Contact Connectivity Verification via Shared Line State Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Electronic devices with shared lines face challenges in determining and verifying individual contact connectivity, which is crucial for troubleshooting, safety, and reliability, especially in printers where incorrect handling can lead to contamination or damage of contact pads.
Innovation Solution
The electronic device employs a method to determine connectivity by setting states on shared and individual lines, using combinations of states to enable and disable pull circuits, and measuring resistance to detect open connections, allowing for individual validation of each contact even when they share a line.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If multiple contacts share a common line to reduce device complexity, then device complexity is reduced, but individual contact connectivity cannot be determined
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the testing process by sequentially isolating each contact through controlled states of shared lines. By setting specific combinations of shared lines to high or low states, each contact can be individually tested despite sharing common lines, enabling precise connectivity determination without increasing overall device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs dynamic line state changes to enable individual contact testing. Shared lines are dynamically switched between high and low states in different test sequences, allowing the system to differentiate between contacts that share lines. This dynamic approach maintains device simplicity while achieving precise measurement.
2Device complexity
If shared lines are used to connect multiple contacts, then device complexity is reduced, but troubleshooting and reliability verification become difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary connectivity verification by systematically testing each contact before full operation. Through predefined test sequences that set shared lines to specific states, the system proactively identifies open contacts, ensuring reliability before the device enters normal operation mode.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback mechanisms where test results from each contact are analyzed and used to determine overall system readiness. The system provides feedback about contact connectivity status, enabling reliable operation only when all necessary contacts are verified as connected.
3Reliability
If individual contact testing is implemented to improve reliability, then contact connectivity verification is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes shared lines multi-functional by using them both for normal signal transmission and for connectivity testing. The same shared lines that carry operational signals are repurposed for testing by setting them to specific high or low states, eliminating the need for separate dedicated test lines and avoiding increased device complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The system performs self-diagnosis by using its own shared lines and contacts to test connectivity. The device tests itself without requiring external testing equipment or additional complex test circuits, achieving reliable verification while maintaining simplicity through self-service functionality.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach enables accurate verification of electrical connectivity for each contact, improving troubleshooting, safety, and reducing user returns and service calls by detecting open connections and providing indicators for faulty contacts.
Implementation Method 1
the circuitry is to determine whether each contact is connected based on the state of the shared line and the state of the individual line
Data Source
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AI summary
Examples of an electronic device are described. In some examples, the electronic device includes a first shared line of a plurality of first contacts to respectively connect to a plurality of integrated circuits, a plurality of second lines of respective second contacts to respectively connect to the plurality of integrated circuits, and a third shared line of a plurality of third contacts to respectively connect to the plurality of integrated circuits. In some examples, the electronic device includes circuitry to determine whether one of the third contacts is connected to an integrated circuit based on a state of the first shared line and a state of one of the second lines that is associated with the one of the third contacts.