Facsimile and static presentation processing – Static presentation processing – Specific to image source
Reexamination Certificate
1998-10-14
2003-02-04
Evans, Arthur G. (Department: 2622)
Facsimile and static presentation processing
Static presentation processing
Specific to image source
C358S001100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06515761
ABSTRACT:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is based upon and claims priority of Japanese Patent Application Nos. 09-280415 filed Oct. 14, 1997 and 09-285535 filed Oct. 17, 1997, the contents being incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an electronic camera having a printer with a paper feed device using a vibration actuator. Furthermore, the present invention is related to a paper feed device, suitable for use in conjunction with an electronic camera, which delivers recording sheets one at a time (seriatim) from a stack of recording sheets maintained in a layered state in a fixed position, and, more particularly, the present invention relates to a paper feed device having an ultrasonic motor to forward recording sheets.
2. Description of the Related Art
In conventional electronic cameras, such as shown in
FIG. 44
, printing of picture data photographed with the electronic camera
1
is performed by bringing the electronic camera
1
to a place where a printer
3
is set up, connecting the electronic camera
1
to the printer
3
using a cable
5
, and transferring the picture data within the electronic camera
1
to the printer
3
.
As shown in
FIG. 44
, the conventional printer
3
includes a central control circuit
7
, a control panel
9
, and a printing mechanism
11
. A print lamp
9
a
and a print button
9
b
are arranged on the control panel
9
to control printing. The printing mechanism
11
is connected to the central control circuit
7
, and photosensitive, pressure-sensitive paper
13
is stored in the printing mechanism
11
. A paper ejection aperture
3
b
for ejection of the photosensitive, pressure-sensitive paper
13
which has been printed is formed in a wall
3
a
of the printer
3
, adjacent to the printing mechanism
11
.
In the operation of the printer
3
, picture data is transmitted to the central control circuit
7
from the electronic camera
1
via the connecting cable
5
. After the picture data has been transferred to the central control circuit
7
, the picture data is temporarily stored by the central control circuit
7
, and the print lamp
9
a
is lighted. Next, when pressing of the print button
9
b
is detected by the central control circuit
7
, the temporarily stored picture data is sent from the central control circuit
7
to the printing mechanism
11
. Then, the printing mechanism
11
is controlled by the control circuit
7
, and the picture data is printed on the photosensitive, pressure-sensitive paper
13
by the printing mechanism
11
. The printed photosensitive, pressure-sensitive paper
13
is ejected from the ejection aperture
3
b
of the printer
3
.
Nevertheless, in the conventional electronic camera
1
and printer
3
, the electronic camera and the printer are not made integral because of the large size of the printer
3
. Because of the inability to make the electronic camera
1
and printer
3
integral, it is difficult to print the picture data photographed with the electronic camera on the spot. Moreover, in the conventional printer
3
, the central control circuit
7
controls only the printer itself and does not, for example, control camera functions such as release and the like of the electronic camera
1
from the printer
3
.
Furthermore, a conventional printer, or the like device, which performs recording on recording sheets (generally paper) of fixed size, normally maintains the recording sheets which are not yet recorded in a stacked state in a fixed cassette or tray. The recording sheets are then delivered in turn from the top of the stack, and are sent to a recording unit.
FIG. 60
illustrates a conventional paper feed device. As shown in
FIG. 60
, a plurality of recording sheets
110
having a predetermined size are maintained in a stacked state on a paper sheet tray
101
which is fixed in a predetermined position. One end of the recording sheets
110
rides on a lifter plate
104
.
A compression coil spring
105
is arranged between the liter plate
104
and the paper feed tray
101
. The neighborhood of one end of the recording sheets
110
is lifted up in the thickness direction by the lifter plate
104
. A paper feed roller
111
is disposed upward of the neighborhood of the end of the recording sheets
110
lifted by the lifter plate
104
, in a position opposite the compression coil spring
105
, with the recording sheets
110
sandwiched between the paper feed roller
111
and the compression coil spring
105
. The paper feed roller
111
is supported for free rotation, and is coupled to an electric motor
112
via a belt
113
. When the electric motor
112
is driven, the paper feed roller
111
rotates in the direction of the arrow in FIG.
60
.
As shown in
FIG. 60
, when a paper feed operation is performed, the paper feed roller
111
is in a position in contact with the uppermost recording sheet
110
a.
When the electric motor
112
is driven, the paper feed roller
111
is rotated via the belt
113
, and a force arises to drive the recording sheet
110
.
The paper feed roller
111
consists of rubber having a high wear coefficient. Accordingly, the frictional force operating between the paper feed roller
111
and the recording sheet
110
is higher than the frictional force between mutually stacked recording sheets
110
. Because of these differences in frictional force, when the paper feed roller
111
rotates, the uppermost recording sheet
110
a
in contact with the paper feed roller
111
is delivered by frictional force in the direction of the arrow A in FIG.
16
.
In the conventional paper feed device shown in
FIG. 16
, the paper feed roller
111
, belt
113
and electric motor
112
are necessary components. However, these elements have a comparatively large weight. Moreover, the movable parts of the conventional paper feed device, such as the electric motor
112
and the like, generate noise when they are driven. Furthermore, because it is possible that the belt
113
will break due to fatigue when used for a long time, the belt
113
becomes a source of breakdown of the paper feed device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to solve the above-noted problems of the conventional electronic camera, and to provide an electronic camera including a printer having a portable printing function, and which can control camera functions from the printer side.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a paper feed device, suitable for use with an electronic camera, having a smaller size, lighter weight, reduced noise, and improved durability compared to prior art paper feed devices.
Objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved in accordance with embodiments of the present invention with a portable electronic camera comprising a camera unit including an image conversion and storage device to photoelectrically convert an optical image to picture data, and a first memory to store the picture data; and a printer unit including a print device to print the picture data.
In accordance with embodiments of the invention, the camera unit includes a first connection device to connect the camera unit and the printer unit in a mutually detachable state, and a first communication device to communicate the picture data and control information between the camera unit and the printer unit; and the printer unit includes a second connection device to connect the camera unit and the printer unit in a mutually detachable state, and a second communication device to communicate the picture data and the control information between the camera unit and the printer unit.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the first connection device is in a position on a side opposite the optical image, and the second connection device is in a position facing the optical image.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the printer unit includes a display to display the picture data.
In accordance with embodiments of the present invention, the
Aoto Kazuaki
Fujie Shigeyoshi
Evans Arthur G.
Nikon Corporation
Staas & Halsey , LLP
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