Photoprinter control of peripheral devices

• US 20050024499A1
• Filed: 09/02/2004
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/05/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Joseph W. Luciano, Timothy J. Rademacher, William H. Reed
• Original Assignee: Joseph W. Luciano, Timothy J. Rademacher, William H. Reed
• Inventors: Luciano, Joseph W., Reed, William H., Rademacher, Timothy J.
• Granted Patent: US 7,898,678 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00204 with a digital computer or a digital computer system, e.g. an internet server programmed control between transmitter and receiver or between image input and image output device H04N1/32561
• 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 1/00408 Display of information to the user, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0049 By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0055 By radio
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0074 Arrangements for the control of a still picture apparatus by the connected apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera

Abstract

A photoprinter configuration comprising a digital camera having a viewable display and one or more selection mechanisms. A photoprinter is connected to the digital camera via a communication link, wherein the photoprinter is operative to control the viewable display of the digital camera. Preferably, the photoprinter is further operative to direct the results from a user'"'"'s inputs to the selection mechanisms of the digital camera. The photoprinter is operable as a client to a host computer, as a host for the digital camera, and a passthrough device such that the host computer may initiate requests to the digital camera.

Claims

1-23. -23:

(cancelled).

24. :

A photoprinter configuration, comprising;

a) a digital camera comprising a viewable display and one or more selection mechanisms; and

b) a photoprinter capable of processing and printing digital files independent of an external host device and connected to the digital camera via a communication link, the photoprinter being operative to control the viewable display of the digital camera;

wherein processing the digital files comprises calculating a pixel pattern to be printed on a printable medium.

25. :

The photoprinter of claim 24, wherein the photoprinter is further operative to direct the results from a user'"'"'s inputs to the selection mechanisms.

26. :

The photoprinter of claim 24, further comprising means for controlling the digital camera by the photoprinter.

27. :

A method for controlling a digital camera, comprising the steps of;

a) obtaining a photoprinter capable of processing and printing digital files independent of an external host device and operative to print digital photographs onto printable media, wherein processing the digital files comprises calculating a pixel pattern to be printed on the printable media;

b) obtaining a digital camera comprising a viewable display and one or more selection mechanisms;

c) connecting the digital camera to the photoprinter via a communication link;

d) transmitting a plurality of instructions from the photoprinter to the digital camera via the communication link; and

e) controlling the digital camera by the photoprinter in accordance with the plurality of instructions;

wherein at least a portion of the instructions are operative to control the viewable display of the digital camera.

28. :

The method of claim 27, wherein the instructions are operative to preview digital photographs on the viewable display.

29. :

The method of claim 27, wherein the instructions are operative to present a user interface on the viewable display.

30. :

The method of claim 27, wherein the instructions are operative to direct an operation of the photoprinter based on input to the selection mechanisms.

31. :

The method of claim 30, wherein the instructions are further operative to select digital photographs for printing based on input to the selection mechanisms.

32. :

The method of claim 30, wherein the instructions are further operative to modify a printed rendition of digital photographs based on input to the selection mechanisms.