Artcard for the administration of the operation of a camera device

• US 6,304,291 B1
• Filed: 07/10/1998
• Issued: 10/16/2001
• 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): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): DESIR, JEAN WICEL
• Application Number:
  US09/112,789
• Time in Patent Office: 1,194 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.5262, H04/N.530, 348/187, 348/220, 348/222, 348/239, 348/231, 348/232, 348/552, 348/722, 348/578
• US Class Current: 348/187
• 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 2002/041 Electromagnetic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: B82Y 30/00 Nanotechnology for materials or surface science, e.g. nanocomposites
• 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: 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 1/00326 with a data reading, recognizing or recording apparatus, e.g. with a bar-code apparatus arrangements for the associated working of recording or reproducing apparatus with related apparatus G11B31/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00965 using a plug-in memory module, e.g. memory card, memory stick
• 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 1/32101 Display, printing, storage or transmission of additional information, e.g. ID code, date and time or title
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32144 embedded in the image data, i.e. enclosed or integrated in the image, e.g. watermark, super-imposed logo or stamp
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3222 : of processing required or performed, e.g. forwarding, urgent or confidential handling
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3269 : of machine readable codes or marks, e.g. bar codes or glyphs
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/3276 : of a customised additional information profile, e.g. a profile specific to a user ID
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/328 : Processing of the additional information
• 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 digital camera system is disclosed including an image sensor for sensing an image; storage means for storing the sensed image and associated system structures; data input means for the insertion of an image modification data module for modification of the sensed image; processor means interconnected to the image sensor, the storage means and the data input means for the control of the camera system in addition to the manipulation of the sensed image; printer means for printing out the sensed image on demand on print media supplied to the printer means; including providing an image modification data module adapted to cause the processor means to perform a series of diagnostic tests on the digital camera system and to print out the results via the printer means. Preferably, the image modification module can is comprise a card having instruction data encoded on one surface thereof and the processor means includes means for interpreting the instruction data encoded on the card. The diagnostic tests can include a cleaning cycle for the printer means so as to improve the operation of the printer means such as by printing a continuous all black strip. Alternatively, the diagnostic tests can include modulating the operation of the nozzles so as to improve the operation of the ink jet printer. Additionally, various internal operational parameters of the camera system can be printed out. Where the camera system is equipped with a gravitational shock sensor, the diagnostic tests can include printing out an extreme value of the sensor.

Claims

1. In a digital camera system comprising:

an image sensor for sensing an image;

storage means for storing said sensed image and associated system structures;

data input means for the insertion of an image modification data module, the insertion of the data module effecting modification of a visual representation of said sensed image;

processor means interconnected to said image sensor, said storage means and said data input means for the control of said camera system in addition to the modification of the visual representation of said sensed image;

printer means for printing out said sensed image on demand on print media supplied to said printer means;

the improvement comprising providing an image modification data module adapted to cause said processor means to perform a series of diagnostic tests on said digital camera system, the insertion of said data module effecting the performance of said series of diagnostic tests, and to print out the results via said printer means.

2. A digital camera system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said image modification module comprises a card having instruction data encoded on one surface thereof and said processor means includes means for interpreting said instruction data encoded on said card.

3. A digital camera system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said diagnostic tests include a cleaning cycle for said printer means so as to improve the operation of said printer means.

4. A digital camera system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said diagnostic tests include printing a continuous all black strip by said printer means.

5. A digital camera system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said printer means is an ink jet printer having a large array of nozzles and said diagnostic tests include modulating the operation of said nozzles so as to improve the operation of said ink jet printer.

6. A digital camera system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said diagnostic tests include printing out various internal operational parameters of said camera system.

7. A digital camera system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said camera system further includes a gravitational shock sensor and said diagnostic tests include printing out an extreme value of said sensor.