Cascading image modification using multiple digital cameras incorporating image processing

• US 7,286,169 B2
• Filed: 08/18/2003
• Issued: 10/23/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 07/10/1998
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Lapstun, Paul, Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Ometz, David
• Assistant Examiner(s): PRABHAKHER, PRITHAM DAVID
• Application Number:
  US10/642,331
• Publication Number:
  US 20040032508A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,527 Days
• Field of Search: 348/218.1, 348/47, 348/48, 348/211.11, 348/239
• US Class Current: 348/239
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• 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 1/00485 providing a hardcopy output to the user, e.g. print out
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00965 using a plug-in memory module, e.g. memory card, memory stick
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00968 by scanning marks on a sheet mark-sheet input means H04N1/00355; sensing record carriers G06K7/00
• 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 2201/001 Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0041 Point to point H04N2201/0039 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0049 By wire, cable or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/66 Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/90 Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/262 Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2621 Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects during image pickup, e.g. digital cameras, camcorders, video cameras having integrated special effects capability

Abstract

This patent describes a multi effect system to provide enhanced image effects. The effects are provided by interconnecting a series of camera manipulation units, each of the camera manipulation units applying an image manipulation to an inputted image so as to produce a manipulated output image. The manipulation instructions can be provided by inputting instructions to each manipulation unit by means of detachable cards. The interconnections can include branches and loops wherein required.

Claims

1. A camera for creating and displaying a manipulated image, the camera comprising:

(a) image capture means configured to capture a real image and convert it to captured image data;

(b) input means configured to receive input image data from a source other than the camera;

(c) image manipulation means configured to receive the input image data from the input means and manipulate it to form a manipulated image;

(d) output means configured to receive the manipulated image from the image manipulation means and to output the manipulated image from the camera;

(e) display means configured to receive the manipulated image from the image manipulation means and to display the manipulated image;

(f) a storage-device reader configured to read image manipulation instructions stored on a manipulation-instruction storage-device, wherein the manipulation-instruction storage-device comprises a card having a surface, upon which is printed at least one image manipulation instruction in encoded form.

2. A camera according to claim 1, wherein the input means is configured to receive the input image from an input-image-providing camera.

3. A camera according to claim 2, wherein the input means comprises at least one USB or Firewire port.

4. A camera according to claim 1, wherein the output means is configured to output the manipulated image to a manipulated-image-receiving camera.

5. A camera according to claim 4 wherein the output means comprises at least one USB or Firewire port.

6. A camera according to claim 5 wherein the display means comprises a printer device and wherein the display means is configured to display the manipulated image by printing it.

7. A camera according to claim 1, wherein the image manipulation means is configured to generate the manipulated image by manipulating the input image in accordance with image manipulation instructions received from a manipulation-instruction storage-device via the storage-device reader.

8. A camera according to claim 1, wherein the card comprises an “

Artcard”

as described herein.

9. A manipulated image formed using a camera according to claim 1.

10. A manipulated image according to claim 9, comprising a printed manipulated image.

11. A plurality of cameras for creating a manipulated image, the plurality of cameras including:

(a) a primary camera, comprising;

(i) image capture means configured to capture a real image as a primary captured image;

(ii) image manipulation means configured to manipulate the primary captured image to form a primary manipulated image;

(iii) image providing means configured to receive the primary manipulated image from the image manipulation means and provide the primary manipulated image to a secondary camera; and

(b) a secondary camera, comprising;

(i) image capture means configured to capture a real image as a secondary captured image;

(ii) image receiving means configured to receive the primary manipulated image from the image providing means of the primary camera; and

(iii) image manipulation means configured to receive the primary manipulated image from the image receiving means and manipulate the primary manipulated image to form a secondary manipulated image;

wherein the primary and secondary cameras each comprises a storage-device reader configured to read image-manipulation instructions stored on a manipulation-instruction storage-device; and

wherein the manipulation instruction storage device comprises a card having a surface and at least one image manipulation instruction printed on the surface in encoded form.

12. A plurality of cameras according to claim 11, wherein the secondary camera further comprises display means configured to receive the secondary manipulated image from the image manipulation means and display it.

13. A plurality of cameras according to claim 12, wherein the display means comprises a printer device configured to print the secondary manipulated image.

14. A plurality of cameras according to claim 11, wherein the secondary camera further comprises image providing means configured to receive the secondary manipulated image from the image manipulation means of the secondary camera and to provide the secondary manipulated image to one or more further cameras.

15. A plurality of cameras according to claim 14, wherein the image providing means of the secondary camera comprises at least one USB or Firewire port.

16. A plurality of cameras according to claim 11, wherein the image providing means of the primary camera comprises at least one USB or Firewire port.

17. A plurality of cameras according to claim 11, wherein the image receiving means of the secondary camera comprises at least one USB or Firewire port.

18. A plurality of cameras according to claim 11, wherein the image manipulation means of the primary camera is configured to form the primary manipulated image by manipulating the input image in accordance with image manipulation instructions received from a manipulation instruction storage device via the storage-device reader of the primary camera.

19. A plurality of cameras according to claim 11, wherein the image manipulation means of the secondary camera is configured to form the secondary manipulated image by manipulating the primary manipulated image in accordance with image manipulation instructions received from a manipulation instruction storage device via the manipulation instruction storage device reader of the secondary camera.

20. A plurality of cameras according to claim 11, wherein said card comprises an “

Artcard”

as described herein.

21. A secondary manipulated image formed using a plurality of cameras according to claim 11.

22. A secondary manipulated image according to claim 21, comprising a printed secondary manipulated image.

23. A method for forming a manipulated image comprising the steps of:

(a) providing a primary camera, the primary camera comprising;

(i) image capture means;

(ii) image manipulation means; and

(iii) image providing means; and

(b) providing a secondary camera, the secondary camera comprising;

(i) image capture means;

(ii) image receiving means; and

(iii) image manipulation means, the primary camera performing the steps of;

(c) capturing a real image as a captured image using the image capture means;

(d) manipulating the captured image using the image manipulation means to form a primary manipulated image;

(e) providing the primary manipulated image to the secondary camera via the image providing means; and

the secondary camera performing the steps of;

(f) receiving the primary manipulated image from the image providing means of the primary camera via the image receiving means of the secondary camera; and

(g) manipulating the primary manipulated image using the image manipulation means to form a secondary manipulated image;

wherein the primary and secondary cameras each further comprise a storage-device reader configured to read image-manipulation instructions stored on a manipulation-instruction storage-device; and

wherein the manipulation instruction storage device comprises a card having a surface, upon which is printed at least one image manipulation instruction in encoded form.

24. A method according to claim 23, wherein the secondary camera further comprises display means, the method further including the step of displaying the secondary manipulated image using the display means.

25. A method according to claim 24, wherein the display means comprises a printer device and wherein the secondary camera performs the step of displaying the secondary manipulated image by printing the secondary manipulated image using the printer device.

26. A method according to claim 23, wherein the secondary camera further comprises image providing means, the method including the step of providing the secondary manipulated image to a further camera via the image providing means of the second camera.

27. A method according to claim 26, wherein the image providing means of the secondary camera comprises at least one USB or Firewire port.

28. A method according to claim 23, wherein the image providing means of the primary camera comprises at least one USB or Firewire port.

29. A method according to claim 23, wherein the image receiving means of the secondary camera comprises at least one USB or Firewire port.

30. A method according to claim 23, wherein the image manipulation means of the primary camera performs the step of manipulating the captured image by manipulating the captured image in accordance with image manipulation instructions received from a manipulation-instruction storage-device via the storage-device reader of the primary camera.

31. A method according to claim 23, wherein the image manipulation means of the secondary camera performs the step of manipulating the primary manipulated image by manipulating the primary manipulated image in accordance with image manipulation instructions received from a manipulation-instruction storage-device via the storage-device reader of the secondary camera.

32. A method according to claim 23, wherein said card comprises an “

Artcard”

as described herein.

33. A secondary manipulated image formed by the method of claim 23.

34. A secondary manipulated image according to claim 33, comprising a printed secondary manipulated image.