IP Library Granted Patent US 12,386,942
Granted Patent B2
US 12,386,942 · App. 17/850,032 · Granted Aug 12, 2025

Authentication using analog signal challenge

Inventors: James Howard Ellis, Jr. (Lexington, KY); Timothy John Rademacher (Ricmond, KY); Jennifer Topmiller Williams (Lexington, KY)
Assignee: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
G06F21/44G03G15/0863
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,386,942
App. No.
17/850,032
Granted
Aug 12, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Determining authenticity of a component in an imaging device includes generating an analog signal as an authentication challenge to the component. The component then generates a response to the authentication challenge by converting the analog signal into one or more digital values and capturing a derivative of the one or more digital values as the response. Authenticity of the component is determined by comparing the response with an expected response.

Claims (7)

1. An imaging system, comprising:

an imaging device having a controller with a first security device chip;

a supply item having a housing,

a second security device chip connected to the housing,

wherein either of the first or second security device chips is configured to receive an authentication challenge from the other of the first or second security device chips including an analog signal when the supply item is installed in the imaging device and when the first or second security device chips receives the authentication challenge, the first or second security device chips is operative to convert the analog signal into one or more digital values and take a derivative of the one or more digital values, and

a second supply item, the second supply item having a second housing and a third security device chip, the third security device chip is configured to receive said authentication challenge from one of the first and second security device chips including said analog signal when the second supply item is installed in the imaging device and when the third security device chip receives the authentication challenge, the third security device chip is operative to convert the analog signal into said one or more digital values and take an arithmetic or logical derivative of the one or more digital values.

2. The imaging system of claim 1 , wherein the second supply item further includes first and second analog circuits for converting any digital values into a random analog signal and vice versa.

Assignments (5)
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2026
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 074202/0192 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 5, 2026
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: BANK TRUST COMPANY, NATIONAL ASSOCIATION
Reel/Frame 074202/0293 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 23, 2025
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: CITIBANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 073007/0118 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Sep 23, 2025
From: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
To: JEFFERIES FINANCE LLC
Reel/Frame 073007/0346 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jun 27, 2022
From: ELLIS, JAMES HOWARD, JR.; RADEMACHER, TIMOTHY JOHN; WILLIAMS, JENNIFER TOPMILLER
To: LEXMARK INTERNATIONAL, INC.
Reel/Frame 060319/0407 →