Consumable chip and working method thereof, consumable container and imaging equipment

Abstract

The invention provides a consumable chip and a working method thereof, a consumable container and an imaging device, the consumable chip is detachably installed on the consumable container, the consumable container is detachably installed in the imaging device, the consumable chip comprises a substrate, an electronic module is arranged on the substrate, the electronic module and the imaging device can communicate with each other, and the electronic module can communicate with the imaging device. The surface of the substrate is also provided with a plurality of terminals, and the plurality of terminals at least comprise data terminals. The method comprises the steps that after an electronic module receives an installation verification instruction, if the installation verification instruction represents that a consumable container is installed in imaging equipment and a data terminal and other terminals are not short-circuited, a response signal is sent in a first response mode, and if the installation verification instruction is the installation verification instruction representing that the consumable container can execute the imaging operation, sending a response signal in a second response mode at least once. The invention further provides a consumable container with the consumable chip and imaging equipment. According to the invention, the existing consumable chip can meet the installation verification requirement of the imaging equipment.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to the field of imaging technology, specifically to a consumable chip, a method for operating the consumable chip, a consumable container having the consumable chip, and an imaging device having the consumable container installed. Background Technology

[0002] Imaging equipment, as a common office tool, provides great convenience for modern offices. Common imaging equipment includes inkjet printers and laser imaging equipment. Inkjet printers use ink cartridges containing ink as consumable containers to spray ink onto paper to form the text or patterns to be printed on the paper. Laser imaging equipment uses toner cartridges containing toner as consumable containers to form the text or patterns to be printed on the medium.

[0003] See Figure 1 A color inkjet printing device has a housing 11. Figure 1 The inkjet printer shown omits the tray of the housing 11. The housing 11 houses the inkjet printer's mechanism 12 and includes a slide bar. The printing carriage 14 is mounted on a motor (…). Figure 1 Driven by the invisible component, it reciprocates along the slide bar. The printing carriage 14 contains the main control circuit board (…). Figure 1 (Not visible in the middle), the main control circuit board communicates with the mechanism 12 via ribbon cable 13.

[0004] Multiple ink cartridges 15 are detachably mounted on the printing carriage 14, each containing ink of a different color. The structure of the ink cartridge 15 is as follows: Figure 2 As shown. The ink cartridge 15 has a housing 16, which forms a cavity for containing ink. The lower end of the cavity is provided with an ink outlet 17. The ink in the cavity flows out through the ink outlet 17 and supplies ink to the ink supply needle of the printing carriage 14.

[0005] A chip 18 is mounted on the outer wall of the cartridge body 16 of the ink cartridge 15. The chip 18 has a substrate, and one side of the substrate has multiple connection terminals 19 for electrical connection with the contact pins on the print carriage 14. The other side of the substrate has a controller and a memory. Figure 2 (Not visible in the image) Typically, this memory is a non-volatile memory, such as EEPROM or FLASH, which stores information related to the ink cartridge, including variable information and invariant information. Variable information is information that changes continuously with the printing operation, such as ink level, printing time, and number of sheets printed. Invariant information is information that does not change with the printing operation, such as ink cartridge model, applicable inkjet printer model, and ink color.

[0006] Since the print carriage 14 typically houses multiple ink cartridges 15, the installation status of each cartridge 15 may differ. For example, some cartridges may be correctly installed, while others may not be, preventing communication with the inkjet printer. Therefore, the inkjet printer needs to verify each cartridge 15, such as checking if it is correctly installed. Typically, the inkjet printer sends an installation verification command to each cartridge. Upon receiving the command, the cartridge must respond within a specified timeframe, sending a correct verification response signal within the designated verification period. The inkjet printer only considers a cartridge correctly installed and proceeds with subsequent communication operations if it receives a correct verification response signal from each cartridge within its designated verification period. If the inkjet printer deems a cartridge incorrectly installed, it issues an alarm and cannot perform any further communication or printing operations.

[0007] A current inkjet printer communicates with each ink cartridge by sending a clock signal via a clock signal line, see [link to relevant documentation]. Figure 3 The clock signal SCK is a periodically changing square wave signal. Each consumable chip communicates synchronously with the inkjet printer based on the clock signal SCK. When the inkjet printer sends an installation verification command, it sends the same level signal on the data signal line SDA for two consecutive transmission cycles. Each transmission cycle consists of nine clock cycles; for example, the first transmission cycle includes nine clock cycles D1 to D9, and the second transmission cycle also includes nine clock cycles D1 to D9. In the first transmission cycle, when the inkjet printer sends the installation verification command for the first color cartridge, the data signal SDA1 sent to the data signal line includes high-level signals in the first clock cycle D1, the eighth clock cycle D8, and the ninth clock cycle D9, and low-level signals in the other clock cycles. In the second transmission cycle, the inkjet printer also sends high-level signals in the first clock cycle D1, the eighth clock cycle D8, and the ninth clock cycle D9, and low-level signals in the other clock cycles. If the first color ink cartridge receives three corresponding high-level signals D1, D8, and D9 within two consecutive transmission cycles, it is considered that the inkjet printer has sent an installation verification instruction for the first color ink cartridge, and a verification response signal needs to be sent within the specified verification period.

[0008] See Figure 4In the existing technical solution, the verification period corresponding to the first color ink cartridge is the latter half of the eighth clock cycle within the first response cycle and the entire period of the eighth clock cycle within the second response cycle. Based on half a clock cycle, the verification period corresponding to the first ink cartridge can include three verification periods, namely verification periods T1, T2, and T3. Among them, verification period T1 is the latter half of the eighth clock cycle within the first response cycle, verification period T2 is the first half of the eighth clock cycle within the second response cycle, and verification period T3 is the latter half of the eighth clock cycle within the second response cycle.

[0009] from Figure 4 It can be seen that during the first verification period T1, the ink cartridge needs to output a low-level signal to the data signal line; during the second verification period T2, the ink cartridge needs to output a high-level signal to the data signal line; and during the third verification period T3, the ink cartridge needs to output a low-level signal to the data signal line. During other time periods, since the inkjet printer does not detect the level of the data signal line SDA1, the ink cartridge does not need to output a level to the data signal line. At this time, the data signal line exhibits a high-impedance state. Figure 4 The part indicated by the dashed line.

[0010] For the second color ink cartridge, the inkjet printer sends an installation verification command by sending a high-level signal during the first transmission cycle of data signal SDA2, the first clock cycle D1 of the second transmission cycle, the seventh clock cycle D7, and the ninth clock cycle D9. The three verification periods T1, T2, and T3 for the second color ink cartridge are the latter half of the seventh clock cycle in the first response cycle, the first half of the seventh clock cycle in the second response cycle, and the latter half of the seventh clock cycle in the second response cycle, respectively. The level signals for the three verification periods are low, high, and low, respectively.

[0011] Similarly, for the third color ink cartridge, the inkjet printer sends installation verification commands by sending high-level signals in the first transmission cycle of data signal SDA3, the first clock cycle D1 of the second transmission cycle, the sixth clock cycle D6, and the ninth clock cycle D9. The three verification periods T1, T2, and T3 for the third color ink cartridge are the second half of the sixth clock cycle in the first response cycle, the first half of the sixth clock cycle in the second response cycle, and the second half of the sixth clock cycle in the second response cycle, respectively. Similarly, the level signals for the three verification periods are low, high, and low, respectively.

[0012] However, if the ink cartridge chip outputs low-level, high-level, and high-level signals respectively during the three verification periods T1, T2, and T3, or is set to high-impedance, high-level, and high-impedance signals respectively, or low-level, high-level, and high-impedance signals respectively, some inkjet printers can still enter the print-ready state. But before the printing work officially begins, the inkjet printer will continue to send multiple installation verification commands. At this time, the ink cartridge chip needs to respond to these installation verification commands in the correct way to avoid printing errors. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The first objective of this invention is to provide a method for operating a consumable chip that can prevent printing errors caused by incorrect response instructions sent by the consumable chip.

[0014] A second objective of the present invention is to provide a consumable chip that implements the above-described method for operating the consumable chip.

[0015] A third objective of the present invention is to provide a consumable container incorporating the aforementioned consumable chip.

[0016] A fourth objective of this invention is to provide an imaging device with a detachable mounting container for the aforementioned consumables.

[0017] To achieve the first objective of this invention, the working method of the consumable chip provided by this invention includes a consumable chip detachably mounted on a consumable container, the consumable container being detachably mounted in an imaging device, and the consumable chip comprising a substrate, an electronic module disposed on the substrate, the electronic module being able to communicate with the imaging device, and a plurality of terminals disposed on the surface of the substrate, the plurality of terminals including at least a data terminal; the method comprising: after receiving an installation verification command, if the installation verification command is an installation verification command indicating that the consumable container has been installed in the imaging device and that the data terminal is not short-circuited with other terminals, then a response signal is sent in a first response manner; if the installation verification command is an installation verification command indicating that the consumable container can perform imaging operations, then a response signal is sent at least once in a second response manner.

[0018] As can be seen from the above scheme, after receiving the installation verification command, the electronic module determines whether the installation verification command indicates that the consumable container has been installed in the imaging device and that the data terminal is not short-circuited with other terminals, or whether the installation verification command indicates that the consumable container can perform imaging operations. If it is an installation verification command indicating that the consumable container has been installed in the imaging device and that the data terminal is not short-circuited with other terminals, a response signal is sent in the first response mode. If it is an installation verification command indicating that the consumable container can perform imaging operations, a response signal needs to be sent in the second response mode according to the verification requirements of the inkjet printer, so as to ensure that the consumable chip can pass the verification of the imaging device and avoid printing errors.

[0019] A preferred embodiment is that after receiving the installation verification command, the electronic module confirms the verification period for the installation verification command; the first response method is a response method in which the voltage of the consumable chip set on the data terminal is higher than the high-level threshold for at least the third verification period; the second response method is a response method in which the voltage of the consumable chip set on the data terminal is lower than the low-level threshold for at least the third verification period.

[0020] As can be seen from the above scheme, setting different response methods for installation verification commands for different purposes can ensure that consumable chips can pass the verification of imaging equipment while simplifying the response logic of installation verification commands.

[0021] A preferred embodiment is that, after receiving the installation verification command, the electronic module determines that the installation verification command is an installation verification command indicating that the consumables have been installed in the imaging device and that there is no short circuit between the data terminal and other terminals. This includes: the electronic module determining whether the data stored in multiple preset addresses of the memory conforms to the first characteristic; if it does, it sends a response signal in a first response mode, and determines the storage address of the data representing the response mode based on the data stored in the multiple preset addresses of the memory, and writes the data representing the first response mode to the corresponding storage address.

[0022] A preferred embodiment is that, after receiving the installation verification instruction, the electronic module determines whether the installation verification instruction is an installation verification instruction that characterizes the consumable container to perform imaging operations. This includes: the electronic module determining whether the data stored in multiple preset addresses of the memory conforms to the second characteristic; if it does, it sends a response signal in the second response mode, and determines the storage address of the data characterizing the response mode based on the data stored in the multiple preset addresses of the memory, and writes the data characterizing the second response mode to the corresponding storage address.

[0023] Therefore, by using the data in multiple preset addresses in the memory, it is possible to determine whether the currently received installation verification command indicates that the consumable has been installed in the imaging device and that the data terminal is not short-circuited with other terminals, or whether the consumable container can perform imaging operations. This allows for the selection of different response methods, and the current response method is recorded in the corresponding address in the memory for the electronic module to make the next judgment.

[0024] A further embodiment includes: the first feature is that the data stored in multiple preset addresses of the memory represents the transmission of a response signal in a first response manner for a predetermined number of consecutive times; the second feature is that the data stored in multiple preset addresses of the memory represents the transmission of a response signal in a first response manner for a predetermined number of consecutive times.

[0025] Therefore, by setting the characteristics of the first feature and the second feature, it can be ensured that the consumable chip can send a response signal in the second response mode after a preset number of times.

[0026] A further approach is to determine whether multiple preset addresses of the memory are already full of data before writing data representing the first response mode to the corresponding memory address; if so, no data is written to the multiple preset addresses of the target memory; and / or to determine whether multiple preset addresses of the memory are already full of data before writing data representing the second response mode to the corresponding memory address; if so, no data is written to the multiple preset addresses of the memory.

[0027] The above method can prevent newly written data from overwriting existing data at multiple preset addresses in the memory.

[0028] A further approach is to store data representing each response mode sequentially at multiple preset addresses in the memory, either from the least significant bit to the most significant bit or from the most significant bit to the least significant bit.

[0029] Therefore, by writing data sequentially to multiple preset addresses in the memory, it is possible to ensure that the data writing is standardized and to easily determine the number of times response data is sent continuously in the first response mode.

[0030] A further approach is that, after the consumable chip passes verification, the electronic module erases the data stored in multiple preset addresses in the memory during idle time while communicating with the imaging device.

[0031] Therefore, by erasing the data stored in multiple preset addresses of the memory during idle time, the consumable chip can recount the number of times it continuously sends response data in the first response mode after the next power-on.

[0032] A further approach is that after receiving the fake installation verification command, the electronic module sends any response signal or does not send a response signal, determines the storage address representing the fake installation verification command based on the data stored in multiple preset addresses in the memory, and writes the data representing the fake installation verification command to the corresponding storage address.

[0033] Therefore, the electronic module can respond to or not respond to the fake installation verification command sent by the imaging device in any way, and record the fake installation verification command.

[0034] Another embodiment of the working method of the consumable chip provided by the present invention is that the method includes: during a power-on period, before receiving a non-installation verification instruction, the electronic module responds to the installation verification instruction in a first response manner; and when receiving both the non-installation verification instruction and the installation detection instruction, it responds to the installation verification instruction at least once in a second response manner; wherein, the non-installation verification instruction is any instruction other than the installation verification instruction or the pseudo-installation verification instruction.

[0035] As can be seen from the above scheme, if the electronic module does not receive any other instructions besides the installation verification instruction or the pseudo installation verification instruction after being powered on, it will respond to the installation verification instruction in the first response mode until it receives other instructions besides the installation verification instruction or the pseudo installation verification instruction. In this way, the consumable chip can also pass the verification of the imaging device.

[0036] A preferred approach is that, before receiving a non-installation verification command, the electronic module either sends any response signal or does not send a response signal if it receives a fake installation verification command.

[0037] Another embodiment of the working method of the consumable chip provided by the present invention is that the method includes: the electronic module has responded to the installation verification command in a first response mode for a preset number of consecutive times, and when no fake installation verification command is received after responding to the installation verification command in the first response mode for a preset number of consecutive times, when an installation verification command is received again or the next command is an installation verification command, a response signal is sent in a second response mode.

[0038] To achieve the second objective of the present invention, the consumable chip provided by the present invention includes a substrate, on which an electronic module is disposed, and the electronic module can communicate with an imaging device; the electronic module has a controller, and the controller is capable of executing the above-described working method of the consumable chip.

[0039] To achieve the third objective of the present invention, the consumable container provided by the present invention is detachably installed into an imaging device. The consumable container includes a box body, a cavity is formed inside the box body, the cavity contains printing consumables, and a consumable outlet is provided on one side of the cavity; the aforementioned consumable chip is provided on the outer wall of the box body.

[0040] To achieve the fourth objective of the present invention, the imaging device provided by the present invention includes a body, a main control circuit board is disposed inside the body, and one or more of the above-mentioned consumable containers are installed inside the imaging device. Attached Figure Description

[0041] Figure 1 This is a structural diagram of an existing inkjet printing device.

[0042] Figure 2 This is a structural diagram of an existing ink cartridge.

[0043] Figure 3 This is a waveform timing diagram of existing inkjet printing equipment sending verification commands.

[0044] Figure 4 It is a waveform diagram of the consumable chip sending a response signal in the second response mode.

[0045] Figure 5 It is a waveform diagram of the consumable chip sending a response signal in the first response mode.

[0046] Figure 6 This is a flowchart of the working method of the consumable chip according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

[0047] The present invention will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings and embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0048] The imaging device of this invention can be an inkjet printer or a laser imaging device; the following description uses an inkjet printer as an example. The inkjet printer has a main body, within which one or more ink cartridges are disposed. These ink cartridges serve as the consumable containers of this invention. Each ink cartridge has an ink cartridge chip disposed on its side wall. The ink cartridge chip of this invention has an electronic module disposed thereon. The electronic module includes a controller, and the electronic module communicates with the inkjet printer via clock signal lines, chip select signal lines, and data signal lines.

[0049] The following explanation uses an ink cartridge as an example. The ink cartridge of this invention is detachably installed on an inkjet printer. The cartridge contains an ink cartridge chip, which serves as a consumable chip. The consumable chip includes a substrate. One surface of the substrate has multiple connection terminals, such as clock terminals, data terminals, power terminals, chip select terminals, and ground terminals. The other surface of the substrate has an electronic module, which includes a control unit (e.g., a microcontroller) and a memory. The memory can include non-volatile memory and volatile memory; the volatile memory can be a buffer. The printhead of the inkjet printer has a stylus holder with multiple stylus pins. The connection terminals of the consumable chip can be electrically connected to the stylus pins. The inkjet printer communicates with multiple consumable chips serially. For example, the serial bus has clock signal lines and data signal lines. The inkjet printer outputs a clock signal SCK to the clock signal lines. Each consumable chip receives the clock signal through its respective clock terminal and communicates synchronously with the inkjet printer under the clock signal.

[0050] When the ink cartridge is installed in the inkjet printer, the inkjet printer sends an installation verification command to the ink cartridge chip. The ink cartridge chip needs to respond correctly to these installation verification commands and needs to determine the three verification periods T1, T2, and T3 for responding to the installation verification command. During the response verification period, it outputs the corresponding level signal to the data terminal or sets the corresponding voltage signal on the data terminal.

[0051] Research has revealed that on some inkjet printers, after the cartridge chip responds to a certain number of installation verification commands in the first response mode, the inkjet printer will continue to send other commands. These may include pseudo-installation verification commands with the same clock count and frequency as the installation verification commands, but with all data signal lines in a high-impedance state, as well as authentication commands and read / write commands. If these other commands are also correctly responded to, the inkjet printer will enter a print-ready state and be able to perform the printing operation. The first response mode requires the cartridge chip to exhibit a high-level signal on the data signal lines for at least the third verification period T3. In other words, the voltage on the data signal lines needs to be higher than the high-level detection threshold during the third verification period T3. For example… Figure 5 The waveform diagram shown.

[0052] Additionally, in some other inkjet printers, after the cartridge chip responds to a certain number of installation verification commands in the first response mode and correctly responds to other commands, the inkjet printer can also enter the print-ready state. However, before starting the print job, the inkjet printer will continue to send one or more installation verification commands. As long as the cartridge chip can respond to any one of the installation verification commands in the second response mode, the inkjet printer will stop sending installation verification commands and start executing the print job. The second response mode is a response mode where the voltage on the data signal line must be lower than a low-level detection threshold at least during the third verification period T3. For example... Figure 4 The waveform diagram shown.

[0053] The installation verification instruction prior to receiving other instructions is an installation verification instruction indicating that the ink cartridge has been correctly installed in the ink cartridge housing of the inkjet printer and that there is no short circuit between the data terminals and other terminals. In a complete printing cycle, the inkjet printer typically sends this installation verification instruction in the early stage of the printing cycle, that is, the period from when the inkjet printer is powered on until it sends other instructions, successfully authenticates, and enters the ready state. For ease of description, this type of installation verification instruction is referred to hereinafter as the first installation verification instruction. The installation verification instruction following other instructions but before the print job is an installation verification instruction indicating that the ink cartridge chip can perform printing operations. The inkjet printer typically sends this installation verification instruction in the later stage of the printing cycle, that is, the period from when the inkjet printer enters the ready state but before the printing operation begins. For ease of description, this type of installation verification instruction is referred to hereinafter as the second installation verification instruction. To enable existing ink cartridge chips to meet these updated verification requirements of certain inkjet printers, this invention provides various embodiments.

[0054] First embodiment: After the ink cartridge chip is installed in the inkjet printer, the printer supplies power to the chip. Upon power-up, the chip first initializes, then reads data from multiple preset memory addresses and writes it to a first buffer area. Next, the chip waits to receive data from the printer and writes the received data to a second buffer area. In this embodiment, both the first and second buffer areas are buffers located within the electronic module. For example, a portion of the address space of the volatile memory is designated as the first buffer area, and another portion as the second buffer area.

[0055] See Figure 6 The ink cartridge chip first executes step S11 to determine whether an installation verification command has been received. If so, it executes step S12 to determine whether the data stored at multiple preset addresses in the memory conforms to the first feature. If it conforms to the first feature, it executes step S13 to send a response signal in the first response mode. After the response is completed, it determines the storage address of the data representing the current response mode based on the data stored at multiple preset addresses in the memory, and writes the data representing the first response mode to the corresponding storage address.

[0056] In this embodiment, the first feature is that the data stored at multiple preset addresses in the memory represents the transmission of a response signal in the first response mode without a consecutive preset number of times. The data written to represent the first response mode can be user-defined data, such as using "01" to represent the first response mode. Of course, other data can also be used, such as "7F". When determining the storage address of the current response mode, the address of the initial data can be found sequentially from the least significant bit to the most significant bit, or sequentially from the most significant bit to the least significant bit, or according to a preset rule. This embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this. When the data in a certain address of the multiple preset addresses is found to be the initial data according to the preset rule, the current address is the storage address representing the current response mode.

[0057] Of course, before writing data to the corresponding address, it is necessary to determine whether the multiple preset addresses of the memory have been filled with data. If all preset addresses are filled with data, then no more data will be written to the preset address.

[0058] If step S12 determines that the data stored at multiple preset addresses in the memory does not conform to the first characteristic, then step S14 is executed to determine whether the data stored at multiple preset addresses in the memory conforms to the second characteristic. In this embodiment, the second characteristic is that the data stored at multiple preset addresses in the memory represents sending a response signal in the first response mode a preset number of consecutive times. If the second characteristic is met, then step S15 is executed to send a response signal in the second response mode. After the response ends, the address of the data representing the current response mode is determined according to the data stored at multiple preset addresses in the memory, and the data representing the second response mode is written to the corresponding address. The data representing the second response mode can be user-defined data, such as using "03" to represent the data of the second response mode. Of course, other data can also be used, and the data representing the second response mode is different from the data representing the first response mode. Of course, before writing data to the corresponding address, it is also necessary to determine whether multiple memory addresses are already full of data. If all addresses are full of data, no more data is written to the preset address.

[0059] If the result of step S11 is negative, then step S18 is executed. The electronic module determines whether the currently received instruction is a fake installation verification instruction. If so, step S19 is executed, either sending any response signal or not sending a response signal. The memory module determines the storage address representing this fake installation verification instruction based on the data stored at multiple preset addresses in the memory, and writes the data representing the fake installation verification instruction to the corresponding address. For example, "02" can be used to represent the data representing the fake installation verification instruction. Furthermore, if multiple preset addresses in the memory already contain data, no further data is written to the preset addresses.

[0060] If the instruction sent by the inkjet printer is not an installation verification instruction or a pseudo-installation verification instruction, but another instruction, such as a read / write operation instruction, the electronic module needs to respond accordingly to the received instruction. Furthermore, after executing step S13 or step S15, the inkjet printer can enter the printing-ready state. The electronic module also needs to execute step S16 to determine whether the current time is a communication idle period, that is, whether the current time period is an idle period for communication between the inkjet printer and the ink cartridge chip. If so, step S17 is executed to erase data in multiple preset addresses in the memory, so that after the next power-on operation, the number of times the response signal is sent in the first response mode can be recalculated. If the current time is not yet a communication idle period, the module continues to wait until an idle period is reached to perform the data erasure operation.

[0061] It should be noted that this embodiment is mainly applied to ink cartridge chips that are powered by inkjet printers and have a fast write speed but a slow erase speed, such as ink cartridge chips that use EEPROM or Flash as memory. Taking an example where there are 8 preset addresses in the memory and all the initial data at those addresses is FF, assuming the preset addresses are 0x00 to 0x07 and the initial data is all FF, after the ink cartridge chip is first installed in the inkjet printer, if the first instruction sent by the inkjet printer is a first installation verification instruction, the ink cartridge chip, after power-on, will read the data stored at addresses 0x00 to 0x07 into the first buffer area. Since the data in the first buffer area is all FF at this time, which meets the first characteristic, and since the inkjet printer sent the first installation verification instruction, the ink cartridge chip will respond to the first installation verification instruction in the first response mode. After the response is completed, since the data stored in the multiple preset addresses of the current memory are all FF, indicating that no response mode has been recorded, when the ink cartridge chip searches for addresses 0x07 to 0x00 in descending order of data to find addresses with FF, it will use address 0x07 as the storage address representing this response mode and write data 01. Data 01 indicates that the chip responded to the first installation verification command with the first response mode. After detecting that the chip responded to the first installation verification command with the first response mode, the inkjet printer will shorten the interval between sending the next first installation verification command to less than 10ms.

[0062] Subsequently, the inkjet printer may continue to send the first installation verification command. Upon receiving the first installation verification command again, the cartridge chip will read the data stored in multiple preset addresses into the first buffer area. This data will then be 01 FF FF…, conforming to the first characteristic. The cartridge chip will continue to send a response signal in the first response mode and write the data 01 to address 0x06. If the inkjet printer sends a fake installation verification command, the cartridge chip may not respond, or it may send any response signal and write data representing the fake installation verification command to address 0x06, such as writing the data 02.

[0063] After repeating the above process eight times, all eight preset memory addresses are filled with data. For example, the data in the preset addresses is 01 01 02 02 02 01 01 02, which means that the cartridge chip responded to the first installation verification command four times in the first response mode and received four pseudo installation verification commands. When the inkjet printer continues to send the first installation verification command or pseudo installation verification command on the ninth time and thereafter, since all eight preset addresses in the memory are filled with data and this data does not meet the second characteristic, the cartridge chip still sends a response signal in the first response mode, or responds / does not respond to the pseudo installation verification command, and stops writing any data to the addresses 0x00 to 0x07.

[0064] Once all color ink cartridges are confirmed to be correctly installed and the print carriage is moved into the working position, the inkjet printer verifies the first installation instruction and begins sending other instructions. The cartridge chip can then perform corresponding operations according to the instruction requirements, such as activating the algorithm module, performing encryption operations on authentication data, or reading / writing data. Furthermore, the cartridge chip erases data at multiple preset addresses in the memory during communication idle periods. For example, if the color code corresponding to the current cartridge chip is 0x0a, and the cartridge chip detects an instruction with color code 0x4a, it indicates that the current instruction does not require its own response, thus confirming that the current period is an idle period for the current cartridge chip, allowing sufficient time to perform the erasure operation. In other embodiments, in addition to determining the color code, the cartridge chip can further determine the type of instruction sent by the inkjet printer based on the data following the color code to more accurately determine whether there is sufficient time to perform the erasure operation. For example, if the current instruction is a write data instruction for another color chip, the inkjet printer will typically provide sufficient power to allow the other color chip to perform an erase-then-write operation, thus also giving the current cartridge chip sufficient time to perform the erasure operation. After the ink cartridge chip performs the erase operation, the data at multiple preset addresses in the memory is all restored to FF.

[0065] After the ink cartridge chip completes the erase operation, the next step for the inkjet printer may be to immediately perform a printing operation or not. If printing is not performed, for example, due to insufficient paper or ink, or because printing is not currently required, the inkjet printer may enter a sleep state or be powered off. If the inkjet printer does perform a printing operation, some inkjet printers will send one or more second installation verification commands before printing. However, even if the ink cartridge chip responds to all these second installation verification commands in the first response mode, the inkjet printer will not send a fake installation verification command until the inkjet printer reports an error and refuses to perform the printing operation. Therefore, the ink cartridge chip can determine whether the installation verification command to be responded to is a first installation verification command indicating that the ink cartridge has been installed in the inkjet printer and that the data terminals and other terminals are not short-circuited, or a second installation verification command indicating that the ink cartridge can perform a printing operation, based on whether the next command is a fake installation verification command after responding to a preset number of installation verification commands in the first response mode.

[0066] For example, after the ink cartridge chip erases data at multiple preset addresses in the memory, it still responds to the next installation verification command using the first response method. After the response ends, the data at the multiple preset addresses becomes 01 FF FF…; the inkjet printer continues to send installation verification commands, and the ink cartridge chip again responds using the first response method. After the response ends, the data at the multiple preset addresses becomes 01 01 FF FF…. Thus, after the inkjet printer sends four consecutive installation verification commands, the data at the multiple preset addresses becomes 01 01 01 01 FF FF FF FF. Assuming the preset number of times is four, when the inkjet printer sends the fifth installation verification command, the ink cartridge chip detects that the data at the multiple preset addresses matches the second characteristic. Therefore, for the currently received installation verification command, the ink cartridge chip will consider it a second installation verification command and respond to the current second installation verification command using the second response method. After the response ends, the data 03, representing that the second installation verification command was responded to once using the second response method, is written to the corresponding address. At this point, the data at multiple preset addresses in the memory becomes 01 01 01 01 03 FF FF FF. After detecting that the chip has responded to the second installation verification command in the second response mode, the inkjet printer passes the verification and can perform the printing operation. Typically, during printing, the inkjet printer broadcasts multiple commands for colors other than the current color to the bus. This allows the current color cartridge chip to perform an erase operation during idle periods, restoring the data at multiple preset addresses to their initial state.

[0067] It should be noted that the preset number of consecutive cycles can be flexibly set according to the specific coding requirements of different inkjet printer models.

[0068] In this embodiment, since the data erasure operations at multiple preset addresses in the memory are set during idle periods, the cartridge chip has sufficient time to perform the erasure operation. The data writing to the corresponding addresses is set after responding to the installation verification command or pseudo-installation verification command, and does not need to be written in advance, ensuring the accuracy of the chip's recording of its own response method. Due to the characteristics of EEPROM or Flash memory, the write speed is typically in the microsecond range, while erasure requires charging the high-voltage pump, which usually takes several milliseconds to tens of milliseconds. Therefore, this embodiment can be applied to cartridge chips that commonly use EEPROM or Flash memory as storage.

[0069] In this embodiment, when multiple preset addresses are full of data and installation verification commands or pseudo-installation verification commands continue to be received, it indicates that the ink cartridge is currently in the installation state, meaning the user has installed the ink cartridge into the printhead of the inkjet printer, but has not yet moved the printhead into the working state. At this time, the inkjet printer will continuously send the first installation verification command or pseudo-installation verification command. Therefore, the ink cartridge chip only needs to record the data that indicates the current state, without needing to continuously update the data in multiple preset addresses. This saves both the processing time of the ink cartridge chip and the storage space of the memory.

[0070] In other embodiments, when multiple preset addresses are full of data and a first installation verification command or a pseudo installation verification command is received, new data can be written without pre-erasing the data at the original addresses. For example, data 01 represents a response to the installation verification command in the first response mode, data 02 represents a received pseudo installation verification command, and 04 represents a response to the installation verification command in the second response mode. Since data in EEPROM can only be rewritten from 1 to 0, and rewriting from 0 to 1 requires prior erasure, when an address has already been written with data 01, if data 01 is continued to be written, the data at that address remains unchanged; when data 02 is continued to be written, the data at that address will become 00; when an address has already been written with data 02, if data 02 is continued to be written, the data at that address remains unchanged at 02; when data 01 is continued to be written, the data at that address will also become 00; once an address becomes 00, without performing erasure, no matter what data is written, the data will remain unchanged at 00. Therefore, the cartridge chip can also use "whether there is a consecutive preset number of 0s and 1s stored in multiple preset addresses" as the basis for determining whether to respond to the installation verification command in the second response mode.

[0071] Second embodiment: The cartridge chip in this embodiment omits the ground terminal GND and requires a power supply device such as a battery. Because the power supply timing of the cartridge chip in this embodiment differs from that of cartridge chips powered by inkjet printers, sufficient time is available to record its response mode. Therefore, in this embodiment, the cartridge chip can, during a single power-on cycle, respond to the first installation verification command in the first response mode, and / or respond to / not respond to the pseudo-installation verification command, before receiving a non-installation verification command. Here, a non-installation verification command refers to any command other than the first installation verification command or the pseudo-installation verification command.

[0072] Furthermore, after receiving a non-installation verification command, the cartridge chip responds to the next second installation verification command in a second response manner until the cartridge chip is powered off.

[0073] Of course, in some other embodiments, the cartridge chip may continue to respond to the second installation verification instruction in the first response mode after receiving a non-installation verification instruction. When the cartridge chip detects that it has responded to the installation verification instruction in the first response mode multiple times in a row, and has not received a fake installation verification instruction during the period when it has sent response signals in the first response mode multiple times in a row, it will send a response signal in the second response mode when it receives an installation verification instruction or when the next instruction is an installation verification instruction.

[0074] This invention determines whether the currently received installation verification command is the first installation verification command or the second installation verification command by recording the number of times the installation verification command is continuously responded to in the first response mode, and adopts different response modes, so that the consumable chip can pass the verification of the imaging device, ensuring that the consumable container can perform printing operations normally.

[0075] Finally, it should be emphasized that the above are merely preferred embodiments of the present invention and are not intended to limit the present invention. For those skilled in the art, the present invention can have various changes and modifications. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of the present invention should be included within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A method for operating a consumable chip, the consumable chip being detachably installed on a consumable container, the consumable container being detachably installed in an image forming apparatus, and the consumable chip comprising a substrate, the substrate being provided with an electronic module, the electronic module being communicable with the image forming apparatus, and the substrate being further provided with a plurality of terminals, the plurality of terminals comprising at least a data terminal; characterized in that the method comprising: after the electronic module receives an installation verification instruction, if the installation verification instruction is an installation verification instruction indicating that the consumable container has been installed in the image forming apparatus and that the data terminal has not been short-circuited with other terminals, sending a response signal in a first response mode; if the installation verification instruction is an installation verification instruction indicating that the consumable container is capable of performing an image forming operation, sending a response signal in a second response mode at least once.

2. The method of operating a consumable chip of claim 1, wherein, the method further comprising: after the electronic module receives the installation verification instruction, confirming a verification period for the installation verification instruction; the first response mode being a response mode in which the consumable chip sets a voltage on the data terminal to be higher than a high-level threshold value at least within a third verification period; the second response mode being a response mode in which the consumable chip sets the voltage on the data terminal to be lower than a low-level threshold value at least within the third verification period. 3.The method for operating the consumable chip according to claim 1, wherein: after the electronic module receives the installation verification instruction, determining whether the installation verification instruction is an installation verification instruction indicating that the consumable container has been installed in the image forming apparatus and that the data terminal has not been short-circuited with other terminals comprises: the electronic module determining whether data stored in a plurality of preset addresses of a memory meets a first feature; if so, sending a response signal in the first response mode, and determining a storage address of data representing the response mode from the data stored in the plurality of preset addresses of the memory, and writing data representing the first response mode to the corresponding storage address. 4.The method for operating the consumable chip according to claim 3, wherein: after the electronic module receives the installation verification instruction, determining whether the installation verification instruction is an installation verification instruction indicating that the consumable container is capable of performing an image forming operation comprises: the electronic module determining whether data stored in a plurality of preset addresses of a memory meets a second feature; if so, sending a response signal in the second response mode, and determining a storage address of data representing the response mode from the data stored in the plurality of preset addresses of the memory, and writing data representing the second response mode to the corresponding storage address. 5.The method for operating the consumable chip according to claim 4, wherein: the first feature comprises that the data stored in the plurality of preset addresses of the memory represents that a response signal is sent in the first response mode for a non-consecutive preset number of times; the second feature comprises that the data stored in the plurality of preset addresses of the memory represents that a response signal is sent in the first response mode for a consecutive preset number of times. 6.The method for operating the consumable chip according to claim 4, wherein: Before writing data representing the first response mode into the corresponding storage address, it is determined whether all of the plurality of preset addresses of the memory have been written full of data, and if so, no data is written into the plurality of preset addresses of the memory. and / or Before writing data representing the second response mode into the corresponding storage address, it is determined whether all of the plurality of preset addresses of the memory have been written full of data, and if so, no data is written into the plurality of preset addresses of the memory.

7. The working method of the consumable chip according to any one of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that: The plurality of preset addresses of the memory store data representing each response mode in turn from low bit to high bit or from high bit to low bit.

8. A method of operating a consumable chip according to any of claims 3 to 6, characterized in that, The method further comprises: After the consumable chip is verified, the electronic module erases the data stored in the plurality of preset addresses of the memory at an idle time of communication with the imaging device.

9. A method of operating a consumable chip according to any of claims 3 to 6, wherein, The method further comprises: After the electronic module receives the pseudo installation verification instruction, it sends an arbitrary response signal or no response signal, and determines the storage address representing the pseudo installation verification instruction according to the data stored in the plurality of preset addresses of the memory, and writes data representing the pseudo installation verification instruction into the corresponding storage address.

10. A working method of a consumable chip, the consumable chip being detachably installed in an imaging device, and the consumable chip comprising a substrate, the substrate being provided with an electronic module, the electronic module being capable of communicating with the imaging device; characterized in that The method comprises: During one power-on period, the electronic module responds to an installation verification instruction in a first response mode before receiving a non-installation verification instruction, and responds to the installation verification instruction in a second response mode at least once when receiving the non-installation verification instruction and then receiving the installation verification instruction again; The non-installation verification instruction is other than the installation verification instruction or a pseudo installation verification instruction.

11. The method of operating a consumable chip of claim 10, wherein, The method further comprises: Before receiving the non-installation verification instruction, if the pseudo installation verification instruction is received, the electronic module sends an arbitrary response signal or no response signal.

12. A working method of a consumable chip, the consumable chip being detachably installed in an imaging device, and the consumable chip comprising a substrate, the substrate being provided with an electronic module, the electronic module being capable of communicating with the imaging device; characterized in that The method comprises: When the electronic module has responded to an installation verification instruction in a first response mode for a preset number of times, and no pseudo installation verification instruction is received after responding to the installation verification instruction in the first response mode for the preset number of times, a response signal is sent in a second response mode when the installation verification instruction or the next instruction is the installation verification instruction is continuously received.

13. A consumable chip, comprising a substrate, the substrate being provided with an electronic module, the electronic module being capable of communicating with the imaging device; characterized in that The electronic module has a controller, the controller being capable of executing the working method of the consumable chip according to any one of claims 1 to 12.

14. A consumable container, being detachably installed in an imaging device, the consumable container comprising: A box body, a cavity is formed in the box body, a printing consumable is contained in the cavity, a consumable outlet is arranged on one side of the cavity; It is characterized in that: An outer wall of the box body is provided with the consumable chip as claimed in claim 13.

15. An imaging device comprising a machine body, a main control circuit board is arranged in the machine body, characterized in that: One or more consumable containers as claimed in claim 14 are installed in the imaging device.

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