Consumption device and method for authenticating a consumption component

Abstract

According to one embodiment, a consumption device is provided which provides a power supply for an authentication chip of a consumption component, wherein the internal resistance of the power supply is variable, a detection device which is configured to acquire information about an operating state of the authentication chip for several values ​​of the internal resistance of the power supply and to determine a dependence of the operating state of the authentication chip on the internal resistance of the power supply, and an authentication circuit which is configured to authorize the use of the consumption component by the consumption device on the basis of the determined dependence.

Description

[0001] Examples of implementation generally relate to consumer devices and methods for authenticating a consumer component.

[0002] Counterfeiting is a significant issue in consumer goods markets. There is a high risk that counterfeit companies will create clones of consumables that behave identically to the original components. The production of cloned consumables results in substantial revenue losses for the original manufacturers, typically exceeding 20%. Examples of markets where massive damage is caused by counterfeiters include consumables and replacement products such as printer cartridges, camera batteries, e-cigarettes, etc.

[0003] Authentication chips are typically used to protect consumable components. Their function is usually to verify that a consumable component (e.g., a printer cartridge) can be identified as genuine for the host device (e.g., the printer). In this example, the printer would only accept and use the cartridge for printing after it has been authenticated, or conversely, warn the user that it is a non-genuine cartridge. Furthermore, the printer manufacturer may void the warranty if non-genuine parts are used.

[0004] However, a counterfeiter can also imitate (clone) such an authentication chip. Therefore, technical measures are desirable to prevent the use of counterfeit consumer goods with counterfeit authentication chips in genuine consumer devices, or at least to make counterfeiting so complex and costly that it is unprofitable.

[0005] According to one embodiment, a consumption device is provided which provides a power supply for an authentication chip of a consumption component, wherein the internal resistance of the power supply is variable, a detection device which is configured to acquire information about an operating state of the authentication chip for several values ​​of the internal resistance of the power supply and to determine a dependence of the operating state of the authentication chip on the internal resistance of the power supply, and an authentication circuit which is configured to authorize the use of the consumption component by the consumption device on the basis of the determined dependence.

[0006] According to another embodiment, a method for authenticating a consumption component in a consumption device according to the consumption device described above is provided.

[0007] The figures do not represent the actual proportions but are intended to illustrate the principles of the various embodiments. Several embodiments are described below with reference to the following figures. Fig. Figure 1 shows a consumer goods arrangement. Fig. Figure 2 shows a flowchart for authenticating a consumable authentication chip in a host authentication circuit. Fig. Figure 3 shows a consumer goods arrangement according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 4 shows an example of the dependence of the clock frequency of an authentication chip, the current it consumes, and its external supply voltage on the internal resistance of its external power supply. Fig. Figure 5 shows a circuit arrangement illustrating the setting of a processing parameter of the authentication chip depending on the internal resistance of the power supply. Fig. Figure 6 shows a consumption device according to one embodiment. Fig. Figure 7 shows a flowchart illustrating a procedure for authenticating a consumption component at a consumption facility.

[0008] The following detailed description refers to the accompanying figures, which show details and exemplary embodiments. These exemplary embodiments are described in sufficient detail to enable a person skilled in the art to carry out the invention. Other embodiments are also possible, and the exemplary embodiments can be modified in structural, logical, and electrical terms without deviating from the subject matter of the invention. The various exemplary embodiments are not necessarily mutually exclusive; rather, different embodiments can be combined to create new embodiments. Within the scope of this description, the terms "connected," "connected," and "coupled" are used to describe both direct and indirect connections, direct or indirect connections, and direct or indirect couplings.

[0009] There are several strategies to prevent a professional counterfeiter from manufacturing counterfeit products (such as consumables). One strategy is to connect / embed an authentication chip (e.g., an authentication ASIC) with / into the removable medium (i.e., the consumable, such as a printer cartridge) and perform one-way or mutual authentication from the host side (i.e., from the consuming device, such as a printer). This is discussed below with reference to Fig. 1 and Fig. 2 described.

[0010] Fig. Figure 1 shows a consumer arrangement 100, consisting of a consumer 101 (also referred to as a consumer component device) and a consuming (or using) device 102 (also referred to as a consumer device).

[0011] The consumable 101 is a device that provides (and, for example, stores) a resource that is consumed when the consuming device 102 is in operation.

[0012] For example, a consumable contains a (physical) material that is consumed, such as a printer cartridge, a vaporizer cartridge for insecticides or insect repellents, an e-cigarette refill cartridge, or a medical substance (e.g., medicine) for a medical device in a suitable container.

[0013] Examples of pairs of consumable good 101 and consuming device 102 are: • Printer cartridge - Printer • Refill cartridge - inhaler • Refill cartridge - insect repellent container

[0014] The consuming device 102 can also be a vehicle or a camera (e.g., the consuming component is then a battery).

[0015] The consumable item 101 is physically connected to the consuming device 102, for example by being plugged in or installed. The consumable item 101 is typically interchangeably (in particular, detachably) connected to the consuming device 102.

[0016] The manufacturer of a consuming device 102 typically wishes that only consumables 101 manufactured by him (or a licensee) may be used with the consuming device 102.

[0017] Therefore, it may be provided that the consuming device 102 has a host authentication circuit 103, against which a consumable authentication chip 104 must authenticate. For example, the consuming device 102 has a control unit 105 that only permits (authorizes) the operation of the consuming device 102 (also referred to as the host) with the consumable 101 (also referred to as the consumable) if the consumable 101 has successfully authenticated itself to the host authentication circuit 103 of the consuming device 102 by means of a consumable authentication chip 104.

[0018] Fig. Figure 2 shows a flowchart 200 for authenticating a consumable authentication chip 201 with a host authentication circuit 202.

[0019] The consumable authentication chip 201 and the host authentication circuit 202 correspond, for example, to the consumable authentication chip 104 and the host authentication circuit 103, respectively. Fig. 1.

[0020] To authenticate the consumable authentication chip 201 with the host authentication circuit 202, the host authentication circuit 202 sends a challenge message 204 to the consumable authentication chip 201 in 203. In 205, the consumable authentication chip 201 generates a response, which it transmits to the host authentication circuit 202 in the form of a response message 206 in 207. In 208, the host authentication circuit 202 verifies that the response is correct, for example, that it matches the challenge, and authenticates the consumable authentication chip 201 if so.

[0021] For example, the host authentication circuit 202 inserts a random number into the challenge message 204, based on which the consumable authentication chip 201 must generate the correct response in order to be authenticated by the host authentication circuit 202. For example, the authentication is based on Elliptic Curve Cryptography (ECC). The response may also depend on a cryptographic key negotiated between the consumable authentication chip 201 and the host authentication circuit 202.

[0022] Ideally, an authentication chip 104 on a consumable item 101 can ensure that a consuming device 102 only uses original consumable component devices.

[0023] However, there is a risk that a manufacturer of a non-original consumer good (i.e., the imitator) will equip the non-original consumer good with a non-original authentication chip (i.e., a clone of the authentication circuit).

[0024] To make it more difficult for imitators, the authentication chip can be manufactured using special anti-cloning technologies that are difficult to reverse engineer. The main obstacle for an imitator in creating a clone is this reverse engineering step. However, once an imitator has successfully reverse-engineered the chip and, for example, extracted secret keys, they can produce a functional clone using a standard chip design flow. They can even produce the clone with cost optimization in mind, potentially using different technologies, design libraries, and so on.

[0025] The following are examples of implementations that provide a second line of defense for the manufacturer and enable a consuming device to distinguish a counterfeit consumer component with a functional clone of an authentication chip from an original consumer component with an original authentication chip.

[0026] It is assumed that the clone fulfills the original functional specification, so that the consuming device cannot distinguish the clone of the authentication chip using cryptographic protocols or functional tests.

[0027] According to various embodiments, a characteristic of the authentication chip 104 that is measurable for the authentication device 103 (i.e., the host) is used by the authentication device 103 when interacting with the authentication chip 104 to ensure that the authentication chip 104 is not a forgery.

[0028] Specifically, according to various embodiments, the authentication device 103 checks the specific behavior (i.e., the operating state) of the authentication chip 104 at a low supply voltage caused by a high-impedance voltage supply from the authentication device 103. The authentication device 103 can vary the internal resistance of the voltage supply with which it powers the authentication chip 104 in order to check the operating state of the authentication chip 104 for different supply voltages. The behavior (i.e., the operating state) of the authentication chip 104 that depends on the supply voltage is, for example, the type of internal clock generation (specifically, the clock frequency). However, the authentication chip 104 can also be configured to adjust other parameters of its processing depending on the supply voltage (e.g., the cryptographic method used).DES (Data Encryption Standard) instead of AES (Advanced Encryption Standard) etc.), which can be observed by the authentication device 103.

[0029] Since the resulting supply to the authentication chip 104 (both the voltage drop relative to the power source of the authentication device 103 and the current consumption of the authentication chip 104) is determined by the internal power management of the authentication chip 104, it is unique to the authentication chip 104 and difficult to reproduce in a clone. Therefore, if the authentication device 103 checks a parameter of the authentication chip 104's processing, which the latter adjusts depending on its supply, good protection against cloning can be achieved.

[0030] Fig. Figure 3 shows a consumer goods arrangement 300 according to one embodiment.

[0031] As with reference to Fig. As described in Figure 1, the consuming device (consumable unit) 302 has a host authentication circuit 303, to which an authentication chip 304 must authenticate. The consuming device 302 has a control unit 305 that only allows the operation of the consuming device 302 (also referred to as the host) with the consumable 301 (also referred to as the consumable) if the consumable 301 has successfully authenticated itself to the host authentication circuit 303 of the consuming device 302 by means of its authentication chip 304.

[0032] In addition, the host authentication circuit 303 checks a processing parameter of the authentication chip 304 to ensure that the authentication chip 304 is not a counterfeit (i.e., not a clone).

[0033] The authentication chip 304 is configured to adjust this processing parameter depending on its power supply. The host authentication circuit 303 has an (external, from the perspective of the authentication chip 304) power supply 306 with a power source 307 (battery, power supply unit, etc.) and an internal resistance 308, which supplies the authentication chip 304 with an (external) supply voltage VCC and an (external) supply current ICC.

[0034] From this energy supplied to the authentication chip 304, a power management circuit 309 generates an internal power supply for the authentication chip 304 (i.e., for other components of the authentication chip 304, such as a crypto processor, by means of which the authentication chip 304 responds to challenges from the host authentication circuit 303).

[0035] The 304 authentication chip is configured to compensate for fluctuations in its external power supply by adjusting a processing parameter. In the example of Fig. 3. The authentication chip 304 is configured to control a clock generator 310 when VCC falls below a certain threshold “Vmin” so that it reduces the processing clock of the authentication chip 304 (this can also be done in several stages with several respective thresholds).

[0036] Fig. Figure 4 shows an example of the dependence of the clock frequency of the authentication chip 304 (first diagram 401), ICC (second diagram 402) and VCC (third diagram 403) on the power supply internal resistance R.

[0037] In each of the three diagrams 401, 402, 403, a respective straight line 404, 405, 406 shows the curve of the clock frequency, ICC or VCC for an authentication chip that does not adjust the clock frequency when the supply voltage VCC drops, and a respective curve 407, 408, 409 shows the curve of the clock frequency, ICC or VCC for an authentication chip that adjusts the clock frequency when the supply voltage VCC drops, as is assumed in the present embodiment for the authentication chip 304.

[0038] This behavior of the authentication chip 304 allows it to operate at a higher internal resistance of the power supply 306 (up to a certain lower limit) without a hard limit being imposed, e.g., the authentication chip 304 being reset, by reducing its processing speed. This enables it to support very low external supply voltages. Thus, the system frequency is dynamically adjusted to ensure that the internal supply remains within the required range despite the low external supply voltage. Near the lower limit, a reduction in performance is accepted. This effect is particularly relevant in systems with weak power supplies where the internal resistance 308 is quite high (e.g., 100 ohms).Reducing the processing speed decreases the ICC current consumption of the authentication chip 304, which in turn regulates VCC to a specific level (see the end of curve 409 for VCC). For example, with a high internal resistance of 308, the external supply voltage VCC is regulated to a level just above the level considered the minimum supply (Vmin level). The system frequency, and thus the power consumption, is regulated accordingly. The relationship between system frequency and power consumption depends on the activity of the authentication chip 304: If, for example, only the CPU is running, it requires a certain value of µA / MHz. If a crypto module is also running (or non-volatile memory is being written to, etc.), it requires additional µA / MHz. Therefore, with the same supply (i.e., the same current), only a lower clock frequency is possible.

[0039] The host authentication circuit 303 can now check whether the authentication chip 304 exhibits this behavior to ensure that it is not a clone. To avoid being detected as such by the host authentication circuit 303, a clone would have to replicate this non-linear behavior based on a voltage / activity / temperature / process look-up table, for example, by means of "manual" frequency scaling. Furthermore, it would have to be able to operate at very low supply voltages.

[0040] To this end, the host authentication circuit 303 increases the internal resistance 308 of the power supply 306 to a value at which this behavior should become visible (i.e., the clock frequency of the authentication chip 304 should decrease). The host authentication circuit 303 should be able to observe this, for example, via its digital interface to the authentication chip 304, and check whether the authentication chip 304 exhibits this behavior. If so, it signals to the control unit 305 (provided it also recognizes the authentication chip 304 via the "usual" authentication method, as with reference to...). Fig. 2 (successfully authenticated), that the consuming device 302 (consuming unit) is permitted to use the consumable 301. If not, it signals to the control unit 305 that the consuming device 302 (consuming unit) is not permitted to use the consumable 301.

[0041] Fig. Figure 5 shows a circuit arrangement 500 illustrating the setting of a processing parameter of the authentication chip 304 depending on the internal resistance 308 of the power supply 306.

[0042] An (ideal) power supply 501 corresponds to the power source 307. This is connected to the authentication chip 304 via an (electrically) conductive connection 502, into which the host authentication circuit 303 can insert a resistor 503. This allows the host authentication circuit 303 to increase the internal resistance 308 of the power supply 306 by the value of the resistor 503. (In reality, the power source 307 is not ideal; its internal resistance can be attributed to the connection 502). The power management circuit 309 compares the voltage VCC supplied by the power supply 306 with a reference voltage V using a comparator 504. REFand controls the clock generator 505 (which corresponds to the clock generator 310) depending on the comparison.

[0043] V REFor “Vmin” is defined by the power management circuit 309. The host authentication circuit 303 can also have several (or even a multitude of) switchable (or insertable) resistors 503 or a variable resistor 503, so that it can check the operating state of the authentication chip 304 for several operating points and thus determine a dependency of the operating state of the authentication chip on the internal resistance of the power supply (i.e., in other words, detect one or more changes in the operating state of the authentication chip in response to one or more changes in the internal resistance). It can then compare this determined dependency with a reference dependency (or reference behavior) (e.g., specified in a memory of the host authentication circuit 303) and, if there is a match, authorize the use of the consumable 301 by the consumption device 302.

[0044] The reference behavior (i.e., the reference dependence of the operating state on the supplied (external) supply voltage and thus on the internal resistance 308) can then be a complex dependence between the operating state and the internal resistance 308, and only if the authentication chip 304 exhibits behavior that matches this reference behavior does the host authentication circuit 303 authorize the use of the respective consumable 301 by the consumption device (i.e., authorize the operation of the consumption device 302 with the respective consumable 301).

[0045] The voltage V Versorgung The voltage supply 501 is chosen such that a significant voltage drop can occur across the internal resistance 308.

[0046] According to various embodiments, the host authentication circuit 303 can observe or measure the clock frequency and use it as an analogous property of the authentication chip 304 to verify that it is genuine (i.e., not a clone). It can also determine the operating state of the authentication chip 304 (for different internal resistances 308) based on the voltage drop (especially across the internal resistance 308) or the current consumption.

[0047] The authentication chip 304 can also be configured so that a drop in the power supply to the authentication chip 304 (i.e., a fall below V) REFFor example, a change in another processing parameter (i.e., another change in the operating state of the authentication chip 304) can be triggered by changing the internal resistance (Vmin), such as a change in the cryptographic functions used by the authentication chip 304 (e.g., DES instead of AES) to answer challenges from the host authentication circuit 303. In this way, the host authentication circuit 303 can detect changes in the behavior of the authentication chip 304 in addition to or as an alternative to current consumption / clock frequency. By changing the internal resistance, the host authentication circuit 303 can sample this behavior (i.e., the different operating states) and, if necessary, also detect different internal activities of the authentication chip 304.

[0048] Examples of the observation of operating states of the authentication chip 304 by the host authentication circuit 303 are: • Measuring the internal supply voltage (e.g., via a corresponding pad of the authentication chip 304). This allows the control behavior with regard to the power consumption of the authentication chip 304 to be checked. • Measure the current consumption ICC of the authentication chip 304 (dependent on the internal resistance 308). The following relationship applies: ICC = (V Versorgung - VCC) / internal resistance, if other resistances of the connection of the power supply 306 to the authentication chip 304 are neglected (or added to the internal resistance). • Measuring the processing speed of the authentication chip 304. This depends mainly on the power consumption and is therefore dependent on the internal resistance 308. • Observe the functions used by the 304 authentication chip (possibly via the processing speed)

[0049] In summary, according to various embodiments, a consumption device is provided, as described in Fig. 6 is shown.

[0050] Fig. Figure 6 shows a consumption device 600 according to one embodiment.

[0051] The consumer device 600 has a power supply 601 for an authentication chip 605 of a consumer component 606, whose internal resistance 602 is variable (e.g. by switching between different connection paths with different resistances).

[0052] The consumer device 600 also has a detection device 603 which is equipped, • to acquire information about the operating state of the authentication chip 605 for several values ​​of the internal resistance 602 of the power supply 601 and • to determine a dependence of the operating state of the authentication chip 605 on the internal resistance 602 of the power supply 601 (e.g. to detect one or more changes in the operating state of the authentication chip 605 in response to one or more changes in the internal resistance 602).

[0053] The consumption device 600 also has an authentication circuit 604, which is configured to authorize the use of the consumption component 606 by the consumption device 600 based on the determined dependency.

[0054] In other words, according to various embodiments, a consumer device verifies the authenticity of a consumer component based on the behavior of an authentication chip in the consumer component for different power supplies (specifically, different internal resistances of the power supply with which it powers the consumer component). Only if the authentication chip exhibits expected behavior, e.g., reducing the operating clock frequency at higher internal resistance, is the use of the consumer component authorized. Otherwise, its use is blocked (locked).

[0055] The components of the consumer device, in particular the authentication circuit, can be implemented by one or more circuits. In one embodiment, a "circuit" is understood to be any unit that implements logic and that may be hardware, software, firmware, or a combination thereof. Thus, in one embodiment, a "circuit" can be a hard-wired logic circuit or a programmable logic circuit, such as a programmable processor, e.g., a microprocessor. A "circuit" can also be understood to be a processor that executes software, e.g., any type of computer program, such as a computer program in programming code for a virtual machine. In one embodiment, a "circuit" can be understood to be any type of implementation of the functions described herein.

[0056] According to one embodiment, a method is provided as described in Fig. 7 is shown.

[0057] Fig. Figure 7 shows a flowchart 700 illustrating a procedure for authenticating a consumption component at a consumption facility.

[0058] In 701, information about the operating state of an authentication chip of the consumption component is recorded for several values ​​of the internal resistance of a power supply with which the consumption device supplies the authentication chip.

[0059] In 702, a dependence of the operating state of the authentication chip on the internal resistance of the power supply is determined.

[0060] In section 703, the use of the consumption component by the consumption device is authorized depending on the determined dependency.

[0061] The following are various examples of implementation.

[0062] Exemplary embodiment 1 is a consumption device, as with reference to Fig. 6 described.

[0063] Exemplary embodiment 2 is a consumer device according to exemplary embodiment 1, wherein the detection device is configured to successively set the internal resistance of the power supply to the several values, to record the information about the operating state in each case, and to determine from the recorded information the dependence of the operating state of the authentication chip on the internal resistance of the power supply.

[0064] Exemplary embodiment 3 is a consumption device according to exemplary embodiment 1 or 2, wherein the operating state depends on an operating clock frequency of the authentication chip.

[0065] Exemplary embodiment 4 is a consumer device according to one of the exemplary embodiments 1 to 3, wherein the detection device is configured to acquire information about the operating state by measuring the current consumption of the authentication chip, a processing speed of the authentication chip, a clock frequency of the authentication chip and / or an internal supply voltage of the authentication chip and / or by means of a processing function used by the authentication chip.

[0066] Exemplary embodiment 5 is a consumption device according to one of the exemplary embodiments 1 to 4, wherein the authentication device is configured to authorize the consumption component by the consumption device on the condition that the dependence of the operating state of the authentication chip on the internal resistance of the power supply corresponds to a predetermined reference dependence.

[0067] Exemplary embodiment 6 is a consumer device according to exemplary embodiment 5, wherein the reference dependency is a reduction in the clock frequency, processing power, internal supply voltage and / or current consumption of the authentication chip in response to a reduction in the supply voltage supplied to it.

[0068] Exemplary embodiment 7 is a consumption device according to one of the exemplary embodiments 1 to 6, wherein the authentication device is configured to authorize the consumption component by the consumption device on the condition that the authentication chip provides a predetermined reference authentication information in response to a request for authentication information.

[0069] Exemplary embodiment 8 is a consumer device according to one of the exemplary embodiments 1 to 7, wherein the consumer device is a printer, an evaporator, a battery-operated electrical device or a vehicle.

[0070] Exemplary embodiment 9 is a system with a consumer device according to one of the exemplary embodiments 1 to 8 and an authentication chip, wherein the authentication chip is configured to change its operating state depending on a supply voltage supplied to it.

[0071] Exemplary embodiment 10 is a system according to exemplary embodiment 9, wherein the authentication chip is configured to reduce its clock frequency, processing power, internal supply voltage and / or its power consumption when the supply voltage supplied to it falls below a predetermined threshold.

[0072] Exemplary embodiment 11 is a method for authenticating a consumption component in a consumption device, as described with reference to Fig. 7 described.

[0073] Although the invention has been shown and described primarily with reference to specific embodiments, those familiar with the field should understand that numerous modifications regarding its design and details can be made without departing from the essence and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. The scope of the invention is therefore determined by the appended claims, and it is intended that all modifications falling within the literal or equivalent scope of the claims are included. Reference symbol list 100 Consumer Goods Arrangement 101 Consumer goods 102 consuming device 103 Host authentication circuit 104 Consumer Goods Authentication Circuit 105 Control unit 200 Flowchart 201 Consumer Goods Authentication Circuit 202 Host authentication circuit 203 Step 204 Challenge message Step 205 206 Response message 207, 208 process steps 300 consumer goods arrangement 301 Consumer goods 302 Consumption device 303 Host Authentication Circuit 304 Authentication chip 305 Control unit 306 external energy supply 307 Energy source 308 Internal resistance 309 Power Management Circuit 310 Clock generator 401-403 Diagrams 404-406 lines 407-409 curves 500 circuit arrangement 501 Power supply 502 conductive connection 504 resistor 505 Clock Generator 600 consumer device 601 Energy supply 602 Internal resistance 603 Detection device 604 Authentication circuit 605 Authentication chip 606 Consumption component 700 Flowchart 701 process steps

Claims

[1] Consumption device, comprising: A power supply for an authentication chip of a consumer component, wherein the internal resistance of the power supply is variable; A detection device which is set up • to record information about an operating state of the authentication chip for several values ​​of the internal resistance of the power supply and • to determine the dependence of the operating state of the authentication chip on the internal resistance of the power supply An authentication circuit configured to authorize the use of the consumption component by the consumption device based on the determined dependency. [2] Consumption device according to claim 1, wherein the detection device is arranged to set the internal resistance of the power supply successively to the plurality of values, to detect the information about the operating state in each case and to determine from the detected information the dependence of the operating state of the authentication chip on the internal resistance of the power supply. [3] Consumption device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the operating state depends on an operating clock frequency of the authentication chip. [4] Consumption device according to one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the detection device is arranged to detect the information about the operating state by measuring the current consumption of the authentication chip, a processing speed of the authentication chip, a clock frequency of the authentication chip and / or an internal supply voltage of the authentication chip and / or based on a processing function used by the authentication chip. [5] Consumption device according to one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the authentication device is arranged to authorize the consumption component by the consumption device under the condition that the dependence of the operating state of the authentication chip on the internal resistance of the power supply corresponds to a predetermined reference dependence. [6] Consumption device according to claim 5, wherein the reference dependency is a reduction of the clock frequency, the processing power, the internal supply voltage and / or the power consumption of the authentication chip in response to a reduction of the supply voltage supplied thereto. [7] Consumption device according to one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the authentication device is arranged to authorize the consumption component by the consumption device under the condition that the authentication chip provides a predetermined reference authentication information in response to a request for authentication information. [8] Consumption device according to one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the consumption device is a printer, an evaporator, a battery-operated electrical device or a vehicle. [9] System comprising a consumer device according to one of claims 1 to 8 and an authentication chip, wherein the authentication chip is configured to change its operating state depending on a supply voltage supplied to it. [10] The system of claim 9, wherein the authentication chip is configured to reduce its clock frequency, processing power, internal supply voltage and / or power consumption when the supply voltage supplied to it falls below a predetermined threshold. [11] A method for authenticating a consumption component at a consumption device, the method comprising: Capturing information about an operating state of an authentication chip of the consumption component for a plurality of values ​​of the internal resistance of a power supply with which the consumption device supplies the authentication chip; Determining a dependency of the operating state of the authentication chip on the internal resistance of the power supply; and Authorize the use of the consumption component by the consumption facility depending on the determined dependency.

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