EP0128672A1
Expired / Lapsed
EP
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data security device
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-05-14
•
Granted: —
•
Expires: 2004-05-14
Abstract
Abstract A security device for use in a computer based system includes volatile data storage means storing an encryption key and data processing means in a closed container. The power supply necessary to operate the storage means is conveyed by a conductor winding over the entire inside surface of the container so that breaking into the container causes interruption of the supply and destruction of the stored data. The data processing means uses the key for encryption and decryption but prevents access to the key itself. The key is entered and stored in the storage means after assembly either using additional conductors later removed or destroyed or by means of a initial program of the processing means which later cannot be run.
Inventors
- 👤 Ira Dennis Gale
- 👤 Michael Shain
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
EP
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-05 08:14
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/10; G07F7/1008; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/70; G06F21/78; G06F21/79; G06F21/86; G06F21/87; G06K; G06K19/00; G06K19/06; G06K19/067; G06K19/07; G06K19/073; G06K19/07309; G06K19/07372; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/341; G06Q20/38; G06Q20/40; G06Q20/409; G06Q20/4097; G06Q20/40975; G07F7/0806; G07F7/0813; G07F7/082; G06F2221/00; G06F2221/21; G06F2221/2143
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 12
Claim 1
Independent Claim
81 words
A data security device including a closed container within which are provided a data processing component and a volatile multi-bit data storage component arranged so that access to the data stored in the storage component is controlled by the data processing component which has the only external connections to the device for data transmission, wherein the arrangement of the power supply to the storage component is such that the data stored in the component is destroyed by breaking into the container.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
81 words
A data security device including a closed container within which are provided a data processing component and a volatile multi-bit data storage component arranged so that access to the data stored in the storage component is controlled by the data processing component which has the only external connections to the device for data transmission, wherein the arrangement of the power supply to the storage component is such that the data stored in the component is destroyed by breaking into the container.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
48 words
A device according to claim 1 wherein the power supply for the storage component is conveyed along one or more conductive members adhering to the inside surface of the container in such a way that breaking into the container will interrupt the power supply to the storage component.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
76 words
A device according to claim 2 wherein the or each conductive member is a narrow strip of thin film conductive material adhering to the surface of a brittle electrically insulating material forming at least part of the wall of the container, the strip following a winding path over the entire inside surface of the container, so that breaking into the container will rupture the narrow strip and open- circuit the power supply to the storage equipment.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
58 words
A device according to claim 3 including a second conductive strip interleaved between parts of the narrow strip and also adhering to the surface of the electrically insulating material, the second strip being connected so as to cause destruction of the data stored in the storage component if the narrow strip and the second strip become electrically connected.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
49 words
A device according to any preceding claim in which the data storage component stores an encryption key and the data processing component is programmed to execute encryption and/or decryption using the stored key of data applied to the device when corresponding instructions are applied to the data processing component.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
32 words
A device according to claim 5 in which the data processing component includes a read-only memory, wherein at least part of the data stored in the read-only memory is in encrypted form.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
31 words
A device according to any preceding claim in which the data storage component stores part of the program of the data processing component without which the program cannot be run correctly.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
52 words
A device according to any preceding claim wherein when it is assembled within the container one or more additional conductors are provided for enabling data to be entered and stored in the volatile data storage component, and after that data has been stored the additional conductor or conductors are removed or destroyed.
Claim 10
Independent Claim
43 words
A device according to any of claims 1 to 7 wherein the data processing component is arranged initially to execute a program enabling data to be entered and stored in the volatile data storage component and is subsequently prevented from executing that program.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
21 words
A device according to any preceding claim including timing means powered by the power supply for the volatile data storage component.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
38 words
A computer system having one or more terminals remotely located from the component itself, wherein the or each terminal includes a device according to any preceding claim for encrypting and/or decrypting communications between the terminal and the computer.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
DE3023427A1
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
Maintenance schedule is calculated for granted US utility patents.