Digital Camera Patent Abstract
The present invention provides a digital camera DIY wireless photo
print device. The device comprises a billing box, a wireless image-receiving
unit, a processor, a monitor, and a photo printer. Wherein, the
processor includes a plurality of control and IrDA protocol-processing
programs to control the other units that are connected to the processor.
The billing box provides a variety of payment methods. The monitor
displays the two-way communication between the device and the user,
and also displays the status of the image file transmission. The
wireless image-receiving unit receives the optic signal of the image
file, processes the photo-electronic transformation, and outputs
an image file data to the processor. The processor controls the
photo printer to print and output the photo. Digital Camera Patent Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A digital camera DIY wireless photo print device, the device
can be allocated in an adequate location, and suitable for a user
to print an image file of a digital camera, the device comprises:
a processor, having a system program, to control a plurality of
peripheral units that are connected to the processor or listed below,
the peripheral units comprises: a billing box, provides a plurality
of payment methods; a wireless image-receiving unit, receives a
signal of the image file that is sent from the digital camera, processes
a transformation, and outputs an image file data to the processor;
a monitor, displays the two-way service communication between the
processor and the user, and also displays a status of the image
file process; and a photo printer, the photo is controlled by the
processor and used for printing the image file, wherein the device
is used by the user to print the image file of the digital camera
of the user.
2. The digital camera DIY wireless photo print device of claim
1, further comprises a case, the case comprises: an infrared window;
a camera holder, allows the digital camera place into the camera
holder, aims to the infrared window, outputs the optic signal of
the image file to the wireless image-receiving unit; a coin-insertion
hole, provides one of the payment methods; a pay by credit card
member, provides one of the payment methods; and a power display.
3. The digital camera DIY wireless photo print device of claim
1, wherein the signal sent from the digital camera comprises an
infrared using IrDA and IrTran-P protocol modes to output.
4. The digital camera DIY wireless photo print device of claim
3, wherein the wireless image-receiving unit transforms the data
into a processor image file format by using the IrDA and IrTran-P
protocols.
5. The digital camera DIY wireless photo print device of claim
1, further comprises a photo paper output guidance member to output
a photo that is print out.
6. The digital camera DIY wireless photo print device of claim
5, wherein the photo paper output guidance member comprises a paper
guidance slot and a roller member to protect the photo.
7. The digital camera DIY wireless photo print device of claim
1, wherein the processor cooperates with the billing box ensures
the user had paid successfully.
8. The digital camera DIY wireless photo print device of claim
1, wherein the system program of the processor comprises controlling
the device into a standby mode.
9. The digital camera DIY wireless photo print device of claim
1, wherein the system program of the processor comprises controlling
the device into a hibernation mode.
10. The digital camera DIY wireless photo print device of claim
1, wherein the system program of the processor comprises a communication
protocol.
11. The digital camera DIY wireless photo print device of claim
1, wherein the adequate location where the wireless photo print
device is allocated comprises a public area.
Digital Camera Patent Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of Invention
The present invention generally relates to a digital camera wireless
photo print device, and more particularly, relates to a digital
camera do-it-yourself (DIY) wireless photo print device that can
be allocated in a convenience spot of the public area to provide
the convenient digital camera photo print service to the users.
2. Description of Related Art
Since the techniques of the digital camera have been significantly
improved in the recent years, not only the price of the digital
camera reduced significantly, but also the resolution enhances continuously.
In addition, the functions of the storage, transmission and editing
are also improved significantly. Thus, the digital camera has a
great advantage compared to the conventional camera that is not
able to achieve those new functions. Along with the favorable factors,
such as better performance, more reasonable price and the more and
more add-ons functions, the digital camera is accepted by the public
broadly, and thus becomes a popular product now.
The photo taken by the digital camera is stored in digital camera's
memory unit such as the memory card in digital format. Each photo
has an image file corresponding to it. The image file is generally
such as an image file in the JPEG compression format. The digital
image file must be printed out to have a real paper photo. In order
to have the same quality as the conventional photo printer, the
photo printer is used by user to print out the image file.
The digital camera allows users to print out the photo by themselves,
and more particularly, to allow users to print out the photo via
the wireless manner. Referring to FIG. 1, FIG. 1 schematically shows
an individual infrared wireless photo print system. The digital
camera 100 transmits the image file that is taken by the digital
camera 100 to a wireless photo-printing adaptor 102 via the infrared
according to an infrared transmission protocol. The wireless photo-printing
adaptor 102 transforms the image file format and outputs the transformed
image data to an ink jet printer 104 to print out the photo.
The individual wireless photo print system mentioned above comprises
a plurality of equipments, normally, the equipments are allocated
in a fix location such as in home. The photo taken by the user in
outside must be brought back to home to print out the photo. Therefore,
the individual wireless photo print system mentioned above is limited
by the time and the location. Whereas, the photo print is generally
operated via the processor, the user has to know how to operate
the processor to process the photo print. Furthermore, since the
equipments of the photo print system are rather expensive, even
the digital camera becomes more popular now, the high cost of the
photo print equipments and the operation is not convenient to use
are annoyances of the users and also become a problem that must
be resolved by the vendors.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To solve the problem mentioned above, the present invention provides
a digital camera DIY wireless photo print device. The device can
be allocated in any convenience spot that is needed. The user is
able to print out the photo taken by the digital camera in real
time by paying a service charge and without the limitation of the
operation.
The present invention provides a digital camera DIY wireless photo
print device. The device comprises a billing box, a wireless image-receiving
unit, a processor, a monitor, and a photo printer. Wherein, the
processor includes a plurality of control and IrDA protocol-processing
programs to control the other units that are connected to the processor.
The billing box provides a variety of payment methods. The monitor
displays the two-way communication between the device and the user,
and also displays the status of the image file transmission. The
wireless image-receiving unit receives the optic signal of the image
file, processes the photo-electronic transformation, and outputs
an image file data to the processor. The processor controls the
photo printer to print and output the photo.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding
of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part
of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the
invention, and together with the description, serve to explain the
principles of the invention. In the drawings,
FIG. 1 schematically shows an individual infrared wireless photo
print system;
FIG. 2 schematically shows a block diagram of an infrared DIY photo
print system according to the present invention;
FIG. 3 schematically shows a three-dimensional structure diagram
of an infrared DIY photo print device according to the present invention;
and
FIG. 4 schematically shows a cutaway view diagram of the infrared
DIY photo print device of FIG. 3 according to the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
One of the major characteristics of the present invention is a
digital camera DIY wireless photo print device. The device comprises
a full set of the wireless photo print system. The device can be
allocated in any convenience spot that is needed. The user is able
to print out the photo taken by the digital camera in real time
by paying a service charge and without the limitation of the operation.
Generally, the photo print method of the digital camera includes
wire print, card-insertion print, and the wireless print. Wherein,
the wireless print is the most convenient transmission method. The
digital camera that adopts the wireless print, for example, uses
the infrared as the medium to transmit the digital photo data now.
A plurality of communication protocols such as the Infrared Transfer
Picture (IrTran-P) protocol and the Jet-send Protocol can be applied
in the wireless transmission method. Wherein, the IrTran-P protocol
is further configured above the Infrared Data Association (IrDA)
protocol.
Generally, the wireless photo print system dedicated to the individual
or home must be equipped with all the equipments personally, and
is generally allocated in a fix location. When the user is going
outside, for example, like on traveling or on the business trip,
it is not possible to carry the whole set of the equipments. The
present invention thus provides a digital camera DIY wireless photo
print device. The device can be allocated in the public area, like
the sightseeing area, supermarkets, super vendor stores, department
stores, to provide the convenient photo print service, and thus
the convenience is efficiently enhanced.
It is not adequate to use the wire connection in the public area,
it is because the photo print device usage is quite heavy, thus
makes the connectors and the wires subject to be easily damaged
and broken. In addition, the signal connector specification of each
vendor's digital camera is not the same, if the signal is transmitted
via the connection wire, the customers have to prepare the connection
wire by themselves, thus creates the unnecessary inconvenience.
The method of wireless print can be accomplished by pressing a button
remotely as long as within the safe distance to print out the photo.
Thus, the wireless print is much convenient and also prevents the
equipments from damage that caused by the incorrect usage.
An embodiment is exemplified below to describe the characteristics
of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 2, FIG. 2 schematically
shows a block diagram of an infrared DIY photo print system according
to the present invention.
The present invention comprises a processor 106, a billing box
108, a wireless image-receiving unit 110, a monitor 112, and a photo
printer 114. Wherein, the processor includes a plurality of control
and IrDA protocol-processing programs to control the other units
that are connected to the processor mentioned above. The billing
box 108 is connected to the processor 106, provides a variety of
the payment methods such as the coin-insertion or pay by credit
card. After the user pays the charge via the billing box 108, the
processor 106 displays some information such as some options on
the monitor 112. Through the cooperation of the billing box 108,
the processor 106 and the monitor 112, the user is able to have
two-way communication with the photo print device. The monitor 112
is also able to display all the status of the operation and the
status of the image file transmission.
The wireless image-receiving unit 110, receives the optic signal
of the image file sent from the digital camera, the transmission
is according to the selected transmission protocol. The wireless
image receiving unit 110, after receiving the infrared signal, processes
the photo-electronic transformation to transform the image file
data into the image format that can be accepted by a general processor,
such as the common used JPEG compression format. The image file
data is subsequently sent to the processor 106. The processor 106
further controls the photo printer 114 to print and output the photo.
Generally, the photo printer accepts the BMP format, thus, the JPEG
is first decompressed into the BMP format, and then is printed via
the halftone print technology cooperating with the printer control
language.
According to the wireless photo print system mentioned above, the
system can be assembled as an independent device. FIG. 3 schematically
shows a three-dimensional structure diagram of an infrared DIY photo
print device according to the present invention. FIG. 4 schematically
shows a cutaway view diagram of the infrared DIY photo print device
of FIG. 3 according to the present invention. In FIG. 3 and FIG.
4, a case 116 is used to assemble and lay up the photo print system
within it. A processor 134 is allocated inside the case 116. A program
is used to control the connected peripheral devices including the
monitor 118, the photo printer 136, the wireless image-receiving
unit 120, and the billing box 128. The case 116 has a screen window
for monitor 118 to display information. The case 116, for example,
also equips a stand 123 and a camera holder 122 that is located
on the stand 123. The camera holder 122 allows the digital camera
place into it to aim to the wireless image-receiving unit 120. There
is also an infrared window in case 116 to correspond to the wireless
image receiving unit 120 to receive the infrared signal. In addition,
corresponding to the billing box 128, the case 116 also equips a
coin-insertion hole 124 and the pay by credit card member 126, or
the member for the other payment method such as the other smart
IC card or the prepaid card. The printer 136, for example, can be
an ink jet printer. Besides, in order to protect the photo that
is just printing out, a photo paper output guidance member 138,
for example, including the roller and the paper guidance slot are
also included. The cast 116 also equips a photo paper outlet 130
that is corresponding to the photo paper output guidance member
138.
In addition, the processor cooperates with the billing box ensures
the user had paid successfully. Then the processor controls the
device into a standby mode.
The wireless photo print device according to the present invention
has the fullest function of the photo print. Thus, the device can
be allocated in the convenient public area for user to print out
the photo in real time. The user is able to print out the photo
without having the processor professional knowledge.
The wireless photo print device according to the present invention
has the payment function that is convenient for user to use the
system by paying the charge.
The wireless photo print device according to the present invention
utilizes the wireless transmission method, thus, is not limited
to the output connector specifications of different vendors.
Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular
embodiment thereof, it will be apparent to one of the ordinary skill
in the art that modifications to the described embodiment may be
made without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly,
the scope of the invention will be defined by the attached claims
not by the above detailed description. |