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CatGenie DRM IC

You can read the manufacturer's markings:

 

Microchip

(M) 1996

 

To the right of these markings is an internal code number for the design. It's "74AK2", with a small "74" and the "AK2" slightly stylized. This code number was repeated in another portion of the chip. There was also an array of numbers, each on a different layer of metal -- because each layer looks slightly different, you can use this key as a quick identification of the layers.

 

The chip looks very complicated for a memory chip. This is either because it has very little memory (and thus the easily-identifiable matrix-like memory portion of the chip is small compared to the rest of the support circuitry) or there's some cryptography in the chip (as you'd expect in a printer ink cartridge).

 

Still to do is to figure out the actual device (not the code name) for this chip! Any ideas?

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Uploaded on February 4, 2011
Taken on February 3, 2011