Patent ID: 7366551
Filing Date: 2008-04-29
Classification: H04M

Abstract:
1. An apparatus, comprising: a standardized electronic interface; an interchangeable device that comprises a device controller, a first memory bearing a first electronic serial number, and a connector adapted to mate with to the standardized electronic interface; and a communications system that comprises a second memory bearing a second electronic serial number, a wireless wide area network terminal, and a control processor executing an authentication agent that is configured to transmit a report comprising the first electronic serial number and the second electronic serial number to an authentication administrator via the wireless wide area network terminal, and to receive, via the wireless wide area network terminal, an authorization command that directs the authentication agent to a) enable one or more authorized functions of the interchangeable device if the first and the second electronic serial numbers verified by the authentication administrator or b) inactivate the interchangeable device if the first and the second electronic serial numbers are not verified by the authentication administrator.