Importance

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Abstract

A printer consumable includes an integrated circuit for authentication of the consumable. The integrated circuit has a non-volatile memory for storing secret information and an indicator, as well as a detection unit for preventing a power supply attack on the secret information. The detection unit includes a comparator having reference voltage and power supply line inputs; and an output connected into a reset line of the integrated circuit. The output provides a reset signal to first delete, overwrite, or otherwise render unreadable the indicator and then delete, overwrite, or otherwise render unreadable the secret information in the memory when a detection signal is output by the comparator. The reset signal is provided when the power supply voltage drops below a predetermined limit due to a power-down of the integrated circuit.

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First Claim