Modular camera assembly with a compact printer
View Patent ↗A modular camera assembly includes a camera module. The camera module includes a camera, and a first body which supports the camera and terminates in a first connector opposite the camera. The camera includes a view finder, a lens, and a movable protective cover which can be moved to cover the view finder and lens. The camera further includes an image sensor which can capture an image through the lens that is viewed with the view finder. A printer module includes an elongate second body which terminates in a second connector. The second connector can connect with the first connector so that the bodies together form a barrel of substantially uniform diameter. The second body defines a pair of longitudinally extending and opposite slots. The second body houses a printer which can print the captured image on a sheet of print media which passes through the slots.
1. A modular camera assembly comprising
a camera module comprising a camera and a first body which supports the camera at one end and terminates in a first connector at an opposite end; the camera comprising a view finder, a lens, and a movable protective cover movable to cover the view finder and lens; the camera further comprising an image sensor for capturing an image viewed with the view finder; and
a printer module comprising an elongate second body which terminates in a second connector complementary with the first connector so that the bodies together form a barrel of substantially uniform diameter; the second body defining input and output slots and housing a printer configured to print the captured image on a sheet of print media which passes through the slots.
2. A modular camera assembly as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a dispenser module engageable with the printer module and from which the sheet of print media can be fed to the input slot from a stack of sheets.
3. A modular camera assembly as claimed in claim 2 , wherein the dispenser module comprises a slider mechanism for feeding the sheets of print media into the input slot.
4. A modular camera assembly as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a battery which is located within the second body to power both the camera and the printer.
5. A modular camera assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the camera module further comprises an actuating button on the first body for actuation and subsequent operation of the camera module to capture the image and transfer the captured image to the printer module.
6. A modular camera assembly as claimed in claim 5 , wherein the printer module is configured so that the captured image is printed on the print media responsive to the print media being fed into the printer module.
7. A modular camera assembly as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the second body includes a third connector positioned opposite the second connector.
8. A modular camera assembly as claimed in claim 7 , further comprising a memory module the memory module comprising a third body which terminates in a fourth connector engageable with the third connector, the memory module comprising a storage device in which the captured image can be stored.
9. A modular camera assembly as claimed in claim 8 , wherein the third body has substantially the same diameter as the barrel.