Typewriting machines – Pocket typewriter
Reexamination Certificate
2000-10-16
2001-09-11
Colilla, Daniel J. (Department: 2854)
Typewriting machines
Pocket typewriter
C400S613000, C400S693000, C396S006000, C396S429000, C396S439000, C396S539000, C347S002000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06287028
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a low cost, recyclable, digital camera. More particularly, the invention relates to a recyclable, one-time use, print on demand, digital camera and specifically to the arrangement of a power supply in such a camera.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Recently, the concept of a “single use” disposable camera has become an increasingly popular consumer item. Disposable camera systems presently on the market normally includes an internal film roll and a simplified gearing mechanism for traversing the film roll across an imaging system including a shutter and lensing system. The user, after utilizing a single film roll returns the camera system to a film development center for processing. The film roll is taken out of the camera system and processed and the prints returned to the user. The camera system is then able to be re-manufactured through the insertion of a new film roll into the camera system, the replacement of any worn or wearable parts and the re-packaging of the camera system in accordance with requirements. In this way, the concept of a single use “disposable” camera is provided to the consumer.
Recently, a camera system has been proposed by the present applicant which provides for a handheld camera device having an internal print head, image sensor and processing means such that images sensed by the image sensing means, are processed by the processing means and adapted to be instantly printed out by the printing means on demand. The proposed camera system further discloses a system of internal “print rolls” carrying print media such as film on to which images are to be printed in addition to ink to supply to the printing means for the printing process. The print roll is further disclosed to be detachable and replaceable within the camera system.
Unfortunately, such a system is likely to only be constructed at a substantial cost and it would be desirable to provide for a more inexpensive form of instant camera system which maintains a substantial number of the quality aspects of the aforementioned arrangement
In particular, in any “disposable camera” it would be desirable to provide for a simple and rapid form of replenishment of the consumable portions in any disposable camera so that the disposable camera can be readily and rapidly serviced by replenishment and return to the market place.
It would be further desirable to provide for a simple means of storage of replenishable portions of a disposable camera system to allow for their rapid replenishment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the invention, there is provided, a recyclable, one-time use, print on demand, digital camera comprising
a housing;
a chassis contained within the housing;
an image sensor device, supported on said chassis, for sensing an image;
a processing means, arranged in the housing, for processing an image sensed by said image sensor device;
a replenishable supply of print media supported on the chassis, the supply of print media including a former defining a chamber and a quantity of print media carried by the former;
a pagewidth print head arranged on the chassis for printing, on demand, said sensed image on the print media as the print media traverses the print head; and
a power supply means arranged within the former of the supply of print media for providing power to the image sensor device, the processing means, the print head and a drive means for the supply of print media.
As indicated, the camera is recyclable. Accordingly, the housing may be recyclable. The housing may comprise a pair of shells of a re-usable, plastics material. The shells may be secured together to surround and enclose the chassis.
The camera may include a supply of ink for supplying ink to the print head. The supply of ink may be in the form of an ink cartridge arranged on the chassis. Due to the recyclability of the camera, the ink cartridge may be refillable.
The former may be a right circular cylinder rotatably supported on the chassis to be rotated by the drive means, the supply of print media being wound around said cylinder to be in roll form.
The power supply means may comprise at least one battery with the former being rotatable about the battery when the print head is printing said sensed image on said print media. In a preferred embodiment, the camera includes two batteries arranged end-to-end. The length of the two batteries in end-to-end relationship may be approximately the same as that of the former so that, in use, each visible end of a battery within the former electrically engages an electrical contact carried on each of opposed end members of the chassis. One of said end members may be removable for removing the former, after depletion of the supply of print media, and the batteries to be able to replace the depleted supply of print media with a new supply and to insert fresh batteries when recycling the camera.
The print head may be an ink jet print head. More particularly, the print head may be formed by semi-conductor fabrication techniques. In particular, the print head is, preferably, manufactured using microelectromechanical techniques.
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patent: 6152619 (2000-11-01), Silverbrook
patent: 62-272682-A (1987-11-01), None
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patent: 6-64262-A (1994-03-01), None
Colilla Daniel J.
Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
LandOfFree
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