CRUM Apparuses Power Extraction from Clock Signal Periods
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image forming apparatuses face challenges in accurately determining the replacement timing for consumable components like ink or toner, leading to suboptimal print quality and inefficient resource management.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a CRUM (Customer Replacement Unit Monitoring) apparatus that uses an enhanced communication method, eI2C, to manage consumable data and power extraction from a clock signal, allowing for adaptive communication speed adjustments and efficient consumable management.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If power is extracted from clock signal using single-period charging, then power extraction is simple, but power extraction efficiency is insufficient to maintain stable operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies periodic action by utilizing two different clock signal periods (first period and second period) to charge the capacitor in two distinct phases. During the first period, the capacitor charges through a first path, and during the second period, it charges through a second path. This periodic alternation between two charging phases enables sufficient power extraction to maintain stable CRUM apparatus operation while keeping the power extraction circuit relatively simple.
2Productivity
If communication speed is increased for faster data transmission, then productivity improves, but power consumption increases requiring larger power extraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the clock signal period adjustable rather than fixed. The system can dynamically switch between a first period for normal communication and a second period for power extraction optimization. This dynamic adjustment allows the system to adapt communication speed and power extraction requirements to different operational conditions, enabling faster communication when needed while ensuring sufficient power extraction during dedicated phases.
3Device complexity
If CRUM apparatus operates without separate power terminal, then device complexity is reduced, but power extraction from clock signal becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by implementing periodic action with two distinct clock signal periods. The first period enables normal communication operations, while the second period is specifically optimized for power extraction to charge the capacitor. This periodic alternation ensures that the CRUM apparatus can operate reliably without a separate power terminal, as the dedicated second period provides sufficient power extraction to maintain stable operation throughout the communication cycle.
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 solution enables precise determination of consumable replacement needs, improves print quality by optimizing consumable usage, and reduces operational costs through efficient resource management and stable power extraction without a separate power terminal.
Implementation Method 1
a power extraction circuit to extract power from the received clock signal
Data Source
AI summary
A CRUM apparatus includes a power extraction circuit that extracts power from a high value of a clock signal received from an image forming apparatus, and a control circuit activated by the power extracted by the power extraction circuit. The clock signal has high and low values alternately repeated in a first period in a data section and the high and low values alternately repeated in a second period different from the first period in a pause section. When the second period is changed to a fourth period in an idle section in which data transmission is prepared, the control circuit determines transmission and reception of a data signal to and from the image forming apparatus is to be performed at a third period different from the first period for a second data section after the idle section.