Worthersee wrote:

The patent, titled "Protecting electronic devices from extended unauthorized use," outlines a technique that would allow a particular device to authenticate itself with certain, user-approved power supplies and devices so that it can only be charged by those devices. In a lot of ways, it's a lot like DRM, but for electronic devices.

I can't see this being used for anti-theft. Sounds like a way to force you to replace broken power supplies with overpriced ones from the factory instead of a cheap radio shack one.

RE: Apple anti-theft system would leave thieves powerless—literally