Orientation detection for digital cameras

• US 6,597,817 B1
• Filed: 07/10/1998
• Issued: 07/22/2003
• 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): Patel, Jayanti K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Kassa, Yosef
• Application Number:
  US09/112,747
• Time in Patent Office: 1,838 Days
• Field of Search: 382/118, 382/113, 382/115, 382/153, 382/103, 382/107, 382/282, 382/289, 382/291, 382/295, 382/296, 382/297, 382/123, 382/126, 382/287, 382/288, 382/293, 382/307, 348/233.06, 348/239, 348/540, 348/552, 348/583, 348/208.1, 348/208.3, 348/208.4, 348/208.13, 348/208.14, 348/208, 348/99
• US Class Current: 382/289
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 Ink pumps, ink valves
• 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 1/00326 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 1/32133 on the same paper sheet, e.g. a facsimile page header
• 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

This patent describes a print roll for use in an instant camera device, the print roll having a ink return tray for collecting excess waste ink from the printing process. The return tray can comprises a sponge-like strip affixed to a leaf portion of the print roll.

Claims

1. A camera device comprising:

an area image sensor adapted to sense an image;

an image store adapted to store the sensed image;

an orientation sensor adapted to sense the camera'"'"'s rotational orientation with respect to gravity;

a processor adapted to process said sensed image utilizing said sensed camera orientation by applying an orientation-dependent transform to said sensed image to produce a transformed image; and

an inbuilt printer for printing out said transformed image on print media,

wherein said orientation-dependent transform is selected from the group comprising;

(i) detecting, using said sensed camera orientation, at least one face within said sensed image, and altering said sensed image in relation to said at least one detected face to produce said transformed image; and

(ii) placing, at an orientation consistent with said sensed camera orientation, textual information within said sensed image to produce said transformed image.

2. The camera device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said orientation-dependent transform includes the distorting of features within said sensed image to produce said transformed image.

3. A method of processing an image captured by a digital camera device comprising:

an area image sensor adapted to sense an image;

an image store adapted to store the sensed image;

an orientation sensor adapted to sense the camera'"'"'s rotational orientation with respect to gravity;

a processor adapted to process said sensed image to produce a transformed image; and

an inbuilt printer adapted to print out said transformed image,

said method comprising the steps of;

(a) sensing, via said orientation sensor, the camera'"'"'s rotational orientation with respect to gravity;

(b) processing, via said processor, said sensed image utilizing said sensed camera orientation by applying an orientation-dependent transform to said sensed image to produce said transformed image;

(c) printing, via said inbuilt printer, said transformed image, wherein said orientation-dependent transform is selected from the group comprising;

(i) detecting, using said sensed camera orientation, at least one face within said sensed image, and altering said sensed image in relation to said at least one detected face to produce said transformed image; and

(ii) placing, at an orientation consistent with said sensed camera orientation, textual information within said sensed image to produce said transformed image.

4. A method as claimed in claim 3 wherein said orientation-dependent transform further comprises one or more of:

(iii) the distortion of features within said sensed image to produce said transformed image; and

(iv) the placement of information relevant to facial features of animals or humans appearing within the image, to produce said transformed image.