Chip and supply item for imaging device, including communication

Abstract

A supply item has toner for use in an imaging device. A chip has memory storing quanta indicating allowed usage of the supply item over its lifetime and a multiplier correlating the quanta to toner mass. The imaging device requires quanta to conduct imaging operations and loads the quanta and multiplier by way of a certificate stored in the memory. The imaging device retrieves quanta from the chip over time and both devices keep tally. Initialization between the supply item and imaging device includes providing encrypted and unencrypted instances of firmware versions and certificates from the supply item that the imaging device can compare for security. Alternatively, the supply item defines a fuser assembly, imaging unit, intermediate transfer member, or other component installed for use in the imaging device.

1 . A method of setting up electrical communications between an imaging device and a supply item installed in the imaging device, the imaging device having a controller and the supply item having a chip, the chip of the supply item having a memory and stored therein is a firmware version identifying a current version of firmware in the chip, comprising:
 providing from the chip of the supply item to the controller of the imaging device, an unencrypted instance of the firmware version;   thereafter, providing from the chip of the supply item to the controller of the imaging device an encrypted instance of the firmware version; and   comparing the unencrypted instance to a decrypted instance of the encrypted instance of the firmware version and determining whether a match exists between the unencrypted instance and the decrypted instance of the firmware version.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , if no said match exists, further including enforcing a hold preventing imaging operations of the imaging device. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 2 , if said match exists, further including allowing imaging operations of the imaging device to occur. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , further including receiving at the supply item a command on an I2C bus from the imaging device to provide the unencrypted instance of the firmware version. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , further including receiving at the supply item a command on an I2C bus from the imaging device to provide the encrypted instance of the firmware version. 
     
     
         6 . A method of setting up electrical communications between an imaging device and a supply item configured for installation in the imaging device, the imaging device having a controller and the supply item having a chip configured to electrically communicate therewith, comprising:
 providing the chip of the supply item with a memory storing therein a firmware version identifying a current version of firmware in the chip;   configuring the chip of the supply item to receive one or more requests for the firmware version from the controller of the imaging device;   configuring the chip of the supply item to provide to the controller of the imaging device both an unencrypted and encrypted instance of the firmware version;   determining software features of the chip of the supply item corresponding to the firmware version; and   determining whether a match exists or not between the unencrypted instance and a decrypted instance of the encrypted instance of the firmware version to allow or not imaging operations of the imaging device.   
     
     
         7 . A method of setting up electrical communications between an imaging device and a supply item configured for installation in the imaging device, the imaging device having a controller and the supply item having a chip configured to electrically communicate therewith, comprising:
 providing the chip of the supply item with a memory having stored therein a firmware version;   enabling the chip of the supply item to receive one or more requests for the firmware version from the controller of the imaging device;   enabling the chip of supply item to provide to the controller of the imaging device both an unencrypted and encrypted instance of the firmware version; and   determining software features of the chip of the supply item corresponding to the firmware version, wherein the chip of supply item is configured to provide to the controller of the imaging device first the unencrypted instance of the firmware version and later the encrypted instance of the firmware version.   
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , further including establishing an initialization session between the controller and the chip. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 7 , further including establishing presence of the chip on an I2C communications bus upon receipt by the controller of the imaging device of the unencrypted instance of the firmware version.