WO2014109416A1

WO2014109416A1 - Smart toner security system

Info

Publication number: WO2014109416A1
Application number: PCT/KR2013/000118
Authority: WO
Inventors: 이섬규; 배종홍; 김병희
Original assignee: 주식회사 코아리버
Priority date: 2013-01-08
Filing date: 2013-01-08
Publication date: 2014-07-17

Abstract

In an authentication system for a printer and a printer toner, wherein the printer has printer security algorithm and the printer toner has a toner security algorithm, the printer and the toner exchange encrypted information through security algorithms appointed therebetween so as to protect a genuine toner from imitation. A toner security system is provided to which is constructed to support techniques of different levels according to toner quality even for a remanufactured toner instead of a genuine product through the printer and printer toner security algorithms to enable the genuine toner and the quality-controlled remanufactured toner to be used and to protect the printer and toner security algorithms from hacking.

Description

Smart toner security system

The present invention relates to a security / authentication system for ensuring the use of genuine and high quality recycled toner as authentication systems for printers and printer toners.

In general, printer manufacturers prohibit recycling of toner cartridges, and only use genuine cartridges. Genuine cartridges are supplied directly by the manufacturer of the laser printer, and all parts are new. Since the printing methods used by the companies are different, the shapes of the toner cartridges vary accordingly, and it is required to use the toner cartridges suitable for the printing methods used by the printer manufacturers.

On the other hand, once all of the ink in the cartridge is used up, the cartridge must be discarded and purchased anew, but the genuine cartridge is usually inexpensive, so it is usually a burden on the consumer.

Therefore, efforts have been actively made to supply ink for refilling the cartridge toner, or refilling the cartridge toner that has refilled the ink so that it can be reused without discarding the cartridge that has exhausted the ink. In small ink stores, the manufacturing area of the remanufactured cartridge has already been expanded.

Remanufactured cartridges using ink toner cartridges which are depleted of ink are collected and recycled in the form of finished products, like genuine cartridges, by toner recycling companies.

Such remanufactured cartridges have the advantage that print quality does not degrade significantly compared to genuine cartridges, and that the remanufactured cartridges are much cheaper than the purchase cost of genuine cartridges.

On the other hand, some of the companies supplying the above-described remanufactured toner cartridges supply remanufactured toners whose quality has been certified, but there are many companies that supply remanufactured toners that have not been certified.

In the case of using the above-mentioned regenerated toner, regenerated toner which is not recognized by the printer manufacturer may not only adversely affect the printer machine, but also may not be able to obtain a desired print because the quality of the toner itself is not verified. This can happen.

Accordingly, the printer manufacturer intends to use a genuine certification program between the printer and the toner for the purpose of using only genuine toner in the printer. The activation program sends and receives encryption information by a security algorithm promised between the printer host and the genuine toner, thereby protecting the genuine toner from the copy. However, during the time required for data communication using the printer, the toner, and the security algorithm, when the security algorithm is hacked, a problem arises that the security algorithm designed to use the authenticated toner becomes useless.

The present invention solves the above problems, provides a smart toner security system using a security algorithm to enable the use of genuine toner and quality control recycled toner, and also provides a printer and toner for communicating using the security algorithm. By simplifying the communication scheme, hacking of such security algorithms can be prevented.

An authentication system for a printer and a printer toner according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a printer having a plurality of printer security algorithms;

A printer toner having a plurality of toner security algorithms. The printer includes a printer security information transceiving unit, configured to transmit security information encrypted with the toner using one of a plurality of printer security algorithms, and to receive information from the toner. The printer toner includes a toner security information transmission and reception unit, an encryption information analysis unit, and a central processing unit (CPU) connected to each of them. The toner security information transmission / reception unit included in the printer toner is configured to receive the encrypted security information from the printer security information transmission / reception unit and transmit the encrypted security information to the encryption information analysis unit without undergoing a calculation process of the central processing unit. In addition, the encryption information analysis unit included in the printer toner decrypts the received encrypted security information by using one of a plurality of toner security algorithms, and transmits the decrypted security information to the toner security information transmitting / receiving unit without undergoing a calculation process of the central processing unit. Configured to transmit. The printer also includes a control unit connected to the printer security information transmission / reception unit, and the control unit is configured to determine whether the decrypted security information received from the toner security information transmission / reception unit at the printer encryption information transmission / reception unit corresponds to the encrypted security information. do.

An authentication system for a printer and a printer toner according to a second embodiment of the present invention includes a printer having a printer security algorithm and a printer toner having a toner security algorithm. The printer includes a printer security information transmitting and receiving unit, configured to transmit security information encrypted with the toner using a printer security algorithm, and to receive information from the toner, wherein the printer toner includes the toner security information transmitting and receiving unit and the encryption information analyzing unit. And a central processing unit (CPU) connected to each of them. The toner security information transmitting / receiving unit of the toner is configured to receive the encrypted security information from the printer security information transmitting / receiving unit and transmit the encrypted security information to the encrypted information analyzing unit without undergoing a calculation process of the central processing unit. In addition, the encryption information analyzing unit is configured to decrypt the received encrypted security information by using the toner security algorithm, and transmit the decrypted security information to the toner security information transmitting / receiving unit without undergoing a calculation process of the central processing unit. The printer also includes a control unit connected to the printer security information transmission / reception unit, and the control unit is configured to determine whether the decrypted security information received from the toner security information transmission / reception unit at the printer encryption information transmission / reception unit corresponds to the encrypted security information. And, based on a result of determining whether the encryption information corresponds to each other, and based on the manufacturing method of the printer toner and whether the printer toner is certified, the authentication grade and the printer technology level are supported.

According to the first embodiment of the present invention, in order to allow a user to use genuine printer toner, encryption information can be transmitted and received by a security algorithm promised between the printer host and the toner, thereby protecting the genuine toner from a copy. By using a printer toner having a plurality of printer security algorithms and a plurality of toner security algorithms, it is possible to further strengthen a security system for protecting genuine toner. In addition, by simplifying the communication method between the toner security information transmitting and receiving unit, the encryption information analyzing unit, and the central processing unit (CPU) included in the printer toner, the printer and toner security algorithms can be prevented from being hacked. On the other hand, according to the second embodiment of the present invention, in the security algorithms of the printer and the printer toner, even in the case of non-genuine recycled toner, it is configured to support different levels of technology depending on the quality of the toner, so that the quality of the recycled toner market It is possible to cultivate and to coexist with the genuine toner and recycled toner business. Also in the second embodiment, as in the first embodiment, reproduction of excellent quality is achieved by simplifying the communication method between the toner security information transmitting and receiving unit, the encryption information analyzing unit, and the central processing unit (CPU) included in the printer toner. Printers and toner security algorithms that can nurture the toner market can be prevented from being hacked.

1 shows an authentication system for a printer and a printer toner according to the prior art.

2 shows an authentication system for a printer and a printer toner according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

3 shows an authentication system for a printer and a printer toner according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 4 shows the flow of data in the printer and printer toner authentication system according to the prior art.

FIG. 5 shows the flow of data in the printer and printer toner authentication system according to the embodiment of the present invention disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 3.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. In describing the present invention, when it is determined that a detailed description of a related known function or configuration may unnecessarily obscure the gist of the present invention, the detailed description thereof will be omitted.

As shown in FIG. 1, a laser or ink jet printer system includes a printer 120 and a toner 110 as components. The host of the printer receives the image generated by the computer or the like, and the corresponding image is output by controlling the toner. What is shown inside the toner 110 actually means the components included in the processor included in the toner, but is shown as the components of the toner 110 for the sake of simplicity. The toner 110 includes a memory 101 that includes a toner security algorithm and / or a secret key value, and the printer 120 includes a memory 105 that includes a printer security algorithm and / or a secret key value. . Although the printer 120 is shown as being connected to the server computer 130, what is shown as the server computer 130 is not limited thereto, and may be replaced with a personal computer, laptop, PDA, portable device, or the like. The printer company checks whether the toner is genuine toner by sending and receiving encrypted information to each other by using algorithms promised between the printer and the toner for the purpose of allowing the user to use genuine toner. Have a procedure. First, encrypted data is transmitted from the communication engine 107 of the printer to the communication engine 103 of the toner, which is received by the CPU 104 of the toner and transmitted to the cryptographic hardware engine 102. The cryptographic hardware engine 102 decrypts the received encrypted data and sends the decrypted data back to the CPU 104, which sends the data to the communication engine 103 of the toner. The communication engine 103 of the toner goes through a series of processes of transmitting the decrypted data back to the communication engine 107 of the printer host. However, this complex data transmission scheme takes a lot of time, allowing hacking of security algorithms and secret keys during data transmission. Hereinafter, while simplifying the data communication system so that hacking is not performed by the copy manufacturer during such data transmission time, and while improving the printer and toner security algorithm of the prior art, according to the present invention for reducing the risk of hacking The authentication system for the printer and the printer toner will be described in detail.

The authentication system for a printer and a printer toner according to the embodiment of the present invention disclosed in FIG. 2 is for simplifying a communication scheme in order to solve the problems of the existing authentication system disclosed in FIG. For the toner security system disclosed in Figs. 1 and 2, the toner has a built-in processor, and is encrypted from the communication engine 207 of the printer to the communication engine 203 of the toner chip, as described above with reference to Fig. 1. When the encrypted data is transmitted, the decrypted data is transmitted back to the printer's communication engine 207 after undergoing a decryption process of the encrypted data inside the chip of the toner. However, in the conventional toner security system as disclosed in FIG. 1, communication (communication between the CPU and the communication engine, communication between the CPU and the cryptographic hardware engine) that is not directly related to data encryption analysis occurs frequently. Since the communication time occupies most of the data communication time inside the chip of the toner, communication elements that are not necessary for data encryption analysis during the data communication time of the chip of the toner (e.g., microcontroller unit) are omitted. By shortening the data communication time, the risk of hacking the toner's security algorithm can be significantly reduced.

Processors used in the toner according to the present invention include Intel's 8051 (MCS-51 series), 8096 (MCS-96 series), 80960 (MCS-960 series), and Motorola's 6805, 68HC11, 68HC16, 68332. Microcontroller units (MCUs) such as Z8, Z88C00 (super8), Z89 series, etc., etc., but these are merely exemplary and many commonly used programs programmed to perform the functions described below. It may be one of the possible microcontroller units. In general, the MCU used for security includes the functions of CPU, RAM, ROM, I / O, timer, and interrupt controller in one chip. In the MCU, the CPU controls the operation of the recognition, decryption, and execution of instructions. This part consists of Arithmetic Logic Unit (ALU) that is in charge of the operation, a register to temporarily store data, and a control device that performs the appropriate operation according to the instruction. In a conventional MCU employing a security system, most of the time related to the recognition, decryption and execution of instructions, and arithmetic processing operations in the CPU is used for decryption of encrypted data and data communication. On the other hand, while implementing a high-level security system to prevent hacking of security algorithms, an expensive MCU is required to shorten the data communication time in the MCU. There was a difficulty. However, in the embodiment of the present invention disclosed in FIG. 2, it is possible to apply a security system capable of minimizing the risk of hacking while using a MCU having a relatively low price.

The components of the toner 210 refer to the components of the processor included in the actual toner as well as the toner 110 of FIG. 1. Toner 210 includes a memory 201 that includes a plurality of toner security algorithms and / or secret key values, and printer 220 includes a memory 205 that includes a plurality of printer security algorithms and / or secret key values. It includes.

The printer 220 includes a communication engine 207 configured to transmit encryption information to the toner 210 using one of a plurality of printer security algorithms. The communication engine 207 of the printer transmits the encrypted security information to the communication engine 203 of the toner. The communication engine 203 of the toner is configured to receive the encrypted security information and transmit it to the cryptographic hardware engine 202 without undergoing a calculation process of the CPU 204. In addition, the cryptographic hardware engine 202 included in the printer toner decrypts the received encrypted security information by using one of a plurality of toner security algorithms, and then decrypts the decrypted security information without going through the operation of the central processing unit. And transmit to 203. The printer includes a control unit 209 connected to the communication engine 207, and the control unit 209 stores the decrypted security information received from the communication engine 203 of the toner in the communication engine 207 in which the encrypted security information is encrypted. Determine whether it corresponds to the information. In the data communication according to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the security algorithm is not implemented in software through an operation process by the CPU 204, but in hardware in the cryptographic hardware engine 202, and thus decryption. It does not require a separate RAM space to perform, and because it does not go through a calculation process by the CPU, the cryptographic hardware engine 202 is configured to decrypt and send it directly to the communication engine 202, thereby communicating The time required can be very short. That is, using this method, the time required for data transmission and feedback is shortened to 1/10 or less, as compared with the prior art. Therefore, since the minimum data interpretation time required for interpreting the security algorithm and the secret key is not granted, it is possible to technically and commercially protect the genuine toner by applying a security system that reduces the risk of hacking.

At this time, a plurality of printer security algorithms (P1, P2, ..., Pn; hereinafter Px) stored in the memory 205 of the printer host and a plurality of toner security algorithms T1 stored in the memory 201 of the printer toner , T2, ..., Tn (hereinafter, Tx) may each operate in pairs, and each of the plurality of printer security algorithms may correspond to at least one toner security algorithm.

On the other hand, in the authentication system for the printer and the printer toner as shown in Fig. 2, it is conceivable to use a method of changing the algorithm of the IC in the toner module by periodically or aperiodically updating the printer host. Using this method, the risk of hacking can be further reduced by changing the updated algorithm to activate. In this manner, therefore, the genuine toner can be technically and commercially protected.

Meanwhile, some or all of the Tx algorithms may be stored in the initial production process, and some or all of the Px algorithms may be stored in the initial production process, and may be periodically or aperiodically updated through external storage devices and the Internet. Can be. By using a method of authenticating whether or not the toner is genuine using Px and Tx periodically or aperiodically changed, it is possible to technically and commercially protect the genuine toner.

The printer and printer toner authentication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention disclosed in FIG. 3 is the same as the toner disclosed in FIG. 2 in that the toner 310 includes a memory 301 and a communication engine 303. .

The printer 320 is the same as the printer disclosed in FIG. 2 in that it includes a memory 307 and a communication engine 309 and has a control unit 311 connected to the communication engine 309 of the printer.

Data communication between the printer 320, the communication engine 309, the communication engine 303 of the toner 310, and the cryptographic hardware engine 302 included in the toner is also performed in the system according to the first embodiment disclosed in FIG. 2. Similarly, it does not go through the calculation process of the CPU (304).

At this time, a plurality of printer security algorithms (P1, P2, ..., Pn; hereinafter Px) stored in the memory 307 of the printer host and a plurality of toner security algorithms T1 stored in the memory 301 of the printer toner , T2, ..., Tn (hereinafter, Tx) may each operate in pairs, and each of the plurality of printer security algorithms may correspond to at least one toner security algorithm.

On the other hand, the control unit 311 is based on the encryption information when the printer security algorithm (Px) and the toner security algorithm (Tx) of the printer toner are paired with each other, and is based on the toner information storage unit (305). It may be configured to apply different printer security algorithms respectively based on the information of the stored toner.

For example, when genuine toner is used, when toner of certified clone (or recycled) product is used, and when toner of unauthorized clone (or recycled) product is used, respectively, different printer security algorithms or toner security Algorithms can be applied. In addition, instead of using different algorithms, or at the same time using different algorithms, each different cryptographic information may be used.

In one embodiment, the toner 310 may further include a toner information storage unit 305 in which information about a manufacturing method of the toner is stored. The toner information storage unit 305 is configured to transmit the toner information to the communication engine 309 of the printer. The control unit 311 of the printer is configured to update the printer security algorithm based on the toner information stored in the toner information storage unit 305.

The controller 311 of the printer 320 may also control the use of the toner based on a result of determining whether the encrypted information correspond to each other and based on the updated printer security algorithm. For example, when the toner corresponds to a genuine product, it is determined that the toner corresponds to the first certification level, and the technology is supported so that the printer can operate to use the toner normally. If the toner does not correspond to the genuine product, it is determined whether the toner is a second certification class based on the information on the toner information storage unit in which the toner manufacturing method is stored and whether the toner is certified for use in the printer 320. . If it is certified to be used for the printer 320, it is determined that it corresponds to the second certification level, and the second technology level is supported. If the toner does not have information authorized to be used in the printer 320, it is determined that the toner is in the third certification level to support the third technology level.

This approach prevents hacking of the genuine toner's security algorithms, thereby protecting the genuine toner market technically and commercially, while protecting the market for good toner remanufactured toner, and authenticating with genuine toner manufacturers. Allows recycled toner companies of good quality to coexist.

On the other hand, the embodiment according to Fig. 3, which enables quality management and business management through a security algorithm that can provide multiple levels of technology, can also be utilized in a system having a single algorithm. In the case of using a system having a single algorithm, it may be implemented by using a security algorithm to transmit and receive different encryption information for each different skill level.

4 shows the flow of data in the printer and printer toner authentication system according to the prior art disclosed in FIG. Hereinafter, for convenience of description, the printer communication engine 401 included in the printer and the toner communication engine 403 included in the printer toner, the toner cryptographic hardware (H / W) engine 407, and the communication engine 403 Data communication other than data communication between the central processing unit (CPU) 405 of the toner connected to the cryptographic H / W engine 407 is omitted. The printer communication engine 401 included in the printer toner transmits the encrypted security information to the toner communication engine 403, and the toner communication engine 403 transmits the encrypted security information to the CPU 405 of the toner. The CPU 405 of the toner passes the arithmetic processing through the ALU or the like, and then transmits the encrypted security information that has undergone such processing to the cryptographic H / W engine 407. The cryptographic H / W engine 407 decrypts the received encrypted security information using one of the plurality of toner security algorithms, transmits it to the CPU 405, and uses the same to process the computation again in the CPU 405. After coarse, the decrypted security information is sent to the toner communication engine 403.

FIG. 5 shows the flow of data in the printer and printer toner authentication system according to the embodiment of the present invention disclosed in FIGS. 2 and 3. Also in Fig. 5, the printer communication engine 501 included in the printer and the toner communication engine 503 included in the printer toner, the toner cryptographic hardware (H / W) engine 507 and the communication engine 503, the cryptographic H Only the data communication made in the central processing unit (CPU) 505 connected to the / W engine 507 is shown. The printer communication engine 501 included in the printer toner transmits the encrypted security information to the toner communication engine 503, and the toner communication engine 503 sends the encrypted security information to the cryptographic H / W engine 507. . The cryptographic H / W engine 507 decrypts the received encrypted security information using one of the plurality of toner security algorithms, and transmits the decrypted security information to the toner communication engine 503.

The apparatus implementing the above-described techniques of the present invention is not limited to the apparatus as shown in the drawings. It is apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and improvements can be made to the preferred embodiments of the present invention without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention includes modifications and improvements corresponding to the claims and their equivalents.

As described above, according to the present invention, the genuine toner can be protected from the copy so that the user can use the genuine printer toner. In addition, the security algorithm of the printer and the printer toner according to the present invention is configured to support different levels of technology depending on the quality of the toner even in the case of non-genuine, regenerated toner, so as to foster a high quality toner market. Therefore, it is possible to coexist with the genuine toner and recycled toner business. At the same time, it is also possible to provide a toner security system that can prevent hacking of printer and toner security algorithms.

Claims

An authentication system for printers and printer toners,

The printer having a plurality of printer security algorithms; And

The printer toner having a plurality of toner security algorithms,

The printer includes a printer security information transceiving unit, configured to transmit security information encrypted with the toner using one of the plurality of printer security algorithms, and to receive information from the toner,

The printer toner includes a toner security information transmitting and receiving unit, an encryption information analyzing unit, and a central processing unit (CPU) connected to each of these,

The toner security information transceiving unit is configured to receive the encrypted security information from the printer security information transceiving unit and transmit the encrypted security information to the encryption information analyzing unit without undergoing a calculation process of the central processing unit.

The encryption information analyzing unit decrypts the received encrypted security information by using one of the plurality of toner security algorithms, and transmits the decrypted security information to the toner security information transmitting / receiving unit without undergoing a calculation process of the central processing unit. Configured to

The printer also includes a control unit connected to the printer security information transmission and reception unit, wherein the control unit, the decrypted security information received from the toner security information transmission and reception unit in the printer encryption information transmission and reception unit, the encrypted security And a printer and a printer toner authentication system, configured to determine whether information corresponds to the information.
The method of claim 1,

Each printer security algorithm of the plurality of printer security algorithms corresponds to at least one toner security algorithm of the plurality of toner security algorithms.
The method of claim 1,

At least one of the plurality of toner security algorithms of the toner is predetermined;

And at least one of the plurality of toner security algorithms is updated by the printer.
The method of claim 1,

At least one of the plurality of printer security algorithms is updated by a printer external device or a network communication network.
As an authentication method for printers and printer toners,

The printer has a printer security algorithm, the printer toner has a toner security algorithm, and the method includes:

Sending, at the printer, security information encrypted using the printer security algorithm to the toner;

Receiving, by the security information transmission and reception unit of the toner, the encrypted security information and transmitting the encrypted security information to the encryption information analysis unit of the toner without undergoing a calculation process of the central processing unit;

In the encryption information analyzing unit of the toner, the received encrypted security information is decrypted using the toner security algorithm, and the decrypted security information is passed to the security information transmitting / receiving unit of the toner without undergoing a calculation process of the central processing unit. Transmitting;

Receiving, at the printer, the decrypted security information from the security information transceiving unit of the toner;

Determining, at the printer, whether the decrypted security information corresponds to the encrypted security information; And

Determining, in the printer, an authentication grade and a printer technology level based on a result of determining whether encryption information corresponds to each other, and based on a manufacturing method of the printer toner and whether the printer toner is certified. To print, printer and print toner.
The method of claim 5,

Determining the certification level and printer technology level,

Receiving, by the printer, information about a manufacturing method of the toner from the toner; And

Updating the printer security algorithm based on the information regarding the manufacturing method of the toner.
The method according to claim 5 to 6,

Determining the certification level and printer technology level,

Based on the printer security algorithm updated based on the toner information,

If the toner is genuine, determine that the printer supports the first certification level and the first technology level,

If the toner is not genuine and is a toner certified for use in the printer, the printer determines to support the second certification level and the second technology level,

And if the toner is not genuine and not a toner certified for use in the printer, determining that the printer supports a third certification level and a third technology level.
The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7,

The printer has a plurality of printer security algorithms, the printer toner has a plurality of toner security algorithms,

Each printer security algorithm of the plurality of printer security algorithms corresponds to at least one toner security algorithm of the plurality of toner security algorithms.
The method according to any one of claims 5 to 7,

A method of authenticating a printer and a print toner, further comprising applying different printer security algorithms in accordance with supported authentication levels or skill levels.
An authentication system for printers and printer toners,

The printer having a printer security algorithm; And

The printer toner having a toner security algorithm;

The printer includes a printer security information transceiving unit, configured to transmit security information encrypted with the toner using the printer security algorithm, and to receive information from the toner,

The printer toner includes a toner security information transmitting and receiving unit, an encryption information analyzing unit, and a central processing unit (CPU) connected to each of these,

The toner security information transceiving unit is configured to receive the encrypted security information from the printer security information transceiving unit and transmit the encrypted security information to the encryption information analyzing unit without undergoing a calculation process of the central processing unit.

The encryption information analyzing unit is configured to decrypt the received encrypted security information by using the toner security algorithm, and transmit the decrypted security information to the toner security information transmitting / receiving unit without undergoing a calculation process of the central processing unit.

The printer also includes a control unit connected to the printer security information transmission and reception unit, wherein the control unit, the decrypted security information received from the toner security information transmission and reception unit in the printer encryption information transmission and reception unit, the encrypted security Determine whether it corresponds to the information,

The controller of the printer is configured to support an authentication grade and a printer technology level based on a result of determining whether encryption information corresponds to each other, and based on a manufacturing method of the printer toner and whether the printer toner is authenticated. And printer toner authentication system.
The method of claim 10,

The toner further includes a toner information storage unit for storing information regarding a manufacturing method of the toner,

The toner information storage unit is configured to transmit the toner information to the printer encryption information transmission / reception unit of the printer,

And the control unit of the printer is further configured to update the printer security algorithm based on the toner information.
The method of claim 11,

The control unit of the printer is further based on the printer security algorithm updated based on the toner information,

When the toner is genuine, the printer is configured to support a first certification level and a first technology level,

If the toner is not genuine and is a toner certified for use in the printer, the printer is configured to support a second certification class and a second technology level,

A printer and a print toner authentication system, wherein the printer is configured to support a third certification level and a third technology level if the toner is not genuine and is not certified to be used for the printer.
The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12,

The printer has a plurality of printer security algorithms, the printer toner has a plurality of toner security algorithms,

Each printer security algorithm of the plurality of printer security algorithms corresponds to at least one toner security algorithm of the plurality of toner security algorithms.
The method according to any one of claims 10 to 12,

And the control unit of the printer is further configured to apply different printer security algorithms, respectively, in accordance with supported authentication levels and skill levels.