Digital camera with postcard printing

Abstract

A digital camera is provided having an image sensor for capturing an image, an image processor for processing image data from the image sensor to produce print data, a printhead for printing the print data, and a cartridge interface for receiving a cartridge having a supply of media substrates pre-printed with postcard formatting and a memory storing information relating to the dimensions of the postcard formatting. The image processor produces the print data in accordance with the stored information accessed via the cartridge interface to produce personalised postcards.

1 . A digital camera comprising:
 an image sensor for capturing an image;   an image processor for processing image data from the image sensor to produce print data;   a printhead for printing the print data; and   a cartridge interface for receiving a cartridge having a supply of media substrates pre-printed with postcard formatting and a memory storing information relating to the dimensions of the postcard formatting,   wherein the image processor produces the print data in accordance with the stored information accessed via the cartridge interface to produce personalised postcards.   
     
     
         2 . A digital camera according to  claim 1  wherein the cartridge further comprises the ink supply for the printhead and the memory is an authentication chip that allows the image processor to confirm that the media substrate and the ink supplies are suitable for use with the camera. 
     
     
         3 . A digital camera according to  claim 1  wherein:
 the image sensor comprises a charge coupled device (CCD) and an auto exposure setting for adjusting the image data captured by the CCD in response to the lighting conditions at image capture; and   the image processor uses the auto exposure setting when processing the image data from the CCD.   
     
     
         4 . A digital camera according to  claim 3  wherein the image processor uses the auto exposure setting to determine a re-mapping of colour data within the image data from the CCD such that the printhead prints an amended image that takes account of the light conditions at image capture. 
     
     
         5 . A digital camera according to  claim 4  wherein the re-mapping of the colour data produces deeper and richer colours in the amended image when the light conditions at image capture are dim. 
     
     
         6 . A digital camera according to  claim 4  wherein the re-mapping of the colour data produces brighter and more saturated colours in the amended image when the light conditions at image capture are bright. 
     
     
         7 . A digital camera according to  claim 3  wherein the image processor uses the auto exposure setting to add exposure specific graphics to the printed image.