Chip and consumable box

Abstract

The invention provides a chip and a consumable box, and relates to the technical field of printing, the chip comprises a storage element, a power supply unit, a plurality of terminals and a mode switching unit; the storage element is used for storing consumable box information, related processing programs and communication programs; the power supply unit provides electric signals to the storage element; the plurality of terminals are electrically connected with the storage element, and the plurality of terminals at least comprise data terminals and reset terminals; the mode switching unit receives a target instruction sent by the printing equipment and determines whether the clock length executed by the target instruction is a preset value or not, and if yes, the power supply unit is turned off when it is monitored that the signal level of the reset terminal is a low level; if not, the power supply unit is turned off in the image output process or after image output is completed; and when the mode switching unit monitors that a first timer in the contained timing unit is timed to a first duration, the power supply unit is started. According to the invention, the use safety and stability of the chip can be effectively improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present application relates to the field of printing technology, and in particular to a chip and a consumables box. Background Art

[0002] Printing equipment is increasingly used in human production and life. Common printing equipment includes laser printers and inkjet printers. Among them, the inkjet printer is equipped with a consumable box, for example, the consumable box is an ink cartridge, the ink cartridge contains ink, and the inkjet printer can spray ink onto paper to form the text or pattern to be printed. The ink cartridge is provided with a chip, which is used to communicate with the stylus of the inkjet printer.

[0003] At present, when the consumables box is used for a long time, some conductive foreign matter, such as ink droplets, metal wires or metal debris, may adhere to its surface. When the consumables box is installed in the inkjet printer, the foreign matter will flow to the surface of the chip substrate under the action of gravity and be intercepted by the terminals set on the surface of the substrate. If the foreign matter adheres between the power terminal and the ground terminal of the substrate, it will cause a short circuit between the power terminal and the ground terminal, and then the chip will be burned. Summary of the invention

[0004] The present application provides a chip and a consumables box to solve the problem that foreign matter adheres between the power terminal and the ground terminal of the chip substrate, causing a short circuit between the power terminal and the ground terminal, and then the chip is burned.

[0005] In a first aspect, the present application provides a chip, comprising

[0006] A storage element, used for storing consumable box information, related processing procedures and communication procedures;

[0007] A power supply unit, used for providing an electrical signal to the storage element;

[0008] A plurality of terminals electrically connected to the storage element, the plurality of terminals at least comprising a data terminal and a reset terminal, the data terminal being connected to a data signal line in a device-side control unit of the printing device, and the reset terminal being connected to a reset signal line in the device-side control unit of the printing device;

[0009] A mode switching unit is used to receive a target instruction sent by the printing device, determine whether the clock length of the target instruction execution is a preset value, and if so, turn off the power supply unit when the signal level of the reset terminal is detected to be a low level; if not, turn off the power supply unit during or after the image output is completed;

[0010] The mode switching unit includes a timing unit, and the timing unit includes a first timer. When the mode switching unit detects that the first timer is timed to a first duration, the power supply unit is turned on.

[0011] Optionally, during the image output process, the power supply unit is turned off, including: turning off the power supply unit when it is detected that the data terminal receives a data signal; or, after the image output is completed, the power supply unit is turned off, including: turning off the power supply unit when it is detected that the data terminal no longer receives a data signal.

[0012] Optionally, the power supply unit includes only an external power supply, which is located outside the storage element; or, the power supply unit includes an external power supply and an internal power supply, the external power supply is located outside the storage element, the internal power supply is located inside the storage element, and the electrical signal of the internal power supply is provided by a reset signal line.

[0013] Optionally, the power supply unit includes an external power supply and an internal power supply, and turning off the power supply unit includes: turning off the internal power supply.

[0014] Optionally, before turning off the internal power supply, the mode switching unit turns off the external power supply and turns on the internal power supply when detecting that the signal level of the reset terminal is at a high level.

[0015] Optionally, the mode switching unit includes a first mode conversion unit, the first mode conversion unit includes a first switching unit, one end of the external power supply is connected to the storage element, the other end of the external power supply is connected to the first switching unit, and the first switching unit controls the opening or closing of the external power supply.

[0016] Optionally, the mode switching unit includes a second mode conversion unit, the second mode conversion unit includes a first detection unit, and the first detection unit monitors the target instruction received by the data terminal to determine whether the clock length of the execution of the target instruction is a preset value.

[0017] Optionally, the second mode conversion unit also includes a second detection unit, which turns off the external power supply through the first switching unit when the second detection unit monitors that the signal level of the reset terminal is a low level; and turns on the external power supply through the first switching unit when the first mode conversion unit monitors that the first timer is timing to a first duration.

[0018] Optionally, the timing unit further includes a second timer. When the second detection unit detects that the signal level of the reset terminal is at a high level, the second timer is started to time to a second duration and monitors whether the signal level of the reset terminal is at a low level.

[0019] Optionally, the second mode conversion unit also includes a second switching unit. When the second detection unit detects that the signal level of the reset terminal is a high level, the second detection unit turns off the external power supply through the first switching unit and turns on the internal power supply through the second switching unit. When the second timer is started to the second duration, the second detection unit monitors whether the signal level of the reset terminal is a low level. If so, the internal power supply is turned off through the second switching unit.

[0020] Optionally, when the first detection unit detects that the clock length of the target instruction execution is not a preset value, the second detection unit monitors whether the reset signal is at a high level. If so, the target instruction is executed and the external power supply is turned off through the first switching unit.

[0021] Optionally, the first time length is used to represent the clock length from the completion of the execution of the previous target instruction to the start of the execution of the next target instruction; the second time length is used to represent the clock length of the high level of the reset signal.

[0022] Optionally, when the target instruction is executed, the electrical signal provided by the power supply unit and the signal levels of the multiple terminals are all low levels.

[0023] In a second aspect, the present application provides a consumable box, including: a consumable box body, on which is provided an installation position for installing a chip as described in the first aspect of the present application, and the consumable box comes from an original consumable box, a recycled consumable box or a regenerated consumable box.

[0024] The chip and consumable box provided in the present application, the chip includes a storage element, a power supply unit, multiple terminals and a mode switching unit; the storage element is used to store consumable box information, related processing procedures and communication procedures; the power supply unit is used to provide electrical signals to the storage element; the multiple terminals are electrically connected to the storage element, the multiple terminals at least include a data terminal and a reset terminal, the data terminal is connected to the data signal line in the device-side control unit of the printing device, and the reset terminal is connected to the reset signal line in the device-side control unit of the printing device; the mode switching unit is used to receive a target instruction sent by the printing device, determine whether the clock length of the execution of the target instruction is a preset value, if so, turn off the power supply unit when monitoring that the signal level of the reset terminal is a low level; if not, turn off the power supply unit during the image output process or after the image output is completed; the mode switching unit includes a timing unit, the timing unit includes a first timer, and when the mode switching unit monitors that the first timer is timed to a first duration, the power supply unit is turned on. Since the present application provides an electrical signal to the storage element through a power supply unit instead of a power supply terminal, and at the same time cancels the power supply terminal arranged on the surface of the substrate of the chip, that is, changes the power supply mode of the chip, it can avoid the problem of short circuit between the power supply terminal and other terminals, or between the power supply terminal and the ground terminal in the current power supply mode of the printing device, thereby improving the safety and stability of the chip; and, by adding a mode switching unit, the chip working mode is switched according to whether the clock length of the target instruction execution is a preset value, and according to the working mode of the chip, a corresponding criterion for timely turning on or off the power supply unit is set, so that the chip can adapt to the inherent programming logic of the printing device, and can effectively avoid the method of using an external power supply in the current technology to continuously power the chip of the consumable box, which is applied to the chip of the consumable box used by the printing device, because it does not conform to the inherent programming logic of the printing device, causing the printing device to report an error or not recognize the machine during the use of the consumable box, causing inconvenience to the user. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions in the prior art, a brief introduction will be given below to the drawings required for use in the embodiments or the description of the prior art. Obviously, the drawings described below are some embodiments of the present application. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative labor.

[0026] Figure 1 A schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0027] Figure 2 A schematic diagram of a consumables box provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0028] Figure 3A schematic diagram of the structure of an ink cartridge provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0029] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a chip in an ink cartridge provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0030] Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a chip in an ink cartridge provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0031] Figure 6 A schematic diagram of the circuit connection between the consumable box and the printing device provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0032] Figure 7 A flowchart of a chip provided in one embodiment of the present application;

[0033] Figure 8 A flowchart corresponding to process 2 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0034] Fig. 9 A flowchart corresponding to process 3 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0035] Fig.10 A flowchart corresponding to process 4 provided in an embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Fig.11 A flowchart corresponding to process 4 provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Fig.12 A schematic diagram of a circuit connection between a consumable box and a printing device provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Fig.13 A flowchart corresponding to process 3 provided in another embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Fig.14 This is a flowchart corresponding to process 4 provided in yet another embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0040] In order to make the purpose, technical solution and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solution in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are part of the embodiments of the present application, not all of the embodiments. Based on the embodiments in the present application, all other embodiments obtained by ordinary technicians in this field without creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0041] It should be noted that the user information (including but not limited to user device information, user personal information, etc.) and data (including but not limited to data used for analysis, stored data, displayed data, etc.) involved in this application are all information and data authorized by the user or fully authorized by all parties, and the collection, use and processing of relevant data must comply with the relevant laws, regulations and standards of the relevant countries and regions, and provide corresponding operation entrances for users to choose to authorize or refuse.

[0042] The inkjet printer is equipped with a consumables box. During long-term use, some conductive foreign matter, such as ink drops, metal wires or metal debris, may adhere to its surface. When installing the consumables box into the inkjet printer, the foreign matter will flow to the substrate surface of the chip under the action of gravity and be intercepted by the terminals set on the substrate surface. If the foreign matter adheres between the power terminal and the ground terminal of the substrate, it will cause a short circuit between the power terminal and the ground terminal, and then the chip will be burned.

[0043] In response to the above problems, the related art often adopts the method of continuously powering the chip through an external power supply (such as a battery or other DC power supply). However, after the target inkjet printer executes an instruction through the chip of the consumable box (such as an ink cartridge), the target inkjet printer will be in a short dormant state, and the multiple signal lines (such as power signal lines, reset signal lines, data signal lines, clock signal lines and ground signal lines) connecting the device-side control unit of the target inkjet printer and the multiple terminals of the chip are all low level. When the inkjet printer ends the dormancy and executes the next instruction again, the power signal line and the reset signal line need to be raised from a low level to a high level again before the instruction can be executed normally. If the method of continuously powering the chip in the above-mentioned related art (i.e., the power signal line is continuously at a high level) is applied to the chip of the consumable box used by the target inkjet printer, it does not conform to the inherent programming logic of the inkjet printer, resulting in the problem of the inkjet printer reporting an error or not recognizing the machine, thereby affecting the normal use of the consumable box.

[0044] Based on the above problems, the present application provides a chip and a consumable box, which is used to switch the working mode of the chip by adding a mode switching unit in the chip, so that the chip can adapt to the inherent programming logic of the printing device, that is, after executing an instruction, the power supply unit is cut off to make it enter the sleep cycle, and after receiving the next instruction, when the sleep cycle ends, the power supply unit is connected to the chip. Wherein, the power supply unit is an external power supply (i.e., an external power supply) or, it is a staged power supply for the internal power supply and the external power supply. By changing the power supply mode of the chip, the present application can avoid the problem that the power terminal and other terminals, or the power terminal and the ground terminal are short-circuited in the current power supply mode of the printing device, which leads to the problem that the consumable box does not recognize the machine or reports an error when it is used, and even causes the chip to be burned, thereby improving the safety and stability of the chip. And it can effectively avoid the method of using an external power supply in the current technology to continuously power the chip of the consumable box, which is applied to the chip of the consumable box used by the printing device, because it does not conform to the inherent programming logic of the printing device, causing the printing device to report an error or not recognize the machine during the use of the consumable box, causing inconvenience to the user.

[0045] The technical solution of the present application is described in detail below through specific embodiments. It should be noted that the following specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be described in detail in some embodiments.

[0046] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a chip provided in one embodiment of the present application. Figure 1 As shown, the chip 100 of the embodiment of the present application includes: a storage element 111, a power supply unit 112, a plurality of terminals 113 and a mode switching unit 120. Among them:

[0047] The storage element 111 is used to store consumable box information, related processing programs and communication programs.

[0048] The power supply unit 112 is used to provide an electrical signal to the storage element 111 .

[0049] Multiple terminals 113 are electrically connected to the storage element 111, and the multiple terminals 113 at least include a data terminal 1131 and a reset terminal 1132. The data terminal 1131 is connected to the data signal line in the device-side control unit of the printing device, and the reset terminal 1132 is connected to the reset signal line in the device-side control unit of the printing device; the power supply unit 112 is used to provide an electrical signal to the storage element 111.

[0050] The mode switching unit 120 is used to receive the target instruction sent by the printing device and determine whether the clock length of the execution of the target instruction is a preset value. If so, when the signal level of the reset terminal is detected to be low, the power supply unit 112 is turned off; if not, the power supply unit 112 is turned off during the image output process or after the image output is completed.

[0051] The mode switching unit 120 includes a timing unit 121 , and the timing unit 121 includes a first timer. When the mode switching unit 120 detects that the first timer has reached a first duration, the power supply unit 112 is turned on.

[0052] In this embodiment, the storage element 111 includes, for example, a storage unit for storing consumable box information (such as model and color of the imaging material contained, etc.), related processing procedures and communication procedures. For the specific description of the storage element 111, reference may be made to the subsequent embodiments. The power supply unit 112 is used to provide an electrical signal to the storage element 111. The power supply unit 112 includes, for example, only an external power supply, and provides an electrical signal to the storage element 111 through the external power supply, or the power supply unit 112 includes, for example, an external power supply and an internal power supply, and the storage element 111 is powered in stages through the internal power supply and the external power supply. A plurality of terminals 113 are electrically connected to the storage element 111, and the plurality of terminals 113 at least include a data terminal 1131 and a reset terminal 1132. Optionally, the plurality of terminals 113 may also include other communication terminals or functional terminals, such as a clock terminal (for receiving a clock signal), a ground terminal (for transmitting a ground signal), and a functional terminal (for performing installation detection on the consumable box and for detecting whether a short circuit occurs between the terminals, etc.). The data terminal 1131 is connected to the data signal line in the device-side control unit of the printing device to receive the data signal sent by the printing device; the reset terminal 1132 is connected to the reset signal line in the device-side control unit of the printing device to receive the reset signal sent by the printing device.

[0053] When receiving the target instruction sent by the printing device, the mode switching unit 120 determines whether the clock length of the target instruction execution is a preset value. The target instruction is, for example, a detection instruction, a print instruction, or a copy instruction, and the detection instruction includes an installation detection instruction and a short circuit detection instruction. If the clock length of the target instruction execution is a preset value, it can be determined that the target instruction is a detection instruction, and when the signal level of the reset terminal 1132 is detected to be a low level, the power supply unit 112 is turned off. If the clock length of the target instruction execution is not a preset value, it can be determined that the target instruction is a print instruction or a copy instruction, and the power supply unit 112 is turned off during or after the image output is completed.

[0054] Optionally, during the image output process, turning off the power supply unit may include: the mode switching unit 120 turns off the power supply unit when it detects that the data terminal 1131 receives a data signal; or, after the image output is completed, turning off the power supply unit may include: the mode switching unit 120 turns off the power supply unit when it detects that the data terminal 1131 no longer receives a data signal.

[0055] Exemplarily, if the clock length of the target instruction execution is not a preset value, the mode switching unit 120 turns off the power supply unit 112 during the printing process or the copying process (i.e., the reset terminal 1132 is monitored to be high level, and the data terminal 1131 is monitored to receive a data signal), or, after the printing or copying is completed (i.e., the data terminal 1131 is monitored to no longer receive a data signal), the mode switching unit 120 turns off the power supply unit 112. For how to turn off the power supply unit 112, please refer to the subsequent embodiments.

[0056] Optionally, when the target instruction is executed, the electrical signal provided by the power supply unit 112 and the signal levels of the plurality of terminals 113 are both at a low level.

[0057] It can be understood that when the storage element 111 of the chip 100 executes the target instruction, the printing device will enter a short sleep state, and the multiple signal lines between the device-side control unit of the printing device and the multiple terminals 113 of the chip 100 are all low-level. In order to adapt to the internal inherent logic of the printing device, the electrical signal provided by the power supply unit 112 of the corresponding chip and the signal level of the multiple terminals 113 connected to the device-side control unit are also low-level at this time, which can save the power of the power supply unit 112 and extend the service life of the power supply unit 112.

[0058] In this embodiment, after the power supply unit 112 is turned off, the first timer is started to start timing, and when the mode switching unit 120 detects that the first timer has reached the first duration, the power supply unit 112 is turned on. Optionally, the first duration is used to represent the clock length from the completion of the execution of the previous target instruction to the start of the execution of the next target instruction.

[0059] It can be understood that the first duration is the short sleep duration of the storage element 111 after executing the target instruction, so as to save the power of the power supply unit 112 .

[0060] The chip provided in the embodiment of the present application includes a storage element, a power supply unit, multiple terminals and a mode switching unit; the storage element is used to store consumable box information, related processing programs and communication programs; the power supply unit is used to provide electrical signals to the storage element; the multiple terminals are electrically connected to the storage element, and the multiple terminals at least include a data terminal and a reset terminal, the data terminal is connected to the data signal line in the device-side control unit of the printing device, and the reset terminal is connected to the reset signal line in the device-side control unit of the printing device; the mode switching unit is used to receive a target instruction sent by the printing device, and determine whether the clock length of the execution of the target instruction is a preset value. If so, the power supply unit is turned off when the signal level of the reset terminal is monitored to be low; if not, the power supply unit is turned off during the image output process or after the image output is completed; the mode switching unit includes a timing unit, and the timing unit includes a first timer. When the mode switching unit detects that the first timer is timed to a first duration, the power supply unit is turned on. Since the embodiment of the present application provides an electrical signal to the storage element through a power supply unit instead of providing an electrical signal to the storage element through a power supply terminal, and at the same time cancels the power supply terminal set on the surface of the substrate of the chip, that is, changes the power supply mode of the chip, it can avoid the problem of short circuit between the power supply terminal and other terminals, or between the power supply terminal and the ground terminal in the current power supply mode of the printing device, thereby improving the safety and stability of the chip; and, by adding a mode switching unit, the chip working mode is switched according to whether the clock length of the target instruction execution is a preset value, and according to the working mode of the chip, a corresponding criterion for timely turning on or off the power supply unit is set, so that the chip can adapt to the inherent programming logic of the printing device, and can effectively avoid the method of using an external power supply in the current technology to continuously power the chip of the consumable box, which is applied to the chip of the consumable box used by the printing device, because it does not conform to the inherent programming logic of the printing device, causing the printing device to report an error or not recognize the machine during the use of the consumable box, causing inconvenience to the user.

[0061] Based on the above embodiments, Figure 2 Schematic diagram of a consumables box provided in one embodiment of the present application. Figure 2 As shown, the consumable box 200 includes a consumable box body, and the consumable box body is provided with an installation position for installing the chip 100 as in any of the above embodiments, and the consumable box comes from an original consumable box, a recycled consumable box, or a regenerated consumable box. The chip 100 can be assembled into the consumable box 200 through the installation position. In the embodiment of the present application, the specific implementation process of the chip 100 can refer to the above embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0062] For example, taking the consumable cartridge as an ink cartridge, the ink cartridge may be an original ink cartridge, a recycled ink cartridge, or a regenerated ink cartridge. Figure 3 A schematic diagram of the structure of an ink cartridge provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Figure 3As shown, the ink cartridge includes a body ( Figure 3 The main body includes a shell 301 and an inner liner 302, and the inner liner 302 is detachably connected to the shell 301, or the inner liner 302 is fixedly connected to the shell 301. The inner liner 302 is used to store ink, and a mounting position 303 is provided on the shell 301. The mounting position 303 is provided with a first positioning portion 304, which is used to connect with a second positioning portion 305 provided on a substrate 306 of the chip 100. When the ink in the inner liner is consumed, a new inner liner is directly replaced.

[0063] Figure 4 A schematic diagram of the structure of a chip in an ink cartridge provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Figure 4 As shown, the chip includes a substrate 306, on which a storage element and a plurality of terminals are arranged, the plurality of terminals are electrically connected to the storage element, and the plurality of terminals include a data terminal 1131, a reset terminal 1132, a clock terminal 1133 and a ground terminal 1134. The printing device includes a device-side control unit, and the data terminal 1131 is connected to the device-side data terminal of the device-side control unit through a data signal line, and is used to send or receive data signals between the chip and the printing device. At the same time, the data terminal 1131 can also be used to detect the installation of the ink cartridge and detect whether the data terminal 1131 is short-circuited with at least one of the remaining terminals. The reset terminal 1132 is connected to the device-side reset terminal of the device-side control unit through a reset signal line, and is used to receive a reset signal; the clock terminal 1133 is connected to the device-side clock terminal of the device-side control unit through a clock signal line, and is used to receive a clock signal; the ground terminal 1134 is connected to the device-side ground terminal of the device-side control unit through a ground signal line, and is used to transmit a ground signal. Figure 5 A schematic diagram of the structure of a chip in an ink cartridge provided in another embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Figure 5 As shown, the multiple terminals set on the substrate 306 can also be constructed to include a high voltage terminal 1135 (for installation detection), a short circuit detection terminal 1136 (for short circuit detection), a data terminal 1131, a reset terminal 1132, a clock terminal 1133 and a ground terminal 1134.

[0064] Based on the above embodiment, the following describes the corresponding contents by taking the consumable cartridge as an ink cartridge as an example.

[0065] Embodiment 1: The power supply unit includes only an external power supply (i.e., a full battery power supply), and the external power supply is located outside the storage element:

[0066] In this embodiment, Figure 6 A schematic diagram of a circuit connection between a consumable box and a printing device provided in an embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Figure 6As shown, the device-side control unit of the printing device is electrically connected to the storage element provided on the substrate of the chip in the consumable box through a plurality of wires. The plurality of wires include a data line (for example, represented by LSDA), a reset line (for example, represented by LRST), a clock line (for example, represented by LSCK) and a ground line (for example, represented by LVSS). Based on the above embodiment, the mode switching unit ( Figure 6 and Fig.12 The first mode conversion unit (not shown) includes a first mode conversion unit, which is located outside the storage element. The first mode conversion unit includes a first switching unit and a first timer. One end of the external power supply is connected to the storage element, and the other end of the external power supply is connected to the first switching unit. The first switching unit controls the external power supply to be turned on or off. When the first mode conversion unit monitors that the first timer is timing to a first duration, the external power supply is turned on by the first switching unit. It should be noted that the first mode conversion unit can be provided with an independent external power supply or receive an electrical signal from a printing device, which is used to supply power to the first mode conversion unit when the external power supply is cut off, so that it can work normally, wherein the first mode conversion unit may also include a third detection unit ( Figure 6 (not shown) is used to monitor whether the first timer is set to the first duration, and if so, turn on the external power supply through the first switching unit.

[0067] The external power source is, for example, a battery or other DC power supply component, such as Figure 6 As shown, the external power supply is electrically connected to the power signal input terminal in the storage element and the first mode conversion unit respectively. To ensure that the external power supply provides a stable electrical signal for the storage element, a voltage stabilizing unit is optionally provided between the external power supply and the first mode conversion unit for stabilizing the voltage of the external power supply.

[0068] The mode switching unit includes a second mode conversion unit, which is located inside the storage element. The second mode conversion unit includes a first detection unit, which monitors the target instruction received by the data terminal and determines whether the clock length of the target instruction execution is a preset value. Specifically, the first detection unit identifies the instruction category and instruction length for the target instruction received from the data terminal. The instruction category includes but is not limited to detection instructions, printing instructions or copying instructions, and the detection type includes installation detection and short circuit detection. Among them, in response to the clock length of the target instruction execution being a preset value (that is, the clock length is basically constant), the target instruction is determined to be a detection instruction, and the clock signal on the clock signal line is used as the reference frequency to send a data signal of a preset clock length matching the detection instruction. However, in response to the clock length of the target instruction execution not being a preset value (that is, the clock length is not constant), the target instruction is determined to be a printing instruction or a copying instruction, and the high and low level changes of the auxiliary reset signal and whether the data signal can be received are required to monitor and determine the execution cycle of the printing instruction or the copying instruction.

[0069] The second mode conversion unit may also include a second detection unit. When the second detection unit detects that the signal level of the reset terminal is at a low level, the second detection unit turns off the external power supply through the first switching unit; when the first mode conversion unit detects that the first timer is timed to the first duration, the external power supply is turned on through the first switching unit. The timing unit also includes a second timer, which is included in the second mode conversion unit. When the second detection unit detects that the signal level of the reset terminal is at a high level, the second detection unit starts the second timer to the second duration and monitors whether the signal level of the reset terminal is at a low level. The second duration is used to indicate the clock length of the high level of the reset signal.

[0070] The storage element may also include a storage unit, which stores original ink cartridge information (such as model, color of the contained imaging material and ink volume information, etc.), related processing programs and communication programs.

[0071] based on Figure 6 , Figure 7 This is a flowchart of a chip provided in one embodiment of the present application. Figure 7 It can be understood as process 1. Figure 7 As shown, after the ink cartridge is loaded into the printing device, the printing device is turned on, the external power supply provided on the chip of the ink cartridge is turned on by default, and supplies power to the storage element, and process 1 is executed first.

[0072] Process 1 may include the following steps:

[0073] S701, the first detection unit in the second mode conversion unit monitors whether the data terminal receives the target instruction sent from the device-side control unit of the printing device through the data signal line, if so, execute step S702; if not, return to execute step S701.

[0074] S702, the first detection unit in the second mode conversion unit determines whether the current ink cartridge chip responds to the target instruction. If so, execute step S703; if not, execute process 2. Process 2 indicates that the target instruction is responded to by the chip of other ink cartridges. The specific execution steps corresponding to process 2 can refer to the subsequent embodiments.

[0075] It can be understood that, since the target instruction includes an identifier that requires communication with the chip of the specified ink cartridge, the chip of the ink cartridge that needs to respond can be identified based on the chip identifier.

[0076] S703, the first detection unit in the second mode conversion unit determines whether the clock length of the received target instruction execution is a preset value. If so, process 3 is executed, and process 3 indicates that the target instruction is a detection instruction. The specific execution steps corresponding to process 3 can refer to the subsequent embodiments; if not, process 4 is executed, and process 4 indicates that the target instruction is a printing instruction or a copying instruction. The specific execution steps corresponding to process 4 can refer to the subsequent embodiments.

[0077] based on Figure 7 , Figure 8 The flowchart corresponding to process 2 provided in an embodiment of the present application is as follows: Figure 8 As shown, process 2 may include the following steps:

[0078] S801, confirming that the target instruction is responded to by the chip of the current ink cartridge.

[0079] S802, the first detection unit in the second mode conversion unit continues to determine whether the clock length of the received target instruction execution is a preset value, if so, execute process 3; if not, execute process 4.

[0080] based on Figure 7 , Fig. 9 The flowchart corresponding to process 3 provided in an embodiment of the present application is as follows: Fig. 9 As shown, process 3 may include the following steps:

[0081] S901, the second detection unit in the second mode conversion unit monitors whether the signal level of the reset terminal (ie, the reset signal) is at a high level, if so, execute step S902; if not, continue to wait for the reset signal to become a high level.

[0082] S902: Start a second timer (for example, represented by T2) in the second mode conversion unit to start timing.

[0083] S903, monitor whether the second timer T2 is timed to the second duration (for example, represented by tt2). If so, it means that the entire detection instruction has been executed, and execute step S904; if not, continue to wait for T2 to be timed to the second duration tt2, that is, after the duration of the second timer reaches the second duration tt2, continue to execute step S904.

[0084] S904, the second detection unit monitors whether the reset signal is at a low level, if so, executes step S905; if not, continues to wait for the reset signal to become a low level.

[0085] S905 , turning off the external power supply through the first switching unit in the first mode conversion unit (the first switching unit is equivalent to an electronic switch, controlling the opening or closing of the external power supply), and starting the first timer (for example, represented by T1) to start timing.

[0086] Since the storage element of the chip will enter a short sleep state after executing a command, turning off the external power supply at this time can save the power of the external power supply and extend the use time of the external power supply. It can be understood that, as mentioned above, since the first mode conversion unit can be set with an independent external power supply or receive an electrical signal from the printing device, it can be ensured that the first mode conversion unit can still work normally after the external power supply is turned off.

[0087] S906, monitoring whether the first timer T1 is timed to a first duration (for example, represented by tt1a), if so, executing step S907; if not, continuing to wait for T1 to be timed to the first duration.

[0088] S907, turning on the external power supply through the first switching unit, and process 3 returns to process 1 to continue waiting for receiving the next instruction.

[0089] based on Figure 7 , Fig.10 The flowchart corresponding to process 4 provided in an embodiment of the present application is as follows: Fig.10 As shown, process 4 may include the following steps:

[0090] S1001, the second detection unit in the second mode conversion unit monitors whether the reset signal received by the reset terminal is at a high level, if so, execute step S1002; if not, continue to wait for the reset signal to become a high level.

[0091] S1002: Execute a target instruction, where the target instruction is a print instruction or a copy instruction.

[0092] S1003, the first detection unit monitors whether the target instruction is executed, that is, the first detection unit monitors whether the data terminal receives the data signal. If it is detected that the data terminal receives the data signal, it returns to step S1003; if it is detected that the data terminal does not receive the data signal (that is, the data signal line level of the printing device is low), it is determined that the target instruction is executed, and step S1004 is continued.

[0093] S1004, the second detection unit detects whether the reset signal is at a low level, if so, execute step S1005; if not, continue to wait for the reset signal to become a low level.

[0094] S1005 , turning off the external power supply through the first switching unit in the first mode conversion unit, and starting the first timer T1 to start timing.

[0095] S1006, monitoring whether the first timer T1 is timed to the first duration tt1a, if so, executing step S1007; if not, continuing to wait for T1 to be timed to the first duration tt1a.

[0096] S1007, turning on the external power supply through the first switching unit. After process 4 is executed, the process returns to process 1 and continues to wait for receiving the next instruction.

[0097] It should be noted that after the ink cartridge is installed in the printing device, if the user does not perform a printing or copying operation, that is, does not execute process 4, the printing device will continue to loop process 3 (i.e., the detection process). In addition, assuming that the first time length from the completion of the previous detection process to the start of the next detection process is represented by tt1b, that is, the time interval from the external power supply being turned off after the completion of the previous process 3 to the external power supply being turned on again before the next process 3 is executed, the first time length tt1b>tt1a.

[0098] based on Figure 7 , Fig.11 A flowchart corresponding to process 4 provided in another embodiment of the present application is as follows: Fig.11 As shown, Fig.10 The difference of the process 4 shown is that, in order to save the power of the external power supply, the external power supply can be turned off in process 4, and the external power supply can be turned on again after the printing operation or the copying operation is completed. The process 4 in this embodiment may include the following steps:

[0099] S1101. When the first detection unit detects that the clock length of the target instruction execution is not a preset value, the second detection unit in the second mode conversion unit monitors whether the reset signal received by the reset terminal is a high level. If so, execute step S1002; if not, continue to wait for the reset signal to become a high level.

[0100] S1102, executing a target instruction and turning off an external power supply through a first switching unit, wherein the target instruction is a printing instruction or a copying instruction.

[0101] S1103, the first detection unit monitors whether the target instruction is executed, that is, the first detection unit monitors whether the data terminal receives the data signal. If it is detected that the data terminal receives the data signal, then continue to execute step S1103; if it is detected that the data terminal does not receive the data signal (that is, the data signal line level of the printing device is low), it is determined that the target instruction is executed, and continue to execute step S1104.

[0102] S1104, the second detection unit detects whether the reset signal is at a low level, if so, execute step S1105; if not, continue to wait for the reset signal to become a low level.

[0103] S1105: Start the first timer T1 to begin timing.

[0104] S1106, monitoring whether the first timer T1 is timed to the first duration tt1a, if so, executing step S1107; if not, continuing to wait for T1 to be timed to the first duration tt1a.

[0105] S1107, turning on the external power supply through the first switching unit, process 4 returns to process 1, and continues to wait for receiving the next instruction.

[0106] Embodiment 2: The power supply unit includes an external power supply and an internal power supply (i.e., the external power supply and the internal power supply are powered in stages), the external power supply is located outside the storage element, the internal power supply is located inside the storage element, and the electrical signal of the internal power supply is provided by the reset signal line:

[0107] In this embodiment, Fig.12 A schematic diagram of a circuit connection between a consumable box and a printing device provided in another embodiment of the present application is shown in FIG. Fig.12 As shown, based on Figure 6 The second mode conversion unit also includes a second switching unit, and the second switching unit is used to turn on or off the internal power supply.

[0108] In this embodiment, refer to the embodiment 1 Figure 7 , the processes 1 and 2 in this embodiment are the same as those in the first embodiment, and the processes 3 and 4 are different. Specifically, Fig.13 A flowchart corresponding to process 3 provided in another embodiment of the present application is as follows: Fig.13 As shown, process 3 in this embodiment may include the following steps:

[0109] S1301, the second detection unit in the second mode conversion unit monitors whether the signal level of the reset terminal (ie, the reset signal) is at a high level, if so, execute step S1302; if not, continue to wait for the reset signal to become a high level.

[0110] S1302, turning off the external power supply through the first switching unit in the first mode conversion unit, turning on the internal power supply through the second switching unit, and starting the second timer T2 in the second mode conversion unit to start timing.

[0111] S1303, monitoring whether the second timer T2 is timed to the second duration tt2, if so, it means that the entire detection instruction is executed, and step S1304 is executed; if not, continue to wait for T2 to be timed to the second duration tt2.

[0112] S1304, the second detection unit monitors whether the reset signal is at a low level, if so, executes step S1305; if not, continues to wait for the reset signal to become a low level.

[0113] S1305, turning off the internal power supply through the second switching unit (the second switching unit is equivalent to an electronic switch, controlling the opening or closing of the internal power supply), and starting the first timer T1 to start timing.

[0114] Since the storage element of the chip component will enter a short sleep state after running an instruction, both the internal power supply and the external power supply are turned off at this time, the power of the external power supply can be saved and the use time of the external power supply can be extended.

[0115] S1306, monitoring whether the first timer T1 is timed to the first duration tt1a, if so, executing step S1307; if not, continuing to wait for T1 to be timed to the first duration tt1a.

[0116] S1307, turning on the external power supply through the first switching unit. After process 3 is executed, the process returns to process 1 and continues to wait for receiving the next instruction.

[0117] Fig.14 A flowchart corresponding to process 4 provided in another embodiment of the present application is as follows: Fig.14 As shown, process 4 in this embodiment may include the following steps:

[0118] S1401, the second detection unit in the second mode conversion unit monitors whether the reset signal received by the reset terminal is at a high level, if so, execute step S1402; if not, continue to wait for the reset signal to become a high level.

[0119] S1402, turning off the external power supply through the first switching unit in the second mode conversion unit, and turning on the internal power supply through the second switching unit.

[0120] S1403: Execute a target instruction, where the target instruction is a print instruction or a copy instruction.

[0121] S1404, the first detection unit monitors whether the target instruction is executed, that is, the first detection unit monitors whether the data terminal receives the data signal. If it is detected that the data terminal receives the data signal, it means that the image is being output, and then the step S1404 is continued; if it is detected that the data terminal does not receive the data signal (that is, the data signal line level of the printing device is low), it means that the image output is completed, then it is determined that the target instruction is executed, and then the step S1405 is continued.

[0122] S1405, the second detection unit detects whether the reset signal is at a low level, if so, execute step S1406; if not, continue to wait for the reset signal to become a low level.

[0123] S1406, turning off the internal power supply through the second switching unit, and starting the first timer T1 to start timing.

[0124] S1407, monitoring whether the first timer T1 is timed to the first duration tt1a, if so, executing step S1408; if not, continuing to wait for T1 to be timed to the first duration tt1a.

[0125] S1408, turning on the external power supply through the first switching unit, process 4 returns to process 1, and continues to wait for receiving the next instruction.

[0126] Based on the above-mentioned embodiment 1 and embodiment 2, the chip provided in the embodiment of the present application avoids the problem of short circuit between the power terminal and other terminals, or between the power terminal and the ground terminal in the current power supply mode of the printing device, thereby improving the safety and stability of the chip. Moreover, by adding a mode switching unit, the chip working mode is switched according to whether the clock length of the target instruction execution is a preset value, so that the chip can adapt to the inherent programming logic of the printing device, and can effectively avoid the current technology of using an external power supply to continuously power the chip of the consumable box, which does not conform to the inherent programming logic of the printing device, and then causes the printing device to report an error or not recognize the machine during the use of the consumable box, causing inconvenience to the user.

[0127] Through the chip workflow provided by the above-mentioned embodiments 1 and 2, it is possible to ensure that the chip is provided with a stable power signal during the printing process to maintain the normal operation of the chip. At the same time, it is also possible to save power from the external power supply (battery), extend the use time of the external power supply, and avoid the problem of frequent replacement of the external power supply by users, which causes inconvenience and increased costs.

[0128] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only used to illustrate the technical solutions of the present application, rather than to limit it. Although the present application has been described in detail with reference to the aforementioned embodiments, those skilled in the art should understand that they can still modify the technical solutions described in the aforementioned embodiments, or replace some or all of the technical features therein with equivalents. However, these modifications or replacements do not cause the essence of the corresponding technical solutions to deviate from the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application.

Claims

1. A chip, characterized in that: include: A storage element, used for storing consumable box information, related processing procedures and communication procedures; A power supply unit, used for providing an electrical signal to the storage element; A plurality of terminals electrically connected to the storage element, the plurality of terminals at least comprising a data terminal and a reset terminal, the data terminal being connected to a data signal line in a device-side control unit of the printing device, and the reset terminal being connected to a reset signal line in the device-side control unit of the printing device; a mode switching unit, configured to receive a target instruction sent by the printing device, determine whether a clock length of executing the target instruction is a preset value, and if so, turn off the power supply unit when it is detected that the signal level of the reset terminal is a low level; if not, turn off the power supply unit during or after outputting an image; The mode switching unit includes a timing unit, and the timing unit includes a first timer. When the mode switching unit detects that the first timer is timed to a first duration, the power supply unit is turned on.

2. The chip according to claim 1, characterized in that: The step of turning off the power supply unit during the image output process includes: When it is detected that the data terminal receives a data signal, the power supply unit is turned off; or, After the image output is completed, turning off the power supply unit comprises: When it is detected that the data terminal no longer receives the data signal, the power supply unit is turned off.

3. The chip according to claim 2, characterized in that: The power supply unit includes only an external power supply, which is located outside the storage element; or, the power supply unit includes an external power supply and an internal power supply, the external power supply is located outside the storage element, the internal power supply is located inside the storage element, and the electrical signal of the internal power supply is provided by the reset signal line.

4. The chip according to claim 3, characterized in that: The power supply unit includes an external power supply and an internal power supply, and shutting down the power supply unit includes: shutting down the internal power supply.

5. The chip according to claim 4, characterized in that: Before turning off the internal power supply, the mode switching unit turns off the external power supply and turns on the internal power supply when detecting that the signal level of the reset terminal is at a high level.

6. The chip according to claim 3, characterized in that: The mode switching unit includes a first mode conversion unit, which includes a first switching unit. One end of the external power supply is connected to the storage element, and the other end of the external power supply is connected to the first switching unit. The first switching unit controls the turning on or off of the external power supply.

7. The chip according to claim 6, characterized in that: The mode switching unit includes a second mode conversion unit, the second mode conversion unit includes a first detection unit, the first detection unit monitors the target instruction received by the data terminal, and determines whether the clock length of the target instruction execution is the preset value.

8. The chip according to claim 7, characterized in that: The second mode conversion unit also includes a second detection unit. When the second detection unit detects that the signal level of the reset terminal is low, the second detection unit turns off the external power supply through the first switching unit; when the first mode conversion unit monitors that the first timer is timed to a first duration, the second detection unit turns on the external power supply through the first switching unit.

9. The chip according to claim 8, characterized in that: The timing unit also includes a second timer. When the second detection unit detects that the signal level of the reset terminal is at a high level, the second timer is started to time to a second duration and monitors whether the signal level of the reset terminal is at a low level.

10. The chip according to claim 9, characterized in that: The second mode conversion unit also includes a second switching unit. When the second detection unit detects that the signal level of the reset terminal is at a high level, the external power supply is turned off by the first switching unit, and the internal power supply is turned on by the second switching unit. When the second timer is started to time to the second duration, the second detection unit monitors whether the signal level of the reset terminal is at a low level. If so, the internal power supply is turned off by the second switching unit.

11. The chip according to claim 8, characterized in that: When the first detection unit detects that the clock length of the target instruction execution is not the preset value, the second detection unit monitors whether the reset signal is at a high level. If so, the target instruction is executed and the external power supply is turned off through the first switching unit.

12. The chip according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: The first time length is used to represent the clock length from the completion of the execution of the previous target instruction to the start of the execution of the next target instruction; the second time length is used to represent the clock length of the high level of the reset signal.

13. The chip according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that: When the target instruction is executed, the electrical signal provided by the power supply unit and the signal levels of the multiple terminals are both low levels.

14. A consumables box, characterized in that: include: A consumable box body, wherein the consumable box body is provided with an installation position for installing a chip as described in any one of claims 1 to 13, and the consumable box is an original consumable box, a recycled consumable box or a regenerated consumable box.

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