Ink Ribbon Wireless Tag Authentication for Label Printers

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing label printers face challenges in automatically determining the authenticity of ink ribbons, which can lead to the use of counterfeit or low-quality ribbons, affecting printing quality and efficiency.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a wireless tag on the ink ribbon, which stores a digital certificate generated using an encryption algorithm based on a private key and a unique identifier, allows the printer to verify the ribbon's authenticity through communication with the tag and verification using a public key.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wireless tag is mounted on the ribbon cartridge to determine authenticity, then the ability to identify genuine products is improved, but the device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveauthenticity determination accuracyVSAvoidsystem structure complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

A wireless tag is introduced as an intermediary component mounted on the ribbon cartridge. This tag stores authentication information and enables communication between the cartridge and printer body, allowing authenticity verification without requiring complex physical security features or manual verification processes

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces potential mechanical or manual authentication methods with wireless communication technology. The reading device uses electromagnetic fields to communicate with the wireless tag, eliminating the need for physical inspection or complex mechanical verification mechanisms

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Reliability

If digital certificate verification is implemented, then security against counterfeit ribbons is improved, but the processing time and operational complexity increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesecurity against counterfeitVSAvoidauthentication processing time

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The digital certificate is pre-loaded into the wireless tag during manufacturing. This preliminary action allows the authentication process to simply verify pre-computed cryptographic signatures rather than performing complex real-time certificate validation, significantly reducing processing time

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the authentication approach from verifying entire certificate chains to verifying cryptographic signatures using pre-stored public keys. This parameter change in the verification method reduces computational complexity and processing time while maintaining security

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentUS20250065655A1Printing apparatus

Publication Date: 2025.02.27 TOSHIBA TEC KK

AI summary

According to an embodiment, a printing apparatus mounts an ink ribbon provided with a wireless tag storing a digital certificate that is generated using an encryption algorithm on the basis of a private key and a unique identifier (ID) of the wireless tag. The printing apparatus communicates with the wireless tag, and reads the unique ID of the wireless tag and also reads the digital certificate stored in the wireless tag. Further, the printing apparatus verifies the digital certificate on the basis of a public key and the unique ID read from the wireless tag to determine whether or not the ink ribbon is a genuine product.