1. Technical Field
The invention relates generally to the enhancement of printing devices. More specifically, the invention relates to the selective download of algorithms to a photographic printer for the purpose of enhancing the printer's image processing capabilities.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Recently, printers have become commonly available with practically every personal computer. The low price of ink-jet printers that provide color printing, together with the availability of high quality printing paper, have provided consistently higher quality printing. Advancements in digital photography in a variety of resolutions have also given the average user the ability to capture digital images and print them on demand at their convenience. Printers have become sophisticated and have significant processing power and memories, thus allowing them to handle the complex printing requirements of images in general, and photographic images in particular.
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In the processing of images, a multitude of algorithms is commonly used to handle various aspects of the image to be printed. These algorithms provide among others, resolution enhancement, visual effects, colour rendering and more. However, with the advancement of photo printers there is a need in the art to provide a more flexible architecture to allow for the update of image processing algorithms that allow effective preferably automatic manipulation, of an image to be printed. It would be advantageous if this need would be resolved in such a way that would allow a provider of an algorithm to charge a fee for the use, or license thereof, of an algorithm. It would also be preferable if such algorithm would have a life meter to determine the maximum use time of the algorithm.
The invention provides an intelligent photo printer that enables a user to select a desired image enhancement algorithm that is suitable for a particular printer, download the algorithm to the printer and, if necessary makes a usage payment to the algorithm provider. Algorithm enhancements include such features as, color effects, red eye removal, image enhancement, adding logos and watermarks, adding text, and adding borders.
The presently preferred embodiment of the invention comprises a photo printer that is equipped with an intelligent photo printer controller which may be updated by any of various algorithms that provide additional imaging processing features to the printer. The algorithms may be downloaded selectively from, for example, a Web site of a provider of such algorithms and, if so required, the user can pay for a license that allows the use of such algorithm and cause the photo printer to install the algorithm for such use. In one embodiment of the disclosed invention, a user may exceed the downloaded algorithm either a predetermined number of uses or for a predetermined time interval before the usage license expires.
It is now common for photo printers to have a display and, hence, the network printer 120 may also have a display, optionally having touch screen capabilities, as well as a keyboard that allows for its independent operation. This is suitable, for example, to fit the purpose of printing photographs from a memory card inserted into one of its memory card slots. A server 140 is also shown connected to the network 110 to allow, for example, the server 140 to send a print job to the network printer 120. The server 140 may, for example, be a host of a Web site at which a plurality of image processing algorithms are available in accordance with the disclosed invention and as further detailed herein below.
Under supervision of the microcontroller 220 it is possible to communicate with a server, for example a server 140, to download an algorithm from the server 140, through the communication control 230, and into the NVM 280. In one embodiment of the invention, if the algorithms are intended for a single use only, the algorithm is downloaded into a RAM 290. In yet another embodiment of the invention, if the memory space available on-chip in the semiconductor device 205 is not sufficient for an algorithm, external memory devices may be added to the semiconductor device 205 to achieve the same goals. To access the server, the keyboard 260 and the display 250 may be used, under the control of the microcontroller 220, operating under built-in code, typically stored in a ROM 270. In another embodiment of the invention, access to the server is performed under the control of a PC, for example the PC 130. Once an algorithm is downloaded into the NVM 280 of the intelligent photo printer controller 200, an image may be printed using the desired image processing, including the features provided by the newly downloaded algorithm.
In accordance with the invention, a server 140 may contain a plurality of image processing algorithms for execution in conjunction with the capabilities of the DSP 210. A user uploading algorithms to the server 140 may wish to be compensated for the use of the developed algorithm and, hence, the need to include a payment charging step in the process of downloading the algorithm into an intelligent photo printer controller 200. Payment options may include a single use license, a life-time use license, a time based license, for example, use for a period of twelve months, or a quantity based license, for example, for printing twenty images using the downloaded image processing algorithm. Similar to the updating capabilities of the image processing algorithms, a person skilled-in-the-art would note that it is possible to extend this approach with regard to the licensing and/or selling of the rights to use the downloaded algorithm by updating the firmware used by the microcontroller 220.
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In accordance with the disclosed invention there are also provided a compiler and an emulator for the use of those who develop the image processing algorithms discussed above. The developer develops the code in a computer language, for example C, and compiles the result into a low-level code suitable for running on the DSP of the disclosed system. The code is then emulated using the emulator that is capable of emulating the execution of the native code of the DSP, and a result as provided. If the result is satisfactory, such code can be made available to a user in the ways discussed above for the purpose of download for use on a local or networked printer.
Accordingly, although the invention has been described in detail with reference to a particular preferred embodiment, persons possessing ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains will appreciate that various modifications and enhancements may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the claims that follow.
This application claims priority to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/619,614 submitted Oct. 18, 2004, which application is incorporated herein in its entirety by this reference thereto.
Number | Date | Country | |
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60619614 | Oct 2004 | US |