Image storage apparatus and method

• US 20070091363A1
• Filed: 10/19/2006
• Published: 04/26/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 10/19/2005
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Han, Dong-hun, Lee, Chong-wan
• Application Number:
  US11/582,987
• Publication Number:
  US 20070091363A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: G11B 33/122 Arrangements for providing electrical connections, e.g. connectors, cables, switches
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• 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 1/00384 Key input means, e.g. buttons or keypads electromechanical details of key input means in general H01H13/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00408 Display of information to the user, e.g. menus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2175 with local image input
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0036 Detecting or checking connection
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0058 Docking-station, cradle or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0087 Image storage device

Abstract

An image storage apparatus and method are provided, in which a docking unit is connected with an image capturing device, a reader reads image data generated by the image capturing device from the image capturing device, a data storage unit stores the read image data, and a print controller controls an image forming device to print the stored image data by transmitting the stored image data to the image forming device. Accordingly, the image data stored in the image capturing device can be easily and quickly stored separately and printed. In addition, the image storage apparatus can perform other jobs even when printing is being performed, and various functions can be provided by supporting peripherals.

Claims

1. An image storage apparatus connected to an image capturing device generating image data by acquiring an image and an image forming device printing image data, the apparatus comprising:

a docking unit connected with the image capturing device;

a reader for reading the generated image data from the image capturing device;

a data storage unit for storing the read image data; and

a print controller for controlling the image forming device to print the stored image data by transmitting the stored image data to the image forming device.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the docking unit comprises:

a connector directly connected to the image capturing device; and

an interface unit for interfacing with the connected image capturing device.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the reader comprises:

a docking sensor for sensing whether the image capturing device is docked; and

a data reader for reading the image data from the docked image capturing device in response to the sensing result.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a data selector for allowing a user to select image data to be printed among image data stored in the data storage unit,

wherein the print controller controls the image forming device to print the selected image data by transmitting the selected image data to the image forming device.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the data selector comprises:

a display unit for displaying the image data stored in the data storage unit; and

an input unit for allowing an image data selection to be printed among the displayed image data.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a charger for charging the docked image capturing device by supplying power to the docked image capturing device.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an image editor for editing the image data stored in the data storage unit.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a connection unit connected to the image forming device using at least one of wired, wireless, and docking methods.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the connection unit is connected to a host device.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image storage apparatus is formed in one body with the image forming device.

11. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the connector can be connected to the image capturing device via a wired line.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a display panel for displaying information regarding an operation and control of the image storage apparatus.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a key panel for controlling an operation and input information of the image storage apparatus, selecting image data displaying on a display panel, and inputting information to edit image data.

23. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the image editor displays the image data stored in the data storage unit and edits image data by inputting editing information.

24. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the print controller comprises:

a selection for selecting a trimming function of cutting and outputting a portion of the image data;

an index print function of printing a plurality of photographs on a sheet of paper as a small thumbnail;

an image cutting function;

a selection for selecting a number of sheets of paper to print; and

a selection for selecting a size of printing.

25. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image capturing device comprises a digital camcorder.

26. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image capturing device comprises a cellular phone comprising a camera function.

27. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the image capturing device comprises a digital camera.

14. A method of storing images for an image storage apparatus connected to an image capturing device generating image data by acquiring an image and an image forming device printing image data, the method comprising:

docking the image capturing device;

reading the generated image data from the image capturing device; and

storing the read image data.

15. The method of claim 14, further comprising controlling the image forming device to print the stored image data by transmitting the stored image data to the image forming device.

16. The method of claim 14, wherein the reading comprises:

sensing whether the image capturing device is docked; and

reading the image data from the docked image capturing device if it is sensed that the image capturing device is docked.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein the controlling comprises:

allowing a user to select image data to be printed among the stored image data; and

controlling the image forming device to print the selected image data by transmitting the selected image data to the image forming device.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the allowing comprises:

displaying the stored image data; and

allowing the user to select image data to be printed among the displayed image data.

19. The method of claim 14, further comprising charging the docked image capturing device by supplying power to the docked image capturing device.

20. The method of claim 15, wherein, in the controlling, the image storage apparatus is connected to the image forming device using one of wired, wireless, and docking methods.

21. The method of claim 14, further comprising reading and editing the stored image data.

28. The method of claim 14, wherein the image capturing device comprises a digital camcorder.

29. The method of claim 14, wherein the image capturing device comprises a cellular phone comprising a camera function.

30. The method of claim 14, wherein the image capturing device comprises a digital camera.

22. A computer readable recording medium storing a computer readable program for executing a method for storing images for an image storage apparatus connected to an image capturing device generating image data by acquiring an image and an image forming device printing image data, the method comprising:

docking the image capturing device;

reading the generated image data from the image capturing device;

storing the read image data

controlling the image forming device to print the stored image data by transmitting the stored image data to the image forming device

charging the docked image capturing device by supplying power to the docked image capturing device; and

editing the stored image data.