Physical Unclonable Function of a Supply Item

• US 20170102668A1
• Filed: 06/24/2016
• Published: 04/13/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 10/09/2015
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Lexmark International Incorporated (Ninestar Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Lexmark International Incorporated (Ninestar Corporation)
• Inventors: Cannon, Roger Steven, Denton, Gary Allen, Killeen, Kelly Ann, Williamson, Randal Scott
• Application Number:
  US15/192,355
• Publication Number:
  US 20170102668A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: G03G 21/1676 for the developer unit
• CPC Class Codes: G09C 1/00 Apparatus or methods whereby a given sequence of signs, e.g. an intelligible text, is transformed into an unintelligible sequence of signs by transposing the signs or groups of signs or by replacing them by others according to a predetermined system cryptographic typewriters G09C3/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04L 9/3278 using physically unclonable functions [PUF]

Abstract

A physical unclonable function (PUF) located on a supply item for an imaging device is disclosed. The PUF is advantageously located on the back side of the supply item opposite a handle. This configuration enables a PUF reader to be located at the end of the insertion path of the supply item where it is protected from damage. Other devices are disclosed.

Claims

1. A supply item for an imaging device comprising:

a body having a front side and a back side opposite the front side;

a handle located on the front side of the body; and

a physical unclonable function (PUF) having magnetic particles each having a volume less than one cubic millimeter in a non-magnetic substrate located on the back side of the body.

2. The supply item of claim 1, wherein the supply item is a toner bottle containing toner.

3. The supply item of claim 1, wherein the supply item is an imaging unit containing a photo-conductor.

4. The supply item of claim 1, wherein the handle is configured to pivot around a first pivot axis, the PUF is an elongate magnetic PUF having a second longitudinal axis, and the first pivot axis is parallel to the second longitudinal axis.