Cartridge validation with radio frequency identification

• US 7,212,637 B2
• Filed: 03/11/2003
• Issued: 05/01/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 03/11/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qumu Corp.
• Original Assignee: Rimage Corporation
• Inventors: Salisbury, Phillip C.
• Primary Examiner(s): Barrón, Jr.; Gilberto
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nalven; Andrew L.
• Application Number:
  US10/385,773
• Publication Number:
  US 20040181681A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,512 Days
• Field of Search: 713/170, 380/270, 380/51
• US Class Current: 380/270
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 2/17546 electronically
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/393 Devices for controlling or analysing the entire machine ; Controlling or analysing mechanical parameters involving printing of test patterns
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 21/84 output devices, e.g. displays or monitors
• CPC Class Codes: G06F 2221/2129 Authenticate client device independently of the user

Abstract

Validation of printer cartridges using a unique identifier from an RFID tag, a serial number or identifier from a cartridge, and a seed to generate a reproducible key are described. The key is written to non-volatile memory of the RFID tag. The parameters for generation of the key are retrieved when the cartridge is asked to print in a printer, and a second key is generated, and the keys are compared. If the keys match, the cartridge is validated and printing continues.

Claims

1. A method of validating an ink cartridge in a printer, comprising:

creating a key matching the cartridge and the printer;

verifying the key when the cartridge is placed in the printer; and

allowing operation of the cartridge in the printer when the key is verified, wherein creating the key comprises;

retrieving a serial number from the cartridge;

retrieving a unique identifier (UID) from a cartridge RFID tag; and

combining the serial number and the UID with a seed.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein verifying the key comprises:

retrieving the key from a cartridge RFID tag;

retrieving an RFID tag unique identifier;

retrieving a cartridge serial number;

generating a second key; and

comparing the second key to the key.

3. A method of encrypting an RFID tag on an ink cartridge, comprising:

retrieving a serial number from the cartridge;

retrieving a unique identifier (UID) from the RFID tag;

combining the serial number and the UJD with a seed to form a key;

writing the key to non-volatile memory of the RFID tag.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein combining further comprises encrypting the key so that the seed is extractable from the key.

5. An ink cartridge, comprising:

an ink reservoir;

a printhead;

a cartridge memory having a cartridge serial number; and

a radio frequency identification tag, the tag having encrypted thereon a key comprising a unique identifier for the REID tag and a serial number for the cartridge.

6. The ink cartridge of claim 5, wherein the key is encrypted using a random seed, and is stored in non-volatile memory of the RFID tag.

7. The ink cartridge of claim 5, wherein the REID tag is an ISO 15593 tag.

8. The ink cartridge of claim 5, wherein the ink cartridge is an ink jet print cartridge.

9. A print system, comprising:

a printer having memory, a print controller, a print tray, and a printing mechanism; and

at least one ink cartridge, each ink cartridge comprising;

an ink reservoir;

a printhead;

a cartridge memory having a cartridge serial number; and

a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, the tag having encrypted thereon a key comprising a unique identifier for the RFID tag and a serial number for the cartridge.

10. The print system of claim 9, wherein the REID tag is an ISO 15593 tag.

11. The print system of claim 9, wherein the print cartridge is an ink jet print cartridge.

12. A machine readable medium for causing a processor to perform a method, comprising:

creating a key matching the cartridge and the printer;

verifying the key when the cartridge is placed in the printer; and

allowing operation of the cartridge in the printer when the key is verified, wherein creating the key comprises;

retrieving a serial number from the cartridge;

retrieving a unique identifier (UID) from a cartridge REID tag; and

combining the serial number and the UID with a seed.

13. The machine readable medium of claim 12, wherein

verifying the key comprises:

retrieving the key from a cartridge REID tag;

retrieving an REID tag unique identifier;

retrieving a cartridge serial number;

generating a second key; and

comparing the second key to the key.

14. A method of validating a cartridge using from a known key, comprising:

retrieving the known key from a cartridge REID tag;

retrieving an REID tag unique identifier;

retrieving a cartridge serial number;

generating a second key; and

comparing the second key to the known key.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein generating a second key comprises:

retrieving a seed from the known key; and

combining the REID tag unique identifier, the cartridge serial number, and the retrieved seed.

16. A method of operating a print system, comprising:

generating a first key from parameters of a print cartridge;

storing the first key in a radio frequency identification tag attached to the print cartridge;

placing the print cartridge into the print system;

interrogating the RFID tag for the first key;

generating a second key from parameters of the print cartridge and the first key; and

allowing printing when the second key and the first key are the same.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein generating the first key comprises:

retrieving a serial number from the print cartridge;

retrieving a unique identifier (UID) from the RFID tag; and

combining the serial number and the UID with a seed.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein generating a second key comprises:

retrieving the known key from a cartridge RFID tag;

retrieving an RFID tag unique identifier;

retrieving a cartridge serial number;

generating a second key; and

comparing the second key to the key.