Thermal Head Identification via Multiplexed Signal Lines
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional printing apparatuses can only acquire the number of heat-generating elements in thermal heads, lacking the ability to gather other essential information without adding a new signal line, which is costly and inefficient.
Innovation Solution
A printing apparatus with a logical circuit mounted on the thermal head, utilizing existing signal lines for acquiring identification and specification information, including using the print data signal line, latch signal line, clock signal line, power supply signal line, and ground signal line to output identification information without requiring additional signal lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If a new special signal line is added to acquire information about the thermal head, then information acquisition capability is improved, but device complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes existing signal lines perform multiple functions: they both control the thermal head operation and transmit identification information. The print data signal line, latch signal line, clock signal line, power supply signal line, and ground signal line are all utilized to convey identification information during specific time periods, eliminating the need for dedicated information acquisition lines.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the control signal transmission function and identification information transmission function into the same signal lines. By multiplexing existing signal lines to serve dual purposes, the system reduces the total number of signal lines required while maintaining both control and information acquisition capabilities.
2Device complexity
If existing signal lines are used for information acquisition, then device complexity is reduced, but signal interference may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs periodic time-division multiplexing where identification information is transmitted during specific time periods when the corresponding signal lines are not actively controlling the thermal head. For example, identification information is sent during periods when the latch signal is inactive, and clock signals are used to synchronize the transmission of identification data during idle cycles.
Solution Approach 2:
The system acquires identification information during idle periods before actual printing operations begin. The control circuit receives and stores identification information from the thermal head during time periods when no printing control signals are being transmitted, ensuring information is ready before needed without interfering with subsequent printing operations.
Data Source
AI summary
A thermal printer has an identification information holding circuit that has identification information, a line thermal head in which the identification information holding circuit is mounted, a control signal line through which a signal that controls the line thermal head is transmitted, a memory that stores specification information about the line thermal head corresponding to the identification information, and a controller that acquires the identification information that has been output from the identification information holding circuit through the control signal line and also acquires the specification information about the line thermal head from the memory according to the acquired identification information.