Replaceable item authentication

Abstract

A replaceable item for a host device includes a non-volatile memory and logic. The non-volatile memory stores passwords or authentication values, and/or a cryptographic key. The logic satisfactorily responds to requests for passwords a maximum permitted number of times to authenticate the replaceable item within the host device.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A print substance cartridge for a printing device, comprising:
 a supply of print substance for the printing device;   a non-volatile memory storing a plurality of passwords and/or a cryptographic key from which the passwords are able to be generated; and   logic to satisfactorily respond to a maximum permitted number of requests for the passwords to authenticate the print substance cartridge within the printing device.   
     
     
         2 . The print substance cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the non-volatile memory stores the passwords,
 wherein the logic is further to functionally erase the passwords after the maximum permitted number of requests have been received.   
     
     
         3 . The print substance cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the non-volatile memory stores the cryptographic key,
 wherein the logic is further to:
 generate the passwords from the cryptographic key; and 
 functionally erase the cryptographic key after the maximum number of requests has been received. 
   
     
     
         4 . The print substance cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the logic is further to:
 respond to the maximum permitted number of request for a predetermined maximum number of the passwords less than a total number of the passwords.   
     
     
         5 . The print substance cartridge of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a non-volatile memory storing a plurality of hash values of the passwords,   wherein the logic is to respond to requests for the hash values of the passwords.   
     
     
         6 . The print substance cartridge of  claim 1 , wherein the print substance is one or more of: ink, toner, two-dimensional (2D) colorant, three-dimensional (3D) printing agent, and 3D printing build material.