US20070296836A1 - Interconnected Camera System With Insertion Cards - Google Patents

Interconnected Camera System With Insertion Cards Download PDF

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Publication number
US20070296836A1
US20070296836A1 US11/853,021 US85302107A US2007296836A1 US 20070296836 A1 US20070296836 A1 US 20070296836A1 US 85302107 A US85302107 A US 85302107A US 2007296836 A1 US2007296836 A1 US 2007296836A1
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United States
Prior art keywords
image
camera
interconnected
camera system
manipulated
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
US11/853,021
Inventor
Kia Silverbrook
Paul Lapstun
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AUPO7991A external-priority patent/AUPO799197A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO8028A external-priority patent/AUPO802897A0/en
Priority claimed from US09/112,757 external-priority patent/US6624848B1/en
Application filed by Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd filed Critical Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
Priority to US11/853,021 priority Critical patent/US20070296836A1/en
Assigned to SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LTD reassignment SILVERBROOK RESEARCH PTY LTD ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST (SEE DOCUMENT FOR DETAILS). Assignors: LAPSTUN, PAUL, SILVERBROOK, KIA
Publication of US20070296836A1 publication Critical patent/US20070296836A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
    • B41—PRINTING; LINING MACHINES; TYPEWRITERS; STAMPS
    • B41J—TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
    • B41J3/00—Typewriters or selective printing or marking mechanisms characterised by the purpose for which they are constructed
    • B41J3/44—Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms having dual functions or combined with, or coupled to, apparatus performing other functions
    • B41J3/445—Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00127—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture
    • H04N1/00347—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus, e.g. for storage, processing or transmission of still picture signals or of information associated with a still picture with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/0035—User-machine interface; Control console
    • H04N1/00405—Output means
    • H04N1/00485—Output means providing a hardcopy output to the user, e.g. print out
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00962—Input arrangements for operating instructions or parameters, e.g. updating internal software
    • H04N1/00965—Input arrangements for operating instructions or parameters, e.g. updating internal software using a plug-in memory module, e.g. memory card, memory stick
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00962—Input arrangements for operating instructions or parameters, e.g. updating internal software
    • H04N1/00968—Input arrangements for operating instructions or parameters, e.g. updating internal software by scanning marks on a sheet
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/21—Intermediate information storage
    • H04N1/2104—Intermediate information storage for one or a few pictures
    • H04N1/2112—Intermediate information storage for one or a few pictures using still video cameras
    • H04N1/2154—Intermediate information storage for one or a few pictures using still video cameras the still video camera incorporating a hardcopy reproducing device, e.g. a printer
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/60—Control of cameras or camera modules
    • H04N23/66—Remote control of cameras or camera parts, e.g. by remote control devices
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N23/00—Cameras or camera modules comprising electronic image sensors; Control thereof
    • H04N23/90—Arrangement of cameras or camera modules, e.g. multiple cameras in TV studios or sports stadiums
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/222—Studio circuitry; Studio devices; Studio equipment
    • H04N5/262—Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N5/00—Details of television systems
    • H04N5/222—Studio circuitry; Studio devices; Studio equipment
    • H04N5/262—Studio circuits, e.g. for mixing, switching-over, change of character of image, other special effects ; Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects
    • H04N5/2621—Cameras specially adapted for the electronic generation of special effects during image pickup, e.g. digital cameras, camcorders, video cameras having integrated special effects capability
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2101/00—Still video cameras
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/0008—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus
    • H04N2201/001—Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/0008—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus
    • H04N2201/0034—Details of the connection, e.g. connector, interface
    • H04N2201/0037—Topological details of the connection
    • H04N2201/0041—Point to point
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/0008—Connection or combination of a still picture apparatus with another apparatus
    • H04N2201/0034—Details of the connection, e.g. connector, interface
    • H04N2201/0048—Type of connection
    • H04N2201/0049—By wire, cable or the like
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N2201/00—Indexing scheme relating to scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, and to details thereof
    • H04N2201/0077—Types of the still picture apparatus
    • H04N2201/0084—Digital still camera

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a data processing method and apparatus and, in particular, discloses a Multi Artcam System.
  • the present invention further relates to the field of image processing and to user interface mechanisms for performing image processing.
  • a camera for creating and displaying a manipulated image comprising:
  • image capture means configured to capture a real image and convert it to captured image data
  • image manipulation means configured to receive the input image data from the input means and manipulate it to form a manipulated image
  • output means configured to receive the manipulated image from the image manipulation means and to output the manipulated image from the camera
  • (e) display means configured to receive the manipulated image from the image manipulation means and to display the manipulated image.
  • the input means is configured to receive the input image from an input-image-providing camera.
  • the input and output means comprise at least one USB or Firewire port.
  • the output means is configured to output the manipulated image to a manipulated-image-receiving camera.
  • the display means comprise a printer device, the display means being configured to display the manipulated image by printing it.
  • the camera further comprise a storage-device reader configured to read image manipulation instructions stored on a manipulation-instruction storage-device.
  • the image manipulation means is configured to generated the manipulated image by manipulating the input image in accordance with image manipulation instructions received from a manipulation-instruction storage-device via the storage-device reader.
  • a plurality of cameras for creating a manipulated image including:
  • a primary camera comprising:
  • the secondary camera further comprises display means configured to receive the secondary manipulated image from the image manipulation means and display it. More preferably, the display means comprises a printer device configured to print the secondary manipulated image.
  • a method for forming a manipulated image comprising the steps of:
  • the secondary camera performing the steps of:
  • the invention comprises manipulated images from primary or secondary cameras, the images preferably being in printed form,
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the form of interconnection of the preferred embodiment.
  • the preferred embodiment is preferably implemented through suitable programming of a hand held camera device such as that described in Australian Provisional Patent Application entitled “Image Processing Method and Apparatus (ART01)” filed concurrently herewith by the present applicant the content of which is hereby specifically incorporated by cross reference.
  • the aforementioned patent specification discloses a camera system, hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensed images can be directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unit. Further, the aforementioned specification discloses means and methods for performing various manipulations on images captured by the camera sensing device leading to the production of various effects in any output image. The manipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can be implemented through the insertion into the Artcam of cards having encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of images, the cards hereinafter being known as Artcards.
  • the Artcam further has significant onboard processing power by an Artcam Central Processor unit (ACP) which is interconnected to a memory device for the storage of important data and images.
  • ACP Artcam Central Processor unit
  • FIG. 1 The preferred arrangement is as illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein a series of Artcams, e.g. 2 , 3 , 4 , are interconnected 5 via their USB ports.
  • Each Artcam 2 , 3 , 4 is provided with a corresponding Artcard 7 , 8 , 9 having a suitable image manipulation program stored thereon.
  • the instructions for utilisation in a network environment can be provided on the Artcard 7 , 8 , 9 .
  • the image 10 sensed by the Artcam 2 is then manipulated by the manipulation program on Artcard 7 with the result being forwarded 5 to Artcam device 3 which applies the image manipulation function provided on Artcard 8 producing a corresponding output which is forwarded to the next Artcam in the series.
  • the chained Artcam has been modified so as to have two USB ports for this purpose.
  • the final Artcam 4 applies its Artcard manipulation stored on Artcard 9 for producing output 12 which is a conglomeration of each of the previous image manipulations.
  • each Artcam could print out its own manipulated image in addition to forwarding the image to the next Artcam in the series.
  • splitting of paths where one Artcam outputs to two different downstream Artcams which result in different final images being output could also be provided.
  • loops, etc. could be utilised.
  • the embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Of course many different devices could be used. However presently popular ink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable.
  • thermal ink jet The most significant problem with thermal ink jet is power consumption. This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stems from the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves the rapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink. Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermal inkjet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, from electricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out.
  • piezoelectric ink jet The most significant problem with piezoelectric ink jet is size and cost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonable drive voltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle. Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuit on a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem at the current limit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a major impediment to the fabrication of pagewide print heads with 19,200 nozzles.
  • the ink jet technologies used meet the stringent requirements of in-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed, low cost printing applications.
  • new ink jet technologies have been created.
  • the target features include:
  • ink jet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digital printing systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras, through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercial printing systems
  • the print head is designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMS post processing.
  • the print head is 100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the ink jet type.
  • the smallest print head designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip area of 35 square mm.
  • the print heads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus data and control circuitry.
  • Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection molded plastic ink channels.
  • the molding requires 50 micron features, which can be created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standard injection molding tool.
  • Ink flows through holes etched through the wafer to the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer.
  • the print head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automated bonding.

Abstract

An interconnected camera system includes a number of cameras interconnected via a data communications protocol. Each camera has an image sensor configured to capture an image. A card is configured to be inserted into each camera. The card has encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of the captured image. A processor is configured to manipulate the captured image in accordance with the encoded instructions.

Description

    CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
  • This Application is a Continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 10/642,331 filed on Aug. 18, 2003, which is a Divisional Application of U.S. Ser. No. 09/112,757 filed on Jul. 10, 1998, now Issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,624,848 all of which are herein incorporated by reference.
  • The following Australian provisional patent applications are hereby incorporated by cross-reference. For the purposes of location and identification, U.S. patent applications identified by their U.S. patent application serial numbers (U.S. Ser. No.) are listed alongside the Australian applications from which the U.S. patent applications claim the right of priority.
    US PATENT/
    CROSS-REFERENCED PATENT APPLICATION
    AUSTRALIAN (CLAIMING RIGHT OF
    PROVISIONAL PRIORITY FROM
    PATENT AUSTRALIAN PROVISIONAL DOCKET
    APPLICATION NO. APPLICATION) NO.
    PO7991 6750901 ART01US
    PO8505 6476863 ART02US
    PO7988 6788336 ART03US
    PO9395 6322181 ART04US
    PO8017 6597817 ART06US
    PO8014 6227648 ART07US
    PO8025 6727948 ART08US
    PO8032 6690419 ART09US
    PO7999 6727951 ART10US
    PO8030 6196541 ART13US
    PO7997 6195150 ART15US
    PO7979 6362868 ART16US
    PO7978 6831681 ART18US
    PO7982 6431669 ART19US
    PO7989 6362869 ART20US
    PO8019 6472052 ART21US
    PO7980 6356715 ART22US
    PO8018 6894694 ART24US
    PO7938 6636216 ART25US
    PO8016 6366693 ART26US
    PO8024 6329990 ART27US
    PO7939 6459495 ART29US
    PO8501 6137500 ART30US
    PO8500 6690416 ART31US
    PO7987 7050143 ART32US
    PO8022 6398328 ART33US
    PO8497 7110024 ART34US
    PO8020 6431704 ART38US
    PO8504 6879341 ART42US
    PO8000 6415054 ART43US
    PO7934 6665454 ART45US
    PO7990 6542645 ART46US
    PO8499 6486886 ART47US
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    PP2370 6786420 DOT01US
    PO8003 6350023 Fluid01US
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    PP0895 6231148 IR01US
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    PO8006 6087638 MEMS02US
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    PP0894 6382769 MEMS13US
    • STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT
  • Not applicable.
    • FIELD OF THE INVENTION
  • The present invention relates to a data processing method and apparatus and, in particular, discloses a Multi Artcam System.
  • The present invention further relates to the field of image processing and to user interface mechanisms for performing image processing.
    • BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
  • Recently, in Australia Provisional Patent Specification entitled “Image Processing Method and Apparatus (Art01)” filed concurrently by the present applicant, a system has been proposed known colloquially as “Artcam” which is a digital camera having an integral printer for printing out sensed images in addition to manipulations of the sensed image which are manipulated as a result of the insertion of a “Artcard” having manipulation instructions thereon into the camera.
    • SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
  • It is an object of the present invention to provide for a multi effect system to provide enhanced image effects.
  • In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera for creating and displaying a manipulated image, the camera comprising:
  • (a) image capture means configured to capture a real image and convert it to captured image data;
  • (b) input means configured to receive input image data from a source other than the camera;
  • (c) image manipulation means configured to receive the input image data from the input means and manipulate it to form a manipulated image;
  • (d) output means configured to receive the manipulated image from the image manipulation means and to output the manipulated image from the camera; and
  • (e) display means configured to receive the manipulated image from the image manipulation means and to display the manipulated image.
  • Preferably, the input means is configured to receive the input image from an input-image-providing camera.
  • Preferably, some or all of the input and output means comprise at least one USB or Firewire port.
  • In a preferred form, the output means is configured to output the manipulated image to a manipulated-image-receiving camera.
  • It is particular preferred that the display means comprise a printer device, the display means being configured to display the manipulated image by printing it.
  • It is also preferred that the camera further comprise a storage-device reader configured to read image manipulation instructions stored on a manipulation-instruction storage-device. In this case, it is preferred that the image manipulation means is configured to generated the manipulated image by manipulating the input image in accordance with image manipulation instructions received from a manipulation-instruction storage-device via the storage-device reader.
  • In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a plurality of cameras for creating a manipulated image, the plurality of cameras including:
  • (a) a primary camera, comprising:
      • (i) image capture means configured to capture a real image as a primary captured image;
      • (ii) image manipulation means configured to manipulate the primary captured image to form a primary manipulated image;
      • (iii) image providing means configured to receive the primary manipulated image from the image manipulation means and provide the primary manipulated image to a secondary camera; and
  • (b) a secondary camera, comprising:
      • (i) image capture means configured to capture a real image as a secondary captured image;
      • (ii) image receiving means configured to receive the primary manipulated image from the image providing means of the primary camera; and
      • (iii) image manipulation means configured to receive the primary manipulated image from the image receiving means and manipulate the primary manipulated image to form a secondary manipulated image.
  • Preferably, the secondary camera further comprises display means configured to receive the secondary manipulated image from the image manipulation means and display it. More preferably, the display means comprises a printer device configured to print the secondary manipulated image.
  • In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for forming a manipulated image, the method comprising the steps of:
  • (a) providing a primary camera, the primary camera comprising:
      • (i) image capture means;
      • (ii) image manipulation means; and
      • (iii) image providing means; and
  • (b) providing a secondary camera, the secondary camera comprising:
      • (i) image capture means;
      • (ii) image receiving means; and
      • (iii) image manipulation means, the primary camera performing the steps of:
  • (c) capturing a real image as a captured image using the image capture means;
  • (d) manipulating the captured image using the image manipulation means to form a primary manipulated image;
  • (e) providing the primary manipulated image to the secondary camera via the image providing means; and
  • the secondary camera performing the steps of:
  • (f) receiving the primary manipulated image from the image providing means of the primary camera via the image receiving means of the secondary camera; and
  • (g) manipulating the primary manipulated image using the image manipulation means to form a secondary manipulated image.
  • In other aspects, the invention comprises manipulated images from primary or secondary cameras, the images preferably being in printed form,
    • BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
  • Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which:
  • FIG. 1 illustrates the form of interconnection of the preferred embodiment.
    • DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS
  • The preferred embodiment is preferably implemented through suitable programming of a hand held camera device such as that described in Australian Provisional Patent Application entitled “Image Processing Method and Apparatus (ART01)” filed concurrently herewith by the present applicant the content of which is hereby specifically incorporated by cross reference.
  • The aforementioned patent specification discloses a camera system, hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensed images can be directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unit. Further, the aforementioned specification discloses means and methods for performing various manipulations on images captured by the camera sensing device leading to the production of various effects in any output image. The manipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can be implemented through the insertion into the Artcam of cards having encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of images, the cards hereinafter being known as Artcards. The Artcam further has significant onboard processing power by an Artcam Central Processor unit (ACP) which is interconnected to a memory device for the storage of important data and images.
  • In the preferred embodiment, multiple Artcams as described in the aforementioned patent specification are interconnected via their USB ports so as to provide a cascading of imaging effects. Through suitable programming of the internal computer portions of each Artcam, a cascading of imaging effects can be achieved.
  • The preferred arrangement is as illustrated in FIG. 1 wherein a series of Artcams, e.g. 2, 3, 4, are interconnected 5 via their USB ports. Each Artcam 2, 3, 4 is provided with a corresponding Artcard 7, 8, 9 having a suitable image manipulation program stored thereon. Further, the instructions for utilisation in a network environment can be provided on the Artcard 7, 8, 9. The image 10 sensed by the Artcam 2 is then manipulated by the manipulation program on Artcard 7 with the result being forwarded 5 to Artcam device 3 which applies the image manipulation function provided on Artcard 8 producing a corresponding output which is forwarded to the next Artcam in the series. The chained Artcam has been modified so as to have two USB ports for this purpose. The final Artcam 4 applies its Artcard manipulation stored on Artcard 9 for producing output 12 which is a conglomeration of each of the previous image manipulations.
  • The arrangement 1 on FIG. 1 thereby provides the opportunity to apply multiple effects to a single sensed image. Of course, a number of further refinements are possible. For example, each Artcam could print out its own manipulated image in addition to forwarding the image to the next Artcam in the series. Additionally, splitting of paths where one Artcam outputs to two different downstream Artcams which result in different final images being output could also be provided. Additionally, loops, etc., could be utilised.
  • It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.
  • Ink Jet Technologies
  • The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Of course many different devices could be used. However presently popular ink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable.
  • The most significant problem with thermal ink jet is power consumption. This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stems from the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves the rapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink. Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermal inkjet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, from electricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out.
  • The most significant problem with piezoelectric ink jet is size and cost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonable drive voltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle. Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuit on a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem at the current limit of around 300 nozzles per print head, but is a major impediment to the fabrication of pagewide print heads with 19,200 nozzles.
  • Ideally, the ink jet technologies used meet the stringent requirements of in-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed, low cost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digital photography, new ink jet technologies have been created. The target features include:
      • low power (less than 10 Watts)
      • high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)
      • photographic quality output
      • low manufacturing cost
      • small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section)
      • high speed (<2 seconds per page).
  • All of these features can be met or exceeded by the ink jet systems described below with differing levels of difficulty. 45 different ink jet technologies have been developed by the Assignee to give a wide range of choices for high volume manufacture. These technologies form part of separate applications assigned to the present Assignee as set out in the table below.
  • The ink jet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digital printing systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras, through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercial printing systems
  • For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the print head is designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMS post processing. For color photographic applications, the print head is 100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the ink jet type. The smallest print head designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip area of 35 square mm. The print heads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus data and control circuitry.
  • Ink is supplied to the back of the print head by injection molded plastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which can be created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standard injection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the wafer to the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. The print head is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automated bonding.
  • Although the invention has been described with reference to a number of specific examples, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention can be embodied in many other forms.

Claims (7)

1. An interconnected camera system comprising:
a number of cameras interconnected via a data communications protocol, each camera comprising
an image sensor configured to capture an image;
a card configured to be inserted into the camera , the card carrying encoded instructions for the manipulation of the captured image; and
a processor configured to manipulate the captured image in accordance with the encoded instructions.
2. An interconnected camera system as claimed in claim 1, in which the cameras are interconnected with two connectors on each camera so that a plurality of the cameras can be interconnected in series to provide a cascading of imaging effects.
3. An interconnected camera system as claimed in claim 2, wherein each connector is a USB connector.
4. An interconnected camera system as claimed in claim 2, wherein each card has an image manipulation program stored thereon.
5. An interconnected camera system as claimed in claim 2, wherein each card has instructions for utilization in a network environment stored thereon.
6. An interconnected camera system as claimed in claim 2, in which each camera has a printer and is configured to print out its own manipulated image in addition to forwarding the image to the next camera in the series.
7. An interconnected camera system as claimed in claim 2, wherein each camera is configured so that splitting of paths can be arranged whereby one camera outputs to two different downstream cameras.
US11/853,021 1997-07-15 2007-09-11 Interconnected Camera System With Insertion Cards Abandoned US20070296836A1 (en)

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US11/853,021 US20070296836A1 (en) 1997-07-15 2007-09-11 Interconnected Camera System With Insertion Cards

Applications Claiming Priority (7)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPO7991 1997-07-15
AUPO7991A AUPO799197A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 Image processing method and apparatus (ART01)
AUPO8028A AUPO802897A0 (en) 1997-07-15 1997-07-15 Image processing method and apparatus (ART56)
AUPO8028 1997-07-15
US09/112,757 US6624848B1 (en) 1997-07-15 1998-07-10 Cascading image modification using multiple digital cameras incorporating image processing
US10/642,331 US7286169B2 (en) 1998-07-10 2003-08-18 Cascading image modification using multiple digital cameras incorporating image processing
US11/853,021 US20070296836A1 (en) 1997-07-15 2007-09-11 Interconnected Camera System With Insertion Cards

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