Binocular glasses with an integral printer device

• US 6,357,135 B1
• Filed: 07/10/1998
• Issued: 03/19/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 07/15/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google Inc. (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): HALLACHER, CRAIG ALAN
• Application Number:
  US09/112,758
• Time in Patent Office: 1,348 Days
• Field of Search: 359/634, 359/407, 359/363, 400/613, 347/87, 347/3, 347/2, 346/17, 358/300, 396/548, 348/335-341, 348/343
• 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 portable imaging system for viewing distant objects is disclosed comprising an optical lensing system for magnifying a viewed distant object; a sensing system for simultaneously sensing said viewed distant object; a processor means interconnected to said sensing system for processing said sensed image and forwarding it to a printer mechanism; and a printer mechanism connected to said processor means for printing out on print media said sensed image on demand by said portable imaging system. Preferably the system further comprises a detachable print media supply means provided in a detachable module for interconnection with said printer mechanism for the supply of a roll of print media and ink to said printer mechanism. The printer mechanism can comprise an ink jet printing mechanism providing a full color printer for the output of sensed images. The preferred embodiment is implemented as a system of binoculars with a beam splitting device which projects said distant object onto said sensing system.

Claims

1. A portable hand-held imaging system for viewing distant objects comprising:

a binocular lens system for magnifying a viewed distant object, the binocular lens system having a first light input arrangement and a second light input arrangement, the light input arrangements each defining a light input path terminating at an eyepiece;

a sensing system that is operatively arranged with respect to the first light input arrangement, for sensing said viewed distant object at the same time the object is viewed by a user;

a beam splitting device that is positioned within the light input path of the first light input arrangement to split a beam carrying an image of the distant object into a first beam directed to said sensing system and a second beam directed to the eyepiece of the first light input arrangement;

a processing means interconnected to said sensing system for processing said sensed image; and

a printer mechanism which is mounted on the optical lens system and is connected to said processor means, the printer mechanism being configured to print out said sensed image on demand on print media.

2. A portable hand-held imaging system as claimed in claim 1 further comprising:

a detachable module which is configured to be connected to said printer mechanism and which is configured so that a print media supply means can be detachably attached thereto for the supply of print media to said printer mechanism.

3. A portable, hand-held imaging system as claimed in claim 1, in which the second light input arrangement includes an attenuation filter positioned in the light input path of the second light input arrangement to attenuate a beam of light directed into the second light input arrangement, the attenuation filter being configured so that the said beam of light is of substantially the same intensity as the beam of light in the first light input arrangement.