Handheld mobile communications device with integral internal printer incorporating capping mechanism

1. A handheld mobile communications device comprising:

a support structure;

an antenna mounted on the support structure for transmitting and receiving radio signals;

radio signal processing circuitry positioned on the support structure to process the radio signals;

a speaker and microphone arrangement positioned on the support structure and operatively connected to the radio signal processing circuitry;

a printhead positioned on the support structure to carry out a printing operation;

a capping mechanism configured to selectively cap the printhead when the printhead is not in use; and

printing processing circuitry positioned on the support structure, the printing processing circuitry being configured to: generate dot data; supply the dot data to the printhead; and control operation of the printhead.

2. A communications device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the radio signal processing circuitry and the printing processing circuitry are configured so that the printing processing circuitry and the radio signal processing circuitry can function simultaneously.

3. A communications device as claimed in claim 2 , in which the radio signal processing circuitry and the printing processing circuitry are in the form of at least one application specific integrated circuit.

4. A communications device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the radio signal processing circuitry is that of a mobile telephone.

5. A communications device as claimed in claim 1 , in which the printhead is a pagewidth printhead.

6. A communications device as claimed in claim 5 , which includes an ink distribution unit that is arranged on the printhead to supply ink to the printhead.

7. A communications device as claimed in claim 1 , which includes a print media feed mechanism for feeding print media relative to the printhead so that the printing operation can be carried out on the print media.