WO2015032205A1

WO2015032205A1 - Memory group and imaging box

Info

Publication number: WO2015032205A1
Application number: PCT/CN2014/075610
Authority: WO
Inventors: 丁励; 刘卫臣; 陈浩
Original assignee: 珠海艾派克微电子有限公司
Priority date: 2013-09-06
Filing date: 2014-04-17
Publication date: 2015-03-12
Also published as: CN104417071A; CN104417071B

Abstract

A memory group and an imaging box. The memory group can be mounted in an imaging device. The memory group at least comprises a first memory and a second memory. The first memory determines and analyzes an instruction of the imaging device. By inserting call information on a communications bus at proper time according to an access address and the number of access bytes in the instruction, the second memory can timely send second information to the imaging device according to the inserted call information, so that in a case in which communication between the imaging device and the memory group is not interfered with, instructions of the imaging device can be smoothly responded between the memories.

Description

Memory bank and imaging cartridge

Technical field

The present invention relates to print imaging technology, and more particularly to a memory set and an imaging cassette. Background technique

The image forming apparatus includes at least a thermal transfer image forming apparatus, an ink jet image forming apparatus, and an electrophotographic image forming apparatus (e.g., a laser printer and an LED printer). In the imaging process, the imaging device needs to consume a large amount of coloring agent, and after the consumption, it is necessary to supplement these coloring agents. Therefore, a replaceable imaging cartridge is often installed in the image forming apparatus, and the image forming cartridge is loaded with a coloring agent. When the coloring agent in the imaging cartridge is consumed, the user can purchase a new imaging cartridge to mount into the imaging device. In recent years, in order to manage the needs of the imaging cartridge, an information storage device, i.e., a cassette chip, has been disposed on the imaging cartridge. In the cartridge chip, information about the imaging cartridge, such as date of manufacture, color type/color, manufacturer, authentication information, colorant capacity, and colorant remaining amount, are generally stored.

Existing image forming apparatuses have been upgraded from original monochrome printing to multi-color printing, and thus an image forming apparatus is often provided with a plurality of image forming cartridges each accommodating different types/colors of colorants. Therefore, in order to accommodate an imaging device, it is necessary to configure a plurality of cartridge chips. These cassette chips also store the various parameters mentioned above. Among these parameters, there are a variety of changeable information and immutable information. For example, the above manufacturer and colorant capacity information are unchangeable information. It can be seen that if the information is not stored, it needs a larger capacity. Programmable memory, the cost will be higher. To this end, the information in the cartridge chip can be classified, the changeable information can be stored in the programmable memory, and the immutable information can be stored in the read-only memory. Since the read-only memory is simple in structure and low in cost, Thus, the cost of the cartridge chip can be reduced. Since the imaging device is the host and the cartridge chip is the client, the communication rules and timing between the imaging device and the cartridge chip are controlled by the imaging device, but after the information is classified, how the cooperative memory and the read-only memory cooperate to cope with the imaging The equipment instructions are not yet fully implemented. Not only is the cooperation between the programmable memory and the read-only memory limited, but the same problem exists in cooperation between other identical types or different types of memories in response to instructions of the imaging device. Summary of the invention

To improve cooperation between two memories, the present invention provides a memory bank and an imaging cartridge. Wherein, the memory group is installable into the imaging device, the memory group includes at least a first memory and a second memory, the first memory and the second memory being connected to the imaging device through a same communication bus, the communication bus including the power line The clock line and the data line, the imaging device sends an instruction to the first memory and the second memory through the data line, the first memory stores the box chip identification information and the first information, and the first information is stored according to a preset addressing rule. The second memory storage box chip identification information and the second information, the second information is also stored according to a preset addressing rule, and the access address of the second information is associated with the access address of the first information, the first memory And determining whether the chip chip identification information in the received instruction is the same as the chip chip identification information stored in the first memory, and if the same, acquiring an access address and an access byte number from the received instruction; a cartridge for determining whether the chip chip identification information in the received command is related to the second memory The slice identification information is the same, if the same, the second memory is marked; the first memory is further configured to determine whether the acquired access address and the number of access bytes access the second information stored in the second memory, if And inserting call information on the communication bus before the second memory is required to send the second information, where the information of the communication between the call information and the imaging device and the first memory is different;

The second memory is further configured to determine whether call information is inserted on the communication bus, and if so, to transmit the second information to the imaging device through the data line when the second memory has been marked.

The present invention also provides an imaging cartridge that is mounted with the first memory and the second memory described above.

The memory group and the imaging cartridge provided by the present invention determine and analyze the instruction of the imaging device by the first memory, and according to the access address and the number of access bytes in the instruction, the call information can be inserted on the communication bus in a timely manner, second The memory can send the second information to the imaging device in time according to the inserted call information, skillfully avoiding the control of the imaging device, and can smoothly cooperate between the memories without interfering with the communication between the imaging device and the memory group. Responsive imaging device

DRAWINGS

Figure 1 shows a partial data diagram of the original box chip storage; 2 is a schematic diagram of part of data stored by the memory bank provided by the present invention; FIG. 3 is an information mapping table of memory storage of the original original box chip; FIG. 4 is an image forming apparatus and a box chip. Communication bus timing diagram for communication; FIG. 5 is an information mapping table stored in the first memory of the present invention;

Figure 6 is an information mapping table stored in the second memory of the present invention;

Figure 7 shows a method of inserting call information on the communication bus;

Figure 8 shows another method of inserting call information on the communication bus;

Figure 9 is a flow chart of a method for replacing a cartridge chip provided by the present invention;

Figure 10 shows the method by which the first memory monitors the data line and transmits the information. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Various aspects of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

The structural difference between the memory bank provided in this embodiment and the prior art chip chip can be explained by using FIG. 1 and FIG. Figure 1 shows a partial data diagram of the original box (OEM) chip storage. In the figure, the original box chip A and the original box chip B both store the first information and the second information. In addition to these two kinds of information, it is possible Other information (not shown) is stored, and the original box chip A and the original box chip B are connected to the image forming apparatus through the same communication bus. The original box chip needs at least a storage space for storing the first information and the second information. In contrast, as shown in FIG. 2, FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of partial data stored by the memory bank provided by the present invention. The memory bank provided by the present invention includes at least a first memory storing first information and a second memory storing second information. Since the first memory and the second memory are connected to the imaging device through the same communication bus, when the imaging device needs to access the first information, the first memory can be provided to the imaging device, and when the imaging device needs to access the second information, the second device can be The memory is provided to the imaging device, and the imaging device does not prompt a malfunction because the required information is not accessed.

The aforementioned original box chip refers to a box chip designed by the manufacturer of the image forming apparatus and sold together with the image forming box. The box chip generally includes a memory for storing data, and the original box chip stores a large amount of data about the image forming box. For example, date of manufacture, colorant type/color, manufacturer, certification sequence information, number of printed pages, colorant capacity, and amount of colorant remaining. These ones In the data, such as the date of manufacture, the manufacturer, the colorant capacity, and the authentication sequence information, all of which belong to the read-only information of the imaging cartridge, the imaging device does not rewrite these read-only information during the printing and imaging process; and the number of printed pages and the colorant Rewriteable information that changes as the process of printing is imaged.

The memory group provided in this embodiment can be classified into different memories according to the characteristics of the data, and the changeable information is stored in the programmable memory, and the unchangeable read-only information is stored only in the memory. The memory in the read memory or the readout circuit is simple and the circuit is complicated to be erased. Since the read-only memory has a simple structure and low cost, the cost of the chip chip can be reduced. The programmable memory for storing information in the memory group of the present invention may be a common non-volatile memory such as EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH, ferroelectric memory, phase change memory, etc., or may be powered by volatile memory. The power supply scheme, such as SRAM + battery or capacitor, DRAM + battery or capacitor; and read-only memory can use the above listed memory, or can be a One Time Programmable Memory (OTP).

Since each of the memories does not need to store both the first information and the second information, it can be stored with a smaller capacity memory, and can be classified and stored according to the type of information in the original box chip. When the first information is the read-only information, that is, the data cannot be rewritten, and the second information is the rewritable data, it can be understood that the first information and the second information are both a set, and the first memory can be used. The rewritten memory, the second memory uses a rewritable memory, and since the unrewritable memory structure is simple and inexpensive, the cost of the entire memory bank can be further reduced. In addition, the first information may also be the authentication sequence information in the read-only information, and the second information is other information than the authentication sequence information. In this case, the first memory is used for the imaging device authentication, which requires relatively complicated logic processing. Unit, and the second memory is only used to store data, and does not require a complicated logic processing unit. When each original box chip requires a complicated logic processing unit, the memory group of the present invention only needs one of them to have a complicated logic processing unit. The rest only need to have the ability to store data, so the use of complex logic processing units can be reduced, thereby reducing the cost of the entire memory bank.

In order to facilitate the understanding of the present invention, it is assumed below that the information stored in the memory of the original cartridge chip is as shown in the information storage table of the memory storage of the original cartridge chip as contemplated in FIG. The first information is stored at address 01 to address 10, the second information is stored at addresses 11 through 20, and the information for each address is one byte. Since all the original box chips are hung on the same communication bus, in order to identify each other, each box chip has a separate identification information (Identification, ID). And stored in address 00. The cartridge chip identification information can also be understood as the identification information of the imaging cartridge. Since a plurality of imaging cartridges loaded with different color/type colorants are detachably mounted on the imaging device, the cartridge chip identification information is mainly used to distinguish different imaging cartridges. That is, the cartridge identification information can be represented by the color/type of the colorant.

A communication bus timing diagram for communication between the imaging device and the cartridge chip shown in FIG. 4, the communication bus including a clock line (CLK), a serial data line (SDA), and a power line (VCC), and the imaging device passes the serial data The instructions sent by the line (SDA) include the operation information, the chip chip ID, the access address, and the number of bytes accessed, and may also include other related data. When the chip chip ID in the chip chip determination command is the same as the chip chip ID stored by itself, the confirmation command is sent to itself, and then according to the operation information (read or write), the access address, and the number of access bytes, Perform the appropriate processing.

As shown in FIG. 2, the present invention provides a memory group mountable into an image forming apparatus, the memory group including at least a first memory and a second memory, the first memory and the second memory being connected to each other through a same communication bus Imaging device (not shown). As shown in FIG. 4, the communication bus includes a power line, a clock line, and a data line, and the imaging device transmits an instruction to the first memory and the second memory through the data line. When the first information and the second information in FIG. 3 are respectively stored in two memories, the same addressing rule is adopted, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, which shows the first memory storage of the present invention. The information mapping table, shown in Fig. 6 is the information mapping table stored in the second memory of the present invention. The first memory stores the chip identification information and the first information, and the first information is stored according to a preset addressing rule, where the predetermined addressing rule is a rule for storing the information to a specific memory address, such as the lower address in FIG. 01 starts storing the first information until the upper address is 10. The second memory stores the box chip identification information and the second information, the second information is also stored according to a preset addressing rule, and the access address of the second information is associated with the access address of the first information, or 6 stores the second information from the relatively lower address 11 until the upper address 20, and the address of the second information is after the address of the first information. Of course, the address relationship between the first information and the second information is not limited thereto. .

The first memory is configured to determine whether the chip chip identification information in the received instruction is the same as the box identification information stored in the first memory. If the same, the access address and the number of access bytes are obtained from the received instruction. According to the obtained access address and the number of access bytes, it is possible to know the range of information to be accessed by the instruction, for example, if the access address is 02 and the number of access bytes is 3 bytes. It means that the information to be accessed by the instruction is data of 3 bytes from the access address 02 to the access address 04.

The second memory is configured to determine whether the chip chip identification information in the received command is the same as the box identification information stored in the second memory, and if the same, mark the second memory. There are a number of ways to mark the second memory, one way is to store a tag information in the second memory. When the second memory determines that the chip chip identification information in the received command is different from the box identification information stored in the second memory, the flag information is cleared; or the second memory marks the power line when the power line is powered off or powered on again. Information is cleared.

The first memory is further configured to determine whether the acquired access address and the number of access bytes access the second information stored in the second memory, and if so, before the second memory is required to send the second information, on the communication bus The call information is inserted, and the information of the communication between the call information and the imaging device and the first memory is different. Obviously, if the information stored in the first memory and the second memory is as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, in the instruction received by the first memory, the access address is 08, and the number of access bytes is 2 bytes. The second information stored in the second memory is not accessed; if the access address is 08 and the number of access bytes is 4 bytes, then the address 11 stored in the second memory needs to be accessed, that is, the second information needs to be accessed. After the first memory sends the first information corresponding to the access address and the number of access bytes, the second memory should further continue to send the second information corresponding to the access address and the number of access bytes, due to the first memory and the second The memories are connected by a communication bus, and the first memory needs to tell the second memory when the second memory should start transmitting the second information through the communication bus before the second memory transmits the second information. The present invention employs a method of inserting call information on a communication bus.

A timing diagram for performing normal communication between the imaging device and the first memory is as shown in FIG. 4. In order not to affect communication between the imaging device and the first memory, the present invention has various methods for inserting call information on the communication bus. The method is a method of inserting call information on the communication bus as shown in FIG. In FIG. 7, assuming that the information sent by the first memory on the data line is SDA1 and the information sent by the second memory is SDA2, the first memory is inserted on the clock line (CLK) before the second memory is required to send the second information. The call information Δ ν , the call information Δ ν is a small range of voltage fluctuations and appears in the clock period of the last bit of data transmitted by the first memory. The first memory generates call information Δ ν, which can reduce the resistance between the clock terminal and the ground terminal in a short time, and release a large current, thereby reducing the clock line (CLK) in a short time, and then fast. The speed returns to normal.

Inserting the call information on the communication bus may also employ another method of inserting call information on the communication bus as shown in Fig. 8. Unlike the call signal Δν in Fig. 7, the call signal Δν in Fig. 7 continues at least. For half a clock cycle, the call signal duration in Figure 8 is less than half a clock cycle. The first memory inserts call information on the clock line (CLK) before the second memory is required to send the second information SDA2, and the call information is also a small range of voltage fluctuations, and the clock of the last bit data transmitted in the first memory Within the cycle. The call information is not limited to the small-range buck in the figure, or it can be a small-range boost. Call information can also be generated on other communication buses, such as power lines (VCC) or data lines (SDA). In addition to the change in signal amplitude shown in Figures 7 and 8, it can also be a change in signal duration, such as shortening or lengthening the normal waveform duration when a call message needs to be inserted.

The second memory is further configured to determine whether call information is inserted on the bus, and if so, send the second information to the imaging device through the data line when the second memory has been marked, that is, the second memory is already marked At the time, the above call information will be monitored on the communication bus. In order to collect call information on the communication bus, the sampling circuit and other related circuits are often required to be set on the second memory. As described above, when the second memory determines that the call information is inserted on the communication bus, it also determines whether it has been marked. If both of the conditions are satisfied, the second memory is stored in the second memory through the data line. information. As described above, if the second memory is not required to transmit all the second information to the imaging device, the first memory also needs to insert new call information into the communication bus before the second memory should stop transmitting the information, to notify the The second memory stops continuing to send the second information.

In order to reduce the power consumption, the second memory can also start monitoring whether the above-mentioned call information appears on the communication bus only when the second memory is marked. In the case that the above two conditions of the second memory are satisfied, the second information may be sent in the clock cycle in which the call information appears; the response speed of the second memory may also be considered, and the first memory is advanced (Ν greater than or equal to 1) The clock cycle inserts the call information into the communication bus, and the second memory begins transmitting the second message after the clock cycle.

It can be seen that the memory group provided by the present invention determines and analyzes the instruction of the imaging device by the first memory, and can insert the call information on the communication bus according to the access address and the number of access bytes in the instruction, the second memory. According to the inserted call information, the imaging device can be timely Sending the second information, subtly bypassing the control of the imaging device, can smoothly cooperatively respond to the instructions of the imaging device between the first memory and the second memory without interfering with the communication of the imaging device with the memory bank.

Since the function of combining the first memory and the second memory in this embodiment is equivalent to the existing box chip, the memory group in this embodiment may also be collectively referred to as a box chip. The first memory and the second memory may be separately disposed on two independent circuit substrates as needed, or the first memory and the second memory may be disposed on the same circuit substrate. When the first memory and the second memory are respectively disposed on different circuit substrates, one of the circuit substrates can be selectively replaced depending on whether or not the memory is defective, without replacing the two memories to cause usable memory waste. Thereby achieving the purpose of saving maintenance costs.

Embodiment 2

The present invention also provides an imaging cartridge for mounting into an image forming apparatus, characterized in that the image forming cartridge is mounted with the memory group in the above embodiment, that is, the first memory and the second memory.

Embodiment 3

The present invention also provides a method of replacing a cartridge chip. Suitable for recycling imaging cartridges and recycling

(Reconstruct ion) Imaging industry and other industries. The image forming cartridge obtained by the recycling method is generally provided with a used cartridge chip, and the coloring agent in the image forming cartridge is also consumed. Therefore, after cleaning and refilling the imaging cartridge, it is also necessary to replace the cartridge chip on the imaging cartridge to complete the recycling or regeneration process. In this embodiment, it is conceivable to replace the used box chips on the plurality of imaging cartridges with the memory group obtained in the first embodiment. The method is shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a flow chart of a method for replacing a cartridge chip provided by the present invention.

Step S21, removing the original box chip from the imaging box;

Step S22, installing the first memory and the second memory onto the imaging box.

The first memory and the second memory in the above embodiment are mounted on the imaging cartridge. When the first memory and the second memory are respectively disposed on the independent circuit substrate, two circuit substrates need to be installed; when the first memory and the second memory are both disposed on the same circuit substrate, only the conventional method can be used. It is ok to install a circuit board.

It can be seen that with the method of replacing the cartridge chip of the embodiment, the cost of the recovered or regenerated imaging cartridge can be made lower. Embodiment 4

In the first embodiment, the first memory determines the chip chip identification information in the received command and obtains the access address and the number of access bytes according to the judgment result. The second memory also judges the chip chip identification information in the received command and marks it according to the judgment result. In order to make the second memory simpler, the second memory may be configured to no longer judge the instruction sent by the imaging device, but delay monitoring the data change on the data line in a single clock cycle, and automatically send the data when the preset condition is met. Go out.

The first memory, according to the result of the determining instruction, when the imaging device needs to access the first information of the first memory, the first memory and the original box chip perform the instruction normally; and when the first memory determines that the imaging device needs Accessing the second information of the second memory, the first memory no longer transmits the first information. The second memory always monitors the information changes on the data line to determine whether the second information needs to be sent. Figure 10 shows the method of monitoring the signal of the first memory and transmitting the information. As shown in FIG. 10, the first memory transmits SDA1 information on the data line, and the second memory starts monitoring and timing at the rising edge of the signal in a single clock cycle, and determines whether there is information on the data line (SDA) for transmission, timing. When the preset time T1 is reached, if the second memory confirms that no signal is being transmitted during this time, the second information SDA2 is sent to the data line after the preset time π.

Since the second memory does not need to respond to instructions from the imaging device throughout the process, the second memory can be designed to be simpler.

A person skilled in the art can understand that all or part of the steps of implementing the above method embodiments may be implemented by hardware related to program instructions, and the foregoing program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, when executed, The steps of the foregoing method embodiments are performed; and the foregoing storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as ROM, RAM, disk or optical disk.

Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are only for explaining the technical solutions of the present invention, and are not intended to be limiting thereof; although the present invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that The technical solutions described in the foregoing embodiments may be modified, or some or all of the technical features may be equivalently replaced; and the modifications or substitutions do not deviate from the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention. range.

Claims

claims

1. A memory group, the memory group can be installed into an imaging device, the memory group includes at least a first memory and a second memory, the first memory and the second memory are connected to the imaging device through the same communication bus , the communication bus includes a power line, a clock line and a data line. The imaging device sends instructions to the first memory and the second memory through the data line. It is characterized in that the first memory stores the box chip identification information and the first information. The first information It is stored according to the preset addressing rules. The second memory stores the box chip identification information and the second information. The second information is also stored according to the preset addressing rules, and the access address of the second information is the same as the first information. The access address of the information is associated;

The first memory is used to determine whether the box chip identification information in the received instruction is the same as the box chip identification information stored in the first memory. If they are the same, obtain the access address and the number of access bytes from the received instruction;

The second memory is used to determine whether the cartridge chip identification information in the received instruction is the same as the cartridge chip identification information stored in the second memory. If they are the same, the second memory is marked; the first memory is also used to determine the acquisition. Whether the access address and access byte number access the second information stored in the second memory, if so, insert call information on the communication bus before the second memory is required to send the second information, and the call information is the same as The form of information communicated between the imaging device and the first memory is different;

The second memory is also used to determine whether call information has been inserted on the communication bus. If so, send the second information to the imaging device through the data line when the second memory has been marked.

2. The memory group according to claim 1, wherein the first information is rewritable information, and the second information is non-rewritable information.

3. The memory set according to claim 2, characterized in that: the first memory includes a rewritable memory, the first information is stored in the rewritable memory; the second memory includes a non-rewritable memory. memory, and the second information is stored in the non-rewritable memory.

4. An imaging box, characterized in that the imaging box is equipped with the memory group according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. A memory group, the memory group can be installed into an imaging device, the memory group at least includes a first memory and a second memory, the first memory and the second memory pass The same communication bus is connected to the imaging device. The communication bus includes a power line, a clock line and a data line. The imaging device sends instructions to the first memory and the second memory through the data line, characterized in that,

The first memory stores the cartridge chip identification information and the first information, and the second memory stores the second information; the first memory determines the cartridge chip identification information in the received instruction and obtains the access address and access byte according to the judgment result. number;

The second memory does not judge the instructions sent by the imaging device, but monitors changes at the rising edge of the signal within a single clock cycle on the data line. If no signal transmission is monitored within the preset time, the second memory will be sent after the preset time. Second information is sent to the data line.