Paper guide system in a print on demand digital camera system

Details Paper guide system in a print on demand digital camera system Paper guide system in a print on demand digital camera system

1998-07-10

2001-03-06

Hilten, John S. (Department: 2854)

Typewriting machines

Sheet or web

Including programmed-control-system for record-medium feed

C347S002000, C347S043000

Reexamination Certificate

active

06196739

ABSTRACT:

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates substantially to the concept of a disposable camera having instant printing capabilities and in particular, discloses a paper guide system in a digital camera system.
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 include 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 utilising a single film roll returns the camera system to a film development centre 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 sense 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 for supplying 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.
It would be further advantageous to provide for the effective interconnection of the sub components of a camera system.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide for an effective incorporation of a paper guide mechanism into a camera system.
In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera system comprising: an image sensor device for sensing an image; a processing means for processing the sensed image; a print media supply means provided for the storage of a roll of print media for the printing of images; a page width print head molding including a print head for printing the sensed image on print media stored internally in the print media supply means in addition to a series of ink supply chambers for the storage of ink for utilization by the print head; a series of print rollers interconnected in the path between the print media supply means and the page width print head molding for pinching the paper and driving the paper past the print head.
Preferably, the number of print rollers is at least 3 and the print rollers apply a decurling twist to the print media. The print rollers are snap fitted to the camera system. Two of the print roller can be mounted on a first chassis which to which the print head molding is also mounted and a third one of the print rollers is mounted on a detachable platten device. The third print roller can be inserted between the other two of the print rollers and the platten snap fitted to the chassis.


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patent: D. 329862 (1992-09-01), Watanabe et al.
patent: 5051838 (1991-09-01), Cho et al.
patent: 5606420 (1997-02-01), Maeda et al.
patent: 5715234 (1998-02-01), Stephenson et al.
patent: 5742861 (1998-04-01), Stephenson
patent: 5748326 (1998-05-01), Thompson-Bell et al.
patent: 5757388 (1998-05-01), Stephenson
patent: 5847836 (1998-09-01), Suzuki
patent: 9-90513 (1997-04-01), None
patent: WO 96/32265 (1996-10-01), None
patent: WO 97/06958 (1997-02-01), None

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