DEVICE TO ID PHOTOGRAPHS

Abstract: A manually portable, battery (42) operated, electronic device (10) for inscribing data on the back of a photograph. The inscribed data includes indicia such as name, location, date, occasion, etc. necessary to properly identify the photograph at a later time. The device incorporates a keyboard, a screen for previewing data to be inscribed, and a printer mechanism (40) all controlled by electronic circuitry. The device is adapted to inscribe photographs of all sizes.

Description: DEVICE TO ID PHOTOGRAPHS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to an apparatus for printing. More specifically, the present invention is drawn to a device for printing information on the backs of photographs. 2. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART Photographs are like windows to the past in that they portray faces and events that often invoke fond memories. Many times however, the photographs are relatively old and one's fading memory will not permit the viewed faces and/or events to be identified with desired certainty. At such times a photograph inscribed with a name, date, and/or place would be an invaluable aid in jogging the memory to recall the specifics of the pictured occasion. The laborious process of inscribing data on photographs by writing is often ineffective in that the writing fades over time and becomes illegible. A device for conveniently and directly labeling a photograph would be an ideal solution. A typical prior art device for directly labeling photographs is disclosed in U.S. Patent number 5,032,030 (Russbult) . However, the invention of the '030 patent does not incorporate a current date and time entry. U.S. Patents numbers Des. 359,753 (Salinas et al . ) , 4,736,536 (Dorman) , and the LabelScape reference (LS- 180) disclose label-making devices, which devices lack the capability to directly apply data to photographs. U.S. Patent numbers 5,188,464 (Aaron), 5,593,236 (Bobry) and 5,634,730 (Bobry) show printing devices. There appears to be no disclosure in these patents enabling printing of specific data on photographs. Other patents less relevant to the intended purpose of the present invention include U.S. Patent number Des. 365,360 (Lore), which is drawn to an addressing and mailing machine, and British Patent number 2,037,665 A which discloses a check writing device. None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to disclose a device to ID photographs as will be subsequently described and claimed in the instant invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is a battery-operated, portable, user-friendly device for directly inscribing data on the back of any size photograph. The device comprises a "QWERTY" type keyboard incorporated with a printing mechanism. A display screen is disposed above the keyboard for previewing the typed data to be inscribed on the photograph. A press bar is disposed below the keyboard, which press bar will function to activate the printing mechanism. A slot is positioned at the front of the device and is adapted to receive a photograph, typically of 5 x 7 inch dimensions or less . The device utilizes known electronic circuitry to create and display four fields (name, date, location, and occasion) on the screen. The current date and time will also be displayed. The data typed to complete the fields as well as the current date and time will be imprinted on the back of the inserted photograph for future reference. Inclusion of the current date and time could become valuable as evidence in legal proceedings under certain circumstances . Accordingly, it is a principal object of the invention to provide a novel device for inscribing data onto photographs. It is another object of the invention to provide a novel device for inscribing data onto photographs, which device is portable. It is a further object of the invention to provide a device for inscribing data onto photographs, which device is adapted to receive photographs of any size. Still another object of the invention is to provide a device for inscribing data onto photographs, which device is attractive and easy to use. It is an object of the invention to provide improved elements and arrangements thereof in an apparatus for the purposes described which are inexpensive, dependable and fully effective in accomplishing their intended purposes . These and other objects of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Fig. 1 is an environmental, perspective view of a device to identify photographs according to the present invention. Fig. 2 is a sectional view showing a block diagram of electronic circuitry utilized according to the present invention. Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention as shown in Figs. 1 and 2 comprises a generally rectangular hand-held device for imprinting the back side (B) of a photograph. The device generally shown at (10) has a housing made of hard plastic material. The measurements of the housing in inches are approximately 6.5 x 3.5 x 0.5. To accommodate ease of printing on the photo, device (10) is fabricated to form identically-dimensioned top and bottom sections (12) and (14) respectively. Sections (12) and (14) are spaced apart at the front and sides so as to form a slot (15) for receiving a photograph (P) having an non-printed backside (not shown) . Preferably, the dimensions of the slot (15) should accommodate standard photograph sizes, and subject to the overall dimensions of the housing, can therefor imprint substantially all or a large portion of the back side (B) of a 3 x 5 inch photo (P) with printing along the margins on photos of 5 x 7 inches and larger. A keyboard (16) is disposed on top section (12) . Keyboard (16) is of the "QWERTY" design including letters A-Z and numbers 0 through 9. The keyboard incorporates edit key (18) , insert key (20) , delete key (22) , and a time/date set key (24) , all of whose functions will be later explained. A display screen (26) is located above keyboard (16) for previewing typed data (D) . Bar (28) is positioned below keyboard (16) . Bar (16) functions to activate a printing module (40) housed internally (Fig. 2) and having printing heads oriented into slot (15) . A thin cover (30) is hinged at the back of sections (12) and (14) . As illustrated in Fig. 1, cover (30) is in an upright or open position thereby exposing keyboard (16) for use. It is obvious that cover (30) will provide protection for the keyboard when the cover is closed. Basic circuitry requirements for the present invention are best seen in Fig. 2. A micro processor (32) receives signals from the keyboard via data input (34), clock (36), and calendar (38) modules. The received signals are converted into alpha-numeric characters and presented for viewing on display screen (26), as shown in Fig. 1. A printer module (40) receives signals from the micro processor (32) for electronic or mechanical inscription of the alphanumeric characters onto the back side (B) of the photo. The device is designed to be powered by battery (42) , which may be accessed through an opening on the housing on the rear. The invention functions in the following manner: Cover (30) is opened and the device is turned on by an on/off button or switch (not shown) . The on/off switch may be incorporated in the cover for automatic operation if desired. When the device is on, time/date set key (24) is manipulated so that the current time and date are entered and displayed on screen (26) . Data relating to the aforementioned fields are now typed and previewed on screen (26) . If the previewed data (D) is incorrect, edit key (18), insert key (20) , and delete key (22) may be utilized to amend the data. When the previewed data has been entered and is correct as desired by the user, the selected photograph (P) is inserted into slot (15) so that the back (B) of the photograph abuts the printer heads of the printer heads associated with the printer module (40) . Bar (28) is pressed causing a signal to be sent to the printer module (40) whereby the previewed data is inscribed by the proximate printer heads onto the back (B) of the photograph, as shown by photo (P" ) . It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the sole embodiment described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.

Claims: CLAIMS 1. Apparatus for applying information to the back of a photograph, said apparatus comprising: a rectangularly shaped body, said body having a top section; a bottom section configured identically to said top section and spaced therefrom on three sides so as to form a slot there-between, said slot adapted to receive said photograph; a keyboard incorporated on said top section; display means positioned on said top section adjacent to said keyboard; means for electronically integrating said keyboard with said display means; and a movable lid hinged on said rectangularly shaped body for covering an uncovering said top section. 2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said means for electronically integrating includes a micro processor disposed within said rectangularly shaped body. 3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein a printing device is disposed within said rectangularly shaped body and wherein said printing device is electronically integrated with said micro processor and a bar disposed on said keyboard for activating said printing device. 4. The apparatus of claim 3 , wherein a data input module is disposed within said rectangularly shaped body, and wherein said data input module is electronically integrated with said micro processor whereby data typed from said keyboard can be viewed on said display means. 5. The apparatus of claim 4 , wherein a battery is disposed within said electronically shaped body, and wherein said battery is electronically integrated with said micro processor to provide power thereto. 6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein said key board includes an edit key. 7. The apparatus of claim 6, wherein said keyboard includes an insert key. 8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said keyboard includes a delete key. 9. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein a clock module is disposed within said rectangularly shaped body, and wherein said clock module is electronically integrated with said micro processor, whereby a correct time can be viewed on said display means . 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein a calendar module is disposed within said rectangularly shaped body, and wherein said calendar module is electronically integrated with said micro processor, whereby a correct date can be viewed on said display means.

Inventors: SIMON GLORIA GAYNOR, SIMON LINWOOD M, SIMON, GLORIA, GAYNOR, SIMON, LINWOOD, M.
Applicants: SIMON GLORIA GAYNOR, SIMON LINWOOD M, SIMON, GLORIA, GAYNOR, SIMON, LINWOOD, M.
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B41J3
IPC codes: B41J3, B41J5, G06F15