Data carrier apparatus, data carrier drive apparatus, communication system and replaceable part of image forming apparatus

A communication system comprising a data carrier drive apparatus and a data carrier apparatus that are connected by two communication lines,

• wherein the data carrier drive apparatus includes:
• a selection unit configured to select a period and a duty ratio, based on a value of data that is to be transmitted, when transmitting data to the data carrier apparatus;
• a generation unit configured to generate a first pulse signal that includes a pulse having the period and the duty ratio selected by the selection unit;
• and
• an application unit configured to apply a potential difference that depends on the first pulse signal generated by the generation unit to the two communication lines, and
• the data carrier apparatus includes:
• an output unit configured to output a second pulse signal based on the potential difference between the two communication lines;
• a first determination unit configured to determine a duty ratio of each pulse of the second pulse signal;
• a second determination unit configured to determine a period of each pulse of the second pulse signal;
• and
• a third determination unit configured to determine a value of data transmitted by the data carrier apparatus based on a determination result of the first determination unit and a determination result of the second determination unit.

A replaceable part of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a processing member used for image formation;
• and
• a data carrier apparatus that is capable of communicating with the image forming apparatus,
• wherein the data carrier apparatus includes:
• a first determination unit configured to determine a duty ratio of each pulse of a pulse signal that is received;
• a second determination unit configured to determine a period of each pulse of the pulse signal;
• and
• a third determination unit configured to determine a value of data being carried by the pulse signal based on a determination result of the first determination unit and a determination result of the second determination unit.

A communication system of an image forming apparatus, comprising:

• a data carrier drive apparatus provided in a body of the image forming apparatus;
• and
• a data carrier apparatus provided in a replaceable part of the image forming apparatus,
• wherein the data carrier drive apparatus and the data carrier apparatus are capable of communicating with each other through two communication lines,
• the data carrier drive apparatus comprises:
• a selection unit configured to select a period and a duty ratio based on a value of data that is to be transmitted, when transmitting data to the data carrier apparatus;
• a generation unit configured to generate a first pulse signal that includes a pulse having the period and the duty ratio selected by the selection unit;
• and
• an application unit configured to apply a potential difference that depends on the first pulse signal generated by the generation unit to the two communication lines, and
• the data carrier apparatus comprises:
• an output unit configured to output a second pulse signal based on the potential difference between the two communication lines;
• a first determination unit configured to determine a duty ratio of each pulse of the second pulse signal;
• a second determination unit configured to determine a period of each pulse of the second pulse signal;
• and
• a third determination unit configured to determine a value of data transmitted by the data carrier apparatus based on a determination result of the first determination unit and a determination result of the second determination unit.