CN117435148A

CN117435148A - Communication method of consumable chip, consumable and image forming device

Info

Publication number: CN117435148A
Application number: CN202211159587.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 李钜辉
Original assignee: Jihai Microelectronics Co ltd
Current assignee: Jihai Microelectronics Co ltd
Priority date: 2022-07-15
Filing date: 2022-09-22
Publication date: 2024-01-23

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a communication method of consumable chip, consumable and image forming device, the method includes: transmitting first brand information to a host of the image forming device, wherein the first brand information is brand information corresponding to the consumable chip; and if the brand information switching condition is met, sending second brand information to the host, wherein the second brand information is brand information corresponding to the host. In this application embodiment, the consumable chip is based on brand information switching condition and selectively sends first brand information or second brand information to the host computer, not only can normally use compatible consumptive material, can not lead to the user to confuse the consumable source moreover.

Description

Communication method of consumable chip, consumable and image forming device

Technical Field

The application relates to the technical field of electronics, in particular to a communication method of a consumable chip, the consumable chip, consumable and an image forming device.

Background

With the development of printing image forming technology, image forming apparatuses such as printers, copiers, facsimile machines, word processors, and the like have been widely used. For ease of use, a consumable material that is convenient for a user to replace is generally mounted on a main body of the image forming apparatus. For example, consumable cartridges (e.g., ink cartridges, powder cartridges, cartridge, etc.) for containing recording materials (e.g., ink, carbon powder, etc.). When the recording material in the consumable cartridge is consumed, the user only needs to replace the consumable cartridge, and the image forming apparatus can be used continuously. In order to facilitate the management of consumables, consumable chips are generally disposed on the consumables. In the consumable chip, information about consumable materials such as manufacturer, type of recording material (carbon powder, ink), color, capacity, use condition, and the like is stored. Therefore, when a user installs the consumable into the host, the information stored by the consumable chip can be provided to the host, so that the host knows the basic information of the consumable. In addition, during the image forming operation, the host computer may also write update information of the consumable (e.g., the use condition of the recording material) into the consumable chip.

Consumable supplies used in the image forming apparatus include original consumable supplies and compatible consumable supplies. Wherein, the original consumable material refers to the consumable material which belongs to the same manufacturer (or brand) with the host of the image forming device; compatible consumables refer to consumables belonging to different manufacturers (or brands) from a host of an image forming apparatus. The consumable chip generally stores brand information of the consumable, and when the consumable is mounted on the host, the consumable chip generally transmits the brand information of the consumable to the host, so that the host prompts a user of a source of the consumable (original consumable or compatible consumable).

In some application scenarios, a portion of the image forming apparatus provides a value-added or advanced service/function that is allowed to be used only if the host recognizes that the consumable is a genuine consumable. In order to enable the image forming apparatus to install compatible consumables, the above-described value-added or advanced services/functions may be used, and one implementation scheme is: and storing brand information matched with the host in a consumable chip of the compatible consumable, so that the host considers the consumable as an original consumable. However, this implementation results in the user confusion as to the source of the consumable, i.e., the user cannot distinguish whether the consumable is an original consumable or a compatible consumable.

In other application scenarios, a portion of the image forming apparatus installs a particular version of firmware. For an image forming apparatus in which the specific version of firmware is installed, the consumable is allowed to be used only when the host recognizes that the consumable is an original consumable. In order to enable an image forming apparatus that installs the specific version of firmware to use compatible consumables, one implementation is: and storing brand information matched with the host in a consumable chip of the compatible consumable, so that the host considers the consumable as an original consumable. However, this implementation results in the user confusion as to the source of the consumable, i.e., the user cannot distinguish whether the consumable is an original consumable or a compatible consumable.

Disclosure of Invention

In view of this, the present application provides a communication method of consumable chips, a consumable chip, a consumable and an image forming apparatus, so as to solve the problem that in some specific application scenarios in the prior art, the image forming apparatus cannot use compatible consumable or a user confuses the source of consumable.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method of a consumable chip, including:

transmitting first brand information to a host of the image forming device, wherein the first brand information is brand information corresponding to the consumable chip;

And if the brand information switching condition is met, sending second brand information to the host, wherein the second brand information is brand information corresponding to the host.

In one possible implementation, the brand information switching condition includes: and receiving a preset access instruction.

In one possible implementation, the preset access instruction includes at least one of the following instructions:

consumable balance rewrite instructions, authentication instructions, subtraction instructions, reset instructions, initialization instructions, and non-first received multi-byte access instructions.

In one possible implementation, the sending the first brand information to the host of the image forming apparatus includes:

and when the consumable source prompting stage is in, sending first brand information to a host of the image forming device.

In one possible implementation, the brand information switching condition includes: the preset task needs to be performed.

In one possible implementation, the brand information switching condition includes: and receiving a brand information switching instruction triggered by a user.

In one possible implementation, the brand information switching condition includes: the number of times that the consumable chip is installed and identified by the host exceeds a preset installation identification number threshold.

In one possible implementation, the brand information switching condition includes: the number of times that the consumable chip is accessed by the host exceeds a preset access number threshold.

In one possible implementation, the second brand information is information stored in the consumable chip; or the second brand information is information obtained by calculating the consumable chip according to a preset algorithm.

In a second aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a consumable chip, including:

the storage module is used for storing the first brand information;

the interface module is used for sending first brand information to a host of the image forming device, wherein the first brand information is brand information corresponding to the consumable chip; and if the brand information switching condition is met, sending second brand information to the host, wherein the second brand information is the brand information corresponding to the host.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a consumable chip, including:

a processor;

a memory;

and a computer program, wherein the computer program is stored in the memory, the computer program comprising instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the consumable chip to perform the method of any one of the first aspects.

In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a consumable, including the consumable chip of the second aspect or the third aspect.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides an image forming apparatus, including a host and the consumable of the fourth aspect, where a consumable chip in the consumable is in communication connection with the host.

In this application embodiment, the consumable chip is based on brand information switching condition and selectively sends first brand information or second brand information to the host computer, not only can normally use compatible consumptive material, can not lead to the user to confuse the consumable source moreover.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the drawings that are needed in the embodiments will be briefly described below, it being obvious that the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and that other drawings may be obtained according to these drawings without inventive effort for a person skilled in the art.

Fig. 1 is a schematic structural view of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method of a consumable chip according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 3 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method of a consumable chip according to a first embodiment of the disclosure;

fig. 4 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method of a consumable chip according to a second embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method of a consumable chip according to a third embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a flow chart of a communication method of a consumable chip according to a fourth embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method of a consumable chip according to a fifth embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a flow chart of a communication method of a consumable chip according to a sixth embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a block diagram of a consumable chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of another consumable chip according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

For a better understanding of the technical solutions of the present application, embodiments of the present application are described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

It should be understood that the described embodiments are merely some, but not all, of the embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments, based on the embodiments herein, which would be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art without making any inventive effort, are intended to be within the scope of the present application.

The terminology used in the embodiments of the application is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. As used in this application and the appended claims, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

It should be understood that the term "and/or" as used herein is merely one way of describing an association of associated objects, meaning that there may be three relationships, e.g., a and/or b, which may represent: the first and second cases exist separately, and the first and second cases exist separately. In addition, the character "/" herein generally indicates that the front and rear associated objects are an "or" relationship.

Referring to fig. 1, a schematic structural diagram of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application is provided. As shown in fig. 1, the image forming apparatus includes a host and a consumable. Wherein the host is a part of the image forming apparatus that performs an image forming operation, and the consumable is a replaceable accessory in the image forming apparatus. Note that the embodiment of the present application does not particularly limit the type of the image forming apparatus, and for example, the image forming apparatus may be: inkjet printers, laser printers, 3D printers, label printers, pin printers, and the like. Accordingly, the consumable may be: ink cartridge, toner cartridge, ribbon cartridge, and the like.

In order to facilitate the management of consumables, a consumable chip is generally disposed on the consumable, and the consumable chip is an electronic device with a storage function. When the consumable is installed on the host computer, the consumable chip is in communication connection with the host computer. The communication connection may be a communication connection through a contact, an antenna, or a coil, which is not limited by the embodiments of the present application. In the consumable chip, information about consumable materials such as manufacturer, type of recording material (carbon powder, ink), color, capacity, use condition, and the like is stored. Therefore, when a user installs the consumable into the host, the information stored by the consumable chip can be provided to the host, so that the host knows the basic information of the consumable. In addition, during the image forming operation, the host computer may also write update information of the consumable (e.g., the use condition of the recording material) into the consumable chip.

When the host computer is the brand a, if the brand information stored in the consumable chip is the brand a, or the identification information of the brand stored in the consumable chip characterizes the brand as the brand a, the host computer recognizes that the consumable is an original consumable after the consumable is mounted on the host computer, so that the prompt information that the consumable is the original consumable is output. When the host computer is A brand, if the brand information stored in the consumable chip is B brand, or the identification information of the brand stored in the consumable chip characterizes the brand as B brand, then after the consumable is installed on the host computer, the host computer recognizes that the consumable is compatible consumable, and accordingly prompt information that the consumable is original consumable is output.

In view of the above problems, the embodiments of the present application provide a communication method of consumable chips, where an image forming apparatus not only can normally use compatible consumables, but also can not cause users to confuse consumable sources. The following detailed description refers to the accompanying drawings.

Referring to fig. 2, a flow chart of a communication method of a consumable chip according to an embodiment of the present application is provided. The method is applicable to the image forming apparatus shown in fig. 1, and as shown in fig. 2, it mainly includes the following steps.

Step S201: the consumable chip establishes communication connection with the host.

In the embodiment of the application, when the consumable is installed on the host, the consumable chip establishes communication connection with the host. The communication connection may be a communication connection through a contact, an antenna, or a coil, which is not limited by the embodiments of the present application. After the consumable chip and the host establish communication connection, data transmission can be performed between the consumable chip and the host according to a preset data transmission protocol. Step S202: and sending first brand information to a host of the image forming device, wherein the first brand information is brand information corresponding to the consumable chip.

Specifically, the consumable related to the embodiment of the application is a compatible consumable. In order to enable the image forming apparatus to normally use compatible consumables without causing confusion of consumable sources by a user, the embodiment of the application sets brand information switching conditions in a consumable chip of the compatible consumables, and selectively sends first brand information or second brand information to a host based on the brand information switching conditions. The first brand information is brand information corresponding to the consumable chip, and the second brand information is brand information corresponding to the host. Because the consumable that this consumable chip corresponds is compatible consumable, consequently, first brand information and second brand information are different.

After the consumable chip establishes communication connection with the host, the consumable chip can judge whether preset brand information switching conditions are met in real time. In the initial state, the brand information switching condition is not met, and the first brand information is sent to the host, namely, the brand information corresponding to the consumable chip is sent to the host. Because the host computer is the second brand, consequently, the host computer can confirm that the consumptive material is compatible consumptive material according to this first brand information, and then can export this consumptive material and be the suggestion information of compatible consumptive material. By way of example, the prompt message "compatible with consumable" can be output in the display interface of the host computer, and the user can determine the source of the consumable according to the prompt message, so that the user is prevented from confusing the source of the consumable.

In a specific implementation, the first brand information may be the first brand itself or the identification information of the first brand, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application. For example, the first brand is "brand B", and the identification information of the first brand is "00", i.e., the "brand B" may be characterized by "00". When the brand information switching condition is not satisfied, the consumable chip can send a brand B to the host computer or can send a brand 00 to the host computer. After receiving the identification information "00", the host may determine that the first brand is "B brand" according to the identification information "00". It will be appreciated that the above identification information of the first brand is merely exemplary, and in some possible implementations, the identification information of the first brand may also be represented by a bit, or a number of bytes, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

Because the first brand information is the brand information corresponding to the consumable chip, the first brand information can be determined in advance, and then the first brand information can be pre-stored in the consumable chip. In other words, the first brand information may be information stored in advance in the consumable chip.

Step S203: and if the brand information switching condition is met, sending second brand information to the host, wherein the second brand is a brand corresponding to the host.

In this embodiment of the present application, if the brand information switching condition is satisfied, the second brand information is sent to the host, that is, the brand information corresponding to the host is sent to the host. After the host receives the second brand information, the compatible consumable is considered to be an original consumable, and then the normal use of the compatible consumable can be allowed.

For example, in some application scenarios, the image forming apparatus provides a value-added or advanced service/function that is allowed to be used only if the host recognizes that the consumable is a genuine consumable. In the embodiment of the application, the consumable chip sends the second brand information corresponding to the host, so that the host considers the compatible consumable as the original consumable, and therefore the value-added or advanced services/functions provided by the image forming device can be normally used. In other application scenarios, a portion of the image forming apparatus installs a particular version of firmware. For an image forming apparatus in which the specific version of firmware is installed, the consumable is allowed to be used only when the host recognizes that the consumable is an original consumable. In the embodiment of the application, the consumable chip sends the second brand information corresponding to the host, so that the host considers the compatible consumable as the original consumable, and the compatible consumable can be normally used.

In a specific implementation, the second brand information may be the second brand itself or the identification information of the second brand, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application. For example, the second brand is "brand a", and the identification information of the second brand is "01", that is, "brand a" may be characterized by "01". When the brand information switching condition is met, the consumable chip can send a brand A to the host computer and can also send a brand 01 to the host computer. After receiving the identification information "01", the host may determine that the second brand is "a brand" according to the identification information "01". It will be appreciated that the above identification information of the second brand is merely an exemplary illustration, and in some possible implementations, the identification information of the second brand may also be represented by a bit, or a number of bytes, which is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

In one possible implementation, the manufacturer or user of the consumable may determine in advance the brand of the host computer with which the compatible consumable is to be used, i.e., the second brand information may be determined in advance, and the second brand information may be pre-stored in the consumable chip. In other words, the second brand information may be information stored in advance in the consumable chip.

In another possible implementation, the manufacturer or user of the consumable cannot determine in advance the brand of the host machine with which the compatible consumable is to be used, i.e., the second brand information cannot be determined in advance, but when the consumable is mounted on the host machine, the consumable chip can determine the brand of the host machine according to the communication characteristics or other characteristic information with the host machine. In a specific implementation, a preset algorithm can be stored in the consumable chip, and after the consumable is installed on the host, the consumable chip can calculate and obtain the brand of the host through the preset algorithm, namely, obtain the second brand information. In other words, the second brand information may be information obtained by the consumable chip according to a preset algorithm.

To sum up, in the embodiment of the application, the consumable chip selectively sends the first brand information or the second brand information to the host based on the brand information switching condition, so that compatible consumables can be normally used, and the user cannot be confused about consumable sources.

In a specific implementation, the brand information switching condition may be that a preset access instruction is received, the brand information switching condition is not in a consumable source prompting stage, a preset task needs to be executed, a brand information switching instruction triggered by a user is received, the number of times that a consumable chip is installed and identified by the host, the number of times that the consumable chip is accessed by the host, and the like, which will be described in detail below with reference to a specific embodiment. Of course, those skilled in the art may set other types of brand information switching conditions according to actual requirements, which is not particularly limited in the embodiments of the present application.

Embodiment one:

referring to fig. 3, a flow chart of a communication method of a consumable chip according to an embodiment of the present application is provided. The method is applicable to the image forming apparatus shown in fig. 1, and as shown in fig. 3, it mainly includes the following steps.

Step S301: the consumable chip establishes communication connection with the host.

In the embodiment of the application, when the consumable is installed on the host, the consumable chip establishes communication connection with the host. The communication connection may be a communication connection through a contact, an antenna, or a coil, which is not limited by the embodiments of the present application. After the consumable chip and the host establish communication connection, data transmission can be performed between the consumable chip and the host according to a preset data transmission protocol.

Step S302: and sending first brand information to a host of the image forming device, wherein the first brand information is brand information corresponding to the consumable chip.

Specifically, the consumable related to the embodiment of the application is a compatible consumable. In order to enable the image forming apparatus to normally use compatible consumables without causing confusion of consumable sources by a user, the embodiment of the application sets brand information switching conditions in a consumable chip of the compatible consumables, and selectively sends first brand information or second brand information to a host based on the brand information switching conditions.

In this embodiment of the present application, the brand information switching condition is that a preset access instruction is received. That is, the consumable chip selectively outputs the first brand information or the second brand information by judging the characteristics of the access instruction received from the host. After the consumable chip establishes communication connection with the host, the consumable chip can judge whether a preset access instruction is received or not in real time. In the initial state, if the preset access instruction cannot be received, the first brand information is sent to the host, namely, the brand information corresponding to the consumable chip is sent to the host. Because the host computer is the second brand, consequently, the host computer can confirm that the consumptive material is compatible consumptive material according to this first brand information, and then can export this consumptive material and be the suggestion information of compatible consumptive material. By way of example, the prompt message "compatible with consumable" can be output in the display interface of the host computer, and the user can determine the source of the consumable according to the prompt message, so that the user is prevented from confusing the source of the consumable.

For example, for some image forming apparatuses, after the host reads the first brand information of the consumable chip, a writing command (consumable residue writing command) for writing the consumable residue is issued, and then the consumable chip may send the second brand information to the host after receiving the consumable residue writing command. Therefore, with this type of image forming apparatus, the preset access instruction may be a consumable supply remaining amount rewriting instruction.

For example, for some image forming apparatuses, when the consumable is mounted on the host, the host supplies power to the consumable chip, and after the consumable chip is completely initialized by power-up, the host issues an access instruction that can access a plurality of bytes of data at a time, for example, 256 bytes can be accessed at a time. For ease of explanation, this type of access instruction will be referred to hereinafter as a "multi-byte access instruction". When the consumable chip receives the multi-byte access instruction for the first time, the consumable chip outputs first brand information, the first brand is different from the brand of the host computer, and the host computer prompts the user that the installed consumable is compatible consumable according to the read first brand information. When the user closes the host, or opens the upper cover of the host, or removes the consumable from the host, the host stops supplying power to the consumable chip. When the user reopens the host, closes the upper cover of the host or installs the consumable back into the host, the host supplies power to the consumable chip again, and then the host sends out a multi-byte access instruction to the consumable chip again. The consumable chip can count or mark the received multi-byte access instruction, and when the consumable chip receives the multi-byte access instruction for the second time or after the second time, the consumable chip outputs second brand information, and the second brand is the same as the brand of the host computer. At this time, whether the host computer re-prompts the source of the consumable supplies (according to the second brand information) or not, the host computer considers that the information provided by the consumable chip accords with the expectation according to the read second brand information, so that the image forming device can enable the value-added or advanced service/function, and the user can enjoy the desired printing effect. Thus, for this type of image forming apparatus, the preset access instruction may be a multi-byte access instruction that is not first received.

It should be noted that, a person skilled in the art may set different preset access instructions according to the characteristics of the image forming apparatus, and the embodiment of the present application is not particularly limited. For example, in some possible implementations, the preset access instruction may also be an authentication instruction, a subtraction instruction, a reset instruction, an initialization instruction, and so on.

Step S303: if a preset access instruction is received, second brand information is sent to the host, wherein the second brand information is brand information corresponding to the host.

In this embodiment of the present application, if a preset access instruction is received, the second brand information is sent to the host, that is, the brand information corresponding to the host is sent to the host. After the host receives the second brand information, the compatible consumable is considered to be an original consumable, and then the normal use of the compatible consumable can be allowed. For example, the host computer may normally recognize the compatible consumable supplies, or the added value or advanced services/functions provided by the image forming apparatus may be normally used.

Embodiment two:

referring to fig. 4, a flow chart of a communication method of a consumable chip according to a second embodiment of the present application is shown. The method is applicable to the image forming apparatus shown in fig. 1, and as shown in fig. 4, it mainly includes the following steps.

Step S401: the consumable chip establishes communication connection with the host.

Step S402: if the consumable source prompting stage is in, first brand information is sent to the host, and the first brand information is brand information corresponding to the consumable chip.

In some application scenarios, the source of the consumable needs to be prompted to the user only for certain specific time periods (in the embodiments of the present application, this specific time period is referred to as the "consumable source prompting phase"); and in other time periods (not in the consumable source prompting stage), the source of the consumable is not required to be prompted to the user. Therefore, the brand information switching condition may be that the consumable source prompting stage is not in the consumable source prompting stage, that is, the first brand information or the second brand information is selectively sent to the host according to whether the consumable source prompting stage is in the consumable source prompting stage. After the consumable chip establishes communication connection with the host, the consumable chip can judge whether the consumable chip is in a consumable source prompting stage or not in real time. If the consumable source prompting stage is in, first brand information is sent to the host, namely, brand information corresponding to the consumable chip is sent to the host. Because the host computer is the second brand, consequently, the host computer can confirm the consumptive material as compatible consumptive material according to this first brand information, and then can export the suggestion information that this consumptive material is compatible consumptive material, and the user can confirm the source of this consumptive material according to this suggestion information, avoids the user to confuse the consumptive material source.

For example, when the consumable is first installed on the host, the source of the consumable is usually required to be prompted to the user, and therefore, the consumable may be first installed on the host as a consumable source prompting stage.

For example, when a host computer needs to output a consumable-material status page, it is often necessary to display brand information of consumable materials in the consumable-material status page. In order to avoid that the user confuses the source of the consumable due to the fact that wrong brand information is displayed in the consumable state page, the host computer can be used as a consumable source prompting stage when the consumable state page needs to be output. Specifically, when the host computer needs to output the consumable status page, the consumable chip sends first brand information (brand information corresponding to consumable) to the host computer because the consumable status page is in a consumable source prompt stage, and then the first brand information is displayed in the consumable status page, so that a user is prevented from confusing the source of the consumable.

Step S403: if the consumable source prompting stage is not performed, second brand information is sent to the host, wherein the second brand information is brand information corresponding to the host.

In this embodiment of the present application, if the consumable source prompting stage is not in the consumable source prompting stage, the second brand information is sent to the host, that is, the brand information corresponding to the host is sent to the host. After the host receives the second brand information, the compatible consumable is considered to be an original consumable, and then the normal use of the compatible consumable can be allowed. For example, the host computer may normally recognize the compatible consumable supplies, or the added value or advanced services/functions provided by the image forming apparatus may be normally used.

Embodiment III:

referring to fig. 5, a flow chart of a communication method of a consumable chip according to a third embodiment of the present application is shown. The method is applicable to the image forming apparatus shown in fig. 1, and as shown in fig. 5, it mainly includes the following steps.

Step S501: the consumable chip establishes communication connection with the host.

Step S502: and sending first brand information to the host, wherein the first brand information is brand information corresponding to the consumable chip.

In some application scenarios, for certain specific tasks (e.g., high-precision printing or custom paper, etc.), the image forming apparatus needs to be implemented based on original consumables. In other words, when the consumable is a compatible consumable, the image forming apparatus considers that the quality of the compatible consumable cannot perform the specific task, but in reality, the high-quality compatible consumable can perform the specific task. In order to enable a specific task to be executed when a compatible consumable product is installed in an image forming apparatus, in this embodiment of the present application, the specific task is set as a preset task, and the preset task is required to be executed as a brand information switching condition, that is, the first brand information or the second brand information is selectively transmitted to a host according to whether the preset task is required to be executed.

After the consumable chip establishes communication connection with the host, the consumable chip can judge whether a preset task needs to be executed or not in real time. If the preset task is not required to be executed, the brand information (i.e., the second brand information) corresponding to the host computer is not required to be sent to the host computer, so in the embodiment of the application, if the preset task is not required to be executed, the first brand information (i.e., the brand information corresponding to the consumable chip) is sent to the host computer. Because the host computer is the second brand, consequently, the host computer can confirm the consumptive material as compatible consumptive material according to this first brand information, and then can export the suggestion information that this consumptive material is compatible consumptive material, and the user can confirm the source of this consumptive material according to this suggestion information, avoids the user to confuse the consumptive material source.

Step S503: if the preset task needs to be executed, second brand information is sent to the host, wherein the second brand information is brand information corresponding to the host.

Because the image forming apparatus can perform the preset task only when the host recognizes that the brand of the consumable is the same as the brand of the host, if the preset task needs to be performed, the image forming apparatus sends the second brand information to the host, that is, sends the brand information corresponding to the host. After the host receives the second brand information, the compatible consumable is considered as the original consumable, and then a preset task can be executed.

Embodiment four:

referring to fig. 6, a flow chart of a communication method of a consumable chip according to a fourth embodiment of the present application is provided. The method is applicable to the image forming apparatus shown in fig. 1, and as shown in fig. 6, it mainly includes the following steps.

Step S601: the consumable chip establishes communication connection with the host.

Step S602: and sending first brand information to the host, wherein the first brand information is brand information corresponding to the consumable chip.

In some application scenarios, the consumable chip may determine whether the consumable chip has been previously identified by installation or the number of times the consumable chip has been previously identified by installation, and if the number of times the consumable chip has been previously identified by installation or the number of times the consumable chip has been previously identified by installation exceeds a certain value, the second brand information may be output. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present application, a threshold value of the number of installation recognition times (for example, 1, 2, or 3, etc.) may be set in the consumable chip, and the result of comparison between the number of times the consumable chip is installed and recognized by the host and the threshold value of the number of installation recognition times is taken as the brand information switching condition.

After the consumable chip and the host are in communication connection, the consumable chip can judge whether the number of times of installation identification exceeds a preset threshold value of the number of times of installation identification in real time. In the initial state, if the number of installation recognition times does not exceed a preset installation recognition number threshold, the first brand information is sent to the host, namely, the brand information corresponding to the consumable chip is sent to the host. Because the host computer is the second brand, consequently, the host computer can confirm the consumptive material as compatible consumptive material according to this first brand information, and then can export the suggestion information that this consumptive material is compatible consumptive material, and the user can confirm the source of this consumptive material according to this suggestion information, avoids the user to confuse the consumptive material source.

Step S603: if the number of the installation recognition exceeds a preset installation recognition number threshold, sending second brand information to the host, wherein the second brand information is brand information corresponding to the host.

In this embodiment of the present application, if the number of installation identifications exceeds a preset threshold of the number of installation identifications, the second brand information is sent to the host, that is, the brand information corresponding to the host is sent to the host. After the host receives the second brand information, the compatible consumable is considered to be an original consumable, and then the normal use of the compatible consumable can be allowed. For example, the host computer may normally recognize the compatible consumable supplies, or the added value or advanced services/functions provided by the image forming apparatus may be normally used.

Fifth embodiment:

referring to fig. 7, a flow chart of a communication method of a consumable chip according to a fifth embodiment of the present application is provided. The method is applicable to the image forming apparatus shown in fig. 1, and as shown in fig. 7, it mainly includes the following steps.

Step S701: the consumable chip establishes communication connection with the host. Step S702: sending first brand information to a host, wherein the first brand information is brand information corresponding to a consumable chip;

step S703: if the access times exceeds the preset access times threshold, sending second brand information to the host, wherein the second brand information is brand information corresponding to the host.

The difference between the present embodiment and the fourth embodiment is that in some application scenarios, the consumable chip may determine whether the consumable chip has been accessed before or the number of times the consumable chip has been accessed before, and if the number of times the consumable chip has been accessed before or the number of times the consumable chip has been accessed before exceeds a certain value, the second brand information may be output. Therefore, in the embodiment of the present application, the access number threshold (for example, 1, 2, or 3, etc.) may be set in the consumable chip, and the comparison result of the number of accesses of the consumable chip by the host and the access number threshold may be used as the brand information switching condition. For details of this embodiment, reference may be made to the description of the fourth embodiment, and for brevity of description, details are not repeated here.

Example six:

referring to fig. 8, a flow chart of a communication method of a consumable chip according to a sixth embodiment of the present application is provided. The method is applicable to the image forming apparatus shown in fig. 1, and as shown in fig. 8, it mainly includes the following steps.

Step S801: the consumable chip establishes communication connection with the host.

Step S802: and sending first brand information to the host, wherein the first brand information is brand information corresponding to the consumable chip.

It can be appreciated that in the above embodiment, whether the brand information switching condition is satisfied is determined by the information interaction characteristics between the consumable chip and the host, and then the second brand information is sent to the host when the brand information switching condition is satisfied. However, in some possible application scenarios, it may also be possible for the user to autonomously decide when the second brand information needs to be sent to the host. Specifically, a user triggers a brand information switching instruction, and if the brand information switching instruction is not received, the brand information switching instruction indicates that the brand information switching condition is not met, and first brand information is sent to the host, namely, the brand information corresponding to the consumable chip is sent to the host. Because the host computer is the second brand, consequently, the host computer can confirm the consumptive material as compatible consumptive material according to this first brand information, and then can export the suggestion information that this consumptive material is compatible consumptive material, and the user can confirm the source of this consumptive material according to this suggestion information, avoids the user to confuse the consumptive material source.

It should be noted that, the preconditions for triggering the brand information switching instruction by the user are: consumable chips need to meet corresponding hardware or software configuration conditions. The consumable chip is provided with a detection electrode, a reference voltage point (such as a reference voltage point connected by a carbon film resistor) or a toggle switch, and if the user does not trigger the settings, the user sends first brand information to the host computer after the user does not trigger a brand information switching instruction. And if the user triggers the settings, indicating that the user triggers the brand information switching instruction, sending second brand information to the host.

Step S803: and if the brand information switching instruction is received, sending second brand information to the host, wherein the second brand information is brand information corresponding to the host.

In this embodiment of the present application, if a brand information switching instruction is received, the second brand information is sent to the host, that is, the brand information corresponding to the host is sent to the host. After the host receives the second brand information, the compatible consumable is considered to be an original consumable, and then the normal use of the compatible consumable can be allowed. For example, the host computer may normally recognize the compatible consumable supplies, or the added value or advanced services/functions provided by the image forming apparatus may be normally used.

Corresponding to the embodiment, the embodiment of the application also provides a consumable chip.

Referring to fig. 9, a block diagram of a consumable chip according to an embodiment of the present application is provided. As shown in fig. 9, it mainly includes the following modules:

a storage module 901, configured to store first brand information;

an interface module 902, configured to send first brand information to a host of the image forming apparatus, where the first brand information is brand information corresponding to the consumable chip; and if the brand information switching condition is met, sending second brand information to the host, wherein the second brand information is the brand information corresponding to the host. In one possible implementation, the storage module may store the second brand information in addition to the first brand information, so as to send the second brand information to the host when the brand information switching condition is satisfied.

In one possible implementation, the storage module may also store authentication data. Specifically, the authentication data may include one or more of consumable chip serial number, consumable serial number, authentication code, toner serial number, ink serial number, digital signature, seed (seed) data, or verification data; data associated therewith may also be included, for example, if the serial number is related to a date of manufacture, the authentication data may include, in addition to the serial number, date of manufacture information related thereto. The host can read the authentication data from the consumable chip, verify and verify the authentication data, and if the authentication data accords with the expectation of the host, the host can take the authentication data as one of legal source basis of the consumable chip. The host establishes a secure access channel, typically by an authentication instruction, and then reads the authentication data in the consumable chip on the secure access channel.

In a specific implementation, the memory module 901 may employ a common nonvolatile memory, for example, EPROM, EEPROM, FLASH, ferroelectric memory, phase change memory, etc.; the scheme of adding power to the volatile memory, such as sram+battery or capacitor, dram+battery or capacitor, etc., may also be used, which is not particularly limited in the embodiments of the present application.

According to the method and the device, the brand information switching condition is set in the consumable chip, the first brand information or the second brand information is selectively sent to the host based on the brand information switching condition, compatible consumables can be used normally, and a user cannot be confused with consumable sources.

It should be noted that, for brevity, specific details of the embodiments of the present application may be referred to the description of the embodiments of the method described above, and are not described herein again.

Corresponding to the above embodiment, another consumable chip is also provided in the embodiment of the present application.

Referring to fig. 10, a schematic structural diagram of another consumable chip according to an embodiment of the present application is provided. As shown in fig. 10, the consumable chip 1000 may include: a processor 1001, a memory 1002, and a communication unit 1003. The components may communicate via one or more buses, and it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the configuration of the server as shown in the drawings is not limiting of the embodiments of the invention, and that it may be a bus-like structure, a star-like structure, or include more or fewer components than shown, or may be a combination of certain components or a different arrangement of components.

Wherein the communication unit 1003 is configured to establish a communication channel, so that the storage device may communicate with other devices.

The processor 1001 is a control center of the storage device, and connects various parts of the entire consumable chip using various interfaces and lines, and executes various functions of the consumable chip and/or processes data by running or executing software programs and/or modules stored in the memory 1002 and calling data stored in the memory. The processor may be comprised of integrated circuits (integrated circuit, ICs), such as a single packaged IC, or may be comprised of packaged ICs that connect multiple identical or different functions. For example, the processor 1001 may include only a central processing unit (central processing unit, CPU). In the embodiment of the invention, the CPU can be a single operation core or can comprise multiple operation cores.

The memory 1002, for storing instructions for execution by the processor 1001, the memory 1002 may be implemented by any type of volatile or non-volatile memory device or combination thereof, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, magnetic disk, or optical disk.

The execution of the instructions in memory 1002, when executed by processor 1001, enables consumable chip 1000 to perform some or all of the steps of the method embodiments described above.

Corresponding to the above embodiment, the embodiment of the present application further provides a consumable, where the consumable includes the consumable chip described in the above embodiment. Depending on the type of image forming apparatus, the consumable may be: the ink cartridge, toner cartridge, ribbon cartridge, and the like, which house the recording material, are not particularly limited in this embodiment.

Corresponding to the above embodiment, the embodiment of the present application also provides an image forming apparatus including the host computer and the consumable described in the above embodiment. Wherein, the consumable chip in the consumable is connected with the host computer communication. Note that, the type of the image forming apparatus according to the embodiment of the present application is not particularly limited, and may be, for example: inkjet printers, laser printers, 3D printers, label printers, pin printers, and the like.

In a specific implementation, the present application further provides a computer storage medium, where the computer storage medium may store a program, where the program may include some or all of the steps in the embodiments provided herein when executed. The storage medium may be a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random-access memory (random access memory, RAM), or the like.

In a specific implementation, the embodiment of the application further provides a computer program product, where the computer program product contains executable instructions, and when the executable instructions are executed on a computer, the executable instructions cause the computer to perform some or all of the steps in the above method embodiments.

In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "and/or", describes an association relation of association objects, and indicates that there may be three kinds of relations, for example, a and/or B, and may indicate that a alone exists, a and B together, and B alone exists. Wherein A, B may be singular or plural. The character "/" generally indicates that the context-dependent object is an "or" relationship. "at least one of the following" and the like means any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b and c may represent: a, b, c, a-b, a-c, b-c, or a-b-c, wherein a, b, c may be single or plural.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various elements and algorithm steps described in the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented as a combination of electronic hardware, computer software, and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present invention.

It will be clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and brevity of description, specific working procedures of the above-described systems, apparatuses and units may refer to corresponding procedures in the foregoing method embodiments, and are not repeated herein.

In several embodiments provided by the present invention, any of the functions, if implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as a stand-alone product, may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present invention may be embodied essentially or in a part contributing to the prior art or in a part of the technical solution, in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium, comprising several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, a network device, etc.) to perform all or part of the steps of the method according to the embodiments of the present invention. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: a U-disk, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (random access memory, RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, or other various media capable of storing program codes.

The foregoing is merely exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and any person skilled in the art may easily conceive of changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present invention, which should be covered by the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method of communicating a consumable chip, comprising:

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the brand information switching condition comprises: and receiving a preset access instruction.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the preset access instruction comprises at least one of the following instructions:

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the sending the first brand information to the host of the image forming apparatus comprises:

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the brand information switching condition comprises: the preset task needs to be performed.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the brand information switching condition comprises: and receiving a brand information switching instruction triggered by a user.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the brand information switching condition comprises: the number of times that the consumable chip is installed and identified by the host exceeds a preset installation identification number threshold.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein the brand information switching condition comprises: the number of times that the consumable chip is accessed by the host exceeds a preset access number threshold.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the second brand information is information stored in the consumable chip; or the second brand information is information obtained by calculating the consumable chip according to a preset algorithm.

10. A consumable chip, comprising:

the storage module is used for storing the first brand information;

11. A consumable chip, comprising:

a processor;

a memory;

and a computer program, wherein the computer program is stored in the memory, the computer program comprising instructions which, when executed by the processor, cause the consumable chip to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 9.

12. A consumable comprising a consumable chip according to claim 10 or 11.

13. An image forming apparatus comprising a host and the consumable of claim 12, wherein a consumable chip in the consumable is communicatively coupled to the host.