Abstract:
An image producing device ( 10 ) including a digital camera an area image sensor ( 20 ) disposed at an image plane for receiving the image of a subject ( 21 ), and producing a digitized image thereof. A CPU ( 32   a ) is adapted to direct the output to a variety of storage mediums. A printer ( 30 ) is connected to the CPU ( 32   a ) for producing a hard copy ( 39 ) of the digital image as shown on an image display ( 38   b ). The integral digital camera adjustably; directable from 0° to 360° in a horizontal plane and selectively directed at a sheet display ( 54 ) or at a subject ( 21 ) for a portrait.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     Reference is made to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,917,548 entitled “Electronic Camera Having a Printer for Providing Improved Hard Copy Images” by Dale F. McIntyre; and to commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,894,326 entitled “Electronic Camera Having a Printer” by Dale F. McIntyre, Stanley W. Stephenson, Mark M. Meyers, and John K. McBride. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present novel invention relates to electronic digital cameras and, more particularly, to an electronic digital camera used in conjunction with a printer and central processing unit or computer which produces a digitized visual display and a hard copy of such digitized visual display including but not limited to text scanned using the electronic digital camera. The text can be downloaded from the internet or from computer memory or edited through a keyboard or a touch screen. This novel invention relates more specifically to a printer (typically a thermal printer, but not limited to thermal printers) wherein, the printer has the capability to input images/data through reading digitally stored image data and/or a digital image capture mechanism, display images for verification of real time image manipulation, as well as producing traditional output hard copy prints. In addition, the novel invention relates to image production devices which function as a self contained portrait studio with output features to provide a portrait of a subject via an immediate hard copy and alternatively, scan and store images and text presented in flexible sheet form. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     It is known in the prior art to provide an electronic camera that uses an area image sensor. Digital images produced from the image sensor are stored in memory and these images can be shown on a display so that the user can determine which image should be stored for use in producing hard copy images. Typically, these images can be stored in a magnetic disk or a compact PCMCIA Flash RAM Card. 
     In U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,301 an electronic camera is disclosed which includes a display device. The camera also includes a digital-to-analog converter that sends signals to the display. Also, the digital-to-analog converter selectively sends these images to a magnetic tape for storage. Images on the magnetic tape can then be produced as a hard copy by a printer that is provided as part of the camera. One problem with the approach in U.S. Pat. No. 4,262,301 is that a print must be made in order for a user to determine whether it is satisfactory. Another problem is that it does not offer or provide as an alternative, a means for using the camera as a digital scanner and copier for text or images on sheets. 
     Typically, today&#39;s image copy/print systems such as the Kodak™ Image Magic Print System™, contains a bundling of multiple individual products. Each product performs unique discrete functions, and all products are tied together through custom software, custom firmware and custom electronic hardware. These multiple products and functions include: (1) the scanning of an image on negatives or print media by using a discrete scanner, (2) viewing the image-typically through the use of a discrete monitor (for today&#39;s state-of-the art), (3) processing the image by using a discrete processor or personal computer, and (4) editing the image typically via a discrete keyboard, image mouse, or touch screen for today&#39;s state-of-the art. 
     Less comprehensive approaches to the problem of combining multiple discrete product functions have been previously considered. For example, there is Hongoh et. al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,115,347 wherein a laptop computer has an internal image scanner and a means to provide facsimile transmission including internal signal compatibility and a mechanically adaptive interface. Bevilacqua, et. al, U.S. Des. Pat. No. 285,564, discloses a discrete scanner and monitor that are combined. Shahir, et. al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,555,105 discloses a handheld business card image copier that is combined with a scanner, keypad for identification data, and a display. Hayakawa et. al, U.S. Pat. No. 5,550,938 discloses a scanner, display and editor that are integrated. 
     In addition, the concept and reduction to practice of alternate scanning means wherein the scanned data is digitized and easily imported into a computer architecture is presented in U.S. Pat. No. 5,416,610 issued to Kikinis wherein a photovoltaic film is utilized to allow a computer to be used as a scanner. 
     More recently, on Feb. 3, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,492 issued to Stephenson for an electronic camera and associated printer with a light shutter wherein photosensitive sheets are employed; and, on the same date U.S. Pat. No. 5,715,234 also issued to Stephenson for an electronic camera and associated printer which uses a display image and captures the image on a photosensitive sheet. On Apr. 21, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 5,742,861 also issued to Stephenson for an electronic camera and associated printer which uses an image display and captures the image on a photosensitive sheet and other improvements. On May 26, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 5,757,388 also issued to Stephenson for an electronic camera and integral ink jet printer which uses an image display and electronically captures and stores the image. On Sep. 1, 1998, U.S. Pat. No. 5,802,413 issued to Stephenson for a printer adapted to receive an electronic camera which uses an image display and electronically captures and stores a digital image. 
     The novel invention resolves the problem of bundling these discrete devices together with a computer control unit or CPU to provide multi-tasking such as digital scanning, digital modifications, and subsequent monitor viewing of changes inputted before printing of images and text, or alternatively, to provide a portrait of a subject or image using the same electronic digital camera in a cost effective manner when compared to cost of a manufactured unit integrating the functions of scanning, digitizing, digitally editing, previewing edited versions of images prior to printing, printing digitized images, making multiple copies of digitized images, downloading digitized images to the Internet or from the Internet, copying digitized images to floppy disks, optical disks, other digital cameras, CD-ROMs, or to another computer. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     An object of this invention is to provide a novel combination of devices in a compact integrated unit or device whereby attaching a digital camera such that it can rotate from zero to 360 degrees in a plane, the integrated devices acquires the multi-tasking capacity to function as a scanner, copier, editing and/or preview station, portrait maker and hard copy output unit. 
     This object is achieved by a novel integration of a sheet feeder and novel sheet display unit, vertically oriented for example, with a detachably mounted digital camera which is rotably mounted in a plane orthogonal to the sheet display unit. Thus, the novel invention describes how one can replace the scanner (input hardware) with a removable and position altering digital camera and incorporate that camera feature into one integral, multi-functional single printer device made up of an integrally combined scanner, monitor, printer, keyboard and computer processor unit or CPU. 
     One of the most outstanding advantages of the present invention is that the use of an attachable digital electronic camera is expanded by combining same with a novel combination device comprising a sheet feeder which displays each sheet in a vertical position such that its image is viewable and captured by the digital electronic camera, digitally displayed, and printed and the same camera is selectively used to prepare digitally adjustable life size portraits with the use of an integrated computer or CPU and keypad control panel by mounting the camera on an integral rotatable mounting. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an integral digital camera integrated into a novel multi-task image producing device to provide both scanning images on sheets or alternatively a portrait in accordance with the present disclosure; 
     FIG. 2 is a flow chart which illustrates the operation of the novel image producing device according to the invention; and, 
     FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the novel multi-task image-producing device adapted with a credit card and coin payment unit. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     In FIG. 1, a block diagram is shown of operable portions of an image producing device  10  the preferred embodiment of which is shown in FIG.  3 . An integral part of the device  10  is a first digital camera  11  (see FIG. 3) made of a lens or image focusing means  13  and an area image sensor  20 . As shown in FIG. 1, a first subject  21  is positioned in front of the imaging focusing means  13 . To produce an image, the image producing device  10  utilizes the digital camera  11  which includes the area image sensor  20  arranged to coincide with the longitudinal axis  14  of the image focusing means  13 . A printer  30  is utilized as further defined below. An image of the first subject  21  is focused on the area image sensor  20 . Area image sensor  20  is a full frame charge coupled device (CCD), or Cmos sensor, as examples, or alternatively, it is an interline device with, for example, photodiode pixels which are adapted to deliver charge to interline CCDs. 
     Conventional electronic circuitry (not shown) is associated with the image sensor  20 . After the area image sensor  20  receives light representative of the image of the subject  21 , the circuitry sets up, acquires, and transfers electronic signals from the area image sensor  20 . Such electronics are well known in the art and their description is omitted for clarity of discussion. 
     Still referring to FIG. 1, Logic and control unit  32  causes the area image sensor  20  to transfer electronic signals to an electrical signal processor  34 . The signal processor  34  will be understood to include that circuitry necessary for converting signals from the area image sensor  20  to electrical signals and includes gain control and analog-to-digital circuitry well known in the art. The logic and control unit  32  can, of course, include a microprocessor as is well known to those skilled in the art. The signal processor  34  delivers, under the control of logic and control unit  32 , signals into a storage location in a temporary image memory  35  or buffer, which can be either a floppy disk, optical CD or semiconductor memory under the control of logic and control unit  32 . These signals, when stored, represent a digital image of the subject  21 . The logic and control unit  32  causes the digital signals in memory to be applied to a display driver  37  that, in turn, applies signals to a display device  38   a  or an image display  38   b  (see FIGS.  2  and  3 ). The display driver  37  will be understood to include a digital-to-analog converter and formatting control which is appropriate for the type of display device  38   a  or image display  38   b  (see FIGS. 2 and 3) as well known in the art. The display device  38   a  and the image display  38   b  (see FIGS. 2 and 3) may be embodied as a liquid crystal display. As well understood to those skilled in the art, the logical and control unit  32  provides refresh signals to the display device  38   a  and image display  38   b  (see FIGS.  2  and  3 ). In accordance with the present invention, when a hard copy  39  (see FIG. 3) is desired, a user signals to logic and control unit  32  to transfer or replicate (as illustrated via dotted lines and solid arrow) the data stream used for the digitized image shown on the display device  38   a  or image display  38   b  to the printer  30  and to activate the printer  30 . As further described, it will be understood that the logic and control unit  32  can also deliver the digital image of the subject  21  to any of a variety of integral ports for transfer of the digital information representing the first subject  21  to a wide variety of external devices: for example, via the portal  41   a  (see FIG. 3) to a personal computer  40 ; or to a memory card reading and writing device  42  (see FIG.  3 ), a compact disk reading and writing device  44  (see FIG.  3 ), a digital video disk reading and writing device  46  (see FIG.  3 ), or to a second video camera  48  (see FIG. 3) via a tether  48   a  (see FIG.  3 ), and/or to the Internet via an access and transfer enabling portal  50  (see FIG. 3) 
     The logic and control unit  32  is shown to include a central processing unit  32   a  that may be provided by a microprocessor chip. Execution memory  32   b  is also shown and is typically provided by random access memory (RAM). This memory is used for computation during image adjustment of the various parameters. As is well known to those in this art, the program memory  32   c  (typically ROM) can include conventional programs for image rotation, contrast and brightness adjustment, and also changing the color content by using state-of-the-art color management programs ubiquitous in this art. A user control unit  32   d , including a control keypad  32   e  (see FIGS.  2  and  3 ), permits a user to select the appropriate program by directly inputting interrupt signals into the central processing unit  32   a.    
     Many of such image processing algorithms have been implemented as commercially available packages (which perform all functions on the highest resolution data. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,218,455, the full text and drawings of which are incorporated herein by reference. These encoding schemes are optimized for performance and are commercially available as libraries of subroutines, such as MathPAK 87 (a trademark of Precision Plus Software). Additional image processing algorithms that may be used are included in the following commercially available packages: Photoshop™ (trademark of Adobe Systems Incorporated), Color Studio™ (trademark of Letraset), and PhotoMac™ (trademark of Avalon Development Group). For examples of color management systems including color transforms for changing color content such as contrast, brightness, and gamut, see U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,313,611 and 5,432,906, the text and drawings of which are both incorporated herein by reference. 
     In FIG. 3 the printer  30  is shown as an integral part of the device  10  located beneath the display device  38   a . The display device  38   a  and the image display  38   b  function as a PIP (picture in picture) display  38   c . Both are an integral part of the device  10  and therefore also maintained in a fixed permanent position. A transformer (not shown) is connected to a standard electrical outlet (not shown) to provide power for the device  10 , for example. A battery source is used to power the first camera  11  and the second camera  48 , for example. When a user determines that an image is to be printed, the central processing unit  32   a  (shown in FIG. 1) of the logic and control unit  32 , retrieves the image from the temporary storage and creates a mirrored image of the previously displayed image and reapplies that to the display device  38   a  or the image display  38   b  and uses it for printing. It will be understood that the program memory  32   c  (shown in FIG. 1) of the logic and control unit  32 , includes the necessary program for providing this function. This type of program is well known in the printing art. The display device  38   a  and the image display  38   b  can be adjusted as well known to those skilled in the art to create an image of correct density and color balance before printing the hard copy  39 . 
     A comprehensive view of the novel operational capabilities offered by the novel device  10  shown in FIG. 3 is best understood by reference to a flow chart  59  shown in FIG.  2 . One object of this novel invention is to embody a new scanning capture apparatus made up of the first digital camera  11  mounted on a swivel mount  52  (see FIG.  3 ,) which works in conjunction with an integral fixed vertical sheet display unit  54  shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The utility created is a multi-function product or device  10 , namely: an integral sheet feeder  58  (see FIG. 3) for sheets  60  (see FIG.  3 ), sheet display  54  for vertically displaying the actual sheet  60 , and printer  30  which function cooperatively to provide scanner, copier, and portrait studio functions from the device  10 . 
     In FIG. 2 the printer  30  is shown connected to the CPU  32   a . The printer  30  may be either an inkjet, thermal, laser, or any other type of printer. The CPU  32   a  controls the functions of the printer. The CPU  32   a  is either the equivalent of the internal hardware and an operating system of a state-of-the art personal computer  40  (see FIG. 1) or preferably a state-of-the-graphics printer and display controller incorporating both RAM and ROM memory modules. Referring to FIG. 3, the device  10  is controlled and operated from a touch screen monitor and/or the control keypad  32   e  which may be a computer keyboard, for example, integrated into and a part of the device  10  as shown in FIG.  3 . The sheet display  54  has a sheet display keypad  33  for adjustment of the sheet  60  and controlling the operation of the sheet display  54 . There is shown on the sheet  60  a second subject hereinafter referred to as a scan subject  62  displayed in the sheet display  54 . The sheet  60  may be feed through the bottom or a side (not shown) or an input port  66  located on top of the device  10 . A subject  62  submitted for copying and printing is also fed through the input port  66 . The CPU  32   a  (see FIGS. 1 and 2) controls the operation of the digital camera/scanner  11  and transfers the image created by the digital camera  11  and displays this digitized image on the image display  38   b , for example. 
     Again referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, to make a hard copy  39  (FIG. 3) or portrait of a physical or portrait subject  21 , after actuating the device  10  (FIG. 3) via the control keypad  32   e  the portrait subject  21  is positioned in a substantially vertical plane “y” transverse to the linear axis  14  (FIG. 3) of the digital camera  11 , i.e. the subject  21  stands or sits in front of the digital camera  11  and allows a standard automatic focusing mechanism to operate. The CPU  32   a  (FIG.  2 ), as a digital data stream, retrieves a digitized image of a portrait of the subject  21  from the digital camera  11 . The CPU  32   a  (FIG. 2) directs the data stream as is or in an altered format to the image display  38   b  where a user or operator (not shown) observes the image. If the image shown on the image display  32   a  (FIG. 2) is satisfactory to the user or operator, the user or operator issues a command via the control keypad  32   e  directing the printer  30  to produce a hard copy  39  (FIG. 3) of the digitized image shown on the image display  38   b . For this portrait operation, the digital camera  11  has its longitudinal axis  14  (FIG. 3) and lens pointed at the portrait subject  21  oriented in a vertical plane “y”. The digital camera  11  is pointed clear of the field of view occupied by a sheet display  54 . An indicator light  55  (FIG. 3) shows when the camera  11  is turned on. An area for arranging paper or workspace  56  (FIG. 3) is provided. 
     In FIGS. 2 and 3, there is a shown the sheet display  54  and attached thereto is an optional sheet feeder  58  (FIG.  3 ). The sheet display  54  and its housing are an integral part of the device  10  (FIG.  3 ). Thus, to provide the device  10  (FIG. 3) with the capacity to operate both as a self-contained portrait studio and as a copier and scanner employing the efficiency of using only the first digital camera  11 , namely, a digital camera and functional scanner combination, the digital camera  11  is rotably attached to mount  52  (FIG.  3 ). The attachment mechanism is a standard threaded aperture at the bottom of the digital camera  11  adapted to receive a revolvable threaded bolt (not illustrated) located at the top of the mount  52  (FIG.  3 ). Thus, the digital camera  11  is enabled to rotate from zero to 360 degrees in a horizontal plane “x” such that the longitudinal axis of the digital camera  11  is orthogonal to the camera lens or image focusing means  13  (see FIG.  1 ). The focal plane of the first digital camera  11  is orthogonal the vertically oriented sheet display  54 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, a scanning feature is enabled when a sheet  60  of flexible material, for example, paper is inserted in the input port  66  by either a sheet feeder  58  or manually. An input port  66  connects to an aperture port  68 . The aperture port  68  is a mechanical frame which displays the sheet  60  is a vertical position such that when the digital camera  11  is directed at the frame it can scan an image  62  of whatever is displayed on the sheet  60 , i.e., a scan subject. A stream of digital data produced by the digital camera  11  is received by the CPU  32   a  (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) and processed and either stored in a temporary image memory  35  (in ghost, also depicted schematically in FIG. 1) or buffer memory and/or directed to another storage or output portal  41   a , the printer  30 , and/or the image display  38   b.    
     When the device  10  is operating in a copier mode the scan subject  62  is printed immediately. When the device  10  is operating as scanner wherein the scan subject  62  is to be stored in compact medium, for example, a floppy disk using a compact disk reading and writing device  44 , then the data stream representing the scan subject  62  is written to the compact disk reading and writing device  44 . 
     Alternatively, again referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the scan subject  62  can be published on an intranet or the Internet via an Internet portal  41   b , i.e. a phone jack interconnect, shown in FIG. 3 integrated on the sheet display  54  of the device  10 . Similarly, connected to the CPU  32   a  (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2) in parallel for this purpose and integrated on the sheet display  54  are a memory card reading and writing device  42 , an optical or digital video disk reader and writer  46 , and a CD-ROM or compact disk reader and writer  44 . Also text and/or images can be downloaded from the internet, viewed, edited and printed by device  10  (FIG. 3) via internet portal  41 . 
     Also shown in FIG. 3 is a second digital camera  48  connected to the device  10  via a tether  48   a . The logic control unit  32  is able to transfer data representing images either to or from the second digital camera  48   a . Hence, the device  10  presents a multi-task image producing apparatus adapted with a payment unit  80  having a credit card slot  82  and coin or money insert slot  84 . Additionally, there is a change return cavity  86  and auxiliary selection key array  88 . This enables the device  10  to provide a public “phone booth type” facility where a user can use a coin and/or credit card payment and actuation device  90  integrated into the device  10  to obtain an immediate hard copy  39  or print of a digital image from a personal digital camera, i.e. the second digital camera  48  connected via the tether  48   a , or obtain portraits and/or multiple hard output copies. Two different digitized images from either the first digital camera  11  or from a video camera, such as second digital camera  48 , are previewable via the PIP window  38   c  incorporated in the display device  38   a  and driven via the CPU  32   a  of logic control unit  32  equipped to provide the optional PIP capability. 
     The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to a certain preferred embodiment thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the novel invention and equivalents thereof. 
     PARTS LIST 
       10  image producing device 
       11  first digital camera 
       13  image focusing means 
       14  longitudinal axis 
       20  area image sensor 
       21  first subject 
       30  printer 
       32  logic and control unit 
       32   a  central processing unit 
       32   b  execution memory 
       32   c  program memory 
       32   d  user control unit 
       32   e  control keypad 
       33  sheet display keypad 
       34  electrical signal processor 
       35  temporary image memory 
       37  display driver 
       38   a  display device 
       38   b  image display 
       38   c  PIP window 
       39  hard copy 
       40  personal computer (PC) 
       41   a  portal for PC (USB of SCSI) 
       41   b  Internet portal 
       42  memory card reading and writing device 
       44  compact disk reading and writing device 
       46  digital video disk reading and writing device 
       48  second video camera 
       48   a  tether 
       50  access and transfer enabling portal 
       52  mount 
       54  sheet display 
       55  indicator light 
       56  workspace 
       57  sheet feeder 
       59  flow chart 
       60  sheet 
       62  second subject 
       62  scan subject (i.e., second subject) input port 
       67  aperture port 
       80  payment unit 
       82  credit card slot 
       84  coin or money insert slot 
       86  change return cavity 
       88  auxiliary selection key array 
       90  actuation device