Patent ID: 7571265
Filing Date: 2009-08-04
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. A system comprising: an apparatus having an integrated circuit that includes disabling circuitry, the disabling circuitry having a first counter, wherein the disabling circuitry is configured to selectively disable normal operation of the apparatus responsive to a first count state defined by the first counter reaching a first defined value, and wherein the apparatus is associated with a unique identifier; and a portable device configured to establish a communication link with the apparatus in order to: wherein the portable device is operationally bonded to the apparatus associated with the unique identifier as a result of a bonding process preformed between the portable device and the apparatus, wherein before the bonding process is performed, the portable device is capable of being operationally bonded to any of a plurality of apparatuses associated with different identifiers, wherein after the bonding process is performed, the portable device is prevented from being operationally bonded to any of the plurality of apparatuses other than the apparatus associated with the unique identifier, wherein the bonding process comprises: wherein, before the first count state occurs, the apparatus is capable of the normal operation without having the communication link established.