I2C Slave Recognition via Selective Power Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
In image forming apparatuses, using customer replaceable unit memories (CRUMs) with electrically erasable programmable read-only memories (EEPROMs) having the same fixed address poses challenges in recognizing specific slaves due to high production costs and impossibility of communication through standard I2C bus when slaves have the same address.
Innovation Solution
An apparatus that includes a master controller and a power control unit to selectively supply power to a predetermined slave among multiple slaves with the same fixed address, using switches and a switch control unit to control power delivery based on a selection signal, allowing recognition and communication without altering the existing I2C interface.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple slaves are configured with different fixed addresses to enable recognition, then communication reliability is improved, but production cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the power supply parameter (VCC) from a constant state to a controllable variable state. By controlling the power supply to each slave device individually through switches, the system can selectively activate only the required slave device, enabling recognition and communication without requiring different fixed addresses for each slave.
2Ease of manufacture
If multiple slaves are configured with the same fixed address to reduce production cost, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but the ability to recognize specific slaves is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces switches and a power control unit as intermediary components between the master controller and the slave devices. These intermediaries enable the master controller to selectively power individual slaves based on address matching, thereby achieving slave recognition and selection without requiring the slaves to have different fixed addresses.
3Device complexity
If power is supplied to all slave devices simultaneously, then system simplicity is improved, but power consumption increases and recognition becomes impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the power supply dynamic by introducing controllable switches that can individually enable or disable power to each slave device. This dynamic power control allows the system to supply power only to the specific slave device that needs to be accessed, reducing overall power consumption while maintaining the ability to recognize and communicate with the selected slave.
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus to recognize memory devices, the apparatus including a plurality of slaves having the same fixed address, a master controller to supply power to the slaves and to output a signal to select a predetermined slave, and a power control unit to control power supplied to the slaves in response to the selection signal. The apparatus is capable of decreasing production cost by using a plurality of slaves which have the same fixed address, reducing the complexity in the manufacturing process, and providing an easier management of replaceable parts in the apparatus using the replaceable parts which include memory devices. In addition, the same fixed address can be used without changing an existing I2C interface bus, which is a standard interface.