Vending machine for the production of customized photos and artcards including a set of instructions for a manipulation of an image

[0002] The following Australian provisional patent applications are hereby incorporated by cross-reference. For the purpose of location and identification, U.S. patent applications identified by their U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. (USSN) are listed alongside the Australian applications from which the U.S. patent applications claim the right of priority.

[0003] Not applicable.

[0004] The present invention relates to the production of images and structures for applying translation to images and, in particular, discloses a Vending Machine for the Production of Customised Photographs and Artcards.

[0005] The following Australian provisional patent applications are hereby incorporated by cross-reference. For the purposes of location and identification, US patent applications identified by their US patent application serial numbers (USSN) are listed alongside the Australian applications from which the US patent applications claim the right of priority.

[0006] The present invention relates to the production of images and structures for applying translation to images and, in particular, discloses a Vending Machine for the Production of Customised Photographs and Artcards.

[0007] The present invention is designed to interact with a new camera system invented and developed by the present applicant.

[0008] Such a hand held camera device is described in Australian Provisional Patent Application No. PO7991 entitled “Image Processing Method and Apparatus (Art 01)” filed Jul. 15, 1997 with a large number of associated applications in addition to Australian Provisional patent Application No. PO 8505 entitled “Image Processing Method and Apparatus (Art 01a)” filed Aug. 11, 1997, again with a number of associated applications. To the extent necessary, the above specifications are hereby incorporated by cross reference.

[0009] The aforementioned patent specifications disclose a camera system, hereinafter known as an “Artcam” type camera, wherein sensed images can be directly printed out by an Artcam portable camera unit. Further, the aforementioned specification discloses means and methods for performing various manipulations on images captured by the camera sensing device leading to the production of various effects in any output image. The manipulations are disclosed to be highly flexible in nature and can be implemented through the insertion into the Artcam of cards having encoded thereon various instructions for the manipulation of images, the cards hereinafter being known as Artcards. The Artcam finther has significant onboard processing power through the utilization of Artcam Central Processor unit (ACP) which is interconnected to a memory device for the storage of important data and images.

[0010] It will be evident that, with such an arrangement of Artcam devices and corresponding Artcards, over a time, a huge proliferation of Artcards can arise. The Artcards can be provided for the arbitrary manipulation of an image and, it would therefore be desirable to provide a user with the capability of creating Artcards on demand in order to suit personal projected requirements.

[0011] It is an object of the present invention to provide for an automated Artcard creation machine which provides a user with a customisable Artcard so as to meet their personal needs.

[0012] In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of creating a set of instructions for the manipulation of an image, the method comprising the steps of displaying an initial array of sample images for a user to select from; accepting a user's selection of at least one of the sample images; utilizing attributes of the images selected to produce a further array of sample images; iteratively applying the previous steps until such time as the user selects at least one final suitable image; utilising the steps used in the creation of the sample image as the set of instructions; outputting the set of instructions.

[0013] The method can further include scanning a user's photograph and utilising the scanned photograph as an initial image in the creation of each of the sample images. The instructions can be printed out in an encoded form on one surface of a card in addition to printing out a visual representation of the instructions on a second surface of the card. Additionally, the manipulated image can itself be printed out.

[0014] Various techniques can be used in the creation of images including genetic algorithm or genetic programming techniques to create the array. Further, ‘best so far’ images can be saved for use in the creation of further images.

[0015] The method is preferably implemented in the form of a computer system incorporated into a vending machine for dispensing cards and photos.

[0016] Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic arrangement of the preferred embodiment;

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates an example interface of the preferred embodiment; and

[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates one form of arrangement of software modules within the preferred embodiment.

[0020] In the preferred embodiment, an Artcard photo and vending machine is provided which enables a user to construct their own Artcard on demand. The vending machine can be constructed in a similar manner to the usual photo vending machines however, this is not essential with the only requirement being significant computational resources provided for the creation of automatic Artcards within a given time.

[0021] Turning initially to FIG. 1, there is illustrated schematically the functional components of the preferred embodiment 1. The preferred embodiment 1 can include a high resolution scanner 2 for the scanning in of a user's example photo 3. The scanner 2 is again optional and allows users to manipulate their own photos to provide an added degree of realism to the Artcard production system. The photo 3 scanned by scanner 2 is forwarded to the core computer system 4 which can comprise a high end PC type computer with a suitable operating system and programs. The computer 4 is responsible for storage of the scanned photos and for the control of a photo printer and Artcard printer 5. The photo printer and Artcard printer 5 is preferably able to print on both sides of an output print media and can utilise printing technologies as disclosed in the aforementioned patent specification. The printer 5 outputs a manipulated version of user's photo 6 in addition to a corresponding Artcard 7 (being printed on both surfaces) which contains encoded instructions for the image processing manipulation of the photo 3 in order to produce the photo 6. The encoded instructions being output in an Artcard format as described in accordance with those technologies discussed in the aforementioned patent specification.

[0022] The computer system 4 also includes a user interface 9 which can be of a standard touch screen type user interface. The computer system also controls or incorporates a payment system 10 which can comprise a standard coin or note payment system or could also comprise a credit card payment system with appropriate network connections to a credit card service provider for authorisation of transactions. Additionally, EFTPOS facilities might be provided.

[0023] A user inserts their photo 3 in a scanner slot 2 and the photo is scanned stored and subsequently ejected. Subsequently, the user interrogates the user interface 9 which can be located inside the “photo booth”. The user interface 9 can contain instructions initially for entry of money in the payment system 10. However, the core of the user interface 9 is in the creation of a wide range of Artcards by means of the touch screen facility.

[0024] An example of a suitable user interface is that depicted in FIG. 2. The core user interface can consist of presenting a user with a large number of sample thumbnail images 13 which have been manipulated in accordance with methods which will be discussed hereinafter. Initially, the image manipulation 13 may be divided by subject areas, for example, corporate, birthdays, seasonal events, types of manipulations etc. The user is instructed to choose by means of the touch sensitive screen a particular image, e.g. 13 which they like. If no such image exists, the user can choose an arrow button 14 which provides a further array of manipulations on a current level. When the user chooses an image 13, this image is utilised in the production of further alternatives which have a similar “theme” to the chosen image and present a series of alternative manipulations. The user is able to then continue choosing images from the selected variations.

[0025] Desirable images can be saved using a save button 17 and the user interface provides for the viewing of saved choices 18 along side the current array. Navigation buttons 15 and 16 provide for alternative forms of navigation with the button 15 going back to a previous screen and the button 16 returning the user to a higher level. In this way, the user is able to navigate through a wide range of Artcards so as to produce their own particular customised requirements. In this way, unique artistic creative endeavours can be encouraged for the production of unique Artcards.

[0026] The production of such a wide range of Artcards relies upon the utilisation of genetic algorithm techniques to provide the user with the role of the creator in the production process. Turning now to FIG. 3, there is illustrated an example of the software layout of the application running on the computer system 4 (FIG. 1). The software layout 20 includes a genetic pool 21 of possible image manipulations and theme manipulations which can be applied to a particular image. This genetic pool is utilised by a genetic algorithm core 22 for the creation of new species. For an introduction to the field of genetic algorithms standard text, e.g. “Genetic Algorithms” by Golberg, in addition to the latest proceedings in this field. Alternatively, the field of genetic programming could be utilised and, in this respect, reference to the standard works by Koza entitled “Genetic Programming”.

[0027] The genetic algorithm core can also utilise the users' choices 23 in the creation of new suitable images. The output of the genetic algorithm core can comprise suitable proposed new images which are then forwarded to a user interface module 25 for display on the touch screen display.

[0028] Returning again to FIG. 2, once a user has found a desirable selection, an accept button 19 can be activated which results in the user payment being required and accepted and which in turn results in the computer system 4 (FIG. 1) instructing the printer 5 to output the image 6 in addition to the series of image manipulations on the Artcard 7 for utilisation by a user in other devices which accept Artcards 7 (for example, the aforementioned Artcam devices).

[0029] It would therefore be readily evident to the person skilled in the art that the preferred embodiment provides for a system for creating complex personalised customisable images which can then be independently utilised by users. The utilisation of multiple images results in a significant combinatorial explosion of possible Artcards which can in turn lead to a significant personalisation.

[0030] Of course, many other types of core techniques could be utilised in the construction of the images. For example, other non-genetic techniques may be suitable. In a worst case, each image choice could be manually prepared. Further other suer interface facilities could be provided. Additionally, the present invention can be implemented in a non vending machine environment such as on a standard computer system.

[0031] The operation of the.preferred embodiment allows for the significant expression of personal creativity and, it is envisaged, that individual creations by Artists may themselves take on a significant value in providing an Artcard “series” of a individual artist etc.

[0032] It would be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications any be made to the present invention as shown in the specific embodiment without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiment is, therefore, to be considered in all respects to be illustrative and not restrictive.

[0033] Ink Jet Technologies

[0034] The embodiments of the invention use an ink jet printer type device. Of course many different devices could be used. However presently popular ink jet printing technologies are unlikely to be suitable.

[0035] The most significant problem with thermal ink jet is power consumption. This is approximately 100 times that required for high speed, and stems from the energy-inefficient means of drop ejection. This involves the rapid boiling of water to produce a vapor bubble which expels the ink. Water has a very high heat capacity, and must be superheated in thermal ink jet applications. This leads to an efficiency of around 0.02%, from electricity input to drop momentum (and increased surface area) out.

[0036] The most significant problem with piezoelectric ink jet is size and cost. Piezoelectric crystals have a very small deflection at reasonable drive voltages, and therefore require a large area for each nozzle. Also, each piezoelectric actuator must be connected to its drive circuit on a separate substrate. This is not a significant problem at the current limit of around 300 nozzles per printhead, but is a major impediment to the fabrication of pagewidth printheads with 19,200 nozzles.

[0037] Ideally, the ink jet technologies used meet the stringent requirements of in-camera digital color printing and other high quality, high speed, low cost printing applications. To meet the requirements of digital photography, new ink jet technologies have been created. The target features include:

[0038] low power (less than 10 Watts)

[0039] high resolution capability (1,600 dpi or more)

[0040] photographic quality output

[0041] low manufacturing cost

[0042] small size (pagewidth times minimum cross section)

[0043] high speed (<2 seconds per page).

[0044] All of these features can be met or exceeded by the ink jet systems described below with differing levels of difficulty. Forty-five different ink jet technologies have been developed by the Assignee to give a wide range of choices for high volume manufacture. These technologies form part of separate applications assigned to the present Assignee as set out in the table under the heading Cross References to Related Applications.

[0045] The ink jet designs shown here are suitable for a wide range of digital printing systems, from battery powered one-time use digital cameras, through to desktop and network printers, and through to commercial printing systems.

[0046] For ease of manufacture using standard process equipment, the printhead is designed to be a monolithic 0.5 micron CMOS chip with MEMS post processing. For color photographic applications, the printhead is 100 mm long, with a width which depends upon the ink jet type. The smallest printhead designed is IJ38, which is 0.35 mm wide, giving a chip area of 35 square mm. The printheads each contain 19,200 nozzles plus data and control circuitry.

[0047] Ink is supplied to the back of the printhead by injection molded plastic ink channels. The molding requires 50 micron features, which can be created using a lithographically micromachined insert in a standard injection molding tool. Ink flows through holes etched through the wafer to the nozzle chambers fabricated on the front surface of the wafer. The printhead is connected to the camera circuitry by tape automated bonding.

[0048] Tables of Drop-on-Demand Ink Jets

[0049] Eleven important characteristics of the fundamental operation of individual ink jet nozzles have been identified. These characteristics are largely orthogonal, and so can be elucidated as an eleven dimensional matrix. Most of the eleven axes of this matrix include entries developed by the present assignee.

[0050] The following tables form the axes of an eleven dimensional table of ink jet types.

[0051] Actuator mechanism (18 types)

[0052] Basic operation mode (7 types)

[0053] Auxiliary mechanism (8 types)

[0054] Actuator amplification or modification method (17 types)

[0055] Actuator motion (19 types)

[0056] Nozzle refill method (4 types)

[0057] Method of restricting back-flow through inlet (10 types)

[0058] Nozzle clearing method (9 types)

[0059] Nozzle plate construction (9 types)

[0060] Drop ejection direction (5 types)

[0061] Ink type (7 types)

[0062] The complete eleven dimensional table represented by these axes contains 36.9 billion possible configurations of ink jet nozzle. While not all of the possible combinations result in a viable ink jet technology, many million configurations are viable. It is clearly impractical to elucidate all of the possible configurations. Instead, certain ink jet types have been investigated in detail. These are designated IJ01 to IJ45, which match the docket numbers in the table under the heading Cross References to Related Applications.

[0063] Other ink jet configurations can readily be derived from these forty-five examples by substituting alternative configurations along one or more of the 11 axes. Most of the IJ01 to IJ45 examples can be made into ink jet printheads with characteristics superior to any currently available ink jet technology.

[0064] Where there are prior art examples known to the inventor, one or more of these examples are listed in the examples column of the tables below. The IJ01 to IJ45 series are also listed in the examples column. In some cases, a print technology may be listed more than once in a table, where it shares characteristics with more than one entry.

[0065] Suitable applications for the ink jet technologies include: Home printers, Office network printers, Short run digital printers, Commercial print systems, Fabric printers, Pocket printers, Internet WWW printers, Video printers, Medical imagng, Wide format printers, Notebook PC printers, Fax machines, Industrial printing systems, Photocopiers, Photographic minilabs etc.

[0066] The information associated with the aforementioned 11 dimensional matrix are set out in the following tables.