Portable printer
10459320 ยท 2019-10-29
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
G03B15/06
PHYSICS
H04N23/68
ELECTRICITY
G03B17/48
PHYSICS
G03B17/53
PHYSICS
International classification
H04N1/00
ELECTRICITY
Abstract
A portable printer includes a camera, a printing part, a supporting part, and a mirror. The supporting part is configured to support a portable electronic device including a display, in a way in which the display faces the camera with a predetermined distance away from the camera. The support member is configured to cover a space between the portable electronic device and the camera. The mirror is configured to reflect an image on the display and form reflected image thereon. The reflected image on the mirror is viewable by a user. The camera is configured to capture the image on the display. The printing part is configured to print the image captured by the camera.
Claims
1. A portable printer comprising: a camera; a printing part; a supporting part being configured to support a portable electronic device including a display, in a way in which the display faces the camera with a predetermined distance away from the camera, the supporting part being configured to cover a space between the portable electronic device and the camera; and a mirror being configured to reflect an image on the display and form reflected image thereon, the reflected image on the mirror being viewable by a user, the camera being configured to capture the image on the display, the printing part being configured to print the image captured by the camera.
2. A portable printer comprising: a camera; a printing part; an installation part to which the camera is installed; a supporting part being configured to support a portable electronic device including a display in a way in which the display faces the camera with a predetermined distance away from the camera, the camera being configured beneath the portable electronic device, the supporting part being configured to cover a space between the portable electronic device and the camera; and a mirror being configured to reflect an image on the display and form a reflected image thereon, the reflected image on the mirror being viewable by a user, the camera being configured to capture the image on the display, the printing part being configured to print the image captured by the camera.
3. The portable printer according to claim 2, wherein the camera and the printing part are formed in a unified manner, and the camera and the printer are installed in the installation part.
4. The portable printer according to claim 3, further comprising a shutter button being configured at the installation part for the user to operate a shutter function of the camera.
5. The portable printer according to claim 2, wherein the supporting part is foldable.
6. The portable printer according to claim 5, wherein the supporting part is configured to cover the installation part from a top thereof when the supporting part is folded.
7. The portable printer according to claim 2, wherein a surface of the mirror is convex.
8. The portable printer according to claim 2, further comprising: a first frame including a first opening part, wherein the first frame is supported by the supporting part, and the first frame is configured to trim the image on the display.
9. The portable printer according to claim 8, wherein the frame includes an adhering part, and the portable electronic device is attached to the frame at the adhering part.
10. The portable printer according to claim 8, wherein the supporting part is foldable and the frame is configured to be stored between the installation part and the supporting part when the supporting part is folded.
11. The portable printer according to claim 8, further comprising: a second frame including a second opening part, wherein at least one of a shape and a size of the second opening is different respectively from a shape and a size of the first opening.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
(8) In the following paragraphs, some embodiments of the invention will be described by way of example and not limitation. It should be understood based on this disclosure that various other modifications can be made by those in the art based on these illustrated embodiments.
(9) Hereinafter, a portable printer of the present invention will be described based on embodiments shown in the drawings.
(10) The portable printer is provided with an instant camera (a camera with a printing function), supporting parts supporting a portable electronic device, and a mirror. The portable electronic device includes a display positioned in a direction opposite to the instant camera and the display is separated with a predetermined distance from the instant camera. The supporting parts cover a space between the portable electronic device and the instant camera. The mirror reflects an image, which is displayed in the display of the portable electronic device supported by the supporting parts, by the reflection through the supporting parts. The image on the mirror is viewable by the user from an observation window which is formed on or by the supporting parts in a space between the portable electronic device and the instant camera. It is possible to take the image displayed on the display of the portable electronic device by the instant camera and print it out.
(11) In each of the following embodiments, the portable electronic device is explained as a smartphone. However, the portable electronic device is not limited to the smartphone, but also a mobile phone, a game device, a portable information terminal, etc. As long as a portable electronic device has a display such as a liquid crystal display, etc., it is possible to apply the present invention.
(12) In each of the following embodiments, for example, as shown in
(13) [First Embodiment]
(14) [Structure of Portable Printer]
(15)
(16) In the explanation of each part of the portable printer 1, the terms up, down, left, right, front, and back refer to the corresponding directions in
(17) In the present embodiment, a shutter button 11 of the instant camera 10 is provided on the front side of the installation part 20 for operating a shutter function. Further, inside the instant camera 10 (inside the installation part 20), a film pack (not shown) storing a predetermine number of films can be set. By rotating a handle 12 provided in the front side of the installation part 20, a film (not shown), in which an image is taken by the instant camera 10 by pressing down the shutter button 11, can be taken (printed out) outside from an extracting port 13 (see
(18) By the configuration in which the shutter button of the instant camera 10 is pressed by pressing down the shutter button 11, the portable printer 1 or the instant camera 10 is not moved in a horizontal direction (right and left direction or front and back direction) even when the shutter button 11 is pressed down, so that it has an effect that a taken image is prevented from blurring.
(19) In the right and left ends of the installation part 20, supporting parts 30, 30 are rotatably (foldable) installed, respectively. That is, in the present embodiment, the supporting parts 30, 30 can be opened or folded as, so called, double doors with respect to the installation part 20.
(20) In the present embodiment, in an opening state (see the lower part of
(21) In the present embodiment, the supporting parts 30, 30 are formed as a plate. As shown in
(22) In this embodiment, by such configuration of the supporting parts 30, 30, in the folding state with respect to the installation part 20, the supporting parts 30, 30 are configured as a lid to cover the installation part 20. By such configuration in which the supporting parts 30, 30 can be folded as a lid to cover the installation part 20 in the folding state, the portable printer 1 makes it easier for a user to carry, and it is possible that the installation part 20 and the instant camera 10 are protected from an external impact by the lid (supporting parts 30, 30) when the user carry. Further, by the configuration in which the folded supporting parts 30, 30 become a lid, it is possible to prevent the lens of the instant camera 10 from damaging or getting dirty, etc. Therefore, it has an effect that the lens of the instant camera 10 is protected by the lid (supporting parts 30, 30).
(23) It may be configured in which the smartphone is installed across each upper end of the supporting parts 30, 30 in the standing state of the supporting parts 30, 30 from the installation part, that is, the opening state (see
(24) It is also possible to directly install the smartphone S to the supporting parts 30, 30 in the state of the downward direction without the frame 40.
(25) In the case of the present embodiment, as shown in
(26) Further, in the present embodiment, in the frame 40, an adhering part 43 is provided in the vicinity of the opening part 42, so that the smartphone S is mounted on the frame 40 by adhering to the adhering part 43.
(27)
(28) When the smartphone S is installed on the frame 40, as shown in
(29) In the present embodiment, in this way, the image displayed on the display D of the smartphone S by the opening part 42 of the frame 40 becomes the trimming state. Therefore, for example, it is possible to prepare a plurality of frames 40 which have different shapes or sizes (any one of them or both of them) of the opening part 42, so that a range for trimming an image can be appropriately changed by changing the frames 40.
(30) Further, as shown in
(31) On the other hand, in the present embodiment, as shown in
(32) The mirror 50 may be installed in any one of the instant camera 10 and the installation part 20.
(33) In the present embodiment, as described above, two supporting parts 30, 30 open and stand as opening double doors with respect to the installation part 20, so that a space B between the smartphone S and the instant camera 10 is covered, and an opening between the smartphone S and the instant camera 10 is formed by the supporting parts 30, 30 and the opening becomes an observation window A (see
(34) In a case, it is preferable that the mirror surface of the mirror 50 is formed as a convex surface, that is, a convex mirror. With this structure, even though the mirror 50 is relatively small, it is possible the user to view the entire image displayed on the display D of the smartphone S (image actually in a range trimmed by the opening part 42 of the frame 40 among the image displayed on the display D of the smartphone S) by reflecting on the mirror 50.
(35) In this way, the portable printer 1 according to the present embodiment can take an image displayed on the display D of the smartphone S, which is supported downwardly by the supporting parts 30, 30, by the instant camera 10 and can print the image.
(36) [Procedures for Printing an Image by Portable Printer]
(37) Next, it will explain the procedures to take and print an image displayed on the display D of the smartphone S by the portable printer 1 according to the present embodiment, and further, it will explain the effects of the portable printer 1 according to the present embodiment.
(38) First, the user selects and displays an image for printing on the display D of the smartphone S. The portable printer 1 in the state in which the lid is closed (see
(39) The frame 40 is taken out, and as shown in
(40) In a state in which the display D of the smartphone S is positioned downwardly, the frame 40 and the smartphone S are fastened to the supporting parts 30, 30 by engaging the engaging parts 41, 41 of the frame 40 and the engaging parts 31, 31 of the supporting parts 30, 30.
(41) At this point, in the present embodiment, the image displayed on the display D of the smartphone S, which is supported by the supporting parts 30, 30, is reflected on the mirror 50, and the image can be viewed by the user through the observation window A (see
(42) Therefore, the user can confirm whether the image displayed on the display D of the smartphone S is appropriate by viewing the image reflected on the mirror 50. That is, the user can confirm whether the image for printing is displayed (whether an image different from the desired image is displayed by mistake such as touching a screen erroneously when the smartphone S is fastened to the supporting parts 30, 30) or whether the positions or the vertical and horizontal directions of the image are appropriate (whether the positions or the directions of the image are changed by mistake) or on the contrary, whether an image is displayed (whether displaying an image is not terminated by mistake), etc. While confirming the above points by the user, it is possible that the frame 40 and the smartphone S are fastened to the supporting parts 30, 30.
(43) Further, after the frame 40 and the smartphone S are fastened to the supporting parts 30, 30, the user can confirm and check that the image desired for printing is appropriately displayed within the opening part 42 of the frame 40 by viewing the image which is reflected on the mirror 50.
(44) In addition, in the portable printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the user can perform confirming the image while viewing the image reflected on the mirror 50 every time without removing the smartphone S from the frame 40 and the supporting parts 30, 30, so that it is very convenient for the user.
(45) Based on such confirmation viewing through the mirror 50 as described above, the user presses the shutter button 11 of the instant camera 10 and takes the image. A film is taken out from the extracting port 13 (see
(46) In the portable printer 1 according to the present embodiment, as described above, the user can appropriately print out the image displayed on the display D of the smartphone S while confirming whether or not the image is appropriately displayed on the display D of the smartphone S through the mirror 50.
(47) In the portable printer 1 according to the present embodiment, the instant camera 10 is used, so that the films are not exposed as long as the films are appropriately set inside the instant camera 10.
(48) Therefore, in the present embodiment, it is not necessary to cover the space B (see
(49) Further, with such case, when the external light enters into the space between the smartphone S and the instant camera 10, an image displayed on the display D of the smartphone S is deteriorated in color by the external light, so that it has possibility to occur color deterioration in the image taken by the instant camera 10 and on the image printed on the film.
(50) However, in recent years, the illuminance of the display D of the smartphone S becomes extremely high. As a result of the continued research by the present inventor, the inventor has obtained the knowledge that as long as approximately more than half of the entire surrounding of the side surface of the space B between the smartphone S and the instant camera 10 is covered by the supporting parts 30, 30 (that is, as long as the opening as the above described observation window A is approximately less than half of the entire surrounding of the side surface of the space B), even though the external light is entered from the observation window A, an image displayed on the display D of the smartphone S can be taken by the instant camera 10 without any color deterioration. The second embodiment described below is also same, but the portable printer 1 according to the present embodiment is provided based on such knowledge.
(51) [Second Embodiment]
(52) [Structure of Portable Printer]
(53)
(54) In the explanation of each part of the portable printer 1*, the terms up, down, left, right, front, and back refer to the corresponding directions in
(55) In the present embodiment, the supporting part 30* is provided with the bellows 32 shown in
(56) The bellows 32 is arranged as surrounding each of the multi-stage telescopic arms 33. The lower end of the bellows 32 is installed in the installation part 20, and the top end of the bellows 32 is installed in the rectangular member 34.
(57) When each multi-stage telescopic arm 33 is extended to a predetermined length, it maintains the extended length. Further, when the user applies the force to them to be shortened in the lengthwise direction, they are easily shortened so as to store them on the installation part 20. Furthermore, the bellows 32 can be expanded and contracted in accordance with the extending or shortening of the multi-stage telescopic arms 33.
(58) In the present embodiment, with such structure, when each multi-stage telescopic arm 33 is extended to a predetermined length, it maintains the extended length, so that by installing the smartphone S (the illustration of the smartphone S is omitted in
(59) In the present embodiment, instead of installing the smartphone S to the frame 40, it is possible to directly install the smartphone S to the supporting part 30* (e.g., rectangular member 34) downwardly without using the frame 40.
(60) Further, instead of using each multi-stage telescopic arm 33, it is possible to use, for example, a link member, etc. as shown in FIG. 29 of Japanese Patent No. 4140047.
(61) In the present embodiment, as described above, a space B between the smartphone S and the instant camera 10 is covered by the supporting part 30*, specifically, the bellows 32. In the present embodiment, as shown in
(62) Further, in the present embodiment, in the vicinity of the instant camera 10, a mirror 50 is provided. An image displayed on the display D of the smartphone S, which is supported by the supporting part 30* (each multi-stage telescopic arm 33 and the bellows 32), is reflected on the mirror 50, so that the user can view the image reflected on the mirror 50 through the observation window A.
(63) In this case, also, it is preferable that the mirror surface of the mirror 50 is formed as a convex surface, that is, a convex mirror. With such structure, even that the mirror 50 is relatively small, it is possible for the user to view the entire image displayed on the display D of the smartphone S (image actually in a range trimmed by the opening part 42 of the frame 40 among the image displayed on the display D of the smartphone S) by reflecting on the mirror 50.
(64) In this way, the portable printer 1* according to the present embodiment can take an image displayed on the display D of the smartphone S, which is supported downwardly by the supporting part 30*, by the instant camera 10 and can print out the image.
(65) The procedures in which the smartphone S is set in the portable printer 1* according to the present embodiment and an image displayed on the display D of the smartphone S is taken by the instant camera 10 and printed out are same as the procedures of the first embodiment. Also, the effects of the portable printer 1* according to the present embodiment are same as the first embodiment, so that the explanations of these point are omitted. In the present embodiment, after the frame 40 at which the smartphone S is installed was installed on the top end of the supporting part 30*, the supporting part (multi-stage telescopic arms 33 and the bellows 32, etc.) may be set by extending upwardly.
(66) Further, in
(67) [Effect of the Invention]
(68) As described above, according to the portable printers 1, 1* according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the mirror 50 is provided to reflect an image displayed on the display D of the smartphone S, which is supported by the supporting parts 30, 30* of the portable printers 1, 1*, and to view the image through the observation window A formed in the supporting part 30* (bellows 32 (see
(69) Therefore, in the conventional portable printers described in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. H11-167161 and Japanese Patent No. 4140047, the user feels inconvenience because the user cannot confirm an image displayed on the display D of the smartphone S at the time of taking the image and when printing, the first time, the user realizes that the image is not appropriately displayed on the display D of the smartphone S, so that the user has to take the image again and the printed film is wasted. According to the portable printers 1, 1* according to the first embodiment and the second embodiment, the aforementioned problem does not occur, and the user can take an image displayed on the display D of the smartphone S by the instant camera 10 while confirming whether or not the image displayed on the display D of the smartphone S is appropriately displayed, so that the film is not wasted and it can be appropriately printed. Therefore, the portable printers 1, 1* are extremely convenient for the user.
(70) The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiments, and needless to say, various modifications may be made within the scope that does not depart from the essential point of the present invention.
(71) That is, the supporting parts of the portable printers 1, 1* are not limited to the plate shaped supporting parts 30, 30 as a lid (the first embodiment) or the supporting part 30* configuring each multi-stage telescopic arm 33 (or link member) and the bellows 32, etc. (the second embodiment). Also, other configurations may be formed as long as the smartphone S, of which the display D is directed downwardly, can be supported in a state of separating upwardly from the instant camera 10 with a predetermined distance, and the space B between the smartphone S and the instant camera 10 can be covered (that is, the external light entering the space B is properly shielded).
(72) Further, for example, in the first embodiment (see
(73) According to the aforementioned portable printer, a mirror is provided to reflect and view an image displayed on a display of a portable electronic device such as a smartphone, etc., which is supported by a supporting part, by the user, so that the image displayed on the display can be appropriately printed while the user confirms whether the image is appropriately displayed on the display of the portable electronic device.
(74) The terms and descriptions used herein are used only for explanatory purposes and the present invention is not limited to them. Accordingly, the present invention allows various design-changes falling within the claimed scope of the present invention.
(75) While the present invention may be embodied in many different forms, a number of illustrative embodiments are described herein with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as providing examples of the principles of the invention and such examples are not intended to limit the invention to preferred embodiments described herein and/or illustrated herein.
(76) While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the present invention is not limited to the various preferred embodiments described herein, but includes any and all embodiments having equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., of aspects across various embodiments), adaptations and/or alterations as would be appreciated by those in the art based on the present disclosure. The limitations in the claims are to be interpreted broadly based on the language employed in the claims and not limited to examples described in the present specification or during the prosecution of the application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. For example, in the present disclosure, the term preferably is non-exclusive and means preferably, but not limited to. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology present invention or invention is meant as a non-specific, general reference and may be used as a reference to one or more aspects within the present disclosure. The language present invention or invention should not be improperly interpreted as an identification of criticality, should not be improperly interpreted as applying across all aspects or embodiments (i.e., it should be understood that the present invention has a number of aspects and embodiments), and should not be improperly interpreted as limiting the scope of the application or claims. In this disclosure and during the prosecution of this application, the terminology embodiment can be used to describe any aspect, feature, process or step, any combination thereof, and/or any portion thereof, etc. In some examples, various embodiments may include overlapping features.