Digital camera with integral color printer and modular replaceable print roll

• US 6,788,336 B1
• Filed: 07/10/1998
• Issued: 09/07/2004
• 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): HO, TUAN V
• Application Number:
  US09/113,073
• Time in Patent Office: 2,251 Days
• Field of Search: H04/N.5225, 348/207, 348/220, 348/222, 348/373, 348/374, 348/375, 348/552, 348/376, 348/207.99, 348/222.1, 348/220.1, 348/207.2, 347/1, 347/2, 347/3, 347/49, 400/2, 400/120, 358/471, 358/474, 358/400, 358/442, 358/443
• US Class Current: 348/207.2
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/14427 Structure of ink jet print heads with thermal bend detached actuators
• 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: B41J 2002/041 Electromagnetic transducer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2202/21 Line printing
• 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: 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

A camera has at least one area image sensor for imaging a scene; a processor for processing said imaged scene in accordance with a predetermined requirement; a color printer for printing out the processed imaged scene on print media via said color printer; and a detachable module for storing print media and printing inks for said color printer.

Claims

1. A portable hand held camera comprising:

at least one area image sensor for imaging a scene;

a camera processor means for processing said imaged scene in accordance with a predetermined scene transformation requirement;

a color inkjet printer for printing out said processed imaged scene on print media;

a detachable module for storing said print media and printing inks for said printer;

said camera comprising a unit for the imaging of scenes by said area image sensor and printing said scenes directly out of said camera via said color printer.

2. A portable hand held camera as claimed in claim 1 further comprising a print roll unit for the storage of print media and printing inks for utilization by said printer, said print roll being detachable from said camera system.

3. A portable hand held camera as claimed in claim 2 wherein said print roll includes an authentication chip containing authentication information and said camera processing means is adapted to interrogate said authentication chip so as to determine the authenticity of said print roll when inserted within said camera.

4. A portable hand held camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein said printer comprises a drop on demand inkjet printer.

5. A portable hand held camera as in claim 1 further comprising a guillotine means for the separation of printed photographs.

6. A portable hand held camera as claimed in claim 1 wherein the number of area image sensors is at least two and said camera processor means includes means for deriving a stereoscopic image from said area image sensors and said print media includes means for stereoscopic imaging of said stereo images so as to produce a three dimensional affect.