Printing Cartridge Memory for Fleet Authorization Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing printing technologies lack effective mechanisms to ensure that printers only use authorized printing material cartridges, leading to potential unauthorized printing.

Innovation Solution

Implementing a read-only memory in printing material cartridges with a fleet identifier that prompts the printer to write a specific fleet ID, allowing only authorized printers to use the cartridge by comparing the stored ID with the printer's ID.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If printing material cartridges are made removable and replaceable, then ease of operation is improved, but reliability deteriorates due to potential unauthorized printing

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecartridge replaceabilityVSAvoidauthorized printing control

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing a fleet identifier in the cartridge's read-only memory before the cartridge is installed in the printer. This pre-stored identifier enables the printer to verify authorization before allowing printing operations, thus preventing unauthorized printing while maintaining cartridge replaceability. The prompt in memory further prompts the printer to write the fleet ID during initial installation, ensuring proper authorization setup.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If memory is added to cartridges for authorization control, then reliability is improved, but device complexity worsens

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthorized printing controlVSAvoidcartridge structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies universality by using the existing cartridge memory structure for multiple purposes: storing the fleet identifier for authorization control, storing usage information, and providing prompts for printer interaction. This multi-functional use of memory reduces the need for additional separate components, thereby limiting the increase in device complexity while achieving reliable authorization control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Reliability

If fleet identifier verification is implemented, then reliability is improved, but productivity deteriorates due to additional verification steps

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthorized printing controlVSAvoidprinting operation speed

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by pre-storing the fleet identifier in the cartridge's read-only memory before installation. This allows the printer to perform rapid verification by simply reading the pre-stored identifier rather than conducting complex real-time authentication, thus minimizing the impact on printing operation speed while ensuring reliable authorization control.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentUS11148429B2Printing material cartridge

Publication Date: 2021.10.19 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

In one example, a printing material cartridge includes a container to contain a printing material and a memory to enable an exchange of information between the cartridge and a printer controller when the cartridge is installed in a printer. The memory includes a write once then read only first memory address, a write once then read only memory second memory address, and a memory controller to control data storage and retrieval to and from the first and second memory addresses and to control the exchange of information with the printer controller. The second memory address has information to prompt the printer controller to write a printer fleet identifier to the first memory address.