US4795893A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Security device prohibiting the function of an electronic data processing unit after a first cutoff of its electrical power
Assignee: CP8 Technologies SA
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Filing: 1987-07-10
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Granted: 1989-01-03
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Expires: 2007-07-10
Abstract
Abstract The invention relates to a security device (1) prohibiting the execution of at least one function of an electronic data processing unit (2) after a first cutoff of its electric power even in the case of a resumption of supply voltage. This device includes a first means (8) that functions only once in the course of a period beginning at the instant (T 0 ) of a first connection to voltage by the power supply (3), and finishing prior to the instant (T 2 ) of a first cutoff of this power supply, and a second means (10) connected to the output of the first means (8) and furnishing an inhibiting signal having a first level that authorizes the function of the unit, from the instant (T 0 ) of the first connection to voltage until the instant (T 2 ) of the first cutoff, this inhibiting signal having a second level that prohibits said execution of said function beginning at the instant (T 2 ) of the first cutoff, this inhibiting signal maintainin this second level even in the case of a resumption of voltage.
Inventors
- 👤 Michel Ugon
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-26 20:36
CPC Classifications
G; G07; G07F; G07F7/00; G07F7/08; G07F7/10; G07F7/1008; G06; G06F; G06F11/00; G06F11/07; G06F11/0796; G06Q; G06Q20/00; G06Q20/30; G06Q20/34; G06Q20/341; G06Q20/36; G06Q20/367; G07B; G07B13/00; G07B13/02; G07C; G07C9/00; G07C9/20; G07C9/29; G07F7/1025; G07F7/1083
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 14
Claim 1
Independent Claim
298 words
A security device adapted to be connected to a power supply and being operative connected for (1) prohibiting execution of at least one function of an electronic data processing unit (2) after a first cutoff of its supply voltage even in the case of a resumption of supply voltage, comprising: first circuit means (8) connected for operatively functioning only once in the course of a period beginning at the instant (T 0 ) of a first connection to voltage by the power supply (3), and ceasing its functioning prior to the instant (T 2 ) of a first cutoff of this power supply, first means having an output (9) and furnishing at said output (9) in the course of this period, a signal characteristic of the functioning of said first means; second circuit having at least one input and at least one output (17), said means (10) one input being connected to the output (9) of the first means (8), said second input means being operatively connected for memorizing a characteristic signal from the instant (T 0 ) of first connection to said voltage until the instant (T 2 ) of a first cutoff, said second means (10) being connected via one output (17) to an electronic data processing unit (2) and furnishing at said output (17) an inhibiting signal having a first level that authorizes the function of the unit, from the instant (T O ) of the first connection to voltage until the instant (T 2 ) of the first cutoff, said inhibiting signal having a second level that prohibits said execution of said function beginning at the instant (T 2 ) of the first cutoff, this inhibiting signal maintaining this second level even in the case of a resumption of voltage of the power supply.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
298 words
A security device adapted to be connected to a power supply and being operative connected for (1) prohibiting execution of at least one function of an electronic data processing unit (2) after a first cutoff of its supply voltage even in the case of a resumption of supply voltage, comprising: first circuit means (8) connected for operatively functioning only once in the course of a period beginning at the instant (T 0 ) of a first connection to voltage by the power supply (3), and ceasing its functioning prior to the instant (T 2 ) of a first cutoff of this power supply, first means having an output (9) and furnishing at said output (9) in the course of this period, a signal characteristic of the functioning of said first means; second circuit having at least one input and at least one output (17), said means (10) one input being connected to the output (9) of the first means (8), said second input means being operatively connected for memorizing a characteristic signal from the instant (T 0 ) of first connection to said voltage until the instant (T 2 ) of a first cutoff, said second means (10) being connected via one output (17) to an electronic data processing unit (2) and furnishing at said output (17) an inhibiting signal having a first level that authorizes the function of the unit, from the instant (T O ) of the first connection to voltage until the instant (T 2 ) of the first cutoff, said inhibiting signal having a second level that prohibits said execution of said function beginning at the instant (T 2 ) of the first cutoff, this inhibiting signal maintaining this second level even in the case of a resumption of voltage of the power supply.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
33 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the first means (8) is a circuit with static components, and destruction means for destroying one of the static components at the end of said period.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
56 words
A device according to claim 1, wherein the second means (10) includes a memory circuit (11) for memorization of said characteristic signal and being connected to the first means (8), and an inhibiting circuit (12) connected to the memorization circuit (11) and to the first means (8) for furnishing said inhibiting signal at one output (17).
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
107 words
A device according to claim 2, further including means for cancelling the prohibition of the execution of said function, said means for cancelling having one output (15) connected to the input of the second means (10), said means for cancelling being arranged to furnish an output signal exhibiting said first level when after a resumption of voltage to the security device after a cutoff it is desirable to enable the execution of said function voltage, said means for cancelling including at least one input (16) for receiving a coded signal, upon the reception of which the output signal of said means for cancelling exhibits said first level.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein the memorization circuit (11) is a multivibrator of the master-slave type.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
17 words
A device according to claim 3, wherein the memorization circuit (11) includes a least one volatile memory.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
37 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the destruction means includes laser means for destroying the component at the end of said period by a laser beam directed at said component upon energization of the laser means.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the destruction means includes means for passing an excess current through the component.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
20 words
A device according to claim 2, wherein the destruction means includes mechanical means for destroying the component by mechanical action.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
24 words
A deice according to claim 1, wherein the power supply (3) of the processing unit (2) and of the device (11) is a battery.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
35 words
A device according to claims 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 or 10, wherein the apparatus (2) is a microcircuit card having at least one microcircuit comprising at least one volatile memory.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
26 words
A device according to claim 6 wherein said at least one volatile memory of the apparatus comprises the memorization circuit (11) of the second means (10).
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
15 words
A device according to claim 10 wherein the battery (3) is carried by the card.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1992-01-03 | 1992-07-04 | 1993-01-03 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1996-01-03 | 1996-07-04 | 1997-01-03 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2000-01-03 | 2000-07-04 | 2001-01-03 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |