Media cartridge and method for mobile printing

Abstract

Systems and methods for secure, remote printing includes a mobile device (e.g., cell phone or PDA) establishing a secure communication connection with a mobile printer and a server, such a connection using one or more encryption protocols (e.g., SSL, TLS, etc.). The server encrypts the requested data and transmits it to the printer via the secure connection, whereon the printer decrypts and prints the data. The mobile device can, according to other aspects of the invention, logs operational performance characteristic of the printer, the server, and/or the communication connections therebetween. A media cartridge can be provided includes an enclosure having a substantially planar shape, wherein each of its length and width dimensions are greater than its height. An opening is disposed along a width-wise edge (e.g., a “front” of the enclosure), and one or more regions are also disposed on opposing length-wise edges (e.g., a “left side” and a “right side” of the enclosure). The regions permit a user to see and/or exert a force on sheet media (e.g., paper) contained within the enclosure.

1 - 82 . (canceled) 
   
   
       83 . A media cartridge for use in a mobile printing system, comprising:
 A. an enclosure having
 (i) a substantially planar shape, wherein each of its length and width dimensions are greater than its height dimension. 
 (ii) an opening disposed along a width-wise edge, 
 (iii) one or more regions disposed on opposing length-wise edges, and 
   B. the regions permitting a user to exert a force on sheet media contained within the enclosure.   
   
   
       84 . The media cartridge of  claim 83 , wherein the media contained within the enclosure comprises one or more sheets of paper. 
   
   
       85 . The media cartridge of  claim 83 , wherein the regions on opposing length-wise edges of the enclosure comprise any of gaps, cutouts, and/or apertures. 
   
   
       86 . The media cartridge of  claim 83 , wherein the regions on opposing length-wise edges of the enclosure permit a user to directly grasp the sheet media. 
   
   
       85 . The media cartridge of  claim 83 , further comprising a removable cover that is removed prior to insertion of the enclosure into a mobile printer. 
   
   
       86 . The media cartridge of  claim 85 , wherein the removable cover is disposed along the width-wise edge of the enclosure having the opening, thereby covering that opening, and at least preventing the media from falling out of the enclosure prior to insertion into the mobile printer. 
   
   
       87 . The media cartridge of  claim 83 , wherein the enclosure is inserted into a mobile printer, and the mobile printer extracts the media through the opening disposed along the width-wise edge of the enclosure for printing on said media. 
   
   
       88 . A method for using a media cartridge in a mobile printing system, comprising the steps of:
 A. removing a cover from an enclosure, the enclosure having:   (i) a substantially planar shape, wherein each of its length and width dimensions are greater than its height dimension,   (ii) an opening disposed along a width-wise edge,   (iii) one or more regions disposed on opposing length-wise edges,   B. containing sheet media within the enclosure,   C. exerting a force on the sheet media via one or more regions disposed on the opposing length-wise edges of the enclosure.   
   
   
       89 . The method of  claim 88 , wherein step (D) comprises inserting the width-wise edge of the enclosure having the opening into a mobile printer. 
   
   
       90 . The method of  claim 89 , wherein step (E) comprises extracting, with the mobile printer, the sheet media from the enclosure. 
   
   
       91 . The method of  claim 90 , wherein step (E) further comprises extracting the media through opening disposed along the width-wise edge of the enclosure. 
   
   
       92 . The method of  claim 90 , wherein step (F) comprises printing on the media extracted from the enclosure.