# US 7,609,407 B2 · Thermal printing system and method > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,609,407 B2 - Document ID: US7609407B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/867,061 - Filed: 2004-06-14 - Published: 2005-12-15 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2004-06-14 - Inventors: Mukhtar A. Chinwala; Ford R. Ennis, Jr.; John L. Landers; Arthur G. LaRocque; Leonid Winestein - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7609407B2 ## CPC - B41J 11/009: {Detecting type of paper, e.g. by automatic reading of a code that is printed on a paper package or on a paper roll or by sensing the grade of translucency of the paper} - B41J: TYPEWRITERS; SELECTIVE PRINTING MECHANISMS, i.e. MECHANISMS PRINTING OTHERWISE THAN FROM A FORME; CORRECTION OF TYPOGRAPHICAL ERRORS ## Abstract A method and system for authenticating print media includes providing a digital memory physically associated with a holder of print media, and storing data in the digital memory, which data is adapted to be authenticated to allow use of the print media. In a preferred embodiment the system and method are capable of detecting the print medium present in a printer and adjusting printing characteristics of a printer with respect to the specific print medium present. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An authentication system for print media, comprising: a digital memory adapted to be physically associated with a print media holder; coded data stored in said memory and being adapted to confirm authenticity of said print media holder; and a control system adapted to be operably connected to said digital memory and adapted for authenticating said coded data stored in said memory for enabling usage of print media from said print media holder. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1, wherein said coded data stored in said memory includes an identification number, and further wherein said control system is adapted for authenticating said identification number with an algorithm. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein said control system is adapted to store said identification number as a record of a print media holder which has been used by said control system. ### Claim 4 (depends on 2) The system of claim 2, wherein said control system is adapted to store associated usage data as a record of how much print media has been used with respect to an identification number or a respective print media holder. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein said digital memory is a flash memory, and further wherein said control system is adapted to store said usage data in said flash memory. ### Claim 6 (depends on 4) The system of claim 4, wherein said control system is adapted to terminate usage of a print media holder associated with an identification number once a predetermined amount of print media usage has been recorded with respect to said identification number. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The system of claim 1 and further wherein said control system is adapted to store characteristics of a plurality of print media in said memory. ### Claim 8 A method for authenticating print media in a printer, wherein said printer comprises a holder of said print media and a digital memory physically associated with said holder, the method comprising: storing data in said digital memory, which data is adapted to be authenticated to allow use of said print media; and reading said stored data to confirm the authenticity of said holder. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, wherein said data in said memory includes an identification number, which is adapted to be authenticated by an algorithm. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The method of claim 9, further comprising connecting said memory to a printer control system adapted for authenticating said identification number. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising digitally storing said identification number as a record of a holder which has been used by said printer control system. ### Claim 12 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10, further comprising digitally storing said identification number and associated usage data as a record of how much print media has been used from a respective holder. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The method of claim 12, further comprising terminating usage of said holder once a predetermined amount of print media from said holder has been used. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The method of claim 8, further comprising reusing said memory with additional print media or another holder of print media including storing a new identification number in said memory. ### Claim 15 (depends on 10) The method of claim 10 and further wherein said control system is adapted to store characteristics of a plurality of print media in said memory. ### Claim 16 A authentication system for authenticating print media in a printer, wherein said printer comprises a holder of said print media and a digital memory physically associated with said holder, the system comprising: means for storing data in said digital memory, which data is adapted to be authenticated to allow use of said print media; and means for reading said stored data to confirm the authenticity of said holder. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, wherein said data in said memory includes an identification number, which is adapted to be authenticated by an algorithm. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The system of claim 17, further comprising: means for connecting said memory to a printer control system adapted for authenticating said identification number. ### Claim 19 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, further comprising: means for digitally storing said identification number as a record of a holder which has been used by said printer control system. ### Claim 20 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, further comprising: means for digitally storing said identification number and associated usage data as a record of how much print media has been used from a respective holder. ### Claim 21 (depends on 20) The system of claim 20, further comprising: means for terminating usage of said holder once a predetermined amount of print media from said holder has been used. ### Claim 22 (depends on 16) The system of claim 16, further comprising: means for reusing said memory with additional print media or another holder of print media including storing a new identification number in said memory. ### Claim 23 (depends on 18) The system of claim 18, wherein said control system is adapted to store characteristics of a plurality of print media in said memory.