Mobile telecommunications device with closely arranged printhead and media drive

[0001] The present application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/124,157 filed on May 9, 2005, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,236,271. which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/659,025 filed on Sep. 11, 2003, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 7,095,533, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/436,589 filed on Nov. 9, 1999, now issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,628,430, the entire contents of which are now incorporated by reference.

[0002] The present invention relates to mobile telecommunication devices with an inbuilt printer. The invention has primarily been designed for application to mobile telephones. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention can be used with other types of portable device, or even non-portable devices.

[0003] The invention has primarily been designed for use in a mobile telecommunications device such as a mobile telecommunications device (i.e. a mobile phone) that incorporates a printer, and will be described with reference to such an application. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention can be used with other types of portable device, or even non-portable devices.

[0004] The following applications have been filed by the Applicant simultaneously with the present application:

[0005]

11/124148	11/124158	11/124196	11/124199	11/124162	11/124202
11/124197	11/124154	11/124198	11/124153	11/124151	11/124160
11/124192	11/124175	11/124163	11/124149	11/124152	11/124173
11/124155	11/124174	11/124194	11/124164	11/124200	11/124195
11/124166	11/124150	11/124172	11/124165	11/124186	11/124185
11/124184	11/124182	11/124201	11/124171	11/124181	11/124161
11/124156	11/124191	11/124159	11/124188	11/124170	11/124187
11/124189	11/124190	11/124180	11/124193	11/124183	11/124178
11/124177	11/124168	11/124167	11/124179	11/124169

[0006] The disclosures of these co-pending applications are incorporated herein by reference.

[0007] The following patents or patent applications filed by the applicant or assignee of the present invention are hereby incorporated by cross-reference.

[0008]

6405055	6628430	7136186	10/920372	7145689	7130075
7081974	7177055	10/919243	7161715	7154632	7158258
7148993	7075684	10/503924	7108437	6915140	6999206
7136198	7092130	6750901	6476863	6788336	7170652
6967750	6995876	7099051	11/107942	11/107943	7095533
6914686	7161709	7099033	11/003786	11/003616	11/003418
11/003334	11/003600	11/003404	11/003419	11/003700	11/003601
11/003618	11/003615	11/003337	11/003698	11/003420	6984017
11/003699	11/071473	11/003463	11/003701	11/003683	11/003614
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7137566	7131596	7128265	10/815645	7175089	10/815617
10/815620	7178719	10/815613	10/815633	10/815619	10/815616
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6270182	6152619	7006143	6876394	6738096	6970186
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10/913375	10/913373	10/913374	10/913372	7138391	7153956
10/913380	10/913379	10/913376	7122076	7148345	10/407212
7156508	7159972	7083271	7165834	7080894	10/760218
7090336	7156489	10/760233	10/760246	7083257	10/760243
10/760201	10/760185	10/760253	10/760255	10/760209	7118192
10/760194	10/760238	7077505	10/760235	7077504	10/760189
10/760262	10/760232	10/760231	7152959	10/760190	7178901
10/760227	7108353	7104629	10/728804	7128400	7108355
6991322	10/728790	7118197	10/728970	10/728784	10/728783
7077493	6962402	10/728803	7147308	10/728779	7118198
7168790	7172270	10/773199	6830318	10/773201	7175261
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7134743	7182439	10/773203	10/773187	7134745	7156484
7118201	7111926	10/773184	7018021	11/060751	11/060805
7156289	7178718	10/409845	11/084796	11/084742	11/084806
09/575197	7079712	09/575123	6825945	09/575165	6813039
09/693415	6987506	6824044	7038797	6980318	6816274
7102772	09/575186	6681045	6678499	6679420	6963845
6976220	6728000	7110126	7173722	6976035	6813558
6766942	6965454	6995859	7088459	6720985	09/609303
6922779	6978019	6847883	7131058	09/721895	09/607843
09/693690	6959298	6973450	7150404	6965882	09/608022
09/575181	09/722174	7175079	7162259	6718061	10/291523
10/291471	7012710	6825956	10/291481	10/291509	10/291825
10/291519	7031010	6972864	6862105	7009738	6989911
6982807	10/291576	6829387	6714678	6644545	6609653
6651879	10/291555	10/291510	10/291592	10/291542	7044363
7004390	6867880	7034953	6987581	10/291556	10/291821
7162269	7162222	10/291822	10/291524	10/291553	6850931
6865570	6847961	10/685523	10/685583	7162442	10/685584
7159784	10/804034	10/793933	6889896	10/831232	7174056
6996274	7162088	10/943874	10/943872	10/944044	10/943942
10/944043	7167270	10/943877	6986459	10/954170	7181448
10/981626	10/981616	10/981627	10/974730	7174329	10/992713
11/006536	11/020256	11/020106	11/020260	11/020321	11/020319
11/026045	11/059696	11/051032	11/059674	11/107944	11/107941
11/082940	11/082815	11/082827	11/082829	6991153	6991154
7068382	7007851	6957921	6457883	10/743671	7044381
7094910	7091344	7122685	7038066	7099019	7062651
6789194	6789191	10/900129	10/913350	10/982975	10/983029
6644642	6502614	6622999	6669385	6827116	7011128
10/949307	6549935	6987573	6727996	6591884	6439706
6760119	09/575198	7064851	6826547	6290349	6428155
6785016	6831682	6741871	6927871	6980306	6965439
6840606	7036918	6977746	6970264	7068389	7093991
10/659026	10/884885	10/884883	10/901154	10/932044	10/962412
7177054	10/962552	10/965733	10/965933	10/974742	10/982974
7180609	10/986375	11/107817	6982798	6870966	6822639
6474888	6627870	6724374	6788982	09/722141	6788293
6946672	6737591	7091960	09/693514	6792165	7105753
6795593	6980704	6768821	7132612	7041916	6797895
7015901	10/782894	7148644	10/778056	10/778058	10/778060
10/778059	10/778063	10/778062	10/778061	10/778057	7096199
10/917468	10/917467	10/917466	10/917465	10/917356	10/948169
10/948253	7187370	10/917436	10/943856	10/919379	7019319
10/943878	10/943849	7043096	7148499	7055739	09/575129
6830196	6832717	7182247	7120853	7082562	6843420
10/291718	6789731	7057608	6766944	6766945	10/291715
10/291559	10/291660	10/409864	7108192	7111791	7077333
6983878	10/786631	7134598	10/893372	6929186	6994264
7017826	7014123	7134601	7150396	10/971146	7017823
7025276	10/990459	7080780	11/074802	10/492169	10/492152
10/492168	10/492161	10/492154	10/502575	10/683151	10/683040
10/510391	10/510392	10/919261	10/778090	6957768	09/575162
09/575172	7170499	7106888	7123239	6982701	6982703
10/291538	6786397	6947027	6975299	7139431	7048178
7118025	6839053	7015900	7010147	7133557	6914593
10/291546	6938826	10/913340	7123245	6992662	11/039897
11/074800	11/074782	11/074777	11/075917	11/102698	11/102843
10/727181	10/727162	10/727163	10/727245	7121639	7165824
7152942	10/727157	7181572	7096137	10/727257	10/727238
7188282	10/727159	10/727180	10/727179	10/727192	10/727274
10/727164	10/727161	10/727198	10/727158	10/754536	10/754938
10/727227	10/727160	10/934720	6795215	7070098	7154638
6805419	6859289	6977751	6398332	6394573	6622923
6747760	6921144	10/884881	7092112	10/949294	10/854521
10/854522	10/854488	10/854487	10/854503	10/854504	10/854509
10/854510	7093989	10/854497	10/854495	10/854498	10/854511
10/854512	10/854525	10/854526	10/854516	10/854508	10/854507
10/854515	10/854506	10/854505	10/854493	10/854494	10/854489
10/854490	10/854492	10/854491	10/854528	10/854523	10/854527
10/854524	10/854520	10/854514	10/854519	10/854513	10/854499
10/854501	10/854500	10/854502	10/854518	10/854517	10/934628
10/760254	10/760210	10/760202	10/760197	10/760198	10/760249
10/760263	10/760196	10/760247	7156511	10/760264	10/760244
7097291	10/760222	10/760248	7083273	10/760192	10/760203
10/760204	10/760205	10/760206	10/760267	10/760270	10/760259
10/760271	10/760275	10/760274	7121655	10/760184	10/760195
10/760186	10/760261	7083272	11/014764	11/014763	11/014748
11/014747	11/014761	11/014760	11/014757	11/014714	11/014713
11/014762	11/014724	11/014723	11/014756	11/014736	11/014759
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11/014745	11/014712	11/014715	11/014751	11/014735	11/014734
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11/014768	11/014767	11/014718	11/014717	11/014716	11/014732
11/014742	6454482	6808330	6527365	6474773	6550997
7093923	6957923	7131724	10/949288	7168867	7125098
10/962523	10/962410	7079292

[0009] The present invention relates to mobile telecommunication devices with an inbuilt printer. The invention has primarily been designed for application to mobile telephones. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention can be used with other types of portable device, or even non-portable devices.

[0010] The invention has primarily been designed for use in a mobile telecommunications device such as a mobile telecommunications device (i.e. a mobile phone) that incorporates a printer, and will be described with reference to such an application. However, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention can be used with other types of portable device, or even non-portable devices.

[0011] The Assignee has developed mobile phones, personal data assistants (PDAs) and other mobile telecommunication devices, with the ability to print hard copies of images or information stored or accessed by the device (see for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,405,055, filed on Nov. 9, 1999). Likewise, the Assignee has also designed digital cameras with the ability to print captured images with an inbuilt printer (see for example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,750,901 filed on Jul. 10, 1998). As the prevalence of mobile telecommunications devices with digital cameras increases, the functionality of these devices is further enhanced by the ability to print hard copies.

[0012] As these devices are portable, they must be compact for user convenience. Accordingly, any printer incorporated into the device needs to maintain a small form factor. Also, the additional load on the battery should be as little as possible. Furthermore, the consumables (ink and paper etc) should be relatively inexpensive and simple to replenish. It is these factors that strongly influence the commercial success or otherwise of products of this type.

[0013] With these basic design imperatives in mind, there are on-going efforts to improve and refine the functionality of these devices.

[0014] The Assignee of the present invention has also developed the Netpage system for enabling interaction with computer software using a printed interface and a proprietary stylus-shaped sensing device.

[0015] As described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 6,792,165, filed on Nov. 25, 2000 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/778,056, filed on Feb. 17, 2004, a Netpage pen captures, identifies and decodes tags of coded data printed onto a surface such as a page. In a preferred Netpage implementation, each tag encodes a position and an identity of the document. By decoding at least one of the tags and transmitting the position (or a refined version of the position, representing a higher resolution position of the pen) and identity referred to by the decoded tag, a remote computer can determine an action to perform. Such actions can include, for example, causing information to be saved remotely for subsequent retrieval, downloading of a webpage for printing or display via a computer, bill payment or even the performance of handwriting recognition based on a series of locations of the Netpage pen relative to the surface. These and other applications are described in many of the Netpage-related applications cross-referenced by the present application.

[0016] When printing a Netpage, a printer in a mobile telecommunications device can print the Netpage tags simultaneously with visible user information. The association between the tags and information can already exist on a remote Netpage server, such as where the printer is printing a fully rendered page (including tags) provided by the Netpage server or another computer. Alternatively, the mobile telecommunications device can generate the tags (or source them remotely) and define an association between the tags and user information. The association is then recorded in the remote Netpage server.

[0017] The problem with these options is that they require the mobile telecommunications device to include Netpage tag printing capabilities. This requires an additional row of print nozzles in the printhead, and reduces the amounts of ink that can be stored for non-tag use. Whilst this is less of an issue with large, mains-powered printers, it can be an issue in small form-factor articles such as mobile telecommunications devices.

[0018] Alternatively, the mobile telecommunications device can be configured to print on print media that is pre-printed with Netpage tags. That way the printer need only print the user information and record an association between the visible information and the pre-printed tags.

[0019] One way of doing this is to use a Netpage sensing device that scans the page as it is printed to determine the content of at least one of the tags and positions of various elements of the user information relative to the tags. This requires that the printer include a Netpage sensing device, which may be somewhat bulky for use in mobile applications, and requires additional processing capacity. Even if a Netpage sensing device is provided to enable the mobile telecommunications device to act as a Netpage pen in a more general sense, it is undesirable for a user to have to separately scan a portion of the pre-printed media to determine parameters of the coded data before inserting the media for printing.

[0020] It would be desirable to overcome the problem of associating user information to be printed onto media at least partially pre-printed with Netpage tags.

[0021] In a first aspect the present invention provides a method of accessing at least one electronic connection address using a mobile device and an interactive printed document that includes human-readable information and machine-readable coded data, the mobile telecommunications device comprising:

• • [0022] a transceiver configured to send and receive signals via a wireless telecommunications network;
  • [0023] sensing means; and
  • [0024] decoding means;
  • [0025] the method comprising the steps of:
    (a) sensing, with the sensing means, at least some of the coded data while the mobile telecommunications device is used to physically interact with the printed document;
    (b) sending, with the transceiver, the indicating data to a remote computer system;
    (c) receiving, with the transceiver, at least one electronic connection address in response to the indicating data; and
    (d) outputting the at least one connection address in a human readable manner.

[0026] Optionally, the mobile device includes an integral printer, wherein step (d) includes printing the at least one connection address onto a print medium with the printer.

[0027] Optionally, the mobile device includes a display, wherein step (d) includes displaying the at least one connection address on the display.

[0028] Optionally the mobile device further includes a user interface, the method including the steps, performed after step (d), of:

(e) receiving, via the user interface, user selection of at least one of the at least one connection address displayed on the display;

(f) establishing a connection with the selected at least one connection address, via the transceiver and the mobile telecommunications network.

[0029] Optionally the selected at least one connection address is a telephonic number, and step (f) includes establishing a telephonic connection between the mobile device and the at least one connection address.

[0030] Optionally the telephonic connection is a voice connection.

[0031] Optionally the telephonic connection is an audio-visual connection.

[0032] Optionally the mobile device further includes a user interface, the method including the steps, performed after step (d), of:

(e) receiving, via the user interface, user selection of at least one of the at least one connection address displayed on the display;

(d) sending information, or causing information to be sent, to the at least one connection address via the establishing a connection with the selected at least one connection address, via the transceiver and the mobile device.

[0033] Optionally the coded data is indicative of an identity of the print medium.

[0034] Optionally the coded data is indicative of at least one location in relation to the print medium.

[0035] Optionally the coded data is indicative of an object.

[0036] Optionally the coded data is indicative of an electronic address of the object.

[0037] Optionally the electronic connection address comprises one or more of the following:

• • [0038] an email address;
  • [0039] a fax number;
  • [0040] a phone number;
  • [0041] a network address; and
  • [0042] a URL.

[0043] Optionally the mobile device includes a printer, the method including printing the connection address onto a print medium.

[0044] Optionally the method further including steps of:

• • [0045] determining a relationship between the connection address printed or to be printed onto the print medium; and
  • [0046] transmitting the data indicative of the relationship to a remote computer system for storage.

[0047] Optionally the print medium is a card.

[0048] Optionally the mobile device stores one or more templates for use in generating an image to be printed, the image incorporating the connection address in human readable form.

[0049] Optionally the mobile device is configured to access a remote computer system to download one or more templates for use in generating an image to be printed, the image incorporating the connection address in human readable form.

[0050] In a first aspect there is provided method of enabling interaction with a printed schedule document using a mobile device including sensing means, processing means and a transceiver, the schedule document including human-readable first schedule information and machine-readable coded data, the method including the steps of:

(a) sensing at least some of the coded data with the sensing means while the mobile telecommunications device is used by a user to physically interact with the schedule document;

(b) decoding, with the processing means, at least some of the sensed coded data and generating indicating data on the basis of the decoded coded data;

(c) transmitting, using the transceiver, the indicating data to a remote computer system via the wireless telecommunications network;

(d) receiving, using the transceiver, response data from the computer system, the response data having been sent in reply to the indicating data;

(e) generating, using the processing means, a layout based on the response data, the response data representing further schedule information; and

(f) outputting the layout in a human-readable form.

[0051] Optionally the mobile device further includes a display, the method including outputting the layout by displaying it on the display.

[0052] Optionally the mobile device further includes a printer, the method including outputting the layout by printing it using the printer.

[0053] Optionally the mobile device further includes a printer controller, the method including processing the layout with the printer controller to generate dot data, and supplying the dot data to the printer to be printed.

[0054] Optionally the print medium includes a linear-encoded data track extending in an intended direction of printing, the mobile device including:

• • [0055] a sensor configured to sense the data track during printing of the dot data;
  • [0056] a printhead for printing onto the print medium in response to a fire control signal; and
  • [0057] fire control means connected to generate the fire control signal based on the sensed data track.

[0058] Optionally the mobile device further includes a light-emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is sensing it during printing.

[0059] Optionally the data track is printed with infrared ink, the light-emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum and the photosensor is sensitive in the infrared spectrum.

[0060] Optionally the data track is a clock track containing only a clock code, the fire control means being configured to generate the fire control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the sensed data track.

[0061] Optionally the data track includes first information, the first information including an embedded clock signal, the fire control means being configured to generate the fire control signal in the form of a clock signal extracted from the sensed data track.

[0062] Optionally the first information is indicative of at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, the mobile device being configured to control operation of the printhead at least partially on the basis of at least one of the physical characteristics.

[0063] Optionally the mobile device further configured to use the sensed data track to determine an absolute position of the print medium with respect to the printhead, and to print onto the print medium in reliance on the determination.

[0064] Optionally the data track further encoding first information and the print medium further including second coded data that encodes second information, the first information being indicative of the second information, wherein the mobile device is configured to print onto the print medium such that there is a predetermined registration between what is being printed and the second coded data.

[0065] Optionally the mobile device further configured to receive the information indicative of the predetermined registration from a remote computer system via the transceiver.

[0066] Optionally the data track further encoding first information and the print medium further including second coded data that encodes second information, the first information being indicative of the second information, wherein the mobile device is configured to determine a registration between what is being printed and the second coded data.

[0067] Optionally the mobile device further configured to transmit the determined registration to a remote computer system via the transceiver.

[0068] In a first aspect there is provided a mobile telecommunications device including:

• • [0069] a transceiver for sending and receiving signals via a wireless telecommunications network;
  • [0070] a processor for processing schedule data to generate dot data representing a visual layout of the schedule data; and
  • [0071] a printer configured to receive the dot data and print it onto a print medium.

[0072] Optionally the printer is configured to print coded data onto the print medium along with the visual layout represented by the dot data.

[0073] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device configured to receive, using the transceiver, the schedule data from a remote computer system via the telecommunications network.

[0074] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device configured to send, using the transceiver, a request to the remote computer system, the request identifying the schedule data, the schedule data being received in response to the request.

[0075] Optionally the coded data is indicative of an identity of a document containing the schedule data.

[0076] Optionally print medium includes a linear-encoded data track extending in an intended direction of printing, the mobile device including:

• • [0077] a sensor configured to sense the data track during printing of the dot data;
  • [0078] a printhead for printing onto the print medium in response to a fire control signal; and
  • [0079] fire control means connected to generate the fire control signal based on the sensed data track.

[0080] Optionally the mobile device further includes a light-emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is sensing it during printing.

[0081] Optionally the data track is printed with infrared ink, the light-emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum and the photosensor is sensitive in the infrared spectrum.

[0082] Optionally the data track is a clock track containing only a clock code, the fire control means being configured to generate the fire control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the sensed data track.

[0083] Optionally the data track includes first information, the first information including an embedded clock signal, the fire control means being configured to generate the fire control signal in the form of a clock signal extracted from the sensed data track.

[0084] Optionally the first information is indicative of at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, the mobile device being configured to control operation of the printhead at least partially on the basis of at least one of the physical characteristics.

[0085] Optionally the mobile device configured to use the sensed data track to determine an absolute position of the print medium with respect to the printhead, and to print onto the print medium in reliance on the determination.

[0086] Optionally the mobile device wherein the data track further encoding first information and the print medium further including second coded data that encodes second information, the first information being indicative of the second information, wherein the mobile device is configured to print onto the print medium such that there is a predetermined registration between what is being printed and the second coded data.

[0087] Optionally the mobile device configured to receive the information indicative of the predetermined registration from a remote computer system via the transceiver.

[0088] Optionally the mobile device wherein the data track further encoding first information and the print medium further including second coded data that encodes second information, the first information being indicative of the second information, wherein the mobile device is configured to determine a registration between what is being printed and the second coded data.

[0089] Optionally the mobile device configured to transmit the determined registration to a remote computer system via the transceiver.

[0090] In a first aspect there is provided a mobile device for enabling interaction with a printed email document, the email document including human-readable first email information and machine-readable coded data, the mobile device including:

• • [0091] a transceiver for sending and receiving signals via a wireless telecommunications network;
  • [0092] sensing means for sensing at least some of the coded data while the mobile device is used to interact with the email document;
  • [0093] processing means for decoding at least some of the sensed coded data and generating indicating data on the basis of the decoded coded data;
  • [0094] the mobile device being programmed and configured to:
    (a) transmit, using the transceiver, the indicating data to a remote computer system via the wireless telecommunications network;
    (b) receive, using the transceiver, response data from the computer system;
    (c) generating, using the processing means, a layout based on the response data, the response data representing further email information; and
    (d) outputting the layout in a human-readable form.

[0095] Optionally the mobile device further includes a display, the mobile device being configured to output the layout by displaying it on the display.

[0096] Optionally the mobile device further includes an integral printer, the mobile device being configured to output the layout by printing it using the printer.

[0097] Optionally the mobile device further includes a printer controller circuit configured to process the layout to generate dot data and supply the dot data to the printer to be printed.

[0098] Optionally the mobile device further includes an integral printer, the mobile device being configured to output the layout by printing it onto a print medium using the printer.

[0099] Optionally the mobile device further includes a printer controller circuit configured to process the layout to generate dot data and supply the dot data to the printer to be printed.

[0100] Optionally the print medium includes a linear-encoded data track extending in an intended direction of printing, the mobile device including:

• • [0101] a sensor configured to sense the data track during printing of the dot data;
  • [0102] a printhead for printing onto the print medium in response to a fire control signal; and
  • [0103] fire control means connected to generate the fire control signal based on the sensed data track.

[0104] Optionally the mobile device further includes a light-emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is sensing it during printing.

[0105] Optionally the data track is printed with infrared ink, the light-emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum and the photosensor is sensitive in the infrared spectrum.

[0106] Optionally the data track is a clock track containing only a clock code, the fire control means being configured to generate the fire control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the sensed data track.

[0107] Optionally the data track includes first information, the first information including an embedded clock signal, the fire control means being configured to generate the fire control signal in the form of a clock signal extracted from the sensed data track.

[0108] Optionally the first information is indicative of at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, the mobile device being configured to control operation of the printhead at least partially on the basis of at least one of the physical characteristics.

[0109] Optionally the mobile device configured to use the sensed data track to determine an absolute position of the print medium with respect to the printhead, and to print onto the print medium in reliance on the determination.

[0110] Optionally the mobile device wherein the data track further encoding first information and the print medium further including second coded data that encodes second information, the first information being indicative of the second information, wherein the mobile device is configured to print onto the print medium such that there is a predetermined registration between what is being printed and the second coded data.

[0111] Optionally the mobile device configured to receive the information indicative of the predetermined registration from a remote computer system via the transceiver.

[0112] Optionally the mobile device wherein the data track further encoding first information and the print medium further including second coded data that encodes second information, the first information being indicative of the second information, wherein the mobile device is configured to determine a registration between what is being printed and the second coded data.

[0113] Optionally the mobile device configured to transmit the determined registration to a remote computer system via the transceiver.

[0114] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile device configured to enable a user to play a game by interacting with an interactive gaming document, the mobile device comprising:

(a) a transceiver configured to send and receive signals via a wireless telecommunications network;

(b) a sensor configured to read at least some of coded data printed on the interactive gaming document; and

(c) decoding means for decoding the coded data read by the sensor and generating indicating data based on the decoded data;

• • [0115] the mobile telecommunications device being programmed and configured to:
  • [0116] send the indicating data to a remote computer system using the transceiver;
  • [0117] receive gaming data in response via the transceiver; and
  • [0118] based on the gaming data, output visual information to a user.

[0119] Optionally the coded data is indicative of an identity of the print medium.

[0120] Optionally the coded data is indicative of at least one location in relation to the print medium.

[0121] Optionally the coded data is indicative of an object.

[0122] Optionally the coded data is indicative of an electronic address of the object.

[0123] Optionally the gaming data includes any one or more of the following:

• • [0124] audio;
  • [0125] text;
  • [0126] video;
  • [0127] images; and
  • [0128] vibration patterns.

[0129] Optionally the gaming data includes printable content, and the mobile device includes a printer, the method comprising the step of printing the printable content onto a print medium using the printer.

[0130] Optionally the gaming data includes registration information indicative of a registration between the printable content and coded data, the mobile device being configured to print the printable gaming data onto the print medium in accordance with the registration information.

[0131] Optionally the printable content includes one or more maps.

[0132] Optionally the mobile device further configured to print a plurality of the print media having maps, wherein the print media having maps are printed such that they can be tiled together to form a larger map.

[0133] Optionally the mobile device further includes a user interface, the printable content including information or instructions for use by a user in interacting with the user interface.

[0134] Optionally the mobile device further configured to print one or more additional print media in response to input entered via the user interface, the input being at least partially based on the information and/or instructions on one or more of the earlier printed game cards.

[0135] Optionally the print medium to be printed on includes a linear-encoded data track extending in an intended direction of printing, the mobile device including:

• • [0136] a sensor configured to sense the data track during printing of the dot data;
  • [0137] a printhead for printing onto the print medium in response to a fire control signal; and
  • [0138] fire control means connected to generate the fire control signal based on the sensed data track.

[0139] Optionally the mobile device further includes a light-emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is sensing it during printing.

[0140] Optionally the data track is printed with infrared ink, the light-emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum and the photosensor is sensitive in the infrared spectrum.

[0141] Optionally the data track is a clock track containing only a clock code, the fire control means being configured to generate the fire control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the sensed data track.

[0142] Optionally the data track includes first information, the first information including an embedded clock signal, the fire control means being configured to generate the fire control signal in the form of a clock signal extracted from the sensed data track.

[0143] Optionally the first information is indicative of at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, the mobile device being configured to control operation of the printhead at least partially on the basis of at least one of the physical characteristics.

[0144] Optionally the mobile device further configured to use the sensed data track to determine an absolute position of the print medium with respect to the printhead, and to print onto the print medium in reliance on the determination.

[0145] Optionally the mobile device wherein the data track further encoding first information and the print medium further including second coded data that encodes second information, the first information being indicative of the second information, wherein the mobile device is configured to print onto the print medium such that there is a predetermined registration between what is being printed and the second coded data.

[0146] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile telecommunications device comprising:

(a) a transceiver configured to send and receive data via a wireless telecommunications network;

(b) processing means for processing data received via the receiver, thereby to generate dot data representing game information for generating at least one card for use in an interactive game; and

(c) a printhead operatively connected to the processing means to receive the dot data and print it onto a print medium, thereby to generate the at least one card.

[0147] Optionally the at least one card includes coded data indicative of a plurality of positions, the positions being associated, in a remote computer system, with one or more actions or instructions associated with the interactive game.

[0148] Optionally the coded data is indicative of an identity of the card.

[0149] Optionally the game information includes map data indicative of an image of at least part of a map associated with the interactive game.

[0150] Optionally the game information includes map information to be printed on a plurality of the cards.

[0151] Optionally mobile telecommunications device configured to print the cards such that the map portions can be tiled together to form a map.

[0152] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further including a sensing device for sensing coded data while the mobile telecommunications device is being used to interact with coded data on a surface, the processing means being configured to decode at least some of the code data to determine at least an identity of the surface.

[0153] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device configured to send at least the identity to a remote computer system via the transceiver and to receive via the transceiver in reply

[0154] Optionally the game information includes visible user information in the form of text, icons or images, the coded data being disposed adjacent or coincident with the user information, thereby allowing a user to interact with the user information with a sensing device.

[0155] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device includes the sensing device for sensing at least some of the coded data on the card whilst the mobile telecommunications device is used to interact with the game information on the card.

[0156] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device wherein the processing means being configured to process at least some of the sensed coded data to determine at least an identity of the card.

[0157] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device configured to:

• • [0158] send at least the identity of the card to a remote computer system;
  • [0159] receive, in response from the remote computer system, further data representing further game information.

[0160] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device configured to output the further game information to a user.

[0161] Optionally the processing means are configured to process the further data to generate further dot data, and the printhead is configured to receive the further dot data and print it onto a print medium, thereby to generate a further game card.

[0162] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further including a user interface, and wherein the device is programmed and configured such that at least some of the game cards include information or instructions for use by a user in interacting with the user interface.

[0163] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device configured to one or more game cards in response to input entered via the user interface, the input being at least partially based on information and/or instructions on one or more of the earlier printed game cards.

[0164] Optionally the processing means further includes decompression means, wherein at least some of the game data is received in a compressed format and the decompression means is configured to decompress the data for supply to the processing means.

[0165] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further including a sensor for sensing coded data disposed on or in the print medium before or during printing.

[0166] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device, configured to extract a clock signal from the sensed coded data, and to synchronize printing by the printhead onto the print medium in accordance with the clock signal.

[0167] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device, further including light-emitting means, the light emitting means being controlled to emit light while the coded data is being sensed by the sensor.

[0168] In a first aspect the present invention provides a cartridge for use in a mobile device including:

(a) an inkjet printhead;

(b) a print media feed path for directing print media past the printhead in a feed direction during printing; and

(c) a drive mechanism for driving the print media past the inkjet printhead for printing.

[0169] Incorporating the printhead into a cartridge ensures its regular replacement and thereby maintains print quality. Putting the drive mechanism in the cartridge means that the dimensional tolerances between the drive mechanism and the printhead can be closely controller and the fragile printhead nozzles can be safely enclosed within the cartridge casing. The only opening required in the cartridge are the media entry and exit slots which significantly limits the opportunity for tampering or contamination.

[0170] Optionally the drive mechanism is a passive mechanism with a drive shaft for engaging the print media and driving it past the inkjet printhead.

[0171] Optionally the print cartridge further comprising a drive roller for rotating the drive shaft, the drive roller being configured to be driven by a complementary drive mechanism in the mobile device when the cartridge is installed therein.

[0172] Optionally the drive roller is coaxial with the drive shaft.

[0173] Optionally the drive shaft is positioned in the print media path upstream of the printhead.

[0174] Optionally the print cartridge further comprising a printhead having an array of ink ejection nozzles and at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead for ejection by the nozzles, each of the at least one ink reservoirs including at least one absorbent structure for inducing a negative hydrostatic pressure in the ink at the nozzles, and a capping mechanism for capping the printhead when not in use.

[0175] Optionally the print cartridge further comprising:

[0176] (a) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print media, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead;
(b) a force transfer mechanism connected to the capper and configured such that a force provided by an edge of the media as it moves relative to the feed path is transferred to the capper by the force transfer mechanism, thereby to at least commence movement of the capper from the capped position to the uncapped position prior to the media reaching the capper.

[0177] Optionally the print cartridge further comprising:

[0178] (a) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print media, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and
(b) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until after a trailing edge of the media is clear of the printhead.

[0179] Optionally the print cartridge further comprising:

• • [0180] (a) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print media; wherein,
  • [0181] (b) the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media such that it moves to the capped position upon disengagement with the media.

[0182] Optionally the print cartridge further comprising:

• • [0183] the media substrate is a sheet; wherein during use,
  • [0184] the sheet disengages from the drive mechanism before completion of its printing such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects past the printhead by momentum to complete its printing.

[0185] Optionally the printhead comprises:

• • [0186] an array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
  • [0187] print data circuitry for providing the nozzles with print data; and,
  • [0188] a photosensor for optically receiving the print data from a beacon operated by a print engine controller in the mobile device.

[0189] Optionally the mobile device comprises:

• • [0190] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,
  • [0191] a position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicative of the position of the media substrate relative to the printhead; such that,
  • [0192] the print engine controller differentiates the signal to derive the speed of the media substrate relative to the printhead and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the speed.

[0193] Optionally the mobile device comprises:

• • [0194] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; wherein during use,
  • [0195] the print engine controller senses the number of complete and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the angular velocity of the drive shaft.

[0196] Optionally the print cartridge further comprising at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead, the at least one ink reservoir comprising:

• • [0197] a housing defining an ink storage volume;
  • [0198] one or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into sections, each of the sections having at least one ink outlet for sealed connection to the printhead; and,
  • [0199] at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections.

[0200] Optionally the media substrate is a sheet with coded data on at least part of its surface; and the mobile device further comprises a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,

• • [0201] a sensor for reading the coded data and generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the signal to the print engine controller; such that,
  • [0202] the print engine controller uses the signal to initiate the printing when the sheet is at a predetermined position relative to the printhead.

[0203] Optionally the media substrate has coded data on at least part of its surface; and,

• • [0204] the mobile device further comprising a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,
  • [0205] a dual sensing facility for reading the coded data before, as well as after, it has past the printhead.

[0206] Optionally the mobile device is a telecommunication device.

[0207] Optionally the mobile device is a mobile phone.

[0208] In a first aspect there is provided a print medium for use in a mobile device having a printer, the print medium comprising:

• • [0209] a laminar substrate defining first and second opposite faces;
  • [0210] first coded data in a first data format disposed in a first data region on the laminar substrate, the first coded data encoding first information; and
  • [0211] at least one orientation indicator indicative of an orientation of the print medium.

[0212] Optionally the at least one orientation indicator is disposed at or adjacent an edge of the print medium.

[0213] Optionally the print medium having a leading edge and a trailing edge defined relative to intended feed direction of the print medium through a media feed path, at least one of the at least one orientation indicators being disposed on or in the print medium at or adjacent the leading edge.

[0214] Optionally one of the orientation indicators is positioned adjacent a first corner of the print medium on the first face.

[0215] Optionally another of the orientation indicators is positioned adjacent a second corner of the print medium on the first face, the second corner being diagonally opposite the first corner.

[0216] Optionally another of the orientation indicators is positioned adjacent a third corner of the print medium on the second face, the third corner being adjacent the second corner.

[0217] Optionally another of the orientation indicators is positioned adjacent a fourth corner of the print medium on the second face, the fourth corner being diagonally opposite the third corner.

[0218] Optionally another of the orientation indicators is positioned adjacent a second corner of the print medium on the first face, the second corner being diagonally opposite the first corner.

[0219] Optionally the print medium further including a plurality of the orientation indicators, the position and number of the orientation indicators being positioned and configured such that, when the print medium is used in a suitably equipped mobile device, the device can determine the orientation of the card without having to read all of the orientation indicators.

[0220] Optionally the first coded data a linear-encoded data track extending in an intended direction of printing.

[0221] Optionally the data track is printed with infrared ink.

[0222] Optionally the data track includes a clock track containing only a clock code from which a clock signal can be derived during printing onto the print medium.

[0223] Optionally the first information includes an embedded clock from which a clock signal can be derived during printing onto the print medium.

[0224] Optionally the print medium further including second coded data that encodes second information, the first information being indicative of the second information.

[0225] Optionally the first information is indicative of at least one physical characteristic of the print medium.

[0226] Optionally the first information is indicative of a size of the print medium.

[0227] Optionally the first information is indicative of a media type associate with the print medium.

[0228] Optionally the first information is indicative of information pre-printed onto the print medium.

[0229] Optionally the print medium further including pre-printed human-readable information printed on either or both of the first and second faces.

[0230] Optionally the first coded data is printed in infrared ink that is substantially invisible to an average unaided human eye.

[0231] In a first aspect the present invention provides a print medium for use with a mobile device having a printer, the print medium comprising:

• • [0232] a laminar substrate defining first and second opposite faces; and
  • [0233] an orientation indicator disposed on at least one of the first and second faces, the orientation indicator being indicative of at least one orientation of the print medium, thereby enabling the mobile device to determine the print medium's orientation prior to printing thereon.

[0234] Optionally the orientation indicator is indicative of which of the first and second faces it is disposed upon.

[0235] Optionally the orientation indicator is indicative of an absolute planar rotational orientation of the print medium.

[0236] Optionally a print medium having a leading edge and a trailing edge defined relative to intended feed direction of the print medium through the media feed path, wherein the orientation indicator is positioned at or adjacent the leading edge and is indicative of the leading edge.

[0237] Optionally a print medium further including a plurality of the orientation indicators.

[0238] Optionally a print medium wherein:

(a) each of the orientation indicators is indicative of which of the first and second faces it is disposed upon;

(b) each of the orientation indicators is indicative of an absolute planar rotational orientation of the print medium; and/or

[0239] (c) the print medium has a leading edge and a trailing edge defined relative to intended feed direction of the print medium through the media feed path, wherein the orientation indicator is positioned at or adjacent the leading edge and is indicative of the leading edge.

[0240] Optionally the orientation indicator is disposed at or adjacent an edge of the print medium.

[0241] Optionally the orientation indicator is positioned adjacent a first corner of the print medium on the first face.

[0242] Optionally another of the orientation indicators is positioned adjacent a second corner of the print medium on the first face, the second corner being diagonally opposite the first corner.

[0243] Optionally another of the orientation indicators is positioned adjacent a third corner of the print medium on the second face, the third corner being adjacent the second corner.

[0244] Optionally another of the orientation indicators is positioned adjacent a fourth corner of the print medium on the second face, the fourth corner being diagonally opposite the third corner.

[0245] Optionally the orientation indicator forms part of a coded data region on the print medium.

[0246] Optionally the coded data takes the form of a linear-encoded data track.

[0247] Optionally the data track extends along an edge of the print medium in an intended print direction of the card.

[0248] Optionally the data track encodes first information in addition to the orientation indicator.

[0249] Optionally the print medium further including second information encoded in accordance with a coding different from the linear-encoding of the data track, the first information being indicative of the second information.

[0250] Optionally the coded data is printed in infrared ink.

[0251] Optionally the first coded data is printed in infrared ink that is substantially invisible to an average unaided human eye.

[0252] Optionally a mobile device further including pre-printed human-readable information printed on either or both of the first and second faces.

[0253] In a first aspect the present invention provides a method of using a mobile device to print onto a print medium, the mobile device comprising:

• • [0254] a wireless transceiver for sending and receiving data via a telecommunications network; and
  • [0255] a printer;
  • [0256] the method comprising the steps of:
    (a) determining a geographical location of the mobile device;
    (b) determining a product or service available at, in or within a predetermined distance of, the geographical location;
    (c) formatting a voucher containing information associated with the product or service; and
    (d) printing the voucher using the printer.

[0257] Optionally the information is indicative of a location of a commercial entity.

[0258] Optionally the information is indicative of an inducement to buy the product or service.

[0259] Optionally the inducement is a price discount.

[0260] Optionally the price discount is only valid at an outlet of a commercial entity at the location.

[0261] Optionally the price discount is valid at any of a number of outlets of the commercial entity.

[0262] Optionally the method including the step of using the mobile device to determine the geographical location.

[0263] Optionally the mobile device includes a GPS receiver, the method comprising determining the geographical location using the GPS receiver.

[0264] Optionally the sensing device includes a wireless receiver for receiving radio-frequency data from a transmitter, step of determining the geographical location including the step of receiving, via the transmitter, radio-frequency data the geographical location.

[0265] Optionally the method including deriving the geographical location using an Uplink Time Difference of Arrival technique.

[0266] Optionally the providing step includes sending the information to an electronic address associated with at least one of the user of the mobile device.

[0267] Optionally the geographical location is an area.

[0268] Optionally the area is defined by a postal or zip code.

[0269] Optionally the area is a city, suburb or town.

[0270] Optionally the area is at least partially defined by a transmission footprint of one or more cells of a telecommunications network.

[0271] Optionally the area is at least partially defined by a transmission footprint of one or more cells of the telecommunications network.

[0272] Optionally the method including the steps of:

• • [0273] using a sensor in the mobile device to sense a data track during printing of the voucher, the data track being disposed on a face of the print medium being printed on to generate the voucher;
  • [0274] generating a fire control signal from the sensed data track; and
  • [0275] synchronizing the printing of the voucher using the fire control signal.

[0276] Optionally the data track is printed with infrared ink, the light-emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum and the photosensor is sensitive in the infrared spectrum.

[0277] Optionally the data track is a clock track containing only a clock code, the method including the step of generating a clock signal generated from the sensed data track, the fire control signal being based on the clock signal.

[0278] Optionally the data track includes first information, the first information including an embedded clock signal, the method including the step of extracting a clock signal from the sensed data track, the fire control signal being based on the clock signal.

[0279] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile device including:

• • [0280] a printhead for printing onto a print medium, the print medium including coded data;
  • [0281] a media path for directing the print medium past the printhead for printing;
  • [0282] an optical sensor;
  • [0283] a first optical pathway for directing optical image information to the sensor to enable it to read at least some of the coded data from the print medium while at least some of the print medium is within the media path; and
  • [0284] a second optical pathway for directing optical image information to the sensor to enable it to read coded data from the print medium when the print medium is not in the media path.

[0285] Optionally the mobile device including at least one light source for illuminating the coded data to be sensed via the first optical pathway.

[0286] Optionally the mobile device including at least one light source for illuminating the coded data to be sensed via the second optical pathway.

[0287] Optionally the light source is an infrared light source.

[0288] Optionally the light source is an infrared light source.

[0289] Optionally the first optical pathway includes at least one mirror.

[0290] Optionally the first optical pathway includes a periscope arrangement of mirrors.

[0291] Optionally the mobile device further including a shutter selectively operable to reduce or prevent light from reaching the sensor via the second optical pathway during at least part of a printing procedure.

[0292] Optionally the mobile device further including a shutter-closing mechanism configured to close the shutter in response to the print medium moving through at least part of the media path.

[0293] Optionally the first and second optical pathways share a common optical pathway portion.

[0294] Optionally the mobile device further including a printer.

[0295] Optionally the printer takes the form of a replaceable cartridge.

[0296] Optionally the replaceable cartridge includes at least one ink reservoir.

[0297] Optionally the replaceable cartridge includes at least one sensor for sensing coded data on print medium intended to be used with the printer.

[0298] Optionally the replaceable cartridge includes a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between:

• • [0299] a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead; and
  • [0300] an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print medium, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead;
  • [0301] wherein the capper is moved between the capped and uncapped position by an edge of the print medium as it moves through the media path.

[0302] Optionally in the capped position the capper is resiliently urged into the capping relationship.

[0303] Optionally the capping mechanism is configured such that the capper is displaced in the feed direction as it moves from the capped position to the uncapped position.

[0304] Optionally the replaceable cartridge includes a media drive mechanism for engaging print media to be printed by the printer.

[0305] Optionally the mobile device further including drive means for driving the media drive mechanism, the drive means not forming part of the replaceable cartridge.

[0306] Optionally the media drive mechanism includes a driven wheel configured to engage the drive means when the replaceable cartridge is installed in the mobile device.

[0307] In a first aspect the present invention provides an integrated cartridge for installation into a mobile device, the cartridge including:

• • [0308] an inkjet printhead including a plurality of inkjet nozzles;
  • [0309] at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead for ejection by the nozzles; and
  • [0310] a capping mechanism for capping the printhead when it is not in use.

[0311] Incorporating the printhead into a cartridge ensures its regular replacement and thereby maintains print quality. A capper protects the delicate nozzle structures from paper dust during use. However, by having it integrated it into the cartridge, the only openings required in the cartridge are the media entry and exit slots which significantly limits the opportunity for tampering or contamination prior to installation.

[0312] Optionally the integrated circuit including a plurality of the ink reservoirs, each supplying ink to a subset of the nozzles.

[0313] Optionally the integrated circuit including reservoirs containing cyan, magenta and yellow inks, respectively.

[0314] Optionally the integrated circuit including reservoirs that respectively contain cyan, magenta, yellow inks and at least one other fluid.

[0315] Optionally the at least one other fluid includes black ink.

[0316] Optionally the at least one other fluid includes infrared ink.

[0317] Optionally the at least one other fluid includes infrared ink and black ink.

[0318] Optionally a cartridge further comprising a drive shaft for engaging the print media and driving it past the inkjet printhead.

[0319] Optionally a cartridge further comprising a drive roller for rotating the drive shaft, the drive roller being configured to be driven by a complementary drive mechanism in the mobile device when the cartridge is installed therein.

[0320] Optionally the drive roller is coaxial with the drive shaft.

[0321] Optionally the drive shaft is positioned in the print media path upstream of the printhead.

[0322] Optionally a cartridge further comprising a printhead having an array of ink ejection nozzles and at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead for ejection by the nozzles, each of the at least one ink reservoirs including at least one absorbent structure for inducing a negative hydrostatic pressure in the ink at the nozzles.

[0323] Optionally the capping mechanism has a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print media, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and the cartridge further comprises:

• • [0324] a force transfer mechanism connected to the capper and configured such that a force provided by an edge of the media as it moves relative to the feed path is transferred to the capper by the force transfer mechanism, thereby to at least commence movement of the capper from the capped position to the uncapped position prior to the media reaching the capper.

[0325] Optionally the capping mechanism has a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print media, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and the cartridge further comprises:

• • [0326] a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until after a trailing edge of the media is clear of the printhead.

[0327] Optionally the capping mechanism has a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print media; such that during use, the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media such that it moves to the capped position upon disengagement with the media.

[0328] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising:

• • [0329] the media substrate is a sheet; wherein during use,
  • [0330] the sheet disengages from the drive mechanism before completion of its printing such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects past the printhead by momentum to complete its printing.

[0331] Optionally the mobile device comprises:

• • [0332] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; wherein during use,
  • [0333] the print engine controller senses the number of complete and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the angular velocity of the drive shaft.

[0334] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead, the at least one ink reservoir comprising:

• • [0335] a housing defining an ink storage volume;
  • [0336] one or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into sections, each of the sections having at least one ink outlet for sealed connection to the printhead; and,
  • [0337] at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections.

[0338] Optionally the mobile device is a telecommunication device.

[0339] Optionally the mobile device is a mobile phone.

[0340] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile device including:

(a) an inkjet printhead;

(b) a print media feed path for directing a print medium past the printhead in a feed direction during printing;

(c) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between:

• • [0341] a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead; and
  • [0342] an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print medium, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead;
    (d) a force transfer mechanism connected to the capper and configured such that a force provided by an edge of the print medium as it moves relative to the feed path is transferred to the capper by the force transfer mechanism, thereby to at least commence movement of the capper from the capped position to the uncapped position prior to the print medium reaching the capper.

[0343] Optionally the capper is moved completely into the uncapped position by the force transfer mechanism.

[0344] Optionally the force transfer device includes at least one crank member mounted to pivot about an axis, the crank member including:

• • [0345] a first region for engaging the print medium; and
  • [0346] a second region, rotationally displaced from the first region, for engaging the capping mechanism;
  • [0347] the crank member being configured to translate linear force provided by the print medium into a torque that causes movement of the capper from the capped position towards the uncapped position.

[0348] Optionally the mobile device further including a locking mechanism for holding the capper in the uncapped position whilst the print medium is being printed on by the printhead.

[0349] Optionally the locking mechanism includes at least one cam mounted for rotation between an unlocked position and a locked position, the at least one cam being configured such that, in the unlocked position, it extends at least partially into the feed path when the print medium is not present, the at least one cam being positioned and configured to engage an edge of the print medium as the print medium is fed through the feed path such that the at least one cam is rotated by the print medium into the locked position, such that, in the locked position, the capper is held in the uncapped position until after a trailing edge of the print medium is clear of the printhead.

[0350] Optionally the cam is resiliently biased to return to the unlocked position once the print medium edge moves past a predetermined position in the feed path, thereby causing the capper to return to the capped position.

[0351] Optionally the at least one cam is mounted for rotation about an axis that is substantially normal to the print medium as it engages the cam in the feed path.

[0352] Optionally print medium for use with the device includes a linear-encoded data track extending in an intended direction of printing, the mobile device including:

• • [0353] a sensor configured to sense the data track during printing of the dot data;
  • [0354] a printhead for printing onto the print medium in response to a fire control signal; and
  • [0355] fire control means connected to generate the fire control signal based on the sensed data track.

[0356] Optionally the data track is a clock track containing only a clock code, the fire control means being configured to generate the fire control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the sensed data track.

[0357] Optionally the data track includes first information, the first information including an embedded clock signal, the fire control means being configured to generate the fire control signal in the form of a clock signal extracted from the sensed data track.

[0358] Optionally the first information is indicative of at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, the mobile device being configured to control operation of the printhead at least partially on the basis of at least one of the physical characteristics.

[0359] Optionally the mobile device configured to use the sensed data track to determine an absolute position of the print medium with respect to the printhead, and to print onto the print medium in reliance on the determination.

[0360] Optionally the data track further encoding first information and the print medium further including second coded data that encodes second information, the first information being indicative of the second information, wherein the mobile device is configured to print onto the print medium such that there is a predetermined registration between what is being printed and the second coded data.

[0361] Optionally the mobile device includes a transceiver, the mobile device being configured to receive the information indicative of the predetermined registration from a remote computer system via a transceiver.

[0362] Optionally the data track further encoding first information and the print medium further including second coded data that encodes second information, the first information being indicative of the second information, wherein the mobile device is configured to determine a registration between what is being printed and the second coded data.

[0363] Optionally the mobile device configured to transmit the determined registration to a remote computer system via the transceiver.

[0364] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile device including:

(a) an inkjet printhead;

(b) a print media feed path for directing print media past the printhead in a feed direction during printing; and

(c) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between:

• • [0365] a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead; and
  • [0366] an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print media, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead;
  • [0367] wherein the capper is moved between the capped and uncapped position by an edge of the print media as it moves through the feed path.

[0368] De-capping the printhead by engagement with the media substrate avoids the need for a separate mechanism for actuating the capper. This permits a more compact cartridge so that the mobile device can adhere to a small form factor.

[0369] Optionally in the capped position the capper is resiliently urged into the capping relationship.

[0370] Optionally the capping mechanism is configured such that the capper is displaced in the feed direction as it moves from the capped position to the uncapped position.

[0371] Optionally the capping mechanism is further configured such that the capper is simultaneously displaced in a direction away from the printhead as it is displaced in the feed direction.

[0372] Optionally the capping mechanism is subsequently displaced in a direction opposite the feed direction in the uncapped position.

[0373] Optionally the mobile device further including a locking mechanism for holding the capper in the uncapped position whilst the print media is being printed on by the printhead.

[0374] Optionally the locking mechanism includes at least one cam mounted for rotation between an unlocked position and a locked position, the at least one cam being configured such that, in the unlocked position, it extends at least partially into the feed path when print media is not present, the at least one cam being positioned and configured to engage an edge of the print media as the print media is fed through the feed path such that the at least one cam is rotated by the print media into the locked position, such that, in the locked position, the capper is held in the uncapped position until after a trailing edge of the media is clear of the printhead.

[0375] Optionally the cam is resiliently biased to return to the unlocked position once the print media edge moves past a predetermined position in the feed path, thereby causing the capper to return to the capped position.

[0376] Optionally the at least one cam is mounted for rotation about an axis that is substantially normal to the print media as it engages the cam in the feed path.

[0377] Optionally the mobile device further comprising a drive shaft for engaging the print media and driving it past the inkjet printhead.

[0378] Optionally the mobile device further comprising a drive roller for rotating the drive shaft, the drive roller being configured to be driven by a complementary drive mechanism in the mobile device when the cartridge is installed therein.

[0379] Optionally the drive roller is coaxial with the drive shaft.

[0380] Optionally the drive shaft is positioned in the print media path upstream of the printhead.

[0381] Optionally a mobile device further comprising a printhead having an array of ink ejection nozzles and at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead for ejection by the nozzles, each of the at least one ink reservoirs including at least one absorbent structure for inducing a negative hydrostatic pressure in the ink at the nozzles.

[0382] Optionally during use,

• • [0383] the sheet disengages from the drive shaft before completion of its printing such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects past the printhead by momentum to complete its printing.

[0384] Optionally the printhead comprises:

• • [0385] an array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
  • [0386] print data circuitry for providing the nozzles with print data; and,
  • [0387] a photosensor for optically receiving the print data from a beacon operated by a print engine controller in the mobile device.

[0388] Optionally a mobile device further comprising:

• • [0389] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,
  • [0390] a position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicative of the position of the media substrate relative to the printhead; such that,
  • [0391] the print engine controller differentiates the signal to derive the speed of the media substrate relative to the printhead and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the speed.

[0392] Optionally a mobile device further comprising at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead, the at least one ink reservoir comprising:

• • [0393] a housing defining an ink storage volume;
  • [0394] one or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into sections, each of the sections having at least one ink outlet for sealed connection to the printhead; and,
  • [0395] at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections.

[0396] Optionally the mobile device is a telecommunication device.

[0397] Optionally the mobile device is a mobile phone.

[0398] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile device including:

(a) an inkjet printhead;

(b) a print media feed path for directing print media past the printhead in a feed direction during printing;

(c) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between:

• • [0399] a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead; and
  • [0400] an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print media, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead;
    (d) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until after a trailing edge of the media is clear of the printhead.

[0401] Advantage: Initiating the re-capping of the printhead by disengagement with the trailing edge of the media substrate avoids the need for a separate mechanism for actuating the capper. This permits a more compact cartridge so that the mobile device can adhere to a small form factor.

[0402] Optionally the locking mechanism includes at least one cam mounted for rotation between an unlocked position and a locked position, the at least one cam being configured such that, in the unlocked position, it extends at least partially into the feed path when print media is not present, the at least one cam being positioned and configured to engage an edge of the print media as the print media is fed through the feed path such that the at least one cam is rotated by the print media into the locked position, such that, in the locked position, the capper is held in the uncapped position until after a trailing edge of the media is clear of the printhead.

[0403] Optionally the cam is resiliently biased to return to the unlocked position once the print media edge moves past a predetermined position in the feed path, thereby causing the capper to return to the capped position.

[0404] Optionally the at least one cam is mounted for rotation about an axis that is substantially normal to the print media as it engages the cam in the feed path.

[0405] Optionally the locking mechanism is configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until after the trailing edge of the media is clear of the capper, such that the capper can be released into the capped position without capturing the print media.

[0406] Optionally a mobile device further including a locking mechanism for holding the capper in the uncapped position whilst the print media is being printed on by the printhead.

[0407] Optionally the locking mechanism includes at least one cam mounted for rotation between an unlocked position and a locked position, the at least one cam being configured such that, in the unlocked position, it extends at least partially into the feed path when print media is not present, the at least one cam being positioned and configured to engage an edge of the print media as the print media is fed through the feed path such that the at least one cam is rotated by the print media into the locked position, such that, in the locked position, the capper is held in the uncapped position until after a trailing edge of the media is clear of the printhead.

[0408] Optionally the cam is resiliently biased to return to the unlocked position once the print media edge moves past a predetermined position in the feed path, thereby causing the capper to return to the capped position.

[0409] Optionally the at least one cam is mounted for rotation about an axis that is substantially normal to the print media as it engages the cam in the feed path.

[0410] Optionally a mobile device further comprising a drive shaft for engaging the print media and driving it past the inkjet printhead.

[0411] Optionally a mobile device further comprising a drive roller for rotating the drive shaft, the drive roller being configured to be driven by a complementary drive mechanism in the mobile device when the cartridge is installed therein.

[0412] Optionally the drive roller is coaxial with the drive shaft.

[0413] Optionally the drive shaft is positioned in the print media path upstream of the printhead.

[0414] Optionally a mobile device further comprising a printhead having an array of ink ejection nozzles and at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead for ejection by the nozzles, each of the at least one ink reservoirs including at least one absorbent structure for inducing a negative hydrostatic pressure in the ink at the nozzles.

[0415] Optionally during use, the sheet disengages from the drive shaft before completion of its printing such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects past the printhead by momentum to complete its printing.

[0416] Optionally the printhead comprises:

• • [0417] an array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
  • [0418] print data circuitry for providing the nozzles with print data; and,
  • [0419] a photosensor for optically receiving the print data from a beacon operated by a print engine controller in the mobile device.

[0420] Optionally a mobile device further comprising:

• • [0421] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,
  • [0422] a position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicative of the position of the media substrate relative to the printhead; such that,
  • [0423] the print engine controller differentiates the signal to derive the speed of the media substrate relative to the printhead and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the speed.

[0424] Optionally a mobile device further comprising at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead, the at least one ink reservoir comprising:

• • [0425] a housing defining an ink storage volume;
  • [0426] one or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into sections, each of the sections having at least one ink outlet for sealed connection to the printhead; and,
  • [0427] at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections.

[0428] Optionally the mobile device is a telecommunication device.

[0429] Optionally the mobile device is a mobile phone.

[0430] In a first aspect the present invention provides a print medium for use with a printer, the print medium comprising:

• • [0431] a laminar substrate defining first and second opposite faces;
  • [0432] first coded data in a first data format disposed in a first data region on the laminar substrate, the first coded data encoding first information; and
  • [0433] second coded data in a second data format disposed in a second data region on the laminar substrate, the second coded data encoding second information;
  • [0434] wherein the first information is indicative of the second information.

[0435] Optionally the first information is the same as the second information.

[0436] Optionally the first information is a document identifier.

[0437] Optionally the first format is a linear pattern.

[0438] Optionally the second format is a two-dimensional pattern.

[0439] Optionally the first format is a linear-encoded data track.

[0440] Optionally the first format is a linear-encoded data track.

[0441] Optionally either or both of the first and second coded data are substantially invisible to the average unaided human eye.

[0442] Optionally a print medium further including one or more additional regions, each of the one or more additional regions including further coded data in the first format.

[0443] Optionally the coded data in each of the additional regions includes the first information.

[0444] Optionally the coded data in each of the first region and the additional regions includes an orientation indicator that is unique to each of the respective first and additional regions.

[0445] Optionally each orientation indicator includes sufficient bits' worth of data to uniquely identify the region within which the corresponding coded data is disposed.

[0446] Optionally there are three of the additional regions, and wherein:

• • [0447] the first coded data and the coded data of one of the additional regions are disposed along opposite edges on a first of the faces; and
  • [0448] the coded data of the remaining two additional regions are disposed along the opposite edges on the second of the faces.

[0449] Optionally the second coded data is disposed between the first coded data and the one of the additional regions on the first of the faces.

[0450] Optionally the print medium including further coded data in the second format, the further coded data being disposed between the additional regions on the second of the faces.

[0451] Optionally the print medium further including human-readable information pre-printed on at least one of the faces.

[0452] Optionally the human-readable information includes at least one direction indicator.

[0453] Optionally the human-readable information includes at least one icon indicative of a function.

[0454] Optionally the first information includes an embedded clock signal.

[0455] Optionally the print medium further including at least one clock track on at least one of the faces.

[0456] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile telecommunications device including:

• • [0457] a transceiver for sending and receiving signals via a wireless telecommunications network;
  • [0458] processing means for processing connection history information relating to communications sent to or from the mobile telecommunications device via the transceiver, to generate dot data representing a visual layout of the connection history information; and
  • [0459] a integral printer configured to receive the dot data and print it onto a print medium.

[0460] Optionally the connection history information includes an originating address of at least one previous connection or attempted connection with the mobile telecommunications device.

[0461] Optionally the connection history information includes an identity of a person or other entity associated with the originating address.

[0462] Optionally the connection history information includes a human-readable indication that a voice-mail has been received from the originating address.

[0463] Optionally the connection history information includes one or more connections or connection attempts made via the mobile telecommunications device.

[0464] Optionally the print medium includes a linear-encoded data track extending in an intended direction of printing, the mobile device including:

• • [0465] a sensor configured to sense the data track during printing of the dot data;
  • [0466] a printhead for printing onto the print medium in response to a fire control signal; and
  • [0467] fire control means connected to generate the fire control signal based on the sensed data track.

[0468] Optionally the mobile device further including a light-emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is sensing it during printing.

[0469] Optionally the data track is printed with infrared ink, the light-emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum and the photosensor is sensitive in the infrared spectrum.

[0470] Optionally the data track is a clock track containing only a clock code, the fire control means being configured to generate the fire control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the sensed data track.

[0471] Optionally the data track includes first information, the first information including an embedded clock signal, the fire control means being configured to generate the fire control signal in the form of a clock signal extracted from the sensed data track.

[0472] Optionally the first information is indicative of at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, the mobile device being configured to control operation of the printhead at least partially on the basis of at least one of the physical characteristics.

[0473] Optionally a mobile device configured to use the sensed data track to determine an absolute position of the print medium with respect to the printhead, and to print onto the print medium in reliance on the determination.

[0474] Optionally the data track further encoding first information and the print medium further including second coded data that encodes second information, the first information being indicative of the second information, wherein the mobile device is configured to print onto the print medium such that there is a predetermined registration between what is being printed and the second coded data.

[0475] Optionally a mobile device configured to receive the information indicative of the predetermined registration from a remote computer system via the transceiver.

[0476] Optionally the data track further encoding first information and the print medium further including second coded data that encodes second information, the first information being indicative of the second information, wherein the mobile device is configured to determine a registration between what is being printed and the second coded data.

[0477] Optionally a mobile device configured to transmit the determined registration to a remote computer system via the transceiver.

[0478] In a first aspect the present invention provides an ink cartridge for use in a mobile device, the ink cartridge including:

• • [0479] at least one ink reservoir for holding ink;
  • [0480] at least one baffle dividing the at least one ink reservoir into a plurality of sections, each of the sections in each ink reservoir being in fluid communication with each of the other sections in that ink reservoir via an aperture; and
  • [0481] at least one porous insert in each of the at least one reservoirs, such that substantially all of each ink reservoir is filled with the at least one porous insert.

[0482] Optionally each reservoir includes a single porous insert including at least one recessed portion, each recessed portion being configured to engage one of the baffles in the reservoir.

[0483] Optionally a surface of each porous insert around the recessed portion sealingly engages a surface of its corresponding baffle.

[0484] Optionally the porous insert is of unitary construction.

[0485] Optionally the porous insert is formed from open-celled foam.

[0486] Optionally an ink cartridge further including a wick that extends along an edge of the at least one porous insert, the wick being configured to transport ink from the at least one porous insert to an ink distribution arrangement configured to distribute the ink to a pagewidth printhead forming part of the cartridge.

[0487] Optionally the ink distribution arrangement includes a plurality of ink ducts.

[0488] Optionally an ink cartridge configured such that ink within the at least one reservoir is held at a negative pressure with respect to ambient air pressure.

[0489] Optionally an ink cartridge further including a plurality of the ink reservoirs, the ink reservoirs containing relatively different colored inks.

[0490] Optionally an n ink cartridge comprising:

• • [0491] a print media feed path for directing a print medium past the printhead in a feed direction during printing; and
  • [0492] a drive mechanism for driving the print medium past the inkjet printhead for printing.

[0493] Optionally the drive mechanism is a passive mechanism, including a media roller for engaging the print medium to drive it past the inkjet printhead.

[0494] Optionally an ink cartridge further including a drive roller configured to be driven by a complementary drive mechanism in the mobile device when the cartridge is installed therein.

[0495] Optionally the media roller is coaxial with the drive roller.

[0496] Optionally the media roller is positioned in the print media path upstream of the printhead.

[0497] Optionally the cartridge is configured such that, in use, the media roller drives the print medium such that a trailing edge of the print medium passes the printhead after having disengaged from the media roller.

[0498] Optionally the drive roller is a cog.

[0499] Optionally the drive roller includes a resilient peripheral edge.

[0500] Optionally a cartridge comprising a capping mechanism for capping the printhead when it is not in use.

[0501] Optionally the capping mechanism includes a capper moveable between:

• • [0502] a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead; and
  • [0503] an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print medium, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead;
  • [0504] wherein the capper is moved between the capped and uncapped position by an edge of the print medium as it is driven through the print media path.

[0505] Optionally a cartridge comprising a sensor for sensing coded data on the print medium as it is being printed.

[0506] In a first aspect the present invention provides a method of retrieving and storing a ringtone in a mobile telecommunications device, the method comprising the steps, performed in the mobile telecommunications device, of:

• • [0507] sensing coded data printed on a surface;
  • [0508] decoding the coded data to generate decoded data;
  • [0509] transmitting a request for the ringtone based on the decoded data, the request being transmitted via a mobile telecommunications network;
  • [0510] receiving the requested ringtone from a remote computer system via the mobile telecommunications network, the ringtone being in a format that is useable as a ringtone by the mobile telecommunications device; and
  • [0511] storing the ringtone in the mobile telecommunications device.

[0512] Optionally a method further including the step of associating the ringtone with at least one ring event in the mobile telecommunications device.

[0513] Optionally the step of associating the ringtone with at least one ring event includes receiving instructions from a user via a user interface of the mobile telecommunications device

[0514] Optionally the ringtone is a digital sample.

[0515] Optionally the request is indicative of the mobile telecommunications device's type, such that the ringtone is received in a suitable format.

[0516] Optionally the mobile telecommunication device's type is recorded in the mobile telecommunications network and determined by the computer system to determine the correct format of ringtone to transmit.

[0517] Optionally a method of retrieving and storing a theme or wallpaper in a mobile telecommunications device, the method comprising the steps, performed in the mobile telecommunications device, of:

• • [0518] sensing coded data printed on a surface;
  • [0519] decoding the coded data to generate decoded data;
  • [0520] transmitting a request for the theme or wallpaper based on the decoded data, the request being transmitted via a mobile telecommunications network;
  • [0521] receiving the requested theme or wallpaper from a remote computer system via the mobile telecommunications network, the theme or wallpapering being in a format that is useable by the mobile telecommunications device; and
  • [0522] storing the wallpaper or theme in the mobile telecommunications device.

[0523] Optionally the method including the step of automatically applying the wallpaper or theme to the mobile telecommunications device upon receipt.

[0524] Optionally the request is indicative of the mobile telecommunications device's type, such that the wallpaper or theme is received in a suitable format.

[0525] Optionally the mobile telecommunication device's type is recorded in the mobile telecommunications network and determined by the computer system to determine the correct format of wallpaper or theme to transmit.

[0526] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device includes a printer, the printer being configured to print onto a print medium, such that the printed medium includes coded data that can be sensed to initiate generation and transmission of the request.

[0527] Optionally the print medium is pre-printed with the coded data, the printer being configured to print a user interface onto the print medium.

[0528] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device includes a sensor, the sensor being configured to sense at least some coded data on the print medium during printing, the mobile telecommunications device being configured to use the sensed coded data to print the user interface onto the print medium in accordance with a registration.

[0529] Optionally a method further including the step of receiving the known registration prior to commencing printing.

[0530] Optionally the coded data includes a linear-coded data track, the method including the step of extracting a clock from the data track and using the clock to synchronize printing of the user interface onto to print medium.

[0531] In a first aspect the present invention provides a print cartridge for a mobile telecommunications device, the cartridge comprising:

• • [0532] a drive shaft with a media engagement surface for feeding a media substrate along a feed path; and,
  • [0533] a media guide adjacent the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate against the media engagement surface.

[0534] It is important that any mobile telecommunications device that incorporates a printhead and media feed assembly does not significantly increase the overall size. Using a single drive shaft and media guide is significantly more compact than an opposed pair of media drive rollers.

[0535] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising at least one ink reservoir, an inkjet printhead and a capper for capping the printhead when not in use.

[0536] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising a rigid outer casing enclosing the ink reservoir, the printhead, and capper, the outer casing defining a media entry slot and a media exit slot.

[0537] Optionally the media guide is a series of sprung fingers extending from one side of the media entry slot towards the media engagement surface of the drive shaft.

[0538] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising a drive roller mounted to the drive shaft, the drive roller having an elastomeric rim for abutting a drive system in the mobile telecommunications device.

[0539] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising electrical contacts for power and print data on the outer casing, the contacts and the drive roller positioned for simultaneously engaging corresponding contacts and the drive system respectively upon insertion into the mobile telecommunications device.

[0540] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising a printhead having an array of ink ejection nozzles and at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead for ejection by the nozzles, each of the at least one ink reservoirs including at least one absorbent structure for inducing a negative hydrostatic pressure in the ink at the nozzles, and a capping mechanism for capping the printhead when not in use.

[0541] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising:

(a) a printhead adjacent the feed path;

[0542] (b) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print media, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead;
(c) a force transfer mechanism connected to the capper and configured such that a force provided by an edge of the media as it moves relative to the feed path is transferred to the capper by the force transfer mechanism, thereby to at least commence movement of the capper from the capped position to the uncapped position prior to the media reaching the capper.

[0543] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising:

(a) a printhead adjacent the feed path;

[0544] (b) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print media, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and
(c) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until after a trailing edge of the media is clear of the printhead.

[0545] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising:

(a) a printhead adjacent the feed path;

(b) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print media; wherein,

(c) the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media such that it moves to the capped position upon disengagement with the media.

[0546] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising:

• • [0547] a printhead for printing on to the media substrate; and,
  • [0548] the media substrate is a sheet; wherein during use,
  • [0549] the sheet disengages from the drive shaft before completion of its printing such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects past the printhead by momentum to complete its printing.

[0550] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising a printhead, wherein the printhead comprises:

• • [0551] an array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
  • [0552] print data circuitry for providing the nozzles with print data; and,
    a photosensor for optically receiving the print data from a beacon operated by a print engine controller in the mobile telecommunications device.

[0553] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device has a drive system for rotating the drive shaft by friction.

[0554] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising:

• • [0555] an inkjet printhead for printing to the media substrate; and,
  • [0556] the mobile telecommunications device comprises:
  • [0557] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,
  • [0558] a position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicative of the position of the media substrate relative to the printhead; such that,
  • [0559] the print engine controller differentiates the signal to derive the speed of the media substrate relative to the printhead and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the speed.

[0560] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising an inkjet printhead for printing to the media substrate; and,

• • [0561] the mobile telecommunications device comprises:
  • [0562] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; wherein during use,
  • [0563] the print engine controller senses the number of complete and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the angular velocity of the drive shaft.

[0564] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to a printhead, the at least one ink reservoir comprising:

• • [0565] a housing defining an ink storage volume;
  • [0566] one or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into sections, each of the sections having at least one ink outlet for sealed connection to the printhead; and,
  • [0567] at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections.

[0568] Optionally the media substrate is a sheet with coded data on at least part of its surface; and the mobile telecommunications device further comprises a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,

• • [0569] a sensor for reading the coded data and generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the signal to the print engine controller; such that,
  • [0570] engine controller uses the signal to initiate the printing when the sheet is at a predetermined position relative to the printhead.

[0571] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising a printhead for printing the media substrate, the media substrate having coded data on at least part of its surface; and,

[0572] The mobile telecommunications device further comprising a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,

a dual sensing facility for reading the coded data before, as well as after, it has past the printhead.

[0573] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile telecommunications device comprising:

• • [0574] a printhead with an array of nozzles for printing a media substrate;
  • [0575] a capper assembly movable between a capped position covering the nozzles and an uncapped position spaced from the nozzles; wherein,
  • [0576] the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media such that it moves to the capped position upon disengagement with the media.

[0577] It is important that any mobile telecommunications device that incorporates a printhead and media feed assembly does not significantly increase the overall size. Using the media substrate to move the capper from the capped position before printing avoids the need for a separate uncapping mechanism.

[0578] Optionally the sheet of media substrate is encoded and the print engine controller uses an optical sensor to determine the position of the sheet relative to the printhead.

[0579] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a drive shaft for feeding the media past the printhead.

[0580] Optionally the media substrate is a sheet and the trailing edge of the sheet disengages from the drive shaft before it is printed and is projected past the printhead by its momentum.

[0581] Optionally the capper assembly lightly grips the sheet after it has been printed so that it partially extends from the mobile telecommunications device in readiness for manual collection.

[0582] Optionally the capper assembly moves out of the capped position and toward the uncapped position upon engagement with the leading edge of the sheet.

[0583] Optionally the printhead is incorporated into a cartridge that further comprises a print media feed path for directing the print media past the printhead in a feed direction during printing, and a drive mechanism for driving the print media past the printhead for printing.

[0584] Optionally the printhead has an array of ink ejection nozzles and is incorporated into a cartridge that further comprises at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead for ejection by the nozzles, each of the at least one ink reservoirs including at least one absorbent structure for inducing a negative hydrostatic pressure in the ink at the nozzles, and a capping mechanism for capping the printhead when not in use.

[0585] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

(a) a print media feed path for directing print media past the printhead in a feed direction during printing;

[0586] (b) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print media, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and
(c) a force transfer mechanism connected to the capper and configured such that a force provided by an edge of the media as it moves relative to the feed path is transferred to the capper by the force transfer mechanism, thereby to at least commence movement of the capper from the capped position to the uncapped position prior to the media reaching the capper.

[0587] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

(a) a print media feed path for directing print media past the printhead in a feed direction during printing;

[0588] (b) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print media, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead;
(c) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until after a trailing edge of the media is clear of the printhead.

[0589] Optionally the drive assembly has a drive shaft with a media engagement surface for feeding a media substrate along a feed path; and,

a media guide adjacent the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate against the media engagement surface.

[0590] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device 1 further comprising:

• • [0591] a drive shaft for feeding the sheet of media substrate past the printhead; wherein during use,
  • [0592] the sheet disengages from the drive shaft before completion of its printing such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects past the printhead by momentum to complete its printing.

[0593] Optionally the printhead comprises:

• • [0594] an array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
  • [0595] print data circuitry for providing the nozzles with print data; and,
    a photosensor for optically receiving the print data from a beacon operated by a print engine controller.

[0596] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

a drive shaft for feeding the sheet of media substrate past the printhead and a drive system to rotate the drive shaft; wherein,

• • [0597] the drive system rotates the drive roller by friction.

[0598] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [0599] a media feed assembly for feeding the media past the printhead;
  • [0600] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,
  • [0601] a position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicative of the position of the media substrate relative to the printhead; such that,
  • [0602] the print engine controller differentiates the signal to derive the speed of the media substrate relative to the printhead and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the speed.

[0603] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [0604] a drive shaft for feeding the media past the printhead; and,
  • [0605] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; wherein during use, the print engine controller senses the number of complete and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts
  • [0606] the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the angular velocity of the drive shaft.

[0607] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising at least one ink reservoir, the at least one reservoir comprising:

• • [0608] a housing defining an ink storage volume;
  • [0609] one or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into sections, each of the sections having at least one ink outlet for sealed connection to the printhead; and,
  • [0610] at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections.

[0611] Optionally the media substrate is a sheet with coded data disposed on at least part of its surface; the mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [0612] a media feed assembly for feeding the sheet of media substrate along a feed path past the printhead;
  • [0613] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,
  • [0614] a sensor for reading the coded data and generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the signal to the print engine controller; such that,
  • [0615] the print engine controller uses the signal to initiate the printing when the sheet is at a predetermined position relative to the printhead.

[0616] Optionally the media substrate is a sheet with coded data disposed on at least part of its surface; the mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [0617] a media feed assembly for feeding the sheet of media substrate along a feed path past the printhead;
  • [0618] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,
    a dual sensing facility for reading the coded data before, as well as after, it has past the printhead.

[0619] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile telecommunications device comprising:

• • [0620] a printhead for printing a sheet of media substrate;
  • [0621] a drive shaft for feeding the sheet of media substrate past the printhead; wherein during use,
  • [0622] the sheet disengages from the drive shaft before completion of its printing such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects past the printhead by momentum to complete its printing.

[0623] It is important that any mobile telecommunications device that incorporates a printhead and media feed assembly does not significantly increase the overall size and compact form factor. Using a single drive shaft in a mobile telecommunications device with a printhead allows for a compact design. However, this makes full bleed printing (printing to the edges of the media sheet) difficult. If the single shaft is after the printhead, it is difficult to accurately print the leading portion of the sheet as it is manually fed past the printhead. Also, contact between the roller and the freshly printed media can degrade the print quality. Likewise, the trailing portion of the sheet can get artifacts in the print if the feed roller is before the printhead and the trailing portion is manually drawn past the printhead to complete its printing. Configuring the drive shaft so that the trailing edge of the media carries past the printhead by momentum will allow full bleed printing using a single feed roller for a compact design.

[0624] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a media guide adjacent the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate against the drive shaft.

[0625] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a drive system for transmitting torque to the drive shaft, the drive system having a drive wheel wherein the drive shaft can be moved into contact with the rim of the drive wheel for the transfer of torque.

[0626] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [0627] a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the printhead; and,
  • [0628] a position sensor connected to the print engine controller such that the print engine controller can determine the position of the media substrate relative to the printhead.

[0629] Optionally the position sensor reads encoded data on the media substrate.

[0630] Optionally the position sensor senses the number of rotations of the drive shaft.

[0631] Optionally wherein the printhead and the drive shaft are incorporated into a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a print media feed path within the mobile telecommunications device.

[0632] Optionally the printhead has an array of ink ejection nozzles and is incorporated into a cartridge that further comprises at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead for ejection by the nozzles, each of the at least one ink reservoirs including at least one absorbent structure for inducing a negative hydrostatic pressure in the ink at the nozzles, and a capping mechanism for capping the printhead when not in use.

[0633] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

(a) a print media feed path for directing print media past the printhead in a feed direction during printing;

[0634] (b) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and,
(c) a force transfer mechanism connected to the capper and configured such that a force provided by an edge of the media substrate as it moves relative to the feed path is transferred to the capper by the force transfer mechanism, thereby to at least commence movement of the capper from the capped position to the uncapped position prior to the media substrate reaching the capper.

[0635] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

(a) a print media feed path for directing media substrate past the printhead in a feed direction during printing;

[0636] (b) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and,
(c) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until after a trailing edge of the media substrate is clear of the printhead.

[0637] Optionally the drive shaft has a media engagement surface for enhanced contact friction with the media substrate.

[0638] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate such that it moves to the capped position upon disengagement with the media.

[0639] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a print engine controller with a light emitting beacon, and the printhead comprises:

• • [0640] an array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
  • [0641] print data circuitry for providing the nozzles with print data; and,
  • [0642] a photosensor for optically receiving the print data from the beacon.

[0643] Optionally wherein the drive shaft is driven by a piezo-electric resonant linear drive system.

[0644] Optionally a mobile telecommunications further comprising:

• • [0645] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,
  • [0646] a position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicative of the position of the media substrate relative to the printhead; such that,
  • [0647] the print engine controller differentiates the signal to derive the speed of the media substrate relative to the printhead and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the speed.

[0648] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [0649] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; wherein during use,
  • [0650] the print engine controller senses the number of complete and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the angular velocity of the drive shaft.

[0651] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising at least one ink reservoir, the at least one reservoir comprising:

• • [0652] a housing defining an ink storage volume;
  • [0653] one or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into sections, each of the sections having at least one ink outlet for sealed connection to the printhead; and,
  • [0654] at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections.

[0655] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [0656] a media feed assembly for feeding the sheet of media substrate along a feed path past the printhead;
  • [0657] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,
  • [0658] a sensor for reading coded data on at least part of the media substrate and generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the signal to the print engine controller; such that,
  • [0659] the print engine controller uses the signal to initiate the printing when the sheet is at a predetermined position relative to the printhead.

[0660] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [0661] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,
  • [0662] a dual sensing facility for reading coded data on at least part of the media substrate before, as well as after, it has past the printhead.

[0663] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile device comprising:

• • [0664] a processor for outputting print data;
  • [0665] a replaceable printhead cartridge including a photosensor and a printhead for printing onto print media; and
  • [0666] a light emitting device for receiving the print data and converting it into a modulated light signal;
  • [0667] wherein the photosensor and the light emitting device are positioned and orientated such that, in use, the photosensor receives the modulated light signal, the printhead being configured to print on the basis of the print data encoded in the modulated light signal.

[0668] Optionally the light emitting device is a light emitting diode.

[0669] Optionally the light emitting device is an organic light emitting diode.

[0670] Optionally the photosensor is mounted directly to the printhead within the print cartridge.

[0671] Optionally a mobile device further including:

• • [0672] a receptacle for holding the cartridge;
  • [0673] an energy storage device;
  • [0674] first electrical contacts connected to receive electrical power from the energy storage device; and
  • [0675] second electrical contacts disposed on or in the printhead cartridge;
  • [0676] the first and second contacts being configured and arranged to electrically engage each other when the cartridge is installed in the receptacle.

[0677] Optionally the energy storage device is a battery.

[0678] Optionally the electrical power received by the cartridge via the first and second electrical contacts is used to power ink ejection mechanisms in the printhead.

[0679] Optionally the ink ejection mechanisms are microelectromechanical systems.

[0680] Optionally each of the ink ejection mechanisms includes a thermal bend actuator.

[0681] Optionally each of the ink ejection mechanisms includes a heater for ejecting ink by vaporisation.

[0682] In a first aspect the present invention provides a printhead for an inkjet printer with a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead, the printhead comprising:

• • [0683] an array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
  • [0684] print data circuitry for providing the nozzles with print data; and,
  • [0685] an optical sensor for optically receiving the print data from a beacon operated by the print engine controller.

[0686] Inkjet printhead IC's will typically receive print data as well as nozzle actuation power from a TAB film. However, with large numbers of nozzles and high nozzle firing rates, the nozzle actuation signals can generate a significant amount of noise which can interfere with the print data signal. To provide the printhead with a ‘cleaner’ print data signal, it can be transmitted via an optical link to a sensor on directly on the printhead IC. By pulsing a beacon in the appropriate spectrum, the optical sensor receives the signal free of any electrical noise due to the firing pulses.

[0687] Optionally the optical sensor is an IR sensor and the beacon is an IR LED.

[0688] Optionally the printhead is part of a cartridge that can be inserted into the printer.

[0689] Optionally the inkjet printer is part of a mobile telecommunications device.

[0690] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device comprising:

• • [0691] a print engine controller with a light emitting beacon; and,
  • [0692] a printhead with an array of nozzles for ejecting ink, print data circuitry for providing the nozzles with print data; and,
  • [0693] a sensor for receiving the print data from the beacon.

[0694] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a drive shaft wherein the printhead and drive shaft are incorporated into a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a media feed path within the mobile telecommunications device.

[0695] Optionally the printhead is incorporated into a cartridge that further comprises at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead for ejection by the nozzles, each of the at least one ink reservoirs including at least one absorbent structure for inducing a negative hydrostatic pressure in the ink at the nozzles, and a capping mechanism for capping the printhead when not in use.

[0696] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

(a) a print media feed path for directing print media past the printhead in a feed direction during printing;

[0697] (b) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and,
(c) a force transfer mechanism connected to the capper and configured such that a force provided by an edge of the media substrate as it moves relative to the feed path is transferred to the capper by the force transfer mechanism, thereby to at least commence movement of the capper from the capped position to the uncapped position prior to the media substrate reaching the capper.

[0698] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

(a) a print media feed path for directing media substrate past the printhead in a feed direction during printing;

[0699] (b) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and,
(c) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until after a trailing edge of the media substrate is clear of the printhead.

[0700] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a drive shaft with a media engagement surface for enhanced contact friction with the media substrate.

[0701] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate such that it moves to the capped position upon disengagement with the media.

[0702] Optionally the sensor is a photosensor for optically receiving the print data from the beacon.

[0703] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a drive shaft driven by a piezo-electric resonant linear drive system.

[0704] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [0705] a position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicative of the position of the media substrate relative to the printhead; such that,
  • [0706] the print engine controller differentiates the signal to derive the speed of the media substrate relative to the printhead and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the speed.

[0707] Optionally during use, the print engine controller senses the number of complete and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the angular velocity of the drive shaft.

[0708] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising at least one ink reservoir, the at least one reservoir comprising:

• • [0709] a housing defining an ink storage volume;
  • [0710] one or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into sections, each of the sections having at least one ink outlet for sealed connection to the printhead; and,
  • [0711] at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections.

[0712] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [0713] a media feed assembly for feeding a sheet of the media substrate along a feed path past the printhead; and,
  • [0714] a sensor for reading coded data on at least part of the media substrate and generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the signal to the print engine controller; such that,
  • [0715] the print engine controller uses the signal to initiate the printing when the sheet is at a predetermined position relative to the printhead.

[0716] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [0717] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,
  • [0718] a dual sensor facility for reading coded data on at least part of the media substrate before, as well as after, it has past the printhead.

[0719] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

[0720] a drive shaft for feeding a sheet of the media substrate along a feed path past the printhead, wherein the sheet disengages from the drive shaft before completion of its printing such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects past the printhead by momentum to complete its printing.

[0721] In a first aspect the present invention provides a print cartridge for an inkjet printer with a media drive assembly, the cartridge comprising:

• • [0722] a drive shaft for feeding a media substrate past a printhead, the drive shaft positioned such that it engages the media drive assembly upon installation of the cartridge; wherein during use,
  • [0723] the drive assembly transfer torque to the drive shaft by contact friction.

[0724] Transferring power from the drive assembly to the drive wheel by frictional contact makes installation of the cartridge easier. Simply sliding the drive wheel into abutment with the drive assembly removes the need for more complex couplings such as meshed gears or belt drives.

[0725] Optionally the drive shaft has a drive wheel mounted to it for the frictional engagement with the drive assembly.

[0726] Optionally the rim of the drive wheel is formed from an elastomeric material.

[0727] Optionally the drive assembly has an idler roller to provide the frictional contact with the drive wheel.

[0728] Optionally the drive assembly has an electric motor to drive the idler roller.

[0729] Optionally the drive assembly has a piezo electric resonating linear drive to drive the idler roller.

[0730] Optionally the printhead has an array of ink ejection nozzles and at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead for ejection by the nozzles, each of the at least one ink reservoirs including at least one absorbent structure for inducing a negative hydrostatic pressure in the ink at the nozzles, and a capping mechanism for capping the printhead when not in use.

[0731] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising:

[0732] (a) a capping mechanism with a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print media, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and,
(b) a force transfer mechanism connected to the capper and configured such that a force provided by an edge of the media as it moves relative to the feed path is transferred to the capper by the force transfer mechanism, thereby to at least commence movement of the capper from the capped position to the uncapped position prior to the media reaching the capper.

[0733] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising:

[0734] (a) a capping mechanism with a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print media, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and
(b) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until after a trailing edge of the media is clear of the printhead.

[0735] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising:

(a) a capping mechanism with a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print media; wherein,

(b) the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media such that it moves to the capped position upon disengagement with the media.

[0736] Optionally the media substrate is a sheet that, during use, disengages from the drive shaft before completion of its printing such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects past the printhead by momentum to complete its printing.

[0737] Optionally the printer has a print engine controller with a light emitting beacon, and the printhead comprises:

• • [0738] an array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
  • [0739] print data circuitry for providing the nozzles with print data; and,
  • [0740] a photosensor for optically receiving the print data from the beacon.

[0741] Optionally the printer is incorporated into a mobile telecommunications device.

[0742] Optionally the cartridge incorporates the printhead; and,

• • [0743] the printer comprises:
  • [0744] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,
  • [0745] a position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicative of the position of the media substrate relative to the printhead; such that,
  • [0746] the print engine controller differentiates the signal to derive the speed of the media substrate relative to the printhead and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the speed.

[0747] Optionally the cartridge incorporates the printhead; and,

• • [0748] the printer comprises:
  • [0749] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; wherein during use,
  • [0750] the print engine controller senses the number of complete and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the angular velocity of the drive shaft.

[0751] Optionally a print cartridge further comprising at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead, the at least one ink reservoir comprising:

• • [0752] a housing defining an ink storage volume;
  • [0753] one or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into sections, each of the sections having at least one ink outlet for sealed connection to the printhead; and,
  • [0754] at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections.

[0755] Optionally the media substrate is a sheet with coded data on at least part of its surface; and the printer further comprises a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,

• • [0756] a sensor for reading the coded data and generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the signal to the print engine controller; such that,
  • [0757] the print engine controller uses the signal to initiate the printing when the sheet is at a predetermined position relative to the printhead.

[0758] Optionally the media substrate has coded data on at least part of its surface; and,

• • [0759] the printer further comprising a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,
  • [0760] a dual sensing facility for reading the coded data before, as well as after, it has past the printhead.

[0761] Optionally the drive shaft has a media engagement surface for feeding a media substrate along a feed path; and,

• • [0762] the cartridge further comprises a media guide adjacent the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate against the media engagement surface.

[0763] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile telecommunications device comprising:

• • [0764] an inkjet printhead for printing to a media substrate;
  • [0765] a media feed assembly for feeding the media past the printhead;
  • [0766] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,
  • [0767] a position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicative of the position of the media substrate relative to the printhead; such that,
  • [0768] the print engine controller differentiates the signal to derive the speed of the media substrate relative to the printhead and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the speed.

[0769] It is important that any mobile telecommunications device that incorporates a printhead and media feed assembly does not significantly increase the overall size and compact form factor of currently available mobile telecommunications devices. Using a single media feed roller in a mobile telecommunications device with a printhead allows for a compact design. However, the feed roller must be immediately before the printhead (in terms of media feed direction) so that the trailing edge of the media carries past the printhead by momentum. Because of this, the speed of the feed roller varies during the printing of the media sheet. Firstly, when the leading edge of the media sheet initially engages the feed roller the additional load decreases angular speed. Once the frictional engagement between the roller and the media has been established, the angular speed increases again. As the printhead is so close to the feed roller, the roller is still speeding up when the leading edge is being printed. If the print engine controller (PEC) assumes that the speed of the roller is constant, visible artifacts appear in the printing of the leading edge portion of the media sheet. By allowing the PEC to sense the longitudinal position of the media relative to the printhead, it can then derive its speed and adjust the operation of the nozzles in response to any variations to remove artifacts from the printing.

[0770] Optionally the media substrate is printed with encoded data and the position sensor optically reads the encoded data to generate the signal indicative of the position of the media substrate relative to printhead.

[0771] Optionally the media feed assembly has a media feed roller with encoding, such that the position sensor optically reads the encoding to sense the number of complete and partial rotations of the media feed roller to generate the signal indicative of the position of the media substrate relative to the printhead.

[0772] Optionally the printhead has an array of nozzles and a capper assembly movable between a capped position covering the printhead nozzles and an uncapped position spaced from the printhead nozzles, the capper assembly being adapted for engagement with the media substrate to move it away of the capped position and towards the uncapped position.

[0773] Optionally the media substrate is a sheet with a leading edge that engages the capper assembly and a trailing edge that disengages from the media feed roller before it is printed and is projected past the printhead by its momentum such that the media feed roller accelerates from the reduction in load and the sheet decelerates from friction.

[0774] Optionally the capper assembly lightly grips the sheet after it has been printed so that it partially extends from the mobile telecommunications device in readiness for manual collection.

[0775] Optionally the media feed assembly has a drive shaft, the drive and the printhead being incorporated into a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a print media feed path within the mobile telecommunications device.

[0776] Optionally the printhead has an array of ink ejection nozzles and is incorporated into a cartridge that further comprises at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead for ejection by the nozzles, each of the at least one ink reservoirs including at least one absorbent structure for inducing a negative hydrostatic pressure in the ink at the nozzles, and a capping mechanism for capping the printhead when not in use.

[0777] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

(a) a print media feed path for directing print media past the printhead in a feed direction during printing;

[0778] (b) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and,
(c) a force transfer mechanism connected to the capper and configured such that a force provided by an edge of the media substrate as it moves relative to the feed path is transferred to the capper by the force transfer mechanism, thereby to at least commence movement of the capper from the capped position to the uncapped position prior to the media substrate reaching the capper.

[0779] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

(a) a print media feed path for directing media substrate past the printhead in a feed direction during printing;

[0780] (b) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and,
(c) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until after a trailing edge of the media substrate is clear of the printhead.

[0781] Optionally the media feed assembly has a drive shaft with a media engagement surface for enhanced contact friction with the media substrate.

[0782] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate such that it moves to the capped position upon disengagement with the media.

[0783] Optionally the print engine controller has a light emitting beacon, and the printhead further comprises:

• • [0784] an array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
  • [0785] print data circuitry for providing the nozzles with print data; and,
  • [0786] a sensor for receiving the print data from the beacon.

[0787] Optionally the media feed assembly has a drive shaft driven by a piezo-electric resonant linear drive system.

[0788] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising at least one ink reservoir, the at least one reservoir comprising:

• • [0789] a housing defining an ink storage volume;
  • [0790] one or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into sections, each of the sections having at least one ink outlet for sealed connection to the printhead; and,
  • [0791] at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections.

[0792] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [0793] a sensor for reading coded data on at least part of the media substrate and generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the signal to the print engine controller; such that,
  • [0794] the print engine controller uses the signal to initiate the printing when the sheet is at a predetermined position relative to the printhead.

[0795] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a dual sensing facility for reading coded data on at least part of the media substrate before, as well as after, it has past the printhead.

[0796] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile telecommunications device comprising:

• • [0797] an inkjet printhead for printing to a media substrate;
  • [0798] a drive shaft for feeding the media past the printhead; and,
  • [0799] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; wherein during use,
  • [0800] the print engine controller senses the number of complete and partial rotations of the media feed roller and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the angular velocity of the drive shaft.

[0801] Using a single media drive shaft in a mobile telecommunications device with a printhead allows for a compact design. However, the drive shaft must be immediately before the printhead (in terms of media feed direction) so that the trailing edge of the media carries past the printhead by momentum. Because of this, the speed of the drive shaft varies during the printing of the media sheet. Firstly, when the leading edge of the media sheet initially engages the feed roller the additional load decreases angular speed. Once the frictional engagement between the roller and the media has been established, the angular speed increases again. As the printhead is so close to the feed roller, the roller is still speeding up when the leading edge is being printed. If the print engine controller (PEC) assumes that the speed of the roller is constant, visible artifacts appear in the printing of the leading edge portion of the media sheet. By allowing the PEC to sense the rotations of the roller, it can determine the longitudinal position of the media relative to the printhead and adjust the operation of the nozzles in response to variations in roller speed to remove artifacts from the printing.

[0802] Optionally the drive shaft has optical encoding and the print engine controller uses an optical sensor to sense the number of complete and partial rotations of the drive shaft.

[0803] Optionally the printhead has a capper assembly movable between a capped position covering the printhead nozzles and an uncapped position spaced from the printhead nozzles, the capper assembly being adapted for engagement with the media substrate to move it away of the capped position and towards the uncapped position.

[0804] Optionally the media substrate is a sheet with a leading edge that engages the capper assembly and a trailing edge that disengages from the drive shaft before it is printed and is projected past the printhead by its momentum such that the drive shaft accelerates from the reduction in load and the sheet decelerates from friction.

[0805] Optionally the capper assembly lightly grips the sheet after it has been printed so that it partially extends from the mobile telecommunications device in readiness for manual collection.

[0806] Optionally the capper assembly returns to the capped position after the sheet has been manually collected from the mobile telecommunications device.

[0807] Optionally the printhead and the drive shaft are incorporated into a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a print media feed path within the mobile telecommunications device.

[0808] Optionally the printhead has an array of ink ejection nozzles and is incorporated into a cartridge that further comprises at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead for ejection by the nozzles, each of the at least one ink reservoirs including at least one absorbent structure for inducing a negative hydrostatic pressure in the ink at the nozzles, and a capping mechanism for capping the printhead when not in use.

[0809] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

(a) a print media feed path for directing print media past the printhead in a feed direction during printing;

[0810] (b) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and,
(c) a force transfer mechanism connected to the capper and configured such that a force provided by an edge of the media substrate as it moves relative to the feed path is transferred to the capper by the force transfer mechanism, thereby to at least commence movement of the capper from the capped position to the uncapped position prior to the media substrate reaching the capper.

[0811] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

(a) a print media feed path for directing the media substrate past the printhead in a feed direction during printing;

[0812] (b) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and,
(c) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until after a trailing edge of the media substrate is clear of the printhead.

[0813] Optionally the drive shaft has a media engagement surface for enhanced contact friction with the media substrate.

[0814] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate such that it moves to the capped position upon disengagement with the media.

[0815] Optionally the print engine controller has a light emitting beacon, and the printhead further comprises:

• • [0816] an array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
  • [0817] print data circuitry for providing the nozzles with print data; and,
  • [0818] a photosensor for optically receiving the print data from the beacon.

[0819] Optionally the drive shaft is driven by a piezo-electric resonant linear drive system.

[0820] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [0821] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,
  • [0822] a position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicative of the position of the media substrate relative to the printhead; such that,
  • [0823] the print engine controller differentiates the signal to derive the speed of the media substrate relative to the printhead and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the speed.

[0824] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising at least one ink reservoir, the at least one reservoir comprising:

• • [0825] a housing defining an ink storage volume;
  • [0826] one or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into sections, each of the sections having at least one ink outlet for sealed connection to the printhead; and,
  • [0827] at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections.

[0828] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a sensor for reading coded data on at least part of the media substrate and generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the signal to the print engine controller; such that,

• • [0829] the print engine controller uses the signal to initiate the printing when the sheet is at a predetermined position relative to the printhead.

[0830] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a dual sensing facility for reading coded data on at least part of the media substrate before, as well as after, it has past the printhead.

[0831] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile telecommunications device comprising:

• • [0832] a printhead for printing on a media substrate;
  • [0833] a drive shaft for feeding the media substrate past the printhead;
  • [0834] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,
  • [0835] an ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead, the reservoir having:
  • [0836] a housing defining an ink storage volume;
  • [0837] one or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into sections, each of the sections having at least one ink outlet for sealed connection to the printhead; and,
  • [0838] at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections.

[0839] Optionally the at least one conduit has a cross sectional area small enough such that capillary action prevents ink from draining of the conduit under gravity regardless of the orientation of the housing.

[0840] Optionally the at least one conduit is defined by one or more channels formed in the exterior surface of the housing and covered by a sealing film adhered to the exterior surface, the sealing film having apertures for each of the outlets respectively for fluid communication with the printhead.

[0841] Optionally the housing defines three of the ink storage volumes, each of the ink storage volumes being elongate and having the baffles extending transversely across each of the storage volumes respectively.

[0842] Optionally each of the sections contains an ink retaining structure incorporating porous material such that, capillary action reduces the hydrostatic pressure of the ink within inactive nozzles of the printhead to less than atmospheric.

[0843] Optionally the printhead is a pagewidth printhead.

[0844] Optionally the printhead and the drive shaft are incorporated into a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a print media feed path within the mobile telecommunications device.

[0845] Optionally the printhead has an array of ink ejection nozzles and is incorporated into a cartridge that further comprises at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead for ejection by the nozzles, each of the at least one ink reservoirs including at least one absorbent structure for inducing a negative hydrostatic pressure in the ink at the nozzles, and a capping mechanism for capping the printhead when not in use.

[0846] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

(a) a print media feed path for directing print media past the printhead in a feed direction during printing;

[0847] (b) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and,
(c) a force transfer mechanism connected to the capper and configured such that a force provided by an edge of the media substrate as it moves relative to the feed path is transferred to the capper by the force transfer mechanism, thereby to at least commence movement of the capper from the capped position to the uncapped position prior to the media substrate reaching the capper.

[0848] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

(a) a print media feed path for directing media substrate past the printhead in a feed direction during printing;

[0849] (b) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and,
(c) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until after a trailing edge of the media substrate is clear of the printhead.

[0850] Optionally the drive shaft has a media engagement surface for enhanced contact friction with the media substrate.

[0851] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate such that it moves to the capped position upon disengagement with the media.

[0852] Optionally the print engine controller has a light emitting beacon, and the printhead further comprises:

• • [0853] an array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
  • [0854] print data circuitry for providing the nozzles with print data; and,
  • [0855] a photosensor for optically receiving the print data from the beacon.

[0856] Optionally the drive shaft is driven by a piezo-electric resonant linear drive system.

[0857] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [0858] a position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicative of the position of the media substrate relative to the printhead; such that,
  • [0859] the print engine controller differentiates the signal to derive the speed of the media substrate relative to the printhead and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the speed.

[0860] Optionally during use, the print engine controller senses the number of complete and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the angular velocity of the drive shaft.

[0861] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [0862] a sensor for reading coded data on at least part of the media substrate and generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the signal to the print engine controller; such that,
  • [0863] the print engine controller uses the signal to initiate the printing when the sheet is at a predetermined position relative to the printhead.

[0864] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

[0865] a dual sensing facility for reading coded data on at least part of the media substrate before, as well as after, it has past the printhead.

[0866] In a first aspect the present invention provides a print medium configured to be printed on by a mobile device in a print direction, the print medium comprising:

• • [0867] a laminar substrate defining first and second opposite faces; and
  • [0868] a data track containing first information encoded in accordance with a linear encoding scheme, the data track extending in a linear read direction across a portion of the first face of the print medium, the read direction being oriented at between 45 and 135 degrees with respect to the print direction.

[0869] Optionally the read direction is orientated at about 90 degrees with respect to the print direction.

[0870] Optionally a print medium further including a leading edge and trailing edge opposite the leading edge, the print medium being designed for insertion leading-edge-first into the mobile device for printing, wherein the data track is positioned closer to the leading edge than to the trailing edge.

[0871] Optionally the data track is positioned at or adjacent the leading edge.

[0872] Optionally the data track is printed in infrared ink.

[0873] Optionally the data track is printed in infrared ink that is substantially invisible to an average unaided human eye.

[0874] Optionally a print medium further including coded data containing second information encoded in accordance with a second encoding scheme distinct from the linear encoding scheme, wherein the first information is indicative of the second information.

[0875] Optionally the first information is the same as the second information.

[0876] Optionally the first and second information are a document identifier.

[0877] Optionally a method of printing onto a print medium using a mobile device that includes a printhead and a data track reader, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving the print medium into the mobile device;

(b) reading the data track;

(c) decoding the data track to obtain the first information;

(d) printing onto the print medium at least partially in reliance on first information determined from the decoded data track.

[0878] Optionally step (d) includes the substeps of:

(e) sending a first message to a remote computer system, the first message containing the first information;

(f) receiving a second message from the remote computer, the second message being indicative of whether printing is authorised for the print medium; and

(g) printing onto the print medium in the event the second message confirms that the printing is authorised.

[0879] Optionally the method including receiving print data from the remote computer system in response to the first message, step (g) including printing onto the print medium based at least partially on the print data.

[0880] Optionally the first information is indicative of a physical characteristic of the print medium.

[0881] Optionally the first information is indicative of a size of the print medium.

[0882] Optionally the first information is indicative of a media type associate with the print medium.

[0883] Optionally the first information is indicative of information pre-printed onto the print medium.

[0884] Optionally the first information is indicative of an identity of the print medium.

[0885] Optionally a print medium further including a second linear-encoded data track extending along at least a portion of at least one face of the print medium.

[0886] Optionally the second linear-encoded data track is printed in infrared ink that is substantially invisible to an average unaided human eye.

[0887] Optionally the second linear-encoded data track includes an extractable clock useable by the mobile device in synchronizing printing onto the print medium.

[0888] In a first aspect the present invention provides a method of printing onto a print medium using a mobile device with a printhead and sensor, the print medium comprising:

• • [0889] a laminar substrate defining first and second opposite faces; and
  • [0890] a data track containing first information encoded in accordance with a linear encoding scheme, the data track extending in a linear read direction across a portion of the first face of the print medium, the read direction being oriented at between 45 and 135 degrees with respect to the print direction;
  • [0891] the method comprising the steps of:
  • [0892] receiving the print medium into a media feed path of the mobile device;
  • [0893] using the sensor to sense the data track at least once before or during printing onto the print medium with the printhead; and
  • [0894] determining a lateral registration of the data track relative to the sensor.

[0895] Optionally the print medium includes coded data having a predetermined positional relationship relative to the data track, the method including determining, in the mobile device and based on the determined lateral registration, a lateral registration of the coded data with respect to the media feed path before or during printing.

[0896] Optionally the coded data encodes second information, the first information being indicative of the second information, the method including the step of decoding the data track to determine the first information.

[0897] Optionally the first information is the same as the second information.

[0898] Optionally the first and second information are a document identifier.

[0899] Optionally the method comprising the step of printing onto the print medium with the printhead at least partially in reliance on determined lateral registration.

[0900] Optionally the method comprising the step of printing onto the print medium with the printhead at least partially in reliance on first information determined from the decoded data track.

[0901] Optionally the printing step includes the substeps of:

• • [0902] sending a first message to a remote computer system, the first message containing the first information;
  • [0903] receiving a response from the remote computer, the response being indicative of whether printing is authorised for the print medium; and
  • [0904] printing onto the print medium in the event the response confirms that the printing is authorised.

[0905] Optionally the method comprising receiving print data from the remote computer system in response to the first message, the printing step comprising printing onto the print medium based at least partially on the print data.

[0906] Optionally the first information is indicative of a physical characteristic of the print medium.

[0907] Optionally the first information is indicative of a size of the print medium.

[0908] Optionally the first information is indicative of a media type associate with the print medium.

[0909] Optionally the first information is indicative of information pre-printed onto the print medium.

[0910] Optionally the first information is indicative of an identity of the print medium.

[0911] Optionally the print medium further including a second linear-encoded data track extending along at least a portion of at least one face of the print medium, the method including the steps of:

• • [0912] sensing the second data track during printing onto the print medium;
  • [0913] deriving a clock signal from the sensed second data track; and
  • [0914] synchronizing printing based on the clock signal.

[0915] Optionally the mobile device including a light emitting device, the method including illuminating the data track with the light emitting device during sensing of the data track.

[0916] Optionally the data track is printed in infrared ink, and the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum.

[0917] In a first aspect the present invention provides a print medium configured to be printed on by a mobile device in a print direction, the print medium comprising:

• • [0918] a laminar substrate defining first and second opposite faces; and
  • [0919] a data track containing first information encoded in accordance with a linear encoding scheme, the data track extending in a linear read direction along the print medium in the print direction, the linear encoding scheme being selected to enable clock data to be extracted from it while the print medium is being moved past a printhead in the mobile device, for use in synchronizing printing onto the print medium using the printhead.

[0920] Optionally the data track is disposed at or adjacent an edge of the print medium, the edge extending in the print direction.

[0921] Optionally the data track is printed in infrared ink.

[0922] Optionally the data track is printed in infrared ink that is substantially invisible to an average unaided human eye.

[0923] Optionally the print medium further including coded data containing second information encoded in accordance with a second encoding scheme distinct from the linear encoding scheme, wherein the first information is indicative of the second information.

[0924] Optionally the first information is the same as the second information.

[0925] Optionally the first and second information are a document identifier.

[0926] Optionally the method of printing onto a print medium using a mobile device that includes a printhead and a data track reader, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) receiving the print medium into the mobile device;

(b) reading the data track using the data track reader during a printing operation;

(c) extracting a clock signal from the read data track;

(d) printing onto the print medium at least partially in reliance on the clock signal.

[0927] Optionally the method further including the steps of:

(f) extracting the first information from the read data track;

(g) sending a first message to a remote computer system, the first message containing the first information;

(h) receiving a second message from the remote computer, the second message being indicative of whether printing is authorised for the print medium; and

(i) printing onto the print medium in the event the second message confirms that the printing is authorised.

[0928] Optionally the method further including a step (f), performed prior to step (f), of reading the data track using the data track reader at a separate time to step (b), and using the data read in step (j) to perform steps (f) to (i).

[0929] Optionally the method including receiving print data from the remote computer system in response to the first message, step (g) including printing onto the print medium based at least partially on the print data.

[0930] Optionally the first information is indicative of a physical characteristic of the print medium.

[0931] Optionally the first information is indicative of a size of the print medium.

[0932] Optionally the first information is indicative of a media type associate with the print medium.

[0933] Optionally the first information is indicative of information pre-printed onto the print medium.

[0934] Optionally the first information is indicative of an identity of the print medium.

[0935] Optionally the method further including a plurality of the data tracks disposed in different places on the print medium.

[0936] Optionally the method the data track includes at least one orientation indicator.

[0937] Optionally the at least one orientation indicator is disposed at or adjacent an edge of the print medium.

[0938] Optionally the print medium having a leading edge and a trailing edge defined relative to intended feed direction of the print medium through a media feed path of the mobile device, at least one of the at least one orientation indicators being disposed on or in the print medium at or adjacent the leading edge

[0939] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile device for printing onto a print medium, the print medium including a linear-encoded data track extending in an intended direction of printing, the mobile device including:

• • [0940] a sensor configured to sense the data track during printing;
  • [0941] a printhead for printing onto the print medium in response to a fire control signal; and
  • [0942] fire control means connected to generate the fire control signal based on the sensed data track.

[0943] Optionally a mobile device further including a light-emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is sensing it during printing.

[0944] Optionally the data track is printed with infrared ink, the light-emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum and the photosensor is sensitive in the infrared spectrum.

[0945] Optionally the data track is a clock track containing only a clock code, the fire control means being configured to generate the fire control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the sensed data track.

[0946] Optionally the data track includes first information, the first information including an embedded clock signal, the fire control means being configured to generate the fire control signal in the form of a clock signal extracted from the sensed data track.

[0947] Optionally the first information is indicative of at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, the mobile device being configured to control operation of the printhead at least partially on the basis of at least one of the physical characteristics.

[0948] Optionally a mobile device configured to use the sensed data track to determine an absolute position of the print medium with respect to the printhead, and to print onto the print medium in reliance on the determination.

[0949] Optionally the data track further encoding first information and the print medium further including second coded data that encodes second information, the first information being indicative of the second information, wherein the mobile device is configured to print onto the print medium such that there is a predetermined registration between what is being printed and the second coded data.

[0950] Optionally a mobile device further including a receiver for receiving print data to be printed and information indicative of the predetermined registration.

[0951] Optionally the data track further encoding first information and the print medium further including second coded data that encodes second information, the first information being indicative of the second information, wherein the mobile device is configured to:

• • [0952] print onto the print medium;
  • [0953] determine a registration between what is being printed and the second coded data.

[0954] Optionally the mobile device further including a transmitter for transmitting the determined registration to a remote computer system.

[0955] Optionally the first information is indicative of a size of the print medium.

[0956] Optionally the first information is indicative of a media type associate with the print medium.

[0957] Optionally the first information is indicative of information pre-printed onto the print medium.

[0958] Optionally the first information is indicative of an identity of the print medium.

[0959] Optionally the method further including a plurality of the data tracks disposed in different places on the print medium.

[0960] Optionally the data track includes at least one orientation indicator.

[0961] Optionally the at least one orientation indicator is disposed at or adjacent an edge of the print medium.

[0962] Optionally, the print medium having a leading edge and a trailing edge defined relative to intended feed direction of the print medium through a media feed path of the mobile device, at least one of the at least one orientation indicators being disposed on or in the print medium at or adjacent the leading edge

[0963] In a first aspect the present invention provides a print medium configured to be printed on by a mobile device in a print direction, the print medium comprising:

• • [0964] a laminar substrate defining first and second opposite faces; and
  • [0965] coded data encoding first information, the first information being indicative of a physical characteristic of the print medium.

[0966] Optionally the first information is indicative of a size of the print medium.

[0967] Optionally the first information is indicative of a media type associate with the print medium.

[0968] Optionally the first information is indicative of information pre-printed onto the print medium.

[0969] Optionally the first information is encoded into the coded data in accordance with a linear encoding scheme.

[0970] Optionally the coded data takes the form of a data track.

[0971] Optionally the print medium according to claim 6, wherein the data track extends along an edge of the print medium.

[0972] Optionally the print medium including at least two of the data tracks, each of which encodes the first information.

[0973] Optionally the first information is identical in all the data tracks.

[0974] Optionally each of the data tracks includes at least one orientation indicator indicative of an orientation of the print medium.

[0975] Optionally the orientation indicator is different in each of the data tracks to account for differences in position and orientation of the respective data tracks relative to the print medium.

[0976] Optionally one of the orientation indicators is positioned adjacent a first corner of the print medium on the first face.

[0977] Optionally another of the orientation indicators is positioned adjacent a second corner of the print medium on the first face, the second corner being diagonally opposite the first corner.

[0978] Optionally the data track further includes at least one orientation indicator indicative of an orientation of the print medium.

[0979] Optionally the data track is printed in infrared ink.

[0980] Optionally the data track is printed in infrared ink that is substantially invisible to an average unaided human eye.

[0981] Optionally the print medium further including coded data containing second information encoded in accordance with a second encoding scheme distinct from the linear encoding scheme, wherein the first information is indicative of the second information.

[0982] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile device for printing onto a print medium in a print direction, the print medium including first coded data that encodes first information, mobile device comprising:

• • [0983] a first sensor for sensing the first coded data;
  • [0984] processing means for decoding the coded data and extracting at least the first information; and
  • [0985] a printhead for printing onto the print medium, wherein the printhead is controlled to print onto the print medium at least partially on the basis of the extracted first information, and printing does not commence until all of the first information has been extracted.

[0986] Optionally the first information is indicative of an identity of the print medium.

[0987] Optionally the first coded data is encoded in a data track in accordance with a linear encoding scheme, and the print medium includes second coded data encoded in an encoding scheme different from the linear encoding scheme, at least some of the first information being indicative of second information encoded in the second coded data.

[0988] Optionally the first and second information are indicative of the identity of the print medium.

[0989] Optionally the mobile device includes a transmitter configured to transmit a first message to a remote computer system, the first message being indicative of the identity of the print medium.

[0990] Optionally the mobile device includes a receiver for receiving a second message in reply to the first message, the second message being indicative of whether the print medium can be printed on, the mobile device being configured to await the second message before determining whether to print onto the print medium.

[0991] Optionally the mobile device further including a media drive means for driving the print medium past the printhead during printing.

[0992] Optionally the mobile device defining a print path along which the print medium travels past the printhead, wherein the drive means is disposed upstream of the sensor in the print path.

[0993] Optionally the sensor is disposed between the drive means and the printhead.

[0994] Optionally the drive means is reversible, thereby enabling the print medium to be driven past the sensor in the print direction to allow reading of the first coded data, reversed until the print medium is positioned substantially upstream of the printhead, then driven in the print direction past the printhead during printing.

[0995] Optionally the mobile device configured to:

• • [0996] sense the first coded data while the print medium is being driven past the printhead during printing;
  • [0997] extract a clock signal from the first coded data; and
  • [0998] use the clock signal the provide a fire control signal to the printhead, thereby to synchronise printing with movement of the print medium.

[0999] Optionally the mobile device defining a print path along which the print medium travels past the printhead, wherein the drive means includes first and second drive mechanisms disposed in the print path upstream and downstream, respectively, of the printhead.

[1000] Optionally the sensor is disposed between the first and second drive mechanisms.

[1001] Optionally the mobile device configured to:

• • [1002] sense the first coded data while the print medium is being driven past the printhead during printing;
  • [1003] extract a clock signal from the first coded data; and
  • [1004] use the clock signal the provide a fire control signal to the printhead, thereby to synchronise printing with movement of the print medium.

[1005] Optionally the first coded data includes a separate clock track parallel to the linear encoded first information, the mobile device being configured to generate the clock signal from the clock track during printing.

[1006] Optionally the first coded data includes a separate clock track parallel to the linear encoded first information, the mobile device being configured to generate the clock signal from the clock track during printing.

[1007] Optionally the mobile device further including a light-emitting device positioned to output light onto the first coded data to enable sensing thereof with the sensor.

[1008] Optionally the first coded data is printed in infrared ink and the light-emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum.

[1009] Optionally the first coded data is printed in infrared ink that is substantially invisible to an average unaided human eye.

[1010] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile device for printing onto a print medium in a print direction, the print medium including first coded data that encodes first information, mobile device comprising:

• • [1011] a first sensor for sensing the first coded data;
  • [1012] processing means for decoding the coded data and extracting at least the first information; and
  • [1013] a printhead for printing onto the print medium, wherein the printhead is controlled to print onto the print medium at least partially on the basis of the extracted first information, and printing commences prior to all of the first information being extracted.

[1014] Optionally the first information is indicative of an identity of the print medium.

[1015] Optionally the first coded data is encoded in a data track in accordance with a linear encoding scheme, and the print medium includes second coded data encoded in an encoding scheme different from the linear encoding scheme, at least some of the first information being indicative of second information encoded in the second coded data.

[1016] Optionally the first and second information are indicative of the identity of the print medium.

[1017] Optionally the mobile device includes a transmitter configured to transmit a first message to a remote computer system, the first message being indicative of the identity of the print medium.

[1018] Optionally the mobile device includes a receiver for receiving a second message in reply to the first message, the second message being indicative of whether the print medium can be printed on, the mobile device being configured to halt printing in the event the second message indicates that the print medium is not to be printed on.

[1019] Optionally the mobile device further including a media drive means for driving the print medium past the printhead during printing.

[1020] Optionally the mobile device defining a print path along which the print medium travels past the printhead, wherein the drive means is disposed upstream of the sensor in the print path.

[1021] Optionally the sensor is disposed between the drive means and the printhead.

[1022] Optionally the mobile device configured to:

• • [1023] sense the first coded data while the print medium is being driven past the printhead during printing;
  • [1024] extract a clock signal from the first coded data; and
  • [1025] use the clock signal the provide a fire control signal to the printhead, thereby to synchronise printing with movement of the print medium.

[1026] Optionally the first coded data includes a separate clock track in addition to the first information, the mobile device being configured to generate the clock signal from the clock track during printing.

[1027] Optionally the mobile device further including a light-emitting device positioned to output light onto the first coded data to enable sensing thereof with the sensor.

[1028] Optionally the first coded data is printed in infrared ink and the light-emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum.

[1029] Optionally the first coded data is printed in infrared ink that is substantially invisible to an average unaided human eye.

[1030] Optionally the printhead forms part of a replaceable cartridge.

[1031] Optionally the cartridge includes at least one ink reservoir.

[1032] Optionally the cartridge includes at least one capping mechanism for capping the printhead when it is not printing.

[1033] Optionally the capping mechanism includes a capper moveable between:

• • [1034] a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead; and
  • [1035] an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print medium, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead;
  • [1036] wherein the capper is moved between the capped and uncapped position by an edge of the print medium as it moves through the media path.

[1037] Optionally in the capped position the capper is resiliently urged into the capping relationship.

[1038] Optionally the capping mechanism is configured such that the capper is displaced in the feed direction as it moves from the capped position to the uncapped position.

[1039] Optionally the processing means is configured to extract a clock signal from the sensed coded data, the clock signal being used to synchronize printing onto the print medium.

[1040] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile device comprising:

• • [1041] a printer for printing document information onto one or more of a plurality of print areas, each of the print areas including identity data indicative of identity information which differentiates the print area from others of the plurality; and

[1042] at least one sensor for sensing the identity information of the one or more print areas.

[1043] Optionally the device is a mobile telecommunications device.

[1044] Optionally the identity data is represented on the print area in a coded form and the printer includes a decoder which receives coded data from the at least one sensor and outputs decoded data representing at least the identity data or at least the identity information.

[1045] Optionally each identity information is represented on the print area by at least two discrete items of data and the decoder outputs decoded data representing at least the identity information after receiving said at least two separate items of data.

[1046] Optionally said at least one sensor is positioned to sense said identity data after printing of the document information on the respective print area has commenced.

[1047] Optionally said at least one sensor is positioned to sense said identity data before printing of the document information on the respective print area has commenced.

[1048] Optionally said at least one sensor is positioned to sense said identity data during printing of the document information on the respective print area.

[1049] Optionally the mobile device further including a transmitter for transmitting information to a computer system.

[1050] Optionally the mobile device further including a transmitter which transmits the identity data or identity information to the computer system.

[1051] Optionally the mobile device further including means to detect failure to correctly print document information onto a print area and for generating a void signal on detection of said failure, the transmitter transmitting said void signal to the computer system.

[1052] Optionally said document information is based at least partially on document data received from a computer system.

[1053] Optionally said printer derives and transmits identity data or identity information associated with a print area to a computer system prior to receiving document data associated with said print area.

[1054] Optionally said printer derives and transmits identity data or identity information associated with a print area to a computer system prior to receiving document data associated with said print area and said document data is based at least partially on the identity information of the print area.

[1055] Optionally the printer is operable to over-print a print area having existing document information to render the existing document information unreadable

[1056] Optionally the printer includes a print mechanism for printing on at least two of print areas substantially simultaneously.

[1057] Optionally the at least one sensor is selected from an image sensor and a magnetic sensor and a chemical sensor.

[1058] Optionally the printer generates at least some of the information printed.

[1059] Optionally the printer generates print information indicative of the information printed.

[1060] Optionally the mobile device further including a user interface to enable a user to input identity information into the printer.

[1061] In a first aspect the present invention provides print medium configured to be printed on by a mobile device in a print direction, the print medium comprising a laminar substrate defining first and second opposite faces, the laminar substrate comprising a first portion to be printed on by the mobile device, and a second portion attached to the second portion by a relatively weak region in the substrate, the second portion being detachable from the first portion.

[1062] Optionally a print medium including a linear track from which a clock signal can be extracted by the mobile device for use in synchronising printing onto the first portion.

[1063] Optionally the linear track is at least partially disposed on the second portion.

[1064] Optionally the linear track extends on both the first and second portions in a continuous fashion.

[1065] Optionally the linear track is a linear-encoded data track containing first information extractable by the mobile device prior to or during printing.

[1066] Optionally a print medium further including coded data encoded in a format different from the linear encoding, the coded data containing second information, wherein the first information is indicative of the second information.

[1067] Optionally the linear track extends along the print medium in the print direction.

[1068] Optionally the linear track is disposed at or adjacent an edge of the print medium, the edge extending in the print direction.

[1069] Optionally the relatively weak region is a perforated line extending across the print medium in direction generally normal to the print direction.

[1070] Optionally the relatively weak region is shaped such that, once the second portion is detached from the first portion, an edge of the first portion revealed by removal of the second portion is shaped substantially the same, in plan view, as an edge of the first portion at an opposite end of the first portion.

[1071] Optionally the linear track includes at least one orientation indicator indicative of an orientation of the print medium.

[1072] Optionally the orientation indicator is disposed at or adjacent an edge of the second portion distant from the weak region.

[1073] Optionally a print medium including a further orientation indicator in the linear track, the further orientation indicator being positioned on the first portion at or adjacent the weak region.

[1074] Optionally the data track is printed in infrared ink.

[1075] Optionally the data track is printed in infrared ink that is substantially invisible to an average unaided human eye.

[1076] Optionally a print medium further including pre-printed human readable information on at least one of the faces.

[1077] Optionally the second portion includes coded data encoded in a format different from the linear encoding, the coded data containing second information.

[1078] Optionally the second portion includes pre-printed human readable information indicative of the second portion being a lottery ticket.

[1079] Optionally the first information is indicative of a physical characteristic of the print medium.

[1080] Optionally the first information is indicative of a size of the print medium.

[1081] Optionally the first information is indicative of a media type associate with the print medium.

[1082] Optionally the first information is indicative of information pre-printed onto the print medium.

[1083] In a first aspect the present invention provides a method of using a mobile device to read coded data from a print medium configured to be printed on by the mobile device in a print direction, the mobile device including a printer, a sensor and processing means, the print medium comprising a laminar substrate defining first and second opposite faces, the first face bearing coded data, the method comprising the steps of:

• • [1084] using the sensor to sense at least some of the coded data from the print medium;
  • [1085] using the processing means to decode the coded data; and
  • [1086] printing onto the print medium only after the coded data has been decoded.

[1087] Optionally the coded data is indicative of a plurality of locations associated with the print medium, the decoding step including determining at least one of the locations.

[1088] Optionally the decoding step includes determining a position of the print medium relative to the sensor at the time the coded data was sensed, based at least partly on the determined location.

[1089] Optionally the coded data takes the form of a two-dimensional array of data, the sensor being configured to capture an image of a subset of the coded data, the subset of the coded data being sufficient to enable the location to be determined.

[1090] Optionally the processing means being configured to determine a position of the print medium relative to the sensor at the time the coded data was sensed, based at least partly on the determined location and a position of the captured coded data in a capture field of the sensor.

[1091] Optionally the mobile device further including a light emitting device, the method including the step of using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the sensor senses the coded data.

[1092] Optionally the method including the steps, performed during printing onto the print medium, of:

• • [1093] using the sensor to determine a clock signal; and
  • [1094] using the clock signal to synchronize the printing onto the print medium.

[1095] Optionally the step of using the sensor to sense the coded data includes capturing a first image of the coded data, and the step of generating the clock signal includes using the processor to perform the steps of;

• • [1096] determining a position of the print medium relative to the sensor at the time the coded data was sensed, based at least partly on the determined location;
  • [1097] using the sensor to capture subsequent images of the coded data as the printhead is being printed;
  • [1098] determining movement of the print medium during printing based on the subsequently captured images; and
  • [1099] deriving the clock signal based on the movement.

[1100] Optionally determining the movement during printing includes using the processing means to perform the steps of:

• • [1101] decoding the coded data captured in at least some of the subsequently captured images;
  • [1102] determining a position of the print medium relative to the sensor at the time each of the images was captured; and
  • [1103] determining the movement of the print medium based on the positions determined over time.

[1104] Optionally determining the movement during printing includes the step of performing pattern recognition on at least some of the coded data in at least some of the captured images to determine movement of the print medium relative to initial position.

[1105] Optionally the method further including the step of determining movement of the print medium relative to sensor, based on the coded data sensed by the sensor.

[1106] Optionally determining the movement includes capturing a plurality of images of the coded data as the print medium moves past the sensor, and determining the movement based on the plurality of images.

[1107] Optionally determining the movement includes the steps of:

• • [1108] using the processing means to decode the coded data captured in at least some of the plurality of captured images;
  • [1109] determining a position of the print medium relative to the sensor at the time each of the images was captured; and
  • [1110] determining the movement of the print medium based on the positions determined over time.

[1111] Optionally determining the movement includes the step of performing pattern recognition to determine movement of the print medium relative to at least one absolute position of the print medium.

[1112] Optionally including the step of obtaining the absolute position by using the processing means to decode the coded data in at least one of the captured images and obtaining the at least one absolute position from the decoded data.

[1113] Optionally the mobile device further including a light emitting device, the method including the step of using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the sensor senses the coded data.

[1114] Optionally the method further including the steps of generating a clock signal based on the movement, and using the clock signal to synchronize the printing onto the print medium.

[1115] Optionally the medium includes at least one orientation indicator indicative of an orientation of the print medium, the method comprising determining the orientation from the orientation indicator before commencing printing.

[1116] Optionally the at least one orientation indicator is disposed at or adjacent an edge of the print medium.

[1117] Optionally the print medium having a leading edge and a trailing edge defined relative to intended feed direction of the print medium through a media feed path, at least one of the at least one orientation indicators being disposed on or in the print medium at or adjacent the leading edge.

[1118] In a first aspect the present invention provides a method of using a mobile device to determine movement, relative to the mobile device, of a print medium configured to be printed on by the mobile device in a print direction, the mobile device including a printer, a first sensor and processing means, the print medium comprising a laminar substrate defining first and second opposite faces, the first face bearing coded data, the method comprising the steps of:

• • [1119] using the first sensor to sense at least some of the coded data from the print medium;
  • [1120] determining movement of the print medium relative to sensor, based on the coded data sensed by the first sensor.

[1121] Optionally determining the movement includes capturing a plurality of images of the coded data as the print medium moves past the first sensor, and determining the movement based on the plurality of images.

[1122] Optionally determining the movement includes the steps of:

• • [1123] using the processing means to decode the coded data captured in at least one of the plurality of captured images;
  • [1124] determining a position of the print medium relative to the first sensor at the time each of the images was captured; and
  • [1125] determining the movement of the print medium based on the positions determined over time.

[1126] Optionally determining the movement includes the step of performing pattern recognition to determine movement of the print medium relative to at least one absolute position of the print medium.

[1127] Optionally the method including the step of obtaining the absolute position by using the processing means to decode the coded data in at least one of the captured images and obtaining the at least one absolute position from the decoded data.

[1128] Optionally the mobile device further including a light emitting device, the method including the step of using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the first sensor senses the coded data.

[1129] Optionally the method further including the steps of generating a clock signal based on the movement, and using the clock signal to synchronize the printing onto the print medium.

[1130] Optionally the coded data is indicative of a plurality of locations associated with the print medium, the decoding step including determining at least one of the locations.

[1131] Optionally the decoding step includes determining a position of the print medium relative to the first sensor at the time the coded data was sensed, based at least partly on the determined location.

[1132] Optionally the coded data takes the form of a two-dimensional array of data, the first sensor being configured to capture an image of a subset of the coded data, the subset of the coded data being sufficient to enable the position to be determined.

[1133] Optionally the processing means being configured to determine a position of the print medium relative to the first sensor at the time the coded data was sensed, based at least partly on the determined location and a position of the captured coded data in a capture field of the first sensor.

[1134] Optionally the mobile device further including a light emitting device, the method including the step of using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the first sensor senses the coded data.

[1135] Optionally the method including the steps, performed during printing onto the print medium, of:

• • [1136] using the first sensor to sense the coded data; and
  • [1137] using the processing means to generate a clock signal based on the sensed coded data; and
  • [1138] using the clock signal to synchronize the printing onto the print medium.

[1139] Optionally the step of using the first sensor to sense the coded data includes capturing a first image of the coded data, and the step of generating the clock signal includes using the processor to perform the steps of;

• • [1140] determining a position of the print medium relative to the first sensor at the time the coded data was sensed, based at least partly on the determined location;
  • [1141] using the first sensor to capture subsequent images of the coded data as the printhead is being printed;
  • [1142] determining movement of the print medium during printing based on the subsequently captured images; and
  • [1143] deriving the clock signal based on the movement.

[1144] Optionally determining the movement during printing includes using the processing means to perform the steps of:

• • [1145] decoding the coded data captured in at least some of the subsequently captured images;
  • [1146] determining a position of the print medium relative to the first sensor at the time each of the images was captured; and
  • [1147] determining the movement of the print medium based on the positions determined over time.

[1148] Optionally determining the movement during printing includes the step of performing pattern recognition on at least some of the coded data in at least some of the captured images to determine movement of the print medium relative to initial position.

[1149] Optionally the print medium includes at least one orientation indicator indicative of an orientation of the print medium, the method comprising determining the orientation from the orientation indicator before commencing printing.

[1150] Optionally the at least one orientation indicator is disposed at or adjacent an edge of the print medium.

[1151] Optionally the method further including the steps of using the processing means to determine, from a known physical orientation of the print medium and the first image, a first relative rotation of the coded data with respect to the print medium.

[1152] Optionally the method further including the steps of:

• • [1153] using a second sensor to capture a second image of at least some of the coded data; and
  • [1154] determining movement of the print medium relative to sensor, based on the coded data sensed by both the first and second sensors.

[1155] In a first aspect the present invention provides a method of using a mobile device to determine a first relative rotation of coded data on a print medium, the print medium configured to be printed on by the mobile device in a print direction, the mobile device including a printer, a first sensor and processing means, the print medium comprising a laminar substrate defining first and second opposite faces, the first face bearing coded data, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) using the first sensor to capture a first image of at least some of the coded data when the print medium is at a first position;

(b) using the processing means to determine, from a known physical orientation of the print medium and the first image, a first relative rotation of the coded data with respect to the print medium.

[1156] Optionally the mobile device further includes a transmitter, the method further including the step of transmitting, using the transmitter, the first relative rotation to a remote computer system.

[1157] Optionally the transmitter is configured to transmit the relative rotation via a mobile telecommunications network.

[1158] Optionally the method further including the steps of:

• • [1159] using the first sensor to capture a second image of at least some of the coded data when the print medium is at a second position;
  • [1160] using the processing means to determine, from a known physical orientation of the print medium and the second image, a second relative rotation of the coded data with respect to the print medium; and
  • [1161] using the processing means to calculate, from the first and second rotations, a third rotation, the third rotation being a more accurate indication of the relative rotation of the coded data with respect to the print medium than the first or second rotations.

[1162] Optionally the mobile device further includes a transmitter, the method further including the step of transmitting, using the transmitter, the third relative rotation to a remote computer system.

[1163] Optionally the method further including the steps, performed by the processing means, of:

• • [1164] decoding at least some of the coded data in the first image;
  • [1165] determining a location from the decoded data; and
  • [1166] determining, based on the location and a position of the coded data within the first image, a first position of the print medium relative to the first sensor at time the first image was captured.

[1167] Optionally determining the movement includes capturing a plurality of images of the coded data as the print medium moves past the first sensor, and determining the movement based on the plurality of images.

[1168] Optionally the mobile device further including a light emitting device, the method including the step of using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the first sensor senses the coded data.

[1169] Optionally the method further including the steps of generating a clock signal based on the movement, and using the clock signal to synchronize the printing onto the print medium.

[1170] Optionally the coded data takes the form of a two-dimensional array of data, the first sensor being configured to capture an image of a subset of the coded data, the subset of the coded data being sufficient to enable the position to be determined.

[1171] Optionally the method including the steps, performed during printing onto the print medium, of:

• • [1172] using the first sensor to sense the coded data; and
  • [1173] using the processing means to generate a clock signal based on the sensed coded data; and
  • [1174] using the clock signal to synchronize the printing onto the print medium.

[1175] Optionally the step of using the first sensor to sense the coded data includes capturing a first image of the coded data, and the step of generating the clock signal includes using the processor to perform the steps of;

• • [1176] determining a position of the print medium relative to the first sensor at the time the coded data was sensed, based at least partly on the determined location;
  • [1177] using the first sensor to capture subsequent images of the coded data as the printhead is being printed;
  • [1178] determining movement of the print medium during printing based on the subsequently captured images; and
  • [1179] deriving the clock signal based on the movement.

[1180] Optionally determining the movement during printing includes using the processing means to perform the steps of:

• • [1181] decoding the coded data captured in at least some of the subsequently captured images;
  • [1182] determining a position of the print medium relative to the first sensor at the time each of the images was captured; and
  • [1183] determining the movement of the print medium based on the positions determined over time.

[1184] Optionally determining the movement during printing includes the step of performing pattern recognition on at least some of the coded data in at least some of the captured images to determine movement of the print medium relative to initial position.

[1185] Optionally the print medium includes at least one orientation indicator indicative of an orientation of the print medium, the method comprising determining the orientation from the orientation indicator before commencing printing.

[1186] Optionally the at least one orientation indicator is disposed at or adjacent an edge of the print medium.

[1187] Optionally the print medium having a leading edge and a trailing edge defined relative to intended feed direction of the print medium through a media feed path, at least one of the at least one orientation indicators being disposed on or in the print medium at or adjacent the leading edge.

[1188] Optionally the method further including the steps of:

• • [1189] using a second sensor to capture a second image of at least some of the coded data;
  • [1190] using the processing means to determine, from a known physical orientation of the print medium and the second image, a second relative rotation of the coded data with respect to the print medium; and
  • [1191] using the processing means to calculate, from the first and second rotations, a third rotation, the third rotation being a more accurate indication of the relative rotation of the coded data with respect to the print medium than the first or second rotations.

[1192] Optionally the method including capturing the first and second images substantially simultaneously.

[1193] In a first aspect the present invention provides a method of using a mobile device to determine a position of a print medium, the print medium configured to be printed on by the mobile device in a print direction, the mobile device including a printer, a first sensor and processing means, the print medium comprising a laminar substrate defining first and second opposite faces, the first face bearing coded data indicative of at least one location, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) using the first sensor to capture a first image of at least some of the coded data when the print medium is at a position within a media feed path within the mobile device;

(b) using the processing means to decode at least some of the sensed coded data, thereby to determine at least one location; and

(c) determining the position of the print medium based on the at least one location determined in step (b).

[1194] Optionally step (c) wherein the position is determined based at least partly on the determined location and a position of the captured coded data in a capture field of the first sensor.

[1195] Optionally the method further including the steps of:

• • [1196] using the first sensor to capture a plurality of the images over time;
  • [1197] using the processing means to decode a plurality of the captured images, thereby to determine a plurality of the locations; and
  • [1198] determining a series of positions of the print medium based on the locations.

[1199] Optionally the mobile device comprises a second sensor, the method comprising the steps of:

(d) using the second sensor to capture a second image of at least some of the coded data;

(e) using the processing means to decode at least some of the sensed coded data, thereby to determine at least one location; and

(f) determining a position of the print medium based on the location determined in step (e).

[1200] Optionally the method including capturing the first and second images substantially simultaneously.

[1201] Optionally the method further including using the processing means to determine a position of the print medium based on the positions determined in steps (c) and (f).

[1202] Optionally the method including averaging the positions determined in steps (c) and (f).

[1203] Optionally the method further including the step of using the processing means to determine, from the sensed coded data, an identity of the print medium.

[1204] Optionally the method further including determining movement of the print medium relative to sensor, based on the coded data sensed by the first sensor.

[1205] Optionally determining the movement includes capturing a plurality of images of the coded data as the print medium moves past the first sensor, and determining the movement based on the plurality of images.

[1206] Optionally determining the movement includes the steps of:

• • [1207] using the processing means to decode the coded data captured in at least one of the plurality of captured images;
  • [1208] determining a position of the print medium relative to the first sensor at the time each of the images was captured; and
  • [1209] determining the movement of the print medium based on the positions determined over time.

[1210] Optionally determining the movement includes the stp of performing pattern recognition to determine movement of the print medium relative to at least one absolute position of the print medium.

[1211] Optionally the method comprising the step of using the processing means to determine, from a known physical orientation of the print medium and the first image, a first relative rotation of the coded data with respect to the print medium.

[1212] Optionally the mobile device further includes a transmitter, the method further including the step of transmitting, using the transmitter, the first relative rotation to a remote computer system.

[1213] Optionally the transmitter is configured to transmit the relative rotation via a mobile telecommunications network.

[1214] Optionally the method including the steps, performed during printing onto the print medium, of:

• • [1215] using the processing means to generate a clock signal based on the sensed coded data; and
  • [1216] using the clock signal to synchronize the printing onto the print medium.

[1217] Optionally the mobile device further including a light emitting device, the method including the step of using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the first sensor senses the coded data.

[1218] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile telecommunications device comprising:

• • [1219] a printhead for printing a sheet of media substrate, the sheet of media substrate having coded data on at least part of its surface;
  • [1220] a media feed assembly for feeding the sheet of media substrate along a feed path past the printhead;
  • [1221] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,
  • [1222] a sensor for reading the coded data and generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the signal to the print engine controller; such that,
  • [1223] the print engine controller uses the signal to initiate the printing when the sheet is at a predetermined position relative to the printhead.

[1224] Detecting the leading edge of the card is necessary for longitudinal registration of the print from the printhead with the card. Longitudinal registration of the print is particularly crucial if the printing is full bleed (printed to the very edges of the card). The print engine controller (PEC) must be able to initiate printing at the exact time the leading edge reaches the printhead. Furthermore, if the cards are pre-printed with a Netpage tag pattern, accurate longitudinal registration is necessary to ensure that any hyperlinks in the tag pattern align with the corresponding printed words or images. Using a micro switch or photo-sensor immediately prior to the printhead to detect the leading edge adds to the complexity and size the design. However, encoding the card with data specifying its relevant dimension allows the PEC to initiate printing at the correct time. Once the sensor reads the coded data, the PEC can determine the distance from the sensor to the leading edge and then using the media feed speed to determine when to initiate printing.

[1225] Optionally the at least one dimension is the distance from at least one marker in the coded data to the leading edge of the sheet with respect to the direction of media feed past the printhead.

[1226] Optionally during use, the media feed assembly feeds the sheet along the feed path in a forward direction so that the sensor can read at least some of the coded data before retracting the sheet along the path in a reverse direction and then again feeding the sheet along the path in the forward direction past the printhead for printing.

[1227] Optionally the coded data is disposed along a track extending along the sheet in a direction parallel to the feed path.

[1228] Optionally the coded data is distributed across substantially all of at least one side of the sheet.

[1229] Optionally the coded data is disposed along a track extending across the sheet in a direction normal to the feed path.

[1230] Optionally the printhead and the drive shaft are incorporated into a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a print media feed path within the mobile telecommunications device.

[1231] Optionally the printhead has an array of ink ejection nozzles and is incorporated into a cartridge that further comprises at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead for ejection by the nozzles, each of the at least one ink reservoirs including at least one absorbent structure for inducing a negative hydrostatic pressure in the ink at the nozzles, and a capping mechanism for capping the printhead when not in use.

[1232] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

[1233] (a) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and,
(b) a force transfer mechanism connected to the capper and configured such that a force provided by an edge of the media substrate as it moves relative to the feed path is transferred to the capper by the force transfer mechanism, thereby to at least commence movement of the capper from the capped position to the uncapped position prior to the media substrate reaching the capper.

[1234] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

[1235] (a) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and,
(b) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until after a trailing edge of the media substrate is clear of the printhead.

[1236] Optionally the media feed assembly has a drive shaft with a media engagement surface for enhanced contact friction with the media substrate.

[1237] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate such that it moves to the capped position upon disengagement with the media.

[1238] Optionally the print engine controller has a light emitting beacon, and the printhead comprises:

• • [1239] an array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
  • [1240] print data circuitry for providing the nozzles with print data; and,
  • [1241] a photosensor for optically receiving the print data from the beacon.

[1242] Optionally the media feed assembly has a drive shaft driven by a piezo-electric resonant linear drive system.

[1243] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [1244] a position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicative of the position of the media substrate relative to the printhead; such that,
  • [1245] the print engine controller differentiates the signal to derive the speed of the media substrate relative to the printhead and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the speed.

[1246] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further wherein during use,

• • [1247] the print engine controller senses the number of complete and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the angular velocity of the drive shaft.

[1248] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising at least one ink reservoir, the at least one reservoir comprising:

• • [1249] a housing defining an ink storage volume;
  • [1250] one or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into sections, each of the sections having at least one ink outlet for sealed connection to the printhead; and,
  • [1251] at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections.

[1252] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [1253] a dual sensing facility for reading coded data on at least part of the media substrate before, as well as after, it has past the printhead.

[1254] Optionally the media feed assembly has a drive shaft for feeding the sheet of media substrate past the printhead; wherein during use,

• • [1255] the sheet disengages from the drive shaft before completion of its printing such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects past the printhead by momentum to complete its printing.

[1256] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile telecommunications device comprising:

• • [1257] a printhead for printing a sheet of media substrate, the sheet of media substrate having coded data on at least part of its surface;
  • [1258] a media feed assembly for feeding the sheet of media substrate along a feed path past the printhead;
  • [1259] a print engine controller for operatively controlling the printhead; and,
  • [1260] a dual sensor facility for reading the coded data before, as well as after, it has past the printhead.

[1261] The print engine controller (PEC) need a line sync signal to control the firing of each line of print data from the nozzles. The line sync signal essentially indicates when the card has moved along the feed path by the necessary amount and the next line of print can be fired from the nozzles. There are different ways of generating the line sync signal. However, to minimize components and reduce overall form factor, the media can be encoded with clock data that is optically sensed to derive a clock signal which is in turn used to generate the line sync signal. While the clock data sensor can be positioned very close to the printhead (on the media entry side), it can not read the clock data on trailing edge of the media once it had passed by on its way to the printhead. This presents a problem as to how to generate the line sync signal needed to print the trailing portion. By configuring the sensing device to conduct dual reading of the clock data, once prior to the printhead, and then again after the printhead, a line sync signal can be produced from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the media. It will be appreciated that this is necessary for ‘full bleed’ printing (printing to the very edges of the card).

[1262] Optionally the sensor facility has a first photosensor positioned adjacent the feed path before the printhead, and a second photosensor positioned adjacent the feed path after the printhead.

[1263] Optionally the coded data includes clock data configured in a longitudinal clock track extending along the sheet of media substrate such that, the first photosensor reads the clock track before the second photosensor.

[1264] Optionally the first and second photosensors both generate a clock signal when they are simultaneously reading the clock track and the print engine controller synchronizes the clock signal from the second photosensor with the signal from the first phototsensor.

[1265] Optionally the print engine controller has a phase lock loop for the first and second photosensor signals respectively in order to generate first and second phase locked clock signals, the print engine controller also having a phase difference calculator to determine any phase difference between the first and second phase locked clock signals, and a delay to delay the second phase locked clock signal by an amount that synchronizes it with the first phase locked signal.

[1266] Optionally the print engine controller generates a line sync signal for the printhead using the first phase locked clock signal prior to synchronization with the second phase locked clock signal, and then uses the second phase locked clock signal to generate the line sync signal after synchronization.

[1267] Optionally the printhead and the drive shaft are incorporated into a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a print media feed path within the mobile telecommunications device.

[1268] Optionally the printhead has an array of ink ejection nozzles and is incorporated into a cartridge that further comprises at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead for ejection by the nozzles, each of the at least one ink reservoirs including at least one absorbent structure for inducing a negative hydrostatic pressure in the ink at the nozzles, and a capping mechanism for capping the printhead when not in use.

[1269] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

[1270] (a) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and
(b) a force transfer mechanism connected to the capper and configured such that a force provided by an edge of the media substrate as it moves relative to the feed path is transferred to the capper by the force transfer mechanism, thereby to at least commence movement of the capper from the capped position to the uncapped position prior to the media substrate reaching the capper.

[1271] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

[1272] (a) a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead; and,
(b) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until after a trailing edge of the media substrate is clear of the printhead.

[1273] Optionally the media feed assembly has a drive shaft with a media engagement surface for enhanced contact friction with the media substrate.

[1274] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead, and an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the media substrate, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate such that it moves to the capped position upon disengagement with the media.

[1275] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising a print engine controller with a light emitting beacon, and the printhead further comprises:

• • [1276] an array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
  • [1277] print data circuitry for providing the nozzles with print data; and,
  • [1278] a photosensor for optically receiving the print data from the beacon.

[1279] Optionally the media feed assembly has a drive shaft driven by a piezo-electric resonant linear drive system.

[1280] Optionally the dual sensing facility provides the print engine controller with a signal indicative of the position of the media substrate relative to the printhead; such that,

• • [1281] the print engine controller differentiates the signal to derive the speed of the media substrate relative to the printhead and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the speed.

[1282] Optionally the media feed assembly has a drive shaft and the print engine controller senses the number of complete and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to variations in the angular velocity of the drive shaft.

[1283] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising at least one ink reservoir, the at least one reservoir comprising:

• • [1284] a housing defining an ink storage volume;
  • [1285] one or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into sections, each of the sections having at least one ink outlet for sealed connection to the printhead; and,
  • [1286] at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections.

[1287] Optionally the coded data includes data indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet of media substrate; such that,

• • [1288] the print engine controller initiates the printing when the sheet is at a predetermined position relative to the printhead.

[1289] Optionally the media feed assembly has a drive shaft for feeding the sheet of media substrate past the printhead; wherein during use,

• • [1290] the sheet disengages from the drive shaft before completion of its printing such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects past the printhead by momentum to complete its printing.

[1291] In a first aspect the present invention provides a replaceable print cartridge for installation in a mobile device, the print cartridge comprising:

• • [1292] a printhead;
  • [1293] at least one ink reservoir; and
  • [1294] a first integrated circuit that permanently stores an identifier that is relatively unique to that integrated circuit;
  • [1295] such that, upon installation in the mobile device, the mobile device is able to determine the identifier.

[1296] Optionally the print cartridge further including one or more contacts for operative connection with one or more corresponding complementary contacts in the mobile device upon installation, the mobile device being able to interrogate the first integrated circuit via the at least one contact.

[1297] Optionally the mobile device includes a second integrated circuit for interrogating the first integrated circuit to determine the identifier, the first integrated circuit being configured to enable authenticated communication between itself and the second integrated circuit.

[1298] Optionally the first integrated circuit includes non-volatile memory that stores a first bit-pattern, the first bit pattern having been generated by:

(a) applying a one way function to a second bit-pattern associated with the device, thereby to generate a first result;

(b) applying a second function to the first result and the first bit-pattern, thereby to generate a second result; and

(c) storing the second result in the memory, thereby indirectly storing the first bit-pattern.

[1299] Optionally the one way function is more cryptographically secure than the second function.

[1300] Optionally each of the first integrated circuits includes secret information used in authentication by the mobile device of the cartridge associated with that integrated circuit, the secret information in each chip being located in a different location in the memory relative to a plurality of the other chips.

[1301] Optionally the printhead is a pagewidth printhead.

[1302] Optionally the printhead prints in at least three colors.

[1303] Optionally the printhead prints in cyan, magenta and yellow.

[1304] Optionally the print cartridge further comprising a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between:

• • [1305] a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead; and
  • [1306] an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print medium, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead;
  • [1307] wherein the capper is moved between the capped and uncapped position by an edge of the print medium as it moves through the feed path.

[1308] Optionally in the capped position the capper is resiliently urged into the capping relationship.

[1309] Optionally the capping mechanism is configured such that the capper is displaced in the feed direction as it moves from the capped position to the uncapped position.

[1310] Optionally the capping mechanism is further configured such that the capper is simultaneously displaced in a direction away from the printhead as it is displaced in the feed direction.

[1311] Optionally the capping mechanism is subsequently displaced in a direction opposite the feed direction in the uncapped position.

[1312] Optionally the print cartridge further including a locking mechanism for holding the capper in the uncapped position whilst the print medium is being printed on by the printhead.

[1313] Optionally the locking mechanism includes at least one cam mounted for rotation between an unlocked position and a locked position, the at least one cam being configured such that, in the unlocked position, it extends at least partially into the feed path when print medium is not present, the at least one cam being positioned and configured to engage an edge of the print medium as the print medium is fed through the feed path such that the at least one cam is rotated by the print medium into the locked position, such that, in the locked position, the capper is held in the uncapped position until after a trailing edge of the print medium is clear of the printhead.

[1314] Optionally the cam is resiliently biased to return to the unlocked position once the print medium edge moves past a predetermined position in the feed path, thereby causing the capper to return to the capped position.

[1315] Optionally the at least one cam is mounted for rotation about an axis that is substantially normal to the print medium as it engages the cam in the feed path.

[1316] Optionally the print cartridge further comprising:

• • [1317] at least one baffle dividing the at least one ink reservoir into a plurality of sections, each of the sections in each ink reservoir being in fluid communication with each of the other sections in that ink reservoir via an aperture; and
    at least one porous insert in each of the at least one reservoirs, such that substantially all of each ink reservoir is filled with the at least one porous insert.

[1318] Optionally each reservoir includes a single porous insert including at least one recessed portion, each recessed portion being configured to engage one of the baffles in the reservoir.

[1319] In a first aspect the present invention provides a replaceable cartridge for installation in a mobile device, the cartridge comprising:

• • [1320] a printhead;
  • [1321] one or more ink reservoirs for supplying ink to the printhead; and
  • [1322] an integrated circuit for enabling validation of the cartridge upon installation of the cartridge into the mobile device, the integrated circuit including non-volatile memory for storing secret information.

[1323] Optionally a cartridge further including communication means for enabling communication between the mobile device and the integrated circuit during validation.

[1324] Optionally the communication means includes first contacts for engaging complementary second contacts of the mobile device when the cartridge is installed therein.

[1325] Optionally the integrated circuit is configured to communicate with an entity in the mobile device in a secure fashion.

[1326] Optionally the integrated circuit is configured to store data indicative of a number of prints remaining, the integrated circuit including one or more security features for preventing unauthorised tampering with the data.

[1327] Optionally the data includes an ink counter, the integrated circuit being configured to decrement the ink counter as ink is used in printing.

[1328] Optionally the integrated circuit is designed to prevent incrementing of the ink counter.

[1329] Optionally the data includes a print counter, the integrated circuit being configured to decrement the print counter each time a print is made.

[1330] Optionally the integrated circuit is designed to prevent incrementing of the print counter.

[1331] Optionally a cartridge further including a sensor, the sensor being configured to sense coded data on a print medium to be printed on by the printhead.

[1332] Optionally the sensor is configured to output the sensed coded data to the mobile device.

[1333] Optionally a cartridge configured to use a clock derived from the sensed coded data to synchronize printing onto the print medium.

[1334] Optionally the coded data includes a linear-encoded clock track, the clock being derived from the clock track during printing.

[1335] Optionally the coded data includes a linear-encoded data track, the data track being indicative of an identity of the print medium, the cartridge being configured to output the sensed coded data to the mobile device to enable determination of the identity.

[1336] Optionally a cartridge further including a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between:

• • [1337] a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead; and
  • [1338] an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print medium, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead;
  • [1339] wherein the capper is moved between the capped and uncapped position by an edge of the print medium as it moves through the feed path.

[1340] Optionally in the capped position the capper is resiliently urged into the capping relationship.

[1341] Optionally the capping mechanism is configured such that the capper is displaced in the feed direction as it moves from the capped position to the uncapped position.

[1342] Optionally the capping mechanism is further configured such that the capper is simultaneously displaced in a direction away from the printhead as it is displaced in the feed direction.

[1343] Optionally the capping mechanism is subsequently displaced in a direction opposite the feed direction in the uncapped position.

[1344] Optionally a cartridge further including a locking mechanism for holding the capper in the uncapped position whilst the print medium is being printed on by the printhead.

[1345] In a first aspect the present invention provides a replaceable print cartridge for installation in a mobile device, the print cartridge comprising:

• • [1346] a printhead;
  • [1347] at least one ink reservoir;
  • [1348] storage means configured to store data; and
  • [1349] a data changing mechanism for changing a value of the data, the data being prevented from being changed to a value that the storage means has previously stored.

[1350] Optionally the storage means stores the data in the form of a plurality of units, the value of the data being changeable by permanently altering one or more of the units.

[1351] Optionally the units are bits.

[1352] Optionally the value of each of the bits is stored in a one-time alterable form, the print cartridge being configured to selectively alter the value of one or more of the bits in response to a predetermined event.

[1353] Optionally the print cartridge including a plurality of fusible links, each of the fusible links storing one of the bits, each fusible link being configured to selectively be blown in response to the event.

[1354] Optionally wherein the printhead includes a plurality of unit cells, each of the unit cells being provided with data from a corresponding data register, wherein a majority of the unit cells are associated with a corresponding plurality of respective print nozzles for outputting ink, and a minority of the unit cells are associated with a corresponding plurality of the bits, such that the value of one or more of the bits can be altered by loading appropriate data into the register.

[1355] Optionally the print cartridge further including one or more contacts for operative connection with one or more corresponding complementary contacts in the mobile device upon installation, the mobile device being able to control alteration of the value of one or more of the bits via the at least one contact.

[1356] Optionally the data is indicative of a number of prints remaining.

[1357] Optionally the data is indicative of an amount of ink used by, or remaining in, the print cartridge.

[1358] Optionally the data is indicative of a number of prints made, or remaining to be printed, by the print cartridge.

[1359] Optionally the print cartridge further including a sensor, the sensor being configured to sense coded data on a print medium to be printed on by the printhead.

[1360] Optionally the sensor is configured to output the sensed coded data to the mobile device.

[1361] Optionally the print cartridge configured to use a clock derived from the sensed coded data to synchronize printing onto the print medium.

[1362] Optionally the coded data includes a linear-encoded clock track, the clock being derived from the clock track during printing.

[1363] Optionally the coded data includes a linear-encoded data track, the data track being indicative of an identity of the print medium, the cartridge being configured to output the sensed coded data to the mobile device to enable determination of the identity.

[1364] Optionally the print cartridge further including a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between:

• • [1365] a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead; and
  • [1366] an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print medium, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead;
  • [1367] wherein the capper is moved between the capped and uncapped position by an edge of the print medium as it moves through the feed path.

[1368] Optionally in the capped position the capper is resiliently urged into the capping relationship.

[1369] Optionally the capping mechanism is configured such that the capper is displaced in the feed direction as it moves from the capped position to the uncapped position.

[1370] Optionally the capping mechanism is further configured such that the capper is simultaneously displaced in a direction away from the printhead as it is displaced in the feed direction.

[1371] Optionally the print cartridge further including a locking mechanism for holding the capper in the uncapped position whilst the print medium is being printed on by the printhead.

[1372] In a first aspect the present invention provides a replaceable print cartridge for installation in a mobile device, the print cartridge comprising:

• • [1373] a printhead;
  • [1374] at least one ink reservoir;
  • [1375] storage means configured to store information indicative of an amount of printing that can be achieved by the cartridge based on the amount of ink in the at least one ink reservoir; and
  • [1376] an information changing mechanism for changing a value of the information.

[1377] Optionally the information is indicative of a volume of ink remaining in the at least one ink reservoir.

[1378] Optionally the print cartridge including a plurality of the ink cartridges, the information being indicative of an amount of ink remaining in each of the reservoirs individually.

[1379] Optionally the print cartridge including a plurality of the ink cartridges, the information being indicative of an average amount of ink remaining in the reservoirs in aggregate.

[1380] Optionally the information is indicative of an estimated number of typical prints the print cartridge can achieve based on the amount of ink in the at least one ink reservoir.

[1381] Optionally the storage means stores the information in the form of a plurality of sub-value units, the value of the information being changeable by permanently altering the one or more of the sub-value units.

[1382] Optionally the sub-value units are bits.

[1383] Optionally the print cartridge configured to automatically change a value of one of the bits each time a predetermined amount of ink is consumed by printing.

[1384] Optionally the print cartridge configured to automatically change a value of one of the bits each time a predetermined number of prints has been printed.

[1385] Optionally the print cartridge the value of each of the bits is stored in a one-time alterable form, the print cartridge being configured to selectively alter the value of one or more of the bits in response to a predetermined event.

[1386] Optionally the print cartridge including a plurality of fusible links, each of the fusible links storing one of the bits, each fusible link being configured to selectively be blown by the cartridge in response to the event.

[1387] Optionally the printhead includes a plurality of unit cells, each of the unit cells being provided with data from a corresponding data register, wherein a majority of the unit cells are associated with a corresponding plurality of respective print nozzles for outputting ink, and a minority of the unit cells are associated with a corresponding plurality of the bits, such that the value of one or more of the bits can be altered by loading appropriate data into the register.

[1388] Optionally the print cartridge further including one or more contacts for operative connection with one or more corresponding complementary contacts in the mobile device upon installation, the mobile device being able to control alteration of the value of one or more of the bits via the at least one contact.

[1389] Optionally the print cartridge further including a sensor, the sensor being configured to sense coded data on a print medium to be printed on by the printhead.

[1390] Optionally the print cartridge the sensor is configured to output the sensed coded data to the mobile device.

[1391] Optionally the print cartridge configured to use a clock derived from the sensed coded data to synchronize printing onto the print medium.

[1392] Optionally the print cartridge the coded data includes a linear-encoded clock track, the clock being derived from the clock track during printing.

[1393] Optionally the coded data includes a linear-encoded data track, the data track being indicative of an identity of the print medium, the cartridge being configured to output the sensed coded data to the mobile device to enable determination of the identity.

[1394] Optionally the print cartridge further including a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between:

• • [1395] a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead; and
  • [1396] an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print medium, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead;
  • [1397] wherein the capper is moved between the capped and uncapped position by an edge of the print medium as it moves through the feed path.

[1398] Optionally wherein in the capped position the capper is resiliently urged into the capping relationship.

[1399] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile device including:

• • [1400] a printhead disposed in a print path along which a print medium travels while being printed; and
  • [1401] a sensor in the print path to sense when a print medium has been inserted therein;
  • [1402] the mobile device being configured to:
  • [1403] sense, using the sensor, that a print medium has been inserted;
  • [1404] without further user intervention, commence printing onto the print medium.

[1405] Optionally the mobile device includes a display for displaying visible information to a user, the mobile device being configured to automatically print data associated with a current document or other type of information being displayed on the display.

[1406] Optionally the mobile device is configured to automatically print the next job in a print queue maintained by mobile device.

[1407] Optionally printing without user intervention is associated with a mode in which a user can place the mobile device.

[1408] Optionally the mobile device further including drive means for driving the print medium past the printhead during printing, the drive means being configured to commence driving the print medium as part of the printing process.

[1409] Optionally the drive means includes at least one roller positioned in the print path before the printhead.

[1410] Optionally the sensor is configured to read coded data on the print medium.

[1411] Optionally the mobile device includes a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter being configured to transmit a message to a remote computer based on the read coded data, the receiver being configured to receive a reply from the remote computer indicative of whether the print medium can be printed on.

[1412] Optionally the mobile device further including drive means, the drive means being configured to:

• • [1413] drive the print medium along the print path while the sensor reads the coded data;
  • [1414] drive the print medium backwards along the print path into a printing commencement position; and
  • [1415] drive the print medium along the print path while the printer prints onto the print medium.

[1416] Optionally the sensor senses the coded data as the print medium is being printed, the mobile device being configured to extract a clock signal from the coded data and to use the clock signal to synchronize printing onto the print medium.

[1417] Optionally the sensor senses at least some of the coded data upon initial insertion of the print medium, the mobile device being configured to determine from the sensed coded data an orientation of the print medium and prevent printing in the event the print medium is not inserted correctly.

[1418] Optionally the mobile device is configured to output an indication to a user in the event the print medium is inserted incorrectly.

[1419] Optionally the print medium including a linear-encoded data track extending in an intended direction of printing, the mobile device including:

• • [1420] a sensor configured to sense the data track during printing;
  • [1421] a printhead for printing onto the print medium in response to a fire control signal; and
  • [1422] fire control means connected to generate the fire control signal based on the sensed data track.

[1423] Optionally the mobile device further including a light-emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is sensing it during printing.

[1424] Optionally photosensor is sensitive in the infrared spectrum.

[1425] Optionally the data track is a clock track containing only a clock code, the fire control means being configured to generate the fire control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the sensed data track.

[1426] Optionally the data track includes first information, the first information including an embedded clock signal, the fire control means being configured to generate the fire control signal in the form of a clock signal extracted from the sensed data track.

[1427] Optionally the first information is indicative of at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, the mobile device being configured to control operation of the printhead at least partially on the basis of at least one of the physical characteristics.

[1428] Optionally the mobile device configured to use the sensed data track to determine an absolute position of the print medium with respect to the printhead, and to print onto the print medium in reliance on the determination.

[1429] Optionally the data track further encoding first information and the print medium further including second coded data that encodes second information, the first information being indicative of the second information.

[1430] In a first aspect the present invention provides a method of using a mobile device to authenticate a print medium before completing printing onto the print medium, the mobile device including processing means, a printhead and a sensor, the print medium comprising a substrate, the method comprising the steps of:

using the sensor to sense coded data provided on a surface of the substrate;

using the processing means to interpret the coded data to authenticate the print medium; and

in the event the authentication step is successful, using the printhead to print onto the print medium.

[1431] Optionally the step of using the processor means to interpret the coded data further comprises:

• • [1432] determining, from the sensed coded data:
    • [1433] an identity of the print medium;
    • [1434] a plurality of signature fragments, the signature being a digital signature of at least part of the identity;
  • [1435] determining, using the plurality of signature fragments, a determined signature;
  • [1436] generating, using the determined signature and a key, a generated identity;
  • [1437] comparing the identity to the generated identity; and
    authenticating the print medium using the results of the comparison.

[1438] Optionally the coded data includes a plurality of coded data portions, each coded data portion encoding:

• • [1439] the identity; and,
  • [1440] at least a signature fragment;
  • [1441] wherein the method includes sensing a plurality of coded data portions to thereby determine the plurality of signature fragments.

[1442] Optionally the plurality of coded data portions are sensed as the print medium moves past the sensor whilst moving along a print path defined in the mobile device.

[1443] Optionally each coded data portion encodes a signature fragment identity, and wherein the method includes:

determining the signature fragment identity of each determined signature fragment; and

determining, using the determined signature fragment identities, the determined signature.

[1444] Optionally the coded data includes a plurality of layouts, each layout defining the position of a plurality of first symbols encoding the identity, and a plurality of second symbols defining at least one signature fragment.

[1445] Optionally the coded data includes a plurality of tags, each coded data portion being formed from at least one of the tags.

[1446] Optionally the coded data is printed on the surface using at least one of an invisible ink and an infrared-absorptive ink, and wherein the method includes, sensing the coded data using an infrared sensor.

[1447] Optionally the plurality of signature fragments are indicative of the entire signature.

[1448] Optionally the mobile device includes a transmitter and a receiver, the method comprising the steps of:

• • [1449] using the transmitter to send a first message to a remote computer system, the first message being indicative of the identity;
    • [1450] using the receiver to receive a second message from the remote computer system, the second message including data indicative of at least one of:
      • [1451] padding associated with the signature;
      • [1452] a private key; and
      • [1453] a public key; and
        generating, using the determined signature and the data, private key or public key, the generated identity.

[1454] Optionally the signature is a digital signature of at least part of the identity and at least part of predetermined padding, and wherein the method includes:

• • [1455] determining, using the identity, the predetermined padding; and,
  • [1456] generating, using the predetermined padding and the determined signature, the generated identity.

[1457] Optionally the sensed coded data is further indicative of at least one of:

a location of at least one of the data portions;

• • [1458] a position of at least one of the data portions on the print medium;
  • [1459] a size of the data portions;
  • [1460] a size of the signature;
  • [1461] a size of the signature fragment;
  • [1462] an identity of a signature fragment;
  • [1463] units of indicated locations;
  • [1464] redundant data;
  • [1465] data allowing error correction;
  • [1466] Reed-Solomon data; and
  • [1467] Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) data.

[1468] Optionally the digital signature includes at least one of:

• • [1469] a random number associated with the identity;
  • [1470] a keyed hash of at least the identity;
  • [1471] a keyed hash of at least the identity produced using a private key, and verifiable using a corresponding public key;
  • [1472] cipher-text produced by encrypting at least the identity;
  • [1473] cipher-text produced by encrypting at least the identity and a random number; and,
  • [1474] cipher-text produced using a private key, and verifiable using a corresponding public key.

[1475] Optionally the identity includes an identity of at least one of:

• • [1476] the print medium; and
  • [1477] a region of the print medium.

[1478] Optionally the coded data includes a number of coded data portions, each coded data portion encoding:

• • [1479] an identity; and
    at least part of a signature, the signature being a digital signature of at least part of the identity.

[1480] Optionally the method further including the step of commencing printing prior to determining whether the authentication step is successful, and halting printing in the event authentication is not successful.

[1481] In a further aspect there is provided a method of using a mobile device to authenticate a print medium before completing printing onto the print medium, the mobile device including processing means, a printhead, a transmitter, a receiver and a sensor, the print medium comprising a substrate, the method comprising the steps of:

• • [1482] using the sensor to sense coded data provided on a surface of the substrate;
  • [1483] using the processing means to determine from the sensed coded data, an identity of the print medium;
  • [1484] using the transmitter to send a first message to a remote computer system, the first message being indicative of the identity;
  • [1485] using the receiver to receive a second message from the remote computer system, the second message being including data indicative of whether the identity is associated with a print medium that can be printed upon; and using the printhead to print onto the print medium in reliance on the data.

[1486] Optionally the print medium includes an orientation indicator, the method including the steps of:

• • [1487] sensing the orientation indicator prior to sensing the coded data; and
  • [1488] preventing printing in the event the medium is inserted incorrectly.

[1489] Optionally the method including the step, in the event the medium is inserted incorrectly, of providing an indication to a user of the mobile device that the orientation of the medium needs to changed.

[1490] Optionally the substrate is a laminar substrate.

[1491] In a first aspect the present invention provides a method of using a mobile device to authenticate a print medium online before completing printing onto the print medium, the mobile device including processing means, a printhead, a sensor, a transmitter and a receiver, the print medium comprising a laminar substrate, the method comprising the steps of:

• • [1492] using the sensor to sense coded data provided on a surface of the substrate;
  • [1493] using the processing means to determine, from the sensed coded data:
    • [1494] an identity of the print medium; and
    • [1495] at least part of a signature, the signature being a digital signature of at least part of the identity;
  • [1496] using the transmitter to send first data to a remote computer system, the first data being indicative of the identity and the at least part of the signature;
  • [1497] using the receiver to receive second data from the remote computer system in reply to the first data, the second data being indicative of whether the print medium is authentic based on the identity and the at least part of the signature; and
  • [1498] in the event the print medium is authentic, using the printhead to print onto the print medium.

[1499] Optionally the coded data includes a plurality of coded data portions, each coded data portion encoding:

• • [1500] the identity; and,
  • [1501] at least a signature fragment;
  • [1502] wherein the method includes sensing a plurality of coded data portions to thereby determine a plurality of signature fragments representing the at least part of the signature.

[1503] Optionally plurality of coded data portions are sensed as the print medium moves past the sensor whilst moving along a print path defined in the mobile device.

[1504] Optionally each coded data portion encodes a signature fragment identity, and wherein the method includes:

• • [1505] determining the signature fragment identity of each determined signature fragment; and
  • [1506] determining, using the determined signature fragment identities and the corresponding signature fragments, the at least part of the signature.

[1507] Optionally the plurality of signature fragments are indicative of the entire signature.

[1508] Optionally the coded data includes a plurality of tags, each coded data portion being formed from at least one of the tags.

[1509] Optionally the second data is further indicative of at least one of:

• • [1510] padding associated with the signature;
  • [1511] a private key; and
  • [1512] a public key.

[1513] Optionally the sensed coded data is further indicative of at least one of:

• • [1514] a location of at least one of the data portions;
  • [1515] a position of at least one of the data portions on the print medium;
  • [1516] a size of at least one of the data portions;
  • [1517] a size of the signature;
  • [1518] a size of the signature fragment;
  • [1519] an identity of the signature fragment;
  • [1520] units of indicated locations;
  • [1521] redundant data;
  • [1522] data allowing error correction;
  • [1523] Reed-Solomon data; and
  • [1524] Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) data.

[1525] Optionally the digital signature includes at least one of:

• • [1526] a random number associated with the identity;
  • [1527] a keyed hash of at least the identity;
  • [1528] a keyed hash of at least the identity produced using a private key, and verifiable using a corresponding public key;
  • [1529] cipher-text produced by encrypting at least the identity;
  • [1530] cipher-text produced by encrypting at least the identity and a random number; and,
  • [1531] cipher-text produced using a private key, and verifiable using a corresponding public key.

[1532] Optionally the identity includes an identity of at least one of:

• • [1533] the print medium; and
  • [1534] a region of the print medium.

[1535] Optionally the coded data includes a number of coded data portions, each coded data portion encoding:

• • [1536] the identity; and,
  • [1537] at least part of a signature, the signature being a digital signature of at least part of the identity.

[1538] Optionally the method further including the step of commencing printing prior to determining whether the authentication step is successful, and halting printing in the event authentication is not successful.

[1539] Optionally the print medium includes an orientation indicator, the method including the steps of:

• • [1540] sensing the orientation indicator prior to sensing the coded data; and
  • [1541] preventing printing in the event the medium is inserted incorrectly.

[1542] Optionally the method further including the step, in the event the medium is inserted incorrectly, of providing an indication to a user of the mobile device that the orientation of the medium needs to changed.

[1543] Optionally the coded data is printed on the surface using at least one of an invisible ink and an infrared-absorptive ink, and wherein the method includes, sensing the coded data using an infrared sensor.

[1544] Optionally the print medium includes at least one longitudinally extending data track, the method comprising deriving a clock signal from the data track as the print medium is being printed and using the clock signal to synchronize the printing onto the print medium.

[1545] Optionally the data track further includes first information, the first information being indicative of the identity.

[1546] Optionally the data track is linear encoded.

[1547] Optionally the clock signal is embedded in data encoded in the data track, the method including extracting the clock signal from the data track.

[1548] Optionally the coded data is printed on the surface using at least one of an invisible ink and an infrared-absorptive ink, and wherein the method includes, sensing the coded data using an infrared sensor.

[1549] In a first aspect the present invention provides a method of using a mobile device to authenticate a print medium offline before completing printing onto the print medium, the mobile device including processing means, a printhead and a sensor, the print medium comprising a laminar substrate, the method comprising the steps of:

• • [1550] using the sensor to sense coded data provided on a surface of the substrate;
  • [1551] using the processing means:
    • [1552] determining, from the sensed coded data:
      • [1553] an identity of the print medium; and
      • [1554] at least part of a signature, the signature being a digital signature of at least part of the identity;
    • [1555] determining, using the at least part of the signature, a determined signature;
    • [1556] generating, using the determined signature and a public key stored in the mobile device, a generated identity;
    • [1557] comparing the identity to the generated identity; and
    • [1558] authenticating the print medium using the results of the comparison; and
  • [1559] in the event the authentication step is successful, using the printhead to print onto the print medium.

[1560] Optionally the mobile device includes a receiver, the method comprising the steps, performed before the step of generating the generated identity, of:

• • [1561] using the receiver to receive data indicative of the public key; and
  • [1562] storing the public key in memory of the mobile device.

[1563] Optionally the mobile device includes a transmitter, the method comprising the step of transmitting to a remote computer system a request for the public key, the receiver receiving the data indicative of the public key from the computer system in response to the request.

[1564] Optionally the method further including the step of retrieving the key from a remote computer system prior to generating the generated identity.

[1565] Optionally the coded data includes a plurality of fragments of the signature, the method comprising determining a plurality of the signature fragments from the sensed coded data.

[1566] Optionally the coded data includes a plurality of coded data portions, each coded data portion encoding:

• • [1567] the identity; and
  • [1568] at least a signature fragment;
  • [1569] wherein the method includes sensing a plurality of coded data portions to thereby determine the plurality of signature fragments.

[1570] Optionally the plurality of coded data portions are sensed as the print medium moves past the sensor whilst moving along a print path defined in the mobile device.

[1571] Optionally each coded data portion encodes a signature fragment identity, and wherein the method includes:

• • [1572] determining the signature fragment identity of each determined signature fragment; and
  • [1573] determining, using the determined signature fragment identities, the determined signature.

[1574] Optionally each coded data portion being formed from at least one of the tags.

[1575] Optionally the plurality of signature fragments are indicative of the entire signature.

[1576] Optionally the signature is a digital signature of at least part of the identity and at least part of predetermined padding, and wherein the method includes:

• • [1577] determining, using the identity, the predetermined padding; and,
  • [1578] generating, using the predetermined padding and the determined signature, the generated identity.

[1579] Optionally the mobile device includes a transmitter and a receiver, the method comprising the steps of:

• • [1580] using the transmitter to send a first message to a remote computer system, the first message being indicative of the identity;
  • [1581] using the receiver to receive a second message from the remote computer system, the second message being including data indicative of padding associated with the signature; and
  • [1582] generating, using the determined signature and the padding, the generated identity.

[1583] Optionally the coded data is further indicative of at least one of:

• • [1584] a location of at least one of the data portions;
  • [1585] a position of at least one of the data portions on the print medium;
  • [1586] a size of at least one of the data portions;
  • [1587] a size of the signature;
  • [1588] a size of the signature fragment;
  • [1589] an identity of the signature fragment;
  • [1590] units of indicated locations;
  • [1591] redundant data;
  • [1592] data allowing error correction;
  • [1593] Reed-Solomon data; and
  • [1594] Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) data.

[1595] Optionally the digital signature includes at least one of:

• • [1596] a random number associated with the identity;
  • [1597] a keyed hash of at least the identity;
  • [1598] a keyed hash of at least the identity produced using a private key, and verifiable using a corresponding public key;
  • [1599] cipher-text produced by encrypting at least the identity;
  • [1600] cipher-text produced by encrypting at least the identity and a random number; and,
  • [1601] cipher-text produced using a private key, and verifiable using a corresponding public key.

[1602] Optionally the identity includes an identity of at least one of:

• • [1603] the print medium; and
  • [1604] a region of the print medium.

[1605] Optionally the coded data includes a number of coded data portions, each coded data portion encoding:

• • [1606] an identity; and,
  • [1607] at least part of a signature, the signature being a digital signature of at least part of the identity.

[1608] Optionally the method further including the step of commencing printing prior to determining whether the authentication step is successful, and halting printing in the event authentication is not successful.

[1609] Optionally the print medium includes an orientation indicator, the method including the steps of:

• • [1610] sensing the orientation indicator prior to sensing the coded data; and
  • [1611] preventing printing in the event the medium is inserted incorrectly.

[1612] Optionally the coded data is printed on the surface using at least one of an invisible ink and an infrared-absorptive ink, and wherein the method includes, sensing the coded data using an infrared sensor.

[1613] In a first aspect the present invention provides method of using a mobile device to authenticate a printed token and output an image associated with the token, the mobile device comprising a sensor and processing means, the method comprising the steps of:

• • [1614] using the sensor to sense coded data on the printed token;
  • [1615] using the processing means to determine, from the sensed coded data, at least an identity of the token;
  • [1616] authenticating the token using the identity;
  • [1617] based on at least the identity, determining an image associated with the token; and
  • [1618] outputting the image from the mobile device in a visible form.

[1619] Optionally the mobile device includes a display and the outputting step includes displaying the image on the display.

[1620] Optionally the mobile device includes a printhead and the outputting step includes printing the image onto a print medium with the printhead.

[1621] Optionally mobile device includes a transmitter and a receiver, the step of determining the image associated with the token comprising:

• • [1622] sending first data to a remote computer system using the transmitter, the first data being indicative of at least the identity; and
  • [1623] receiving second data from the computer system via the receiver, the second data being indicative of the image.

[1624] Optionally the mobile device includes a transmitter and a receiver, the method comprising:

• • [1625] using the processing means to determine, from the sensed coded data, at least part of a signature, the signature being a digital signature of at least part of the identity;
  • [1626] using the transmitter to send first data to a remote computer system, the first data being indicative of the identity and the at least part of the signature;
  • [1627] using the receiver to receive second data from the remote computer system in reply to the first data, the second data being indicative of whether the print medium is authentic based on the identity and the at least part of the signature.

[1628] Optionally the coded data includes a plurality of coded data portions, each coded data portion encoding:

• • [1629] the identity; and,
  • [1630] at least a signature fragment;
    wherein the method includes sensing a plurality of coded data portions thereby to determine a plurality of signature fragments representing the at least part of the signature.

[1631] Optionally the method comprising sensing the plurality of coded data portions as the print medium moves past the sensor whilst moving along a print path defined in the mobile device.

[1632] Optionally each coded data portion encodes a signature fragment identity, and wherein the method includes:

• • [1633] determining the signature fragment identity of each determined signature fragment; and
  • [1634] determining, using the determined signature fragment identities and the corresponding signature fragments, the at least part of the signature.

[1635] Optionally the plurality of signature fragments are indicative of the entire signature.

[1636] Optionally the coded data includes a plurality of tags, each coded data portion being formed from at least one of the tags.

[1637] Optionally the second data is further indicative of at least one of:

• • [1638] padding associated with the signature;
  • [1639] a private key; and
  • [1640] a public key.

[1641] Optionally the method further comprising:

• • [1642] using the processing means to determine, from the sensed coded data, at least part of a signature, the signature being a digital signature of at least part of the identity;
  • [1643] determining, using the at least part of the signature, a determined signature;
  • [1644] generating, using the determined signature and a public key stored in the mobile device, a generated identity;
  • [1645] comparing the identity to the generated identity; and
  • [1646] authenticating the print medium using the results of the comparison.

[1647] Optionally the mobile device includes a receiver, the method comprising the steps, performed before the step of generating the generated identity, of:

• • [1648] using the receiver to receive data indicative of the public key; and
  • [1649] storing the public key in memory of the mobile device.

[1650] Optionally the mobile device includes a transmitter, the method comprising the step of transmitting to a remote computer system a request for the public key, the receiver receiving the data indicative of the public key from the computer system in response to the request.

[1651] Optionally the method further including the step of retrieving the key from a remote computer system prior to generating the generated identity.

[1652] Optionally the method the coded data includes a plurality of fragments of the signature, the method comprising determining a plurality of the signature fragments from the sensed coded data.

[1653] Optionally the coded data includes a plurality of coded data portions, each coded data portion encoding:

• • [1654] the identity; and
  • [1655] at least a signature fragment;
    wherein the method includes sensing a plurality of coded data portions to thereby determine the plurality of signature fragments.

[1656] Optionally the plurality of coded data portions are sensed as the print medium moves past the sensor whilst moving along a print path defined in the mobile device.

[1657] Optionally each coded data portion encodes a signature fragment identity, and wherein the method includes:

• • [1658] determining the signature fragment identity of each determined signature fragment; and
  • [1659] determining, using the determined signature fragment identities, the determined signature.

[1660] Optionally the print medium includes second coded data, the method comprising the step of printing the image onto the print medium, such that the print medium becomes a further token associated with the image.

[1661] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile device including:

• • [1662] a printer for printing onto a print medium; and
  • [1663] a stylus having a printhead tip for allowing a user to use the mobile device as a writing or drawing device;
  • [1664] the stylus and the printer sharing at least one common ink reservoir.

[1665] Optionally the stylus is supplied ink from the at least one common reservoir via at least one ink supply conduit.

[1666] Optionally the at least one ink supply conduit is flexible.

[1667] Optionally the at least one supply conduit includes power and data connections for the printhead chip.

[1668] Optionally the mobile device further including a stylus retraction mechanism.

[1669] Optionally the conduit include a flexible PCB carrying the power and data connections, the flexible PCB forming one wall of at least one ink supply tube.

[1670] Optionally the conduit comprises a plurality of the ink supply tubes.

[1671] Optionally the printer includes a replaceable cartridge, the cartridge including the at least one reservoir.

[1672] Optionally the cartridge includes a plurality of the ink reservoirs.

[1673] Optionally the cartridge includes a pagewidth printhead.

[1674] Optionally mobile device includes a cradle for receiving the cartridge, the cartridge includes a plurality of contacts for receiving power and data from corresponding complementary contacts in a cradle.

[1675] Optionally the stylus forming part of the cartridge.

[1676] Optionally the printhead tip includes an array of radially extending printhead nozzle rows.

[1677] Optionally the rows extend in a straight radial line from a central region of the printhead tip.

[1678] Optionally the rows curve outwardly from a central region of the printhead tip.

[1679] Optionally the stylus includes a pressure sensor for determining when the stylus is in contact with a surface, the stylus being configured to print only when in contact with the surface.

[1680] Optionally the pressure sensor is a switch.

[1681] Optionally the printer further includes a capping mechanism including a capper moveable between:

• • [1682] a capping position in which the capper is urged into a capping relationship with the printhead; and
  • [1683] an uncapped position in which the printhead is able to print onto the print medium, wherein in the uncapped position the capper is displaced away from the printhead;
  • [1684] wherein the capper is moved between the capped and uncapped position by an edge of the print medium as it moves through the feed path.

[1685] Optionally in the capped position the capper is resiliently urged into the capping relationship.

[1686] Optionally the capping mechanism is configured such that the capper is displaced in the feed direction as it moves from the capped position to the uncapped position.

[1687] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile telecommunications device comprising:

• • [1688] a first receiver for receiving signals from a mobile telephony system;
  • [1689] a first transmitter for transmitting signals over the mobile telephony system; and
  • [1690] a sylus allowing the user to use the mobile device as a writing or drawing device.

[1691] Incorporating a writing stylus or pen into the mobile device allows the user to write on the cards, fill out forms or otherwise mark documents that have been printed by the device or another printer.

[1692] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [1693] a first sensor device for sensing coded data and for outputting raw data based on said sensed data; and
    • [1694] a transmitter controller operable to control the first transmitter to transmit output data based at least partially on said sensed data via the mobile telephony system to a computer system.

[1695] Optionally the first sensing device is positioned on the stylus.

[1696] Optionally the sylus has a printhead tip with an array of nozzles to effect the writing or drawing.

[1697] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a printer mechanism with a pagewidth printhead for printing on a media substrate, the printhead positioned adjacent a media feed path through the device.

[1698] Optionally the printer mechanism is adapted to receive document data and to print an interface onto a surface, the interface being at least partially based on the document data, the document data including identity data indicative of at least one identity, the identity being associated with a region of the interface, the interface including coded data.

[1699] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising at least one ink reservoir wherein the printhead tip in the stylus and the printer mechanism share the at least one ink reservoir.

[1700] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a second transmitter and a second receiver adapted to transmit data to and to receive data from one or more sensor devices, the sensor devices transmitting data.

[1701] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a second transmitter and a second receiver adapted to transmit data to and to receive data from one or more sensor devices, the sensor devices transmitting data.

[1702] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a transmitter controller adapted to cause the mobile telephone unit to transmit data based on the first data to a computer system via the first transmitter.

[1703] Optionally the printer mechanism further comprises a capper assembly movable between a capped position covering the nozzles and an uncapped position spaced from the nozzles; wherein,

• • [1704] the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media such that it moves to the capped position upon disengagement with the media.

[1705] Optionally the sheet of media substrate is encoded with the coded data and the print engine controller uses a sensor to determine the position of the sheet relative to the printhead.

[1706] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising a media feed roller for feeding the media past the printhead.

[1707] Optionally the media substrate is a sheet and the trailing edge of the sheet disengages from the media feed roller before it is printed and is projected past the printhead by its momentum.

[1708] Optionally the capper assembly lightly grips the sheet after it has been printed so that it partially extends from the mobile telecommunications device in readiness for manual collection.

[1709] Optionally the capper assembly moves out of the capped position and toward the uncapped position upon engagement with the leading edge of the sheet.

[1710] Optionally the printhead is incorporated into a cartridge that further comprises a print media feed path for directing the print media past the printhead in a feed direction during printing, and a drive mechanism for driving the print media past the printhead for printing.

[1711] Optionally the printhead has an array of ink ejection nozzles and is incorporated into a cartridge that further comprises at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead for ejection by the nozzles, each of the at least one ink reservoirs including at least one absorbent structure for inducing a negative hydrostatic pressure in the ink at the nozzles, and a capping mechanism for capping the printhead when not in use.

[1712] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising a drive shaft with a media engagement surface for feeding a media substrate along a feed path; and

• • [1713] a media guide adjacent the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate against the media engagement surface.

[1714] Optionally a mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [1715] a drive shaft for feeding the sheet of media substrate past the printhead; wherein during use,
  • [1716] the sheet disengages from the drive shaft before completion of its printing such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects past the printhead by momentum to complete its printing.

[1717] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile telecommunications device comprising:

• • [1718] a first transmitter for transmitting signals over a mobile telephony system, and
    • [1719] a first receiver for receiving signals from a mobile telephony system;
    • [1720] a first monochrome image sensor device for sensing coded data and for outputting raw data based on said sensed data; and
    • [1721] a transmitter controller operable to control the first transmitter to transmit output data based at least partially on said sensed data via the mobile telephony system to a computer system.

[1722] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising a sylus allowing the user to use the mobile telecommunications device as a writing or drawing device.

[1723] Optionally the first monochrome image sensor device is positioned on the stylus.

[1724] Optionally the stylus has a printhead tip with an array of nozzles to effect the writing or drawing.

[1725] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising a printer mechanism with a pagewidth printhead for printing on a media substrate, the printhead positioned adjacent a media feed path through the device.

[1726] Optionally the printer mechanism is adapted to receive document data and to print an interface onto a surface, the interface being at least partially based on the document data, the document data including identity data indicative of at least one identity, the identity being associated with a region of the interface, the interface including coded data.

[1727] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising at least one ink reservoir wherein the printhead tip in the stylus and the printer mechanism share the at least one ink reservoir.

[1728] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising a second transmitter and a second receiver adapted to transmit data to and to receive data from one or more monochrome image sensor devices, the sensor devices transmitting data.

[1729] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising a second transmitter and a second receiver adapted to transmit data to and to receive data from one or more monochrome image sensor devices, the sensor devices transmitting data.

[1730] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising a transmitter controller adapted to cause the mobile telephone unit to transmit data based on the first data to a computer system via the first transmitter.

[1731] Optionally the printer mechanism further comprises a capper assembly movable between a capped position covering the nozzles and an uncapped position spaced from the nozzles; wherein, the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media such that it moves to the capped position upon disengagement with the media.

[1732] Optionally the sheet of media substrate is encoded with the coded data and the print engine controller uses a sensor to determine the position of the sheet relative to the printhead.

[1733] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising a media feed roller for feeding the media past the printhead.

[1734] Optionally the media substrate is a sheet and the trailing edge of the sheet disengages from the media feed roller before it is printed and is projected past the printhead by its momentum.

[1735] Optionally the capper assembly lightly grips the sheet after it has been printed so that it partially extends from the mobile telecommunications device in readiness for manual collection.

[1736] Optionally the capper assembly moves out of the capped position and toward the uncapped position upon engagement with the leading edge of the sheet.

[1737] Optionally the printhead is incorporated into a cartridge that further comprises a print media feed path for directing the print media past the printhead in a feed direction during printing, and a drive mechanism for driving the print media past the printhead for printing.

[1738] Optionally the printhead has an array of ink ejection nozzles and is incorporated into a cartridge that further comprises at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead for ejection by the nozzles, each of the at least one ink reservoirs including at least one absorbent structure for inducing a negative hydrostatic pressure in the ink at the nozzles, and a capping mechanism for capping the printhead when not in use.

[1739] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising a drive shaft with a media engagement surface for feeding a media substrate along a feed path; and,

a media guide adjacent the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate against the media engagement surface.

[1740] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

a drive shaft for feeding the sheet of media substrate past the printhead; wherein during use,

the sheet disengages from the drive shaft before completion of its printing such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects past the printhead by momentum to complete its printing.

[1741] In a first aspect the present invention provides a mobile telecommunications device comprising:

• • [1742] a first receiver for receiving signals from a mobile telephony system;
  • [1743] a first transmitter for transmitting signals over the mobile telephony system; and
  • [1744] a sylus allowing the user to use the mobile telecommunications device as a writing or drawing device.

[1745] Incorporating a writing stylus or pen into the phone or PDA allows the user to write on the cards, fill out forms or otherwise mark documents that have been printed by the device or another printer.

[1746] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [1747] a first sensor device for sensing coded data and for outputting raw data based on said sensed data; and
    • [1748] a transmitter controller operable to control the first transmitter to transmit output data based at least partially on said sensed data via the mobile telephony system to a computer system.

[1749] Optionally the first sensing device is positioned on the stylus.

[1750] Optionally the sylus has a printhead tip with an array of nozzles to effect the writing or drawing.

[1751] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising a printer mechanism with a pagewidth printhead for printing on a media substrate, the printhead positioned adjacent a media feed path through the device.

[1752] Optionally the printer mechanism is adapted to receive document data and to print an interface onto a surface, the interface being at least partially based on the document data, the document data including identity data indicative of at least one identity, the identity being associated with a region of the interface, the interface including coded data.

[1753] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising at least one ink reservoir wherein the printhead tip in the stylus and the printer mechanism share the at least one ink reservoir.

[1754] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising a second transmitter and a second receiver adapted to transmit data to and to receive data from one or more sensor devices, the sensor devices transmitting data.

[1755] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising a second transmitter and a second receiver adapted to transmit data to and to receive data from one or more sensor devices, the sensor devices transmitting data.

[1756] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising a transmitter controller adapted to cause the mobile telephone unit to transmit data based on the first data to a computer system via the first transmitter.

[1757] Optionally the printer mechanism further comprises a capper assembly movable between a capped position covering the nozzles and an uncapped position spaced from the nozzles; wherein, the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media such that it moves to the capped position upon disengagement with the media.

[1758] Optionally the sheet of media substrate is encoded with the coded data and the print engine controller uses a sensor to determine the position of the sheet relative to the printhead.

[1759] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising a media feed roller for feeding the media past the printhead.

[1760] Optionally the media substrate is a sheet and the trailing edge of the sheet disengages from the media feed roller before it is printed and is projected past the printhead by its momentum.

[1761] Optionally the capper assembly lightly grips the sheet after it has been printed so that it partially extends from the mobile telecommunications device in readiness for manual collection.

[1762] Optionally the capper assembly moves out of the capped position and toward the uncapped position upon engagement with the leading edge of the sheet.

[1763] Optionally the printhead is incorporated into a cartridge that further comprises a print media feed path for directing the print media past the printhead in a feed direction during printing, and a drive mechanism for driving the print media past the printhead for printing.

[1764] Optionally the printhead has an array of ink ejection nozzles and is incorporated into a cartridge that further comprises at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the printhead for ejection by the nozzles, each of the at least one ink reservoirs including at least one absorbent structure for inducing a negative hydrostatic pressure in the ink at the nozzles, and a capping mechanism for capping the printhead when not in use.

[1765] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising a drive shaft with a media engagement surface for feeding a media substrate along a feed path; and,

• • [1766] a media guide adjacent the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate against the media engagement surface.

[1767] Optionally the mobile telecommunications device further comprising:

• • [1768] a drive shaft for feeding the sheet of media substrate past the printhead; wherein during use,
  • [1769] the sheet disengages from the drive shaft before completion of its printing such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects past the printhead by momentum to complete its printing.

[1770] In a first aspect there is provided a method of producing a printed business card using a mobile telecommunications device, the mobile telecommunications device including processing means, a mobile transceiver for communicating with a mobile telecommunications network, and a printhead, the method comprising the steps, performed in the mobile telecommunications device, of:

(a) determining a business card to print;

(b) providing dot data to the printhead based on the business card determined in step (a); and

(c) printing the dot data onto a print medium using the printhead, thereby to produce the printed business card.

[1771] Optionally mobile telecommunications device including a memory for storing information related to at least one business card, step (a) including accessing the information related to the at least one of the business cards stored in the memory.

[1772] Optionally the print medium includes pre-printed coded data and step (a) includes determining a relationship between coded data and the dot data, and step (c) includes printing the coded data in accordance with the determined relationship.

[1773] Optionally the method including the step of determining a position of the print medium relative to the printhead prior to commencing printing, thereby to enable the printing to be performed in accordance with the relationship.

[1774] Optionally the medium includes a linear-encoded data track extending in a direction of intended printing, the method comprising the steps of:

• • [1775] using a sensor in the mobile telecommunications device, sensing the data track during printing;
  • [1776] deriving a clock signal from the sensed data track; and
  • [1777] synchronizing the printing based on the clock signal.

[1778] Optionally the data track includes only a clock code.

[1779] Optionally the data track encodes first information, the clock code being embedded in the data track for extraction with the first information.

[1780] Optionally the data track includes parallel first and second tracks, the first track including a clock code and the second track encoding first information.

[1781] Optionally the print medium includes further coded data encoding second information, wherein the first information is indicative of the second information.

[1782] Optionally the further coded data is indicative of a plurality of reference points of the business card.

[1783] Optionally the further coded data is indicative of an identity of the print medium.

[1784] Optionally the coded data takes the form of a two-dimensional array of data, the sensor being configured to capture an image of a subset of the coded data, the subset of the coded data being sufficient to enable the location to be determined.

[1785] Optionally the processing means being configured to determine a position of the print medium relative to the sensor at the time the coded data was sensed, based at least partly on the determined location and a position of the captured coded data in a capture field of the sensor.

[1786] Optionally the mobile device further including a light emitting device, the method including the step of using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the sensor senses the coded data.

[1787] Optionally the determining step includes retrieving, from a remote computer system and using the transceiver, information related to the business card.

[1788] Optionally the information includes personal information related to a user of the mobile telecommunications device.

[1789] Optionally the method further including a step of determining a registration between the printed dot data and pre-printed coded data on the print medium, and using the transceiver to send, to a remote computer system, data indicative of the registration.

[1790] Optionally the method further comprising determining the registration during printing.

[1791] Optionally the method further comprising determining the registration prior to printing.

[1792] In a first aspect the present invention provides a method of using a mobile device to print onto a print medium, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) determining print data;

(b) determining a first orientation of a print medium inserted into the mobile device; and

(c) modifying a second orientation of the print data prior to printing onto the print medium, to take into account the first orientation.

[1793] Optionally the print medium includes at least one orientation indicator and the mobile device includes at least one sensor, step (b) comprising using the sensor to sense the orientation indicator and determining the orientation of the print medium from the sensed orientation indicator.

[1794] Optionally the print medium including at least two of the orientation indicators, one on each alternate face of the print medium, the method comprising sensing one of the orientation indicators.

[1795] Optionally the method comprising the step, prior to step (b), of determining whether the orientation of the print medium is a valid orientation to be printed upon, and preventing printing in the event it is not.

[1796] Optionally the print data is intended to be printed on a predetermined one of the alternate faces of the print medium the method including preventing printing if the print medium is inserted upside down such that the predetermined one of the faces cannot be printed onto.

[1797] Optionally step (c) includes rotating the print data by 180 degrees to take into account the first orientation.

[1798] Optionally one of the at least one orientation indicators is positioned adjacent a first corner of the print medium.

[1799] Optionally another of the at least one orientation indicators is positioned adjacent a second corner of the print medium on the first face, the second corner being diagonally opposite the first corner.

[1800] Optionally at least one orientation indicator is printed in infrared ink.

[1801] Optionally the at least one orientation indicator is printed in infrared ink that is substantially invisible to an average unaided human eye.

[1802] Optionally the print medium further comprises first coded data encoding first information, the first information being indicative of a physical characteristic of the print medium.

[1803] Optionally the first information is indicative of a size of the print medium.

[1804] Optionally the first information is indicative of a media type associate with the print medium.

[1805] Optionally the first information is indicative of information pre-printed onto the print medium.

[1806] Optionally the first information is encoded into the coded data in accordance with a linear encoding scheme.

[1807] Optionally the first coded data takes the form of a data track.

[1808] Optionally the data track extends along an edge of the print medium.

[1809] Optionally the method includes at least two of the data tracks, each of which encodes the first information.

[1810] Optionally the method further including second coded data containing second information encoded in accordance with a second encoding scheme distinct from the linear encoding scheme, wherein the first information is indicative of the second information

Terminology

[1811] Mobile device: When used herein, the phrase “mobile device” is intended to cover all devices that by default operate on a portable power source such as a battery. As well as including the mobile telecommunications device defined above, mobile devices include devices such as cameras, non telecommunications-enabled PDAs and hand-held portable game units. “Mobile devices” implicitly includes “mobile telecommunications devices”, unless the converse is clear from the context.

[1812] Mobile telecommunications device: When used herein, the phrase “mobile telecommunications device” is intended to cover all forms of device that enable voice, video, audio and/or data transmission and/or reception. Typical mobile telecommunications devices include:

• • [1813] GSM and 3G mobile phones (cellphones) of all generational and international versions, whether or not they incorporate data transmission capabilities; and
  • [1814] PDAs incorporating wireless data communication protocols such as GPRS/EDGE of all generational and international versions.

[1815] M-Print: The assignee's internal reference for a mobile printer, typically incorporated in a mobile device or a mobile telecommunications device. Throughout the specification, any reference made to the M-Print printer is intended to broadly include the printing mechanism as well as the embedded software which controls the printer, and the reading mechanism(s) for the media coding.

[1816] M-Print mobile telecommunications device: a mobile telecommunications device incorporating a Memjet printer.

[1817] Netpage mobile telecommunications device: a mobile telecommunications device incorporating a Netpage-enabled Memjet printer and/or a Netpage pointer.

[1818] Throughout the specification, the blank side of the medium intended to be printed on by the M-Print printer is referred to as the front side. The other side of the medium, which may be pre-printed or blank, is referred to as the back side.

[1819] Throughout the specification, the dimension of the medium parallel to the transport direction is referred to as the longitudinal dimension. The orthogonal dimension is referred to as the lateral dimension.

[1820] Furthermore, where the medium is hereafter referred to as a card, it should be understood that this is not meant to imply anything specific about the construction of the card. It may be made of any suitable material including paper, plastic, metal, glass and so on. Likewise, any references to the card having been pre-printed, either with graphics or with the media coding itself, is not meant to imply a particular printing process or even printing per se. The graphics and/or media coding can be disposed on or in the card by any suitable means.

Mobile Telecommunications Device Overview

[1991] Whilst the main embodiment includes both Netpage and printing functionality, only one or the other of these features is provided in other embodiments.

[1992] One such embodiment is shown in FIG. 1, in which a mobile telecommunications device in the form of a mobile phone 1 (also known as a “cellphone”) includes a mobile phone module 2 and a printer module 4. The mobile phone module is configured to send and receive voice and data via a telecommunications network (not shown) in a conventional manner known to those skilled in the art. The printer module 4 is configured to print a page 6. Depending upon the particular implementation, the printer module 4 can be configured to print the page 6 in color or monochrome.

[1993] The mobile telecommunications device can use any of a variety of known operating systems, such as Symbian (with UIQ and Series 60 GUIs), Windows Mobile, PalmOS, and Linux.

[1994] In the preferred embodiment (described in more detail below), the print media is pre-printed with tags, and the printer module 4 prints visible information onto the page 6 in registration with the tags. In other embodiments, Netpage tags are printed by the printer module onto the page 6 along with the other information. The tags can be printed using either the same visible ink as used to print visible information, or using an infrared or other substantially invisible ink.

[1995] The information printed by the printer module 4 can include user data stored in the mobile phone 1 (including phonebook and appointment data) or text and images received via the telecommunications network or from another device via a communication mechanism such as Bluetooth™ or infrared transmission. If the mobile phone 1 includes a camera, the printer module 4 can be configured to print the captured images. In the preferred form, the mobile phone module 2 provides at least basic editing capabilities to enable cropping, filtering or addition of text or other image data to the captured image before printing.

[1996] The configuration and operation of the printer module 4 is described in more detail below in the context of various types of mobile telecommunication device that incorporate a printhead.

[1997] FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of a mobile telecommunications device, in which the printer module 4 is omitted, and a Netpage tag sensor module 8 is included. The Netpage module 8 enables interaction between the mobile phone 1 and a page 10 including Netpage tags. The configuration and operation of the Netpage pointer in a mobile phone 1 is described in more detail below. Although not shown, the mobile phone 1 with Netpage module 8 can include a camera.

[1998] FIG. 3 shows a mobile phone 1 that includes both a printer module 4 and a Netpage tag sensor module 8. As with the embodiment of FIG. 2, the printer module 4 can be configured to print tagged or untagged pages. As shown in FIG. 3, where tagged pages 10 are produced (and irrespective of whether the tags were pre-printed or printed by the printer module 4), the Netpage tag sensor module 8 can be used to interact with the resultant printed media.

[1999] A more detailed architectural view of the mobile phone 1 of FIG. 3 is shown in FIG. 4, in which features corresponding to those shown in FIG. 3 are indicated with the same reference numerals. It will be appreciated that FIG. 4 deals only with communication between various electronic components in the mobile telecommunications device and omits mechanical features. These are described in more detail below.

[2000] The Netpage tag sensor module 8 includes a monolithically integrated Netpage image sensor and processor 12 that captures image data and receives a signal from a contact switch 14. The contact switch 14 is connected to a nib (not shown) to determine when the nib is pressed into contact with a surface. The sensor and processor 12 also outputs a signal to control illumination of an infrared LED 16 in response to the stylus being pressed against the surface.

[2001] The image sensor and processor 12 outputs processed tag information to a Netpage pointer driver 18 that interfaces with the phone operating system 20 running on the mobile telecommunications device's processor (not shown).

[2002] Output to be printed is sent by the phone operating system 20 to a printer driver 22, which passes it on to a MoPEC chip 24. The MoPEC chip processes the output to generate dot data for supply to the printhead 26, as described in more detail below. The MoPEC chip 24 also receives a signal from a media sensor 28 indicating when the media is in position to be printed, and outputs a control signal to a media transport 30.

[2003] The printhead 26 is disposed within a replaceable cartridge 32, which also includes ink 34 for supply to the printhead.

Mobile Telecommunications Device Module

[2004] FIG. 5 shows the mobile phone module 2 in more detail. The majority of the components other than those directly related to printing and Netpage tag sensing are standard and well known to those in the art. Depending upon the specific implementation of the mobile phone 1, any number of the illustrated components can be included as part of one or more integrated circuits.

[2005] Operation of, and communication between, the mobile phone module 2 components is controlled by a mobile phone controller 36. The components include:

• • [2006] mobile radio transceiver 38 for wireless communication with a mobile telecommunications network;
  • [2007] program memory 40 for storing program code for execution on the mobile phone controller 36;
  • [2008] working memory 42 for storing data used and generated by the program code during execution. Although shown as separate from the mobile phone controller 36, either or both memories 40 and 42 may be incorporated in the package or silicon of the controller;
  • [2009] keypad 44 and buttons 46 for accepting numerical and other user input;
  • [2010] touch sensor 48 which overlays display 50 for accepting user input via a stylus or fingertip pressure;
  • [2011] removable memory card 52 containing non-volatile memory 54 for storing arbitrary user data, such as digital photographs or files;
  • [2012] local area radio transceiver 56, such as a Bluetooth™ transceiver;
  • [2013] GPS receiver 58 for enabling determination of the location of the mobile telecommunications device (alter-natively the phone may rely on mobile network mechanisms for determining its location);
  • [2014] microphone 60 for capturing a user's speech;
  • [2015] speaker 62 for outputting sounds, including voice during a phone call;
  • [2016] camera image sensor 64 including a CCD for capturing images;
  • [2017] camera flash 66;
  • [2018] power manager 68 for monitoring and controlling power consumption of the mobile telecommunications device and its components; and
  • [2019] SIM (subscriber Identity Module) card 70 including SIM 72 for identifying the subscriber to mobile networks.

[2020] The mobile phone controller 36 implements the baseband functions of mobile voice and data communications protocols such as GSM, GSM modem for data, GPRS and CDMA, as well as higher-level messaging protocols such as SMS and MMS.

[2021] The one or more local-area radio transceivers 56 enable wireless communication with peripherals such as headsets and Netpage pens, and hosts such as personal computers. The mobile phone controller 36 also implements the baseband functions of local-area voice and data communications protocols such as IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, and Bluetooth™.

[2022] The mobile phone module 2 may also include sensors and/or motors (not shown) for electronically adjusting zoom, focus, aperture and exposure in relation to the digital camera.

[2023] Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6, components of the printer module 4 include:

• • [2024] print engine controller (PEC) 74 in the form of a MoPEC device;
  • [2025] program memory 76 for storing program code for execution by the print engine controller 74;
  • [2026] working memory 78 for storing data used and generated by the program code during execution by the print engine controller 74; and
  • [2027] a master QA chip 80 for authenticating printhead cartridge 32 via its QA chip 82.

[2028] Whilst the printhead cartridge in the preferred form includes the ink supply 34, the ink reservoirs can be housed in a separate cartridge in alternative embodiments.

[2029] FIG. 7 shows the components of the tag sensor module 8, which includes a CMOS tag image processor 74 that communicates with image memory 76. A CMOS tag image sensor 78 sends captured image data to the processor 74 for processing. The contact sensor 14 indicates when a nib (not shown) is brought into contact with a surface with sufficient force to close a switch within the contact sensor 14. Once the switch is closed, the infrared LED 16 illuminates the surface, and the image sensor 78 captures at least one image and sends it to the image processor 74 for processing. Once processed (as described below in more detail), image data is sent to the mobile phone controller 36 for decoding.

[2030] In an alternative embodiment, shown in FIG. 8, the tag sensor module 8 is replaced by a tag decoder module 84. The tag decoder module 80 includes all the elements of the tag sensor module 8, but adds a hardware-based tag decoder 86, as well as program memory 88 and working memory 90 for the tag decoder. This arrangement reduces the computational load placed on the mobile phone controller, with a corresponding increase in chip area compared to using the tag sensor module 8.

[2031] The Netpage sensor module can be incorporated in the form of a Netpage pointer, which is a simplified Netpage pen suitable mostly for activating hyperlinks. It preferably incorporates a non-marking stylus in place of the pen's marking nib (described in detail later in the specification); it uses a surface contact sensor in place of the pen's continuous force sensor; and it preferably operates at a lower position sampling rate, making it unsuitable for capturing drawings and hand-writing. A Netpage pointer is less expensive to implement than a Netpage pen, and tag image processing and tag decoding can potentially be performed by software without hardware support, depending on sampling rate.

[2032] The various aspects of the invention can be embodied in any of a number of mobile telecommunications device types. Several different devices are described here, but in the interests of brevity, the detailed description will concentrate on the mobile telecommunications device embodiment.

Mobile Phone

[2033] One preferred embodiment is the non-Netpage enabled ‘candy bar’ mobile telecommunications device in the form of a mobile phone shown in FIGS. 9 to 14. A Netpage enabled version is described in a later section of this specification.

[2034] While a candy bar style phone is described here, it could equally take the form of a “flip” style phone, which includes a pair of body sections that are hinged to each other. Typically, the display is disposed on one of the body sections, and the keypad is disposed on the other, such that the display and keypad are positioned adjacent to each other when the device is in the closed position.

[2035] In further embodiments, the device can have two body sections that rotate or slide relative to each other. Typically, the aim of these mechanical relationships between first and second body sections is to protect the display from scratches and/or the keypad from accidental activation.

[2036] Photo printing is considered one of the most compelling uses of the mobile Memjet printer. A preferred embodiment of the invention therefore includes a camera, with its attendant processing power and memory capacity.

[2037] The elements of the mobile telecommunications device are best shown in FIG. 9, which (for clarity) omits minor details such as wires and hardware that operatively connect the various elements of the mobile telecommunications device together. The wires and other hardware will be well known to those skilled in the art.

[2038] The mobile phone 100 comprises a chassis moulding 102, a front moulding 104 and a rear cover moulding 106. A rechargeable battery 108, such as a lithium ion or nickel metal hydride battery, is mounted to the chassis moulding 102 and covered by the rear cover moulding 106. The battery 108 powers the various components of the mobile phone 100 via battery connector 276 and the camera and speaker connector 278.

[2039] The front moulding 104 mounts to the chassis to enclose the various components, and includes numerical interface buttons 136 positioned in vertical rows on each side of the display 138. A multi-directional control pad 142 and other control buttons 284 enable menu navigation and other control inputs. A daughterboard 280 is mounted to the chassis moulding 102 and includes a directional switch 286 for the multi directional control pad 142.

[2040] The mobile telecommunications device includes a cartridge access cover 132 that protects the interior of the mobile telecommunications device from dust and other foreign objects when a print cartridge 148 is not inserted in the cradle 124.

[2041] An optional camera module 110 is also mounted to the chassis moulding 102, to enable image capture through a hole 112 in the rear cover moulding 106. The camera module 110 includes a lens assembly and a CCD image sensor for capturing images. A lens cover 268 in the hole 112 protects the lens of the camera module 110. The rear cover moulding 106 also includes an inlet slot 228 and an outlet slot 150 through which print media passes.

[2042] The chassis moulding 102 supports a data/recharge connector 114, which enables a proprietary data cable to be plugged into the mobile telecommunications device for uploading and downloading data such as address book information, photographs, messages, and any type of information that might be sent or received by the mobile telecommunications device. The data/recharge connector 114 is configured to engage a corresponding interface in a desktop stand (not shown), which holds the mobile telecommunications device in a generally upright position whilst data is being sent or received by the mobile telecommunications device. The data/recharge connector also includes contacts that enable recharging of the battery 108 via the desktop stand. A separate recharge socket 116 in the data/recharge connector 114 is configured to receive a complimentary recharge plug for enabling recharging of the battery when the desktop stand is not in use.

[2043] A microphone 170 is mounted to the chassis moulding 102 for converting sound, such as a user's voice, into an electronic signal to be sampled by the mobile telecommunications device's analog to digital conversion circuitry.

[2044] This conversion is well known to those skilled in the art and so is not described in more detail here.

[2045] A SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) holder 118 is formed in the chassis moulding 102, to receive a SIM card 120. The chassis moulding is also configured to support a print cartridge cradle 124 and a drive mechanism 126, which receive a replaceable print cartridge 148. These features are described in more detail below.

[2046] Another moulding in the chassis moulding 102 supports an aerial (not shown) for sending and receiving RF signals to and from a mobile telecommunications network.

[2047] A main printed circuit board (PCB) 130 is supported by the chassis moulding 102, and includes a number of momentary pushbuttons 132. The various integrated and discrete components that support the communications and processing (including printing processing) functions are mounted to the main PCB, but for clarity are not shown in the diagram.

[2048] A conductive elastomeric overlay 134 is positioned on the main PCB 130 beneath the keys 136 on the front moulding 104. The elastomer incorporates a carbon impregnated pill on a flexible profile. When one of the keys 136 is pressed, it pushes the carbon pill to a 2-wire open circuit pattern 132 on the PCB surface. This provides a low impedance closed circuit. Alternatively, a small dome is formed on the overlay corresponding to each key 132. Polyester film is screen printed with carbon paint and used in a similar manner to the carbon pills. Thin adhesive film with berrylium copper domes can also be used.

[2049] A loudspeaker 144 is installed adjacent apertures 272 in the front moulding 104 to enable a user to hear sound such as voice communication and other audible signals.

[2050] A color display 138 is also mounted to the main PCB 130, to enable visual feedback to a user of the mobile telecommunications device. A transparent lens moulding 146 protects the display 138. In one form, the transparent lens is touch-sensitive (or is omitted and the display 138 is touch sensitive), enabling a user to interact with icons and input text displayed on the display 138, with a finger or stylus.

[2051] A vibration assembly 274 is also mounted to the chassis moulding 102, and includes a motor that drives an eccentrically mounted weight to cause vibration. The vibration is transmitted to the chassis 102 and provides tactile feedback to a user, which is useful in noisy environments where ringtones are not audible.

MoPEC—High Level

[2052] Documents to be printed must be in the form of dot data by the time they reach the printhead.

[2053] Before conversion to dot data, the image is represented by a relatively high spatial resolution bilevel component (for text and line art) and a relatively low spatial resolution contone component (for images and background colors). The bilevel component is compressed in a lossless format, whilst the contone component is compressed in accordance with a lossy format, such as JPEG.

[2054] The preferred form of MoPEC is configurable to operate in either of two modes. In the first mode, as shown in FIG. 15, an image to be printed is received in the form of compressed image data. The compressed image data can arrive as a single bundle of data or as separate bundles of data from the same or different sources. For example, text can be received from a first remote server and image data for a banner advertisement can be received from another. Alternatively, either or both of the forms of data can be retrieved from local memory in the mobile device.

[2055] Upon receipt, the compressed image data is buffered in memory buffer 650. The bilevel and contone components are decompressed by respective decompressors as part of expand page step 652. This can either be done in hardware or software, as described in more detail below. The decompressed bilevel and contone components are then buffered in respective FIFOs 654 and 656.

[2056] The decompressed contone component is halftoned by a halftoning unit 658, and a compositing unit 660 then composites the bilevel component over the dithered contone component. Typically, this will involve compositing text over images. However, the system can also be run in stencil mode, in which the bilevel component is interpreted as a mask that is laid over the dithered contone component. Depending upon what is selected as the image component for the area in which the mask is being applied, the result can be text filled with the underlying image (or texture), or a mask for the image. The advantage of stencil mode is that the bilevel component is not dithered, enabling sharp edges to be defined. This can be useful in certain applications, such as defining borders or printing text comprising colored textures.

[2057] After compositing, the resultant image is dot formatted 662, which includes ordering dots for output to the printhead and taking into account any spatial or operative compensation issues, as described in more detail below. The formatted dots are then supplied to the printhead for printing, again as described in more detail below.

[2058] In the second mode of operation, as shown in FIG. 16, the contone and bilevel components are received in uncompressed form by MoPEC directly into respective FIFOs 656 and 654. The source of the components depends on the application. For example, the host processor in the mobile telecommunications device can be configured to generate the decompressed image components from compressed versions, or can simply be arranged to receive the uncompressed components from elsewhere, such as the mobile telecommunications network or the communication port described in more detail elsewhere.

[2059] Once the bilevel and contone components are in their respective FIFOs, MoPEC performs the same operations as described in relation to the first mode, and like numerals have therefore been used to indicate like functional blocks.

[2060] As shown in FIG. 18, the central data structure for the preferred printing architecture is a generalised representation of the three layers, called a page element. A page element can be used to represent units ranging from single rendered elements emerging from a rendering engine up to an entire page of a print job. FIG. 18 shows a simplified UML diagram of a page element 300. Conceptually, the bi-level symbol region selects between the two color sources.

MoPEC Device—Low Level

[2061] The hardware components of a preferred MoPEC device 24 are shown in FIG. 17 and described in more detail below.

[2062] Conceptually, a MoPEC device is simply a SoPEC device (ie, as described in cross-referenced application U.S. Ser. No. 10/727,181, filed on Dec. 2, 2003) that is optimized for use in a low-power, low print-speed environment of a mobile phone. Indeed, as long as power requirements are satisfied, a SoPEC device is capable of providing the functionality required of MoPEC. However, the limitations on battery power in a mobile device make it desirable to modify the SoPEC design.

[2063] As shown in FIG. 17, from the high level point of view a MoPEC consists of three distinct subsystems: a Central Processing Unit (CPU) subsystem 1301, a Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM) subsystem 1302 and a Print Engine Pipeline (PEP) subsystem 1303.

[2064] MoPEC has a much smaller eDRAM requirement than SoPEC. This is largely due to the considerably smaller print media for which MoPEC is designed to generate print data.

[2065] In one form, MoPEC can be provided in the form of a stand-alone ASIC designed to be installed in a mobile telecommunications device. Alternatively, it can be incorporated onto another ASIC that incorporates some or all of the other functionality required for the mobile telecommunications device.

[2066] The CPU subsystem 1301 includes a CPU that controls and configures all aspects of the other subsystems. It provides general support for interfacing and synchronizing the external printer with the internal print engine. It also controls low-speed communication to QA chips (which are described elsewhere in this specification) in cases where they are used. The preferred embodiment does not utilize QA chips in the cartridge or the mobile telecommunications device.

[2067] The CPU subsystem 1301 also contains various peripherals to aid the CPU, such as General Purpose Input Output (GPIO, which includes motor control), an Interrupt Controller Unit (ICU), LSS Master and general timers. The USB block provides an interface to the host processor in the mobile telecommunications device, as well as to external data sources where required. The selection of USB as a communication standard is a matter of design preference, and other types of communications protocols can be used, such as Firewire or SPI.

[2068] The DRAM subsystem 1302 accepts requests from the CPU, USB and blocks within the Print Engine Pipeline (PEP) subsystem. The DRAM subsystem 1302, and in particular the DRAM Interface Unit (DIU), arbitrates the various requests and determines which request should win access to the DRAM. The DIU arbitrates based on configured parameters, to allow sufficient access to DRAM for all requesters. The DIU also hides the implementation specifics of the DRAM such as page size, number of banks and refresh rates. It will be appreciated that the DRAM can be considerably smaller than in the original SoPEC device, because the pages being printed are considerably smaller. Also, if the host processor can supply decompressed print data at a high enough rate, the DRAM can be made very small (of the order of 128-256 kbytes), since there is no need to buffer an entire page worth of information before commencing printing.

[2069] The Print Engine Pipeline (PEP) subsystem 1303 accepts compressed pages from DRAM and renders them to bi-level dots for a given print line destined for a printhead interface that communicates directly with the printhead. The first stage of the page expansion pipeline is the Contone Decoder Unit (CDU) and Lossless Bi-level Decoder (LBD). The CDU expands the JPEG-compressed contone (typically CMYK) layers and the LBD expands the compressed bi-level layer (typically K). The output from the first stage is a set of buffers: the Contone FIFO unit (CFU) and the Spot FIFO Unit (SFU). The CFU and SFU buffers are implemented in DRAM.

[2070] The second stage is the Halftone Compositor Unit (HCU), which halftones and dithers the contone layer and composites the bi-level spot layer over the resulting bi-level dithered layer.

[2071] A number of compositing options can be implemented, depending upon the printhead with which the MoPEC device is used. Up to six channels of bi-level data are produced from this stage, although not all channels may be present on the printhead. For example, in the preferred embodiment, the printhead is configured to print only CMY, with K pushed into the CMY channels, and IR omitted.

[2072] In the third stage, a Dead Nozzle Compensator (DNC) compensates for dead nozzles in the printhead by color redundancy and error diffusing of dead nozzle data into surrounding dots.

[2073] The resultant bi-level dot-data (being CMY in the preferred embodiment) is buffered and written to a set of line buffers stored in DRAM via a Dotline Writer Unit (DWU).

[2074] Finally, the dot-data is loaded back from DRAM, and passed to the printhead interface via a dot FIFO. The dot FIFO accepts data from a Line Loader Unit (LLU) at the system clock rate, while the PrintHead Interface (PHI) removes data from the FIFO and sends it to the printhead.

[2075] The amount of DRAM required will vary depending upon the particular implementation of MoPEC (including the system in which it is implemented). In this regard, the preferred MoPEC design is capable of being configured to operate in any of three modes. All of the modes available under the preferred embodiment assume that the received image data will be preprocessed in some way. The preprocessing includes, for example, color space conversion and scaling, where necessary.

[2076] In the first mode, the image data is decompressed by the host processor and supplied to MoPEC for transfer directly to the HCU. In this mode, the CDU and LBD are effectively bypassed, and the decompressed data is provided directly to the CFU and SFU to be passed on to the HCU. Because decompression is performed outside MoPEC, and the HCU and subsequent hardware blocks are optimized for their jobs, the MoPEC device can be clocked relatively slowly, and there is no need for the MoPEC CPU to be particularly powerful. As a guide, a clock speed of 10 to 20 MHz is suitable.

[2077] In the second mode, the image data is supplied to MoPEC in compressed form. To begin with, this requires an increase in MoPEC DRAM, to a minimum of about 256 kbytes (although double that is preferable). In the second mode, the CDU and LBD (and their respective buffers) are utilized to perform hardware decompression of the compressed contone and bilevel image data. Again, since these are hardware units optimized to perform their jobs, the system can be clocked relatively slowly, and there is still no need for a particularly powerful MoPEC processor. A disadvantage with this mode, however, is that the CDU and LBD, being hardware, are somewhat inflexible. They are optimized for particular decompression jobs, and in the preferred embodiment, cannot be reconfigured to any great extent to perform different decompression tasks.

[2078] In the third mode, the CDU and LBD are again bypassed, but MoPEC still receives image data in compressed form. Decompression is performed in software by the MoPEC CPU. Given that the CPU is a general-purpose processor, it must be relatively powerful to enable it to perform acceptably quick decompression of the compressed contone and bilevel image data. A higher clock speed will also be required, of the order of 3 to 10 times the clock speed where software decompression is not required. As with the second mode, at least 256 kbytes of DRAM are required on the MoPEC device. The third mode has the advantage of being programmable with respect to the type of decompression being performed. However, the need for a more powerful processor clocked at a higher speed means that power consumption will be correspondingly higher than for the first two modes.

[2079] It will be appreciated that enabling all of these modes to be selected in one MoPEC device requires the worst case features for all of the modes to be implemented. So, for example, at least 256 kbytes of DRAM, the capacity for higher clock speeds, a relatively powerful processor and the ability to selectively bypass the CDU and LBD must all be implemented in MoPEC. Of course, one or more of the modes can be omitted for any particular implementation, with a corresponding removal of the limitations of the features demanded by the availability of that mode.

[2080] In the preferred form, the MoPEC device is color space agnostic. Although it can accept contone data as CMYX or RGBX, where X is an optional 4th channel, it also can accept contone data in any print color space. Additionally, MoPEC provides a mechanism for arbitrary mapping of input channels to output channels, including combining dots for ink optimization and generation of channels based on any number of other channels. However, inputs are preferably CMY for contone input and K (pushed into CMY by MoPEC) for the bi-level input.

[2081] In the preferred form, the MoPEC device is also resolution agnostic. It merely provides a mapping between input resolutions and output resolutions by means of scale factors. The preferred resolution is 1600 dpi, but MoPEC actually has no knowledge of the physical resolution of the printhead to which it supplies dot data.

[2082]

	Unit
Subsystem	Acronym	Unit Name	Description
DRAM	DIU	DRAM interface unit	Provides interface for DRAM read and write
			access for the various MoPEC units, CPU and
			the USB block. The DIU provides arbitration
			between competing units and controls DRAM
			access.
	DRAM	Embedded DRAM	128 kbytes (or greater, depending upon
			implementation) of embedded DRAM.
CPU	CPU	Central Processing Unit	CPU for system configuration and
			control
	MMU	Memory Management Unit	Limits access to certain memory address
			areas in CPU user mode
	RDU	Real-time Debug Unit	Facilitates the observation of the
			contents of most of the CPU addressable
			registers in MoPEC, in addition to some
			pseudo-registers in real time
	TIM	General Timer	ontains watchdog and general system
			timers
	LSS	Low Speed Serial Interface	Low level controller for interfacing with
			QA chips
	GPIO	General Purpose IOs	General IO controller, with built-in
			motor control unit, LED pulse units and
			de-glitch circuitry
	ROM	Boot ROM	16 KBytes of System Boot ROM code
	ICU	Interrupt Controller Unit	General Purpose interrupt controller with
			configurable priority, and masking.
	CPR	Clock, Power and Reset block	Central Unit for controlling and
			generating the system clocks and resets
			and powerdown mechanisms
	PSS	Power Save Storage	Storage retained while system is
			powered down
	USB	Universal Serial Bus Device	USB device controller for interfacing
			with the host USB.
Print Engine	PCU	PEP controller	Provides external CPU with the means to
Pipeline			read and write PEP Unit registers, and read
(PEP)			and write DRAM in single 32-bit chunks.
	CDU	Contone Decoder Unit	Expands JPEG compressed contone layer
			and writes decompressed contone to DRAM
	CFU	Contone FIFO Unit	Provides line buffering between CDU and
			HCU
	LBD	Lossless Bi-level Decoder	Expands compressed bi-level layer.
	SFU	Spot FIFO Unit	Provides line buffering between LBD and
			HCU
	HCU	Halftoner Compositor Unit	Dithers contone layer and composites the
			bi-level spot and position tag dots.
	DNC	Dead Nozzle Compensator	Compensates for dead nozzles by color
			redundancy and error diffusing dead nozzle
			data into surrounding dots.
	DWU	Dotline Writer Unit	Writes out dot data for a given printline to
			the line store DRAM
	LLU	Line Loader Unit	Reads the expanded page image from line
			store, formatting the data appropriately for
			the bi-lithic printhead.
	PHI	PrintHead Interface	Responsible for sending dot data to the
			printhead and for providing line
			synchronization between multiple MoPECs.
			Also provides test interface to printhead
			such as temperature monitoring and Dead
			Nozzle Identification.

Software Dot Generation

[2083] Whilst speed and power consumption considerations make hardware acceleration desirable, it is also possible for some, most or all of the functions performed by the MoPEC integrated circuit to be performed by a general purpose processor programmed with suitable software routines. Whilst power consumption will typically increase to obtain similar performance with a general purpose processor (due to the higher overheads associated with having a general purpose processor perform highly specialized tasks such as decompression and compositing), this solution also has the advantage of easy customization and upgrading. For example, if a new or updated JPEG standard becomes widely used, it may be desirable to simply update the decompression algorithm performed by a general purpose processor. The decision to move some or all of the MoPEC integrated circuit's functionality into software needs to be made commercially on a case by case basis.

QA Chips

[2084] The preferred form of the invention does not use QA chips to authenticate the cartridge when it is inserted. However, in alternative embodiments, the print cartridge has a QA chip 82 that can be interrogated by a master QA chip 80 installed in the mobile device (see FIG. 6). QA chips in this context are designed to ensure the quality of the ink supply so the printhead nozzles will not be damaged during prints, and the quality of the software to ensure printheads and mechanics are not damaged.

[2085] There are a number of ways that QA chips can be used with MoPEC. For example, each MoPEC can have an associated printer QA, which stores printer attributes such as maximum print speed. An ink cartridge for use with the system can also contain an ink QA chip, which stores cartridge information such as the amount of ink remaining. The cartridge can also have a QA chip configured to act as a ROM (effectively as an EEPROM) that stores printhead-specific information such as dead nozzle mapping and printhead characteristics. The CPU in the MoPEC device can optionally load and run program code from a QA Chip that effectively acts as a serial EEPROM. Finally, the CPU in the SoPEC device can run a logical QA chip (ie, a software QA chip).

[2086] Usually, all QA chips in the system are physically identical, with only the contents of flash memory differentiating one from the other.

[2087] Each MoPEC device has an LSS system bus that can communicate with QA devices for system authentication and ink usage accounting. A large number of QA devices can be communicated with via the bus.

[2088] Data passed between the QA chips is authenticated by way of digital signatures. In the preferred embodiment, HMAC-SHAL authentication is used for data, and RSA is used for program code, although other schemes could be used instead.

[2089] The QA chips preferably include some or all of the possible protections mechanisms that make the QA chip relatively difficult to attack. Many of these features are associated with the way in which secret information (in the form of bit-patterns) is stored in non-volatile memory of the QA chip (which in the preferred form is flash memory). Others deal with hard-coded limitations in the way software is loaded from flash memory. Yet others deal with the hard-coded manner in which data in certain registers can be modified; for example, registers containing data representing remaining ink levels in a reservoir can only be decremented.

[2090] Any of a number of techniques can be used to make it more difficult for potential hackers to extract key data (in the form of bit-patterns) from non-volatile memory. For example:

• • [2091] keys are stored in different places in memory across multiple instances of the QA device (the software for each device being customized with the knowledge of that location);
  • [2092] one or more of the keys are stored as a key/inverse-key pair in the memory; and/or
  • [2093] a second key is stored indirectly in the non-volatile memory in the form of a result of applying a function to the outcome of a first function. The first function is applied to a first key (which is stored in the non-volatile memory) and the outcome of applying a one-way function to the second key. The by storing the first key and result of the first function in the non-volatile memory, the second key is stored only indirectly. The one way function will usually be selected to be more cryptographically secure than the first function.

[2094] Restrictions can be made on the way that communications are handled and processed. For example:

• • [2095] communications between the QA chip in the cartridge and the QA chip in the mobile device can be made relatively secure through the use of digital signatures (preferably using variant keys, as described in various applications and patents cross-referenced by assignee); and/or
  • [2096] signed messages between the QA chips can include, as part of the payload, an indication of the type of instruction in the payload;

[2097] There are also physical mechanisms protecting each QA chip. For example, an anti-tamper line formed in a layer of the integrated circuit causes resetting of the integrated circuit and/or erasure of memory contents in the event it is tampered with. This prevents attempts to shave off covering layers of semiconductor to access memory contents using various scanning mechanisms.

[2098] Another feature is the use of relatively unique identities within a related series of QA chips. For example, each QA chip, or at least each QA used in a particular range of products, stores its own identity. The identity is relatively unique, which means that it is either completely unique (i.e. it only ever appears on that one QA chip and is never repeated on another QA chip), or it is rare enough that it is highly unlikely an attacker learning the key of one integrated circuit will be able to use it in compromising another randomly selected integrated circuit.

[2099] All of these features are described in more detail in assignee's published patent application U.S. Ser. No. 10/754,536 filed on Jan. 12, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated herein by cross-reference.

Piezoelectric Drive System

[2100] FIGS. 19 to 22 show a piezoelectric drive system 126 for driving print media past the printhead. As best shown in FIG. 21, the drive system 126 includes a resonator 156 that includes a support end 158, a through hole 160, a cantilever 162 and a spring 164. The support 158 is attached to the spring 164, which in turn is attached to a mounting point 166 on the cradle 124. A piezoelectric element 168 is disposed within the through hole 160, extending across the hole to link the support end 158 with the cantilever 162. The element 168 is positioned adjacent one end of the hole so that when it deforms, the cantilever 162 deflects from its quiescent position by a minute amount.

[2101] A tip 170 of the cantilever 162 is urged into contact with a rim of a drive wheel 172 at an angle of about 50 degrees. In turn, the drive wheel 172 engages a rubber roller 176 at the end of the drive shaft 178. The drive shaft 178 engages and drives the print media past the printhead (described below with reference to FIGS. 12 and 14).

[2102] Drive wires (not shown) are attached to opposite sides of the piezoelectric element 168 to enable supply of a drive signal. The spring, piezo and cantilever assembly is a structure with a set of resonant frequencies. A drive signal excites the structure to one of the resonant modes of vibration and causes the tip of the cantilever 162 to move in such a way that the drive wheel 172 rotates. In simple terms, when piezoelectric element expands, the tip 170 of the cantilever pushes into firmer contact with the rim of the drive wheel. Because the rim and the tip are relatively stiff, the moving tip causes slight rotation of the drive wheel in the direction shown. During the rest of the resonant oscillation, the tip 170 loses contact with the rim and withdraws slightly back towards the starting position. The subsequent oscillation then pushes the tip 170 down against the rim again, at a slightly different point, to push the wheel through another small rotation. The oscillatory motion of the tip 170 repeats in rapid succession and the drive wheel is moved in a series of small angular displacements. However, as the resonant frequency is high (of the order of kHz), the wheel 172, for all intents and purposes, has a constant angular velocity.

[2103] In the embodiment shown, a drive signal at about 85 kHz rotates the drive wheel in the anti-clockwise direction (as shown in FIG. 21).

[2104] Although the amount of movement per cycle is relatively small (of the order of a few micrometres), the high rate at which pulses are supplied means that a linear movement (i.e. movement of the rim) of up to 300 mm per second can be achieved. A different mode of oscillation can be caused by increasing the drive signal frequency to 95 kHz, which causes the drive wheel to rotate in the reverse direction. However, the preferred embodiment does not take advantage of the reversibility of the piezoelectric drive.

[2105] Precise details of the operation of the piezoelectric drive can be obtained from the manufacturer, Elliptec AG of Dortmund, Germany.

Motor Drive System

[2106] FIGS. 23 to 27 show other embodiments of the print cartridge 148 and cradle 124 with DC motor drive systems for feeding the medium 226 past the printhead 202. The print cartridge and cradle of FIG. 23 uses a 6 mm diameter D C motor 242 with spur gears, while FIG. 24 shows an 8 mm diameter DC motor and a range of spur gear drive systems. FIGS. 26 and 27 also show 6 mm and 8 mm motors respectively, but use a worm gear system to power the drive wheel 172. These embodiments show that motor and gear drive systems offer a wider range of configurations and gearing ratios to suit different devices, e.g. mobile phones, personal data assistants etc.