Camera with swipe printer

• US 20050088527A1
• Filed: 02/12/2003
• Published: 04/28/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Granted Patent: US 7,573,501 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 348/207.200
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• 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 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0063 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera

Abstract

A digital camera has a built-in printer to enable the printing of a stored image upon a page external to the camera as the camera traverse the page. The camera can be maintained compact and lightweight as no paper storage or papered mechanism need be provided A replaceable ink cartridge that detachable connects to the printhead reduces the cost of ongoing consumables.

Claims

1. A digital came comprising:

a housing

an image sensor adapted to capture an image;

a digital storage device adapted to store digitally the image captured by the image sensor,

a printer located within the housing, the printer having a printhead and is adapted to receive digital information corresponding to th captured image from the digital storage device;

a replaceable ink cartridge for location in the housing and detachable connection to the printer, wherein,

the printer is adapted to print the captured image on media external to the camera as the camera traverses the media.

2. The camera of claim 1 wherein the camera fiber comprises a lens and wherein the image is captured by the image sensor via the lens.

3. The cam of claim 1 wherein the pr comprises a drop-on-demand color inkjet printhead.

4. The printer of claim 1 wherein the housing includes a receptacle having resilient collars and into which the ink cartridge is received, the cartridge including ink outlets adapted to engage with the collars.

5. The camera of claim 1 wherein the digital storage device comprises a removable memory card.

6. The camera of claim 5 wherein the memory card is stored within a chassis having an integrally formed battery housing adapted to receive and retain a battery for powering the camera.

7. The camera of claim 1 further comprising a speed sensor adapted to sense the speed at which the camera traverses the media.

8. The camera of claim 7 wherein the printer is adapted to be synchronised with the speed sensor such that the printer ejects ink onto the media at rate which is proportional to the speed at which the camera traverses the media in order to produce a faithful reproduction of the captured image.

9. The camera of claim 7 wherein the speed sensor comprises:

an optical encoder wheel having a plurality of markings disposed circumferentially thereon; and

an optical sensor adapted to sense the markings as the optical encoder wheel is rotated in contact with the media.