Combined camera and printer assembly with a card reader for image processing instructions

• US 20070035566A1
• Filed: 10/20/2006
• Published: 02/15/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1998
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Granted Patent: US 7,483,053 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 347/2
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/0081 Sheet-storing packages, e.g. for protecting the sheets against ambient influences, e.g. light, humidity, changes in temperature
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/155 for line printing
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 Ink pumps, ink valves
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2002/14362 Assembling elements of heads
• 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 3/445 Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2628 Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation

Abstract

A combined camera and printer assembly includes a support structure suitable for housing electronic components. A central processor is positioned in the housing. An area image sensor is mounted on the housing and is co-operative with a view finder and image capture mechanism to permit an operator to capture an image, the central processor being connected to the area image sensor to receive captured image data from the image sensor. A printer assembly is housed in the support structure and is connected to the central processor to print, under control of the central processor, print data based on the image data. A card reader is housed in the support structure and is connected to the central processor. The card reader is configured to read coded data off a card and to communicate the coded data to the central processor. The central processor is configured to apply image processing instructions to the image data based on the coded data.

Claims

1. A combined camera and printer assembly that comprises

a support structure suitable for housing electronic components;

a central processor positioned in the housing;

an area image sensor mounted on the housing and co-operative with a view finder and image capture mechanism to permit an operator to capture an image, the central processor being connected to the area image sensor to receive captured image data from the image sensor;

a printer assembly housed in the support structure and connected to the central processor to print, under control of the central processor, print data based on the image data; and

a card reader housed in the support structure and connected to the central processor, the card reader being configured to read coded data off a card and to communicate the coded data to the central processor, the central processor being configured to apply image processing instructions to the image data based on the coded data.

2. A camera and printer assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the support structure is in the form of a conventional camera housing.

3. A camera and printer assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the central processor includes a VLIW vector processor and area image, printhead and card reader interfaces connected to the VLIW vector processor.

4. A camera and printer assembly as claimed in claim 1, in which the area image sensor is in the form of one of a charge coupled device and an active pixel sensor.

5. A camera and printer assembly as claimed in claim 3, in which the printer assembly includes a pagewidth printhead incorporating at least one array of micro-electromechanical nozzle arrangements on at least one wafer substrate, the printhead interface being configured to communicate data to the nozzle arrangements.

6. A camera and printer arrangement as claimed in claim 5, in which the printer assembly further includes a disposable print roll assembly mounted on a printhead assembly that includes the pagewidth printhead.

7. A camera and printer arrangement as claimed in claim 1, in which the card reader is configured to read two dimensional code defined by an array of dots and defining an image processing script.