Multi-function image forming device with built-in read/write CD unit

• US 20050024689A1
• Filed: 07/31/2003
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/31/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Xerox Corporation (Xerox Holdings Corp.)
• Inventors: Nguyen, Trung T., Newton, Alan J., Whistler, Steven L., Bieber, James C., Eck, David A., Jim, Gordon W., Ayler, Donald B., House, Ronald D., Smith, Lanny D.
• Application Number:
  US10/630,863
• Publication Number:
  US 20050024689A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/426.50
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00132 in a digital photofinishing system, i.e. a system where digital photographic images undergo typical photofinishing processing, e.g. printing ordering
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00339 with an electronic or magnetic storage medium I/O device RFID or the like H04N1/00342
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/34 for coin-freed systems ; Pay systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0094 Multifunctional device, i.e. a device capable of all of reading, reproducing, copying, facsimile transception, file transception

Abstract

Systems and methods for implementing a retail transaction at a digital image forming device are disclosed. Paper and blank electronic media may be purchased at the digital image forming device. The electronic media includes CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs and floppy disks. A computer file may be transferred to the storage media as part of the transaction. The file may be transferred from any external electronic media. The file may be transferred from any storage media controlled by a portable digital device, such as a digital camera, a cell phone, a portable computer or a PDA. Alternately, the file may be transferred from a remote storage device accessible via the Internet to either media sold at or external to and in communication with the digital image forming device.

Claims

1. A method of transferring data from a portable digital storage media to a sheet media, comprising:

reading data from the portable digital storage media into a digital image forming device;

writing the data from the digital image forming device into the sheet media; and

charging a transaction fee.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the sheet media is paper.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

establishing a communication link between the portable digital storage media and the digital image forming device.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising:

determining a transaction type, wherein the portable digital storage media and the sheet media are identified according to the determined transaction type.

5. A method of purchasing a portable digital storage media from a digital image forming device, comprising:

selecting a portable digital storage media type;

selecting a portable digital storage media amount;

charging a transaction fee; and

dispensing the portable digital storage media.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein the portable digital storage media comprises one or more of CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and CD-RW.

7. The method of claim 5, further comprising:

transferring a computer file from the digital image forming device to the portable digital storage media before the step of dispensing the portable digital storage media.

8. A system for purchasing a portable digital storage media from a digital image forming device, the system comprising:

a payment interface;

a media distribution device for dispensing the portable digital storage media; and

a user input device for selecting one or more of a portable digital storage media type and a portable digital storage media amount.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the portable digital storage media comprises one or more of CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and CD-RW.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the digital image forming device is a digital photocopier.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the media distribution device is a digital image forming device, and the portable digital storage media is one or more of CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and CD-RW.

12. A system for transferring a computer file from a portable digital storage media, the system comprising:

a media distribution device for distributing a storage media;

a portable digital storage media read/write interface for coupling the portable digital storage media to the media distribution device; and

a payment interface for accepting payment for a transaction in which the computer file is transferred from the portable digital storage media to the storage media.

13. The system of claim 12, wherein the storage media is paper and the media distribution device is a digital photocopier.

14. The system of claim 12, wherein the portable digital storage media is one or more of CD-ROM, DVD-ROM and CD-RW and the media distribution device is a digital image forming device.

15. The system of claim 12, further comprising:

a portable electronic device interface, wherein the portable electronic device interface is in communication with the portable digital storage media and wherein the portable digital storage media is controlled by a portable electronic device.