Method and apparatus for selectively enabling a microprocessor-based system

Abstract

A system for selectively enabling a microprocessor-based system is disclosed. State information that describes the operating conditions or circumstances under which a user intends to operate the system is obtained. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, a valid hash value is determined, preferably based on the state information and preferably by locating the valid hash value within a table of valid hash values indexed by the state information. Candidate authorization information is obtained from the user, and a candidate hash value is generated by applying a hashing algorithm to the candidate authorization information, the state information, or a combination of the candidate authorization information and state information. The candidate hash value and the valid hash value are then compared, and the microprocessor-based system is enabled if the candidate hash value matches the valid hash value. In this manner, the designer or distributor of the system can determine, at the time of manufacture or distribution, the conditions and circumstances under which the system may be operated.

1 - 30 . (canceled) 
     
     
         31 . A system for selectively enabling a microprocessor-based system, comprising:
 circuitry for obtaining operating condition information regarding a microprocessor-based system;   circuitry for obtaining authorization information associated with a user of the microprocessor-based system;   circuitry for applying a hashing algorithm to at least one of the authorization information or the operating condition information to generate a candidate hash value;   circuitry for comparing the candidate hash value with one or more valid hash values; and   circuitry for enabling the microprocessor-based system if said candidate hash value matches at least one of the one or more valid hash values.   
     
     
         32 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein circuitry for comparing the candidate hash value with one or more valid hash values comprises:
 circuitry for comparing the candidate hash value with one or more valid hash values from a list of valid hash values.   
     
     
         33 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein circuitry for applying a hashing algorithm to at least one of the authorization information the operating condition information to generate a candidate hash value comprises:
 circuitry for applying a one-way hashing algorithm to at least one of the authorization information the operating condition information to generate a candidate hash value.   
     
     
         34 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein circuitry for comparing the candidate hash value with one or more valid hash values comprises:
 circuitry for comparing the candidate hash value with one or more valid hash values, the one or more valid hash values representing one or more geographic regions in which the microprocessor-based system is permitted to be operational.   
     
     
         35 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein circuitry for comparing the candidate hash value with one or more valid hash values comprises:
 circuitry for comparing the candidate hash value with one or more valid hash values, the one or more valid hash values representing one or more specified locations proximate which the microprocessor-based system is permitted to be operational.   
     
     
         36 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein circuitry for obtaining operating condition information regarding a microprocessor-based system comprises:
 circuitry for obtaining a history of one or more locations of a microprocessor-based system.   
     
     
         37 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein circuitry for obtaining authorization information associated with a user of the microprocessor-based system comprises:
 circuitry for obtaining at least one of a passphrase, an electronic identification, or a biometric information associated with a user of the microprocessor-based system.   
     
     
         38 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein circuitry for obtaining operating condition information regarding a microprocessor-based system comprises:
 circuitry for obtaining at least one of a geographic location, a geographic region, a date, a range of dates, a time, or a range of times regarding an operation of a microprocessor-based system.   
     
     
         39 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein circuitry for applying a hashing algorithm to at least one of the authorization information the operating condition information to generate a candidate hash value comprises:
 circuitry for applying a hashing algorithm to a catenation of the authorization information and the operating condition information to generate a candidate hash value.   
     
     
         40 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein circuitry for obtaining operating condition information regarding a microprocessor-based system comprises:
 circuitry for obtaining prior usage history of a microprocessor-based system.   
     
     
         41 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein circuitry for obtaining operating condition information regarding a microprocessor-based system comprises:
 circuitry for obtaining a current location information regarding a microprocessor-based system.   
     
     
         42 . The system of  claim 31 , wherein circuitry for obtaining authorization information associated with a user of the microprocessor-based system comprises:
 circuitry for obtaining a password from a user of the microprocessor-based system, the password being specific to operation of the microprocessor-based system within a particular geographic region.   
     
     
         43 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 circuitry for at least partially disabling the microprocessor-based system when the operating condition information indicates that the microprocessor-based system is outside of a specified geographic region.   
     
     
         44 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 circuitry for at least partially disabling the microprocessor-based system when the operating condition information indicates that the microprocessor-based system is proximate of a specified geographic region.   
     
     
         45 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 circuitry for causing the microprocessor-based system to enter a reduced-activity state if the operating condition information indicates that the microprocessor-based system is outside of a specified geographic region.   
     
     
         46 . The system of  claim 45 , further comprising:
 circuitry for re-obtaining authorization information from the user of the microprocessor-based system before the microprocessor-based system is permitted to return from the reduced-activity activity state.   
     
     
         47 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 circuitry for causing the microprocessor-based system to enter a powered-down state if the operating condition information indicates that the microprocessor-based system is outside of a specified geographic region.   
     
     
         48 . The system of  claim 31 , further comprising:
 circuitry for at least partially disabling the at least one microprocessor-based system when the current location indication is outside of a specified geographic region.   
     
     
         49 . A method for selectively enabling a microprocessor-based system, comprising:
 obtaining operating condition information regarding a microprocessor-based system;   obtaining authorization information associated with a user of the microprocessor-based system;   applying a hashing algorithm to at least one of the authorization information or the operating condition information to generate a candidate hash value;   comparing the candidate hash value with one or more valid hash values; and   enabling the microprocessor-based system if said candidate hash value matches at least one of the one or more valid hash values.   
     
     
         50 . A system, comprising:
 a processing device operatively coupled to a memory, the memory bearing one or more instructions that, when executed by the processing device, configure the processing device to perform operations including at least:
 obtaining operating condition information regarding the system; 
 obtaining authorization information associated with a user of the system; 
 applying a hashing algorithm to at least one of the authorization information or the operating condition information to generate a candidate hash value; 
 comparing the candidate hash value with one or more valid hash values; and 
 enabling one or more operations of the system if said candidate hash value matches at least one of the one or more valid hash values.