Connected component authentication

A system for authenticating a control device, the system comprising:

• a controllable component storing a predetermined value;
• and
• the control device in communication with the controllable component, the control device comprising:
• a first button that when activated is configured to output a first control signal to the controllable component, and
• a control device fitting that includes a connection device having a connector element and a conductive authentication element, wherein the connector element is configured to connect the control device to the controllable component, and wherein the conductive authentication element includes an associated authentication value,
• wherein the controllable component is configured to measure the authentication value associated with the conductive authentication element and compare the measured authentication value to the predetermined value and determine that the control device is authentic when the measured authentication value matches the predetermined value.

A method for authenticating a first component, the method comprising the steps of:

• connecting the first component to a second component;
• outputting a current from the second component onto a conductive authentication element of the first component and measuring an authentication value associated with the conductive authentication element;
• comparing the measured authentication value to a predetermined value;
• determining that the first component is authentic when the measured authentication value matches the predetermined value, wherein when the first component is determined to be authentic the second component uses a control signal received from the first component;
• and
• after determining that the first component is authentic, changing the authentication value to differ from the predetermined value by fusing the conductive authentication element.