Ink cartridge chip and method supporting automatic serial number switching

Abstract

The present invention is applicable to the field of printing technology and provides an ink cartridge chip supporting automatic serial number switching, comprising: an ink cartridge chip, wherein the ink cartridge chip is configured with multiple sets of initial serial number data with different serial codes, and each set of serial number data is configured with two flags, namely a data modification flag and a first modification over-limit flag. Before a new ink cartridge is installed in a printer, the two flags of each set of serial number data are in an invalid state. The invention solves the technical problem of inconsistency between the ink level status of a new ink cartridge and the ink level display of the ink cartridge on the printer end after replacing the ink cartridge, and can effectively adjust the serial number to meet actual printing needs.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention belongs to the field of printing technology, and in particular relates to an ink cartridge chip and method supporting automatic switching of serial numbers. Background Art

[0002] Printer ink cartridges typically come with a built-in ink chip that stores the cartridge's serial number. This serial number contains multiple pieces of information, such as the serial code, cartridge capacity, and remaining ink level. As the cartridge is used and printing progresses, the remaining ink level in the chip is constantly updated and reduced. The printer then updates the ink level information stored in its memory. Based on this remaining information, the user can be prompted to replace the cartridge when the ink level is depleted.

[0003] With the development of printer systems, some advanced printer systems now remember the serial numbers of previous printers and record the serial code and the corresponding minimum actual remaining ink level information. When a subsequent ink cartridge with the same serial code is placed in the printer, the printer compares the remaining ink level information in the internal memory with the information in the newly inserted ink cartridge to see if they are consistent. If they are consistent, the printer will continue to operate with the current remaining ink level information. If not, the printer will overwrite the ink level information of the newly inserted ink cartridge with the remaining ink level information in the internal memory, that is, the remaining ink level information in the internal memory will be synchronized with the chip in the newly inserted ink cartridge.

[0004] Since the ink cartridges sold on the market are produced by multiple manufacturers, it is inevitable that the serial codes in the serial numbers will be the same. If the user replaces and installs a new ink cartridge, and the serial code of the new ink cartridge happens to be the same as the one already memorized in the printer, the new ink cartridge will directly display the memorized remaining ink status after being installed, making the ink level display inconsistent with the actual ink level status in the ink cartridge, which brings great inconvenience to the user's printing operations. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The purpose of the embodiments of the present invention is to provide an ink cartridge chip and method that support automatic serial number switching, aiming to solve the problems existing in the background technology.

[0006] The embodiment of the present invention is implemented as follows: an ink cartridge chip supporting automatic serial number switching includes:

[0007] The ink cartridge chip is configured with multiple sets of initial serial number data with different serial codes. At the same time, each set of serial number data is configured with two flags, namely a data modification flag and a first modification over-limit flag. Before a new ink cartridge is loaded onto the machine, the two flags of each set of serial number data are in an invalid state.

[0008] As a further solution of the present invention, the data modification mark and the first modification over-limit mark are both in an invalid state, the serial number initial data has not been used; the data modification mark is in a valid state and the first modification over-limit mark is in an invalid state, the serial number data has been enabled, and it is in normal use; the data modification mark and the first modification over-limit mark are both in a valid state, the serial number data has been enabled, and the data conflicts with the serial number stored in the printer and stops being used.

[0009] A method for supporting automatic serial number switching of an ink cartridge, the method comprising:

[0010] When the ink cartridge chip is powered on, the two flag states of all serial number data are sequentially read, and the current valid serial number data of the ink cartridge chip is obtained according to the two flag states;

[0011] If the data modification flag and the first modification over-limit flag are both valid, continue to read the two flag bits of the next set of serial number data for re-judgment;

[0012] If the data modification flag is valid and the first modification overrun flag is invalid, the current serial number data will be used from then on without entering the automatic serial number switching process. The serial number will be maintained until the end of the service life of the ink cartridge.

[0013] If the two marks of the current serial number data, the data modification mark and the first modification over-limit mark, are both invalid, the serial number data is used during this power-on process, and the interaction with the printer is subsequently used to determine whether to modify the serial number data.

[0014] As a further solution of the present invention, during the power-on process, if the printer does not modify the initial serial number data, the serial number is not marked. The next time the printer is powered on, the serial number is still used to interact with the printer, and the initial serial number data is not changed.

[0015] If the printer modifies the initial serial number data, and the modified value of the ink volume data in the serial number information data is less than a preset threshold, the data modification flag is marked as valid, and the over-limit flag of the first modification is still invalid, then it is considered that the serial number has not yet been memorized in the printer's internal serial number data, and the serial number currently used by the ink cartridge remains unchanged, that is, the serial number is activated and locked for use;

[0016] If the printer modifies the initial serial number data and the modified value of its ink volume data is greater than the preset threshold, both the data modification mark and the first modification over-limit mark are marked as valid, indicating that the current serial number has been saved in the internal memory serial number data. The chip can stop interacting with the printer during this power-on process or use it normally until the ink cartridge chip is powered off. Since both the data modification mark and the first modification over-limit mark are marked as valid, the currently used serial number is prohibited from being used. After the next power-on, the ink cartridge uses the next unenabled serial number initial data to interact with the printer.

[0017] Compared with the prior art, the beneficial effects of the present invention are: solving the technical problem of inconsistency between the ink level status of the new ink cartridge and the ink level display of the ink cartridge on the printer end after replacing the ink cartridge, and being able to effectively adjust the serial number to meet actual printing needs. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Figure 1 A block diagram defining two marking structures of an ink cartridge chip provided by an embodiment of the present invention;

[0019] Figure 2 A flowchart of a method for supporting automatic switching of sequence numbers provided by an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0020] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention will be further described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are only used to explain the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention.

[0021] The specific implementation of the present invention is described in detail below with reference to specific embodiments.

[0022] like Figures 1 to 2 FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the present invention, an ink cartridge chip supporting automatic serial number switching, comprising:

[0023] The ink cartridge chip is configured with multiple sets of initial serial number data with different serial codes. At the same time, each set of serial number data is configured with two flags, namely a data modification flag and a first modification over-limit flag. Before a new ink cartridge is loaded onto the machine, the two flags of each set of serial number data are in an invalid state.

[0024] In this embodiment, the data modification mark and the first modification over-limit mark are both in an invalid state, the serial number initial data has not been used; the data modification mark is in a valid state and the first modification over-limit mark is in an invalid state, the serial number data has been enabled, and it is in normal use; the data modification mark and the first modification over-limit mark are both in a valid state, the serial number data has been enabled, and this data conflicts with the serial number stored in the printer and stops being used.

[0025] See also Figures 1 to 2 In one embodiment of the present invention, a method for supporting automatic switching of sequence numbers includes:

[0026] When the ink cartridge chip is powered on, the two flag states of all serial number data are sequentially read, and the current valid serial number data of the ink cartridge chip is obtained according to the two flag states;

[0027] If the data modification flag and the first modification over-limit flag are both valid, continue to read the two flag bits of the next set of serial number data for re-judgment;

[0028] If the data modification flag is valid and the first modification overrun flag is invalid, the current serial number data will be used from then on without entering the automatic serial number switching process. The serial number will be maintained until the end of the service life of the ink cartridge.

[0029] If the two marks of the current serial number data, the data modification mark and the first modification over-limit mark, are both invalid, the serial number data is used during this power-on process, and the interaction with the printer is subsequently used to determine whether to modify the serial number data.

[0030] In this embodiment, the following three situations are classified based on whether the printer modifies the initial serial number data during the power-on process and whether the modification of the initial serial number data exceeds a predetermined threshold:

[0031] If the printer does not modify the initial serial number data, the serial number will not be marked. The next time the printer is powered on, the serial number will still be used to interact with the printer. In this case, the initial serial number data will not be changed.

[0032] If the printer modifies the initial serial number data, and the modified value of the ink volume data in the serial number information data is less than a preset threshold, for example, the ink volume data is modified from 100% to 99%, the data modification flag is marked as valid, and the over-limit flag of the first modification is still invalid, then it is considered that this serial number has not yet been memorized in the serial number data within the printer, and the serial number currently used by the ink cartridge remains unchanged, that is, the serial number is activated and locked for use;

[0033] If the printer modifies the initial serial number data and the modified value of the ink volume data is greater than the preset threshold, both the data modification flag and the first modification limit flag are marked as valid, indicating that the current serial number has been saved in the internal memory serial number data. The chip can stop interacting with the printer during this power-on process or use it normally until the ink cartridge chip is powered off. Since both the data modification flag and the first modification limit flag are marked as valid, the currently used serial number is prohibited from being used. After the next power-on, the ink cartridge uses the next unactivated serial number initial data to interact with the printer.

[0034] This solves the technical problem of inconsistency between the ink level status of the new ink cartridge and the ink level display on the printer end after replacing the ink cartridge, and can effectively adjust the serial number to adapt to actual printing needs.

[0035] The above description is only a preferred embodiment of the present invention and is not intended to limit the present invention. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions and improvements made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included in the scope of protection of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for supporting automatic switching of sequence numbers, characterized in that: The method comprises: The ink cartridge chip is configured with multiple sets of initial serial number data with different serial codes. Each set of serial number data is configured with two flags, namely a data modification flag and a first modification overrun flag. Before a new ink cartridge is installed in the machine, both flags of each set of serial number data are in an invalid state. The data modification mark and the first modification overrun mark are both in an invalid state, the serial number is the initial data and has not been used; the data modification mark is in a valid state and the first modification overrun mark is in an invalid state, the serial number data has been enabled and is in normal use; the data modification mark and the first modification overrun mark are both in a valid state, the serial number data has been enabled, and the serial number data conflicts with the serial number stored in the printer and is no longer used; The method further comprises the following steps: When the ink cartridge chip is powered on, the two flag states of all serial number data are sequentially read, and the current valid serial number data of the ink cartridge chip is obtained according to the two flag states; If the data modification flag and the first modification over-limit flag are both valid, continue to read the two flag bits of the next set of serial number data for re-judgment; If the data modification flag is valid and the first modification overrun flag is invalid, the current serial number data will be used from then on without entering the automatic serial number switching process. The serial number will be maintained until the end of the service life of the ink cartridge. If the two marks of the current serial number data, the data modification mark and the first modification over-limit mark, are both invalid, the serial number data is used to interact with the printer during this power-on process, and based on the results of the interaction with the printer, a subsequent judgment is made on whether to set the data modification mark and the first modification over-limit mark.

2. A method for supporting automatic switching of sequence numbers according to claim 1, characterized in that: During the power-on process, if the printer does not modify the initial serial number data, the data modification flag and the first modification limit flag of the serial number will not be modified and remain in an invalid state. The next time the printer is powered on, the same serial number will still be used to interact with the printer, and the initial serial number data will not be changed. If the printer modifies the initial serial number data, and the modified value of the ink volume data in the serial number information data is less than a preset threshold, the data modification flag of the serial number is marked as valid, and the first modification over-limit flag of the serial number is still marked as invalid. It is considered that this serial number has not yet appeared in the serial number data stored in the printer, and the serial number currently used by the ink cartridge remains unchanged, that is, the serial number is activated and locked for use; If the printer modifies the initial serial number data and the modified value of the ink volume data is greater than the preset threshold, the data modification mark and the first modification over-limit mark of the serial number are both marked as valid, indicating that the current serial number has been saved in the printer's internal memory serial number data. The chip can stop interacting with the printer during this power-on process or use it normally until the ink cartridge chip is powered off; in this way, after the next power-on, since the data modification mark and the first modification over-limit mark of the serial number are both marked as valid, the serial number is prohibited from being used, and the ink cartridge uses the next unenabled serial number initial data to interact with the printer.

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