Patent ID: 7823214
Filing Date: 2010-10-26
Classification: G06F

Abstract:
1. An accessory device for a portable electronic device, comprising: an input/output port for interacting with the portable electronic device; an authentication algorithm; an authentication key associated with said accessory device; an authentication controller, operatively connected to said input/output port, for performing authentication operations using at least said authentication algorithm and said authentication key; and accessory circuitry configured to access a limited set of functions of the portable electronic device through the input/output port in response to a failed authentication and the accessory circuitry being configured to access a full set of functions of the portable electronic device through the input/output port in response to a successful authentication, wherein the limited set of functions includes fewer functions than the full set of functions, and wherein the limited set of functions includes at least one function, wherein said authentication key is a private key, said authentication controller encrypts a value received from the portable electronic device using said private key, and performs the authentication operations by providing the encrypted value to said portable electronic device via said input/output port.