Injection-Molded Magnetic PUF for Counterfeit Printer Supply Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Counterfeit printer supplies, such as toner bottles, pose a problem as they can perform poorly and damage printers, and existing authentication systems struggle to effectively deter counterfeiting, particularly in maximizing the difficulty of replicating physical unclonable functions (PUF) while maintaining low costs and robustness.
Innovation Solution
The method involves obtaining feed material containing plastic and between ten and twenty percent by weight of non-magnetized magnetizable flakes, magnetizing them, and then forming an injection-molded PUF using an injection molding machine, or using a magnetized alloy of neodymium, iron, and boron, heating it below its Curie temperature, and forming the PUF to create a unique, difficult-to-replicate magnetic signature.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If existing authentication systems are used, then counterfeiting can be deterred to some extent, but the difficulty of replicating the PUF is not maximized
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses composite feed material containing plastic and magnetizable flakes to create an injection-molded PUF. The combination of non-magnetic plastic and magnetizable particles creates a complex magnetic signature that is difficult to replicate, maximizing the difficulty of counterfeiting while maintaining authentication reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the concentration (10-20% by weight) and physical state (non-magnetized before molding, then magnetized) of magnetizable particles to create a random magnetic signature. This parameter control ensures high difficulty of replication while maintaining system reliability.
2Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the PUF is made more secure and difficult to replicate, then counterfeiting is better deterred, but the cost and complexity of the system increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces complex mechanical authentication mechanisms with a magnetic field-based PUF system. The magnetic signature provides high security against counterfeiting while the injection molding process keeps manufacturing simple and scalable, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
By controlling particle concentration (10-20%) and using standard injection molding processes, the patent achieves high security without requiring complex manufacturing equipment or multi-step processes, keeping the system simple and scalable.
3Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If the PUF is made more secure and difficult to replicate, then counterfeiting is better deterred, but the manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive, complex security features with a magnetic particle-based PUF that can be manufactured using standard injection molding processes. This substitution significantly reduces manufacturing cost while maintaining high security against counterfeiting.
Solution Approach 2:
By optimizing particle concentration (10-20% by weight) and using readily available magnetizable flakes, the patent achieves high security at low cost. The process uses standard manufacturing equipment and materials, keeping production expenses minimal.
4Difficulty of detecting and measuring
If magnetizable flakes are used in the feed material, then a random magnetic signature is created, but the feed material composition becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The patent creates a composite feed material by combining plastic with magnetizable flakes at a controlled concentration (10-20% by weight). This composite structure provides random magnetic signatures for high security while the simple two-component composition keeps material preparation straightforward.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This approach results in a low-cost, robust, and repeatable PUF that is challenging to counterfeit, effectively preventing counterfeiting by creating a highly random magnetic signature through the injection molding process, making it difficult to reproduce.
Implementation Method 1
magnetizing the flakes
Implementation Method 2
heating the magnetized alloy to below its Curie temperature
Data Source
AI summary
A physical unclonable function is disclosed. A highly random distribution of magnetic particles within a thermoplastic polymer is created by magnetizing magnetizable particles in solid pellet feed material before feeding the solid pellets into an injection molding machine. Other devices and processes are disclosed.