Portable electronic still cameras are widely used, which convert an optical image of a subject to an electric image signal through a CCD (charge-coupled device) image sensor or the like, convert the image signal to digital image data, and write the image data in a memory. The memory is capable of storing several tens of frames of image data, and it is possible to read out the image data therefrom for displaying or reproducing the subject image on a liquid crystal display (LCD) panel that is mounted to the camera body, or on external apparatuses such as a monitor CRT and a personal computer.
As the memory for recording the image data therein is generally used a DRAM (dynamic random access memory) which is accessible at high speed, and is usually called a flash memory. Because the flash memory is able to delete or rewrite the image data, it is easy to delete unnecessary image data from the memory or revise the memory with new image data. Using the recording medium repeatedly is a feature of the electronic still camera that is advantageous over those cameras using photographic film. In addition to the flash memory or other built-in memories like hard discs, it is possible to use a card memory or a flexible magnetic sheet that is removably attachable to the electronic still camera.
Meanwhile, video printers have made it possible to make a hard copy of an image of a subject on the basis of image data written in the flash memory or the like. The video printers include Laser printer, thermal transfer printer, ink-jet printer and so forth. To make a hard copy, the image data read out from the flash memory of the electronic still camera is directly transferred to these printers, or is written in a recording medium like a card memory or a magnetic sheet, and then read out by the printers from the recording medium.
Since the conventional video printers mainly use heat energy for printing, they consume certain amount of electric power. Besides, the printer body is so large that it is unhandy to carry about. Therefore, not being able to get a hard copy of a photographed image instantly is disadvantage to the conventional electronic still camera.
In view of the foregoing, an object of the present invention is to provide a portable electronic still camera having a printing device integrated therein that facilitates making a hard copy of a photographed image instantly.
Another object of the present invention is to provide an instant printer for printing an image on an instant film at a high speed on the basis of digital image data, that is so small and consume less electric power that it is handy to carry about or for integration into a camera.
A further object of the present invention is to provide an instant film that is convenient for use in the instant printer of the present invention.