Modular camera and printer system

• US 7,576,776 B2
• Filed: 04/18/2005
• Issued: 08/18/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 05/25/1999
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Google LLC (Alphabet Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Walmsley, Simon Robert, Silverbrook, Kia
• Primary Examiner(s): Ye, Lin
• Assistant Examiner(s): HERNANDEZ, NELSON D
• Application Number:
  US11/107,798
• Publication Number:
  US 20050179749A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,583 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.2, 348/211.4, 348/211.6, 348/333.06, 348/333.07, 348/333.02, 348/207.99, 348/207.1, 348/207.11, 348/373, 348/374, 348/375, 348/376, 348/552, 348/264, 348/265, 348/263, 348/48, 348/286, 396/264, 396/265, 396/263, 396/48, 396/286, 358/906
• US Class Current: 348/207.2
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 11/008 Controlling printhead for accurately positioning print image on printing material, e.g. with the intention to control the width of margins
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/02 Rollers roller platens B41J11/04
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/103 for the sheet feeding section
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 13/12 specially adapted for small cards, envelopes, or the like , e.g. credit cards, cut visiting cards
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 19/207 Encoding along a bar
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/01 Ink jet
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/155 for line printing
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16508 connected with the printer frame
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/16579 Detection means therefor, e.g. for nozzle clogging
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17503 Ink cartridges
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17513 Inner structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/1752 Mounting within the printer
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17523 Ink connection
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17553 Outer structure
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17566 Ink level or ink residue control
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 23/02 Mechanical power drives
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/02 Framework
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/023 with reduced dimensions
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/393 Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine ; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/44 : Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms having dual functions or combined with, or coupled to, apparatus performing other functions
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/445 : Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/46 : Printing mechanisms combined with apparatus providing a visual indication
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 15/05 : Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/02 : Bodies
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 17/50 : with both developing and finishing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 2215/05 : Combinations of cameras with electronic flash units
• CPC Class Codes: G03B 29/00 : Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/32 : for games, toys, sports, or amusements
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3232 : wherein the operator is informed
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 17/3262 : Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00249 : with a photographic apparatus, e.g. a photographic printer or a projector photographic apparatus per se G03B, G03D
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00265 : with a photographic printing apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00278 : with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer
• 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 1/00397 : Switches, knobs or the like
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00538 : Modular devices, i.e. allowing combinations of separate components, removal or replacement of components
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00541 : with detachable image reading apparatus
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00557 : Connection or assembly of components or elements H04N1/00538 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0083 : Arrangements for transferring signals between different components of the apparatus, e.g. arrangements of signal lines or cables for control or supervision between image input and output device H04N1/32
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/00962 : Input arrangements for operating instructions or parameters, e.g. updating internal software program loading in general G06F9/445; network-specific protocols involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/107 : with manual scanning
• 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 1/32358 : using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter H04N1/17 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/32598 : Bus based systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/387 : Composing, repositioning or otherwise geometrically modifying originals
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/405 : Halftoning, i.e. converting the picture signal of a continuous-tone original into a corresponding signal showing only two levels
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/52 : Circuits or arrangements for halftone screening
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/60 : Colour correction or control H04N1/54 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/6019 : using look-up tables H04N1/6025 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/62 : Retouching, i.e. modification of isolated colours only or in isolated picture areas only
• 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 2201/0081 : Image reader H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0082 : Image hardcopy reproducer H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0084 : Digital still camera
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 2201/0096 : Portable devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/50 : Constructional details
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/51 : Housings

Abstract

A modular camera system is provided. The system comprises a camera module, a timer module and a printer module. The modules are mutually interconnectable via a bus, the bus providing power and data between the modules.

Claims

1. A modular camera system, comprising:

a camera module provided without a power source;

a timer module; and

a printer module having a print head and a portable power source housed together within a main body of the printer module, the printer module being operable independent of the camera module, wherein

said modules are detachably interconnectable to form a bus, the bus operable to transfer power from the portable power source of the printer module to interconnected modules, and

the main body of the printer module includes a first interconnection means to which the camera module is detachably interconnected, and a second interconnection means provided at an opposite end of the main body to the first interconnection means and to which the timer module is detachably interconnected.

2. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the timer module comprises:

a body modularly separable from the camera module and the printer module;

control means provided within said body operable to automate the capture of multiple images by the camera module, the capture of each image being separated by a specific time interval; and

at least one connection means incorporated in said body for connecting said timer module to the bus.

3. The camera system of claim 2 wherein said control means automates storage of images in at least one memory module connected to said bus.

4. The camera system of claim 2, wherein the body of the timer module comprises at least one connection means incorporated in said body, a first of the at least one connection means adapted to connect said timer module to at least one of said camera module and said memory module.

5. The camera system of claim 2, wherein the body of the timer module comprises two connection means incorporated in said body, a first of the two connection means adapted to connect to said camera module and a second of the two connection means adapted to connect the timer module to further modules in a stackable manner.

6. The camera system of claim 2, wherein the body of the timer module further comprises an LCD, said LCD being connected to said control means and providing information about said time intervals,

wherein said LCD displays a plurality of icons indicative of a unit and a number of said units of said specific time interval and a proportion of said time interval elapsed until a next image capture time.

7. The camera system of claim 2 wherein said control means further comprises information about an image number and a target memory module for storage of said captured images.

8. The camera system of claim 2 further comprising a SELECT button to select a unit of said specific time interval.

9. The camera system of claim 2 further comprising a UNITS button to select a number of units of said specific time interval.

10. The camera system of claim 2 further comprising a START/STOP button to start and stop a countdown of at least one of said specific time intervals.

11. The camera system of claim 2 wherein said bus is a Serial Bus.

12. The camera system of claim 1, wherein the printer module comprises a pagewidth inkjet printhead.

13. The camera system of claim 12, wherein the printhead has a width suitable for printing onto business card-sized print media.