Resistor Switching Circuit for Rewritable Consumable Chips
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing consumable chips in printing and imaging devices, which use EPROM memory, can only rewrite data once and have low recycle efficiency due to the difficulty in modifying information like the cartridge model and production date, and require time-consuming erasure processes, leading to increased costs.
Innovation Solution
A consumable chip with a resistor switching circuit and a 2/4 decoder that changes resistance values in the signal line based on input data, allowing for easy modification and improved recyclability by generating switching instructions for different resistance branches, suitable for non-volatile memory like flash memory.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If EPROM is used as memory unit in consumable chip, then data can be read by voltage or current source, but data can only be rewritten once and erasure is time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the memory type from EPROM to non-volatile memory (flash memory, EEPROM, etc.) that supports multiple write operations. This parameter change enables the consumable chip to be rewritten multiple times without time-consuming ultraviolet or X-ray erasure processes, thereby improving recycle efficiency while maintaining voltage/current source compatibility through the resistor switching circuit interface
2Productivity
If non-volatile memory is used to enable easy rewriting, then recycle efficiency improves, but data cannot be directly transmitted via signal line
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a resistor switching circuit as an intermediary between the non-volatile memory and the signal line. This circuit converts the digital data from memory into variable resistance values that can be sensed by voltage or current sources, enabling indirect data transmission while maintaining compatibility with existing printer interfaces
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces direct electrical signal transmission with a resistance-based encoding scheme. Instead of transmitting voltage or current signals directly representing data, the system uses variable resistance values to encode data, which is then detected by measuring voltage drops or current changes in the signal line
3Ease of manufacture
If consumable chip is programmed in production process, then initial data is set, but modification is difficult and cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the consumable chip dynamically reconfigurable by using non-volatile memory that can be written multiple times. This allows the chip to transition from a static, one-time programmable state to a dynamic state where data can be modified throughout the product lifecycle, enabling model changes, production date updates, and recycling operations
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
Facilitates easy modification and maintenance of the consumable chip, enhancing recycle efficiency and compatibility with printing and imaging devices that access data through voltage or current sources.
Implementation Method 1
the resistor switching circuit includes four resistance switching branches, with resistance values of resistors in the four resistance switching branches being different from each other
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
A resistor switching circuit, a storage circuit and a consumable chip. The resistor switching circuit is used in the consumable chip, and comprises a plurality of resistor switching branch circuits, the resistor switching branch circuit comprising 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. The consumable chip comprising the resistor switching circuit is easy to modify, and is suitable for a printing imaging device that accesses data of the consumable chip by using a voltage source and a current source, so that it is convenient to maintain the consumable chip.