Anti-theft system and method for semiconductor devices and other electronic components

An electronic subsystem for installation into a larger system, said subsystem including:

• a stored device identifier, wherein said device identifier is accessible to said larger system;
• a stored secret key, wherein said secret key is inaccessible to said larger system;
• an input for receiving a system identifier and an authorisation key from said larger system;
• and
• an authorisation unit for enabling or disabling said subsystem in accordance with the stored secret key and the received system identifier and authorisation key.

An electronic system comprising:

• a system identifier;
• at least one component having a stored device identifier and a stored secret key;
• and
• a communications path for supplying said at least one component with said system identifier and with an authorisation key that is dependent on said system identifier and said stored secret key in order to activate said at least one component.

A method of manufacturing an electronic system comprising:

• storing a system identifier in the system;
• installing at least one component having a stored device identifier into the system, wherein said at least one component is enabled or disabled for use according to whether it receives a matched system identifier and authorisation key;
• and
• creating in the electronic system for each such said at least one component installed into the system a record of an authorisation key to be used with that component in conjunction with the stored system identifier, wherein the authorisation key is mapped to the device identifier for the component.

A method of operating an electronic system comprising:

• accessing a system identifier for the electronic system;
• ascertaining a device identifier associated with a component of the electronic system, said component including a secret key;
• providing an authorisation key and the system identifier to said component, wherein the correct authorisation key is dependent upon said system identifier and said secret key;
• determining within the component whether or not the provided authorisation key is correct, based on the system identifier and the secret key for the component;
• disabling or enabling said component according to whether or not the authorisation key is correct.

A method of operating a support centre comprising the steps of:

• maintaining a database of components, wherein for each component there is a stored device identifier and secret key;
• receiving a request to allow a component having a particular device identifier to be used in a system having a particular system identifier;
• retrieving the secret key for the component based on the received device identifier;
• determining an authorisation key for the component, based on the received system identifier and retrieved secret key;
• and
• providing a response to said request, wherein the response includes the determined authorisation key.

A semiconductor device including:

• means for storing a device identifier, wherein said device identifier is accessible to external systems;
• means for storing a secret key, wherein said secret key is inaccessible to external systems;
• means for receiving a system identifier and an authorisation key;
• and
• means for enabling or disabling said device in accordance with the stored secret key and the received system identifier and authorisation key.

An electronic system comprising:

• means for storing a system identifier;
• at least one component including means for storing a device identifier and a stored secret key;
• means for supplying said at least one component with the stored system identifier and with an authorisation key that is dependent on said system identifier and said stored secret key;
• and
• means for enabling or disabling said at least one component in accordance with the supplied authorisation key.

A program product comprising machine instructions on a medium for loading into an electronic system, wherein said instructions cause the system to perform the steps of:

• accessing a system identifier for the electronic system;
• ascertaining a device identifier associated with a component of the electronic system, said component including a secret key;
• and
• providing an authorisation key and the system identifier to said component, wherein said authorisation key is dependent upon said system identifier and said secret key, and wherein said component is disabled or enabled according to whether or not the correct authorisation key is provided.

A program product comprising machine instructions on a medium for loading into a computer, wherein said instructions cause the computer to perform the steps of:

• receiving a request to allow a component having a particular device identifier to be used in a system having a particular system identifier;
• accessing a database of components, wherein for each component there is a stored device identifier and secret key;
• retrieving from the database a secret key for the component based on the received device identifier;
• determining an authorisation key for the component, based on the received system identifier and retrieved secret key;
• and
• providing a response to said request, wherein the response includes the determined authorisation key.