CRUM Chip Authentication for Image Forming Device Data Integrity

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing image forming devices face communication errors and data integrity issues between consumable units and the main controller, leading to incorrect usage information and potential misuse of consumable units, which can result in device breakdowns and inaccurate management of printing services.

Innovation Solution

A Customer Replaceable Unit Monitoring (CRUM) chip is integrated into consumable units, utilizing integrity detection data across multiple authentication processes to ensure secure and accurate communication by generating and verifying session keys and compatibility, thus preventing data corruption and misuse.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple authentication processes are implemented to ensure data integrity, then communication reliability is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecommunication reliabilityVSAvoidauthentication process complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The authentication process is divided into multiple sequential stages: initial authentication, session key generation, and data transmission authentication. Each stage performs a specific function and uses appropriate complexity level for that purpose, rather than applying maximum security to every interaction.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

Session keys are pre-generated and stored in both the image forming device and CRUM chip before actual data transmission. This preliminary key establishment enables faster, simpler authentication during subsequent data exchanges without requiring repeated complex challenge-response protocols.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

2Reliability

If integrity detection data is used in authentication processes, then data security is improved, but communication time increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvedata securityVSAvoidcommunication time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

Session keys are generated and stored in advance before actual data transmission occurs. This preliminary key establishment eliminates the need for repeated complex integrity verification algorithms during subsequent communications, reducing time loss while maintaining security.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The system applies full integrity detection with previous data incorporation only at critical authentication points, while using lighter verification methods for routine data transmissions. This selective application of security measures maintains data security while minimizing time consumption.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #16Partial or excessive action

Data Source

PatentUS9973658B2CRUM chip and image forming device for authentication and communication, and methods thereof

Publication Date: 2018.05.15 HEWLETT PACKARD DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LP

AI summary

A Customer Replaceable Unit Monitoring (CRUM) chip, an image forming apparatus, and a method of authenticating are provided. The apparatus includes a main body that includes a main controller controlling operations of the apparatus, a consumable unit mounted on the main body to communicate with the main controller, and a CRUM chip that is provided in the consumable unit and stores information regarding the consumable unit. The main controller and the CRUM chip transmit and receive signals that include data and integrity detection data between each other. The integrity detection data is generated by using previous integrity detection data.