Apple has applied for a new patent to technology which will allow it to detect users running jailbroken devices and remotely restore them to there original settings.

Jailbreaking is a technique used by Apple device owners to run applications on their devices that have not been approved for use by the company.

Jailbreaking has been a thorn in Apple's side for a while, especially since the recent court ruling that made it legal for users to jailbreak their iPhones, iPod Touch and iPads to run unauthorised third party applications.

Apple has now designed a remote kill switch, which will detect jailbroken devices and restore them to their factory settings, tech news site CNET reports.

The patent, which was filed in February 2009, is related to "Systems and Methods for Identifying Unauthorised Users of an Electronic Device", which allows the company protect the device from thieves and "unauthorised users", which includes everyone using a jailbroken device.

The patent application explains that if the company detects "particular activities that may indicate suspicious behavior", it will take measures to protect the device's functions.

The suspicious activities include the removal of a SIM Card, hacking, jailbreaking and unlocking the device in any way.

The patent reads: “In some embodiments, an unauthorised user can be detected by comparing the identity of the current user to the identities of authorised users of the electronic device.”