- * Return a unique reference value which can be translated back to the pointer
- * 'object' at a later time. Also, pass back a pointer to the lock protecting
- * the object, but without locking it.
+ * Register an object pointer in reference table and lock the object.
+ * Returns a unique reference value that is used from then on to retrieve the
+ * object pointer, or to determine that the object has been deregistered.
+ *
+ * Note: The object is returned in the locked state so that the caller can
+ * register a partially initialized object, without running the risk that
+ * the object will be accessed before initialization is complete.