Storage Chip Sequence Number Adaptation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Compatible imaging cartridges face issues with sequence number compatibility, leading to increased costs and user inconvenience due to the need for complex selection mechanisms and potential unusability when the same sequence number is recorded by the imaging device.

Innovation Solution

A storage chip with a communication unit, control unit, and storage unit that autonomously detects and changes sequence numbers based on preset conditions and strategies, allowing for convenient replacement of sequence numbers without requiring user intervention or bulky selection modules.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a storage chip stores multiple different sequence numbers and uses a jumper switch or combined switch for selection, then the sequence number compatibility is improved, but the device complexity increases and ease of operation deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesequence number compatibilityVSAvoidselection mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The storage chip automatically detects whether the current sequence number has been recorded by the imaging device and autonomously switches to a different sequence number from its stored set. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for manual intervention via jumper switches or combined switches, resolving the contradiction by maintaining sequence number compatibility through automatic adaptation rather than complex user-operable selection mechanisms

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces the mechanical selection system (jumper switches or combined switches) with an electronic/digital automatic detection and switching system. The control unit electronically determines whether the current sequence number is recorded and automatically selects an alternative sequence number, substituting mechanical user interaction with electronic automation to reduce device complexity while maintaining adaptability

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If a storage chip stores multiple different sequence numbers and requires user selection through switches, then the sequence number compatibility is improved, but the ease of operation worsens due to inconvenient user interaction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesequence number compatibilityVSAvoiduser interaction convenience
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The storage chip performs self-service by automatically detecting sequence number conflicts and switching to alternative sequence numbers without requiring user interaction. The control unit monitors whether the current sequence number is recorded by the imaging device and autonomously selects a different sequence number from the plurality stored in the storage chip, eliminating the need for users to manually toggle switches or jumpers and thereby significantly improving ease of operation while maintaining sequence number compatibility

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

3Reliability

If the imaging device records the sequence number after the first storage chip is installed, then the reliability of identifying legal storage chips is improved, but the loss of time increases when subsequent storage chips with the same sequence number are installed

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvestorage chip legality identificationVSAvoidtime for detecting sequence number conflict
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The storage chip performs preliminary action by pre-storing multiple different sequence numbers before installation. When the control unit detects that the current sequence number has been recorded by the imaging device, it immediately switches to a different pre-stored sequence number from the plurality. This preliminary preparation of multiple sequence numbers allows for rapid conflict resolution without requiring extended detection time or user intervention, thus reducing time loss while maintaining reliable identification of legal storage chips

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP3597438B1Storage chip, method of changing a serial number and method of using storage chip
Publication Date: 2021.06.30 APEX MICROELECTRONICS CO LTD
  • EP3597438B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP3597438B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP3597438B1 patent drawingFigure 4

AI summary

Provided are a storage chip, an imaging cartridge, a method for changing a serial number and a method of using the storage chip. The storage chip includes a communication unit, a control unit and a storage unit; the storage unit stores information of multiple different serial numbers and mark information or access mark information about whether a currently-selected serial number is legal; the control unit determines whether the serial number information sent to the imaging device is determined as legal according to a preset strategy and autonomously changes the selected serial number information when a preset condition is satisfied according to the determination result, so that the method of changing the serial number of the storage chip is more convenient, user experience is greatly improved and the problem that the storage chips are unusable because of the same serial number can be solved.