Digital camera using exposure information for image processing

• US 7,714,889 B2
• Filed: 04/26/2004
• Issued: 05/11/2010
• 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): VU, NGOC YEN T
• Application Number:
  US10/831,234
• Publication Number:
  US 20040263675A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,206 Days
• Field of Search: 348/207.2, 348/211.3, 348/216.1, 348/311, 348/239, 348/333.02, 348/333.04, 348/227.1
• US Class Current: 348/207.2
• 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 2202/21 Line printing
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/79 in semiconductor storage media, e.g. directly-addressable memories
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/86 Secure or tamper-resistant housings
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user
• 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: G07F 7/08 by coded identity card or credit card or other personal identification means without personal verification means G07F7/02
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/086 by passive credit-cards adapted therefor, e.g. constructive particularities to avoid counterfeiting, e.g. by inclusion of a physical or chemical security-layer for security documents G07D7/00; for the reading of record-carriers in general G06K7/00; for the design of coded credit-cards G06K19/10
• CPC Class Codes: G07F 7/12 Card verification
• CPC Class Codes: G11C 11/56 using storage elements with more than two stable states represented by steps, e.g. of voltage, current, phase, frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/0044 for image preview or review, e.g. to help the user position a sheet
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 1/2112 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 2101/00 Still video cameras
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/00 Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 23/70 : Circuitry for compensating brightness variation in the scene
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/2628 : Alteration of picture size, shape, position or orientation, e.g. zooming, rotation, rolling, perspective, translation

Abstract

A digital camera with an auto exposure setting that adjusts the image data captured by the CCD in response to the lighting conditions at image capture; and,

• • an image processor for processing image data from the CCD and storing the processed data; wherein,
  • the image processor is adapted to use information from the auto exposure setting relating to the lighting conditions at image capture when processing the image data from the CCD.

Claims

1. A digital camera for sensing and storing an image, the camera comprising:

an image sensor with a charge coupled device (CCD) for capturing image data relating to a sensed image, and an auto exposure setting for adjusting the image data captured by the CCD in response to the lighting conditions at image capture;

an image processor for processing image data from the CCD and storing the processed data;

a printer for printing the image data processed by the image processor; and

an interface for receiving a cartridge with a roll of media substrate having postcard indicia and memory storing information regarding a length of each rolled postcard having the postcard indicia;

wherein,

the image processor is adapted to use information from the auto exposure setting relating to the lighting conditions at image capture and the information regarding the length of each roller postcard read from the cartridge memory when processing the image data from the CCD to produce the processed data for printing by the printer onto the roll of media substrate.

2. A digital camera according to claim 1 wherein the printer has an inkjet printhead for printing the image data processed by the image processor.

3. A digital camera according to claim 2 wherein the cartridge has ink for use by the inkjet printhead.

4. A digital camera according to claim 2 wherein the image processor uses the information from the auto exposure setting to determine a re-mapping of colour data within the image data from the CCD such that the printhead prints an amended image that takes account of the light conditions at image capture.

5. A digital camera according to claim 4 wherein the re-mapping of the colour data produces deeper and richer colours in the amended image when the light conditions at image capture are dim.

6. A digital camera according to claim 4 wherein the re-mapping of the colour data produces brighter and more saturated colours in the amended image when the light conditions at image capture are bright.