US5027397A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data protection by detection of intrusion into electronic assemblies
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
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Filing: 1989-09-12
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Granted: 1991-06-25
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Expires: 2009-09-12
Abstract
Abstract The present invention provides an intrusion barrier for protecting against mechanical or chemical intrusion into an electronic assembly, especially one containing volatile memory. It includes a screen material surrounding the electronic assembly which screen material has formed thereon fine conductive lines in close proximity to each other. The lines are formed of conductive particles of material dispersed in a solidified matrix of a material which looses its mechanical integrity when removed from the screen. An electrical supply and signal detection circuit is provided which generates an output signal responsive to a given change in resistance of the conductive lines, such that if the resistance changes are a result of a mechanical or chemical attack, a signal is generated which can cause the erasure of the volatile memory. Also, preferably radiation detection and temperature sensing circuits are provided to cause erasure of the volatile memory responsive to detection of a given intensity of radiation or a temperature below a given value.
Inventors
- 👤 Glen P. Double
- 👤 Steve H. Weingart
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:54
CPC Classifications
H; H10; H10W; H10W42/00; H10W42/40; H10W42/405; G; G06; G06F; G06F21/00; G06F21/70; G06F21/86; G06F21/87; G06F2221/00; G06F2221/21; G06F2221/2143; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S206/00; Y10S206/807
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 22
Claim 1
Independent Claim
204 words
An electronic circuit comprising; a circuit card; a plurality of electronic circuit components disposed on said circuit card; said components including an electronic assembly; a barrier for protecting against intrusions into said electronic assembly including; screen means surrounding said electronic assembly, said screen means including a unitary flexible membrane wrapped around said electronic assembly and line means formed on said membrane in a pattern that resists access without disturbing said line means, said line means being formed of discrete conductive particles of material disposed in a solidified matrix of material, the resistance of said line means changing when said line means are disturbed, encapsulating material encapsulating said line means and bonded to said line means said bond strength of line means to the membrane having a first predetermined strength and said bond strength of the encapsulating material to the line means having a second predetermined strength said second predetermined strength being greater than said first predetermined strength; and, electrical supply and signal detection means adapted to supply an input signal to said line means and generate an output signal responsive to a given change in said resistance of said line means; whereby said resistance of said line means changes, a signal will be generated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
204 words
An electronic circuit comprising; a circuit card; a plurality of electronic circuit components disposed on said circuit card; said components including an electronic assembly; a barrier for protecting against intrusions into said electronic assembly including; screen means surrounding said electronic assembly, said screen means including a unitary flexible membrane wrapped around said electronic assembly and line means formed on said membrane in a pattern that resists access without disturbing said line means, said line means being formed of discrete conductive particles of material disposed in a solidified matrix of material, the resistance of said line means changing when said line means are disturbed, encapsulating material encapsulating said line means and bonded to said line means said bond strength of line means to the membrane having a first predetermined strength and said bond strength of the encapsulating material to the line means having a second predetermined strength said second predetermined strength being greater than said first predetermined strength; and, electrical supply and signal detection means adapted to supply an input signal to said line means and generate an output signal responsive to a given change in said resistance of said line means; whereby said resistance of said line means changes, a signal will be generated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 1 wherein the electronic assembly includes volatile memory means, and wherein means responsive to said output signal are provided to erase data contained in said volatile memory means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
36 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein said line means further comprises a plurality of line segments, and where said electrical supply and detection means detects changes in resistance between two of said line segments.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The invention as defined in claim 3 wherein said line means form a part of a voltage divider circuit.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
29 words
The inventions defined in claim 4 wherein means are proved to generate a signal responsive to the change in resistance of said line segments in said voltage divider circuit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
21 words
The invention as defined in claim 5 wherein said signal is generated by amplifier means connected to said voltage divider circuit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
34 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 further characterized by means to detect a temperature excursion below a given temperature value and generate an output signal responsive to the detection of said temperature excursion.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as defined in claim 7 wherein said means to detect said temperature excursion includes second circuit means having means to provide a reference signal to control response to said temperature excursion.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
28 words
The invention as defined in claim 8 further characterized by means to detect radiation above a given value and generate said output signal responsive to said detected radiation.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
25 words
The invention as defined in claim 8 wherein said second circuit includes temperature sensitive resistance means which varies its output as a function of temperature.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said second circuit is a reference bridge circuit,
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined in claim 10 wherein said output signal is generated by an amplifier connected in circuit relationship with said second circuit.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 further characterized by means to detect radiation intensity above a given value and generate an output signal responsive to said detected radiation.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
33 words
The invention as defined in claim 13 further characterized by radiation shielding means disposed to reduce radiation received by said volatile memory as compared to radiation received by said means to detect radiation.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
29 words
The invention as defined in claim 13 wherein said means to detect radiation includes third circuit means having means to vary a characteristic thereof responsive to said detected radiation.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 15 wherein said means to vary the characteristics thereof is a photosensitive device in said third circuit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
20 words
The invention as defined in claim 16 wherein said third circuit includes an operational amplifier which produces said output signal.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 wherein gate means are provided to generate said output signal.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
24 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 including switch means to turn off the power to said volatile memory responsive to the output signal.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
23 words
The invention as defined in claim 19 further characterized by transistor means to short said volatile memory in response to said output signal.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
16 words
The invention as defined in claim 2 further characterized by means to provide for EMI shielding.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1994-06-24 | 1994-12-24 | 1995-06-25 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1998-06-24 | 1998-12-24 | 1999-06-25 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2002-06-24 | 2002-12-24 | 2003-06-25 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |