Ink jet printhead identification circuit and method

An inkjet printing apparatus for furnishing identification information of a printhead to an inkjet printer, comprising:

• a control circuit, for generating control signals that control operation of the inkjet printer;
• an inkjet printhead performing printing operation based on the control signals generated by the control circuit;
• an identification circuit, used in a printhead of a cartridge for identifying general information and detecting current status of the cartridge, comprising:
• a power source, a ground, an output line, a first address line, and a second address line;
• a first transistor and a first fuse connected in parallel, provided between the ground and the output line, the first transistor having a gate that is electrically connected to the first address line;
• and
• a second transistor and a second fuse in parallel connection, provided between the power source and the output line, the second transistor having a gate that is electrically connected to the second address line;
• wherein, when the control circuit generates control signals commanding the first address line to turn on the first transistor and the second address line to turn off the second transistor, an appropriate voltage applied to the power source bums the second fuse;
• and
• when the control circuit generates control signals commanding the second address to turn on the second transistor and the first address line to turn off the first transistor, an appropriate voltage applied to the power source burns the first fuse.

An inkjet printhead identification method for identifying general information of a cartridge and detecting current status of the cartridge, comprising the steps of:

• a. providing an identification circuit to a printhead of a cartridge, the identification circuit comprises:
• a power source, a ground, an output line, a first address line, and a second address line;
• a first transistor and a first fuse in parallel connection, provided between the ground and the output line, the first transistor having a gate that is electrically connected to the first address line;
• and
• a second transistor and a second fuse in parallel connection, provided between the power source and the output line, the second transistor having a gate that is electrically connected to the second address line;
• b. burning the second fuse by an appropriate voltage applied to the power source when the first address line turns on the first transistor and the second address line turns off the second transistor;
• and
• c. burning the first fuse by an appropriate voltage applied to the power source when the control circuit generates control signals commanding the second address to turn on the second transistor and the first address line to turn off the first transistor.