US6950129B1 — One-time-use digital camera

Claim 1

Independent Claim 144 words

A one-time-use camera comprising: an electronic digital camera system for generating digital image data representative of a captured image; a non-volatile memory in communication with the electronic digital camera system for storing the digital image data, the non-volatile memory comprising a matrix memory component, the matrix memory component including a first layer of parallel conductors, a second layer of parallel conductors oriented mutually orthogonal to the first set of parallel conductors, and a functional medium disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein an addressable cell in the functional medium is defined at an intersection of each first layer parallel conductor and second layer parallel conductor; and wherein supplying an electrical energy directly to the functional medium of the cell detects or changes the logical state of the cell, for reading and writing the digital image data at the matrix memory component.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 144 words

A one-time-use camera comprising: an electronic digital camera system for generating digital image data representative of a captured image; a non-volatile memory in communication with the electronic digital camera system for storing the digital image data, the non-volatile memory comprising a matrix memory component, the matrix memory component including a first layer of parallel conductors, a second layer of parallel conductors oriented mutually orthogonal to the first set of parallel conductors, and a functional medium disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein an addressable cell in the functional medium is defined at an intersection of each first layer parallel conductor and second layer parallel conductor; and wherein supplying an electrical energy directly to the functional medium of the cell detects or changes the logical state of the cell, for reading and writing the digital image data at the matrix memory component.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 20 words

The camera of claim 1 , wherein the functional medium is made of an organic material with non-linear impedance characteristics.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 14 words

The camera of claim 1 , wherein the functional medium includes a polymer material.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 15 words

The camera of claim 1 , wherein the functional medium includes an amorphous silicon material.

Claim 6

Dependent Claim 17 words

The camera of claim 1 , wherein the functional medium includes a low molecular weight organic material.

Claim 7

Dependent Claim 28 words

The camera of claim 1 , further comprising an external interface wherein the external interface is configured for transfer of the digital image data to an external device.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 16 words

The camera of claim 1 , wherein the non-volatile memory component is removable from the camera.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 24 words

The camera of claim 7 , wherein the non-volatile memory component is replaceable with a second non-volatile memory component for reuse of the camera.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 25 words

The camera of claim 1 , wherein the memory component includes an external device interface for transferring the digital image data to an external device.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 54 words

The camera of claim 1 , wherein the electronic digital camera system includes a lens system, a shutter system, a charge coupled device, an analog to digital converter, a digital signal processor, and a camera system processor for receiving an image and converting the image to digital image data stored in the memory component.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 32 words

The camera of claim 1 , wherein the electronic digital camera system includes an external device interface for transferring the digital image data stored at the memory component to an external device.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 161 words

A one-time-use camera comprising: an electronic digital camera system for generating digital image data representative of a captured image; a non-volatile memory in communication with the electronic digital camera system for storing the digital image data, the non-volatile memory comprising a matrix memory component, the matrix memory component including a first layer of parallel conductors, a second layer of parallel conductors oriented mutually orthogonal to the first set of parallel conductors, and a functional medium disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein an addressable cell in the functional medium is defined at an intersection of each first layer parallel conductor and second layer parallel conductor; and wherein supplying an electrical energy directly to the functional medium of the cell detects or changes the logical state of the cell, for reading and writing the digital image data at the matrix memory component, further comprising a camera housing, wherein the wherein the non-volatile memory component is attached to the housing.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 161 words

A one-time-use camera comprising: an electronic digital camera system for generating digital image data representative of a captured image; a non-volatile memory in communication with the electronic digital camera system for storing the digital image data, the non-volatile memory comprising a matrix memory component, the matrix memory component including a first layer of parallel conductors, a second layer of parallel conductors oriented mutually orthogonal to the first set of parallel conductors, and a functional medium disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein an addressable cell in the functional medium is defined at an intersection of each first layer parallel conductor and second layer parallel conductor; and wherein supplying an electrical energy directly to the functional medium of the cell detects or changes the logical state of the cell, for reading and writing the digital image data at the matrix memory component, further comprising a camera housing, wherein the wherein the non-volatile memory component is attached to the housing.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 34 words

The camera of claim 12 , wherein the housing includes a front portion and a back portion, wherein the non-volatile memory component is attached to the back portion defining a camera back memory assembly.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 18 words

The camera of claim 13 , wherein the camera back memory assembly is removable from the front portion.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 19 words

The camera of claim 14 , wherein the camera back assembly is replaceable with a second camera back assembly.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 166 words

A one-time-use camera comprising: an electronic digital camera system for generating digital image data representative of a captured image, the electronic digital camera system including a mode switch for allowing a user to select a mode of operation of the camera; a non-volatile memory in communication with the electronic digital camera system for storing the digital image data, the non-volatile memory comprising a matrix memory component, the matrix memory component including a first layer of parallel conductors, a second layer of parallel conductors oriented mutually orthogonal to the first set of parallel conductors, and a functional medium disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein an addressable cell in the functional medium is defined at an intersection of each first layer parallel conductor and second layer parallel conductor; and wherein supplying an electrical energy directly to the functional medium of the cell detects or changes the logical state of the cell, for reading and writing the digital image data at the matrix memory component.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 166 words

A one-time-use camera comprising: an electronic digital camera system for generating digital image data representative of a captured image, the electronic digital camera system including a mode switch for allowing a user to select a mode of operation of the camera; a non-volatile memory in communication with the electronic digital camera system for storing the digital image data, the non-volatile memory comprising a matrix memory component, the matrix memory component including a first layer of parallel conductors, a second layer of parallel conductors oriented mutually orthogonal to the first set of parallel conductors, and a functional medium disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein an addressable cell in the functional medium is defined at an intersection of each first layer parallel conductor and second layer parallel conductor; and wherein supplying an electrical energy directly to the functional medium of the cell detects or changes the logical state of the cell, for reading and writing the digital image data at the matrix memory component.

Claim 20

Dependent Claim 26 words

The camera of claim 16 , wherein the electronic digital camera system includes a microphone system for recording sound as part of the digital image data.

Claim 21

Dependent Claim 22 words

The camera of claim 16 , including a selectable mode of operation for recording a still picture as the digital image data.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 28 words

The camera of claim 16 , including a selectable mode of operation for recording still picture and sound associated with the still picture as the digital image data.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 20 words

The camera of claim 16 , including a selectable mode of operation for recording video as the digital image data.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 26 words

The camera of claim 16 , including a selectable mode of operation for recording video and sound associated with the video as the digital image data.

Claim 25

Independent Claim 160 words

A method of using a one-time-use camera comprising: defining a digital camera including a camera housing, an electronic digital camera system for generating digital image data representative of a captured image; and a non-volatile memory including a write once memory matrix component in communication with the electronic digital camera system for storing the digital image data; capturing an image using the digital camera and storing the image as digital image data in the non-volatile memory; removing the non-volatile memory; and transferring the digital image data from the non-volatile memory to a portable medium; defining the write once memory matrix component including a first layer of parallel conductors, a second layer of parallel conductors oriented mutually orthogonal to the first set of parallel conductors, and a functional medium disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein an addressable cell in the functional medium is defined at an intersection of each first layer parallel conductor and second layer parallel conductor.

Claim 26

Independent Claim 160 words

A method of using a one-time-use camera comprising: defining a digital camera including a camera housing, an electronic digital camera system for generating digital image data representative of a captured image; and a non-volatile memory including a write once memory matrix component in communication with the electronic digital camera system for storing the digital image data; capturing an image using the digital camera and storing the image as digital image data in the non-volatile memory; removing the non-volatile memory; and transferring the digital image data from the non-volatile memory to a portable medium; defining the write once memory matrix component including a first layer of parallel conductors, a second layer of parallel conductors oriented mutually orthogonal to the first set of parallel conductors, and a functional medium disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein an addressable cell in the functional medium is defined at an intersection of each first layer parallel conductor and second layer parallel conductor.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 22 , defining the portable medium as photographic prints.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 22 , defining the portable medium as a digital video disk.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 26 words

The method of claim 22 , further comprising replacing the non-volatile memory with a second non-volatile memory such that the one-time-use camera is available for reuse.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 39 words

The method of claim 25 , wherein the step of replacing the non-volatile memory with a second non-volatile memory includes replacing the second portion of the housing with a third housing portion having the second non-volatile memory attached thereto.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 22 , further comprising the step of sending the portable medium to a user.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 20 words

The method of claim 22 , including defining the functional medium to include an organic material having non-linear impedance characteristics.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 17 words

The method of claim 22 , including defining the functional medium to include an amorphous silicon material.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 15 words

The method of claim 22 , including defining the functional medium to include a polymer.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 19 words

The method of claim 22 , including defining the functional material to include a low molecular weight organic material.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 212 words

A disposable digital camera comprising: an electronic digital camera system for generating digital image data representative of a captured image, the electronic digital camera system includes a lens system, a shutter system, a charge coupled device, an analog to digital converter, a digital signal processor, and a camera system processor for receiving an image and converting the image to digital image data; a non-volatile memory in communication with the electronic digital camera system for storing the digital image data, the non-volatile memory comprising a matrix memory component, the matrix memory component including a first layer of parallel conductors, a second layer of parallel conductors oriented mutually orthogonal to the first set of parallel conductors, and a flexible, substantially planar functional medium disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the functional medium is made of an organic material with non-linear impedance characteristics, the functional medium including a polymer material, and wherein an addressable cell in the functional medium is defined at an intersection of each first layer parallel conductor and second layer parallel conductor; and wherein supplying an electrical energy directly to the functional medium of the cell detects or changes the logical state of the cell, for reading and writing the digital image data at the matrix memory component.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 212 words

A disposable digital camera comprising: an electronic digital camera system for generating digital image data representative of a captured image, the electronic digital camera system includes a lens system, a shutter system, a charge coupled device, an analog to digital converter, a digital signal processor, and a camera system processor for receiving an image and converting the image to digital image data; a non-volatile memory in communication with the electronic digital camera system for storing the digital image data, the non-volatile memory comprising a matrix memory component, the matrix memory component including a first layer of parallel conductors, a second layer of parallel conductors oriented mutually orthogonal to the first set of parallel conductors, and a flexible, substantially planar functional medium disposed between the first layer and the second layer, wherein the functional medium is made of an organic material with non-linear impedance characteristics, the functional medium including a polymer material, and wherein an addressable cell in the functional medium is defined at an intersection of each first layer parallel conductor and second layer parallel conductor; and wherein supplying an electrical energy directly to the functional medium of the cell detects or changes the logical state of the cell, for reading and writing the digital image data at the matrix memory component.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 50 words

The camera of claim 32 , further comprising a camera housing, the housing including a front portion and a back portion, wherein the non-volatile memory component is attached to the back portion defining a camera back memory assembly, wherein the camera back memory assembly is removable from the front portion.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 32 words

The camera of claim 33 , the back portion having a major surface, the matrix memory component having a substantially planar, layer-like structure attached to the major surface of the back portion.

Claim 40

Independent Claim 52 words

A method, comprising: attaching a first housing portion having a memory formed therein to a second housing portion to form a one-time-use digital camera; capturing digital images with the one-time-use digital camera; removing the first housing portion from the second housing portion; and retrieving the digital images from the first housing portion.

Claim 41

Independent Claim 52 words

A method, comprising: attaching a first housing portion having a memory formed therein to a second housing portion to form a one-time-use digital camera; capturing digital images with the one-time-use digital camera; removing the first housing portion from the second housing portion; and retrieving the digital images from the first housing portion.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 27 words

The method of claim 35 , comprising: storing the digital images in the memory; and retrieving the digital images from the memory in the first housing portion.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 13 words

The method of claim 35 , comprising: disposing of the first housing portion.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method of claim 35 , comprising: reusing the second housing portion; replacing the first housing portion with a third housing portion having a memory; and attaching the third housing portion to the second housing portion to form another one-time-use digital camera.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 21 words

The method of claim 35 , comprising: forming the first housing portion and the second housing portion of a polymeric material.

Claim 46

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 35 , comprising: providing the memory as a nonvolatile memory.

Claim 47

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 35 , comprising: providing the memory as a write-once memory.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 42 words

The method of claim 35 , comprising: capturing digital images with the one-time-use digital camera until the memory in the first housing portion is full; and replacing the first housing portion with a third housing portion having a memory with available storage.

Claim 49

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 35 , wherein capturing digital images includes capturing still images.

Claim 50

Dependent Claim 14 words

The method of claim 35 , wherein capturing digital images includes capturing motion images.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 35 , wherein capturing digital images includes capturing sound associated with the digital images.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 18 words

The method of claim 35 , further comprising providing the first housing portion as a camera back assembly.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2008-09-26	2009-03-28	2009-09-27	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2012-09-26	2013-03-28	2013-09-27	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2016-09-26	2017-03-28	2017-09-27	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

One-time-use digital camera

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