Accessory authentication for electronic devices

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 that performs operations associated with said accessory device.

A connector for connecting an accessory device to a media player, comprising:

• a connector body;
• a plurality of electrical contacts attached within the connector body and serving to provide electrical connections between the accessory device and the media player;
• and
• a controller disposed in said connector body and providing an authentication key that allows the accessory device to be authenticated by the media player.

A method for authorizing an accessory device for use with an electronic device, said method comprising:

• (a) receiving a device identifier from the accessory device;
• (b) receiving an authentication value from the accessory device;
• (c) determining whether the accessory device is authentic based on the authentication value;
• and
• (d) authorizing usage of the accessory device with the electronic device when said determining (c) determines that the accessory device is authentic.

A method for authorizing an accessory device for use with an electronic device, said method comprising:

• (a) detecting attachment of the accessory device with the electronic device;
• (b) sending a random number to the accessory device after said detecting (a) detects attachment of the accessory device;
• (c) subsequently receiving an encoded value from the accessory device;
• (d) receiving a device identifier from the accessory device;
• (e) obtaining a cryptographic key based on the device identifier;
• (f) decoding the encoded value using the cryptographic key to produce a decoded value;
• (g) determining whether the decoded value corresponds to the random number;
• and
• (h) authorizing usage of the accessory device with the electronic device when said determining (g) indicates that the decoded value corresponds to the random number.

A method for authorizing an accessory device for use with an electronic device, said method comprising:

• (a) detecting attachment of the accessory device with the electronic device;
• (b) sending an authentication request to the accessory device after said detecting (a) detects attachment of the accessory device, the authentication request including at least a random number;
• (c) subsequently receiving an authentication response from the accessory device, the authentication response being in response to the authentication request, and the authentication response including at least an encoded value and a device identifier for the accessory device;
• (d) obtaining a cryptographic key based on the device identifier;
• (e) decoding the encoded value using the cryptographic key to produce a decoded value;
• and
• (f) authorizing usage of the accessory device with the electronic device based on a correspondence between the decoded value and the random number.

A method for authorizing an accessory device for use with an electronic device, said method comprising:

• (a) receiving a random number from the electronic device;
• (b) encoding the random number using at least a cryptographic key provided within the accessory device, thereby producing an encoded value;
• and
• (c) sending the encoded value and a device identifier to the electronic device.

A method for controlling interaction between a media player and an accessory device, comprising:

• determining a classification of the accessory device;
• identifying an authorization level for the accessory device;
• and
• selectively activating features of the media device that are available to be used in conjunction with the accessory device based on the classification and authorization level of the accessory device.

A media player system, comprising:

• a media player storing media content and supporting a plurality of predetermined functions;
• and
• an accessory device capable of connecting to said media player,
• wherein said media player and said accessory device interact to perform an authentication process,
• wherein, based on the authentication process, specific functions of said media device are selectively activated and thus available for use by said accessory device.