WO2007025321A2

WO2007025321A2 - Photograph and document transmit and receive (transceiver) apparatus

Info

Publication number: WO2007025321A2
Application number: PCT/AU2005/001287
Authority: WO
Inventors: Vladan Blagojevic; Krasna Pires; Claude Khalife
Original assignee: Vladan Blagojevic; Krasna Pires; Claude Khalife
Priority date: 2005-08-29
Filing date: 2005-08-29
Publication date: 2007-03-08
Also published as: WO2007025321A3

Abstract

Apparatus and methods are disclosed for transmitting, sending and receiving data such as photographs, digital images, and digital images from video, computer data or documents. The apparatus includes a housing (1) and a data entry module such as a multi-function keypad (21) for dialing to a remote corresponding apparatus (6). It includes a recording mechanism, dye sublimation printer (4) with paper storage (19) for recording data received onto the fixed medium, for example to produce colour photographs or prints (20). The apparatus includes also a scanning-copying device (26) for retrieving data from photographs or documents (2) and modem (27), for sending data to corresponding remote apparatus (6) via telephone line (14).

Description

PHOTOGRAPH AND DOCUMENT TRANSMIT AND RECEIVE (TRANSCEIVER) APPARATUS

[1] This invention relates to improvements in devices for transmitting or receiving phot ographs or documents via telephone line.

[2] For many years people are trying to exchange or to send photographs to their family members or people around the world. Existing ways are via internet (computer and computer knowledge needed) or by mail (development of the photographs needed) involving postage, possible loss of the photographs or physical delivery. With this innovation it would be possible to send or to receive photographs where ever telephone line is present. Photographs would be exchanged in highest quality on paper that can be washed and that want fade or crack. Placing a photograph into proposed apparatus, dialing a number (anywhere in the world) and pressing send button will make possible for remote party to receive a photograph almost instantly.

[3] Using these apparatus, photo images can be taken and immediately sent to others, such as family members in other cities, without having to wait for developing time, mail delays, and the like. Many other applications would be available for these transmitting receiving apparatus, including real estate applications, law-enforcement and military uses. These apparatus will be easy to use, are low-cost and take up very little space relative to conventional telephones. They can be used to print best quality color photos taken immediately before using conventional digital cameras. Virtually no training would be needed to operate the units.

[4] Description of the apparatus and methods of application incorporates a conventional telecommunication device with on-board memory storage module and the ability to transmit and receive B/W or colour still photograph images, documents containing digital images extracted from multi-media formats found in digital cameras or composite & Y/C images from any type of analogue cameras; furthermore the apparatus can also retrieve & store any form of digital data whilst also having the facility to print such images or documents on dye-sublimation paper through its incorporated die-sublimation printer.

[5] Images inserted from the variously available mediums into the apparatus such as B/

W or Colour still photograph/s or data information from digital cameras, composite video cameras or computers are digitally transferred to the apparatus storage module. Stored data is viewed on the colour TFT LCD data display.

[6] Once approved, pressing the numeric keypad to dial the appropriate remote location number followed by the send button, this data would be transferred across the conventional telephone network, received and automatically stored or printed on the corresponding similar remote apparatus. In turn the apparatus can save and store through the telecommunications network into its on-board memory storage module or ultimately through the intervention of an operator pressing the print button after scrolling with the stored images can convert the received signals to printable material such as photographs.

[7] The photograph and document transmission and receiving device can be used with the conventional telephone set or as a self standing device connected to the telephone line.

[8] The housing is preferably extruded from anodised aluminium or formed from impact resistant plastic or other suitable material and configured in a way that can support the weight of the conventional telephones if positioned on top of the device.

[9] The apparatus incorporates the following features:

[10] (1) A compact housing aesthetically designed requiring relatively little space easily positioned under existing tabletop telephone units...

[11] (2) A simple to use multi-function numeric keypad located to the front of the apparatus used for telecommunication dialing and perform several operational functions...

[12] (3) A telecommunication device used to transmit & receive data using conventional telephone networks...

[13] (4) A mechanical entry feeder and recording process engine to copy images from still Photographs..,

[14] (5) A combination of various multi-media docking stations accessible through the exterior of the housing to extract digital data from the commonly available multimedia cards as used in digital cameras; whilst^" another set of Analogue composite RCA or BNC & Y/C ports are also available to feed streaming video directly from analogue cameras that can be paused to capture a still image frame; USB & network ports are also available for the connectivity of a PC or Mac computer...

[15] (6) On-board memory storage module for storing data & or Image files...

[16] (J) A colour dye sublimation printer module and paper cartridge supply for printing high-resolution quality colour images on the dye sublimation paper...

[17] (8) A colour TFT LCD screen to display text and graphical informative functions such as remote location number, caller ID number, indication of remaining paper sheets in the cartridge, warning signs and all necessary information for proper operation of the apparatus. The colour TFT LCD screen will also serve operators to view & scroll through images received via the telephone network automatically stored in its memory module prior to printing the image onto the dye sublimation paper and also used to re-view any stored digital pictures directly from any commonly available multi-media cards or external digital medium...

[18] Dye Sublimation printing produces vibrant colour prints and is unmatched by any other printing process. Special dyes are printed on paper and transferred using professional heat transfer equipment. The heat changes the dyes into a vapour that penetrate the material. Through the dye sublimation process the graphic actually becomes part of the material the result is brilliant dye sublimation printed colours that won't bleed, crack or flake. Applied to special plastic paper the end quality print can be washed and it will not fade. Ideal for transmitting and receiving images that are highly durable and fade-resistant, making them ideal for applications where colour reproductions are to be displayed over prolonged periods of time with the highest-quality colour images at high-resolution. A paper supply cartridge is also included with own specially moulded housing.

[19] In another form of the invention, the apparatus includes a housing and a data entry module and a telecommunication module with modem like capability. A dye sublimation printer is included within the housing for printing the images, documents or data received. The housing also includes terminals for receiving photographic images such as colour images from a digital, analogue still or video camera. The receiving mechanism may include a cable connection, a multi format disk storage docking, station for reading image information from a digital still or video camera storage disk, a cable connector data port for receiving composite, Y/C or digital signals from a video camera or other means for receiving image data in the apparatus. With this apparatus, digital photographic images, captured images from video camera, documents or data can be taken with still or video cameras, transferred to the apparatus of the present invention and transmitted via telephone line to similar apparatus at a remote location for receipt and high quality colour printing. Typically, identical units would be at both locations. With this apparatus, families or parties can take pictures or use existing pictures or documents and immediately transmit them to other family members or parties at other remote locations accessible through a conventional telephone line without having to wait for development, processing, digitizing or other transformation of the images.

[20] Overly sophisticated, complicated, expensive and large equipment is not required, and minimal processing can be easily carried out to provide high quality colour photographs that will not fade and can possibly be washed. Other applications are also possible.

[21] . in the drawings:

[22] FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a telephone photograph transmission, receive device that can also print hi quality dye sublimation colour photos, in accordance with one aspect of the present inventions.

[23] . FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing feeder exit paper point from internal dye sublimation printer.

[24] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing feeder entry paper point for inserting photographs for the transmission to the remote apparatus.

[25] FIG. 4 is a front elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing a digital data input/output port with connection to s-video, composite, firewire and USB connections with digital, analogue, still or video cameras. [26] FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of the apparatus of FIG. 1 showing a digital data input/output port with connection point for power, telephone, ethernet, computer and line.

[27] FIG. 6 is a schematic interpretation of a process for transferring photographs or images from the data storage devices from a first device and subsequent transmission to a second device in accordance with one aspect of the present inventions.

[28] FIG. 7 is a schematic and plan view of hardware for use in the device of FIG. 1.

[29] FIG. 8 is a schematic and block diagram of data devices for use in the device of

HG. 1.

[30] FIG. 9 is an axonometric view of the apparatus

[31] FTG. 1 shows a position of clearly visible and hand accessible communication functions (21), keypad (22) and display monitor (23) on the front top side of the photograph and document transmission and receiving device. A combination of various multi-media docking stations (24) accessible through the exterior of the housing to extract digital data from the commonly available multi-media cards (15) as used in digital cameras.

[32] FIGS. 2 and 3 being both side faces are referring to the position of the input paper feeder (5) used for passing a photograph (2) to internal scanner-recording module (26) or output paper feeder (30) used as exit point of scanned photograph or for photograph (20) printed from internal dye sublimation printer (4). Photograph (20) is either direct print from scanned photograph (2) or printed from data transmitted from remote apparatus (16) and stored to-internal memory module (28).

[33] Front side face FIG. 4 shows power ON/OFF button (29) and a set of analogue composite RCA or BNC & Y/C ports (7) for direct capture of a still image frame to from analogue cameras and digital USB and Firewire inputs (8) for retrieving data from digital still or video cameras.

[34] Back side face FIG. 5 shows conventional telephone line cord and plug (11) and conventional power line and cord (10) designed specifically to correspond with different systems in different countries. Line connection (14) comprises connection of the photograph and document transmission and receiving device with the telephone network. Using this connection proposed invention are sending or receiving a photograph or image data to or from internal data memory storage (28). Connectors (12) Ethernet and (13) RS-232 connect this apparatus with computers or computer networks in case that desired image is to be stored, printed or send to the remote apparatus, resides on computer or computers of the computer network. Internal data memory storage (28) is controlled by internal CPU (29) and with internal printed circuit board connected with all functions and elements of the apparatus. Received, stored data is transferred to the internal dye sublimation printer (4) to be printed on a dye sublimation paper (19) to produce the photograph (20). Keypad functions like entering a destination telephone number for sending a scanned photograph or document data and functions as on conventional telephone of facsimile machines are controlled by external interface unit keypad (21). All photographs and document transmission and receiving device dialing functions can be viewed and on the colour TFT LCD data display (23) at the same time as the scanned photograph, document or data.

[35] The photograph and document transmission and receiving device (1) includes print

(25), scan (34), cancel (32) and send key (31), These are connected with interface (30) to processor (29) with direct control functions of proposed apparatus. Print key (25) either directly controls data via processor (29) and out putting an image data into the dye sublimation printer (4) to be printed onto the dye sublimation paper (19) from memory (28), or from an incoming data signal or can control the printing of an image coming into the photograph and document transmission and receiving device through the interface (30) rather than having the image being stored in memory (28) by the processor (29). The print key (28) is a control which directly or indirectly sends image information through operation of the processor (29) to a printer (4) (FIG. 8) for creating a photograph or document image. Scan (34), cancel (32) and send keys (31) operate through processor (29) as a conventional facsimile machine functions.

[36] In operation, FIG. 6 the 'photograph and document transmission and receiving device (1) will transfer digital image from the scanned (26) photograph (2) or from the files from the camera data input (24) using key pad interface (21) digital information downloaded to the memory (28) under control of the processor (29) or directly through the modem (27) and out the phone line (14) to a destination phone (6) dialed up using the keypad (22) on the phone (16). If the digital photo image information is stored in memory, one or more images can be selected using the select key (35), the receiving phone number entered using the keypad (22) and the images sent by pressing the send key (31). When the images are received by phone (6), the processor stores the images in memory and sends a signal, both audio or visual to the to the display (23) to indicate that images have been received and are ready to be printed, or if chosen and activated, printed immediately without user intervention. The user at corresponding remote apparatus (6) can select which images to print using the select key (35) and pressing the print button (25). The processor sends the image information to the dye sublimation printer and a print command so that the printer selects a sheet of blank paper and prints the image on the paper. Photograph is extracted trough face exit (3).

[37] FIG. 7 shows a hardware diagram with one of the configurations of internal components.

[38] FIG. 8 shows a schematic chart of data flow indicating possible data interface relating to memory, CPU and possibly layout of functions of the internal printed circuit boards or electronic modules.

Claims

[1] An apparatus for sending a photograph, digital image or data and receiving a photograph, digital image or data to be printed on a fixed medium, the device comprising: A housing;

A data entry element on a hand-accessible surface of the housing for entering a destination telephone number for signals representing photograph, digital image or data;

A wall defining openings for inputting a medium such is photograph or digital data and outputting a medium on which is fixed an image; A wall defining openings for outputting a medium such is photograp or a medium on which is fixed an image Paper storage;

A connection for receiving digital data from a camera storage element, computer storage element, video camera signal;

A colour display, monitor for indicating and viewing digital images stored and ready for transmitting or printing; and means to control the indicator, display for scrolling through image or data for transmission.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for copying an image in internal memory storage element and a copy button for causing scanning means to store data in internal memory storage element for viewing a stored data on monitor, display.

3. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising memory for storing signals representing an image.

4. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a display and monitor for indicating and viewing that digital image are stored and ready for transmitting or printing.

5. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising means for printing an image on the medium and a print button for causing printing means to print on the medium and wherein the indicator is on the print button.

6. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising an interface between the housing and a communications line for transmitting signals from and receiving signals in the housing representing images or data.

7. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising conversion means for converting signals representing an image into data for controlling a printer for printing an image onto the paper.

8. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a scanner in the housing for scanning an image onto the storage element.

9. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising a printer in the housing for printing an image onto the paper.

10. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a feed mechanism for feeding the paper into the housing for scanning, retrieving data from the photograph or document into data storage element.

11. The apparatus of claim 8 further comprising a feed mechanism for feeding the paper from the scanner to the outside of the housing.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising a feed mechanism for feeding the paper from the paper storage tray to the printer.

13. The apparatus of claim 1 further including means for receiving and sending digital image or document files.

14. The apparatus of claim 13 wherein the receiving and sending means includes a modem (Short for modulator/demodulator). A communications device that converts one form of signal to another that is suitable for transmission over conventional telecommunication networks, typically from digital to analogue and then from analogue to digital.

15. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the connection for receiving image or video data is configured so that the image or video data can be received from outside the housing.

16. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the connection is mounted in a wall in the housing.

17. The apparatus of claim 15 wherein the connection is adapted for receiving a camera memory module.

18. The apparatus of claim 15 further comprising an interface between the housing and a communications line for transmitting from and receiving into the housing modem communication signals representing images or data.

19. The apparatus of claim 16 wherein the connection is adapted for receiving a cable from an analogue or digital still or video camera.

20. An apparatus for sending a photograph, digital image or data and receiving a photograph, digital image or data to be printed on a fixed medium, the device comprising:

A housing;

A wall defining openings for inputting a medium such is photograph or digital data and outputting a medium on which is fixed an image;

Paper storage;

A display, monitor for indicating and viewing that digital images are stored and ready for transmitting or printing; and means to control the indicator, display for choosing image or data for transmission.

21. The apparatus of claim 20 further including a printer in the housing for printing an image or data onto the paper.

22. The apparatus of claim 20 further including a scanner in the housing for scanning an image onto the storage element.

23. The apparatus of claim 1 further including a display, monitor for indicating and viewing that digital images are stored and ready for transmitting or printing.

24. The apparatus of claim 20 further including means for receiving and sending analogue or digital image or data files.

25. The apparatus of claim 24 wherein the receiving and sending means includes a modem.

26. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the data entry element includes a keypad.

27. The apparatus of claim 25 wherein the keypad includes keys adapted for entering a destination telephone number.

28. The apparatus of claim 20 wherein the connection for receiving image or video data is configured so that the image or video data can be received from outside the housing.

29. The apparatus of claim 28 wherein the connection is mounted in a wall in the housing.

30. The apparatus of claim 29 wherein the connection is adapted for receiving a cable from an analogue or digital still or video camera.

31. An apparatus for communicating data representing a photograph or other image or data file to be printed on a fixed medium, the apparatus comprising a housing, a keypad on a hand-accessible surface of the housing for entering data representing a destination for signals representing an image, document or data, a wall defining an opening for inputting and outputting paper on which is fixed an image, paper storage within the housing for supplying paper on which an image can be fixed, means for applying an image onto paper supplied from the paper storage, a connection for receiving photograph, image or data from a camera storage element, camera or video camera a display, monitor for indicating and viewing that digital images are stored and ready for transmitting or printing.