JP2008541245A - Wireless device with reader for machine-readable indicia and method for performing communication with a remote server - Google Patents

Abstract

An excellent method for accessing an electronic connection address is provided.
A method for accessing at least one electronic connection address using an interactive printed document containing human readable information and machine readable encoded data and a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a wireless telecommunications network Comprising: a transceiver configured to send and receive signals via a sensor, a sensory means and a decoding means, wherein the method comprises: (a) a mobile device is used to physically interact with the printed document; While perceiving at least a portion of the encoded data using perceptual means, (b) transmitting instruction data to the remote computer system using the transceiver, and (c) using the transceiver And receiving at least one electronic connection address in response to the instruction data, and (d) outputting at least one connection address in a human readable manner.
[Selection] Figure 2

Description

  The present invention relates to a mobile device equipped with a built-in printer. The present invention is primarily designed for use in mobile devices such as mobile devices (i.e., mobile phones) that incorporate printers and has been described with reference to such applications. However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention can be used with other types of portable devices as well as stationary devices.

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



Some applications are listed by case number. These case reference numbers will be replaced as soon as the application number is known.

  The assignee has developed mobile phones, personal data assistants (PDAs) and other mobile devices that can print hard copies of images or information stored or accessed by the device (see, for example, US Pat. Wanna) The assignee has also designed a digital camera with built-in printers that can print captured images (see, for example, US Pat. With the proliferation of mobile devices with digital cameras, the capabilities of these devices are further improved by the ability to print hard copies.

  Since these devices are portable, they must be compact in order to be readily available to the user. Therefore, all printers built into the device need to maintain a small shape factor. Also, the extra load on the battery must be minimized. Furthermore, consumables (such as ink and paper) must be relatively inexpensive and simple to replenish. Whether or not this is a commercial success, that is, whether this type of product is successful, depends on these factors. With these basic design propositions in mind, efforts are being made to improve and refine the functionality of these devices.

  The assignee of the present invention has also developed a Netpage ™ system for enabling interaction with computer software using a printed interface and a stylus-type sensory device that can claim ownership.

  As described in detail in Patent Documents 3 and 4, the Netpage pen captures, identifies, and decodes tags of encoded data printed on a surface such as a page. In the preferred Netpage embodiment, individual tags encode document location and identification. By decoding at least one of the plurality of tags and transferring the position (or a refined version of the position (representing a higher resolution position of the pen)) and the identification referenced by the decoded tag; The remote computer can determine the action to be performed. Such actions include, for example, the action of remotely storing information for subsequent retrieval, the action of downloading a web page for printing or display via a computer, the action of paying a bill, or even for a surface An action may be included that performs handwriting approval based on a series of positions of the Netpage pen. Many of the Netpage related applications cross-referenced by this application describe these and other applications.

  When printing Netpage, the printer of the mobile device can print the Netpage tag simultaneously with visible user information. If the printer is printing a fully translated page (including tags) provided by a Netpage server or other computer, the collaboration between the tag and the information is pre-loaded on the remote Netpage server. Can exist. Alternatively, the mobile device can generate tags (or source them remotely) and define a collaboration between the tag and user information. In that case, this collaboration is recorded on the remote Netpage server.

  The problem with these options is that they require the mobile device to have the ability to print Netpage tags. To do so, a row of print nozzles must be added to the print head, reducing the amount of ink that can be stored for non-tag applications. For large mainline power printers, this is not a big problem, but it can be a problem for products with small shape factors, such as mobile devices.

  Alternatively, the mobile device can be configured to print on a preprinted Netpage tag. In this case, the printer only needs to print the user information and record the collaboration between the visible information and the pre-printed tag.

  One way to do this is to scan the page as it prints, and determine the content of at least one of the tags and the position of various elements of user information relative to the tag. Is to use the device. To do so, the printer must have a Netpage perception device that can be somewhat bulky for use in mobile applications, and requires additional processing capacity. Pre-print to determine the parameters of the encoded data before inserting the media for printing, even if it has a Netpage perception device to make the mobile device act as a Netpage pen in a more general sense It is not desirable for the user to have to individually scan portions of the spent media.

It would be desirable to solve problems associated with user information to be printed on media on which the Netpage tag is at least partially pre-printed.
US Pat. No. 6,405,055 US Pat. No. 6,750,901 US Pat. No. 6,792,165 US Patent Application No. 10/778056 (filed on Feb. 17, 2004, serial number NPS047US)

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for accessing at least one electronic connection address using a mobile device and an interactive printed document containing human readable information and machine readable encoded data. The Mobile devices
A transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals via a wireless telecommunications network;
Perceptual means,
A decoding means, and the above method includes:
(A) perceiving at least a portion of the encoded data using a perceptual means while the mobile device is being used to physically interact with the printed document;
(B) transmitting instruction data to the remote computer system using a transceiver;
(C) using the transceiver to receive at least one electronic connection address in response to the instruction data;
(D) outputting at least one connection address in a human readable manner.

  The mobile device optionally includes an integral printer, and step (d) includes printing at least one connection address on the print medium using the printer.

  The mobile device optionally includes a display, and step (d) includes displaying at least one connection address on the display.

The mobile device optionally further comprises a user interface, the method being performed following step (d).
(E) receiving at least one user selection from at least one connection address displayed on the display via the user interface;
(F) establishing a connection with the selected at least one connection address via the transceiver and the mobile telecommunications network.

  The at least one connection address selected is optionally a telephone number, and step (f) includes establishing a telephone connection between the mobile device and the at least one connection address.

  The telephone connection is optionally a voice connection.

  The telephone connection is optionally an audiovisual connection.

The mobile device optionally further comprises a user interface, the method being performed following step (d).
(E) receiving at least one user selection from at least one connection address displayed on the display via the user interface;
(F) sending information to or sending information to at least one connection address by establishing a connection with the selected at least one connection address via the transceiver and mobile device; Yes.

  The encoded data optionally represents the identity of the print medium.

  The encoded data optionally indicates at least one position relative to the print medium.

  The encoded data optionally represents the object.

  The encoded data optionally represents the target electronic address.

The electronic connection address is optional,
e-mail address,
Fax number,
phone number,
Network address,
URL
One or more of these.

  The mobile device optionally includes a printer, and the method includes printing the connection address on a print medium.

Optionally, the method further includes:
Determining a connection address printed on the print medium or a connection address to be printed on the print medium;
A step of transmitting to the remote computer system is included for storing data representative of the relationship.

  The print medium is optionally a card.

  The mobile device optionally stores one or more templates for use in generating an image to be printed. The image incorporates a human readable connection address.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to access a remote computer system to download one or more templates for use in generating an image to be printed. The image incorporates a human readable connection address.

In a first aspect, a method is provided for enabling interaction with a printed schedule document using a mobile device comprising a perceptual means, a processing means and a transceiver. The schedule document includes first schedule information that can be read by a human and encoded data that can be read by a machine.
(A) perceiving at least a portion of the encoded data using a perceptual means while the user is using the mobile device to physically interact with the scheduled document;
(B) decoding at least a portion of the perceived encoded data using the processing means, and generating instruction data based on the decoded encoded data;
(C) using a transceiver to send instruction data to a remote computer system via a wireless telecommunications network;
(D) using a transceiver to receive response data sent in response to the instruction data from the computer system;
(E) generating a layout based on response data representing other schedule information using processing means;
(F) outputting a human readable layout.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a display, and the method includes outputting a layout by displaying on the display.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a printer, and the method includes outputting a layout by printing using the printer.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a printer controller, wherein the method includes processing the layout using the printer controller to generate dot data, and sending the dot data to be printed to the printer. A supplying step is included.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a printer, and the method includes outputting a layout by printing using the printer.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a printer controller, wherein the method includes processing the layout using the printer controller to generate dot data, and sending the dot data to be printed to the printer. A supplying step is included.

The print media optionally comprises a linear encoded data track that is deployed in the intended print direction, and the mobile device
A sensor configured to perceive a data track while printing dot data;
A print head for printing on a print medium in response to an ejection control signal;
Injection control means connected to generate an injection control signal based on the perceived data track.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a light emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is perceiving the data track during printing.

  The data track is optionally printed using infrared ink, and the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum. The light sensor is sensitive to the infrared spectrum.

  The data track is optionally a clock track that includes only the clock code, and the ejection control means is configured to generate an ejection control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the perceived data track.

  The data track optionally includes first information including an embedded clock signal, and the injection control means is adapted to generate an injection control signal in the form of a clock signal derived from the perceived data track. It is configured.

  The first information optionally represents at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, so that the mobile device controls the operation of the print head based at least in part on at least one of the physical characteristic. It is configured.

  The mobile device is optionally further configured to use the perceived data track to determine an absolute position of the print medium relative to the print head and to use the determination to print on the print medium.

  The data track optionally further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data that encodes second information. The first information represents the second information. The mobile device is configured to print on the print medium such that a predetermined registration exists between the data being printed and the second encoded data.

  The mobile device is optionally further configured to receive information representing the predetermined registration from the remote computer system via the transceiver.

  The data track optionally further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data that encodes second information. The first information represents the second information. The mobile device is configured to determine a registration between the data being printed and the second encoded data.

  The mobile device is optionally further configured to transmit the determined registration to the remote computer system via the transceiver.

In the first aspect,
A transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals via a wireless telecommunications network;
A processor for processing the schedule data and generating dot data representing a visible layout of the schedule data;
A mobile device is provided that includes dot data and a printer configured to print the received dot data on a print medium.

  The printer is optionally configured to print the encoded data on a print medium with a visual layout represented by the dot data.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to receive schedule data from a remote computer system via a telecommunications network using a transceiver.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to send a request to a remote computer system using a transceiver, the request identifying schedule data received in response to the request.

  The encoded data represents the identification of a document that optionally includes schedule data.

The print media optionally comprises a linear encoded data track that is deployed in the intended print direction, and the mobile device
A sensor configured to perceive a data track while printing dot data;
A print head for printing on a print medium in response to an ejection control signal;
Injection control means connected to generate an injection control signal based on the perceived data track.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a light emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is perceiving the data track during printing.

  The data track is optionally printed using infrared ink, and the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum. The light sensor is sensitive to the infrared spectrum.

  The data track is optionally a clock track that includes only the clock code, and the ejection control means is configured to generate an ejection control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the perceived data track.

  The data track optionally includes first information including an embedded clock signal, and the injection control means is adapted to generate an injection control signal in the form of a clock signal derived from the perceived data track. It is configured.

  The first information optionally represents at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, so that the mobile device controls the operation of the print head based at least in part on at least one of the physical characteristic. It is configured.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to use the perceived data track to determine the absolute position of the print media relative to the printhead and utilize the determination to print on the print media.

  In the mobile device, the data track optionally further encodes the first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data encoding the second information. The first information represents the second information. The mobile device is configured to print on the print medium such that a predetermined registration exists between the data being printed and the second encoded data.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to receive information representing a predetermined registration from a remote computer system via a transceiver.

  In the mobile device, the data track optionally further encodes the first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data encoding the second information. The first information represents the second information. The mobile device is configured to determine a registration between the data being printed and the second encoded data.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to send the determined registration to the remote computer system via the transceiver.

In a first aspect, a mobile device for enabling interaction with a printed, human-readable first email information and an email document containing encoded data that can be read by a machine. Provided. Mobile devices
A transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals via a wireless telecommunications network;
A perceptual means for perceiving at least a portion of the encoded data while the mobile device is being used to interact with the email document;
And processing means for decoding at least a part of the perceived encoded data and generating instruction data based on the decoded encoded data. Mobile devices
(A) using a transceiver to send instruction data to a remote computer system via a wireless telecommunications network;
(B) using a transceiver to receive response data from the computer system;
(C) using the processing means to generate a layout based on response data representing other email information; and
(D) Programmed and configured to output a human readable layout.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a display, and the mobile device is configured to output a layout by displaying on the display.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises an integral printer, and the mobile device is configured to output the layout by printing using the printer.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a printer control circuit configured to process the layout to generate dot data and to supply the printer with the dot data to be printed.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises an integral printer, and the mobile device is configured to output the layout by printing on a print medium using the printer.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a printer control circuit configured to process the layout to generate dot data and to supply the printer with the dot data to be printed.

The print media optionally comprises a linear encoded data track that is deployed in the intended print direction, and the mobile device
A sensor configured to perceive a data track while printing dot data;
A print head for printing on a print medium in response to an ejection control signal;
Injection control means connected to generate an injection control signal based on the perceived data track.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a light emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is perceiving the data track during printing.

  The data track is optionally printed using infrared ink, and the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum. The light sensor is sensitive to the infrared spectrum.

  The data track is optionally a clock track that includes only the clock code, and the ejection control means is configured to generate an ejection control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the perceived data track.

  The data track optionally includes first information including an embedded clock signal, and the injection control means is adapted to generate an injection control signal in the form of a clock signal derived from the perceived data track. It is configured.

  The first information optionally represents at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, so that the mobile device controls the operation of the print head based at least in part on at least one of the physical characteristic. It is configured.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to use the perceived data track to determine the absolute position of the print media relative to the printhead and utilize the determination to print on the print media.

  In the mobile device, the data track optionally further encodes the first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data encoding the second information. The first information represents the second information. The mobile device is configured to print on the print medium such that a predetermined registration exists between the data being printed and the second encoded data.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to receive information representing a predetermined registration from a remote computer system via a transceiver.

  In the mobile device, the data track optionally further encodes the first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data encoding the second information. The first information represents the second information. The mobile device is configured to determine a registration between the data being printed and the second encoded data.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to send the determined registration to the remote computer system via the transceiver.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a mobile device configured to allow a user to enjoy a game by interacting with an interactive gaming document. Mobile devices
(A) a transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals via a wireless telecommunications network;
(B) a sensor configured to read at least a portion of the encoded data printed on the interactive gaming document;
(C) decoding means for decoding encoded data read by the sensor and generating instruction data based on the decoded data. Mobile devices
Send the instruction data to the remote computer system using the transceiver,
In response, receiving gaming data via the transceiver, and
Programmed and configured to output visual information to the user based on gaming data.

  The encoded data optionally represents the identity of the print medium.

  The encoded data optionally indicates at least one position relative to the print medium.

  The encoded data optionally represents the object.

  The encoded data optionally represents the target electronic address.

For gaming data, optionally,
voice,
text,
video,
image,
Any one or more of the vibration patterns are included.

  The gaming data includes contents that can be optionally printed. The mobile device includes a printer, and the method includes printing printable content on a print medium using the printer.

  The gaming data optionally includes registration information representing registration between the printable content and the encoded data, and the mobile device places the printable gaming data on the print medium according to the registration information. It is configured to print.

  The printable content optionally includes one or more maps.

  The mobile device is optionally further configured to print a plurality of print media having a map, and the print media having the map are tiled together to form a larger map. Printed so that it can.

  The mobile device optionally includes a user interface, and the printable content includes information or instructions for the user that are used by the user to interact with the user interface.

  The mobile device is optionally further responsive to input based at least in part on information and / or instructions regarding one or more of the plurality of already printed game cards entered via the user interface. It is configured to print one or more additional print media.

The print media to be printed optionally comprises a linear encoded data track that is unfolding in the intended print direction, and the mobile device
A sensor configured to perceive a data track while printing dot data;
A print head for printing on a print medium in response to an ejection control signal;
Injection control means connected to generate an injection control signal based on the perceived data track.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a light emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is perceiving the data track during printing.

  The data track is optionally printed using infrared ink, and the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum. The light sensor is sensitive to the infrared spectrum.

  The data track is optionally a clock track that includes only the clock code, and the ejection control means is configured to generate an ejection control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the perceived data track.

  The data track optionally includes first information including an embedded clock signal, and the injection control means is adapted to generate an injection control signal in the form of a clock signal derived from the perceived data track. It is configured.

  The first information optionally represents at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, so that the mobile device controls the operation of the print head based at least in part on at least one of the physical characteristic. It is configured.

  The mobile device is optionally further configured to use the perceived data track to determine an absolute position of the print medium relative to the print head and to use the determination to print on the print medium.

  In the mobile device, the data track optionally further encodes the first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data encoding the second information. The first information represents the second information. The mobile device is configured to print on the print medium such that a predetermined registration exists between the data being printed and the second encoded data.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
(A) a transceiver configured to transmit and receive data via a wireless telecommunications network;
(B) processing means for processing the data received via the receiver, thereby generating dot data representing game information for generating at least one card for use in an interactive game;
(C) Provided by a mobile device operatively connected to a processing means for receiving dot data and having a print head for printing the received dot data on a print medium and thereby generating at least one card Is done.

  The at least one card optionally includes encoded data indicating a plurality of locations associated within the remote computer system with one or more actions or instructions associated with the interactive game.

  The encoded data optionally represents card identification.

  The game information optionally includes map data representing at least a partial image of the map associated with the interactive game.

  The game information includes map information to be optionally printed on a plurality of cards.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to print the card so that the map portions can be tiled together to form a map.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a perceptual device for perceiving the encoded data while the mobile device is being used to interact with the encoded data on the surface, the processing means comprising the encoded data Is at least partially decoded to determine at least the identification of the surface.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to transmit at least the identification via the transceiver to the remote computer system and receive the answer via the transceiver.

  The game information optionally includes visual user information in the form of text, icons or images. The encoded data is placed adjacent to or in complete agreement with the user information so that the user can interact with the user information using a sensory device.

  The mobile device optionally includes a sensory device for perceiving at least a portion of the encoded data on the card while the mobile device is being used to interact with game information on the card.

  In the mobile device, optionally, the processing means is configured to process at least a portion of the perceived encoded data and determine at least the identification of the card.

Mobile devices are optional,
Send at least identification of the card to the remote computer system,
In response, it is configured to receive other data representing other game information from the remote computer system.

  The mobile device is configured to optionally output other game information to the user.

  The processing means is optionally configured to process other data to generate other dot data, and the print head receives the other dot data and receives the received dot data. It is configured to print on a print medium, thereby generating another game card.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a user interface, and the device includes information or instructions for the user that at least some of the plurality of game cards are used by the user to interact with the user interface. Programmed and configured as follows.

  The mobile device is optionally responsive to input entered via a user interface based at least in part on information and / or instructions regarding one or more of the plurality of already printed game cards, It is configured to print one or more game cards.

  The processing means optionally further comprises decompression means, and at least a portion of the game data is received in a compressed format. The decompression means is configured to decompress the data for supply to the processing means.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a sensor for perceiving encoded data located on or in the print medium before or during printing.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to derive a clock signal from the perceived encoded data and to synchronize printing on the print medium by the print head according to the clock signal.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises light emitting means controlled to emit light while the sensor is perceiving encoded data.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention, for use in a mobile device,
(A) an inkjet print head;
(B) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(C) A cartridge is provided having a drive mechanism for driving a print medium to the tip of an inkjet print head for printing.

  By incorporating the print head into the cartridge, regular replacement of the print head is ensured, thus maintaining print quality. Placing the drive mechanism in the cartridge allows dimensional tolerances between the drive mechanism and the print head to be tightly controlled and ensures that fragile print head nozzles can be safely sealed within the cartridge casing. I mean. The only opening required for the cartridge is a slot for loading and unloading media, and the chances of irreversible tampering or contamination are severely limited.

  The drive mechanism is optionally a passive mechanism with a drive shaft that engages the print medium and drives the print medium to the tip of the inkjet print head.

  The print cartridge optionally further comprises a drive roller for rotating the drive shaft. The drive roller is configured to be driven by a complementary drive mechanism in the mobile device when the cartridge is loaded in the mobile device.

  The drive roller is optionally coaxial with the drive shaft.

  A drive shaft is optionally disposed in the print media path upstream of the print head.

  The print cartridge optionally further comprises a print head having an array of a plurality of ink ejecting nozzles and at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, each having a negative static capacity. An ink storage container individually provided with at least one suction structure for guiding hydraulic ink to the nozzles, and a capping mechanism for covering the print head when not in use.

The print cartridge is optionally further
(A) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(B) a force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein the force applied by the edge of the medium when the medium moves relative to the feeding path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism, A force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before reaching the capper.

The print cartridge may optionally further move between (a) a capping position forced into a capping relationship with the print head and an uncapped position where the print head can print on the print media; A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head in the non-cap position;
(B) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until the trailing edge of the media passes the print head.

The print cartridge is optionally further
(A) A capping mechanism having a capping mechanism capable of moving between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on a print medium is provided. ,
(B) The capper assembly is held in the non-cap position by the medium so as to move to the cap position when the engagement with the medium is released.

The print cartridge is optionally further
The media substrate is a sheet and in use,
The engagement of the sheet and the drive mechanism is released before the printing is completed so that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes toward the tip of the print head due to the amount of momentum and the printing is completed.

The print head is optional,
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzles;
And an optical sensor for optically receiving print data from a beacon operated by a print engine controller in the mobile device.

Mobile devices are optional,
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A position sensor for providing a signal indicating a position of the medium substrate with respect to the print head to the print engine control device;
The print engine controller discriminates the above signals to derive the speed of the medium substrate with respect to the print head, and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed.

Mobile devices are optional,
Equipped with a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head,
The print engine controller senses the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in the angular velocity of the drive shaft.

The print cartridge optionally further comprises at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the print head. At least one ink reservoir is
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for hermetic connection to the printhead;
At least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets.

The media substrate is optionally a sheet with encoded data on at least a portion of its surface, the mobile device further includes a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A sensor for reading the encoded data, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to the print engine controller;
The print engine control device starts printing using the signal when the sheet is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the print head.

The media substrate optionally has encoded data on at least a portion of its surface, and the mobile device further includes a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A dual sensory facility for reading the encoded data before and after passing through the print head.

  The mobile device is optionally a telecommunications device.

  The mobile device is optionally a mobile phone.

In a first aspect, a print medium for use in a mobile device having a printer is provided. Print media is
A laminated substrate defining first and second opposing faces;
First encoded data in a first data format, which is encoded in the first information, arranged in a first data area on the laminated substrate;
At least one orientation indicator indicative of the orientation of the print medium.

  The at least one orientation mark is optionally disposed on an edge portion of the print medium or a portion adjacent to the edge.

  The print media optionally has a leading and trailing edge defined with respect to the intended feed direction of the print media through the media feed path and at least one of the at least one orientation indicator. One is disposed on or in the leading edge portion of the print medium or a portion adjacent to the leading edge.

  One of the orientation markers is optionally positioned adjacent to the first corner of the first side of the print medium.

  The other of the orientation markings is optionally positioned adjacent to a second corner of the first side of the print medium that is diagonally opposite the first corner. ing.

  Another orientation mark of the orientation marks is optionally disposed adjacent to the third corner of the second side of the print medium adjacent to the second corner.

  The other of the orientation markers is optionally positioned adjacent to a fourth corner of the second side of the print media that is diagonally opposite the third corner. ing.

  The other of the orientation markings is optionally positioned adjacent to a second corner of the first side of the print medium that is diagonally opposite the first corner. ing.

  The print media optionally further includes a plurality of orientation indicators, and the location and number of orientation indicators can be used by the device to align the card when used in a mobile device that is properly equipped with the print media. Arranged and configured so that all orientation labels can be determined without reading.

  The first encoded data is a linear encoded data track that is optionally expanded in the intended print direction.

  The data track is optionally printed using infrared ink.

  The data track optionally includes a clock track that includes only the clock code, from which the clock signal can be derived while printing on the print medium.

  The first information optionally includes an embedded clock, and a clock signal can be derived from the embedded clock while printing on the print medium.

  The print medium optionally further includes second encoded data that encodes the second information, where the first information represents the second information.

  The first information optionally represents at least one physical property of the print medium.

  The first information optionally represents the size of the print medium.

  The first information optionally represents a media type associated with the print media.

  The first information represents information that is optionally printed in advance on the print medium.

  The print medium optionally further includes preprinted human readable information printed on one or both of the first and second sides.

  The first encoded data is optionally printed with infrared ink that is substantially invisible to the average human naked eye.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a print medium for use with a mobile device having a printer. Print media is
A laminated substrate defining first and second opposing faces;
Shows at least one orientation of the print media disposed on at least one of the first and second sides, thereby allowing the mobile device to determine the orientation of the print media before printing on the print media And an orientation mark.

  The orientation marker optionally indicates the surface of the first and second surfaces on which the orientation marker is disposed.

  The orientation indicator optionally indicates the absolute planar rotational orientation of the print medium.

  The print media optionally has a leading edge and a trailing edge that are defined relative to the intended feed direction of the print media through the media feed path. The orientation mark is disposed on the leading edge portion or a portion adjacent to the leading edge, and indicates the leading edge.

  The print medium optionally further includes a plurality of orientation markers.

The print medium is optional,
(A) Each of the orientation markers indicates a surface of the first and second surfaces on which the orientation marker is disposed,
(B) each of the orientation markers indicates an absolute plane rotational orientation of the print medium, and / or
(C) the print medium has a leading edge and a trailing edge defined with respect to the intended feeding direction of the printing medium through the medium feeding path, and the orientation mark is on the leading edge portion or the leading edge; Arranged in adjacent portions, showing the leading edge.

  The orientation mark is optionally disposed on the edge portion of the print medium or a portion adjacent to the edge.

  An orientation mark is optionally disposed adjacent to the first corner of the first side of the print medium.

  The other of the orientation markings is optionally positioned adjacent to a second corner of the first side of the print medium that is diagonally opposite the first corner. ing.

  Another orientation mark of the orientation marks is optionally disposed adjacent to the third corner of the second side of the print medium adjacent to the second corner.

  The other of the orientation markers is optionally positioned adjacent to a fourth corner of the second side of the print media that is diagonally opposite the third corner. ing.

  The orientation mark optionally forms part of the encoded data area on the print medium.

  The encoded data is optionally in the form of a linear encoded data track.

  The data track optionally extends along the edge of the print medium in the intended print direction of the card.

  The data track optionally encodes first information in addition to the orientation indicator.

  The print medium optionally further includes second information encoded according to a coding different from the linear encoding of the data track, the first information representing the second information.

  The encoded data is optionally printed with infrared ink.

  The first encoded data is optionally printed with infrared ink that is substantially invisible to the average human naked eye.

  The mobile device optionally further includes pre-printed human readable information printed on one or both of the first and second surfaces.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for printing on a print medium using a mobile device. Mobile devices
A wireless transceiver for transmitting and receiving data via a telecommunications network;
And the above method includes:
(A) determining the position of the mobile device on the map;
(B) determining a product or service that can be used within a predetermined distance of a location on the map;
(C) formatting a certificate containing information related to the product or service;
(D) The step of printing the certificate using a printer is included.

  The information optionally indicates the location of the commercial entity.

  The information optionally represents an invitation to purchase a product or service.

  The solicitation is an optional price discount.

  Price discounts are optionally valid only at the exit of the commercial entity at that location.

  Price discounts are optional and valid at all of the many exits of that commercial entity.

  The method optionally includes determining a geographical location using a mobile device.

  The mobile device optionally includes a GPS receiver, and the method includes determining a geographic location using the GPS receiver.

  The sensory device optionally comprises a radio receiver for receiving radio frequency data from the transmitter, and the step of determining the geographical location receives the radio frequency data of the geographical location via the transmitter. Contains steps to do.

  The method optionally includes deriving a geographic location using the Uplink Time Difference of Arrival technique.

  The providing step optionally includes sending information to an electronic address associated with at least one of the mobile device users.

  The geographical location is optionally a region.

  The region is optionally defined by a zip code.

  The region is optionally a city, suburb or town.

  The region is optionally defined at least in part by the transmission footprint of one or more cells of a telecommunications network.

  The region is optionally at least partially defined by the transmission footprint of one or more cells of the telecommunications network.

The above method is optional,
Using a sensor in the mobile device to perceive a data track located on the side of the print media being printed to create the certificate while printing the certificate;
Generating an injection control signal from the perceived data track;
Synchronizing certificate printing using the jetting control signal is included.

  The data track is optionally printed using infrared ink, and the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum. The light sensor is sensitive to the infrared spectrum.

  The data track is optionally a clock track that includes only the clock code, and the method includes generating a clock signal generated from the perceived data track, the injection control signal being Based on clock signal.

  The data track optionally includes first information including an embedded clock signal, and the method includes the step of extracting the clock signal from the perceived data track. Is based on this clock signal.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
A print head for printing on a print medium containing encoded data;
A media path for directing the print media to the tip of the print head for printing;
An optical sensor;
A first optical path for directing optical image information to the sensor such that the sensor can read at least a portion of the encoded data from the print medium while at least a portion of the print medium is located in the media path. When,
A mobile device with a second light path for directing optical image information to the sensor is provided so that the sensor can read the encoded data from the print medium when the print medium is not in the medium path Is done.

  The mobile device optionally comprises at least one light source for illuminating the encoded data to be perceived via the first light path.

  The mobile device optionally comprises at least one light source for illuminating the encoded data to be perceived via the second light path.

  The light source is optionally an infrared light source.

  The light source is optionally an infrared light source.

  The first light path optionally comprises at least one mirror.

  The first light path optionally comprises a periscope mirror.

  The mobile device may optionally further be operated selectively to reduce or block light reaching the sensor via the second light path during at least part of the printing procedure. It has a shutter that can.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a shutter opening and closing mechanism configured to close the shutter in response to the print media moving through at least a portion of the media path.

  The first and second light paths optionally share a common light path portion.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a printer.

  The printer is optionally in the form of a replaceable cartridge.

  The replaceable cartridge optionally comprises at least one ink storage container.

  The replaceable cartridge optionally includes at least one sensor for perceiving encoded data on a print medium intended for use with the printer.

The replaceable cartridge is optional,
A capper that can be moved between a capping position that is forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the cap is displaced from the print head. The capping mechanism provided with. The capper moves between a cap position and an uncapped position by the edge of the print medium as the print medium moves through the media path.

  In the cap position, the capper is optionally elastically forced into a capping relationship.

  The capping mechanism is optionally configured to displace the capper in the feeding direction when the capper moves from the cap position to the non-cap position.

  The replaceable cartridge optionally includes a media drive mechanism that engages the print media to be printed by the printer.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises drive means for driving the media drive mechanism. This drive means does not form part of the replaceable cartridge.

  The media drive mechanism optionally includes a slave wheel configured to engage the drive means when the replaceable cartridge is loaded into the mobile device.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an integrated cartridge for loading a mobile device. Integrated cartridge
An ink jet print head comprising a plurality of ink jet nozzles;
At least one ink reservoir for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head;
And a capping mechanism for covering the print head when not in use.

  By incorporating the print head into the cartridge, regular replacement of the print head is ensured, thus maintaining print quality. The capper protects the delicate nozzle structure from paper dust during use. However, by integrating the printhead into the cartridge, the only opening required for the cartridge is a slot for loading and unloading media, and the chances of messy or contamination prior to loading are significantly limited.

  The integrated circuit optionally includes a plurality of ink reservoirs that individually supply ink to a subset of the nozzles.

  The integrated circuit optionally comprises a storage container containing cyan, magenta and yellow inks, respectively.

  The integrated circuit optionally comprises a storage container containing cyan, magenta, yellow ink and at least one other liquid, respectively.

  At least one other liquid optionally contains black ink.

  At least one other liquid optionally contains infrared ink.

  The at least one other liquid optionally contains infrared ink and black ink.

  The cartridge optionally further includes a drive shaft for engaging the print medium and driving the print medium beyond the inkjet printhead.

  The cartridge optionally further comprises a drive roller for rotating the drive shaft. The drive roller is configured to be driven by a complementary drive mechanism in the mobile device when the cartridge is loaded in the mobile device.

  The drive roller is optionally coaxial with the drive shaft.

  A drive shaft is optionally disposed in the print media path upstream of the print head.

  The cartridge optionally further comprises a print head having an array of a plurality of ink ejecting nozzles and at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head. Each of the at least one ink storage container includes at least one blotting structure for directing negative hydrostatic ink to the nozzles.

The capping mechanism can optionally move between a capping position that is forced into a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the capping position is It has a capper displaced from the print head. In addition, the cartridge
A force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein the force applied by the edge of the medium as the medium moves relative to the feeding path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism, whereby the medium reaches the capper Before the capper includes a force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement from the cap position to the non-cap position.

The capping mechanism can optionally move between a capping position that is forced into a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the capping position is It has a capper displaced from the print head. In addition, the cartridge
A locking mechanism is provided that is configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until the trailing edge of the media passes the print head.

  The capping mechanism optionally capping with the print head so that, in use, the capper assembly is held in an uncapped position by the media to move to the cap position when disengaged from the media. It has a capper that can move between a capping position forced into the relationship and an uncapped position where the print head can print on the print media.

The print cartridge is optionally further
The media substrate is a sheet and in use,
The engagement of the sheet and the drive mechanism is released before the printing is completed so that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes toward the tip of the print head due to the amount of momentum and the printing is completed.

Mobile devices are optional,
Equipped with a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head,
The print engine controller senses the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in the angular velocity of the drive shaft.

The print cartridge optionally further comprises at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the print head. At least one ink reservoir is
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for hermetic connection to the printhead;
At least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets.

  The mobile device is optionally a telecommunications device.

  The mobile device is optionally a mobile phone.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
(A) an inkjet print head;
(B) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(C) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(D) a force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein the force applied by the edge of the print medium as the print medium moves relative to the feed path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism, thereby A mobile device is provided that includes a force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the uncapped position before the print medium reaches the capper.

  The capper is optionally moved completely to the uncapped position by a force transmission mechanism.

The force transmission device optionally comprises at least one crank member pivoted about an axis. The crank member
A first region for engaging the print medium;
And a second region for engaging the capping mechanism that is rotationally displaced from the first region, wherein the crank member applies a linear force applied by the print medium from the cap position to the non-cap position. It is configured to convert the torque to be moved.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a locking mechanism for holding the capper in the uncapped position while the print medium is being printed by the print head.

  The locking mechanism optionally includes at least one cam mounted for rotation between the unlocked position and the locked position. The at least one cam is configured to deploy at least partially into the feed path in the unlocked position when no print media is present. The at least one cam is arranged to engage the edge of the print medium as the print medium is fed through the feed passage, the at least one cam being rotated by the print medium to a locked position; and ,It is configured. In the locked position, the capper is held in the uncapped position until the trailing edge of the print media passes the print head.

  The cam is optionally elastically biased to return to the unlocked position when the edge of the print media passes a predetermined position in the feed path, thereby returning the capper to the cap position.

  The at least one cam is optionally mounted to rotate about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the print medium as the print medium and cam engage in the feed path.

A print medium for use with a mobile device optionally comprises a linear encoded data track that is deployed in the intended printing direction,
A sensor configured to perceive a data track while printing dot data;
A print head for printing on a print medium in response to an ejection control signal;
Injection control means connected to generate an injection control signal based on the perceived data track.

  The data track is optionally a clock track that includes only the clock code, and the ejection control means is configured to generate an ejection control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the perceived data track.

  The data track optionally includes first information including an embedded clock signal, and the injection control means is adapted to generate an injection control signal in the form of a clock signal derived from the perceived data track. It is configured.

  The first information optionally represents at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, so that the mobile device controls the operation of the print head based at least in part on at least one of the physical characteristic. It is configured.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to use the perceived data track to determine the absolute position of the print media relative to the printhead and utilize the determination to print on the print media.

  The data track optionally further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data that encodes second information. The first information represents the second information. The mobile device is configured to print on the print medium such that a predetermined registration exists between the data being printed and the second encoded data.

  The mobile device optionally includes a transceiver, and the mobile device is configured to receive information representing a predetermined registration from the remote computer system via the transceiver.

  The data track optionally further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data that encodes second information. The first information represents the second information. The mobile device is configured to determine a registration between the data being printed and the second encoded data.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to send the determined registration to the remote computer system via the transceiver.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
(A) an inkjet print head;
(B) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(C) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the print head is displaced from the print head. There is provided a mobile device with a capping mechanism with a capper. The capper moves between a cap position and an uncapped position by the edge of the print medium as the print medium moves through the feed path.

  By engaging the media substrate, the lid of the print head is removed, thus avoiding the need for a separate mechanism for driving the capper. Therefore, the cartridge can be made more compact, and the shape factor of the mobile device can be reduced.

  In the cap position, the capper is optionally elastically forced into a capping relationship.

  The capping mechanism is optionally configured to displace the capper in the feeding direction when the capper moves from the cap position to the non-cap position.

  The capping mechanism is optionally further configured to simultaneously displace the capper away from the print head when the capper is displaced in the feed direction.

  The capping mechanism is optionally displaced in an uncapped position and then in a direction opposite to the feeding direction.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a locking mechanism for holding the capper in the uncapped position while the print medium is being printed by the print head.

  The locking mechanism optionally includes at least one cam mounted for rotation between the unlocked position and the locked position. The at least one cam is configured to deploy at least partially into the feed path in the unlocked position when no print media is present. The at least one cam is arranged to engage the edge of the print medium as the print medium is fed through the feed passage, the at least one cam being rotated by the print medium to a locked position; and ,It is configured. In the locked position, the capper is held in the uncapped position until the trailing edge of the media passes the print head.

  The cam is optionally elastically biased to return to the unlocked position when the edge of the print media passes a predetermined position in the feed path, thereby returning the capper to the cap position.

  The at least one cam is optionally mounted to rotate about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the print medium as the print medium and cam engage in the feed path.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a drive shaft for engaging the print medium and driving the print medium beyond the inkjet printhead.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a drive roller for rotating the drive shaft. The drive roller is configured to be driven by a complementary drive mechanism in the mobile device when the cartridge is loaded in the mobile device.

  The drive roller is optionally coaxial with the drive shaft.

  A drive shaft is optionally disposed in the print media path upstream of the print head.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a print head having an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to be ejected by the nozzles to the print head. Each of the at least one ink storage container includes at least one blotting structure for directing negative hydrostatic ink to the nozzles.

In use, optional,
Before the printing is completed, the engagement between the sheet and the drive shaft is released so that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes toward the tip of the print head due to the amount of movement.

The print head is optional,
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzles;
And an optical sensor for optically receiving print data from a beacon operated by a print engine controller in the mobile device.

The mobile device is optionally further
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A position sensor for providing a signal indicating a position of the medium substrate with respect to the print head to the print engine control device;
The print engine controller discriminates the above signals to derive the speed of the medium substrate with respect to the print head, and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed.

The mobile device optionally further comprises at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the print head. At least one ink reservoir is
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for hermetic connection to the printhead;
At least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets.

  The mobile device is optionally a telecommunications device.

  The mobile device is optionally a mobile phone.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
(A) an inkjet print head;
(B) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(C) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(D) A mobile device is provided that includes a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in an uncapped position until the trailing edge of the media passes the print head.

  The locking mechanism optionally includes at least one cam mounted for rotation between the unlocked position and the locked position. The at least one cam is configured to deploy at least partially into the feed path in the unlocked position when no print media is present. The at least one cam is arranged to engage the edge of the print medium as the print medium is fed through the feed passage, the at least one cam being rotated by the print medium to a locked position; and ,It is configured. In the locked position, the capper is held in the uncapped position until the trailing edge of the media passes the print head.

  The cam is optionally elastically biased to return to the unlocked position when the edge of the print media passes a predetermined position in the feed path, thereby returning the capper to the cap position.

  The at least one cam is optionally mounted to rotate about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the print medium as the print medium and cam engage in the feed path.

  The locking mechanism is optionally configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until the trailing edge of the media passes through the capper so that the capper can be released to the cap position without capturing the print media. Yes.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a locking mechanism for holding the capper in the uncapped position while the print medium is being printed by the print head.

  The locking mechanism optionally includes at least one cam mounted for rotation between the unlocked position and the locked position. The at least one cam is configured to deploy at least partially into the feed path in the unlocked position when no print media is present. The at least one cam is arranged to engage the edge of the print medium as the print medium is fed through the feed passage, the at least one cam being rotated by the print medium to a locked position; and ,It is configured. In the locked position, the capper is held in the uncapped position until the trailing edge of the media passes the print head.

  The cam is optionally elastically biased to return to the unlocked position when the edge of the print media passes a predetermined position in the feed path, thereby returning the capper to the cap position.

  The at least one cam is optionally mounted to rotate about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the print medium as the print medium and cam engage in the feed path.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a drive shaft for engaging the print medium and driving the print medium beyond the inkjet printhead.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a drive roller for rotating the drive shaft. The drive roller is configured to be driven by a complementary drive mechanism in the mobile device when the cartridge is loaded in the mobile device.

  The drive roller is optionally coaxial with the drive shaft.

  A drive shaft is optionally disposed in the print media path upstream of the print head.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a print head having an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to be ejected by the nozzles to the print head. Each of the at least one ink storage container includes at least one blotting structure for directing negative hydrostatic ink to the nozzles.

  During use, the sheet and drive shaft are disengaged before printing is completed, optionally so that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes beyond the print head due to momentum.

The print head is optional,
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzles;
And an optical sensor for optically receiving print data from a beacon operated by a print engine controller in the mobile device.

The mobile device is optionally further
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A position sensor for providing a signal indicating a position of the medium substrate with respect to the print head to the print engine control device;
The print engine controller discriminates the above signals to derive the speed of the medium substrate with respect to the print head, and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed.

The mobile device optionally further comprises at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the print head. At least one ink reservoir is
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for hermetic connection to the printhead;
At least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets.

  The mobile device is optionally a telecommunications device.

  The mobile device is optionally a mobile phone.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a print medium for use with a printer. Print media is
A laminated substrate defining first and second opposing faces;
First encoded data in a first data format, which is encoded in the first information, arranged in a first data area on the laminated substrate;
And second encoded data of a second data format, which is arranged in a second data area on the laminated substrate and encodes second information. The first information represents the second information.

  The first information is optionally the same as the second information.

  The first information is optionally a document identifier.

  The first format is optionally a linear pattern.

  The second format is optionally a two-dimensional pattern.

  The first format is optionally a linear encoded data track.

  The first format is optionally a linear encoded data track.

  Either one or both of the first and second encoded data is optionally not substantially visible to the average human naked eye.

  The print medium optionally further comprises one or more additional areas, each of the one or more additional areas including other encoded data of the first data format.

  Each encoded data in the additional area optionally includes first information.

  The individual encoded data of the first region and the additional region optionally includes a unique orientation indicator for each of the first and additional regions, respectively.

  Each orientation indicator optionally includes data of sufficient bit value to uniquely identify the region in which the corresponding encoded data is located.

There are optionally three additional areas,
The encoded data of the first encoded data and the additional region is arranged along the edges on both sides of the first surface, and
The encoded data of the remaining two additional areas are arranged along the edges on both sides of the second surface.

  The second encoded data is optionally disposed between the first encoded data and one of the additional areas of the first surface.

  The print medium optionally includes other encoded data of the second format arranged between the additional areas of the second surface.

  The print medium optionally further includes human readable information preprinted on at least one side.

  The human readable information optionally includes at least one direction sign.

  The human readable information optionally includes at least one icon indicating a function.

  The first information optionally includes an embedded clock signal.

  The print medium optionally further comprises at least one clock track on at least one side.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
A transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals via a wireless telecommunications network;
Processing means for processing connection history information related to communications transmitted to or received from a mobile device via a transceiver to generate dot data representing a visual layout of connection history information;
A mobile device is provided that includes dot data and an integral printer configured to print the received dot data on a print medium.

  The connection history information optionally includes a source address for at least one prior connection or connection attempt with the mobile device.

  The connection history information optionally includes the identification of an individual or other entity associated with the originating address.

  The connection history information optionally includes a human readable instruction indicating that a voice mail has been received from the calling address.

  The connection history information optionally includes one or more connections or connection attempts made via the mobile device.

The print media optionally comprises a linear encoded data track that is deployed in the intended print direction, and the mobile device
A sensor configured to perceive a data track while printing dot data;
A print head for printing on a print medium in response to an ejection control signal;
Injection control means connected to generate an injection control signal based on the perceived data track.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a light emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is perceiving the data track during printing.

  The data track is optionally printed using infrared ink, and the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum. The light sensor is sensitive to the infrared spectrum.

  The data track is optionally a clock track that includes only the clock code, and the ejection control means is configured to generate an ejection control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the perceived data track.

  The data track optionally includes first information including an embedded clock signal, and the injection control means is adapted to generate an injection control signal in the form of a clock signal derived from the perceived data track. It is configured.

  The first information optionally represents at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, so that the mobile device controls the operation of the print head based at least in part on at least one of the physical characteristic. It is configured.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to use the perceived data track to determine the absolute position of the print media relative to the printhead and utilize the determination to print on the print media.

  The data track optionally further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data that encodes second information. The first information represents the second information. The mobile device is configured to print on the print medium such that a predetermined registration exists between the data being printed and the second encoded data.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to receive information representing a predetermined registration from a remote computer system via a transceiver.

  The data track optionally further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data that encodes second information. The first information represents the second information. The mobile device is configured to determine a registration between the data being printed and the second encoded data.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to send the determined registration to the remote computer system via the transceiver.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides an ink cartridge for use in a mobile device. The ink cartridge
At least one ink storage container for holding ink;
At least one baffle dividing the at least one ink storage container into a plurality of sections, each section in an individual ink storage container being connected to each other section in the ink storage container via an opening; A baffle in fluid communication;
At least one porous insert in each of the at least one storage container, wherein substantially all individual ink storage containers are filled with the at least one porous insert.

  Each of the storage containers optionally includes a single porous insert with at least one concave portion. Each of the concave portions is configured to engage one of a plurality of baffles in the storage container.

  Each surface of the porous insert around the concave portion is optionally in airtight engagement with the surface of its corresponding baffle.

  The porous insert is optionally a single structure porous insert.

  The porous insert is optionally formed from an open cell foam.

  The ink cartridge optionally further comprises a wick that extends along the edge of the at least one porous insert. The wick is configured to carry ink from at least one porous insert to an ink distribution structure configured to distribute ink to a page width print head forming part of the cartridge.

  The ink distribution structure optionally includes a plurality of ink ducts.

  The ink cartridge is optionally configured so that the ink in the at least one storage container is held at a negative pressure relative to the surrounding air pressure.

  The ink cartridge optionally further comprises a plurality of ink storage containers containing inks of relatively different colors.

The ink cartridge is optional,
A printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
And a drive mechanism for driving the print medium to the tip of the ink jet print head for printing.

  The drive mechanism is a passive mechanism that optionally includes a media roller that engages the print media and drives the print media beyond the inkjet printhead.

  The ink cartridge optionally further comprises a drive roller configured to be driven by a complementary drive mechanism within the mobile device when the cartridge is loaded into the mobile device.

  The media roller is optionally coaxial with the drive roller.

  A media roller is optionally disposed in the print media path upstream of the print head.

  The cartridge is optionally configured such that, in use, the media roller drives the print media such that after engagement with the media roller is released, the trailing edge of the print media passes through the print head.

  The drive roller is optionally a toothed tooth.

  The drive roller optionally has an elastic periphery.

  The cartridge optionally includes a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use.

The capping mechanism is optional,
A capper that can be moved between a capping position that is forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the cap is displaced from the print head. It has. The capper moves between a cap position and an uncapped position by the edge of the print medium as the print medium is driven through the print medium path.

  The cartridge optionally includes a sensor for perceiving encoded data on the print medium during printing.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for retrieving a ring tone in a mobile device and storing the ring tone in the mobile device. This method is performed in a mobile device,
Perceiving encoded data printed on the surface;
Decoding the encoded data to generate decoded data;
Transmitting a request to request a ring tone based on the decoded data via a mobile telecommunications network;
Receiving a requested ring tone in a format that can be used by a mobile device as a ring tone from a remote computer system via a mobile telecommunications network;
A step of storing a ring tone on the mobile device is included.

  The method optionally further includes associating a ring tone with at least one ring event in the mobile device.

  Associating the ring tone with the at least one ring event optionally includes receiving instructions from the user via the user interface of the mobile device.

  The ring tone is optionally a digital sample.

  The request optionally represents the type of mobile device so that the ringtone is received in an appropriate format.

  The type of mobile device is optionally recorded on the mobile telecommunications network and determined by the computer system to determine the appropriate format of the ringtone to be transmitted.

A method for retrieving a theme or wall paper in a mobile device and storing the theme or wall paper in the mobile device is optionally performed in the mobile device.
Perceiving encoded data printed on the surface;
Decoding the encoded data to generate decoded data;
Transmitting a request to request a theme or wall paper based on the decrypted data via a mobile telecommunications network;
Receiving a requested theme or wall paper in a format that can be used by a mobile device from a remote computer system via a mobile telecommunications network;
A step of storing wall paper or themes on the mobile device is included.

  The method optionally includes automatically applying a wall paper or theme to the mobile device upon receipt.

  The request optionally represents the type of mobile device so that the wall paper or theme is received in the appropriate format.

  The type of mobile device is optionally recorded by the mobile telecommunications network and determined by the computer system to determine the appropriate format of wall paper or theme to be transmitted.

  The mobile device optionally includes a printer. The printer is configured to print on a print medium such that the printed medium includes encoded data that can be perceived to initiate request generation and transmission.

  The encoded data is optionally printed in advance on the print medium, and the printer is configured to print the user interface on the print medium.

  The mobile device optionally includes a sensor configured to perceive at least a portion of the encoded data on the print medium during printing, the mobile device using the perceived encoded data, The user interface is configured to print on a print medium according to the registration.

  The method optionally further includes receiving a known registration before starting printing.

  The encoded data optionally includes a linear encoded data track, and the method includes extracting a clock from the data track and synchronizing the user interface printing on the print medium with a clock. Steps to use are included.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a print cartridge for a mobile device. The print cartridge
A drive shaft with a media engaging surface for feeding the media substrate along the feed path;
A media guide adjacent to the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate relative to the media engaging surface.

  It is important that mobile devices incorporating print heads and media feeding assemblies do not increase in overall size. By using a single drive shaft and media guide, it can be significantly more compact than using opposed media drive roller pairs.

  The print cartridge optionally further comprises at least one ink reservoir, an ink jet print head, and a capper for capping the print head when not in use.

  The print cartridge optionally further comprises a rigid outer casing for sealing the ink reservoir, print head and capper. The outer casing defines a media inlet slot and a media outlet slot.

  The media guide is optionally a series of sprung fingers that are deployed from one side of the media inlet slot toward the media engaging surface of the drive shaft.

  The print cartridge optionally further comprises a drive roller attached to the drive shaft. The drive roller has an elastomeric rim for contacting a drive system in the mobile device.

  The print cartridge optionally further comprises a plurality of electrical contacts for power and print data on the outer casing. These electrical contacts and drive rollers are arranged such that when inserted into the mobile device, the corresponding contacts and drive system respectively engage simultaneously.

  The print cartridge optionally further comprises a print head having an array of a plurality of ink ejecting nozzles and at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, each having a negative static capacity. An ink storage container individually provided with at least one suction structure for guiding hydraulic ink to the nozzles, and a capping mechanism for covering the print head when not in use.

The print cartridge is optionally further
(A) a print head adjacent to the feed path;
(B) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(C) a force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein the force applied by the edge of the medium when the medium moves relative to the feeding path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism, A force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before reaching the capper.

The print cartridge is optionally further
(A) a print head adjacent to the feed path;
(B) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(C) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until the trailing edge of the media passes the print head.

The print cartridge is optionally further
(A) a print head adjacent to the feed path;
(B) a capping mechanism having a capping position that can be moved between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium. And
(C) The capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the medium so as to move to the cap position when the engagement with the medium is released.

The print cartridge is optionally further
A print head for printing on the media substrate;
The media substrate is a sheet and in use,
Before the printing is completed, the engagement between the sheet and the drive shaft is released so that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes toward the tip of the print head due to the amount of movement.

The print cartridge optionally further comprises a print head, the print head comprising:
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzles;
And an optical sensor for optically receiving print data from a beacon operated by a print engine controller in the mobile device.

  The mobile device optionally has a drive system for rotating the drive shaft by friction.

The print cartridge is optionally further
An inkjet print head for printing on the media substrate;
Mobile devices
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A position sensor for providing a signal indicating a position of the medium substrate with respect to the print head to the print engine control device;
The print engine controller discriminates the above signals to derive the speed of the medium substrate with respect to the print head, and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed.

The print cartridge optionally further comprises an ink jet print head for printing on the media substrate,
Mobile devices
Equipped with a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head,
The print engine controller senses the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in the angular velocity of the drive shaft.

The print cartridge optionally further comprises at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the print head. At least one ink reservoir is
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for hermetic connection to the printhead;
At least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets.

The media substrate is optionally a sheet with encoded data on at least a portion of its surface, the mobile device further includes a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A sensor for reading the encoded data, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to the print engine controller;
The print engine control device starts printing using the signal when the sheet is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the print head.

  The print cartridge optionally further comprises a print head for printing the media substrate, the media substrate having encoded data on at least a portion of its surface.

The mobile device further includes a print engine control device for controlling the operation of the print head;
A dual sensory facility for reading the encoded data before and after passing through the print head.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
A print head comprising an array of nozzles for printing a media substrate;
A mobile device is provided that includes a cap position that covers a nozzle and a capper assembly that can move between a non-cap position spaced from the nozzle. The capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the medium so that it moves to the cap position when disengaged from the medium.

  It is important that mobile devices incorporating print heads and media feeding assemblies do not increase in overall size. By using the media substrate to move the capper from the cap position prior to printing, the need for a separate capping release mechanism is avoided.

  The media substrate sheet is optionally encoded, and the print engine controller uses an optical sensor to determine the position of the sheet relative to the print head.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a drive shaft for feeding the media to the tip of the print head.

  The media substrate is optionally a sheet, and the trailing edge of the sheet and the drive shaft are disengaged prior to printing, and the trailing edge projects beyond the print head due to the momentum of the sheet.

  The capper assembly optionally holds the sheet lightly so that after the printing of the sheet is complete, a portion of the sheet can be moved out of the mobile device and easily collected by hand.

  The capper assembly optionally moves from the cap position toward the uncapped position when engaged with the leading edge of the sheet.

  The print head optionally has a print medium feed path for directing the print medium in the feed direction to the tip of the print head during printing and a drive for driving the print medium to the tip of the print head for printing. The cartridge is further provided with a mechanism.

  The print head optionally has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, each negative It is incorporated in a cartridge having an ink storage container individually provided with at least one suction structure for guiding the hydrostatic ink to the nozzle and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use.

The mobile device is optionally further
(A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(C) a force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein the force applied by the edge of the medium when the medium moves relative to the feeding path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism, A force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before reaching the capper.

The mobile device is optionally further
(A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(C) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until the trailing edge of the media passes the print head.

The drive assembly optionally includes a drive shaft with a media engaging surface for feeding the media substrate along the feed path;
A media guide adjacent to the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate relative to the media engaging surface.

The mobile device is optionally further
It has a drive shaft for feeding the media substrate sheet to the tip of the print head.
Before the printing is completed, the engagement between the sheet and the drive shaft is released so that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes toward the tip of the print head due to the amount of movement.

The print head is optional,
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzles;
And an optical sensor for optically receiving print data from a beacon operated by a print engine controller.

The mobile device is optionally further
A drive shaft for feeding the sheet of the medium substrate to the tip of the print head, and a drive system for rotating the drive shaft;
The drive system rotates the drive roller by friction.

The mobile device is optionally further
A media feeding assembly for feeding media beyond the printhead;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A position sensor for providing a signal indicating a position of the medium substrate with respect to the print head to the print engine control device;
The print engine controller discriminates the above signals to derive the speed of the medium substrate with respect to the print head, and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed.

The mobile device is optionally further
A drive shaft for feeding the medium to the tip of the print head;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head,
The print engine controller senses the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in the angular velocity of the drive shaft.

The mobile device optionally further comprises at least one ink storage container. At least one storage container is
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for hermetic connection to the printhead;
At least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets.

The media substrate is optionally a sheet with encoded data disposed on at least a portion of its surface, and the mobile device further comprises:
A media feed assembly for feeding a sheet of media substrate along the feed path to the tip of the printhead;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A sensor for reading the encoded data, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to the print engine controller;
The print engine control device starts printing using the signal when the sheet is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the print head.

The media substrate is optionally a sheet with encoded data disposed on at least a portion of its surface, and the mobile device further comprises:
A media feed assembly for feeding a sheet of media substrate along the feed path to the tip of the printhead;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A dual sensory facility for reading the encoded data before and after passing through the print head.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
A print head for printing a sheet of media substrate;
A drive shaft for feeding the sheet of the media substrate to the tip of the print head, in use,
A mobile device is provided in which the sheet and drive shaft are disengaged before printing is complete such that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes beyond the print head due to momentum.

  It is important that mobile devices incorporating print heads and media feeding assemblies do not have a significant increase in overall size and compact shape factor. The use of a single drive shaft in a mobile device with a print head allows for a compact design. However, this makes full bleed printing (printing on the edge of the media sheet) difficult. If the single axis is located after the print head, it is difficult to accurately print the leading edge portion of the sheet when manually feeding the sheet to the tip of the print head. Also, print quality may be reduced due to contact between the roller and the newly printed medium. Similarly, if the feed roller is positioned in front of the print head and the trailing edge portion is manually pulled beyond the print head to complete printing, artifacts may occur in printing the trailing edge portion of the sheet There is sex. By configuring the drive shaft to support the trailing edge of the media at the tip of the print head by momentum, full bleed printing can be performed using a single feed roller for a compact design.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a media guide for biasing the media substrate relative to the drive shaft adjacent to the drive shaft.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a drive system for transmitting torque to the drive shaft, having drive wheels, and transmitting torque by moving the drive shaft into contact with the rim of the drive wheel. Can do.

The mobile device is optionally further
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A position sensor connected to the print engine controller so that the print engine controller can determine the position of the media substrate relative to the print head.

  The position sensor optionally reads the encoded data on the media substrate.

  The position sensor optionally perceives the number of rotations of the drive shaft.

  The print head and drive shaft are optionally incorporated into a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a print media feed path in the mobile device.

  The print head optionally has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, each negative Incorporated in a cartridge further comprising an ink storage container, each having at least one blotting structure for guiding hydrostatic ink to the nozzles, and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use. .

The mobile device is optionally further
(A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It can move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(C) a force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein the force applied by the edge of the media substrate as the media substrate moves relative to the feed path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism, thereby A force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before the media substrate reaches the capper.

The mobile device is optionally further
(A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the medium substrate to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It can move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(C) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until the trailing edge of the media substrate passes the print head.

  The drive shaft optionally has a media engagement surface for increasing contact friction with the media substrate.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a capper that can be moved between a capping position that is forced into a capping relationship with the print head and an uncapped position where the print head can print on the media substrate. A capping mechanism is provided. The capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the media.

The mobile device optionally further comprises a print engine controller with a light emitting beacon, the print head comprising:
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzles;
And an optical sensor for optically receiving print data from the beacon.

  The drive shaft is optionally driven by a piezoelectric resonant linear drive system.

The mobile device is optionally further
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A position sensor for providing a signal indicating a position of the medium substrate with respect to the print head to the print engine control device;
The print engine controller discriminates the above signals to derive the speed of the medium substrate with respect to the print head, and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed.

The mobile device is optionally further
Equipped with a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head,
The print engine controller senses the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in the angular velocity of the drive shaft.

The mobile device optionally further comprises at least one ink storage container. At least one storage container is
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for hermetic connection to the printhead;
At least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets.

The mobile device is optionally further
A media feed assembly for feeding a sheet of media substrate along the feed path to the tip of the printhead;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A sensor for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to a print engine controller. ,
The print engine control device starts printing using the signal when the sheet is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the print head.

The mobile device is optionally further
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A dual sensory facility for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate before and after the media substrate passes the printhead.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
A processor for outputting print data;
A replaceable printhead cartridge with a photohead and a printhead for printing on a print medium;
A mobile device is provided that includes print data and a light emitting device for converting the received print data into a modulated light signal. The light sensor and light emitting device are arranged and oriented such that, in use, the light sensor receives a modulated light signal. The print head is configured to print based on print data encoded in the modulated light signal.

  The light emitting device is optionally a light emitting diode.

  The light emitting device is optionally an organic light emitting diode.

  The light sensor is optionally attached directly to the print head in the print cartridge.

The mobile device is optionally further
A receptacle for holding the cartridge;
An energy storage device;
A first electrical contact connected to receive power from the energy storage device;
And a second electrical contact disposed on or in the printhead cartridge, wherein the first and second contacts are configured to electrically engage each other when the cartridge is loaded into the receptacle. And are arranged.

  The energy storage device is optionally a battery.

  The power that the cartridge receives via the first and second electrical contacts is optionally used to supply power to the ink ejection mechanism in the print head.

  The ink ejection mechanism is optionally a micro-electromechanical system.

  Each of the ink ejection mechanisms optionally includes a thermal curve actuator.

  Each of the ink ejection mechanisms optionally includes a heater for ink ejection by evaporation.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a print head for an inkjet printer comprising a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head. The print head
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzles;
And an optical sensor for optically receiving print data from a beacon operated by a print engine controller.

  Inkjet printhead ICs can typically receive print data as well as nozzle drive power from a TAB film. However, because the number of nozzles is very large and the nozzle ejection speed is fast, the nozzle drive signal can generate a very large amount of noise that can potentially interfere with the print data signal. In order to provide a “cleaner” print data signal to the print head, the print data signal can be sent directly via an optical link to a sensor on the print head IC. By pulsing the beacon within the appropriate spectrum, the light sensor can receive a signal that is free of any electrical noise caused by the ejection pulse.

  The light sensor is optionally an IR sensor and the beacon is an IR LED.

  The print head is optionally part of a cartridge that can be inserted into the printer.

  Inkjet printers are optionally part of the mobile device.

Mobile devices are optional,
A print engine controller with a light-emitting beacon;
A print head comprising an array of nozzles for ejecting ink; a print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzles;
And a sensor for receiving print data from the beacon.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a drive shaft, and the print head and drive shaft are incorporated into a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a media feed path in the mobile device.

  The print head is optionally incorporated into a cartridge further comprising at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head. Each of the at least one ink reservoir includes at least one suction structure for guiding negative hydrostatic ink to the nozzle and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use.

The mobile device is optionally further
(A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It can move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(C) a force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein the force applied by the edge of the media substrate as the media substrate moves relative to the feed path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism, thereby A force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before the media substrate reaches the capper.

The mobile device is optionally further
(A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the medium substrate to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It can move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(C) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until the trailing edge of the media substrate passes the print head.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a drive shaft with a media engaging surface for increasing contact friction with the media substrate.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a capper that can be moved between a capping position that is forced into a capping relationship with the print head and an uncapped position where the print head can print on the media substrate. A capping mechanism is provided. The capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the media.

  The sensor is optionally an optical sensor for optically receiving print data from the beacon.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a drive shaft driven by a piezoelectric resonant linear drive system.

The mobile device is optionally further
A position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicating the position of the media substrate relative to the print head;
The print engine controller discriminates the signal to derive the speed of the media substrate relative to the print head, and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed.

  During use, the print engine controller optionally perceives the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in the angular velocity of the drive shaft. Yes.

The mobile device optionally further comprises at least one ink storage container. At least one storage container is
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for hermetic connection to the printhead;
At least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets.

The mobile device is optionally further
A media feed assembly for feeding a sheet of media substrate along the feed path to the tip of the printhead;
A sensor for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to a print engine controller. ,
The print engine control device starts printing using the signal when the sheet is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the print head.

The mobile device is optionally further
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A dual sensor facility for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate before and after the media substrate passes the print head.

The mobile device is optionally further
A drive shaft for feeding the sheet of the media substrate along the feeding path to the tip of the print head is provided, and printing is performed so that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes toward the tip of the print head by the momentum to complete the printing. The engagement between the seat and the drive shaft is released before completion.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a print cartridge for an ink jet printer with a media drive assembly. The print cartridge
A drive shaft for feeding the media substrate to the tip of the print head, arranged to engage the media drive assembly when the cartridge is loaded;
The drive assembly transmits torque to the drive shaft by contact friction.

  By transferring power from the drive assembly to the drive wheels by frictional contact, the cartridge can be loaded more easily. Since the drive wheel is simply slid into contact with the drive assembly, the need for more complex couplings such as mesh gears or belt drives is eliminated.

  The drive shaft optionally has a drive wheel attached to the drive shaft that frictionally engages the drive assembly.

  The rim of the drive wheel is optionally formed from an elastomeric material.

  The drive assembly optionally has an idler roller for providing frictional contact to the drive wheels.

  The drive assembly optionally includes an electric motor for driving the idler roller.

  The drive assembly optionally has a piezoelectric resonant linear drive for driving the idler roller.

  The print head is optionally an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, each nozzle having a negative hydrostatic pressure nozzle. And an ink storage container individually provided with at least one sucking structure for guiding to the printing head, and a capping mechanism for covering the print head when not in use.

The print cartridge is optionally further
(A) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(B) a force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein the force applied by the edge of the medium when the medium moves relative to the feeding path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism, A force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before reaching the capper.

The print cartridge is optionally further
(A) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(B) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until the trailing edge of the media passes the print head.

The print cartridge is optionally further
(A) A capping mechanism having a capping mechanism capable of moving between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on a print medium is provided. ,
(B) The capper assembly is held in the non-cap position by the medium so as to move to the cap position when the engagement with the medium is released.

  The media substrate is optionally a sheet that, during use, is disengaged from the drive shaft before printing is complete such that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes beyond the printhead due to momentum. .

The printer optionally has a print engine controller with a light emitting beacon, and the print head is
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzles;
And an optical sensor for optically receiving print data from the beacon.

  A printer is optionally incorporated into the mobile device.

The cartridge optionally incorporates a print head, and the printer
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A position sensor for providing a signal indicating a position of the medium substrate with respect to the print head to the print engine control device;
The print engine control device discriminates the above signals, extracts the speed of the medium substrate relative to the print head, and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed.

The cartridge optionally incorporates a print head, and the printer
Equipped with a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head,
The print engine controller senses the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in the angular velocity of the drive shaft.

The print cartridge optionally further comprises at least one ink reservoir for supplying ink to the print head. At least one ink reservoir is
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for hermetic connection to the printhead;
At least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets.

The media substrate is optionally a sheet with encoded data on at least a portion of its surface, and the printer further includes a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A sensor for reading the encoded data, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to the print engine controller;
The print engine control device starts printing using the signal when the sheet is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the print head.

The media substrate optionally has encoded data on at least a portion of its surface, and the printer further includes a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A dual sensory facility for reading the encoded data before and after passing through the print head.

  The drive shaft optionally has a media engaging surface for feeding the media substrate along the feed path, and the cartridge further includes a media engaging surface adjacent to the drive shaft. A media guide for biasing with respect to.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
An ink jet print head for printing on a media substrate;
A media feeding assembly for feeding media beyond the printhead;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A position sensor for providing a signal indicating the position of the media substrate with respect to the print head to the print engine control device, wherein the print engine control device discriminates the signal to derive a speed of the media substrate with respect to the print head, and changes in the speed In response, a mobile device for adjusting the operation of the print head is provided.

  It is important that mobile devices that incorporate print heads and media feeding assemblies do not increase the overall size and compact shape factor of currently available mobile devices. The use of a single media feed roller in a mobile device with a print head allows for a compact design. However, in order to support the trailing edge of the medium by the momentum of the print head, a feeding roller must be disposed immediately before the print head (relative to the medium feeding direction). Therefore, the speed of the feeding roller changes while the medium sheet is printed. First, when the leading edge of the media sheet is first engaged with the feed roller, a load is added and the angular velocity is slowed. Once the frictional engagement between the roller and the medium is established, the angular velocity is again increased. Because the print head and feed roller are very close together, the roller will increase in speed while the leading edge is being printed. Assuming the print engine controller (PEC) keeps the roller speed constant, visible artifacts appear in the printing of the leading edge portion of the media sheet. By causing the PEC to perceive the vertical position of the media relative to the printhead, the PEC can extract media speed and adjust nozzle behavior in response to any changes to remove artifacts from the print.

  Encoded data is optionally printed on the media substrate, and the position sensor optically reads the encoded data and generates a signal indicating the position of the media substrate relative to the print head.

  The media feed assembly optionally has a media feed roller with encoding, and the position sensor optically reads the encoding, the number and partial rotation of the media feed roller fully rotated. The number is perceived to generate a signal indicating the position of the media substrate relative to the print head.

  The print head optionally comprises an array of nozzles and a capper assembly that can move between a cap position that covers the print head nozzle and a non-cap position spaced from the print head nozzle. Yes. The capper assembly is adapted to engage the media substrate and move from the cap position toward the uncapped position.

  The media substrate optionally has a leading edge that engages the capper assembly such that the media feed roller accelerates due to reduced load and the sheet decelerates due to friction, and the media feed roller before printing. And a rear edge protruding to the tip of the print head by the amount of movement.

  The capper assembly optionally holds the sheet lightly so that after the printing of the sheet is complete, a portion of the sheet can be moved out of the mobile device and easily collected by hand.

  The media feed assembly optionally has a drive shaft that is incorporated into a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a print media feed path in the mobile device.

  The print head optionally has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, each negative Incorporated into a cartridge further comprising an ink storage container individually provided with at least one blotting structure for guiding the hydrostatic ink to the nozzle and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use Yes.

The mobile device is optionally further
(A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It can move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(C) a force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein the force applied by the edge of the media substrate as the media substrate moves relative to the feed path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism, thereby A force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before the media substrate reaches the capper.

The mobile device is optionally further
(A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the medium substrate to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It can move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(C) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until the trailing edge of the media substrate passes the print head.

  The media feed assembly optionally has a drive shaft with a media engaging surface for increasing contact friction with the media substrate.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a capper that can be moved between a capping position that is forced into a capping relationship with the print head and an uncapped position where the print head can print on the media substrate. A capping mechanism is provided. The capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the media.

The print engine controller optionally has a light emitting beacon, and the print head further comprises:
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzles;
And a sensor for receiving print data from the beacon.

  The media feed assembly optionally has a drive shaft driven by a piezoelectric resonant linear drive system.

The mobile device optionally further comprises at least one ink storage container. At least one storage container is
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for hermetic connection to the printhead;
At least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets.

The mobile device is optionally further
A sensor for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to a print engine controller;
The print engine control device starts printing using the signal when the sheet is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the print head.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a dual sensory facility for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate before and after the media substrate passes the printhead.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
An ink jet print head for printing on a media substrate;
A drive shaft for feeding the medium to the tip of the print head;
A print engine control device for controlling the operation of the print head, and in use the print engine control device senses the number of full and partial rotations of the media feed roller and A mobile device is provided that adjusts the operation of the printhead in response to changes in angular velocity.

  The use of a single media drive shaft in a mobile device with a print head allows for a compact design. However, in order to support the trailing edge of the medium by the momentum of the print head, the drive shaft must be disposed immediately before the print head (relative to the medium feeding direction). Therefore, the speed of the drive shaft changes while the medium sheet is printed. First, when the leading edge of the media sheet is first engaged with the feed roller, a load is added and the angular velocity is slowed. Once the frictional engagement between the roller and the medium is established, the angular velocity is again increased. Because the print head and feed roller are very close together, the roller will increase in speed while the leading edge is being printed. Assuming the print engine controller (PEC) keeps the roller speed constant, visible artifacts appear in the printing of the leading edge portion of the media sheet. By letting the PEC perceive the rotation of the roller, the PEC determines the vertical position of the media relative to the print head and removes artifacts from the print and adjusts the nozzle behavior in response to changes in roller speed. Can do.

  The drive shaft optionally has light encoding, and the print engine controller uses a light sensor to perceive the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft.

  The print head optionally has a capper assembly that can be moved between a cap position that covers the print head nozzle and a non-cap position spaced from the print head nozzle. The capper assembly is adapted to engage the media substrate and move from the cap position toward the uncapped position.

  The media substrate optionally engages the leading edge that engages the capper assembly and the drive shaft before printing so that the drive shaft accelerates due to load reduction and the sheet decelerates due to friction. And a trailing edge that protrudes toward the tip of the print head by the amount of movement.

  The capper assembly optionally holds the sheet lightly so that after the printing of the sheet is complete, a portion of the sheet can be moved out of the mobile device and easily collected by hand.

  The capper assembly optionally returns to the cap position when the sheet is manually collected from the mobile device.

  The print head and drive shaft are optionally incorporated into a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a print media feed path in the mobile device.

  The print head optionally has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, each negative The cartridge is further provided with an ink storage container individually provided with at least one suction structure for guiding the hydrostatic ink to the nozzle, and a capping mechanism for covering the print head when not in use. ing.

The mobile device is optionally further
(A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It can move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(C) a force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein the force applied by the edge of the media substrate as the media substrate moves relative to the feed path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism, thereby A force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before the media substrate reaches the capper.

The mobile device is optionally further
(A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the medium substrate to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It can move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(C) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until the trailing edge of the media substrate passes the print head.

  The drive shaft optionally has a media engagement surface for increasing contact friction with the media substrate.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a capper that can be moved between a capping position that is forced into a capping relationship with the print head and an uncapped position where the print head can print on the media substrate. A capping mechanism is provided. The capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the media.

The print engine controller optionally has a light emitting beacon, and the print head further comprises:
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzles;
And an optical sensor for optically receiving print data from the beacon.

  The drive shaft is optionally driven by a piezoelectric resonant linear drive system.

The mobile device is optionally further
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicating the position of the media substrate relative to the print head. The print engine control device discriminates the above signals, extracts the speed of the medium substrate relative to the print head, and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed.

The mobile device optionally further comprises at least one ink storage container. At least one storage container is
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for hermetic connection to the printhead;
At least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets.

The mobile device optionally further reads the data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate, generates a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmits the generated signal to the print engine controller. Equipped with a sensor to
The print engine control device starts printing using the signal when the sheet is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the print head.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a dual sensory facility for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate before and after the media substrate passes the printhead.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
A print head for printing on a media substrate;
A drive shaft for feeding the media substrate to the tip of the print head;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
An ink storage container for supplying ink to the print head, the ink storage container comprising:
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for hermetic connection to the printhead;
A mobile device is provided having an ink outlet in an adjacent section and at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets.

  The at least one conduit optionally has a sufficiently small cross-sectional area so that ink outflow from the conduit under gravity is prevented regardless of the orientation of the housing by capillary action.

  The at least one conduit is optionally defined by one or more passages formed on the outer surface of the housing and covered with a sealing membrane adhered to the outer surface. The seal membrane has an opening for fluid communication with the print head at each outlet.

  The housing optionally defines three ink storage volumes. Each of the ink storage volumes is elongated and a baffle extends across the individual storage volumes.

  Each of the sections optionally includes an ink retaining structure incorporating a porous material so that the hydrostatic pressure of the ink in the nozzles that are not ejecting the printhead ink is less than atmospheric pressure by capillary action. Yes.

  The print head is optionally a page width print head.

  The print head and drive shaft are optionally incorporated into a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a print media feed path in the mobile device.

  The print head optionally has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, each negative Incorporated into a cartridge further comprising an ink storage container individually provided with at least one blotting structure for guiding the hydrostatic ink to the nozzle and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use Yes.

The mobile device is optionally further
(A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It can move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(C) a force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein the force applied by the edge of the media substrate as the media substrate moves relative to the feed path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism, thereby A force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before the media substrate reaches the capper.

The mobile device is optionally further
(A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the medium substrate to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It can move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(C) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until the trailing edge of the media substrate passes the print head.

  The drive shaft optionally has a media engagement surface for increasing contact friction with the media substrate.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a capper that can be moved between a capping position that is forced into a capping relationship with the print head and an uncapped position where the print head can print on the media substrate. A capping mechanism is provided. The capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the media.

The print engine controller optionally has a light emitting beacon, and the print head further comprises:
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzles;
And an optical sensor for optically receiving print data from the beacon.

  The drive shaft is optionally driven by a piezoelectric resonant linear drive system.

The mobile device is optionally further
A position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicating the position of the media substrate relative to the print head;
The print engine controller discriminates the signal to derive the speed of the media substrate relative to the print head, and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed.

  During use, the print engine controller optionally perceives the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in the angular velocity of the drive shaft. Yes.

The mobile device is optionally further
A sensor for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to a print engine controller;
The print engine control device starts printing using the signal when the sheet is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the print head.

The mobile device is optionally further
A dual sensory facility is provided for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate before and after the media substrate passes the printhead.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a print medium configured to be printed in a print direction by a mobile device. Print media is
A laminated substrate defining first and second opposing faces;
A data track developed in a linear reading direction across a portion of a first side of a print medium, the first information encoded according to a linear encoding scheme, wherein the reading direction is relative to the printing direction. A data track oriented at an angle between 45 and 135 degrees.

  The reading direction is optionally oriented at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the printing direction.

  The print medium optionally further comprises a leading edge and a trailing edge opposite the leading edge, the print medium being designed to be inserted into a mobile device for printing from the leading edge. Yes. The data track is arranged closer to the leading edge than to the trailing edge.

  The data track is optionally located at a leading edge portion or a portion adjacent to the leading edge.

  The data track is optionally printed with infrared ink.

  The data track is optionally printed with infrared ink that is substantially invisible to the average human naked eye.

  The print medium optionally further includes encoded data including second information encoded according to a second encoding scheme that is completely different from the linear encoding scheme. The first information represents the second information.

  The first information is optionally the same as the second information.

  The first and second information are optionally document identifiers.

A method of printing on a print medium optionally uses a mobile device with a print head and a data track reader. This method includes
(A) receiving a print medium in a mobile device;
(B) reading the data track;
(C) decoding the data track to obtain first information;
(D) printing to the print medium using at least partly the first information determined from the decoded data track.

Step (d) is optional,
(E) a sub-step of sending a first message containing the first information to the remote computer system;
(F) a sub-step of receiving a second message from the remote computer indicating whether printing on the print medium is permitted;
(G) If the second message confirms that printing is permitted, a sub-step of printing on the print medium is included.

  The method optionally includes receiving print data from the remote computer system in response to the first message, wherein step (g) includes printing media based at least in part on the print data. Includes a step of printing.

  The first information optionally represents a physical property of the print medium.

  The first information optionally represents the size of the print medium.

  The first information optionally represents a media type associated with the print media.

  The first information optionally represents information that has been pre-printed on the print medium.

  The first information optionally represents the identification of the print medium.

  The print medium optionally further comprises a second linear encoded data track extending along at least a portion of at least one side of the print medium.

  The second linear encoded data track is optionally printed with infrared ink that is substantially invisible to the average human naked eye.

  The second linear encoded data track optionally includes an extractable clock that can be used by the mobile device to synchronize printing on the print media.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for printing on a print medium using a mobile device comprising a printhead and a sensor. Print media is
A laminated substrate defining first and second opposing faces;
A data track developed in a linear reading direction across a portion of a first side of a print medium, the first information encoded according to a linear encoding scheme, wherein the reading direction is relative to the printing direction. Data track oriented at an angle between 45 degrees and 135 degrees, the method comprising:
Receiving print media in a media feed path of a mobile device;
Using a sensor to perceive a data track at least once before or during printing on a print medium using a printhead;
A step of determining the lateral registration of the data track to the sensor is included.

  The print medium optionally includes encoded data having a predetermined positional relationship to the data track, and the method is determined in the mobile device before or during printing. A step of determining a lateral registration of the encoded data for the media feed path based on the lateral registration is included.

  The encoded data optionally encodes the second information, and the first information represents the second information. The method includes the step of decoding the data track to determine the first information.

  The first information is optionally the same as the second information.

  The first and second information are optionally document identifiers.

  The method optionally includes printing on a print medium using a print head, at least in part utilizing the determined lateral registration.

  The method optionally includes printing on a print medium using a print head, utilizing at least in part the first information determined from the decoded data track.

The printing step is optional,
Sending a first message containing first information to a remote computer system;
Receiving from the remote computer a response indicating whether printing is permitted for the print medium;
If the response confirms that printing is permitted, a sub-step of printing on the print medium is included.

  The method optionally includes receiving print data from a remote computer system in response to the first message, the printing step printing to a print medium based at least in part on the print data. Contains steps to do.

  The first information optionally represents a physical property of the print medium.

  The first information optionally represents the size of the print medium.

  The first information optionally represents a media type associated with the print media.

  The first information optionally represents information that has been pre-printed on the print medium.

  The first information optionally represents the identification of the print medium.

The print medium optionally further comprises a second linearly encoded data track extending along at least a portion of at least one side of the print medium, the method comprising:
Perceiving a second data track while printing on a print medium;
Extracting a clock signal from the perceived second data track;
A step of synchronizing printing based on the clock signal is included.

  The mobile device optionally includes a light emitting device, and the method includes illuminating the data track using the light emitting device while perceiving the data track.

  The data track is optionally printed with infrared ink, and the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a print medium configured to be printed in a print direction by a mobile device. Print media is
A laminated substrate defining first and second opposing faces;
A data track expanding in a linear reading direction along a print medium in a print direction, including first information encoded according to a linear encoding scheme, and synchronizing printing to the print medium using a print head A linear encoding scheme with a data track selected so that clock data can be extracted from the data track while the print medium is moving beyond the print head in the mobile device. ing.

  The data track is optionally disposed at an edge portion of the print medium that is unfolding in the printing direction or a portion adjacent to the edge.

  The data track is optionally printed with infrared ink.

  The data track is optionally printed with infrared ink that is substantially invisible to the average human naked eye.

  The print medium optionally further includes encoded data including second information encoded according to a second encoding scheme that is completely different from the linear encoding scheme. The first information represents the second information.

  The first information is optionally the same as the second information.

  The first and second information are optionally document identifiers.

A method of printing on a print medium optionally uses a mobile device with a print head and a data track reader. This method includes
(A) receiving a print medium in a mobile device;
(B) reading a data track using a data track reader during a printing operation;
(C) extracting a clock signal from the read data track;
(D) includes printing to the print medium at least in part using the clock signal.

Optionally, the method further includes:
(F) extracting the first information from the read data track;
(G) transmitting a first message including first information to a remote computer system;
(H) receiving from the remote computer a second message indicating whether printing to the print medium is permitted;
(I) When the second message confirms that printing is permitted, a step of printing on a print medium is included.

  The method optionally further comprises a step (j) of reading the data track at a different time from step (b) using a data track reader, which is performed before step (f). In order to execute steps (f) to (i), a step of using the data read in step (j) is included.

  The method optionally includes receiving print data from the remote computer system in response to the first message, wherein step (g) includes printing media based at least in part on the print data. Includes a step of printing.

  The first information optionally represents a physical property of the print medium.

  The first information optionally represents the size of the print medium.

  The first information optionally represents a media type associated with the print media.

  The first information optionally represents information that has been pre-printed on the print medium.

  The first information optionally represents the identification of the print medium.

  The method optionally further includes a plurality of data tracks located at different locations on the print medium.

  The method optionally includes at least one orientation indicator in the data track.

  The at least one orientation mark is optionally disposed on an edge portion of the print medium or a portion adjacent to the edge.

  The print media optionally has a leading and trailing edge defined with respect to the intended feed direction of the print media through the media feed path of the mobile device, of the at least one orientation indicator. Is disposed on or in a leading edge portion of the print medium or a portion adjacent to the leading edge.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a mobile device for printing on a print medium. The print media has linear encoded data tracks that are deployed in the intended print direction, and the mobile device
A sensor configured to perceive a data track while printing;
A print head for printing on a print medium in response to an ejection control signal;
Injection control means connected to generate an injection control signal based on the perceived data track.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a light emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is perceiving the data track during printing.

  The data track is optionally printed using infrared ink, and the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum. The light sensor is sensitive to the infrared spectrum.

  The data track is optionally a clock track that includes only the clock code, and the ejection control means is configured to generate an ejection control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the perceived data track.

  The data track optionally includes first information including an embedded clock signal, and the injection control means is adapted to generate an injection control signal in the form of a clock signal derived from the perceived data track. It is configured.

  The first information optionally represents at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, so that the mobile device controls the operation of the print head based at least in part on at least one of the physical characteristic. It is configured.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to use the perceived data track to determine the absolute position of the print media relative to the printhead and utilize the determination to print on the print media.

  The data track optionally further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data that encodes second information. The first information represents the second information. The mobile device is configured to print on the print medium such that a predetermined registration exists between the data being printed and the second encoded data.

  The mobile device includes a receiver for receiving print data to be printed and information representing a predetermined registration.

The data track optionally further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data that encodes second information. The first information represents the second information. Mobile devices
Print on print media,
It is configured to determine a registration between the data being printed and the second encoded data.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a transmitter for transmitting the determined registration to the remote computer system.

  The first information optionally represents the size of the print medium.

  The first information optionally represents a media type associated with the print media.

  The first information optionally represents information that has been pre-printed on the print medium.

  The first information optionally represents the identification of the print medium.

  The method optionally further includes a plurality of data tracks located at different locations on the print medium.

  The data track optionally includes at least one orientation indicator.

  The at least one orientation mark is optionally disposed on an edge portion of the print medium or a portion adjacent to the edge.

  The print media optionally has a leading and trailing edge defined with respect to the intended feed direction of the print media through the media feed path of the mobile device, of the at least one orientation indicator. Is disposed on or in a leading edge portion of the print medium or a portion adjacent to the leading edge.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a print medium configured to be printed in a print direction by a mobile device. Print media is
A laminated substrate defining first and second opposing faces;
And encoded data encoding the first information representing the physical characteristics of the print medium.

  The first information optionally represents the size of the print medium.

  The first information optionally represents a media type associated with the print media.

  The first information optionally represents information that has been pre-printed on the print medium.

  The first information is optionally encoded in the encoded data according to a linear encoding scheme.

  The encoded data is optionally in the form of a data track.

  Optionally, the data track extends along the edge of the print medium.

  The print medium optionally comprises at least two data tracks each encoding the first information.

  The first information is optionally the same for all data tracks.

  Each of the data tracks optionally includes at least one orientation indicator that indicates the orientation of the print media.

  The orientation indicator is optionally different for each data track to account for differences in the position and orientation of the individual data tracks relative to the print medium.

  One of the orientation markers is optionally positioned adjacent to the first corner of the first side of the print medium.

  The other of the orientation markings is optionally positioned adjacent to a second corner of the first side of the print medium that is diagonally opposite the first corner. ing.

  The data track optionally further includes at least one orientation indicator that indicates the orientation of the print media.

  The data track is optionally printed with infrared ink.

  The data track is optionally printed with infrared ink that is substantially invisible to the average human naked eye.

  The print medium optionally further includes encoded data including second information encoded according to a second encoding scheme that is completely different from the linear encoding scheme, the first information being the second information. Information.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a mobile device for printing on a print medium in a printing direction. The print medium includes first encoded data encoding the first information, and the mobile device
A first sensor for perceiving first encoded data;
Processing means for decoding the encoded data and extracting at least the first information;
A print head for printing on a print medium, controlled to print on the print medium based at least in part on the extracted first information, and starts printing until the first information is fully extracted With no print head.

  The first information optionally represents the identification of the print medium.

  The first encoded data is optionally encoded in the data track according to a linear encoding scheme, and the print medium has a second encoding encoded with an encoding scheme different from the linear encoding scheme. Contains data. At least a part of the first information represents the second information encoded in the second encoded data.

  The first and second information optionally represents an identification of the print medium.

  The mobile device optionally includes a transmitter configured to transmit a first message representative of the print media identification to the remote computer system.

  The mobile device optionally includes a receiver for receiving a second message indicating whether to print on the print medium in response to the first message, the mobile device printing It is configured to wait for this second message before deciding whether to print on the media.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises media drive means for driving the print media beyond the print head during printing.

  The mobile device optionally defines a print path along which the print medium moves beyond the print head and the drive means is located upstream of the sensor in the print path. Yes.

  A sensor is optionally disposed between the drive means and the print head.

  The drive means can optionally be reverse driven, and thus reverse driven until the print medium is substantially upstream of the print head to allow reading of the first encoded data. The print medium can be driven to the tip of the sensor in the print direction and then driven to the tip of the print head in the print direction during printing.

Mobile devices are optional,
During printing, the first encoded data is perceived while the print medium is driven beyond the print head;
Extracting a clock signal from the first encoded data; and
An ejection control signal is provided to the print head and is thereby configured to use a clock signal to synchronize printing medium movement and printing.

  The mobile device optionally defines a print path along which the print medium moves beyond the print head, and the drive means are respectively located on the print path upstream and downstream of the print head. First and second drive mechanisms are provided.

  The sensor is optionally disposed between the first drive mechanism and the second drive mechanism.

Mobile devices are optional,
During printing, the first encoded data is perceived while the print medium is driven beyond the print head;
Extracting a clock signal from the first encoded data; and
An ejection control signal is provided to the print head and is thereby configured to use a clock signal to synchronize printing medium movement and printing.

  The first encoded data optionally includes a separate clock track parallel to the linearly encoded first information, and the mobile device generates a clock signal from this clock track during printing. Is configured to do.

  The first encoded data optionally includes a separate clock track parallel to the linearly encoded first information, and the mobile device generates a clock signal from this clock track during printing. Is configured to do.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a light emitting device arranged to output light to the first encoded data so that the sensor can be used to perceive the first encoded data. Yes.

  The first encoded data is optionally printed with infrared ink, and the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum.

  The first encoded data is optionally printed with infrared ink that is substantially invisible to the average human naked eye.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a mobile device for printing on a print medium in a printing direction. The print medium includes first encoded data encoding the first information, and the mobile device
A first sensor for perceiving first encoded data;
Processing means for decoding the encoded data and extracting at least the first information;
A print head for printing on a print medium, the print head being controlled to print on the print medium based at least in part on the extracted first information, wherein the printing is performed before the first information is fully extracted. And a print head to start.

  The first information optionally represents the identification of the print medium.

  The first encoded data is optionally encoded in the data track according to a linear encoding scheme, and the print medium has a second encoding encoded with an encoding scheme different from the linear encoding scheme. Contains data. At least a part of the first information represents the second information encoded in the second encoded data.

  The first and second information optionally represent print media identification.

  The mobile device optionally includes a transmitter configured to transmit a first message representative of the print media identification to the remote computer system.

  The mobile device optionally includes a receiver for receiving a second message indicating whether to print on the print medium in response to the first message, the mobile device printing If the second message indicates that printing should not be performed on the medium, the printing is stopped.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises media drive means for driving the print media beyond the print head during printing.

  The mobile device optionally defines a print path along which the print medium moves beyond the print head and the drive means is located upstream of the sensor in the print path. Yes.

  A sensor is optionally disposed between the drive means and the print head.

Mobile devices are optional,
During printing, the first encoded data is perceived while the print medium is driven beyond the print head;
Extracting a clock signal from the first encoded data; and
An ejection control signal is provided to the print head and is thereby configured to use a clock signal to synchronize printing medium movement and printing.

  The first encoded data optionally includes a separate clock track separate from the first information, and the mobile device is configured to generate a clock signal from this clock track during printing. ing.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a light emitting device arranged to output light to the first encoded data so that the sensor can be used to perceive the first encoded data. Yes.

  The first encoded data is optionally printed with infrared ink, and the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum.

  The first encoded data is optionally printed with infrared ink that is substantially invisible to the average human naked eye.

  The print head optionally forms part of a replaceable cartridge.

  The cartridge optionally includes at least one ink storage container.

  The cartridge optionally includes at least one capping mechanism for capping the print head when not printing.

The capping mechanism is optional,
A capper that can be moved between a capping position that is forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the cap is displaced from the print head. It has. The capper moves between a cap position and an uncapped position by the edge of the print medium as the print medium moves through the media path.

  In the cap position, the capper is optionally elastically forced into a capping relationship.

  The capping mechanism is optionally configured to displace the capper in the feeding direction when the capper moves from the cap position to the non-cap position.

  The processing means is optionally configured to derive from the second encoded data a clock signal that is used to synchronize printing on the print medium.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
A printer for printing document information in one or more of a plurality of print areas, each of the print areas having identification data indicating identification information for distinguishing the plurality of print areas from each other; ,
A mobile device is provided that includes at least one sensor for perceiving identification information of one or more print areas.

  The device is optionally a mobile device.

  The identification data is optionally shown on the print area in encoded form, and the printer receives the encoded data from at least one sensor and decodes at least the identification data or at least the identification information A decoder for outputting the digitized data.

  Each of the identification information is optionally indicated on the print area by at least two discrete item data, and the decoder receives at least two individual item data and decodes at least the identification information. Output data.

  The at least one sensor is optionally arranged to perceive the identification data after printing of document information on individual print areas has begun.

  The at least one sensor is optionally arranged to perceive the identification data before printing of document information on individual print areas is initiated.

  The at least one sensor is optionally arranged to perceive the identification data during printing of document information on individual print areas.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a transmitter for transmitting information to the computer system.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a transmitter that transmits identification data or identification information to the computer system.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises means for detecting a fault and generating a void signal when the fault is detected in order to correctly print the document information in the print area. The transmitter transmits the void signal to the computer system.

  The document information is optionally based at least in part on document data received from the computer system.

  The printer optionally retrieves identification data or identification information associated with the print area and transmits it to the computer system before receiving the document data associated with the print area.

  The printer optionally retrieves identification data or identification information associated with the print area and sends it to a computer system prior to receiving document data associated with the print area, and The document data is based at least in part on the identification information of the print area.

  The printer can optionally be operated to overprint a print area in which document information already exists so that the existing document information cannot be read.

  The printer optionally includes a printing mechanism for printing at least two print areas substantially simultaneously.

  The at least one sensor is optionally selected from an image sensor, a magnetic sensor, and a chemical sensor.

  The printer optionally generates at least a portion of the information to be printed.

  The printer optionally generates print information representing the information to be printed.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a user interface for allowing the user to enter identification information into the printer.

  In a first aspect, the present invention provides a print medium configured to be printed in a print direction by a mobile device. The print medium includes a laminated substrate that defines first and second opposing surfaces. The laminated substrate includes a first portion printed by the mobile device and a second portion attached to the second portion by a relatively weak area of the substrate. The second part can be removed from the first part.

  The print medium optionally comprises a linear track, and the mobile device can derive from this linear track a clock signal that is used to synchronize printing to the first portion.

  At least a portion of the linear track is optionally disposed in the second portion.

  The linear track is optionally deployed continuously in both the first and second portions.

  The linear track is a linear encoded data track that optionally includes first information that can be retrieved by the mobile device before or during printing.

  The print medium optionally further includes encoded data including second information encoded in a format different from the linear encoding. The first information represents the second information.

  The linear track is optionally developed along the print medium in the printing direction.

  The linear track is optionally disposed at an edge portion or a portion adjacent to the edge that extends in the printing direction of the print medium.

  The relatively weak area is optionally a perforated line that extends across the print medium in a direction generally perpendicular to the print direction.

  The relatively weak area may optionally be such that when the second part is removed from the first part, the edge of the first part that appears by removing the second part is Shaped to be substantially the same as the edge of the opposite end of the first portion.

  The linear track optionally includes at least one orientation indicator that indicates the orientation of the print media.

  The orientation marker is optionally disposed on the edge portion of the second portion or a portion adjacent to the edge spaced from the weak area.

  The linear track of the print media optionally includes a weak area or other orientation mark placed in a first portion adjacent to the weak area.

  The data track is optionally printed with infrared ink.

  The data track is optionally printed with infrared ink that is substantially invisible to the average human naked eye.

  The print medium optionally further includes human readable information preprinted on at least one side.

  The second portion optionally includes encoded data including second information encoded in a format different from linear encoding.

  The second part optionally includes pre-printed human readable information indicating the second part which is a lottery ticket.

  The first information optionally represents a physical property of the print medium.

  The first information optionally represents the size of the print medium.

  The first information optionally represents a media type associated with the print media.

  The first information represents information that is optionally printed in advance on the print medium.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for reading encoded data from a print medium configured to be printed in a print direction by a mobile device using a mobile device. The mobile device includes a printer, a sensor, and processing means, and the print medium includes a laminated substrate that defines first and second opposing surfaces. The first surface carries encoded data. In the above method,
Using a sensor to perceive at least a portion of the encoded data from the print medium;
Using processing means to decode the encoded data;
The step of printing on the print medium only after the encoded data is decoded is included.

  The encoded data optionally indicates a plurality of positions associated with the print medium, and the decoding step includes determining at least one of the plurality of positions.

  The decoding step optionally includes determining the position of the print medium relative to the sensor at the time the encoded data is perceived based at least in part on the determined position.

  The encoded data optionally takes the form of a two-dimensional array of data, and the sensor is configured to capture an image of a subset of the encoded data. A subset of the encoded data is sufficient to allow position determination.

  The processing means optionally selects the position of the print medium relative to the sensor at the time the encoded data is perceived based at least in part on the determined position and the position of the encoded data captured in the sensor's capture field. Is configured to determine.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a light emitting device, and the method includes using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the sensor is perceiving encoded data. Yes.

The method is optionally performed while printing on a print medium.
Using a sensor to determine a clock signal;
The step of using the clock signal to synchronize printing on the print medium is included.

Using the sensor to perceive the encoded data optionally includes capturing a first image of the encoded data, and generating the clock signal includes:
Determining a position of the print medium relative to the sensor at the time the encoded data is perceived based at least in part on the determined position;
Using a sensor to capture a subsequent image of the encoded data as the print head is printing;
Determining the movement of the print medium based on images captured in succession during printing;
A step of using the processor to perform the step of deriving the clock signal based on the movement of the print media is included.

During printing, the step of determining the movement of the print medium is optional,
Decoding encoded data captured in at least a portion of a plurality of images captured in succession;
Determining the position of the print media relative to the sensor at the time the individual images were captured;
Using the processing means to perform the step of determining the movement of the print medium based on the determined position by time is included.

  During printing, the step of determining the movement of the print medium optionally includes the data encoded in at least a portion of the captured plurality of images to determine the movement of the print medium relative to the initial position. A step of performing pattern recognition for at least a portion is included.

  The method optionally further comprises determining the movement of the print medium relative to the sensor based on the encoded data perceived by the sensor.

  The step of determining the movement of the print medium optionally includes capturing a plurality of images of encoded data as the print medium moves beyond the sensor, and the printing medium based on the plurality of images. A step for determining movement is included.

The step of determining the movement of the print medium is optional,
Using processing means to decode encoded data captured in at least a portion of the captured plurality of images;
Determining the position of the print media relative to the sensor at the time the individual images were captured;
A step of determining movement of the print medium based on the determined position by time is included.

  The step of determining the movement of the print medium optionally includes performing pattern recognition to determine the movement of the print medium relative to at least one absolute position of the print medium.

  Optionally obtaining an absolute position using processing means for decoding data encoded in at least one of the captured plurality of images, and at least one absolute from the decoded data A step of obtaining a position is included.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a light emitting device, and the method includes using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the sensor is perceiving encoded data. Yes.

  The method optionally further includes generating a clock signal based on movement of the print medium and using the clock signal to synchronize printing on the print medium.

  The print media optionally includes at least one orientation indicator that indicates the orientation of the print media, and the method includes determining orientation from the orientation indicator prior to initiating printing. Yes.

  The at least one orientation mark is optionally disposed on an edge portion of the print medium or a portion adjacent to the edge.

  The print media optionally has a leading and trailing edge defined with respect to the intended feed direction of the print media through the media feed path and at least one of the at least one orientation indicator. One is disposed on or in the leading edge portion of the print medium or a portion adjacent to the leading edge.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method of using a mobile device to determine movement of a print medium configured to be printed in a print direction by the mobile device relative to the mobile device. The mobile device includes a printer, a first sensor, and processing means, and the print medium includes a laminated substrate that defines first and second opposing surfaces. The first surface carries encoded data. In the above method,
Using a first sensor to perceive at least a portion of the encoded data from the print medium;
A step of determining movement of the print medium relative to the sensor based on the encoded data perceived by the first sensor is included.

  The step of determining the movement of the print medium optionally includes capturing a plurality of images of encoded data as the print medium moves beyond the first sensor, and based on the plurality of images. A step of determining the movement of the print medium is included.

The step of determining the movement of the print medium is optional,
Using processing means to decode encoded data captured in at least one of the captured plurality of images;
Determining the position of the print media relative to the first sensor at the time the individual images were captured;
A step of determining movement of the print medium based on the determined position by time is included.

  The step of determining the movement of the print medium optionally includes performing pattern recognition to determine the movement of the print medium relative to at least one absolute position of the print medium.

  The method optionally includes obtaining an absolute position using processing means for decoding data encoded in at least one of the captured plurality of images, and the decoded data Obtaining at least one absolute position from.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a light emitting device, the method comprising using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the first sensor is perceiving the encoded data. include.

  The method optionally further includes generating a clock signal based on movement of the print medium and using the clock signal to synchronize printing on the print medium.

  The encoded data optionally indicates a plurality of positions associated with the print medium, and the decoding step includes determining at least one of the plurality of positions.

  The decoding step optionally includes determining a position of the print medium relative to the first sensor at the time the encoded data is perceived based at least in part on the determined position. .

  The encoded data is optionally in the form of a two-dimensional array of data, and the first sensor is configured to capture an image of a subset of the encoded data. A subset of the encoded data is sufficient to allow position determination.

  The processing means optionally has a first time at which the encoded data is perceived based at least in part on the determined position and the position of the encoded data captured in the capture field of the first sensor. It is configured to determine the position of the print medium relative to the sensor.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a light emitting device, the method comprising using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the first sensor is perceiving the encoded data. include.

The method is optionally performed while printing on a print medium.
Using a first sensor to perceive encoded data;
Using a processing means to generate a clock signal based on the perceived encoded data;
The step of using the clock signal to synchronize printing on the print medium is included.

Using the first sensor to perceive encoded data optionally includes capturing a first image of the encoded data, and generating the clock signal includes:
Determining a position of the print medium relative to the first sensor at the time the encoded data is perceived based at least in part on the determined position;
Using a first sensor to capture a subsequent image of encoded data as the print head is printing;
Determining the movement of the print medium based on images captured in succession during printing;
A step of using the processor to perform the step of deriving the clock signal based on the movement of the print media is included.

During printing, the step of determining the movement of the print medium is optional,
Decoding encoded data captured in at least a portion of a plurality of images captured in succession;
Determining the position of the print media relative to the first sensor at the time the individual images were captured;
Using the processing means to perform the step of determining the movement of the print medium based on the determined position by time is included.

  During printing, the step of determining the movement of the print medium optionally includes the data encoded in at least a portion of the captured plurality of images to determine the movement of the print medium relative to the initial position. A step of performing pattern recognition for at least a portion is included.

  The print media optionally includes at least one orientation indicator that indicates the orientation of the print media, and the method includes determining orientation from the orientation indicator prior to initiating printing. Yes.

  The at least one orientation mark is optionally disposed on an edge portion of the print medium or a portion adjacent to the edge.

  The method optionally further comprises the step of using processing means to determine a first relative rotation of the encoded data relative to the print medium from the known physical orientation of the print medium and the first image. ing.

Optionally, the method further includes:
Using a second sensor to capture a second image of at least a portion of the encoded data;
A step of determining movement of the print medium relative to the sensor based on the encoded data perceived by both the first and second sensors is included.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for determining a first relative rotation of encoded data relative to a print medium using a mobile device. The print medium is configured to be printed in the print direction by the mobile device. The mobile device includes a printer, a first sensor, and processing means, and the print medium includes a laminated substrate that defines first and second opposing surfaces. The first surface carries encoded data. In the above method,
(A) using the first sensor to capture a first image of at least a portion of the encoded data when the print medium is located at the first position;
(B) using a processing means to determine a first relative rotation of the encoded data relative to the print medium from the known physical orientation of the print medium and the first image.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a transmitter, and the method further includes transmitting a first relative rotation to the remote computer system using the transmitter.

  The transmitter is optionally configured to transmit the relative rotation via the mobile telecommunications network.

Optionally, the method further includes:
Using the first sensor to capture a second image of at least a portion of the encoded data when the print medium is located at the second position;
Using the processing means to determine a second relative rotation of the encoded data relative to the print medium from the known physical orientation of the print medium and the second image;
Using the processing means to calculate from the first and second rotations a third rotation in which an indication of relative rotation of the encoded data relative to the print medium is more accurate than the first or second rotation. ing.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a transmitter, and the method further includes transmitting a third relative rotation to the remote computer system using the transmitter.

The method is optionally further performed by a processing means.
Decoding at least a portion of the data encoded in the first image;
Determining a position from the decoded data;
Based on the position and the position of the encoded data in the first image, determining a first position of the print medium relative to the first sensor at the time the first image is captured is included. .

  The step of determining the movement of the print medium optionally includes capturing a plurality of images of encoded data as the print medium moves beyond the first sensor, and based on the plurality of images. A step of determining the movement of the print medium is included.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a light emitting device, the method comprising using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the first sensor is perceiving the encoded data. include.

  The method optionally further includes generating a clock signal based on movement of the print medium and using the clock signal to synchronize printing on the print medium.

  The encoded data is optionally in the form of a two-dimensional array of data, and the first sensor is configured to capture an image of a subset of the encoded data. A subset of the encoded data is sufficient to allow position determination.

The method is optionally performed while printing on a print medium.
Using a first sensor to perceive encoded data;
Using a processing means to generate a clock signal based on the perceived encoded data;
The step of using the clock signal to synchronize printing on the print medium is included.

Using the first sensor to perceive encoded data optionally includes capturing a first image of the encoded data, and generating the clock signal includes:
Determining a position of the print medium relative to the first sensor at the time the encoded data is perceived based at least in part on the determined position;
Using a first sensor to capture a subsequent image of encoded data as the print head is printing;
Determining the movement of the print medium based on images captured in succession during printing;
A step of using the processor to perform the step of deriving the clock signal based on the movement of the print media is included.

During printing, the step of determining the movement of the print medium is optional,
Decoding the encoded data captured in at least a portion of the successively captured images;
Determining the position of the print media relative to the first sensor at the time the individual images were captured;
Using the processing means to perform the step of determining the movement of the print medium based on the determined position by time is included.

  During printing, the step of determining the movement of the print medium optionally includes the data encoded in at least a portion of the captured plurality of images to determine the movement of the print medium relative to the initial position. A step of performing pattern recognition for at least a portion is included.

  The print media optionally includes at least one orientation indicator that indicates the orientation of the print media, and the method includes determining orientation from the orientation indicator prior to initiating printing. Yes.

  The at least one orientation mark is optionally disposed on an edge portion of the print medium or a portion adjacent to the edge.

  The print media optionally has a leading and trailing edge defined with respect to the intended feed direction of the print media through the media feed path and at least one of the at least one orientation indicator. One is disposed on or in the leading edge portion of the print medium or a portion adjacent to the leading edge.

Optionally, the method further includes:
Using a second sensor to capture a second image of at least a portion of the encoded data;
Using the processing means to determine a second relative rotation of the encoded data relative to the print medium from the known physical orientation of the print medium and the second image;
Using the processing means to calculate from the first and second rotations a third rotation in which an indication of relative rotation of the encoded data relative to the print medium is more accurate than the first or second rotation. ing.

  The method optionally includes capturing the first and second images substantially simultaneously.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for determining the position of a print medium configured to be printed in a print direction by a mobile device using a mobile device. The mobile device includes a printer, a first sensor, and processing means, and the print medium includes a laminated substrate that defines first and second opposing surfaces. The first surface carries encoded data indicating at least one position. In the above method,
(A) using a first sensor to capture a first image of at least a portion of the encoded data when the print media is located in a media feed path in the mobile device;
(B) decoding at least a portion of the perceived encoded data, thereby using the processing means to determine at least one position;
(C) determining the position of the print medium based on at least one position determined in step (b).

  In step (c), a position is optionally determined based at least in part on the determined position and the position of the encoded data captured in the capture field of the first sensor.

Optionally, the method further includes:
Using the first sensor to always capture multiple images;
Decoding the captured images and thereby using the processing means to determine a plurality of positions;
A step of determining a series of positions of the print medium based on the plurality of positions is included.

The mobile device optionally comprises a second sensor, the method comprising:
(D) using a second sensor to capture a second image of at least a portion of the encoded data;
(E) decoding at least a portion of the perceived encoded data, thereby using the processing means to determine at least one position;
(F) The step of determining the position of the print medium based on the position determined in step (e) is included.

  The method optionally includes capturing the first and second images substantially simultaneously.

  The method optionally further includes using processing means to determine the position of the print medium based on the position determined in steps (c) and (f).

  The method optionally includes averaging the positions determined in steps (c) and (f).

  The method optionally further comprises the step of using processing means to determine print media identification from the perceived encoded data.

  The method optionally further includes determining a movement of the print medium relative to the sensor based on the encoded data perceived by the first sensor.

  The step of determining the movement of the print medium optionally includes capturing a plurality of images of encoded data as the print medium moves beyond the first sensor, and based on the plurality of images. A step of determining the movement of the print medium is included.

The step of determining the movement of the print medium is optional,
Using processing means to decode encoded data captured in at least one of the captured plurality of images;
Determining the position of the print media relative to the first sensor at the time the individual images were captured;
A step of determining movement of the print medium based on the determined position by time is included.

  The step of determining the movement of the print medium optionally includes performing pattern recognition to determine the movement of the print medium relative to at least one absolute position of the print medium.

  The method optionally includes using processing means to determine a first relative rotation of the encoded data relative to the print medium from the known physical orientation of the print medium and the first image. Yes.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a transmitter, and the method further includes transmitting a first relative rotation to the remote computer system using the transmitter.

  The transmitter is optionally configured to transmit the relative rotation via the mobile telecommunications network.

The method is optionally performed while printing on a print medium.
Using a processing means to generate a clock signal based on the perceived encoded data;
The step of using the clock signal to synchronize printing on the print medium is included.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a light emitting device, the method comprising using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the first sensor is perceiving the encoded data. include.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
A print head for printing on a sheet of media substrate having encoded data on at least a portion of the surface;
A media feed assembly for feeding a sheet of media substrate along the feed path to the tip of the printhead;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A mobile device is provided having a sensor for reading the encoded data, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to a print engine controller. The print engine control device starts printing using the signal when the sheet is positioned at a predetermined position with respect to the print head.

  In the case of a card, it is necessary to detect the leading edge of the card for vertical registration of printing from the print head. When printing is full bleed (printed at the extreme end of the card), longitudinal registration of the print is particularly important. The print engine controller (PEC) must be able to start printing the moment the leading edge reaches the print head. Also, if the Netpage tag pattern is pre-printed on the card, an accurate vertical registration is required to ensure that the printed words or images corresponding to all hyperlinks in the tag pattern are aligned. is required. In order to detect the leading edge using a microswitch or light sensor just in front of the print head, a complicated design is required and the size of the design increases. However, by encoding the card with data specifying the dimensions associated with the card, the PEC can begin printing at the appropriate time. As the sensor reads the encoded data, the PEC can determine the distance from the sensor to the leading edge, and then use the media feed speed to determine when to start printing.

  The at least one dimension is optionally the distance from at least one marker in the encoded data to the leading edge of the sheet, relative to the media feed direction ahead of the print head.

  The media feed assembly optionally feeds the sheet forward along the feed path during use. Thus, the sensor can read at least a portion of the encoded data before the sheet moves backwards along the path. The media feed assembly then feeds the sheet once again forward along the path to the end of the print head for printing.

  The encoded data is optionally arranged along a track that develops along the sheet in a direction parallel to the feed path.

  The encoded data is optionally distributed substantially over at least one side of the sheet.

  The encoded data is optionally disposed along a track that extends across the sheet in a direction perpendicular to the feed path.

  The print head and drive shaft are optionally incorporated into a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a print media feed path in the mobile device.

  The print head optionally has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, each negative Incorporated into a cartridge further comprising an ink storage container individually provided with at least one blotting structure for guiding the hydrostatic ink to the nozzle and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use Yes.

The mobile device is optionally further
(A) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(B) a force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein the force applied by the edge of the media substrate as the media substrate moves relative to the feed path is transmitted to the capa by the force transmission mechanism, thereby A force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before the media substrate reaches the capper.

The mobile device is optionally further
(A) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(B) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until the trailing edge of the media substrate passes the print head.

  The media feed assembly optionally has a drive shaft with a media engaging surface for increasing contact friction with the media substrate.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a capper that can be moved between a capping position that is forced into a capping relationship with the print head and an uncapped position where the print head can print on the media substrate. A capping mechanism is provided. The capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the media.

The print engine controller optionally has a light emitting beacon and the print head is
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzles;
And an optical sensor for optically receiving print data from the beacon.

  The media feed assembly optionally has a drive shaft driven by a piezoelectric resonant linear drive system.

The mobile device is optionally further
A position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicating the position of the media substrate relative to the print head;
The print engine controller discriminates the above signals to derive the speed of the medium substrate with respect to the print head, and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed.

The mobile device is optionally further in use,
The print engine controller senses the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in the angular velocity of the drive shaft.

The mobile device optionally further comprises at least one ink storage container. At least one storage container is
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for hermetic connection to the printhead;
At least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets.

The mobile device is optionally further
A dual sensory facility is provided for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate before and after the media substrate passes the printhead.

The media feed assembly optionally has a drive shaft for feeding a sheet of media substrate to the tip of the print head, and in use,
Before the printing is completed, the engagement between the sheet and the drive shaft is released so that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes toward the tip of the print head due to the amount of movement.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
A print head for printing on a sheet of media substrate having encoded data on at least a portion of the surface;
A media feed assembly for feeding a sheet of media substrate along the feed path to the tip of the printhead;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A mobile device is provided with a dual sensor facility for reading encoded data before and after passing through the print head.

  The print engine controller (PEC) requires a line sync signal for controlling the ejection of individual lines of print data from the nozzles. The line sync signal essentially indicates that the card has moved the required amount along the feed path and that the next line print can be ejected from the nozzle. The line sync signal can be generated by various methods. However, by encoding the medium with clock data, optically perceiving the clock data to derive a clock signal, and using the extracted clock signal to generate a line sync signal, the components can be minimized and integrated. The shape factor can be reduced. The clock data sensor can be placed in the immediate vicinity of the print head (media entrance side), but in this case, if it passes the sensor on the way to the print head, the clock data at the trailing edge of the medium is read. I can't. This is a problem for the method of generating the line sync signal required for printing the trailing edge portion. Generate a line sync signal from the leading edge to the trailing edge of the media by configuring the sensory device to read the clock data twice (once before the print head and once again after the print head) Can do. It will be appreciated that such a configuration is necessary for "full bleed" printing (when printing to the very end of the card).

  The sensor equipment may optionally include a first photosensor disposed adjacent to the feed path upstream of the print head and a second photosensor disposed adjacent to the feed path downstream of the print head. have.

  The encoded data is optionally configured in a vertical clock track developed along the sheet of the media substrate so that the first optical sensor reads the clock track prior to the second optical sensor. Clock data is included.

  Both the first and second photosensors optionally generate a clock signal when they are simultaneously reading the clock track, and the print engine control device receives the clock signal from the second photosensor. It synchronizes with the signal from 1 optical sensor.

  The print engine controller optionally has a phase locked loop for the first photosensor signal and the second photosensor signal, respectively, to generate the first and second phase locked clock signals. And the print engine control device synchronizes the first phase locked signal with a phase difference calculator for determining any phase difference between the first phase locked clock signal and the second phase locked clock signal. A delay amount for delaying the second phase-locked clock signal by the amount to be transmitted.

  The print engine controller optionally generates a line sync signal for the print head using the first phase locked clock signal prior to synchronization with the second phase locked clock signal; Next, after synchronization, a line sync signal is generated using the second phase-locked clock signal.

  The print head and drive shaft are optionally incorporated into a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a print media feed path in the mobile device.

  The print head optionally has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, each negative Incorporated into a cartridge further comprising an ink storage container individually provided with at least one blotting structure for guiding the hydrostatic ink to the nozzle and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use Yes.

The mobile device is optionally further
(A) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(B) a force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein the force applied by the edge of the media substrate as the media substrate moves relative to the feed path is transmitted to the capa by the force transmission mechanism, thereby A force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before the media substrate reaches the capper.

The mobile device is optionally further
(A) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, where the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism with a capper that is
(B) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until the trailing edge of the media substrate passes the print head.

  The media feed assembly optionally has a drive shaft with a media engaging surface for increasing contact friction with the media substrate.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a capper that can be moved between a capping position that is forced into a capping relationship with the print head and an uncapped position where the print head can print on the media substrate. A capping mechanism is provided. The capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the media.

The mobile device optionally further comprises a print engine controller with a light emitting beacon, the print head further comprising:
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzles;
And an optical sensor for optically receiving print data from the beacon.

  The media feed assembly optionally has a drive shaft driven by a piezoelectric resonant linear drive system.

The dual sensory facility optionally provides a signal to the print engine controller indicating the position of the media substrate relative to the print head;
The print engine controller discriminates the above signals to derive the speed of the medium substrate with respect to the print head, and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed.

  The media feed assembly optionally has a drive shaft, and the print engine controller senses the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and responds to changes in the angular velocity of the drive shaft. The operation of the print head is adjusted.

The mobile device optionally further comprises at least one ink storage container. At least one storage container is
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for hermetic connection to the printhead;
At least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets.

The encoded data optionally includes data indicating at least one dimension of the sheet of media substrate,
When the sheet is located at a predetermined position with respect to the print head, the print engine control device starts printing.

The media feed assembly optionally has a drive shaft for feeding a sheet of media substrate to the tip of the print head, and in use,
Before the printing is completed, the engagement between the sheet and the drive shaft is released so that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes toward the tip of the print head due to the amount of movement.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a replaceable print cartridge for loading on a mobile device. The print cartridge
A print head;
At least one ink storage container;
A first integrated circuit that permanently stores a relatively unique identifier in the integrated circuit, and when mounted on a mobile device, the mobile device can determine the identifier.

  The print cartridge optionally further comprises one or more contacts for operative connection to one or more corresponding complementary contacts in the mobile device when loaded, the mobile device comprising at least one A signal can be sent to the first integrated circuit via one contact.

  The mobile device optionally includes a second integrated circuit for signaling the first integrated circuit to determine the identifier, the first integrated circuit being connected to the first integrated circuit itself and the first integrated circuit. The authentication communication between the two integrated circuits is made possible.

The first integrated circuit optionally includes a non-volatile memory that stores the first bit pattern. The first bit pattern is
(A) applying a one-way function to the second bit pattern combined with the device to produce a first result;
(B) applying a second function to the first result and the first bit pattern to generate a second result; and
(C) It is generated by storing the second result in the memory and indirectly storing the first bit pattern.

  The one-way function is optionally cryptographically more secure than the second function.

  Each of the first integrated circuits optionally includes confidential information used for authentication by the mobile device of the cartridge associated with the integrated circuit, and the confidential information within each individual chip includes a plurality of confidential information. For other chips, they are located in different memory locations in the memory.

  The print head is optionally a page width print head.

  The print head optionally prints in at least three colors.

  The print head is optionally printing in cyan, magenta and yellow.

The print cartridge is optionally further
A capper that can be moved between a capping position that is forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the cap is displaced from the print head. The capping mechanism moves between the cap position and the non-cap position by the edge of the print medium as the print medium moves through the feed path.

  In the cap position, the capper is optionally elastically forced into a capping relationship.

  The capping mechanism is optionally configured to displace the capper in the feeding direction when the capper moves from the cap position to the non-cap position.

  The capping mechanism is optionally further configured to simultaneously displace the capper away from the print head when the capper is displaced in the feed direction.

  The capping mechanism is optionally displaced in an uncapped position and then in a direction opposite to the feeding direction.

  The print cartridge optionally further comprises a locking mechanism for holding the capper in the uncapped position while the print medium is being printed by the print head.

  The locking mechanism optionally includes at least one cam mounted for rotation between the unlocked position and the locked position. The at least one cam is configured to deploy at least partially into the feed path in the unlocked position when no print media is present. The at least one cam is arranged to engage the edge of the print medium as the print medium is fed through the feed passage, the at least one cam being rotated by the print medium to a locked position; and ,It is configured. In the locked position, the capper is held in the uncapped position until the trailing edge of the print media passes the print head.

  The cam is optionally elastically biased to return to the unlocked position when the edge of the print media passes a predetermined position in the feed path, thereby returning the capper to the cap position.

  The at least one cam is optionally mounted to rotate about an axis that is substantially perpendicular to the print medium as the print medium and cam engage in the feed path.

The print cartridge is optionally further
At least one baffle dividing the at least one ink storage container into a plurality of sections, each section in an individual ink storage container being connected to each other section in the ink storage container via an opening; A baffle in fluid communication;
At least one porous insert in each of the at least one storage container, wherein substantially all individual ink storage containers are filled with the at least one porous insert.

  Each of the storage containers optionally includes a single porous insert with at least one concave portion. Each of the concave portions is configured to engage one of a plurality of baffles in the storage container.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a replaceable cartridge for loading a mobile device. Cartridge
A print head;
One or more ink reservoirs for supplying ink to the printhead;
An integrated circuit for enabling validity verification of a cartridge when the cartridge is loaded in a mobile device, and an integrated circuit including a nonvolatile memory for storing confidential information.

  The cartridge optionally further comprises communication means for enabling communication between the mobile device and the integrated circuit during validation.

  The communication means optionally includes a first contact that engages a second complementary contact of the mobile device when a cartridge is loaded in the mobile device.

  The integrated circuit is optionally configured to communicate in a secure manner with entities within the mobile device.

  The integrated circuit is optionally configured to store data indicating the remaining number of prints and includes one or more safety functions to prevent unauthorized modification of the data.

  The data optionally includes an ink counter, and the integrated circuit is configured to decrement the ink counter when ink is used for printing.

  The integrated circuit is optionally designed to prevent the ink counter from incrementing.

  The data optionally includes a print counter, and the integrated circuit is configured to decrement the print counter each time printing is performed.

  The integrated circuit is optionally designed to prevent the print counter from incrementing.

  The cartridge optionally further comprises a sensor configured to perceive data encoded on the print medium printed by the print head.

  The sensor is optionally configured to output the perceived encoded data to the mobile device.

  The cartridge is optionally configured to synchronize printing on the print media using a clock derived from the perceived encoded data.

  The encoded data optionally includes a linear encoded clock track, from which the clock is derived during printing.

  The encoded data optionally includes a linear encoded data track representing the identification of the print media, and the cartridge outputs the perceived encoded data to the mobile device to allow identification determination Is configured to do.

The cartridge is optionally further
A capper that can be moved between a capping position that is forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the cap is displaced from the print head. The capping mechanism moves between the cap position and the non-cap position by the edge of the print medium as the print medium moves through the feed path.

  In the cap position, the capper is optionally elastically forced into a capping relationship.

  The capping mechanism is optionally configured to displace the capper in the feeding direction when the capper moves from the cap position to the non-cap position.

  The capping mechanism is optionally further configured to simultaneously displace the capper away from the print head when the capper is displaced in the feed direction.

  The capping mechanism is optionally displaced in an uncapped position and then in a direction opposite to the feeding direction.

  The cartridge optionally further includes a locking mechanism for holding the capper in the uncapped position while the print medium is being printed by the print head.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a replaceable print cartridge for loading on a mobile device. The print cartridge
A print head;
At least one ink storage container;
Storage means configured to store data;
A data change mechanism for changing the value of data that is prevented from being changed to a value already stored in the storage means.

  The storage means optionally stores data in the form of a plurality of units, and the value of the data can be changed by permanently changing one or more of the plurality of units. .

  The unit is optionally a bit.

  Each value of the plurality of bits is optionally stored in a form that can be changed only once, and the print cartridge can set one or more values of the plurality of bits in response to a predetermined event. It is configured to selectively change.

  The print cartridge optionally includes a plurality of fusible links. Each of the fusible links stores one of a plurality of bits and is configured to be selectively blown in response to an event.

  The print head optionally includes a plurality of unit cells, each of which has an individual data from a corresponding data register. Most of these unit cells have a corresponding plurality of individual for firing ink so that the value of one or more of the plurality of bits can be changed by loading the appropriate data into a register. Coupled with printing nozzles, and a small number of unit cells are coupled with corresponding bits.

  The print cartridge optionally further comprises one or more contacts for operative connection with one or more corresponding complementary contacts in the mobile device when the print cartridge is loaded; Can control the change of the value of one or more of the plurality of bits via at least one contact.

  The data optionally indicates the remaining number of prints.

  The data optionally indicates the amount of ink used by the print cartridge or the amount of ink remaining in the print cartridge.

  The data optionally indicates the number of prints performed by the print cartridge or the remaining number of prints to be printed.

  The print cartridge optionally further comprises a sensor configured to perceive data encoded on the print medium printed by the print head.

  The sensor is optionally configured to output the perceived encoded data to the mobile device.

  The print cartridge is optionally configured to synchronize printing on the print media using a clock derived from the perceived encoded data.

  The encoded data optionally includes a linear encoded clock track, from which the clock is derived during printing.

  The encoded data optionally includes a linear encoded data track representing the identification of the print media, and the cartridge outputs the perceived encoded data to the mobile device to allow identification determination Is configured to do.

The print cartridge is optionally further
A capper that can be moved between a capping position that is forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the cap is displaced from the print head. The capping mechanism moves between the cap position and the non-cap position by the edge of the print medium as the print medium moves through the feed path.

  In the cap position, the capper is optionally elastically forced into a capping relationship.

  The capping mechanism is optionally configured to displace the capper in the feeding direction when the capper moves from the cap position to the non-cap position.

  The capping mechanism is optionally further configured to simultaneously displace the capper away from the print head when the capper is displaced in the feed direction.

  The print cartridge optionally further comprises a locking mechanism for holding the capper in the uncapped position while the print medium is being printed by the print head.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a replaceable print cartridge for loading on a mobile device. The print cartridge
A print head;
At least one ink storage container;
Storage means configured to store information indicative of the amount of printing that can be achieved by the cartridge based on the amount of ink in the at least one ink reservoir;
And an information changing mechanism for changing the value of the information.

  The information optionally indicates the amount of ink remaining in the at least one ink reservoir.

  The print cartridge optionally comprises a plurality of ink cartridges, and the information individually indicates the amount of ink remaining in the individual reservoirs.

  The print cartridge optionally comprises a plurality of ink cartridges, and the information generally indicates the average remaining amount of ink in these storage containers.

  The information optionally indicates the expected number of typical prints that the print cartridge can achieve, based on the amount of ink in the at least one ink reservoir.

  The storage means optionally stores information in the form of a plurality of subvalue units, and changes the value of the information by permanently changing one or more of the plurality of subvalue units. be able to.

  The sub-value unit is optionally a bit.

  The print cartridge is optionally configured to automatically change one value of the plurality of bits each time a predetermined amount of ink is consumed by printing.

  The print cartridge is optionally configured to automatically change one value of the plurality of bits each time a predetermined number of prints are printed.

  The print cartridge optionally stores the value of each of the plurality of bits in a form that can be changed only once, and the print cartridge responds to a predetermined event with one or more of the plurality of bits. The plurality of values are configured to be selectively changed.

  The print cartridge optionally includes a plurality of fusible links. Each fusible link stores one of a plurality of bits and is configured to be selectively blown by the cartridge in response to the event.

  The print head optionally includes a plurality of unit cells, each of which has an individual data from a corresponding data register. Most of these unit cells have a corresponding plurality of individual for firing ink so that the value of one or more of the plurality of bits can be changed by loading the appropriate data into a register. Coupled with printing nozzles, and a small number of unit cells are coupled with corresponding bits.

  The print cartridge optionally further comprises one or more contacts for operative connection with one or more corresponding complementary contacts in the mobile device when the print cartridge is loaded; Can control the change of the value of one or more of the plurality of bits via at least one contact.

  The print cartridge optionally further comprises a sensor configured to perceive data encoded on the print medium printed by the print head.

  The print cartridge sensor is optionally configured to output the perceived encoded data to the mobile device.

  The print cartridge is optionally configured to synchronize printing on the print media using a clock derived from the perceived encoded data.

  The encoded data of the print cartridge optionally includes a linearly encoded clock track from which the clock is derived during printing.

  The encoded data optionally includes a linear encoded data track representing the identification of the print media, and the cartridge outputs the perceived encoded data to the mobile device to allow identification determination Is configured to do.

The print cartridge is optionally further
A capper that can be moved between a capping position that is forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the cap is displaced from the print head. The capping mechanism moves between the cap position and the non-cap position by the edge of the print medium as the print medium moves through the feed path.

  In the cap position, the capper is optionally elastically forced into a capping relationship.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
A print head disposed in a print path along which the print medium moves during printing;
A mobile device is provided that includes a sensor disposed in the print path that senses that a print medium has been inserted into the print path. Mobile devices
Using a sensor to detect that a print medium has been inserted,
It is configured to start printing on the print medium without requiring user intervention other than inserting the print medium.

  The mobile device optionally includes a display for displaying visual information to the user, and the mobile device automatically provides data related to the current document or other type of information displayed on the display. It is configured to print.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to automatically print the next job in the print queue maintained by the mobile device.

  Printing that does not require user intervention is optionally combined with a mode that the user can set for the mobile device.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises drive means for driving the print medium ahead of the print head during printing. The drive means is configured to start driving the print medium as part of the printing process.

  The drive means optionally comprises at least one roller disposed in the print path upstream of the print head.

  The sensor is optionally configured to read data encoded on the print medium.

  The mobile device optionally includes a transmitter and a receiver. The transmitter is configured to send a message to the remote computer based on the read encoded data, and the receiver is configured to receive a response from the remote computer indicating whether it can be printed on the print media. ing.

The mobile device optionally further comprises drive means. The drive means is
While the sensor is reading the encoded data, drive the print media along the print path,
Driving the print medium along the print path to a rear print start position; and
The printer is configured to drive the print medium along the print path while the printer is printing on the print medium.

  The sensor optionally perceives the encoded data when the print medium is being printed, and the mobile device derives a clock signal from the encoded data and uses the extracted clock signal to output to the print medium. It is configured to synchronize printing.

  The sensor optionally perceives at least a portion of the encoded data when the print medium is first inserted, the mobile device determines the orientation of the print medium from the perceived encoded data, and the print medium The printer is configured to prevent printing when it is not inserted correctly.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to output an instruction to the user if the print medium is not inserted correctly.

The print media optionally comprises a linear encoded data track that is deployed in the intended print direction, and the mobile device
A sensor configured to perceive a data track during printing;
A print head for printing on a print medium in response to an ejection control signal;
Injection control means connected to generate an injection control signal based on the perceived data track.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a light emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is perceiving the data track during printing.

  The light sensor is optionally sensitive to the infrared spectrum.

  The data track is optionally a clock track that includes only the clock code, and the ejection control means is configured to generate an ejection control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the perceived data track.

  The data track optionally includes first information including an embedded clock signal, and the injection control means is adapted to generate an injection control signal in the form of a clock signal derived from the perceived data track. It is configured.

  The first information optionally represents at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, so that the mobile device controls the operation of the print head based at least in part on at least one of the physical characteristic. It is configured.

  The mobile device is optionally configured to use the perceived data track to determine the absolute position of the print media relative to the printhead and utilize the determination to print on the print media.

  The data track optionally further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data that encodes second information. The first information represents the second information.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for authenticating a print medium using a mobile device before printing on the print medium is completed. The mobile device includes a processing means, a print head, and a sensor.
The above method includes:
Using a sensor to perceive encoded data provided on a surface of the substrate;
Using the processing means to interpret the encoded data and authenticate the print medium;
A step of using the print head to print on the print medium when authenticated in the authentication step is included.

The step of using the processor means to interpret the encoded data optionally further comprises:
From the perceived encoded data,
Identifying a plurality of signature fragments that are digital signatures of at least a portion of the identification;
Determining a definitive signature using a plurality of signature fragments;
Generating a creation identification using a firm signature and a key;
Comparing the identification with the creation identification and authenticating the print medium using the comparison result.

The encoded data optionally includes a plurality of encoded data portions. Each of the encoded data parts is
Identifying and encoding at least one signature fragment, the method includes the step of perceiving a plurality of encoded data portions and thereby determining a plurality of signature fragments.

  The plurality of encoded data portions are optionally perceived as the print medium moves beyond the sensor while the print medium moves along a print path defined within the mobile device.

Each of the encoded data portions optionally encodes a signature fragment identification, and the above method includes:
Determining signature fragment identification of each confirmed signature fragment;
A step of determining a definitive signature using the definitive signature fragment identification is included.

  The encoded data optionally includes a plurality of layouts. Each of the layouts defines a plurality of first symbols encoding identifications and a plurality of second symbol positions defining at least one signature fragment.

  The encoded data optionally includes a plurality of tags, and each encoded data portion is formed from at least one of the plurality of tags.

  The encoded data is optionally printed on the surface using at least one of invisible ink and infrared absorbing ink, and the method includes encoding data using an infrared sensor. Step to perceive.

  Multiple signature fragments optionally represent the entire signature.

The mobile device is optionally equipped with a transmitter and a receiver,
Using a transmitter to send a first message representative of the identification to a remote computer system;
Padding combined with signature,
Using a receiver to receive a second message from a remote computer system that includes data indicative of at least one of a private key and a public key;
A step of generating a creation identification using the final signature and data, a private key or a public key is included.

The signature is optionally a digital signature of at least part of the identification and at least part of the predetermined padding,
Determining a predetermined padding using the identification;
A step of generating a creation identification using a predetermined padding and a firm signature is included.

The perceived encoded data is optionally further
At least one position of the plurality of data portions;
At least one position of the plurality of data portions on the print medium;
The size of the data part,
The size of the signature,
The size of the signature fragment,
Signature fragment identification,
Unit at the indicated position,
Duplicate data,
Data that allows error correction,
It represents at least one of Reed-Solomon data and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) data.

A digital signature is optional,
A random number associated with the identification,
At least the identification hash,
At least an identifying hammer hash, generated using a dedicated key, that can be verified using the corresponding public key,
Ciphertext generated by encrypting at least the identification,
Includes at least one of ciphertext generated by encrypting at least the identification and random number, and ciphertext generated using the private key and can be verified using the corresponding public key ing.

Identification is optional,
An identification of at least one of the print medium and the area of the print medium is included.

The encoded data optionally includes a number of encoded data portions. Each of the encoded data parts is
An identification and at least a part of a signature that is a digital signature of at least a part of the identification are encoded.

  The method optionally further includes the step of starting printing prior to the step of determining whether or not authenticated in the authenticating step and the step of stopping printing if not authenticated.

In a further aspect, a method is provided for authenticating a print medium using a mobile device before printing on the print medium is completed. The mobile device includes a processing means, a print head, a transmitter, a receiver, and a sensor, and the print medium includes a substrate. In the above method,
Using a sensor to perceive encoded data provided on a surface of the substrate;
Using processing means to determine print media identification from the perceived encoded data;
Using a transmitter to send a first message representative of the identification to a remote computer system;
Using a receiver to receive a second message from a remote computer system that includes data indicating whether the identification is associated with a print medium that may be printed;
The step of using the print head to print on the print medium utilizing the data is included.

The print medium optionally includes an orientation marker, and the above method includes:
Perceiving orientation markers before perceiving encoded data;
A step is included to prevent printing if the media is not inserted correctly.

  The method optionally includes instructing the user of the mobile device that the media orientation needs to be changed if the media is not inserted correctly.

  The substrate is optionally a laminated substrate.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for authenticating a print medium online using a mobile device before printing on the print medium is completed. The mobile device includes a processing unit, a print head, a sensor, a transmitter, and a receiver, and the print medium includes a laminated substrate. In the above method,
Using a sensor to perceive encoded data provided on a surface of the substrate;
From the perceived encoded data,
Using the processing means to determine an identification of the print medium and at least a portion of a signature that is a digital signature of at least a portion of the identification;
Using a transmitter to transmit first data indicative of at least a portion of the identification and signature to a remote computer system;
Responsive to the first data, using the receiver to receive second data from the remote computer system indicating whether the print medium has been authenticated based at least in part on the identification and signature;
A step of using the print head to print on the print medium when the print medium is authenticated is included.

The encoded data optionally includes a plurality of encoded data portions. Each of the encoded data parts is
Identifying and encoding at least one signature fragment, wherein the method includes the steps of perceiving a plurality of encoded data portions and thereby determining a plurality of signature fragments indicative of at least a portion of the signature. Yes.

  The plurality of encoded data portions are optionally perceived as the print medium moves beyond the sensor while the print medium moves along a print path defined within the mobile device.

Each of the encoded data portions optionally encodes a signature fragment identification, and the above method includes:
Determining signature fragment identification of each confirmed signature fragment;
A step of determining at least a portion of the signature using the confirmed signature fragment identification and the corresponding signature fragment is included.

  Multiple signature fragments optionally represent the entire signature.

  The encoded data optionally includes a plurality of tags, and each encoded data portion is formed from at least one of the plurality of tags.

The second data is optionally further
Padding combined with signature,
At least one of a dedicated key and a public key is shown.

The perceived encoded data is optionally further
At least one position of the plurality of data portions;
At least one position of the plurality of data portions on the print medium;
The size of at least one of the data portions;
The size of the signature,
The size of the signature fragment,
Signature fragment identification,
Unit at the indicated position,
Duplicate data,
Data that allows error correction,
It represents at least one of Reed-Solomon data and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) data.

A digital signature is optional,
A random number associated with the identification,
At least the identification hash,
At least an identifying hammer hash, generated using a dedicated key, that can be verified using the corresponding public key,
Ciphertext generated by encrypting at least the identification,
Includes at least one of ciphertext generated by encrypting at least the identification and random number, and ciphertext generated using the private key and can be verified using the corresponding public key ing.

Identification is optional,
An identification of at least one of the print medium and the area of the print medium is included.

The encoded data optionally includes a number of encoded data portions. Each of the encoded data parts is
An identification and at least a part of a signature that is a digital signature of at least a part of the identification are encoded.

  The method optionally further includes the step of starting printing prior to the step of determining whether or not authenticated in the authenticating step and the step of stopping printing if not authenticated.

The print medium optionally includes an orientation marker, and the above method includes:
Perceiving orientation markers before perceiving encoded data;
A step is included to prevent printing if the media is not inserted correctly.

  The method optionally further includes the step of instructing the user of the mobile device that the media orientation needs to be changed if the media is not inserted correctly.

  The encoded data is optionally printed on the surface using at least one of invisible ink and infrared absorbing ink, and the method includes encoding data using an infrared sensor. Step to perceive.

  The print medium optionally comprises at least one data track extending in the longitudinal direction, the method comprising extracting a clock signal from the data track when the print medium is being printed; The step of using the clock signal to synchronize printing on the print medium is included.

  The data track optionally further includes first information representing identification.

  The data track is optionally linearly encoded.

  The clock signal is optionally embedded in the data encoded in the data track, and the method includes the step of deriving the clock signal from the data track.

  The encoded data is optionally printed on the surface using at least one of invisible ink and infrared absorbing ink, and the method includes encoding data using an infrared sensor. Step to perceive.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for authenticating a print medium online using a mobile device before printing on the print medium is completed. The mobile device includes a processing unit, a print head, and a sensor, and the print medium includes a laminated substrate. In the above method,
Using a sensor to perceive encoded data provided on a surface of the substrate;
Using the processing means;
From the perceived encoded data,
Determining an identification of the print medium and at least a portion of a signature that is a digital signature of at least a portion of the identification;
Determining a final signature using at least a portion of the signature;
Generating a creation identification using a confirmed signature and a public key stored on the mobile device;
Comparing the identity with the creation identity;
Authenticating the print media using the compared results;
A step of using the print head to print on the print medium when authenticated in the authentication step is included.

The mobile device optionally comprises a receiver, and the method is performed prior to the step of generating the creation identification.
Using a receiver to receive data representing a public key;
The step of storing the public key in the memory of the mobile device is included.

  The mobile device optionally includes a transmitter, and the method includes transmitting a request for a public key to a remote computer system. In response to the request, the receiver receives data indicating the public key from the computer system.

  The method optionally further includes retrieving a key from the remote computer system prior to generating the creation identification.

  The encoded data optionally includes a plurality of signature fragments, and the method includes determining a plurality of signature fragments from the perceived encoded data.

The encoded data optionally includes a plurality of encoded data portions. Each of the encoded data parts is
Identifying and encoding at least one signature fragment, the method includes the step of perceiving a plurality of encoded data portions and thereby determining a plurality of signature fragments.

  The plurality of encoded data portions are optionally perceived as the print medium moves beyond the sensor while the print medium moves along a print path defined within the mobile device.

Each of the encoded data portions optionally encodes a signature fragment identification, and the above method includes:
Determining signature fragment identification of each confirmed signature fragment;
A step of determining a definitive signature using the definitive signature fragment identification is included.

  Each encoded data portion is optionally formed from at least one of a plurality of tags.

  Multiple signature fragments optionally represent the entire signature.

The signature is optionally a digital signature of at least part of the identification and at least part of the predetermined padding,
Determining a predetermined padding using the identification;
A step of generating a creation identification using a predetermined padding and a firm signature is included.

The mobile device is optionally equipped with a transmitter and a receiver,
Using a transmitter to send a first message representative of the identification to a remote computer system;
Using a receiver to receive a second message from the remote computer system that includes data indicative of padding associated with the signature;
A step of generating a creation identification using a firm signature and padding is included.

The encoded data is optionally further
At least one position of the plurality of data portions;
At least one position of the plurality of data portions on the print medium;
The size of at least one of the data portions;
The size of the signature,
The size of the signature fragment,
Signature fragment identification,
Unit at the indicated position,
Duplicate data,
Data that allows error correction,
It represents at least one of Reed-Solomon data and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) data.

A digital signature is optional,
A random number associated with the identification,
At least the identification hash,
At least an identifying hammer hash, generated using a dedicated key, that can be verified using the corresponding public key,
Ciphertext generated by encrypting at least the identification,
Includes at least one of ciphertext generated by encrypting at least the identification and random number, and ciphertext generated using the private key and can be verified using the corresponding public key ing.

Identification is optional,
An identification of at least one of the print medium and the area of the print medium is included.

The encoded data optionally includes a number of encoded data portions. Each of the encoded data parts is
An identification and at least a part of a signature that is a digital signature of at least a part of the identification are encoded.

  The method optionally further includes the step of starting printing prior to the step of determining whether or not authenticated in the authenticating step and the step of stopping printing if not authenticated.

The print medium optionally includes an orientation marker, and the above method includes:
Perceiving orientation markers before perceiving encoded data;
A step is included to prevent printing if the media is not inserted correctly.

  The encoded data is optionally printed on the surface using at least one of invisible ink and infrared absorbing ink, and the method includes encoding data using an infrared sensor. Step to perceive.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for authenticating a printed token and outputting an image associated with the token using a mobile device. The mobile device includes a sensor and processing means, and the above method includes:
Using a sensor to perceive data encoded in a printed token;
Using the processing means to determine at least the identification of the token from the perceived encoded data;
Authenticating the token using identity;
Determining an image associated with the token based at least on the identification;
A step of outputting an image from the mobile device in a visible form is included.

  The mobile device optionally includes a display, and outputting the image includes outputting the image to the display.

  The mobile device optionally includes a print head, and outputting the image includes printing the image on a print medium using the print head.

The mobile device is optionally equipped with a transmitter and receiver, and determining the image associated with the token includes:
Using a transmitter to transmit at least first data representative of the identification to a remote computer system;
Receiving second data representing the image from the computer system via the receiver is included.

The mobile device is optionally equipped with a transmitter and a receiver,
Using processing means to determine from the perceived encoded data at least a portion of a signature that is a digital signature of at least a portion of the identification;
Using a transmitter to transmit first data representing at least a portion of the identification and signature to a remote computer system;
Responsive to the first data, including using the receiver to receive second data from the remote computer system indicating whether the print medium has been authenticated based on at least a portion of the identification and signature. Yes.

The encoded data optionally includes a plurality of encoded data portions. Each of the encoded data parts is
Identifying and encoding at least one signature fragment, wherein the method includes the steps of perceiving a plurality of encoded data portions and thereby determining a plurality of signature fragments indicative of at least a portion of the signature. Yes.

  The method optionally perceives a plurality of encoded data portions as the print medium moves beyond the sensor while the print medium moves along a print path defined within the mobile device. Contains steps to do.

Each of the encoded data portions optionally encodes a signature fragment identification, and the above method includes:
Determining signature fragment identification of each confirmed signature fragment;
Determining at least a portion of the signature using the confirmed signature fragment identification and the corresponding signature fragment is included.

  Multiple signature fragments optionally represent the entire signature.

  The encoded data optionally includes a plurality of tags, and each encoded data portion is formed from at least one of the plurality of tags.

The second data is optionally further
Padding combined with signature,
At least one of a dedicated key and a public key is shown.

Optionally, the method further includes:
Using processing means to determine from the perceived encoded data at least a portion of a signature that is a digital signature of at least a portion of the identification;
Determining a final signature using at least a portion of the signature;
Generating a creation identification using a confirmed signature and a public key stored on the mobile device;
Comparing the identity with the creation identity;
The step of authenticating the print medium using the result of the comparison is included.

The mobile device optionally comprises a receiver, and the method is performed prior to the step of generating the creation identification.
Using a receiver to receive data representing a public key;
The step of storing the public key in the memory of the mobile device is included.

  The mobile device optionally includes a transmitter, and the method includes transmitting a request for a public key to a remote computer system. In response to the request, the receiver receives data indicating the public key from the computer system.

  The method optionally further includes retrieving a key from the remote computer system prior to generating the creation identification.

  The method optionally includes a plurality of signature fragments in the encoded data, the method including determining a plurality of signature fragments from the perceived encoded data.

The encoded data optionally includes a plurality of encoded data portions. Each of the encoded data parts is
Identifying and encoding at least one signature fragment, the method includes the step of perceiving a plurality of encoded data portions and thereby determining a plurality of signature fragments.

  The plurality of encoded data portions are optionally perceived as the print medium moves beyond the sensor while the print medium moves along a print path defined within the mobile device.

Each of the encoded data portions optionally encodes a signature fragment identification, and the above method includes:
Determining signature fragment identification of each confirmed signature fragment;
A step of determining a definitive signature using the definitive signature fragment identification is included.

  The print medium optionally includes second encoded data, and the method includes printing the image on the print medium such that the print medium is another token combined with the image. ing.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
A printer for printing on a print medium;
A mobile device is provided with a stylus having a print head chip that allows a user to use the mobile device as a document creation device or drafting device. The stylus and printer share at least one common ink reservoir.

  The stylus is optionally supplied with ink from at least one common storage container via at least one ink supply conduit.

  At least one ink supply conduit is optionally flexible.

  At least one supply conduit optionally includes power and data connections for the printhead chip.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a stylus retracting mechanism.

  The conduit optionally includes a flexible PCB that supports power and data connections. The flexible PCB forms one of the walls of at least one ink supply tube.

  The conduit optionally includes a plurality of ink supply tubes.

  The printer optionally includes a replaceable cartridge with at least one storage container.

  The cartridge optionally includes a plurality of ink storage containers.

  The cartridge optionally includes a page width print head.

  The mobile device optionally includes a cradle for receiving a cartridge, and the cartridge includes a plurality of contacts for receiving power and data from corresponding complementary contacts in the cradle.

  The stylus optionally forms part of the cartridge.

  The printhead chip optionally includes an array of a plurality of printhead nozzle rows that are deployed radially.

  The print head nozzle rows are optionally developed in a straight radial line from the central region of the print head chip.

  The rows of print head nozzles are optionally curved outward from the central region of the print head chip.

  The stylus optionally includes a pressure sensor for determining that the stylus is in contact with the surface, and the stylus is configured to print only when in contact with the surface.

  The pressure sensor is optionally a switch.

The printer is optionally further
A capper that can be moved between a capping position that is forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the cap is displaced from the print head. The capping mechanism provided with. The capper moves between a cap position and an uncapped position by the edge of the print medium as the print medium moves through the feed path.

  In the cap position, the capper is optionally elastically forced into a capping relationship.

  The capping mechanism is optionally configured to displace the capper in the feeding direction when the capper moves from the cap position to the non-cap position.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
A first receiver for receiving a signal from a mobile telephone system;
A first transmitter for transmitting a signal via a mobile telephone system;
A mobile device is provided with a stylus that allows a user to use the mobile device as a document creation device or drafting device.

  By incorporating a document creation stylus or pen into a mobile device, a user can create a document on a card and write it on a shape or mark document already printed by the mobile device or other printer.

The mobile device is optionally further
A first sensor device for perceiving encoded data and outputting raw data based on the perceived data;
A transmitter controller operable to control the first transmitter to transmit output data based at least in part on the perceived data to a computer system via a mobile telephone system.

  The first sensory device is optionally placed on the stylus.

  The stylus optionally has a print head chip with an array of nozzles for performing document creation or drafting.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a printer mechanism with a page width print head for printing on the media substrate. The print head is positioned adjacent to the media feed path through the device.

  The printer mechanism is optionally adapted to receive document data and print an interface on the surface. The interface is based at least in part on document data, and the document data includes identification data representing at least one identification. This identification is coupled with the interface area, and the interface contains encoded data.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises at least one ink reservoir, and the print head chip and printer mechanism in the stylus share the at least one ink reservoir.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a second transmitter and a second receiver adapted to transmit data to the one or more sensor devices and to receive data from the one or more sensor devices. I have. The sensor device is transmitting data.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a second transmitter and a second receiver adapted to transmit data to the one or more sensor devices and to receive data from the one or more sensor devices. I have. The sensor device is transmitting data.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a transmitter controller adapted to cause the mobile telephone unit to transmit data based on the first data to the computer system via the first transmitter.

  The printer mechanism optionally further comprises a capper assembly that can be moved between a cap position that covers the nozzle and a non-cap position spaced from the nozzle, the capper assembly being driven by the media. When the engagement with is released, it is held in the non-cap position so as to move to the cap position.

  Encoded data is optionally encoded on the sheet of the media substrate, and the print engine controller uses a sensor for determining the position of the sheet relative to the print head.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a media feed roller for feeding media to the tip of the print head.

  The media substrate is optionally a sheet, and the trailing edge of the sheet and the media feed roller are disengaged prior to printing, and the trailing edge protrudes beyond the print head due to the momentum of the sheet.

  The capper assembly optionally holds the sheet lightly so that after the printing of the sheet is complete, a portion of the sheet can be moved out of the mobile device and easily collected by hand.

  The capper assembly optionally moves from the cap position toward the uncapped position when engaged with the leading edge of the sheet.

  The print head optionally has a print medium feed path for directing the print medium in the feed direction to the tip of the print head during printing and a drive for driving the print medium to the tip of the print head for printing. The cartridge is further provided with a mechanism.

  The print head optionally has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, each negative Incorporated into a cartridge further comprising an ink storage container individually provided with at least one blotting structure for guiding the hydrostatic ink to the nozzle and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use Yes.

The mobile device optionally further comprises a drive shaft with a media engaging surface for feeding the media substrate along the feed path;
A media guide adjacent to the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate relative to the media engaging surface.

The mobile device is optionally further
It has a drive shaft for feeding the media substrate sheet to the tip of the print head.
Before the printing is completed, the engagement between the sheet and the drive shaft is released so that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes toward the tip of the print head due to the amount of movement.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
A first transmitter for transmitting a signal via a mobile telephone system;
A first receiver for receiving a signal from a mobile telephone system;
A first monochromatic image sensor device for perceiving encoded data and outputting raw data based on the perceived data;
A mobile device comprising a transmitter controller operable to control a first transmitter to transmit output data based at least in part on the perceived data to a computer system via a mobile telephone system. Provided.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a stylus that allows the user to use the mobile device as a document creation device or drafting device.

  The first monochromatic image sensor device is optionally disposed on the stylus.

  The stylus optionally has a print head chip with an array of nozzles for performing document creation or drafting.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a printer mechanism with a page width print head for printing on the media substrate. The print head is positioned adjacent to the media feed path through the device.

  The printer mechanism is optionally adapted to receive document data and print an interface on the surface. The interface is based at least in part on document data, and the document data includes identification data representing at least one identification. This identification is coupled with the interface area, and the interface contains encoded data.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises at least one ink reservoir, and the print head chip and printer mechanism in the stylus share the at least one ink reservoir.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a second transmitter and a second transmitter adapted to transmit data to and receive data from the one or more single color image sensor devices. 2 receivers. The sensor device is transmitting data.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a second transmitter and a second transmitter adapted to transmit data to and receive data from the one or more single color image sensor devices. 2 receivers. The sensor device is transmitting data.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a transmitter controller adapted to cause the mobile telephone unit to transmit data based on the first data to the computer system via the first transmitter.

  The printer mechanism optionally further comprises a capper assembly that can be moved between a cap position that covers the nozzle and a non-cap position spaced from the nozzle, the capper assembly being driven by the media. When the engagement with is released, it is held in the non-cap position so as to move to the cap position.

  Encoded data is optionally encoded on the sheet of the media substrate, and the print engine controller uses a sensor for determining the position of the sheet relative to the print head.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a media feed roller for feeding media to the tip of the print head.

  The media substrate is optionally a sheet, and the trailing edge of the sheet and the media feed roller are disengaged prior to printing, and the trailing edge protrudes beyond the print head due to the momentum of the sheet.

  The capper assembly optionally holds the sheet lightly so that after the printing of the sheet is complete, a portion of the sheet can be moved out of the mobile device and easily collected by hand.

  The capper assembly optionally moves from the cap position toward the uncapped position when engaged with the leading edge of the sheet.

  The print head optionally has a print medium feed path for directing the print medium in the feed direction to the tip of the print head during printing and a drive for driving the print medium to the tip of the print head for printing. The cartridge is further provided with a mechanism.

  The print head optionally has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, each negative Incorporated into a cartridge further comprising an ink storage container individually provided with at least one blotting structure for guiding the hydrostatic ink to the nozzle and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use Yes.

The mobile device optionally further comprises a drive shaft with a media engaging surface for feeding the media substrate along the feed path;
A media guide adjacent to the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate relative to the media engaging surface.

The mobile device is optionally further
It has a drive shaft for feeding the media substrate sheet to the tip of the print head.
Before the printing is completed, the engagement between the sheet and the drive shaft is released so that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes toward the tip of the print head due to the amount of movement.

In a first aspect, according to the present invention,
A first receiver for receiving a signal from a mobile telephone system;
A first transmitter for transmitting a signal via a mobile telephone system;
A mobile device is provided with a stylus that allows a user to use the mobile device as a document creation device or drafting device.

  By incorporating a document creation stylus or pen into the phone or PDA, the user can create a document on the card and write it on a shape or mark that has already been printed by the device or other printer.

The mobile device is optionally further
A first sensor device for perceiving encoded data and outputting raw data based on the perceived data;
A transmitter controller operable to control the first transmitter to transmit output data based at least in part on the perceived data to a computer system via a mobile telephone system.

  The first sensory device is optionally placed on the stylus.

  The stylus optionally has a print head chip with an array of nozzles for performing document creation or drafting.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a printer mechanism with a page width print head for printing on the media substrate. The print head is positioned adjacent to the media feed path through the device.

  The printer mechanism is optionally adapted to receive document data and print an interface on the surface. The interface is based at least in part on document data, and the document data includes identification data representing at least one identification. This identification is coupled with the interface area, and the interface contains encoded data.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises at least one ink reservoir, and the print head chip and printer mechanism in the stylus share the at least one ink reservoir.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a second transmitter and a second receiver adapted to transmit data to the one or more sensor devices and to receive data from the one or more sensor devices. I have. The sensor device is transmitting data.

  The mobile device optionally further includes a second transmitter and a second receiver adapted to transmit data to the one or more sensor devices and to receive data from the one or more sensor devices. I have. The sensor device is transmitting data.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a transmitter controller adapted to cause the mobile telephone unit to transmit data based on the first data to the computer system via the first transmitter.

  The printer mechanism optionally further comprises a capper assembly that can be moved between a cap position that covers the nozzle and a non-cap position spaced from the nozzle, the capper assembly being driven by the media. When the engagement with is released, it is held in the non-cap position so as to move to the cap position.

  Encoded data is optionally encoded on the sheet of the media substrate, and the print engine controller uses a sensor for determining the position of the sheet relative to the print head.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a media feed roller for feeding media to the tip of the print head.

  The media substrate is optionally a sheet, and the trailing edge of the sheet and the media feed roller are disengaged prior to printing, and the trailing edge protrudes beyond the print head due to the momentum of the sheet.

  The capper assembly optionally holds the sheet lightly so that after the printing of the sheet is complete, a portion of the sheet can be moved out of the mobile device and easily collected by hand.

  The capper assembly optionally moves from the cap position toward the uncapped position when engaged with the leading edge of the sheet.

  The print head optionally has a print medium feed path for directing the print medium in the feed direction to the tip of the print head during printing and a drive for driving the print medium to the tip of the print head for printing. The cartridge is further provided with a mechanism.

  The print head optionally has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, each negative Incorporated into a cartridge further comprising an ink storage container individually provided with at least one blotting structure for guiding the hydrostatic ink to the nozzle and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use Yes.

The mobile device optionally further comprises a drive shaft with a media engaging surface for feeding the media substrate along the feed path;
A media guide adjacent to the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate relative to the media engaging surface.

The mobile device is optionally further
It has a drive shaft for feeding the media substrate sheet to the tip of the print head.
Before the printing is completed, the engagement between the sheet and the drive shaft is released so that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes toward the tip of the print head due to the amount of movement.

In a first aspect, a method for creating a printed business card using a mobile device is provided. The mobile device comprises processing means, a mobile transceiver for communicating with a mobile telecommunications network, and a print head, the method being executed in the mobile device.
(A) determining a business card to be printed;
(B) providing dot data to the print head based on the business card determined in step (a);
(C) printing dot data on a print medium using a print head, thereby creating a printed business card.

  The mobile device optionally includes a memory for storing information related to at least one business card, and in step (a), the mobile device includes a plurality of business cards stored in the memory. Accessing information associated with at least one is included.

  The print medium optionally includes pre-printed encoded data, and step (a) includes determining a relationship between the encoded data and the dot data, and Step (c) includes a step of printing the encoded data according to the determined relationship.

  The method optionally includes the step of determining the position of the print medium relative to the print head prior to initiating printing, thereby enabling printing to be performed according to the relationship.

The medium optionally comprises a linear encoded data track that is unfolding in the intended printing direction, the method comprising:
Using a sensor in the mobile device to perceive a data track during printing;
Extracting a clock signal from the perceived data track;
A step of synchronizing printing based on the clock signal is included.

  The data track optionally includes only the clock code.

  The data track optionally encodes the first information. The clock code is embedded in the data track and is extracted with the first information.

  The data track optionally comprises first and second parallel tracks. The clock code is included in the first track, and the second track encodes the first information.

  The print medium optionally further includes encoded data that encodes the second information. The first information represents the second information.

  The other encoded data optionally represents a plurality of reference points for business cards.

  The other encoded data optionally further represents print media identification.

  The encoded data optionally takes the form of a two-dimensional array of data, and the sensor is configured to capture an image of a subset of the encoded data. A subset of the encoded data is sufficient to allow position determination.

  The processing means optionally selects the position of the print medium relative to the sensor at the time the encoded data is perceived based at least in part on the determined position and the position of the encoded data captured in the sensor's capture field. Is configured to determine.

  The mobile device optionally further comprises a light emitting device, and the method includes using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the sensor is perceiving encoded data. Yes.

  The determining step optionally includes retrieving information associated with the business card from a remote computer system using a transceiver.

  The information optionally includes personal information related to the user of the mobile device.

  The method optionally further includes determining a registration between dot data to be printed on the print medium and pre-printed encoded data, and transmitting the registration indicating data to the remote computer system. Steps are included to use a transceiver for the purpose.

  The method optionally further includes determining registration during printing.

  The method optionally further includes the step of determining registration prior to printing.

In a first aspect, the present invention provides a method for printing on a print medium using a mobile device. This method includes
(A) determining print data;
(B) determining a first orientation of a print medium inserted into the mobile device;
(C) modifying the second orientation of the print data before printing on the print medium to take into account the first orientation;

  The print medium optionally includes at least one orientation marker. The mobile device comprises at least one sensor, and step (b) includes using the sensor to perceive an orientation indicator and determining the orientation of the print media from the perceived orientation indicator. ing.

  The print medium optionally includes at least one orientation mark on one side of the print medium and at least two orientation marks on both sides, the method comprising the step of perceiving one of the plurality of orientation marks. include.

  The method optionally includes, prior to step (b), determining whether the orientation of the print medium is a valid orientation to be printed, and printing if the orientation of the print medium is not valid. Steps to prevent are included.

  The print data is optionally intended to be printed on one of the predetermined surfaces of the print medium, and the above method involves inserting the print medium upside down and printing on the predetermined surface. A step is included to prevent printing if this is not possible.

  Step (c) optionally includes the step of rotating the print data 180 degrees to account for the first orientation.

  One of the at least one orientation mark is optionally disposed adjacent to the first corner of the print medium.

  Another orientation indicator of the at least one orientation indicator is optionally adjacent to a second corner of the first side of the print media that is diagonally opposite the first corner. Are arranged.

  At least one orientation marker is optionally printed with infrared ink.

  The at least one orientation marker is optionally printed with infrared ink that is not substantially visible to the average human naked eye.

  The print medium optionally further includes first encoded data that encodes first information representing the physical characteristics of the print medium.

  The first information optionally represents the size of the print medium.

  The first information optionally represents a media type associated with the print media.

  The first information represents information that is optionally printed in advance on the print medium.

  The first information is optionally encoded in data encoded according to a linear encoding scheme.

  The first encoded data is optionally in the form of a data track.

  The data track optionally extends along the edge of the print medium.

  The method optionally includes at least two data tracks each encoding the first information.

  The method optionally further includes second encoded data including second information encoded according to a second encoding scheme that is completely different from the linear encoding scheme. The first information represents the second information. Mobile Device: As used herein, the phrase “mobile device” is intended to encompass any device that operates by default with a portable power source, such as a battery. Mobile devices include not only mobile devices as defined above, but also devices such as cameras, non-telecommunications enabled PDAs and handheld portable game units. “Mobile device” implicitly includes “mobile device” unless it is not otherwise apparent from the context.

Mobile device: As used herein, the phrase “mobile device” is intended to encompass any form of device capable of transmitting and / or receiving voice, video, audio and / or data. ing. Typical mobile devices include
• All generations and international versions of GSM and 3G mobile phones (cellphones) with or without data transmission
PDAs incorporating wireless data communication protocols such as GPRS / EDGE of all generations and international versions
There is.

  M-Print: a term that the assignee internally refers to a mobile device or a mobile printer typically incorporated in a mobile device. Throughout this specification, all references to M-Print printers broadly include the printing mechanism and the embedded software that controls the printer, and one or more reading mechanisms for encoding the media. Is intended.

  M-Print mobile device: A mobile device incorporating a Memjet printer.

  Netpage mobile device: A mobile device incorporating a Netpage-enabled Memjet printer and / or Netpage pointer.

  Throughout this specification, the blank side of media that is intended to be printed by an 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.

  Throughout this specification, the dimension of the media parallel to the transport direction is referred to as the longitudinal dimension. The perpendicular dimension is referred to as the transverse dimension.

  It should also be understood that if a medium is referred to below as a card, it does not necessarily imply any particular structure of the card. The card can be constructed using any suitable material including paper, plastic, metal, glass and the like. Similarly, references to cards pre-printed with graphics or media coding itself do not necessarily imply a particular printing process, or even printing itself. The graphic and / or media coding can be placed on or in the card by any suitable means.

  Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Mobile Device Overview While the main embodiment includes both Netpage and printing capabilities, other embodiments are provided with only one of these features.

  FIG. 1 shows one such embodiment, where a mobile device in the form of a mobile telephone 1 (also known as “cellphone”) comprises a mobile telephone module 2 and a printer module 4. ing. The mobile telephone module is configured to transmit 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 the page 6. The printer module 4 can be configured to print the page 6 in color or single color, depending on the particular implementation.

  The mobile device can use any of a variety of known operating systems such as Symbian (with UIQ and Series 60 GUI), Windows Mobile, PalmOS and Linux.

  In the preferred embodiment (described in more detail below), the print media is pre-printed with tags, and the printer module 4 prints visual information on page 6 with a predetermined registration with the tags. In another embodiment, the Netpage tag is printed on page 6 along with other information by the printer module. The tag can be printed using the same visible ink that is used to print the visual information, or it can be printed using infrared ink or other ink that is substantially invisible.

  The information printed by the printer module 4 includes user data (including phone book and appointment data) stored in the mobile telephone 1, text and images received via a remote communication network, or Bluetooth (trademark). Or it can include text and images received from other devices via a communication mechanism such as infrared transmission. If the mobile phone 1 is equipped with a camera, the printer module 4 can be configured to print the captured image. In a preferred form, the mobile phone module 2 provides at least a basic editing function that allows cropping, filtering or adding text or other image data to the captured image prior to printing.

  In the following, the configuration and operation of the printer module 4 will be described in more detail in the context of various types of mobile devices incorporating a print head.

  FIG. 2 shows another embodiment of the mobile device, in which the printer module 4 is omitted and the Netpage tag sensor module 8 is included. The Netpage module 8 enables interaction between the mobile telephone 1 and the page 10 including the Netpage tag. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of the Netpage pointer in the mobile telephone 1 will be described in more detail. Although not shown in the figure, the mobile phone 1 including the Netpage module 8 can include a camera.

  FIG. 3 shows a mobile telephone 1 having both a printer module 4 and a Netpage tag sensor module 8. As with the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the printer module 4 can be configured to print tagged or untagged pages. As shown in FIG. 3, when a tagged page 10 is created (regardless of whether the tag is pre-printed or printed by the printer module 4), the Netpage tag sensor module. 8 can be used to interact with the resulting printed media.

  FIG. 4 shows the architecture of the mobile telephone 1 shown in FIG. 3 in more detail, and functions corresponding to the functions shown in FIG. 3 are shown with the same reference number display. In FIG. 4, it should be understood that only communication between various electronic components in the mobile device is handled, and mechanical functions are omitted. The mechanical functions are described in more detail below.

  The Netpage tag sensor module 8 includes a monolithic integrated Netpage image sensor and processor 12 that captures image data and receives signals from the contact switch 14. The contact switch 14 is connected to a nib (not shown) and determines that the nib has been pressed into contact with the surface. In addition, when the stylus is pressed against the surface, the sensor and processor 12 outputs a signal for controlling the irradiation of the infrared LED 16 in response thereto.

  The image sensor and processor 12 outputs processed tag information to a Netpage pointer driver 18 that interfaces with a telephone operating system 20 running on a processor (not shown) of the mobile device.

  The output to be printed is transmitted by the telephone operating system 20 to the printer driver 22 and delivered from the printer driver 22 to the MoPEC chip 24. The MoPEC chip processes the delivered output and generates dot data for supply to the print head 26, as will be described in more detail below. The MoPEC chip 24 receives a signal indicating that the medium is located at the printing position from the medium sensor 28 and outputs a control signal to the medium transport 30.

  The print head 26 is disposed in a replaceable cartridge 32 that further includes ink 34 for supply to the print head.

Mobile Device Module FIG. 5 shows the mobile phone module 2 in more detail. Most of the components other than those directly related to printing and Netpage tag perception are mostly standard components and are well known to those skilled in the art. Depending on the particular implementation of the mobile telephone 1, any number of the components shown in the figures can be provided as part of one or more integrated circuits.

The operation of the components of the mobile phone module 2 and the communication between these components are controlled by the mobile phone controller 36. These components include
Mobile radio transceiver 38 for wireless communication with a mobile telecommunications network
A program memory 40 for storing program codes to be executed on the mobile telephone control device 36
A working memory 42 for storing data used and generated by the program code during execution (shown separately from the mobile telephone controller 36 in the figure, but one of the memories 40 and 42 One or both can be integrated into the controller package or silicon)
A keypad 44 and buttons 46 for receiving numeric and other user inputs
A touch sensor 48 superimposed on the display 50 for receiving user input via stylus or fingertip pressure
A removable memory card 52 with a non-volatile memory 54 for storing any user data such as digital photos or files
A local area wireless transceiver 56 such as a Bluetooth (trademark) transceiver
A GPS receiver 58 to allow location of the mobile device (alternatively, the phone can determine its location using a mobile network mechanism)
A microphone 60 for capturing the user's speech
A speaker 62 for outputting sound including voice during a call
A camera image sensor 64 with a CCD for capturing images
・ Camera flash 66
A power manager 68 for monitoring and controlling the power consumption of the mobile device and its components
A SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) card 70 with a SIM 72 for identifying subscribers to the mobile network
It is included.

  The mobile telephone controller 36 performs baseband functions for GSM, GSM modem for data, mobile voice and data communication protocols such as GPRS and CDMA, and higher level messaging protocols such as SMS, MMS. .

  One or more local area wireless transceivers 56 enable wireless communication with peripheral devices such as headsets and Netpage pens, and wireless communication with a host such as a personal computer. The mobile telephone control device 36 also executes baseband functions of local area voice and data communication protocols such as IEEE 802.11, IEEE 802.15, and Bluetooth (trademark).

  The mobile phone module 2 can also include sensors and / or motors (not shown) for electronically adjusting zoom, focus, aperture and exposure in connection with the digital camera.

Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6, the components of the printer module 4 include
A print engine controller (PEC) 74 in the form of a MoPEC device
A program memory 76 for storing program codes executed by the print engine controller 74
Working memory 78 for storing data used and generated by the program code during execution by the print engine controller 74
A master QA chip 80 for authenticating the print head cartridge 32 via the QA chip 82
It is included.

  In a preferred form, the printhead cartridge includes an ink supply 34, but in an alternative embodiment, the ink reservoir can be contained in a separate cartridge.

  FIG. 7 shows the components of the tag sensor module 8. Tag sensor module 8 includes a CMOS tag image processor 74 in communication with image memory 76. The CMOS tag image sensor 78 sends the captured image data to the processor 74 for processing. The contact sensor 14 indicates that the nib (not shown) is in contact with the surface with sufficient force to close the switch in the contact sensor 14. When 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 in more detail below), the image data is sent to the mobile telephone controller 36 for decoding.

  In the alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the tag sensor module 8 is replaced with a tag decoder module 80. The tag decoder module 80 comprises all the elements of the tag sensor module 8, but with the addition of a hardware based tag decoder and a program memory 84 and a working memory 86 for the tag decoder. In the case of this structure, compared with the case where the tag sensor module 8 is used, the computational load of the mobile telephone control device is reduced, and the chip area is increased accordingly.

  The Netpage sensor module can be incorporated in the form of a Netpage pointer, which is a simplified Netpage pen suitable primarily for activating hyperlinks. Preferably, the Netpage pointer incorporates a non-marking stylus instead of a pen marking nib (described in detail later in this document). For the Netpage pointer, a surface contact sensor is used instead of the pen continuous force sensor. The Netpage pointer is preferably operated at a slower position sampling rate, so the Netpage pointer is not suitable for capturing drawings and handwritten documents. Netpage pointers can be implemented cheaper than Netpage pens, and tag image processing and tag decoding is potentially done in software without the need for hardware support, depending on the sampling rate. Can be executed.

  Various aspects of the invention can be embodied in any of a number of types of mobile devices. Although several different devices are described herein, for the sake of brevity, the detailed description has been focused on mobile device embodiments.

Mobile Phone One preferred embodiment is a Netpage disabled “candy bar” mobile device in the form of a mobile phone as shown in FIGS. Netpage-enabled versions are described in later sections of this specification.

  Here, a candy bar style phone is described, but the phone could equally take the form of a “flip” style with a pair of body sections hinged together. Typically, the display is placed on one of the body sections and the keypad is placed on the other so that the display and keypad are placed adjacent to each other when the device is in the closed position.

  In other embodiments, the device can have two body sections that rotate or slide relative to each other. Typically, the purpose of these mechanical relationships between the first body section and the second body section is to protect the display from scratches and / or protect the keypad from accidental operation. That is.

  Optical printing is considered one of the most notable uses of mobile Memjet printers. Accordingly, a preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a camera with processing power and storage capacity.

  FIG. 9 best illustrates the components of the mobile device. Insignificant details (such as wiring and hardware that operably connect the various components of the mobile device together) have been omitted (for the sake of brevity). Wiring and other hardware are well known to those skilled in the art.

  The mobile phone 100 includes a chassis mold 102, a front mold 104, and a back cover mold 106. A rechargeable battery 108 such as a lithium ion battery or a nickel metal hydride battery is attached to the chassis mold 102 and covered with a back cover mold 106. The battery 108 supplies power to the various components of the mobile phone 100 via the battery connector 276 and the camera and speaker connector 278.

  The front mold 104 is attached to the chassis to seal various components and has numeric interface buttons 136 arranged in vertical rows on either side of the display 138. Multi-directional control pad 142 and other control buttons 284 allow menu navigation and other control inputs. The daughter board 280 is attached to the chassis mold 102 and includes a directional switch 286 for the multidirectional control pad 142.

  The mobile device includes a cartridge access cover 132 that protects the interior of the mobile device from dust and other foreign objects when the print cartridge 148 is not inserted into the cradle 124.

  An optional camera module 110 is attached to the chassis mold 102, and an image can be captured through a hole 112 formed in the back cover mold 106. The camera module 110 includes a lens assembly and a CCD image sensor for capturing an image. The lens cover 268 in the hole 112 protects the lens of the camera module 110. The back cover mold 106 includes an inlet slot 228 and an outlet slot 150 through which the print medium passes.

  Chassis mold 102 is a plug-in to a mobile device of an assertable data cable for uploading and downloading data such as address book information, photos, messages and any type of information that can be transmitted or received by the mobile device. Supports a data / recharge connector 114 that enables The data / recharge connector 114 is configured to engage a corresponding interface in a desktop stand (not shown) that holds the mobile device in a generally upright position while the mobile device is transmitting or receiving data. Has been. The data / recharge connector also includes contacts that can recharge the battery 108 via a desktop stand. A separate charging socket 116 in the data / recharge connector 114 is configured to accept a complementary recharge plug that can recharge the battery when the desktop stand is not in use.

  A microphone 170 is attached to the chassis mold 102 to convert a sound such as a user's voice into an electronic signal sampled by an analog-digital conversion circuit of a mobile device. This conversion is well known to those skilled in the art and will not be described in more detail here.

  In the chassis mold 102, a SIM (Subscriber Identity Module) holder 118 for receiving the SIM card 120 is formed. The chassis mold is also configured to support a print cartridge cradle 124 and a drive mechanism 126 that receive a replaceable print cartridge 148. These features are described in more detail below.

  Another mold in chassis mold 102 supports an antenna (not shown) for transmitting RF signals to the mobile telecommunications network and receiving RF signals from the mobile telecommunications network.

  A main printed circuit board (PCB) 130 is supported by the chassis mold 102 and includes a number of instantaneous push button switches 132. The main PCB is fitted with various integrated and discrete components that support communication and processing functions (including print processing), but are not shown in the figure for simplicity.

  A conductive elastomer overlay 134 is disposed on the main PCB 130 just below the key 136 on the front mold 104. Elastomers incorporate a carbon impregnated pill on a flexible profile. When one of the plurality of keys 136 is pressed, the carbon pill is pressed to the two-wire open circuit pattern 132 on the PCB surface. This provides a low impedance closed circuit. Alternatively, a micro dome is formed on the overlay corresponding to the individual keys 132. A polyester film is screen printed with carbon paint and used in the same manner as carbon pills. It is also possible to use a thin adhesive film with a beryllium copper dome.

  A loudspeaker 144 is mounted adjacent to the opening 272 in the front mold 104 so that the user can hear sounds such as voice communications and other audible signals.

  In addition, a color display 138 is attached to the main PCB 130 to enable visual feedback to the user of the mobile device. A transparent lens mold 146 protects the display 138. In one form, the transparent lens is touch sensitive (or the transparent lens is omitted and the display 138 is touch sensitive), and the user displays on the icon and display 138 using a finger or stylus. Can interact with input text.

  A vibration assembly 274 is attached to the chassis mold 102. The vibration assembly 274 includes an electric motor that drives an eccentrically mounted weight that generates vibration. Vibration is transmitted to the chassis 102 to provide tactile feedback to the user. This tactile feedback is useful in noisy environments where the ring tone cannot be heard.

MoPEC-High Level The document to be printed must be in the form of dot data before reaching the print head.

  Before being converted to dot data, the image is represented by a relatively high spatial resolution bi-level component (in the case of text and line art) and by a relatively low spatial resolution contone component (image). And background color). The bi-level component is compressed in a lossless format, while the contone component is compressed according to a lossy format such as JPEG.

  A preferred form of MoPEC can be configured to operate in one of two modes. In the first mode, as shown in FIG. 15, the image to be printed is received in the form of compressed image data. The compressed image data can be reached as a chunk of data or as individual chunks of data from the same or different sources. For example, text can be received from a first remote server and image data of a representational advertisement can be received from another remote server. Alternatively, either one or both data forms can be retrieved from local memory in the mobile device.

  When the compressed image data is received, it is buffered in the memory buffer 650. The bi-level component and the contone component are each decompressed by the decompressor as part of the extended page step 652. This can be done either by hardware or software, as described in more detail below. The decompressed bi-level and contone components are then buffered in FIFOs 654 and 656, respectively.

  The decompressed contone component is halftoned by the halftoning unit 658 and then the bilevel component is synthesized on the dither contone component by the synthesis unit 660. This compositing usually includes composing text on the image. However, the system can also be operated in a stencil mode where the bi-level component is interpreted as a mask overlaid on the dither contone component. Depending on what is selected as the image component of the area to which the mask is applied, the result will be either the text (ie texture) underneath the image, or the mask for the image . The advantage of stencil mode is that the bi-level component is not dithered and a sharp edge can be defined. This is useful for certain applications, such as applications that define boundaries or print text that consists of colored textures.

  After the compositing step, the resulting image is dot formatted 662. The dot formatted image contains ordered dots for output to the printhead and for taking into account any spatial or motion compensation issues, as will be described in more detail below. The formatted dots are then fed to the print head for printing, also as described in more detail below.

  In the second mode of operation, as shown in FIG. 16, the contone component and the bi-level component are received directly by the MoPEC in FIFO 656 and 654, respectively, in uncompressed form. The source of the ingredients depends on the application. For example, the host processor of the mobile device can be configured to generate an uncompressed image component from a compressed version, or simply from somewhere, eg from a mobile telecommunications network, or anywhere in this document. Can also be configured to receive uncompressed components from the communication port described in greater detail.

  When the bi-level component and the contone component are each received in the corresponding FIFO, the MoPEC performs the same operation as described in connection with the first mode. Accordingly, similar functional blocks are indicated using similar numerical displays.

  As shown in FIG. 18, the central data structure of the preferred printing architecture is generally expressed in three layers called page elements. Page elements can be used to represent units ranging from a single render element emerging from the rendering engine up to the entire page of the print job. FIG. 18 shows a simplified UML diagram of the page element 300. Conceptually, the bi-level symbol region selects between two color sources.

MoPEC Device—Low Level FIG. 17 shows the hardware components of a preferred MoPEC device 326 and is described in more detail below.

  Conceptually, a MoPEC device is simply a SoPEC device optimized for use in a low power, low print speed environment of a mobile phone (ie, a cross-reference application USSN 10/727 filed on Dec. 2, 2003). , 181 (device described in case reference number PEA01US). In fact, as long as power requirements are met, SoPEC devices can provide the functionality necessary for MoPEC. However, it is desirable to modify the SoPEC design due to the limited battery capacity of mobile devices.

  As shown in FIG. 17, from a high-level perspective, MoPEC has three main processing unit (CPU) subsystem 1301, dynamic random access memory (DRAM) subsystem 1302, and print engine pipeline (PEP) subsystem 1303. It consists of a completely different subsystem.

  The MoPEC eDRAM requirements are much relaxed than the SoPEC eDRAM requirements. This is probably due to the fact that the print media on which MoPEC is designed to generate print data is significantly smaller.

  In one form, the MoPEC can be provided in the form of a stand-alone ASIC designed to be attached to a mobile device. Alternatively, MoPEC can be incorporated into other ASICs that incorporate some or all of the other functions required for the mobile device.

  The CPU subsystem 1301 includes a CPU that controls and configures all aspects of other subsystems. The CPU subsystem 1301 supports the interface between the external printer and the internal print engine and the overall synchronization. In addition, the CPU subsystem 1301 controls low-speed communication with the QA chip (described elsewhere in this specification) when the QA chip is used. Preferred embodiments do not utilize QA chips in cartridges or mobile devices.

  The CPU subsystem 1301 further includes various peripheral devices such as general-purpose input / output (GPIO with motor control), interrupt control unit (ICU), LSS master, and general-purpose timer to assist the CPU. . The USB block provides an interface to the host processor of the mobile device, and also provides an interface to an external data transmission terminal as necessary. Selection of USB as a communication standard is a matter of design priority, and other types of communication protocols such as Firewire or SPI can be used.

  The DRAM subsystem 1302 receives requests from blocks in the CPU, USB, and print engine pipeline (PEP) subsystem. The DRAM subsystem 1302, specifically the DRAM interface unit (DIU), arbitrates various requests and determines which requests should access the DRAM. The DIU arbitrates based on configured parameters to allow all requesters sufficient access to the DRAM. The DIU also hides DRAM implementation specifics such as page size, number of banks and refresh rate. It will be appreciated that DRAM can be significantly smaller than the original SoPEC device DRAM because the printed pages are significantly smaller. In addition, if the host processor can supply the decompressed print data at a sufficiently high speed, it is not necessary to buffer one page of information before starting printing, so the DRAM is extremely small (128). ˜256 kilobytes).

  The Print Engine Pipeline (PEP) subsystem 1303 receives compressed pages from DRAM and makes them bi-level dots for a given print line directed to a print head interface that is in direct communication with the print head. The first stage of the page expansion pipeline is a contone decoder unit (CDU) and a lossless bilevel decoder (LBD). CDU extends the JPEG compressed contone (usually CMYK) layer, and LBD extends the compressed bi-level layer (usually K). The output from the first stage is a set of buffers consisting of a contone FIFO unit (CFU) and a spot FIFO unit (SFU). CFU and SFU buffers are implemented in DRAM.

  The second stage is a halftone synthesizer unit (HCU) that halftons and dithers the contone layer and synthesizes a bilevel spot layer on the resulting bilevel dither layer.

  Many synthesis options can be implemented depending on the print head used in the MoPEC device. Although not all channels will appear in the printhead, up to six channels of bilevel data are generated from this stage. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the printhead is configured to push K into the CMY channel and print only CMY, omitting IR.

  In the third stage, a dead nozzle compensator (DNC) compensates for dead nozzles in the print head by color redundancy and error diffusion of dead nozzle data to surrounding dots.

  The obtained bi-level dot data (in the preferred embodiment, CMY) is buffered and written to a set of line buffers stored in DRAM via a dotted line creation unit (DWU).

  Finally, dot data is loaded back from the DRAM and delivered to the print head interface via the dot FIFO. The dot FIFO receives data from the line loader unit (LLU) at the system clock speed while the print head interface (PHI) removes data from the FIFO and transmits the removed data to the print head.

  The amount of DRAM required will vary depending on the particular implementation of MoPEC (including systems where MoPEC is implemented). In this regard, the preferred MoPEC design can be configured to operate in any of the three modes. All three of these modes can be utilized under the preferred embodiment, assuming that the received image data can be preprocessed in some way. The preliminary processing includes, for example, color space conversion and scaling as necessary.

  In the first mode, the image data is decompressed by the host processor and supplied to the MoPEC for direct transfer 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 for delivery to the HCU. Since decompression is performed outside of MoPEC, and the HCU and subsequent hardware blocks are optimized for those jobs, MoPEC devices can clock at a relatively slow rate, There is no need to make the MoPEC CPU particularly powerful. As a reference, a clock speed of 10 MHz to 20 MHz is appropriate.

  In the second mode, compressed image data is supplied to the MoPEC. To that end, first of all, the MoPEC DRAM must be increased to a minimum of about 256 kilobytes (although preferably doubled). In the second mode, hardware decompression of compressed contone image data and compressed bi-level image data is performed using CDU and LBD (and corresponding buffers). Again, these CDUs and LBDs (and corresponding buffers) are hardware units that are optimized to perform their jobs, so the system can be clocked at a relatively slow rate, Similarly, the MoPEC processor need not be particularly powerful. However, the disadvantage of this mode is that the hardware CDU and LBD are somewhat inflexible. CDUs and LBDs are specifically optimized for decompression jobs, and in the preferred embodiment, reconfiguration to perform different decompression tasks is not possible to any extent.

  In the third mode, CDU and LBD are also bypassed, but the MoPEC still receives compressed form of image data. The decompression is executed by software by the MoPEC CPU. If the CPU is a general purpose processor, the CPU must be a relatively powerful CPU in order to perform decompression of compressed contone image data and compressed bi-level image data at an acceptable rate. Also, a faster clock speed of about 3 to 10 times the clock speed when software decompression is not required is required. As in the second mode, the MoPEC device requires at least 256 kilobytes of DRAM. The third mode has the advantage of being programmable for the type of decompression being performed. However, the need for a more powerful processor that is clocked at a faster rate means that the power consumption increases with it when compared to the first two modes.

  It will be appreciated that in order to be able to select all three of these modes with a single MoPEC device, the worst case functionality for implementing all these modes is required. Thus, for example, the capacity for higher clock speeds, at least 256 kilobytes of DRAM, a relatively powerful processor, and the ability to selectively bypass CDU and LBD must all be implemented within MoPEC. Of course, for any particular implementation, one or more of these modes may be omitted, thereby removing the functional limitations required by the availability of that mode.

  In a preferred form, the MoPEC device is color space agnostic. The MoPEC device can receive contone data as CMYX or RGBX, where X is an optional fourth channel, but can also receive contone data in any print color space. MoPEC is also a mechanism for arbitrarily mapping input channels to output channels, including a mechanism that combines dots to optimize ink and a mechanism that generates channels based on any number of other channels. Is provided. However, the input is preferably CMY for a contone input and K (pushed into CMY by MoPEC) for a bi-level input.

Also, in a preferred form, the MoPEC device is resolution agnostic. MoPEC devices simply provide a mapping between input resolution and output resolution by a scale factor. Although the preferred resolution is 1600 dpi, MoPEC does not actually have knowledge of the physical resolution of the print head to which MoPEC supplies dot data.



Software dot generation It is desirable to promote hardware from a speed and power consumption standpoint, but a general purpose processor programmed with appropriate software routines, some, most or all of the functions performed by the MoPEC integrated circuit. It is also possible to use and execute. Obtaining similar performance using a general-purpose processor will generally increase power consumption (if the general-purpose processor performs highly specialized tasks such as decompression and synthesis, the associated overhead This solution is advantageous in that it can be easily individualized and easily upgraded. For example, as new or updated JPEG standards become widely used, it may be desirable in some cases to simply update the decompression algorithm executed by a general purpose processor. The decision to migrate some or all of the MoPEC integrated circuit functionality to software must be made commercially on a case-by-case basis.

QA chip In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, when a cartridge is inserted, a QA chip for authenticating the cartridge is not used. However, in an alternative embodiment, the print cartridge has a QA chip 82 that can be interrogated by a master QA chip 80 attached to the mobile device (see FIG. 6). In this context, the QA chip is designed to ensure the quality of the ink supply so that the print head nozzles are not damaged during printing, and the quality of the software to ensure the print head and dynamics. There is no damage.

  There are a number of ways in which QA chips can be used with MoPEC. For example, each MoPEC may have an associated printer QA that stores printer attributes such as maximum printing speed. An ink cartridge for use with the system can also include an ink QA chip that stores cartridge information such as the remaining ink amount. The cartridge may also have a QA chip configured to act as a ROM (actually an EEPROM) that stores print head specific information such as dead nozzle mapping and print head characteristics. The CPU of the MoPEC device can optionally load and execute program code from a QA chip that actually acts as a serial EEPROM. Finally, the CPU of the SoPEC device can run a logical QA chip (ie a software QA chip).

  Normally, all QA chips in a system are physically identical, and only the contents of the flash memory are different from each other.

  Each MoPEC device has an LSS system bus that can communicate with the QA device to authenticate the system and to consider ink usage. It is possible to communicate with a large number of QA devices via this bus.

  Data delivered between QA chips is authenticated by a digital signature. In the preferred embodiment, other schemes may be used, but HMAC-SHA1 authentication is used for the data and RSA is used for the program code.

  The QA tip preferably includes some or all of the possible protection mechanisms that make it relatively difficult to corrode the QA tip. Many of these features are related to the way sensitive information is stored (in the form of a bit pattern) in the non-volatile memory of the QA chip (which in the preferred form is a flash memory). Others deal with hard-coded restrictions, and in this method the software is loaded from flash memory. Still others deal with hard-coded methods that can modify the data in a particular register, eg decrement only registers that contain data indicating the remaining ink level in the reservoir. be able to.

Any of a number of techniques can be used to make it more difficult to retrieve key data (in the form of a bit pattern) from non-volatile memory by a potential hacker. For example,
The keys are stored at different locations in memory across multiple instances of the QA device (individual device software is personalized with knowledge of its location)
One or more of a plurality of keys are stored in memory as key / inverted key pairs and / or
The second key is stored indirectly in the non-volatile memory in the form obtained by applying a function to the result of the first function. The first function is applied to the first key (stored in non-volatile memory), and the result of applying the one-way function is applied to the second key. By storing the result of the first key and the first function in the non-volatile memory, the second key is stored only indirectly. The one-way function is usually chosen to be cryptographically more secure than the first function.

Restrictions can be added during handling and processing of communications. For example,
Communication between the QA chip in the cartridge and the QA chip in the mobile device can be made by using a digital signature (preferably with variable keys described in various applications and patents cross-referenced by the assignee. Can be relatively safe) and / or
A signed message between QA chips may include an indication of the type of instruction in the payload as part of the payload.

  There is also a physical mechanism for protecting individual QA chips. For example, if the contents of the memory are tampered with, the integrated circuit is reset and / or the contents of the memory are erased by an anti-titanium per line formed in a further integrated circuit. Thus, attempts to scrape the semiconductor cover layer to access the memory contents using various scanning mechanisms are prevented.

  Another function is the use of a relatively unique identification within the relevant series of QA chips. For example, each individual QA chip or at least an individual QA chip used in a specific range of products each stores a unique identification. The identification is relatively unique, which means that the identification is completely unique (that is, an identification that appears only on that one QA chip and never repeated on the other QA chip), or that identification Is extremely rare, meaning that there is little chance for an attacker to learn that the key of one integrated circuit can be compromised with another randomly selected integrated circuit.

  All of these features are incorporated herein by cross-reference, the assignee's patent application publication USSN 10 / 754,536, filed January 12, 2004 (case number PEA25US). Are described in more detail.

Piezoelectric Drive System FIGS. 19-22 illustrate a piezoelectric drive system 126 for driving a print medium to the tip of a print head. 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 a spring 164 that is attached to a mounting point 166 on the cradle 124. The piezoelectric element 168 is disposed in the through hole 160, expands across the through hole, and links the support end 158 and the cantilever 162. The piezoelectric element 168 is disposed adjacent to one end of the through hole. Therefore, when the piezoelectric element is deformed, the cantilever 162 is deflected by a minute amount from the stationary position.

  The tip 170 of the cantilever 162 is forced to contact the rim of the drive wheel 172 at an angle of about 50 degrees. As a result, the drive wheel 172 engages with the rubber roller 176 at the end of the drive shaft 178. The drive shaft 178 engages the print medium and drives the print medium beyond the print head (described below with reference to FIGS. 12 and 14).

  Drive wires (not shown) are attached to both sides of the piezoelectric element 168 to enable supply of drive signals. The spring, piezo and cantilever assembly is a structure having a set of resonant frequencies. The structure is excited to one of a plurality of vibration resonance modes by the drive signal, whereby the tip of the cantilever 162 moves and the drive wheel 172 rotates. Simply expressed, when the piezoelectric element is extended, the tip 170 of the cantilever and the rim of the drive wheel come into stronger contact. Since the rim and tip are relatively rigid, when the tip moves, the drive wheel rotates slightly in the direction shown in the figure. While the resonance oscillation is stopped, the contact between the tip 170 and the rim is loosened, and the tip is slightly retracted toward the original position. The tip 170 is again pressed to a position slightly different from the previous rim on the next oscillation, which causes the drive wheel to rotate slightly again. The oscillating motion of the tip 170 repeats continuously at high speed, and the drive wheel moves with a series of small angular displacements. However, due to the high resonance frequency (in the order of kHz), the drive wheel 172 has a constant angular velocity for all purposes and purposes.

  In the illustrated embodiment, the drive wheels are rotating counterclockwise with a drive signal of about 85 kHz (as shown in FIG. 21).

  The amount of movement per cycle is relatively small (about several micrometers), but the high speed at which pulses are supplied means that a maximum linear motion of 300 mm per second (ie, rim motion) can be obtained. is doing. When the frequency of the drive signal is increased to 95 kHz, different oscillation modes are obtained in which the drive wheels rotate in the opposite direction. However, the preferred embodiment does not take advantage of this reversibility of piezoelectric drive.

  Exact details about the operation of the piezoelectric drive can be obtained from the manufacturer Elliptec AG in Dortmund, Germany.

Motor Drive System FIGS. 23 through 27 show another embodiment of a print cartridge 148 and cradle 124 with a DC motor drive system for feeding the print media 226 to the tip of the print head 202. The print cartridge and cradle shown in FIG. 23 use a 6 mm diameter DC motor 242 with a spur gear, while FIG. 24 shows an 8 mm diameter DC motor and a series of spur gear drive systems. It is. FIGS. 26 and 27 show motors of 6 mm and 8 mm, respectively, but a worm gear system is used to transmit power to the drive wheel 172. These embodiments show that motors and gear drive systems provide a wider range of configurations and gear ratios to adapt to different devices such as mobile phones, personal data assistants, and the like.

  Referring to FIG. 23, the vertical axis of the DC motor 242 is parallel to the vertical development of the cartridge 148 and the cradle 124. A spade terminal 244 for connecting to the battery power supply is developed from one end of the electric motor. The other end of the electric motor 242 is a planetary gear box 246 having a reduction ratio of 4: 1. The output shaft of the gear box is keyed to the drive gear 248. The drive gear is a spur gear that meshes with and drives the intermediate gear 250 on the stub shaft attached to the cradle 124. The intermediate gear 250 drives a drive roller spur gear 252 attached to rotate the elastomer drive roller 172 at a constant speed.

  As described above in connection with the piezoelectric drive embodiment, the elastomer drive roller 172 engages the end rubber roller of the drive shaft 178 to drive the media 226 beyond the print head.

  In FIG. 24, the 8 mm diameter DC motor 254 is again parallel to the length of the cradle 124 but is powered by a 1 + 8 digital line magnetic encoder 256 per revolution. Therefore, the print engine controller (PEC) can record the number of rotations of the electric motor 254 and its fraction. The PEC can use this to accurately measure the position of the media 226 relative to the print head and adjust the operation of the nozzles according to the measured position.

  Planetary gearbox 246 is coupled to the output of motor 254. The drive gear 258 having 15 teeth is keyed to the output shaft of the gear box 246. As in the case of the motor having a diameter of 6 mm, the drive gear 258 drives the drive roller spur gear 252 via the intermediate gear 250. Therefore, power is transmitted to the medium drive shaft 178 via the rubber roller 176 and the elastomer drive roller 172.

  The structure shown in FIG. 25 is the same as the structure shown in FIG. 24 except that the output shaft of the gear box 246 has a drive gear 260 having 20 teeth. By changing the gear ratio, the printing speed (ie, the speed of the drive shaft 178) can be changed. Therefore, by changing the gear ratio, it is possible to affect the torque of the drive shaft 178, and hence the force with which the card 226 moves along the medium feeding path.

Print Cartridge Print cartridge 148 is best shown in FIGS. 28 and 29 and takes the form of an elongated, generally rectangular box. The cartridge is based around a molded housing 180 with three elongated slots 182, 184 and 186 configured to hold ink retaining structures 188, 190 and 192, respectively. Each of the ink retaining structures is typically a sponge-like material or a block of laminated fibrous sheets. For example, these structures may be bubbles, a laminate of fibers and porous membranes, a laminate of bubbles and porous membranes, a folded porous membrane or a sponge wrapped in a porous membrane. Ink holding structures 188, 190, and 192 include a substantially empty area containing ink that provides ink movement when the cartridge (or mobile device with the cartridge attached) is shaken or moved. It is configured to prevent. The amount of ink in the individual storage containers is not critical at all, but typical volumes per color are on the order of 0.5 ml to 1.0 ml.

  The porous material also has a capillary action that establishes a negative pressure at the injection nozzle (described in detail below). During periods of unused ink, ink is retained in the nozzle chamber by the surface tension of the ink meniscus forming the entire nozzle. As the meniscus bulges outward, it can “pin” itself to the nozzle rim and hold the ink in the chamber. However, contact with paper dust or other contaminants on the nozzle rim can cause the meniscus pinning to disengage from the rim and cause ink to leak from the printhead through the nozzles.

  To address this, many ink cartridges are designed such that the hydrostatic pressure of the ink in the chamber is less than atmospheric pressure. By doing so, the meniscus of the nozzle can be retracted, that is, inward. Thus, contact between the meniscus and the paper dust on the nozzle rim is prevented and the slight positive pressure in the chamber that would cause ink to leak is removed.

  A housing lid 194 fits over the top of the print cartridge and, together with the ink slots 182, 184 and 186, defines an ink reservoir. This lid can be glued or ultrasonically welded to prevent ink from moving between the reservoirs or flowing out of the print cartridge, or the top edge of the ink slot is used to form a seal can do. Ink holes 174 allow the storage container to be filled with ink during manufacture. Microchannel vent 140 defines a tortuous path along lid 196 between ink hole 174 and breather hole 154. These vents allow the pressure in the storage container to be balanced when the cartridge 148 is in use, while the tortuous path prevents ink leakage when the mobile phone 100 moves in different directions. It is preventing. The label 196 covers the vent 140 and includes a stripped portion 198 that is removed prior to use to expose the breather hole 154 and release the slots 182, 184, and 186 to the atmosphere.

  A series of outlets (not shown) at the bottom of each of the slots 182, 184 and 186 are directed to an ink duct 262 formed in the housing 180. These ducts are covered with a flexible sealing film 264 that conducts ink to the printhead IC 202. One edge of the printhead IC 202 is coupled to a conductor on the flexible TAB film 200. The coupling part is covered and protected by an encapsulating strip 204. A contact 266 is formed on the TAB film 200, and power and data can be supplied to the print head IC 202 via a conductor on the TAB film. The print head IC 202 is attached to the lower surface of the housing 180 by a polymer seal film 264. This membrane is laser perforated so that ink in duct 262 can flow to printhead IC 202. The membrane sealing and ink delivery mode will be described in more detail below.

  The capper 206 is attached to the chassis 180 by a slot 208 that engages a corresponding forming pin 210 on the housing. The capper 206 seals and protects the ink exposed in the nozzles (described below) of the print head 202 at the cap position. The pair of co-molded elastomer seals 240 on both sides of the print head IC 202 suppresses the exposure of the print head IC 202 to dust and air that causes the nozzles to dry and clog the nozzles.

  The metal cover 224 is snapped into place during assembly to cover the capper 206 and hold it in place. The metal cover is generally U-shaped in cross section and includes an inlet slot 214 and an outlet slot 152 to allow media insertion and removal from the print cartridge. The tongue pieces 216 at both ends of the metal cover 224 are provided with holes 218 that engage with the complementary formed claws 220 of the lid 194. A pair of capper leaf springs 238 are pushed in from the U-shaped bottom to bias the capper 206 against the print head 202. A tamper resistant label 222 is applied to prevent accidental interference with the print cartridge 148.

  As described above, the media drive shaft 178 extends across the width of the housing 180 and is held within the housing by a corresponding hole 226 for rotation. Elastomeric drive wheel 176 is attached to one end of drive shaft 178 and engages linear drive mechanism 126 when print cartridge 148 is inserted into the mobile device prior to use.

Alternative Print Cartridge FIGS. 30 to 36 show an alternative cartridge 290. This cartridge design shares many of the features shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, with corresponding components shown with the same reference number designation.

  The main difference of the alternative cartridge is that the negative pressure in the storage container 288 (see FIG. 33) is provided by biasing the flexible membrane wall in the direction of increasing ink storage volume. As described above, negative pressure is required to prevent ink leakage from the nozzles. As best shown in FIGS. 31 and 32, the negative pressure reservoir 288 is arranged in series across the entire print width of the cartridge 290. A preform membrane 294 is attached to a corresponding formation 294 in the housing 180 and defines three storage containers 288. The membrane 292 includes openings 296 that are each in communication with a corresponding storage container, each of which is fitted with a closed cell neoprene or self-sealing silicone plug 298. A hollow needle (not shown) for ejecting ink is stuck in the stopper 298 to fill the storage container. Upon withdrawal of the needle, the stopper 298 reseals the storage container. In some cases it is desirable to introduce and refill two needles, one of which is used to escape the air in the storage container when replaced with ink.

  Referring to FIGS. 34, 35 and 36, each of the stoppers 298 is captively positioned on a corresponding reservoir 288 and engaged with a spring 302 that extends across the entire print width of the cartridge. It has. In the illustrated embodiment, the springs 302 include collars 304 that are spaced along their lengths to engage respective corresponding formations 300 and also provide elastic energy. Are provided on both sides of the corresponding opening 304. Both ends of the spring 302 are partially curved to form a short finger 308 that engages a complementary notch 310 formed in the housing 180.

  The lid 194 seals the membrane 292 and includes a spring support 312 for positioning and supporting the corresponding section of the spring 302. The lid opening 314 exposes the cap formation 300 during filling.

  In the case of an alternative cartridge, the ink dispensing system is different because the storage containers 288 are arranged differently with respect to the print width. In particular, the replacement cartridge includes two ink distribution layers that distribute ink from a corresponding reservoir to a corresponding row of print nozzles along the print width of the cartridge. As best shown in FIG. 35, each of the storage containers has two ink outlets 316. The ink outlet 316 supplies ink to the ink distribution passage 324 at the bottom of the housing 180. There are three passages 324 for cyan, magenta and yellow ink, respectively. Each of the passages 324 extends over the length of the printhead IC 202 because a different color in the individual reservoir 288 needs to be delivered across the entire print width. The distribution passage 324 is covered with an ink duct film layer 318. This layer 318 has holes in its top surface that connect a series of ducts 320 on its lower surface. The duct 320 is sealed with a seal film 264. A laser perforation hole 322 passing through the sealing film guides ink from the duct to the opposite side of the print head IC 202.

  Figures 37-39 show other cartridge designs. This cartridge is very similar to the cartridge shown in FIGS. 28 and 29, the only difference being that the ink holding structures 188, 190 and 192 are different. This ink holding structure is a compressed bubble that is divided into sections by a partial notch 368, most of which extends in the thickness direction of the ink holding structure. The ink baffle 366 depends from the lower surface of the cartridge lid 194 and is inserted into the partial notch 368 to provide a firm barrier between adjacent sections of the ink retaining structures 188, 190 and 192. .

  The baffle 366 prevents ink from accumulating at one end of the cartridge if the cartridge happens to be held in a substantially vertical direction for an extended period of time. If ink accumulates at one end of the cartridge, it will run out of ink at the other end prematurely during use. Although there is still some communication between adjacent sections (the section below the individual partial notches 368), due to the capillary action of the porous structure and the relatively small area of the communication section Ink flow to the lower end is prevented. The rate at which the ink flows out to the lower end is at least slow enough to leave ink in all sections of the ink retaining structure when the cartridge is left upright overnight.

  By completely sealing adjacent sections together, less ink is used before the cartridge needs to be replaced. If there is no ink flow between adjacent sections, the use of ink along the length of the printhead IC 202 is truly uniform, so one color is one of the sections. To disappear before the other sections. A wick 364 at the bottom of each of the slots 182, 184 and 186 is provided with an ink outlet (not shown) in the housing 180 to facilitate the flow of ink from one section to the nozzles supplied by the emptied section. 2) Keep the ink on top. The outlet communicates with a series of ink delivery ducts formed on the lower surface of the housing 180. As best shown in FIG. 39, the ink delivery duct 262 directs ink to a central ink delivery section 370 that can supply ink to the back of the printhead IC 202. The lead between each of the ink delivery ducts 262 is an ink balancing duct 372. A balancing duct 372 fluidly communicates each ink outlet to an adjacent outlet. When one section of ink is emptied, it is addressed by withdrawing ink from the adjacent section via the balance duct 372. Ducts 262 and 372 must be thin enough to hold the ink at all times, regardless of whether the cartridge is upright.

  The ducts 262 and 372 are sealed by a flexible sealing film 264 that is bonded to the lower surface of the housing 180. The print head IC 202 is bonded to the other surface of the seal film 264. The print head IC 202 has an ink inlet for a nozzle (described below) on the opposite surface (the surface bonded to the membrane 264). The print head IC 202 is bonded to the film 264 so that the entrance of the print head IC 202 and the array of holes drilled in the film 264 coincide. The laser perforation hole connects the print head IC 202 ink inlet to an ink delivery point that is spaced along the ink delivery section 370 of the housing 180. The membrane sealing and ink delivery mode will be described in more detail below.

  One edge of the printhead IC 202 is coupled to a conductor on the flexible TAB film 200. The coupling part is covered and protected by an encapsulating strip 204. Formed on the TAB film 200 is a contact 266 for supplying power to the printhead IC 202 via the power / ground contact 382 (see the power / data connector 330 of other cartridges).

Printhead Mechanical In a preferred form, the Memjet printer includes a monolithic page width printhead. The print head is a three-color 1600 dpi monolithic chip with an effective print length of 2.165 inches (55.0 mm). The printhead chip is about 800 microns wide and about 200 microns thick.

  Power and ground are supplied to the printhead chip through two copper bus bars approximately 200 microns thick, electrically connected using a conductive adhesive to contact points along the chip. One end of the chip has several data pads that are wire bonded or ball bonded to a microflexible PCB and then encapsulated, as described in more detail elsewhere herein. ing.

  In an alternative embodiment, the print head uses a SoPEC as described in USSN 10/754536 (case number PEA25US) filed Jan. 12, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated herein by cross reference. As described in connection with the base bilithic printhead structure, it can be constructed using multiple printhead chips. In yet another embodiment, the print head is a linking described in USSN 10/754536 (case number PEA25US) filed Jan. 12, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated herein by cross reference. It can be formed from one or more monolithic printheads with a printhead module.

  In a preferred form, the print head is designed to be at least partially self-destroying in some way to prevent unauthorized refilling of ink of potentially suspicious quality. Self-destruction can be performed in any suitable manner, but the preferred mechanism is selectively blown when it is determined that ink has been consumed or a predetermined number of prints has been performed. Providing at least one fusible link in the print head.

  Alternatively or additionally, the printhead can be designed such that some or all of the components of the printhead can be at least partially reused as part of the manufacturing process.

  It is also possible to use fusible links on the printhead integrated circuit (or on individual integrated circuits in the cartridge) to store other information that the manufacturer does not prefer to modify by the end user. Residual ink data is one good example of such information. By tracking ink usage and selectively blowing away fusible links, the cartridge can maintain an unalterable ink usage record. For example, if it is determined that 10 soluble links have been provided and 10% of the total residual ink has been used, one of the soluble links can be blown off each time. One set of links can be provided for each ink or for the entire ink. Alternatively or additionally, soluble ink can be blown in response to a predetermined number of prints being performed.

  It also encodes identifiers (unique identifiers, relatively unique identifiers or other identifiers) within the cartridge by providing a fusible link within the cartridge and selectively blowing away during or after manufacture of the cartridge It is also possible to do.

  The fusible link can be coupled to one or more shift register elements in the same way that data is loaded for printing (discussed in more detail below). In fact, the required shift register elements can form part of the same chain of register elements loaded with dot data for printing. According to this method, the MoPEC chip can control the blowing off of the fusible link by simply changing the data inserted into the data stream loaded during printing. Alternatively or additionally, it is possible to load data to blow one or more fusible links while performing other operations to load dot data (ie, all zero dots Loaded as data). Yet another alternative is to provide the fusible link with its own shift register that is loaded independently of the dot data shift register.

  40 and 41 show basic circuit diagrams of 10 fuse links and a single fuse cell, respectively. FIG. 40 shows a shift register 373 that can load the programmed values into the 1-bit fuse cells 375, 377, and 379. Each of the shift register latches 381, 383, and 385 is connected to a 1-bit fuse cell and provides a program value to its corresponding cell. The fuse is programmed by setting the fuse_program_enable signal 387 to 1. The 10-bit register 389 is loaded with fuse cell values 391, 393 and 395. The printhead IC control logic can access this value 389 and inhibit printing if, for example, the fuse values are all ones. Alternatively or additionally, after the MoPEC is powered on, the MoPEC can sequentially read the value 397 and check the status of the fuses 375, 377 and 379.

  FIG. 41 shows a possible fuse cell 375. The fuse element structure itself has an electrical resistance 405 that is substantially less than the value of the pull-up resistor 407 before being blown away. As such, node A is pulled down and buffered to provide a zero initially fuse_value output 391. When both fuse_program_enable 387 and fuse_program_value 399 are 1, the fuse is blown out. When both of these become 1, the PFET 409 connecting the node A to Vpos is turned on, and a current for opening the fuse element flows, that is, the resistance 405 becomes infinite. In this case, the fuse_value output 391 is read back as 1.

Printhead Sealing As briefly mentioned above, the printhead IC 202 is attached to the underside of the housing 180 by a polymer seal membrane 264 (see FIG. 29). The membrane may be a thermoplastic membrane such as a PET membrane or a polysulfone membrane, or may be in the form of a thermosetting membrane such as that manufactured by AL Technologies and Rogers Corporation. The polymer seal film 264 is a laminate having adhesive layers on both sides of the central film, and is laminated on the lower surface of the molded housing 180. A plurality of holes (not shown) penetrating the sealing membrane 264 are laser drilled to coincide with the ink delivery point of the ink duct 262 (or ink duct 320 of the membrane layer 318 in the case of alternative cartridges). Thus, the printhead IC 202 is in fluid communication with the ink duct 262 and thus the ink holding structures 188, 190 and 192.

  The thickness of the polymer seal film 264 is important in order for the polymer seal film 264 to provide an effective ink seal. The membrane seals the ink duct 262 on the housing 180 (or the ink duct 320 of the membrane layer 318) and the ink conduit (not shown) on the opposite side of the printhead IC 202. However, because the entire duct 262 is sealed, the membrane 264 may swell into one of the plurality of conduits on the opposite side of the printhead IC 202 in some cases. The section of the membrane that bulges into the conduit can potentially span some of the ink ducts 262 in the printhead IC 202. The sagging can impair sealing and cause gaps that can cause ink to leak from between the conduits on the printhead IC 202 and / or its opposite surface.

To prevent this, the polymer seal membrane 264 can handle any bulges into the ink duct 262 (or the ink duct 320 of the membrane layer 318) and maintain the seal on the back of the printhead IC 202. It must be thick enough. The minimum thickness of the polymer seal membrane 264 is
The width of the conduit that the polymer seal film 264 sags. The thickness of the adhesive layer in the laminated structure of the film. The “stiffness” of the adhesive layer when the print head IC 202 is pushed.
・ It depends on the coefficient of the film material at the center of the laminate.

  In the case of the print head IC and cartridge assembly shown in the figure, the thickness of the polymer seal film 264 is suitably 25 microns. However, increasing the thickness to 50 microns, 100 microns or even 200 microns correspondingly increases the reliability of the seal provided.

Print head CMOS
A preferred embodiment of the print head 420 (comprising the print head IC 425) will now be described with reference to FIGS.

  FIG. 42 shows an outline of connection of the print head IC 425 to the print head IC 425 and the MoPEC device 166. The print head IC 425 includes a nozzle core array 401 having repetitive logic for ejecting ink to individual nozzles, and nozzle control logic 402 for generating a timing signal for ejecting ink to the nozzles. The nozzle control logic 402 receives data from the MoPEC chip 166 via a high speed link. In the preferred form, a single MoPEC chip 166 provides print data to the two printhead ICs 425 and 426.

  The nozzle control logic is configured to send serial data to the nozzle array core via link 407 (which is electrical connector 428 for printhead IC 425) for printing. Status information and other operational information regarding the nozzle array core 401 is communicated back to the nozzle control logic via another link 408 (also provided on the electrical connector 428).

  43 and 44 show the nozzle array core 401 in more detail. From FIG. 43, it can be seen that the nozzle array core includes an array of a plurality of nozzle rows 501. The array comprises a fire / select shift register 502 and three color channels. Each of the three color channels is represented by a corresponding dot shift register 503.

  As shown in FIG. 44, the injection / selection shift register 502 includes a forward passage injection shift register 600, a reverse passage injection shift register 601, and a selection shift register 602. Each of the dot shift registers 503 includes an odd dot shift register 603 and an even dot shift register 604. Odd and even dot shift registers 603 and 604 are connected at one end so that data is clocked in one direction through odd shift register 603 and then in the reverse direction through even shift register 604. Connected to the department. The outputs of all dot shift registers other than the last even dot shift register are supplied to one of the inputs of multiplexer 605. This input of the multiplexer is selected by a signal (core scan) during post-production testing. In normal operation, the core scan signal selects the dot data input Dot [x] supplied to the other input of the multiplexer 605. Accordingly, Dot [x] is supplied to the corresponding dot shift register 503 for each color.

  Next, a single column N will be described with reference to FIG. In the illustrated embodiment, in column N, every three dot shift registers 503 are held by the odd data value held by element 606 of odd shift register 603 and by element 607 of even shift register 604. Six data values consisting of even data values are included. Column N also includes an odd injection value 608 from the forward injection shift register 600 and an even injection value 609 from the reverse injection shift register 601 that are supplied as inputs to the multiplexer 610. The output of the multiplexer 610 is controlled by the selection value 611 in the selection shift register 602. When the selection value is zero, an odd injection value is output, and when the selection value is 1, an even injection value is output.

  Values from shift register elements 606 and 607 are provided as inputs to corresponding odd and even dot latches 612 and 613, respectively.

  Each of the dot latches 612 and 613 and the shift register elements associated therewith form a unit cell 614, which is shown in more detail in FIG. The dot latch 612 is a D-type flip-flop that receives the output of the shift register element 606. The data input d to the shift register element 606 is provided from the output of the previous element in the odd dot shift register (except when the element under consideration is the first element in the shift register). If the element in is the first element in the shift register, its input is a Dot [x] value). When a negative pulse provided on LsyncL is received, data is clocked into the latch 612 from the output of flip-flop 606.

  The output of latch 612 is provided as one of the inputs to 3-input AND gate 65. The other inputs to AND gate 615 are the Fr signal (from the output of multiplexer 610) and pulse profile signal Pr. The ejection timing of the nozzle is controlled by the pulse profile signal Pr. This injection timing can be lengthened to take into account, for example, a low voltage condition (in the case of an embodiment operated by a battery) that occurs when the battery voltage is low. By making the ejection timing longer, effective ejection of a relatively consistent ink amount from each nozzle is ensured. For the embodiment described above, the profile signal Pr is the same for each dot shift register, providing a balance between complexity, cost and performance. However, in other embodiments, the Pr signal can be applied globally (ie, the same signal for all nozzles), or can be tailored for each unit cell and even for each nozzle individually. is there.

  When data is loaded into the latch 612, the firing enable Fr signal and the pulse profile Pr signal are applied to the AND gate 615 and combined at the AND gate 615 to trigger the nozzle, one dot for each latch 612 containing a logic one. Ink is ejected.

Table 4 summarizes the signal for each nozzle channel.

As shown in FIG. 45, the firing signal Fr enables the firing of one color in the current row, then the firing of the next color in the next row, and so on on the diagonal. Rooted. By routing on a diagonal line, the current demand is averaged because it is distributed over three nozzle rows in a time-delayed manner.

  The dot latches and latches forming the various shift registers are fully static latches in this embodiment and are based on CMOS. The design and construction of latches is well known to those skilled in the art of integrated circuit technology and design, and therefore will not be described in detail herein.

  A composite printhead IC defines a printhead having 13824 nozzles per color. The circuitry that supports the individual nozzles is the same, but due to the physical positioning of the MEMS nozzles, nozzle pairing is a coincidence, and the odd and even nozzles are actually as shown in FIG. Does not exist on the same horizontal line.

Nozzle Design—Machine Actuator A preferred nozzle design (with nozzles and corresponding actuators) for use in the printhead chip 216 will now be described. FIG. 47 shows an array of a plurality of nozzles 801 formed on the silicon substrate 8015. The nozzles 810 in the print head chip 216 are all the same nozzles, but are grouped together into rows and a particular ink color is supplied to each row. It will be appreciated that the particular number / resolution of nozzles, the number of nozzle rows, their position and offset relative to each other, the particular combination of inks and the fixative output by a particular cartridge will vary from embodiment to embodiment.

  Note that in the illustrated embodiment, the rows of nozzles 801 are staggered so that the spacing of the ink dots during printing can be closer than that possible with a single row of nozzles.

  Each nozzle structure 801 is the product of an integrated circuit manufacturing technique. In particular, the nozzle structure 801 defines a microelectromechanical system (MEMS).

  For ease of understanding and ease of explanation, the construction and operation of a single nozzle structure 801 will be described with reference to FIGS.

  The ink jet print head chip 12 includes a silicon wafer substrate 801. A 0.35 micron 1P4M12 volt CMOS microprocessing circuit is disposed on a silicon wafer substrate 8015.

  A silicon dioxide (or alternatively glass) layer 8017 is disposed on the wafer substrate 8015. Silicon dioxide layer 8017 defines a CMOS dielectric layer. The CMOS top level metal defines an aligned pair of aluminum electrode contact layers 8030 disposed over the silicon dioxide layer 8017. Both the silicon wafer substrate 8015 and the silicon dioxide layer 8017 are etched to define an ink inlet passage 8014 having a generally circular cross section (in plan view). The CMOS metal 1 aluminum diffusion barrier 8028, the CMOS metal 2/3 and the CMOS top level metal are disposed in the silicon dioxide layer 8017 around the ink inlet passage 8014. The diffusion barrier 8028 serves to inhibit the diffusion of hydroxyl ions through the CMOS oxide layer of the driver circuit layer 8017.

  A passivation layer 8031 in the form of a silicon nitride layer is disposed over the aluminum contact layer 8030 and the silicon dioxide layer 8017. Each portion of the passivation layer 8031 disposed over the contact layer 8030 has an opening 8032 defined therein for providing access to the contact 8030.

  The nozzle structure 801 includes a nozzle chamber 8029 defined by a nozzle roof 8034 and an annular nozzle wall 8033 that terminates at an upper end within a circular inner nozzle rim 804 whose plan view is circular. Ink inlet passage 8014 is in fluid communication with nozzle chamber 8029. A movable rim 8010 having a movable seal lip 8040 is disposed at the lower end of the nozzle wall. A circumferential wall 8038 surrounds the movable nozzle and includes a stationary seal lip 8039 adjacent to the movable rim 8010 when the nozzle is stationary as shown in FIG. A fluid seal 8011 is formed by the surface tension of the ink trapped between the stationary seal lip 8039 and the movable seal lip 8040. This fluid seal 8011 prevents ink leakage from the chamber and provides a low resistance bond between the circumferential wall 8038 and the nozzle wall 8033.

  As best shown in FIG. 57, the roof 8034 around the nozzle rim 804 is defined with a plurality of radially extending recesses 8035. The recess 8035 plays a role of suppressing the radial ink flow caused by the ink leaking beyond the nozzle rim 804.

  Nozzle wall 8033 has a generally U-shaped profile and forms part of a lever structure whose base 8037 is attached to a carrier 8036 attached to a layer 8031 of silicon nitride.

  The lever structure also includes a lever arm 8018 incorporating a lateral stiffening beam 8022 that unfolds from the nozzle wall. Lever arms 8018 are attached to a pair of passive beams 806, which are formed on both sides of the nozzle structure, made of titanium nitride (TiN), as best shown in FIGS. The other end of passive beam 806 is attached to carrier 8036.

  The lever arm 8018 is attached to an actuator beam 807 made of TiN. Note that this attachment to the actuator beam is performed at a slightly higher critical distance than the attachment to the passive beam 806.

  As best shown in FIGS. 51 and 56, the actuator beam 807 is substantially U-shaped in plan view and defines a current path between the electrode 809 and the opposite electrode 8041. Yes. Each of the electrodes 809 and 8041 is electrically connected to a corresponding point in the contact layer 8030. The actuator beam is not only electrically coupled via a contact 809, but is also mechanically secured to the anchor 808. Anchor 808 is configured to limit movement of actuator beam 807 to the left of FIGS. 21.1-52 through 54 while the nozzle structure is operating.

  TiN in the actuator beam 807 is conductive, but has a sufficiently large electric resistance, and self-heats when a current flows between the electrodes 809 and 8041. Since no current flows through the passive beam 806, the passive beam 806 does not expand.

  In use, a stationary device is filled with ink 8013 defining a meniscus 803 under the influence of surface tension. Ink is retained in chamber 8029 by the meniscus and normally does not leak unless there is some other physical effect.

  As shown in FIG. 50, current flows between contacts 809 and 8041 through actuator beam 807 to eject ink from the nozzles. The beam expands by the self-heating of the beam 807 due to the resistance. The size and design of this actuator beam 807 means that the majority of the expansion is horizontal with respect to FIGS. This expansion is limited to the left by the anchor 808, thus forcing the end of the actuator beam 807 adjacent to the lever arm 8018 to the right.

  The horizontal relative flexibility of the passive beam 806 prevents the horizontal movement of the lever arm 8018 by the passive beam 806. However, the individual relative displacements of the attachment points of the passive beam and actuator beam relative to the lever arm cause its movement to twist, which causes the lever arm 8018 to move generally downward. This movement is in effect a pivot or hinge movement. However, the absence of a true pivot point means that the rotation is around the pivot area defined by the curvature of the passive beam 806.

  This downward movement (and slight rotation) of the lever arm 8018 is amplified by the distance of the nozzle wall 8033 from the passive beam 806. The downward movement of the nozzle wall and the roof increases the pressure in the chamber 29, and the meniscus expands as shown in FIG. Note that the surface tension of the ink means that this movement causes the fluid seal 11 to stretch without leaking the ink.

  As shown in FIG. 50, the drive current stops at an appropriate time, and the actuator beam 807 is rapidly cooled and contracts. This contraction causes the lever arm to begin returning to its rest position, thereby reducing the pressure in chamber 8029. The interaction between the ink expansion motion and the surface tension inherent in the ink and the negative pressure generated by the upward motion of the nozzle chamber 8029 causes the swollen meniscus to deflate and eventually snap to adjacent print media An ink drop 802 is defined that continues upward until it touches.

  Immediately after the ink drop 802 is separated, the meniscus immediately forms a concave shape as shown in FIG. The pressure in chamber 8029 is maintained at a relatively low pressure by surface tension until ink is drawn up through inlet 8014, thereby returning the nozzle structure and ink to the quiescent state shown in FIG.

  As best shown in FIG. 52, the nozzle structure further incorporates a test mechanism that can be used after manufacture and can be used periodically after the printhead is installed. ing. The test mechanism includes a pair of contacts 8020 connected to a test circuit (not shown). A bridging contact 8019 is provided on the finger 8043 that extends from the lever arm 8018. Since the bridging contact 8019 is located on the opposite side of the passive beam 806, the pride contact moves upward to come into contact with the contact 8020 by driving the nozzle. A test circuit can be used to confirm that the circuit formed by contacts 8019 and 8020 is closed by driving the nozzle. If the circuit closes properly, it can usually be assumed that the nozzle is operating properly.

Nozzle Design—Thermal Actuator An alternative nozzle design utilizes a thermal inkjet mechanism to eject ink from individual nozzles. Thermal nozzles are arranged in the same way as their mechanical equivalents, and different pulse profiles will be used as needed if any differences in drive characteristics need to be considered, A similar control signal is supplied by the CMOS circuit.

  Referring to FIGS. 58 through 62, a nozzle of a print head according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a nozzle 903 having a nozzle rim 904 therein and a nozzle plate 902 having an opening 905 extending therethrough. Yes. The nozzle plate 902 is plasma etched from a silicon nitride structure deposited by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) on a sacrificial material that is later etched away.

  The print head further includes, for each nozzle 903, a side wall 906 that supports the nozzle plate, a chamber 907 defined by the side wall and nozzle plate 902, the multilayer substrate 908, and the opposite substrate through the multilayer substrate. An inlet passage 909 is provided that extends to the side (not shown). A slender annular heater element 910 hangs within the chamber 907, and thus the form of this heater element is in the form of a suspended beam. The printhead shown in the figure is a microelectromechanical system (MEMS) structure formed by a lithographic process described in more detail below.

  While using the print head, ink 911 flows from a reservoir (not shown) through the inlet passage 909 into the chamber 907 and fills the chamber to the level shown in FIG. Next, the heater element 910 is heated for a time slightly shorter than 1 microsecond, so this form of heating is in the form of a heat pulse. It will be appreciated that the heater element 910 is in thermal contact with the ink 911 in the chamber 907 and thus when the heater element is heated, it creates a vapor bubble 912 in the ink. Therefore, the ink 911 constitutes a bubble forming liquid. FIG. 58 shows the formation of bubbles 912 approximately 1 microsecond after the generation of the heat pulse, that is, when the bubbles begin to collect on the heater element 910. It will be appreciated that since heat is applied in the form of pulses, all of the energy necessary to generate the bubble 12 must be supplied within this short period of time.

  In operation, a voltage is applied across the electrodes (not shown) to pass current through the heater element 910. The electrode 915 is much thicker than the heater element 910 so that most electrical resistance is provided by this heater element. Thus, substantially all of the power consumed while the heater 914 is operating is dissipated through the heater element 910, producing the heat pulses referenced above.

  When the heater element 910 is heated as described above, bubbles 912 are formed along the length of the heater element. The bubbles appear as four bubble portions in the cross sectional view of FIG. 58, and one bubble appears in each of the heater element portions shown in the sectional view.

  Once the bubble 912 is generated, it increases the pressure in the chamber 97 and thus a drop 916 of ink 911 is ejected from the nozzle 903. The rim 904 assists in directing the drop 916 during jetting, minimizing the chance that the drop will be jetted in the wrong direction.

  There is only one nozzle 903 and chamber 907 for each inlet passage 909 because the pressure waves generated in the chamber when heating the heater element 910 and when bubbles 912 are formed. This is to prevent the adjacent chambers and their corresponding nozzles from being affected.

  Advantages when the heater element 910 is suspended, as compared to when the heater element 910 is embedded in some solid material, are described below.

  59 and 60 show the unit cell 901 in two successive stages of operation after the print head. It can be seen that bubbles 912 are further generated and grow, and the ink 911 advances through the nozzles 903 accordingly. As shown in FIG. 60, the shape of the bubble 912 accompanying the growth is determined by a combination of inertial mechanics and the surface tension of the ink 911. The surface tension tends to minimize the surface area of the bubble 912, so that when a certain amount of liquid evaporates, the bubble is essentially disk-shaped.

  When the pressure in the chamber 907 increases, not only the ink 911 is pushed out from the nozzle 903 but also a small amount of ink is pushed back through the inlet passage 909. However, the inlet passage 909 is about 200 to 300 microns in length and only about 16 microns in diameter. There is therefore a substantial viscous resistance. Therefore, the dominant effect of the pressure increase in the chamber 907 is not to return the ink through the inlet passage 909 but to force the ink out of the nozzles 903 as ejected droplets 916.

  Referring now to FIG. 61, the printhead in a further continuous operation stage is shown, showing the ink droplet 916 being fired during the “necking phase” before the droplet breaks off. At this stage, the bubble 912 has already reached its maximum size and begins to collapse toward the collapse point 917 as reflected in more detail in FIG.

  When the bubble 912 collapses toward the collapse point 917, a part of the ink 911 is pulled out from the nozzle 903 (from the droplet 918 side), and a part of the ink 911 is pulled out from the inlet passage 909 to reach the collapse point. Head. Most of the ink 911 drawn in this manner is drawn from the nozzle 903 and forms an annular neck 919 at the base portion of the drop 916 prior to break-off.

  In order to overcome its surface tension force to break off, the drop 916 requires a certain amount of momentum. As ink 911 is pulled from nozzle 903 due to the collapse of bubble 912, the diameter of neck 919 decreases, thus reducing the amount of total surface tension holding the drop, and thus the drop is ejected from the nozzle. The momentum of the drop is sufficient to break off the drop.

  When the droplet 916 breaks off, the bubble 912 collapses toward the collapse point 917, and thus a cavitation force reflected by the arrow 920 is generated. Note that there is no solid surface in the vicinity of the collapse point 917 where cavitation can exert its effect.

The various cartridges described above are used in the same way because the mobile device itself cannot tell what ink supply cartridge is being used. Therefore, the cradle will be described with reference to only the cartridge 148.

  Referring to FIG. 63, the cartridge 148 is inserted into the mobile telephone 100 in the axial direction via the access cover 282 and engages with the cradle 124. As already shown in FIGS. 19 and 21, the cradle 124 is an elongated U-shaped mold that defines a passage dimensioned to closely correspond to the dimensions of the print cartridge 148. Referring now to FIG. 64, the cartridge 148 slides along the rail 328 when inserted into the mobile phone 100. The edge of the lid mold 194 fits under the rail 328 with position tolerance control. As shown in FIGS. 19-21, contacts 266 on the cartridge TAB film 200 are forced against the data / power connector 330 in the cradle. The other side of the data / power connector 330 contacts the cradle flexible PCB 332. The PCB connects the cartridge and MoPEC chip to the power and host electronics (not shown) of the mobile phone and provides power and dot data to the print head to enable printing by the print head. The interaction between the MoPEC chip of the mobile device and the host electronics is described in the Netpage and mobile device overview section above.

Media Feed FIGS. 12-14 illustrate media fed via a mobile device and printed by a print head. FIG. 12 shows a blank medium 226, which in this example is a card that is fed to the left side of the mobile telephone 100. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along AA of FIG. FIG. 13 shows the card 226 inserted into the mobile device from the card insertion slot 228 and entering the media feed path leading to the print cartridge 148 and the print cradle 124. The back cover mold 106 has guide ribs that gradually reduce the width of the medium feeding path into a duct that is slightly thicker than the card 226. In FIG. 13, the card 226 has not yet entered the print cartridge 148 through the slot 214 of the metal cover 224. The metal cover 224 has a series of spring fingers 230 (described in more detail below) formed along one edge of the inlet slot 214. These fingers 230 are biased with respect to the drive shaft 178 so that when the card 226 is inserted into the slot 214 as shown in FIG. The nip between the drive shaft 178 and the finger 230 engages the card 226 and the card 226 is quickly drawn between them. The finger 230 presses the card 226 against the drive shaft 178 and drives the card 226 to the tip of the print head 202 by friction. The drive shaft 178 has a rubber coating for strengthening the grasp of the medium 226. Media feeding during printing will be described in a later section.

  The drive mechanism is preferably selected to print the print medium in about 2 to 4 seconds. Higher speeds require a relatively large drive current and impose restrictions on peak battery output. On the other hand, if it is slower than this, it will be difficult for consumers to accept. However, if there is commercial demand, it is certain that even higher or lower speeds will satisfy the requirements.

Decapping FIGS. 65-74 show the cap removal of the print head 202. FIG. FIG. 65 shows the print cartridge 148 immediately before the card 226 is supplied to the entry slot 214. The capper 206 is biased to the cap position by a capper leaf spring 238. The capper elastomeric seal 240 protects the print head from paper dust and other contaminants, and also prevents the ink in the nozzles from drying when the print head is not in use.

  With reference to FIGS. 65 and 68, a card 226 is fed into the print cartridge 148 via the inlet slot 214. The spring finger 230 presses the card against the drive shaft 178 when the card is driven beyond the print head. The leading edge of the card 226 engages the inclined front surface of the cap 206 just downstream of the drive shaft 178 and pushes the cap 206 to the uncapped position against the bias of the cap leaf spring 238. The motion of the capper is initially a rotational motion because the linear motion of the card rotates the capper 206 around the pin 210 located in the slot 208 (see FIG. 29). However, as shown in FIGS. 69 to 71, the capper starts a linear motion in a direction to move the card head 202 away from the print head chip 202 against the biasing action of the spring 238 by further movement of the card. It is restrained to do. When the leading edge of the card reaches the print head, ink ejection from the print head IC 202 to the card is started.

  As best shown in FIG. 71, the card 226 continues to move along the media path until it engages the capper lock drive arm 232. When the card 226 and the capper lock driving arm 232 are engaged, the capper lock is driven so as to hold the capper in the non-cap position until printing is completed. This will be described in more detail below.

Capping As shown in FIGS. 72 to 74, the capper is held in the uncapped position until the card 226 and drive arm 232 are disengaged. At this time, the lock of the capper 206 is released and the plate spring 230 returns to the cap position.

Locking and Unlocking the Capper Referring to FIGS. 75-79, the card 226 slides over the elastomeric seal 240 as it is driven beyond the print head 202. Next, the front edge of the card 226 and the pair of capper lock mechanisms 212 are engaged on both sides of the medium feeding path. The capper lock mechanism 212 is rotated by the card 226 and its latch surface 234 and the lock engagement surface 236 of the capper 206 engage to hold the capper 206 in the uncapped position until the card is removed from the print cartridge 148.

  75 and 78 show the lock mechanism 212 in the unlocked state and the capper 206 positioned at the cap position. Each drive arm 232 of the capper lock mechanism 212 protrudes into the medium path. Both sides of the capper 206 prevent the drive arm from rotating out of the medium feeding path. Referring to FIGS. 76, 77A, 77B and 79, the leading edge of the card 226 and the arm 232 of the capper lock mechanism 212 projecting from both sides into the media path are engaged. When the leading edge reaches the drive arm 232, the card 226 has already pressed the capper 206 into the uncapped position, so that the locking mechanism 212 can rotate freely. As the card presses over the arm 232, the locking mechanism 212 rotates so that the chamfered individual latching surfaces 234 and the angled locking engagement surfaces 238 on both sides of the capper 206 are in sliding engagement. The sliding engagement between these surfaces pushes the capper 206 without the card 226 so that the capper 206 and the elastomeric seal 240 do not come into contact. Therefore, the resistance that slows the medium feeding is reduced. The face of the card 226 that slides relative to the drive arm 232 prevents the locking mechanism 212 from rotating so that the capper 206 is uncapped by the latching surface 234 that is pressed against the lock engaging face 238. Locked in position.

  When the printed card 226 is removed by the user (discussed in more detail below), the drive arm 232 is released and rotates freely. The capper leaf spring 238 causes the capper 206 to return to the cap position, which causes the latch surface 234 to slide over the lock engagement surface 236 and the drive arm 232 to rotate back into the media feed path.

Alternative Capping Mechanism FIGS. 81-84 illustrate an alternative capping mechanism in which the initial retraction of the capper from the print head chip occurs before the card is sandwiched between the roller and the spring finger. In this embodiment, the cartridge includes a crankshaft 272 that is mounted parallel to the drive shaft. The crankshaft is connected to a first crank 274 and a second crank 276 that are angularly spaced from each other.

  As the card is inserted by the user and enters the cartridge, the leading edge of the card and the first crank 274 are in contact. As the card is pushed further into the cartridge, the first crank 274 converts the linear motion of the card into rotation of the crankshaft 272. When the linear motion of the card is converted into the rotation of the crankshaft 272, the cap 206 is pulled away from the print head chip by the second crank 276 as shown in FIGS. By the time the card is sandwiched between the drive shaft 178 and the spring finger 230, the capper 206 is already retracted from the print head chip, so that the card can move completely free of the head of the print head. it can. In order to ensure that the capper remains in the retracted state until the card passes the print head chip, it is preferable to incorporate the locking mechanism described in connection with the capping mechanism already described above.

  It will be appreciated that the crankshaft 272 may be located along the card feed path at a point where some or all of the rotation of the crankshaft is caused by the drive shaft driving the card. However, this increases the length of the entire feed path and the drive shaft must be moved away from the exit slot, and is therefore not a preferred option.

Cartridge with Marking Nib FIGS. 85-87 show one version of a cartridge / cradle assembly with a marking nib 384 deployed from one end of the cartridge 148, with the Netpage optics module 350 being cradle 124. Is integrated in. As best shown in FIG. 87, the marking nib 384 is a ballpoint pen with a coarse thread 388 that engages the female thread of the twist knob 382. The twist knob is retained in the tubular detail 386 of the cartridge lid 194 by snapping to the end flange. By rotating the twist knob 382, the nibs 384 can be unfolded or retracted for use as a pen to avoid annoying markings on clothing or the like.

  In this embodiment, the switch is simply omitted and the device is operating continuously. To reduce power consumption, only optical module 350 and IR LED 344 operate when placed in capture mode. Alternatively, the switch could take the form of a pressure sensor such as a piezoelectric or semiconductor based transducer. In one form, a multi-level or continuous pressure sensor is utilized to capture the actual force of the nib against the writing surface during writing. It is also possible to include this information along with the location information and ID with the digital ink generated by the device. However, this is an optional function.

Optical Print Data Transmission In this embodiment shown in FIGS. 88-90, print data from the MoPEC chip 326 is not transmitted to the printhead IC 202 by the TAB film 200 because of the different cartridge design. Instead, data is transmitted to the data LED 376 via a separate flexible film 374. As best shown in FIGS. 89 and 90, the printhead IC 202 has been expanded to accommodate the light sensor 380 to receive data signals from the data LEDs 376. An opening 378 is cut out in the metal cover 224 so that the data LED 376 can irradiate the light sensor 380. A large amount of noise is removed from the data signal by transmitting the print data separately from the power. The back electromotive force generated by driving the individual nozzles many times frequently generates high frequency noise that can partially disturb the data signal. Furthermore, the nature of this print data signal is ideal for optical transmission.

Print Media and Print Netpage printers typically print tags that create surface coding on demand, that is, at the same timing as the content of a graphic page is printed. For Netpage printers that cannot print tags as in the preferred embodiment, alternatively, pre-tagged Netpages or blank Netpages can be used. Instead of being able to print tags, printers typically incorporate Netpage tag sensors. The printer perceives the tag either before, during or after printing the contents of the graphic page in a blank, and thus perceives a blank area ID. The printer communicates the area ID to the Netpage server, and the server combines the contents of the page and the area ID in the usual way.

  Certain Netpage surface coding schemes assign a minimum number of bits to the representation of the spatial coordinates within the surface region. If a particular media size is significantly smaller than the maximum size that can be represented by a minimum number of bits, the Netpage code space will not be effectively utilized. Therefore, it is important to assign sub-regions with different regions to the blank collection. For this purpose, the cooperation maintained by the Netpage server becomes more complicated, and the subsequent routing of the interaction becomes more complicated, but the code space can be used more effectively. In limited cases, surface coding can utilize a single region using a single coordinate space, that is, without an explicit region ID.

  When an area is subdivided in this way, the Netpage printer uses a tag sensor to determine not only the area ID, but also the known physical location on the print media, that is, the surface coding location for the two edges of the media. The Netpage printer then determines the spatial extent of the media within the region's coordinate space from the surface coding location and the corresponding physical location on the media, and the known (or determined) size of the media, and the region ID And tells the server both the spatial extent. The server combines the contents of the page with the specified subarea of the area.

  A number of mechanisms can be used to read tag data from white space. A conventional Netpage tag sensor incorporating a two-dimensional image sensor can be used to capture a blank tagged surface image at any convenient point in the paper path of the printer. Alternatively, a linear image sensor can be used to capture a continuous line image of a blank tagged surface during transport. Line images can be used to generate two-dimensional images that are processed in the usual manner. As a further alternative, region ID data and other characteristic data can be linearly encoded into the blank, and can be linearly encoded during transport using a simple photodetector and ADC. It is also possible to obtain samples.

  One important advantage of using a two-dimensional image sensor is that the tag can be perceived before the motorized transport of the print media begins. That is, when the print medium is manually inserted by the user, the tag can be perceived during insertion. This has the further advantage that if the tag data is verified by the device, the print medium can be rejected before printing can begin and in some cases the print medium can be ejected. For example, advertisements or other graphic content can be pre-printed on the side opposite to the side intended for printing of the print medium. The device can use tag data to detect improper media insertion, that is, upside down insertion or upside down insertion. The device can also prevent accidental overprinting of already printed media. The device can also detect attempts to use invalid print media and reject printing, for example, to protect print quality. The device can also extract the characteristics of the print medium from the tag data and execute optimum print preparation by the device.

  When using a linear image sensor, or when using a photodetector, the image must be perceived during motorized transport of the print media to ensure accurate imaging. If there is no at least two contact points separated by the same minimum distance as the tag data capture distance between the transport mechanism and the print media in the print path, the tag data cannot be retrieved before printing begins The advantages of the verification explained above cannot be obtained. For a linear image sensor, the tag data capture distance is equal to the diameter of a normal tag imaging field. In the case of a photodetector, the tag data capture distance is the same as the required linear encoding length.

  If the tag sensor can be operated at a sufficiently fast sampling rate during all printing phases, it will also use the tag sensor to accurately perceive motion and use the perceived motion data to the line synchronization signal to the print engine. Can be provided. This line synchronization signal can be used to eliminate the effects of transport mechanism jitter.

  FIGS. 91-97 illustrate one embodiment of an encoded medium and medium perception and printing system in a mobile device. Card encoding is briefly described here and is described in detail in the encoding medium, which is a subsection of this specification. Similarly, optical perception of encoded data is also described elsewhere in this specification, and for a comprehensive understanding of M-Print media and printing systems, the entire specification should be reviewed. Need to pass through.

Referring to FIG. 91, one “back surface” of a plurality of cards 226 is shown. The back side of the card has two coded data tracks, a “clock track” 434 and a “data track” 436 running along the vertical side of the card. The card, among other things,
-Card orientation-Media type and authenticity-Vertical size-Printed surface-Detection prior to printing on the card-Data indicating the card position relative to the print head IC is encoded. Ideally, the encoded data is printed with IR ink so that it is not visible and does not enter a space that can be used to print a visual image.

  In the basic form, only data tracks and clocks (as individual clock tracks or self clocked data tracks) are encoded into the M-Print card 226. However, in the more sophisticated embodiment shown in the figure, the card 226 has a printed Netpage tag pattern 438 that covers most of the backside. The surface can also have a printed tag pattern. In the case of these embodiments, it is preferable that the first information indicating at least the second information encoded in the tag is encoded in the data track. Most preferably, the first information is simply the document identification encoded in the individual tags.

  The presence of the clock track 434 allows the MoPEC 326 (see FIG. 92) to determine that the surface of the card 226 is facing the print head 202, and the printer is printing , The movement of the card 226 can be perceived. Clock track 434 also provides a clock for densely encoded data track 436.

  Data track 436 provides a Netpage identifier and optionally an associated digital signature (described elsewhere herein). These allow the rejection of unauthorized or unapproved media 226 by Mopec 326, and also allow the Netpage identifier to be reported to the Netpage server by Mopec 326.

  FIG. 92 shows a block diagram of an M-Print system using a medium in which separate clock tracks and data tracks are encoded. The clock track and data track are read by separate optical encoders. The system can optionally have an explicit edge detector 474 described in more detail below in connection with FIG.

  FIG. 93 shows a simplified circuit for an optical encoder that can be used as a clock track optical encoder or a data track optical encoder. This circuit incorporates a Schmitt trigger 466 for providing the MoPEC 326 with an essentially binary signal that represents the mark or space that the encoder encounters in the clock track or data track. IR LED 472 is configured to illuminate the mark size region of card 226, and phototransistor 468 is configured to capture light 470 reflected from the card. LED 472 has a peak wavelength that matches the peak absorption wavelength of the infrared ink used to print the media coding.

  Alternatively, optical encoders can perceive the direction in which the media moves by configuring them to be “right angle encoders”. The quadrature encoder includes a pair of optical encoders that are spatially arranged to read clock tracks that are 90 degrees out of phase. The in-phase quadrature output allows the MoPEC 326 to identify not only that the clock track 434 is moving, but also its direction of movement. A quadrature encoder is usually not needed because the printer controller also controls the transport motor and therefore knows the media transport direction in advance. However, the use of a quadrature encoder can facilitate decoupling of the bidirectional motion perception mechanism from the motion control mechanism.

  FIG. 94 is a block diagram of the MoPEC 326. The MoPEC 326 includes a digital phase locked loop (DPLL) 444 for tracking the clock specific to the clock track 434 (see FIG. 91), and a line sync generator 448 for generating the line sync signal 476 from the clock 446. And a data decoder 450 for decoding the data in the data track 436 is incorporated. Deframing, error detection and error correction can be performed by running software on the MoPEC general purpose processor 452 or by dedicated hardware in the MoPEC.

  Data decoder 450 is sampling the signal from data track optical encoder 442 using clock 446 recovered by DPLL 444. The data decoder 450 either samples the continuous signal from the data track optical encoder 442 or actually triggers the LED of the data track optical encoder 442 for the duration of the sample period, thereby total LED power consumption. Can be reduced.

  DPLL 444 may be a PLL, or DPLL 444 can simply measure and filter the period between successive clock pulses.

  Line sync generator 456 comprises a numerically controlled oscillator that generates line sync pulses 476 at a rate that is a multiple of the rate of clock 446 recovered from clock track 434.

  As shown in FIG. 92, the print engine can optionally incorporate an explicit edge detector 474 to provide the longitudinal registration of the card 226 to the operation of the print head 202. In this case, as shown in FIG. 95, the print engine generates a page sync signal 478 for signaling the start of printing after counting a certain number of line syncs 476 after detecting edges. Longitudinal registration can also be achieved using optical sensors, decapping machine switches, drive shaft / tension spring contact switches and other card-in detection mechanisms that span the range of motor load detection.

  The printer can optionally use the media coding itself to obtain a vertical registration. For example, the printer can utilize capture of a pilot train on the data track 436 to obtain registration. In this case, as shown in FIG. 96, the printer generates a page sync signal 478 for signaling the start of printing after counting a certain number of line syncs 476 after detecting the pilot. Pilot detector 460 comprises a shift register and combinational logic for recognizing pilot train 480 provided by data decoder 450 and generating pilot sync signal 482. By using the media coding itself, it is possible to provide advanced information for recording the print content and the Netpage tag pattern 438 (see FIG. 91).

  As shown in FIG. 97, the data track optical encoder 442 may decode the data track 436 (see FIG. 91) as early as possible and use the recovered clock signal 446 as soon as possible. Are arranged adjacent to the clock data encoder 440. Since the clock must be acquired before printing can begin, the first optical encoder 440 is placed in front of the print head 202 in the media feed path. However, since it is necessary to keep track of the clock during printing, the second clock optical encoder 464 is located at the same position as the print head 202 or downstream of the print head 202. This will be described in more detail below.

  FIG. 73 shows the printed card 226 pulled out from the print cartridge 148. It will be appreciated that the printed card 226 must be pulled out by the user. When the trailing edge of card 226 passes between drive shaft 178 and spring finger 238, card 226 need not be driven along the media feed path. However, since the print head 202 is located at a position less than 2 mm from the drive shaft 178, the trailing edge of the card 226 protrudes beyond the print head 202 due to its momentum.

  The momentum of the card is sufficient to carry the trailing edge to the tip of the print head, but not enough to cause the trailing edge to jump out of the exit slot 150 (FIG. 14). Instead, the card 226 is lightly grasped by the opposite lock actuator arm 232 as it protrudes from the exit slot 150 on the mobile phone 100 side. Therefore, since the card 226 is held and does not simply fall out of the exit slot 150, the user can manually remove the printed card 226 from the mobile telephone 100 at a convenient time. Since the card 226 is supplied to one side of the mobile device and removed from the other side, the user typically wants to change the hand holding the mobile device when collecting the printed card. This is always important, especially for mobile devices. By holding the printed card lightly, the user does not need to change hands and can collect the card at any time before the print job (about 1-2 seconds) is completed.

  Alternatively, the speed of the card when leaving the roller can be made sufficiently high so that it pops out of the exit slot 123 with the inertia of the card itself.

Dual Clock Sensor Synchronization For full bleed printing, the decoder must generate a line sync signal over the entire length of the card. If the card does not have removable strips (as described elsewhere in this specification), the print engine requires two clock track sensors (one on each side of the print head). . First, the line sync signal is generated from the clock signal from the front print head sensor, and then the line sync signal is generated by the rear print head sensor before the trailing edge of the card passes the front print head sensor. Must. In order to switch from the first clock signal to the second clock signal, the second clock signal must be synchronized with the first clock signal to avoid any discontinuities in the line sync signal (for printing). Cause artifacts).

  Referring to FIG. 100, a pair of DPLLs 443 and 444 track a clock specific to the clock track via corresponding first and second clock track optical encoders 440 and 464, respectively. During the initial phase of printing, only the first encoder 440 can see the clock track and only the first PLL 443 is fixed. As the card passes the print head, the card is printed and then the second clock track optical encoder 464 looks at the clock track. At this stage, both encoders are looking at the clock track and both DPLLs are fixed. During the final phase of printing, only the second encoder can see the clock track and only the second DPLL 443 is fixed.

  During the initial phase, the output from the first DPLL 440 must be used to generate the line sync signal 476, but the decoder uses the output from the second DPLL 444 before the end of the intermediate phase. A line sync signal 476 must be generated. Since it is generally impractical to separate the encoders with an integer number of clock periods, the output from the second DPLL 444 will be phase aligned with the output from the first DPLL 443 before the transition occurs. Must be.

  There are four important clock tracking phases to manage the transition. During the first phase in which only the first DPLL 443 is fixed, the clock from the first DPLL 443 is selected via the multiplexer 462 and supplied to the line sync generator 448. During the second phase, which begins when the second DPLL 444 is fixed, the phase difference between these two DPLLs is calculated (441) and latched in the phase difference register 445. During the third phase, which starts after a certain period of time after the start of the second phase, the signal from the second DPLL 444 passes through a delay 447 set by the phase difference latched in the latch register 445. Supplied. After the start of the third phase, a delay clock from the second DPLL 447 is selected via the multiplexer 462 and supplied to the line sync generator 448 during a fourth phase that starts after a certain period of time.

  FIG. 101 shows the signals controlling the clock tracking phase. Fixed signals 449 and 451 are generated using fixed detection circuits of DPLLs 443 and 444. Alternatively, PLL locking is assumed based on rough knowledge of the card position for the two encoders 440 and 464. The two phase control signals 453 and 455 are triggered by fixed signals 449 and 451 and controlled by a timer.

  Note that in practice, the delayed clock can be generated directly by a digital oscillator that takes into account the phase difference, rather than explicitly delaying the clock of the second PLL.

By projecting the two drive shaft version card 226 forward of the print head 202 by momentum, a compact single drive shaft can be designed. However, when the engagement between the card 226 and the drive shaft 178 is released, the card 226 decelerates, making it much more difficult to generate an accurate line sync signal 476 for the trailing edge. If it is not so important to make the device compact, by providing a second drive shaft after the print head, the speed of the card can be kept constant until printing is complete.

  110 and 114 show a dual drive shaft embodiment. Referring initially to FIG. 110, the print cartridge 148 has a first drive shaft 178 and a drive roller 176, and as in the embodiment described above, the cartridge 148 is supported by a cradle 124. Yes. However, cradle 124 supports a miniature spike wheel 488 on second drive shaft 486, drive roller 492 and sprung shaft 489. The second drive shaft 486 uses a spike wheel 488 instead of a media guide similar to the spring finger 230 of the first drive shaft 178 to avoid any bleeding of wet ink. 111 to 113 show the cartridge attached to the cradle. A central drive roller 490 attached to the end of the cradle is in simultaneous contact with both the first and second drive rollers 176 and 492. This ensures a synchronous drive speed. The central drive roller 490 can be driven by the piezoelectric drive system or motor drive system described above.

  Section AA shown in FIG. 114 best illustrates the media feed path through the cartridge / cradle assembly. When the rear edge of the card 226 and the first drive shaft 178 are disengaged, the second drive shaft 486 subsequently pulls the rear edge of the card 226 beyond the print head 202 at essentially the same speed. . The line sync signal generated using the clock track is constant, so the MoPEC chip can relatively easily align the print and trailing edges in the vertical direction. When printing is complete, the MoPEC chip can stop the central drive roller 490 and hold the card in the nip between the second drive shaft 486 and the spike wheel 488 for removal by the user. Alternatively, the card can be sent back in the reverse direction so that the user can remove it from the entry slot.

  Of course, it will be appreciated that some embodiments may not include a clock track such as a linear track or Netpage tag and / or encoded data. Other (such as optical feedback, magnetic feedback or electrical feedback), including feedback from one or more transducers combined with one or more rollers or other mechanisms if a clock track is not provided (implicit or explicit) This mechanism can be used to determine the position and speed of the card before and / or during printing. If no form of encoded data is provided, the printer simply prints on any form of print media that is inserted and capable of printing. Both options have various problems related to quality control of the printed output, including media obstruction, ink leakage, excessive mechanical stress and printer component wear.

Media Coding The card 226 shown in FIG. 91 has encoded data in the form of a clock track 434, a data track 436, and a Netpage tag pattern 438. The encoded data can provide various functions, and these functions will be described below. However, the functions listed below are not exhaustive, and the encoding medium can perform many other functions (along with suitable mobile devices). Similarly, not all of these functions need necessarily be incorporated into the encoded data on the medium. Any one or more functions can be combined to suit one or more applications for which a particular print media and / or system is designed.
By encoding the face card, the printer determines which side of the card is facing the print head, that is, the front or back side of the card, before printing begins. be able to. Therefore, when a card is inserted upside down, when a graphic (for example, an advertisement) has already been printed on the back side of the card, or when the front and back surface treatments are different (for example, a graphic already printed on the back side) (And / or to facilitate high quality printing on the surface), the printer can reject the card. Also, by encoding the card, the printer can print the printing surface dependent content (eg, print a photo on the front and corresponding photo details on the back).
By encoding the orientation card, the printer can determine the orientation of the card relative to the print head before initiating printing. Thus, the print head can print the rotated figure to align with the rotation of the pre-printed figure on the back side. Also, by encoding the card, the printer can reject the card if it is inserted with an inappropriate orientation (for a graphic that is pre-printed on the back side). The orientation can be determined by detecting an explicit orientation indicator, or use a known orientation of the Netpage tag or even printed information for other purposes, such as already printed user information or advertisements. Can be determined by
By encoding the media type / size card, the printer can determine the card type before starting to print. Thus, the printer can prepare the print data or follow a print mode specific to the media type, e.g. color conversion using a color profile specific to the media type or expected card absorbance. You can choose to correct the splash size. By encoding the card, the printer can determine the vertical size of the card before starting printing. Thus, the printer can print a figure formatted for the size of the card, for example, a panorama crop of photos to match a panorama card.
By encoding the pre-printed card, the printer can determine whether the surface of the card facing the print head has been pre-printed before printing begins. Thus, if a card is inserted into the pre-printed surface facing the print head, the printer can reject the card before starting printing. Therefore, overprinting is prevented. Also, by encoding the card, the printer can prepare the content that would otherwise be applied to a known blank area on the pre-printed surface before starting printing (eg, a photo The photo details on the back are printed on the card with the ad pre-printed on the back and a blank area for photo details).

  By encoding the card, the printer can detect whether the surface facing the print head has already been printed on demand (as opposed to pre-printing) before starting printing. . Therefore, if the surface facing the print head is already printed on demand, rather than printing over the already printed graphic, the printer will remove the card before starting printing. You can refuse.

By encoding the card, the printer can theoretically determine whether the card is approved before printing begins. Thus, if a card is unauthorized, the printer may theoretically reject the unauthorized card before starting printing because the quality of the card is unknown and therefore the print quality cannot be guaranteed. it can.
By encoding the position card, the printer can determine the absolute position of the card in the vertical direction relative to the print head before starting printing. Therefore, the printer can print the figure with a predetermined registration with the card. This can also be achieved by other means, for example by directly detecting the leading edge of the card.

  By encoding the card, the printer can determine the absolute lateral position of the card relative to the print head before printing begins. Therefore, the printer can print the figure with a predetermined registration with the card. This can also be achieved by other means, for example by providing a snag paper path and / or by detecting one or more side edges of the card.

  By encoding the card, the printer can track the vertical position of the card relative to the print head or the vertical speed of the card relative to the print head during printing. Therefore, the printer can print the figure with a predetermined registration with the card. This can also be achieved by encoding and tracking other means, such as moving parts of the transport mechanism.

By encoding the card, the printer can track the lateral position of the card relative to the print head or the lateral speed of the card relative to the print head during printing. Therefore, the printer can print the figure with a predetermined registration with the card. This can also be achieved by other means, for example by providing a snag paper path and / or by detecting one or more side edges of the card.
Invisibility coding can be placed on or in the card so that it is substantially invisible to the naked human eye. Thus, coding loss due to printed graphics is prevented.
Fault-tolerant coding is sufficiently resistant to faults so that the printer can acquire and decode the coding even in the presence of a possible amount of surface contamination or damage Can be. Thus, the printer is prevented from rejecting the card due to a possible amount of surface contamination or damage, or it is prevented from causing the printer to produce substandard prints.

Card and Printer Alternatives In light of the wide range of functions that a suitable M-Print printer can provide with comparable cards, some design alternatives for printers, cards, and coding are summarized below. Again, the following list is not intended to be exhaustive but merely shows some possible alternatives to the embodiments shown elsewhere in this specification. Only.
Self-timed data track As an alternative to using separate clock and data tracks, the data track can be self-timed and the clock can be recovered from the data track for other purposes such as line sync generation It is. FIG. 98 shows the same coding layout as that described with reference to card 226 shown in FIG. 91, but uses a self-timed data track 500. FIG. The self-timed data track 500 can use Manchester phase encoding or other self-timed schemes such as return to zero (RZ). Data encoding is described in more detail in the subsection "Linear encoding" below.

  FIG. 99 shows a block diagram of the corresponding MoPEC chip, where DPLL 444 is operating on a self-timed data track 500 rather than an individual clock track.

  The self-timed data track 500 eliminates the need for separate clock and data optical encoders, and the impact that individual clock and data tracks have on the Netpage interactivity area. It is small. The disadvantage of the self-timed data track is that the data is encoded at a rate that is half that of the explicit timed data track.

In the case of the following media coding variant with separate clock and data tracks, the self-timed data track 500 can also be used, even if not explicitly mentioned.
The read phase minimum media coding prior to the print phase is designed to be read during printing, not before printing. Information encoded in the data track 436 is typically not available until printing is complete. For example, printers typically cannot use Netpage identifiers and digital signatures to verify card 226 before printing.

The printer gains access to data track information prior to printing by transporting card 226 ahead of data track optical encoder 442, decoding part or all of data track 436, The card can then be transported again and returned to its original position. It can also provide more space for the printer to recognize the robust page sync indicator in the data track 436, as described above in connection with the card shown in FIG. The information in the data track can then be effectively extended to perform some or all of the other functions described in the media coding in the subsections herein.
The explicit surface and orientation mark minimum media coding does not explicitly encode the surface of the card 226. Since the clock track 434 is present, the printer determines that the surface of the card is facing the print head. Minimal media coding does not allow access to the card orientation by the printer prior to printing, unless the printer performs the reading phase described above. Instead, the minimum encoding assumes that it is advantageous for the user to be able to insert the card in any orientation (except for upside down insertion).

  The printer cannot print in both orientations, but can reject the card 226 if the orientation is incorrect. To that end, the media coding must include an orientation indicator that the printer can access prior to printing. The advantage is that, as shown in FIG. 102, the clock 434 and data track 436 occupy a smaller area on the card and thus a larger area can be utilized for Netpage interactivity.

Instead of displaying the surface utilizing the absence of a clock track on the surface of the card, the media coding can also include an explicit surface indicator on the surface. Table 5 shows an example of an 8-bit code that can be used to encode the fault tolerant surface and orientation indicators.

The code has a minimum distance of 5, so two errors can be corrected. Of course, longer and more robust codes are possible.

  The indicator 502 can be included immediately after the pilot in the data track. The plane and orientation indicator 502 can also be combined with the pilot by designing an appropriate length code in which the four codewords are maximally separated from each other and form their own preamble prefix shift. Is possible.

  Similar to the data track 436, the surface and orientation mark 502 can be clearly clocked by the clock track 434, or it can be self-timed.

  The plane and orientation mark 502 is a global marker that can be recognized by a given rough vertical registration, rather than being clocked at the same speed as the rest of the data track 436. For example, a global mark (eg, 0.5 mm long) can be used for each pulse to pulse position modulate (PPM) the two bits needed to encode the plane and orientation.

Table 6 shows some possible PPM schemes. In the table, zero represents the total space, and 1 represents the total mark.

Double-sided data track media coding can include a clock 434 and a data track 436 on the front side, rather than relying on any future possible printer with an optical encoder attached to the back side of the card 226.
Card with Removable Strips The structure shown in FIGS. 91-97 includes a clock track optical decoder to ensure that the clock is captured before printing begins, and a clock that is reliable until printing is complete. Two clock track optical decoders 440 and 464 are used in the clock track optical decoder to keep track of. Alternatively, the card 226 can be expanded by using a strip 504 and deploying a clock track 434 thereon as shown in FIG.

  The strip 504 is manufactured as part of the card 226 and is coupled to the card by perforation as shown in FIG. 104 until the user removes it. The perforations are fine enough to touch the edges smoothly.

  A single clock track linear encoder 464 located upstream of the print head 202 by extending the length of the card through a strip attached to the trailing edge of the card (see FIG. 97) This fully supports clock capture before starting printing as well as clock tracking during full printing.

  A second important advantage of the strip 504 is that it uses the single drive shaft 178, i.e., without the need for the second drive shaft 486, or using only its momentum, for the last short distance. During printing, the card can be driven beyond the print head without having to expect the card to “fly” in an undriven state.

  The media coding may include a second surface and orientation indicator 508 that is exposed when the strip 504 is removed to ensure correct recognition of the card 226 after the strip 504 is removed. it can. FIG. 103 shows this.

The stripped strip 504 may be a source of scattered objects. To deal with this, each strip strip 504 can have a function that acts as a lottery ticket when presented to a retail merchant selling M-Print media. The retailer can check the presented strip using any of the many Netpage-enabled devices described in the assignee's cross-reference Netpage applications and patents.
Regardless of whether or not the card card 226 with a square corner has a removable strip 504, the shape of the card is preferably a square rather than a round corner. Photo printing is perhaps the most notable application of M-Print. Both photographs and business cards usually have a square corner. Also, the presence of the strip strip 504 provides additional motivation to use a square corner rather than a round corner. FIGS. 106 and 107 show a card 226 with a square corner 510 and a strip 504.
Lateral data track media coding does not transport the card 226 forward twice (as described above) to perform the read phase before the print phase, but rather than the longitudinal data track. Directional data tracks can be incorporated.

  As shown in FIG. 108, the lateral data track 514 can be easily read by a linear image sensor, whether it is an explicit clock 512 or a self clock. Applicant's co-pending application USSN 11 / 084,796 (case number NOS001US), filed March 21, 2005, describes related techniques and devices. Ideally, the lateral data track 514 is positioned along the leading edge 516 of the card so that it can be fully decoded prior to printing. The lateral data track 514 can be placed on the strip 504, thus eliminating the effect of the data track 514 on the Netpage tag pattern 438 on the card proper (ie, the portion where the card 226 is held). be able to. When the lateral data track 514 is placed on the strip 504, the strip 504 must be located on the leading edge 516, not the trailing edge 518 of the card. This means that the clock track optical encoder 464 is located downstream rather than upstream of the print head 202 (see FIG. 97). The card proper still has a self-clocked surface and orientation indicator 502 and a single clock track 434 on each side, but no data track exists. The lateral data track 514 can provide the basis for laterally accurate registration, in particular the laterally accurate registration between the Netpage tag pattern 438 and the printed visual content. Can be provided.

  Lateral tracks can also be added to the non-peeled version of the card.

  The linear image sensor develops a medium feeding path in front of the print head in a lateral direction perpendicular to the medium feeding direction. The image sensor is a linear array of a plurality of active pixel sensors, with each sensor reading the encoded data of the sample area on the card. This sample area is described in detail in Applicant's co-pending US Patent No. 6,870,966 filed May 23, 2000 (case number NPS001US), the contents of which are incorporated herein by cross reference. This corresponds to the “Mnem region” described. FIG. 109 shows a detailed physical diagram of a Memjet print head IC equipped with an integral image sensor. For clarity, the figure shows only a single row of 1600 dpi nozzles 600 that are mounted adjacent to the associated actuator and drive circuitry, indicated collectively at 601. Individual nozzle unit cells with a width of 32 microns exceed the 16 micron dot pitch required for 1600 dpi printing, so the individual rows of nozzles are from two staggered 1/2 rows 602, 603 Please note that. The sampling rate N of the structure shown in the figure is 2.5.

  A sample region can represent a single encoded bit using a single printed dot, but can also represent a single encoded bit using multiple printed dots. For example, the sample area can represent a single bit utilizing a 2 × 2 array of printed dots. Thus, if the printer resolution is 1600 dpi, the sample area resolution is only 800 dpi. In certain applications, reducing the print resolution of the sample area can provide more robust performance, for example, when certain surface degradation or damage sources are present.

If the resolution of the region is less than the resolution of the printer, the ratio of the total number of pixels to the total number of nozzles can be reduced accordingly, and a larger pixel sensor can be used. For example, for the Memjet printhead shown in FIG. 109, a 12.8 micron pixel sensor can be used instead of two 6.4 micron pixel sensors.
In one form of automatic printing , the mobile device is configured to automatically complete printing when a print medium is inserted into the feed path. A mechanical or optical sensor (or combination thereof) can be used to determine that a print medium has been inserted into the feed path.

  The device can automatically print in many ways. In one embodiment, the device automatically prints the current document or file that the user is currently using. This is most often the document or application currently displayed on the device display. For example, if a user is reading an email or SMS displayed on the display, the email or SMS can be printed by inserting a print medium.

  Alternatively, the user can instruct the mobile device to print the document or file, and subsequently insert the print media after the instruction. The mobile device can then automatically print the next print job in the queue. Optionally, the device can query to confirm the job to be printed, especially if the excess time has elapsed since the job was placed in the queue.

  The print mode is preferably selectable by the user, thereby enabling automatic printing (printing immediately without confirmation), partial activation (waiting for confirmation), or deactivation (A clear print command from the user is awaited).

Possible M-Print Configurations From the above alternatives, there are many possibilities for physically configuring the components of an M-Print printer. Each of these possibilities has unique advantages and disadvantages that can be evaluated in selecting a configuration for a particular M-Print application. In the following, the selection of possible configurations and their associated advantages will be described with reference to the schematic diagrams shown in FIGS. The components shown in these figures are arranged with reference to the media feed path and the following M-Print parameter.

  Tracking Tail Fly Period (TTFP): The time period during which MoPEC does not receive card tracking information from coding.

  Drive tail fly period (DTFP): The period of time from when the card is disengaged from the drive shaft until the card stops in the media path.

  Drive settling period (DSP): The time period from when the card first engages the drive shaft until the card is accelerated to its steady speed.

  Tracking Settling Period (TSP): A period of time that requires the optical encoder to be fixed on the clock track marking.

  Media Coding Dead Zone (MCDZ): The portion of the data track that the data encoder can see while the card is not being driven. Reading data from the MCDZ cannot be predicted.

Ink Drying Time (IDT): The minimum period of time after which ink drops can be touched on a card without touching the printed dots without sacrificing print quality.
Encoder-Drive-Print Head : As shown in FIG. 115, the encoder 440 is disposed in front of the drive shaft 178, and the drive shaft 178 is disposed in front of the print head 202, so that the space between the print head and the drive is The distance is minimized. This configuration also uses minimal components, thus allowing a compact design.
Drive-encoder-printhead : Referring to FIG. 116, the sequential placement of drive shaft 178, encoder 440 and printhead 202 along the media path simplifies the detection of the leading edge.
Encoder-Drive-Printhead Drive : The configuration shown in FIG. 117 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 115, but a second drive shaft 486 is added. This configuration eliminates DTFP and simplifies handling of TTFP.
Encoder-Drive-Printhead Drive : The configuration shown in FIG. 118 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 116, but a second drive shaft 486 is added. This configuration eliminates DTFP and MCDZ and simplifies the handling of TTFP.
Encoder-Drive-Printhead Encoder : The configuration shown in FIG. 119 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 115, but a second encoder 464 is added. This configuration eliminates TTFP and simplifies handling of DTFP.
Drive-encoder-printhead encoder : The configuration shown in FIG. 120 is the same as the configuration shown in FIG. 116, but a second encoder 464 is added. This configuration eliminates TTFP and MCDZ and simplifies DTFP handling and leading edge detection.

  Note that maximizing DSP and TSP, minimizing TTFP and DTFP, and avoiding MCDZ and IDT are usually design goals for these configurations.

Linear Encoding Kip is the name of a template for a class of robust one-dimensional optical encoding schemes for storing small amounts of digital data on physical surfaces, attached by the assignee. Kip optionally incorporates error correction to deal with real surface degradation.

  A particular encoding scheme is defined by dedicating the Kip template described below. The parameters include data capacity, clocking scheme, physical scale and redundancy level. In general, Kip readers are also dedicated for specific encoding schemes.

  Kip encoding is designed to be read through a simple photodetector while transporting the encoded medium beyond the detector. Therefore, the encoding usually runs parallel to the transport direction of the medium. For example, Kip encoding can be read from a print medium during printing. In a preferred embodiment, the Kip encoded data is provided along at least one (preferably a plurality) of the plurality of longitudinal edges of the print medium printed within the mobile device, as described above. ing. In a preferred form, the Kip encoded data is printed with infrared ink and is not visible or at least difficult to see with the naked eye.

  Kip encoding is usually printed on the surface, but can be placed on or in the surface using other means.

Summary of Kip parameters The following table summarizes the parameters required to make Kip dedicated. These parameters should be understood in the context of the entire specification.

Table 7 summarizes the framing parameters.

Table 8 summarizes the clock parameters.

Table 9 summarizes the physical parameters.

Table 10 summarizes the error correction parameters.

Kip encoding Kip encoding encodes a single bit stream of data and includes a number of discrete and independent layers as shown in FIG. The framing layer frames the bitstream, allowing synchronization and simple error detection. The modulation and clock layer encodes the bits of the frame along with the clock information, allowing bit recovery. The physical layer represents a frame that has been modulated and clocked using optically readable marks.

  An optional error correction layer encodes the bitstream to enable error correction. Some applications can choose to use an error correction layer or implement it themselves.

  Kip encoding is designed to allow serial decoding and thus has an implicit time dimension. In this specification, for the sake of convenience, the time axis indicates the right direction. However, a particular Kip encoding can be physically represented in any orientation suitable for the application.

As shown in FIG. 122, the framing Kip frame includes a preamble, a pilot, bitstream data itself, and a cyclic redundancy check (CRC) word.

The preamble consists of a series of zero length L _preambles . The preamble is long enough so that the application can start the Kip decoder somewhere in the preamble. That is, the preamble is long enough so that the application can know in advance the position of at least a portion of the preamble. Therefore, the length of the preamble bit string is derived from the application-specific preamble length L _preamble (see Equation 8).

  The pilot consists of a unique pattern that allows frame synchronization with the decoder. The pilot pattern is designed to maximize its binary Hamming distance from its arbitrary shift prefixed by the preamble bits. Therefore, the decoder can recognize the pilot using the maximum likelihood decoder even when a bit error exists.

  The preamble and pilot together guarantee every bit sequence that the decoder detects before the decoder detects that the pilot is maximally separated from the pilot.

The pilot train is 1110 1011 0110 0010. The length L _pilot of the pilot train is 16. The minimum distance of the pilot train from its own preamble prefix shift is 9. Therefore, even if there are a maximum of four bit errors, the pilot train can be recognized with high reliability.

The length L _{data of the} bitstream is known in advance by the application and is therefore one parameter. The length L _data of the bit stream is not encoded in the frame. In the bit stream, the most significant bit, that is, the leftmost bit is encoded first.

The CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Code) is a CCITT CRC-16 (known to those skilled in the art, and therefore will not be described in detail here) calculated for the bitstream data. Can determine if the bitstream is corrupted. CRC length L _CRC is 16. The CRC is calculated from the left side to the right side for the bitstream. The bitstream is padded with zero bits while calculating the CRC to make its length an integer multiple of 8 bits. This embedding is not encoded in the frame.

The bit length of the frame is
(Expression 1) L _frame = L _preamble + L _pilot + L _data + L _CRC
(Expression 2) L _frame = L _preamble + L _data +32
It is.
Modulation and clock Kip encoding modulates a frame bit string to generate a series of abstract marks and spaces. These are physically recognized by the physical layer.

  Kip encoding supports both explicit and implied clocks. When a frame is explicitly clocked, the encoding will include individual clock trains encoded parallel to the frame, as shown in FIG. Next, the bits of the frame are encoded using conventional non-zero return (NRZ) encoding. Zero bits are represented by a space and 1 bit is represented by a mark.

  The clock itself consists of a series of alternating marks and spaces. The center of the clock mark is aligned with the center of the bit in the frame. The frame encodes two bits per clock cycle. That is, the frame bit rate is twice the clock speed.

The clock starts a number of clock periods C _{clocksync prior} to the start of the frame so that the decoder can synchronize with the clock prior to the start of the frame. The size of C _clocksync is a reader specific parameter because it depends on the characteristics of the PLL used by the decoder.

  If the encoding is explicitly clocked, the corresponding decoder incorporates an additional light sensor for perceiving the clock.

  When a frame is implied, the bits of the frame are encoded using Manchester phase encoding. Zero bits are represented by a transition from space to mark, and 1 bit is represented by a transition from mark to space. Both transitions are defined from left to right. The decoder can extract the clock signal from the modulation frame by this Manchester phase encoding.

In this case, the preamble has been extended by C _clocksync bits so that the decoder can synchronize with the clock prior to the search for pilots.

  Assuming the same marking frequency, the bit density of explicit clock encoding is twice that of implicit clock encoding.

  The choice between explicit and implicit time is determined by the application. The explicit time has the advantage of providing a higher vertical data density than the implicit time. At the time of implied time, there is an advantage that only a single light sensor is required, whereas two light sensors are required at the time of explicit time.

The parameter b _clock indicates whether the clock is implicit (b _clock = 0) or explicit (b _clock = 1). The length of the modulated and clocked Kip frame within the clock period is
(Expression 3) C _frame = C _{clock sync} + L _frame / (1 + b _clock )
It is.

Physical Representation Kip encoding physically represents a modulated and timed frame as a strip having both a vertical range (ie, a coding direction range) and a horizontal range.

  A Kip strip always includes a data track. Also, if the Kip strip is explicitly clocked rather than implied, the Kip strip also includes a clock track.

The clock period l _clock within the Kip strip is usually fixed, but a particular decoder can usually handle a certain amount of jitter and fluctuations. Jitter and fluctuations can also be caused by transport mechanisms within the reader. The amount of jitter and variation supported by the decoder depends on the decoder.

  The appropriate clock period depends on the characteristics of the media and marking mechanism and the characteristics of the reader. The clock period is therefore an application specific parameter.

  Abstract marks and spaces have a corresponding physical representation that provides a completely different intensity when sampled by a matched optical sensor and allows the decoder to identify the marks and spaces. The spectral characteristics of the optical sensor, and thus the corresponding spectral characteristics of physical marks and spaces, are application specific.

  The transition time between marks and spaces is usually zero, but is allowed up to 5% of the clock period.

  Abstract marks are typically represented by physical marks printed using inks having specific absorption characteristics, such as infrared absorbing inks, and abstract spaces are usually free of such physical marks, That is, it is expressed by the absorption characteristics of a substrate such as a broadband reflective (white) paper. However, Kip is not specified for this.

The mark length l _mark and the space length l _space are usually the same. Appropriate marks and spaces are determined by the characteristics of the media and marking mechanism and the characteristics of the reader. Their length is therefore an application specific parameter.

As shown in FIG. 125, the mark length and the space length are the maximum for printing a mark with a resolution that is 1/2 of the maximum dot resolution of a specific printer.

The coefficient may be different. This factor may vary between 1 and the limit based on the vertical position, as shown.

The sum of the mark length and space length is equal to the clock period,
(Formula 4) l _clock = l _mark + l _space
It is.

The overall length of the strip is
(Formula 5) l _strip = l _clock × C _frame
It is.

The minimum width w _mintrack of the data track (or clock track) within the strip is determined by the reader. This width is therefore an application specific parameter.

The required width w _track of the data track (or clock track) in the strip is determined by the maximum allowable lateral misregistration w _misreg and the maximum allowable rotation α of the strip relative to the previous transport path of the corresponding optical sensor,
(Expression 6) w _track = w _mintrack + w _misreg + l _strip tan α
It is.

  Maximum lateral misregistration and rotation is determined by the characteristics of the media and marking mechanism and the characteristics of the reader. They are therefore application specific parameters.

The width of the strip is
(Expression 7) w _strip = (1 + b _clock ) × w _track
It is.

The length of the preamble bit string is derived from a parameter that defines the length of the preamble.

Error correction Kip encoding optionally includes error correction coding (ECC) information, allowing the decoder to correct bitstream data corrupted by surface damage or contamination. As shown in FIG. 126, Reed-Solomon redundant data is added to the frame, and an extended frame is generated.

The Kip Reed-Solomon code is characterized by its symbol size m (in bits), data size k (in symbols), and error correction capacity t (in symbols), as described below. The Reed-Solomon code is selected according to the bit stream data size L _data and the expected bit error rate. The code parameters are therefore application specific.

  Redundant data is calculated for the concatenation of bitstream data and CRC. Therefore, it is also possible to correct the CRC.

  Bitstream data and CRC are padded with zero bits while calculating redundant data to make their length an integer multiple of the symbol size m. This embedding is not encoded in the extension frame.

  The decoder verifies the CRC before performing Reed-Solomon error correction. If the CRC is valid, error correction may be omitted in some cases. If the CRC is invalid, the decoder performs error correction. The decoder then verifies the CRC again to confirm that error correction was successful.

The bit length of the Reed-Solomon codeword is
(Expression 9) L _codeword = (2t + k) × m
It is.

The number of Reed-Solomon codewords is

It is.

The length of the redundant data is
(Formula 11) L _ECC = s × (2t × m)
It is.

The bit length of the extended frame is
(Expression 12) L _{extended frame} = L _frame + L _ECC
It is.

Reed-Solomon Coding 2 ^m- term Reed-Solomon codes (n, k) are characterized by their symbol size m (in bits), codeword size n (in symbols) and data size k (in symbols). n is
(Formula 13) n = 2 ^m −1
It is.

The error correction capacity of the code is t symbols. t is

It is.

In order to minimize the redundancy overhead for a given error correction capacity, the number of redundant symbols n−k is chosen to be an even number. That means
(Formula 15) 2t = n−k
Reed-Solomon codes are well known and understood in the field of data storage, and therefore will not be described in detail here.

The code data symbol d _i and the redundant symbol r _j are indexed from left to right according to the power of their corresponding polynomial terms, as shown in FIG. Note that the data bits are indexed in the opposite direction, that is, from right to left.

The data capacity of a given code can be reduced by breaking the code, ie by systematically removing a subset of the data symbols. The lost symbol can then be processed during decoding as an erasure. in this case,
(Formula 16) n = k + 2t <2 ^m −1
Decoding longer codes and codes with larger error correction capacity is computationally more expensive than decoding shorter codes or codes with smaller error correction capacity. If application constraints limit the complexity of the code and the required data capacity exceeds the capacity of the selected code, multiple code words can be used to encode the data. In order to maximize the fault tolerance of codewords against burst errors, codewords are interleaved.

  In order to maximize the utility of Kip encoding, the bitstream is encoded continuously and in sequence within the frame. In order to reconcile the requirements for interleaving with the requirements for continuity and order, the bitstream is de-interlaced to calculate Reed-Solomon redundancy data, and then for encoding within the frame. They are interleaved again in advance. Thus, the order and continuity of the bitstream is maintained, and separate consecutive blocks of interleaved redundant data that are placed at the end of the extended frame are generated. The Kip interleave scheme is defined in detail below.

The Kip Reed-Solomon code has the primitive polynomial shown in Table 11.

The entries in the table represent the coefficients of the primitive polynomial with the highest degree coefficient on the left side. Therefore, the primitive polynomial of m = 4 is
(Expression 17) p (x) = x ⁴ + x + 1
It is.

The Kip Reed-Solomon code has the following generator polynomial.

To interleave, the source data D is divided into a series of m-bit symbols and padded on the right with zero bits to produce a series of u symbols consisting of an integer multiple s of k symbols. s is the number of codewords.
(Equation 19) u = s × k
(Equation 20) D = {D ₀ ,. . . , D _u-1 }
Each symbol in this sequence is then mapped to the corresponding (i-th) symbol _{dw, i} of the interleaved codeword w.
(Formula 21) d _{w, i} = D _{(i × s) + w}
FIG. 128 shows the obtained interleaved data symbols. Note that this is an in situ mapping of the source data to codewords, not a relocation of the source data.

  The individual codeword symbols are de-interlaced before encoding the codeword, and the resulting redundant symbols are interleaved again to form redundant blocks. FIG. 129 shows the obtained interleaved redundant symbol.

Netpage overview description Using Netpage interactivity provides a printed user interface to various phone functions and applications, for example enabling specific operating modes of mobile devices or allowing interaction with calculator applications can do. It is also possible to provide general purpose “keypad”, “keyboard” and “tablet” inputs to mobile devices. Such an interface can be pre-printed using the phone and can be bundled or purchased separately (as a way to personalize phone operations as well as ringing and themes). In addition, when a printer is incorporated in the telephone, printing can be performed on demand.

Printed Netpage business cards can be combined into a single interface
-Load contact details into address book-Display web page-Display image-Dial contact number-Make email, SMS or MMS form-Load location information into navigation system-Promotion or This is a good example of how you can effectively combine various functions, such as launching a special offer.

  All of these functions can be limited to a single application.

  The business card can be printed by the user of the mobile device for presentation to someone or can be printed for use by the user of the mobile device from a web page associated with the business. Business cards can also be pre-printed.

  As described below, the main advantage of incorporating a Netpage pointer or pen into other devices is synergy. By incorporating a Netpage pointer or pen into a mobile phone, smartphone or telecommunications-enabled PDA, the device can act both as a Netpage pointer and as a relay or Netpage server between the pointer and the mobile telephone network, for example. can do. When interacting with the page using the pointer, the target application for the interaction can display information on the phone display and initiate further interaction with the user via the phone touch screen. The pointer is most effectively configured so that the “nib” is located in the corner of the phone body, and the user can easily specify the tagged surface by manipulating the phone.

  The phone can incorporate marking nibs and optionally a continuous force sensor, thereby providing all the functionality of the Netpage pen.

  An exemplary Netpage interaction will now be described to illustrate the interaction between a sensory device in the form of a Netpage enabled mobile device and data encoded on a print medium in the form of a card. In a preferred form, the print media is a card generated by the mobile device or other mobile device, but the print media is purchased or provided as part of a commercial transaction and is commercially pre-printed. It may be a card. The print medium may be, for example, a book, magazine, newspaper, or pamphlet page.

  The mobile device uses a region image sensor to perceive the tag and detect the tag data. The mobile device uses the perceived data tag to generate interaction data that is transmitted to the document server via the mobile telecommunications network. The document server uses the ID to access the document description and interpret the interaction. If the situation is appropriate, the document server sends a corresponding message to the application server. The application server can then perform the corresponding action upon receiving the message.

  Typically, users of Netpage pens and Netpage-enabled mobile devices are registered with the registration server, which registers the user and the identifier stored in the corresponding individual Netpage pen or Netpage-enabled mobile device. Associate. By providing the identifier of the sensory device as part of the interaction data, the user can be identified and a transaction or the like can be performed.

  The Netpage document is created by causing the ID server to generate an ID that is transferred to the document server. The document server determines the document description and then records the relationship between the document description and the ID. By recording the relationship between the document description and the ID, the document description can be subsequently retrieved using the ID.

  The tag data is then generated using the ID before the document is printed using the page description and tag map by an appropriate printer, as described in more detail below.

  Each tag is represented by a pattern including two types of elements. The first element is the target. The target can locate the tag in the encoded surface image and estimate the perspective distortion of the tag. The second type of element is a macro dot. Each macro dot encodes a bit value according to its presence or absence.

  The pattern is shown in a manner that can be captured on the encoded surface by an optical imaging system, in particular by an optical system with a narrow response band to the near infrared. The pattern is usually printed on the surface using narrow band near infrared ink.

  In the preferred embodiment, the region typically corresponds to the entire surface of the M-Print card, and the region ID corresponds to a unique M-Print card ID. For the sake of clarity, in the following description, items and IDs are referred to with the understanding that IDs correspond to region IDs.

  The surface coding is designed so that the capture field wide enough to ensure capture of the entire tag is large enough to ensure capture of the ID of the area containing the tag. Capturing the tag itself ensures capture of the tag's two-dimensional position within the region as well as capturing other tag-specific data. Thus, this surface coding allows the perceptual device to simply identify the region ID and tag position while simply interacting with the encoded surface, for example while “clicking” or tapping the encoded surface with a pen. Can be captured.

Examples of Tag Structures A wide variety of tag structures can be used (as described in various assignee's various cross-reference Netpage applications). Hereinafter, preferred tags will be described in detail.

  FIG. 130 shows the structure of a complete tag 1400. Each of the four circles 1402 filled in black is a target. The tags 1400 and the entire pattern have a physical level of 4-fold rotational symmetry. Each square area 1404 represents a symbol, and each symbol represents 4-bit information.

  FIG. 131 shows the structure of the symbol. The symbol includes four macrodots 1406, each of which represents a one-bit value depending on whether it is present (1) or absent (zero). The macro dot space is indicated by the parameter s throughout the specification. The macrodot space has a nominal value of 143 μm based on 9 dots printed at a pitch of 1600 dots per inch. However, a change of ± 10% is allowed depending on the capabilities of the device used to generate the pattern.

  FIG. 132 shows an array of nine adjacent symbols. The macro dot space is uniform both within and between symbols.

  FIG. 133 shows the order of bits within a symbol. Bit zero (b0) is the least significant bit in the symbol and bit 3 (b3) is the most significant bit. Note that this order is relative to the orientation of the symbols. The orientation of a particular symbol within tag 1400 is shown in the tag diagram with the orientation of the label of the symbol. Normally, the orientation of all symbols within a particular segment of the tag has the same orientation that coincides with the bottom of the symbol closest to the center of the tag.

  Only the macro dot 1406 constitutes a part of the symbol expression in the pattern. The symbolic square outline 1404 is used herein to more clearly describe the structure of the tag 1400. FIG. 134 shows an actual pattern of the tag 1400 in which all bits are set. Note that in practice, all bits of tag 1400 are never set.

  Macrodot 1406 is nominally a circle with a nominal diameter of (5/9) s. However, a ± 10% size change is allowed depending on the capabilities of the device used to generate the pattern.

  The target 1402 is nominally a circle with a nominal diameter of (17/9) s. However, a ± 10% size change is allowed depending on the capabilities of the device used to generate the pattern.

  The tag pattern is allowed to change in scale up to ± 10% depending on the capability of the device used to generate the pattern. All deviations from the nominal scale are recorded in the tag data, allowing accurate position samples to be generated.

  Each symbol shown in the tag structure shown in FIG. 130 has its own label. Each label has an alphabetic prefix and a numeric suffix.

Tag groups Tags are divided into tag groups. Each tag group includes four tags arranged in a square. Thus, each tag has one of four possible tag types, depending on its position within the square tag group. These tag types are labeled 00, 10, 01 and 11 as shown in FIG.

  FIG. 136 shows how the tag group repeats with successive tiled tags. This tiling ensures that all sets of four adjacent tags contain one tag of each type.

The codeword tag contains four complete codewords. Each code word, broken 2 Section ⁴ (8,5) Reed - Solomon code codeword. Two of the codewords are unique to the tag. These are called local and are labeled A and B. Therefore, the tag encodes information of a maximum of 40 bits unique to the tag.

The remaining two codewords are specific to the tag type, but are common to all tags of the same type in successive tiled tags. These are called global and are labeled C and D with a tag type subscript. Thus, the tag group encodes up to 160 bits of information common to all tag groups in successive tiled tags. FIG. 137 shows the layout of four code words.
Reed - Solomon encoding codewords destroyed 2 Section ⁴ (8,5) lead - is encoded using Solomon code. 2 A ^four- term (8,5) Reed-Solomon code encodes 20 data bits (ie, 5 4-bit symbols) and 12 redundant bits (ie, 3 4-bit symbols) within each codeword. ing. The error detection capacity is three symbols. The error correction capacity is one symbol. For detailed information on Reed-Solomon encoding in the context of Netpage, USSN 10 / 815,647 filed April 2, 2004 (case number HYG001US), the contents of which are incorporated herein by cross reference. Please refer to.

Netpage in a mobile environment
FIG. 138 provides an overview of the architecture of a Netpage system incorporating local and remote applications and local and remote Netpage servers. The comprehensive Netpage system is extensively described in many of the assignee's patents and co-pending applications (eg, USSN 09 / 722,174 (case number NPA081US)), and therefore detailed description thereof is omitted here. To do. However, many extensions and changes to the comprehensive Netpage system are used as part of implementing various Netpage-based functions in mobile devices. This is true both for the perception associated with Netpage of data encoded on the print medium being printed (or about to be printed) and for Netpage-enabled mobile devices with or without a printer. .

  Referring to FIG. 138, the Netpage microserver 790 running on the mobile phone 1 provides a conditional Netpage feature set for translation printing clicks, not for translation printing general purpose digital ink. When the micro server 790 receives a click event from the printer driver 718, the micro server 790 translates the received click event using a normal Netpage method. This includes retrieving the page description combined with the click impression ID and hit testing the click position against the interactive element in the page description. As a result, the microserver identifies the command element and transmits the command to the application designated by the command element. This feature is described in many Netpage applications that were first cross-referenced above.

  The target application may be a local application 792 or a remote application 700 that can be accessed via the network 788. The microserver 790 can pass the command to the running application, or can start the application if it is not already running.

  When microserver 790 receives a click for an unknown impression ID, microserver 790 uses that impression ID to identify a network-based Netpage server 798 that can process the click and click to translate. Send to that server. The Netpage server 798 may be on a dedicated intranet that can access mobile devices or on the public Internet.

  If it is a known impression ID, the microserver 790 can interact directly with the remote application 700 rather than via the Netpage server 798.

  If the mobile device is equipped with a printer 4, an optional print server 796 is provided. The print server 796 runs on the mobile telephone 1 and receives print requests from the remote application and the Netpage server. When the print server receives a print request from an untrusted application, the print server can request the application to indicate a single-use print token that has already been issued by the mobile device.

  A display server 704 running on the mobile device receives display requests from the remote application and the Netpage server. When display server 704 receives a display request from an untrusted application, display server 704 can request the application to show a single-use display token that has already been issued by the mobile device. The display server 704 controls the display 750 of the mobile device.

  As shown in FIG. 139, the mobile device can act as a relay for a Netpage stylus, pen or other Netpage input device 708. When microserver 790 receives digital ink for an unknown impression ID, microserver 790 uses that impression ID to identify and translate a network-based Netpage server 798 that can process the digital ink. Send digital ink to the server.

  Although not necessarily required, the microserver 790 can be configured to have a part of the function of translating digital ink. For example, the microserver 790 can translate digital ink combined only with checkboxes and drawer fields, or can perform basic character recognition, or perform character recognition with the help of a remote server. Can do.

  The microserver can also be configured to route digital ink captured via the Netpage “tablet” to the operating system of the mobile device. A Netpage tablet can be a pre-printed surface or a surface printed on demand, or an overlay or underlay on the display of a mobile device.

The Netpage pointer incorporates the same image sensor and image processing ASIC (referred to as “Jupiter”, described in detail below) that was developed for and used by the Netpage pen. Jupiter responds to the touch switch by activating the illumination LED and capturing an image of the tagged surface. Jupiter then informs the mobile device processor of the “click”. The Netpage pointer incorporates the same optical design as the Netpage pen, but theoretically has a smaller shape factor. A smaller shape factor is achieved using a more sophisticated multi-lens design, as described below.
Direct acquisition of media information from Netpage tags Media information can be acquired directly from Netpage tags. In particular, since the Netpage identifier and digital signature can be obtained from the Netpage tag pattern, acquiring the media information directly from the Netpage tag requires no data track or only a minimum number of data tracks. It is advantageous.

  The Netpage tag sensor can read the tag pattern from the snapshot image. This is advantageous in that an image can be captured as the card enters the paper path before engaging the transport mechanism and, if necessary, before the printer controller is activated.

  A Netpage tag sensor that can read a tag as media enters or passes through a media feed path will be described in detail in a subsection of the Netpage clicker (see FIGS. 140 and 141). See).

  On the other hand, the advantage of reading the tag pattern during transport (either during the reading phase or during the printing phase) is that the printer is able to adjust the horizontal and vertical orientation between the Netpage tag pattern and the visual content printed by the printer. It is possible to obtain accurate information regarding registration. Although a single captured tag image can be used to determine registration in either or both directions, it is preferred to determine registration based on at least two captured images. Images can be captured sequentially using a single sensor, or images can be captured simultaneously or sequentially using two sensors. Various averaging techniques can be used to determine the position in either or both directions more accurately from multiple captured images than when using a single image.

  If the tag pattern is rotating relative to the print head due to either manufacturing tolerances on the card itself or paper path tolerances, it is advantageous to read the tag pattern and determine its rotation. In that case, the printer can report the determined rotation to the Netpage server. The Netpage server can record it and use it in the final translation of the digital ink captured via the card. Although a single captured tag image can be used to determine the rotation, it is preferable to determine the rotation based on at least two captured images. Images can be captured sequentially using a single sensor, or images can be captured simultaneously or sequentially using two sensors. Various averaging techniques can be used to determine the rotation from multiple captured images more accurately than when using a single image.

Netpage options The following media coding options are associated with Netpage tags. Netpage is described in more detail in a later section.
By encoding the Netpage tag orientation card, the printer can determine the orientation of the Netpage tag on the card relative to the print head, possibly before initiating printing. Thus, the printer can rotate the page graphic before printing starts to align with the orientation of the Netpage tag on the card. Also, by encoding the card, the printer can report the orientation of the Netpage tag on the card for recording by the Netpage server.
If the lateral and vertical registration and motion tracking described above on the Netpage tag location is accomplished by means other than by media coding, it may be due to manufacturing tolerances of the card itself, or the printer paper Any misregistration between the media coding itself and the printed content, whether due to path tolerances, manifests itself as a lateral and / or vertical registration error between the Netpage tag and the printed content. This registration error is disappointing to the user. For example, a hyperlink zone may not be able to accurately register the visual representation of the hyperlink.

As described above in relation to card position, media coding can provide a basis for tracking the movement of the media coding itself as well as accurate registration in the horizontal and vertical directions, Can report this registration to the Netpage server along with the Netpage identifier. The Netpage server corrects this registration information for any deviations between the nominal and actual registrations and any digital ink captured via the card based on the corrections prior to translation. Can be recorded as a two-dimensional offset to correct.
By encoding the Netpage identification card, the printer can determine a unique 96-bit Netpage identifier for the card. Thus, the printer can report the card's Netpage identifier for recording by the Netpage server (the Netpage server uses this identification to combine the printed graphic with the input description).

  By encoding the card, the printer can determine the Netpage identifier unique to the card from both sides of the card. Therefore, the printer designer can flexibly read the Netpage identifier from the most convenient side of the card.

  By encoding the card, the printer can determine whether the card is an approved Netpage card. Thus, the printer can avoid performing Netpage related steps on unauthorized cards, effectively disabling that Netpage's interactivity. Therefore, interference with the use of a valid card having the same Netpage identifier by a counterfeit card is prevented.

By encoding the card, the printer can determine both the Netpage identifier and the unique digital signature combined with the Netpage identifier. Thus, the printer can prevent counterfeit cards using a digital signature verification mechanism that is already in place to control interaction with Netpage media.
Netpage Interactivity By encoding Netpage tags on substantially the entire surface of the card, the Netpage perception device can interact with the printed card. Therefore, the printer can print interactive Netpage contents without having to have a function for printing tags.

By encoding the Netpage tag on the back side of the card, the Netpage perception device can interact with the card. Therefore, interactive Netpage content can be printed in advance on the back side of the card.
Cryptography
Background Blank media designed for use with preferred embodiments is pre-encoded to support motion perception and Netpage interactivity and to satisfy many requirements for preventing counterfeit cards.

  The following sections describe an authentication mechanism that can be used to detect and reject forged or unencoded blank media. Hereinafter, a forged medium or an unencoded medium is referred to as an invalid medium.

  The need to prevent invalid media is derived from a number of requirements. Since color management is closely tied to actual media properties, only genuine media guarantees the highest level of print quality. Therefore, rejecting invalid media guarantees the highest level of print quality. Conversely, the print quality cannot be guaranteed for invalid media.

  Netpage interactivity is a fundamental property of print media in the preferred embodiment. Rejecting invalid media ensures that Netpage interactivity is properly enabled. That is, it is guaranteed that a valid and unique Netpage tag pattern always exists.

  It is also possible to use media identification and authentication to control expiration of the validity period of the media, eg, for quality management purposes.

  Once printed, the media can act as a secure token that provides the media holder with privileged access to media related information. For example, the media can be responsible for printing out a photo, in which case the media can act as a token that provides holder access to the digital image corresponding to the photo.

  It is also possible to authenticate media as a secure token using this mechanism described herein.

Media Identifier and Digital Signature In the preferred embodiment, the media coding includes a unique media identifier and two digital signatures combined with the media identifier. The digital signature will be described in detail below. The media identifier and digital signature are encoded in the Netpage tag pattern as described below, and in the data track if a data track exists.

  A short digital signature is a digital signature combined with a media identifier in a manner known only to the authentication server. For example, the short signature may be a random number indicated by a media identifier that is clearly recorded by the authentication server. This short digital signature must therefore be authenticated by the server.

  A long digital signature is a public key digital signature of a media identifier. A random number is optionally embedded in the medium identifier prior to the signature. The public key digital signature can be authenticated without querying the authentication server as long as the authenticator has a publicly available public key combined with the media identifier. This embedding can be authenticated by referring to an authentication server as necessary.

  It is also possible to use a combination of a short signature and a long signature.

  If the blank pre-encoded medium is accurately duplicated, it becomes a copy that cannot be authenticated as a forged product. However, the authentication server can detect multiple uses of the same media identifier by tracking the manufacture, movement, and / or use of the media identifier and reject such use as suspected fraud. A counterfeiter cannot guess a valid digital signature for a new (ie, invisible) media identifier, so rejecting a copy will not penalize a valid media user .

Authentication during printing The M-Print printing device is configured to obtain a media identifier and one or both digital signatures before printing, during printing, or after printing is completed. The M-Print device obtains this information from the Netpage tag pattern and / or obtains this information from the data track if a data track exists.

  The M-Print device can use this information to authenticate the medium. The M-Print device can authenticate the media identifier and short signature by querying the authentication server, or if the M-Print device already has the proper public key, the media identifier and long signature are You can authenticate with. When an M-Print device first encounters one of a range of media identifiers, it can obtain a public key associated with that range of media identifiers, and then a future indicated by the range. The acquired public key can be cached locally for use. The M-Print device can flush its cache to the regain space at any time, for example based on least recently used, least frequently used. The M-Print device can obtain the public key from the authentication server itself or any other trusted source.

  If the M-Print device cannot authenticate the media before or during printing, the M-Print device can cease printing to prevent use of the media. Even if the media can only be authenticated after printing, the M-Print device can provide feedback to the user indicating that the media is counterfeit.

  If the M-Print device cannot obtain any encoded information from the media, the M-Print device can stop printing and / or inform the user that the media is invalid.

  If the source of the print content is network-based and the M-Print device itself is not reliable, the server providing the print content can deliver the content based on media authentication. That is, the medium itself can act as a secure token for enabling printing.

Authentication during Netpage interaction A Netpage positioning device (such as an M-Print device that incorporates a Netpage pointer) when tapped (or swiped) on a Netpage-enabled medium such as a printed M-Print medium It is configured to obtain a media identifier and one or both digital signatures from the pattern.

  Thus, the Netpage positioning device can authenticate the media using the mechanism described above if it has to do so.

  More importantly, the Netpage positioning device can provide interaction with valid media by providing a copy of the media identifier and one or both digital signatures (or fragments thereof) to the Netpage server in use. . Thus, the server can authenticate the medium and thus reject attempts to interact with the invalid medium. For example, the server may refuse to attempt to download a digital image combined with a printed photo and prevent unauthorized access to the photographic image based on a simple guess of the valid media identifier.

  Once printed, the media can act as a secure token that provides a media holder with privileged access to information associated with the media. For example, the media can be responsible for printing out a photo, in which case the media can act as a token that gives the holder access to a digital image corresponding to the photo.

It is also possible to authenticate the medium as a secure token using this mechanism described herein.
As described above for M-Print security in a mobile Netpage context , verification uses matching verification between the data and the signature of the data. The more difficult it is to sign a counterfeit product, the higher the reliability of authentication based on the signature.

  NetpageID is unique and thus provides a basis for signatures. If online authenticated access is assumed, the signature may simply be a random number combined with an ID of an authentication database that allows access to a trusted online authenticator. This random number can be generated using any suitable method such as a deterministic (pseudo-random) algorithm or a stochastic physical process. In the case of a random number, an extra space is not required in the authentication database. Therefore, in some cases, it is preferable to use a hash or a cryptographic hash. However, random signatures that are the same length as strike signatures are more secure than strike signatures because they are less susceptible to key attacks. Similarly, shorter random signatures provide the same confidentiality as longer strike signatures.

  In very limited cases, the presence of an ID in the database itself indicates authenticity, so that a signature is not actually required. However, using a signature limits the counterfeit items that the counterfeiter is actually looking for.

  In order to prevent signature forgery for invisible IDs, the signature must be large enough to allow interactive search for breaching with repeated access to the online authenticator. Also, if the signature is generated using a key rather than randomly, its length must be long enough to prevent forgers from guessing the key from a known ID signature pair. . Hundreds of bits of signatures are considered secure, whether generated using a dedicated key or generated using a secret key.

  Inclusion of a reasonably secure random signature in a tag (or local tag group) is practical in some cases, but especially shortens the length of the ID to provide more space for the signature In some cases, including a secure ID-derived signature in a tag is not practical in some cases. Instead, secure ID-derived signatures can be supported by distributing signature fragments across multiple tags. If individual fragments can be individually verified against the ID, the goal of supporting authentication is achieved without expanding the field of view of the sensory device. Since the counterfeiter cannot predict the fragment that the user will randomly select to verify, signature confidentiality can still be derived from the entire signature length, not from the fragment length. . Since a trusted authenticator has access to a key and / or a fully stored signature, fragment verification can be performed at any time, thus online access to a trusted authenticator Can be verified at any time.

  In order to verify a fragment, a violent attack on the individual fragment must be prevented, or the counterfeiter can determine the entire signature by attacking the individual fragment. Violent attacks can be prevented by squeezing the authenticator for each ID. However, if the fragment is short, an extreme aperture is required. As an alternative to narrowing down the authenticator, the authenticator can instead limit the number of verification requests that can happily respond to a given number of fragments. There are many fragments available, even if the enforced limit is small, and the actual fragment selected by the user can be changed so that a normal user can give a given It is impossible for a piece to run out of it. Even one limitation is realistic in some cases. More generally, the limit should be proportional to the size of the fragment. That is, the smaller the fragment, the smaller the limit. The user will therefore experience a somewhat invariant fragment size. Narrowing and enforcing the fragment verification limit implies that the request to the authenticator is serialized. Fragment verification restrictions need to be imposed only when verification fails. In other words, verification may be successful many times until the first failure. Also, to enforce fragment verification restrictions, the authenticator must maintain a count for each fragment of satisfied verification requests.

  Violent attacks can also be prevented by concatenating fragments using random signatures encoded in tags. Random signatures can also be considered as protecting a fragment, but it is also possible to consider a fragment as if the length of the random signature was simply increased and therefore its confidentiality was improved. Fragment verification restrictions can be imposed on a verifier to deny service attacks that an attacker would deliberately exceed that limit with an invalid verification request to further hinder verification of the ID. This service attack can only be prevented by forcing fragment verification restrictions on the fragment if the accompanying random signature is correct.

  Fragment verification can be performed more safely by requiring verification of a minimum number of fragments simultaneously.

  Fragment identification is required for fragment verification. Fragments can be clearly numbered or more economically identified by their tag's two-dimensional coordinates, the modulo, which is a signature that repeats across successive tiled tags.

  Further, since the length of the ID itself is limited, further weak points are introduced. Ideally, the length of the ID should be at least several hundred bits. For the Netpage surface coding scheme, the ID length is 96 bits or less. This can be overcome by embedding the ID. In order to do this effectively, this embedding must be a variable. In other words, this embedding must change for each ID. Ideally, this embedding is simply a random number and then must be stored in the authentication database indicated by the ID. If the embedding is deterministically generated from the ID, the embedding is worthless.

  In order to authenticate the private key signature offline, a trusted offline authentication device must be used. QA chips (which are all filed on June 8, 1998, 6,566,858 (case number AUTH02US), 6,331,946 (case number AUTH04US), 6,246,970 (case number AUTH05US) No. 6,442,525 (which is the subject of many US patents, including case number AUTH06US) provides a basis for such devices with limited capacity. The QA chip can be programmed with a secret key securely held in its internal memory to verify the signature. However, in this scenario, it is not practical to support embedding for each ID, and it is not practical to support more secret keys than very few secret keys. Also, QA chips programmed in this way are susceptible to selective message attacks. These constraints limit the applicability of reliable off-line authentication devices based on QA chips to niche applications.

  Protected item creators usually do not like to be able to delegate their secret signing key to such a device, even though any particular off-line authenticating device they trust can claim its security. It also appears to limit the applicability of such devices to Niche applications (although such Niche applications are still important).

  On the other hand, offline authentication of public key signatures (ie, signatures generated using corresponding dedicated keys) is highly practical. An offline authentication device using a public key can simply hold all the numbers of the public key. Also, if such an offline authentication device encounters an ID and finds that it does not have a corresponding public signature key for that ID, it will be additionally published via a non-resident online connection upon request. Can be designed to retrieve keys. For most creators of protected items, untrusted offline authentication seems attractive because it allows them to exclusively control their own signature key.

  The disadvantage of off-line authentication of public key signatures is that the entire signature must be obtained from coding and is incompatible with the general desire to support authentication with a minimal view. On the other hand, the advantage of public key signature off-line authentication is that both the ID and its embedding can be generated by decrypting the signature using the public signing key, and then this embedding can be ignored, so to ID embedding Access is unnecessary. Because this embedding is not ignored during online authentication, counterfeiters cannot take advantage of this embedding being ignored during offline authentication.

  Capturing the signatures distributed throughout is not too much trouble. By randomly swiping the entire coding surface randomly or linearly using a handheld sensory device, all fragments of the signature can be quickly captured. The sensory device can be easily programmed to inform the user that the entire fragment set has been captured and that authentication has been completed. The perceptual device can be programmed to perform authentication only if the tag indicates that a signature is present.

  In the context of authenticating print media before or during printing using a preferred embodiment of a mobile device incorporating a printer, the need for swiping is not a significant issue. In a preferred form, the print media is inserted into the media feed path for printing. The sensory device reads a series of tags sufficient to acquire all necessary signature fragments either during or subsequent to insertion while the print media is being moved by the drive mechanism of the mobile device. Can do.

  The use of authentication is as already described with reference to the Netpage tag, but also for linear encoding schemes (or any other encoding scheme) used to encode data on preprinted print media. Similar principles can be applied.

  Public key signatures, whether randomly generated or generated using a secret key, are online in the same way as any signature, through any of the fragments. Note that you can authenticate with. A trusted online authenticator can use a dedicated key and ID embedding to generate a signature on demand, or the signature can be explicitly stored in an authentication database. The latter approach eliminates the need to store ID embeddings.

  It should also be noted that signature-based authentication can be used instead of fragment-based authentication even when online access to a trusted authenticator is available.

Table 13 summarizes signature schemes that work using data structures encoded with the preferred encoding scheme. It will be appreciated that these limitations do not apply to all encoding schemes that can be used with the present invention.

Encryption Algorithm When authenticating a public key signature off-line, the user's authentication device typically does not have access to the embedding that was used to initially generate the signature. Thus, in order for the authenticating device to be able to compare the ID being signed with the ID obtained from the tag, the signature verification step must decrypt the signature. Algorithms that do not perform the step of verifying the signature by decrypting the signature, such as the Digital Signature Algorithm Standard (DSS) (FIPS 186-2, 2000) January 27).

RSA encryption is
・ Rivest, R.M. L. A. Shamir and L. "A. Method for Obtaining Digital Signatures and Public-Key Cryptosystems" by Adleman (Communications of the ACM, Vol. 21, No. 2, 1978, 120-126).
・ Rivest, R.M. L. A. Shamir and L. M.M. Adleman, “Cryptographic communications system and method” (US Pat. No. 4,405,829, issued September 20, 1983)
RSA Laboratories, PKCS # 1 v2.0: RSA Encryption Standard (October 1, 1998)
It is described in.

  RSA provides a suitable public key digital signature algorithm to decrypt the signature. RSA is ANSI X9.31-1998 (Digital Signatures Usable Reversible Public cryptography for the Financial Services) providing. If no embedding is used, any public key signature algorithm can be used.

  For the preferred Netpage surface coding scheme, the ID length is 96 bits or less. The ID is embedded up to 160 bits prior to the signature.

  The embedding is ideally generated using a true random process, such as a quantum process, or by removing randomness from a random event. For more information on these issues, see Schneier, B. et al. Applied Cryptography (2nd edition, John Wiley & Sons, 1996).

For the preferred Netpage surface coding scheme, the random signature or secret length is 36 bits or less. This random signature is also ideally generated using a true random process. If a longer random signature is required, the length of the ID during surface coding can be shortened to provide additional space for the signature.
Each authentication target ID has a signature. Since the space within the preferred tag structure is limited and it is impractical to include the entire encrypted signature in the tag, the signature fragments are distributed across multiple tags. The tag can include a smaller random signature or secret.

  In order to avoid any weak points due to the limited length of the target ID, the target ID is ideally embedded using a random number. This embedding is stored in the authentication database indicated by the subject ID. The authentication database can be managed by the manufacturer or managed by a trusted third party authenticator.

  Each tag includes a signature fragment, and each fragment (or a subset of multiple fragments) can be individually verified against a target ID. Because the counterfeiter cannot predict the fragments that the user will randomly select to verify, the signature confidentiality is still drawn from the entire signature length, not from the fragment length.

  Fragment identification is required for fragment verification. Fragments can be clearly numbered, or identified by their tag's two-dimensional coordinates, ie, a modulo, which is a signature that repeats across successive tiled tags.

Note that a trusted authenticator can perform fragment verification at any time, and therefore can verify a fragment whenever online access to a trusted authenticator is available. .
Offline public key-based authentication Offline authentication devices use public key signatures. An offline authentication device holds a number of public keys. The offline authentication device can optionally retrieve an additional public key via a non-resident online connection on demand if it encounters a subject ID and does not have a corresponding public key signature for that ID.

  For offline authentication, the entire signature is required. The authentication device is swiped over the tagged surface and a number of tags are read. From the read tag, the object ID and a number of signature fragments and their locations are captured. Next, a signature is generated from these signature fragments. The public key is retrieved from the scanning device using the target ID. The signature is then decrypted using the public key to obtain the target ID and embedding. If the target ID obtained from the signature matches the target ID in the tag, the target is considered authentic.

This off-line authentication method can also be used online with a trusted authenticator playing the role of an authenticator.
Online public key-based authentication Online authentication devices use a trusted authenticator to verify the authenticity of a subject. In the case of online authentication, one tag is sufficient to perform authentication. The authentication device scans the object and acquires one or more tags. From the acquired tag, the object ID and at least one signature fragment and its location are captured. A fragment number is generated from the position of the fragment. A reliable authentic authenticator is searched for by subject ID. The subject ID, signature fragment and fragment number are sent to the trusted authenticator.

A trusted authenticator receives the data and retrieves the signature from the authentication database by subject ID. This signature is compared with the supplied fragment and the authentication result is reported to the user.
On-line confidentiality-based authentication alternative or in addition, if an individual tag (or tag group) contains a random signature or secret, this random signature is a secret that is accessible to a trusted authenticator. The copy can be referenced and verified. In this case, the database setup includes assigning secrets to the individual objects and storing the secrets in the authentication database indicated by the object ID.

  The authentication device scans the object and acquires one or more tags. The target ID and confidential information are captured from the acquired tag. A reliable authentic authenticator is searched for by subject ID. The subject ID and secret are sent to the trusted authenticator.

  A trusted authenticator receives the data and retrieves the secret from the authentication database by subject ID. This secret is compared with the supplied secret and the authentication result is reported to the user.

  Confidential-based authentication can be used in conjunction with online fragment-based authentication described in more detail above.

Netpage Clicker FIGS. 140 and 141 illustrate an alternative embodiment of the present invention in which a mobile device includes a Netpage clicker module 162. This embodiment includes a printer, and perceives encoded data from the media external to the mobile device as it passes through the device for printing and is pre-printed on the media. A dual optical path structure is used to perceive encoded data that is present.

  The preferred embodiment Netpage clicker forms part of a dual light path Netpage perception device. The first path is used for the Netpage clicker, and the second path operates to read the encoded data from the card as it is inserted into the mobile device for printing. As described below, the data encoded on the card is read, thereby ensuring that the card is the correct type of card and is the correct quality card that can be printed. .

  The Netpage clicker includes a non-marking nib 340 that protrudes from the top of the mobile device. The nib 340 is slidably attached so that it can be selectively moved between the retracted position and the deployed position by manually operating the slider 342. The slider 342 is biased outward from the mobile device and includes a ratchet mechanism (not shown) for holding the nib 340 in the deployed position. When the user pushes the slider 342 downward to retract the nib 340, the engagement between the slider 342 and the ratchet mechanism is released, and the nib 340 can be returned to the retracted position. One end of the nib is adjacent to a switch (not shown) that is operatively coupled to circuitry on the PCB.

  Looking at the other end from one end of the first light path, the first infrared LED 344 irradiates the adjacent surface (not shown) with infrared light through the aperture. It is attached so as to be guided outside the mobile device. The light reflected from the surface passes through the infrared filter 348. Infrared filter 348 improves the signal to noise ratio of the reflected light by removing most non-infrared ambient light. The reflected light is focused through the pair of lenses 350 and then strikes the plate beam splitter 352. It will be appreciated that the beam splitter 352 can include one or more thin film light coatings to improve its performance.

  The plate splitter deflects most of the light downward and reaches the image sensor 346 mounted on the PCB. In the preferred embodiment, the image sensor 346 takes the form of a Jupiter image sensor and processor, described in detail below. It will be appreciated that various commercially available CCD and CMOS image sensors are equally suitable.

  The specific position of the nib and the orientation and position of the first light path within the casing allow the user to interact with the Netpage interactive document, as described elsewhere in the detailed description. These Netpage documents can include media printed by the mobile device itself, and can include other media such as pages pre-printed in books, magazines, newspapers, and the like.

  The second light path begins with a second infrared LED 354 mounted to illuminate the surface of the card 226 when it is inserted into the mobile device for printing. The light is reflected by the card 226 and returned along the optical path by the first turning mirror 356 and the second turning mirror 358. Next, the light passes through the opening 359 and the beam splitter 352 and reaches the image sensor 346.

  The mobile device is configured so that both LEDs 344 and 354 are turned off when the card is not printing and when the nib is not being used to perceive data encoded on the external surface. However, when the nib is deployed and the surface is pushed with enough force to close the switch, the LED 344 will illuminate and the image sensor 346 will begin capturing images.

  Although non-marking nibs have been described, marking nibs such as ballpoint pens or felt tip pens may be used. When using a marking nib, it is particularly preferred that a retraction mechanism is provided so that the nib can be selectively retracted into the casing. Alternatively, the nibs can be fixed (ie no retracting mechanism is provided).

  In other embodiments, the switch is simply omitted (and the device is operating continuously, preferably only when placed in capture mode), or a piezoelectric or semiconductor It has been replaced with some other form of pressure sensor, such as a transducer based. In one form, a multi-level or continuous pressure sensor is utilized to capture the actual force of the nib against the writing surface during writing. This information can also be included along with location information with digital ink generated by the device and can be used in the manner described in detail in many of the cross-referenced assignee's Netpage related applications. it can. However, this is an optional function.

  It will be appreciated that in other embodiments, a simple Netpage perceptual device may be included in a mobile device that does not have a built-in printer. FIGS. 85-87 illustrate one embodiment of such a clicker, although in the context of a mobile device having a printer. It will be appreciated that in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 85-87, the Netpage clicker is rather related to the perception of encoded data from an external Netpage document.

  In other embodiments, one or more of the plurality of turning mirrors are replaced with one or more prisms utilizing boundary reflections, i.e., a silver surface (or semi-silvered surface), whereby the first or The path of light passing through the second light path can be changed. Further, either one of the first and second optical paths can be omitted, and the function provided by the path can be removed accordingly.

Image Sensor and Associated Processing Circuit In a preferred embodiment, the Netpage sensor is a monolithic integrated circuit comprising an image sensor, an analog-to-digital converter (ADC), an image processor and an interface. These are configured to operate in a system with a host processor. The applicant assigned the code name “Jupiter” to the monolithic integrated circuit. The image sensor and ADC were given the code name “Ganymede”, and the image processor and interface were given the code name “Callisto”.

  In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the image sensor is a co-pending application USSN 10 / 778,056 (case number NPS047US) filed February 17, 2004, the contents of which are incorporated herein by cross reference. Is incorporated into a Jupiter image sensor.

  PCT application PCT / AU / 02/01573, filed Nov. 22, 2002, and filed Nov. 22, 2002, the contents of which are incorporated herein by cross reference and named “Active Pixel Sensor” filed Nov. 22, 2002 PCT application PCT / AU02 / 01572, entitled “Sensing Device with Ambient Light Minimization”, describes various alternative pixel designs suitable for incorporation into Jupiter image sensors.

  Aggregation of specific components into functional blocks or code-named blocks does not necessarily mean that such physical or logical aggregation into hardware is required for the invention to function. Please understand that you are not. Rather, the grouping of specific units into functional blocks is a matter of design convenience in the particularly preferred embodiment being described. The intended scope of the invention as embodied in the detailed description should be read broadly to allow a reasonable interpretation of the claims.

Image Sensor Jupiter includes some implementations of image sensor array, ADC (Analog to Digital Conversion) function, time and control logic, digital interface to external microcontroller, and machine vision algorithm calculation steps.

  FIG. 142 is a system level diagram showing the relationship between the Jupiter monolithic integrated circuit 1601 and its host processor 1602. The Jupiter 1601 has two main functional blocks, Ganymede 1604 and Callisto 1606. As described below, Ganymede includes a sensor array 1612, an ADC 1614, a time and control logic 1616, a clock multiplier PLL 1618, and a bias control 1619. Callisto includes a serial interface to an image processing device, an image buffer memory, and a host processor. The parallel interface 1608 couples Ganymede 4 and Callisto 6, and the serial interface 1610 joins Callisto 1606 and the host processor 2.

  An internal interface in Jupiter is used for communication between various internal modules.

Ganymede image sensor
Features -Sensor array-8-bit digitization of sensor array output-Digital image output to Callisto-Clock multiplication PLL
As shown in FIG. 143, Ganymede 1604 includes a sensor array 1612, an ADC block 1614, a control and time block 1616, and a clock multiplication phase locked loop (PLL) 1618 for providing an internal clock signal. The sensor array 1612 includes pixels 1620, a row decoder 1622 and a column decoder / MUX 1624. The ADC block 1614 includes an 8-bit ADC 26 and a programmable gain amplifier (PGA) 1628. A control and time block 1616 controls the sensor array 1612, ADC 1614 and PLL 1618 and provides an interface to Callisto 1606.

Callisto
Callisto is an image processor 1625 designed to interface directly to a monochromatic image sensor via a parallel data interface, optionally performing part of the image processing, and capturing the captured image via a serial data interface. Handing over to an external device.
Features -Parallel interface to image sensor-Frame storage buffer to decouple parallel image sensor interface and external serial interface-Double buffering of frame storage data to eliminate buffer loading overhead-Captured image Low pass filtering and subsampling-Local dynamic range expansion of subsampled images-Thresholding of subsampled and range expanded images-Processed and unprocessed images within defined regions of captured images Reading both pixels of the image-Subpixel value calculation-Configurable image sensor timed interface-Configurable image sensor size-Configurable image sensor window-Power Ent: Outputs auto sleep mode and a wake mode image, and an external register interface for the register management of external series interface external devices for managing devices
The environment Callisto interfaces to the image sensor via a parallel interface and also interfaces to an external device such as a microprocessor via a serial data interface. The captured image data is delivered from the image sensor to Callisto via a parallel data interface. The processed image data is delivered to an external device via a serial interface. Callisto registers are also set via the external serial interface.
The function Callisto image processing core receives image data from an image sensor and passes the received data to an external device using a serial data interface, whether processed or unprocessed. The rate at which data is delivered to the external device is independent of the data readout rate imposed by the image sensor.

  The image sensor data transfer rate and the image data transfer rate via the serial interface are decoupled by using an internal RAM-based frame store. Image data from the sensor is written to the frame store at a rate that satisfies the image sensor read requirements. When data is written to the frame store, it can be read and transferred via the serial interface at the rate required by the device connected to the other end of the interface.

  Callisto can optionally perform part of the image processing on the image stored in the frame store when directed by the user configuration. The user can choose to skip image processing and gain access to the unprocessed image. Although the subsampled image is stored in the buffer, the fully processed image is not persistently stored in Callisto. The fully processed image is transferred immediately via the serial interface. Callisto provides several functions related to image processing.

-Subsampling-Local dynamic range expansion-Threshold processing-Sub-pixel value calculation-Predefined rectangle readout from processed and unprocessed images Used with dynamic range expansion performed on images and thresholding performed on sampled and range expanded images. Dynamic range expansion and thresholding are performed together as a single operation and can only be performed on subsampled images. However, subsampling can be performed without dynamic range expansion and threshold processing. The search for the subpixel value and the read image area is an independent function.

Alternative Tag Sensor Structure Referring now to FIGS. 144-150, a number of specific alternative optical systems for implementing Netpage tag perception using a mobile device will be described.
Basic Two-Dimensional Tag Image Sensor : FIG. 144 shows the basic configuration of a two-dimensional tag sensor for perceiving a tag on a print medium already attached with a tag prior to printing. The tag sensor typically has an image sensor 664, a focusing lens 666, an aperture 668 to ensure proper depth of field, an infrared filter 670 to remove ambient light, and infrared that is strobed in synchronism with image capture. An irradiation source 669 is provided. The figure shows a tag sensor that images the surface of a blank 670 that has already been tagged to the left. Assuming that ambient light can be adequately removed from the print path, this configuration does not include an infrared filter. Image capture can be triggered by detecting the print media in the print path.
Dual-purpose two-dimensional tag image sensor : If the Netpage printer is built into a device already equipped with a Netpage tag sensor such as a pen, PDA or a mobile device such as a phone, the perception of the tagged surface specified by the user; It may be advantageous in some cases to multiplex the operation of the tag sensor between the tagged blank perception provided to the printer. In the following description, the two imaging modes are referred to as external imaging and internal imaging, respectively.

  FIG. 145 illustrates one possible configuration of a multiplexed tag sensor with a dual light path and a single image sensor 664. A tag sensor is shown imaging the externally tagged surface 671 and the surface of a blank print medium 672 that has already been tagged.

  The internal light path includes a first mirror 673 that can point in the opposite direction toward the external light path, and a second mirror 674 (shown in plan view) that can image the print medium 672. I have. In FIG. 145, the second mirror 674 reflects the optical axis at an angle of 90 degrees with respect to the print medium. That is, the mirror is nominally attached at 45 degrees to the surface of the print medium, as shown in FIG.

  Each of the light paths incorporates a unique aperture and lens structure 675. The focal length of an individual lens can be selected according to its corresponding light path length. Since a shallower depth of field is allowed, potentially a larger aperture can be utilized for the internal light path than for the external light path.

  Each of the light paths has its own infrared radiation source. When the first illumination source 677 is strobed in synchronization with the exposure of the image sensor 664, the image sensor captures an image of the tagged surface 671 specified by the user. When the second illumination source 676 is strobed, the image sensor captures an image of the blank print media 672 that has already been tagged. External image capture can be triggered by a “pen down” or “click” event performed by the user. Internal image capture can be triggered by detecting print media in the print path.

Since all of the light paths collide with the image sensor at a certain angle, there is a possibility that a slight focus loss may occur unless correction is performed by the lens. The induced perspective distortion is automatically processed by processing the image and decoding the algorithm.
Multiplexed Tag Sensor with Beam Splitter : FIG. 146 shows a variation of the multiplexed tag sensor shown in FIG. 145 with a beam splitter 678 for splitting the optical path. Although beam splitter 678 is shown downstream of aperture 675, it can also be placed upstream of the focusing lens if the two light paths have substantially different lengths.
Multiplexed Tag Sensor with Beam Splitter and Inline Illumination : FIG. 147 shows a variation of the multiplexed tag sensor shown in FIG. 146 in which infrared illumination is projected inline with the imaging path via beam splitter 678. is there. Ideally, the IR filter 679 has an anti-reflective coating to minimize the reflection of the emitted radiation. Alternatively, an IR filter 679 can be placed upstream of the beam splitter to completely avoid reflection problems.

  Due to the shared light source, it is no longer possible to selectively switch on one or the other light source to select one or the other imaging path. Instead, a shutter 680 is introduced into the external imaging path to select one or the other imaging path. If the print path where no print media is present is non-reflective, it is not necessary to introduce a shutter into the internal imaging path.

  The external imaging shutter 680 can be electronically controlled or mechanically controlled. In the case of a mechanical shutter, it can be spring-loaded to open naturally, and the print path engages with the print medium when it is present and is mechanically coupled to the shutter. A lever for closing the shutter can be provided. On the other hand, the shutter is spring-loaded so that it closes naturally, and a “nib” that triggers external imaging when the user presses against the tagged surface mechanically couples to the shutter, and when the nib is pressed against the surface, the shutter Can be opened. An electromechanical shutter can consist of a pivot barrier or mirror mechanically coupled to an electromagnet. The electronic shutter can be composed of a liquid crystal device that can electronically switch between a transparent state and an opaque state, or a digital micromirror device that can switch between a reflective state and a deflected state. Although shown as a pivot barrier in FIG. 147, if a mirror rather than a barrier is utilized for the shutter, the shutter can be attached to a normal reflection position in the light path.

If the headroom on the print media is insufficient to accommodate the full field cone, it can be collimated using two mirrors and then the field cone re-expanded. Making the first mirror concave in a direction perpendicular to the surface of the print medium to make the field cone parallel, and then making the second mirror convex in the same direction to re-expand the field cone Can do. Similarly, the second IR illumination source can have a lens that collimates the illumination cone in the same direction. In addition, the second mirror can be tilted at an angle of less than 45 degrees with respect to the surface of the print medium. Also, as shown in FIG. It can also be flattened.
Tilt mirror to reduce headroom : the influence of ambient light entering the tag sensor via the external light path while imaging the print media is affected by the exposure time, IR filter response and its external light path to the host device Is a function of the configuration. For example, if the external light path exits from the top of the host device, the external light path will encounter a bright light source such as the sun within its field of view.

If ambient light is a problem, the external light path can be closed with a shutter while the print medium is imaged. This can be achieved in the manner described above. Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 149 and 150, pivot mirrors can be used to multiplex the light path between external and internal imaging.
Multiplexed tag sensor in external imaging mode with pivot mirror : FIG. 149 shows a tag sensor with a pivot mirror 681 arranged for external imaging, while FIG. 150 shows that the pivot mirror is an internal image. Fig. 2 shows a tag sensor arranged for conversion.

The mirror can be electronically or mechanically controlled. In the case of a mechanical mirror, it can be spring-loaded so that it is naturally located at the external imaging position, and the print path engages with the print media if present in the path, and the mirror A lever can be provided that is mechanically coupled to and pivots the mirror to the internal imaging position. Conversely, the mirror is spring-loaded so that it is naturally positioned at the internal imaging position, and the “nib” that triggers external imaging when the user presses against the tagged surface is mechanically coupled to the mirror. It is also possible for the mirror to pivot to an external imaging position when pressed against the surface. The mirror can also be coupled to an electromagnet that is activated to perform internal or external imaging. The electronic mirror can be composed of a digital micromirror device that can switch between an internal imaging reflection state and an external imaging reflection state.
Multiplex tag sensor in internal imaging mode with pivot mirror : The figure shows the same face of the pivot mirror used for both internal and external imaging, as already explained In addition, if a pivot mirror is required to collimate the field cone during internal imaging, the surface of the external imaging mirror is flattened and the surface of the internal imaging mirror is perpendicular to the surface of the print media. Concave in the direction, both sides of the pivot mirror can be used for two imaging modes.

  Each of these configurations can utilize a monochromatic CMOS image sensor with an electronic shutter or a CCD image sensor with an intrinsic shutter.

Alternative Embodiment—Personal Digital Assistant The present invention can also be embodied in many other shape factors, the PDA shown in FIGS. 151-160 being one of them. The increased functionality of mobile phones means that there is no significant difference between PDAs and mobile phones, but PDAs generally define different markets and different sets of requirements. Still different from mobile phones. For example, mobile telephones are usually small enough to allow users to carry them in their pockets and are used primarily for voice communications and short text messages. Functions like PDA (contact and appointment management, etc.) can be provided, but the screen size is small (because the shape factor is small), and control interface options are limited (similar to size issues) Therefore, it is not as convenient as a full-size PDA with a large screen and (often) a touch screen input function.

  The present invention can be embodied in PDA 300. The PDA 300 shares many features and components with the mobile phone described above, and these shared components are shown with similar reference number displays. The major difference between the PDA 300 and the mobile phone 1 is that the print cartridge 148 is placed horizontally near the top of the PDA, rather than vertically along one side as in the case of a mobile phone ( As best shown in FIGS. 154 and 158). The cartridge 148 may be exactly the same as the cartridge with the same media drive option used for mobile phones. Alternatively, the print width of the cartridge 148 can be made larger by taking advantage of the wide width of the PDA (and the advantages of the total space provided by the size of the PDA).

  Referring to FIG. 160, PDA 300 differs from a mobile telephone in that it also provides a replaceable cassette 302 that holds a stack 304 of print media. The print media can be the same size and shape as described above for use in a mobile phone, or it can be a larger or smaller media of different width or material. It is also possible to have different encoded data or print the advertising material in advance. However, this description assumes that the media size is the same size as that used for the mobile phone embodiments described above.

  As best shown in FIG. 160, the cassette 302 includes a bottom mold 306, a spring 308, (in a preferred embodiment) a stack of 20 sheets of print media 304 and a top mold 310. The bottom mold 306 includes a clip formation 312 that snaps into a complementary opening 314 formed in the top mold 310. The spring 308 includes a finger 316 that engages the floor of the bottom mold 306 and a support section 318 that engages the media stack 304. The top mold 310 also includes an exit opening 319 through which the print medium can be driven out for printing.

  The PDA has a larger display 138 than the mobile phone, and any suitable display technology such as OLED or TFT can be used. It is particularly preferred that the PDA incorporates a touch-sensitive display (or display overlay) that allows the user to interact with icons and other information displayed on the display.

  Referring to FIGS. 155 and 156, the Netpage sensor of PDA 300 is a modified version of the structure described in connection with FIG. 145, and corresponding functions are shown using similar number displays. According to this specific structure, the mirrors 673 and 674 shown in FIG. 145 can be removed. When reading a tag from a print medium in a cassette, an image is captured from the top printed print medium on the top of the stack. When the preceding print media is removed from the cartridge for printing and the subsequent individual print media is exposed, the tags on the print media are read.

Netpage Camera Phone Both a photo printing as a Netpage and a camera incorporating a Netpage printer are incorporated herein by cross reference, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, WO 00/71353 (NPA035) “Method and Claimed in “System for Printing a Photograph” and WO 01/02905 (NPP019) “Digital Camera with Interactive Printer”. As photos are captured and printed using a Netpage digital camera, the camera also continuously stores the photographic images on the network server. The photograph image can then be retrieved using the printed photograph with the Netpage tag as a token.

  A camera-enabled smartphone can be considered a camera with a built-in wireless network connection. When a Netpage printer is incorporated in a camera-enabled smart phone, the camera-enabled smart phone becomes a Netpage camera, as described above.

  Also, if you have a Netpage printer or pen built into your camera-enabled smartphone, you can use that printer or pen to specify a printed Netpage photo and make a printed copy of that photo as described above. Can be requested. The phone retrieves the original photographic image from the network and prints a copy using the built-in Netpage printer. This is done by sending at least the identification of the printed document to the Netpage server. In some cases, this information alone is sufficient to enable retrieval of photos for display or printing. However, in the preferred embodiment, this identification is transmitted with at least the pen / clicker position as deterministic.

  The mobile phone or smartphone Netpage camera can take the form of any of the embodiments described above that incorporate a printer and that incorporate a mobile phone module with a camera. .

Universal Pen Another embodiment of the present invention incorporates a stylus having an inkjet printhead nib.

  In the first embodiment shown in FIGS. 161-178, the mobile device includes a retractable stylus 1000 with an elongated body portion 1002. The body portion 1002 incorporates a recess 1004 for holding the coil splint 1006. A raised nub 1008 is formed on one surface of the body portion 1002 and a raised stop 1010 is formed on the other surface of the body portion 1002.

  Nib cap 1152 is attached to one end of body portion 1002 and includes an ink gallery communicating ink to a print head 1120 coupled to the free end of cap 1126. The print head is preferably an ink jet type print head and may be an ink jet based on a micro-electromechanical system (MEMS), such as the ink jet described in detail elsewhere herein. More preferred. Preferred inkjets based on MEMS use a mechanical actuator to eject the ink, rather than by heating the ink as most ink jet printers currently available. Thus, MEMS-based inkjets consume less power than such printers, making them attractive for use in portable devices where available power is limited. Alternatively, a thermal ink jet printer, also described elsewhere herein, can be used.

  Whatever type of inkjet ejection technology is used, in the preferred form, the ink ejection device (i.e., nozzle) is a partial helix 1370-1380, as best shown in FIGS. 183 and 184. Be placed. December 4, 2002 because this helical structure produces ink dots that are more evenly spaced and more fully cover the width of the stroke, regardless of the orientation of the print head relative to the direction of pen movement. A more satisfactory stroke is obtained than the linear structure disclosed in the cross-reference patent USSN 10 / 309,185 (case number UP08US) of the application. A linear structure is prone to producing strokes with visible stripes when the direction in which the pen moves is substantially parallel to any of the radial lines of the ink ejection device, while the spiral In the case of a structure, the line of the ink ejection device is always perpendicular to the direction of movement across the entire width of the device.

  If the direction of travel is known, an ink ejection device placed along a spiral portion that is substantially parallel to the direction of travel can prevent ink ejection by the device, so the density is non-uniform. It is possible to further suppress the light stripe caused by the existence. This helical structure has more ink ejection devices in the same area as the area of the linear structure, resulting in better silicon utilization and higher stroke density. The spiral structure also includes an additional ink ejection device near the printhead axis when there are two inks, which can further increase the stroke density of selected inks such as black and cyan.

  Although the preferred form of the present invention uses these helical rows of ink ejection devices, the stylus print head 1120 will be described with reference to the different embodiments shown in FIGS. 169-178. These detailed views of the internal workings and assembly of the stylus are different implementations of the present invention designed to operate in four colors (CMYK) rather than the three colors (CMYK) used by the preferred embodiment of the present invention. Based on form. As already mentioned, the specific number of colors or the structure of the nozzles in the print head is merely a matter of design choice.

  Referring to FIGS. 168-178, the print head 1120 is coupled to an end cap 1126 but mounted on a flexible printed circuit board (PCB) 1144 with control and power contacts 1146.

  The stylus nib 1118 is mounted on the end cap 1126 such that a small amount of axial movement is possible. The axial movement of the stylus nib 1118 is controlled by an integral arm 1148 that is deployed laterally and axially away from the inner end of the stylus to support the land 1184 (see FIG. 170). ing. In use, pressing the stylus against the substrate causes the arm 1148 to curve and retract the stylus. The stylus is preferably formed by injection molding a thermoplastic material, most preferably acetyl. The maximum amount of this movement is typically 0.5 mm, providing some feedback to the user. In addition, the flexibility of the stylus nib allows for some roughness of the substrate surface. It is also possible to fix the stylus nibs as required so that virtually no movement is allowed.

  The nib cap 1152 extends over the end cap 1126, the print head 1120, the PCB 1144, and the stylus nib 1118, and is provided with an opening 1154 from which the free end 1156 of the stylus nib 1118 projects. The shape of the opening 1154 is elliptical, and the print head 1120 can eject ink through this opening below the stylus nib.

  The nib cap 1152 is secured in place by one or more elastic snap action arms 1158 that are integrally formed with its adjacent edges.

  The control circuitry for the ink jet actuator can be arranged in any suitable combination of locations within the device, such as within the print engine controller and / or the print head itself. The on / off switch is preferably controlled so that ink is ejected only when the stylus nib is pressed against the substrate. By pressing the stylus against the substrate, a compressive force is generated on the stylus nib. In this embodiment, the stylus begins to move when a compressive force is generated on the stylus nib and the on / off switch can be activated by that motion, by perceiving the compressive force, or by other means. If the stylus is substantially fixed, the stylus nib movement relative to the rest of the pen cannot be used.

  While the stylus is easiest to use in a particular orientation, it is not particularly important in use, so the stylus can be used to move the nib from the printhead to the paper in any orientation, as shown in FIG. It is configured not to obstruct the ink passage.

  FIG. 168 shows a stylus nib holding the paper in three different orientations indicated by the numbers 1164, 1166 and 1168. FIG. The ink path from the print head is indicated by line 1170. The paper sheet 1164 represents the orientation when the stylus nib is located above the print head, while the paper sheet 1166 represents the orientation when the stylus nib is located below the print head. Yes. The paper sheet 1168 represents the orientation when the stylus nib is located on the printhead surface. As can be seen, the stylus nibs do not interfere with the ink path to the paper in any orientation.

  It will be appreciated that the print engine controller and / or other circuitry associated with the stylus can be designed to adjust one or more characteristics of the ink deposited by the print head 1120. This property may be the amount of ink deposited, the width of the generated line, the color of the deposited ink (in the color cartridge) or any other attribute. Detailed information on this control can be found in cross-referenced USSN 10 / 309,185 (case number UP08 US) filed on Dec. 4, 2002.

  The print head 1120 is mounted on the PCB 1144 and is received in a recess 1176 in the end cap 1126. The print head and recess are both non-circular to assist in proper orientation.

  The stylus nib 1118 is mounted in the slot 1184 of the nib cap 1152 and is held in place by the surface 1190 of the end cap 1126. The cantilever arm 1148 supports the land 1185 and biases the stylus nib outward. The front portion 1186 of the stylus nib is circular in cross section, while the rear portion 1188 has a flat surface 1191 that slides over the surface 1190 of the end cap 1126.

  The stylus nib includes a slot 1181 that extends obliquely along a flat surface 1191. In this embodiment of the invention, print head 1120 includes a rotary capper 1183. The capper can move between a first operating position and a second operating position. In the first position, the ink ejection nozzles of the print head are covered with a cover and are preferably sealed to prevent drying of the ink in the print head and entry of foreign objects or both. In the second position, the ink ejection nozzles of the print head are not covered with the cover, and the print head can be operated. The capper 1183 includes an arm 1185 that engages with the slot 1181. Thus, as the stylus nib moves relative to the print head, the capper 1183 rotates thereby. When the stylus nib is unloaded and fully deployed, the capper is in the first position, and when the stylus nib is depressed, the capper is in the second position. The capper 1183 can incorporate an on / off switch for the print head 1120 so that the print head can be operated only when the capper is in the second operating position. The slot may have an inclined portion for opening and closing the capper and an axially deployed portion where the capper does not move when the stylus nib moves.

  170 to 178 (including 178) show the construction and structure of the print head 1120 and the capper 1183. FIG. The print head 1120 is an assembly of four layers 1302, 1304, 1306 and 1308 of semiconductor material. Layer 1306 is a layer of electrically active semiconductor elements that includes a MEMS ink ejection device 1310. Layer 1306 is constructed using standard semiconductor manufacturing techniques. Layers 1302 and 1304 are electrically inactive in the printhead and provide a path for supplying ink from ink inlet 1182 to ink ejection device 1310. Layer 1308 is also electrically inactive and forms a guard with openings 1320 above the individual ink ejection devices 1310 to allow ejection of ink from the printhead. The material of layers 1302, 1304, and 1308 need not be the same material as that of layer 1306, and need not be a semiconductor, but using the same material avoids problems with the material interface. Also, by using semiconductor materials for all components, the entire assembly can be manufactured using semiconductor manufacturing techniques.

  The print head 1120 has three ink inlets 1182, and the ink ejection devices 1310 are arranged in twelve sets each extending generally radially outward from the center 1300 of the print head. Each of the four radial lines of the ink ejection device 1310 is connected to the same ink inlet. Ink ejection devices connected to the same ink inlet constitute a set of ink ejection devices. The ink ejecting devices 1310 are alternately arranged on both sides of the radial line, so that the radial distance between their centers is narrower. The twelve “lines” of the ink ejection device 1310 are symmetrically arranged at 30 ° intervals around the center 1300 of the print head. It will be appreciated that the number of “lines” of the ink ejection device 1310 can be greater or less than twelve. Similarly, the number of ink inlets 1182 can be more or less than four. The number of lines for each individual ink inlet 1182 is preferably the same. If a single ink is used, the ink inlets need not feed the same number of “lines” of the ink ejection device. Further, the number of nozzles may be different for each color. For example, the number of black ink (if used) nozzles can be greater than the number of other color nozzles.

  Layer 1306 includes tabs 1311 on which a number of sets of electrical control contacts 1312 are provided. Only four contacts are shown for clarity, but depending on the number of ink colors used and depending on the desired degree of control and other requirements for the individual ink ejection device 1310, It will be appreciated that more contacts can exist. The print head is mounted on the PCB 1144 by coupling tabs onto the PCB 1144. The electrical contacts 1312 are engaged with corresponding contacts (not shown) on the PCB 1144. Layer 1306 includes a control circuit for each ink ejection device that controls the device when turned on. However, typically all higher levels of control, such as how many colors of ink to print and how much relative amount, are performed outside the printhead, preferably within the MoPEC integrated circuit. . These higher levels of control are passed to the print head 1120 via contacts 1312. There is preferably at least one set of contacts 1312 for each set of ink ejection devices. However, individual lines or individual ink ejection devices can be made addressable. In the simplest case, it is also possible to simply turn on or off individual sets using control signals.

  As shown in FIG. 177, the print head 1120 has a substantially octagonal profile in plan view, and the tabs 1314 and 1316 are unfolding from the opposing faces of the octagon. Note that tab 1314 is formed of only layers 1302, 1304, and 1306, while tab 1316 is formed of all four layers 1302, 1304, 1306, and 1308. Thus, PCB 1144 can be bonded to layer 1306 without unfolding upward from the top of layer 1308. The octagonal shape with tabs also assists in placing the print head in the recess 1176 in the end cap 1126.

  Also, the capper 1183 is preferably formed of the same semiconductor material as the print head and is mounted on the print head so as to rotate about the print head center 1300. As with the non-electrically active layer, the capper material need not be the same material as the printhead material, and need not be a semiconductor. The capper can be rotated between an open position (see FIG. 177) and a closed position (see FIG. 178). 173 and 176 show the open position, and the closed position is indicated by a dotted outline. The capper 1183 has twelve openings 1318 that expand radially. These openings are sized and arranged so that all ink ejecting devices are free to eject ink from the openings in the open position. In the closed position, the opening 1318 overlaps with the material between the lines of the ink ejection device, and the material of the capper between the opening 1318 and the opening 1318 overlaps with the opening 1320 in the top layer 1308. Therefore, ink does not leak from the print head, and there is no possibility that foreign matter will enter the opening 1320 and interfere with the ink ejection device.

  Opening 1318 is preferably formed in capper 1183 using standard semiconductor etching methods. In the illustrated embodiment, the individual openings correspond to a series of overlapping cylindrical bores whose diameter is a function of the radial distance from the center 1300 of the capper. Alternatively, the opening can be defined by two lines that are radially deployed at a small angle to each other. It will be appreciated that the width of the opening must be increased as the radial distance increases because the outer side of the capper moves more than the inner side as the capper rotates.

  The capper is substantially flat with eight legs 1322 extending downwardly around its lower surface 1326. These legs are equally spaced around the circumference and engage with corresponding slots 1328 formed at the peripheral edge of the upper surface 1329 of the upper layer 1308. The slot is rectangular and the corners inside are rounded. The inner surface 1330 of the slot 1328 and the inner surface of the leg can be arcuate about the printhead center 1300 to ensure that the capper rotates about the central axis 1300. However, this is not essential. In the illustrated embodiment, each octagonal face has a slot 1328, but this is not essential, for example, it is possible to have slots on only every other face. The symmetry of leg 1322 and slot 1328 is also not necessarily essential.

  The capper rotates as the arm 1185 engages the angled slot 1181 in the stylus nib. Capper rotation is ultimately limited by legs 1322 and slots 1328. In order to prevent damage to the capper, print head or stylus nib, the arm 1185 has a narrowed portion 1334. If the stylus nib is pushed too far, the arm 1185 bends around the narrowed portion 1334. Also, guard arms 1336 are provided on both sides of the arm 1185, and also serve to limit rotation. The recess 1176 into which the print head is inserted has an opening in which the guard arm is disposed. If the capper rotates excessively for any reason, the guard arm and the side of the opening are in contact, limiting the rotation before the legs 1322 and the ends of the slots 1328 are in contact.

  It is desirable to drive only the print head only when the stylus nib is pressed against the substrate. The stylus nib can simply close the on / off switch as the stylus nib moves into the pen. Alternatively, a force sensor can be used to measure the amount of force applied to the stylus nib. In this regard, the cantilever arm 1148 can be used directly as an electric force sensor. Alternatively, the inner end of the stylus nib can be applied to the discrete force sensor. When using a force sensor, the force sensor can be used to simply turn the print head on or off, or use a greater force at the ink ejection speed, eg, to obtain a higher ejection speed. It is also possible to control (electronically). The controller can use the perceived force to control other attributes, such as line width, for example. It is also possible to change the state of the on / off switch using the rotation of the capper.

  The print head has different color ink ejection devices arranged radially, which poses a problem in supplying ink to the ejection devices when the different color ink ejection devices are interleaved. In a conventional printer, the ink ejection devices are arranged in parallel rows, so that all the different inks can be supplied to individual rows from one or both ends of the rows. In the case of radial structures that is not possible.

  The back surface of the bottom layer 1302 includes four ink inlets 1182. These ink inlets are approximately half the thickness of the layer 1302 and are formed in an oval shape on the back and continue as a circular opening 1340 to the top surface. In addition, the back surface of the layer 1302 has four grooves 1342, 1344, 1346 and 1348 disposed in the central region. There are a number of holes extending through these layers from layer 1302 (see FIGS. 175 and 176). The lower portion of the lower layer 1302 seals the end cap 1126 so that these grooves define a sealed passage.

  Ink holes 1356, 1358, 1360, 1364, and 1366 supply ink to ink distribution grooves 1350, 1352, 1362, and 1368 that distribute ink to corresponding rows 1370-1380, respectively, of the ink ejection device.

  FIG. 184 shows another alternative structure of the ink ejecting devices 1370 to 1381 shown in FIG. 183. This alternative structure has the same structure as that shown in FIG. 183, but the radius of the alternative structure is 0.5 mm, whereas the radius of the structure shown in FIG. 183 is 0.8 mm. This means that if a wider stroke is not required, it is a more economical design. However, if the direction of motion is known, an ink ejection device that is nominally farther from the printhead axis than the stroke radius, but still within the stroke boundary can be used to contribute to the stalk. Note that the structure shown in FIG. 183 can achieve a more satisfactory stroke than the structure shown in FIG. 184, albeit for a stroke width of less than 0.5 mm.

  Flexibility data, power and ink conduit 1012 is contained in stylus 1000 at the other end of body portion 1002. As best shown in FIG. 167, the conduit 1012 is based on a small piece of flexible membrane 1014 with a copper trace 1016 on one side and a molded membrane 1018 on the other side. Copper trace 1016 includes data and power traces. The molding film 1018 forms three ink passages 1020. The conduit 1012 is folded over itself in a serpentine fashion to allow the body portion 1002 to expand and retract as will be described below.

  The end of the conduit 1012 that is remote from the body portion is connected to the cartridge 148 so that ink, data, and power are supplied to the printhead in the stylus.

  The stylus 1000 is attached so as to move in a telescopic manner within the holder 1022. The holder 1022 is an extension of the cradle 124 and includes an elongated hole 1024 through which the nub 1008 extends and a recess 1026 in which a stop 1010 is disposed. Both the hole 1024 and the recess 1026 are deployed along the holder 1022 so that the nub and the stop can slide inside each when the stylus 1000 is deployed and retracted.

  The stylus holding mechanism 1028 is attached to a snap-fit retainer 1030 formed on the surface of the holder 1022. Complementary snap-in portion 1032 is generally circular in cross section and snaps into retainer 1030 during assembly. The retainer 1030 and the snap-in portion 1032 are configured such that the stylus holding mechanism 1028 can rotate between an open position and a closed position. This will be described in more detail below. The first end of the stylus retention mechanism 1028 includes a stop engagement portion 1034 and the other end includes a stylus release button 1036 and a shaped bias spring 1038 that biases the stylus retention mechanism to a closed position. Yes.

  As best shown in FIG. 161, the tension of the coil spring 1006 holds the stylus 1000 in the retracted position within the device. In this position, the stylus tip is protected from unforeseen obstacles and impacts that may be encountered when not in use. The stop 1010 is located in the recess of the stop engaging portion 1034 so that the end of the stylus retention mechanism 1028 can be located in a relatively same plane as the exterior of the device.

  When the stylus needs to be deployed, the user places his finger or thumb on the nub 1008 and slides the stylus 1000 telescopically toward the deployed position shown in FIG. 163 against the tension of the coil spring 1006. As the stylus 1000 moves toward the deployed position, the sloped surface (not shown) of the stop 1010 and the stop engaging portion 1034 engages, and the stop engaging portion 1034 is biased as shown in FIG. Forced to pivot away from body portion 1002 against a bias of 1038.

  Eventually, the edge of the stop engagement portion 1034 passes through the stop 1010 so that the stop engagement portion 1034 can snap back to the body portion 1002. The user can then release the nub 1008 and move the stylus 1000 in the retracted direction under the tension of the coil spring 1006 until the stop 1010 and the stop engaging portion 1034 are engaged. The stylus is then held in the deployed position while the user is using the stylus to create or depict the document, as shown in FIG.

  To retract the stylus 1000, the user pushes down the stylus release button 1036 and pivots the stylus retention mechanism 1028 around the snap-in portion 1032. As the stylus retention mechanism 1028 pivots, the stop engagement portion 1034 lifts the clear of the stop 1010. The stylus 1000 can then freely retract under the tension of the coil spring 1006 until it returns to its original position shown in FIG.

  Conduit 1012 provides a compact way of supplying ink, data and power to the stylus and still allows the retract mechanism to function.

  In the second embodiment shown in FIGS. 179-181 (similar reference number indications represent features corresponding to those of the embodiment described above), the stylus 1000 is mounted on a cartridge 148. Yes. Unlike the embodiment described above, the stylus shown in FIGS. 179 through 181 does not feature a retracting mechanism. Instead, the stylus is attached directly to a cartridge 148 that supplies ink and data to the stylus.

  As best shown in FIG. 181, the cartridge includes three side ducts 1040, 1041, 1042 that are in fluid communication with the ink reservoirs of the cartridge via passages 1043, 1044, 1045. Each of the side ducts includes a bore 1046 that is filled with a wicking compound plug 1048 that assists in withdrawing ink from the cartridge as needed. The duct cover 1050 covers the side duct and provides a sealed passage through which ink can flow from the cartridge toward the print head chip.

  Ink is dispensed to the printhead chip in a manner similar to that described in connection with the previous embodiment, even though it is provided directly from the cartridge rather than along the conduit. Power and data are provided from the MoPEC integrated circuit to the printhead chip via a flexible PCB 1052.

  As shown in FIG. 182, any embodiment may include an optional modular Netpage device that incorporates an infrared LED 1054, associated optics 1056, and a CCD (not shown). This Netpage device functions similarly to the Netpage device described elsewhere in this specification, but has the advantage of being integrated into the cradle. This means that the entire assembly (cradle, stylus, Netpage device) can be provided to the manufacturer without the need for multiple additional assembly steps for insertion into the mobile device.

M-Print Applications Printing cards from mobile devices using the M-Print system has a vast array of applications in many different areas. For the sake of brevity, a detailed description of these applications is omitted herein. However, to provide some of the overall context for the M-Print system, some of its application areas are listed below. Naturally, this is not an exhaustive list, but merely an indication of its diversity.

  The target application may be remote from the phone. For example, an e-commerce application claimed in WO 00/72242 (NPA 002) “Method and System for Online Purchasing” uses a preferred embodiment of a mobile phone to print a print catalog or advertisement. By specifying an entry, the user can add items to the shopping cart. The e-commerce application can also print receipts via a telephone printer and communicate with a mobile telephone using a telephone Netpage pen (or via, for example, a Bluetooth ™ wireless transmitter and receiver). Signing the receipt (using a separate pen) can also allow the user to approve the transaction.

  When a phone knows its location via a built-in GPS receiver or via a mobile network mechanism, it reports its location to selected applications and allows these applications to provide location-specific services. Can do. For example, if a user specifies a printed advertising product with a movie discount offer printed on the product label, the phone can print a certificate valid at a nearby theater. The term “certificate” is very widely used and can include all kinds of commercial documents. Accordingly, the “certificate” includes a print medium on which advertisements, discount coupons, special offer coupons, etc. that have not been solicited in any specific form are placed.

  For example, suppose a user visiting a strange town decides to go to an Italian restaurant. Using his mobile device, the user opens a web page where he can look up restaurants, prices, dishes and reviews close to the user's current location. Using a local browser application, web pages can be remotely hosted and searched, or a remote database of related information can be searched and provided to the user. A local Italian restaurant conducting promotional activities is selected and a certificate discounting 10% of the meal bill is printed using a printer built into the mobile device. Alternatively (or in addition) it is possible to print a map showing the address of the restaurant and the direction from the user's current location.

  The target application may also be local to the phone. For example, the dialing application claimed in WO 01/41413 (NPA060) “Method and System for Telephone Control” can be specified by specifying an entry in a printed address book or telephone directory. A dial number can be called by the user. A user can use a Netpage clicker or sensor to place a phone number or email on a printed document (which can itself be a printed card created by the phone or another user's phone). Select an address. If a phone number is selected, the mobile phone can either display the number on the display or simply call the number directly, with no confirmation step, so that the number to be called can be confirmed at any time. it can. Alternatively, it is possible to provide the user with a choice of communication type to perform based on the number. By giving options, for example, a short text message can be sent to the user via SMS, the user can be called, or a voice mail can be sent. Similarly, if an e-mail address is specified using a mobile phone, the e-mail for that address can be opened and the user can enter text at any time or add an attachment. If a sentence is created on a suitable surface (eg Netpage notepad or sticky note) using a Netpage pen, the last sentence created will automatically be sent to the email sent to the selected email address Can be inserted.

  WO01 / 22358 pamphlet (NPA024) "Business Card as Electronic Mail Token" and WO01 / 22357 pamphlet (NPA025) "Busness Card as Electronic Mail Authorization Token" The business card application allows the user to print a Netpage business card for presentation to others and is presented to others using automatic insertion of contact details into the user's local or network-based address book. The Netpage business card can be scanned by the user. The business card application may be a local application and a remote application. When it is purely a local application, the business card presented is simply a single use to retrieve contact details directly from the presenter's phone, for example, via a direct Bluetooth ™ (or infrared) connection Can be used as an authorization token.

  In related applications, schedule information stored in a telephone or PDA memory or remote server can be printed on the card. The user can select from the options such as the “Things To Do Today” list, a summary of all tasks for the next week's appointments, ie a list of pending tasks. All forms of tasks, reminders, calendars and related functions can be printed on the card. The phone or PDA also enters schedule information into the device using the Netpage pointer built into the device (or using a separate Netpage pen that communicates with the device via, for example, Bluetooth ™). It is also possible to configure the input template for each day, week or month to be printed.

In either case, the data being printed by the printer in the device can be stored locally on the device itself or downloaded from a remote server. Also, if the Netpage pointer or pen is built into the device (or if the Netpage pointer or pen can communicate individually through the device), the card printed by that device will interact with the Netpage pen or pointer. can do.
A mobile device with a connection history printer can be used to print the connection history associated with the device. The connection history includes any voice or data related information related to the transmission or reception of voice, data, text, images or sounds, and any connection related to communication of any type of these types of data. Audio or data related information is included.

  For example, the user can cause the mobile device to print a list of up to 10 voice calls originated by the device. Alternatively, the user can print the last call received by the device or all calls that could not be answered during the last 24 hours.

  If the mobile device is provided with Netpage clicker or pen functionality (either via the built-in clicker / pen or via an external Netpage enabled device communicating with the device via a wired or wireless link) Anyway, the printed connection history information can interact in a useful way. For example, by selecting a call in the list that could not be placed, the phone number associated with the contact is dialed or at least displayed on the display of the mobile device, so the user can Can be recorded or dialed. Alternatively, by selecting a message from the printed “Sent messages” list, the selected message is displayed on the display of the device and further printed by the device for further examination.

Netpage Tag Pattern Printing The preferred embodiment shown in the accompanying figures operates on the basis that a Netpage tag pattern can be pre-printed on a card. Preprinting the tag pattern means that the print head does not require a storage container for nozzles or IR ink. Therefore, the design is simplified and the overall shape factor is reduced. However, the M-Print system includes mobile devices that print a Netpage tag pattern simultaneously with a visual image. For this purpose, a print head IC for adding a row of nozzles for ejecting IR ink is required. A large number of patents and co-pending applications of the assignee disclose in detail all color printheads with IR ink nozzles (see, for example, 11 / 014,769 filed on Dec. 20, 2004 (Case Summary). No. RRC001US)).

  There are many options for the mobile device to access the required tag data to generate a bitmap image that forms the Netpage tag pattern for the card. In one option, coding for individually identifying each of the plurality of tags in the pattern is downloaded from a remote server as needed for individual print jobs. As an optional variation of this, the remote Netpage server can provide the mobile device with the minimum amount of data needed to generate the code for the tag pattern prior to each print job. According to this variant, less data is transferred between the mobile device and the server, thus reducing the delay before the print job.

  In yet another alternative, each of the print cartridges includes a memory that includes a page identifier sufficient for its card print capacity. Thus, the mobile device must report all used page identifiers to the server, but any communication with the server prior to printing is avoided. Reporting to the server can be done before printing, during printing or after printing. The mobile device can report graphics and / or interactive content printed on the media to the Netpage server, thereby allowing subsequent playback of the media content and / or interaction with the media content. Yes.

  Other options exist such as periodic download of page identifiers, and the M-Print system can be easily modified to print Netpage tags with visual bitmap images. However, pre-coding the card is a convenient way to authenticate the media and avoid the need for an IR ink reservoir and can make the design more compact.

CONCLUSION The present invention has been described with reference to a number of specific embodiments. Where the invention is claimed as a method, it will be understood that the invention may be defined as an apparatus or system claim and vice versa. The assignee reserves the right to file other applications claiming these additional aspects of the invention.

  It is also an aspect of the present invention that the assignee reserves the right to subject future divisional and continuation applications as appropriate for various combinations of unclaimed features.

1 is a schematic diagram illustrating module interaction in a printer / mobile phone. 6 is a schematic diagram illustrating module interaction in a tag sensor / mobile phone. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating module interaction in a printer / tag sensor / mobile phone. Fig. 4 is a more detailed schematic diagram illustrating the architecture within the mobile telephone shown in Fig. 3; 5 is a more detailed schematic diagram illustrating the architecture within the mobile phone module shown in FIG. 5 is a more detailed schematic diagram illustrating the architecture within the printer module shown in FIG. 5 is a more detailed schematic diagram illustrating the architecture within the tag sensor module shown in FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating the architecture within a tag decoder module for use in place of the tag sensor module shown in FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a “candy bar” type mobile telephone embodiment of the present invention; FIG. FIG. 10 is a partially cutaway front and bottom perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a partially cut back and bottom perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 10 is a front view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 9 with a card being supplied to the media entry slot. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 12. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA of FIG. 12 with the card coming out of the media outlet slot of the mobile phone. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a first operation mode of MoPEC. 2 is a schematic diagram showing a second operation mode of MoPEC. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating hardware components of a MoPEC device. It is a simple UML diagram of a page element. 2 is a top perspective view of a cradle assembly and piezoelectric drive system. FIG. FIG. 6 is a bottom perspective view of the cradle assembly and piezoelectric drive system. FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of a print cartridge loaded on a cradle assembly. FIG. 5 is a bottom perspective view of the print cartridge removed from the cradle assembly. It is a perspective view of a print cartridge and a cradle assembly provided with a DC motor having a diameter of 6 mm. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a print cartridge and cradle assembly including a DC motor having a diameter of 8 mm and a magnetic encoder. It is a figure which shows the structure of FIG. 24 except an alternative gear drive train. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cradle assembly with a 6 mm diameter DC motor with a print cartridge and worm gear transmission. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cradle assembly including an 8 mm diameter DC motor with a print cartridge and worm gear transmission. 1 is a perspective view of a print cartridge for an M-Print device. FIG. FIG. 29 is an exploded perspective view of the print cartridge shown in FIG. 28. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of an alternative print cartridge. FIG. 31 is an exploded top perspective view of the print cartridge shown in FIG. 30. FIG. 31 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the print cartridge shown in FIG. 30. FIG. 31 is a longitudinal sectional view of the print cartridge shown in FIG. 30. FIG. 31 is a cross-sectional view of the print cartridge shown in FIG. 30 as viewed from the left side. FIG. 31 is a partial cross-sectional view of the print cartridge shown in FIG. 30 with a full ink reservoir as viewed from the right. FIG. 31 is a partial cross-sectional view of the print cartridge shown in FIG. 30 with an empty ink storage container, viewed from the right side. FIG. 10 is an exploded top perspective view of another alternative print cartridge. FIG. 38 is an exploded bottom perspective view of the print cartridge shown in FIG. 37. FIG. 6 is a partially enlarged view of the bottom surface of the housing showing the ink balancing duct between the outlets. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram of a fusible link on a printhead IC. It is a circuit diagram of a single fuse cell. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an outline of connection to a print head IC and MoPEC. 43 is a schematic diagram showing a relationship between a nozzle row and a dot shift register in the CMOS block shown in FIG. 44 is a more detailed schematic diagram showing the relationship between the unit cell and the nozzle row and dot shift register shown in FIG. FIG. 6 is a circuit diagram illustrating logic for a single printhead nozzle. 6 is a schematic diagram showing physical positions of odd-numbered nozzle rows and even-numbered nozzle rows. 2 is a partially enlarged perspective view of a print head IC. FIG. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of a single nozzle for ejecting ink in a stationary state. FIG. 49 is a longitudinal sectional view of the nozzle shown in FIG. 48 during the initial drive phase. FIG. 49 is a longitudinal sectional view of the nozzle shown in FIG. 48 in a later driving phase. It is a fragmentary perspective longitudinal cross-section in the drive state shown in FIG. 50 of the nozzle shown in FIG. FIG. 49 is a perspective longitudinal sectional view of the nozzle shown in FIG. 48 from which ink is omitted. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the nozzle shown in FIG. FIG. 50 is a partial perspective longitudinal sectional view of the nozzle shown in FIG. 48 in the driving state shown in FIG. 49. It is a top view of the nozzle shown in FIG. FIG. 49 is a plan view of the nozzle shown in FIG. 48 with the lever arm and movable nozzle removed for clarity. FIG. 49 is a perspective longitudinal sectional view showing a part of a print head chip incorporating a plurality of nozzle structures of the type shown in FIG. 48. FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view along the ink chamber of a single bubble forming type nozzle with bubbles concentrating around the heater element. It is a figure which shows the bubble which grows in the nozzle shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the further growth of the bubble in the nozzle shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows formation of the ink droplet ejected from the nozzle shown in FIG. FIG. 59 is a diagram showing desorption of ejected ink droplets and bubble collapse in the nozzle shown in FIG. 58. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the longitudinal insertion of the print cartridge into the cradle assembly. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a print cartridge inserted into a cradle assembly. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the print cartridge showing uncapping and capping of the print head. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the print cartridge showing uncapping and capping of the print head. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the print cartridge showing uncapping and capping of the print head. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the print cartridge showing uncapping and capping of the print head. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the print cartridge showing uncapping and capping of the print head. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the print cartridge showing uncapping and capping of the print head. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the print cartridge showing uncapping and capping of the print head. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the print cartridge showing uncapping and capping of the print head. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the print cartridge showing uncapping and capping of the print head. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view along the print cartridge showing uncapping and capping of the print head. FIG. 77B is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view of an end portion of the print cartridge indicated by a dotted line in FIG. 77B. It is the same sectional view in which the lock mechanism rotated to the lock position. FIG. 5 is an end view of the print cartridge with a portion of the card along the feed path. FIG. 77B is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the print cartridge taken along line AA in FIG. 77A. FIG. 3 is a partially enlarged perspective view of one end portion of a print cartridge in which a capper is located at a cap position. FIG. 4 is a partially enlarged perspective view of one end portion of a print cartridge in which a capper is located at a non-cap position. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative print cartridge showing the drive of the capper by a force transmission mechanism. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative print cartridge showing the drive of the capper by a force transmission mechanism. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative print cartridge showing the drive of the capper by a force transmission mechanism. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative print cartridge showing the drive of the capper by a force transmission mechanism. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative print cartridge showing the drive of the capper by a force transmission mechanism. FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing a marking nib version of a cartridge / cradle assembly. FIG. 88 is an illustration of the assembly of FIG. 85 with the nib mechanism disassembled. FIG. 89 is an illustration of the assembly of FIG. 86 with the cartridge separated from the cradle. FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of another print cartridge in which print data is optically transmitted to a print head. FIG. 89 is a cross-sectional view along the cartridge of FIG. 88 showing an LED beacon for generating a modulated IR signal. FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway perspective view showing an LED beacon and a light sensor on the print head. FIG. 4 shows media coding for “backside” of a card with individual clock tracks and data tracks. 1 is a block diagram of an M-Print system using a medium with separate clock tracks and data tracks. FIG. It is a simple circuit diagram of an optical encoder. FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a MoPEC with a clock input and a data input. FIG. 93 is a block diagram of an optional edge detector and page sync generator for the M-Print system shown in FIG. 92. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of MoPEC using a medium having a pilot sequence for generating a page sync signal in a data track. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating the position of an encoder along a media feed path. It is a figure which shows the "back surface" of the card | curd provided with the self-clocking data track. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a decoder for a self-timed data track. FIG. 3 is a block diagram of phase locked loop synchronization of a dual clock track sensor. FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a dual phase locked loop signal in different media feeding phases. It is a figure which shows the "back surface" of the card | curd provided with the surface and the orientation label | marker. It is a figure which shows the "back surface" of the card | curd provided with the removable strip. It is a figure which shows the card | curd from which the removable strip was removed from the card proper. It is a figure which shows the "back side" and additional surface of a card | curd from which the removable strip was removed, and an orientation label | marker. It is a figure which shows the card | curd with which the corner was provided with the strip which can be removed. It is a figure which shows the card | curd from which the removable strip was removed from the card proper. It is a figure which shows the card | curd provided with the data track of the horizontal direction in the front edge of the removable strip. 2 is a detailed physical diagram of a Memjet printhead IC with an integral image sensor for reading a lateral data track. FIG. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a dual drive shaft version of a cartridge cradle assembly. FIG. 111 is a front view of the assembly shown in FIG. 110. FIG. 111 is a side view of the assembly shown in FIG. 110. FIG. 111 is a plan view of the assembly shown in FIG. 110. FIG. 114 is a cross-sectional view of the cartridge taken along AA in FIG. 113. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an encoder-drive-printhead configuration. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a drive-encoder-printhead configuration. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an encoder-printhead drive configuration. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an encoder-drive-printhead drive configuration. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an encoder-drive-printhead encoder configuration. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating a drive-encoder-printhead drive configuration. It is a block diagram of a Kip encoding layer. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a Kip frame structure. 4 is a schematic diagram showing an encoded frame with an explicit time. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an encoded frame along with an implied time. It is a figure which shows the space which is Kip coding mark and 2 dots width normally. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an extended Kip frame structure. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing data symbols and redundant symbols in a Reed-Solomon code word layout. FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating interleaving of data symbols of a Reed-Solomon codeword. FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating interleaving of redundant symbols of a Reed-Solomon codeword. It is a figure which shows the structure of a single Netpage tag. It is a figure which shows the structure of the single symbol in a Netpage tag. FIG. 6 shows an array of nine adjacent symbols. It is a figure which shows the order of the bit in a symbol. FIG. 6 shows a single Netpage tag with all bits set. It is a figure which shows the tag group of four tags. It is a figure which shows the tag group repeated with a continuous tile pattern. It is a figure which shows the continuous tile pattern of the tag group which has four different tag types, respectively. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an overview of the architecture of a Netpage enabled mobile phone in a wider Netpage system. It is a figure which shows the outline | summary of the architecture of the mobile telephone microserver as a relay between a stylus and a Netpage server. 1 is a perspective view showing a Netpage-enabled mobile phone with a back mold removed. FIG. FIG. 141 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the phone shown in FIG. 140 with a portion of a Netpage clicker sectioned. 1 is a system level diagram of a Jupiter monolithic integrated circuit. FIG. It is a simple circuit diagram of a Ganymede image sensor and an analog-digital converter. It is a figure which shows the basic composition of a two-dimensional tag sensor. FIG. 4 illustrates a possible configuration of a multiplexed tag sensor with a dual light path and a single image sensor. FIG. 145 is a diagram showing a modification of the tag sensor shown in FIG. 145. It is a figure which shows the deformation | transformation aspect of the tag sensor shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the deformation | transformation aspect of the tag sensor shown in FIG. FIG. 2 shows a multiplexed tag sensor with a pivot mirror for an internal image or an external image. FIG. 2 shows a multiplexed tag sensor with a pivot mirror for an internal image or an external image. 1 is a front view of a personal data assistant (PDA) embodiment. FIG. FIG. 159 is a front perspective view of the PDA shown in FIG. 151 with media popping out of the exit slot. FIG. 159 is a front perspective view of the PDA shown in FIG. 151 with the medium popping out of the exit slot and the Netpage pointer deployed. It is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of PDA taken along AA of FIG. FIG. 152 is a partial perspective rear perspective view of the PDA shown in FIG. 151. FIG. 153 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional partial perspective view of the PDA shown in FIG. 151. FIG. 6 is a rear perspective view of the PDA with the media cartridge removed. FIG. 158 shows the PDA of FIG. 157 with the back mold removed. 159 is an enlarged back and bottom perspective view of the PDA shown in FIG. 158. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of a medium cartridge. FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the cartridge of the structure by which a universal pen is located in a retracted position. It is a perspective view which shows the cartridge of the structure by which the universal pen is expand | deployed to the non-locking position. It is a perspective view which shows the cartridge of the structure by which the universal pen is expand | deployed to the lock position. It is a disassembled perspective view of the cartridge provided with the universal pen. It is a fragmentary perspective view which shows the pen TAB film connected to the main cartridge TAB film. It is an end view which shows the nozzle pattern of the nib part of a pen. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view along the flexible conduit for data, power and ink to the stylus. FIG. 5 shows a stylus nib in contact with a substrate at three different angles. It is an exploded top perspective view of a stylus nib. It is an exploded bottom perspective view of a stylus nib. It is a top view of a nib print head. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a nib print head with a capper in an open position. It is a perspective view of the nib print head in which a capper is located in a closed position. It is an axial sectional view of a nib print head. It is a bottom perspective view of the nib print head. It is a bottom perspective view of the nib print head. It is an exploded top perspective view of a nib print head. FIG. 4 shows layers of electroactive semiconductor elements in a nib print head. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a stylus nib print head and cartridge assembly with a stylus attached to the cartridge. FIG. 5 is a partially enlarged perspective view of the cut end of the cartridge showing the ink connection to the stylus nib. 179 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 179; FIG. 179 is a perspective view of the assembly shown in FIG. 179 with optional IR LED and CCD light sensor. FIG. FIG. 6 shows a first alternative structure of nozzles on the nib print head. FIG. 6 shows a second alternative structure of nozzles on the nib print head.

Claims (1048)

A method of accessing at least one electronic connection address using a mobile device and an interactive printed document containing human readable information and machine readable encoded data comprising:
The mobile device is
A transceiver configured to transmit and receive signals via a wireless telecommunications network;
Perceptual means,
Decryption means,
The method comprises
(A) perceiving at least a portion of the encoded data using the perceptual means while the mobile device is being used to physically interact with the printed document;
(B) transmitting instruction data to a remote computer system using the transceiver;
(C) using the transceiver to receive at least one electronic connection address in response to the instruction data;
(D) outputting the at least one connection address in a human readable manner.   The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device comprises an integral printer, and step (d) includes printing the at least one connection address on a print medium using the printer.   The method of claim 2, wherein the mobile device comprises a display, and step (d) includes displaying the at least one connection address on the display. The mobile device further comprises a user interface, and the method is performed following step (d),
(E) receiving at least one user selection from the at least one connection address displayed on the display via the user interface;
And (f) establishing a connection with the selected at least one connection address via the transceiver and the mobile telecommunications network.   5. The selected at least one connection address is a telephone number, and step (f) comprises establishing a telephone connection between the mobile device and the at least one connection address. Method.   The method of claim 5, wherein the telephone connection is a voice connection.   The method of claim 5, wherein the telephone connection is an audiovisual connection. The mobile device further comprises a user interface, and the method is performed subsequent to step (d),
(E) receiving at least one user selection from the at least one connection address displayed on the display via the user interface;
(D) transmitting information to the at least one connection address or causing the information to be transmitted by establishing a connection with the selected at least one connection address via the transceiver and the mobile device; The method of claim 3 comprising:   The method of claim 1, wherein the encoded data represents an identification of the print medium.   The method of claim 9, wherein the encoded data indicates at least one position relative to the print medium.   The method of claim 1, wherein the encoded data represents an object.   The method of claim 11, wherein the encoded data represents an electronic address of the object. The electronic connection address is
e-mail address,
Fax number,
phone number,
Network address,
URL
The method of claim 1, comprising one or more of the following.   The method of claim 1, wherein the mobile device comprises a printer, and the method includes printing the connection address on a print medium. Determining a connection between the connection address printed on the print medium or the connection address to be printed on the print medium;
15. The method of claim 14, further comprising transmitting to the remote computer system for storing data representative of the relationship.   The method of claim 14, wherein the print medium is a card.   The method of claim 14, wherein the mobile device stores one or more templates for use in generating an image to be printed and the image incorporates a human-readable connection address.   The mobile device is configured to access a remote computer system for downloading one or more templates for use in generating an image to be printed, and the image incorporates a human readable connection address. 15. The method of claim 14, wherein A method for enabling interaction with a printed schedule document using a mobile device comprising a sensory means, a processing means and a transceiver, the schedule document being human readable first schedule Comprising information and machine-readable encoded data, the method comprising:
(A) perceiving at least a portion of the encoded data using the perceptual means while a user uses the mobile device to physically interact with the schedule document;
(B) decoding at least a part of the perceived encoded data using the processing means, and generating instruction data based on the decoded encoded data;
(C) using the transceiver to transmit the instruction data to a remote computer system via a wireless telecommunications network;
(D) using the transceiver to receive response data transmitted in response to the instruction data from the computer system;
(E) generating a layout based on response data representing other schedule information using the processing means;
(F) outputting the layout in human readable form.   The method of claim 19, wherein the mobile device further comprises a display, and the method includes outputting the layout by displaying on the display.   The method of claim 19, wherein the mobile device further comprises a printer, and the method includes outputting the layout by printing using the printer.   The mobile device further comprises a printer controller, and the method processes the layout using the printer controller to generate dot data and supplies the dot data to be printed to the printer. The method of claim 21, comprising steps.   21. The method of claim 20, wherein the mobile device further comprises a printer, and the method includes outputting the layout by printing using the printer.   The mobile device further comprises a printer controller, and the method processes the layout using the printer controller to generate dot data and supplies the dot data to be printed to the printer. 24. The method of claim 23, comprising steps. A print medium comprises a linearly encoded data track evolving in an intended print direction, the mobile device comprising:
A sensor configured to perceive the data track while printing the dot data;
A print head for printing on the print medium in response to an ejection control signal;
25. Mobile device according to claim 24, comprising injection control means connected to generate the injection control signal based on a perceived data track.   26. The mobile device of claim 25, further comprising a light emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is perceiving the data track during printing.   27. The mobile device of claim 26, wherein the data track is printed using infrared ink, the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum, and the light sensor is sensitive to the infrared spectrum.   26. The data track is a clock track that includes only a clock code, and the injection control means is configured to generate the injection control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from a perceived data track. The mobile device described in.   The data track includes first information including an embedded clock signal, and the injection control means is configured to generate the injection control signal in the form of a clock signal derived from a perceived data track; 26. A mobile device according to claim 25.   The first information represents at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, and the mobile device controls operation of the print head based at least in part on at least one of the physical characteristics. 30. The mobile device of claim 29, configured.   26. The apparatus of claim 25, configured to use the perceived data track to determine an absolute position of the print medium relative to the print head and to print on the print medium utilizing the determination. Mobile devices.   The data track further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data encoding second information, wherein the first information represents the second information. 32. The mobile device of claim 31, wherein the mobile device is configured to print on the print medium such that a predetermined registration exists between data being printed and the second encoded data. .   33. The mobile device of claim 32, configured to receive information representative of the predetermined registration from a remote computer system via the transceiver.   The data track further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data encoding second information, wherein the first information represents the second information. 32. The mobile device of claim 31, wherein the mobile device is configured to determine a registration between data being printed and the second encoded data.   35. The mobile device of claim 34, configured to send the determined registration to the remote computer system via the transceiver. A transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals via a wireless telecommunications network;
A processor for processing the schedule data and generating dot data representing a visible layout of the schedule data;
A mobile device comprising: a printer configured to receive the dot data and print the received dot data on a print medium.   37. The mobile device of claim 36, wherein the printer is configured to print encoded data on the print medium along with the visual layout represented by the dot data.   40. The mobile device of claim 36, configured to receive the schedule data from the remote computer system via the remote communication network using the transceiver.   40. The mobile device of claim 38, configured to send a request to the remote computer system using the transceiver, wherein the request identifies the schedule data received in response to the request.   41. The mobile device of claim 40, wherein the encoded data represents an identification of a document that includes the schedule data. A print medium comprises a linearly encoded data track evolving in an intended print direction, the mobile device comprising:
A sensor configured to perceive the data track while printing the dot data;
A print head for printing on the print medium in response to an ejection control signal;
41. Mobile device according to claim 40, comprising injection control means connected to generate the injection control signal based on a perceived data track.   42. The mobile device of claim 41, further comprising a light emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is perceiving the data track during printing.   43. The mobile device of claim 42, wherein the data track is printed using infrared ink, the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum, and the light sensor is sensitive to the infrared spectrum.   The data track is a clock track that includes only a clock code, and the injection control means is configured to generate the injection control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the perceived data track. 41. A mobile device according to 41.   The data track includes first information including an embedded clock signal, and the ejection control means is configured to generate the ejection control signal in the form of a clock signal derived from the perceived data track. 42. A mobile device according to claim 41.   The first information represents at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, and the mobile device controls operation of the print head based at least in part on at least one of the physical characteristics. 46. The mobile device of claim 45, configured.   42. The apparatus of claim 41, configured to use the perceived data track to determine an absolute position of the print medium relative to the print head and to print on the print medium utilizing the determination. Mobile devices.   The data track further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data encoding second information, wherein the first information represents the second information. 48. The mobile device of claim 47, wherein the mobile device is configured to print on the print medium such that a predetermined registration exists between data being printed and the second encoded data. .   49. The mobile device of claim 48, configured to receive information representative of the predetermined registration from a remote computer system via the transceiver.   The data track further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data encoding second information, wherein the first information represents the second information. 48. The mobile device of claim 47, wherein the mobile device is configured to determine a registration between data being printed and the second encoded data.   51. The mobile device of claim 50, configured to send the determined registration to a remote computer system via the transceiver. A mobile device for enabling interaction with a printed e-mail document containing human-readable first e-mail information and machine-readable encoded data,
A transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals via a wireless telecommunications network;
Sensory means for perceiving at least a portion of the encoded data while the mobile device is being used to interact with the email document;
Processing means for decoding at least a part of the perceived encoded data and generating instruction data based on the decoded encoded data;
(A) using the transceiver to transmit the instruction data to the remote computer system via the wireless telecommunication network;
(B) using the transceiver to receive response data from the computer system;
(C) using the processing means to generate a layout based on response data representing other electronic mail information; and
(D) A mobile device programmed and configured to output the layout in human readable form.   53. The mobile device of claim 52, further comprising a display, wherein the mobile device is configured to output the layout by displaying on the display.   53. The mobile device of claim 52, further comprising an integral printer, wherein the mobile device is configured to output the layout by printing using the printer.   55. The mobile device of claim 54, further comprising a printer control circuit configured to process the layout to generate dot data and supply the dot data to be printed to the printer.   54. The mobile device of claim 53, further comprising an integral printer, wherein the mobile device is configured to output the layout by printing on a print medium using the printer.   57. The mobile device of claim 56, further comprising a printer control circuit configured to process the layout to generate dot data and supply the dot data to be printed to the printer. The print medium comprises a linear encoded data track evolving in an intended print direction, the mobile device comprising:
A sensor configured to perceive the data track while printing the dot data;
A print head for printing on the print medium in response to an ejection control signal;
58. Mobile device according to claim 57, comprising injection control means connected to generate the injection control signal based on the perceived data track.   59. The mobile device of claim 58, further comprising a light emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is perceiving the data track during printing.   60. The mobile device of claim 59, wherein the data track is printed using infrared ink, the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum, and the light sensor is sensitive to the infrared spectrum.   The data track is a clock track that includes only a clock code, and the injection control means is configured to generate the injection control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the perceived data track. 58. A mobile device according to 58.   The data track includes first information including an embedded clock signal, and the ejection control means is configured to generate the ejection control signal in the form of a clock signal derived from the perceived data track. 59. A mobile device according to claim 58.   The first information represents at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, and the mobile device controls operation of the print head based at least in part on at least one of the physical characteristics. 64. The mobile device of claim 62, configured.   59. The apparatus of claim 58, wherein the perceived data track is configured to determine an absolute position of the print medium relative to the print head and to print on the print medium utilizing the determination. Mobile devices.   The data track further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data encoding second information, wherein the first information represents the second information. 65. The mobile device of claim 64, wherein the mobile device is configured to print on the print medium such that a predetermined registration exists between data being printed and the second encoded data. .   66. The mobile device of claim 65, configured to receive information representative of the predetermined registration from a remote computer system via the transceiver.   The data track further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data encoding second information, wherein the first information represents the second information. The mobile device of claim 64, wherein the mobile device is configured to determine a registration between data being printed and the second encoded data.   68. The mobile device of claim 67, configured to send the determined registration to a remote computer system via the transceiver. (A) an inkjet print head;
(B) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(C) A cartridge for use in a mobile device, comprising a drive mechanism for driving the print medium to the tip of the inkjet print head for printing.   70. The cartridge of claim 69, wherein the drive mechanism is a passive mechanism that engages the print medium and includes a drive shaft for driving the print medium to the tip of the inkjet print head.   A drive roller for rotating the drive shaft, wherein the drive roller is configured to be driven by a complementary drive mechanism in the mobile device when the cartridge is loaded on the mobile device. Item 70. The cartridge according to Item 70.   72. The cartridge of claim 71, wherein the drive roller and the drive shaft are coaxial.   73. A cartridge according to claim 72, wherein the drive shaft is disposed in the print media path upstream of the print head.   A print head having an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, wherein negative hydrostatic ink is directed to the nozzle 70. The cartridge according to claim 69, further comprising an ink storage container individually provided with at least one blotting structure for carrying out and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use. (A) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium. A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
(B) a force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein a force applied by an edge of the medium when the medium moves relative to the feeding path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism; 70. The force transmission mechanism of claim 69, further comprising: a force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before the medium reaches the capper. The print cartridge described. (A) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium. A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
70. The print cartridge of claim 69, further comprising: (b) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until a trailing edge of the media passes through the print head. (A) a capping mechanism provided with a capping mechanism capable of moving between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium. In addition,
70. The print cartridge of claim 69, wherein (b) the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the medium so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the medium. Furthermore,
The medium substrate is a sheet, in use;
70. The print cartridge of claim 69, wherein the engagement of the sheet and the drive mechanism is disengaged before printing is complete, such that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes beyond the print head by momentum to complete printing. . The print head is
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzle;
70. A print cartridge according to claim 69, comprising a light sensor for optically receiving the print data from a beacon operated by a print engine controller in the mobile device. The mobile device is
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A position sensor for providing a signal indicating the position of the medium substrate with respect to the print head to the print engine controller;
70. The print cartridge of claim 69, wherein the print engine controller discriminates the signal to derive a speed of the media substrate relative to the print head and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed. Mobile device
Comprising a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head, in use;
71. The print engine controller perceives the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in angular velocity of the drive shaft. A print cartridge according to claim 1. And further comprising at least one ink storage container for supplying ink to the print head, the at least one ink storage container comprising:
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for airtight connection to the print head;
70. The print cartridge of claim 69, comprising at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets. The medium substrate is a sheet having encoded data on at least a part of its surface, and the mobile device controls a print engine control device for controlling the operation of the print head;
A sensor for reading the encoded data, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to the print engine controller;
70. The print cartridge of claim 69, wherein the print engine controller uses the signal to start printing when the sheet is in a predetermined position relative to the print head. The media substrate has encoded data on at least a portion of its surface;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head by the mobile device;
70. The print cartridge of claim 69, further comprising a dual sensory facility for reading the encoded data before and after passing through the print head.   70. The print cartridge of claim 69, wherein the mobile device is a telecommunications device.   70. The print cartridge of claim 69, wherein the mobile device is a mobile phone. A print medium for use in a mobile device having a printer,
A laminated substrate defining first and second opposing faces;
First encoded data in a first data format, encoded in the first information, arranged in a first data area on the laminated substrate;
A print medium comprising at least one orientation marker indicating the orientation of the print medium.   88. The print medium of claim 87, wherein the at least one orientation mark is disposed on an edge portion of the print medium or a portion adjacent to the edge.   The print medium has a leading edge and a trailing edge defined with respect to an intended feed direction of the print medium through a medium feed path, wherein at least one of the at least one orientation mark is the 90. The print medium of claim 88, disposed on or in the leading edge portion of the print medium or a portion adjacent to the leading edge.   90. The print medium of claim 89, wherein one of the orientation markers is disposed adjacent to a first corner of the first surface of the print medium.   Another orientation mark of the orientation marks is disposed adjacent to a second corner of the first side of the print medium that is diagonally opposite the first corner. The print medium according to claim 90.   The other orientation markers of the orientation markers are disposed adjacent to a third corner of the second side of the print medium that is adjacent to the second corner. Print media.   Another orientation mark of the orientation marks is disposed adjacent to a fourth corner of the second side of the print medium that is diagonally opposite the third corner. The print medium according to claim 92.   Another orientation mark of the orientation marks is disposed adjacent to a second corner of the first side of the print medium that is diagonally opposite the first corner. The print medium according to claim 93.   The device further includes a plurality of orientation indicators, and the device does not read the orientation orientation of the card when the location and number of the orientation indicators are used in a mobile device appropriately equipped with the print medium. 92. The print medium of claim 90, arranged and configured so that it can be determined.   88. The print medium of claim 87, wherein the first encoded data is a linear encoded data track developed in an intended print direction.   99. The print medium of claim 96, wherein the data track is printed using infrared ink.   97. The print medium of claim 96, wherein the data track comprises a clock track that includes only a clock code, and a clock signal can be derived from the clock track while printing on the print medium.   99. The print medium of claim 96, wherein the first information includes an embedded clock and a clock signal can be derived from the embedded clock while printing on the print medium.   88. The print medium of claim 87, further comprising second encoded data encoding second information, wherein the first information represents the second information.   88. The print medium of claim 87, wherein the first information represents at least one physical property of the print medium.   102. The print medium of claim 101, wherein the first information represents a size of the print medium.   117. The print medium of claim 116, wherein the first information represents a media type associated with the print medium.   102. The print medium of claim 101, wherein the first information represents information preprinted on the print medium.   88. The mobile device of claim 87, further comprising preprinted human readable information printed on one or both of the first and second sides.   88. The mobile device of claim 87, wherein the first encoded data is printed with infrared ink that is substantially invisible to the average human naked eye. A print medium for use with a mobile device having a printer,
A substrate defining first and second opposing faces;
Showing at least one orientation of the print media disposed on at least one of the first and second surfaces, whereby the mobile device orients the print media before printing on the print media. A print medium with an orientation mark that can be determined.   108. The print medium of claim 107, wherein the orientation marker indicates the surface of the first and second surfaces on which the orientation marker is disposed.   108. The print medium of claim 107, wherein the orientation indicator indicates an absolute plane rotational orientation of the print medium.   Having a leading edge and a trailing edge defined with respect to an intended feeding direction of the print medium passing through the medium feeding path, wherein the orientation mark is on the leading edge portion or a portion adjacent to the leading edge; 108. The print medium of claim 107, disposed and indicating the leading edge.   108. The print medium of claim 107, further comprising a plurality of the orientation markers. (A) Each of the orientation markers indicates a surface of the first and second surfaces on which the orientation marker is disposed,
(B) each of the orientation markers indicates an absolute plane rotational orientation of the print medium, and / or
(C) the print medium has a leading edge and a trailing edge defined with respect to an intended feeding direction of the printing medium through the medium feeding path, and the orientation indicator is the leading edge portion or The print medium according to claim 111, wherein the print medium is disposed in a portion adjacent to the front edge and indicates the front edge.   108. The print medium of claim 107, wherein the orientation mark is disposed on an edge portion of the print medium or a portion adjacent to the edge.   114. The print medium of claim 113, wherein the orientation indicator is disposed adjacent to a first corner of the first surface of the print medium.   Another orientation mark of the orientation marks is disposed adjacent to a second corner of the first surface of the print medium that is diagonally opposite the first corner. The print medium according to claim 114.   119. The other orientation markings of the orientation markings are disposed adjacent to a third corner of the second side of the print media that is adjacent to the second corner. Print media.   Another orientation mark of the orientation marks is disposed adjacent to a fourth corner of the second side of the print medium that is diagonally opposite the third corner. 117. The print medium according to claim 116.   108. The print medium of claim 107, wherein the orientation indicator forms part of an encoded data area on the print medium.   119. The print medium of claim 118, wherein the form of encoded data is in the form of a linear encoded data track.   120. The print medium of claim 119, wherein the data track extends along an edge of the print medium in a card intended print direction.   122. The print medium of claim 121, wherein the data track encodes first information in addition to the orientation indicator.   122. The print medium of claim 121, further comprising second information encoded according to a different coding than the linear encoding of the data track, wherein the first information represents the second information.   108. The print medium of claim 107, wherein the encoded data is printed with infrared ink.   124. The mobile device of claim 123, wherein the first encoded data is printed with infrared ink that is substantially invisible to the average human naked eye.   108. The mobile device of claim 107, further comprising preprinted human readable information printed on one or both of the first and second surfaces. A method of printing on a print medium using a mobile device, the mobile device comprising:
A wireless transceiver for transmitting and receiving data via a telecommunications network;
A printer, wherein the method comprises:
(A) determining a position of the mobile device on a map;
(B) determining a product or service that can be used within a predetermined distance of a location on the map;
(C) formatting a certificate containing information related to the product or service;
(D) printing the certificate using the printer.   127. The method of claim 126, wherein the information indicates a commercial entity location.   127. The method of claim 126, wherein the information represents an invitation to purchase the product or service.   129. The method of claim 128, wherein the solicitation is a price discount.   129. The method of claim 129, wherein the price discount is valid only at the exit of a commercial entity at the location.   129. The method of claim 129, wherein the price discount is valid at all of the many exits of the commercial entity.   127. The method of claim 126, comprising using the mobile device to determine the geographic location.   129. The method of claim 128, wherein the mobile device comprises a GPS receiver, and the method includes determining the geographic location using the GPS receiver.   A perceptual device comprises a radio receiver for receiving radio frequency data from a transmitter, and determining the geographic location includes receiving radio frequency data of the geographic location via the transmitter. 127. The method of claim 126.   128. The method of claim 127, comprising deriving the geographic location using an Uplink Time Difference of Arrival technique.   127. The method of claim 126, wherein providing comprises transmitting the information to an electronic address associated with at least one user of the mobile device.   127. The method of claim 126, wherein the geographic location is a region.   138. The method of claim 137, wherein the region is defined by a zip code.   138. The method of claim 137, wherein the area is a city, suburb or town.   138. The method of claim 137, wherein the region is defined at least in part by a transmission footprint of one or more cells of a telecommunications network.   141. The method of claim 140, wherein the region is defined at least in part by a transmission footprint of one or more cells of the telecommunications network. Using a sensor in the mobile device to perceive a data track located on the side of the printing media being printed to create the certificate while printing the certificate;
Generating an injection control signal from the perceived data track;
127. Synchronizing printing of the certificate using the jetting control signal.   143. The mobile device of claim 142, wherein the data track is printed using infrared ink, a light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum, and a light sensor is responsive to the infrared spectrum.   The data track is a clock track that includes only a clock code, and the method includes generating a clock signal generated from the perceived data track, and the firing control signal is based on the clock signal. 142. The mobile device according to 142.   The data track includes first information including an embedded clock signal, the method includes extracting a clock signal from the perceived data track, and the firing control signal is based on the clock signal. 142. The mobile device according to 142. A print head for printing on a print medium containing encoded data;
A medium path for directing the print medium to the tip of the print head for printing;
An optical sensor;
To direct optical image information to the sensor so that the sensor can read at least a portion of the encoded data from the print medium while at least a portion of the print medium is located in the media path. A first light path of
A second light path for guiding light image information to the sensor so that the sensor can read encoded data from the print medium when the print medium is not located in the medium path. Mobile device.   147. The mobile device of claim 146, comprising at least one light source for illuminating the encoded data to be perceived through the first light path.   147. The mobile device of claim 146, comprising at least one light source for illuminating the encoded data to be perceived through the second light path.   148. The mobile device of claim 147, wherein the light source is an infrared light source.   149. The mobile device of claim 148, wherein the light source is an infrared light source.   147. The mobile device of claim 146, wherein the first light path comprises at least one mirror.   153. The mobile device of claim 152, wherein the first light path comprises a periscope mirror.   A shutter that can be selectively operated to reduce or block light reaching the sensor via the second light path during at least a portion of a printing procedure; 146. The mobile device of claim 146.   157. The mobile device of claim 154, further comprising a shutter opening and closing mechanism configured to close the shutter in response to the print medium moving through at least a portion of the media path.   147. The mobile device of claim 146, wherein the first and second light paths share a common light path portion.   147. The mobile device of claim 146, further comprising a printer.   157. The mobile device of claim 156, wherein the printer form is a replaceable cartridge form.   158. The mobile device of claim 157, wherein the replaceable cartridge comprises at least one ink storage container.   159. The mobile device of claim 158, wherein the replaceable cartridge comprises at least one sensor for perceiving encoded data on a print medium that is intended for use with the printer. The replaceable cartridge is
It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the print head can be moved from the print head. A capping mechanism with a displaced capper,
160. The mobile device of claim 159, wherein the capper moves between the cap position and the uncapped position by an edge of the print medium as the print medium moves through the media path.   147. The mobile device of claim 146, wherein in the cap position, the capper is elastically forced into the capping relationship.   163. The mobile device of claim 161, wherein the capping mechanism is configured to displace the capper in a feed direction when the capper moves from the cap position to the non-cap position.   158. The mobile device of claim 157, wherein the replaceable cartridge comprises a media drive mechanism that engages a print media printed by the printer.   164. The mobile device of claim 163, further comprising drive means for driving the media drive mechanism that does not form part of the replaceable cartridge.   165. The mobile device of claim 164, wherein the media drive mechanism comprises a slave wheel configured to engage the drive means when the replaceable cartridge is loaded into the mobile device. An ink jet print head comprising a plurality of ink jet nozzles;
At least one ink reservoir for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head;
An integrated cartridge for loading a mobile device, comprising a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use.   173. The integrated cartridge of claim 166, comprising a plurality of ink reservoirs that individually supply ink to the subset of nozzles.   166. The integrated cartridge of claim 167, comprising a storage container that contains cyan, magenta, and yellow ink, respectively.   168. The integrated cartridge of claim 167, comprising a storage container containing cyan, magenta, yellow ink and at least one other liquid, respectively.   169. The integrated cartridge of claim 169, wherein the at least one other liquid contains black ink.   170. The integrated cartridge of claim 169, wherein the at least one other liquid contains infrared ink.   169. The integrated cartridge of claim 169, wherein the at least one other liquid contains infrared ink and black ink.   173. The cartridge of claim 166, further comprising a drive shaft that engages the print medium and drives the print medium to the tip of the ink jet print head.   A drive roller for rotating the drive shaft, wherein the drive roller is configured to be driven by a complementary drive mechanism in the mobile device when the cartridge is loaded on the mobile device. 172. The cartridge according to item 173.   175. The cartridge of claim 174, wherein the drive roller and the drive shaft are coaxial.   175. The cartridge of claim 175, wherein the drive shaft is disposed in a print media path upstream of the print head.   A print head having an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles; and at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, each of the at least one ink storage container being 175. The cartridge of claim 166, comprising at least one blotting structure for directing negative hydrostatic ink to the nozzle. The capping mechanism can move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, the non-cap position. And has a capper displaced from the print head, and the cartridge is
A force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein the force applied by the edge of the medium as the medium moves relative to the feed path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism, thereby 173. The print cartridge of claim 166, further comprising a force transmission mechanism configured to cause the capper to at least initiate movement from the cap position to the non-cap position before the medium reaches the capper. . The capping mechanism can move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, the non-cap position. And has a capper displaced from the print head, and the cartridge is
171. The print cartridge of claim 166, further comprising a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until a trailing edge of the media passes through the print head. The capping mechanism has a capper that can move between a capping position forced into a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium; As a result, in use,
171. The print cartridge of claim 166, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the medium so that the capper assembly moves to the cap position when disengaged from the medium. Furthermore,
The medium substrate is a sheet, in use;
173. The print cartridge of claim 166, wherein the engagement of the sheet and the drive mechanism is disengaged before printing is complete such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects beyond the print head by momentum to complete printing. . The mobile device is
Comprising a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head, in use;
173. The print engine controller senses the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in angular velocity of the drive shaft. A print cartridge according to claim 1. And further comprising at least one ink storage container for supplying ink to the print head, the at least one ink storage container comprising:
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for airtight connection to the print head;
175. The print cartridge of claim 166, comprising at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets.   171. The print cartridge of claim 166, wherein the mobile device is a telecommunications device.   171. The print cartridge of claim 166, wherein the mobile device is a mobile phone. (A) an inkjet print head;
(B) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(C) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium. A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
(D) A force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein a force applied by an edge of the print medium when the print medium moves relative to the feeding path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism. A force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before the print medium reaches the capper.   187. The mobile device of claim 186, wherein the capper is fully moved to the uncapped position by the force transmission mechanism. The force transmission device comprises at least one crank member pivoted about an axis, the crank member comprising:
A first region for engaging the print medium;
A second region for engaging with the capping mechanism, which is rotationally displaced from the first region, wherein the crank member exerts a linear force applied by the print medium from the cap position to the capper. 187. The mobile device of claim 186, configured to convert to torque that moves toward an uncapped position.   187. The mobile device of claim 186, further comprising a locking mechanism for holding the capper in the uncapped position while the print medium is being printed by the print head.   The locking mechanism comprises at least one cam mounted for rotation between an unlocked position and a locked position, and the at least one cam is in the unlocked position when the print medium is not present Wherein the at least one cam engages an edge of the print medium as the print medium is fed through the feed path. The at least one cam is arranged and configured to rotate to the locked position by the print medium, and in the locked position, the capper has a trailing edge of the print medium at the print head. 189. The mobile device of claim 189, held in the uncapped position until passing.   191. The cam is resiliently biased to return to the unlocked position when the edge of the print media passes a predetermined position in the feed passage, thereby returning the capper to the cap position. The mobile device described in.   The at least one cam is mounted for rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the print medium as the print medium and the cam engage within the feed passage. Item 190. The mobile device according to Item 190. A print medium for use with the mobile device comprises a linear encoded data track evolving in an intended print direction, the mobile device comprising:
A sensor configured to perceive the data track while printing dot data;
A print head for printing on the print medium in response to an ejection control signal;
187. Mobile device according to claim 186, comprising injection control means connected to generate the injection control signal based on a perceived data track.   The data track is a clock track that includes only a clock code, and the injection control means is configured to generate the injection control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the perceived data track. 193. A mobile device according to 193.   The data track includes first information including an embedded clock signal, and the ejection control means is configured to generate the ejection control signal in the form of a clock signal derived from the perceived data track. 193. A mobile device according to claim 193.   The first information represents at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, and the mobile device controls operation of the print head based at least in part on at least one of the physical characteristics. 196. The mobile device of claim 195, configured.   196. The mobile of claim 193, configured to determine an absolute position of the print medium relative to the print head using the perceived data track and to print on the print medium using the determination. machine.   The data track further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data encoding second information, wherein the first information represents the second information. 197. The mobile device of claim 197, wherein the mobile device is configured to print on the print medium such that a predetermined registration exists between the data being printed and the second encoded data. .   199. The mobile device of claim 198, wherein the mobile device comprises a transceiver, and the mobile device is configured to receive information representing the predetermined registration from a remote computer system via the transceiver.   The data track further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data encoding second information, wherein the first information represents the second information. 197. The mobile device of claim 197, wherein the mobile device is configured to determine a registration between data being printed and the second encoded data.   212. The mobile device of claim 200, configured to send the determined registration to a remote computer system via the transceiver. (A) an inkjet print head;
(B) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(C) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium. A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head, the cap position being moved by the edge of the print medium when the print medium moves through the feed path and the uncapped position. Mobile devices that move between.   203. The mobile device of claim 202, wherein in the cap position, the capper is elastically forced into the capping relationship.   204. The mobile device of claim 203, wherein the capping mechanism is configured to displace the capper in a feed direction when the capper moves from the cap position to the non-cap position.   205. The mobile device of claim 204, wherein the capping mechanism is further configured to simultaneously displace the capper in a direction away from the print head when the capper is displaced in a feed direction.   206. The mobile device of claim 205, wherein the capping mechanism is displaced in the uncapped position and then in a direction opposite to a feeding direction.   207. The mobile device of claim 206, further comprising a locking mechanism for holding the capper in the uncapped position while the print medium is being printed by the print head.   The locking mechanism comprises at least one cam mounted for rotation between an unlocked position and a locked position, and the at least one cam is in the unlocked position when no print medium is present; At least partially configured to deploy into the feed path, wherein the at least one cam engages an edge of the print medium as the print medium is fed through the feed path And wherein the at least one cam is arranged and configured to rotate to the locked position by the print medium, and in the locked position, the capper has a trailing edge of the medium passing through the print head. 207. The mobile device of claim 207, wherein the mobile device is held in the uncapped position until   209. The cam is resiliently biased to return to the unlocked position when the edge of the print media passes a predetermined position in the feed path, thereby returning the capper to the cap position. The mobile device described in.   The at least one cam is mounted for rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the print medium as the print medium and the cam engage within the feed passage. Item 208. The mobile device according to Item 208.   203. The mobile device of claim 202, further comprising a drive shaft that engages the print medium and drives the print medium to the tip of the inkjet print head.   A drive roller for rotating the drive shaft, wherein the drive roller is configured to be driven by a complementary drive mechanism in the mobile device when a cartridge is loaded on the mobile device. 211. The mobile device according to 211.   223. The mobile device of claim 212, wherein the drive roller and the drive shaft are coaxial.   213. The mobile device of claim 213, wherein the drive shaft is disposed in a print media path upstream of the print head.   A print head having an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles; and at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, each of the at least one ink storage container being 203. The mobile device of claim 202, comprising at least one blotting structure for directing negative hydrostatic ink to the nozzle. In use,
215. The mobile device of claim 214, wherein the engagement of the sheet and the drive shaft is disengaged before printing is complete, such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects beyond the print head due to momentum. The print head is
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzle;
213. The mobile device of claim 202, comprising a light sensor for optically receiving the print data from a beacon operated by a print engine controller in the mobile device. A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicating the position of the media substrate relative to the print head;
203. The mobile device of claim 202, wherein the print engine controller discriminates the signal to derive a speed of the media substrate relative to the print head and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed. And further comprising at least one ink storage container for supplying ink to the print head, the at least one ink storage container comprising:
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for airtight connection to the print head;
203. The mobile device of claim 202, comprising at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlet and an ink outlet of an adjacent section.   203. The mobile device of claim 202, wherein the mobile device is a telecommunications device.   203. The mobile device of claim 202, wherein the mobile device is a mobile phone. (A) an inkjet print head;
(B) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(C) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium. A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
(D) a mobile device comprising a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until a trailing edge of the medium passes the print head.   The locking mechanism comprises at least one cam mounted for rotation between an unlocked position and a locked position, and the at least one cam is in the unlocked position when no print medium is present; At least partially configured to deploy into the feed path, wherein the at least one cam engages an edge of the print medium as the print medium is fed through the feed path And wherein the at least one cam is arranged and configured to rotate to the locked position by the print medium, and in the locked position, the capper has a trailing edge of the medium passing through the print head. 223. The mobile device of claim 222, held in the uncapped position until   223. The cam is resiliently biased to return to the unlocked position when the edge of the print media passes a predetermined position in the feed passage, thereby returning the capper to the cap position. The mobile device described in.   The at least one cam is mounted for rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the print medium as the print medium and the cam engage within the feed passage. Item 223 is a mobile device.   To hold the capper in the uncapped position until the trailing edge of the media passes through the capper so that the locking mechanism can release the capper to the cap position without capturing the print media. 223. The mobile device of claim 222, configured as described above.   226. The mobile device of claim 226, further comprising a locking mechanism for holding the capper in the uncapped position while the print medium is being printed by the print head.   The locking mechanism comprises at least one cam mounted for rotation between an unlocked position and a locked position, and the at least one cam is in the unlocked position when no print medium is present; At least partially configured to deploy into the feed path, wherein the at least one cam engages an edge of the print medium as the print medium is fed through the feed path And wherein the at least one cam is arranged and configured to rotate to the locked position by the print medium, and in the locked position, the capper has a trailing edge of the medium passing through the print head. 224. The mobile device of claim 227, held in the uncapped position until until.   228. The cam is resiliently biased to return to the unlocked position when the edge of the print media passes a predetermined position in the feed path, thereby returning the capper to the cap position. The mobile device described in.   The at least one cam is mounted for rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the print medium as the print medium and the cam engage within the feed passage. Item 228. The mobile device according to Item 228.   223. The mobile device of claim 222, further comprising a drive shaft that engages the print medium and drives the print medium to the tip of the inkjet print head.   A drive roller for rotating the drive shaft, wherein the drive roller is configured to be driven by a complementary drive mechanism in the mobile device when a cartridge is loaded on the mobile device. 231. The mobile device according to item 231.   233. The mobile device of claim 232, wherein the drive roller and the drive shaft are coaxial.   234. The mobile device of claim 233, wherein the drive shaft is disposed in the print media path upstream of the print head.   A print head having an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles; and at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, each of the at least one ink storage container being 223. The mobile device of claim 222, comprising at least one blotting structure for directing negative hydrostatic ink to the nozzle. In use,
235. The mobile device of claim 234, wherein the engagement of the sheet and the drive shaft is disengaged before printing is complete, such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects beyond the print head due to momentum. The print head is
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzle;
223. The mobile device of claim 222, comprising a light sensor for optically receiving the print data from a beacon operated by a print engine controller in the mobile device. A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicating the position of the media substrate relative to the print head;
223. The mobile device of claim 222, wherein the print engine controller discriminates the signal to derive a speed of the media substrate relative to the print head and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed. And further comprising at least one ink storage container for supplying ink to the print head, the at least one ink storage container comprising:
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for airtight connection to the print head;
223. The mobile device of claim 222, comprising at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets.   223. The mobile device of claim 222, wherein the mobile device is a telecommunications device.   223. The mobile device of claim 222, wherein the mobile device is a mobile phone. A print medium for use with a printer,
A laminated substrate defining first and second opposing faces;
First encoded data in a first data format, encoded in the first information, arranged in a first data area on the laminated substrate;
And second encoded data in a second data format that encodes second information, arranged in a second data area on the multilayer substrate, wherein the first information is the second data A print medium that represents information.   The print medium according to claim 242, wherein the first information and the second information are the same information.   245. The print medium of claim 243, wherein the first information is a document identifier.   243. The print medium of claim 242, wherein the first format is a linear pattern.   256. The print medium of claim 245, wherein the second format is a two-dimensional pattern.   254. The print medium of claim 245, wherein the first format is a linear encoded data track.   247. The print medium of claim 246, wherein the first format is a linear encoded data track.   247. The print medium of claim 247, wherein an average human naked eye cannot substantially view one or both of the first and second encoded data.   243. The print medium of claim 242, further comprising one or more additional areas, wherein each of the one or more additional areas includes other encoded data of the first format.   253. The print medium of claim 250, wherein the encoded data for each of the additional areas includes the first information.   251. The print medium of claim 251, wherein each encoded data of the first region and the additional region includes an orientation indicator that is unique to each of the first region and the additional region.   253. The print medium of claim 252, wherein each of the orientation indicators includes sufficient bit value data to uniquely identify a region in which corresponding encoded data is located. There are three additional areas,
The encoded data of one of the first encoded data and the additional region is disposed along edges on both sides of the first surface of the two surfaces,
254. The print medium of claim 253, wherein the encoded data of the remaining two additional regions is disposed along edges on both sides of the second surface of the two surfaces.   264. The second encoded data of claim 264, wherein the second encoded data is disposed between the first encoded data and one of the additional regions of the first surface of the two surfaces. The print medium described.   262. The print medium of claim 255, comprising other encoded data of the second format located between the additional areas of the second side of the two sides.   243. The print medium of claim 242, further comprising human-readable information preprinted on at least one of the two surfaces.   258. The print media of claim 257, wherein the human readable information includes at least one direction indicator.   258. The print medium of claim 257, wherein the human readable information includes at least one icon that indicates a function.   247. The print medium of claim 247, wherein the first information includes an embedded clock signal.   243. The print medium of claim 242, further comprising at least one clock track on at least one of the two surfaces. A mobile device,
A transceiver for transmitting and receiving signals via a wireless telecommunications network;
Processing means for processing connection history information related to communications transmitted to or received from the mobile device via the transceiver to generate dot data representing the visual layout of the connection history information When,
A mobile device comprising: an integral printer configured to receive the dot data and print the received dot data on a print medium.   262. The mobile device of claim 262, wherein the connection history information includes a source address for at least one previous connection or connection attempt with the mobile device.   268. The mobile device of claim 263, wherein the connection history information includes an identification of an individual or other entity associated with the originating address.   268. The mobile device of claim 264, wherein the connection history information includes a human readable instruction indicating that a voice mail has been received from the originating address.   262. The mobile device of claim 262, wherein the connection history information includes one or more connections or connection attempts made through the mobile device. The print medium comprises a linear encoded data track evolving in an intended print direction, the mobile device comprising:
A sensor configured to perceive the data track while printing the dot data;
A print head for printing on the print medium in response to an ejection control signal;
262. The mobile device of claim 262, comprising injection control means connected to generate the injection control signal based on the perceived data track.   268. The mobile device of claim 267, further comprising a light emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is perceiving the data track during printing.   268. The mobile device of claim 268, wherein the data track is printed using infrared ink, the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum, and the light sensor is sensitive to the infrared spectrum.   The data track is a clock track that includes only a clock code, and the injection control means is configured to generate the injection control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the perceived data track. 267. The mobile device according to 267.   The data track includes first information including an embedded clock signal, and the ejection control means is configured to generate the ejection control signal in the form of a clock signal derived from the perceived data track. 267. The mobile device of claim 267.   The first information represents at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, and the mobile device controls operation of the print head based at least in part on at least one of the physical characteristics. 281. The mobile device of claim 271, configured.   268. The mobile of claim 267, configured to use the perceived data track to determine an absolute position of the print medium relative to the print head and to use the determination to print on the print medium. machine.   The data track further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data encoding second information, wherein the first information represents the second information. 278. The mobile device of claim 273, wherein the mobile device is configured to print on the print medium such that a predetermined registration exists between the data being printed and the second encoded data. .   275. The mobile device of claim 274, configured to receive information representing the predetermined registration from a remote computer system via the transceiver.   The data track further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data encoding second information, wherein the first information represents the second information. 278. The mobile device of claim 273, wherein the mobile device is configured to determine a predetermined registration between data being printed and the second encoded data.   277. The mobile device of claim 276, configured to send the determined registration to the remote computer system via the transceiver. An ink cartridge for use in a mobile device,
At least one ink storage container for holding ink;
At least one baffle dividing the at least one ink storage container into a plurality of sections, each of the sections in an individual ink storage container being connected to another section in the ink storage container via an opening; Baffles in fluid communication with each,
Ink comprising at least one porous insert in each of said at least one storage container, wherein substantially all individual ink storage containers are filled with said at least one porous insert cartridge.   Each of the storage containers comprises a single porous insert with at least one concave portion, each concave portion being configured to engage one of the plurality of the baffles in the storage container. 289. The ink cartridge according to claim 278.   294. The ink cartridge of claim 279, wherein each surface of the porous insert around the concave portion is in airtight engagement with its corresponding baffle surface.   294. The ink cartridge of claim 280, wherein the porous insert is a single structure porous insert.   290. The ink cartridge of claim 281, wherein the porous insert is formed from an open cell foam.   A wick extending along an edge of at least one porous insert, the wick inking ink from the at least one porous insert to a page width printhead forming part of the cartridge; 294. The ink cartridge of claim 279, configured to carry ink to an ink distribution structure configured to distribute.   289. The ink cartridge of claim 283, wherein the ink distribution structure comprises a plurality of ink ducts.   289. The ink cartridge of claim 278, wherein the ink cartridge is configured to hold ink in the at least one storage container at a negative pressure relative to an ambient air pressure.   289. The ink cartridge of claim 278, further comprising a plurality of ink storage containers containing inks of relatively different colors. A printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
289. The ink cartridge of claim 278, comprising a drive mechanism for driving the print medium to the tip of the inkjet print head for printing.   288. The cartridge of claim 287, wherein the drive mechanism is a passive mechanism that includes a media roller that engages the print media and drives the print media to the tip of the inkjet printhead.   290. The cartridge of claim 288, further comprising a drive roller configured to be driven by a complementary drive mechanism in the mobile device when the cartridge is loaded into the mobile device.   290. The cartridge of claim 289, wherein the media roller and the drive roller are coaxial.   290. The cartridge of claim 290, wherein the media roller is disposed in the print media path upstream of the print head.   The cartridge is configured to drive the print medium such that a trailing edge of the print medium passes through the print head after the cartridge is disengaged from the medium roller during use. 291. The cartridge of claim 291.   294. The cartridge of claim 292, wherein the drive roller is a cog.   290. The cartridge of claim 289, wherein the drive roller comprises an elastic periphery.   290. The cartridge of claim 278, comprising a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use. The capping mechanism is
It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the print head can be moved from the print head. With a displaced capper,
294. The cartridge of claim 295, wherein the capper moves between the cap position and the uncapped position by an edge of the print medium as the print medium is driven through the print medium path.   290. The cartridge of claim 278, comprising a sensor for perceiving encoded data on the print medium during printing. A print cartridge for a mobile device,
A drive shaft with a media engaging surface for feeding the media substrate along the feed path;
A print cartridge comprising a media guide adjacent to the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate relative to the media engaging surface.   298. The print cartridge of claim 298, further comprising at least one ink reservoir, an ink jet print head, and a capper for capping the print head when not in use.   299. The print cartridge of claim 299, further comprising a rigid outer casing for sealing the ink reservoir, the print head, and the capper, wherein the outer casing defines a media inlet slot and a media outlet slot. .   The print cartridge of claim 300, wherein the media guide is a series of sprung fingers that are deployed from one side of the media inlet slot toward the media engaging surface of the drive shaft.   The print cartridge of claim 300, further comprising a drive roller attached to the drive shaft, the drive roller having an elastomeric rim for contacting a drive system in the mobile device.   Electrical contacts for power and print data are further provided on the outer casing, and when the contacts and the drive roller are inserted into the mobile device, the corresponding contacts and the drive system are simultaneously engaged, respectively. 331. The print cartridge of claim 302, arranged to do so.   A print head having an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, wherein negative hydrostatic ink is directed to the nozzles 298. The print cartridge of claim 298, further comprising: an ink storage container individually provided with at least one blotting structure for capping and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use. (A) a print head adjacent to the feed path;
(B) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium. A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
(C) a force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein a force applied by an edge of the medium when the medium moves relative to the feeding path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism; 298, further comprising a force transmission mechanism configured to cause the capper to at least initiate movement from the cap position to the non-cap position before the medium reaches the capper. The print cartridge described. (A) a print head adjacent to the feed path;
(B) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium. A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
299. The print cartridge of claim 298, further comprising: (c) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until a trailing edge of the media passes through the print head. (A) a print head adjacent to the feed path;
(B) a capping mechanism including a capping position capable of moving between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium; Further comprising
299. The print cartridge of claim 298, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the medium so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the medium. A print head for printing on the media substrate;
The medium substrate is a sheet, in use;
298. The print cartridge of claim 298, wherein the engagement of the sheet and the drive shaft is disengaged before printing is complete, such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects beyond the print head due to momentum. . An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzle;
298. The print cartridge of claim 298, further comprising a print head comprising an optical sensor for optically receiving the print data from a beacon operated by a print engine controller in the mobile device.   298. The print cartridge of claim 298, wherein the mobile device has a drive system for rotating the drive shaft by friction. The mobile device further comprises an inkjet print head for printing on the media substrate,
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A position sensor for providing a signal indicating the position of the medium substrate with respect to the print head to the print engine controller;
298. The print cartridge of claim 298, wherein the print engine controller discriminates the signal to derive a speed of the media substrate relative to the print head and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed. The mobile device further comprises an inkjet print head for printing on the media substrate,
Comprising a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head, in use;
298. The print engine controller perceives the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in the angular velocity of the drive shaft. A print cartridge according to claim 1. And further comprising at least one ink storage container for supplying ink to the print head, the at least one ink storage container comprising:
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for airtight connection to the print head;
298. The print cartridge of claim 298, comprising at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets. The medium substrate is a sheet having encoded data on at least a part of its surface, and the mobile device controls a print engine control device for controlling the operation of the print head;
A sensor for reading the encoded data, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to the print engine controller;
298. The print cartridge of claim 298, wherein the print engine controller uses the signal to start printing when the sheet is in a predetermined position relative to the print head. A print engine further comprising a print head for printing the media substrate, wherein the media substrate has encoded data on at least a portion of its surface, and wherein the mobile device controls the operation of the print head A control device;
298. The print cartridge of claim 298, further comprising a dual sensory facility for reading the encoded data before and after passing through the print head. A print head comprising an array of nozzles for printing a media substrate;
A capper assembly capable of moving between a cap position covering the nozzle and a non-cap position spaced from the nozzle;
A mobile device wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the medium so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the medium.   317. The mobile device of claim 316, wherein the sheet of media substrate is encoded and a print engine controller uses a light sensor to determine the position of the sheet relative to the print head.   317. The mobile device of claim 316, further comprising a drive shaft for feeding the media to the tip of the print head.   319. The listed mobile device.   319. The capper assembly lightly grasps the sheet so that after the printing of the sheet is complete, a portion of the sheet can be removed from the mobile device and easily collected by hand. The mobile device described in.   332. The mobile device of claim 320, wherein the capper assembly moves from the cap position toward the uncapped position when engaged with a leading edge of the sheet.   The print head during printing, a print medium feed path for guiding the print medium in the feed direction to the tip of the print head, and for driving the print medium to the tip of the print head for printing 317. The mobile device of claim 316, incorporated into a cartridge further comprising a drive mechanism.   The print head has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, the ink having a negative hydrostatic pressure An ink storage container individually including at least one blotting structure for guiding the ink to the nozzle and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use are incorporated in a cartridge. 316. Mobile device according to 316. (A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium. A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
(C) a force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein a force applied by an edge of the medium when the medium moves relative to the feeding path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism; 316, further comprising a force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before the medium reaches the capper. The listed mobile device. (A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium. A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
319. The mobile device of claim 319, further comprising: (c) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until a trailing edge of the media passes the print head. The drive assembly comprises a drive shaft with a media engaging surface for feeding a media substrate along a feed path;
317. The mobile device of claim 316, comprising a media guide adjacent to the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate relative to the media engaging surface. A drive shaft for feeding the sheet of the media substrate to the tip of the print head;
319. The mobile device of claim 316, wherein the engagement of the sheet and the drive shaft is disengaged before printing is complete such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects beyond the print head by momentum to complete printing. . The print head is
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzle;
316. The mobile device of claim 316, comprising a light sensor for optically receiving the print data from a beacon operated by a print engine controller. A drive shaft for feeding the sheet of the medium substrate to the tip of the print head; and a drive system for rotating the drive shaft;
317. The mobile device of claim 316, wherein the drive roller rotates due to friction with the drive system. A media feeding assembly for feeding the media to the tip of the print head;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicating the position of the media substrate relative to the print head;
317. The mobile device of claim 316, wherein the print engine controller discriminates the signal to derive a speed of the media substrate relative to the print head and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed. A drive shaft for feeding the medium to the tip of the print head;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head, and in use;
316. The print engine controller perceives the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in angular velocity of the drive shaft. The mobile device described in. A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for airtight connection to the print head;
317. The mobile device of claim 316, further comprising at least one ink reservoir with at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets. The medium substrate is a sheet in which encoded data is arranged on at least a part of a surface thereof, and the mobile device is
A media feed assembly for feeding the sheet of media substrate along the feed path to the tip of the print head;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A sensor for reading the encoded data, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to the print engine controller;
317. The mobile device of claim 316, wherein the print engine controller initiates printing using the signal when the sheet is in a predetermined position relative to the print head. The medium substrate is a sheet in which encoded data is arranged on at least a part of a surface thereof, and the mobile device is
A media feed assembly for feeding the sheet of media substrate along the feed path to the tip of the print head;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
317. The mobile device of claim 316, further comprising a dual sensory facility for reading the encoded data before and after passing through the print head. A print head for printing a sheet of media substrate;
A drive shaft for feeding the sheet of media substrate to the tip of the print head, in use,
A mobile device in which the engagement between the sheet and the drive shaft is released before the printing is completed, so that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes toward the tip of the print head according to the amount of movement.   335. The mobile device of claim 335, further comprising a media guide adjacent to the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate relative to the drive shaft.   335. The system of claim 335, further comprising a drive system having a drive wheel for transmitting torque to the drive shaft, wherein the torque can be transmitted by moving the drive shaft to contact the rim of the drive wheel. The listed mobile device. A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
337. The mobile device of claim 337, further comprising a position sensor connected to the print engine controller so that the print engine controller can determine a position of the media substrate relative to the print head.   338. The mobile device of claim 338, wherein the position sensor reads encoded data on the media substrate.   337. The cartridge of claim 335, wherein the position sensor senses the number of rotations of the drive shaft.   335. The mobile device of claim 335, wherein the print head and the drive shaft are incorporated in a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a print media feed path in the mobile device.   The print head has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, the ink having a negative hydrostatic pressure An ink storage container individually including at least one blotting structure for guiding the ink to the nozzle and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use are incorporated in a cartridge. 335. The mobile device according to 335. (A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, and in the non-cap position, the A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
(C) A force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein a force applied by an edge of the medium substrate when the medium substrate moves relative to the feeding path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism. And a force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before the media substrate reaches the capper. Item 335. The mobile device according to Item 335. (A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the medium substrate to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, and in the non-cap position, the A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
335. The mobile device of claim 335, further comprising: (c) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until a trailing edge of the media substrate passes the print head.   335. The mobile device of claim 335, wherein the drive shaft has a media engagement surface for increasing contact friction with the media substrate.   A capping mechanism comprising a capping position capable of moving between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate; 335. The mobile device of claim 335, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the media. A print engine control device including a light emitting beacon, wherein the print head comprises:
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzle;
335. The mobile device of claim 335, comprising: an optical sensor for optically receiving the print data from the beacon.   335. The mobile device of claim 335, wherein the drive shaft is driven by a piezoelectric resonant linear drive system. A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicating the position of the media substrate relative to the print head;
335. The mobile device of claim 335, wherein the print engine controller discriminates the signal to derive a speed of the media substrate relative to the print head and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed. A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
335. The print engine controller senses the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in angular velocity of the drive shaft. The mobile device described in. A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for airtight connection to the print head;
335. The mobile device of claim 335, further comprising at least one ink reservoir with at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets. A media feed assembly for feeding the sheet of media substrate along the feed path to the tip of the print head;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A sensor for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to the print engine controller; In addition,
335. The mobile device of claim 335, wherein the print engine controller initiates printing using the signal when the sheet is located at a predetermined position relative to the print head. A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
335. The mobile device of claim 335, further comprising a dual sensory facility for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate before and after passing through the print head. A processor for outputting print data;
A replaceable printhead cartridge with a photohead and a printhead for printing on a print medium;
A mobile device comprising: a light emitting device for receiving the print data and converting the received print data into a modulated light signal, wherein the light sensor and the light emitting device are in use and the light sensor is in the modulation A mobile device arranged and configured to receive an optical signal, wherein the print head is configured to print based on the print data encoded in the modulated optical signal.   356. The mobile device of claim 354, wherein the light emitting device is a light emitting diode.   356. The mobile device of claim 354, wherein the light emitting device is an organic light emitting diode.   356. The mobile device of claim 354, wherein the light sensor is directly attached to the print head in the print cartridge. A receptacle for holding the cartridge;
An energy storage device;
A first electrical contact connected to receive power from the energy storage device;
And a second electrical contact disposed on or in the printhead cartridge, wherein the first and second contacts are electrically engaged with each other when the cartridge is loaded into the receptacle. 356. The mobile device of claim 354, configured and arranged as described above.   359. The mobile device of claim 358, wherein the energy storage device is a battery.   359. The mobile device of claim 358, wherein the power received by the cartridge via the first and second electrical contacts is used to supply power to an ink ejection mechanism in the print head.   365. The mobile device of claim 360, wherein the ink ejection mechanism is a micro electromechanical system.   365. The mobile device of claim 361, wherein each of the ink ejection mechanisms comprises a thermal curve actuator.   365. The mobile device of claim 361, wherein each of the ink ejection mechanisms includes a heater for ink ejection by evaporation.   354. The mobile device of claim 353, wherein the drive shaft has a media engaging surface for increasing contact friction with the media substrate.   A capping mechanism comprising a capping position capable of moving between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on a media substrate; 356. The mobile device of claim 353, wherein a capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the media. A print engine control device including a light emitting beacon, wherein the print head comprises:
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzle;
356. The mobile device of claim 353, comprising: an optical sensor for optically receiving the print data from the beacon.   365. The mobile device of claim 353, wherein the drive shaft is driven by a piezoelectric resonant linear drive system. A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicating the position of the media substrate relative to the print head;
365. The mobile device of claim 353, wherein the print engine controller discriminates the signal to derive a speed of the media substrate relative to the print head and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed. A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
353. The print engine controller perceives the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in angular velocity of the drive shaft. The mobile device described in. A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for airtight connection to the print head;
356. The mobile device of claim 353, further comprising at least one ink reservoir with at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets. A media feed assembly for feeding the sheet of media substrate along the feed path to the tip of the print head;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A sensor for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to the print engine controller; In addition,
356. The mobile device of claim 353, wherein the print engine controller initiates printing using the signal when the sheet is in a predetermined position relative to the print head. A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
356. The mobile device of claim 353, further comprising a dual sensory facility for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate before and after passing through the print head. A print head for an ink jet printer having a print engine control device for controlling the operation of the print head,
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzle;
A print head comprising an optical sensor for optically receiving the print data from a beacon operated by the print engine controller.   374. The printhead of claim 373, wherein the light sensor is an IR sensor and the beacon is an IR LED.   375. The printhead of claim 373, wherein the printhead is part of a cartridge that can be inserted into the printer.   375. The printhead of claim 373, wherein the inkjet printer is part of a mobile device. A print engine controller with a light-emitting beacon;
A print head comprising an array of nozzles for ejecting ink; a print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzles;
A mobile device comprising a sensor for receiving the print data from the beacon.   379. The mobile device of claim 377, further comprising a drive shaft, wherein the print head and drive shaft are incorporated into a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a media feed path in the mobile device.   At least one ink reservoir for supplying the print head with ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, wherein at least one blotting structure for guiding negative hydrostatic ink to the nozzles; 377. The mobile device of claim 377, incorporated in a cartridge further comprising an ink storage container individually comprising a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use. (A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, and in the non-cap position, the A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
(C) A force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein a force applied by an edge of the medium substrate when the medium substrate moves relative to the feeding path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism. And a force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before the media substrate reaches the capper. Item 377. The mobile device. (A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the medium substrate to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, and in the non-cap position, the A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
377. The mobile device of claim 377, further comprising: (c) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until a trailing edge of the media substrate passes the print head.   377. The mobile device of claim 377, further comprising a drive shaft with a media engaging surface for increasing contact friction with the media substrate.   A capping mechanism comprising a capping position capable of moving between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate; 377. The mobile device of claim 377, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the media.   377. The mobile device of claim 377, wherein the sensor is an optical sensor for optically receiving the print data from the beacon.   379. The mobile device of claim 377, further comprising a drive shaft driven by a piezoelectric resonant linear drive system. A position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicating the position of the media substrate relative to the print head;
377. The mobile device of claim 377, wherein the print engine controller discriminates the signal to derive a speed of the media substrate relative to the print head and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed.   In use, the print engine controller senses the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in angular velocity of the drive shaft. 377. The mobile device of claim 377. A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for airtight connection to the print head;
377. The mobile device of claim 377, further comprising at least one ink reservoir with at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlet and an ink outlet of an adjacent section. A media feeding assembly for feeding a sheet of the media substrate along a feeding path to the tip of the print head;
A sensor for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to the print engine controller; In addition,
377. The mobile device of claim 377, wherein the print engine controller initiates printing using the signal when the sheet is in a predetermined position relative to the print head. A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
377. The mobile device of claim 377, further comprising a dual sensory facility for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate before and after passing through the print head.   A drive shaft for feeding the sheet of the media substrate along the feeding path to the tip of the print head is further provided, and the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes toward the tip of the print head according to the amount of movement so that printing is completed. 379. The mobile device of claim 377, wherein the sheet and the drive shaft are disengaged before printing is complete. A print cartridge for an ink jet printer with a media drive assembly comprising:
A drive shaft for feeding a media substrate to the tip of a print head, disposed in engagement with the media drive assembly when the cartridge is loaded, in use;
A print cartridge in which the drive assembly transmits torque to the drive shaft by contact friction.   392. The cartridge of claim 392, wherein the drive shaft has a drive wheel attached to the drive shaft that frictionally engages the drive assembly.   408. The cartridge of claim 393, wherein the drive wheel rim is formed from an elastomeric material.   395. The cartridge of claim 394, wherein the drive assembly includes an idler roller for providing frictional contact to the drive wheel.   401. The cartridge of claim 395, wherein the drive assembly includes an electric motor for driving the idler roller.   400. The cartridge of claim 395, wherein the drive assembly comprises a piezoelectric resonant linear drive for driving the idler roller.   The print head is an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles and at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, wherein negative hydrostatic ink is applied to the nozzles. 392. The print cartridge of claim 392, comprising an ink storage container individually provided with at least one blotting structure for guiding and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use. (A) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium. A capping mechanism comprising a capper displaced from the print head; and (b) a force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein the medium is applied by an edge of the medium as it moves relative to the feed path. Force is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism, whereby the capper is at least started to move from the cap position to the non-cap position before the medium reaches the capper. 392. The print cartridge of claim 392, further comprising a force transmission mechanism. (A) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium. A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
392. The print cartridge of claim 392, further comprising: (b) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until a trailing edge of the media passes through the print head. (A) a capping mechanism including a capping mechanism capable of moving between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on a print medium; Prepared,
392. The print cartridge of claim 392, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the medium so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the medium.   The media substrate is a sheet, and during use, the sheet and the drive shaft are disengaged before the printing is completed so that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes beyond the print head due to the amount of momentum during use. 392. The print cartridge of claim 392. The printer has a print engine control device provided with a light-emitting beacon, and the print head includes:
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzle;
392. The print cartridge of claim 392, comprising an optical sensor for optically receiving the print data from the beacon.   392. The print cartridge of claim 392, wherein the printer is incorporated into a mobile device. The cartridge incorporates the print head, and the printer comprises:
A print engine control device for controlling the operation of the print head; and a position sensor for providing the print engine control device with a signal indicating the position of the medium substrate with respect to the print head;
392. The print cartridge of claim 392, wherein the print engine controller discriminates the signal to derive a speed of the media substrate relative to the print head and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed. The cartridge incorporates the print head, and the printer comprises:
Comprising a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head, in use;
392. The print engine controller perceives the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in the angular velocity of the drive shaft. A print cartridge according to claim 1. And further comprising at least one ink storage container for supplying ink to the print head, the at least one ink storage container comprising:
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for airtight connection to the print head;
392. The print cartridge of claim 392, comprising at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets. The medium substrate is a sheet having encoded data on at least a part of its surface, and the printer controls a print engine control device for controlling the operation of the print head;
A sensor for reading the encoded data, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to the print engine controller;
392. The print cartridge of claim 392, wherein the print engine controller initiates printing using the signal when the sheet is in a predetermined position relative to the print head. The media substrate has encoded data on at least a portion of its surface, and the printer controls a print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
392. The print cartridge of claim 392, further comprising a dual sensory facility for reading the encoded data before and after passing through the print head.   The drive shaft has a media engagement surface for feeding a media substrate along a feed path, and the cartridge is adjacent to the drive shaft and the media substrate is relative to the media engagement surface. 392. The print cartridge of claim 392, further comprising a media guide for biasing. An ink jet print head for printing on a media substrate;
A media feeding assembly for feeding the media to the tip of the print head;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A position sensor for providing a signal indicative of the position of the media substrate relative to the print head to the print engine controller, wherein the print engine controller discriminates the signal to speed the media substrate relative to the print head. And a mobile device that adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed.   411. The mobile device of claim 411, wherein encoded data is printed on the media substrate and the position sensor optically reads the encoded data to generate a signal indicative of the position of the media substrate relative to the print head. .   The media feed assembly has a media feed roller with encoding, and the position sensor optically reads the encoding so that the media feed roller is fully rotated and partially rotated. 411. The mobile device of claim 411, wherein the mobile device generates a signal indicative of a position of the media substrate relative to the print head.   The print head includes an array of nozzles and a capper assembly that is movable between a cap position that covers the print head nozzle and a non-cap position spaced from the print head nozzle; 413. The mobile device of claim 413, wherein the capper assembly is adapted to engage the media substrate and move from the cap position toward the uncapped position.   The media substrate is a sheet, and the sheet is printed with a leading edge that engages the capper assembly so that the media feed roller is accelerated by a decrease in load and the sheet is decelerated by friction. 414. The mobile device of claim 414, comprising a trailing edge that is disengaged from the media feed roller prior to printing and that protrudes forward of the print head due to its momentum.   415. The capper assembly lightly grasps the sheet so that after the printing of the sheet is complete, a portion of the sheet can be removed from the mobile device and easily collected by hand. The mobile device described in.   411. The media feed assembly of claim 411, wherein the media feed assembly has a drive shaft, and the drive shaft and the print head are incorporated into a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a print media feed path in the mobile device. Mobile device.   The print head has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, the ink having a negative hydrostatic pressure An ink storage container individually including at least one blotting structure for guiding the ink to the nozzle and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use are incorporated in a cartridge. 411. The mobile device according to 411. (A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, and in the non-cap position, the A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
(C) A force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein a force applied by an edge of the medium substrate when the medium substrate moves relative to the feeding path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism. And a force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before the media substrate reaches the capper. Item 411 is a mobile device. (A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the medium substrate to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, and in the non-cap position, the A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
411. The mobile device of claim 411, further comprising: (c) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until a trailing edge of the media substrate passes the print head.   411. The mobile device of claim 411, wherein the media feeding assembly has a drive shaft with a media engaging surface for increasing contact friction with the media substrate.   A capping mechanism comprising a capping position capable of moving between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate; 411. The mobile device of claim 411, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the media. The print engine control device has a light emitting beacon, and the print head is
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzle;
411. The mobile device of claim 411 further comprising a sensor for receiving the print data from the beacon.   411. The mobile device of claim 411, wherein the media feed assembly has a drive shaft driven by a piezoelectric resonant linear drive system. A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for airtight connection to the print head;
411. The mobile device of clause 411, further comprising at least one storage container with at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlet and an ink outlet of an adjacent section. A sensor for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to the print engine controller; Prepared,
411. The mobile device of claim 411, wherein the print engine controller initiates printing using the signal when the sheet is positioned at a predetermined position relative to the print head.   411. The mobile of claim 411 further comprising a dual sensory facility for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate before and after the media substrate passes the print head. machine. An ink jet print head for printing on a media substrate;
A drive shaft for feeding the medium to the tip of the print head;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head, and in use,
The print engine control device senses the number of fully and partially rotated media feed rollers, and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in the angular velocity of the drive shaft .   437. The mobile of claim 428, wherein the drive shaft has light encoding and the print engine controller uses a light sensor to perceive a number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft. machine.   The print head includes a capper assembly that is movable between a cap position covering the print head nozzle and a non-cap position spaced from the print head nozzle, the capper assembly including the media substrate. 437. The mobile device of claim 428, adapted to engage and move from the cap position toward the uncapped position.   The media substrate is a sheet, and the sheet is printed with a leading edge that engages the capper assembly so that the media feed roller is accelerated by a decrease in load and the sheet is decelerated by friction. 430. The mobile device of claim 430, comprising a trailing edge that is disengaged from the drive shaft prior to being driven and projects forward of the print head by its momentum.   431. The capper assembly lightly grasps the sheet so that after the printing of the sheet is complete, a portion of the sheet can be removed from the mobile device and easily collected by hand. The mobile device described in.   433. The mobile device of claim 432, wherein the capper assembly returns to the cap position when the sheet is manually collected from the mobile device.   437. The mobile device of claim 428, wherein the print head and the drive shaft are incorporated into a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a print media feed path in the mobile device.   The print head has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, the ink having a negative hydrostatic pressure An ink storage container individually including at least one blotting structure for guiding the ink to the nozzle and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use are incorporated in a cartridge. 428. The mobile device according to 428. (A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, and in the non-cap position, the A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
(C) A force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein a force applied by an edge of the medium substrate when the medium substrate moves relative to the feeding path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism. And a force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before the media substrate reaches the capper. Item 428. The mobile device. (A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the medium substrate to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, and in the non-cap position, the A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
427. The mobile device of claim 428, further comprising: (c) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until a trailing edge of the media substrate passes the print head.   437. The mobile device of claim 428, wherein the drive shaft has a media engagement surface for increasing contact friction with the media substrate.   A capping mechanism comprising a capping position capable of moving between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate; 437. The mobile device of claim 428, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate so that the capper assembly moves to the cap position when disengaged from the media. The print engine control device has a light emitting beacon, and the print head is
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzle;
437. The mobile device of claim 428, further comprising an optical sensor for optically receiving the print data from the beacon.   437. The mobile device of claim 428, wherein the drive shaft is driven by a piezoelectric resonant linear drive system. A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicating the position of the media substrate relative to the print head;
437. The mobile device of claim 428, wherein the print engine controller discriminates the signal to derive a speed of the media substrate relative to the print head and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed. A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for airtight connection to the print head;
437. The mobile device of claim 428, further comprising at least one ink reservoir with at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets. A sensor for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to the print engine controller; Prepared,
437. The mobile device of claim 428, wherein the print engine controller initiates printing using the signal when the sheet is in a predetermined position relative to the print head.   437. The mobile of claim 428, further comprising a dual sensory facility for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate before and after the media substrate passes the print head. machine. A print head for printing on a media substrate;
A drive shaft for feeding the media substrate to the tip of the print head;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A mobile device comprising an ink storage container for supplying ink to the print head, the ink storage container comprising:
A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for airtight connection to the print head;
A mobile device having at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets.   445. The mobile device of claim 446, wherein the at least one conduit has a sufficiently small cross-sectional area such that ink outflow from the conduit under gravity is prevented regardless of the orientation of the housing by capillary action. .   The at least one conduit is defined by one or more passages formed on an outer surface of the housing and covered with a sealing film adhered to the outer surface, wherein the sealing film is provided for each outlet. 445. The mobile device of claim 446, having an opening for fluid communication with the print head.   445. The mobile device of claim 446, wherein the housing is each elongated and defines three ink storage volumes that are deployed across a baffle.   446. Each of the sections comprises an ink retention structure incorporating a porous material such that the hydrostatic pressure of ink in the nozzles that are not ejecting ink in the print head is less than atmospheric pressure by capillary action. The mobile device described in.   445. The mobile device of claim 446, wherein the print head is a page width print head.   445. The mobile device of claim 446, wherein the print head and the drive shaft are incorporated into a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a print media feed path in the mobile device.   The print head has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, the ink having a negative hydrostatic pressure An ink storage container individually including at least one blotting structure for guiding the ink to the nozzle and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use are incorporated in a cartridge. 446. The mobile device according to 446. (A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the printing medium to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, and in the non-cap position, the A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
(C) A force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein a force applied by an edge of the medium substrate when the medium substrate moves relative to the feeding path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism. And a force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before the media substrate reaches the capper. Item 446. The mobile device according to Item 446. (A) a printing medium feeding path for guiding the medium substrate to the tip of the printing head in the feeding direction during printing;
(B) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate, and in the non-cap position, the A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
457. The mobile device of claim 446, further comprising: (c) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until a trailing edge of the media substrate passes the print head.   445. The mobile device of claim 446, wherein the drive shaft has a media engaging surface for increasing contact friction with the media substrate.   A capping mechanism comprising a capping position capable of moving between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate; 451. The mobile device of claim 451, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the media. The print engine control device has a light emitting beacon, and the print head is
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzle;
445. The mobile device of claim 446, further comprising an optical sensor for optically receiving the print data from the beacon.   451. The mobile device of claim 451, wherein the drive shaft is driven by a piezoelectric resonant linear drive system. A position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicating the position of the media substrate relative to the print head;
445. The mobile device of claim 446, wherein the print engine controller discriminates the signal to derive a speed of the media substrate relative to the print head and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed.   In use, the print engine controller senses the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in angular velocity of the drive shaft. 446. The mobile device of claim 446.   A sensor for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to the print engine controller; 445. The mobile device of claim 446, wherein the print engine controller initiates printing using the signal when the sheet is in a predetermined position relative to the print head.   451. The mobile of claim 451 further comprising a dual sensory facility for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate before and after the media substrate passes the print head. machine. A print medium configured to be printed in a printing direction by a mobile device,
A laminated substrate defining first and second opposing faces;
A data track developed in a linear read direction across a portion of the first surface of the print medium, the first information encoded according to a linear encoding scheme, wherein the read direction is the print A print medium comprising a data track oriented at an angle between 45 and 135 degrees relative to the direction.   465. The print medium of claim 464, wherein the reading direction is oriented at an angle of about 90 degrees with respect to the printing direction.   Further comprising a leading edge and a trailing edge opposite the leading edge, wherein the print medium is designed to be inserted into the mobile device for printing from the leading edge, and the data track is 465. The print media of claim 464, disposed closer to the leading edge than to a trailing edge.   476. The print medium of claim 466, wherein the data track is disposed on the leading edge portion or a portion adjacent to the leading edge.   476. The print medium of claim 466, wherein the data track is printed with infrared ink.   472. The print medium of claim 468, wherein the data track is printed with infrared ink that is substantially invisible to the average human naked eye.   466. The method of claim 466, further comprising encoded data including second information encoded according to a second encoding scheme that is completely different from the linear encoding scheme, wherein the first information represents the second information. The print medium described.   470. The print medium of claim 470, wherein the first information and the second information are the same information.   475. The print medium of claim 471, wherein the first and second information are document identifiers. 470. A method of printing on a print medium as recited in claim 470 using a mobile device comprising a print head and a data track reader, comprising:
(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 on the print medium at least in part using the first information determined from the decoded data track. Step (d) is
(E) a sub-step of transmitting a first message including said first information to a remote computer system;
(F) a sub-step of receiving from the remote computer a second message indicating whether printing on the print medium is permitted;
473. The method of claim 473, comprising: (g) printing to the print medium when the second message confirms that printing is permitted.   Receiving print data from the remote computer system in response to the first message, wherein step (g) includes printing to the print medium based at least in part on the print data. 474. The method of claim 474.   473. The method of claim 473, wherein the first information represents a physical property of the print medium.   476. The method of claim 476, wherein the first information represents a size of the print medium.   476. The method of claim 476, wherein the first information represents a media type associated with the print media.   476. The method of claim 476, wherein the first information represents information pre-printed on the print medium.   476. The method of claim 476, wherein the first information represents an identification of the print medium.   467. The print media of claim 464, further comprising a second linear encoded data track that extends along at least a portion of at least one side of the print media.   The print medium of claim 481, wherein the second linearly encoded data track is printed with infrared ink that is substantially invisible to the average human naked eye.   482. The print medium of claim 482, wherein the second linear encoded data track includes an extractable clock that can be used by the mobile device to synchronize printing to the print medium. A method of printing on a print medium using a mobile device comprising a print head and a sensor, the print medium comprising:
A laminated substrate defining first and second opposing faces;
A data track developed in a linear reading direction across a portion of the first surface of the print medium, including first information encoded according to a linear encoding scheme, wherein the reading direction is a printing direction. Data track oriented at an angle between 45 degrees and 135 degrees relative to
Receiving the print medium in a medium feed path of the mobile device;
Using the sensor to perceive the data track at least once before or during printing on the print medium using the print head;
Determining a lateral registration of the data track with respect to the sensor.   The print medium includes encoded data having a predetermined positional relationship with respect to the data track, and the method performs a determined lateral registration in the mobile device before or during printing. 484. The method of claim 484, comprising: based on: determining a lateral registration of the encoded data for the media feed path.   The encoded data encodes second information, the first information represents the second information, and the method includes decoding the data track to determine the first information 485. The method of claim 485.   486. The method of claim 486, wherein the first information and the second information are the same information.   485. The method of claim 487, wherein the first and second information are document identifiers.   484. The method of claim 484, comprising printing onto the print medium using the print head at least in part using determined lateral registration.   485. The method of claim 486, comprising printing to the print medium using the print head at least in part using first information determined from decoded data tracks. Transmitting a first message including the first information to a remote computer system;
Receiving from the remote computer a response indicating whether printing to the print medium is permitted;
495. The method of claim 490, comprising: a substep of printing on the print medium when the response confirms that printing is permitted.   491. Receiving print data from the remote computer system in response to the first message, the printing step including printing on the print medium based at least in part on the print data. The method described in 1.   484. The method of claim 484, wherein the first information represents a physical property of the print medium.   495. The method of claim 493, wherein the first information represents a size of the print medium.   493. The method of claim 493, wherein the first information represents a media type associated with the print media.   493. The method of claim 493, wherein the first information represents information pre-printed on the print medium.   493. The method of claim 493, wherein the first information represents an identification of the print medium. The print medium further comprises a second linear encoded data track extending along at least a portion of at least one side of the print medium, the method comprising:
Perceiving the second data track while printing on the print medium;
Extracting a clock signal from the perceived second data track;
484. The method of claim 484, comprising synchronizing printing based on the clock signal.   The method of claim 484, wherein the mobile device comprises a light emitting device, and the method includes illuminating the data track using the light emitting device while the data track is being perceived.   499. The method of claim 499, wherein the data track is printed with infrared ink and the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum. A print medium configured to be printed in a printing direction by a mobile device,
A laminated substrate defining first and second opposing faces;
A data track developed in a linear read direction along the print medium in the print direction, the first information encoded according to a linear encoding scheme, to the print medium using a print head For use in print synchronization, the linear encoding scheme can extract clock data from the data track while the print medium is moving beyond the print head in the mobile device. Print media with selected data tracks.   501. The print medium of claim 501, wherein the data track is disposed at an edge portion of the print medium that is unfolding in the print direction or a portion adjacent to the edge.   501. The print medium of claim 501, wherein the data track is printed with infrared ink.   503. The print medium of claim 503, wherein the data track is printed with infrared ink that is substantially invisible to the average human naked eye.   501. The method of claim 501, further comprising encoded data including second information encoded according to a second encoding scheme that is completely different from the linear encoding scheme, wherein the first information represents the second information. The print medium described.   The printing medium according to claim 505, wherein the first information and the second information are the same information.   507. The print medium of claim 506, wherein the first and second information are document identifiers. 506. A method of printing on a print medium as described in claim 505 using a mobile device comprising a print head and a data track reader, comprising:
(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 on the print medium at least in part using the clock signal. (F) extracting the first information from the read data track;
(G) transmitting a first message including the first information to a remote computer system;
(H) receiving from the remote computer a second message indicating whether printing to the print medium is permitted;
508. The method of claim 508, further comprising: (i) printing to the print medium when the second message confirms that printing is permitted.   Using the data track reading device, which is performed before step (f), reading the data track at a different point in time from step (b) (j) and steps (f) to (i) 509. The method of claim 509, further comprising using the data read in step (j) to perform.   Receiving print data from the remote computer system in response to the first message, wherein step (g) includes printing to the print medium based at least in part on the print data. 509. The method according to 509.   501. The method of claim 501, wherein the first information represents a physical property of the print medium.   513. The method of claim 512, wherein the first information represents a size of the print medium.   513. The method of claim 512, wherein the first information represents a media type associated with the print media.   513. The method of claim 512, wherein the first information represents information pre-printed on the print medium.   513. The method of claim 512, wherein the first information represents an identification of the print medium.   501. The method of claim 501, further comprising a plurality of data tracks located at different locations on the print medium.   501. The method of claim 501, wherein the data track includes at least one orientation indicator.   518. The print medium of claim 518, wherein the at least one orientation mark is disposed on an edge portion of the print medium or a portion adjacent to the edge.   The print medium has a leading edge and a trailing edge defined with respect to an intended feeding direction of the printing medium through a medium feeding path of the mobile device, and at least one of the at least one orientation mark 519. The print media of claim 519, wherein one is disposed on or in the leading edge portion of the printing media or a portion adjacent to the leading edge. A mobile device for printing on a print medium, wherein the print medium comprises a linearly encoded data track evolving in an intended print direction, the mobile device comprising:
A sensor configured to perceive the data track during printing;
A print head for printing on the print medium in response to an ejection control signal;
A mobile device comprising injection control means connected to generate the injection control signal based on the perceived data track.   521. The mobile device of claim 521, further comprising a light emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is perceiving the data track during printing.   523. The mobile device of claim 522, wherein the data track is printed using infrared ink, the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum, and the light sensor is sensitive to the infrared spectrum.   The data track is a clock track that includes only a clock code, and the injection control means is configured to generate the injection control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from the perceived data track. 521. The mobile device according to 521.   The data track includes first information including an embedded clock signal, and the ejection control means is configured to generate the ejection control signal in the form of a clock signal derived from the perceived data track. 521. The mobile device of claim 521.   The first information represents at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, and the mobile device is configured to control operation of the print head based at least in part on at least one of the physical characteristic. 526. The mobile device of claim 525.   521. The mobile of claim 521 configured to use the perceived data track to determine an absolute position of the print media relative to the print head and to use the determination to print on the print media. machine.   The data track further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data encoding second information, wherein the first information represents the second information. 527. The mobile device of claim 527, wherein the mobile device is configured to print on the print medium such that a predetermined registration exists between the data being printed and the second encoded data. .   531. The mobile device of claim 528, further comprising a receiver for receiving print data to be printed and information representative of the predetermined registration. The data track further encodes first information, and the print medium further includes second encoded data encoding second information, wherein the first information represents the second information. The mobile device is
Printing on the print medium,
526. The mobile device of claim 527, configured to determine a registration between data being printed and the second encoded data.   531. The mobile device of clause 530, further comprising a transmitter for transmitting the determined registration to the remote computer system.   526. The method of claim 526, wherein the first information represents a size of the print medium.   526. The method of claim 526, wherein the first information represents a media type associated with the print media.   526. The method of claim 526, wherein the first information represents information pre-printed on the print medium.   526. The method of claim 526, wherein the first information represents an identification of the print medium.   532. The method of claim 521, further comprising a plurality of data tracks located at different locations on the print medium.   526. The method of claim 521, wherein the data track includes at least one orientation indicator.   540. The print media of claim 538, wherein the at least one orientation mark is disposed on an edge portion of the print media or a portion adjacent to the edge.   The print medium has a leading edge and a trailing edge defined with respect to an intended feeding direction of the printing medium through a medium feeding path of the mobile device, and at least one of the at least one orientation mark 540. The print media of claim 539, wherein one is disposed on or in the leading edge portion of the printing media or a portion adjacent to the leading edge. A print medium configured to be printed in a printing direction by a mobile device,
A laminated substrate defining first and second opposing faces;
A print medium comprising encoded data obtained by encoding first information representing physical characteristics of the print medium.   540. The print medium of claim 540, wherein the first information represents a size of the print medium.   540. The print medium of claim 540, wherein the first information represents a media type associated with the print medium.   540. The print medium of claim 540, wherein the first information represents information that has been pre-printed on the print medium.   540. The print medium of claim 540, wherein the first information is encoded in the encoded data according to a linear encoding scheme.   544. The print medium of claim 544, wherein the encoded data is in the form of a data track.   546. The print medium of claim 545, wherein the data track extends along an edge of the print medium.   546. The print medium of claim 545, comprising at least two data tracks that each encode the first information.   559. The print medium of claim 547, wherein the first information is exactly the same for all the data tracks.   566. The print media of claim 547, wherein each of the data tracks includes at least one orientation indicator that indicates the orientation of the print media.   549. The print media of claim 549, wherein the orientation indicator is different for each data track to account for differences in the position and orientation of individual data tracks relative to the print media.   550. The print media of claim 550, wherein one of the orientation markers is disposed adjacent to a first corner of the first surface of the print media.   Another orientation mark of the orientation marks is disposed adjacent to a second corner of the first side of the print medium that is diagonally opposite the first corner. 551. The print medium according to claim 551.   546. The print media of claim 545, wherein the data track further comprises at least one orientation indicator that indicates the orientation of the print media.   540. The print medium of claim 540, wherein the data track is printed with infrared ink.   565. The print medium of claim 554, wherein the data track is printed with infrared ink that is substantially invisible to the average human naked eye.   554. The method of claim 554, further comprising encoded data including second information encoded according to a second encoding scheme that is completely different from the linear encoding scheme, wherein the first information represents the second information. The print medium described. A mobile device for printing on a print medium in a print direction, wherein the print medium includes first encoded data encoding first information, the mobile device comprising:
A first sensor for perceiving the first encoded data;
Processing means for decoding the encoded data and extracting at least the first information;
A print head for printing on the print medium, controlled to print on the print medium based at least in part on the extracted first information, wherein the first information is completely extracted A mobile device with a print head that does not start printing.   563. The mobile device of claim 557, wherein the first information represents an identification of the print medium.   The first encoded data is encoded in a data track according to a linear encoding scheme, and the print medium includes second encoded data encoded with an encoding scheme different from the linear encoding scheme; 559. The mobile device of claim 558, wherein at least a portion of the first information represents second information encoded in the second encoded data.   561. The mobile device of claim 559, wherein the first and second information represent an identification of the print medium.   571. The mobile device of claim 560, wherein the mobile device comprises a transmitter configured to send a first message representative of the print media identification to a remote computer system.   The mobile device comprises a receiver for receiving a second message indicating whether to print on the print medium in response to the first message, the mobile device printing on the print medium The mobile device of claim 561, wherein the mobile device is configured to wait for the second message before deciding whether to do so.   577. The mobile device of claim 557, further comprising media drive means for driving the print media to the tip of the print head during printing.   563. The mobile device of claim 563, wherein the print medium defines a print path along which the print medium travels and the drive means is disposed upstream of the sensor in the print path.   563. The mobile device of claim 562, wherein the sensor is disposed between the drive means and the print head.   The drive means can be driven in reverse, so that the print medium is driven in reverse until it is substantially upstream of the print head to enable reading of the first encoded data. 563. The mobile device of claim 563, wherein the print medium can be driven beyond the sensor in the printing direction and then driven beyond the print head in the printing direction during printing. During printing, the first encoded data is perceived while the print medium is driven beyond the print head;
Extracting a clock signal from the first encoded data; and
563. The mobile device of claim 564 configured to provide an ejection control signal to the print head, thereby using the clock signal to synchronize movement of the print medium and printing.   First and second drives defining a print path along which the print medium travels beyond the print head, the drive means being disposed in the print path upstream and downstream of the print head, respectively. 561. The mobile device of claim 557, comprising a mechanism.   The mobile device of claim 565, wherein the sensor is disposed between the first drive mechanism and a second drive mechanism. During printing, the first encoded data is perceived while the print medium is driven beyond the print head;
Extracting a clock signal from the first encoded data; and
577. The mobile device of claim 567, configured to provide an ejection control signal to the print head, thereby using the clock signal to synchronize movement of the print medium and printing.   The first encoded data includes a separate clock track parallel to the linearly encoded first information, and the mobile device is configured to generate the clock signal from the clock track during printing 656. The mobile device of claim 565.   The first encoded data includes a separate clock track parallel to the linearly encoded first information, and the mobile device is configured to generate the clock signal from the clock track during printing 571. The mobile device of claim 568.   557. The light emitting device of claim 557, further comprising a light emitting device arranged to output light to the first encoded data such that the sensor can be used to perceive the first encoded data. Mobile devices.   571. The mobile device of claim 571, wherein the first encoded data is printed with infrared ink and the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum.   571. The mobile device of claim 571, wherein the first encoded data is printed with infrared ink that is substantially invisible to the average human naked eye. A mobile device for printing on a print medium in a print direction, wherein the print medium includes first encoded data encoding first information, the mobile device comprising:
A first sensor for perceiving the first encoded data;
Processing means for decoding the encoded data and extracting at least the first information;
A print head for printing on the print medium, controlled to print on the print medium based at least in part on the extracted first information, wherein the first information is completely extracted A mobile device with a print head that starts printing before.   578. The mobile device of claim 576, wherein the first information represents an identification of the print medium.   The first encoded data is encoded in a data track according to a linear encoding scheme, and the print medium includes second encoded data encoded with an encoding scheme different from the linear encoding scheme; The mobile device of claim 577, wherein at least a portion of the first information represents second information encoded in the second encoded data.   579. The mobile device of claim 578, wherein the first and second information represent an identification of the print medium.   579. The mobile device of claim 579, wherein the mobile device comprises a transmitter configured to transmit a first message representative of the print media identification to a remote computer system.   The mobile device comprises a receiver for receiving a second message indicating whether to print on the print medium in response to the first message, the mobile device printing on the print medium 571. The mobile device of claim 580, configured to stop printing if the second message indicates that it should not.   586. The mobile device of claim 582, further comprising media drive means for driving the print media to the tip of the print head during printing.   586. The mobile device of claim 582, wherein the print medium defines a print path along which the print medium moves and the drive means is disposed upstream of the sensor in the print path.   The mobile device of claim 581, wherein the sensor is disposed between the drive means and the print head. During printing, the first encoded data is perceived while the print medium is driven beyond the print head;
Extracting a clock signal from the first encoded data; and
576. The mobile device of claim 576, configured to provide an ejection control signal to the print head, thereby using the clock signal to synchronize movement of the print medium and printing.   The first encoded data includes a separate clock track separate from the first information, and the mobile device is configured to generate the clock signal from the clock track during printing. 576. Mobile device according to 576.   576. The light emitting device of claim 576, further comprising a light emitting device arranged to output light to the first encoded data such that the sensor can be used to perceive the first encoded data. Mobile devices.   586. The mobile device of claim 585, wherein the first encoded data is printed with infrared ink and the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum.   586. The mobile device of claim 586, wherein the first encoded data is printed with infrared ink that is substantially invisible to the average human naked eye.   586. The mobile device of claim 586, wherein the print head forms part of a replaceable cartridge.   The mobile device of claim 588, wherein the cartridge comprises at least one ink storage container.   The mobile device of claim 588, wherein the cartridge comprises at least one capping mechanism for capping the print head when not printing. The capping mechanism is
It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the print head can be moved from the print head. With a displaced capper,
The mobile device of claim 591, wherein the capper moves between the cap position and the uncapped position by an edge of the print medium as the print medium moves through the media path.   The mobile device of claim 592, wherein the cap position is elastically forced into the capping relationship in the cap position.   578. The mobile device of claim 576, wherein the processing means is configured to derive from the perceived encoded data a clock signal that is used to synchronize printing on the print medium. A mobile device,
A first receiver for receiving a signal from a mobile telephone system;
A first transmitter for transmitting a signal via the mobile telephone system;
A mobile device comprising a stylus that allows a user to use the mobile device as a document creation device or a drafting device. A first sensor device for perceiving encoded data and outputting raw data based on the perceived data;
And a transmitter controller operable to control the first transmitter to transmit output data based at least in part on the perceived data to the computer system via the mobile telephone system. 596. The mobile device of claim 596.   598. The mobile device of claim 597, wherein the first sensory device is disposed on the stylus.   593. The mobile device of claim 597, wherein the stylus has a printhead chip with an array of nozzles for performing the document creation or drafting.   599. The mobile device of claim 596, further comprising a printer mechanism with a page width print head for printing on a media substrate, wherein the print head is disposed adjacent to a media feed path through the device.   The printer mechanism is adapted to receive document data and print an interface based at least in part on the document data based on the document data, the document data including identification data representing at least one identification; 610. The mobile device of claim 600, wherein the interface is coupled to a region of the interface, the interface including encoded data.   64. The mobile device of claim 600, further comprising at least one ink storage container, wherein the print head chip and the printer mechanism in the stylus share the at least one ink storage container.   A second transmitter and a second receiver adapted to transmit data to and receive data from the one or more sensor devices, wherein the sensor device transmits the data; 650. The mobile device of claim 600, wherein the mobile device transmits.   A second transmitter and a second receiver adapted to transmit data to the one or more sensor devices and receive data from the one or more sensor devices; The mobile device of claim 600, wherein the mobile device transmits.   650. The mobile device of claim 600, further comprising a transmitter controller adapted to cause the mobile telephone unit to transmit data based on first data to the computer system via the first transmitter. The printer mechanism further comprises a capper assembly capable of moving between a cap position covering the nozzle and a non-cap position spaced from the nozzle;
599. The mobile device of claim 599, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the medium so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the medium.   606. The mobile device of claim 606, wherein encoded data is encoded on a sheet of media substrate and a print engine controller uses a sensor to determine the position of the sheet relative to the print head.   606. The mobile device of claim 606, further comprising a media feed roller for feeding the media to the tip of the print head.   The media substrate is a sheet, and the trailing edge of the sheet and the medium feeding roller are disengaged prior to printing, and the trailing edge protrudes toward the tip of the print head by the amount of movement of the sheet. 606. The mobile device according to 606.   609. The capper assembly lightly grasps the sheet so that after the printing of the sheet is completed, a portion of the sheet can be removed from the mobile device and easily collected by hand. The mobile device described in.   606. The mobile device of claim 606, wherein the capper assembly moves from the cap position toward the uncapped position when engaged with a leading edge of the sheet.   A print head for driving the print medium to the tip of the print head for printing, and a print medium feed path for guiding the print medium in the feed direction to the tip of the print head during printing; 606. The mobile device of claim 606, incorporated in a cartridge further comprising a drive mechanism.   The print head has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, the ink having a negative hydrostatic pressure An ink storage container individually including at least one blotting structure for guiding the ink to the nozzle and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use are incorporated in a cartridge. 606. The mobile device according to 606. A drive shaft with a media engaging surface for feeding the media substrate along the feed path;
606. The mobile device of claim 606, further comprising a media guide adjacent to the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate relative to the media engaging surface. A drive shaft for feeding the sheet of media substrate to the tip of the print head; in use;
606. The mobile device of claim 605, wherein the engagement of the sheet and the drive shaft is disengaged before printing is complete such that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes beyond the print head due to momentum. .   A print medium comprising a laminated substrate defining first and second opposing surfaces configured to be printed in a printing direction by a mobile device, wherein the laminated substrate is printed by the mobile device Print medium comprising: a first part to be applied; and a second part attached to the second part by a relatively weak area of the substrate, wherein the second part is removable from the first part .   616. The print medium of claim 616, comprising a linear track, wherein the mobile device can derive a clock signal from the linear track that is used to synchronize printing to the first portion.   620. The print medium of claim 617, wherein at least a portion of the linear track is disposed in the second portion.   618. The print media of claim 618, wherein the linear track continuously develops in both the first and second portions.   619. The print medium of claim 619, wherein the linear track is a linear encoded data track that includes first information that can be retrieved by the mobile device before or during printing.   620. The print medium of claim 620, further comprising encoded data including second information encoded in a format different from linear encoding, wherein the first information represents the second information.   619. The print medium of claim 619, wherein the linear track extends along the print medium in the print direction.   622. The print medium of claim 622, wherein the linear track is disposed on an edge portion of the print medium that extends in the printing direction or a portion adjacent to the edge.   616. The print medium of claim 616, wherein the relatively weak area is a perforated line that extends across the print medium in a direction generally perpendicular to the print direction.   The edge of the first portion, where the relatively weak region appears by removing the second portion when the second portion is removed from the first portion, is a plan view, 616. The print medium of claim 616, shaped to be substantially the same shape as an edge of the first portion at an opposite end of the first portion.   The print media of claim 618, wherein the linear track includes at least one orientation indicator that indicates the orientation of the print media.   633. The print medium of claim 624, wherein the orientation indicator is disposed on an edge portion of the second portion or a portion adjacent to the edge spaced from the weak region.   625. The print media of claim 625, wherein the linear track includes the weak area or other orientation markers disposed on the first portion adjacent to the weak area.   616. The print medium of claim 616, wherein the data track is printed with infrared ink.   620. The print medium of claim 627, wherein the data track is printed with infrared ink that is substantially invisible to the average human naked eye.   616. The print medium of claim 616, further comprising human-readable information preprinted on at least one of the two sides.   616. The print medium of claim 616, wherein the second portion includes encoded data including second information encoded in a format different from the linear encoding.   630. The print medium of claim 630, wherein the second portion includes preprinted human readable information indicating the second portion that is a lottery ticket.   620. The print medium of claim 620, wherein the first information represents a physical property of the print medium.   633. The print medium of claim 632, wherein the first information represents a size of the print medium.   633. The print medium of claim 632, wherein the first information represents a media type associated with the print medium.   633. The print medium of claim 632, wherein the first information represents information pre-printed on the print medium. A method of reading encoded data from a print medium configured to be printed in a printing direction by the mobile device using a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a printer, a sensor and processing means, The printing medium comprises a laminated substrate defining first and second opposing surfaces, wherein the first surface carries the encoded data, and the method comprises:
Using the sensor to perceive at least a portion of the encoded data from the print medium;
Using the processing means to decode the encoded data;
Printing on the print medium only after the encoded data is decoded.   638. The method of clause 638, wherein the encoded data indicates a plurality of locations associated with the print medium, and wherein the decoding step includes determining at least one of the plurality of locations.   639. The decoding of claim 639, wherein the decoding step includes determining a position of the print medium relative to the sensor at the time the encoded data is perceived based at least in part on the determined position. Method.   The form of the encoded data is in the form of a two-dimensional array of data, and the sensor is configured to capture an image of the subset of the encoded data, wherein the subset of the encoded data is determined by the position The method of claim 639, which is sufficient to enable   The processing means of the print medium relative to the sensor at the time the encoded data is perceived based at least in part on the determined position and the position of the encoded data captured in the capture field of the sensor; The method of claim 641, configured to determine a position.   642. The method of claim 642, wherein the mobile device further comprises a light emitting device, and the method includes using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the sensor is perceiving the encoded data. The method described. Executed while printing on the print medium,
Using the sensor to determine a clock signal;
635. The method of claim 638, comprising using the clock signal to synchronize printing on the print medium. Using the sensor to perceive the encoded data includes capturing a first image of the encoded data, and generating the clock signal;
Determining a position of the print medium relative to the sensor at the time the encoded data is perceived based at least in part on the determined position;
Using the sensor to capture a subsequent image of the encoded data while the print head is printing;
Determining the movement of the print medium based on images captured in succession during printing;
650. The method of claim 650, comprising using the processor to perform the step of extracting the clock signal based on movement of the print media. During printing, determining the movement of the print medium comprises
Decoding the encoded data captured in at least a portion of a plurality of images captured sequentially;
Determining the position of the print media relative to the sensor at the time each individual image is captured;
645. The method of claim 645, comprising using the processing means to perform a step of determining a movement of the print medium based on a determined position by time.   During printing, the step of determining the movement of the print medium includes at least a portion of data encoded in at least a portion of the captured plurality of images to determine the movement of the print medium relative to an initial position. 645. The method of claim 645, comprising performing pattern recognition on.   638. The method of clause 638, further comprising determining movement of the print media relative to the sensor based on the encoded data perceived by the sensor.   Determining the movement of the print medium includes capturing a plurality of images of the encoded data as the print medium moves beyond the sensor; and based on the plurality of images, 648. The method of claim 648, comprising the step of determining movement. Determining the movement of the print medium comprises:
Using the processing means to decode the encoded data captured in at least a portion of a plurality of captured images;
Determining the position of the print media relative to the sensor at the time each individual image is captured;
650. The method of claim 649, comprising: determining movement of the print medium based on the determined position by time.   649. The method of claim 649, wherein determining the movement of the print medium comprises performing pattern recognition to determine movement of the print medium relative to at least one absolute position of the print medium.   Obtaining said absolute position using said processing means for decoding data encoded in at least one of a plurality of captured images, and said at least one absolute position from the decoded data 651. The method of claim 651, comprising the step of:   654. The mobile device further comprises a light emitting device, and the method comprises using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the sensor is perceiving the encoded data. The method described.   645. The method of claim 649, further comprising generating a clock signal based on movement of the print medium and using the clock signal to synchronize printing on the print medium.   The method of claim 638, wherein the medium includes at least one orientation indicator that indicates orientation of the print medium, and the method includes determining the orientation from the orientation indicator before initiating printing. .   The method of claim 655, wherein the at least one orientation indicator is disposed on an edge portion of the print medium or a portion adjacent to the edge.   The print medium has a leading edge and a trailing edge defined with respect to an intended feed direction of the print medium through a medium feed path, wherein at least one of the at least one orientation mark is the 675. The method of claim 656, disposed on or in the leading edge portion of the print media or a portion adjacent to the leading edge. A method of using a mobile device to determine movement of a print medium configured to be printed in a printing direction by the mobile device relative to the mobile device, the mobile device comprising a printer, a first sensor, and Processing means, the print medium comprising a substrate defining first and second opposing surfaces, the first surface carrying encoded data, and the method comprising:
Using a first sensor to perceive at least a portion of the encoded data from the print medium;
Determining the movement of the print medium relative to the sensor based on the encoded data perceived by the first sensor.   Determining the movement of the print medium comprises: capturing a plurality of images of the encoded data as the print medium moves beyond the first sensor; and based on the plurality of images 687. The method of claim 658, comprising determining the movement of the print media. Determining the movement of the print medium comprises:
Using the processing means to decode the encoded data captured in at least one of a plurality of captured images;
Determining the position of the print media relative to the first sensor at the time each individual image is captured;
69. The method of claim 659, comprising: determining movement of the print medium based on the determined position by time.   The method of claim 659, wherein determining the movement of the print medium comprises performing pattern recognition to determine movement of the print medium relative to at least one absolute position of the print medium.   Obtaining said absolute position using said processing means for decoding data encoded in at least one of a plurality of captured images, and said at least one absolute position from the decoded data 671. The method of claim 661, comprising:   The mobile device further comprises a light emitting device, and the method includes using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the first sensor is perceiving the encoded data. The method according to item 662.   655. The method of claim 658, further comprising generating a clock signal based on the movement of the print medium and using the clock signal to synchronize printing on the print medium.   658. The method of clause 658, wherein the encoded data indicates a plurality of locations associated with the print medium, and wherein the decoding step includes determining at least one of the plurality of locations.   9. The decoding step includes determining a position of the print medium relative to the first sensor at the time the encoded data is perceived based at least in part on the determined position. The method described in 1.   The form of the encoded data is in the form of a two-dimensional array of data, and the first sensor is configured to capture an image of the subset of encoded data, the subset of the encoded data comprising: 675. The method of claim 665, sufficient to allow position determination.   The first means when the encoded data is perceived based at least in part on the determined position and the position of the encoded data captured in the capture field of the first sensor; 678. The method of claim 667, configured to determine a position of the print media relative to a sensor.   The mobile device further comprises a light emitting device, and the method includes using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the first sensor is perceiving the encoded data. Item 668. The method according to Item 668. Executed while printing on the print medium,
Using the first sensor to perceive the encoded data;
Using the processing means to generate a clock signal based on the perceived encoded data;
658. The method of claim 658, comprising using the clock signal to synchronize printing on the print medium. Using the first sensor to perceive the encoded data includes capturing a first image of the encoded data, and generating the clock signal;
Determining a position of the print medium relative to the first sensor at the time the encoded data is perceived based at least in part on the determined position;
Using the first sensor to capture a subsequent image of the encoded data while the print head is printing;
Determining the movement of the print medium based on images captured in succession during printing;
670. The method of claim 670, comprising using the processor to perform the step of extracting the clock signal based on movement of the print media. During printing, determining the movement of the print medium comprises
Decoding the encoded data captured in at least a portion of a plurality of images captured sequentially;
Determining the position of the print media relative to the first sensor at the time each individual image is captured;
671. The method of claim 671, comprising using the processing means to perform a step of determining a movement of the print medium based on a determined position by time.   During printing, the step of determining the movement of the print medium includes at least a portion of data encoded in at least a portion of the captured plurality of images to determine the movement of the print medium relative to an initial position. 671. The method of claim 671, comprising performing pattern recognition on.   655. The method of claim 658, wherein the print media includes at least one orientation indicator that indicates orientation of the print media, and the method includes determining the orientation from the orientation indicator prior to initiating printing. Method.   The method of claim 674, wherein the at least one orientation indicator is disposed on an edge portion of the print medium or a portion adjacent to the edge.   658. The method of claim 658, further comprising using the processing means to determine a first relative rotation of the encoded data relative to the print medium from a known physical orientation of the print medium and the first image. The method described. Using a second sensor to capture a second image of at least a portion of the encoded data;
655. The method of claim 658, further comprising determining movement of the print media relative to a sensor based on encoded data perceived by both the first and second sensors. A method for determining a first relative rotation of encoded data with respect to a print medium using a mobile device, wherein the print medium is configured to be printed in a print direction by the mobile device, the mobile device Comprising a printer, a first sensor and processing means, wherein the print medium comprises a substrate defining first and second opposing surfaces, wherein the first surface carries the encoded data, The method is
(A) using the first sensor to capture a first image of at least a portion of the encoded data when the print medium is located in a first position;
(B) using the processing means to determine a first relative rotation of the encoded data relative to the print medium from a known physical orientation of the print medium and the first image.   678. The method of clause 678, wherein the mobile device further comprises a transmitter, and the method further comprises transmitting the first relative rotation to a remote computer system using the transmitter.   679. The method of claim 679, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the relative rotation via a mobile telecommunications network. Using the first sensor to capture a second image of at least a portion of the encoded data when the print medium is located at a second position;
Using the processing means to determine a second relative rotation of the encoded data relative to the print medium from a known physical orientation of the print medium and the second image;
The processing means for calculating from the first and second rotations a third rotation in which the indication of the relative rotation of the encoded data with respect to the print medium is more accurate than the first or second rotation. 678. The method of claim 678, further comprising using.   The method of claim 681, wherein the mobile device further comprises a transmitter, and the method further comprises transmitting the third relative rotation to a remote computer system using the transmitter. Executed by the processing means;
Decoding at least a portion of the data encoded in the first image;
Determining a position from the decoded data;
Determining a first position of the print medium relative to the first sensor at the time the first image is captured based on the position and the position of the encoded data in the first image; 678. The method of claim 678, further comprising:   Determining the movement of the print medium comprises: capturing a plurality of images of the encoded data as the print medium moves beyond the first sensor; and based on the plurality of images 678. The method of claim 678, comprising the step of determining movement of the print media.   The mobile device further comprises a light emitting device, and the method includes using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the first sensor is perceiving the encoded data. 678. A method according to item 678.   684. The method of claim 684, further comprising generating a clock signal based on movement of the print medium and using the clock signal to synchronize printing on the print medium.   The form of the encoded data is in the form of a two-dimensional array of data, and the first sensor is configured to capture an image of the subset of encoded data, the subset of the encoded data comprising: 678. The method of claim 678, sufficient to allow determination of position. Executed while printing on the print medium,
Using the first sensor to perceive the encoded data;
Using the processing means to generate a clock signal based on the perceived encoded data;
678. The method of claim 678, comprising using the clock signal to synchronize printing on the print medium. Using the first sensor to perceive the encoded data includes capturing a first image of the encoded data, and generating the clock signal;
Determining a position of the print medium relative to the first sensor at the time the encoded data is perceived based at least in part on the determined position;
Using the first sensor to capture a subsequent image of the encoded data while the print head is printing;
Determining the movement of the print medium based on images captured in succession during printing;
688. The method of claim 688, comprising using the processor to perform the step of extracting the clock signal based on movement of the print media. During printing, determining the movement of the print medium comprises
Decoding the encoded data captured in at least a portion of a plurality of images captured sequentially;
Determining the position of the print media relative to the first sensor at the time each individual image is captured;
The method of claim 689, comprising using the processing means to perform a step of determining a movement of the print medium based on the determined position by time.   During printing, the step of determining the movement of the print medium includes at least a portion of data encoded in at least a portion of the captured plurality of images to determine the movement of the print medium relative to an initial position. The method of claim 689, comprising performing pattern recognition on.   678. The method of claim 678, wherein the print media includes at least one orientation indicator that indicates orientation of the print media, and wherein the method includes determining the orientation from the orientation indicator prior to initiating printing. Method.   The method of claim 692, wherein the at least one orientation indicator is disposed on an edge portion of the print medium or a portion adjacent to the edge.   The print medium has a leading edge and a trailing edge defined with respect to an intended feed direction of the print medium through a medium feed path, wherein at least one of the at least one orientation mark is the The method of claim 693, wherein the method is disposed on or in the leading edge portion of the print media or a portion adjacent to the leading edge. Using a second sensor to capture a second image of at least a portion of the encoded data;
Using the processing means to determine a second relative rotation of the encoded data relative to the print medium from a known physical orientation of the print medium and the second image;
The processing means for calculating from the first and second rotations a third rotation in which the indication of the relative rotation of the encoded data with respect to the print medium is more accurate than the first or second rotation. 678. The method of claim 678, further comprising using.   696. The method of claim 695, comprising capturing the first and second images substantially simultaneously. A method for determining a position of a print medium configured to be printed by a mobile device in a printing direction using a mobile device, the mobile device comprising a printer, a first sensor and a processing means. The printing medium comprises a substrate defining first and second opposing surfaces, the first surface carrying encoded data indicating at least one position, the method comprising:
(A) using the first sensor to capture a first image of at least a portion of the encoded data when the print medium is located in a media feed path in the mobile device; Steps,
(B) decoding at least a portion of the perceived encoded data, thereby using the processing means to determine at least one position;
(C) determining the position of the print medium based on at least one position determined in step (b).   The method of claim 697, wherein in step (c), the position is determined based at least in part on the determined position and the position of the encoded data captured in the capture field of the first sensor. Using the first sensor to always capture multiple images;
Decoding the captured plurality of images, thereby using the processing means to determine a plurality of positions;
The method of claim 697 further comprising: determining a series of positions of the print medium based on the plurality of positions. The mobile device comprises a second sensor, the method comprising:
(D) using the second sensor to capture a second image of at least a portion of the encoded data;
(E) decoding at least a portion of the perceived encoded data, thereby using the processing means to determine at least one position;
And (f) determining the position of the print medium based on the position determined in step (e).   698. The method of claim 698, comprising capturing the first and second images substantially simultaneously.   699. The method of claim 699, further comprising using the processing means to determine the position of the print medium based on the positions determined in steps (c) and (f).   703. The method of claim 702, comprising averaging the positions determined in steps (c) and (f).   The method of claim 697, further comprising the step of using the processing means to determine an identification of the print medium from the perceived encoded data.   The method of claim 697, further comprising determining movement of the print media relative to a sensor based on the encoded data perceived by the first sensor.   Determining the movement of the print medium comprises: capturing a plurality of images of the encoded data as the print medium moves beyond the first sensor; and based on the plurality of images The method of claim 697, comprising determining the movement of the print media. Determining the movement of the print medium comprises:
Using the processing means to decode the encoded data captured in at least one of a plurality of captured images;
Determining the position of the print media relative to the first sensor at the time each individual image is captured;
706. The method of claim 706, comprising: determining a movement of the print medium based on the determined position by time.   The method of claim 706, wherein determining the movement of the print medium includes performing pattern recognition to determine movement of the print medium relative to at least one absolute position of the print medium.   The method of claim 697, comprising using the processing means to determine a first relative rotation of the encoded data relative to the print medium from a known physical orientation of the print medium and the first image. the method of.   The method of claim 697, wherein the mobile device further comprises a transmitter, and the method further comprises transmitting the first relative rotation to a remote computer system using the transmitter.   698. The method of clause 698, wherein the transmitter is configured to transmit the relative rotation via a mobile telecommunications network. Executed while printing on the print medium,
Using the processing means to generate a clock signal based on the perceived encoded data;
The method of claim 697 comprising using the clock signal to synchronize printing on the print media.   The mobile device further comprises a light emitting device, and the method includes using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the first sensor is perceiving the encoded data. The method according to Item 697. A print head for printing on a sheet of media substrate having encoded data on at least a portion of the surface;
A media feed assembly for feeding the sheet of media substrate along the feed path to the tip of the print head;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A sensor for reading the encoded data, generating a signal indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet, and transmitting the generated signal to the print engine controller,
A mobile device, wherein the print engine control device starts printing using the signal when the sheet is located at a predetermined position with respect to the print head.   714. The mobile device of claim 714, wherein the at least one dimension is a distance from at least one marker in the encoded data to a leading edge of the sheet with respect to a media feed direction ahead of the print head. .   In use, the media feeding assembly feeds the sheet forward along the feeding path, so that the sensor is moved before the sheet retracts in the reverse direction along the path. The at least a portion of the digitized data can be read, and then the media feeding assembly feeds the sheet forward along the path forward to the end of the print head for printing. 714. The mobile device according to 714.   714. The mobile device of claim 714, wherein the encoded data is disposed along a track that extends along the sheet in a direction parallel to the feed path.   714. The mobile device of claim 714, wherein the encoded data is distributed substantially across at least one side of the sheet.   714. The mobile device of claim 714, wherein the encoded data is disposed along a track that extends across the sheet in a direction perpendicular to the feed path.   714. The mobile device of claim 714, wherein the print head and drive shaft are incorporated into a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a print media feed path in the mobile device.   The print head has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, the ink having a negative hydrostatic pressure An ink storage container individually including at least one blotting structure for guiding the ink to the nozzle and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use are incorporated in a cartridge. 714. The mobile device according to 714. (A) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the medium substrate, and at the non-cap position, A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
(B) A force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein a force applied by an edge of the medium substrate when the medium substrate moves relative to the feeding path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism. And a force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before the media substrate reaches the capper. Item 714. The mobile device according to Item 714. (A) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the medium substrate, and at the non-cap position, A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
714. The mobile device of claim 714, further comprising: (b) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until a trailing edge of the media substrate passes the print head.   714. The mobile device of claim 714, wherein the media feeding assembly has a drive shaft with a media engaging surface for increasing contact friction with the media substrate.   A capping mechanism comprising a capping position capable of moving between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate; 714. The mobile device of claim 714, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate to move to the cap position when disengaged from the media. The print engine control device has a light emitting beacon, and the print head is
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzle;
714. The mobile device of claim 714, comprising: an optical sensor for optically receiving the print data from the beacon.   The mobile device of claim 714, wherein the media feed assembly has a drive shaft driven by a piezoelectric resonant linear drive system. A position sensor for providing the print engine controller with a signal indicating the position of the media substrate relative to the print head;
714. The mobile device of claim 714, wherein the print engine controller discriminates the signal to derive a speed of the media substrate relative to the print head and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed.   In use, the print engine controller senses the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to changes in angular velocity of the drive shaft. 714. The mobile device of claim 714. A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for airtight connection to the print head;
714. The mobile device of claim 714, further comprising at least one ink reservoir with at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlets of adjacent sections and the ink outlets.   714. The mobile of claim 714, further comprising a dual sensory facility for reading data encoded on at least a portion of the media substrate before and after the media substrate passes the print head. machine. The media feeding assembly has a drive shaft for feeding the sheet of media substrate to the tip of the print head; in use;
714. The mobile device of claim 714, wherein the engagement of the sheet and the drive shaft is disengaged before printing is complete such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects beyond the print head by momentum to complete printing. . A print head for printing on a sheet of media substrate having encoded data on at least a portion of the surface;
A media feed assembly for feeding the sheet of media substrate along the feed path to the tip of the print head;
A print engine controller for controlling the operation of the print head;
A mobile device comprising a dual sensor facility for reading the encoded data before and after passing through the print head.   The sensor device includes a first light sensor disposed adjacent to the feeding path upstream of the print head, and a second light disposed adjacent to the feeding path downstream of the print head. 733. The mobile device of claim 733, comprising a sensor.   The encoded data includes clock data configured in a longitudinal clock track that is developed along the sheet of media substrate, and the first photosensor precedes the second photosensor. 738. The mobile device of claim 734, which reads a clock track.   While the first and second photosensors are both reading the clock track at the same time, they both generate a clock signal, and the print engine controller is configured to output the clock signal from the second photosensor. 737. The mobile device of claim 735, wherein the mobile device is synchronized to a signal from the first photosensor.   The print engine controller has a phase locked loop for the first photosensor signal and the second photosensor signal, respectively, for generating first and second phase locked clock signals; The print engine controller determines any phase difference between the first phase-locked clock signal and the second phase-locked clock signal, and the second amount is synchronized with the first phase-locked signal. The mobile device of claim 736, comprising a phase difference calculator for determining a delay amount for delaying the phase-locked clock signal.   The print engine controller generates a line sync signal for the print head using the first phase-locked clock signal prior to synchronization with the second phase-locked clock signal; 737. The mobile device of claim 737, wherein the line sync signal is generated using the second phase-locked clock signal after synchronization.   733. The mobile device of claim 733, wherein the print head and drive shaft are incorporated in a replaceable cartridge for insertion into a print media feed path in the mobile device.   The print head has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, the ink having a negative hydrostatic pressure An ink storage container individually including at least one blotting structure for guiding the ink to the nozzle and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use are incorporated in a cartridge. 733. The mobile device according to 733. (A) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the medium substrate, and at the non-cap position, A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
(B) A force transmission mechanism connected to the capper, wherein a force applied by an edge of the medium substrate when the medium substrate moves relative to the feeding path is transmitted to the capper by the force transmission mechanism. And a force transmission mechanism configured to at least initiate movement of the capper from the cap position to the non-cap position before the media substrate reaches the capper. Item 733. The mobile device. (A) It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the medium substrate, and at the non-cap position, A capping mechanism with a capper displaced from the print head;
733. The mobile device of claim 733, further comprising: (b) a locking mechanism configured to hold the capper in the uncapped position until a trailing edge of the media substrate passes the print head.   733. The mobile device of claim 733, wherein the media feeding assembly has a drive shaft with a media engaging surface for increasing contact friction with the media substrate.   A capping mechanism comprising a capping position capable of moving between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the media substrate; 738. The mobile device of claim 733, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the media substrate so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the media. A print engine control device including a light emitting beacon, wherein the print head comprises:
An array of nozzles for ejecting ink;
A print data circuit for providing print data to the nozzle;
733. The mobile device of claim 733, further comprising an optical sensor for optically receiving the print data from the beacon.   733. The mobile device of claim 733, wherein the media feed assembly has a drive shaft that is driven by a piezoelectric resonant linear drive system. The dual sensory facility provides the print engine controller with a signal indicating the position of the media substrate relative to the print head;
733. The mobile device of claim 733, wherein the print engine controller discriminates the signal to derive a speed of the media substrate relative to the print head and adjusts the operation of the print head in response to the change in speed.   The media feeding assembly has a drive shaft, and the print engine controller senses the number of full and partial rotations of the drive shaft and is responsive to changes in angular velocity of the drive shaft. 733. The mobile device of claim 733, which adjusts the operation of the print head. A housing defining an ink storage volume;
One or more baffles dividing the ink storage volume into a plurality of sections each having at least one ink outlet for airtight connection to the print head;
733. The mobile device of claim 733, further comprising at least one ink storage container with at least one conduit establishing fluid communication between the ink outlet and the ink outlet of an adjacent section. The encoded data includes data indicative of at least one dimension of the sheet of media substrate;
733. The mobile device of claim 733, wherein the print engine control device starts printing when the sheet is located at a predetermined position relative to the print head. The media feeding assembly has a drive shaft for feeding the sheet of media substrate to the tip of the print head; in use;
733. The mobile device of claim 733, wherein the engagement of the sheet and the drive shaft is disengaged before printing is complete, such that the trailing edge of the sheet projects beyond the print head due to momentum. . A replaceable print cartridge for loading on a mobile device,
A print head;
At least one ink storage container;
And a first integrated circuit that permanently stores a relatively unique identifier in the integrated circuit, the print cartridge being capable of determining the identifier when loaded into the mobile device.   Once loaded, the mobile device further comprises one or more contacts for operative connection with one or more corresponding complementary contacts in the mobile device, wherein the mobile device is configured to connect the first through the at least one contact. The print cartridge of claim 752, wherein the print cartridge is capable of sending a signal to a single integrated circuit.   The mobile device comprises a second integrated circuit for sending a signal to the first integrated circuit to determine the identifier, the first integrated circuit comprising the first integrated circuit itself and the first integrated circuit. The print cartridge of claim 752, wherein the print cartridge is configured to allow authentication communication between two integrated circuits. The first integrated circuit includes a non-volatile memory storing a first bit pattern, and the first bit pattern is
(A) applying a one-way function to the second bit pattern combined with the device to produce a first result;
(B) applying a second function to the first result and the first bit pattern to generate a second result; and
758. The print cartridge of claim 754, generated by (c) storing the second result in the memory and storing the first bit pattern indirectly.   755. The print cartridge of claim 755, wherein the one-way function is cryptographically more secure than the second function.   Each of the first integrated circuits includes confidential information used for authentication by a mobile device of a cartridge coupled to the integrated circuit, and the confidential information in an individual chip is relative to a plurality of other chips 755. The plurality of print cartridges of claim 752, stored in different storage locations in the memory.   The print cartridge of claim 752, wherein the print head is a page width print head.   The print cartridge of claim 752, wherein the print head prints in at least three colors.   759. The print cartridge of claim 759, wherein the print head prints in cyan, magenta, and yellow. It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on a print medium, wherein the print head is displaced from the print head. A capping mechanism having a capper that is
The print cartridge of claim 752, wherein the capper moves between the cap position and the non-cap position by an edge of the print medium as the print medium moves through a feed path.   The print cartridge of claim 761, wherein at the cap position, the capper is resiliently forced into the capping relationship.   762. The print cartridge of claim 762, wherein the capping mechanism is configured to displace the capper in the feed direction when the capper moves from the cap position to the non-cap position.   The print cartridge of claim 763, wherein the capping mechanism is further configured to simultaneously displace the capper in a direction away from the print head when the capper is displaced in the feeding direction.   The print cartridge of claim 764, wherein the capping mechanism is displaced in the non-cap position and then in a direction opposite to the feed direction.   765. The print cartridge of claim 765, further comprising a locking mechanism for holding the capper in the uncapped position while the print medium is being printed by the print head.   The locking mechanism includes at least one cam mounted to rotate between an unlocked position and a locked position, and the at least one cam is in the unlocked position when the print medium is not present At least partially deployed into the feed path, and the at least one cam is configured to rim the print medium as the print medium is fed through the feed path. And wherein the at least one cam is arranged and configured to rotate to the locked position by the print medium, wherein the capper has a trailing edge of the print medium at the print head. 769. The print cartridge of claim 766, held in the uncapped position until passed.   768. The cam is resiliently biased to return to the unlocked position when the edge of the print media passes a predetermined position in the feed path, thereby returning the capper to the cap position. A print cartridge according to claim 1.   The at least one cam is mounted for rotation about an axis substantially perpendicular to the print medium as the print medium and the cam engage within the feed passage. Item 767. The print cartridge according to Item 767. At least one baffle dividing the at least one ink storage container into a plurality of sections, each of the sections in the individual ink storage container being each of the other sections in the ink storage container through an opening; A baffle in fluid communication with the
At least one porous insert in each of the at least one storage container, wherein substantially all individual ink storage containers are further filled with the at least one porous insert. 753. The print cartridge of claim 752.   Each of the storage containers comprises a single porous insert with at least one concave portion, each of the concave portions configured to engage one of a plurality of baffles in the storage container. 753. The print cartridge of claim 752. A replaceable cartridge for loading a mobile device,
A print head;
One or more ink reservoirs for supplying ink to the print head;
An integrated circuit for enabling validity verification of the cartridge when the cartridge is loaded in the mobile device, and an integrated circuit including a nonvolatile memory for storing confidential information .   The cartridge of claim 772, further comprising communication means for enabling communication between the mobile device and the integrated circuit during validation.   775. The cartridge of claim 773, wherein the communication means comprises a first contact that engages a second complementary contact of the mobile device when the cartridge is loaded into the mobile device.   The cartridge of claim 772, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to communicate in a secure manner with an entity within the mobile device.   The cartridge of claim 772, wherein the integrated circuit is configured to store data indicating a remaining number of prints and includes one or more safety features to prevent unauthorized modification of the data.   The cartridge of claim 772, wherein the data includes an ink counter, and the integrated circuit is configured to decrement the ink counter when ink is used for printing.   777. The cartridge of claim 777, wherein the integrated circuit is designed to prevent the ink counter from incrementing.   The cartridge of claim 772, wherein the data includes a print counter, and the integrated circuit is configured to decrement the print counter each time printing is performed.   777. The cartridge of claim 777, wherein the integrated circuit is designed to prevent the print counter from incrementing.   The cartridge of claim 772, further comprising a sensor configured to perceive data encoded on a print medium printed by the printhead.   The cartridge of claim 781, wherein the sensor is configured to output perceived encoded data to the mobile device.   The cartridge of claim 781, wherein the cartridge is configured to synchronize printing on the print medium using a clock derived from perceived encoded data.   The cartridge of claim 783, wherein the encoded data includes a linear encoded clock track, and the clock is extracted from the clock track during printing.   The encoded data includes a linear encoded data track representing an identification of the print medium, and the cartridge is configured to output the perceived encoded data to the mobile device to enable the determination of the identification. 78. The cartridge according to claim 782. A capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head;
A capping mechanism comprising a capper capable of moving between a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, wherein the cap is displaced from the print head at the non-cap position;
The cartridge of claim 772, wherein the capper moves between the cap position and an uncapped position by an edge of the print medium as the print medium moves through the feed path.   787. The cartridge of claim 786, wherein in the cap position, the capper is resiliently forced into the capping relationship.   787. The cartridge of claim 787, wherein the capping mechanism is configured to displace the capper in the feed direction when the capper moves from the cap position to the non-cap position.   The cartridge of claim 788, wherein the capping mechanism is further configured to simultaneously displace the capper in a direction away from the print head when the capper is displaced in the feed direction.   889. The cartridge of claim 789, wherein the capping mechanism is displaced in the non-cap position and then in a direction opposite to the feed direction.   790. The cartridge of claim 790, further comprising a locking mechanism for holding the capper in the uncapped position while the print medium is being printed by the print head. A replaceable print cartridge for loading on a mobile device,
A print head;
At least one ink storage container;
Storage means configured to store data;
A print cartridge comprising a data change mechanism for changing a value of data that is prevented from being changed to a value already stored in the storage means.   The method of claim 792, wherein the storage means stores the data in the form of a plurality of units, and the value of the data can be changed by permanently changing one or more of the plurality of units. The print cartridge described.   793. The print cartridge of claim 793, wherein the unit is a bit.   Each value of the plurality of bits is stored in a form that can be changed only once, and the print cartridge selectively selects one or more values of the plurality of bits in response to a predetermined event. 794. The print cartridge of claim 794, configured to change.   779. The method of claim 795, comprising a plurality of fusible links, wherein each of the fusible links stores one of the plurality of bits and is selectively blown in response to the event. Print cartridge.   The print head comprises a plurality of unit cells, each of the unit cells individually comprising data from a corresponding data register, most of the unit cells loading the plurality of appropriate data into the register. Combined with a corresponding plurality of individual print nozzles for ejecting ink so that one or more values of the bits of the unit can be changed, wherein a small number of the unit cells have a corresponding plurality of the bits The print cartridge of claim 795, wherein the print cartridge is associated with.   When the print cartridge is loaded, the mobile device further comprises one or more contacts for operative connection with one or more corresponding complementary contacts in the mobile device, the mobile device comprising the at least one contact The print cartridge of claim 796, wherein a change in the value of one or more of the plurality of bits can be controlled via the.   The print cartridge of claim 792, wherein the data indicates a remaining number of prints.   The print cartridge of claim 792, wherein the data indicates an amount of ink used by the print cartridge or an amount of ink remaining in the print cartridge.   The print cartridge of claim 792, wherein the data indicates a number of prints performed by the print cartridge or a remaining number of prints to be printed.   The print cartridge of claim 792, further comprising a sensor configured to perceive data encoded on a print medium printed by the print head.   810. The print cartridge of claim 802, wherein the sensor is configured to output perceived encoded data to the mobile device.   803. The print cartridge of claim 802, configured to synchronize printing on the print medium using a clock derived from perceived encoded data.   804. The print cartridge of claim 804, wherein the encoded data includes a linear encoded clock track, and the clock is derived from the clock track during printing.   The encoded data includes a linear encoded data track representing an identification of the print media, and the cartridge is configured to output the perceived encoded data to the mobile device to allow the identification determination. 803. The print cartridge according to claim 803. A capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head;
A capping mechanism comprising a capper capable of moving between a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, wherein the cap is displaced from the print head at the non-cap position;
The print cartridge of claim 792, wherein the capper moves between the cap position and the non-cap position by an edge of the print medium as the print medium moves through the feed passage.   807. The print cartridge of claim 807, wherein at the cap position, the capper is resiliently forced into the capping relationship.   809. The print cartridge of claim 808, wherein the capping mechanism is configured to displace the capper in the feed direction when the capper moves from the cap position to the non-cap position.   810. The print cartridge of claim 809, wherein the capping mechanism is further configured to simultaneously displace the capper in a direction away from the print head when the capper is displaced in the feed direction.   810. The print cartridge of claim 810, further comprising a locking mechanism for holding the capper in the uncapped position while the print medium is being printed by the print head. A replaceable print cartridge for loading on a mobile device,
A print head;
At least one ink storage container;
Storage means configured to store information indicative of the amount of printing that can be achieved by the cartridge based on the amount of ink in the at least one ink reservoir;
A print cartridge comprising an information changing mechanism for changing the value of the information.   812. The print cartridge of claim 812, wherein the information indicates an amount of ink remaining in the at least one ink reservoir.   813. The print cartridge of claim 813, comprising a plurality of ink cartridges, wherein the information individually indicates an amount of ink remaining in each of the storage containers.   813. The print cartridge of claim 813, comprising a plurality of ink cartridges, wherein the information generally indicates an average remaining amount of ink in the storage container.   812. The print cartridge of claim 812, wherein the information indicates an expected number of typical prints that the print cartridge can achieve based on the amount of ink in the at least one ink reservoir.   The storage means can store the information in the form of a plurality of subvalue units, and can change the value of the information by permanently changing one or more of the plurality of subvalue units. 812. The print cartridge of claim 812.   817. The print cartridge of claim 817, wherein the sub-value unit is a bit.   818. The print cartridge of claim 818, configured to automatically change a value of one of the plurality of bits each time a predetermined amount of ink is consumed by printing.   818. The print cartridge of claim 818, configured to automatically change a value of one of the plurality of bits each time a predetermined number of prints are printed.   Each value of the plurality of bits is stored in a form that can be changed only once, and the print cartridge selectively selects one or more values of the plurality of bits in response to a predetermined event. 818. The print cartridge of claim 818, configured to change.   A plurality of fusible links, each of the fusible links storing one of the plurality of bits and configured to be selectively blown by the cartridge in response to the event. Item 821. The print cartridge according to Item 821.   The print head comprises a plurality of unit cells, each of the unit cells individually comprising data from a corresponding data register, most of the unit cells loading the plurality of appropriate data into the register. Combined with a corresponding plurality of individual print nozzles for ejecting ink so that one or more values of the bits of the unit can be changed, wherein a small number of the unit cells have a corresponding plurality of the bits The print cartridge of claim 821, wherein the print cartridge is coupled to.   When the print cartridge is loaded, the mobile device further comprises one or more contacts for operative connection with one or more corresponding complementary contacts in the mobile device, the mobile device comprising the at least one contact 818. The print cartridge of claim 818, wherein a change in the value of one or more of the plurality of bits can be controlled via the.   812. The print cartridge of claim 812, further comprising a sensor configured to perceive data encoded on a print medium printed by the print head.   825. The print cartridge of claim 825, wherein the sensor is configured to output perceived encoded data to the mobile device.   825. The print cartridge of claim 825, configured to synchronize printing on the print medium using a clock derived from perceived encoded data.   827. The print cartridge of claim 827, wherein the encoded data includes a linear encoded clock track, and the clock is derived from the clock track during printing.   The encoded data includes a linear encoded data track representing an identification of the print media, and the cartridge is configured to output the perceived encoded data to the mobile device to allow the identification determination. 826. The print cartridge of claim 826. A capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head;
A capping mechanism comprising a capper capable of moving between a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, wherein the cap is displaced from the print head at the non-cap position;
812. The print cartridge of claim 812, wherein the capper moves between the cap position and the non-cap position by an edge of the print medium as the print medium moves through the feed path.   830. The print cartridge of claim 830, wherein in the cap position, the capper is elastically forced into the capping relationship. A print head disposed in a print path along which the print medium moves during printing;
A sensor disposed in the print path for sensing that a print medium has been inserted into the print path,
Using the sensor to detect that a print medium has been inserted;
A mobile device configured to start printing on a print medium without requiring user intervention other than inserting the print medium.   The mobile device includes a display for displaying visual information to a user, and the mobile device automatically prints data related to the current document or other type of information displayed on the display. The mobile device of claim 832, wherein the mobile device is configured as follows.   833. The mobile device of claim 833, wherein the mobile device is configured to automatically print a next job in a print queue maintained by the mobile device.   834. The mobile device of claim 832, wherein printing that does not require user intervention is combined with a mode that a user can set for the mobile device.   834. The printer further comprising drive means for driving the print medium to the tip of the print head during printing, the drive means configured to start driving the print medium as part of a printing process. The mobile device described in.   The mobile device of claim 836, wherein the drive means comprises at least one roller disposed in the print path upstream of the print head.   The mobile device of claim 832, wherein the sensor is configured to read data encoded in the print medium.   Whether the mobile device comprises a transmitter and a receiver, the transmitter configured to send a message to a remote computer based on the read encoded data, and whether the receiver can print on the print medium; 838. The mobile device of claim 838, configured to receive a response that indicates from the remote computer. Driving the print medium along the print path while the sensor is reading the encoded data;
Driving the print medium along the print path to a rear print start position; and
The mobile device of claim 839, further comprising drive means configured to drive the print medium along the print path while a printer is printing on the print medium.   The sensor senses the encoded data while the print medium is being printed, and the mobile device extracts a clock signal from the encoded data, and uses the extracted clock signal to output the print medium to the print medium. 842. The mobile device of claim 840 configured to synchronize printing.   The sensor senses at least a portion of the encoded data when the print medium is first inserted, and the mobile device determines the orientation of the print medium from the perceived encoded data, and the print medium The mobile device of claim 832, wherein the mobile device is configured to prevent printing when the is not inserted correctly.   845. The mobile device of claim 842, wherein the mobile device is configured to output an instruction to a user if the print medium is not inserted correctly. The print medium comprises a linear encoded data track evolving in an intended print direction, the mobile device comprising:
A sensor configured to perceive the data track during printing;
A print head for printing on the print medium in response to an ejection control signal;
834. The mobile device of claim 832, comprising injection control means connected to generate the injection control signal based on a perceived data track.   844. The mobile device of claim 844, further comprising a light emitting device for illuminating the data track while the sensor is perceiving the data track during printing.   845. The mobile device of claim 845, wherein the data track is printed with infrared ink, the light emitting device emits light in the infrared spectrum, and the light sensor is sensitive to the infrared spectrum.   844. The data track is a clock track that includes only a clock code, and the jetting control means is configured to generate the jetting control signal in the form of a clock signal generated from a perceived data track. The mobile device described in.   The data track includes first information including an embedded clock signal, and the injection control means is configured to generate the injection control signal in the form of a clock signal derived from a perceived data track; 844. The mobile device of claim 844.   The first information represents at least one physical characteristic of the print medium, and the mobile device controls operation of the print head based at least in part on at least one of the physical characteristics. 847. The mobile device of claim 848, configured.   844. The mobile device of claim 844, configured to determine an absolute position of the print medium relative to the print head using a perceived data track, and to use the determination to print on the print medium. .   The data track further encodes first information, the print medium further includes second encoded data encoding second information, and the first information represents the second information. 850. A mobile device according to claim 850. A method for authenticating the print medium using a mobile device before printing on the print medium is completed, the mobile device comprising processing means, a print head and a sensor, and the print medium comprising a substrate. The method comprises:
Using the sensor to perceive encoded data provided on a surface of the substrate;
Using the processing means to interpret the encoded data and authenticate the print medium;
Using the print head to print on the print medium when authenticated in the authenticating step. Using the processor means to interpret the encoded data;
From the perceived encoded data,
Identifying a plurality of signature fragments that are digital signatures of at least a portion of the identification;
Determining a definitive signature using the plurality of signature fragments;
Generating a creation identification using the confirmed signature and key;
Comparing the identification with the creation identification;
854. The method of claim 852 further comprising: authenticating the print medium using the compared result. The encoded data includes a plurality of encoded data portions, and each of the encoded data portions is:
854. The method of clause 852, wherein the identifying and encoding at least one signature fragment includes the step of perceiving a plurality of encoded data portions and thereby determining the plurality of signature fragments.   The plurality of encoded data portions are perceived as the print medium moves beyond the sensor while the print medium moves along a print path defined within the mobile device. 854. The method of claim 854. Each of the encoded data portions encodes a signature fragment identification, the method comprising:
Determining the signature fragment identification of each confirmed signature fragment;
855. The method of claim 855, comprising determining the confirmed signature using the confirmed signature fragment identification.   The encoded data includes a plurality of layouts, each layout having a plurality of first symbols encoding the identification and a plurality of second symbol positions defining at least one signature fragment. The method of claim 853, wherein:   856. The method of claim 856, wherein the encoded data includes a plurality of tags, and each of the encoded data portions is formed from at least one of the plurality of tags.   The encoded data is printed on the surface using at least one of invisible ink and infrared absorbing ink, and the method perceives the encoded data using an infrared sensor. 854. The method of claim 852, comprising:   The method of claim 853, wherein the plurality of signature fragments represent an entire signature. The mobile device comprises a transmitter and a receiver, the method comprising:
Using the transmitter to transmit a first message representative of the identity to a remote computer system;
Using the receiver to receive a second message from the remote computer system that includes data indicative of at least one of a padding private key and a public key combined with the signature;
85. The method of claim 853, comprising generating the creation identification using the confirmed signature and the data, a private key or a public key. The signature is a digital signature of at least a portion of the identification and at least a portion of a predetermined padding;
Determining the predetermined padding using the identification;
85. The method of claim 853, comprising generating the creation identification using the predetermined padding and the confirmed signature. The perceived encoded data is further
At least one location of the plurality of data portions at least one location of a plurality of data portions on the print medium size of the data portion size of the signature size of the signature fragment identification of the signature fragment indicated 854. The method of claim 854, wherein the unit of duplicate data represents data that allows error correction and represents at least one of Reed-Solomon data and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) data. The digital signature is
A random number associated with the identification, at least the identification hash, at least the identification hammer, which is generated using a dedicated key and can be verified using the corresponding public key, at least the identification is encrypted A ciphertext generated by encrypting at least the identification and random number and a ciphertext that can be verified using a corresponding public key generated using a dedicated key. The method of claim 853, comprising at least one of them. Said identification is
854. The method of claim 852, comprising identification of at least one of the print medium and a region of the print medium. The encoded data includes a number of encoded data portions, each of the encoded data portions being
854. The method of clause 852, encoding an identification and at least a portion of a signature that is a digital signature of at least a portion of the identification.   854. The method of claim 852, further comprising the step of initiating printing prior to determining whether authenticated in the authenticating step and suspending printing if not authenticated. A method for authenticating the print medium using a mobile device before printing on the print medium is completed, the mobile device comprising processing means, a print head, a transmitter, a receiver and a sensor, the print medium Comprising a substrate, the method comprising:
Using the sensor to perceive encoded data provided on a surface of the substrate;
Using the processing means to determine the identity of the print medium from the perceived encoded data;
Using the transmitter to transmit a first message representative of the identity to a remote computer system;
Using the receiver to receive a second message from the remote computer system that includes data indicating whether the identification is associated with a print medium that may be printed;
Using the print head to print on the print medium utilizing the data. The print medium includes an orientation marker, and the method comprises:
Perceiving the orientation marker before perceiving the encoded data;
868. The method of claim 868, comprising preventing printing when the media is not inserted correctly.   868. The method of clause 868, comprising instructing a user of a mobile device that the orientation of the media needs to be changed if the media is not inserted correctly.   854. The method of claim 852, wherein the substrate is a laminated substrate. A method for authenticating the print medium online using a mobile device before printing on the print medium is completed, the mobile device comprising processing means, a print head, a sensor, a transmitter and a receiver, The printing medium comprises a laminated substrate, and the method comprises:
Using the sensor to perceive encoded data provided on a surface of the substrate;
From the perceived encoded data,
Using the processing means to determine an identification of the print medium and at least a portion of a signature that is a digital signature of at least a portion of the identification;
Using the transmitter to transmit first data indicative of the identification and the at least part of the signature to a remote computer system;
Responsive to the first data, the receiver is used to receive second data from the remote computer system indicating whether the print medium has been authenticated based on the identification and the at least part of the signature. And steps to
Using the print head to print on the print medium when the print medium is authenticated. The encoded data includes a plurality of encoded data portions, and each of the encoded data portions is:
Encoding the identification and at least one signature fragment, the method comprising: perceiving a plurality of encoded data portions, thereby determining a plurality of signature fragments indicative of the at least part of the signature. 872. The method according to 872.   The plurality of encoded data portions are perceived as the print medium moves beyond the sensor while the print medium moves along a print path defined within the mobile device. 873. The method of claim 873. Each of the encoded data portions encodes a signature fragment identification, and the method comprises:
Determining the signature fragment identification of each confirmed signature fragment;
875. The method of claim 874, further comprising: determining the at least part of the signature using the committed signature fragment identification and a corresponding signature fragment.   877. The method of claim 873, wherein the plurality of signature fragments represent an entire signature.   873. The method of claim 873, wherein the encoded data includes a plurality of tags, and each of the encoded data portions is formed from at least one of the plurality of tags. The second data further includes
The method of claim 872, wherein at least one of a padding private key and a public key combined with the signature is shown. The perceived encoded data is further
At least one position of the plurality of data portions at least one position of the plurality of data portions on the print medium at least one size of the plurality of data portions size of the signature size of the signature fragment 875. The method of claim 873, wherein the signature fragment identification unit at the indicated position duplicate data represents data that allows error correction and represents at least one of Reed-Solomon data and cyclic redundancy check (CRC) data. The digital signature is
A random number associated with the identification, at least the identification hash, at least the identification hammer, which is generated using a dedicated key and can be verified using the corresponding public key, at least the identification is encrypted A ciphertext generated by encrypting at least the identification and random number and a ciphertext that can be verified using a corresponding public key generated using a dedicated key. The method of claim 872, comprising at least one of them. Said identification is
The method of claim 872, comprising identifying at least one of the print medium and a region of the print medium. The encoded data includes multiple encoded data portions, each of the encoded data portions being
The method of claim 872, wherein the identification and at least a portion of a signature that is a digital signature of at least a portion of the identification are encoded.   The method of claim 872, further comprising: starting printing prior to determining whether authenticated in the authenticating step; and stopping printing if not authenticated. The print medium includes an orientation marker, and the method comprises:
Perceiving the orientation marker before perceiving the encoded data;
The method of claim 872, comprising preventing printing when the media is not inserted correctly.   888. The method of clause 888, comprising instructing a user of a mobile device that the orientation of the media needs to be changed if the media is not inserted correctly.   The encoded data is printed on the surface using at least one of invisible ink and infrared absorbing ink, and the method perceives the encoded data using an infrared sensor. The method of claim 872, comprising:   The print medium comprises at least one data track extending longitudinally, and the method extracts a clock signal from the data track while the print medium is being printed; 875. The method of claim 872, comprising using the clock signal to synchronize printing.   The method of claim 887, wherein the data track further includes first information representing the identification.   The method of claim 887, wherein the data track is linearly encoded.   The method of claim 887, wherein the clock signal is embedded in data that is encoded in the data track, and the method includes extracting the clock signal from the data track.   The encoded data is printed on the surface using at least one of invisible ink and infrared absorbing ink, and the method perceives the encoded data using an infrared sensor. The method of claim 872, comprising: A method of authenticating the print medium offline using a mobile device before printing on the print medium is completed, the mobile device comprising processing means, a print head and a sensor, wherein the print medium is stacked Comprising a substrate, the method comprising:
Using the sensor to perceive encoded data provided on a surface of the substrate;
Using the processing means;
From the perceived encoded data,
Determining at least part of a signature that is an identification of the print medium and a digital signature of at least part of the identification;
Determining a firm signature using the at least part of the signature;
Generating a creation identification using the confirmed signature and a public key stored in the mobile device;
Comparing the identification with the creation identification;
Authenticating the print medium using the compared results;
Using the print head to print on the print medium when authenticated in the authenticating step. The mobile device comprises a receiver, and the method is performed prior to generating the creation identification;
Using the receiver to receive data indicative of the public key;
The method of claim 892, comprising storing the public key in a memory of the mobile device.   The mobile device comprises a transmitter, and the method includes transmitting a request for the public key to a remote computer system, the receiver responding to the request with data indicating the public key in the computer. 893. The method of claim 893, received from the system.   The method of claim 892, further comprising retrieving a key from a remote computer system prior to generating the creation identification.   The method of claim 892, wherein the encoded data includes a plurality of fragments of the signature, and the method includes determining a plurality of signature fragments from the perceived encoded data. The encoded data includes a plurality of encoded data portions, and each of the encoded data portions is
899. The method of claim 896, wherein the identification and at least one signature fragment are encoded, and the method includes the step of perceiving a plurality of encoded data portions, thereby determining the plurality of signature fragments.   The plurality of encoded data portions are perceived as the print medium moves beyond the sensor while the print medium moves along a print path defined within the mobile device. The method of claim 897. Each of the encoded data portions encodes a signature fragment identification, the method comprising:
Determining the signature fragment identification of each confirmed signature fragment;
The method of claim 897, comprising: determining the confirmed signature using the confirmed signature fragment identification.   The method of claim 897, wherein the encoded data includes a plurality of tags, and each of the encoded data portions is formed from at least one of the plurality of tags.   The method of claim 897, wherein the plurality of signature fragments represent an entire signature. The signature is a digital signature of at least a portion of the identification and at least a portion of a predetermined padding;
Determining the predetermined padding using the identification;
94. The method of claim 892, comprising generating the creation identification using the predetermined padding and the confirmed signature. The mobile device comprises a transmitter and a receiver, the method comprising:
Using the transmitter to transmit a first message representative of the identity to a remote computer system;
Using the receiver to receive a second message from the remote computer system that includes data indicative of padding associated with the signature;
903. The method of claim 903, comprising: generating the creation identification using the confirmed signature and the padding. The encoded data further includes:
At least one position of the plurality of data portions at least one position of the plurality of data portions on the print medium at least one size of the plurality of data portions size of the signature size of the signature fragment The method of claim 897, wherein the signature fragment is identified. Unit at the indicated position Duplicate data Data allowing error correction Represents at least one of Reed-Solomon data and Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) data. The digital signature is
A random number associated with the identification, at least the identification hash, at least the identification hammer, which is generated using a dedicated key and can be verified using the corresponding public key, at least the identification is encrypted A ciphertext generated by encrypting at least the identification and random number and a ciphertext that can be verified using a corresponding public key generated using a dedicated key. The method of claim 892, comprising at least one of them. Said identification is
The method of claim 892, comprising identification of at least one of the print medium and a region of the print medium. The encoded data includes multiple encoded data portions, each of the encoded data portions being
The method of claim 892, encoding the identification and at least a portion of a signature that is a digital signature of at least a portion of the identification.   The method of claim 892, further comprising the step of initiating printing prior to the step of determining whether authentication has been performed in the authentication step and stopping printing if not authenticated. The print medium includes an orientation marker, and the method comprises:
Perceiving the orientation marker before perceiving the encoded data;
The method of claim 892, comprising preventing printing when the media is not inserted correctly.   The encoded data is printed on the surface using at least one of invisible ink and infrared absorbing ink, and the method perceives the encoded data using an infrared sensor. The method of claim 892, comprising: A method for authenticating a printed token using a mobile device and outputting an image associated with the token, the mobile device comprising a sensor and a processing means, the method comprising:
Using the sensor to perceive data encoded in the printed token;
Using the processing means to determine at least the identification of the token from the perceived encoded data;
Authenticating the token using the identity;
Determining an image associated with the token based at least on the identification;
Outputting the image from the mobile device in a visible form.   911. The method of clause 911, wherein the mobile device comprises a display and outputting the image comprises displaying the image on the display.   911. The method of clause 911, wherein the mobile device comprises a print head and outputting the image comprises printing the image on a print medium using the print head. The mobile device comprising a transmitter and a receiver, and determining an image associated with the token;
Using the transmitter to transmit at least first data representative of the identification to a remote computer system;
912. receiving the second data representing the image from the computer system via the receiver. The mobile device comprises a transmitter and a receiver, the method comprising:
Using the processing means to determine at least a portion of a signature that is a digital signature of at least a portion of the identification from the perceived encoded data;
Using the transmitter to transmit first data representing the identification and the at least part of the signature to a remote computer system;
Responsive to the first data, the receiver is used to receive second data from the remote computer system indicating whether the print medium has been authenticated based on the identification and the at least part of the signature. 911. The method of claim 911, comprising: The encoded data includes a plurality of encoded data portions, and each of the encoded data portions is
Encoding the identification and at least one signature fragment, the method comprising: perceiving a plurality of encoded data portions, thereby determining a plurality of signature fragments indicative of the at least part of the signature. 915. The method of claim 915.   Perceiving the plurality of encoded data portions as the print medium moves beyond the sensor while the print medium is moving along a print path defined in the mobile device. 916. The method of claim 916, comprising. Each of the encoded data portions encodes a signature fragment identification, the method comprising:
Determining the signature fragment identification of each confirmed signature fragment;
And determining the at least part of the signature using the committed signature fragment identification and corresponding signature fragment.   916. The method of claim 916, wherein the plurality of signature fragments represent an entire signature.   916. The method of clause 916, wherein the encoded data includes a plurality of tags, each encoded data portion being formed from at least one of the plurality of tags. The second data further includes
916. The method of clause 915, wherein the method indicates at least one of a padding private key and a public key combined with the signature. Using the processing means to determine at least a portion of a signature that is a digital signature of at least a portion of the identification from the perceived encoded data;
Determining a firm signature using the at least part of the signature;
Generating a creation identification using the confirmed signature and a public key stored in the mobile device;
Comparing the identification with the creation identification;
911. using the compared result to authenticate the print medium. The mobile device comprises a receiver, and the method is performed prior to generating the creation identification;
Using the receiver to receive data indicative of the public key;
922. The method of claim 922, comprising storing the public key in a memory of the mobile device.   The mobile device comprises a transmitter, and the method includes transmitting a request for the public key to a remote computer system, the receiver responding to the request with data indicating the public key in the computer. 923. The method of claim 923, received from the system.   922. The method of claim 922, further comprising retrieving a key from a remote computer system prior to generating the creation identification.   922. The method of claim 922, wherein the encoded data includes a plurality of fragments of the signature, and the method includes determining a plurality of the signature fragments from perceived encoded data. The encoded data includes a plurality of encoded data portions, and each of the encoded data portions is
927. The method of claim 926, wherein the identification and at least one signature fragment are encoded, and the method includes the step of perceiving a plurality of encoded data portions and thereby determining the plurality of signature fragments.   The plurality of encoded data portions are perceived as the print medium moves beyond the sensor while the print medium moves along a print path defined within the mobile device. 927. The method of claim 927. Each of the encoded data portions encodes a signature fragment identification, the method comprising:
Determining the signature fragment identification of each confirmed signature fragment;
927. using the confirmed signature fragment identification to determine the confirmed signature.   914. The method of claim 914, wherein the print medium includes second encoded data, and the method includes printing the image on the print medium such that the print medium is another token combined with the image. The method described. A mobile device,
A printer for printing on a print medium;
A mobile device comprising a stylus having a print head chip that allows a user to use the mobile device as a document creation device or drafting device, wherein the stylus and the printer share at least one common ink reservoir.   932. The mobile device of claim 931, wherein ink is supplied from the at least one common storage container to the stylus via at least one ink supply conduit.   932. The mobile device of claim 932, wherein the at least one ink supply conduit is flexible.   933. The mobile device of claim 933, wherein the at least one supply conduit comprises a power and data connection for the printhead chip.   938. The mobile device of claim 933, further comprising a stylus retraction mechanism.   937. The conduit of claim 934, wherein the conduit comprises a flexible PCB that supports the power and data connection, the flexible PCB forming one of the walls of at least one ink supply tube. Mobile device.   937. The mobile device of claim 936, wherein the conduit comprises a plurality of the ink supply tubes.   932. The mobile device of claim 931, wherein the printer comprises a replaceable cartridge with the at least one storage container.   The mobile device of claim 938, wherein the cartridge comprises a plurality of the ink reservoirs.   The mobile device of claim 938, wherein the cartridge comprises a page width printhead.   The mobile device of claim 942, wherein the mobile device comprises a cradle for receiving the cartridge, and the cartridge comprises a plurality of contacts for receiving power and data from a corresponding complementary contact in the cradle.   The mobile device of claim 938, wherein the stylus forms part of the cartridge.   940. The mobile device of claim 939, wherein the printhead chip comprises an array of a plurality of printhead nozzle rows that are radially deployed.   941. The mobile device of claim 943, wherein the rows of print head nozzles are deployed in a radial straight line from a central region of the print head chip.   943. The mobile device of claim 943, wherein the rows of print head nozzles are curved outward from a central region of the print head chip.   933. The mobile device of claim 931, wherein the stylus comprises a pressure sensor for determining that the stylus is in contact with a surface, and is configured to print only when the stylus contacts the surface. .   947. The mobile device of claim 946, wherein the pressure sensor is a switch. The printer is
It is possible to move between a capping position forced by a capping relationship with the print head and a non-cap position where the print head can print on the print medium, where the print head can be moved from the print head. A capping mechanism including a displaced capper;
931. The mobile device of claim 931, wherein the capper moves between the cap position and the non-cap position by an edge of the print medium as the print medium moves through the feed path.   948. The mobile device of claim 948, wherein in the cap position, the capper is elastically forced into the capping relationship.   950. The mobile device of claim 949, wherein the capping mechanism is configured to displace the capper in a feed direction when the capper moves from the cap position to the non-cap position. A mobile device,
A first receiver for receiving a signal from a mobile telephone system;
A first transmitter for transmitting a signal via the mobile telephone system;
A mobile device comprising a stylus that allows a user to use the mobile device as a document creation device or a drafting device. A first sensor device for perceiving encoded data and outputting raw data based on the perceived data;
And a transmitter controller operable to control the first transmitter to transmit output data based at least in part on the perceived data to the computer system via the mobile telephone system. 951. The mobile device of claim 951.   953. The mobile device of claim 952, wherein the first sensory device is disposed on the stylus.   953. The mobile device of claim 952, wherein the stylus comprises a printhead chip with an array of nozzles for performing document creation or drafting.   951. The mobile device of claim 951, further comprising a printer mechanism comprising a page width print head for printing on a media substrate, wherein the print head is disposed adjacent to a media feed path through the device.   The printer mechanism is adapted to receive document data and print an interface based at least in part on the document data based on the document data, the document data including identification data representing at least one identification; 95. The mobile device of claim 955, wherein the mobile device is coupled to a region of the interface, and the interface includes encoded data.   957. The mobile device of claim 955, further comprising at least one ink storage container, wherein the print head chip and the printer mechanism in the stylus share the at least one ink storage container.   A second transmitter and a second receiver adapted to transmit data to and receive data from the one or more sensor devices, wherein the sensor device transmits the data; 96. The mobile device of claim 955, which transmits.   A second transmitter and a second receiver adapted to transmit data to and receive data from the one or more sensor devices, wherein the sensor device transmits the data; 96. The mobile device of claim 955, which transmits.   957. The mobile device of claim 955, further comprising a transmitter controller adapted to cause the mobile telephone unit to transmit data based on first data to the computer system via the first transmitter. The printer mechanism further comprises a capper assembly capable of moving between a cap position covering the nozzle and a non-cap position spaced from the nozzle;
954. The mobile device of claim 954, wherein the capper assembly is held in an uncapped position by a medium so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the medium.   The mobile device of claim 961, wherein the encoded data is encoded on a sheet of media substrate, and a print engine controller uses a sensor to determine the position of the sheet relative to the print head.   The mobile device of claim 961, further comprising a media feed roller for feeding the media to the tip of the print head.   The media substrate is a sheet, and the trailing edge of the sheet and the medium feeding roller are disengaged prior to printing, and the trailing edge protrudes toward the tip of the print head according to the momentum of the sheet. 96. The mobile device according to 961.   964. The capper assembly lightly grasps the sheet so that a portion of the sheet can exit the mobile device and be easily collected by hand after printing of the sheet is completed. The mobile device described in.   961. The mobile device of claim 961, wherein the capper assembly moves from the cap position toward the uncapped position when engaged with a leading edge of the sheet.   The print head during printing, a print medium feed path for guiding the print medium in the feed direction to the tip of the print head, and for driving the print medium to the tip of the print head for printing The mobile device of claim 961, incorporated in a cartridge further comprising a drive mechanism.   The print head has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, the ink having a negative hydrostatic pressure An ink storage container individually including at least one blotting structure for guiding the ink to the nozzle, and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use. 96. The mobile device according to 961. A drive shaft with a media engaging surface for feeding the media substrate along the feed path;
961. The mobile device of claim 961, further comprising a media guide adjacent to the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate relative to the media engaging surface. A drive shaft for feeding the sheet of media substrate to the tip of the print head; in use;
971. The mobile device of claim 960, wherein the engagement of the sheet and the drive shaft is disengaged before printing is complete such that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes beyond the print head due to momentum. . A first transmitter for transmitting a signal via a mobile telephone system;
A first receiver for receiving a signal from a mobile telephone system;
A first monochromatic image sensor device for perceiving encoded data and outputting raw data based on the perceived data;
A mobile comprising: a transmitter controller operable to control the first transmitter to transmit output data based at least in part on the perceived data to a computer system via the mobile telephone system; machine.   The mobile device of claim 971, further comprising a stylus that allows a user to use the mobile device as a document creation device or a drawing device.   972. The mobile device of claim 972, wherein the first monochrome image sensor device is disposed on the stylus.   972. The mobile device of claim 972, wherein the stylus has a printhead chip with an array of nozzles for performing document creation or drafting.   The mobile device of claim 971, further comprising a printer mechanism comprising a page width print head for printing on a media substrate, wherein the print head is disposed adjacent to a media feed path through the device.   The printer mechanism is adapted to receive document data and print an interface based at least in part on the document data based on the document data, the document data including identification data representing at least one identification; 980. The mobile device of claim 975, coupled to a region of the interface, wherein the interface includes encoded data.   980. The mobile device of claim 975, further comprising at least one ink storage container, wherein the print head chip and the printer mechanism in the stylus share the at least one ink storage container.   And further comprising a second transmitter and a second receiver adapted to transmit data to and receive data from the one or more monochrome image sensor devices. 980. The mobile device of claim 975, wherein the device transmits data.   And further comprising a second transmitter and a second receiver adapted to transmit data to and receive data from the one or more monochrome image sensor devices. 980. The mobile device of claim 975, wherein the device transmits data.   980. The mobile device of claim 975 further comprising a transmitter controller adapted to cause the mobile telephone unit to transmit data based on first data to the computer system via the first transmitter. The printer mechanism further comprises a capper assembly capable of moving between a cap position covering the nozzle and a non-cap position spaced from the nozzle;
957. The mobile device of claim 974, wherein the capper assembly is held in an uncapped position by a medium so that the capper assembly moves to the cap position when disengaged from the medium.   The mobile device of claim 981, wherein the encoded data is encoded on a sheet of media substrate, and a print engine controller uses a sensor to determine the position of the sheet relative to the print head.   The mobile device of claim 981, further comprising a media feed roller for feeding the media to the tip of the print head.   The media substrate is a sheet, and the trailing edge of the sheet and the medium feeding roller are disengaged prior to printing, and the trailing edge protrudes toward the tip of the print head according to the momentum of the sheet. 98. The mobile device according to 981.   984. The capper assembly lightly grasps the sheet so that a portion of the sheet can be removed from the mobile device and easily collected by hand after printing of the sheet is completed. The mobile device described in.   The mobile device of claim 981, wherein the capper assembly moves from the cap position toward the uncapped position when engaged with a leading edge of the sheet.   The print head during printing, a print medium feed path for guiding the print medium in the feed direction to the tip of the print head, and for driving the print medium to the tip of the print head for printing The mobile device of claim 981, incorporated in a cartridge further comprising a drive mechanism.   The print head has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, the ink having a negative hydrostatic pressure An ink storage container individually including at least one blotting structure for guiding the ink to the nozzle, and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use. 98. The mobile device according to 981. A drive shaft with a media engaging surface for feeding the media substrate along the feed path;
The mobile device of claim 981, further comprising a media guide adjacent to the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate relative to the media engaging surface. A drive shaft for feeding the sheet of media substrate to the tip of the print head; in use;
980. The mobile device of claim 980, wherein the engagement of the sheet and the drive shaft is disengaged before printing is complete, such that momentum causes the trailing edge of the sheet to protrude beyond the print head to complete printing. . A mobile device,
A first receiver for receiving a signal from a mobile telephone system;
A first transmitter for transmitting a signal via the mobile telephone system;
A mobile device comprising a stylus that allows a user to use the mobile device as a document creation device or a drafting device. A first sensor device for perceiving encoded data and outputting raw data based on the perceived data;
And a transmitter controller operable to control the first transmitter to transmit output data based at least in part on the perceived data to the computer system via the mobile telephone system. 99. The mobile device of claim 991.   The mobile device of claim 992, wherein the first sensory device is disposed on the stylus.   The mobile device of claim 992, wherein the stylus comprises a printhead chip comprising an array of nozzles for performing the document creation or drafting.   The mobile device of claim 991, further comprising a printer mechanism comprising a page width print head for printing on a media substrate, wherein the print head is disposed adjacent to a media feed path through the device.   The printer mechanism is adapted to receive document data and print an interface based at least in part on the document data based on the document data, the document data including identification data representing at least one identification; The mobile device of claim 995, wherein the interface is coupled to the region of the interface, and the interface includes encoded data.   The mobile device of claim 995, further comprising at least one ink storage container, wherein the print head chip and the printer mechanism in the stylus share the at least one ink storage container.   A second transmitter and a second receiver adapted to transmit data to and receive data from the one or more sensor devices, wherein the sensor device transmits the data; The mobile device of claim 995, which transmits.   A second transmitter and a second receiver adapted to transmit data to and receive data from the one or more sensor devices, wherein the sensor device transmits the data; The mobile device of claim 995, which transmits.   The mobile device of claim 995, further comprising a transmitter controller adapted to cause the mobile telephone unit to transmit data based on first data to the computer system via the first transmitter. The printer mechanism further comprises a capper assembly capable of moving between a cap position covering the nozzle and a non-cap position spaced from the nozzle;
994. The mobile device of claim 994, wherein the capper assembly is held in the uncapped position by the medium so as to move to the cap position when disengaged from the medium.   The mobile device of claim 1001, wherein encoded data is encoded on a sheet of media substrate and a print engine controller determines a position of the sheet relative to the print head using a sensor.   The mobile device of claim 1001, further comprising a medium feeding roller for feeding the medium to the tip of the print head.   The media substrate is a sheet, and the trailing edge of the sheet and the medium feeding roller are disengaged prior to printing, and the trailing edge protrudes toward the tip of the print head according to the momentum of the sheet. 100. The mobile device according to 1001.   1004. The capper assembly lightly grasps the sheet so that after the printing of the sheet is complete, a portion of the sheet can be removed from the mobile device and easily collected by hand. The mobile device described in.   The mobile device of claim 1001, wherein the capper assembly moves from the cap position toward the uncapped position when engaged with a leading edge of the sheet.   The print head during printing, a print medium feed path for guiding the print medium in the feed direction to the tip of the print head, and for driving the print medium to the tip of the print head for printing The mobile device of claim 1001, incorporated in a cartridge further comprising a drive mechanism.   The print head has an array of a plurality of ink ejection nozzles, and is at least one ink storage container for supplying ink ejected by the nozzles to the print head, the ink having a negative hydrostatic pressure An ink storage container individually including at least one blotting structure for guiding the ink to the nozzle, and a capping mechanism for capping the print head when not in use. 100. The mobile device according to 1001. A drive shaft with a media engaging surface for feeding the media substrate along the feed path;
The mobile device of claim 1001, further comprising a media guide adjacent to the drive shaft for biasing the media substrate relative to the media engaging surface. A drive shaft for feeding the sheet of media substrate to the tip of the print head; in use;
1000. The mobile device of claim 1000, wherein the engagement of the sheet and the drive shaft is disengaged before printing is complete, such that the trailing edge of the sheet protrudes beyond the print head by momentum to complete printing. . A method of creating a printed business card using a mobile device, the mobile device comprising processing means, a mobile transceiver for communicating with a mobile telecommunications network, and a print head, the method comprising: Executed in a mobile device,
(A) determining a business card to be printed;
(B) providing dot data to the print head based on the business card determined in step (a);
(C) printing the dot data on a print medium using the print head, thereby creating the printed business card.   The mobile device includes a memory for storing information related to at least one business card, and step (a) relates to at least one of the plurality of business cards stored in the memory. The method of claim 1011, comprising accessing information to perform.   The print medium includes pre-printed encoded data, step (a) includes determining a relationship between the encoded data and the dot data, and step (c) includes the determined relationship The method of claim 1012, comprising printing the encoded data according to:   The method of claim 1013, comprising determining a position of the print medium relative to the print head before initiating printing, thereby enabling execution of printing according to the relationship. The medium comprises a linear encoded data track evolving in an intended printing direction, the method comprising:
Using a sensor in the mobile device to sense the data track during printing;
Extracting a clock signal from the perceived data track;
The method of claim 1014, comprising synchronizing printing based on the clock signal.   The method of claim 1015, wherein the data track includes only a clock code.   The method of claim 1015, wherein the data track encodes first information and the clock code is embedded in the data track and extracted with the first information.   The method of claim 1015, wherein the data track comprises first and second parallel tracks, the first track including a clock code, and the second track encoding first information.   The method of claim 1017, wherein the print medium includes other encoded data that encodes second information, wherein the first information represents the second information.   The method of claim 1019, wherein the other encoded data represents a plurality of reference points for the business card.   The method of claim 1021, wherein the other encoded data represents an identification of the print medium.   The form of the encoded data is in the form of a two-dimensional array of data, and the sensor is configured to capture an image of the subset of the encoded data, wherein the subset of the encoded data is determined by the position The method of claim 1015, sufficient to enable   The print medium for the sensor at the time when the encoded data is perceived based at least in part on the determined position and the position of the encoded data captured in the capture field of the sensor. 102. The method of claim 1022, configured to determine the position of   102. The method of claim 1023, wherein the mobile device further comprises a light emitting device, and the method includes using the light emitting device to illuminate the print medium while the sensor is perceiving the encoded data. The method described.   The method of claim 1011, wherein the determining step comprises retrieving information associated with the business card from a remote computer system using the transceiver.   The method of claim 1025, wherein the information includes personal information associated with a user of a mobile device.   Determining registration between dot data to be printed on the print medium and pre-printed encoded data, and using the transceiver to transmit data indicative of the registration to a remote computer system The method of claim 1011, further comprising:   The method of claim 1027, comprising determining the registration during printing.   The method of claim 1027, further comprising the step of determining the registration before printing. A method of printing on a print medium using a mobile device,
(A) determining print data;
(B) determining a first orientation of the print medium inserted into the mobile device;
(C) modifying the second orientation of the print data before printing on the print medium to take into account the first orientation.   The print medium includes at least one orientation indicator, the mobile device comprises at least one sensor, and step (b) uses the sensor to perceive the orientation indicator; and from the perceived orientation indicator, the The method of claim 1030, comprising determining the orientation of the print medium.   The method of claim 1031, wherein the print medium includes at least one orientation indicator on one side of the print medium and at least two orientation indicators on both sides, and the method includes the step of perceiving one of the plurality of orientation indicators. The method described.   Prior to step (b), including determining whether the orientation of the print media is a valid orientation to be printed and preventing printing if the orientation of the print media is not valid The method of claim 1030.   When the print data is intended to be printed on one predetermined side of the print medium, and the method is unable to print on the predetermined side when the print medium is inserted upside down The method of claim 1033, comprising preventing printing.   1100. The method of claim 1030, wherein step (c) includes rotating the print data 180 degrees to account for the first orientation.   The method of claim 1031, wherein one of the at least one orientation mark is disposed adjacent to a first corner of the print medium.   Another orientation mark of the at least one orientation mark is adjacent to a second corner of the first side of the print medium that is diagonally opposite the first corner. The method of claim 1036 arranged.   The method of claim 1030, wherein the at least one orientation mark is printed with infrared ink.   The method of claim 1038, wherein the at least one orientation mark is printed with infrared ink that is substantially invisible to the average human naked eye.   The method of claim 1030, wherein the print medium further comprises first encoded data encoding first information representative of physical properties of the print medium.   The method of claim 1040, wherein the first information represents a size of the print medium.   The method of claim 1041, wherein the first information represents a media type associated with the print media.   The method of claim 1041, wherein the first information represents information pre-printed on the print medium.   The method of claim 1041, wherein the first information is encoded in the encoded data according to a linear encoding scheme.   The method of claim 1044, wherein the form of the first encoded data is in the form of a data track.   The method of claim 1045, wherein the data track extends along an edge of the print media.   The method of claim 1045, comprising at least two data tracks, each encoding the first information.   And further comprising second encoded data including second information encoded according to a second encoding scheme that is completely different from the linear encoding scheme, wherein the first information represents the second information. The method according to item 1030.