TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICE CONFIGURED TO PRINT AND SENSE CODED DATA TAGS

• US 20090047997A1
• Filed: 10/06/2008
• Published: 02/19/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, Lapstun, Paul
• Granted Patent: US 7,859,701 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/556.100
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 3/36 for portability , i.e. hand-held printers or laptop printers B41J3/4075 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 8/003 Pen barrels
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 8/006 using a spraying system, e.g. airbrushes
• CPC Class Codes: B43K 8/22 with electrically or magnetically activated writing-points

Abstract

A telecommunications device includes a printer configured to print visible information and invisible coded data tags on print media. An image sensor is configured to sense the printed data tags. A contact sensor includes a switch that is configured to close through contact so that the image sensor can sense at least one data tag. A controller decodes information relating to the sensed data tag. In one embodiment, the printer includes a replaceable printhead cartridge defining ink supply reservoirs, and a quality assurance integrated circuit is configured to authenticate the integrated circuit.

Claims

1. A telecommunications device comprising:

a chassis for mounting telecommunications componentry;

a printer arranged on the chassis and configured to print visible information and invisible coded data tags on print media;

an image sensor mounted on the chassis and configured to sense the printed data tags;

a contact sensor operatively arranged with respect to the image sensor and including a switch configured to close through contact so that the image sensor can sense at least one data tag; and

a controller configured to decode information relating to the sensed data tag.

2. A telecommunications device as claimed in claim 1, wherein the printer includes a replaceable printhead cartridge defining ink supply reservoirs and a quality assurance integrated circuit configured to authenticate the printhead cartridge.

3. A telecommunications device as claimed in claim 1, which includes a camera device to capture images to be printed as visible information on the print media.

4. A telecommunications device as claimed in claim 1, which includes a data connector that enables a data cable to be plugged into the mobile telecommunications device for uploading and downloading data.

5. A telecommunications device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the data connector is configured to engage a corresponding interface in a stand so that the mobile telecommunications device is held in a generally upright position whilst data is being sent or received by the mobile telecommunications device.

6. A telecommunications device as claimed in claim 4, wherein the data connector also includes contacts that enable recharging of an internal battery of the telecommunications device via the stand.

7. A telecommunications device as claimed in claim 1, in which a microphone is mounted on the chassis and is configured to convert sound into an electronic signal to be sampled by analog to digital conversion circuitry coupled to the controller.