Inkjet head identification element

Abstract

An ink jet head identification element comprises a plurality of memory units which are arranged to form an array structure, and the array structure comprises an amorphous silicon anti-fuse module. According to the invention, the number, the combination and the position of the amorphous silicon anti-fuse modules in the array structure are configured, so that the ink jet head identification element is connected and matched with the printer.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to an inkjet head and an inkjet head identification element, and more specifically, to an identification element by providing an inkjet head and an inkjet head identification element and electrically connecting them to the identification element on a printer. Background Art

[0002] Inkjet printing technology, commonly known as "Inkjet Printing", is a widely used printing technology. Its history can be traced back to the 1950s when the British company Hewlett-Packard invented inkjet printing technology. Since then, inkjet printing technology has developed rapidly, making inkjet printers the mainstream technology for home and commercial printing. Inkjet printers have many advantages, including: low cost, especially economic advantages for home and small business use; high printing quality, which can provide high-resolution and high-quality images, especially in photos or pictures; convenient to use, inkjet printers are easy to install, and most inkjet printers can print through computers or mobile devices. When combined with the recent rise of multi-in-one functions (including fax, photocopying, scanning) of business machines, it can quickly expand the flexibility of paperwork in the office.

[0003] The inkjet head identification circuit in the inkjet printer is an important component in the inkjet printing technology. Since each type of inkjet printer needs to be matched with the corresponding inkjet head, and each inkjet head has its own special specifications, including: structure, ink used, number of nozzles, and control circuit characteristics, it is necessary to match a compatible printing system to operate with the inkjet printer through the inkjet head identification circuit. Specifically, the inkjet head identification circuit includes a fuse, a transistor anti-fuse and related circuit components, which are used to store information including but not limited to the ink cartridge serial number, ink type, ink capacity, ink color, inkjet head-inkjet printer matching information, etc., to ensure printing quality and efficiency.

[0004] See also Figure 1A and Figure 1B, which describes the matching and control method between the ink cartridge 10 and the printer 30 in the prior art: the ink cartridge 10 includes an inkjet head chip 100A, and the inkjet head chip 100A stores the above-mentioned information such as the ink cartridge serial number, ink type, and matching information between the inkjet head and the printer. The general inkjet head chip 100A further includes a jet control circuit 110 and an inkjet head identification circuit 120, which are respectively coupled to the inkjet control terminal 320 and the identification signal terminal 310 on the printer 30. Among them, after receiving the ejection signal sent by the inkjet control terminal 320 of the printer 30, the above-mentioned jet control circuit 110 will activate the corresponding jet on the ink cartridge 10 to eject ink drops, and the inkjet head identification circuit 120 mainly provides an inkjet head identification signal to the identification signal terminal 310 of the printer 30, such as the above-mentioned ink cartridge serial number, ink type, matching information between the inkjet head and the printer, ink content, etc.

[0005] However, the conventional known technology is deficient in that the inkjet head identification circuit 120 stores information by generating 0 and 1 signals based on whether the fuse element contained therein is blown or not, thereby recording information. However, as the functions of inkjet printers become increasingly rich, the amount of information included therein increases. For example, the above-mentioned ink cartridge serial number, ink type, inkjet head-printer matching information, ink content, etc. may change over time or may not change over time. It is not enough to rely solely on the traditional fuse element to record the information. Therefore, at the current point in time in the market, there is still a need to improve the existing inkjet printing technology so that the inkjet head identification circuit 120 can have more means of storing information, so as to facilitate the future development of inkjet printing technology. Summary of the invention

[0006] Based on the above reasons, the present invention proposes an inkjet head identification element that can be set on the ink cartridge. Through the identification signal provided by the inkjet head identification element, the inkjet head identification signal provided by the original inkjet head chip is optimized. Since the inkjet head identification element can be an independent or non-independent element, it is more flexible in the location of the setting. Among them, in the memory unit of the inkjet head identification element, in order to increase the diversity of the circuit element composition in the memory unit, and in order to make the information stored in the memory unit architecture of the identification element, such as the ink cartridge serial number, identification code (Identification Code), ink type, ink capacity, ink color, number of nozzles, manufacturing date, factory date, ink cartridge capacity change (ink capacity), the number of times the ink cartridge is used on the machine, etc., more detailed and complete, therefore, in order to achieve the above purpose, the present invention explores the architecture in the inkjet head identification element, and its detailed technical solution is described in detail as follows.

[0007] The present invention proposes an inkjet head identification element, which is arranged on a flexible circuit board or an ink cartridge, provides an identification signal, and matches a printer, and includes the following elements: a plurality of memory units, the plurality of memory units form an array structure, and further include an amorphous silicon anti-fuse module. In the present invention, by configuring the inkjet head identification element in the type and quantity of the plurality of memory units in the array structure, that is, the state of the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module, when reading the identification signal of the memory unit, the information recorded in the inkjet head identification element can be judged.

[0008] According to the content of the present invention, each memory unit further includes an identification signal terminal, a data terminal, and a transistor, wherein the identification signal terminal is connected to the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module, the data terminal is connected to the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module, and the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module is connected to the transistor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The detailed description of the present invention and the schematic diagram of the embodiments described below should enable a more complete understanding of the present invention; however, it should be understood that this is only a reference for understanding the application of the present invention, rather than limiting the present invention to a specific embodiment.

[0010] Figure 1A The structure of a known ink cartridge and the arrangement of an inkjet head chip are described.

[0011] Figure 1B The circuit architecture of a conventional printer connected to an inkjet head chip is described.

[0012] Figure 1C The circuit architecture of a conventional printer connected to an inkjet head chip is described.

[0013] Figure 2A This is to illustrate the first setting method of connecting the inkjet head identification element to the ink cartridge.

[0014] Figure 2B This is to illustrate the second setting method of connecting the inkjet head identification element to the ink cartridge.

[0015] Figure 2C This is to illustrate the third setting method of connecting the inkjet head identification element to the ink cartridge.

[0016] Figure 2D The configuration of the inkjet head identification element is described.

[0017] Figure 2E The circuit of the printer and inkjet head chip is described, and the first circuit architecture is described after the inkjet head identification element is connected.

[0018] Figure 2FDescribes the circuit of the printer and inkjet head chip, and the second circuit architecture after connecting the inkjet head identification component.

[0019] Figure 3A The structure in which the inkjet head identification element is provided on the flexible printed circuit board is described.

[0020] Figure 3B The invention describes an array structure formed by memory cells contained in an inkjet head identification element to record information in the inkjet head.

[0021] Figure 4A In one embodiment of the present invention, an amorphous silicon anti-fuse module is used in the circuit structure of the memory unit, that is, the state of the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module

[0022] Figure 4B Describe the detailed structure of the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module before burning.

[0023] Figure 4C Describe the detailed structure of the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module after burning.

[0024] Figure 5 In one embodiment of the memory unit of the present invention, the memory unit includes an array structure of amorphous silicon anti-fuse modules.

[0025] MJ24A-1313CN_248085 1TWCN_Simplified Chinese version

[0026]

Explanation of symbols

[0027] 10: Ink cartridge

[0028] 100: Flexible circuit board

[0029] 100A: Inkjet head chip

[0030] 110: Spray point control circuit

[0031] 120: Inkjet head identification circuit

[0032] 200: Flexible printed circuit board

[0033] 210: Inkjet head identification element

[0034] 211: Memory Unit

[0035] 211A: Identification signal terminal

[0036] 211B: Data terminal

[0037] 211E: Transistor

[0038] 211H: Amorphous silicon anti-fuse module

[0039] 211Ha: Heating resistor layer

[0040] 211Hb: Metal layer

[0041] 211Hc: First protection layer

[0042] 211Hd: Second protection layer

[0043] 211He: First conductive layer

[0044] 211Hf: Amorphous silicon thin film layer

[0045] 211Hg: Second conductive layer

[0046] 30: Printer

[0047] 310: Identify signal terminal

[0048] 320: Inkjet control terminal

[0049] C: Amorphous silicon anti-fuse device

[0050] R: Heating resistor device DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0051] The present invention will be described in detail with preferred embodiments and viewpoints. The following description provides specific implementation details of the present invention so that the reader can thoroughly understand the implementation methods of these embodiments. However, those skilled in the art in this field must understand that the present invention can also be implemented without these details. In addition, the present invention can also be used and implemented by other specific embodiments. The various details described in this specification can also be applied based on different needs, and various modifications or changes can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention. Therefore, the present invention will be described with preferred embodiments and viewpoints. Such descriptions are to explain the structure of the present invention and are only used for illustration rather than to limit the scope of the patent application of the present invention. The terms used in the following description will be interpreted in the broadest reasonable way so that they can be used together with the detailed description of a specific embodiment of the present invention. Those skilled in the art can adjust the structure of the present invention according to manufacturing or application requirements to meet the needs of the actual industry. In this specification, the amorphous silicon anti-fuse device (Amorphous Silicon Anti-Fuse) mentioned can be referred to as A-Si-Anti-Fuse. In addition, in order to transmit the signal for identification (ID), this specification provides identification signal terminals 310 and 211A in the printer 30 and the memory unit 211 respectively. A person skilled in the art can understand the configuration of the current identification signal terminals 310 and 211A through the context of the specification and the accompanying drawings, so it is explained first.

[0052] See also Figure 2A , Figure 2E, Figure 3A and Figure 3B In the first embodiment of the present invention, an inkjet head identification element 210 is provided, which is disposed on a flexible circuit board 200, and the flexible circuit board 200 is attached to and electrically connected to an inkjet head chip 100A in a flexible circuit board 100 located on the outer layer of an ink cartridge 10, wherein the inkjet head identification element 210 includes the following elements: a plurality of memory units 211, the plurality of memory units 211 are arranged in the inkjet head identification element 210 to form an array structure, the plurality of memory units 211 include an amorphous silicon anti-fuse module 2 11H, by configuring the state of the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module 211H in the order and quantity in the inkjet head identification element 210, to record information, and by transmitting the identification signal, the ink cartridge 10 can be matched with the printer 30. In the embodiment of the present invention, the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module 211H is generated on the inkjet head identification element 210, and the array structure formed by the memory unit 211 provides information such as the ink cartridge serial number, identification code (Identification Code), ink type, ink capacity, ink color, number of nozzles, manufacturing date, factory date, ink cartridge capacity change (ink capacity), and the number of times the ink cartridge is used on the machine, so that the printer 30 can identify the model and type of the inkjet head in the ink cartridge 10.

[0053] Please also see Figure 2A and Figure 2E According to the above embodiment of the present invention, the flexible printed circuit board 200 is configured and attached to the flexible printed circuit board 100, and has an inkjet head identification element 210. When the ink cartridge 10 is installed in the printer 30, the inkjet head identification element 210 is coupled to the identification signal terminal 310 and the inkjet control terminal 320 in the printer 30 in terms of circuit structure. The dot control circuit 110 and the inkjet head identification circuit 120 in the inkjet head chip 100A are coupled to the inkjet control terminal 320 in the printer 30 to transmit the ejection signal. When the inkjet head identification element 210 is connected to the printer 30, the ejection signal of the inkjet head chip 100A will be maintained or optimized. At the same time, the original inkjet head identification signal will be replaced or optimized by the identification signal provided by the inkjet head identification element 210. In this way, although the inkjet head chip 100A is burned by the printer 30 due to the exhaustion of ink during the previous use, the ink cartridge 10 that was originally only disposable and discarded can still transmit the identification signal to the identification signal terminal 310 after the ink cartridge 10 is filled with ink. The printer 30 transmits the inkjet signal to the jet control circuit 110 through the inkjet control terminal 320 according to the identification signal to restart the corresponding jet on the ink cartridge 10 to eject ink droplets, so that the ink cartridge 10 has the performance of being reused.

[0054] In addition, according to one embodiment, the inkjet head identification element 210 can also be integrated into the conventional inkjet head chip 100A. In this case, the inkjet head identification element 210 also includes the following elements: a plurality of memory units 211, the plurality of memory units 211 are arranged in the inkjet head identification element 210 to form an array structure, the plurality of memory units 211 include an amorphous silicon anti-fuse module 211H, and the state of the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module 211H is configured in the order and quantity in the inkjet head identification element 210 to record information, and the ink cartridge 10 is matched with the printer 30 by transmitting an identification signal. In the embodiment of the present invention, the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module 211H is generated on the inkjet head identification element 210, and the array structure formed by the memory unit 211 provides recording but not limited to the ink cartridge serial number and identification code (Identification Code) corresponding to the matching with the printer 30. Code), ink type, ink capacity, ink color, number of nozzles, manufacturing date, factory date, ink cartridge capacity change (ink capacity), number of times the ink cartridge has been used on the machine, and other information, so that the printer 30 can identify the model and type of the inkjet head in the ink cartridge 10.

[0055] See also Figure 2B , Figure 2C , Figure 2D and Figure 2F According to the other two embodiments of the present invention, the inkjet head identification element 210 can also be independently attached to the flexible circuit board 100 of the ink cartridge 10 itself, or to the outer shell of the ink cartridge 10. When the ink cartridge 10 is installed in the printer 30, the inkjet head identification element 210 will be coupled to the identification signal terminal 310 and the inkjet control terminal 320 in the printer 30 in terms of circuit structure. The dot control circuit 110 in the inkjet head chip 100A is coupled to the inkjet control terminal 320 in the printer 30 to transmit the ejection signal. The advantage of such a setting is that the setting positions of the inkjet head identification element 210 and the inkjet head chip 100A are independent of each other, so that the heat energy generated by the inkjet head chip 100A during operation, or the temperature change during the control of inkjet can be far away from the position of the inkjet head identification element 210, so that the inkjet head identification element 210 will not be affected by temperature changes during the transmission of the identification signal, thereby achieving the purpose of improving the reliability of the device of the present invention.

[0056] Please continue reading Figure 4A, which shows the detailed circuit structure and operation of the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module 211H in the memory unit 211 of the present invention. According to the embodiment of the present invention, the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module 211H includes an amorphous silicon anti-fuse device C and a heating resistor device R in the circuit structure. When the memory unit 211 is operating, the data terminal 211B is also used to control whether the transistor 211E is in the on state. That is, when the data terminal 211B provides a high potential, the transistor 211E will be turned on. On the contrary, when the data terminal 211B provides a low potential, the transistor 211E will not be turned on. Further, when the data terminal 211B provides a high potential to turn on the transistor 211E, the memory unit 211 will be activated to read the recorded data. If the identification signal terminal 211A is given a low potential, the memory unit 211 will read a high resistance if it is in a non-burned state. On the other hand, if the identification signal terminal 211A is given a high potential at this time, the heating resistor device R will be activated to heat the amorphous silicon anti-fuse device C. Under high temperature and high voltage, the burned memory unit 211 will be read as a low resistance. In this way, the high resistance or low resistance read by the above-mentioned memory unit 211 is used to achieve the purpose of outputting a binary identification signal. It should be noted that in the present invention, the above-mentioned binary identification signal is not limited to 0 and 1 necessarily corresponding to low resistance or high resistance. It can also be 1 and 0 corresponding to low resistance or high resistance respectively. It can be set, changed or modified according to the actual application.

[0057] Please continue to read Figure 4B and Figure 4C , which illustrates the actual physical structure of the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module 211H, which is composed of a heating resistor layer 211Ha, a metal layer 211Hb, a first protective layer 211Hc, a second protective layer 211Hd, a first conductive layer 211He, an amorphous silicon thin film layer 211Hf, and a second conductive layer 211Hg stacked from bottom to top, wherein the heating resistor layer 211Ha serves as the aforementioned heating resistor device R, and the first conductive layer 211He, the amorphous silicon thin film layer 211Hf, and the second conductive layer 211Hg serve as the aforementioned amorphous silicon anti-fuse device C. When the identification signal terminal 211A provides a low potential, the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module 211H is in an unburned state, as shown in FIG. Figure 4B However, when the identification signal terminal 211A provides a high potential, the heating resistor layer 211Ha as the heating resistor element R will start to heat up, so that the amorphous silicon film layer 211Hf, the first conductive layer 211He and the second conductive layer 211Hg can be fused together to form a short circuit, thereby further enabling the transistor 211E to read a low resistance when it is turned on, forming Figure 4C The burned state is shown in FIG. The material of the heating resistor layer 211Ha is tantalum aluminide (TaAl).

[0058] In the embodiments of the present invention, please refer to Figure 5 , which illustrates that in the inkjet head identification element 210, there are multiple

[0059] MJ24A-1313CN_248085 1TWCN_Simplified Chinese Version The array structure is composed of memory cells 211, and the array structure includes an amorphous silicon anti-fuse module 211H. Among them, Figure 5 It is explained that in the combination of the inkjet head identification element 210, the diversity of the types of each memory unit 211 in the inkjet head identification element 210 can be increased. That is, when the array structure of the inkjet head identification element 210 has N memory units 211, it means that the arrangement of the array structure can have a variety of ways to record data, such as mixing the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module 211H in the present invention with a traditional fuse (Fuse), or a metal oxide semi-conductor field effect transistor anti-fuse (MOS-Anti-Fuse), an erasable and programmable unique memory (EPROM), etc., so that the inkjet head identification element 210 can record more and more complete information, such as the ink cartridge serial number, identification code (Identification Code), ink type, ink capacity, ink color, inkjet head temperature, etc. It should be noted here that, Figure 5 The array structure composed of multiple memory cells 211 is for illustration only. In the actual application of the present invention, the placement position of the A-Si-Anti-Fuse in the array structure (i.e., the selection type and state of each memory cell 211) and the number of bits are not limited. Those skilled in the art can select or modify the type of components selected for the memory cell 211, i.e., the placement position and the number of bits in the array structure according to the actual application.

[0060] In summary, the present invention proposes a configuration structure of a memory unit in an identification chip identification circuit, thereby increasing the means for recording data in the ink cartridge. Various modifications may be made by those skilled in the art, but they shall not depart from the scope of protection defined by the attached claims.

Claims

1. An inkjet head identification element, providing an identification signal, comprising: A plurality of memory cells are arranged to form an array structure, and the array structure includes: An amorphous silicon anti-fuse module, The inkjet head identification element is connected to and matched with the printer by configuring the number, combination and position of the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module in the array structure, and transmits an identification signal to the printer.

2. The inkjet head identification element as claimed in claim 1, wherein the plurality of memory units further comprises: An identification signal terminal connected to the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module and providing an identification potential; A data terminal, providing a data potential; as well as, A transistor, the transistor and the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module, and a gate of the transistor is connected to the data terminal; The plurality of memory units read the identification signal by adjusting the data potential and the identification potential.

3. The inkjet head identification element as described in claim 2, wherein the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module includes an amorphous silicon anti-fuse device and a heating resistor device, and when the data end and the identification signal end are both given a high potential, the heating resistor device is activated to heat the amorphous silicon anti-fuse device.

4. The inkjet head identification element as described in claim 2, wherein the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module includes an amorphous silicon anti-fuse device and a heating resistor device, and when the identification signal end is given a low potential, the heating resistor device is not started to heat the amorphous silicon anti-fuse device.

5. The inkjet head identification element as claimed in claim 3 or 4, wherein the amorphous silicon anti-fuse module further comprises a heating resistor layer, a metal layer, a first protective layer, a second protective layer, a first conductive layer, an amorphous silicon thin film layer, and a second conductive layer, which are stacked from bottom to top, respectively, The heating resistor layer constitutes the heating resistor device, and the first conductive layer, the amorphous silicon film layer and the second conductive layer constitute the amorphous silicon anti-fuse device.

6. The inkjet head identification element as claimed in claim 5, wherein when the heating resistor device heats the amorphous silicon anti-fuse device, the amorphous silicon thin film layer, the first conductive layer and the second conductive layer are welded to each other, wherein: The material of the heating resistor layer is tantalum aluminide (TaAl).

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