Digital Camera Patent AbstractThe present invention directly interfaces a digital camera to a
printer for printing images stored by the digital camera. A printer
that directly docks with the digital camera includes a docking port
and an image magnifier. The docking port includes mechanical and
data interfaces between the printer and the digital camera. The
digital camera includes a display unit that is used for viewing
the images magnified by the image magnifier while the digital camera
is interfaced to the printer. A docking station that docks the digital
camera to a printer includes a docking port and an image magnifier.
The docking port includes a mechanical interface to the digital
camera and a data interface to the digital camera and the printer.
The printer and the docking station may include a user interface
to manipulate the images stored by the digital camera.
Digital Camera Patent ClaimsWhat is claimed is:
1. A printer that prints an image directly from a digital camera,
the printer comprising: a docking port that docks the digital camera
comprising: a mechanical interface that accepts and holds the digital
camera; and a data interface that receives an image file stored
in the docked digital camera; and an image magnifier that magnifies
an image displayed by a camera display unit while the digital camera
is docked to the docking port, the image magnifier being independent
of the digital camera, wherein the image magnifier remains with
the printer when the digital camera is undocked from the docking
port.
2. The printer of claim 1, wherein while the digital camera is
docked in the docking port, a user of the printer views the magnified
image using the display unit.
3. The printer of claim 1, further comprising: a user interface
in electrical communication with the docking port, the user interface
comprising buttons or keys that a user manipulates in order to one
or more of view, select, edit and print an image from the image
file stored by the digital camera while the digital camera is docked
to the docking port.
4. The printer of claim 3, wherein the docking port is removably
attached to the printer, the user interface being integral to the
removably attached docking port.
5. The printer of claim 1, wherein the docking port is integral
to the printer.
6. A printer that prints an image directly from a digital camera,
the printer comprising: means for interfacing the digital camera
directly to the printer, such that the image stored in the digital
camera is communicated to the printer; means for printing that converts
the image from the interfaced digital camera into a printed image;
and an image magnifier, the image magnifier being integral to the
printer and independent of the digital camera, wherein the digital
camera comprises a display unit, a user of the printer viewing the
image to be printed from the interfaced digital camera through the
image magnifier of the printer, the image magnifier magnifying the
image displayed by the display unit for the user only when the digital
camera is interfaced to the printer.
7. The printer of claim 6, wherein the means for interfacing comprises
a docking port, the docking port comprising a data interface that
receives the image stored in the digital camera.
8. The printer of claim 7, wherein the docking port further comprises
a mechanical interface to accept and hold the digital camera, and
wherein the means for interfacing further comprises an adaptor that
adapts any digital camera of a plurality of different digital camera
makes and models directly to the docking port.
9. The printer of claim 7, wherein the means for interfacing further
comprises a user interface, the user interface comprising a plurality
of buttons that are manipulated by the user of the printer in conjunction
with the display unit to one or more of select, view, edit and print
the stored image from the digital camera.
10. The printer of claim 6, wherein the image magnifier comprises
a lens and a frame that supports the lens, the image magnifier further
comprising means for adjusting the image magnifier relative to the
display unit to focus the magnified view.
11. A docking station that docks a digital camera with a printer
for direct printing of an image stored in the digital camera, the
docking station comprising: a docking port that comprises a mechanical
interface between the digital camera and the docking station, and
a data interface between the digital camera, the docking station
and the printer while the digital camera is docked directly to the
docking port; and an image magnifier integral with the docking station
and independent of the digital camera, wherein the digital camera
comprises a display unit, a user of the docking station viewing
the image to be printed through the image magnifier of the docking
station, the image magnifier being adjacent to the display unit
when the digital camera is docked to provide a magnified view of
the image displayed to the user.
12. The docking station of claim 11, further comprising: a user
interface that comprises buttons or keys, the user of the docking
station manipulating the keys in conjunction with the display unit
to one or more of select, view, edit and print an image from a plurality
of images stored by the docked digital camera.
13. The docking station of claim 11, wherein the digital camera
further comprises a user interface that comprises buttons or keys,
the user of the docking station manipulating the keys to one or
more of select, view and edit an image from a plurality of images
stored by the docked digital camera, the user directing the printer
to print a selected image using the keys.
14. The docking station of claim 11, wherein the image magnifier
comprises a lens supported by a frame, the frame being attached
to the docking station.
15. The docking station of claim 11, wherein the docking station
provides power to the docked digital camera using the docking port.
16. The docking station of claim 11, wherein the docking port is
either specific to a particular digital camera or capable of interfacing
to any camera of a plurality of different digital cameras.
17. The docking station of claim 11, wherein the docking port further
comprises an adaptor that adapts one or both of the mechanical interface
and the data interface of any digital camera of a plurality of different
digital camera makes and models to the docking station.
18. A docking station that docks a digital camera with a printer
for direct printing of an image stored in the digital camera, the
docking station comprising: means for interfacing the digital camera
to the docking station and to the printer, such that the image stored
by the digital camera is directly communicated to the printer; and
an image magnifier that is independent of the digital camera, wherein
the digital camera comprises a display unit, a user of the docking
station viewing the image to be printed from the interfaced digital
camera through the image magnifier of the docking station, the image
magnifier magnifying the image displayed by the display unit, wherein
the image magnifier remains with the docking station when the digital
camera is removed from the docking station.
19. The docking station of claim 18, wherein the means for interfacing
comprises a docking port, the docking port comprising: a mechanical
interface that accepts and holds the digital camera in the docking
port; and a data interface that receives the image stored in the
interfaced digital camera and directly communicates the image to
the printer, the docking station providing power to the interfaced
digital camera using the docking port.
20. The docking station of claim 18, wherein the means for interfacing
comprises a user interface, the user interface comprising a plurality
of buttons that are manipulated by the user of the docking station
in conjunction with the display unit to one or more of select, view,
edit and print the stored image from the digital camera. Digital Camera Patent DescriptionTECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to digital imaging including digital photography.
In particular, the invention relates to printers used to print digital
images recorded by a digital camera.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
With the advent of digital cameras, digital imaging has been introduced
to a mass consumer market. In particular, digital photography equipment
is now readily available to the average consumer. Digital photography
equipment includes, but is not limited to, digital cameras to capture
images and printers to render the images in a fixed form. Currently,
printers used to capture and record digital images from digital
cameras generally include printers based on laser technology or
inkjet technology.
While most printers used to print digital images are coupled to
and depend on the presence of a personal computer (PC), a recent
trend has seen the introduction of printers that can print images
without a PC. In some cases, a connection between the camera and
printer is provided by one or more of an array of available interconnect
technologies including, but not limited to, wireless networking,
universal serial bus (USB) interconnection, and infrared networking.
In other cases, a memory card or other memory storage media is used
to transfer image files from the camera to the printer. In particular,
printers equipped with one or more memory card ports accept a memory
card (e.g., SmartCard.TM., MemoryStik.TM., CompactFlash.TM., etc.)
from the camera and provide a means for choosing and printing images
stored thereon.
Unfortunately, such camera-to-printer printing configurations generally
suffer from a common problem created by the lack of a PC in the
imaging processing and printing process. Namely, a user typically
needs to select and sometimes edit an image prior to printing. While
the costs associated with printing images has dropped dramatically
in recent years, printing an image may still involve a substantial
fixed cost associated with the printing media (e.g., paper) and
ink/toner. Thus, it is generally advantageous if the user can view,
select, and perhaps edit (e.g., crop, enhance, sharpen, etc.) an
image before committing the image to print. Attempts to enable such
selection and/or image editing in camera-to-printer configurations
include incorporating a display unit (e.g., an LCD display) into
the printer and/or printing a proof sheet of thumbnail images from
which a given image may be selected for final printing. Adding a
display unit to a printer can significantly increase the cost of
the printer. While printing proof sheets is less costly than adding
a display unit, printing proof sheets wastes paper, ink/toner, and
time in the rendering of a final image using the printer.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous to have a means for direct
camera-to-printer printing that provided a means for selecting and
otherwise controlling the image printing process on an image-by-image
basis. Moreover, it would be advantageous is such a direct camera-to-printer
image printing avoided the high costs of providing a dedicated printer
display unit and/or the wasted paper, ink/toner and/or time using
proof sheets. Such a direct camera-to-printer image printing would
address a long-standing need in the area of digital image printing.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention directly interfaces a digital camera to a
printer and provides a means for selecting and controlling the images
printed by the printer. In particular, the present invention prints
an image from a digital camera directly to a printer, without an
intervening personal computer (PC) or without using memory storage
media transfer. In addition, the present invention employs an image
magnifier to magnify an image displayed by a display unit of the
digital camera.
In an aspect of the present invention, a printer that prints an
image directly from a digital camera is provided. The printer comprises
means for interfacing the digital camera directly to the printer,
such that the image stored in the digital camera is communicated
to the printer. The printer further comprises an image magnifier.
The image magnifier magnifies an optical image produced by the digital
camera display unit while the digital camera is interfaced. In part,
the image magnifier enables the user to more readily view the image
displayed by the camera display unit. The printer further comprises
a printing engine that converts the image, from the interfaced digital
camera, into a printed image. The printer enables the digital camera
to be connected or `docked` directly to the printer without the
need for a personal computer (PC), a USB connection, a memory card
port or other interfacing or networking means between the printer
and the camera. Images stored in the directly docked camera are
viewed through the image magnifier using a display unit of the docked
digital camera. Depending on the embodiment, a user interface associated
with the printer or the digital camera is used in conjunction with
the display unit to one or more of view, select, edit and designate
for printing an image.
In another aspect of the invention, a docking station that docks
a digital camera with a printer for direct printing of an image
stored in the digital camera is provided. The docking station comprises
a docking port and a display image magnifier. The docking port provides
means for interfacing the digital camera directly to the docking
station and to the printer. The docking port comprises a mechanical
interface between the digital camera and the docking station, and
an electrical interface between the digital camera, the docking
station and the printer while the digital camera is docked to the
docking port. The image magnifier is adjacent to a display unit
of the digital camera when docked in the docking port. The display
unit is used by a user of the docking station to view the image
to be printed from the digital camera. The image magnifier provides
a magnified view of the image displayed to the user.
One or more of the following features and/or advantages may be
realized by the present invention. The printer prints the selected
images and prints the selected images in a final form, i.e., after
editing or other manipulation, to reduce or preferably minimize
wasted ink/toner and paper. A PC is not needed to view, select,
and/or edit or otherwise manipulate images stored in a memory of
the digital camera. Moreover, viewing, selecting, and/or editing
of images to be printed are accomplished using the display unit
of the digital camera. Use of the camera display unit eliminates
a need for an additional, often costly, dedicated display unit on
the printer or on the docking station. The display unit magnifier
aids in viewing menus and displayed images during image selection
and editing. Certain embodiments of the present invention have other
advantages in addition to and in lieu of the advantages described
hereinabove. These and other features and advantages of the invention
are detailed below with reference to the following drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The various features and advantages of the present invention may
be more readily understood with reference to the following detailed
description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings,
where like reference numerals designate like structural elements,
and in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a camera docking port-equipped
printer according an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of a docking
port-equipped printer having an image magnifier according to the
present invention.
FIG. 2B illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the docking
port-equipped printer illustrated in FIG. 2A in a vicinity of the
docking port.
FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of a digital camera docked in the
docking port of the docking port-equipped printer illustrated in
FIG. 2A.
FIG. 2D illustrates the docking port-equipped printer embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 2A with the image magnifier omitted to enable
the docking port to be visible.
FIG. 3 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of docking port-equipped
printer having a tiltable image magnifier.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of another embodiment of
a docking port-equipped printer according to the present invention.
FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a digital camera docking
station adapted for direct camera-to-printer image printing according
to an embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 illustrates perspective view an embodiment of the digital
camera docking station illustrated in FIG. 5.
MODES FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a docking port-equipped printer
100 according an embodiment of the present invention. The docking
port-equipped printer 100 provides means for interfacing that facilitates
connecting a digital camera 102 directly to the printer 100. In
particular, the digital camera 102 is connectable to the printer
100 without the use or need for a personal computer (PC) or equivalent
image-processing device between the printer 100 and the digital
camera 102. Further, a memory card need not be transferred from
the digital camera 102 to the printer 100 for printing of images
stored thereon. Instead, images stored in either a removable or
non-removable memory of the digital camera 102 may be accessed and
printed directly from the digital camera 102. Still further, the
connection between the digital camera 102 and the printer 100 is
without a need for a cable, such as a USB cable. Moreover, in addition
to facilitating direct-to-printer transfers of stored images, the
docking port-equipped printer may provide for recharging of rechargeable
batteries of the digital camera 102, among other things, while the
digital camera is connected or docked to the printer 100.
With the digital camera 102 connected to the printer 100, the user
can direct the printer 100 to print images stored as image files
in a memory of the digital camera 102 directly from the digital
camera 102. As mentioned above, the memory may be of either a removable
or a non-removable type. Printing generally involves rendering the
image onto a print media, such as paper or transparency film. The
printer 100 may be either a monochromatic printer or a color printer
according to the present invention that uses one or both of laser
and inkjet technologies.
A printing engine 104 of the printer 100 is responsible for rendering
the images. The printing engine 104 receives an image in the form
of an image file from the digital camera 102 and performs the actual
image printing. Thus, the printing engine 104 is a means for printing
or rendering the image. Furthermore, the printer 100 employs a display
unit 106 of the digital camera 102 for viewing the images to be
printed. The printing engine 104 is a conventional printing engine
104 familiar to those skilled in the art. In some embodiments, the
printing engine 104 is located in the camera 102 instead of in the
printer 100
The display unit 106 may be a liquid crystal display (LCD) 106,
for example, or another type of display unit known in the art, and
depends on the digital camera 102. The display unit 106 of the digital
camera 102 displays an optical image captured by the digital camera
102. In addition, the display unit 106 displays images contained
in image files stored in memory of the digital camera 102. The display
unit 106 is used by a user of the printer 100 to view and select
images for printing with the printer 100.
The docking port-equipped printer 100 of the present invention
comprises a docking port 110. The docking port 110 accepts the digital
camera 102 and provides a mechanical interface and data interface
for connecting the digital camera 102 to the printer 100. When the
digital camera 102 is attached to the docking port 110, the camera
102 is said to be directly `docked` to the docking port 110 and,
by extension, to the docking port-equipped printer 100. Image files
are transferred from the docked digital camera 102 to the printing
engine 104 through the docking port 110 data interface for printing.
The mechanical interface (not illustrated) accepts and holds or
mechanically supports the docked camera 102. In some embodiments,
the mechanical interface is `device-specific` in that it is uniquely
shaped to accommodate a particular make and/or model of the digital
camera 102. In other embodiments, the mechanical interface is adapted
to accept and hold a plurality of different makes and/or models
of the digital camera 102, such that the printer 100 can be directly
docked with any digital camera make or model. In yet other embodiments,
an adaptor (not illustrated) adapts the mechanical interface of
the docking port 110 to the particular make and/or model of the
digital camera 102. The adaptor can be either device specific or
a `universal` and directly interfaces to the mechanical interface
of the docking port 110. By `universal` it is meant that the adaptor
or mechanical interface accommodates multiple different digital
camera 102 makes and/or models. One skilled in the art is familiar
with conventional camera docking stations, all mechanical interfaces
of which may be used in conjunction with the docking port 110 of
the present invention.
The data interface (not illustrated) provides means for transferring
data, including image files and command/control information, between
the printer 100 and the digital camera 102. In some embodiments,
the data interface is an electrical interface comprising a multi-pin
electrical connector. The multi-pin electrical connector is adapted
to cooperatively mate with a mating connector on the digital camera
102. Image data (e.g., image files) and status information from
the camera 102 are transferred to the printer 100 through the electrical
interface. In addition, command and control information from the
printer 100 may be transferred to the camera 102 through the electrical
interface. The electrical interface also may supply power in the
form of a voltage and a current to the digital camera 102. The supplied
power may be used to charge a battery of the camera 102 and/or to
provide operational power to the docked digital camera 102. Other
interface technologies including, but not limited to, infrared,
wireless, and inductive may be used instead of or in addition to
a multi-pin connector for the data interface of the docking port
110 without exceeding the scope of the present invention.
The docking port-equipped printer 100 further comprises a user
interface 120. The user interface 120 provides the user of the printer
100 with a means for viewing and selecting images for printing.
In some embodiments, the user interface 120 also may provide the
user with a means for editing or otherwise manipulating images prior
to printing. The user interface 120 employs the display unit 106
of the digital camera 102 to display an optical image representing
an image file stored in the digital camera 102 memory. In addition,
the display unit 106 may be used to display a menu and/or other
alphanumeric information associated with viewing and selecting the
stored images. For example, the display unit 106 may display an
alphanumeric image file list from which a particular stored image
file may be selected and viewed.
The user interface 120 comprises a set of buttons or keys 122.
The keys 122 are employed by the user to interact with the printer
100 and, through the connection provided by the docking port 110,
to interact with the docked digital camera 102. In some embodiments,
the user interface 120 comprises keys 122 integral to the printer
100. In other embodiments having a removable docking port 110 portion
(not illustrated), the keys and/or buttons of the user interface
120 are located on the removable portion. In yet other embodiments,
the user interface 120 uses keys of a user interface 108 of the
digital camera 102.
Referring again to FIG. 1, the docking port-equipped printer 100
further comprises an image magnifier 130. The image magnifier 130
receives the optical image produced by the display unit 106 of the
digital camera 102. The image magnifier 130 magnifies the received
optical image. The magnified optical image is then available for
viewing by the user.
The image magnifier 130 may be a lens or set of lenses mounted
in a frame and positioned such that the image magnifier 130 is between
the display unit 106 and the user when the digital camera 102 is
docked to the printer 100. For example, the image magnifier 130
may comprise a Fresnel Lens. In another example, the image magnifier
130 may be one or more conventional lens. The image magnifier 130
increases a size of the optical image viewed by the user relative
to that produced by the display unit 106. The increased image size
makes viewing the optical image easier for the user, among other
things. In some embodiments, a magnification and/or a focusing of
the image magnifier 130 may be adjustable. For example, a position
of the image magnifier 130 with respect to the display unit 106
may be changeable to facilitate the adjustability of one or both
of the magnification and the focus of the magnifier 130. In another
example, a position of one or more lenses within the display magnifier
130 may be changeable relative to a position of one or more other
lenses to provide adjustability to one or both of the focus and
the magnification. One skilled in the art can readily devise numerous
means for adjusting the focus and/or magnification of a lens or
lens system, all of which are within the scope of the present invention.
FIG. 2A illustrates a perspective view of an embodiment of the
docking port-equipped printer 100 having an image magnifier 130
according to the present invention. In particular, the digital camera
102 illustrated in FIG. 2A is shown undocked. FIG. 2B illustrates
a perspective view of a portion of the docking port-equipped printer
100 illustrated in FIG. 2A in a vicinity of the docking port 110.
In particular as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the digital camera 102
is docked to the docking port 110.
FIG. 2C illustrates a side view of the digital camera 102 docked
in the docking port 110 of the docking port-equipped printer 100
illustrated in FIG. 2A. In particular, the image magnifier 130 is
adjacent to (i.e., in front of) the display unit 106 when the digital
camera 102 is docked, such that the image magnifier 130 is between
the display unit 106 and the user. Thus, the user views a magnified
optical image displayed by the display unit 106 due to presence
of the image magnifier 130.
FIG. 2D illustrates the docking port-equipped printer 100 embodiment
illustrated in FIG. 2A with the image magnifier 130 not shown so
that the docking port 110 is visible. The docking port 110 is illustrated
by way of example in FIG. 2D as an indentation 114 in a top surface
of the printer 100. The indentation 114 is adapted to accept the
digital camera 102 and thus, acts as the mechanical interface of
the docking port 110. A multi-pin connector 112 is located within
the indentation 114. The multi-pin connector 112 serves as the data
or electrical interface for the docking port 110. The docking port
110 is illustrated in FIGS. 2A-2D on a top surface of the printer
100 for ease of access. However, while illustrated on the top surface,
the docking port 110 may be located on any surface of the printer
110 or even located internal to the printer 100 and still be within
the scope of the present invention. For example, an internally located
docking port 110 may be accessed by way of a fold-out door or a
removable cover on the printer 100.
In some embodiments, the image magnifier 130 is tiltable or movable
about an axis to adjust an angle for improved viewing by the user.
A hinge mechanism or other means can be used to effect the tiltability
or movability of the image magnifier 106. FIG. 3 illustrates a side
view of an embodiment of docking port-equipped printer 100 having
a tiltable image magnifier 130. Tilting of the image magnifier 130
is indicated in FIG. 3 by a curved arrow and the magnifier 130 is
shown in a partially stowed position (i.e., approximately half way
between stowed (e.g., horizontal position) and deployed (e.g., vertical
position)). In addition to providing for storage, movability of
the image magnifier 130 may also be employed to improve a viewability
of the display unit 106 by the user, as mentioned hereinabove. For
example, the image magnifier 130 may be moved by a user so that
the display unit 106 may be more readily viewed by the user from
a particular viewing angle or direction.
It should be noted that the movability of the image magnifier 130
also applies to the docking port 110. Although not illustrated,
the docking port 110 may be mounting on a table or pedestal mechanism
that swivels, for example, about a pivot, such that the docking
port 110 is tiltable, twistable, slideable, or moveable and otherwise
is adjustable for better viewing of the display unit 106 by the
user through the image magnifier 130, while maintaining the electrical
interface between the digital camera 102 and the printer 100. One
skilled in the art can readily devise numerous means for moving
and adjusting a pedestal, for example, all of which are within the
scope of the present invention.
FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the docking port-equipped
printer 100 having an image magnifier 130. In particular, the docking
port 110 of the printer 100 illustrated in FIG. 4 is located inside
the printer 100. The digital camera 102 is inserted into an aperture
(not illustrated) in a back surface of the printer 100 to dock the
camera 102. The aperture may be accessed using a door or a removable
panel, for example. The bold arrow in FIG. 4 generally points to
a direction of insertion by way of example. The image magnifier
130 displays the magnified image for the user as described herein
above. Alternatively, the digital camera 102 may be similarly inserted
into an aperture (also not illustrated) in a side surface of the
printer 100 preferably closest to the image magnifier 130. The inserted
digital camera directly docks with the printer 100 using the internal
docking port 110.
FIG. 5 illustrates a block diagram of a digital camera docking
station 200 adapted for direct camera-to-printer image printing
according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 illustrates
perspective view an embodiment of the digital camera docking station
200 illustrated in FIG. 5. The docking station 200 accepts a digital
camera 202 for direct docking. Furthermore, the docking station
200 connects directly or indirectly to a printer 204. A display
unit 206 of the digital camera 202 is employed by a user in conjunction
with the docking station 200 to view and select images stored as
image files within a memory of the digital camera 202. Once selected,
the docking station 200 transfers the selected image files directly
to the printer 204 for printing.
In some embodiments, the docking station 200 is connected to the
printer 204 by a serial or a parallel interface cable attached to
an associated respective serial or parallel port of the printer
204. For example, a universal serial bus (USB) cable may be used
to connect the docking station 200 to a USB port of the printer
204. In other embodiments, a wireless interface such as, but not
limited to, a radio frequency (RF) link or an infrared link (IR),
between the docking station 200 and the printer 204 may be employed.
One skilled in the art is familiar with a variety of means for connecting
to a peripheral device to a printer 204. The docking station 200
of the present invention may employ any such means. In yet other
embodiments, the docking station 200 may attach directly to the
printer 204 by way of a docking station connection port (not illustrated)
of the printer 204.
The docking station 200 adapted for direct camera-to-printer image
printing (also referred to herein as the `printer-adapted docking
station 200`) comprises a camera docking port 210, a printer-oriented
user interface 220, and a display unit magnifier 230. The docking
port 210 is similar to the docking port 110 described hereinabove
with respect to the printer 100. In particular, the docking port
210 provides a mechanical interface and data interface for directly
connecting the digital camera 202 to the docking station 200. For
example, the mechanical interface may comprise an indentation in
a shell or housing of the docking station 200, the indentation being
adapted to directly accept and hold the digital camera 202. Similarly
for example, the data interface may comprise a multi-pin electrical
connector. The multi-pin connector of the docking port 210 may provide
electrical power to the digital camera 202 in addition to providing
a bi-directional data interface. Moreover, as with the docking port
110 of the printer 100, described hereinabove, the docking port
210 may be either device-specific or capable of accepting more than
one make/model of digital camera 202 (i.e., universal). In addition
as described above, the docking station 200 may employ a docking
adaptor (not illustrated) to adapt a mechanical and/or electrical
configuration of the digital camera 202 to a specific mechanical
and data interface of the docking station 200.
The printer-oriented user interface 220 is essentially similar
to the user interface 120 described hereinabove with respect to
the printer 100. In some embodiments, the printer-oriented user
interface 220 comprises keys 222 integral with the docking station
200. The keys 222 in conjunction with the display unit 206 of the
digital camera 202 facilitate a user interaction with the docked
digital camera 202. The keys 222 enable the user to select an image
stored by the digital camera for viewing, to manipulate or edit
the selected image using features and functions of the digital camera
202, and to direct the selected image directly to the printer 204
for printing. In other embodiments, a user interface 208 of the
digital camera 202 is also the printer-oriented user interface 220
that provide interface keys 222 for such user interaction, so that
two separate user interfaces 208 and 220 are not necessary.
The display unit magnifier 230 is essentially the same as the image
magnifier 130 described hereinabove with respect to the printer
100. In particular, the display unit magnifier 230 is a lens-based
image magnifier. For example, the display unit magnifier 230 may
comprise one or more of a Fresnel lens and/or a conventional lens.
The display unit magnifier 230 is located adjacent to (i.e., in
front of) the display unit 206 of the docked digital camera 202,
such that the display unit magnifier 230 is positioned between the
display unit 206 and a viewing position of the user when the digital
camera 202 is docked to the docking station 200. As such, an optical
image produced by the display unit 206 is viewed by the user through
the display unit magnifier 230 as a magnified image.
The docking station 200 provides a convenient means for selecting,
viewing, optionally editing or otherwise manipulating, and then
directly printing images stored as image files within the digital
camera 202 with the printer 204. Moreover, the docking station 200
directly connects to the printer without the need for an intervening
PC or equivalent image processing device or system. FIG. 6 illustrates
a tethered connection between the docking station 200 and the printer
204. However as mentioned above, in some embodiments the direct
connection between the docking station 200 and the printer 204 can
be a wireless connection or a multi-pin direct connection similar
to that described above between the printer 100 and the digital
camera 102 using the docking port 110. The docking station 200 employs
the display unit 206 of the docked digital camera 202, such that
a need for a costly display unit integral to the docking station
200 is not necessary. In addition, the display unit magnifier 230
magnifies images displayed by the digital camera display unit 206
making viewing of display images easier for the user. As such, the
user views the display unit 206 of the digital camera 202 through
the display unit magnifier 230 and employs the user interface 220
to select an image for printing. The docking station 200 then transfers
the selected image directly to the printer 204 wherein the image
is printed.
Thus, there have been described a docking port-equipped printer
and a printer-adapted docking station both of which facilitate direct
camera-to-printer image printing. It should be understood that the
above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of some of the
many specific embodiments that represent the principles of the present
invention. Clearly, those skilled in the art can readily devise
numerous other arrangements without departing from the scope of
the present invention as defined by the following claims. |