One-time-use digital camera

Abstract

In one embodiment, the present invention provides a one-time-use camera. The one-time-use camera includes an electronic digital camera system for generating digital image data representative of a captured image. A non-volatile memory is provided in communication with the electronic digital camera system for storing the digital image data. The non-volatile memory component includes a memory matrix 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. An addressable cell in the functional medium is defined at an intersection of each first layer parallel conductor and second layer parallel conductor. Supplying 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.

33 . A digital camera comprising:
 an electronic digital camera system for generating digital image data representative of a captured image; and   a housing having a camera back memory assembly removable from the housing to provide a one-time-use digital camera.   
     
     
         34 . The camera of  claim 33 , wherein the camera back memory assembly includes a removable portion and a memory component secured to the removable portion. 
     
     
         35 . The camera of  claim 34 , the housing comprising a front portion, wherein the front portion and the removable portion are made of a polymeric material. 
     
     
         36 . The camera of  claim 34 , the camera back memory assembly comprising:
 a mechanism configured to secure the camera back memory assembly to the digital camera, while allowing removal of the camera back memory assembly from the digital camera.   
     
     
         37 . The camera of  claim 36 , wherein the mechanism includes one or more tab mechanisms extending from the removable housing to aid in securing the camera back memory assembly to the digital camera. 
     
     
         38 . The camera of  claim 35 , the electronic digital camera system comprising:
 a lens system; and   a processor in communication with the camera back memory assembly.   
     
     
         39 . The camera of  claim 38 , wherein the processor is housed in a front portion of the housing. 
     
     
         40 . The camera of  claim 33 , wherein the camera back memory assembly includes a write-once memory. 
     
     
         41 . A one-time-use digital camera comprising:
 an electronic digital camera system for generating image data representative of a captured image; and   a non-volatile memory component for storing the image data, wherein the memory component is a write-once memory.   
     
     
         42 . The camera of  claim 41 , wherein the electronic digital camera system comprises a random access memory for temporary storage of image data prior to selectively storing the image data in the memory component. 
     
     
         43 . A method comprising:
 providing a one-time-use digital camera to a user;   capturing digital images with the one-time-use digital camera;   storing the digital images in the one-time-use digital camera;   providing the one-time-use use digital camera to a third party;   retrieving the digital images from the one-time-use digital camera, by the third party;   restoring the one-time-use digital camera for reuse, by the third party; and   returning the one-time-use camera back to the user for reuse by the user.   
     
     
         44 . A method comprising:
 capturing digital images with a one-time-use digital camera having a memory;   storing the digital images in the memory;   providing the one-time-use use digital camera to a third party;   retrieving the digital images from the memory, by the third party;   restoring the one-time-use digital camera for reuse, by the third party; and   making the one-time-use digital camera available for reuse.   
     
     
         45 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein restoring the one-time-use digital camera for reuse includes restoring the memory such that the memory is suitable for storing captured digital images. 
     
     
         46 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein restoring the one-time-use camera for reuse includes providing a restored memory suitable for storing digital images to the one-time-use digital camera. 
     
     
         47 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein making the one-time-use digital camera available for reuse includes reselling the one-time-use digital camera. 
     
     
         48 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein retrieving the digital images from the memory includes transferring the digital images from the memory via an external interface. 
     
     
         49 . The method of  claim 44 , wherein retrieving the digital images from the memory includes transferring the digital images to a media. 
     
     
         50 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein transferring the digital images to a media includes transferring the digital images to a compact disk. 
     
     
         51 . The method of  claim 49 , wherein transferring the digital images to a media includes transferring the digital images to photographic paper. 
     
     
         52 . A method comprising:
 capturing digital images with a one-time-use digital camera having a limiting-use component;   storing the digital images in the one-time-use digital camera;   providing the one-time-use use digital camera to a third party;   retrieving the digital images from the one-time-use digital camera, by the third party;   restoring the one-time-use digital camera for reuse via the limiting-use component, by the third party; and   making the one-time-use digital camera available for reuse.   
     
     
         53 . A method comprising:
 receiving from a user a one-time-use digital camera having a limiting-use component, the one-time-use digital camera having digital images stored therein;   retrieving the digital images stored in the one-time-use digital camera;   restoring the one-time-use camera for reuse; and   returning the restored one-time-use digital camera to the user.   
     
     
         54 . The method of  claim 53 , further comprising making the one-time-use digital camera available for reuse by another. 
     
     
         55 . The method of  claim 53 , wherein restoring the one-time-use digital camera includes restoring the one-time-use digital camera for reuse via the limiting-use component, including providing the one-time-use digital camera with a memory suitable for storing digital images. 
     
     
         56 . An apparatus comprising:
 a digital camera having a limiting-use component to limit use of the digital camera to a single use-cycle.   
     
     
         57 . The apparatus of  claim 56 , further comprising:
 a reset mechanism to refurbish the use of the digital camera for another use-cycle.   
     
     
         58 . The apparatus of  claim 56 , further comprising:
 a communication port on the digital camera for retrieving digital images from the limiting-use component.   
     
     
         59 . The apparatus of  claim 56 , wherein the limiting-use component comprises a memory having a preset capacity to store data corresponding to a preset amount of pictures. 
     
     
         60 . The apparatus of  claim 56 , wherein refurbishing comprises resetting a component contained in the digital camera to facilitate another use-cycle of the digital camera. 
     
     
         61 . The apparatus of  claim 60 , wherein refurbishing comprises replacing a component contained in the digital camera to facilitate another use-cycle of the digital camera. 
     
     
         62 . The apparatus of  claim 56 , further comprising:
 a memory within the digital camera to store image data; and   a communication port to transfer the image data to an external processing unit that performs image-processing operations on the image data.   
     
     
         63 . A method, comprising:
 limiting digital image capture capabilities of a digital camera for a single-use cycle; and   refurbishing the digital camera for another use-cycle.   
     
     
         64 . The method of  claim 63 , further comprising:
 covering portions of the digital camera with an external casing, the covered portions being inaccessible to a consumer.   
     
     
         65 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein refurbishing comprises making the digital camera functional for another use-cycle. 
     
     
         66 . The method of  claim 63 , wherein refurbishing comprises resetting a component contained in the digital camera to facilitate another use-cycle of the digital camera. 
     
     
         67 . The method of  claim 64 , further comprising:
 communicating image data stored in the digital camera to a processing unit external to the digital camera through a proprietary connection.   
     
     
         68 . The method of  claim 64 , further comprising:
 selling the same digital camera two or more times.   
     
     
         69 . A one-time-use digital camera comprising:
 an electronic digital camera system for generating digital image data representative of a captured image;   a housing substantially enclosing the electronic digital camera system, the housing including a removable portion; and   a limiting-use component secured to the removable portion during manufacturing, wherein the limiting use component is configured to limit use of the digital camera to a single use cycle.   
     
     
         70 . The camera of  claim 69 , comprising:
 wherein the removable portion of the housing and the limiting-use component comprise an assembly, and wherein the camera is configured for reuse by replacing the assembly with a second assembly.   
     
     
         71 . The camera of  claim 70 , comprising:
 wherein the assembly includes a mechanism for removably securing the assembly to the housing.   
     
     
         72 . The camera of  claim 69 , further comprising:
 a reset mechanism, where the reset mechanism is configured to enable the digital camera for another use-cycle.   
     
     
         73 . The camera of  claim 72 , wherein the reset mechanism includes the single-use component. 
     
     
         74 . The camera of  claim 70 , comprising:
 wherein the assembly includes a mechanism for removably securing the assembly to the housing.   
     
     
         75 . The camera of  claim 74 , wherein the mechanism is a tab mechanism. 
     
     
         76 . The camera of  claim 69 , wherein the limiting use component includes a memory component. 
     
     
         77 . The camera of  claim 72 , wherein the memory component is a write-once memory. 
     
     
         78 . A one-time-use digital camera comprising:
 an electronic digital camera system for generating digital image data representative of a captured image;   a housing substantially enclosing the electronic digital camera system, the housing including a removable portion; and   a limiting-use component secured to the housing during manufacturing, wherein the limiting use component is configured to limit use of the digital camera to a single use cycle.   
     
     
         79 . The camera of  claim 78 , comprising:
 a memory component installed during manufacturing; and   wherein the camera is configured as a single use camera during manufacturing, via the memory.   
     
     
         80 . The camera of  claim 77 , wherein the limiting use component comprises:
 a memory installed during manufacturing of the camera; and   and external interface in communication with the memory, where the camera is configured for reuse via the external interface and the memory.   
     
     
         81 . The camera of  claim 77 , wherein the limiting use component is secured to the removable portion. 
     
     
         82 . A one-time-use digital camera comprising:
 an electronic digital camera system for generating digital image data representative of a captured image;   a housing substantially enclosing the electronic digital camera system, the housing including a removable portion;   a limiting-use component secured to the housing during manufacturing, the limiting use component including a memory, wherein the limiting use component is configured to limit use of the digital camera to a single use cycle; and   an external interface in communication with the memory, wherein the camera is configurable for reuse via the external interface.