HOME BASE FOR A MOBILE PRINTING APPARATUS

1 . A mobile printing system comprising:

a mobile printing apparatus including:

a chassis;

a first wheel rotatably mounted on the chassis;

a second wheel rotatably mounted on the chassis;

a first motor for rotating the first wheel;

a second motor for rotating the second wheel;

a first encoder for monitoring an amount of rotation of the first wheel;

a second encoder for monitoring an amount of rotation of the second wheel;

a photosensor array; and

an array of marking elements disposed proximate the photosensor array;

a printing region for the mobile printing apparatus;

a home base including a cap configured to surround the array of marking elements; and

a controller for controlling the operation of the mobile printing apparatus.

2 . The mobile printing system of claim 1 , wherein the home base is located outside of the printing region.

3 . The mobile printing system of claim 1 , wherein the cap is configured to be raisable and lowerable.

4 . The mobile printing system of claim 1 , wherein the home base further includes a charger.

5 . The mobile printing system of claim 1 , wherein the home base further includes a liquid refill station.

6 . The mobile printing system of claim 1 , wherein the home base further includes a docking station.

7 . The mobile printing system of claim 6 , wherein a ramp is pivotably connected to the docking station.

8 . The mobile printing system of claim 6 , wherein the cap is included in the docking station.

9 . The mobile printing system of claim 8 , wherein the cap is configured to be raisable and lowerable.

10 . The mobile printing system of claim 9 , wherein the docking station further includes a rotatable element for transmitting rotational power from at least one of the first wheel and the second wheel of the mobile printing apparatus.

11 . The mobile printing system of claim 10 , wherein the docking station further includes an idler disposed between the rotatable element and the cap.

12 . The mobile printing system of claim 6 , wherein the docking station further includes a motor.

13 . The mobile printing system of claim 6 further comprising a replenishment station located proximate the docking station.

14 . The mobile printing system of claim 13 , wherein the replenishment station includes a liquid refill station.

15 . The mobile printing system of claim 13 , wherein the replenishment station includes a charger.

16 . The mobile printing system of claim 13 further including a connector for connecting between the replenishment station and the mobile printing apparatus.

17 . The mobile printing system of claim 17 further including a flexible link for connecting between the replenishment station and the connector.

18 . The mobile printing system of claim 1 , wherein the home base includes a pump that is connected to the cap by flexible tubing.

19 . The mobile printing system of claim 1 , wherein the home base includes a display.

20 . The mobile printing system of claim 1 , wherein the home base includes a position reference element.