Consumable communication circuit and printing equipment

Abstract

The utility model provides a consumable communication circuit and printing equipment, and relates to the technical field of printing equipment, the consumable communication circuit is used for being connected with a consumable chip and the printing equipment, and the consumable communication circuit comprises an interface circuit used for being electrically connected with a printing equipment host; the control circuit is electrically connected with the interface circuit and is used for communicating with a printing equipment host through the interface circuit; the wireless communication circuit is electrically connected with the control circuit, the wireless communication circuit is used for accessing a consumable chip, and the wireless communication circuit is used for transmitting a consumable signal to the control circuit or transmitting a control signal output by the control circuit to the consumable chip. According to the invention, poor connection between the consumable chip and the printing equipment caused by the conditions of consumable plugging, consumable shaking during printing, consumable rotation, carbon powder / ink leakage and the like can be avoided, the maintenance cost of a user on the printing equipment is reduced, and the printing efficiency of the user is greatly improved.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of printing equipment technology, and more particularly to a consumable communication circuit and printing equipment. Background Technology

[0002] With the continuous progress of society, the use of printing equipment such as printers and copiers is becoming increasingly widespread, leading to a sharp increase in the demand for printing consumables. These consumables, such as ink cartridges, toner cartridges, drum units, fusers, developing tanks, waste ink tanks, and waste toner tanks, all have built-in chips. These chips are responsible for storing important data such as consumable model, certification information, and remaining balance status, ensuring that the consumables can successfully complete tasks such as model certification, matching, and status monitoring in the printing equipment.

[0003] Currently, the mainstream communication method between printers and consumables in the market is contact-based communication. This means the printer has a built-in metal spring, while the consumable chip is equipped with metal contacts. The two form a communication link through physical contact and exchange data according to a predetermined communication protocol. However, frequent consumable replacements or troubleshooting can cause the metal spring inside the printer to deform or lose elasticity, leading to poor contact between the metal spring and the consumable, thus hindering communication. In such cases, users often need to seek professional repair services to replace the damaged spring, which undoubtedly increases their maintenance costs.

[0004] Furthermore, during printing, factors such as the rotation and vibration of consumables, or even accidental leakage of toner / ink, can exacerbate poor contact between the contact spring and the contacts, forcing users to pause the printing job, clean the consumables, or re-insert them to restore communication. This vulnerability in communication connection not only increases the equipment failure rate but also reduces the user's printing efficiency, negatively impacting the user's normal experience. Utility Model Content

[0005] The main purpose of this utility model is to provide a consumable communication circuit, which aims to reduce the number of times printing equipment needs to be maintained, reduce the user's maintenance costs for printing equipment, and greatly improve the user's printing efficiency.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, this utility model provides a consumable communication circuit, which is used to connect a consumable chip and a printing device respectively. The consumable communication circuit includes:

[0007] An interface circuit, which is used for electrical connection with the main unit of the printing device;

[0008] A control circuit, which is electrically connected to the interface circuit, is used to communicate with the printer host via the interface circuit.

[0009] A wireless communication circuit is electrically connected to the control circuit. The wireless communication circuit is used to access the consumable chip and to transmit consumable signals to the control circuit, or to transmit control signals output by the control circuit to the consumable chip, so that the consumable chip can be wirelessly connected to the printer host.

[0010] Optionally, the main unit of the printing device includes a consumable communication metal spring;

[0011] The interface circuit includes:

[0012] A metal spring is electrically connected to a consumable communication metal spring of the printing device host, and the metal spring is used for communication between the control circuit and the printing device host.

[0013] Optionally, the wireless communication circuit includes:

[0014] The radio frequency (RF) circuit is electrically connected to the control circuit. The RF circuit is used to access the consumable chip and convert the control signal output by the control circuit into an RF signal. The RF circuit is also used to convert the response RF signal of the consumable chip into a response signal that the control circuit can recognize.

[0015] An induction coil is electrically connected to the radio frequency circuit and is used to transmit radio frequency signals or receive response signals.

[0016] In addition, to achieve the above objectives, this utility model also provides a printing device, which includes: a consumable chip, a printing device host, and a consumable communication circuit as described above. The consumable communication circuit is electrically connected to the consumable chip and the printing device host, respectively, and is electrically connected to the consumable chip through a radio frequency circuit.

[0017] Optionally, the printing equipment includes a printer, copier, label printer, or fax machine.

[0018] This embodiment of the invention connects to the main unit of the printing device via an interface circuit, and further includes a wireless communication circuit connected to the consumable chip to transmit consumable signals to the control circuit, or transmit control signals output by the control circuit to the consumable chip. This allows the consumable chip to connect to the main unit of the printing device wirelessly. The interface circuit replaces the original metal contact spring of the printing device, and the consumable chip is connected via the wireless communication circuit. This consumable chip can be an original consumable chip with added wireless connectivity, or a wireless consumable chip can be used as a replacement. It connects to the consumable via wireless induction, thereby avoiding poor connection between the consumable chip and the printing device caused by consumable insertion / removal, consumable shaking during printing, consumable rotation, toner / ink leakage, etc. This reduces the user's maintenance costs for the printing device and greatly improves the user's printing efficiency. Attached Figure Description

[0019] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0020] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this utility model or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this utility model. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0021] Figure 1 This is a circuit structure diagram of a consumable communication circuit according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0022] Figure 2 This is a circuit structure diagram of a consumable communication circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention;

[0023] Figure 3 This is a circuit structure diagram of a consumable communication circuit according to another embodiment of the present utility model;

[0024] Figure 4 This is a circuit structure diagram of a consumable communication circuit according to another embodiment of the present invention.

[0025] Explanation of icon numbers:

[0026]

[0027] The realization of the purpose, functional features and advantages of this utility model will be further explained in conjunction with the embodiments and with reference to the accompanying drawings. Detailed Implementation

[0028] The technical solutions of the present utility model will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present utility model, not all embodiments. Well-known modules, units, and their connections, links, communications, or operations are not shown or described in detail. Furthermore, the described features, architectures, or functions can be combined in any way in one or more embodiments. Those skilled in the art should understand that the various embodiments described below are only for illustration and not for limiting the scope of protection of the present utility model. It is also readily understood that the modules or units or processing methods in the various embodiments described herein and shown in the accompanying drawings can be combined and designed in various different configurations. Based on the embodiments of the present utility model, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of the present utility model.

[0029] The definitions of various terms or methods used in the following embodiments are, except where logically impossible, generally defined as broad concepts that can be implemented under the premise of the content disclosed in the embodiments. Under this understanding, all specific subordinate limitations of the terms or methods should be regarded as part of the utility model content of this utility model, and should not be narrowly interpreted or biased on the grounds that the specification does not disclose the specific limitation. Similarly, provided that it is logically feasible, the order of the steps in the method is flexible and variable, and all specific subordinate limitations in the broad concepts of various terms or methods fall within the scope of protection of this utility model.

[0030] The main solution of this application embodiment is as follows: the interface circuit 10 is electrically connected to the printer host, and a wireless communication circuit 30 is provided to access the consumable chip to transmit consumable signals to the control circuit 20, or to transmit control signals output by the control circuit 20 to the consumable chip, so that the consumable chip can be wirelessly connected to the printer host. The interface circuit 10 replaces the original printer's communication metal spring, and the consumable chip is connected through the wireless communication circuit 30. The consumable chip can add wireless connection function to the original consumable chip, or a wireless consumable chip can be used as a replacement, and it can be connected to the consumable through wireless sensing.

[0031] Due to the limitations of current technology, factors such as the rotation and vibration of consumables during printing, and even accidental leakage of toner / ink, can exacerbate poor contact between the contact spring and the contacts. This forces users to pause the printing job, clean the consumables, or re-insert them to restore communication. This vulnerability in communication not only increases the equipment failure rate but also reduces printing efficiency, negatively impacting the user experience.

[0032] This application provides a solution that avoids poor connection between the consumable chip and the printing device caused by consumable plugging and unplugging, consumable shaking during printing, consumable rotation, toner / ink leakage, etc., thereby reducing the user's maintenance costs for the printing device and greatly improving the user's printing efficiency.

[0033] It is important to understand that the consumable communication circuit is used to connect the consumable chip and the printing device, respectively.

[0034] Reference Figure 1 In one embodiment of this utility model, the consumable communication circuit includes an interface circuit 10, a control circuit 20, and a wireless communication circuit 30, wherein:

[0035] Interface circuit 10 is used for electrical connection with the printer host; control circuit 20 is electrically connected to interface circuit 10, and control circuit 20 is used for communication with printer host through interface circuit 10; wireless communication circuit 30 is electrically connected to control circuit 20, and wireless communication circuit 30 is used for accessing consumable chip, and wireless communication circuit 30 is used for transmitting consumable signals to control circuit 20, or transmitting control signals output by control circuit 20 to consumable chip, so that consumable chip can connect to printer host wirelessly.

[0036] In this embodiment, the interface circuit 10 can be a metal spring contact 11 interface, a USB interface, an HDMI interface, a VGA interface, or other general-purpose interfaces. The microcontroller unit (MCU) of the control circuit 20 is responsible for processing instructions from the printer host and converting these instructions into operation signals for the consumable chip. In addition, the control circuit 20 is also responsible for collecting the status information of the consumable chip and sending this information back to the printer host through the interface circuit 10.

[0037] The wireless communication circuit 30 can use wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, and NFC (Near Field Communication), which are suitable for short-range communication between consumable chips and printing devices.

[0038] In practical applications, the consumable chip connects to the printer host via wireless communication circuit 30, effectively preventing communication interruptions caused by consumable insertion / removal, consumable movement during printing, consumable rotation, or toner / ink leakage. This not only improves the stability and reliability of the printer but also significantly enhances the user's printing efficiency and user experience.

[0039] The control circuit 20 can be implemented using a main controller, such as an MCU (Micro Controller Unit), a DSP (Digital Signal Processor), an FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Array), or a SOC (System On Chip).

[0040] In this embodiment, the interface circuit 10 is electrically connected to the printer host, and a wireless communication circuit 30 is provided to connect to the consumable chip to transmit consumable signals to the control circuit 20, or to transmit control signals output by the control circuit 20 to the consumable chip, so that the consumable chip can connect to the printer host wirelessly. The interface circuit 10 replaces the original printer's communication metal spring, and the consumable chip is connected via the wireless communication circuit 30. This consumable chip can add wireless connection function to the original consumable chip, or a wireless consumable chip can be used as a replacement. It connects to the consumable through wireless induction, thereby avoiding poor connection between the consumable chip and the printer caused by consumable insertion and removal, consumable shaking during printing, consumable rotation, toner / ink leakage, etc., reducing the user's maintenance costs for the printer and greatly improving the user's printing efficiency.

[0041] It is important to understand that the main unit of the printing device includes consumable communication metal springs.

[0042] Optionally, refer to Figure 2 Another embodiment of this utility model provides a consumable communication circuit, based on the above. Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the interface circuit 10 includes a metal spring 11, wherein:

[0043] The metal spring 11 is electrically connected to the consumable communication metal spring of the printing device host. The metal spring 11 is used for communication between the control circuit 20 and the printing device host.

[0044] In this embodiment, the interface circuit 10 employs a metal spring 11, which makes the connection between the consumable communication circuit and the printer host more stable and reliable. The metal spring 11 has good conductivity and a certain elasticity, ensuring that the connection between the interface circuit 10 and the printer host will not be easily interrupted even if vibration or slight displacement occurs during the operation of the printer.

[0045] Optionally, refer to Figure 3 Another embodiment of this utility model provides a consumable communication circuit, based on the above. Figure 2 In the embodiment shown, the wireless communication circuit 30 includes a radio frequency circuit 31 and an induction coil 32, wherein:

[0046] The radio frequency circuit 31 is electrically connected to the control circuit 20. The radio frequency circuit 31 is used to connect to the consumable chip and convert the control signal output by the control circuit 20 into a radio frequency signal. The radio frequency circuit is also used to convert the response radio frequency signal of the consumable chip into a response signal that the control circuit can recognize. The induction coil 32 is electrically connected to the radio frequency circuit 31 and is used to transmit radio frequency signals or receive response signals.

[0047] In this embodiment, the radio frequency (RF) circuit 31 can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) module, which enables wireless communication with the consumable chip. The induction coil 32 acts as an antenna, responsible for transmitting and receiving RF signals. Through the cooperation of the RF circuit 31 and the induction coil 32, the consumable chip can receive control signals and send the status information of the consumable back to the control circuit 20 via RF signals. This wireless communication method not only improves the stability and reliability of signal transmission but also reduces communication failures caused by poor physical contact.

[0048] In this embodiment, the consumable communication circuit is installed in the original consumable connection location on the printer host, enabling the wireless communication circuit 30 to establish an effective inductive connection with the consumable chip. This design not only simplifies the installation and replacement process of consumables but also improves the compatibility and flexibility of the printer.

[0049] Optionally, refer to Figure 4 Another embodiment of this utility model provides a consumable communication circuit, based on the above... Figure 1 In the embodiment shown, the wireless communication circuit 30 includes a radio frequency circuit 31 and an induction coil 32, wherein:

[0050] The radio frequency circuit 31 is electrically connected to the control circuit 20. The radio frequency circuit 31 is used to connect to the consumable chip and convert the control signal output by the control circuit 20 into a radio frequency signal. The radio frequency circuit is also used to convert the response radio frequency signal of the consumable chip into a response signal that the control circuit can recognize. The induction coil 32 is electrically connected to the radio frequency circuit 31 and is used to transmit radio frequency signals or receive response signals.

[0051] In this embodiment, the radio frequency (RF) circuit 31 can be a radio frequency identification (RFID) module, which enables wireless communication with the consumable chip. The induction coil 32 acts as an antenna, responsible for transmitting and receiving RF signals. Through the cooperation of the RF circuit 31 and the induction coil 32, the consumable chip can receive control signals and send the status information of the consumable back to the control circuit 20 via RF signals. This wireless communication method not only improves the stability and reliability of signal transmission but also reduces communication failures caused by poor physical contact.

[0052] In this embodiment, the consumable communication circuit is installed in the original consumable connection location on the printer host, enabling the wireless communication circuit 30 to establish an effective inductive connection with the consumable chip. This design not only simplifies the installation and replacement process of consumables but also improves the compatibility and flexibility of the printer.

[0053] This utility model also proposes a printing device, which includes: a consumable chip, a printing device host, and the above-mentioned consumable communication circuit. The consumable communication circuit is electrically connected to the consumable chip and the printing device host respectively, and the consumable communication circuit is electrically connected to the consumable chip through the radio frequency circuit 31.

[0054] It is worth noting that since the printing device of this utility model is based on the above-mentioned consumable communication circuit, the embodiments of the printing device of this utility model include all the technical solutions of all the embodiments of the above-mentioned consumable communication circuit, and the technical effects achieved are exactly the same, so they will not be repeated here.

[0055] Optionally, the printing equipment includes automatic printing equipment such as printers, copiers, label printers, or fax machines. The main unit of the printing equipment has internal communication metal contacts that connect to the consumable chip. These metal contacts are electrically connected to the interface circuit 10 of the consumable communication circuit, ensuring stable communication between the main unit of the printing equipment and the consumable chip. In the printing equipment of this invention, the consumable chip can be a toner cartridge, ink cartridge, or other types of printing consumables. They are connected to the main unit of the printing equipment via a wireless communication circuit 30, thereby enabling real-time monitoring and management of the consumable status.

[0056] In practical applications, the consumable communication circuit of the printing device can be integrated into the motherboard of the printing device host or installed as a separate module inside the printing device. Through the wireless communication circuit 30, the printing device host can obtain real-time information on consumable usage, such as the remaining toner or ink levels and the consumable's usage time. This information is very useful to users, helping them to replace consumables in a timely manner and avoid affecting the completion of printing tasks due to consumable depletion.

[0057] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or system that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or system. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or system that includes that element.

[0058] The sequence numbers of the above embodiments of the present invention are for descriptive purposes only and do not represent the superiority or inferiority of the embodiments.

[0059] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented by means of software plus necessary general-purpose hardware platforms. Of course, they can also be implemented by hardware, but in many cases the former is a better implementation method. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this utility model, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium (such as ROM / RAM, magnetic disk, optical disk) as described above, and includes several instructions to cause a terminal device (which may be a mobile phone, computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute the methods of the various embodiments of this utility model.

[0060] The above are merely preferred embodiments of this utility model and do not limit the patent scope of this utility model. Any equivalent structural or procedural transformations made based on the description and drawings of this utility model, or direct or indirect applications in other related technical fields, are similarly included within the patent protection scope of this utility model.

Claims

1. A consumable communication circuit, wherein the consumable communication circuit is used to connect a consumable chip and a printing device respectively, characterized in that, The consumable communication circuit includes: An interface circuit, which is used for electrical connection with the main unit of the printing device; A control circuit, which is electrically connected to the interface circuit, is used to communicate with the printer host via the interface circuit. A wireless communication circuit is electrically connected to the control circuit. The wireless communication circuit is used to access the consumable chip and to transmit consumable signals to the control circuit, or to transmit control signals output by the control circuit to the consumable chip, so that the consumable chip can be wirelessly connected to the printer host.

2. The consumable communication circuit as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The main unit of the printing device includes a consumable communication metal spring; The interface circuit includes: A metal spring is electrically connected to a consumable communication metal spring of the printing device host, and the metal spring is used for communication between the control circuit and the printing device host.

3. The consumable communication circuit as described in claim 2, characterized in that, The wireless communication circuit includes: The radio frequency (RF) circuit is electrically connected to the control circuit. The RF circuit is used to access the consumable chip and convert the control signal output by the control circuit into an RF signal. The RF circuit is also used to convert the response RF signal of the consumable chip into a response signal that the control circuit can recognize. An induction coil is electrically connected to the radio frequency circuit and is used to transmit radio frequency signals or receive response signals.

4. The consumable communication circuit as described in claim 1, characterized in that, The wireless communication circuit includes: The radio frequency (RF) circuit is electrically connected to the control circuit. The RF circuit is used to access the consumable chip and convert the control signal output by the control circuit into an RF signal. The RF circuit is also used to convert the response RF signal of the consumable chip into a response signal that the control circuit can recognize. An induction coil is electrically connected to the radio frequency circuit and is used to transmit radio frequency signals or receive response signals.

5. A printing device, characterized in that, The printing device includes: a consumable chip, a printing device host, and a consumable communication circuit as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the consumable communication circuit is electrically connected to the consumable chip and the printing device host respectively, and the consumable communication circuit is electrically connected to the consumable chip through a radio frequency circuit.

6. The printing device as described in claim 5, characterized in that, The printing equipment includes printers, copiers, label printers, or fax machines.

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