Electronic device having essential hardware authentication

Abstract

An electronic device having an embedded computer system is provided. The device has a processor supporting a real-time operating system (RTOS). The processor further supports user and supervisor modes. The computer system is programmed such that only code portions directly controlling essential hardware in the device are run in supervisor mode. The code portion directly controlling essential hardware communicates with at least one authentication chip in the device before an operation of the hardware, the authentication chip authorizing the operation

1 . An electronic device comprising an embedded computer system, said device comprising a processor supporting a real-time operating system (RTOS), said processor supporting user and supervisor modes,
 wherein said computer system is programmed such that only code portions directly controlling essential hardware in said device are run in supervisor mode, and   said code portion directly controlling essential hardware communicates with at least one authentication integrated circuit in said device before an operation of said hardware, said authentication integrated circuit authorizing said operation.   
     
     
         2 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein said computer system is programmed such that code portions not directly controlling essential hardware in said device are run in user mode. 
     
     
         3 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein a core of said real-time operating system (RTOS) runs in user mode. 
     
     
         4 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein said computer system is programmed such that a code portion directly controlling essential hardware is callable from an application running in user mode via a trap identifying said code portion. 
     
     
         5 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein a first authentication integrated circuit is associated with a consumable component of said device. 
     
     
         6 . The electronic device of  claim 5  comprising a plurality of first authentication integrated circuits, each one of said first authentication integrated circuits being associated with a respective consumable component. 
     
     
         7 . The electronic device of  claim 6 , wherein said device is a printer and said consumable component is an ink cartridge having a respective first authentication integrated circuit. 
     
     
         8 . The electronic device of  claim 7 , wherein said authorized operation is selected from:
 printing only when an ink cartridge of a predetermined type, as determined via the associated authentication integrated circuit, is loaded in said printer; and   printing only when a predetermined amount of ink, as determined via the associated authentication integrated circuit, is remaining in the ink cartridge.   
     
     
         9 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein a second authentication integrated circuit is positioned in a body of said device. 
     
     
         10 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein said device is a printer and said second authentication integrated circuit is mounted in or on a print engine. 
     
     
         11 . The electronic device of  claim 9 , wherein said device is a printer and said authorized operation is selected from:
 printing at a predetermined speed;   printing at a predetermined resolution;   full color printing; and   monochrome printing.   
     
     
         12 . The electronic device of  claim 1 , wherein said code portion is programmed to allow only an authorized operation of said hardware. 
     
     
         13 . The electronic device of  claim 12 , wherein said device is a printer and said authorized operation is selected from:
 printing at a predetermined speed;   printing at a predetermined resolution;   full color printing; and   monochrome printing.