Many patents for consumables with chips (such as ZL131800.4) specify that chips are storage devices, memory devices, and consumption recording devices. Before there was a chip, we usually relied on visual inspection of the ink end. If we did not report the "ink end" signal in advance, we might end up printing halfway, running out of consumables, and losing real-time information. The function of the chip is to prevent the print head from running without ink or toner and protect the print head. In order to prevent sudden ink failure during printing, Lexmark began to use chips in 1998, and HP began to use chips in 2001. From 2005 to 2006, more than 50 printers used chips, and later developed to almost all OEM manufacturers' printers. With the use of chips, a group of printing-specific chip companies has formed around the world, and a number of consumable chip factories have emerged. 2. The functions of OEM chips are becoming increasingly complex during the development. Some identification code element sequences are as long as 128 bits, and recently the passwords are as long as 192 bits. It is becoming more and more difficult to crack the passwords; some functions are expanded to identify whether they are original consumables; some consumables are The printer was contacted. When it recognized that the consumables were not from our company, the printing function was locked and it was recorded that the printer used non-original consumables. The machine was not under warranty, making the maintenance book a piece of paper and providing a basis for the OEM to formulate disclaimer clauses and overlord clauses. Usually, chips are for one-time use. OEMs are under pressure from the global promotion of 3R (Reuse, Reduces Recycle), and some also design chips to limit the number of powder refills. As a memory device for consumable usage, the chip should be able to be rewritten or cleared (required when filling). Due to the strict regulations of WEEE, the OEM manufacturer, the chip can be rewritten in Europe, but it is not allowed in China. Clearing is not allowed. Zero also considered it a violation and promoted that "only one-time consumption can ensure printing quality." The marketing model that treats Chinese and European users differently is inconsistent with the WTO principle of trade equality and is suspected of discriminating against Chinese consumers.
Driven by differentiated competition, chips are becoming more and more complex and have become an important means to deal with competitors. 3. Comments 1. Not long after the chips used in printing consumables came out, in 2000, the American "Computer" magazine commented that Epson's ink cartridges with chips were the first of the five worst products in the world. They believed that Epson's unparalleled technology may be Destroyed by this inconspicuous little thing. 2. An American columnist made up a story. A certain automobile factory put a chip on the fuel tank to specifically identify the password of gasoline. When it found that it was not the company's gasoline, it shut down the engine. Although it was not implemented in the car, it was used in the printer. On the Internet, this function has been realized, relying on chips to build technical barriers and resist the intervention of substitutes. 3. Practice has proven that the chip is open-loop controlled. When the ink cartridge with the chip sends the "Inkout" message, the remaining ink content is as high as more than 30%. The chip does not truly reflect the ink content. Consumers from various countries have complained about consumables with chips. , consumables were wasted due to chips that could not be fully utilized, and consumers requested compensation. After seeing the toner termination message in the toner cartridge assembly, there is about 20-30% remaining toner in the toner cartridge, and the color drum is more serious. One is a waste of resources, the other is pollution of the environment, and the third is the flying powder that affects human health. 4. Failures The author believes that the chips in consumables have at least the following failures: 1. Article 8 of China’s Anti-Monopoly Law stipulates that market dominance shall not be abused to eliminate or limit competition. Chips that do not reflect the true amount of remaining ink or powder are specifically designed to build a threshold. Chips used to deal with competitors violate the Anti-Monopoly Law. 2. Article 28 of China's "Circular Economy Promotion Law" stipulates that "the state restricts the production and sale of disposable consumer goods on the premise of ensuring product safety and hygiene." Single-use chips in consumables cannot be rewritten or cleared. Zero’s chips violate China’s Circular Economy Promotion Law. 3. As the complexity of chips increases, the price also increases, which is absorbed in the cost, increasing the burden on consumers. 4. Violates the technical specifications of developed countries. As Japan's ecological technology requirements clearly stipulate, "IC chips or other devices that hinder the disassembly and reuse of IC chips or other devices cannot be used." Single-use chips are also illegal in Japan. 5. Violates China’s upcoming technical regulations.
Judging from the draft of China's national and industry standards for consumables (which have been published online), the requirements for chips are "not to prevent compatibility and regeneration" and "not to prevent remanufacturing and reuse." The original intention of OEMs to develop increasingly complex encryption chips is Raising the threshold for third-party products to enter and preventing compatibility and regeneration, its functions are contrary to China's technical specifications. If chips are unimpeded for remanufacturing and reuse, its necessity is questionable. OEMs are trying to increase the complexity of chip encryption to make imitation more difficult. OEMs are advised to be careful. Preventing imitation is simply not allowed by global laws. Of course, imitation cannot infringe intellectual property rights. 6. Chips are a source of electronic pollution. Old consumables are treasures and can be remanufactured and reused. Even sealing moldings can be burned and converted into heat energy. Only chips require specialized agencies to handle them, which increases the burden on environmental protection. 7. The chip after-sales service commitments between China and Europe are quite different and do not comply with the WTO principle of equal trade. 5. Way out 1. Function transfer As we all know, the main function of the chip is to store consumable consumption data, consumable remaining amount, printer output, company name, consumable type, regional information, developing voltage, etc. These special encoded data are loaded at the factory. . These functions can be implemented in the printer controller. The chip in the consumables does not measure the remaining toner amount and the physical and chemical parameters of the toner, but can be set in the print driver. The consumption and accumulated print volume are both stored in the printer controller. After the usage is exceeded, the system can be restarted or scrapped. 2. Where there is a spear, there is a shield. In order to curb the consumables of third-party manufacturers, some OEMs have adopted Japanese military encryption technology, which increases the difficulty and cost of compatibility. If this technology is conducive to environmental protection, conducive to fair competition around the world, conducive to consumers enjoying the maximum rights and interests, and conducive to reducing daily office costs, people will welcome it.