Multiple region printer chip

1. A method of communicating a message authentication code for a toner cartridge to a printer having a processor containing a lock-out algorithm, comprising the steps of:

providing a toner cartridge having a microcontroller in bidirectional communication with said processor when the cartridge is installed in the printer;

establishing a look-up table defining a plurality of processor-command algorithms associated with a plurality of geographic regions;

recognizing a communication pattern originated by the processor of the printer;

identifying at least one geographic region by matching the communication pattern from the processor of the printer to a processor-command algorithm defined on the look-up table;

generating a message authentication code associated with the identified geographic region of the printer; and

transmitting the message authentication code to the processor.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising the step of storing at least one data value associated with a toner cartridge status parameter on the microcontroller.

3. The method of claim 2 where at least one data value stored on the microcontroller is selected from the group consisting of a serial number associated with the microcontroller, a secret code, and a ROM ID.

4. The method of claim 2 where the message authentication code is generated using at least one data value stored on the microcontroller.

5. The method of claim 2 where the message authentication code is generated using at least one data value stored on the microcontroller and a challenge code initiated by the processor.

6. The method of claim 5 where the message authentication code is generated by a SHA-1 (Secure Hash Algorithm) engine.

7. The method of claim 1 where the message authentication code is generated using a SHA-1 (Secure Hash Algorithm) engine.

8. The method of claim 1 where the bidirectional communication between the microcontroller and the processor is established through a single wire bus architecture protocol.

9. The method of claim 1 further comprising the steps of:

generating a subsequent message authentication code associated with the identified geographic region of the printer responsive to an error condition generated by the processor; and

transmitting the subsequent message authentication code to the processor.

10. A method of communicating a message authentication code for a toner cartridge to a printer having a processor containing a lock-out algorithm, comprising the steps of:

providing a toner cartridge having a microcontroller in bidirectional communication with said processor when the cartridge is installed in the printer;

establishing a look-up table defining a plurality of lapsed-time values associated with a plurality of geographic regions;

establishing an initial time value responsive to the activation of the microcontroller;

establishing a final time value responsive to a predetermined communication from the processor to the microcontroller;

subtracting the initial time value from the final time value to establish an identification value associated with a printer;

identifying at least geographic region by matching the identification value to a lapsed-time value defined on the look-up table;

generating a message authentication code associated with the identified printer; and

transmitting the message authentication code to the processor.

11. The method of claim 10 further comprising the step of storing at least one data value associated with a toner cartridge status parameter on the microcontroller.

12. The method of claim 11 where at least one data value stored on the microcontroller is selected from the group consisting of a serial number associated with the microcontroller, a secret code, and a ROM ID.

13. The method of claim 11 where the message authentication code is generated using at least one data value stored on the microcontroller.

14. The method of claim 11 where the message authentication code is generated using at least one data value stored on the microcontroller and a challenge code initiated by the processor.

15. The method of claim 14 where the message authentication code is generated by a SHA-1 (Secure Hash Algorithm) engine.

16. The method of claim 10 where the message authentication code is generated using a SHA-1 (Secure Flash Algorithm) engine.

17. The method of claim 10 where the bidirectional communication between the microcontroller and the processor is established through a single wire bus architecture protocol.

18. The method of claim 10 further comprising the steps of:

generating a subsequent message authentication code associated with the identified geographic region of the printer responsive to an error condition generated by the processor; and

transmitting the subsequent message authentication code to the processor.

19. A method of communicating a message authentication code for a toner cartridge to a printer having a processor containing a lock-out algorithm, comprising the steps of:

providing a toner cartridge having a microcontroller in bidirectional communication with said processor when the cartridge is installed in the printer;

establishing a look-up table defining a first voltage value associated with a plurality of geographic regions;

establishing a second voltage value by measuring the voltage at a point of contact between the microcontroller and the printer;

identifying at least one geographic region by matching the second voltage value to a first voltage value defined on the look-up table;

generating a message authentication code associated with the identified printer; and transmitting the message authentication code to the processor.

20. The method of claim 19 further comprising the step of storing at least one data value associated with a toner cartridge status parameter on the microcontroller.

21. The method of claim 20 where at least one data value stored on the microcontroller is selected from the group consisting of a serial number associated with the microcontroller, a secret code, and a ROM ID.

22. The method of claim 20 where the message authentication code is generated using at least one data value stored on the microcontroller.

23. The method of claim 20 where the message authentication code is generated using at least one data value stored on the microcontroller and a challenge code initiated by the processor.

24. The method of claim 23 where the message authentication code is generated by a SHA-1 (Secure Hash Algorithm) engine.

25. The method of claim 19 where the message authentication code is generated using a SHA-1 (Secure Hash Algorithm) engine.

26. The method of claim 19 where the bidirectional communication between the microcontroller and the processor is established through a single wire bus architecture protocol.

27. The method of claim 19 further comprising the steps of:

generating a subsequent message authentication code associated with the identified geographic region of the printer responsive to an error condition generated by the processor; and

transmitting the subsequent message authentication code to the processor.

28. A method of communicating an authentication code for a toner cartridge to a printer, comprising the steps of:

providing a toner cartridge having a microcontroller in bidirectional communication with said printer when the cartridge is installed in the printer;

providing an authentication code adapted for interoperation with printers in a plurality of geographic regions in association with the microcontroller; and

transmitting the authentication code to the processor.