KR100935373B1 - Type-conversion method for cartridge chip - Google Patents

Abstract

Cartridge chip model conversion method provided by the present invention comprises the steps of: changing the drive program loaded on the cartridge chip; And changing the model identification data recorded in the cartridge chip. At least one step selected from among. The cartridge chip model converting method of the present invention uses a cartridge chip used in a cartridge for a previous type of printing apparatus by changing a driving program loaded on the cartridge chip or changing model identification data recorded on the cartridge chip. It can be converted into a cartridge chip suitable for the printing apparatus of the.

Printer, Cartridge Chip

Description

Cartridge chip type conversion method {Type-conversion method for cartridge chip}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to an imaging device, and more particularly, to a reuse technique of a cartridge chip mounted on a color cartridge for a printing device.

Printing apparatuses such as printers, copiers, facsimiles, and the like have removable color cartridges such as ink cartridges, toner cartridges, and the like. The colorant cartridge may include colorant storage means for storing colorants (pigments or dyes) for monochrome and / or color printing; Colorant emitting means for emitting colorant for image formation at the request of a printing apparatus; In addition, it is common to have a cartridge chip incorporating a memory means for storing various data associated with a colorant cartridge or a printing apparatus.

The cartridge chip includes, in addition to the memory means, an interface unit for enabling wired or wireless communication between the printing apparatus and the cartridge chip; And a controller having a function of inquiring or changing data stored in the memory means in response to a request of the printing apparatus.

The memory means embedded in the cartridge chip may include, for example, a cartridge identification code for allowing the printing apparatus to determine whether the mounted colorant cartridge is suitable for the printing apparatus; The maximum number of pages that can be output from the color cartridge according to the color storage capacity of the color cartridge; The remaining number of printable pages according to the remaining amount of colorant remaining in the colorant cartridge and remaining amount of colorant remaining in the colorant cartridge; History of use of colorant cartridges; Or a combination thereof.

Among the data stored in the cartridge chip, there may be data whose value is changed according to the use of the colorant cartridge. Therefore, in order to reuse the color cartridge provided with such a cartridge chip, not only replenishment of the color paint but also initialization of the change data stored in the cartridge chip is required.

Conventionally, a method of replacing the used color cartridge cartridge chip with a new cartridge chip storing the initialized data has been widely used for the initialization of the cartridge chip data. In this case, the cartridge chip of the used color cartridge is discarded, thus causing a problem of environmental pollution and resource waste caused by the disposal of the cartridge chip. In addition, from the viewpoint of color cartridge regeneration companies, the "cartridge chip data initialization method" such as the disposal of used cartridge chips and the introduction of new cartridge chips has been an important contributor to the regeneration cost.

In order to solve the environmental pollution and waste of resources caused by the disposal of the used cartridge chip, for example, it is possible to initialize the cartridge chip, such as a general-purpose resetter disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-0769738 The use of "resetters" has been suggested. By using such a cartridge chip resetter, the cartridge chip used can be initialized and reused.

However, in the field of conventional color cartridges, it was common that the cartridge chip used for a color model cartridge of a specific model cannot be used for a color cartridge of a model other than the color cartridge of the specific model. Thus, even when the cartridge chip was reset, the cartridge chip used for the color cartridge of one model could not be reused for the color cartridge of another model.

On the other hand, US Patent Publication No. 7,088,928 B2 discloses a general-purpose cartridge chip that can be used in various types of printing apparatus. The general purpose cartridge chip comprises a memory member for storing imaging cartridge data; And control the operation of the cartridge chip, determine whether the imaging device is a type 1 imaging device or a type 2 imaging device, and if the imaging device is a type 1 imaging device, operate in a first mode of operation; Is a second type of imaging device, the controller is operated in a second mode of operation. Further, in the general-purpose cartridge chip, the controller monitors a sequence of communication signals received from the imaging device by the cartridge chip, and based on the sequence of communication signals, whether the imaging device is a first type imaging device or a second one. Determine if it is a type imaging device. In other words, such a general purpose cartridge chip, prior to the normal operation of the cartridge chip, must undergo an additional process of determining the type of printing apparatus through communication with the printing apparatus. However, in this additional process, the initial communication error of the general purpose cartridge chip and the printing device; Alternatively, a determination error of the general purpose cartridge chip may further occur. Accordingly, it is difficult to rule out the possibility that this additional process may cause a further increase in the possibility of error in the initial mutual recognition process of the printing apparatus and the cartridge chip. In addition, US Pat. No. 7,088,928 B2 proposes no means for recycling the universal cartridge chip.

It is noted in the present invention that the incompatibility of cartridge chips between various models of colorant cartridges results in serious reduction of the recycling range of cartridge chips. This is because the reproduction ratio may vary for each colorant cartridge model. In other words, most of the cartridge chips used in the color cartridge model with low demand for recycling will eventually be discarded without being reused.

Operators in the field of color cartridge regeneration are introducing new cartridge chips in a certain amount due to various factors. However, if the cartridge chip used in the color cartridge of one model can be reused in the color cartridge of another model, the amount of introduction of the new cartridge chip can be greatly reduced. Accordingly, the problem of environmental pollution due to the disposal of the used cartridge chip, the waste of resources due to the manufacture of a new cartridge chip can be effectively solved.

It is conceived in the present invention that such a problem can be solved if the type conversion of the cartridge chip becomes possible. Thus, the present invention is to provide a model conversion method of the cartridge chip.

Cartridge chip model conversion method provided by the present invention,

Changing a driving program loaded on the cartridge chip; And changing the model identification data recorded in the cartridge chip. At least one step selected from among.

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Typically, the cartridge chip, the input and output interface unit; Control unit; Program memory; And data memory. The input / output interface unit includes a communication circuit necessary for the cartridge chip to communicate with the printing apparatus in a wired or wireless manner. The control unit provides an arithmetic circuit, a logic circuit, a control circuit, or a combination thereof necessary for driving the drive program. The program memory is loaded with a drive program that defines an execution procedure required for controlling the operation of the cartridge chip. The cartridge type identification data and the cartridge status data are recorded in the data memory.

The drive program may include, for example, basic functions such as a communication signal receiving function from a printing apparatus, a data memory reading function, a data memory writing function, a communication signal transmission function to a printing apparatus, or a combination thereof. In addition, the driving program may include a procedure for performing a process and / or response to a request from a printing apparatus, using this basic function. In general, such a driving program differs in a specific implementation method of a basic function, a specific regulation method of an execution procedure, and the like according to a model of a printing apparatus to be applied. In other words, different types of cartridge chips have different drive programs. Due to the difference in the driving program, when the cartridge chip used in the previous type of printing device cartridge is used as it is in the other type of printing device cartridge, the other type of printing device recognizes the cartridge chip normally. This prevents the normal printing operation. However, according to the method of the present invention, if the drive program for the previous model is changed to the drive program for the target model, even if the cartridge chip used in the cartridge for the printing apparatus of the previous model is mounted on the cartridge for the printing apparatus of the target model, The printing apparatus can recognize the cartridge chip normally.

For example, the cartridge chip used in the HP-1300 printer may be converted into a cartridge chip that may be used in the HP-2300 printer. It can be assumed that the HP-1300 printer requires the presence of a header "AA 8C B5 24 A7 2F D0 53 50" in the signal received from the cartridge chip. In this case, if there is no header "AA 8C B5 24 A7 2F D0 53 50" in the signal received from the cartridge chip, the HP-1300 printer determines that an inappropriate cartridge chip is mounted. Therefore, the drive program of the cartridge chip for the HP-1300 model is, for example, a response to an inquiry request from the HP-1300 printer asking for a value stored at the data memory address "00", "AA 8C B5 24 A7 2F D0." 53 50 "header signal and the value of" 00 "address should be output continuously. The HP-1300 printer receiving the output signal uses the value of the received "00" address after determining that an appropriate cartridge chip is installed by the header signal "AA 8C B5 24 A7 2F D0 53 50". . In contrast, the HP-2300 printer may assume that the header “AA 8C B5 2B A0 87 11 10 40” is required to be present in the signal transmitted from the cartridge chip. In this case, if there is no header "AA 8C B5 2B A0 87 11 10 40" in the signal received from the cartridge chip, the HP-2300 printer determines that an inappropriate cartridge chip is mounted. Therefore, the drive program of the cartridge chip for the HP-2300 model is, for example, a response to an inquiry request from the HP-2300 printer asking for a value stored at the data memory address "00", "AA 8C B5 2B A0 87 11". 10 40 "header signal and the value of" 00 "address must be output continuously. Therefore, in order to convert the cartridge chip used in the HP-1300 printer model to the cartridge chip that can be used in the HP-2300 printer model, a drive program that outputs the header signal "AA 8C B5 24 A7 2F D0 53 50", It should be changed to the drive program which outputs the header signal "AA 8C B5 2B A0 87 11 10 40".

The model identification data may be letters, numbers, symbols, or a combination thereof indicating the model of the cartridge on which the cartridge chip is mounted. The printing apparatus transmits a communication signal requesting inquiry of the model identification data to the cartridge chip in order to check whether a suitable cartridge is installed. The cartridge chip reads the model identification data recorded in the data memory by driving the drive program, and then transmits a communication signal including the model identification data to the printing apparatus. The printing apparatus reads out the model identification data transmitted from the cartridge chip, and determines whether the mounted cartridge is suitable. Although the cartridge actually mounted is suitable for the printing apparatus, if the model identification data recorded on the cartridge chip indicates a different model, the printing apparatus judges that an inappropriate cartridge is mounted. However, according to the method of the present invention, when the model identification data for the previous model is changed to the model identification data for the target model, even if the cartridge chip used in the cartridge for the printing apparatus of the previous model is mounted on the cartridge for the printing apparatus of the target model. In the printing apparatus of the target model, it is determined that a suitable cartridge is mounted.

Depending on the relationship between the previous model and the target model, the model change may be achieved only by changing the driving program loaded on the cartridge chip, and the model change may be achieved only by changing the model identification data recorded on the cartridge chip. In addition, a model change may be achieved by performing a step of changing the driving program loaded on the cartridge chip and changing the model identification data recorded on the cartridge chip.

As described above, the cartridge chip model converting method of the present invention changes the drive program loaded on the cartridge chip, and changes the model identification data recorded on the cartridge chip, thereby making it possible to use the cartridge chip used in the cartridge for the printing apparatus of the previous model. Can be converted into a cartridge chip suitable for the printing apparatus of the target model.

Thus, by using the cartridge chip model conversion method of the present invention, the cartridge chip used for the color cartridge of a specific model can be reused in the color cartridge of another model, and the amount of new cartridge chip introduction can be greatly reduced. Accordingly, the problem of environmental pollution due to the disposal of the used cartridge chip, the waste of resources due to the manufacture of a new cartridge chip can be effectively solved.

Hereinafter, the cartridge chip model conversion method of the present invention will be described in more detail. Cartridge chip model conversion method of the present invention, the step of changing the drive program loaded on the cartridge chip; And changing the model identification data recorded in the cartridge chip.

The drive program changing step is a step of changing the drive program for the previous model loaded into the cartridge chip into the drive program for the target model.

Typically, a cartridge chip has a program memory for loading a drive program. Therefore, the changing step of the drive program can be performed by reloading the binary code of the drive program for the target model into the program memory.

The program memory of the cartridge chip may be, for example, re-programmable read-only-memory (REPROM), flash memory, or the like. In the case of a cartridge chip having a program memory of the REPROM method, for example, a ROM writer can be used to reload the binary code of the drive program for the target model into the program memory. As another example, in the case of a cartridge chip employing a microcontroller having a drive program download function, a computer device having a drive program upload function is connected to an input / output interface of a cartridge chip, and then used for a target model stored in the computer device. By transferring the drive program to the cartridge chip, the drive program for the target model can be reloaded into the program memory of the cartridge chip.

In addition, the changing step of the drive program may be performed by deleting, modifying or adding a part of the drive program for the previous model loaded on the cartridge chip. If the previous model drive program can be converted to the target model drive program by deleting, modifying or adding a part of the previous model drive program, even if the entire target program is not reloaded, Changes are possible.

The model identification data changing step is a step of changing the previous model identification data recorded on the cartridge chip into the model identification data for the target model.

Typically, the cartridge chip has a data memory for storing model identification data. Therefore, the model identification data changing step can be performed by rewriting the model identification data for the target model in the data memory.

The data memory of the cartridge chip may be, for example, re-programmable read-only-memory (REPROM), flash memory, or the like. In the case of a cartridge chip having a data memory of the REPROM method, for example, a hexacode of the model identification data for the target model can be rewritten in the data memory using a ROM writer. In another example, in the case of a cartridge chip employing a microcontroller having a data download function, a computer device having a data upload function is connected to an input / output interface of a cartridge chip, and then a model for a target model stored in the computer device is identified. By transferring the data to the cartridge chip, the model identification data for the target model can be rewritten in the data memory of the cartridge chip.

On the other hand, depending on the model, the data memory address to which the model identification data of a particular item is recorded may vary. In such a case, the model identification data changing step can be performed by writing the model identification data for the target model in the data memory address for the target model.

Another embodiment of the cartridge chip model conversion method of the present invention may further include resetting the cartridge state data of the cartridge chip.

Cartridge status data may include, for example, cartridge serial number, date of manufacture, photoconductor drum revolutions, printed pages, remaining amount of colorant, remaining printable pages, or a combination thereof. The previous type of printing apparatus and the target type of printing apparatus may require different combinations of cartridge status data. Further, in order to obtain cartridge status data of the same item, the printing apparatus of the previous model and the printing apparatus of the desired model may query different addresses of the data memory of the cartridge chip. In such a case, when the cartridge chip holding the cartridge status data set for the previous model is used in the printing apparatus of the target model, the printing apparatus of the target model cannot operate normally. Therefore, in order to more faithfully achieve the model conversion of the cartridge chip, it may be necessary to reset the cartridge state data of the cartridge chip.

Resetting of the cartridge status data can be performed, for example, by writing the initial value of the combination of status data required by the printer of the target model to the data memory address required by the printer of the target model.

In addition, resetting of the cartridge status data may be performed by deleting, modifying or adding a part of the cartridge type status data for the previous model recorded in the data memory of the cartridge chip. If the old cartridge status data can be converted to the destination cartridge status data by deleting, modifying or adding a part of the old cartridge status data, even if the entire destination cartridge status data is not rewritten. It is possible to reset the cartridge status data.

Hereinafter, the cartridge chip model converting apparatus of the present invention will be described in detail. Cartridge chip model conversion device of the present invention,

An input / output interface unit having a communication circuit for communicating with the cartridge chip;

A memory unit for storing at least one target model driving program, or at least one target model identification data, or at least one target model driving program and model identification data; And

A target model driving program stored in the memory unit, or a target model identification data stored in the memory unit, or a target model driving program stored in the memory unit through the input / output interface unit; And a controller for outputting model identification data to the cartridge chip.

The input / output interface unit may be, for example, a serial communication method (eg, I2C communication, 3-wire communication, 1-wire communication), or a radio frequency communication method. In addition, various communication methods compatible with the communication method of the cartridge chip that is the object of model conversion may be used.

The memory unit may be, for example, a ROM, a re-programmable read-only-memory (REPROM), a flash memory, a RAM, a magnetic disk, a magnetic tape, or an optical disk.

The controller may be, for example, an application specific integrated circuit, a semi-custom integrated circuit, a programmable gate array, a microprocessor, or a microcontroller.

In converting a model of a cartridge chip employing a microcontroller having a drive program download function, when the input / output interface unit of the cartridge chip model converting apparatus of the present invention is connected to the input / output interface of the cartridge chip, the controller is stored in a memory unit. By transferring the drive program for the cartridge chip, the drive program for the target model can be reloaded into the program memory of the cartridge chip. Further, the control unit transmits the model identification data for the target model stored in the memory unit to the cartridge chip, whereby the model identification data for the target model can be rewritten in the data memory of the cartridge chip.

In another embodiment of the cartridge chip type converting apparatus of the present invention, the memory unit may further include model identification data memory address information for the target model, and the control unit may include the model identification data memory for the target model in addition to the model identification data for the target model. The address can be sent to the cartridge chip. Accordingly, the model identification data for the target model can be recorded in the model identification data memory address for the target model of the cartridge chip.

In another embodiment of the cartridge chip model converting apparatus of the present invention, the memory unit may further include cartridge state data information for the target model, and the control unit may include cartridge state data information (initial value and / or memory address) for the target model. Can be additionally transferred to the cartridge chip. Accordingly, the cartridge state data of the cartridge chip can be reset.

1 is a block diagram for explaining a process of performing an embodiment of the cartridge chip model conversion method of the present invention using one embodiment of the cartridge chip model conversion device of the present invention. The type conversion apparatus 100 includes an input / output interface unit 110, a memory unit 120, and a controller 130.

The cartridge chip 200 employs a microcontroller 220 having a drive program and a data download function. More specifically, for example, the microcontroller 220 having a driving program and a data download function typically includes a driving program and a data download function in the microcontroller 220 itself or in a program memory embedded in the microcontroller 220. The "basic instruction recognition routine" or "OS" may be loaded natively (or from the factory of the microcontroller). By the operation of the "basic instruction recognition routine" or "OS" of the cartridge chip 200, the drive program and data can be downloaded to the cartridge chip 200.

The input / output interface 110 of the type converter 100 is connected to the input / output interface 210 of the cartridge chip 200. The controller 130 of the model converting apparatus 100 transmits the driving program for the target model stored in the memory unit 120 to the cartridge chip 200 through the input / output interface unit 110. The microcontroller 220 of the cartridge chip 200 loads the driving program for the target model received from the model converting apparatus 100 into the program memory 230. In addition, the model converting apparatus 100 transmits the model identification data for the target model, the cartridge status data for the target model, and the memory address information for the target model stored in the memory unit 120 to the cartridge chip 200. The microcontroller 220 of the cartridge chip 200 records the target model identification data for the target model and the cartridge status data for the target model received from the model converter 100 at a designated address of the data memory 230.

1 is a block diagram for explaining a process of performing an embodiment of the cartridge chip model conversion method of the present invention using one embodiment of the cartridge chip model conversion device of the present invention.

Claims (11)

delete delete delete delete delete delete delete delete An input / output interface unit having a communication circuit for communicating with the cartridge chip; A memory unit for storing at least one target model driving program, or at least one target model identification data, or at least one target model driving program and model identification data; And A target model driving program stored in the memory unit, or a target model identification data stored in the memory unit, or a target model driving program stored in the memory unit through the input / output interface unit; And a controller for outputting model identification data to a cartridge chip. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the memory unit further includes model identification data memory address information for the target model, and the controller transmits the model identification data memory address for the target model to the cartridge chip together with the model identification data for the target model. Cartridge chip type converter characterized in that. 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the memory unit further includes cartridge state data information for the target model, and the controller additionally transmits the cartridge state data information for the target model to the cartridge chip.

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