Password protected memory on replaceable components for printing devices
AssigneeHewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
InventorRobert E. Haines
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A printing device component having a memory tag with password protected data areas to control read and write access to the memory tag. The memory tag provides an encrypted authorization code to a printing device into which the component is installed. The printing device determines if the authorization code is valid and, if so, the printing device enables all printing device functions. Otherwise, limited functions are enabled. The memory tag utilizes encryption methods to allow only authorized user access to read from and write to selected data areas of the memory tag.
Claims21
A printing system comprising:
- a printing device;
- a replaceable component installable in the printing device;
- and
- a memory tag affixed to the replaceable component, the memory tag having a plurality of data areas which contain encrypted data;
- and
- a microprocessor to control access to the data areas by the printing device, wherein the microprocessor is configured to utilize encrypted data received from the printing device to determine which data areas are accessible by the printing device.
A printing device component, comprising:
- a memory tag having first and second data areas;
- the first data area containing encrypted data;
- and
- the second data area containing non-encrypted data;
- a microprocessor to control access to the data areas of the memory by an interrogating device, wherein the microprocessor is configured to utilize encrypted data received from the interrogating device to determine which data areas are accessible by the interrogating device.
A method comprising:
- receiving a replaceable component into a printing device, the replaceable component having a memory tag affixed thereto, the memory tag having a plurality of data areas, at least one data area which contains encrypted tag data;
- transmitting encrypted interrogator data from the printing device to the memory tag;
- decrypting the interrogator data at the memory tag;
- utilizing the interrogator data to determine which of the data areas may be accessed by the printing device;
- transmitting the encrypted tag data from the memory tag to the printing device;
- and
- decrypting the tag data at the printing device.
A replaceable component for a printing device, comprising:
- a cartridge body;
- a memory tag having first and second data areas, the first data area containing encrypted data and the second data area containing non-encrypted data;
- a microprocessor to control access to the data areas of the memory by an interrogating device, wherein the first and second data areas of the memory tag are configured to be accessible by one or more interrogating devices, and wherein the microprocessor is configured to utilize encrypted data received from the one or more interrogating devices to determine which data areas of the memory tag are accessible by each interrogating device.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.