Patent ID: 7190266
Filing Date: 2007-03-13
Classification: G07C,H04L

Abstract:
1. A limited-use appliance which generates expiration warnings, such that full enablement of the appliance is only implemented upon procurement of either a purchase or lease of an activation code, comprising: at least one input device for generating at least one of an activation signal and an input signal; a controller associated with said at least one input device and receiving said activation and input signals, said controller initiating at least one limited-use function of the appliance upon receipt of said input signal; a memory device associated with said controller, said memory device storing an activation code; a test device maintained by said controller, said test device having a predetermined criteria which determines whether said input signal should be sent on to said controller, said input device adapted to input said activation code via said activation signal, wherein if said inputted activation code matches said activation code stored in said memory device, said controller permanently disables said test device from blocking the receipt of all subsequent said input signals, thus fully enabling the appliance; and a warning system maintained by said controller and monitoring said predetermined criteria, said warning system generating a warning signal when said predetermined criteria reaches a predetermined level indicating upcoming expiration of an initial-use period.