Device for image capture and processing
View Patent ↗A device for image capture and processing for a print-on-demand camera includes image sensing circuitry. The device also includes memory circuitry for storing an image sensed by the image sensing circuitry. Analogue to digital conversion circuitry is interposed between the image sensing circuitry and the memory circuitry to digitize the image data from the sensing circuitry for storage in the memory circuitry. Decoding and processing circuitry is connected to the memory circuitry to decode and process the digitized image data stored in the memory circuitry. Drive circuitry is connected to the decoding and processing circuitry to drive at least one component of a printing mechanism of the print-on-demand camera.
1. A device for image capture and processing for a print-on-demand camera, the device comprising a single intergated circuit incorporating:
image sensing circuitry;
memory circuitry for storing an image sensed by the image sensing circuitry and incorporating flash memory storing authentication code for preventing reverse engineering of the device;
analogue to digital conversion circuitry interposed between the image sensing circuitry and the memory circuitry to digitize the image data from the sensing circuitry for storage in the memory circuitry;
decoding and processing circuitry connected to the memory circuitry to decode and process the digitized image data stored in the memory circuitry; and
drive circuitry connected to the decoding and processing circuitry to drive at least one component of a printing mechanism of the print-on-demand camera.
2. A device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the image sensing circuitry includes a CMOS active pixel sensor array.
3. A device as claimed in claim 2 , in which the image sensing circuitry includes row decoding circuitry to enable appropriate rows of the active pixel sensor array.
4. A device as claimed in claim 2 , in which the image sensing circuitry includes a number of analogue signal processors, each of which correspond with a number of columns of the active pixel sensor array for at least amplifying a signal generated by each of the columns.
5. A device as claimed in claim 2 , in which the decoding and processing circuitry includes printhead interface circuitry for providing decoded and processed image data to a pagewidth printhead.
6. A device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the drive circuitry is transistor drive circuitry capable of driving at least a stepper motor of the print-on-demand camera.