Postcard generator

• US 20040174432A1
• Filed: 03/19/2004
• Published: 09/09/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Granted Patent: US 7,471,313 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.2
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17506 Refilling of the cartridge
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/02 Framework
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/38 Drives, motors, controls or automatic cut-off devices for the entire printing mechanism
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/60 for printing on both faces of the printing material
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 27/58 Baseboards, masking frames, or other holders for the sensitive material G03B27/53 takes precedence ; for electrophotographic copiers G03G15/65
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 9/40 Double plate
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0018 of images captured using a loaned, rented or limited-use still digital camera, e.g. recyclable or disposable camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/193 using electrically scanned linear arrays , e.g. linear CCD arrays
• 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 2201/0063 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera

Abstract

A postcard generator includes an image capture device for capturing and storing an image. The postcard generator also stores a postcard format. The postcard generator receives a supply of print media and prints, using an in-built printer, a postcard having a printed image on one side and the postcard format on the other side. The postcard format includes an address zone and a token indicating that postage has been paid.

Claims

1. A postcard generator comprising:

an image sensor device for capturing an image;

an image processor for processing a captured image; and

a pagewidth printhead configured to print a captured and processed image on a first side of a print media and to print a postcard format onto a second side of said print media.

2. A postcard generator according to claim 1 wherein the postcard format includes a token indicating that postage has been paid, said token being printed onto said print media by said printhead.

3. A postcard generator according to claim 2 wherein said postcard generator is adapted to print a predetermined number of postcards.

4. A postcard generator according to claim 1 further comprising a print roll including a plurality of tokens pre-marked thereon, the tokens indicating that postage has bee paid.

5. A postcard generator according to claim 4 wherein the tokens are printed are pre-printed at regularly spaced intervals the surface of the print media adapted to receive the postcard format thereon, the spacing being substantially equal to the size of the printed image to be printed on the other side of the print media.

6. A postcard generator according to claim 1 wherein the postcard format includes an address zone.

7. A postcard generator according to claim 1 wherein the postcard format includes a blank zone.

8. A postcard generator according to claim 1 further including a memory for storing said postcard format.

9. A postcard generator according to claim 1 further including a print roll adapted to receive an image on one side thereof and a postcard format on an opposite side thereof;

and a guillotine adapted to separate a printed postcard from the print roll.