Magnetic Key Holes for Printer Supply Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing magnetic keys used in anti-counterfeit systems for printer supplies face challenges in generating a magnetic field with sufficient strength and complexity to be reliably read by low-cost sensors, making them difficult to authenticate and deter counterfeiting effectively.
Innovation Solution
The use of a magnetic key comprising a plurality of magnetic plates with specific geometries and orientations, combined with a non-magnetic carrier, to create a complex and strong magnetic field that is difficult to counterfeit, utilizing a combination of neodymium-iron-boron magnetized material and dielectric polymer for enhanced mechanical and magnetic properties.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If random distributions of magnetic particles in a non-magnetic substrate are used, then the magnetic field becomes difficult to replicate, but the magnetic field strength becomes insufficient for reliable detection by low-cost sensors
Solution Approach 1:
The magnetic key is divided into multiple magnetic plates (at least two) with different geometries and orientations, each contributing to the overall magnetic field. This segmentation allows the field to be both strong enough for detection and complex enough to prevent replication, as each plate's unique properties combine to create a distinctive magnetic signature.
Solution Approach 2:
The magnetic plates are designed with asymmetric geometries and different orientations relative to each other. This asymmetry creates a complex magnetic field pattern that is difficult to replicate while maintaining sufficient field strength through the strategic arrangement of the asymmetric components.
2Measurement precision
If multiple magnetic plates with specific geometries and orientations are used, then the magnetic field strength and complexity increase, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
Each magnetic plate is assigned specific local qualities including particular geometries, orientations, and positions within the non-magnetic substrate. This local differentiation optimizes the magnetic field contribution of each plate while maintaining overall system manageability, as each component has a defined role rather than requiring complex interactions across the entire structure.
3Strength
If neodymium-iron-boron magnetized material and dielectric polymer are combined, then mechanical and magnetic properties are enhanced, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention uses composite materials by combining neodymium-iron-boron magnetized material with dielectric polymer in a layered structure. This composite approach enhances both mechanical strength and magnetic properties simultaneously, while the layered configuration simplifies manufacturing compared to creating homogeneous composite materials with the same properties.
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
The solution ensures a magnetic field that is reliably detectable by low-cost sensors and challenging to replicate, thereby enhancing the authenticity verification of printer supplies and preventing counterfeiting.
Implementation Method 1
magnetic keys having a plurality of magnet layers with holes... neodymium-iron-boron magnetized material... create a complex and strong magnetic field
Data Source
AI summary
Magnetic keys having a plurality of magnetic layers having holes are disclosed. The location and orientation of the holes are controlled to generate magnetic fields that are of sufficient strength to be reliably read and sufficient complexity to be difficult to counterfeit. The magnetic keys are located on imaging-device supply items along with non-volatile memory devices containing measurements of the magnetic fields that are digitally signed. These supply items are difficult to counterfeit. Other devices are disclosed.