Photoprinter control of peripheral devices
View Patent ↗A photoprinter configuration comprising a digital camera having a viewable display and one or more selection mechanisms. A photoprinter is connected to the digital camera via a communication link, wherein the photoprinter is operative to control the viewable display of the digital camera. Preferably, the photoprinter is further operative to direct the results from a user's inputs to the selection mechanisms of the digital camera. The photoprinter is operable as a client to a host computer, as a host for the digital camera, and a passthrough device such that the host computer may initiate requests to the digital camera.
1. A photoprinter configuration, comprising:
a) a digital camera comprising a viewable display and one or more selection mechanisms; and
b) a photoprinter capable of processing and printing digital files independent of an external host device and connected to the digital camera via a communication link, the photoprinter being operative to control the viewable display of the digital camera;
wherein processing the digital files comprises calculating a pixel pattern to be printed on a printable medium.
2. The photoprinter of claim 1 , wherein the photoprinter is further operative to direct the results from a user's inputs to the selection mechanisms.
3. The photoprinter of claim 1 , further comprising means for controlling the digital camera by the photoprinter.
4. A method for controlling a digital camera, comprising the steps of:
a) obtaining a photoprinter capable of processing and printing digital files independent of an external host device and operative to print digital photographs onto printable media, wherein processing the digital files comprises calculating a pixel pattern to be printed on the printable media;
b) obtaining a digital camera comprising a viewable display and one or more selection mechanisms;
c) connecting the digital camera to the photoprinter via a communication link;
d) transmitting a plurality of instructions from the photoprinter to the digital camera via the communication link; and
e) controlling the digital camera by the photoprinter in accordance with the plurality of instructions;
wherein at least a portion of the instructions are operative to control the viewable display of the digital camera.
5. The method of claim 4 , wherein the instructions are operative to preview digital photographs on the viewable display.
6. The method of claim 4 , wherein the instructions are operative to present a user interface on the viewable display.
7. The method of claim 4 , wherein the instructions are operative to direct an operation of the photoprinter based on input to the selection mechanisms.
8. The method of claim 7 , wherein the instructions are further operative to select digital photographs for printing based on input to the selection mechanisms.
9. The method of claim 7 , wherein the instructions are further operative to modify a printed rendition of digital photographs based on input to the selection mechanisms.