Camera and associated printer apparatus

• US 7,463,283 B2
• Filed: 02/12/2003
• Issued: 12/09/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2002
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Ye; Lin
• Assistant Examiner(s): Hernández; Nelson D
• Application Number:
  US10/503,918
• Publication Number:
  US 20050225641A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,127 Days
• Field of Search: 347/2, 347/86, 347/87, 358/906, 358/909.1, 348372-376, 348/207.2, 348/373, 400/88, 400/624
• US Class Current: 348/207.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00127 Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00315 with a radio transmission apparatus with a cordless telephone H04N1/00305; systems or arrangements for the transmission of a picture signal specially adapted for transmission via radio H04N1/00103; H04N1/00307 takes precedence; radio transmission systems H04B7/00; wireless communication networks H04W
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0058 Docking-station, cradle or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0063 Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0065 Converting image data to a format usable by the connected apparatus or vice versa
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof

Abstract

An image printing system includes a portable data capturing device for capturing data relating to an image which it is desired to print. A processor communicates with the data capturing device for processing output data which is output from the data capturing device to provide formatted data suitable for printing. An onboard printing unit is mounted onboard a vehicle and is associated with the processor for printing the formatted data to provide the image.

Claims

1. An image printing system which includes:

a portable data capturing device for capturing data relating to an image which it is desired to print;

a processing means, in communication with said data capturing device, for processing output data which is output from said data capturing device to provide formatted data suitable for printing; and

an onboard printing unit, associated with said processing means, for printing said formatted data to provide said image, wherein the onboard printing unit comprises a printer configured to receive a removable cartridge comprising a base for receiving a stack of print media and an ink reservoir, wherein the stack of print media comprises a plurality of separate print media sheets, wherein the onboard printing unit comprises a gear train which engages a roller configured to remove one of the print media sheets from the stack which is fed to a printhead of the printer to effect printing, wherein the gear train cooperates with a reversing mechanism, wherein the reversing mechanism can be placed in a first state, wherein the gear train engages an upper rack on the cartridge for receiving or ejecting the cartridge, and a second state, wherein the gear train engages the roller to remove one of the print media sheets from the stack.

2. The system of claim 1 in which the data capturing device is a camera.

3. The system of claim 2 in which the camera is a digital camera.

4. The system of claim 3 which includes a receiving means which communicates with the camera to enable data relating to an image captured by the camera and stored in the camera to be received and downloaded to the processing means.

5. The system of claim 1 which includes a communications sub-system mounted in the conveyance for enabling data stored in the data capturing device to be transmitted to a remote location.

6. The system of claim 1 in which the processing means includes a layout engine in communication with the detecting means.

7. The system of claim 6 in which the layout engine lays out data elements to be communicated to the printer so that, when printed on a suitable print media, the data are presented as a visually discernible image.

8. The system of claim 6 in which the processing means further comprises a data manipulating means in communication with the layout engine for manipulating the data to provide the formatted data.

9. The system of claim 8 in which the printing unit includes a printer controller, for receiving the formatted data to be printed, and a printer.

10. The system of claim 9 in which the printer comprises a pagewidth ink jet printhead.

11. The system of claim 10 in which the printhead comprises an array of nozzles, said array being fabricated by microelectromechanical techniques.

12. The system according to claim 1 wherein the printer is configured to automatically eject the cartridge from the printer when the ink reservoir is empty of ink or the cartridge is empty of print media.

13. A method of printing images, the method including the steps of:

capturing data, via a data capturing means, relating to an image which it is desired to print;

processing output data, which is output from said data capturing means, to provide formatted data suitable for printing; and

printing, on an onboard printing unit associated with said processing means, said formatted data to provide said image, wherein the onboard printing unit comprises a printer configured to receive a removable cartridge comprising a base for receiving a stack of print media and an ink reservoir, wherein the stack of print media comprises a plurality of separate print media sheets wherein, wherein the onboard printing unit comprises a gear train which engages a roller configured to remove one of the print media sheets from the stack which is fed to a printhead of the printer to effect printing, wherein the gear train cooperates with a reversing mechanism, wherein the reversing mechanism can be placed in a first state, wherein the gear train engages an upper rack on the cartridge for receiving or ejecting the cartridge, and a second state, wherein the gear train engages the roller to remove one of the print media sheets from the stack.

14. The method of claim 13 which includes capturing the data by means of a camera.

15. The method of claim 14 which includes capturing the data by means of a digital camera.

16. The method of claim 15 which includes causing the camera to communicate with a receiving means in a conveyance to enable data relating to an image captured by the camera and stored in the camera to be received and downloaded.

17. The method of claim 13 which includes causing data stored in the data capturing device to be transmitted to a remote location.

18. The method of claim 13 which includes performing a layout operation on data elements to be communicated to the printer so that, when printed on a suitable print media, the data are presented as a visually discernible image.

19. The method of claim 18 which includes manipulating said data prior to printing the data to provide said formatted data.

20. An onboard image printing system which includes

a camera for capturing data relating to an image which it is desired to print;

a processing means, in communication with said camera, for processing output data which is output from said camera to provide formatted data suitable for printing; and

an onboard printing unit, associated with said processing means, for printing said formatted data to provide said image, wherein the onboard printing unit comprises a printer configured to receive a removable cartridge comprising a base for receiving a stack of print media and an ink reservoir, wherein the stack of print media comprises a plurality of separate print media sheets, wherein the onboard printing unit comprises a gear train which engages a roller configured to remove one of the print media sheets from the stack which is fed to a printhead of the printer to effect printing, wherein the gear train cooperates with a reversing mechanism, wherein the reversing mechanism can be placed in a first state, wherein the gear train engages an upper rack on the cartridge for receiving or ejecting the cartridge and a second state, wherein the gear train engages the roller to remove one of the print media sheets from the stack.

21. The system of claim 20 which includes a receiving means which communicates with the camera to facilitate downloading of the data from the camera to the processing means.

22. A method of printing images onboard a vehicle, the method including the steps of:

capturing data, via a camera, relating to an image which it is desired to print;

processing output data, which is output from said camera, to provide formatted data suitable for printing; and

printing, on an onboard printing unit associated with said processing means, said formatted data to provide said image, wherein the onboard printing unit comprises a printer configured to receive a removable cartridge comprising a base for receiving a stack of print media and an ink reservoir, wherein the stack of print media comprises a plurality of separate print media sheets, wherein the onboard printing unit comprises a gear train which engages a roller configured to remove one of the print media sheets from the stack which is fed to a printhead of the printer to effect printing, wherein the gear train cooperates with a reversing mechanism, wherein the reversing mechanism can be placed in a first state, wherein the gear train engages an upper rack on the cartridge for receiving or ejecting the cartridge, and a second state, wherein the gear train engages the roller to remove one of the print media sheets from the stack.

23. The method of claim 22 which includes causing the camera to communicate with a receiving means in the vehicle to facilitate downloading of data relating to an image captured by the camera to a processing means.

24. An onboard image printing system which includes

a digital camera for capturing data relating to an image which it is desired to print;

a processing means, in communication with said camera, for processing output data which is output from said camera to provide formatted data suitable for printing;

a receiving means which communicates with the camera to facilitate downloading of the data from the camera to the processing means;

an onboard communications sub-system for enabling data stored in the camera to be transmitted to a remote location; and

an onboard printing unit, associated with said processing means, for printing said formatted data to provide said image, wherein the onboard printing unit comprises a printer configured to receive a removable cartridge comprising a base for receiving a stack of print media and an ink reservoir, wherein the stack of print media comprises a plurality of separate print media sheets, wherein the onboard printing unit comprises a gear train which engages a roller configured to remove one of the print media sheets from the stack which is fed to a printhead of the printer to effect printing, wherein the gear train cooperates with a reversing mechanism, wherein the reversing mechanism can be placed in a first state, wherein the gear train engages an upper rack on the cartridge for receiving or ejecting the cartridge, and a second state, wherein the gear train engages the roller to remove one of the print media sheets from the stack.

25. A method of printing images onboard a vehicle, the method including the steps of:

capturing data, via a digital camera, relating to an image which it is desired to print;

processing output data, which is output from said camera, to provide formatted data suitable for printing;

causing the camera to communicate with a receiving means in the vehicle to facilitate downloading of data relating to an image captured by the camera;

causing data stored in the camera to be transmitted to a remote location; and

printing, on an onboard printing unit associated with said processing means, said formatted data to provide said image, wherein the onboard printing unit comprises a printer configured to receive a removable cartridge comprising a base for receiving a stack of print media and an ink reservoir, wherein the stack of print media comprises a plurality of separate print media sheets, wherein the onboard printing unit comprises a gear train which engages a roller configured to remove one of the print media sheets from the stack which is fed to a printhead of the printer to effect printing, wherein the gear train cooperates with a reversing mechanism, wherein the reversing mechanism can be placed in a first state, wherein the gear train engages an upper rack on the cartridge for receiving or ejecting the cartridge, and a second state, wherein the gear train engages the roller to remove one of the print media sheets from the stack.