Multi-Address Logic Circuitry Package for Print Component Authentication
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Solution Overview
Problem
The inclusion of logic circuitry on each replaceable print apparatus component increases costs, and existing authentication mechanisms for ensuring the authenticity and proper operation of these components are inefficient and costly.
Innovation Solution
A single logic circuitry package is employed to handle cryptographically authenticated communications with multiple I2C addresses using different secret keys, reducing the need for individual logic circuitry on each component.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If logic circuitry is included on each replaceable print apparatus component, then authentication and communication functionality is provided, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple slave ICs that would normally be distributed across different replaceable components into a single integrated logic circuitry package. This package contains multiple I2C interfaces, each capable of communicating with different I2C addresses corresponding to different replaceable components. By merging these functions into one package, the patent eliminates the need to manufacture separate logic circuitry on each replaceable component, thereby reducing manufacturing costs while maintaining authentication and communication functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The single logic circuitry package is designed to perform multiple functions by implementing multiple I2C slave interfaces within one device. Each interface can be independently configured to communicate with different I2C addresses, allowing the same physical package to serve multiple replaceable components. This multi-functionality approach maintains the authentication capabilities that would otherwise require separate logic circuitry on each component.
2Reliability
If separate logic circuitry is used on each replaceable component, then component authentication is ensured, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent reduces system complexity by consolidating multiple distributed logic circuitry units into a single centralized package. Instead of having separate slave ICs on each replaceable component, the system now has one logic circuitry package that manages communications with all components. This centralization simplifies the overall system architecture while maintaining the ability to authenticate and communicate with multiple replaceable components through different I2C interfaces within the same package.
3Reliability
If individual slave ICs are used for each replaceable component, then communication authenticity is maintained, but production cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the functionality of multiple individual slave ICs into a single logic circuitry package that contains multiple I2C slave interfaces. This approach maintains communication authenticity because each interface within the package can be independently configured with unique I2C addresses and authentication credentials, matching the original distributed architecture's security model. However, by producing one integrated package instead of multiple separate ICs, manufacturing and assembly costs are reduced.
Data Source
AI summary
A logic circuitry package for a print apparatus includes a serial data bus interface to interface with a serial data bus, the logic circuit to respond to messages from the print apparatus over the serial data bus directed to a number of different addresses using different component keys for cryptographic authentication corresponding to each different address, the different component keys related to at least one master key of the print apparatus. The logic circuitry package further includes control logic which, in response to a session initiation request message on the serial data bus from the print apparatus, is to establish a secure communication session related to one of the different addresses, the control logic to cryptographically authenticate responses to each subsequent message of the secure communication session from the print apparatus using a component key corresponding to the address.