# US 7,466,452 B2 · Hand held camera assembly with an effects module

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- Number: US 7,466,452 B2
- Document ID: US7466452B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 11/653,239
- Filed: 2007-01-16
- Published: 2007-05-31
- Granted: 2008-12-16
- Earliest claimed: 1999-05-25
- Assignees: Silverbrook Research Pty Ltd
- Inventors: Kia Silverbrook; Simon Robert Walmsley; Paul Lapstun
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7466452B2

## CPC

- B41J 3/36: for portability {, i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers (B41J3/4075 takes precedence)}
- B41J 2/01: Ink jet
- B41J 2/155: for line printing
- B41J 2/16508: {connected with the printer frame}
- B41J 2/16579: {Detection means therefor, e.g. for nozzle clogging}
- B41J 2/17503: {Ink cartridges}
- B41J 2/17513: {Inner structure}
- B41J 2/1752: {Mounting within the printer}
- B41J 2/17523: {Ink connection}
- B41J 2/17553: {Outer structure}
- B41J 3/44: Typewriters or selective printing mechanisms having dual functions or combined with, or coupled to, apparatus performing other functions
- B41J 3/445: {Printers integrated in other types of apparatus, e.g. printers integrated in cameras}
- B41J 3/46: Printing mechanisms combined with apparatus providing a visual indication
- B41J 11/008: {Controlling printhead for accurately positioning print image on printing material, e.g. with the intention to control the width of margins}
- B41J 13/02: Rollers (roller platens B41J11/04)
- B41J 13/103: {for the sheet feeding section}
- B41J 13/12: specially adapted for {small} cards, envelopes, or the like {, e.g. credit cards, cut visiting cards}
- B41J 23/02: Mechanical power drives
- B41J 29/02: Framework
- B41J 29/023: {with reduced dimensions}
- B41J 29/393: Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine {; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns}
- G03B 15/05: Combinations of cameras with electronic flash apparatus; Electronic flash units
- G03B 17/02: Bodies
- G03B 17/50: with both developing and finishing apparatus
- G03B 29/00: Combinations of cameras, projectors or photographic printing apparatus with non-photographic non-optical apparatus, e.g. clocks or weapons; Cameras having the shape of other objects (combinations with flash apparatus G03B15/03)
- G07F 17/32: for games, toys, sports, or amusements
- G07F 17/3232: {wherein the operator is informed}
- G07F 17/3262: {Player actions which determine the course of the game, e.g. selecting a prize to be won, outcome to be achieved, game to be played}
- H04N 1/00249: {with a photographic apparatus, e.g. a photographic printer or a projector (photographic apparatus per se G03B, G03D)}
- H04N 1/00265: {with a photographic printing apparatus}
- H04N 1/00278: {with a printing apparatus, e.g. a laser beam printer}
- H04N 1/00347: {with another still picture apparatus, e.g. hybrid still picture apparatus (circuits or arrangements for control or supervision between image input and image output device H04N1/32)}
- H04N 1/00397: {Switches, knobs or the like}
- H04N 1/00538: {Modular devices, i.e. allowing combinations of separate components, removal or replacement of components}
- H04N 1/00541: {with detachable image reading apparatus}
- H04N 1/00557: {Connection or assembly of components or elements (H04N1/00538 takes precedence)}
- H04N 1/0083: {Arrangements for transferring signals between different components of the apparatus, e.g. arrangements of signal lines or cables (for control or supervision between image input and output device H04N1/32)}
- H04N 1/00962: {Input arrangements for operating instructions or parameters, e.g. updating internal software (program loading in general G06F9/445; network-specific protocols involving the movement of software or configuration parameters H04L67/34)}
- H04N 1/107: with manual scanning
- H04N 1/2112: {using still video cameras}
- H04N 1/2154: {the still video camera incorporating a hardcopy reproducing device, e.g. a printer}
- H04N 1/32358: {using picture signal storage, e.g. at transmitter (H04N1/17 takes precedence)}
- H04N 1/32598: {Bus based systems}
- H04N 1/387: Composing, repositioning or otherwise {geometrically} modifying originals
- H04N 1/405: Halftoning, i.e. converting the picture signal of a continuous-tone original into a corresponding signal showing only two levels
- H04N 1/52: Circuits or arrangements for halftone screening
- H04N 1/60: Colour correction or control {(H04N1/54 takes precedence)}
- H04N 1/6019: {using look-up tables (H04N1/6025 takes precedence)}
- H04N 1/62: Retouching, i.e. modification of isolated colours only or in isolated picture areas only
- H04N 23/50: Constructional details
- H04N 23/51: Housings
- B41J 2/17566: {Ink level or ink residue control}
- B41J 19/207: {Encoding along a bar}
- G03B 2215/05: Combinations of cameras with electronic flash units
- H04N 2101/00: Still video cameras
- H04N 2201/001: Sharing resources, e.g. processing power or memory, with a connected apparatus or enhancing the capability of the still picture apparatus
- H04N 2201/0081: Image reader (H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence)
- H04N 2201/0082: Image hardcopy reproducer (H04N2201/0091 - H04N2201/0094 take precedence)
- H04N 2201/0084: Digital still camera
- H04N 2201/0096: Portable devices
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- G03B: APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS FOR TAKING PHOTOGRAPHS OR FOR PROJECTING OR VIEWING THEM; APPARATUS OR ARRANGEMENTS EMPLOYING ANALOGOUS TECHNIQUES USING WAVES OTHER THAN OPTICAL WAVES; ACCESSORIES THEREFOR (optical parts of such apparatus G02B; photosensitive materials or processes for photographic purposes G03C; apparatus for processing exposed photographic materials G03D)
- G07F: COIN-FREED OR LIKE APPARATUS (coin sorting G07D3/00; coin testing G07D5/00; {handling coins or paper currencies apart from payment activated apparatus G07D; payment architectures, schemes or protocols G06Q20/00})
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION

## Abstract

A hand-held modular camera assembly includes a camera module configured to capture an image. An effects module is provided with which a user can apply one or more effects to the captured image. A printer module is configured to print the image with the applied effects. In one embodiment, the effects module includes three operational buttons: a CHOOSE button which allows the user to choose between a number of different types of effects; a SELECT button which allows the user to select one effect from the number of effects of the chosen type; and an APPLY button which allows the user to apply the selected effect to the stored image.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A hand-held modular camera assembly comprising:
a camera module configured to capture an image;
an effects module with which a user can apply one or more visual effects to the captured image; and
a printer module configured to print the image with the applied effects,
wherein the modules comprise respective cylindrical bodies having a common diameter so that the resulting body of the modular camera assembly is also generally cylindrical in shape.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A hand-held modular camera assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the effects module comprises three operational interface mechanisms: a CHOOSE mechanism which allows the user to choose between a number of different types of effects; a SELECT mechanism which allows the user to select one effect from the number of effects of the chosen type; and an APPLY mechanism which allows the user to apply the selected effect to the stored image.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

A hand-held modular camera assembly as claimed in claim 2, wherein the effects module is configured so that each type comprises clip-art effects relating to a respective topic or genre.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A hand-held modular camera assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein each module is connected to a common serial bus which provides power to each module and provides a data transfer means between the modules.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A hand-held modular camera assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein the camera module comprises: a view finder for viewing the image to be captured; and a TAKE mechanism which can be used to capture the viewed image upon actuation.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A hand-held modular camera assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a memory module configured to store the captured image.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

A hand-held modular camera assembly as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a dispenser module which is releasably attached to the printer module and comprises a stack of sheets of print media upon which the image can be printed.