : with detachable image reading apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00557 : Connection or assembly of components or elements H04N1/00538 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0083 : Arrangements for transferring signals between different components of the apparatus, e.g. arrangements of signal lines or cables for control or supervision between image input and output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00962 : Input arrangements for operating instructions or parameters, e.g. updating internal software program loading in general G06F9/445; network-specific protocols involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/107 : with manual scanning
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 : using still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2154 : the still video camera incorporating a hardcopy reproducing device, e.g. a printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32358 : using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter H04N1/17 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32598 : Bus based systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/387 : Composing, repositioning or otherwise geometrically modifying originals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/405 : Halftoning, i.e. converting the picture signal of a continuous-tone original into a corresponding signal showing only two levels
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/52 : Circuits or arrangements for halftone screening
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/60 : Colour correction or control H04N1/54 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/6019 : using look-up tables H04N1/6025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/62 : Retouching, i.e. modification of isolated colours only or in isolated picture areas only
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 : Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/001 : Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0081 : Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 : Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 : Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0096 : Portable devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 : Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 : Housings

Abstract

An effects module useful in a digital imaging system such as a compact printer system. The effects module includes an image processor that applies one or more effects to a stored image, which may be read from a printer module. The resultant image is written back to the printer module or another module able to store images. The effects module preferably incorporates two connection means. One or other of the connection means may connect to corresponding connection means on the printer module. The connection means includes a physical connection and a logical connection. The logical connection is a serial bus that communicates power and data. Buttons are provided to choose, select and apply different types and numbers of effect to the image read from the printer module. Feedback is provided via a LCD.

Claims

1. A compact printer system effects module for applying one or more effects to an image stored in a print module of said compact printer system comprising:

a body and within said body;

a select mechanism for retrieving the stored image from a first image store in said print module;

an image processor for applying said one or more effects to said stored image;

a transfer mechanism for transferring a resultant image to a second image store;

a LCD being connected to said image processor and providing information about said effects; and

at least one connector incorporated in said body for connecting said effects module to a bus providing power and data between said effects module and said print module.

2. The effects module of claim 1, wherein said LCD is capable of displaying a plurality of icons indicative of effect type, effect number and effect application status.

3. The effects module of claim 1 having two or more connectors incorporated in said body including a first connector connectable to said print module and a second connector connectable to further modules in a stackable manner.

4. The effects module of claim 3 wherein one of said further modules is a memory module in which the resultant image is stored.

5. The effects module of claim 1 further comprising a CHOOSE button to cycle through a plurality of effect types.

6. The effects module of claim 1 further comprising a SELECT button to increment or decrement an effect number.

7. The effects module of claim 1 further comprising an APPLY button to apply a selected effect to said stored image.

8. The effects module of claim 1 wherein said effects are borders, clip-art, captions, warps, color changes, and painting styles.

9. The effects module of claim 1 wherein said at least one connector comprises a male bayonet fitting providing physical connection between said effects module and a module storing said stored image.

10. The effects module of claim 1 wherein said at least one connector comprises a female bayonet fitting providing physical connection between said effects module and a module storing said stored image.

11. The effects module of claim 1 wherein said bus is a Serial Bus.

12. The effects module of claim 1 wherein said bus enables said effects module to be controlled externally allowing said one or more effects to be applied to external stored images.

13. A compact printer system effects module for applying one or more effects to an image stored in a memory module of said compact printer system comprising:

a body and within said body;

a select mechanism for retrieving the stored image from a first image store in said memory module;

an image processor for applying said one or more effects to said stored image;

a transfer mechanism for transferring a resultant image to a second image store;

a LCD being connected to said image processor and providing information about said effects; and

.

at least one connector incorporated in said body for connecting said effects module to a bus providing power and data between said effects module and said stored image.

14. The effects module of claim 13, wherein said LCD is capable of displaying a plurality of icons indicative of effect type, effect number and effect application status

15. The effects module of claim 13 having two or more connectors incorporated in said body including a first connector connectable to said memory module and a second connector connectable to further modules in a stackable manner.

16. The effects module of claim 15 wherein one of said further modules is a print module.

17. The effects module of claim 13 further comprising a CHOOSE button to cycle through a plurality of effect types.

18. The effects module of claim 13 further comprising a SELECT button to increment or decrement an effect number.

19. The effects module of claim 13 further comprising an APPLY button to apply a selected effect to said stored image.

20. The effects module of claim 13 wherein said effects are borders, clip-art, captions, warps, color changes, and painting styles.

21. The effects module of claim 13 wherein said at least one connector comprises a male bayonet fitting providing physical connection between said effects module and a module storing said stored image.

22. The effects module of claim 13 wherein said at least one connector comprises a female bayonet fitting providing physical connection between said effects module and a module storing said stored image.

23. The effects module of claim 13 wherein said bus is a Serial Bus.

24. The effects module of claim 13 wherein said bus enables said effects module to be controlled externally allowing said one or more effects to be applied to external stored images.