Consumable Authentication via Remaining Life Value History
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing authentication methods for consumable products, such as print cartridges, lack an effective mechanism to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit products, particularly in determining the remaining life value, which can lead to misuse of warranties and resource inefficiencies.
Innovation Solution
A method that authenticates consumable products by verifying a digital signature and comparing the product's remaining life value against a device's history, using a combination of local and remote storage to ensure the product has been used appropriately, thereby preventing the use of counterfeit or refurbished items.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If existing authentication methods are used for consumable products, then the authentication process can be performed, but the ability to distinguish between genuine and counterfeit products is insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary authentication by verifying a digital signature associated with the consumable product before allowing its use. This preliminary verification checks whether the digital signature matches expected authentication criteria, preventing counterfeit products from entering the system in the first place
Solution Approach 2:
The system maintains device history records that provide feedback about previously authenticated consumable products. By comparing current product identifiers and remaining life values against historical records, the system continuously verifies authenticity and detects potential counterfeits or refurbished items attempting to pass as genuine
2Loss of energy
If remaining life value is not properly verified, then resource consumption increases due to misuse, but implementing verification increases system complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The consumable product itself stores and provides its remaining life value information through an identifier associated with it. The product essentially serves itself by containing the necessary authentication data, eliminating the need for complex external verification systems to determine product status
Solution Approach 2:
The digital signature serves multiple functions simultaneously: it authenticates the product's identity, verifies its remaining life value, and prevents counterfeit usage. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate verification mechanisms, thereby reducing overall system complexity
3Speed
If device history is stored locally only, then authentication speed is fast, but data accuracy and warranty verification are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The authentication system is segmented into two parts: local device history storage for fast authentication operations, and remote server storage for comprehensive warranty verification. This segmentation allows each component to specialize - local storage provides speed while remote storage provides accuracy and data integrity
Solution Approach 2:
A digital signature acts as an intermediary between the consumable product and the authentication system. It enables verification of remaining life values and warranty eligibility without requiring direct complex communication protocols, thereby maintaining authentication speed while ensuring verification accuracy
Data Source
Figure 1A~1B
Figure 2
Figure 3~4
AI summary
Authenticating a consumable product based on a remaining life value includes determining whether an identifier stored in memory of a consumable product is listed in a device history and concluding that the consumable product is not authentic if the device is determined to have used the consumable product previously based on the device history and a current remaining life value associated with the consumable product indicates less use than a recorded remaining life value for the consumable product associated with the identifier in the device history.