Consumable Chip Two-Line Communication for Reliable Contacts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing image-forming apparatuses require a large number of electrical contact points on consumable chips due to the use of a 4-wire I2C interface, which increases complexity and reduces contact reliability.
Innovation Solution
A consumable chip design that utilizes two signal lines and dedicated connection pins for communication with the image-forming control unit, reducing the number of electrical contact points to two and enabling faster, more reliable communication through a power supply circuit, demodulation circuit, and modulation circuit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If a 4-wire I2C interface is used for communication between the image-forming control unit and the consumable chip, then communication functionality is achieved, but the number of electrical contact points increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the power supply lines to serve dual purposes: providing power to the consumable chip and simultaneously transmitting communication signals. This allows the consumable chip to communicate with the image-forming control unit using only two electrical contact points (power and ground) instead of four, thereby reducing contact points while maintaining communication functionality through modulation and demodulation circuits that encode data onto power line voltage variations.
2Reliability
If a 4-wire I2C interface is used for communication, then communication is established, but the contact reliability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies multi-functionality by enabling the power supply lines to serve dual purposes: providing power to the consumable chip and simultaneously transmitting communication signals. This allows the consumable chip to communicate with the image-forming control unit using only two electrical contact points (power and ground) instead of four, thereby reducing contact points while maintaining communication functionality through modulation and demodulation circuits that encode data onto power line voltage variations.
3Speed
If traditional communication interface is used, then compatibility is maintained, but communication speed is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies parameter changes by modulating the voltage level on the power supply line to encode communication signals. Instead of using a dedicated signal line with fixed voltage levels, the system varies the voltage parameter of the power line dynamically to represent binary data (0s and 1s), enabling faster communication speeds while maintaining compatibility through standardized modulation protocols that can be recognized by both the consumable chip and the image-forming control unit.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides a consumable chip, a consumable, an image-forming apparatus, a communication method, and a detection method. The consumable chip includes the first connection terminal, configured to be connected to the first connection pin when the consumable is installed on the image-forming apparatus; the second connection terminal, configured to be connected to the second connection pin when the consumable is installed on the image-forming apparatus; the power supply circuit, configured to convert the first input signal and the second input signal received through the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal into a DC voltage to supply power to the microcontroller; the demodulation circuit, configured to demodulate the first input signal and the second input signal to obtain demodulated signals; and the modulation circuit, configured to send modulation signals to the image-forming control unit through the first connection terminal and the second connection terminal.