Universal counting chip for printing supplies and printing equipment

Abstract

The utility model discloses a general counting chip for printing supplies. The general counting chip comprises an adapter plate, the data communication unit is arranged on the substrate and is used for realizing data communication between the counting chip and printing equipment; the control unit is used for processing commands and data from the printing equipment, performing read-write operation on the data, and transmitting a processing result back to the printing equipment through the data communication unit; the storage unit is arranged on the substrate, is electrically connected with the control unit, and is used for retaining factory setting data of the counting chip and receiving and storing data transmitted from printing equipment; and the at least one universal limiting hole is formed in the substrate and is used for ensuring that the universal counting chip is correctly mounted at a specified part of the printer. Through the design, the production cost and the logistics cost can be reduced, meanwhile, the inventory management of regenerative consumable manufacturers is simplified, the recycling rate of consumables is improved, environmental protection measures are supported, and the environmental burden is reduced.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The utility model relates to the technical field of printing consumables, in particular to a universal counting chip for printing consumables. Background Art

[0002] With the advent of the information age, the demand for printing continues to grow, and the market for printers and their consumables is expanding rapidly. In order to manage the use of printing materials and prevent the use of non-original consumables, most printer manufacturers have embedded counting chips in the consumables. The main function of these counting chips is to record and manage the number of times consumables such as toner cartridges and ink cartridges are used, as well as to perform model authentication and matching operations for printing equipment. When the consumables reach the preset usage limit, the counting chip will record the exhaustion information and prohibit further use of the consumables, thereby ensuring print quality and protecting the normal operation of the printing equipment.

[0003] However, in the existing technology, different models of printers may require different types of consumables. Although these consumables are similar in many aspects, they cannot be used interchangeably due to small differences in physical or electronic structures. For example, in order to distinguish the consumables of different models, some printer brands will make minor structural adjustments on the counting chip. This causes the recycled consumables manufacturers to configure different chips for each model during production or updating, which increases production costs and complexity. At the same time, this non-universality also affects the recycling and reuse efficiency of consumables, which not only increases the economic burden on users, but also puts a certain amount of pressure on environmental protection. Utility Model Content

[0004] In order to solve the technical defects raised in the above background technology, the purpose of the present utility model is to provide a universal counting chip for printing consumables, including an adapter plate for supporting the entire universal counting chip;

[0005] A data communication unit, provided on the substrate, for realizing data communication between the counting chip and the printing device;

[0006] A control unit, provided on the substrate and electrically connected to the data communication unit, for processing commands and data from the printing device, performing data reading and writing operations, and transmitting processing results back to the printing device via the data communication unit;

[0007] a storage unit, provided on the substrate and electrically connected to the control unit, for retaining factory setting data of the counting chip and receiving and storing data transmitted from the printing device;

[0008] At least one universal limiting hole is provided on the base plate, and is used to ensure that the universal counting chip is correctly installed in a designated position of the printer.

[0009] Furthermore, the adapter plate has a first surface and a second surface, and the universal limiting holes include a first limiting hole, a second limiting hole, a third limiting hole, a fifth limiting hole, and a seventh limiting hole;

[0010] The first surface is provided with a communication line, and the second surface is provided with a first terminal, a second terminal, a third terminal, a fourth terminal, a fifth terminal, and a sixth terminal, wherein:

[0011] The first terminal, the second terminal, the third terminal, the fourth terminal, the fifth terminal, and the sixth terminal are all electrically connected to the communication line.

[0012] Furthermore, the seventh limiting hole is in the shape of an elongated ellipse.

[0013] Furthermore, the storage unit includes a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory, the non-volatile memory is used to store the consumables model, printing capacity and serial number, and the volatile memory is used to store the printing date, number of printed pages and remaining capacity.

[0014] Furthermore, the non-volatile memory uses FLASH and EEPROM, and the volatile memory uses SRAM.

[0015] Furthermore, the adapter board is a PCB board.

[0016] Furthermore, the control unit is an MCU or FPGA.

[0017] Furthermore, the power supply adopts a button battery.

[0018] In summary, the embodiment of the utility model significantly improves its versatility and adaptability by introducing at least one universal limiting hole. This embodiment allows the counting chip to be adapted and correctly installed on printers of various models. Due to the universal limiting hole, this embodiment can be accurately aligned with the interfaces of different printers, ensuring its compatibility and functionality in different models of equipment. This compatibility reduces the need for manufacturers to design and manufacture counting chips separately for each model, thereby reducing production costs and logistics costs. At the same time, this design simplifies the inventory management of recycled consumables manufacturers, improves the recycling and reuse rate of consumables, supports environmental protection initiatives, and reduces the environmental burden.

[0019] The above description is only an overview of the technical solution of the present invention. In order to more clearly understand the technical means of the present invention, it can be implemented in accordance with the contents of the specification. In addition, in order to make the above and other purposes, features and advantages of the present invention more obvious and easy to understand, the following preferred embodiments are specifically cited and described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] Figure 1This is a schematic structural diagram of a universal counting chip of a printing consumable material according to an embodiment of the present utility model;

[0021] Figure 2 It is the third side structural diagram of prior art 1;

[0022] Figure 3 It is the fourth structural diagram of the prior art 1;

[0023] Figure 4 It is the fifth structural diagram of the prior art 2;

[0024] Figure 5 It is the sixth structural diagram of the prior art 2;

[0025] Figure 6 This is a structural diagram of the first side of an embodiment of the utility model;

[0026] Figure 7 This is a structural diagram of the second side of an embodiment of the present utility model.

[0027] Explanation of the reference numerals in the figure: 1. Storage unit; 2. Control unit; 3. Data communication unit; 4. Power supply; 5. Adapter board; 51. First side; 52. Second side; 521. First terminal; 522. Second terminal; 523. Third terminal; 524. Fourth terminal; 525. Fifth terminal; 526. Sixth terminal; 53. Third side; 54. Fourth side; 541. Fourth limiting hole; 55. Fifth side; 56. Sixth side; 561. Sixth limiting hole; 6. Universal limiting hole; 61. First limiting hole; 62. Second limiting hole; 63. Third limiting hole; 65. Fifth limiting hole; 67. Seventh limiting hole. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0028] In order to make the content of the present invention more clearly understood, the present invention will be further described below based on specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

[0029] It should be noted that the terms "center," "upper," "lower," "front," "back," "left," "right," "inner," and "outer" used herein to indicate positions or locations are based on the positions or locations shown in the accompanying drawings and are intended solely to facilitate and simplify the description of the present invention. They are not intended to indicate or imply that the devices or components referred to must have a specific orientation, be constructed, or operate in a specific orientation. Therefore, they should not be construed as limitations on the present invention. Unless otherwise specified, "plurality" means two or more.

[0030] Unless otherwise specified or limited, the terms "mounted," "connected," and "connected" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to fixed, removable, or integral connections; mechanical or electrical connections; direct or indirect connections through an intermediary; and internal communication between two components. Those skilled in the art will understand the specific meanings of these terms in this utility model based on specific circumstances.

[0031] Prior art 1:

[0032] refer to Figure 2-3 The present prior art provides an old version of consumables counting chip, including a first substrate, the first substrate having a third surface 53 and a fourth surface 54, the third surface 53 is provided with a communication line, the fourth surface 54 is provided with a first terminal 521, a second terminal 522, a third terminal 523, a fourth terminal 524, a fifth terminal 525, a sixth terminal 526, a first limiting hole 61, a second limiting hole 62, a third limiting hole 63 and a fourth limiting hole 541, wherein the first terminal 521, the second terminal 522, the third terminal 523, the fourth terminal 524, the fifth terminal 525 and the sixth terminal 526 are all electrically connected to the communication line.

[0033] Prior Art 2:

[0034] refer to Figure 4-5 The present prior art provides another old version of consumable counting chip, including a second substrate, the second substrate having a fifth surface 55 and a sixth surface 56, the fifth surface 55 is provided with a communication line, the sixth surface 56 is provided with a first terminal 521, a second terminal 522, a third terminal 523, a fourth terminal 524, a fifth terminal 525, a sixth terminal 526, a first limiting hole 61, a second limiting hole 62, a fifth limiting hole 65 and a sixth limiting hole 561, wherein the first terminal 521, the second terminal 522, the third terminal 523, the fourth terminal 524, the fifth terminal 525 and the sixth terminal 526 are all electrically connected to the communication line, and the first limiting hole 61 and the second limiting hole 62 are the same in position and size as those of the prior art 1.

[0035] See also Figure 6-7 This embodiment provides a universal counting chip for printing consumables, including:

[0036] Adapter plate 5, used to support the entire universal counting chip;

[0037] A data communication unit 3 is provided on the substrate and is used to realize data communication between the counting chip and the printing device;

[0038] A control unit 2 is provided on the substrate and is electrically connected to the data communication unit 3, and is used to process commands and data from the printing device, perform data reading and writing operations, and transmit the processing results back to the printing device through the data communication unit 3;

[0039] The storage unit 1 is provided on the substrate and is electrically connected to the control unit 2, and is used to retain the factory setting data of the counting chip and receive and store data transmitted from the printing device;

[0040] At least one universal limiting hole 6 is provided on the base plate to ensure that the universal counting chip is correctly installed in a designated position of the printer.

[0041] It should be noted that the designated part of the printer in this embodiment is the printer toner cartridge.

[0042] This embodiment significantly improves its versatility and adaptability by introducing at least one universal limiting hole. This embodiment allows the counting chip to be adapted and correctly installed on printers of various models. Due to the universal limiting hole, this embodiment can be accurately aligned with the interfaces of different printers, ensuring its compatibility and functionality in different models of equipment. This compatibility reduces the need for manufacturers to design and manufacture counting chips separately for each model, thereby reducing production costs and logistics costs. At the same time, this design simplifies the inventory management of recycled consumables manufacturers, improves the recycling and reuse rate of consumables, supports environmental protection initiatives, and reduces environmental burden.

[0043] In this embodiment, only the adapter board 5 is defined, and thus the description of the power supply 4 , the storage unit 1 and the control unit 2 is omitted.

[0044] The adapter board 5 has a first surface 51 and a second surface 52, the first surface 51 is provided with a communication line, and the second surface 52 is provided with a first terminal 521, a second terminal 522, a third terminal 523, a fourth terminal 524, a fifth terminal 525, a sixth terminal 526, a first limiting hole 61, a second limiting hole 62, a third limiting hole 63, a fifth limiting hole 65 and a seventh limiting hole 67, wherein the first terminal 521, the second terminal 522, the third terminal 523, the fourth terminal 524, the fifth terminal 525 and the sixth terminal 526 are all electrically connected to the communication line, the first limiting hole 61 and the second limiting hole 62 are the same in position and size as those in the prior art 1 and the prior art 2, the third limiting hole 63 is the same in position and size as that in the prior art 1, the fifth limiting hole 65 is the same in position and size as that in the prior art 2, and the seventh limiting hole 67 is used to simultaneously cover the fourth limiting hole 541 and the sixth limiting hole 561.

[0045] Specifically, the seventh limiting hole 67 can cover the fourth limiting hole 541 and the sixth limiting hole 561 at the same time, so that this embodiment can be applied to more models of printers, which not only reduces production and inventory costs, but also improves manufacturing efficiency and market adaptability of the product.

[0046] In addition, by electrically connecting all terminals to the communication lines, the stability and reliability of data transmission are ensured, thereby improving the performance of the entire system and the user experience.

[0047] Furthermore, the fourth limiting hole 541 and the sixth limiting hole 561 are circular holes, and the seventh limiting hole 67 is an oblong hole.

[0048] Specifically, the counting chips of the prior art 1 and the prior art 2 are actually consistent in size, data, circuits and behavior, except that the positions of individual holes are different. Based on the prior art 1, the present invention retains the third limiting hole 63, adds the fifth limiting hole 65 of the prior art 2 at the corresponding position, and combines the position and size of the fourth limiting hole 541 of the prior art 1 and the sixth limiting hole 561 of the prior art 2 to change the circular hole into an oblong hole, so that this embodiment can be used on the powder box used in the prior art 1, and can also be applied to the powder box used in the prior art 2.

[0049] Furthermore, the storage unit 1 includes a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory, the non-volatile memory is used to store the consumables model, printing capacity and serial number, and the volatile memory is used to store the printing date, number of printed pages and remaining capacity.

[0050] In some other embodiments, the storage unit may also include using only one type of memory, such as using all non-volatile memory or all volatile memory, or using new storage technologies such as solid state drive (SSD) or cloud storage.

[0051] Furthermore, the non-volatile memory uses FLASH and EEPROM, and the volatile memory uses SRAM.

[0052] In this embodiment, FLASH and EEPROM provide stable and persistent data storage capabilities, which are suitable for long-term storage of key information such as the model, capacity, and serial number of printing consumables. Even when the device is powered off, the data can be kept from being lost. In contrast, SRAM, as a volatile memory, has a fast access speed and can efficiently process and update frequently changing data such as print date, number of pages, and remaining capacity. It not only optimizes performance and resource utilization, improves the response speed and reliability of the device, but also can be flexibly adjusted according to different storage requirements, effectively supporting the stable operation of the printing device in different environments.

[0053] Furthermore, the adapter board 5 is a PCB board.

[0054] In this embodiment, the PCB board can accurately arrange the circuits and components on the counting chip due to its high customization and excellent electrical performance, ensuring the stability of data communication and power supply.

[0055] In some other embodiments, a ceramic substrate or a flexible printed circuit board (FPC) made of a flexible material may be used to adapt to the special requirements of the internal structure of different printers or to improve durability and flexibility.

[0056] Furthermore, the control unit 2 is an MCU or FPGA.

[0057] In this embodiment, the MCU provides a cost-effective, highly integrated solution suitable for processing standard data reading and writing and device control tasks, while the FPGA provides a high degree of customizability and parallel processing capabilities, greatly enhancing the ability to handle complex or real-time tasks, and effectively improving the performance and flexibility of the overall system.

[0058] In some other embodiments, the control unit may also be a microprocessor or a digital signal processor (DSP).

[0059] Furthermore, the power supply 4 is a button battery.

[0060] In this embodiment, the button battery is very suitable for use in printing consumables with limited space because of its small size, easy installation and ability to provide stable voltage. It allows the counting chip to operate normally even without external power supply, increases the independence and reliability of the product, and also facilitates the replacement and maintenance of consumables.

[0061] In some other embodiments, the power source may also be a rechargeable battery or supplied by the main power supply of the printer.

[0062] The examples of this specific embodiment are all preferred embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Identical components are represented by the same reference numerals. Therefore, any equivalent changes made based on the structure, shape, and principle of this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application.

Claims

1. A universal counting chip for printing consumables, characterized in that: include: An adapter plate (5) is used to support the entire universal counting chip; A data communication unit (3), provided on the substrate, is used to realize data communication between the counting chip and the printing device; A control unit (2) is provided on the substrate and is electrically connected to the data communication unit (3), and is used to process commands and data from the printing device, perform data reading and writing operations, and transmit the processing results back to the printing device via the data communication unit (3); A storage unit (1) is provided on the substrate and is electrically connected to the control unit (2), and is used to retain factory setting data of the counting chip and to receive and store data transmitted from the printing device; At least one universal limiting hole (6) is provided on the base plate and is used to ensure that the universal counting chip is correctly installed in a designated position of the printer.

2. A universal counting chip for printing consumables according to claim 1, characterized in that: The adapter plate (5) has a first surface (51) and a second surface (52), and the universal limiting hole (6) includes a first limiting hole (61), a second limiting hole (62), a third limiting hole (63), a fifth limiting hole (65), and a seventh limiting hole (67); The first surface (51) is provided with a communication line, and the second surface (52) is provided with a first terminal (521), a second terminal (522), a third terminal (523), a fourth terminal (524), a fifth terminal (525), and a sixth terminal (526), ​​wherein: The first terminal (521), the second terminal (522), the third terminal (523), the fourth terminal (524), the fifth terminal (525), and the sixth terminal (526) are all electrically connected to the communication line.

3. A universal counting chip for printing consumables according to claim 2, characterized in that: The seventh limiting hole (67) is in the shape of an elongated ellipse.

4. The universal counting chip for printing consumables according to claim 1, characterized in that: The storage unit (1) comprises a non-volatile memory and a volatile memory, wherein the non-volatile memory is used to store the consumable model, printing capacity and serial number, and the volatile memory is used to store the printing date, number of printed pages and remaining capacity.

5. The universal counting chip for printing consumables according to claim 4, characterized in that: The non-volatile memory uses FLASH and EEPROM, and the volatile memory uses SRAM.

6. The universal counting chip for printing consumables according to claim 2, characterized in that: The adapter board (5) is a PCB board.

7. The universal counting chip for printing consumables according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit (2) is an MCU or an FPGA.

8. The universal counting chip for printing consumables according to claim 1, characterized in that: The power supply (4) uses a button battery.

9. A printing device, characterized in that: A universal counting chip comprising a printing consumable material as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8.

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