Resistor Switching Circuit for Rewritable Consumable Chip Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing consumable chips in printing and imaging devices, which use EPROM as memory units, can only rewrite data once and have low recycle efficiency due to time-consuming erasure processes, making it difficult to modify information like cartridge models and production dates, and are not compatible with non-volatile memories that output high or low levels for data representation.
Innovation Solution
A resistor switching circuit with multiple resistance switching branches and a decoder that changes resistance values in a conductive loop of a signal line based on data output, allowing for easy modification and compatibility with non-volatile memories, enabling the consumable chip to communicate effectively with printing and imaging devices through voltage or current sources.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If EPROM is used as memory unit in consumable chip, then data can be stored and read by printing device, but data can only be rewritten once and erasure process is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the physical parameter of the memory interface by using a resistor switching circuit that converts digital data (0/1) into different resistance values. This allows the memory to be read by the printing device through resistance detection rather than direct voltage level reading, enabling use of non-volatile memories that were previously incompatible.
Solution Approach 2:
The resistor switching circuit acts as an intermediary between the non-volatile memory and the printing device's read interface. It translates the memory's output signals into resistance variations that the printing device can detect, bridging the compatibility gap without requiring changes to either the memory or the device.
2Productivity
If non-volatile memory outputting high or low levels is adopted, then data can be easily rewritten, but the output signal cannot be directly transmitted to printing device via signal line
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the voltage level parameter (high/low) into a resistance parameter through the switching circuit. Different resistance values are connected to the signal line based on the stored data, allowing the printing device to read non-volatile memory data through its existing voltage detection mechanism by measuring voltage drops across known resistances.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the direct voltage level signaling mechanism with a resistance-based signaling mechanism. Instead of transmitting data through voltage high/low levels directly on the signal line, the system uses different resistance values to encode data, which is then detected through voltage measurements.
3Reliability
If EPROM is used in consumable chip, then data can be stored, but modification of cartridge model and production date is difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The resistor switching circuit enables parameter transformation from voltage levels to resistance values, allowing non-volatile memory to interface with the printing device's read mechanism. This change in interface parameter enables easier data rewriting and modification while maintaining stable data storage capabilities.
Data Source
AI summary
A resistor switching circuit, a storage circuit and a consumable chip. The resistor switching circuit is used in the consumable chip, and includes a plurality of resistor switching branch circuits, the resistor switching branch circuit including a switching switch and a resistor, the switching switch and the resistor being connected in series in a conducting loop of a signal wire; and a decoder, connected to a data storage module in the consumable chip, and used for generating a switching instruction according to a signal output by the data storage module to control a switching switch of a corresponding resistor switching branch circuit to put a corresponding resistor into the conducting loop of the signal wire, so as to change a resistance value of the conducting loop of the signal wire.