# US 12,003,686 B2 · Method of setting up electrical communications between an imaging device and a supply item

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- Number: US 12,003,686 B2
- Document ID: US12003686B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 17/857,690
- Filed: 2022-07-05
- Published: 2022-10-20
- Granted: 2024-06-04
- Earliest claimed: 2018-04-13
- Assignees: Lexmark International, Inc.
- Applicants: Lexmark International, Inc.
- Inventors: Stephen Porter Bush; Timothy John Rademacher; Christopher Alan Adkins
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US12003686B2

## CPC

- H04N 1/4426: {involving separate means, e.g. a server, a magnetic card}
- B41J 2/17503: {Ink cartridges}
- G03G 15/50: {Machine control of apparatus for electrographic processes using a charge pattern, e.g. regulating differents parts of the machine, multimode copiers, microprocessor control (sequencing control G03G21/14)}
- G06F 21/335: {for accessing specific resources, e.g. using Kerberos tickets}
- H04L 9/3268: {using certificate validation, registration, distribution or revocation, e.g. certificate revocation list [CRL]}
- H04N 1/00015: {Reproducing apparatus}
- H04N 1/00034: {Measuring, i.e. determining a quantity by comparison with a standard (H04N1/00031 takes precedence)}
- H04N 1/00058: {using a separate apparatus}
- H04N 1/00965: {using a plug-in memory module, e.g. memory card, memory stick}
- H04N 1/0097: {Storage of instructions or parameters, e.g. customised instructions or different parameters for different user IDs}
- G03G 15/0863: {provided with identifying means or means for storing process- or use parameters, e.g. an electronic memory}
- G03G 15/0865: {Arrangements for supplying new developer}
- G03G 15/553: {Monitoring or warning means for exhaustion or lifetime end of consumables, e.g. indication of insufficient copy sheet quantity for a job}
- G03G 15/556: {for toner consumption, e.g. pixel counting, toner coverage detection or toner density measurement}
- G03G 21/1882: {details of the communication with memory, e.g. wireless communication, protocols}
- H04N: PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
- B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS
- G03G: ELECTROGRAPHY; ELECTROPHOTOGRAPHY; MAGNETOGRAPHY
- G06F: ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING (computer systems based on specific computational models G06N)
- H04L: TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION (arrangements common to telegraphic and telephonic communication H04M)

## Abstract

A supply item has toner for use in an imaging device. A chip has memory storing quanta indicating allowed usage of the supply item over its lifetime and a multiplier correlating the quanta to toner mass. The imaging device requires quanta to conduct imaging operations and loads the quanta and multiplier by way of a certificate stored in the memory. The imaging device retrieves quanta from the chip over time and both devices keep tally. Initialization between the supply item and imaging device includes providing encrypted and unencrypted instances of firmware versions and certificates from the supply item that the imaging device can compare for security. Alternatively, the supply item defines a fuser assembly, imaging unit, intermediate transfer member, or other component installed for use in the imaging device.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A method of setting up electrical communications between an imaging device and a supply item configured for installation in the imaging device using an inter-integrated circuit communications bus, the imaging device having a controller and a first chip in communication with each other and the supply item having a second chip configured to electrically communicate therewith, comprising:
providing the second chip of the supply item with a memory storing therein a device certificate identifying the second chip;
configuring the second chip of the supply item to receive one or more requests for the device certificate from the imaging device;
configuring the second chip of the supply item to provide to the imaging device both an unencrypted and encrypted instance of the device certificate;
configuring the second chip of the supply item to receive a device certificate of the first chip of the imaging device; and
exchanging encryption keys between the first and second chips,
wherein the device certificate of the second chip of the supply item includes a device unique public key signed by a global key along with serial or part numbers of the chip and unique signatures.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further including determining whether a match exists or not between the unencrypted instance and a decrypted instance of the encrypted instance of the device certificate to allow or not imaging operations of the imaging device.

### Claim 3 (depends on 2)

The method of claim 2, further including providing the encrypted instance of the device certificate after providing the unencrypted instance of the device certificate.

### Claim 4 (depends on 3)

The method of claim 3, further including caching the unencrypted instance of the device certificate.

### Claim 5 (depends on 4)

The method of claim 4, further including passing the device certificate of the second chip of the supply item from the controller to the first chip of the imaging device.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The method of claim 1, further including providing a device certificate of the first chip to the second chip of the supply item.