Artcard for the control of the operation of a camera device

• US 6,665,008 B1
• Filed: 07/10/1998
• Issued: 12/16/2003
• 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): VU, NGOC YEN T
• Application Number:
  US09/112,790
• Time in Patent Office: 1,985 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.5225, H04/N.5262, 348/231, 348/232, 348/233, 348/239, 348/552, 348/207.1, 348/207.11, 348/207.2, 348/222.1, 348/231.99, 348/231--23, 358/1.18, 358/1.6, 358/540, 347/2, 347/900, 355/40, 399/1
• US Class Current: 348/239
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16585 for paper-width or non-reciprocating print heads
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17596 Ink pumps, ink valves
• CPC Class Codes: B42D 25/00 Information-bearing cards or sheet-like structures characterised by identification or security features; Manufacture thereof printing processes to produce identification or security features B41M3/14
• 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 19/073 Special arrangements for circuits, e.g. for protecting identification code in memory protection against unauthorised use of computer memory G06F12/14
• 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: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/086 by passive credit-cards adapted therefor, e.g. constructive particularities to avoid counterfeiting, e.g. by inclusion of a physical or chemical security-layer for security documents G07D7/00; for the reading of record-carriers in general G06K7/00; for the design of coded credit-cards G06K19/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/12 Card verification
• 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

The digital camera includes an image sensor for sensing an image; a memory device for storing the sensed image and associated system structures; a card reader sensor for the insertion of an image modification data module for modification of the sensed image; and a processor interconnected to the image sensor, the memory device and the card reader sensor for the control of the camera in addition to the manipulation of the sensed image. The camera further includes a printer for printing out the sensed image on demand on print media; and includes a method of providing an image modification data module adapted to cause the processor to modify the operation of the digital camera upon the insertion of further image modification modules. The image modification data module can comprise a card having the data encoded in two dimensions on the surface thereof and the data encoding is in the form of printing and the card reader sensor includes an optical scanner for scanning a surface of the card. The modification of operation can include applying each image modification in turn of a series of inserted image modification modules to the same image in a repetitive manner.

Claims

1. A method of generating a printed image using a digital camera that includes:

an image sensor for capturing an optical image as digital image data;

memory for storing digital image data;

a reader for receiving print media bearing data in printed form and for reading the instruction data from the print media;

a processor operatively connected to the memory and reader, configured to control the camera and perform image manipulation operations on digital image data in the memory; and

an inbuilt printer for printing the printed image based on digital image data in the memory;

the method including the steps of;

(a) receiving, in the reader, first print media, and reading camera control data printed on the first print media, the camera control data indicating that at least two further print media insertions are to be expected;

(b) modifying, using the processor, a state of the device on the basis of the camera control data, such that the camera awaits at least two further print media insertions;

(c) receiving, in the reader, the at least two further print media insertions, and reading image manipulation data printed on the inserted print media upon each of the further insertions;

(d) manipulating digital image data stored in the memory at least partially on the basis of the image manipulation data, thereby to generate manipulated image data; and

(e) generating, using the printer, the printed image based at least partially on the manipulated image data.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) is not performed until at least the two further insertions have taken place.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) is performed incrementally as each of the further print media are inserted into the reader and the corresponding image manipulation data is read.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the data printed on the print media is optically readable, and the reader includes an optical scanner for reading the print media inserted therein.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the data printed on the print media is encoded in a three-dimensional form.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein step (d) includes performing a series of manipulations sequentially on a digital image stored in memory, the series being determined by the order of the image manipulation data on the further inserted print media.

7. A camera for generating a printed image, the camera including:

an image sensor for capturing an optical image as a digital image;

memory for storing digital image data;

a reader for receiving print media bearing data in printed from and for reading the instruction data from the print media;

a processor operatively connected to the memory and reader, configured to control the camera and perform image manipulation operations on digital image data in the memory; and

an inbuilt printer for printing the printed image based on digital image data in the memory;

the camera being programmed and configured to implement the method of claim 1.