Digital Camera Printer Dual Storage Reprint Management
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing digital camera printers face inefficiencies in reprinting target images, requiring time-consuming searches through memory and lacking functionality to acquire image recording location information when the printed medium is not available.
Innovation Solution
A digital camera printer with dual storage units, where the first storage unit holds printed images and the second storage unit holds captured images, allowing efficient reprinting by prioritizing images based on printing time and preventing duplicate recordings, while restricting image copying from the second storage unit to the first to manage storage capacity effectively.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If images are searched for in the memory one by one to determine reprint targets, then all images can be checked for printing status, but it takes time and effort to reprint
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the storage unit into two separate storage units: a first storage unit that stores only printed images with printing status information, and a second storage unit that stores all captured images. This segmentation allows the system to quickly locate reprint targets in the first storage unit without searching through all images in the second storage unit, thereby reducing reprinting time while maintaining accurate printing status determination.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the storage unit stores all captured images, then all images are available for printing, but it becomes difficult to manage and search for specific printed images
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the storage functionality into two distinct storage units with different purposes. The first storage unit is dedicated to storing printed images and their printing status information, enabling efficient management and quick retrieval of printed images. The second storage unit stores all captured images, providing comprehensive storage capacity. This segmentation reduces management complexity for printed images while maintaining full adaptability for image storage.
Solution Approach 2:
The first storage unit acts as an intermediary between the printing system and the second storage unit. It maintains a simplified record of printed images with their status information, serving as a mediator that enables efficient reprinting operations without requiring direct access to or management of all images in the second storage unit.
3Reliability
If images are continuously recorded in the storage unit, then all printed images are preserved, but storage capacity is quickly consumed
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments storage responsibilities between two storage units. The first storage unit is optimized for storing printed image records with limited capacity, focusing on preserving printing status information. The second storage unit provides the primary storage capacity for all captured images. This segmentation allows the system to preserve printed image information reliably while managing overall storage capacity efficiently.
Data Source
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AI summary
There are provided a printer, a digital camera with a printer, and a printing method which are capable of simply printing a desired image. In the digital camera with a printer, a first storage area and a second storage area are provided in storage areas of an internal memory. A printed image is recorded in the first storage area. A captured image is recorded in the second storage area. A first playback mode and a second playback mode are provided as a playback mode. In a case where the first playback mode is selected, the image recorded in the first storage area is played, and in a case where the second playback mode is selected, the image recorded in the second storage unit is played. The image being played is printed according to a print instruction.