Patent ID: 8046822

Claim:
An electronic apparatus comprising: a first apparatus, for recording and reproducing video data, operable to carry out a plurality of functions; and a second apparatus coupled to the first apparatus, the second apparatus operable to enable the first apparatus to execute a selected one of the plurality of functions, wherein the second apparatus comprises a control unit, the control unit including: a processing unit for supplying commands, to the first apparatus, for carrying out the selected one of the plurality of functions; a display driver for displaying, on a display, a screen utilized to select one of the plurality of functions; and a memory slot operable to receive a memory stick that includes a key file for activating an additional apparatus function, the additional apparatus function stored in the key file, wherein when the key file is uninstalled in the second apparatus, the plurality of functions executable by the first apparatus include basic apparatus functions, and when the key file is installed in the second apparatus, the plurality of functions executable by the first apparatus include both the basic apparatus functions and the additional apparatus function upon the processing unit validating authorization data stored in the key file, wherein validating the authorization data by the processing unit includes: matching a serial number, associated with the first apparatus, with a serial number located in the key file, matching a version, associated with the second apparatus, with a version located in the key file, and matching the selected additional apparatus function stored in the key file with a stored apparatus function in the first apparatus.