Printer for producing print of an electronically recorded image

A compact printer for use with electronic image recording apparatus for providing a color print of an electrically recorded image by effecting the selective transfer of colored printing mediums from a transfer sheet to an image-receiving sheet in accordance with electronic image signals that define different color components of the image.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
1. Field of the Invention 
The present invention relates to the field of printers that are responsive 
to electronic information signals for providing a hard copy print of 
electronically recorded information and, more particularly, to a printer 
for providing a color print of an electronically recorded image on an 
image-receiving sheet. 
2. Description of the Prior Art 
The present invention provides a compact and simply constructed printer for 
providing a hard copy color print of an electronically recorded image of a 
scene and is especially well suited for incorporation into a hand-held, 
self-processing, electronic imaging camera of the type disclosed in my 
commonly assigned copending application Ser. No. 891,705 filed on Mar. 30, 
1978. 
The printer embodying the present invention is of the scanning type in 
which an image receiving sheet is rotated on a drum while a print head 
mounting a plurality of printing transducers is advanced along the length 
of the drum to convert electronic image signals, representing different 
color components of a recorded image, into printing signals which are 
effective to cause the selective transfer of corresponding colored 
printing mediums from a transfer sheet to the image receiving sheet during 
a single scan thereby printing out a plurality of overlying dot-like 
patterns that define the image in much the same manner as a color 
half-tone lithographic printing process. 
The printer also includes a mechanism that is actuable to automatically 
advance an image-receiving sheet from a cassette into operative relation 
with the drum and to advance or index an elongated transfer sheet to 
present a fresh set of colored printing medium stripes thereon for each 
successive print into operative alignment with the printing transducers. 
This feature substantially reduces the amount of manual manipulation of 
the printing materials required of the operator in making such a print. 
Printers responsive to electronic image signals for making hard copy prints 
are known in the art but in general are not well suited for use in such a 
hand-held electronic imaging camera or other similar electronic image 
recording apparatus because of their large physical size, structural 
complexity or requiring multiple color application stations or multiple 
pass scans to provide a color print. 
For example, the Sept. 5, 1977 issue of "Design News" at pages 36 and 37 
describes a scanning type drum printer which prints out a color image of 
an electronically recorded image by selectively spraying droplets of red, 
yellow and blue ink onto an image-receiving sheet with image signal 
modulated jet spray nozzles. However, this device is quite large and 
complex and the need to store liquid inks and provide pressure pumps as 
well as the electronic modulating devices makes such an ink jet printer 
impractical for incorporation into a hand-held camera. Also, this printer 
does not include provisions for automatically advancing image-receiving 
sheets into operative relation with the drum. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,230,303 issued to A. Macovski et al on Jan. 18, 1966 is 
relevant for showing an electrostatic scanning type printer for making a 
multicolor print of an image in accordance with yellow, magenta, cyan and 
black image signals derived from photoelectrically scanning a multicolor 
original. The printer includes a drum 16 on which a dielectric paper 17 is 
supported for rotation while being scanned by an electrostatic stylus 34 
that is modulated by one of the four image signals to form a first 
electrostatic image on paper 17. The first image is developed by 
dispensing a corresponding colored toner power from one of four boxes 70, 
72, 74 and 76 and the first image is fixed at powder fixer station 78. The 
scanning, development and fixing process is then repeated in sequence for 
the remaining three image signals to form the color print. The extended 
time for making the print because of the multiple scans, the requirement 
for providing the toner powder boxes which must be replenished by the 
operator from time to time, and the lack of any mechanism for 
automatically advancing an image-receiving sheet into operative relation 
with the drum are characteristics that detract from the practicality of 
incorporating such a printer into a hand-held electronic image camera. 
U.S. Pat. No. 3,780,214 issued to F. Bestenreiner et al on Dec. 18, 1973 is 
relevant for showing a printing apparatus for making a color print by the 
selective transfer of colored printing mediums from transfer sheets to an 
image-receiving sheet in accordance with electronic image signals. The 
printer comprises three printing stations A, B and C each of which 
included means for electronically modulating a laser beam in accordance 
with one of three color component image signals, means for advancing one 
of three colored transfer sheets past the modulated beam to melt or 
liquify a color pigment thereon to form a thermal image thereon and means 
for advancing an image-receiving sheet into contact with the transfer 
sheet to transfer the thermal image thereto. The image receiving sheet is 
fed from a long roll and is advanced sequentially to stations A, B and C 
such that the three colored images are applied thereto in overlying 
relation to form the color print. The complexity of the image receiving 
sheet transport mechanism required to assure that each of the thermal 
images are transferred thereto in proper registration and the space 
requirements for separate printing stations for each color preclude the 
use of this type of printer in a hand-held electronic imaging camera. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
The present invention provides a compact printer for use with electronic 
image recording apparatus for providing a color print of an electronically 
recorded image of a scene on an image-receiving sheet. 
In a preferred embodiment the printer is configured to form part of a 
hand-held, self-processing, electronic imaging camera of the type 
disclosed in the previously noted copending application Ser. No. 891,705 
which provides a plurality of distinct electronic image signals that 
collectively represent a color record of an optical image in electronic 
data form and individually represent different color components of the 
optical image. 
The camera also is configured to hold a supply or stack of image-receiving 
sheets and a transfer sheet, both of which may be supplied in a single 
cassette. The transfer sheet preferably includes thereon a number of 
sequentially arranged sets of adjacent parallel stripes of different 
colored printing mediums that are each adapted to be selectively 
transferred to the image-receiving sheet, in accordance with a 
corresponding one of the plurality of distinct electronic image signals, 
to form overlying colored dot-like patterns on the image-receiving sheet 
which define the recorded image in a manner similar in some respects to a 
color halftone lithographic printing process. 
The printer includes a frame; a rotatably mounted drum for supporting and 
rotating an image-receiving sheet; a mechanism for advancing an 
image-receiving sheet into operative relation with the drum whereby it is 
wrapped onto the drum during an initial revolution thereof and for 
advancing or indexing the transfer sheet to present a fresh set of colored 
printing medium stripes at a fixed position adjacent the drum for each 
successive print, a printing head mounted for linear movement along the 
length of the drum and mounting a plurality of printing transducers 
thereon which track along the colored stripes at the fixed position and 
convert the image signals into printing signals in a form of energy, such 
as pressure or thermal energy which when applied to the stripes is 
effective to cause the selective transfer of the printing mediums to the 
image-receiving sheet on the drum, and drive means for rotatably driving 
the drum and linearly driving the printing head in coordinated relation to 
the rotation of the drum to effect the printout of the recorded image as 
the printing head is advanced along the drum. 
Advantageously, the plurality of printing transducers are mounted on a 
single printing head and operate simultaneously so that the different 
colored printing mediums are transferred to the image-receiving sheet 
during a single scan. 
The printing head is driven by the drive means from a first position to a 
second position during image printing and thereafter is as adapted to be 
manually reset back to the first position in preparation for making the 
next print. In a preferred embodiment the mechanism for advancing the 
image-receiving sheet and the transfer sheet operates automatically in 
response to resetting the printing head back to the first position. 
As the printing head is moved between its first and second positions it 
engages and actuates a plurality of electrical switches that initiate such 
functions as rewinding a magnetic tape in the camera one image frame in 
preparation to providing image signals to the printer, actuating the drive 
means and the providing of such signals to the printer and reversing the 
rotation of the drum following the making of a print to cause the 
image-receiving sheet to be at least partially unwrapped therefrom to 
facilitate its removal. 
Therefore it is an object of the present invention to provide a compact 
printer that is suitable for use in a hand-held electronic imaging camera 
and provides a color print of an electronically-recorded image on an 
image-receiving sheet. 
It is another object of the invention to provide such a printer which 
includes provisions for advancing an image-receiving sheet into operative 
relation with a drum forming part of the printer so that the 
image-receiving sheet is wrapped onto a support surface of the drum during 
an initial revolution thereof and for advancing a transfer sheet to 
present the next set of colored printing medium stripes thereon at a fixed 
position adjacent the support surface in preparation for making a color 
print. 
Other objects of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part 
appear hereinafter.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
The printer embodying the present invention is illustrated as forming part 
of a hand-held, self-processing, electronic-imaging camera 10 and is 
numerically designated 28 in the drawings. 
Camera 10 will be described briefly herein to provide enough detail to 
disclose the working environment of printer 28. A complete description of 
camera 10 may be found in the previously noted copending application Ser. 
No. 891,705. 
FIG. 1 of the drawings shows, in block diagram form, the basic components 
of the hand-held, self-processing electronic imaging camera 10 for 
electronically recording an image of a scene, displaying the recorded 
image on an electro-optical display device so the operator of the camera 
may audit his results and rendering or printing out a hard copy print of 
the recorded image on an image-receiving sheet. 
The camera 10 includes a housing 12, an optical system including an 
objective lens or lens assembly 14 for providing an optical image of a 
scene to be recorded, a color separator 15 for separating the optical 
image into its red, green, and blue primary color components, a 
photosensitive transducer 16 for converting the primary color components 
of the optical image into corresponding analog electronic image signals 
that represent the optical image in electronic data form, an analog to 
digital (A.fwdarw.D) converter 18 for converting the analog signals into 
digital signals, a memory 20 for receiving these signals and storing the 
same, a D.fwdarw.A converter 22 for converting digital signals from the 
memory 20 back to analog form, an electro-optical display device 24 
responsive to the electronic image signals provided from memory 20 through 
D.fwdarw.A converter 22 for providing a visual display of the image, a 
magnetic recording and playback unit 26 for recording electronic image 
signals provided from memory 20 through converter 22 on a magnetic 
recording medium such as magnetic tape and providing image signals from 
the tape when operated in the playback mode; a printer 28 responsive to 
electronic image signals provided from the magnetic tape for printing out 
or rendering a print of the image on an image receiving sheet, and a 
control logic system 30 for controlling, in a coordinated manner, various 
components of camera 10. 
FIG. 1 illustrates a preferred embodiment of camera 10 wherein it is 
configured to provide a hard copy print of the recorded image in full 
color. 
As will become apparent later, to provide such a color print it is 
necessary to drive or modulate printer 28 with three separate electronic 
image signals which respectively represent the red, green and blue primary 
color components of the optical image in electronic data form. These three 
separate electronic image signals are generated by separating the optical 
image provided by lens 14 into its three primary color components with 
color separator 15 and utilizing photosensitive transducer 16 to convert 
the three primary color components of the optical image into the three 
corresponding electronic image signals. 
The three primary color image signals are fed into memory 20 and are 
supplied therefrom to display device 24, on a recirculating basis, so that 
the operator may audit his results and to the magnetic record and playback 
device 26 where one cycle or one full frame of image information is 
recorded on magnetic tape at a video rate for later playback to supply the 
image signals to printer 28 to make a color print. 
To make a hard copy print of the recorded image the record and playback 
device 26 is operated in the playback mode at a relatively slow rate and 
the electronic image signals are applied to the printer 28. 
The printer 28, to be described in detail later, operates in a substractive 
color mode and forms the color print by printing out on a receiving sheet 
overlying secondary color dot patterns to reproduce the light intensities 
and color content of the original scene. The dot patterns are produced by 
effecting the selective transfer of secondary color (cyan, magenta and 
yellow) printing mediums from a transfer sheet to an image-receiving sheet 
in accordance with three secondary color image signals that are derived 
from the three primary color image signals. 
In a preferred embodiment, the image-receiving material may comprise a 
plain sheet of high quality printing grade paper that is receptive to 
color printing mediums such as inks and dyes that are used in commercial 
printing processes. 
The color printing mediums are preferably provided on a transfer sheet 
(later described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7) having a repeating 
series of three adjacent stripes or bars of secondary color inks or dyes 
(cyan, magenta and yellow) thereon. 
The printer 28 is of the scanning type and includes means for 
electronically converting the three primary color image signals into three 
corresponding secondary color image signals, a rotatably driven drum on 
which the receiving sheet is wrapped and a printing head assembly mounted 
for synchronized axial movement along the drum and including three 
printing transducers, one for each of the three secondary color image 
signals, that convert the secondary color image signals into printing 
signals that are in a form of energy that is effective to transfer the 
secondary color mediums from the transfer sheet to the image-receiving 
sheet. 
The control logic system 30 includes a plurality of electronic circuits 
that provide the various timing, gate switching, sequencing, control and 
synchronization signals and signal amplification required by the 
photosensitive transducer 16, A.fwdarw.D converter 18, memory 20, 
D.fwdarw.A converter 22, display device 24, recording and playback device 
26 and printer 28. 
The control logic system also includes control switches 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 
and 42. The switches 32, 34 and 36 are button-type switches which are 
manually actuable by the operator. Switch 32 is operable to initiate a 
cycle of operation wherein an optical image is converted into electronic 
image signals which are fed through memory 20 to display device 24 for 
image display and simultaneously to record and playback device 26 for 
recording the signals on magnetic tape. Switch 34 is operable to initiate 
a cycle of operation wherein the magnetic tape holding a plurality of 
electronically recorded images thereon is rewound to the beginning of the 
tape. Switch 36 is operable to initiate a cycle of operation wherein 
previously recorded image information on the magnetic tape is played back 
and is fed to memory 20 through A.fwdarw.D converter 18 and then to the 
display device 24 from memory 20 through D.fwdarw.A converter 22. 
The switches 38, 40 and 42 are associated with printer 28 and they are 
actuated by a later-to-be-described movable printing head assembly forming 
part of printer 28. Briefly, switch 38 is operable to rewind the magnetic 
tape in device 26 one picture frame (i.e., one electronically recorded 
image) in preparation to feed the electronic image signals comprising the 
picture frame to printer 28. In response to moving the printing head 
assembly to an operative position wherein it is located to begin a 
printout cycle, switch 40 is actuated and it initiates a print cycle 
wherein the recorded and playback device 26 feeds the electronic image 
signals to a converter in printer 28 which converts them to corresponding 
secondary color signals which are fed to the printing transducers on the 
printing head assembly while the printer drum is rotated and the printing 
head assembly is driven along the drum to effect the selective transfer of 
the secondary color printing mediums from the transfer sheet to the 
image-receiving sheet on the drum. At the end of the printout cycle, the 
printing head assembly has moved to a position wherein it actuates switch 
42 which is operable to initiate a cycle of operation wherein the 
image-receiving sheet is advanced from the printer drum and out through a 
withdrawal slot in camera housing 12 where it is accessible to the camera 
operator. 
For a detailed description of the electronic circuits associated with 
control logic system 30 reference may be had to the previously noted 
copending application Ser. No. 891,705. 
FIG. 2 of the drawings shows a side view of camera 10 showing the 
arrangement of certain camera components including the lens 14, a module 
44 housing the color separator 15 and the photosensitive transducer 16, 
the button switches 32, 34 and 36, a magnetic tape cassette 46, a 
later-to-be-described cassette 48 holding a supply of image-receiving 
sheets and a transfer sheet and a drum 50 forming part of printer 28. 
FIG. 3 shows more details of the camera components. In the upper portion of 
housing 12 the magnetic tape cassette 46 is located in a chamber 52 in 
operative relation with the magnetic tape record and playback device 26 
mounted on support plate 54. The cassette 48 is located in a chamber 56 
behind device 26 and a flat battery 58 and the flat panel display device 
24 are mounted on a rear pivoting housing section 60 of camera housing 12 
that opens to provide access to chamber 56. 
Before describing cassette 48, its contents (a stack of image-receiving 
sheets 62 and a transfer sheet 64) and the structure defining the cassette 
receiving chamber 56, the printer 28 will be described with reference to 
FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. 
The printer 28 located in the lower section of housing 12, includes the 
rotatably mounted hollow cylindrical drum 50 for supporting and rotating 
an image-receiving sheet 62 wrapped on an exterior support surface of drum 
50 and a printing head assembly 66 mounted for linear axial movement along 
the drum surface and mounting thereon three printing transducers 68, 70 
and 72 to which three secondary color image signals, derived from the 
three primary color image signals fed to printer 28, are applied for 
converting the secondary color image signals into corresponding printing 
signals in a form of energy, such as pressure or thermal energy, that is 
effective to cause the selective transfer of secondary color printing 
mediums from the transfer sheet 64 to an image-receiving sheet 62 on drum 
50. 
In a preferred embodiment the means for driving drum 50 and the printing 
head assembly 66 include a small high speed reversible electrical motor 74 
and its associated drive train located within the hollow center of drum 
50. 
As best shown in FIG. 4, a view looking into the lower section of housing 
12 from the rear of camera 10, the drum 50, the drive means and the 
printing head assembly 66 are shown mounted on a generally U-shaped 
support frame 76 secured to the bottom wall of housing 12. 
The hollow drum 50 is supported for rotation about its axis by a pair of 
internal bearings 78 and 80 mounted on opposed support members 82 and 84 
that are fixedly secured to opposite sides of support frame 76 and extend 
into the hollow center of drum 50. 
Motor 74 is fixedly secured to support member 84 and includes a pair of 
electrical power leads 86 and 88 through which motor 74 is energized. The 
motor's output shaft 90 is coupled to a speed reducing gear train assembly 
92 which is fixedly secured to support member 84 and has an output shaft 
94. Fixedly secured to shaft 94 is a drum drive gear 96 which is in mesh 
with an internal gear 98 secured to the internal cylindrical surface of 
drum 50. The output shaft 94 of the speed reducer 92 extends beyond gear 
96 and through support member 82 and support frame 76 and has a gear 100 
fixedly secured to the end thereof which serves as a power take off gear 
for driving the printing head assembly 66. 
As noted earlier, the printing head assembly 66 is mounted for linear axial 
movement along the drum 50 as drum 50 is rotated such that the printing 
transducers 68, 70 and 72 scan the entire image-receiving area of an image 
receiving sheet 62 on drum 50 during the course of a printout cycle of 
operation. 
As best shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the printing head assembly 66 comprises 
a carriage member 102 defined by a pair of vertically disposed spaced side 
walls 104 and a connecting rear wall 106 which extends above side walls 
104 and a generally L-shaped print head 108 disposed between side walls 
104 and including a short leg 110 which mounts printing transducers 68, 70 
and 72 and a longer leg 112 which extends out of the lower portion of 
housing 12 through an elongated slot or opening 114 provided in the rear 
wall thereof and serves as an actuating lever or handle to facilitate the 
manual manipulation of assembly 66. 
The carriage member 102 and the L-shaped print head 108 are mounted on a 
horizontal rod or guide pin 116 which extends between the opposed upright 
arms of support frame 76 below drum 50 for sliding movement between the 
end of print terminal position (shown in solid lines in FIGS. 4 and 5) 
adjacent one end of drum 50 and an initiate print terminal position (shown 
in phantom lines in FIGS. 4 and 5) adjacent the opposite end of drum 50. 
As will become apparent later, assembly 66 is configured to be manually 
moved along pin 116 from the end of print position to the initiate print 
position and thereafter to be driven from the initiate print position to 
the end of print position during the printout cycle. 
The means for driving assembly 66 includes a finely threaded horizontally 
disposed lead screw 118 rotatably mounted in the upright portions of 
support frame 76 over pin 116. As best shown in FIG. 4, the right-hand end 
of lead screw 118 extends beyond the right-hand upright of frame 76 and 
has a gear 120 fixedly secured thereto that is in mesh with the power take 
off gear 100 on the motor driven output shaft 94 of the speed reducer 92. 
The lead screw 118 passes through opposed oversized openings in the side 
walls 104 of carriage 102 and is normally engaged by a half nut portion 
122 of print head 108 which is formed with a complementary screw thread on 
the interior thereof and is adapted to mesh in driving engagement with the 
thread of lead screw 118. 
In FIG. 3 the print head 108 is shown in its normal operating position in 
solid lines wherein the half nut portion 122 thereof is located in driving 
mesh with lead screw 108 and in its inoperative position in phantom lines 
wherein it is disengaged from lead screw 118 to permit manual sliding 
movement of assembly 66 along the guide pin 116. 
To hold the half nut portion 122 of print head 108 in meshed engagement 
with lead screw 118, the print head 108 is biased by a torsion spring 124 
having one end coupled to print head 108 and its opposite end coupled to 
side wall 104 of carriage 102 such that print head 108 pivots in a 
clockwise direction (as viewed in FIG. 3) about guide pin 116 causing the 
threads of half nut portion 122 to press against the threads of lead screw 
118. When so located in this operative position, the printing transducers 
68, 70, 72 on print head 108 are located in close proximity to the support 
surface of drum 50 in position to engage a portion of transfer sheet 64 
located against an image-receiving sheet 62 on drum 50 and the handle or 
lever portion 112 of print head 108 is horizontally oriented. 
To disengage the print head 108 from lead screw 118, the handle 112 is 
manually moved upwardly causing the print head 108 to pivot in a 
counterclockwise manner about pin 116 against the bias of spring 124 
thereby pivoting the half nut portion 122 out of engagement with lead 
screw 118 and spacing the printing transducers 68, 70 and 72 a substantial 
distance from the support surface of drum 50. When print head 108 is so 
disengaged, the print head assembly 66 may be manually moved by sliding it 
along pin 116 with the raised handle 112 of print head 108. 
As will be described later, the motion of the print head assembly 66 as it 
is manually moved from the end of print position to the initiate print 
position is used to operate a mechanism for advancing an image-receiving 
sheet 62 from the cassette 48 into operative relation with drum 50 and 
also incrementally advancing the transfer sheet 62 relative to the 
printing transducers 68, 70 and 72 on print head 108. 
As noted earlier, the color print of the recorded image is formed on the 
image-receiving sheet 62 by effecting the selective transfer of cyan, 
magenta, and yellow printing mediums from the transfer sheet 62 to the 
image-receiving sheet 62 on drum 50. 
The means for effecting the selective transfer of the secondary color 
printing mediums are the three printing transducers 68, 70 and 72, to be 
described in detail later, which are modulated or driven by three 
secondary color image signals, derived from the primary color image 
signals fed to printer 28, and convert the secondary color image signals 
into printing signals in a form of energy, such as pressure or thermal 
energy, which when applied to the transfer sheet 64 effects the selective 
transfer of the secondary color printing mediums therefrom to 
image-receiving sheet 62 thereby printing three superimposed dot patterns 
on the image-receiving sheet 62 that define the recorded image in much the 
same manner as images printed on a receiving sheet by a subtractive color 
halftone printing process. 
The transfer sheet 64, as best shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, include an elongated 
base sheet 126 preferably formed of a plastic material such as Mylar 
having a plurality of secondary color bands or stripes thereon arranged in 
repeating sets of three sequential bands or stripes 128, 130 and 132 
comprising respectively cyan, magenta and yellow inks or dyes releasably 
adhered to the base sheet 126 by a binding agent such as wax or the like. 
Overlying the color bands on the opposite side thereof from base sheet 126 
is a very thin coating or layer 134 of a polymerized plastic material 
having a low coefficient of friction. 
As will become apparent, the transfer sheet 64 is adapted to be located in 
operative relation with printer 28 such that one set of the three color 
bands 128, 130 and 132 is located at a fixed position between an 
image-receiving sheet 62 on drum 50 and the printing transducers 68, 70 
and 72, with the layer 134 facing sheet 62 and the transducers 68, 70 and 
72 in engagement with the base sheet 126 in alignment respectively with 
the bands 128, 130 and 132 which extend along the drum 50 in parallel 
relation to the axis of drum 50. 
When so located, the layer 134 of sheet 64 contacts the image-receiving 
sheet 62 and the low friction properties of layer 134 allows the sheet 62 
to slide thereunder freely in response to rotation of drum 50. Layer 134 
also inhibits the transfer of inks in the color bands 128, 130 and 132 
until an appropriate printing signals are applied to transfer sheet 64 by 
the printing transducers 68, 70 and 72. 
As noted earlier, the image-receiving sheets 62 comprise a high-quality 
grade printing paper that is receptive to the cyan, magenta and yellow 
inks or dyes of transfer sheet 64. 
In a preferred embodiment, a stack of image-receiving sheets 62 (for 
example ten (10)) and a single transfer sheet 62 having at least ten (10) 
sets of color bands 128, 130 and 132 are provided in the cassette 48 which 
is adapted to be located in the cassette receiving chamber 56 of camera 
10. 
As best shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 8, cassette 48 comprises a substantially 
thin, planar upper box-like section 136 for holding a stack of 
image-receiving sheets 62 and a portion of transfer sheet 64 and a lower 
depending curved section 138 which supports a portion of transfer sheet 64 
extending out of upper section 136 and serves as a guide for guiding and 
locating the transfer sheet 64 in operative relation with the printing 
transducers 68, 70 and 72. 
The upper and lower sections 136 and 138 share a common wall 140 which 
curves at lower section 138 to conform to the shape of drum 50. Upper 
section 136 is defined by the upper portion of wall 140, an opposed wall 
142 and a peripheral section comprising a top wall 144, a pair of side 
walls 146 and a bottom wall 148 having an elongated withdrawal slot 150 
therein adjacent wall 140. It will be noted that cassette 48 includes an 
indented transition surface 152 at the intersection of walls 142 and 148 
which serves as a locating bearing surface that cooperates with an 
L-shaped flange 154 in receiving chamber 56 to accurately locate cassette 
48 therein. 
The lower section 138 of cassette 48 includes a pair of integrally formed 
guide channels 156 along the lateral edges of wall 140 for receiving the 
lateral edges of transfer sheet 64. It will be noted that the channel 
structure extends beyond the lower edge of wall 140 as indicated at 158 
such that one set of three color bands 68, 70 and 72 on transfer sheet 64 
may be located in the extended portions 158 thereby clearing the lower 
edge of wall 140. 
The elongated transfer sheet 64 is initially located against wall 140 of 
cassette 48 with its base sheet 126 facing wall 140. It extends from the 
interior of the upper section 136 through withdrawal slot 150 and along 
the curved portion 138 of wall 140 with its lateral edges in guide 
channels 156. 
As shown in FIG. 7, transfer sheet 64 has a plurality of sprocket holes 160 
along one lateral edge thereof which are aligned with an opening 162 in 
cassette wall 140 which provides access for a later-to-be-described 
advancing mechanism to engage the holes 160 for the purpose of advancing 
the transfer sheet 64 relative to cassette 48 and the printing transducers 
68, 70 and 72. 
The stack of image-receiving sheets 62 is located within the upper section 
136 of cassette 48 in overlying relation to the portion of transfer sheet 
64 therein with the forwardmost sheet 62 in the stack closest to sheet 64 
being in alignment with the withdrawal slot 150. 
Each of the sheets 62 has a single sprocket hole 164 in one lateral edge 
thereof which is aligned with an access opening 166 in wall 140 of 
cassette 48 that provides access for the later-to-be-described advancing 
mechanism to an engage hole 164 for the purpose of advancing the 
forwardmost sheet 62 through withdrawal slot 150 and into operative 
engagement with drum 50. A spring platen 167 is provided in cassette 48 to 
urge the stack of image-receiving sheets 53 toward wall 140. 
As best shown in FIG. 5, the stack of sheets 62 is offset laterally with 
respect to transfer sheet 64 such that the lateral edge having the 
sprocket hole 164 extends beyond the lateral edge of transfer sheet 64 
thereby providing clearance for the advancing mechanism to engage sheet 62 
through the access opening 166 without engaging transfer sheet 64. 
Access for loading cassette 48 into the receiving chamber 56 is provided by 
pivoting the housing section 60 mounting the display device 24 and the 
flat battery 58 to its open position. 
Before loading cassette 48, the printing head 108 is manually pivoted to 
its inoperative position to displace the printing transducers 68, 70 and 
72 from drum 50. The cassette 48 is inclined with respect to chamber 56 
and its lower curved section 138 is inserted first over the top of the 
drum 50. The cassette is pivoted in a counterclockwise manner (as viewed 
in FIG. 3) so that the curved portion 138 follows the contour of the drum 
50 to locate the extended portions 158 of guide channels 156 in a position 
wherein the three color bands 128, 130 and 132 of transfer sheet 64 
extending therebetween will be aligned with transducers 68, 70 and 72 when 
print head 108 is returned to its operative position. In response to the 
pivotal motion of the cassette 48, the upper portion 136 thereof is 
located at its operative position in chamber 56. As shown in FIG. 3, the 
upper portion of cassette wall 140 bears against a vertically disposed 
locating plate 168 in the upper portion of housing 12 and the indented 
transition section 152 of cassette 48 rests against the conforming 
locating bracket 154. Once cassette 48 is located in its operative 
position in chamber 56, the print head 108 is pivoted back to its 
operative position. 
The means for advancing an image-receiving sheet 62 into operative relation 
with drum 50 and incrementally advancing the transfer sheet 64 to present 
a fresh set of color bands 128, 130 and 132 at the fixed position in 
alignment with printing transducers 68, 70 and 72 for each printout 
includes a pick mechanism 170 which is operable in response to manually 
moving the printing head assembly 66 from the end of print position shown 
in solid lines in FIG. 5 to the initiate print position shown in phantom 
lines. 
The pick mechanism 170 includes an elongated slide member 172 having its 
opposite lateral side portions slidably captured in vertically disposed 
guide channels 174 and 176 on the interior of side walls of housing 12. 
The vertical sliding motion of slide member 172 is limited by fixed stop 
pins 178 and 180 which extend through elongated vertical slots 182 and 184 
in member 172 adjacent guide channels 174 and 176. 
Integrally formed with slide member 172 is a first pick arm 186 having a 
hook-like upper end that is adapted to extend through access opening 166 
in cassette wall 140 and into the sprocket hole 164 in the forwardmost 
image-receiving sheet 62 in the stack thereby engaging the forwardmost 
sheet 62 for advancement through withdrawal slot 150 toward drum 50 in 
response to downward movement of slide member 172. 
A second pick arm 188 is mounted on slide member 172 and includes a 
hook-like upper end that is adapted to extend through access opening 162 
in cassette wall 140 and into one of the sprocket holes 160 in transfer 
sheet 64 thereby engaging sheet 64 for advancement through withdrawal slot 
150 and relative to the printing transducers 68, 70 and 72 to present a 
new set of the three color bands 128, 130 and 134 in alignment with the 
transducers in response to downward movement of slide member 172. 
The distance that the forwardmost image-receiving sheet 62 must be moved to 
engage it with drum 50 exceeds the incremental distance transfer sheet 64 
must be moved to advance it one set of color bands. Therefore, the pick 
arm 188 is mounted on slide member 172 in a manner which provides for an 
appropriate amount of lost motion. 
As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, pick arm 188 is mounted in a pair of guide 
channels 190 on member 172 for vertical sliding motion relative thereto. 
Arm 188 terminates in a horizontal flange 192 at its lower end that 
extends rearwardly under the lower edge of slide member 172. Flange 192 is 
spaced a predetermined distance below member 172 by means of a guide pin 
194 on a forward lower wall of housing 12, that extends through a vertical 
slot 196 in arm 188 and a spring 198, having one end attached to arm 188; 
and its opposite end attached to a lug on plate 54 of device 26, which 
provides an upward biasing force on arm 188 to hold the lower end of slot 
196 against pin 194. 
As best shown in FIG. 5, the slide member 172 also has an inclined 
elongated slot 200 therein for slidably receiving a drive pin 202 fixedly 
mounted on a pin support extension 206 of wall 106 of printing head 
carriage 102 that forms part of print head assembly 66. It is readily 
apparent that as assembly 66 is moved from its end-of-print position to 
its initiate print position (to the left as viewed in FIG. 5) the 
horizontal movement of pin 202 riding in slot 200 will drive the slide 
member 172 downwardly from the position shown in FIG. 3, and that movement 
of pin 202 in the opposite direction in response to the lead screw 118 
driving assembly 66 from the initiate print position to the end-of-print 
position will cause slide member 172 to be driven upwardly. 
Assume now that the pick mechanism 170 is in its fully raised position 
shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 with the print head assembly 66 located in the 
end-of-print position (to the right as viewed in FIG. 5). To initiate a 
printout cycle of operation, the camera operator manually raises the 
handle portion 112 of print head 108 which causes the print head 108 to 
pivot thereby disengaging the half nut portion 122 from lead screw 118 and 
spacing the transducers 68, 70 and 72 from drum 50. As best shown in FIG. 
3 when print head 108 is pivoted to its disengaged position, it engages 
and closes a normally open switch 38 mounted on carriage 102 thereby 
actuating a circuit which operates the magnetic record and playback device 
26 causing it to rewind the magnetic tape one frame. 
As the operator manually moves print head assembly 66 to the left as viewed 
in FIG. 5, the pin 202 in slot 200 drives the slide member 172 and the 
integral pick arm 186 thereon downwardly and arm 186 advances the 
forwardmost image-receiving sheet 62 through slot 150 toward drum 50. 
During the initial downward movement of slide member 172, the second pick 
arm 188 remains stationary because it is held in its up position by the 
biasing force of spring 198. Pick arm 188 remains in this position until 
the lower edge of slide member 172 engages the horizontal flange 192 at 
the lower end of arm 188 at which point member 172 begins to drive arm 188 
downwardly therewith overcoming the bias of spring 198. As member 172 is 
further advanced downwardly, pick arm 186 advances sheet 62 towards drum 
50 while arm 188 simultaneously advances the transfer sheet 64 relative to 
the operative position of transducers 68, 70 and 72. As noted earlier, the 
transfer sheet 64 is adapted to be advanced a shorter distance than the 
image-receiving sheet 62 and this is accomplished by the lost motion 
characteristics of pick mechanism 170 which delays initiating movement of 
pick arm 188 until pick arm 186 has moved through a predetermined 
distance. 
As best shown in FIG. 3, the drum 50 has an elongated slot 206 formed along 
its length for receiving the leading end of image-receiving sheet 62 
(shown in dotted lines) and a spring retaining clip 208 for releasably 
retaining the leading end in slot 206. As pick mechanism 170 approaches 
the end of its downward travel, arm 186 advances image-receiving sheet 62 
into slot 206 such that its leading end is captured in spring retaining 
clip 208. At this point, pick arm 188 has advanced the transfer sheet 64 
one set of color bands 128, 130 and 132 relative to the operative position 
of transducers 68, 70 and 72 on print head 108. Although not shown in the 
drawings, ramp-like cam members are provided in the path of travel of pick 
arms 186 and 188 such that they are cammed slightly away from cassette 48 
at the end of the downward movement of pick mechanism 172 thereby 
disengaging the hook like ends of arms 186 and 188 from the respective 
sprocket holes in image-receiving sheet 62 and transfer sheet 64. 
As best shown in FIG. 4, the button switch 40 is located on the horizontal 
portion of support frame 76 near the right-hand end of drum 50. When the 
print head assembly 66 is located in the initiate print position (the 
right-hand terminal position as viewed in FIG. 4), the operator begins the 
actual printout phase by lowering the handle portion 112 of print head 108 
which engages and closes the normally open switch 40 when the print head 
108 is in its operative position. 
The closing of switch 40 energizes and actuates a circuit which operates 
the tape record and playback device 26 in a playback mode to feed the 
electronic image signals to printer 28 and actuates another circuit which 
operates printer 28. 
The motor 74 is energized with a voltage having the appropriate polarity 
such that the drum 50 is rotated in a counterclockwise direction (as 
viewed in FIG. 3) and the lead screw 118 is rotated in the appropriate 
direction to cause the print head assembly 66 to be driven from the 
initiate print position shown in phantom lines to the end-of-print 
position shown in solid lines in FIGS. 4 and 5. 
During the course of the initial revolution of drum 50 the forwardmost 
image-receiving sheet 62 having its leading end captured in slot 206 by 
clip 208 is pulled through slot 150 of cassette 48 and is wrapped on the 
support surface of drum 50. As drum 50 rotates, the print head assembly 66 
is driven along lead screw 118 and the printing transducers 68, 70 and 72, 
in engagement with the color bands 128, 130 and 132 of the transfer sheet 
64, are selectively energized by the secondary color image signals to 
effect the selective transfer of the secondary color print mediums from 
sheet 64 to sheet 62 to print out the recorded image. 
As assembly 66 is driven along lead screw 118, the pick mechanism 170 is 
driven upwardly by pin 202 riding along slot 200. 
When the print head assembly 66 reaches the end of print position, the left 
side wall 104 of carriage 102 engages and closes the normally open switch 
42 mounted on the left-hand upright of frame 76 (as viewed in FIG. 4). The 
closing of switch 42 actuates a circuit which is effective to brake the 
rotation of motor 74 thereby stopping the rotation of drum 50 and 
thereafter apply a reverse polarity voltage to motor 74 causing it to run 
for a short time in reverse such that drum 50 revolves through a single 
clockwise revolution. During the course of this single revolution, the 
trailing or free end of the image-receiving sheet 62 on drum 50 is lifted 
therefrom by a wedge-shaped stripper bar 200 (see FIG. 3) extending 
inwardly toward drum 50 from the top edge of a rear wall section of 
housing section 60 thereby feeding the trailing end of sheet 62 through a 
print exit slot 212 defined by bar 210 and a bottom wall portion of 
housing section 60 on the rear side of camera housing 12. In response to 
this single reverse revolution of drum 50 at least a portion of the 
image-receiving sheet 62 is advanced to the exterior of camera 10 through 
exit slot 312 where it may be grasped by the operator and manually pulled 
to release its leading end from retaining clip 208. 
For each successive print, the transfer sheet 64 is advanced to provide a 
fresh set of the three secondary color bands 128, 130 and 132 in alignment 
with the printing transducers 68, 70 and 72, and the used portion of sheet 
64 accummulates in a receptacle (not shown) in the hollow space between 
the bottom of drum 50 and the rear wall section of housing 12. A small 
door (not shown) may be provided in the rear wall section which provides 
access to the receptacle for removing the transfer sheet 64. 
During the course of the printout cycle the magnetic tape record and 
playback device 26 feeds the primary colors red, green and blue electronic 
image signals representing the recorded image from the magnetic tape to 
printer 28. Because the printer 28 is designed to operate in a subtractive 
color mode using the secondary colors, cyan, magenta and yellow, the 
primary color image signals must be converted to equivalent secondary 
color image signals which are then applied to the printing transducers 68, 
70 and 72. 
For example, printer 28 is operative to reproduce the color red by laying 
down superimposed magenta and yellow dots. Therefore, a red input signal 
must be converted to equivalent magenta and yellow signals. Likewise, the 
color green is rendered by superimposed cyan and yellow dots and blue is 
rendered by superimposed magenta and cyan dots. 
For any given set of the three primary color electronic image signals that 
represent a particular color in the additive color mode, there is an 
equivalent set of the secondary color image signals that represent the 
same color in the subtractive color mode. The relation of the primary 
signals to the secondary signals may be described mathematically by a set 
of simultaneous transformation equations that balance the color 
characteristics of the red, green and blue color filters of color 
separator 15 with the color characteristics of the cyan, magenta and 
yellow inks or dyes used in the transfer sheet 64. Once the relationship 
between the two color systems is defined by the set of simultaneous 
transformation equations the conversion may be done electronically by 
means of a matrixing circuit. 
As best shown in FIG. 9, the printer 28 includes means for converting the 
additive primary color red, green, and blue image signals to corresponding 
subtractive secondary color cyan, magenta and yellow images signals in the 
form of an electronic matrixing circuit 214 designated ADDITIVE TO 
SUBTRACTIVE SIGNAL CONVERTER circuit 214. The three primary color 
electronic image signals from the magnetic record and playback device 26 
are fed into circuit 214 which converts these signals into equivalent 
secondary color image signals that are fed to the printing transducers 68, 
70 and 72. Because the printing transducers 68, 70 and 72 are spaced 
relative to one another on print head 108, it is necessary to adjust the 
phase relationship of the secondary color image signals such that the 
three transducers may operate to superimpose three color dots defining a 
single picture element at one location on the image-receiving sheet. In a 
preferred embodiment circuit 214 also includes such means for adjusting 
the phase relationship of the secondary color image signals in accordance 
with the physical spacing of the printing transducers 68, 70 and 72 and 
the diameter and operating speed of rotation of drum 50. 
During each revolution of the drum 50 the printing transducers 68, 70 and 
72 print out a single line of image information in the form of overlying 
secondary color dots and the screw thread 118 advances the print head 
assembly 66 in synchronization with the rotation of drum 50 to index the 
printing transducers 68, 70 and 72 one line position for each revolution 
of drum 50 so that the entire image-receiving area of sheet 62 is scanned 
in response to advancing assembly 66 from the initiate print position to 
the end-of-print position. 
As noted earlier the printing transducers 68, 70 and 72 preferably convert 
an electronic image signal applied thereto to a printing signal in the 
form of pressure or thermal energy which acts on the transfer sheet 64 and 
is effective to cause the transfer of the printing mediums from transfer 
sheet 64 to the image-receiving sheet 62 on drum 50. 
One type of printing transducer which provides a pressure output in 
response to an electronic signal input is shown in FIG. 10 of the 
drawings. 
The printing transducer designated 68 in FIG. 10 (transducers 70 and 72 
being identical to transducer 68) is of the electromagnetic type and 
includes a diamond-pointed stylus 215 that is adapted to engage the base 
layer 126 of the transfer sheet 64 and apply pressure therethrough to the 
ink or dye in the color band causing it to transfer to the image-receiving 
sheet in much the same manner that ink is transferred from a typewriter 
ribbon to a receiving sheet upon pressure impact of a print head. 
The transducer 68 includes an annular steel collar 216, an annular magnet 
218 having one of its pole ends coupled to collar 216, a steel base piece 
220 coupled to the opposite pole end of magnet 218, a steel shaft 222 
mounted on base piece 220 and extending through magnet 218 and into the 
open central bore of collar 216 to define an annular gap 224 between shaft 
222 and collar 216, and a non-magnetic drive tube 226 having a wire coil 
228 wound thereon, slidably mounted for axial movement on shaft 222 in gap 
224. 
The drive tube 226 extends slightly beyond the end of shaft 222 and it is 
coupled to the collar 216 by means of a bellow-like spring member 230. 
Mounted in the open bore of tube 226 is a cone-like diaphragm portion or 
member 232 of member 230 having the diamond-pointed stylus 215 secured 
thereto. The stylus 215 extends through the open central bore of a 
protective transducer end cap 236. 
Through magnetic coupling with magnet 218 the collar 216 and shaft 222 are 
oppositely magnetically polarized thereby establishing a magnetic force 
field across gap 224. When a secondary color electronic image signal is 
applied to coil 228, the current flow therethrough interacts with the 
magnetic field and produces a thrust force, proportional to the signal 
strength, that is effective to displace the drive tube 226 and the stylus 
215 thereon axially in the direction of the end cap 236. When the signal 
is removed from coil 228 the tube 226 and stylus 215 thereon are restored 
to the initial position by the bellow-like spring member 230. In this 
manner, the stylus 215 is driven in an axial direction with a force that 
is proportional to the strength of the image signal applied to coil 228. 
The three printing transducers 68, 70 and 72 are mounted on the short leg 
110 of print head 108 such that the diamond point on their respective 
styluses 215 preferably just engage the base sheet 126 of the cyan, 
magenta and yellow color bands 128, 130 and 132 on transfer sheet 64 when 
the print head 108 is located in its operative position (shown in solid 
lines in FIG. 3) with no real image signal applied to their respective 
coils 228. Alternatively the points of styluses 215 may be spaced slightly 
from the base sheet 126 when there is no signal applied. 
In either event when an image signal is applied to the coil 218 of any one 
of the transducers, its stylus 215 is driven axially toward the drum 50 so 
as to engage the base sheet 126 of the transfer sheet 64 and apply 
sufficient pressure therethrough to the printing medium which is displaced 
from the color band and adheres to the image-receiving sheet 62 on drum 
50. It will be noted that the plastic layer 134 on transfer sheet 64 is 
sufficiently thin and ruptures upon the pressure impact provided by stylus 
215 so as not to inhibit such displacement of the printing medium and its 
transfer to sheet 62. 
The transfer of the printing medium to sheet 62 creates a color dot thereon 
which may be slightly elongated because of the rotation of the 
image-receiving sheet 62 by the drum 50. The size of the dot is 
proportional to the amount of pressure applied to transfer sheet 64 by 
stylus 215 which in turn is proportional to the strength of the image 
signal applied to coil 228. Therefore, the dot size is proportional to 
signal strength. That is, a relatively strong image signal produces a 
greater amount of pressure than a weaker signal and the size of the dot 
increases with increasing pressure. 
As noted earlier an image is printed out on the receiving sheet 62 in the 
form of three overlying secondary color dot patterns which are similar in 
some respects to those produced in color halftone printing processes. The 
dots are applied with essentially equal spacing between dots. However, the 
dot size is varied in proportion to image signal strength to provide 
variations in density or color saturation. That is, in the high light area 
of the image the equally spaced dots are relatively small and are viewed 
against the white background of the image-receiving sheet 62 so as to 
appear low in color saturation. On the other hand in shadow areas the 
equally spaced dots are much larger in size and less of the white 
background is visible and the apparent color saturation is much higher. 
In preferred embodiment of camera 10, the imaging system and printer 28 
have an operating resolution of approximately 200 lines/inch. The 
image-receiving area of image-receiving sheet 62 measures approximately 
3".times.3" and the total printout time approximates one minute with drum 
186 being driven at the rate of 600 RPM. The individual color dots have a 
maximum diameter of approximately 0.008 of an inch. 
As noted earlier, it is within the scope of the present invention to 
provide a printer 28 with printing transducers which convert the 
electronic image signals into a form of energy other than pressure, such 
as thermal energy, to effect the selective transfer of colored printing 
mediums from transfer sheet 64 to image-receiving sheet 62. 
An example of a thermal energy transducer suitable for use in printer 28 is 
shown in FIG. 11 of the drawings. 
The transducer, designated 238, comprises a base plate 240 formed of any 
suitable electrical and thermal insulating material; a slender resilient 
stylus 242 mounted on plate 240 having a pointed tip 244 made of an 
electrically resistive material so as to become heated when a heating 
voltage is applied to tip 244 by a TIP HEATING circuit 246 coupled 
thereto; and a piezo-electric crystal element 248 having an end secured to 
base plate 240 and its opposite free end mechanically coupled to stylus 
242 by a connector 250. 
Crystal element 248 is electrically coupled to a MODULATION circuit 252 
which drives crystal 248 in accordance with electronic image signals 
applied to circuit 252, so that the free end of element 248 vibrates or is 
deflected in directions transverse to its length as shown by the arrows, 
and element 248 in turn vibrates stylus 242 through connector 250. 
MODULATION circuit 252 is a constant frequency oscillator and the 
amplitude of its output signal is proportional to the strength of the 
electronic image signal input. That is, a strong image signal input causes 
circuit 252 to provide a high amplitude output which in turn induces a 
high amplitude vibration in crystal 248 and therefore stylus 242. For a 
weaker image signal input the resultant amplitude modulation of stylus 242 
is proportionally smaller. 
In operation the tip 244 of stylus 242 is in engagement with the base 126 
of transfer sheet 64 in alignment with one of the color bands 128, 130 or 
132 and is continuously heated by TIP HEATING circuit 246 to a temperature 
whereby the printing medium binder melts thereby liberating the printing 
medium for transfer to image-receiving sheet 62. 
With no image signal input to MODULATION circuit 252 there is no transverse 
modulation of stylus 242 and therefore heated tip 244 causes a very fine, 
almost imperceptable line to be drawn on image-receiving sheet 62 in 
response to rotation of drum 50 and the linear movement of transducer 238 
along the drum. 
As image signals are applied to MODULATION circuit 252 stylus 244 is 
transversely vibrated in proportion to signal strength thereby modulating 
the width of the line traced on image-receiving sheet 62. 
Rather than applying individual colored dots to sheet 62 like the 
previously-described pressure transducer, the modulated thermal transducer 
238 simulates the dots by providing a wide line segment in response to the 
application of a relatively strong image signal and a correspondingly 
narrower line segment in response to a weaker image signal. It will be 
apparent to those skilled in the art that other means, such as an 
electromagnetic coil assembly, may be used in place of piezo-electric 
crystal 248 to modulate stylus 242 and provide the same type of results. 
Also transducer 238 may be configured such that tip 244 is automatically 
disengaged from the transfer sheet when there is no image signal applied 
thereby eliminating the very fine line described earlier. 
Printing signals in the form of thermal energy also may be generated by 
providing printing transducers which convert the electronic image signals 
into modulated light beams that are focused on the appropriate colored 
stripes of the transfer sheet and interact with the colored printing 
mediums and the binding agent to produce sufficient thermal energy to 
effect selective transfer of the printing mediums to the image-receiving 
sheet. Such transducers may include laser diodes or light-emitting diodes 
equipped with light-focusing optics. 
While the illustrated camera 10 and printer 28 are configured to provide a 
color print from the three primary color image signals, it is within the 
scope of the present invention to modify camera 10 and printer 28 so as to 
utilize four colors, i.e., red, green, blue and black. Also it will be 
obvious that a less complex version of camera 10 and printer 28 based on 
the inventive concepts described herein may be configured to provide a 
black and white print. 
Since certain other changes also may be made in the above-described printer 
without departing from the scope of the invention herein involved, it is 
intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in 
the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in 
a limiting sense.