Paper guide system in a print on demand digital camera system

• US 6,196,739 B1
• Filed: 07/10/1998
• Issued: 03/06/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Hilten, John S.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nolan, Jr., Charles H.
• Application Number:
  US09/112,773
• Time in Patent Office: 970 Days
• Field of Search: 400/582, 347/2, 347/43
• US Class Current: 400/582
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 Ink pumps, ink valves
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 1/121 by printing code marks applying code marks to labels B65C9/46; marking or coding completed packages B65B61/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/06037 multi-dimensional coding
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/14 using light without selection of wavelength, e.g. sensing reflected white light G06K7/10831 - G06K7/1097 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/1417 2D bar codes
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/56 using storage elements with more than two stable states represented by steps, e.g. of voltage, current, phase, frequency
• 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 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 camera system comprising: an image sensor device for sensing an image; a processing means for processing the sensed image; a print media supply means provided for the storage of a roll of print media for the printing of images; a page width print head molding including a print head for printing the sensed image on print media stored internally in the print media supply means in addition to a series of ink supply chambers for the storage of ink for utilization by the print head; a series of print rollers interconnected in the path between the print media supply means and the page width print head molding for pinching the paper and driving the paper past the print head. Preferably, the number of print rollers is at least 3 and the print rollers apply a decurling twist to the print media. The print rollers are snap fitted to the camera system. Two of the print roller can be mounted on a first chassis which to which the print head molding is also mounted and a third one of the print rollers is mounted on a detachable platten device.

Claims

1. A recyclable, one-time use, print on demand, camera comprising:

an image sensor device for sensing an image;

a processing means for processing for processing said sensed image;

a supply of print media on to which said sensed image is printed;

a page width print head molding including a page width print head for printing said sensed image on said print media, the molding including an ink supple means defining plurality of ink supply chambers in each of which a different color ink is stored to enable full color printing to be effected by said print head and

a plurality of print rollers arranged in a path between said supply of print media and said page width print head molding for engaging said print media and driving said print media past said print head, at least certain of said rollers being mounted on a detachable platten device, the platten device being removably received between the print head and the supply of print media.

2. A camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein said print rollers pinch the print media between them as the print media is fed from said supply to apply a decurling action to said print media.

3. A camera as claimed in claim 1 which includes a chassis and certain of said print rollers are rotatably received on said chassis.

4. A camera as claimed in claim 3 wherein two of said print rollers are mounted on the chassis to which said print head molding is also mounted and a third print roller is rotatable mounted on said platten device.

5. A camera as claimed in claim 4 wherein said third print roller is arranged between the other two print rollers.

6. A camera as claimed in claim 3 wherein said platten device is snap fitted to said chassis.