Chip, communication method, and consumable cartridge

Abstract

The chip, the communication method and the consumable box provided by the embodiment of the application comprise a clock terminal, a data terminal, a first module and a second module; the second module acquires a clock signal and first instruction information; when the first instruction information is of a first type, a judgment interval is determined, and the clock signal is periodically monitored based on the judgment interval to determine a duration of the clock signal being a first level signal; if the duration reaches a preset duration, it is determined that the first instruction information ends, and a target signal is changed from a second level signal to the first level signal; when the first instruction information is of a second type, the second module determines an ending moment of the first instruction information based on the content of the second type of instruction information; at the ending moment of the first instruction information, the target signal is changed from the first level signal to the second level signal; when the first module detects that the target signal is changed from the first level signal to the second level signal, the reading operation is stopped; and the data communication accuracy and efficiency are improved.

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to the following four Chinese patent applications filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on December 28, 2023, application number 202311851739.9, entitled "A Consumable Chip and Consumable Box"; filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on December 29, 2023, application number 202311871796.3, entitled "A Consumable Chip and Consumable Box"; filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on May 15, 2024, application number 202410607698.7, entitled "A Consumable Chip and Consumable Box"; and filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on August 30, 2024, application number 202411220250.6, entitled "A Consumable Chip and Consumable Box". The entire contents of these four Chinese patents are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of imaging technology, specifically to a chip, a communication method, and a consumable box. Background Technology

[0003] Image forming apparatuses, such as printers, copiers, and fax machines, are used to image information onto imaging media such as paper using imaging materials such as ink. During the imaging process, the image forming apparatus needs to acquire imaging auxiliary information to complete the imaging process. This imaging auxiliary information is typically recorded in a consumable chip. The consumable chip is removably installed in a consumable cartridge. The consumable cartridge can be an ink cartridge filled with ink or a toner cartridge filled with toner; the ink cartridge and toner are the recording materials. The consumable cartridge is removably installed in the image forming apparatus.

[0004] When the consumable cartridge is installed in the image forming apparatus, the consumable chip within the cartridge establishes an electrical connection with the image forming apparatus and communicates with it via data. For example, the consumable chip can be used to control authentication and data matching between the consumable cartridge and the image forming apparatus, and to provide imaging assistance information to the image forming apparatus during the subsequent imaging process. Specifically, the consumable chip on the cartridge and the image forming apparatus can be electrically connected via corresponding terminals.

[0005] Common consumable chips typically include chip select, clock, and data terminals to facilitate data communication with the image forming apparatus. The chip select and clock terminals receive the chip select signal and clock signal (CLK) from the image forming apparatus, respectively. The data terminal receives instruction information from the image forming apparatus, or it can send data to the image forming apparatus via the data terminal. Generally, multiple consumable cartridges can be installed in an image forming apparatus, which can select the consumable chip it needs to communicate with using the chip select signal. For example... Figure 1 As shown, when the image forming apparatus needs to communicate with the consumable chip, it can convert the chip select signal to a high level and send this high-level chip select signal to the chip select terminal of the consumable chip. Simultaneously, the image forming apparatus also sends a clock signal CLK and instruction information. Upon receiving the high-level chip select signal, the consumable chip can determine that it has begun data communication with the image forming apparatus and starts executing instruction information, such as initiating a read operation.

[0006] When data communication is complete or needs to be terminated, the image forming apparatus switches the chip select signal to a low level. When the chip select signal received by the consumable chip switches to a low level, the consumable chip determines that the instruction information has ended, terminates the read operation, and stops data communication with the image forming apparatus.

[0007] In the above process, the consumable chip needs to receive the chip select signal through the chip select terminal to control the data communication process. However, during data communication, due to signal interference or poor contact between the consumable chip and the image forming device, errors such as high-level transitions of the chip select signal can easily occur, causing the consumable chip read operation to be interrupted, thereby affecting the accuracy of the determination of the end time of instruction information and the efficiency of data communication.

[0008] In some technologies, the consumable chip may not have a chip select terminal; instead, it determines the end of the instruction message by monitoring the state of a clock signal. Typically, the clock signal sent by the image forming apparatus to the consumable chip corresponds to the instruction message. While the consumable chip receives the instruction message and it is still in progress, the clock signal alternates between high and low levels. When the instruction message ends, the clock signal becomes a continuous low level. To accurately determine the end time of the instruction message, the consumable chip can check the end of the instruction message every 9 bits of data.

[0009] In the above process, although the consumable chip can determine the end of the instruction information simply by using the clock and data terminals without setting a chip select terminal, the consumable chip needs to check the end of the instruction information every 9 bits of data, which is too high a detection frequency. Furthermore, if a clock signal in an instruction message is continuously low for a long period, the instruction information may be mistakenly judged as finished, reducing the accuracy and efficiency of data communication. Summary of the Invention

[0010] In view of this, this application provides a chip, a communication method, and a consumable box to solve the problems of excessively high detection frequency of consumable chips and the possibility of misjudging the end of instruction information in the prior art, thereby reducing the accuracy and efficiency of data communication.

[0011] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip that communicates with an image forming apparatus. The communication process includes several instruction messages. The chip includes a first module, a second module, a clock terminal, and a data terminal. The clock terminal is used to receive a clock signal from the image forming apparatus, and the data terminal is used to send or receive a data signal. The first module is used to send response data to the image forming apparatus during the communication process. The second module is electrically connected to the first module and outputs a target signal to the first module. The first module controls the cessation of the read operation of the first module based on the target signal.

[0012] The chip is used for,

[0013] During the communication process, the second module acquires the clock signal and the first instruction information;

[0014] When the first instruction information is a first type of instruction information, the second module determines a judgment interval and periodically monitors the duration of the clock signal being a first level signal, using the judgment interval as a period. If the duration of the clock signal being a first level signal reaches a preset duration, it is determined that the first type of instruction information has ended, and at the end of the first type of instruction information, the target signal output to the first module is changed from a second level signal to a first level signal. The judgment interval is the number of clock cycles that send at least one set of response data to the image forming apparatus.

[0015] When the first instruction information is the second type of instruction information, the second module determines the end time corresponding to the second type of instruction information based on the content of the second type of instruction information using a preset method, and changes the target signal output to the first module from the second level signal to the first level signal at the end time;

[0016] The first module stops reading when it detects that the target signal changes from a second level signal to a first level signal.

[0017] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the judgment interval includes 2N*9 clock signals; where N is an integer greater than 0.

[0018] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the chip is further used for:

[0019] If the duration of the clock signal being at the first level does not reach the preset duration, the second module determines that the first type of instruction information has not ended, and continues to periodically monitor the duration of the clock signal being at the first level until the duration of the clock signal being at the first level reaches the preset duration, and then determines that the first type of instruction information has ended.

[0020] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first module is electrically connected to the data terminal and the clock terminal;

[0021] The chip is also used in the communication process, whereby the first module receives first instruction information sent by the image forming apparatus through the data terminal and receives clock signals sent by the image forming apparatus through the clock terminal;

[0022] The first module is used to send response information to the image forming apparatus during communication, including:

[0023] The first module generates response information based on the target signal and the first instruction information, and sends the response information to the image forming apparatus through the data terminal.

[0024] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the second module is electrically connected to the data terminal and the clock terminal;

[0025] The second module acquires the clock signal and the first instruction information, including:

[0026] The second module receives the clock signal sent by the image forming apparatus through the clock terminal, and receives the first instruction information sent by the image forming apparatus through the data terminal.

[0027] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the second module is electrically connected to the clock terminal and the data terminal;

[0028] The second module acquires the clock signal and the first instruction information, including:

[0029] The second module receives the clock signal sent by the image forming apparatus through the clock terminal, and receives the first instruction information sent by the image forming apparatus through the data terminal;

[0030] The chip is also used so that, during communication, the second module sends the clock signal and the first instruction information to the first module;

[0031] The first module is used to send response information to the image forming apparatus during communication, including:

[0032] The first module receives the clock signal and the first instruction information sent by the second module, generates response information based on the target signal and the first instruction information, and sends the response information to the second module.

[0033] The second module receives the response information and sends the response information to the image forming apparatus through the data terminal.

[0034] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the sum of the time it takes for the first module to generate the response information and the time it takes for the second module to send the response information to the image forming apparatus is not greater than a preset response waiting time of the image forming apparatus.

[0035] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the preset duration is greater than the duration of a clock signal and less than the interval between the first instruction information and the next instruction information.

[0036] In one possible implementation of the first aspect, the first level signal is a low level signal and the second level signal is a high level signal.

[0037] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method, applicable to the chip described in any of the first aspects, the method comprising:

[0038] During communication, the second module of the chip acquires the clock signal and the first instruction information;

[0039] When the first instruction information is a first type of instruction information, the second module of the chip determines a judgment interval, and periodically monitors the duration of the clock signal being a first level signal with the judgment interval as the period; if the duration of the clock signal being a first level signal reaches a preset duration, it is determined that the first type of instruction information has ended, and at the end time of the first type of instruction information, the target signal output to the first module is changed from a second level signal to a first level signal; the judgment interval is the number of clock cycles that send at least one set of response data to the image forming apparatus;

[0040] When the first instruction information is the second type of instruction information, the second module of the chip determines the end time corresponding to the second type of instruction information based on the content of the second type of instruction information using a preset method, and changes the target signal output to the first module of the chip from the second level signal to the first level signal at the end time;

[0041] The first module of the chip stops the read operation when it detects that the target signal changes from a second level signal to a first level signal.

[0042] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a consumable box including the chip described in any of the first aspects above.

[0043] The solution provided in this application embodiment allows for electrical connection between the image forming apparatus and the chip. The image forming apparatus can be electrically connected to the clock and data terminals within the chip, which lacks a chip select terminal. This reduces the possibility of instruction execution errors, thereby improving the accuracy of communication between the chip and the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, in this application embodiment, the chip includes a first module and a second module. For the first type of instruction information, the second module can determine the clock interval for sending at least one set of response data to the image forming apparatus. Using this determination interval as a period, it periodically monitors the duration of the clock signal being at the first level. When the duration of the clock signal being at the first level reaches a preset duration, the first type of instruction information is determined to have ended. At the moment the end of the first instruction information is determined, the target signal is switched from the second level signal to the first level signal, and the target signal is output to the first module. The first module can then determine whether to stop the read operation based on the target signal. In other words, the second module only determines whether the first type of instruction information has ended after sending at least one set of response data to the image forming apparatus each time. This reduces the frequency of detecting whether the first type of instruction information has ended and reduces the possibility of misjudging the end of the instruction information, improving the accuracy and efficiency of data communication. For the second type of instruction information, the second module can determine the end time of the instruction information based on the second type of instruction information, and switch the target signal from the second level signal to the first level signal at the end time, and output the target signal to the first module. The first module can determine whether to stop the read operation based on the target signal, which can ensure the accuracy and efficiency of data communication.

[0044] Furthermore, the second module can determine whether the first instruction information has ended based on the clock signal. Upon determining the end of the first instruction information, it switches the target signal from a second-level signal to a first-level signal and outputs the target signal to the first module. The first module can then determine whether to stop the read operation based on the target signal. That is, in this embodiment, the target signal is equivalent to a chip select signal to control the read operation of the first module. The structure of the first module can be an existing structure that controls the read operation via a chip select signal. In other words, the chip in this embodiment can use an existing memory component structure, and there is no need to set a chip select terminal; only the second module needs to output the target signal to the first module. Thus, in this embodiment, there is no need to redesign the memory component; existing photolithography mask equipment can be used, which reduces time and production costs and improves the efficiency of communication between the chip and the image forming apparatus. Attached Figure Description

[0045] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the embodiments will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0046] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the operating timing of existing consumable chips;

[0047] Figure 2a This application provides a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application.

[0048] Figure 2b This is a schematic diagram of another communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0049] Figure 3 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a consumable box provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0050] Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a printing device stylus provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0051] Figure 5 This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a consumable chip provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 6 This is a partially enlarged structural diagram of a printing device stylus provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 7 A schematic diagram illustrating the working timing of a consumable chip provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 8aThis is a schematic diagram of the structure of another consumable chip provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 8b This is a schematic diagram of the structure of another consumable chip provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0056] Figure 8c This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a storage component in a consumable chip provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 9a A schematic diagram illustrating the working timing of another consumable chip provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 9b A schematic diagram illustrating the working timing of another consumable chip provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 9c A schematic diagram illustrating the working timing of another consumable chip provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 10 A schematic diagram illustrating the working timing of another consumable chip provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 11 A schematic diagram illustrating another connection structure between a consumable chip and a printing device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 12 This application provides a schematic diagram of another scenario for the connection structure between a consumable chip and a printing device;

[0063] Figure 13 This application provides a schematic diagram illustrating the working timing of another consumable chip in an embodiment;

[0064] Figure 14 This application provides a schematic diagram illustrating the working timing of another consumable chip in an embodiment;

[0065] Figure 15 A flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in this application embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0066] To better understand the technical solution of this application, the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0067] It should be understood that the described embodiments are merely some, not all, of the embodiments in this application. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments in this application without inventive effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0068] The terminology used in the embodiments of this application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of this application. The singular forms “a,” “the,” and “the” used in the embodiments of this application and the appended claims are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

[0069] It should be understood that the term "and / or" used in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0070] See Figure 2a This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 2a As shown, the communication system includes an image forming apparatus 100 and a chip 200. The image forming apparatus 100 is provided with a communication port 101, and the slave device is provided with an interface module 201. A communication link is established between the communication port 101 and the interface module 201, through which the image forming apparatus 100 and the chip 200 can transmit information. Specifically, the communication port 101 and the interface module 201 can be electrically connected by means of a pin, contact point, or spring, thereby establishing a communication link. In other embodiments, the communication link can also be a non-contact communication link, i.e., a wireless communication link. In this case, the communication port 101 and the interface module 201 can include an antenna or coil for transmitting wireless signals. The host 100 involved in this application embodiment is a device capable of data processing, control, or related operations, and the chip 200 is used to be installed on the image forming apparatus 100 to assist the image forming apparatus 100 in completing related functions.

[0071] In one example, the image forming apparatus 100 can be a printer, copier, fax machine, etc., while the chip can be a consumable chip. In some application scenarios, such as... Figure 2b The image forming apparatus 100 is a printing device 110, and the chip 200 is a consumable chip 210. The printing device 110 has a communication port 111, and the consumable chip 210 has an interface module 211. A communication link is established between the communication port 111 and the interface module 211, allowing information transmission between the printing device 110 and the consumable chip 210. For example, during imaging, the consumable chip 210 provides identification information and records material usage information. When the printing device 110 sends a signal to the consumable chip 210, the printing device 110 is the sender, and the consumable chip 210 is the receiver; conversely, when the consumable chip 210 sends a signal to the printing device 110, the consumable chip 210 is the sender, and the printing device 110 is the receiver.

[0072] For ease of description, the image forming apparatus 100 is used as the printing device 110 and the chip is used as the consumable chip 210 in the following description to illustrate the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. However, those skilled in the art should understand that, in addition to the printing device 110 and the consumable chip 210, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other types of image forming apparatuses and chips, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0073] During the imaging process, the printing device 110 requires the assistance of imaging aid information from the consumable chip 210 in the consumable cartridge 21 to complete the imaging process. In related technologies, the consumable cartridge 21 can be... Figure 3 The structure is shown. Imaging assistance information for the printing device 110 is recorded not only within the printing device 110 itself but also on the consumable chip 210. The consumable chip 210 primarily serves for identification and recording the material usage status. Therefore, when the consumable chip 210 is installed on the printing device 110, the printing device 110 reads the information from the consumable chip 210 and sends information about the printing job status and related data to the consumable chip 210. The consumable chip 210 and the printing device 110 can be connected via electrical contact. For example, the stylus pins on the printing device 110 make electrical contact with the contact portion in the consumable chip 210 to achieve communication.

[0074] like Figure 4 As shown, the printing device 110 includes a stylus holder 111, which includes an upper end face 1111 in the Y-axis direction, a front end face 1112 in the X-axis direction, a first stylus 1113, a second stylus 1114, a third stylus 1115, a fourth stylus 1116, and a fifth stylus 1117. Figure 5As shown, the consumable chip 210 includes a data terminal 2101, a chip select terminal 2102, a clock terminal 2103, a power terminal 2104, and a ground terminal 2105. Specifically, the first contact pin 1113 of the printing device 110 can contact the data terminal 2101 of the consumable chip 210, the second contact pin 1114 of the printing device 110 can contact the chip select terminal 2102 of the consumable chip 210, the third contact pin 1115 of the printing device 110 can contact the power terminal 2104 of the consumable chip 210, the fourth contact pin 1116 of the printing device 110 can contact the clock terminal 2103 of the consumable chip 210, and the fifth contact pin 1117 of the printing device 110 can contact the ground terminal 2105 of the consumable chip. In this way, the printing device 110 can send data signals to the consumable chip 210 through the contact of the first contact pin 1113 with the data terminal 2101, the printing device 110 can send chip select signals to the consumable chip 210 through the contact of the second contact pin 1114 with the chip select terminal 2102, the printing device 110 can send clock signals to the consumable chip 210 through the contact of the fourth contact pin 1116 with the clock terminal 2103, the printing device 110 can provide operating voltage to the consumable chip 210 through the contact of the third contact pin 1115 with the power terminal 2104, and the printing device 110 can provide a unified reference low level for the data received and sent between the printing device 110 and the consumable chip 210 through the contact of the fifth contact pin 1117 with the ground terminal 2105, thus ensuring the correctness and stability of the communication process.

[0075] In related technologies, the data terminal 2101, chip select terminal 2102, clock terminal 2103, power terminal 2104, and ground terminal 2105 in the consumable chip 210 can all be planar terminals. The first contact pin 1113, second contact pin 1114, third contact pin 1115, fourth contact pin 1116, and fifth contact pin 1117 in the printing device 110 each include a contact pin tip, a contact pin front end, a contact pin bevel end, and a contact pin tip, such as... Figure 6 As shown. At this time, the first contact pin 1113, the second contact pin 1114, the third contact pin 1115, the fourth contact pin 1116, and the fifth contact pin 1117 in the printing device 110 are all in contact with the data terminal 2101, the chip select terminal 2102, the clock terminal 2103, the power terminal 2104, and the ground terminal 2105 in the planar terminals of the consumable chip 210 through the contact pin tips.

[0076] Typically, a printing device 110 contains multiple consumable chips 210, all communicating with the printing device 110 via the same communication bus. At any given time, the printing device 110 can only communicate with one consumable chip 210. To ensure communication between the printing device 110 and the consumable chip 210, the printing device 110 sends a chip select signal to the desired consumable chip 210. This chip select signal informs the consumable chip 210 that it has selected that chip for communication. The chip select signal (CS) is a control signal in digital circuits used to select a specific integrated circuit chip for communication. When multiple chips or devices are connected to the same communication bus, the chip select signal indicates which chip can exchange data with the processor or controller. (Reference) Figure 1 As shown, when the printing device 110 needs to communicate with a consumable chip 210, the printing device 110 can convert the chip select signal of the consumable chip 210 to a high level and send the high-level chip select signal to the chip select terminal of the consumable chip 210. Simultaneously with sending the chip select signal, the printing device 110 also sends a clock signal CLK and data information. When the consumable chip 210 receives the chip select signal converted to a high level through the chip select terminal 2102, the consumable chip 210 begins to execute instruction information, such as starting a read operation. At this time, based on the clock signal CLK, the consumable chip 210 sends the imaging auxiliary information stored in its storage component to the data terminal 2101 for transmission to the printing device 110.

[0077] When data communication is complete or needs to be terminated, the printing device 110 switches the chip select signal to a low level. When the chip select signal received by the consumable chip 210 switches to a low level, the consumable chip 210 determines that the instruction information has ended, terminates the read operation, and stops data communication with the printing device 110.

[0078] However, the terminals of the consumable chip 210 are relatively densely packed on the plane, and the gaps between the terminals are small. This can easily cause the printer 110's pins to come into contact with terminals that do not correspond to their functions when the user installs or removes the consumable cartridge 21, resulting in a short circuit. In addition, when the printer 110 sends multiple signals to the consumable chip 210 at the same time, it is easy for the clock signal to interfere with the chip select signal, causing the chip select signal to jump, which in turn leads to problems such as data communication interruption, errors, or data corruption.

[0079] While in some technologies, the consumable chip 210 may not have a chip select terminal, but instead determines the end of the instruction message by monitoring the state changes of the clock signal, typically, the clock signal sent by the printing device 110 to the consumable chip 210 corresponds to the instruction message. When the consumable chip 210 receives the instruction message and it has not yet ended, the clock signal is an alternating high-level and low-level signal. When the instruction message ends, the clock signal is a continuous low-level signal. To accurately determine the end time of the instruction message, the consumable chip 210 can check whether the instruction message has ended every 9 bits of data.

[0080] In the above process, the consumable chip 210 does not need to set a chip select terminal; it can determine whether the instruction information has ended simply by using the clock terminal and the data terminal. However, the consumable chip 210 needs to check whether the instruction information has ended every 9 bits of data, which is too high a detection frequency. Furthermore, when an instruction information contains a continuously low clock signal, if the duration is long, there is a possibility that the instruction information may be misjudged as having ended, reducing the accuracy and efficiency of data communication.

[0081] For example, such as Figure 7 As shown, assume the timeframe for sending, processing, and responding to the first instruction message is t1-t10, and the second instruction message begins execution after time t11. Figure 7 In the processing of the first instruction information, there is a period of time during which the clock signal remains at the first level signal, rather than alternating between the first and second level signals, but the first instruction information has not ended. Assume the time interval between t8 and t9 is X, the time interval between t10 and t11 is Y, and the first preset duration is Z. In some technologies, the consumable chip 210 checks the instruction information every 9 clock signals. At this time, the consumable chip 210 needs to detect whether the clock signal is alternating between the first and second level signals after time t8 to determine whether the first instruction information has ended. If the consumable chip 210 fails to detect alternating first and second level signals for more than the first preset duration Z, it will determine that the first instruction information has ended, even though the first instruction information has not actually ended, leading to a data communication error.

[0082] To solve the above problem, see Figure 8a This is a schematic diagram of the structure of a consumable chip 210 provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 8aAs shown, the consumable chip 210 includes a first terminal 21211 and a third terminal 21213. In some embodiments, the first terminal 21211 may be a data terminal, and the third terminal 21213 may be a clock terminal. The consumable chip 210 also includes a first module 21221 and a second module 21222, as shown... Figure 8b As shown. The second module 21222 is electrically connected to the first module 21221.

[0083] refer to Figure 8a As shown, in some embodiments, the consumable chip 210 further includes a fourth terminal 21214 and a fifth terminal 21215. The fourth terminal 21214 can be a power terminal, and the fifth terminal 21215 can be a ground terminal. In other embodiments, the consumable chip 210 includes a substrate 212, which includes a first plane 2121 and a second plane 2122. The first plane 2121 is used for electrical connection with the printing device 110. The first terminal 21211, the third terminal 21213, the fourth terminal 21214, and the fifth terminal 21215 are all located on the first plane 2121. (Refer to...) Figure 8a As shown. Reference Figure 8b As shown, the first module 21221 and the second module 21222 are located on the second plane 2122. In some embodiments, the first terminal 21211, the third terminal 21213, the fourth terminal 21214, and the fifth terminal 21215 are electrically connected to the first module 21221 and the second module 21222 via wires. In other embodiments, the first terminal 21211 and the third terminal 21213 are electrically connected to the second module 21222 only via wires, and the fourth terminal 21214 and the fifth terminal 21215 are electrically connected to both the first module 21221 and the second module 21222 via wires. For ease of description, the following description uses the example of the first terminal 21211 being a data terminal, the third terminal 21213 being a clock terminal, the fourth terminal 21214 being a power terminal, and the fifth terminal 21215 being a ground terminal.

[0084] The printing device 110 sends data instructions and communication signals to the first module 21221. The data instructions include data sent by the printing device 110 to the consumable chip 210 and data received by the printing device 110 from the consumable chip 210. The communication signals include VCC (power signal), CLK (clock signal), SDA (data signal) and GND (reference ground signal).

[0085] In some embodiments, such as Figure 8cAs shown, the first module 21221 can be a storage component, which includes a storage module 212211 and a control module 21222. The storage module 212211 is used to store information about the consumable chip, such as the manufacturing date, manufacturer, color of the recording material (e.g., ink, toner), capacity of the recording material, remaining quantity or consumed quantity of the recording material, number of printable pages, number of printed pages, and other rewritable or read-only information. In the embodiments of this application, the storage module 212211 can adopt common non-volatile memory, such as EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read-Only Memory), FLASH (Flash Memory), ferroelectric memory, phase change memory, etc. It can also adopt a volatile memory plus power supply scheme, such as SRAM (Static Random-Access Memory) + battery or capacitor, DRAM (Dynamic Random Access Memory) + battery or capacitor.

[0086] The control module 212212 can be a microcontroller (MCU), a microcontroller, an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), an ASIC, etc., used to control the communication between the consumable chip and the printing device, read information from the storage module 212211, and store information in the storage module 212211.

[0087] In one embodiment, the storage module 212211 and the control module 212212 can be integrated in the same circuit, which can be designed as an integrated circuit (ASIC) and embodied in the form of a wafer. Then the consumable chip 210 includes the wafer and the circuit board that carries the wafer.

[0088] based on Figure 8a , Figure 8b and Figure 8cThe consumable chip 210 shown communicates with the printing device 110. The communication process includes several instruction messages. The consumable chip 210 includes a first module 21221, a second module 21222, a clock terminal, and a data terminal. The clock terminal is used to receive clock signals from the printing device 110, and the data terminal is used to send or receive data signals. The first module 21221 is used to send response data to the printing device 110 during communication. The second module 21222 is electrically connected to the first module 21221 and outputs a target signal to the first module 21221. The first module 21221 controls the stop of its read operation based on the target signal. The consumable chip 210 is used for the following purposes: During communication, the second module 21222 acquires a clock signal and first instruction information; when the first instruction information is a first type of instruction information, the second module 21222 determines a judgment interval and periodically monitors the duration of the clock signal being a first level signal, with the judgment interval as the period; if the duration of the clock signal being a first level signal reaches a preset duration, it is determined that the first type of instruction information has ended, and at the end time of the first type of instruction information, the target signal output to the first module 21221 is changed from a second level signal to a first level signal; wherein, the judgment interval is the number of clock cycles in which at least one set of response data is sent to the printing device 110. When the first instruction information is a second type of instruction information, the second module 21222 determines the end time corresponding to the second type of instruction information based on the content of the second type of instruction information using a preset method, and at the end time, the target signal output to the first module 21221 is changed from a second level signal to a first level signal. When the first module 21221 detects that the target signal has changed from a second level signal to a first level signal, it stops the read operation. In this way, in this embodiment of the application, when the printing device 110 is electrically connected to the consumable chip 210, it can be electrically connected to the clock terminal and data terminal in the consumable chip 210. The consumable chip 210 does not have a chip select terminal. The consumable chip 210 is configured not to receive chip select signals from the printing device 110. The consumable chip does not have a chip select terminal that is electrically connected to the contact pin in the printing device used to output chip select signals, or the chip select terminal is blocked by an electrically insulating component, or the chip select terminal on the consumable chip and the chip select pin on the consumable chip used to transmit chip select signals are open circuit. Therefore, the possibility of instruction information execution errors can be reduced, thereby improving the accuracy of communication between the consumable chip 210 and the printing device 110. Furthermore, in this embodiment of the application, the consumable chip 210 includes a first module 21221 and a second module 21222. For the first type of instruction information, the second module 21222 can send at least one set of response data to the printing device 110. The clock number is determined as the judgment interval, and the clock signal is periodically monitored as the duration of the first level signal with the judgment interval as the period.When the duration of the clock signal at the first level reaches a preset duration, the first type of instruction information can be determined to have ended. At the moment the end of the first instruction information is determined, the target signal is switched from the second level to the first level and output to the first module 21221. The first module 21221 can determine whether to stop the read operation based on the target signal. That is, the second module 21222 only determines whether the first type of instruction information has ended after sending at least one set of response data to the printing device 110. This reduces the frequency of detecting the end of the first type of instruction information and reduces the possibility of false judgments of instruction information termination, improving the accuracy and efficiency of data communication. For the second type of instruction information, the second module 21222 can determine the end time of the instruction information based on the second type of instruction information and switch the target signal from the second level to the first level at the end time, outputting the target signal to the first module 21221. The first module 21221 can determine whether to stop the read operation based on the target signal, ensuring the accuracy and efficiency of data communication.

[0089] Furthermore, the second module 21222 can determine whether the first instruction information has ended based on the clock signal. Upon determining the end of the first instruction information, it switches the target signal from a second-level signal to a first-level signal and outputs the target signal to the first module 21221. The first module 21221 can then determine whether to stop the read operation based on the target signal. That is, in this embodiment, the target signal is equivalent to a chip select signal to control the read operation of the first module 21221. The structure of the first module 21221 can be an existing structure that controls the read operation via a chip select signal. In other words, the consumable chip 210 in this embodiment can use an existing storage component structure, and in this embodiment, there is no need to set a chip select terminal; only the second module 21222 needs to be added to output the target signal to the first module 21221. Thus, in this embodiment, there is no need to redesign the storage component; existing photolithography mask equipment can be used, which can reduce time and production costs and improve the communication efficiency between the consumable chip 210 and the printing device 110. A detailed description follows.

[0090] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a consumable chip 210 that communicates with a printing device 110. The communication process includes several instruction messages. The consumable chip 210 includes a clock terminal, a data terminal, a first module 21221, and a second module 21222. The clock terminal is used to receive a clock signal from the printing device 110, and the data terminal is used to receive or send data signals. The first module is used to send response information to the printing device 110 during the communication process. The second module 21222 is electrically connected to the first module 21221 and outputs a target signal to the first module 21221. The first module 21221 controls the cessation of its read operation based on the target signal.

[0091] Consumable chip 210 is used by the second module 21222 to acquire clock signals and first instruction information during communication.

[0092] When the first instruction information is a first type of instruction information, the second module 21222 determines the judgment interval and periodically monitors the duration of the clock signal being a first level signal with the judgment interval as the period. If the duration of the clock signal being a first level signal reaches the preset duration, it is determined that the first type of instruction information has ended. At the end of the first type of instruction information, the target signal output to the first module 21221 is changed from a second level signal to a first level signal.

[0093] The judgment interval is the number of clock cycles in which at least one set of response data is sent to the printing device 110.

[0094] When the first instruction information is the second type of instruction information, the second module 21221 determines the end time corresponding to the second type of instruction information based on the content of the second type of instruction information using a preset method. At the end time, the target signal output to the first module 21221 is changed from the second level signal to the first level signal.

[0095] The first module 21221 stops the reading operation when it detects that the target signal changes from a second level signal to a first level signal.

[0096] In this embodiment, the consumable chip 210 includes a clock terminal and a data terminal. The clock terminal can receive clock signals sent by the printing device 110, and the data terminal can receive data signals sent by the printing device 110 or send data signals to the printing device 110. The consumable chip 210 also includes a first module 21221 and a second module 21222. The first module 21221 is used to send response information to the printing device 110 during communication. That is, the first module 21221 can send response information to the instruction information sent by the printing device 110 during communication with the printing device 110. The second module 21222 is electrically connected to the first module 21221. The second module 21222 can output a target signal to the first module 21221 during communication. The first module 21221 can determine whether to stop the currently executed read operation based on the target signal. That is, the target signal is equivalent to a chip select signal, so the first module 21221 can determine whether the currently executed first instruction information has ended based on the target signal. In order to determine the accurate target signal, the second module 21222 can first acquire the clock signal and the first instruction information.

[0097] There can be various types of instruction information, and different types of instruction information require different methods to determine the end time. Therefore, the second module 21222 needs to determine the type of instruction information before determining the end time, and then determine the end time based on the type of instruction information. For example, when the instruction information is of fixed duration, the second module 21222 can directly determine the end time of the instruction information. When the instruction information is of non-fixed duration, the second module 21222 needs to determine the end time of the instruction information based on a clock signal. Based on this, after acquiring the first instruction information, in order to ensure the accuracy of determining the end time of the first instruction information, the second module 21222 needs to first determine the type of the first instruction information. Specifically, the second module 21222 can acquire the first instruction information from the first module 21221, or the second module 21222 can acquire the first instruction information from the printing device 110 through the data terminal of the consumable chip 210. After obtaining the first instruction information, the second module 21222 can parse it to obtain information such as the instruction code, identification code, and header. The second module 21222 can determine the category of the first instruction information based on at least one of these three pieces of information. If the first instruction information is determined to be of type one, it indicates that it is a non-fixed-duration instruction. That is, the first instruction information is not a fixed-duration instruction. In this case, the second module 21222 needs to determine the end time of the first type of instruction information based on the clock signal. Normally, the clock signal sent by the printing device 110 to the consumable chip 210 corresponds to the data signal sent by the printing device 110 to the consumable chip 210. For example, when the printing device 110 does not transmit instruction information to the consumable chip 210, the clock signal sent by the printing device 110 to the consumable chip 210 is a continuous second-level signal. That is, the printing device 110 sends an invalid clock signal to the consumable chip 210. When the printing device 110 needs to transmit instruction information to the consumable chip 210, the clock signal sent by the printing device 110 to the consumable chip 210 is an alternating first-level signal and a second-level signal. Therefore, the second module 21222 can detect whether the duration of the clock signal being the first-level signal reaches a preset duration to determine whether the first type of instruction information has ended.

[0098] After receiving the first instruction information, the consumable chip 210 needs to parse it before responding to the printing device 110. Therefore, in some embodiments, to reduce the monitoring frequency, the second module 21222, upon acquiring the first instruction information, does not need to directly monitor whether the first instruction information has ended. Instead, it can monitor whether the first instruction information has ended when the consumable chip 210 begins responding to the printing device 110. Based on this, after parsing the first instruction information, the second module 21222 begins sending response data to the printing device 110, and starts monitoring whether the first instruction information has ended from the moment the response data is started. The second module 21222 can set the monitoring period as a judgment interval, that is, the number of clock cycles in which the consumable chip 210 sends at least one set of response data to the printing device 210 can be used as the monitoring period. In this way, the second module 21222 can periodically monitor the duration of the clock signal being the first level signal according to the judgment interval. The number of clock cycles in which the consumable chip 210 sends one set of response data to the printing device 210 can be predetermined. In some embodiments, a set of response data includes original data and inverse data, wherein the original data and inverse data are inverses of each other. Therefore, a set of response data typically contains an even multiple of a single set of original data or a single set of inverse data, and a set of clock cycles typically corresponds to 9 bits of data (a single set of original data or a single set of inverse data), containing 8 valid data bits and one check bit. Thus, the number of clock cycles for sending a set of response data can be the number of clock cycles corresponding to 2*9 bits. The printing device 110 can determine the correctness of the set of response data based on the check code contained in the set of response data. The judgment interval is the number of clock cycles for sending several sets of response data to the printing device 110, and can be preset according to actual needs. For example, the judgment interval can be the number of clock cycles for sending one set of response data, in which case the judgment interval is the number of clock cycles corresponding to 2*9 bits. Alternatively, the judgment interval can be the number of clock cycles for sending two sets of response data, in which case the judgment interval is the number of clock cycles corresponding to 4*9 bits. Of course, the judgment interval can be the number of clock cycles for sending other numbers of sets of response data to the printing device 110, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0099] In other words, after determining the judgment interval, the second module 21222 monitors the duration of the clock signal being at the first level signal after each judgment interval, using the judgment interval as the time interval. If the duration of the clock signal being at the first level signal reaches a preset duration, the first instruction information can be determined to have ended. At the moment the end of the first instruction information is determined, the target signal can be switched from the second level signal to the first level signal and sent to the first module 21221, so that the first module 21221 stops the read operation.

[0100] It should be understood that the judgment interval is the number of clock cycles required to send at least one set of response data to the printing device 110. Typically, during the processing of the first instruction information, if the clock signal maintains a first-level signal state, this state usually occurs within the transmission time of one set of response data. Therefore, if the time during which the consumable chip 210 sends at least the first set of response data to the printing device 110 is monitored to be the time the clock signal maintains a first-level signal state reaches a preset duration, that is, even if the second module 21222 detects that the time during which the clock signal maintains a first-level signal state reaches a preset duration within the judgment interval, since this is not the moment when monitoring whether the first instruction information has ended, the second module 21222 can determine that there will be a clock signal for the subsequent frame of response data, and the state of the target signal remains unchanged. In other words, the method in this embodiment of the application, which periodically monitors whether the duration of the clock signal being a first-level signal reaches a preset duration based on the judgment interval, can reduce the probability of misjudging the end of the first instruction information when the duration of the same instruction information being a first-level signal exceeds the preset duration.

[0101] For example, the second module 21222 acquires the first instruction information at time t1. Assuming that time t1 to t2 is the time when the consumable chip 210 parses the first instruction information, and the consumable chip 210 needs to respond to the printing device 210 at time t2, the second module 21222 can, with a judgment interval as the period, start at time t2 and monitor the duration of the clock signal being the first level signal after each judgment interval. (Reference) Figure 9a As shown, assume the judgment interval is 2*9 clock signals. Starting at time t2, the duration of the clock signal being at the first level is monitored every 2*9 clock signals. Assuming the interval between time t3 and t2 is 2*9 clock signals, it is necessary to monitor at time t3 whether the duration of the clock signal being at the first level reaches the preset duration. Assuming the time period from t3 to t4 is the preset duration, the clock signal can be monitored during this period to see if it is at the first level, i.e., whether it switches from the first level to the second level. If the clock signal maintains the first level during the time period from t3 to t4, and there is no switch from the first level to the second level, then the first instruction information can be determined to have ended, and the target signal is switched from the second level to the first level at time t4. Figure 9a In this example, the first level signal is a low level signal and the second level signal is a high level signal.

[0102] In some embodiments, since the first type of instruction information is instruction information of non-fixed duration, the clock signal in the first type of instruction information may maintain a state of either a second-level signal or a first-level signal for a period of time, rather than alternating between first-level and second-level signals. That is, the first type of instruction information includes two subtypes: a first subtype of instruction information and a second subtype of instruction information. Specifically, during data signal transmission, the clock signal in the second subtype of instruction information may maintain a state of either a second-level signal or a first-level signal for a period of time, rather than alternating between first-level and second-level signals. In some embodiments, this period of time may be longer than a first preset duration. (Reference) Figure 7 As shown, assume the timeframe for sending, processing, and responding to the first instruction message is t1-t10, and the second instruction message begins execution after time t11. Figure 7 In the execution of the first instruction information, which is the second sub-type instruction information, the clock signal remains at the first level for a period of time t8-t9. During this time, the first instruction information has not ended. Assume the time interval between t8-t9 is X, the time interval between t10-t11 is Y, and the first preset duration is Z. When Y is greater than Z and X is less than Y, i.e. after t10, the second module 21222 detects that the clock signal maintains the first level signal for the first preset duration Z. That is, during the first preset duration Z, no alternating first and second level signals are detected. At this time, the second module 21222 can determine that the first type of instruction information has ended, changes the target signal output to the first module 21221 from the second level signal to the first level signal, and sends the target signal to the first module 21221. Upon receiving the target signal, the first module 21221 can detect the change from the second level signal to the first level signal, determines that the first instruction information has ended, and stops the read operation.

[0103] If the time interval X between t8 and t9 is greater than the first preset duration Z, in order to reduce the probability of incorrectly determining the end of the instruction information, in this embodiment, the determination of whether the first instruction information has ended is performed once every determination interval, with the determination interval as the period. The determination interval is the number of clock cycles required to send at least one set of response data to the printing device 110. Typically, the clock signal in the second subclass instruction information maintains a second-level signal or a first-level signal state during the transmission time of one set of response data. Therefore, if, during the process of the consumable chip 210 sending at least the first set of response data to the printing device 110, that is, if the second module 21222 detects that the clock signal maintains a second-level signal or a first-level signal state for a preset duration within the determination interval, since this time point is not the moment when the first instruction information is being monitored for end, the second module 21222 can determine that there will be a clock signal for the subsequent frame of response data, and the state of the target signal remains unchanged. In other words, the method in this application embodiment, which uses the judgment interval as the period and periodically monitors whether the duration of the clock signal as the first level signal reaches the preset duration, can reduce the probability of misjudging the end of the first instruction information when the duration of the same instruction information as the first level signal is greater than the preset duration.

[0104] When it is determined that the first instruction information is not a first type of instruction information but a second type of instruction information, it indicates that the first instruction information is a fixed-duration instruction information. In some embodiments, the second module 21222 can pre-store the end time corresponding to the second type of instruction information. In this way, after the consumable chip 210 determines that the first instruction information is a second type of instruction information, it can determine the end time of the received first instruction information based on the pre-stored end time corresponding to the second type of instruction information. Then, according to the clock signal, it can determine that the second type of instruction information ends when the end time of the first instruction information is reached. At the end time of the second instruction information, the target signal output to the first module 21221 can be changed from a second level signal to a first level signal. For example, if the second module 21222 pre-stores the end time of the second type of instruction information as the 36th clock signal of the reply message, then when the second module 21222 determines that the first instruction information is the second type of instruction information, it can determine that the end time of the first instruction information is the 36th clock signal of the reply message. At this time, the second module 21222 can change the target signal output to the first module 21221 from the second level signal to the first level signal when the 36th clock signal of the reply message arrives. In this way, the first module 21221 can determine that the first instruction information has ended and stop the read operation when it detects that the received target signal has changed from the second level signal to the first level signal.

[0105] Alternatively, in other embodiments, the printing device 110 may also specify the end time of the second type of instruction information. After determining that the first instruction information is the second type of instruction information, the consumable chip 210 determines the end time of the first instruction information by parsing the end time recorded in the first instruction information. In this way, when the end time of the first instruction information is reached, the target signal output to the first module 21221 is changed from the second level signal to the first level signal, and the target signal is sent to the first module 21221. Thus, the first module 21221 can determine the end of the first instruction information and stop the reading operation when it detects that the received target signal has changed from the second level signal to the first level signal.

[0106] Of course, when the first instruction information is the second type of instruction information, the second module 21222 can also determine the end time of the first instruction information in other ways, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0107] In this embodiment, the printing device 110 is electrically connected to the data terminal and clock terminal of the consumable chip 210. The consumable chip 210 does not include a chip select terminal; therefore, the fourth pin 1116 of the printing device 110 will not mistakenly pass through the chip select terminal, but rather through the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) material on the substrate 212 that is not copper-clad. This further ensures the accuracy of instruction execution and improves the accuracy of communication between the consumable chip 210 and the printing device 110. Furthermore, although no chip select terminal is provided in the consumable chip 210, a second module 21222 is provided. The second module 21222 can determine the end time of the first instruction information based on the clock signal, and at the end time of the first instruction information, changes the target signal output to the first module 21221 from a second level signal to a first level signal. The first module 21221 can determine whether to stop the currently executing read operation based on the received target signal, which improves the accuracy of instruction execution and thus improves the accuracy of communication between the consumable chip 210 and the printing device 110. In other words, in this embodiment, even if the first plane 2121 of the consumable chip 210 does not have a chip select terminal, the first module 2121 in the second plane 2122 can still obtain the chip select signal through the second module 21222. This ensures the accuracy of instruction execution while maintaining the unchanged structure of the first module 21221. It eliminates the need for redesigning the first module's structure and allows for production using existing equipment, reducing time and production costs and improving the efficiency of communication between the chip and the image forming apparatus. Furthermore, the second module 21222 only determines whether the first type of instruction information has ended after sending at least one set of response data to the printing device 110 each time. This reduces the frequency of detecting the end of the first type of instruction information and decreases the possibility of misjudging the end of instruction information, thus improving the accuracy and efficiency of data communication.

[0108] It should be understood that, since the target signal can be a chip select signal, which is a control signal used to select a specific consumable chip for communication, the chip select signal received by the consumable chip 210 should always be a second-level signal during the process from the start to the end of the transmission of instruction information between the printing device 110 and the consumable chip 210. Therefore, during this process, the second module 21222 needs to maintain the target signal at the second-level signal. When the printing device 110 is not transmitting instruction information with the consumable chip 210, the second module 21222 needs to maintain the target signal at the first-level signal. Thus, the first module 21221 can detect when the target signal changes from the second-level signal to the first-level signal, determine that the first instruction information has ended, and stop the read operation.

[0109] As one possible implementation method, for ease of implementation, the first level signal is a low level signal and the second level signal is a high level signal.

[0110] Typically, when the consumable chip 210 sends response data to the printing device 110, it transmits the data in 9-bit units. Each 9-bit data unit includes 8 valid data bits and one check bit. Since each 1-bit data transmission typically requires one clock signal, 9 bits of data usually require 9 clock signals to transmit. In some embodiments, a set of response data includes 2*9 bits of data. In some embodiments, the judgment interval includes 2N*9 clock signals, where N is an integer greater than 0.

[0111] The value of N can be preset according to actual needs. By setting the value of N, the frequency at which the second module 21222 monitors whether the first instruction information has ended can be determined, thereby meeting the load requirements of different users for the consumable chip 210.

[0112] As one possible implementation, the aforementioned consumable chip 210 is further configured to: if the duration of the clock signal being a first level signal does not reach a preset duration, determine that the first type of instruction information has not ended, continue to periodically monitor the duration of the clock signal being a first level signal until the duration of the clock signal being a first level signal reaches the preset duration, and determine that the first type of instruction information has ended.

[0113] In this embodiment of the application, when the second module 21222 periodically monitors whether the duration of the clock signal being at the first level signal has reached a preset duration, if the duration of the clock signal being at the first level signal has not reached the preset duration, that is, the clock signal has changed from the first level signal to the second level signal within the preset duration, it indicates that the first type of instruction information has not ended. At this time, it is necessary to continue to periodically monitor whether the duration of the clock signal being at the first level signal has reached the preset duration until the duration of the clock signal being at the first level signal reaches the preset duration. Then, it is determined that the first type of instruction information has ended, and the target signal is switched from the second level signal to the first level signal at the moment when the first type of instruction information is determined to have ended.

[0114] As shown in the example above, refer to Figure 9b As shown, during the time interval t3 to t4, if the clock signal is detected to switch from a first-level signal to a second-level signal, then it can be determined that the first instruction information has not ended. After time t3, the monitoring continues at a judgment interval. After an interval of 2*9 clock cycles from time t3, the duration for which the clock signal remains at the first-level signal is determined at time t5. Assuming t5 to t6 is a preset duration, if the clock signal remains at the first-level signal during the time interval t5 to t6 and there is no switch from the first-level signal to the second-level signal, then at time t6, the target signal is switched from the second-level signal to the first-level signal.

[0115] refer to Figure 9c As shown, if the clock signal is monitored to switch from a first-level signal to a second-level signal during the time interval t5 to t6, and if such a switch is detected, it can be determined that the first instruction information has not ended. After time t5, the clock signal is periodically monitored at the judgment interval to see if the duration of the clock signal being at the first-level signal reaches the preset duration. Once the preset duration is reached, the first type of instruction information ends. At the moment the end of the first type of instruction information is determined, the target signal is switched from the second-level signal to the first-level signal.

[0116] like Figure 10As shown, assume the first instruction information is of type 1. The second module 21222 acquires the first instruction information at time t1. Assume that the consumable chip 210 parses the first instruction information between time t1 and time t2, and the consumable chip 210 needs to respond to the printing device 210 at time t2. At this time, the second module 21222 can determine the judgment interval and, with the judgment time as the period, monitor the duration of the clock signal being a first-level signal after each judgment interval at time t2. Assume the judgment interval is 2N*9 clock signals. After 2N*9 clock signals following time t2, assuming the interval between time t2 and time t4 is 2N*9 clock signals, then at time t4, it checks whether the duration of the clock signal being a first-level signal reaches the preset duration. Assuming the time period from t4 to t5 is the preset duration, it can monitor whether the clock signal is a first-level signal during the time period from t4 to t5, that is, it can monitor whether the clock signal switches from a first-level signal to a second-level signal during the time period from t4 to t5. If the clock signal is monitored to maintain the first level signal during the time interval t4 to t5, and there is no switch from the first level signal to the second level signal, then it can be determined that the first instruction information has ended. At time t5, the target signal is switched from the second level signal to the first level signal.

[0117] In some embodiments, the consumable chip 210 is specifically configured to: determine the data length of the first instruction information when the first instruction information is a first type of instruction information; determine the time when the data length of the first instruction information reaches a preset length threshold as the time when the response data transmission is completed as the time when the first type of instruction information ends, and change the target signal from a second level signal to a first level signal at the time of the end.

[0118] In this embodiment, the instruction information sent by the printing device 110 is not infinitely long; it has an upper limit. That is, the first instruction information sent by the printing device 110 will not exceed a preset length threshold. When the data length of the first instruction information sent by the printing device 110 reaches the preset length threshold, it indicates that the first instruction information sent by the printing device 110 has reached its upper limit. At this time, when the consumable chip 210 receives the first instruction information and detects that the first instruction information has reached the preset length threshold, it indicates that the printing device 110 has completely sent the content of the first instruction information. At this point, the consumable chip 210 does not need to determine whether the first instruction information has ended; it can directly determine the end of the first instruction information after sending the response data, change the target signal from the second level signal to the first level signal, and send it to the first module.

[0119] In this way, the second module 21222 determines the judgment interval, and the duration of periodically monitoring the clock signal as the first level signal with the judgment interval as the period includes:

[0120] The second module 21222 determines the judgment time when the data length of the first instruction information does not reach the preset length threshold, and periodically monitors the duration of the first level signal using the judgment interval as the period.

[0121] That is, if the first instruction information received by the consumable chip 210 has not reached the preset length threshold, the printing device 110 may continue to send the data content of the first instruction information. Therefore, the second module 21222 needs to determine whether the first instruction information has ended. When the data length of the first instruction information has not reached the preset length threshold, the second module 21222 needs to determine the judgment interval, and periodically monitor the duration of the clock signal as the first level signal with the judgment interval as the period to determine whether the first instruction information has ended.

[0122] This can further reduce the probability of misjudging the end of the first instruction information when the duration of the first level signal of the same instruction information is longer than the preset duration.

[0123] In some embodiments, in order to ensure the accuracy of the determination of the end time of the first instruction information, the preset duration is greater than the duration of a clock signal and less than the interval between the first instruction information and the next instruction information.

[0124] In some embodiments, the consumable chip 210 includes a substrate 212, which includes a first plane 2121 and a second plane 2122. The first plane 2121 is used for electrical connection with the printing device 110. Data terminals, clock terminals, power terminals, and ground terminals are disposed on the first plane 2121. The first module 21221 and the second module 21222 are both disposed on the second plane 2122. In this way, the printing device 110 is only electrically connected to the first plane 2121 of the consumable chip 210. Since no chip select terminal is provided in the first plane 2121, the fourth pin 1116 of the printing device 110 will not mistakenly pass through the chip select terminal, but will instead pass through the PCB (Printed Circuit Board) material on the substrate 212 that is not copper-clad. This can further ensure the accuracy of instruction information execution and further improve the accuracy of communication between the consumable chip 210 and the printing device 110.

[0125] The clock terminal and data terminal in the consumable chip 210 are connected differently to the first module 21221. The first module 21221 obtains the first instruction information and sends the response information in different ways according to the different connection relationships.

[0126] As one possible implementation, the data terminals and clock terminals in the consumable chip 210 can be electrically connected to the first module 21221. That is, the first module 21221 is electrically connected to the data terminals and clock terminals, such as... Figure 11 As shown.

[0127] The aforementioned consumable chip 210 is also used in the communication process, whereby the first module 21221 receives the first instruction information sent by the printing device 110 through the data terminal and receives the clock signal sent by the printing device 110 through the clock terminal.

[0128] The first module 21221 is used to send response information to the printing device 110 during communication, including: the first module 21221 generates response information based on the target signal and the first instruction information, and sends the response information to the printing device 110 through the data terminal.

[0129] That is, the first module 21221 needs to send response information to the printing device 110, and this response information needs to be generated based on the first instruction information. Therefore, the first module 21221 needs to obtain the first instruction information. Specifically, the first module 21221 can be electrically connected to the data terminals in the first plane 2121, and the printing device 110 can also be electrically connected to the data terminals in the first plane 2121, sending the first instruction information to the data terminals. At this time, the data terminals can transmit the first instruction information received from the printing device 110 to the first module 21221 via wires. In other words, the first module 21221 can receive the first instruction information sent by the printing device 110 through the data terminals.

[0130] The first module 21221 needs to respond to the first instruction information based on a clock signal. Therefore, the first module 21221 also needs to acquire a clock signal. At this time, the first module 21221 can also be electrically connected to the clock terminal in the first plane 2121. The printing device 110 is also electrically connected to the clock terminal in the first plane 2121 and can send a clock signal to the clock terminal. In this case, the clock terminal can transmit the clock signal received from the printing device 110 to the first module 21221 via a wire. That is, the first module 21221 can receive the clock signal sent by the printing device 110 through the clock terminal.

[0131] The first module 21221 needs to respond to the first instruction information. After receiving the first instruction information and the target signal, the first module 21221 can generate response information based on the first instruction information and the target signal, and send the response information to the printing device 110 through the data terminal.

[0132] As one possible implementation, the first module 21221 described above can be electrically connected to the power supply terminal and the grounding terminal, such as... Figure 11 As shown. The consumable chip 210 is also used in the communication process, whereby the first module 21221 receives the power signal and reference ground signal sent by the printing device 110 through the power terminal and the ground terminal.

[0133] That is, the first module 21221 can be electrically connected to a data terminal, a clock terminal, a power terminal, and a ground terminal. In this way, the first module 21221 can receive first instruction information sent by the printing device 110 through the data terminal, receive clock signals sent by the printing device 110 through the clock terminal, receive power signals sent by the printing device 110 through the power terminal, and receive reference ground signals sent by the printing device 110 through the ground terminal. By receiving the power signal and the reference ground signal, the first module 21221 can operate normally, thereby improving the communication efficiency between the printing device 110 and the consumable chip 210.

[0134] With the first module 21221 in the consumable chip 210 electrically connected to the data terminal and the clock terminal, the second module 21222 can be electrically connected to the clock terminal and the data terminal in the consumable chip 210, or it can be not electrically connected to the clock terminal and the data terminal in the consumable chip 210. The second module 21222 obtains the clock signal and the first instruction information in different ways depending on the different connection relationships.

[0135] As one possible implementation, to improve the communication efficiency between the consumable chip 210 and the printing device 110, the second module 21222 can be electrically connected to the clock terminal and data terminal in the consumable chip 210, such as... Figure 11 As shown. At this time, the second module 21222 can directly obtain the clock signal sent by the printing device 110.

[0136] The second module 21222's acquisition of clock signals and first instruction information includes: the second module 21222 receiving clock signals sent by the printing device 110 through the clock terminal, and receiving first instruction information sent by the printing device 110 through the data terminal.

[0137] Specifically, the second module 21222 can be electrically connected to the clock terminal and data terminal in the first plane 2121, and the printing device 110 can also be electrically connected to the clock terminal and data terminal in the first plane 2121, sending clock signals to the clock terminal and first instruction information to the data terminal. At this time, the clock terminal can transmit the clock signal received from the printing device 110 to the second module 21222 via a wire, and the data terminal can transmit the first instruction information received from the printing device 110 to the second module 21222 via a wire. In other words, the second module 21222 can receive the clock signal sent by the printing device 110 via the clock terminal and the first instruction information sent by the printing device 110 via the data terminal.

[0138] As one possible implementation, the second module 21222 described above can be electrically connected to the power supply terminal and the ground terminal, such as... Figure 11As shown. The consumable chip 210 is also used in the communication process, whereby the second module 21222 receives the power signal and reference ground signal sent by the printing device 110 through the power terminal and the ground terminal.

[0139] That is, the second module 21222 can be electrically connected to the data terminal, clock terminal, power terminal, and ground terminal. In this way, the second module 21222 can receive the first instruction information sent by the printing device 110 through the data terminal, the clock signal sent by the printing device 110 through the clock terminal, the power signal sent by the printing device 110 through the power terminal, and the reference ground signal sent by the printing device 110 through the ground terminal. By receiving the power signal and the reference ground signal, the second module 21222 can operate normally, thereby improving the communication efficiency between the printing device 110 and the consumable chip 210.

[0140] In the above embodiments, both the first module 21221 and the second module 21222 are electrically connected to the data terminal, clock terminal, power terminal, and ground terminal of the first plane. Thus, the first module 21221 and the second module 21222 can respectively receive the first instruction information sent by the printing device 110 through the data terminal, receive the clock signal sent by the printing device 110 through the clock terminal, receive the power signal sent by the printing device 110 through the power terminal, and receive the reference ground signal sent by the printing device 110 through the ground terminal.

[0141] As one possible implementation, the first module 21221 is not electrically connected to the data terminals and clock terminals in the consumable chip 210. That is, the data terminals and clock terminals in the consumable chip 210 can be electrically connected only to the second module 21222, and not to the first module 21221. The power supply terminals and ground terminals in the consumable chip 210 can be electrically connected to both the first module 21221 and the second module 21222. Figure 12 As shown. Since the first module 21221 is not electrically connected to the data terminal and the clock terminal, the first module 21221 cannot directly obtain the first instruction information and clock signal sent by the printing device 110 from the data terminal and the clock terminal. However, the first module 21221 is electrically connected to the second module 21222, and the first module 21221 can obtain the clock signal and the first instruction information from the second module 21222 in order to generate response information.

[0142] That is, the second module 21222 is electrically connected to the clock terminal and the data terminal.

[0143] The second module 21222's acquisition of clock signals and first instruction information includes: the second module 21222 receiving clock signals sent by the printing device 110 through the clock terminal, and receiving first instruction information sent by the printing device 110 through the data terminal.

[0144] The consumable chip 210 is also used in the communication process, whereby the second module 21222 sends the clock signal and the first instruction information to the first module 21221.

[0145] The first module 21221 is used to send response information to the printing device 110 during communication, including: the first module 21221 receiving the clock signal and the first instruction information sent by the second module 21222, generating response information based on the target signal and the first instruction information, and sending the response information to the second module 21222.

[0146] The second module 21222 receives the response information and sends the response information to the printing device 110 through the data terminal.

[0147] Specifically, the second module 21222 in the consumable chip 210 is electrically connected to the data terminal and clock terminal in the first plane 2121. The printing device 110 can send a clock signal to the clock terminal in the consumable chip 210. Since the second module 21222 in the consumable chip 210 is electrically connected to the clock terminal, the second module 21222 can receive the clock signal sent by the printing device 110 through the clock terminal. The second module 21222 is also electrically connected to the first module 21221, so the second module 21222 can forward the received clock signal to the first module 21221, and the first module 21221 can receive the clock signal. The printing device 110 can send a data signal containing first instruction information to the data terminal in the consumable chip 210. Since the second module 21222 in the consumable chip 210 is electrically connected to the data terminal, the second module 21222 can receive the data signal sent by the printing device 110 through the data terminal. The first module 21221 is electrically connected to the second module 21222. Therefore, the second module 21222 can forward the received data signals to the first module 21221, and the first module 21221 can receive the data signals. Thus, after receiving the first instruction information and the clock signal, the first module 21221 can parse the first instruction information based on the target signal and perform corresponding calculations to generate response information. The first module 21221 can then send the response information to the second module 21222. After receiving the response information, the second module 21221 can send the response information to the printing device 110 via the data terminal, completing its response to the first instruction information.

[0148] To ensure that the printing device 110 can accurately obtain the response information, the sum of the time it takes for the first module 21221 to generate the response information and the time it takes for the second module 21222 to send the response information to the printing device 110 shall not exceed the preset response waiting time of the printing device 110. In this way, the printing device 110 can obtain the response information within the preset response waiting time.

[0149] In some embodiments, in order to execute the first instruction information more accurately, the consumable chip 210 can determine not only the end time of the first instruction information, but also the start time of the first instruction information. Specifically:

[0150] When the printing device 110 does not transmit instruction information to the consumable chip 210, the clock signal sent by the printing device 110 to the consumable chip 210 is a continuous first-level signal. That is, the printing device 110 sends an invalid clock signal to the consumable chip 210. At this time, the second module 21222 can receive the invalid clock signal through the clock terminal in the first plane 2121. After receiving the invalid clock signal, the second module 21222 can determine the target signal as a first-level signal based on the invalid clock signal. That is, the target signal output to the first module 21221 is also determined to be an invalid signal, and the second module 21222 sends the target signal to the first module 21221. After receiving the target signal, the first module 21221 detects that the target signal is a first-level signal and determines that the first instruction information has not started.

[0151] When the printing device 110 needs to transmit instruction information to the consumable chip 210, the clock signal sent by the printing device 110 to the consumable chip 210 changes from a continuous first-level signal to alternating first-level and second-level signals. At this time, the second module 21222 can receive the clock signal through the clock terminal in the first plane 2121. After receiving the clock signal, the second module 21222 can detect that the clock signal changes from a continuous first-level signal to alternating first-level and second-level signals. When the second module 21222 detects that the clock signal changes from a continuous first-level signal to alternating first-level and second-level signals, it changes the target signal output to the first module 21221 from the first-level signal to the second-level signal. That is, it changes the target signal output to the first module 21221 from an invalid signal to a valid signal, and the second module 21222 sends the target signal to the first module 21221. After receiving the target signal, the first module 21221 detects that the target signal changes from the first-level signal to the second-level signal and can determine that the first instruction information has started, that is, the first instruction information has started execution.

[0152] Thus, in this embodiment of the application, the start time and end time of the first instruction information can be accurately determined, thereby ensuring the accurate execution of the first instruction information and improving the communication efficiency between the consumable chip 210 and the printing device 110.

[0153] As one possible implementation, the second module 21222 can determine the target signal not only through a clock signal but also through other signals, so that the first module 21221 can determine whether the first instruction information has ended. In some embodiments, the second module 21222 can determine the target signal through a power signal; that is, the second module 21222 can acquire a power signal and determine the target signal based on the power signal. The second module 21222 can acquire the power signal from the first module 21221, or the second module 21222 can be electrically connected to the power terminal of the first plane 2121, and the second module 21222 receives the power signal sent by the printing device 110 through the power terminal of the first plane 2121.

[0154] When the printing device 110 does not transmit instruction information to the consumable chip 210, the printing device 110 sends a power signal of the first level to the consumable chip 210. At this time, the second module 21222 can obtain the power signal of the first level. Upon receiving the power signal of the first level, it can determine that the first instruction information has not started, and determines the target signal output to the first module 21221 as the first level signal. That is, it also determines the target signal as an invalid signal, and the second module 21222 sends the target signal to the first module 21221. After receiving the target signal, the first module 21221 detects that the target signal is the first level signal and determines that the first instruction information has not started.

[0155] When the printing device 110 begins communication with the consumable chip 210, the printing device 110 sends a power signal to the consumable chip 210 by changing the power signal to a second-level signal. At this time, the second module 21222 can obtain the power signal that has changed to the second-level signal. When the second module 21222 detects that the power signal has changed from a first-level signal to a second-level signal, it determines that the first instruction information has started. At the moment the first instruction has started, it can change the target signal output to the first module 21221 from the first-level signal to the second-level signal. That is, it changes the target signal from an invalid signal to a valid signal. The second module 21222 sends the target signal to the first module 21221. After receiving the target signal, the first module 21221 detects that the target signal has changed from a first-level signal to a second-level signal and can determine that the first instruction information has started, that is, the first instruction information has started to be executed, and the first module 21221 begins the read operation.

[0156] When the printing device 110 terminates communication with the consumable chip 210, the printing device 110 sends a power signal to the consumable chip 210, changing the power signal to a first-level signal. At this time, the second module 21222 can acquire the power signal that has changed to the first-level signal. When the second module 21222 detects that the power signal has changed from a second-level signal to a first-level signal, it can determine that the first instruction information has ended, and at the end of the first instruction information, it changes the target signal output to the first module 21221 from a second-level signal to a first-level signal. The second module 21222 sends the target signal to the first module 21221. After receiving the target signal, the first module 21221 detects that the target signal has changed from a second-level signal to a first-level signal, determines that the first instruction information has ended, and the first module 21221 stops the read operation.

[0157] For example, such as Figure 13 As shown, assuming the second level signal is a high level signal and the first level signal is a low level signal. Before time t4, the power signal sent by the printing device 110 to the consumable chip 210 is a low level signal. The second module 21222, upon receiving the low-level power signal, determines that the first instruction information has not started, identifies the target signal output to the first module 21221 as a low level signal, and sends the target signal to the first module 21221. Upon receiving the target signal, the first module 21221, upon detecting that the target signal is low, determines that the first instruction information has not started.

[0158] At time t4, the printing device 110 begins communication with the consumable chip 210. At this time, the power signal sent by the printing device 110 to the consumable chip 210 changes to a high-level signal. The second module 21222 receives the high-level power signal. At time t4, the second module 21222 can detect the change from a low-level signal to a high-level signal. The second module 21222 can then determine that the first instruction information has begun. At time t4, the target signal output to the first module 21221 changes from a low-level signal to a high-level signal and is sent to the first module 21221. After receiving the target signal, the first module 21221 detects the change from a low-level signal to a high-level signal and can determine that the first instruction information has begun. The first module 21221 then begins the read operation.

[0159] At time t5, the printing device 110 needs to terminate its communication with the consumable chip 210. At this time, the power signal sent by the printing device 110 to the consumable chip 210 changes to a low-level signal. The second module 21222 receives the low-level power signal. At this time, the second module 21222 can detect the change of the power signal from a high-level signal to a low-level signal at time t5. The second module 21222 can determine the end of the first instruction information at time t5, and change the target signal from a high-level signal to a low-level signal at time t5, and send the target signal to the first module 21221. After receiving the target signal, the first module 21221 detects the change of the target signal from a high-level signal to a low-level signal, and can determine the end of the first instruction information. The first module 21221 stops the read operation.

[0160] As another possible implementation, the second module 21222 can also determine the target signal through the data signal, so that the first module 21221 can determine whether the first instruction information has ended. That is, the second module 21222 can acquire the data signal and determine the target signal based on the data signal. The second module 21222 can acquire the data signal from the first module 21221, or the second module 21222 can be electrically connected to the data terminal of the first plane 2121, and the second module 21222 receives the data signal sent by the printing device 110 through the data terminal of the first plane 2121.

[0161] When the printing device 110 does not transmit instruction information to the consumable chip 210, the printing device 110 sends a continuous first-level data signal to the consumable chip 210. At this time, the second module 21222 can obtain the continuous first-level data signal. Upon receiving the continuous first-level data signal, it can determine that the first instruction information has not started and determines the target signal output to the first module 21221 as the first-level signal. That is, the target signal is also determined to be an invalid signal, and the second module 21222 sends the target signal to the first module 21221. After receiving the target signal, the first module 21221 detects that the target signal is a first-level signal and determines that the first instruction information has not started.

[0162] When the printing device 110 begins communication with the consumable chip 210, the printing device 110 sends data signals to the consumable chip 210 by changing the data signal into alternating first-level and second-level signals. At this time, the second module 21222 can acquire the data signal of alternating first-level and second-level signals. When the second module 21222 detects that the data signal changes from a continuous first-level signal to alternating first-level and second-level signals, it determines that the first instruction information has started. At the moment the first instruction is determined to start, the target signal output to the first module 21221 is changed from the first-level signal to the second-level signal. That is, the target signal is changed from an invalid signal to a valid signal. The second module 21222 sends the target signal to the first module 21221. After receiving the target signal, the first module 21221 detects that the target signal changes from the first-level signal to the second-level signal and can determine that the first instruction information has started, that is, the first instruction information has started to be executed, and the first module 21221 begins the read operation.

[0163] When the printing device 110 ends communication with the consumable chip 210, the printing device 110 sends a data signal that changes from alternating first and second level signals to a continuous first level signal. After the consumable chip 210 parses the data signal and sends a response message to the printing device 110, the second module 21222, after the consumable chip 210 sends the response message, can determine the end of the first instruction information if it detects that the acquired data signal has changed from alternating first and second level signals to a continuous first level signal. At the end of the first instruction information, the second module 21222 changes the target signal output to the first module 21221 from a second level signal to a first level signal. The second module 21222 sends the target signal to the first module 21221. After receiving the target signal, the first module 21221 detects that the target signal has changed from a second level signal to a first level signal, determines the end of the first instruction information, and stops the read operation. For details, please refer to the process of determining whether the first instruction information has been received based on the clock signal, which will not be elaborated here.

[0164] For example, such as Figure 14As shown, assuming the second level signal is a high level signal and the first level signal is a low level signal. Before time t6, the printing device 110 does not communicate with the consumable chip 210. At this time, the data signal sent by the printing device 110 to the consumable chip 210 is a continuous low level signal. The second module 21222 obtains the continuous low level signal and can determine that the first instruction information has not started. It determines the target signal output to the first module 21221 as a low level signal and sends the target signal to the first module 21221. After receiving the target signal, the first module 21221 can determine that the first instruction information has not started when it detects that the target signal is a low level signal.

[0165] At time t6, the printing device 110 begins communication with the consumable chip 210. At this time, the data signal sent by the printing device 110 to the consumable chip 210 changes to alternating high and low level signals. The second module 21222 acquires the alternating high and low level data signal. At time t6, the second module 21222 can detect that the data signal changes from a continuous low level signal to alternating high and low level signals. The second module 21222 can then determine that the first instruction information has started. At time t6, the target signal output to the first module 21221 is changed from a low level signal to a high level signal and sent to the first module 21221. After receiving the target signal, the first module 21221 detects that the target signal has changed from a low level signal to a high level signal, and can determine that the first instruction information has started. The first module 21221 then begins the read operation.

[0166] During the time interval t7 to t8, the consumable chip 210 analyzes the received data signal. During the time interval t8 to t9, the consumable chip 210 can send a response message to the printing device 110. At time t9, the printing device 110 needs to terminate communication with the consumable chip 210. At this time, the data signal sent by the printing device 110 to the consumable chip 210 changes to a continuous low-level signal. If the second module 21222 receives a continuous low-level data signal during the time interval t9 to t10, it can determine that the first instruction information has ended. At time t10, it changes the target signal from a high-level signal to a low-level signal and sends the target signal to the first module 21221. After receiving the target signal, the first module 21221 detects that the target signal has changed from a high-level signal to a low-level signal and can determine that the first instruction information has ended. The first module 21221 then stops the read operation.

[0167] It should be noted that, in this application, a read operation is used as an example for illustration. The embodiments of this application can be applied to the determination of the end time of a write operation, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0168] Secondly, see Figure 15 This is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method is applied to the consumable chip 210 described in the above embodiment. Figure 15 As shown, the method includes:

[0169] Step S1501: During the communication process, the second module 21222 of the consumable chip 210 acquires the clock signal and the first instruction information.

[0170] The second module 21222 of the consumable chip 210 executes different steps depending on the type of the first instruction information. When the first instruction information is of the first type, step S1502a is executed; when the first instruction information is of the second type, step S1502b is executed.

[0171] Step S1502a: When the first instruction information is a first type of instruction information, the second module 21222 of the consumable chip 210 determines the judgment interval and periodically monitors the duration of the clock signal being a first level signal with the judgment interval as the period; if the duration of the clock signal being a first level signal reaches the preset duration, it is determined that the first type of instruction information has ended, and at the end time of the first type of instruction information, the target signal output to the first module 21221 of the consumable chip 210 is changed from a second level signal to a first level signal.

[0172] The judgment interval is the number of clock cycles in which at least one set of response data is sent to the printing device 110.

[0173] Step S1502b: When the first instruction information is the second type of instruction information, the second module 21222 of the consumable chip 210 determines the end time corresponding to the second type of instruction information based on the content of the second type of instruction information using a preset method. At the end time, the target signal output to the first module 21221 of the consumable chip 210 is changed from the second level signal to the first level signal.

[0174] In step S1503, when the first module 211221 of the consumable chip 210 detects that the target signal changes from the second level signal to the first level signal, it stops the read operation.

[0175] As one possible implementation, the judgment interval includes N*2*9 clock signals; where N is an integer greater than 0.

[0176] As one possible implementation, the above method also includes:

[0177] If the duration of the clock signal being at the first level does not reach the preset duration, the second module 21222 of the consumable chip 210 determines that the first type of instruction information has not ended, and continues to periodically monitor the duration of the clock signal being at the first level until the duration of the clock signal being at the first level reaches the preset duration, and determines that the first type of instruction information has ended.

[0178] As one possible implementation, the first module 21221 of the consumable chip 210 is electrically connected to the data terminal and the clock terminal.

[0179] The above method also includes: during the communication process, the first module 21221 of the consumable chip 210 receives the first instruction information sent by the printing device 110 through the data terminal and receives the clock signal sent by the printing device 110 through the clock terminal.

[0180] The first module 21221 of the consumable chip 210 generates response information based on the target signal and the first instruction information, and sends the response information to the printing device 110 through the data terminal.

[0181] As one possible implementation, the second module 21222 of the consumable chip 210 is electrically connected to the data terminal and the clock terminal.

[0182] The second module 21222 of the consumable chip 210 in step S1501 above acquires the clock signal and the first instruction information, including:

[0183] The second module 21222 of the consumable chip 210 receives the clock signal sent by the printing device 110 through the clock terminal and receives the first instruction information sent by the printing device 110 through the data terminal.

[0184] As one possible implementation, the second module 21222 of the consumable chip 210 is electrically connected to the clock terminal and the data terminal.

[0185] The second module 21222 of the consumable chip 210 in step S1501 above acquires the clock signal and the first instruction information, including:

[0186] The second module 21222 of the consumable chip 210 receives the clock signal sent by the printing device 110 through the clock terminal and receives the first instruction information sent by the printing device 110 through the data terminal.

[0187] The above method also includes: during the communication process, the second module 21222 of the consumable chip 210 sends the clock signal and the first instruction information to the first module 21221 of the consumable chip 210.

[0188] The first module 21221 of the consumable chip 210 receives the clock signal and the first instruction information sent by the second module 21222 of the consumable chip 210, generates response information based on the target signal and the first instruction information, and sends the response information to the second module 21222 of the consumable chip 210.

[0189] The second module 21222 of the consumable chip 210 receives the response information and sends the response information to the printing device 110 through the data terminal.

[0190] As one possible implementation, the sum of the time it takes for the first module 21221 of the consumable chip 210 to generate the response information and the time it takes for the second module 21222 of the consumable chip 210 to send the response information to the printing device 110 is not greater than the preset response waiting time of the printing device 110.

[0191] As one possible implementation, the preset duration is greater than the duration of a clock signal, but less than the interval between the first instruction and the next instruction.

[0192] As one possible implementation, the first level signal is a low level signal, and the second level signal is a high level signal.

[0193] Corresponding to the above embodiments, this application also provides a consumable box including the consumable chip 210 described in the above embodiments.

[0194] Corresponding to the above embodiments, this application also provides an image forming apparatus, including the consumable chip 210 described in the above embodiments or including the consumable cartridge described in the above embodiments.

[0195] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that the techniques in the embodiments of the present invention can be implemented using software plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention, or the parts that contribute to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product can be stored in a storage medium, such as ROM / RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk, etc., and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods described in various embodiments or certain parts of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0196] The same or similar parts between the various embodiments in this specification can be referred to mutually. In particular, the device embodiments and terminal embodiments are basically similar to the method embodiments, so the description is relatively simple, and the relevant parts can be referred to the description in the method embodiments.

Claims

1. A chip, characterized in that, The chip communicates with the image forming apparatus, and the communication process includes several instruction messages. The chip includes a first module, a second module, a clock terminal, and a data terminal. The clock terminal is used to receive clock signals from the image forming apparatus, and the data terminal is used to send or receive data signals. The first module is used to send response data to the image forming apparatus during the communication process. The second module is electrically connected to the first module and outputs a target signal to the first module. The first module controls the stop of the read operation of the first module based on the target signal. The chip is used for, During the communication process, the second module acquires the clock signal and the first instruction information; When the first instruction information is a first type of instruction information, the second module determines a judgment interval and periodically monitors the duration of the clock signal being a first level signal, with the judgment interval as the period. If the duration of the clock signal being a first-level signal reaches a preset duration, the first type of instruction information is determined to have ended. At the end of the first type of instruction information, the target signal output to the first module is changed from a second-level signal to a first-level signal. The determination interval is the number of clock cycles that send at least one set of response data to the image forming apparatus. When the first instruction information is the second type of instruction information, the second module determines the end time corresponding to the second type of instruction information based on the content of the second type of instruction information using a preset method, and changes the target signal output to the first module from the second level signal to the first level signal at the end time; The first module stops reading when it detects that the target signal changes from a second level signal to a first level signal.

2. The chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The judgment interval includes 2N*9 clock signals; where N is an integer greater than 0.

3. The chip according to claim 2, characterized in that, The chip is also used for: If the duration of the clock signal being at the first level does not reach the preset duration, the second module determines that the first type of instruction information has not ended, and continues to periodically monitor the duration of the clock signal being at the first level until the duration of the clock signal being at the first level reaches the preset duration, and then determines that the first type of instruction information has ended.

4. The chip according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first module is electrically connected to the data terminal and the clock terminal; The chip is also used in the communication process, whereby the first module receives first instruction information sent by the image forming apparatus through the data terminal and receives clock signals sent by the image forming apparatus through the clock terminal; The first module is used to send response information to the image forming apparatus during communication, including: The first module generates response information based on the target signal and the first instruction information, and sends the response information to the image forming apparatus through the data terminal.

5. The chip according to claim 4, characterized in that, The second module is electrically connected to the data terminal and the clock terminal; The second module acquires the clock signal and the first instruction information, including: The second module receives the clock signal sent by the image forming apparatus through the clock terminal, and receives the first instruction information sent by the image forming apparatus through the data terminal.

6. The chip according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second module is electrically connected to the clock terminal and the data terminal; The second module acquires the clock signal and the first instruction information, including: The second module receives the clock signal sent by the image forming apparatus through the clock terminal, and receives the first instruction information sent by the image forming apparatus through the data terminal; The chip is also used so that, during communication, the second module sends the clock signal and the first instruction information to the first module; The first module is used to send response information to the image forming apparatus during communication, including: The first module receives the clock signal and the first instruction information sent by the second module, generates response information based on the target signal and the first instruction information, and sends the response information to the second module. The second module receives the response information and sends the response information to the image forming apparatus through the data terminal.

7. The chip according to claim 6, characterized in that, The sum of the time it takes for the first module to generate the response information and the time it takes for the second module to send the response information to the image forming apparatus is not greater than the preset response waiting time of the image forming apparatus.

8. The chip according to claim 1, characterized in that, The preset duration is greater than the duration of a clock signal, but less than the interval between the first instruction and the next instruction.

9. The chip according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The first level signal is a low level signal, and the second level signal is a high level signal.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the chip according to any one of claims 1-9, the method comprises: During communication, the second module of the chip acquires the clock signal and the first instruction information; When the first instruction information is a first type of instruction information, the second module of the chip determines a judgment interval, and periodically monitors the duration of the clock signal being a first level signal with the judgment interval as the period; if the duration of the clock signal being a first level signal reaches a preset duration, it is determined that the first type of instruction information has ended, and at the end time of the first type of instruction information, the target signal output to the first module is changed from a second level signal to a first level signal; the judgment interval is the number of clock cycles to send at least one set of response data to the image forming apparatus; When the first instruction information is the second type of instruction information, the second module of the chip determines the end time corresponding to the second type of instruction information based on the content of the second type of instruction information using a preset method, and changes the target signal output to the first module of the chip from the second level signal to the first level signal at the end time; The first module of the chip stops the read operation when it detects that the target signal changes from a second level signal to a first level signal.

11. A consumable box, characterized in that, Includes the chip described in any one of claims 1-9.

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