Camera system including digital audio message recording on photographs

• US 6,322,181 B1
• Filed: 07/10/1998
• Issued: 11/27/2001
• Est. Priority Date: 09/23/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Barlow, John
• Assistant Examiner(s): Do, An H.
• Application Number:
  US09/112,748
• Time in Patent Office: 1,236 Days
• Field of Search: 396/312, 400/613, 348/375, 369/14, 347/13, 347/42, 347/109, 347/2
• US Class Current: 347/2
• 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 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 is disclosed having a sensor for sensing an image; a processor for processing the sensed image in accordance with a predetermined processing requirement, if any; an audio recorder for recording an audio signal to be associated with the sensed image; a printer for printing the processed sensed image on a first area of a print media supplied with the camera system, in addition to printing an encoded version of the audio signal on a second area of the print media. Preferably the sensed image is printed on a first surface of the print media and the encoded version of the audio signal is printed on a second surface of the print media. The print media can be is supplied in the camera system on a detachable print roll and the printer means includes at least one ink jet print head for printing the processed sensed image and a second pring head for the encoded version of the audio signal. The encoding can include Reed-Solomon encoding of the audio-signal. The encoded version can be further modulated with a high frequency component such as a checkerboard pattern to assist in sensing of the encoded version.

Claims

1. A camera system comprising:

sensor means for sensing an image;

processing means for processing said sensed image in accordance with a predetermined processing requirement, if any;

audio recording means for recording an audio signal associated with said sensed image;

means for processing said audio signal into a fault tolerant encoded digital version;

printer means including at least one pagewidth printhead for printing said processed sensed image using an ink jet printing process on a first area of a print media and for printing said fault tolerant encoded digital version of said audio signal on a second area of said print media, as an array of ink dots, said camera system comprising a portable hand held unit for the imaging of scenes by said image sensor means and printing said scenes directly out of said camera system via said printer means.

2. A camera system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said sensed image is printed on a first surface of said print media and said encoded version of said audio signal is printed on a second surface of said print media.

3. A camera system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said print media is supplied in said camera system on a detachable print roll.

4. A camera system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said printer means includes at least one ink jet print head for printing said processed sensed image in addition to a second print head for printing said encoded version of said audio signal.

5. A camera system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said encoding comprises Reed-Solomon encoding of said audio-signal.

6. A camera system as claimed in claim 1 wherein said encoded version is modulated with a high frequency component to assist in sensing of said encoded version.

7. A camera system as claimed in claim 6 wherein said high frequency component comprises a checkerboard pattern.

8. A camera system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said encoded version of said audio signal is printed as an array of ink dots.

9. A camera system as claimed in claim 8, wherein said ink dots are printed on the reverse side of the print media to which said sensed image is printed.

10. A method of recording an audio signal associated with a photograph, the method comprising:

sensing an input image;

printing using an ink jet printing process said input image using a pagewidth printhead on a first surface of a print media;

recording an associated audio signal, processing said associated audio signal into a fault tolerant encoded digital version and printing said encoded version of said audio signal on a second surface of said print media as an array of ink dots.