Arrangement of ink in a low-cost disposable camera

• US 6,876,394 B1
• Filed: 09/15/2000
• Issued: 04/05/2005
• 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): Garber, Wendy R.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hernandez, Nelson D.
• Application Number:
  US09/663,476
• Time in Patent Office: 1,663 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.2, 348/373, 348/374, 348/376, 348/231.1, 396/27, 396/6
• US Class Current: 348/373
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0018 of images captured using a loaned, rented or limited-use still digital camera, e.g. recyclable or disposable camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00188 Printing, e.g. prints or reprints H04N1/0019, H04N1/00196 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00347 with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32
• 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 2201/0081 Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence

Abstract

A recyclable, one-time use, print on demand, digital camera comprises a chassis. The chassis carries an image sensor device for sensing an image, a processor for processing the sensed image, a pagewidth print head for printing the sensed image, an ink supply arrangement for supplying ink to the print head and a supply of print media onto which the sensed image is printed. A casing surrounds and encases the chassis so that the ink supply arrangement is unable to be accessed without destruction of the casing.

Claims

1. A recyclable, one-time use, print on demand, digital camera comprising:

a chassis comprising;

an image sensor device for sensing an image;

a processing means for processing said sensed image;

a pagewidth print head for printing said sensed image;

an ink supply means for supplying ink to the print head;

a supply of print media on to which said sensed image is printed; and

a casing surrounding and encasing said chassis so that the ink supply means is unable to be accessed without destruction of the casing,

wherein the ink supply means comprises an ink supply cartridge which defines a plurality of ink supply channels, each of which is in communication with the print head and each channel containing a different color ink in use, for enabling full color printing to be effected.

2. The camera of claim 1 in which the casing comprises two shells, the shells being bonded together during one of a manufacturing process and a recycling process.

3. The camera of claim 1 in which the casing is of a recyclable material.

4. The camera of claim 1 in which the ink supply cartridge includes an inlet opening in communication with each channel via which said channel is refilled during recycling of the camera.

5. The camera of claim 1 in which each channel has a vent associated therewith, the vent being open during a refilling operation of the channel to allow egress of air from the channel and the vent being sealed after the refilling operation.

6. The area of claim 5 in which the seal is a replaceable seal to be removed during the refilling operation and replaced by a new seal after completion of the refilling operation.