Telecommunications device configured to print and sense coded data tags

• US 7,859,701 B2
• Filed: 10/06/2008
• Issued: 12/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/20/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, Lapstun, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Pham; Thierry L
• Application Number:
  US12/246,338
• Publication Number:
  US 20090047997A1
• Time in Patent Office: 813 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.1, 358/1.9, 358 111- 118
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• 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 including telecommunications componentry;

a printer arranged on the chassis adjacent a media feed path and configured to print visible information on print media, the print media including a pre-printed linear data track encoding a document identifier and a pre-printed two-dimensional pattern of coded data tags, each coded data tag encoding the document identifier;

an optical encoder positioned adjacent the media path, the optical encoder being configured for reading the linear data track on print media in media path being printed upon;

a processor for determining the document identifier from the read data track;

communication means for reporting the document identifier to a computer system and thereby causing the computer system to associate the document identifier with the visible information printed on the print media by the printer;

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

a contact sensor operatively arranged with respect to the image sensor and including a switch configured to close through contact with the print media, closure of the switch activates the image sensor to sense at least one coded data tag; and

a controller configured to decode the sensed coded data tag for determining the document identifier.

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.