Camera module for compact printer system

Details Camera module for compact printer system Camera module for compact printer system

2000-05-23

2004-11-02

Ho, Tuan (Department: 2612)

Television

Camera, system and detail

Support or housing

C348S207200, C348S373000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06812972

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a compact printer system able to print full-color, business card size documents from a device about the size of a pen. The system includes various hot-connectable modules that provide a range of functions. In particular the invention relates to a camera module for the compact printer system.
Reference may be had to co-pending applications claiming priority from Australian Provisional Patent Application number PQ0560 dated 25 May 1999. The co-pending applications describe related modules and methods for implementing the compact printer system. The co-pending applications are as follows:
USSN
Title
09/575,182
Compact Color Printer Module
09/575,173
Modular Compact Printer System
 6,416,160
Nozzle Capping Mechanism
 6,238,043
Ink Cartridge for Compact Printer System
09/575,119
Controller for Printer Module
09/575,157
Image Processor for Camera Module
09/554,459
Memory Module for Compact Printer System
09/575,134
Effects Module for Compact Printer System
09/575,121
Effects Processor for Effects Module
09/575,137
Timer Module for Compact Printer System
09/575,167
Color Conversion Method for Compact Printer
System
09/575,120
Method and Apparatus of Dithering
09/575,122
Method and Apparatus of Image Conversion
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Microelectronic manufacturing techniques have led to the miniaturization of numerous devices. Mobile phones, personal digital assistant devices, and digital cameras are very common examples of the miniaturization trend.
One device that has not seen the advantage of microelectronic manufacturing techniques is the printer. Commercially available printers are large compared to many of the devices they could support. For instance, it is impractical to carry a color printer for the purpose of instantly printing photographs taken with known compact digital cameras.
A compact printhead has been described in co-pending United States patent applications filed simultaneously to the present application and hereby incorporated by cross reference:
USSN
Title
09/575,152
Fluidic seal for an ink jet nozzle assembly
 6,428,133
Ink jet printhead having a moving nozzle with an
externally arranged actuator
 6,526,658
Method of manufacture of an ink jet printhead
having a moving nozzle with an externally arranged
actuator
 6,328,417
Ink jet printhead nozzle array
 6,390,591
Nozzle guard for an ink jet printhead
Although digital cameras are known, they require connection to a personal computer before a hardcopy image can be obtained. Generally, it is necessary to upload images from the camera to the personal computer and then print the images on a desktop printer using a proprietary software package that makes the necessary translation between the image format taken by the camera and the format required by the printer. A camera that is able to link directly to a compact printer would be more desirable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one form, the invention resides in a camera module for a compact printer system comprising:
a body;
an image sensor within said body that captures an image of a scene;
an image processor within said body that processes said image into a form suitable for transferring directly to a printer module;
a connection means at an end of said body for connecting said camera module to said printer module, said connection means incorporating connection to a bus providing power and data between said camera module and said printer module.
Further features of the invention will be evident from the following description.


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