A control chip, a control method and a consumable box

Abstract

The application discloses a control chip, a control method and a consumable box. The control chip comprises a first chip, the first chip is used for being electrically connected between an image forming device and a second chip, the second chip is electrically connected with a print head, the first chip comprises a memory, a first end and a third end; the first chip receives a first control signal sent by the image forming device through the first end; the first chip receives a second control signal sent by the image forming device through the third end, and selectively outputs the second control signal to the memory or the second chip according to the first control signal. The application selectively outputs the second control signal sent by the image forming device to the memory or the second chip according to the received first control signal sent by the image forming device, solves the problem that data reading errors occur due to the fact that the line for reading data of the print head and the line for the second memory of the regeneration chip are shared, and the problem that the regeneration chip is not recognized by the machine in a serious case.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the field of image processing technology, and in particular to a control chip, a control method and a consumables box. Background Art

[0002] For ink cartridges that contain print heads, since the print heads are relatively expensive, we cannot simply discard them. We hope to refill the ink cartridges with ink and reuse them. The usual practice is to set up a repair chip that is attached to the ink cartridge and connected to the original chip of the ink cartridge to control the nozzle of the ink cartridge to achieve reuse of the ink cartridge.

[0003] Existing ink cartridges with printheads (i.e., cartridges containing printhead nozzles) have two memories: the first memory is read and written via the ID port, and the second memory is read and written via the F5 port. However, the ID port not only reads and writes the first memory but also has a strobe function. Furthermore, the F5 port not only reads and writes the second memory but also controls printing. Therefore, these original printheads cannot be directly reused.

[0004] Therefore, Chinese patents such as CN216783086U, CN214563895U, and CN111746133B all propose recycling these original print heads. However, these recycling solutions fail to consider the issue of data read errors when the printer reads data from the print head (such as the voltage or resistance value corresponding to the heater resistor or thermistor). This is because the data read line of the print head shares the line of the second memory of the recycling chip. In severe cases, the recycled chip may not be recognized by the printer. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of the shortcomings of the existing technology, the purpose of the present invention is to provide a control chip, a control method and a consumable box, which are used to solve the problem of data reading errors caused by the data reading line of the print head being shared with the line of the second memory of the regeneration chip, and in severe cases, the problem of the regeneration chip not being recognized by the machine.

[0006] According to a first aspect of the present invention, a control chip is provided, comprising a first chip, the first chip being electrically connected between an image forming device and a second chip, the second chip being electrically connected to a print head, the first chip comprising a memory, a first terminal, and a third terminal;

[0007] The first chip receives a first control signal sent by the image forming device through the first end;

[0008] The first chip receives a second control signal sent by the image forming device through the third terminal, and selectively outputs the second control signal to the memory or the second chip according to the first control signal.

[0009] The control chip of the present application selectively outputs the second control signal sent by the image forming device to the memory or the second chip through the received first control signal sent by the image forming device, solves the problem that data reading error may occur due to the fact that the line for reading data of the print head shares the line of the second memory of the regeneration chip, and in serious cases, may lead to the problem that the regeneration chip is not recognized by the machine.

[0010] In some embodiments, the first control signal comprises a first value or a second value;

[0011] The first chip outputs the second control signal to the memory when the received first control signal is the first value; or

[0012] The first chip outputs the second control signal to the second chip when the received first control signal is the second value.

[0013] In some embodiments, the image forming device reads the data of the memory when the first chip outputs the second control signal to the memory; or

[0014] The image forming device controls the print head to perform inkjet or read the data on the print head when the first chip outputs the second control signal to the second chip.

[0015] In some embodiments, the first chip further comprises a selection module and a controller;

[0016] The selection module is electrically connected with the memory, the third terminal and the second chip respectively;

[0017] The controller is electrically connected with the first terminal and the selection module respectively, receives the first control signal, and controls the selection module to selectively turn on the third terminal and the memory or the second chip according to the received first control signal.

[0018] In some embodiments, the first chip further comprises a compensation circuit, which is electrically connected between the third terminal and the selection module, and is also electrically connected with the controller;

[0019] The controller controls the compensation circuit to output a preset value voltage when the selection module turns on the third terminal and the second chip, and the image forming device outputs a voltage to control the print head to perform inkjet.

[0020] In some embodiments, the preset value voltage is higher than the voltage output by the image forming device.

[0021] In some embodiments, the second chip comprises a second terminal and a fourth terminal;

[0022] The second chip receives the third control signal sent by the signal terminal through the second terminal;

[0023] The second chip receives the second control signal through the fourth terminal, and the third control signal at least enables the second chip to conduct the fourth terminal with the print head when receiving the second control signal.

[0024] According to a second aspect of the present invention, a control method is provided. The control method is implemented by the above-mentioned control chip, comprising:

[0025] The first chip receives a first control signal and a second control signal sent by the image forming device;

[0026] The first chip selectively outputs the second control signal to the memory or the second chip according to the first control signal, so that the image forming device communicates with the memory or the print head electrically connected to the second chip.

[0027] In some embodiments, the first chip outputs a preset voltage to the print head when the image forming device outputs a voltage to control the print head to eject ink.

[0028] According to a third aspect of the present invention, a consumables box is provided, which includes the above-mentioned control chip.

[0029] Compared with the prior art, the control chip, control method and consumable box of the present invention selectively output the second control signal sent by the image forming device to the memory or the second chip by receiving the first control signal sent by the image forming device, thereby solving the problem of data reading errors caused by the data reading line of the print head and the line of the second memory of the regeneration chip being shared, which may cause the regeneration chip to not be recognized in severe cases. In addition, the problem of voltage division of the selection module is solved by the compensation circuit, so that the voltage applied to the printing circuit remains unchanged or basically remains unchanged, thereby not affecting the printing quality. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0030] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the composition of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0031] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of the composition of a control chip according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0032] Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the composition of a selection module according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0033] Figure 4 FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the composition of a control chip according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0034] Explanation of the accompanying drawings: consumable box 100, original chip 200, print head 300, image forming device 400, regeneration chip 500, first chip 600, memory 610, first end 620, third end 630, selection module 640, first transistor 641, second transistor 642, controller 650, compensation circuit 660, second chip 700, second end 710, fourth end 720, signal end 800. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0035] The present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0036] Figure 1 The present invention provides an application scenario of the chip, such as Figure 1 As shown, the consumables cartridge 100 contains the printer manufacturer's original chip 200 and print head 300, with a circuit connecting the original new chip 200 and the print head 300. The original chip 200 stores information about the consumables cartridge 100, such as the ink level. The consumables cartridge 100 can be installed in an image forming device 400, such as a printer or copier. After the consumables cartridge 100 is successfully installed in the image forming device 400, the image forming device 400 is electrically connected to the chip and controls the print head 300 on the consumables cartridge 100 through the chip.

[0037] When the ink in the consumable cartridge 100 runs out, the life of the consumable cartridge 100 also expires. However, since the print head 300 contained in the consumable cartridge 100 is relatively expensive, it cannot be simply discarded. It is desirable to be able to refill the consumable cartridge 100 with ink and reuse it. However, the ink level information stored in the original chip 200 is altered after the ink runs out. As a result, even after the refilled consumable cartridge 100 is installed in the image forming device 400, the image forming device 400 still considers the ink to be exhausted.

[0038] To address this issue, the industry's common practice is to install an external chip, also known as a regeneration chip or repair chip, in addition to the original chip 200 in the refilled ink cartridge 100. The regeneration chip 500 stores new ink cartridge information and can be recognized by the image forming device 400. The regeneration chip 500 is electrically connected to the original chip 200, allowing the image forming device 400 to control the print head 300.

[0039] The existing ink cartridge (i.e. consumable cartridge 100) with a print head 300 has an original chip 200 with two memories, two ports (ID port and F5 port), a first memory is separately arranged, and a second memory is arranged in parallel with the print head circuit. The first memory is read and written through the ID port, and the second memory is read and written through the F5 port. The ID port also has a function of selecting and enabling, and selects and enables the second memory or the print head according to different signals; the F5 port also has a function of controlling the print head.

[0040] Chinese patents CN216783086U, CN214563895U, CN111746133B and the like disclose the recycling of such ink cartridges. These recycling schemes have a problem: since the lines for reading data of the print head share the lines of the memory of the recycling chip, when reading the data (such as the resistance value of the heating resistor and the thermistor) on the print head, the memory will affect the read data, and even cause the recycling chip to not recognize the machine; and when controlling the print head to print, the image forming device will apply a high voltage to the print head, and since the memory is always connected with the print head line, this high voltage may cause the data in the memory to be damaged.

[0041] According to the existing problems, the prior art is improved. Since the above-mentioned problem only occurs between the second memory and the print head, and the first memory is not involved, the first memory is omitted below, and only the relationship between the second memory and the print head is discussed. The memory referred to below refers to the above-mentioned second memory.

[0042] The control chip, control method and consumable cartridge provided by the embodiment of the present application will be described in detail below in combination with specific embodiments.

[0043] Embodiment one:

[0044] Figure 2 A control chip according to the embodiment of the present application is schematically shown. As shown in Figure 2 The control chip includes a first chip 600 (i.e. recycling chip 500), the first chip 600 is electrically connected between the image forming device 400 and the second chip 700 (i.e. original chip 200), the second chip 700 is electrically connected with the print head 300. Specifically, the first chip 600 is first installed on the consumable cartridge 100 to form an electrical connection with the second chip 700, so that the first chip 600 and the second chip 700 can communicate with each other. When the consumable cartridge 100 is installed on the image forming device 400, the first chip 600 forms an electrical connection with the image forming device 400, so that the first chip and the image forming device 400 can communicate with each other.

[0045] The first chip 600 includes a memory 610, a first end 620 and a third end 630. The memory 610 stores new ink cartridge information. After the consumable cartridge 100 is successfully installed in the image forming device 400, the first chip 600 is electrically connected to the image forming device 400 through the first end 620 and the third end 630, so that the first chip 600 receives a first control signal sent by the image forming device 400 through the first end 620, and the first chip 600 receives a second control signal sent by the image forming device 400 through the third end 630. The first chip 600 selectively outputs the second control signal received from the third end 630 to the memory 610 or the second chip based on the first control signal received from the first end 620.

[0046] The first chip 600 also includes a selection module 640 and a controller 650; the selection module 640 is electrically connected to the memory 610, the third end 630, and the second chip 700, respectively, and the controller 650 is electrically connected to the first end 620 and the selection module 640, respectively; the selection module 640 of the first chip 600 is electrically connected to the image forming device 400 through the third end 630, and the controller 650 of the first chip 600 is electrically connected to the image forming device 400 through the first end 620, so that the controller 650 can receive a first control signal sent by the image forming device 400. The controller 650 controls the selection module 640 according to the first control signal to selectively connect the image forming device 400 and the memory 610, so that the image forming device 400 and the memory 610 are electrically connected to communicate, or connect the image forming device 400 and the second chip 700, so that the image forming device 400 is electrically connected to the second chip 700 through the first chip 600 to communicate.

[0047] It should be noted that, in this embodiment, Figure 3As shown, the selection module 640 can be two switching circuits, more specifically, two transistors, that is, the first end of the first transistor 641 is electrically connected to the memory 610, the second end of the first transistor 641 is used to be electrically connected to the image forming device 400, and the control end of the first transistor 641 is electrically connected to the controller 650; the first end of the second transistor 642 is electrically connected to the second chip 700, and the second end of the second transistor 642 is used to be electrically connected to the image forming device 400. In addition, the second end of the second transistor 642 may not be electrically connected to the image forming device 400, but is electrically connected to the second end of the first transistor 641, and the control end of the second transistor is electrically connected to the controller 650. The controller 650 selectively controls the corresponding transistor to be turned on according to the first control signal sent by the image forming device 400, so that the image forming device 400 is electrically connected to the memory 610 for communication (that is, the controller 650 controls the first transistor 641 to be turned on), or the image forming device 400 is electrically connected to the second chip 700 for communication (that is, the controller 650 controls the second transistor 642 to be turned on).

[0048] The second chip 700 includes a second end 710 (i.e., the ID end of OEM, OEM is the original equipment manufacturer) and a fourth end 720 (i.e., the F5 end of OEM); the second chip 700 is electrically connected to the signal end 800 through the second end 710, so that the second chip 700 receives the third control signal sent by the signal end 800 through the second end 710, and the second chip 700 is electrically connected to the selection module 640 through the fourth end 720, so that the second chip 700 receives the second control signal output by the first chip 600 to the second chip 700 through the fourth end 720; the third control signal sent by the signal end 800 at least causes the second chip 700 to turn on the print head electrically connected to the fourth end 720 and the second chip 700 when receiving the second control signal.

[0049] The first control signal includes a first value or a second value, the first value is a high level value, and the second value is a low level value. It should be understood that the high level value is a range value, for example, higher than 0.7VCC. If VCC is 3.3V, then the high level value refers to 2.31V-3.3V, and the high level value can be represented by logic 1, and the low level value is also a range value, for example, less than 0.3VCC. If VCC is 3.3V, then the low level value refers to 0-0.99V, and the low level value can be represented by logic 0; that is, when the image forming device 400 needs to read data from the memory 610, the image forming device 400 sends the first value (that is, the signal for selecting the memory 610, such as the high level value, corresponding to logic 1) to the first terminal 620, and the first chip 6 When the first control signal received by the controller 650 of 00 through the first end 620 is a first value, the controller 650 controls the selection module 640 to connect the third end 630 and the memory 610, and the first chip 600 outputs the second control signal received from the third end 630 to the memory 610. After receiving the second control signal, the memory 610 sends the stored data to the image forming device 400. At this time, the third end 630 and the fourth end are in a disconnected state, so that the image forming device 400 is only electrically connected to the memory 610 through the third end 630, so that the image forming device 400 reads the data in the memory 610 while avoiding the memory 610 and the print head 300 being connected in parallel, which causes the image forming device 400 to read the data of the memory 610 incorrectly.

[0050] When the image forming device 400 needs to enable the print head 300, the image forming device 400 sends a second value (i.e., a signal for enabling the print head, such as a low level value, corresponding to logic 0) to the first end 620. When the first control signal received by the controller 650 of the first chip 600 through the first end 620 is the second value, the controller 650 controls the selection module 640 to connect the third end 630 and the fourth end 720 of the second chip 700. The first chip 600 outputs the second control signal received from the third end 630 to the second chip 700 through the fourth end 720. At this time, the third end 630 and the memory 610 are in a disconnected state, so that the image forming device 400 is electrically connected only to the fourth end 720 of the second chip 700 through the third end 630, thereby electrically connecting the image forming device 400 and the print head 300 to facilitate communication between the two.

[0051] It should be noted that the signal end 800 can be a signal end of the image forming apparatus 400, that is, at least when the image forming apparatus 400 sends the second value to the first end 620, the image forming apparatus 400 also sends the second value (i.e., the third control signal is the second value) to the second end 710 of the second chip 700 through the signal end 800, at this time, the second chip 700 turns on the fourth end 720 and the print head 300; the signal end 800 can also be an output end electrically connected to the first end of the first chip 600, that is, when the image forming apparatus 400 sends the second value to the first end 620 of the first chip 600, the second chip 700 also receives the second value sent by the image forming apparatus 400 through the second end 710, so that the second chip 700 can turn on the fourth end 720 and the print head 300 while the first chip 600 turns on the third end 630 and the fourth end 720; the signal end 800 can also be a signal end of the first chip 600, that is, at least when the image forming apparatus 400 sends the second value to the first end 620, the first chip 600 sends the second value to the second end 710 of the second chip 700 through the signal end 800, at this time, the second chip 700 turns on the fourth end 720 and the print head 300; the signal end 800 can also be an independent signal end, the signal end 800 can always send the second value to the second end 710, or can be electrically connected to the image forming apparatus 400 or the first chip 600, at least when the image forming apparatus 400 or the first chip 600 sends the second value to the first end 620, the second value is sent to the second end 710 of the second chip 700, so that the second chip 700 turns on the fourth end 720 and the print head 300.

[0052] When the image forming apparatus 400 is electrically connected to the print head 300, the image forming apparatus 400 has two working states, the first working state is to control the print head 300 to perform inkjet, when the image forming apparatus 400 controls the print head 300 to perform inkjet, the image forming apparatus 400 drives the print head 300 to print by applying high voltage through the third end 630, since the memory 610 and the third end 630 are in a disconnected state at this time, the high voltage of the third end 630 will not cause the data in the memory 610 to be rewritten, and will not cause the image forming apparatus 400 to read incorrect data when reading the data in the memory 610 again; the second working state is to read the data (such as the resistance value of the heating resistor, the thermistor, etc.) on the print head 300 to identify the machine, for the same reason, since the memory 610 and the third end 630 are in a disconnected state at this time, the image forming apparatus 400 only forms an electrical connection with the print head 300 through the third end 630, so that the image forming apparatus 400 reads the data on the print head 300, while avoiding the memory 610 and the print head 300 being connected in parallel, thereby avoiding the image forming apparatus 400 reading the data of the print head 300 causing reading data error, solving the problem of unable to identify the machine due to reading data error in serious cases.

[0053] Example 2:

[0054] like Figure 4 As shown, the difference between this embodiment and embodiment 1 is that the first chip 600 also includes a compensation circuit 660. The other structures of this embodiment are the same as those of embodiment 1 and are not repeated here. The compensation circuit 660 is electrically connected between the third end 630 and the selection module 640, and the compensation circuit 660 is also electrically connected to the controller 650.

[0055] When the controller 650 selects the module 640 to conduct the third end 630 electrically connected to the graphic forming device 400 and the print head 300 electrically connected to the fourth end 720 of the second chip 700, since the selection module 640 has a certain conduction resistance, when the graphic forming device 400 applies a high voltage to the third end 630 to drive the print head 300 to print, the selection module 640 will share part of the voltage, resulting in a decrease in the driving voltage on the print head 300 and a decrease in printing quality.

[0056] After adding the compensation circuit 660, when the controller 650 receives the second value through the first end 620 and the third value (i.e., the high voltage output when the image forming device controls the print head 300 to work) through the third end, the image forming device 400 controls the print head 300 to eject ink. At this time, the controller 650 controls the compensation circuit 660 to work and outputs a fourth value (i.e., the preset value voltage) higher than the third value. The increased voltage is provided to the selection module 640, so that the voltage applied to the printing circuit remains unchanged or basically remains unchanged, and does not affect the printing quality.

[0057] Example 3:

[0058] This embodiment provides a control method, which is implemented by the control chip of the first or second embodiment, including:

[0059] The first chip 600 receives the first control signal and the second control signal sent by the image forming device 400;

[0060] The first chip 600 selectively outputs the second control signal to the memory 610 or the second chip 700 according to the first control signal, so that the image forming device 400 communicates with the print head 300 electrically connected to the memory 610 or the second chip 700 .

[0061] It should be noted that when the image forming device 400 outputs a voltage to control the print head 300 to eject ink, the first chip 600 outputs a preset voltage to the print head 300 (which can be achieved by the control chip of the second embodiment).

[0062] The specific control process of this control method has been described in detail in the control chip, so it will not be repeated here.

[0063] Embodiment four

[0064] The present embodiment provides a consumable box comprising the control chip of embodiment one or embodiment two, which forms an electrical connection with the second chip 700 on the consumable box when mounted thereon.

[0065] The connection mode and communication mode of the control chip and the second chip 700 have been described in detail in the control chip, so they will not be described again.

[0066] The above only describes some embodiments of the present application. For those skilled in the art, without departing from the inventive concept, several modifications and improvements can be made, which are all within the protection scope of the present application.

Claims

1. A control chip comprising a first chip, wherein the first chip is electrically connected between an image forming device and a second chip, wherein the second chip is electrically connected to a print head, wherein: The first chip includes: Memory; a first end, through which the first chip receives a first control signal sent by the image forming device; a third terminal, wherein the first chip receives a second control signal sent by the image forming device through the third terminal, and selectively outputs the second control signal to the memory or the second chip according to the first control signal; When the first chip outputs the second control signal to the second chip, the image forming device reads the resistance data on the print head.

2. The control chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The first control signal includes: a first value, the first chip outputs the second control signal to the memory when the received first control signal is the first value; or The first chip outputs the second control signal to the second chip when the first control signal received is the second value.

3. The control chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: When the first chip outputs the second control signal to the memory, the image forming device reads data from the memory; or When the first chip outputs the second control signal to the second chip, the image forming device controls the print head to eject ink.

4. The control chip according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The first chip further includes: a selection module, the selection module being electrically connected to the memory, the third terminal, and the second chip respectively; A controller is electrically connected to the first end and the selection module respectively, and the controller receives the first control signal and controls the selection module to selectively connect the third end and the memory or the second chip according to the received first control signal.

5. The control chip according to claim 4, characterized in that: The first chip further includes a compensation circuit, the compensation circuit being electrically connected between the third terminal and the selection module, and the compensation circuit being also electrically connected to the controller; The controller controls the compensation circuit to output a preset voltage when the selection module connects the third terminal to the second chip and the image forming device outputs a voltage to control the print head to eject ink.

6. The control chip according to claim 5, characterized in that: The preset voltage is higher than a voltage output by the image forming device.

7. The control chip according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that: The second chip includes: a second terminal, wherein the second chip receives a third control signal sent by the signal terminal through the second terminal; The second chip receives the second control signal through the fourth terminal, and the third control signal at least enables the second chip to conduct between the fourth terminal and the print head when receiving the second control signal.

8. A control method, implemented by the control chip according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that: include: The first chip receives a first control signal and a second control signal sent by the image forming device; The first chip selectively outputs the second control signal to the memory or the second chip according to the first control signal, so that the image forming device communicates with a print head electrically connected to the memory or the second chip.

9. The control method according to claim 8, characterized in that: The first chip outputs a preset voltage to the print head when the image forming device outputs a voltage to control the print head to eject ink.

10. A consumables box, characterized in that: The device comprises a control chip as described in any one of claims 1 to 7.

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