| 说明书全文 |
CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/853,184 filed May 26, 2004, which is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/274,118 filed Oct. 21, 2002, now granted U.S. Pat. No. 6,773,874, which is a Continuation Application of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/112,744, filed on Jul. 10, 1998, now granted U.S. Pat. No. 6,472,052, all of which are herein incorporated by reference. The following Australian provisional patent applications are hereby incorporated by cross-reference. For the purposes of location and identification, U.S. patents/patent applications identified by their U.S. patent/patent application serial numbers are listed alongside the Australian applications from which the U.S. patents/patent applications claim the right of priority.
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US PATENT/PATENT
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CROSS-REFERENCED APPLICATION (CLAIMING |
AUSTRALIAN PRO- RIGHT OF PRIORITY |
VISIONAL PATENT FROM AUSTRALIAN PRO- DOCKET |
APPLICATION NO. VISIONAL APPLICATION) NO. |
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PO7991 09/113,060 ART01 |
PO8505 6,476,863 ART02 |
PO7988 09/113,073 ART03 |
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PO9401 6,304,291 ART63 |
PO9402 09/112,788 ART64 |
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PP0959 6,315,200 ART68 |
PP1397 6,217,165 ART69 |
PP2370 09/112,781 DOT01 |
PP2371 09/113,052 DOT02 |
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PO8005 6,318,849 Fluid02 |
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PO8040 6,213,589 IJ03 |
PO8071 6,231,163 IJ04 |
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PO8044 6,244,691 IJ07 |
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PO8067 6,241,342 IJ16 |
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PO8004 6,557,977 IJ26 |
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PO9389 6,227,653 IJ31 |
PO9391 6,234,609 IJ32 |
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PP0890 6,227,654 IJ35 |
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PP1398 6,217,153 IJ39 |
PP2592 6,416,167 IJ40 |
PP2593 6,243,113 IJ41 |
PP3991 6,283,581 IJ42 |
PP3987 6,247,790 IJ43 |
PP3985 6,260,953 IJ44 |
PP3983 6,267,469 IJ45 |
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PO8061 6,284,147 IJM04 |
PO8054 6,214,244 IJM05 |
PO8065 6,071,750 IJM06 |
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PO8053 6,251,298 IJM08 |
PO8078 6,258,285 IJM09 |
PO7933 6,225,138 IJM10 |
PO7950 6,241,904 IJM11 |
PO7949 6,299,786 IJM12 |
PO8060 09/113,124 IJM13 |
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PO8050 6,565,762 IJM19 |
PO8052 6,241,905 IJM20 |
PO7948 6,451,216 IJM21 |
PO7951 6,231,772 IJM22 |
PO8074 6,274,056 IJM23 |
PO7941 6,290,861 IJM24 |
PO8077 6,248,248 IJM25 |
PO8058 6,306,671 IJM26 |
PO8051 6,331,258 IJM27 |
PO8045 6,110,754 IJM28 |
PO7952 6,294,101 IJM29 |
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PO9390 6,264,849 IJM31 |
PO9392 6,254,793 IJM32 |
PP0889 6,235,211 IJM35 |
PP0887 6,491,833 IJM36 |
PP0882 6,264,850 IJM37 |
PP0874 6,258,284 IJM38 |
PP1396 6,312,615 IJM39 |
PP3989 6,228,668 IJM40 |
PP2591 6,180,427 IJM41 |
PP3990 6,171,875 IJM42 |
PP3986 6,267,904 IJM43 |
PP3984 6,245,247 IJM44 |
PP3982 6,315,914 IJM45 |
PP0895 6,231,148 IR01 |
PP0870 09/113,106 IR02 |
PP0869 6,293,658 IR04 |
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PP0884 6,312,070 IR10 |
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PP0871 09/113,086 IR13 |
PP0876 09/113,094 IR14 |
PP0877 6,378,970 IR16 |
PP0878 6,196,739 IR17 |
PP0879 09/112,774 IR18 |
PP0883 6,270,182 IR19 |
PP0880 6,152,619 IR20 |
PP0881 09/113,092 IR21 |
PO8006 6,087,638 MEMS02 |
PO8007 6,340,222 MEMS03 |
PO8008 09/113,062 MEMS04 |
PO8010 6,041,600 MEMS05 |
PO8011 6,299,300 MEMS06 |
PO7947 6,067,797 MEMS07 |
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PO9393 09/113,065 MEMS11 |
PP0875 09/113,078 MEMS12 |
PP0894 6,382,769 MEMS13 |
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PO7988 09/113,073 ART03 |
PO9395 6,322,181 ART04 |
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PO8014 09/112,776 ART07 |
PO8025 09/112,750 ART08 |
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PO8031 09/112,741 ART12 |
PO8030 6,196,541 ART13 |
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PO7989 09/113,069 ART20 |
PO8019 09/112,744 ART21 |
PO7980 6,356,715 ART22 |
PO8018 09/112,777 ART24 |
PO7938 09/113,224 ART25 |
PO8016 6,366,693 ART26 |
PO8024 09/112,805 ART27 |
PO7940 09/113,072 ART28 |
PO7939 09/112,785 ART29 |
PO8501 6,137,500 ART30 |
PO8500 09/112,796 ART31 |
PO7987 09/113,071 ART32 |
PO8022 09/112,824 ART33 |
PO8497 09/113,090 ART34 |
PO8020 09/112,823 ART38 |
PO8023 09/113,222 ART39 |
PO8504 09/112,786 ART42 |
PO8000 09/113,051 ART43 |
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PO7934 09/113,056 ART45 |
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PO8026 09/112,752 ART53 |
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PO8028 09/112,757 ART56 |
PO9394 6,357,135 ART57 |
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PO9401 6,304,291 ART63 |
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PO9405 6,289,262 ART66 |
PP0959 6,315,200 ART68 |
PP1397 6,217,165 ART69 |
PP2370 09/112,781 DOT01 |
PP2371 09/113,052 DOT02 |
PO8003 6,350,023 Fluid01 |
PO8005 6,318,849 Fluid02 |
PO9404 09/113,101 Fluid03 |
PO8066 6,227,652 IJ01 |
PO8072 6,213,588 IJ02 |
PO8040 6,213,589 IJ03 |
PO8071 6,231,163 IJ04 |
PO8047 6,247,795 IJ05 |
PO8035 09/113,099 IJ06 |
PO8044 6,244,691 IJ07 |
PO8063 6,257,704 IJ08 |
PO8057 09/112,778 IJ09 |
PO8056 6,220,694 IJ10 |
PO8069 6,257,705 IJ11 |
PO8049 6,247,794 IJ12 |
PO8036 6,234,610 IJ13 |
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PO8070 6,264,306 IJ15 |
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PO8038 6,264,307 IJ18 |
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PO8002 6,234,611 IJ20 |
PO8068 09/112,808 IJ21 |
PO8062 6,283,582 IJ22 |
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PO8043 09/112,794 IJ28 |
PO8042 09/113,128 IJ29 |
PO8064 09/113,127 IJ30 |
PO9389 6,227,653 IJ31 |
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PP0888 6,238,040 IJ33 |
PP0891 6,188,415 IJ34 |
PP0890 6,227,654 IJ35 |
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PP0993 6,247,791 IJ37 |
PP0890 6,336,710 IJ38 |
PP1398 6,217,153 IJ39 |
PP2592 09/112,767 IJ40 |
PP2593 6,243,113 IJ41 |
PP3991 6,283,581 IJ42 |
PP3987 6,247,790 IJ43 |
PP3985 6,260,953 IJ44 |
PP3983 6,267,469 IJ45 |
PO7935 6,224,780 IJM01 |
PO7936 6,235,212 IJM02 |
PO7937 6,280,643 IJM03 |
PO8061 6,284,147 IJM04 |
PO8054 6,214,244 IJM05 |
PO8065 6,071,750 IJM06 |
PO8055 6,267,905 IJM07 |
PO8053 6,251,298 IJM08 |
PO8078 6,258,285 IJM09 |
PO7933 6,225,138 IJM10 |
PO7950 6,241,904 IJM11 |
PO7949 09/113,129 IJM12 |
PO8060 09/113,124 IJM13 |
PO8059 6,231,773 IJM14 |
PO8073 6,190,931 IJM15 |
PO8076 6,248,249 IJM16 |
PO8075 09/113,120 IJM17 |
PO8079 6,241,906 IJM18 |
PO8050 09/113,116 IJM19 |
PO8052 6,241,905 IJM20 |
PO7948 09/113,117 IJM21 |
PO7951 6,231,772 IJM22 |
PO8074 6,274,056 IJM23 |
PO7941 09/113,110 IJM24 |
PO8077 6,248,248 IJM25 |
PO8058 09/113,087 IJM26 |
PO8051 09/113,074 IJM27 |
PO8045 6,110,754 IJM28 |
PO7952 09/113,088 IJM29 |
PO8046 09/112,771 IJM30 |
PO9390 6,264,849 IJM31 |
PO9392 6,254,793 IJM32 |
PP0889 6,235,211 IJM35 |
PP0887 09/112,801 IJM36 |
PP0882 6,264,850 IJM37 |
PP0874 6,258,284 IJM38 |
PP1396 09/113,098 IJM39 |
PP3989 6,228,668 IJM40 |
PP2591 6,180,427 IJM41 |
PP3990 6,171,875 IJM42 |
PP3986 6,267,904 IJM43 |
PP3984 6,245,247 IJM44 |
PP3982 09/112,835 IJM45 |
PP0895 6,231,148 IR01 |
PP0870 09/113,106 IR02 |
PP0869 09/113,105 IR04 |
PP0887 09/113,104 IR05 |
PP0885 6,238,033 IR06 |
PP0884 09/112,766 IR10 |
PP0886 6,238,111 IR12 |
PP0871 09/113,086 IR13 |
PP0876 09/113,094 IR14 |
PP0877 09/112,760 IR16 |
PP0878 6,196,739 IR17 |
PP0879 09/112,774 IR18 |
PP0883 6,270,182 IR19 |
PP0880 6,152,619 IR20 |
PP0881 09/113,092 IR21 |
PO8006 6,087,638 MEMS02 |
PO8007 09/113,093 MEMS03 |
PO8008 09/113,062 MEMS04 |
PO8010 6,041,600 MEMS05 |
PO8011 09/113,082 MEMS06 |
PO7947 6,067,797 MEMS07 |
PO7944 09/113,080 MEMS09 |
PO7946 6,044,646 MEMS10 |
PO9393 09/113,065 MEMS11 |
PP0875 09/113,078 MEMS12 |
PP0894 09/113,075 MEMS13 |
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not applicable. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an image processing method and apparatus and, in particular, discloses an anisotropic media—ridged/fibre. The present invention relates to print media and discloses a process of treatment so as to reduce the likelihood of “curling” in print media. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Recently, it has become more and more popular in respect of photographic reproduction techniques to produce longer and longer “panoramic” views of an image. These images can be produced on photographic paper or the like and the structure of the image is normally to have longer and longer lengths in comparison to the width so as to produce the more “panoramic” type views. Unfortunately, this imposes a problem where the photographic paper to be imaged upon originally was stored on a roll of small diameter. For example, referring to FIG. 1, the print media upon which an image is to be printed can be stored on a small roll 3 for an indefinite period of time. The storage on the roll 3 can often impart a semi-permanent “curl” to the paper 4. Subsequently, a portion of the roll 3 is unrolled as required and an image 5 is deposited on the media by means of printing and/or photographic imaging. The print media with its image 5 is normally held in place by means of rollers so as to ensure an accurate, flat, plane surface is provided for any imaging device utilising the print media. At a subsequent phase of the processing the print media is normally cut into desired length and stacked in a “sheet” form 6. However, when the print media is stored for long periods of time in a tightly curled roll, the print media 4 can take on a memory characteristic due to being curled around roller 3 for the extended period of time. Hence, images produced utilizing this process can often include an unwanted curl 7 consequential upon being tightly curled around roll 3. This is generally an undesirable characteristic. Of course, one way to overcome this problem is to increase the circumference of roll 3 and to thereby flatten the circumference of any paper roll around the roll 3. However, increasing the circumference of roll 3 is not desirable should it be required to include the roll 3 in a portable hand held type camera device. The portable nature of such a device requires as small a roll 3 as possible thereby leading to increasing levels of curl. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a form of print media having reduced curl characteristics. In accordance with the first aspect of the present invention there is provided a print roll for a digital camera with inbuilt printhead, the print roll comprising: a roll of print media having a surface on which the printhead can print an image captured by the digital camera; wherein, the print media incorporates fibers configured such that the media has a stiffness in a first direction that exceeds the stiffness in a second direction that is perpendicular to the first direction. Preferably, the fibers are extruded polymer strands. Preferably, the print media is formed by adhering the strands to one side of a paper substrate. Preferably, the print media is formed by sandwiching the strands between two paper substrates. Preferably, the strands are configured substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the roll. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred forms of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings which: FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a method of creation of images on print media; FIG. 2 and FIG. 2a illustrate the structure of the print media constructed in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 3 illustrates utilization of the print media constructed in accordance with the preferred embodiment; FIG. 4 illustrates a first form of construction of print media in accordance with the preferred embodiment; FIG. 5 illustrates a further form of construction of print media in accordance with the present invention; FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate schematic cross-sectional views of a further form of construction of print media in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 8 illustrates one form of manufacture of the print media construction in accordance with FIG. 6 and 7; and FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative form of manufacture by extruding fibrous material for utilization with the arrangement of FIG. 8. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED AND OTHER EMBODIMENTS In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the print media to be stored in a tightly rolled form is processed to have an anisotropic ribbed structure which allows the print media to be suitable for carriage in a roll form but further allows for the anisotropic rib structure to be utilized when viewing images printed on the print media so as to reduce the extent of curling of the print media. Referring now to FIG. 2, there is illustrated a sheet 10 of print media 11 as treated in accordance with the principles of the present invention. The sheet 10 is preferably constructed of a plastic planar film although other forms of film 11 would be suitable. The sheet 10 is pre-treated to have a polymer rib-like structure 12 shown in FIG. 2 in an exaggerated form with the actual column pitch being approximately 200 μm. Hence, one surface of the sheet 10 is treated so as to have a series of columns e.g. 12 running up and down the length of the sheet 10, the cross-section of the column 12 being illustrated in an enlarged form in FIG. 2a. The advantage of utilizing the series of columns or ribs 12 is evident when a force 13 is applied to a portion of the surface area of the sheet 10. The column 12, although allowing the sheet 10 to be rolled tightly, resists any rolling of the sheet 10 in the direction 16. Hence, any force applied 13 is likely to be transmitted both in directions 15 and 16. The anisotropic nature of the sheet 10 will result in the ribs 12 acting to provide support both in directions 15 and 16 thereby limiting the curl of sheet 10. The resistance is primarily due to the resistance of ribs 12 from any bending in the direction 16. The anisotropic strength of the material also allows it to be stored on a roll with the greater strength axis being along the central axis of the roll. Referring now to FIG. 3, the image on sheet 10 can then be viewed, with reduced effects due to curling, by merely holding the sheet 10 in a user's hands 20, 21 and applying subtle pressure at points 24, 25. The application of pressure at points 24, 25 is transmitted throughout the sheet 10 thereby providing a flat viewing surface with limited curling. Of course, the anisotropic media can be produced utilizing a number of techniques where the media comprises a plastic type material. For example, it could be produced by methods of extrusion. Alternatively, other techniques can be utilized. For example, one form of production 40 is illustrated schematically in FIG. 4 and relies upon the media 41 being pressed between rollers 42, 43. The roller 43 has a flat surface with the roller 42 having a serrated surface 45 as illustrated in FIG. 4a. The dimensions of the serration are exaggerated in FIG. 4 for illustrative purposes. Where the media is unsuitable for utilization in such a process 40, the anisotropic media can be provided by utilizing two film surfaces joined together. Such a process 50 is illustrated in FIG. 5 wherein a first surface 51 upon which it is desired to print an image is mated with a second surface 52 by means of glue, heat fusion etc. as required. Furthermore, other forms of manufacture of the print media 11 are possible. For example, referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the construction of print media 60 is shown in cross-section and could be constructed from a first fibrous material 61 which can comprise strong polymer based fibres constructed from annealed polyethylene napthalate drawn into a fibrous form. A second heat flowable polymer 62 which can comprise polyethylene is utilized to provide the “paper” base for the carriage of ink/imaging chemicals. The media polymer 62 can be compressed with the fibrous material 61 while still in a viscous form (for example, after being heated) so that the fibre 61 and print base 62 form one integral unit as illustrated in FIG. 7. The arrangement of FIGS. 6 and 7 can be constructed in accordance with a number of techniques. Referring now to FIG. 8, there is illustrated a first such technique which utilizes pre-formed spools e.g. 80 of fibrous material, the number of spools and corresponding fibres 81 being equivalent in number to the length of the desired print roll. The spools 80 are ranged such that corresponding fibres 81 are fed over a first roller 82. The fibres 81 are then drawn past a print media application unit 84 which applies the layer of viscous heated print media to the fibres. Subsequently, rollers 85, 86 apply the necessary pressure to the fibres and print media so as to fuse the two together and flatten the surface of the print media so as to form a final anisotropic surface 88. Subsequently, the surface 88 is cut across its width and rolled to form anisotropic print media as hereinbefore described. Of course, alternative forms of creating the fibrous material on demand are possible. For example, in FIG. 9, there is illustrated one form of creating an extruded fibrous material by means of drawing fibre e.g. 91 from a vat 90, the arrangement of FIG. 9 designed to replace the need for spools 80 of FIG. 8. It would be obvious to those skilled in a the art that other forms of forming the anisotropic surface may be possible, the foregoing describing only a number of embodiments. Further modifications, obvious to those skilled in the art, can be made to the composition and structure of the anisotropic print media without departing from the scope of the invention as disclosed in the following claims. |
