ES2246446T3 - CIRCUIT AND IDENTIFICATION METHOD FOR A PRINT HEAD BY INK JET. - Google Patents

Abstract

An identification circuit for identifying the type of an ink jet print head and method thereof is disclosed. A reset signal and at least a clock signal are provided. A count value is reset if the identification circuit receives a reset signal. The count value is counted to next value if the identification circuit receives a corresponding clock signal. A logic circuit is programmed to output the required identification code sequentially from the ink jet print head according to the required identification code designated for the ink jet print head and the count value.

Description

Circuit and identification method for a inkjet print head.

Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to a inkjet printhead and, more particularly, at a identification circuit for the jet print head of ink and a method thereof.

Description of the related technique

Different types of products have been developed Computer peripherals and are now very accepted. In the case of inkjet printers, to meet the different printing needs of users working in different environments, different types of printers have been developed ink-jet. However, each tub jet printer has different types of inkjet printheads that they correspond, for example, a printhead by jet of ink with a black cartridge or a color cartridge, and printheads inkjet printing with a different number of nozzles Injection

To identify the head types of inkjet printing, a code of identification, which corresponds to your model or serial number, to each inkjet printhead when manufactured, of such that the jet injection printer can identify different types of jet injection print heads when installed in the jet injection printer, to use different control programs to control jet print heads of different models or serial numbers.

As described above, since There are many types of inkjet printheads, an identification circuit would have to be designed inside the head inkjet printing that reads one or more codes of identification corresponding to your model or serial number, to provide the inkjet printer to identify different types of inkjet printheads installed in it. Since the identification circuit of the inkjet printhead is used only in the time when the inkjet printhead is installing in the inkjet printer, or before start the first printing operation, and once the head Inkjet printing is identified, the circuit of Identification cannot be used anymore. Therefore, it is common for the printhead identification circuit by jet ink read the identification code stored in the printhead inkjet printing using the address lines of the print head set.

Figure 1 schematically shows a diagram of blocks of a jet printer identification system of ink. As shown in the drawing, system 100 of inkjet printer identification comprises a system 110 electronic printer and one 120 electronic head system of printing, in which the electronic printer system 110 and the 120 printhead electronic system are connected each other by a plurality of address lines 131 and a line 132 temperature detection output. System 110 Printer electronics comprises a controller 111 and a circuit 112 drive, and electronic head system 120 printing comprises a set 121 of printheads, a identification circuit 122 and a detection circuit 123 of temperature.

When printing, driver 111 transmits the data that is being printed to circuit 112 of drive, and drive circuit 112 drives the lines 131 of direction to control that the head assembly 121 of Print print the required patterns. The 123 circuit of temperature detection detects the head temperature of print and transmit it to controller 111 on line 132 of temperature detection output. Circuit 122 of temperature identification is connected to part of the lines Address 131 and is used for controller 111 to send a control signal to read the stored identification code and to output the identification code stored by the line 132 temperature detection output.

There are several types of identification circuits in the prior art, the one shown in figure 2 is a circuit of identification disclosed by U.S. Patent No. 5,363,134. As shown in the drawing, circuit 200 of identification comprises a plurality of fuses F1 \ sim F13 programmable and a plurality of transistors Q1 \ sim Q13. A end of each of the fuses F1 \ sim F3 is coupled to a corresponding gate of transistors Q1 \ sim Q13 for control the "ON" or "OFF" of the transistors Q1 \ sim Q13. The identification code corresponding to the type of inkjet printhead which uses this identification circuit 200 is stored through of fuses F1 \ sim F13 programmable. That each of the fuses F1 \ sim F13 is blown or does not represent a data bit of the identification code, respectively.

When the printer tries to read the code of identification, a high read control signal is sent level on address lines 131. Here, it is Suppose the high level read control signal is sent from A13. If fuse F13 is reserved, transistor Q13 is ON, therefore line 132 output detection of temperature is lowered to a lower level to read a code of identification of "0". On the contrary, if the F13 fuse is faded when programmed, transistor Q13 is OFF and the output line 132 temperature detection is raised to a upper level due to the lifting resistance (not shown) of the electronic printer system 110 in figure 1. Therefore, it read an identification code of "1" and the mentioned method previously it can be used to read other bits sequentially of the identification code.

Each address line of such a circuit 200 identification can only read a corresponding bit of the identification code. Therefore, the amount of bits in the identification code that can be stored in the head of printing is limited by the number of address lines as well That is difficult to expand.

Figure 3 shows the other circuit of identification disclosed by U.S. Patent No. 5,940,095. The identification circuit 300 comprises mainly a plurality of records 320a, 320b, 320c and 320d one bit offset to get the object to implement a parallel input and output identification circuit in Serie. That is, when the electronic printer system 110 in Figure 1 transmits a "Load" load control signal by address line 325, the identification code stored is loaded in parallel to the plurality of records 320a, 320b, 320c and 320d one bit offset. So when sequentially receives a first clock clk 1 signal and a second clock clk 2 signal on address lines 326 and 327, respectively, the binary data stored in the 320d register One-bit offset are taken along line 328. Then, the binary data stored in the 320c record of One-bit offset are entered in the 320d register of one bit offset, binary data stored in the 320b register of one bit offset are entered in the 320c register of one-bit offset and binary data stored in the 320th bit shift register is enter a bit offset register 320b.

Therefore, after the system 110 Printer electronics transmit the "Load" control signal load and transmit the first clock clk1 signal sequentially necessary and the second clock clk2 signal needed by the lines 326 and 327 address, respectively, the identification code stored in the plurality of records 320a, 320b, 320c and 320d of One bit offset is taken sequentially. Therefore, such a parallel input and output identification circuit 300 in series is able to expand the number of bits of the code of identification based on needs only with a small number of address lines, such as 325, 326 and 327, of way that is not limited by the number of lines of address.

However, the identification circuit that you can expand the number of bits of the identification code and not being limited by the number of address lines is not limited in implementation to the parallel input identification circuit and serial output when using the shift register previously mentioned.

Summary of the invention

To solve the mentioned problem previously, the present invention provides a circuit of identification to identify the printhead by jet of ink and a method thereof. The number of bits in the code identification can be extended based on needs and not It is limited by the number of address lines.

To get the object mentioned above and others, the present invention provides a circuit of identification to identify the printhead by jet of ink, in which the identification circuit is suitable for use in an inkjet printer comprising a line of reset signal, at least one clock signal line, and one signal line identification code to identify the type of inkjet printhead installed. The circuit identification includes a counter, a logical unit and a programming unit

The counter is coupled to the signal line of reset and at least one clock signal line. The counter will repositions when the reset signal is received by the line of reset signal and the account value is passed to the next value when a corresponding clock signal is received by at least one clock signal line to output from a plurality of counter output terminals.

The logical unit comprises a plurality of input terminals and an output terminal. Output terminal is coupled to an identification code signal line to output the identification code that represents the type of inkjet print head. The programming unit is coupled to the meter's output terminals and to the logic unit input terminals. The programming unit it is used to program a corresponding connection between each output terminal of the counter and the input terminals of the logical unit

In one embodiment, after the counter is reset, the counter is counted in a sequence of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ..., to count your account value.

In one embodiment, the logical unit may be a door O, and the door O may comprise a control terminal enabling to accept control of the clock signal of the clock signal line.

In one embodiment, the programming unit is program in a programmed way by mask when the circuit of inkjet printhead identification is being manufactured, to store the identification code necessary.

In another embodiment, the programming unit use fuses to provide the programming unit programmable, to store the identification code necessary.

The present invention further provides a identification circuit to identify the printhead by inkjet, in which the identification circuit is suitable for use in an inkjet printer that comprise a reset signal line, at least one line of clock signal and an identification code signal line for in this way identify the type of jet print head of ink installed. The identification circuit comprises a counter, a plurality of switches and a unit of programming.

The counter is coupled to the signal line of reset and at least one clock signal line. The counter will repositions when the reset signal is received by the line of reset signal and the account value is counted to the next value when a corresponding clock signal is received by at minus a clock signal line, to output it from a plurality of counter output terminals.

Each of the plurality of switches it comprises an input terminal, an output terminal and a control terminal The output terminals of all switches are coupled to the signal line of code identification, so that you can output the identification code that Represents the type of the printhead by injection jet. The control terminal of each switch is coupled to the terminal corresponding counter output to accept control from the output terminal of the counter.

The programming unit coupled to the terminal switch input mentioned above is used to program the input value that is entered in the terminal switch input according to identification code a to stock.

In one embodiment, after the counter is reset, the counter is counted in a sequence of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ..., to count your account value.

In one embodiment, the switch is composed of an NMOS transistor or a CMOS transistor.

In one embodiment, the programming unit is program in a programmed way by mask when the circuit of inkjet printhead identification is being manufactured, to store the identification code necessary.

In another embodiment, the programming unit use fuses to provide the programming unit programmable, to store the identification code necessary.

Based on the spirit of the present invention, the present invention provides a method of printhead identification by inkjet. He method is appropriate to identify the printhead by inkjet and comprises the steps of: providing a signal of reset and at least one clock signal; reset a value of counts when the reset signal is received; count a value of counter count to the next value when the at least one is received a clock signal; and program a logic circuit according to a code identification representing the type of printhead by inkjet and the account value mentioned above, to sequentially output the spindle identification code Inkjet printing.

Brief description of the drawings

The attached drawings are included for provide a further understanding of the invention, and it incorporate into and constitute a part of this memory. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, they serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings:

Figure 1 schematically shows a diagram of blocks of a jet printer identification system of ink.

Figure 2 schematically shows a diagram of an identification circuit disclosed by the patent U.S. 5,363,134.

Figure 3 schematically shows a diagram of another identification circuit disclosed by the patent U.S. 5,940,095.

Figure 4 schematically shows a diagram of a jet print head identification circuit ink of the first embodiment according to the present invention.

Figure 5 schematically shows a diagram operating timing of an identification circuit of inkjet print head of the first and second embodiments according to the present invention.

Figure 6 schematically shows a diagram of a printhead identification circuit by ink jet of the second embodiment according to the present invention.

Description of preferred embodiments

Figure 4 schematically shows a diagram of a jet print head identification circuit ink of the first embodiment according to the present invention. Such As shown in the drawing, identification circuit 400 it comprises a counter 410, a logic unit 430 O, which, by example, it is formed by a door O, and a unit 420 of programming, which, for example, is formed by a plurality of fuses Although fuses are used as the unit in the drawing 420 programming, a normal expert in the art will find it Obviously the programming unit 420 can also be programmed in a programmed way by mask when circuit 400 of inkjet printhead identification is being manufactured, optionally, other methods can also be applied, such as clipping or laser fusion. It should be noted that connectors or electrical conductors can be used in the unit 420 programming instead of using fuses.

As shown in Figure 4, the circuit 400 inkjet printhead identification only use three printer address lines from inkjet (not shown): line 401 reset signal to transmit the "Reset" reset signal, the line 402 of the first clock signal to transmit the first Clk1 signal clock and line 403 of second clock signal to transmit the second clock Clk2 signal, to perform the function of inkjet printhead type identification installed. Therefore, the number of bits of the identification code It can be expanded based on your need and is not limited by the number of address lines

The counter 410 is coupled to line 401 of reset signal, line 402 of first clock signal and the line 403 of second clock signal. In the present embodiment, because the number of bits needed for the code of identification is 8 bits, an 8 bit counter is used that It has 8 terminals b0 \ sim b7 output for the number of bits ID code required. Each of the terminals b0 \ b7 output is coupled to an input terminal of the logic unit 430 O through a fuse of unit 420 of programming, respectively. Each of the input terminals of the 430 logic unit O is grounded through a fuse of programming unit 420, respectively, so that the necessary identification code can be stored by The programing. In addition, the OR gate that constitutes unit 430 Logic may additionally comprise an EN control terminal of enabling to accept control of the second Clk2 signal from line 403 clock of second control signal.

If the identification code is supposed to going to be stored is 11101000, fuses F10, F11, F12, F3, F14, F5, F6 and F7 in the drawing should blow, and fuses F0, F1, F2, F13, F4, F15, F16 and F17 in the drawing should be reserved for so that programming unit 420 can be programmed to Store the necessary identification code. His principle of operation is described hereafter with reference to operation timing diagram in figure 5.

When counter 410 receives the signal "Reset" reset line 401 signal reset, the counter value of counter 410 is reset to 0. When counter 410 sequentially receives a first Clk1 signal clock and a second clock signal Clk2 of line 402 of first clock signal and line 403 of second clock signal, respectively, the counter 410 counts its account value in a certain sequence, such as 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ..., etc. That is to say, after the counter value of counter 410 is reset to 0, the output terminals b0 \ b7 of the counter 410 are fixed sequentially as a high "1" level when received sequentially a first clock signal Clk1 and a second signal Clock clk2 of line 402 of the first clock signal and of the line 403 of second clock signal, its timing of operation is like b0 \ b7 shown in figure 5.

When the terminal output terminal b0 410 it is set to "1" and the b1 \ b7 output terminals are "0", since fuse F0 is reserved when programmed, the output terminal of unit 430 logic OR outputs the ID code of identification of "1". When the b1 output terminal of the counter 410 is "1" and terminals b0 and b2 \ sim b7 of output is "0", since fuse F1 is reserved when program, the output terminal of unit 430 logic OR outputs to the identification ID code of "1". Similarly, when the output terminal b2 of the output counter 410 is "1" and the terminals b0 \ b1 and b3 \ b7 output are "0", since the F2 fuse is reserved when programmed, the output terminal of unit 430 logic OR outputs the ID code of identification of "1". When the b3 output terminal of the counter 410 is "1" and terminals b0 \ b2 and b4 \ sim b7 are "0", since fuse F3 blows and F13 is reserved when programmed, the output terminal of logic unit 430 O output the identification ID code "0". Of the same way, the output terminal of unit 430 logic OR takes out sequentially the identification ID code of "11101000" which represents the printhead identification code by inkjet installed, and its operating timing is the ID shown in figure 5.

Figure 6 schematically shows a diagram of a jet print head identification circuit ink of the second embodiment according to the present invention. Such As shown in the drawing, the identification circuit 600 it comprises a counter 610; a programming unit 620 which, by example, it is formed by a plurality of fuses; and one plurality of switches 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, 636 and 637 which are formed, for example, by a plurality of transistors NMOS. Although fuses are used in the drawing as unit 620 of programming, a normal expert in the art will find it Obviously the programming unit 620 can also be programmed programmed by mask when circuit 600 of inkjet printhead identification is being manufacturing, optionally, others can also be applied methods, such as clipping or laser fusion. Should Note that electrical connectors or conductors can be used in programming unit 420 instead of using fuses.

As shown in Figure 6, so similar, the printhead identification circuit 600 by inkjet only uses three direction lines of The inkjet printer (not shown): signal line 601 reset to transmit the "Reset" signal from reset, line 602 of first clock signal to transmit the first clock signal Clk1 and the second signal line 603 of clock to transmit the second clock signal Clk2, to perform the printhead type identification function by ink jet installed. Therefore, the number of code bits identification can be extended based on your need and not It is limited by the number of address lines.

The counter 610 is coupled to line 601 of reset signal, line 602 of first clock signal and the line 603 of second clock signal. In the present embodiment, since the number of bits needed for the code of identification is 8 bits, an 8 bit counter is used that It has 8 terminals b0 \ sim b7 output for the number of bits ID code required. Each of the terminals b0 \ b7 output is coupled to a door of the switches 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, 636 and 637 corresponding, respectively, to control the "ON" and "OFF" of switches 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, 636 and 637, respectively. A source / drain of each of the switches 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, 636 and 637 is respectively coupled to the power terminal or set to ground through the fuse of programming unit 620, of so that the necessary identification code can be entered through programming. In addition, the other source / drain of each one of switches 630, 631, 632, 633, 634, 635, 636 and 637 is coupled together to line 605 signal code identification to output the identification code.

If the identification code is supposed to going to be stored is 11101000, fuses F10, F11, F12, F3, F14, F5, F6 and F7 in the drawing must be blown, and fuses F0, F1, F2, F13, F14, F15, F16 and F17 in the drawing must be reserved, so that the programming unit 620 can be programmed to store The necessary identification code. His principle of operation described hereinafter in relation to the operation timing diagram in figure 5.

When counter 610 receives the signal "Reset" reset line 601 signal reset, the counter value of counter 610 is reset to 0. When counter 610 receives a first Clk1 signal sequentially clock and a second clock signal Clk of line 602 first clock signal and line 603 of second clock signal, respectively, counter 610 counts its account value in a certain sequence, such as, 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ..., etc. That is to say, after the counter value of counter 610 is reset to 0, the b0 \ sim b7 output terminals of the 610 counter are set sequentially as a high "1" level when received sequentially a first clock signal Clk1 and a second signal Clock clk2 of line 602 of first clock and line signal 603 of the second clock signal, respectively, its timing Operating is like b0 \ b7 shown in Figure 5.

When the terminal output terminal b0 610 is set to "1", switch 630 is ON, and since F0 fuse is reserved when programmed, code is output Identification ID of "1". When the b1 output terminal of counter 610 is set to "1", switch 631 is ON, and since the F1 fuse is reserved when programmed, the identification ID code of "1" is output. By way of similar when the output terminal b2 of the counter 610 is set to "1", switch 632 is ON, and since the fuse F2 is reserved when programmed, the ID code of identification of "1". When the b3 output terminal of the counter 610 is set to "1", switch 633 is ON, and since fuse F3 blows and fuse F13 is reserved when programmed, the identification ID code of "0" In the same way, line 605 signal code identification sequentially outputs the ID code of identification of "11101000", which represents the code of inkjet printhead identification installed, and its operating timing is the ID shown in Figure 5

A normal expert in the art will find it Obviously the above-mentioned embodiments are only some of the embodied embodiments of the present invention. By example, reference number 430 in figure 4 can easily replace with another logical drive (e.g. drive NO-Y logic) or a decoder. Therefore, it is not limited to using the logical unit O. Similarly, the lines of clock signal used in the present invention are not necessarily limited to using two signal lines. By way of optional, it is possible to achieve the object and function of the present invention with only one clock signal line. In addition, the 631 \ 637 switches in Figure 6 are not limited to implemented through NMOS transistors. Optionally also It is possible to implement the switches using the transistors CMOS

Based on the spirit of accomplishments mentioned above, an identification method is concluded of the inkjet printhead. The method is adequate. to identify the inkjet printhead and It comprises the steps of: providing a reset signal and at minus a clock signal; reposition an account value when receive the reset signal; count an account value of counter to the next value when the at least one signal is received clock and program a logic circuit according to a code of identification representing the type of printhead by inkjet and the account value mentioned above, to sequentially output the necessary identification code from the inkjet print head.

In which, after the account value is reset to 0 and the first signal is received sequentially clock and the second clock signal, the account value is counted in a certain sequence, such as 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ..., etc. Further, the logic circuit can be a logic gate or a plurality of NMOS or CMOS transistors.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment thereof, to a normal expert in the technique will be apparent that modifications can be made to the described embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention. By consequently, the scope of the invention will be defined by the claims attached, not by the above description detailed.

Claims (17)

1. Spindle identification circuit inkjet printing, suitable for use in a inkjet printer, comprising a signal line of reset, at least one clock signal line and one line of identification code signal, to identify a type of inkjet printhead, comprising: a counter, coupled to the signal line of reset and at least one clock signal line, used to reset the counter when a reset signal is received from the reset signal line and used to count a value of counter count to the next value when a signal is received from corresponding clock of the at least one clock signal line, to output the account value of a plurality of terminals counter output; a logical unit, which comprises a plurality of input terminals and an output terminal, where the output terminal of the logical drive is coupled to the line of identification code signal to output a code of identification representing the type of printhead by ink-jet; Y a programming unit, coupled to the meter output terminals and to the input terminals of the logical unit, used to program the connection corresponding between each meter's output terminal and each logic unit input terminal. 2. Spindle identification circuit inkjet printing according to claim 1, wherein after the counter is reset, the account value of the counter is counted in a sequence of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ..., etc. 3. Spindle identification circuit inkjet printing according to claim 1, wherein the logical unit is a door O, a door NO-Y or A decoder 4. Spindle identification circuit inkjet printing according to claim 1, wherein the logical unit further comprises a control terminal of enablement, and the enable control terminal is coupled to a clock signal line. 5. Spindle identification circuit inkjet printing according to claim 1, wherein The programming unit is programmed in a manner programmed by mask when the head identification circuit of inkjet printing is being manufactured, to store the identification code. 6. Spindle identification circuit inkjet printing according to claim 1, wherein the programmable programming unit is provided using a plurality of fuses to store the code ID. 7. Spindle identification circuit inkjet printing according to claim 1, wherein the programmable programming unit is provided using a plurality of electrical connectors to store the code of ID. 8. Spindle identification circuit inkjet printing, suitable for use in a inkjet printer, comprising a signal line of reset, at least one clock signal line, and one line of identification code signal to identify a type of inkjet printhead, comprising: a counter, coupled to the signal line of reset and at least one clock signal line, used to reset the counter when a reset signal is received from the reset signal line and used to count a value of counter count to the next value when a signal is received from corresponding clock of the at least one clock signal line, to output the account value of a plurality of terminals counter output; a plurality of switches, where each one of the plurality of switches comprises a terminal of input, an output terminal and a control terminal, and all output terminals of the switches are coupled to the line signal identification code, to output a code of identification representing the type of printhead by inkjet, and each switch control terminal is coupled to the corresponding output terminal of the counter, respectively, and a programming unit, coupled to the switch input terminals, used to program the input value of the input terminal of the switches according to the identification code to store. 9. Spindle identification circuit inkjet printing according to claim 8, wherein After the counter resets, the account value of the counter is counted in a sequence of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ..., etc. 10. Spindle identification circuit inkjet printing according to claim 8, wherein the switches are a plurality of NMOS transistors or a plurality of CMOS transistors. 11. Spindle identification circuit inkjet printing according to claim 8, wherein The programming unit is programmed in a manner programmed by mask when the head identification circuit of inkjet printing is being manufactured, to store the identification code. 12. Spindle identification circuit inkjet printing according to claim 8, wherein the programmable programming unit is provided using a plurality of fuses to store the code ID. 13. Spindle identification circuit inkjet printing according to claim 8, wherein the programmable programming unit is provided using a plurality of electrical connectors to store the code of ID. 14. Head identification method of inkjet printing, suitable for identifying a type of inkjet printhead, comprising: provide a reset signal and at least a clock signal; reposition an account value when received the reset signal; count the account value to the next value when the at least one clock signal is received; Y program a logical drive according to a code identification representing the type of printhead by inkjet and account value, so that the head of inkjet printing sequentially outputs the code of ID. 15. Head identification method of inkjet printing according to claim 14, wherein After the counter resets, the account value of the counter is counted in a sequence of 1, 2, 4, 8, 16, ..., etc. 16. Head identification method of inkjet printing according to claim 14, wherein the logical unit is a door O, a door NO-Y or A decoder 17. Head identification method of inkjet printing according to claim 14, wherein the logic circuit is a plurality of NMOS transistors or a plurality of CMOS transistors.