Print Cartridge Logic Circuitry Serial Bus Location Detection

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Solution Overview

Problem

In 2D and 3D printing systems, existing serial data bus protocols like I2C struggle to accurately detect the physical location of replaceable print apparatus components, leading to potential misinstallation and incorrect color usage during printing.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a method where logic circuitry associated with replaceable print apparatus components generates a low voltage condition on the serial data bus for a specified time period, allowing the detection of their physical location through monitoring by a timer, enabling electronic verification of component positions without mechanical keying.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If existing serial data bus protocols like I2C are used for communication, then data communication between master and slave ICs is enabled, but accurate detection of physical location of replaceable components is lost

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedetection of physical locationVSAvoidprevention of misinstallation

Core Design Contradiction:

Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces mechanical keying systems with an electronic detection system using voltage signals on the serial data bus. Instead of relying on physical mechanical features to ensure correct component installation, the system uses electrical voltage conditions (low voltage states) detected during communication to electronically verify the physical location of replaceable components, thereby eliminating the need for mechanical keying while maintaining installation accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent introduces voltage signals on the serial data bus as an intermediary to convey physical location information. The low voltage condition generated by the slave IC acts as a mediator that allows the master IC to detect the physical position of the component without direct mechanical sensing, enabling indirect detection of installation correctness through electrical communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If mechanical keying is used to ensure correct component installation, then physical location verification is achieved, but manufacturing complexities increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveprevention of misinstallationVSAvoidmanufacturing complexities

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent eliminates mechanical keying structures from the design, replacing them with an electronic detection mechanism. This substitution removes the need for complex mechanical features, precision-matched physical interfaces, and associated assembly procedures, thereby reducing manufacturing complexity while maintaining the reliability of component installation verification through electronic means.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent extracts and removes the mechanical keying system from the overall design, retaining only the essential function of location verification. By taking out the mechanical complexity and replacing it with a simpler electronic detection approach using existing communication bus infrastructure, the design achieves the same reliability goal with reduced manufacturing burden.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

3Manufacturing precision

If mechanical keying structures are implemented, then component position verification is ensured, but device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecomponent position verificationVSAvoidmanufacturing difficulty

Core Design Contradiction:

Manufacturing precisionVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent replaces precision mechanical keying structures with an electronic detection system that uses voltage signaling through the existing serial data bus. This substitution eliminates the need for precision-machined mechanical features and complex assembly procedures, making manufacturing easier while maintaining the ability to verify component position through electronic communication.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent makes the serial data bus serve multiple functions: it continues to handle data communication between master and slave ICs while simultaneously serving as a medium for detecting physical location information through voltage conditions. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate mechanical verification mechanisms, simplifying manufacturing while ensuring component position accuracy.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS11513992B2Logic circuitry for print material supply cartridges

Publication Date: 2022.11.29 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

An example replaceable print material supply cartridge that is removably couplable to a host printer is disclosed. The example replaceable print material supply cartridge includes an ink reservoir and a logic circuitry package. The logic circuitry package includes logic circuitry and a serial data bus interface, wherein the serial data bus interface is to interface with a serial data bus of the host printer. In response to a first command sent to the logic circuitry package via the serial data bus connected to the serial data bus interface, the first command including a time period, the logic circuitry is to cause generation of a low voltage condition on the serial data bus for a duration based on the time period, and, after the duration, cause a return to a default voltage condition on the serial data bus.