Variable-Threshold Feedback Circuit for Consumable Chip Verification

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing consumable chips for imaging devices face challenges in passing verification due to the need for specific feedback voltages, which are not adequately addressed by current technologies, leading to issues with counterfeit or defective components being identified and validated.

Innovation Solution

A consumable chip with a variable threshold feedback circuit that includes four feedback units connected in parallel, each with different transistor configurations, allowing the control unit to select and output various feedback voltages to match the verification requirements of the imaging device, using common MOS transistors for simplicity and cost-effectiveness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a consumable chip uses a fixed feedback voltage circuit, then the circuit structure is simple, but it cannot pass verification by imaging devices that require specific feedback voltages

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefeedback voltage adaptabilityVSAvoidcircuit structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The feedback circuit transitions from a fixed structure to a dynamic selectable structure. The control unit receives verification commands from the imaging device and dynamically selects which feedback unit to activate based on the required feedback voltage, enabling the circuit to adapt to different verification requirements while maintaining a relatively simple overall architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The feedback circuit is divided into four independent feedback units, each configured to output a specific feedback voltage. This segmentation allows the control unit to select only the required feedback unit based on the verification command, avoiding the need to implement all possible feedback voltage generation circuits simultaneously, thus balancing adaptability with circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

2Reliability

If the consumable chip implements multiple feedback voltage options, then it can pass more verification types, but the circuit complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveverification passing rateVSAvoidfeedback circuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The circuit uses dynamic selection controlled by the control unit to activate only the necessary feedback unit based on the verification command received from the imaging device. This approach ensures high reliability by providing multiple feedback voltage options while maintaining controlled complexity through selective activation rather than permanent implementation of all feedback paths.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The feedback circuit is designed as a multi-functional system where a single circuit structure can provide multiple feedback voltage outputs by selecting different feedback units. This universal design allows the same circuit to satisfy multiple verification requirements, improving reliability without proportionally increasing overall circuit complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If common MOS transistors are used in feedback units, then manufacturing cost and simplicity improve, but precision in voltage output may be limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidfeedback voltage precision
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSManufacturing precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent adjusts the width-to-length ratio parameters of the MOS transistors in each feedback unit to achieve different feedback voltage outputs. By carefully selecting these geometric parameters during design, the circuit can generate precise voltage levels using common, easily manufactured MOS transistors, thus balancing manufacturing simplicity with voltage output precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3549772B1Feedback circuit of variable threshold, consumable chip, and consumable
Publication Date: 2022.11.09 HANGZHOU CHIPJET TECH CO LTD
  • EP3549772B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3549772B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3549772B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present invention relates to the technical field of printer consumables, in particular to a threshold variable feedback circuit, a consumable chip and a consumable. The feedback circuit comprises a control unit; a feedback module that comprises four different feedback units connected in parallel between the output terminal and the ground; each one of the feedback units comprises a gating component and feedback component that are connected in series between the output terminal and the ground; the control unit is electrically connected with the gating component of each one of the feedback units such that the feedback module selects and outputs an electrical signal of one of the feedback units to the output terminal. Selecting different feedback units can generate different feedback voltages to respond to the verification requirements of the imaging device, so that the consumable can pass the verification of the imaging device.