US5159629A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Data protection by detection of intrusion into electronic assemblies
Assignee: International Business Machines Corp
•
Filing: 1991-04-29
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Granted: 1992-10-27
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Expires: 2011-04-29
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 loses 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, 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
2026-10-30 16:52
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: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
A barrier in combination with an electronic circuit for protecting against intrusions into an electronic assembly including electronic components comprising; screen means surrounding said electronic assembly, said screen means including a flexible unitary membrane wrapped around the electronic assembly and line means formed on a substrate in a pattern that resists access without disturbing said line means, encapsulating material encapsulating said line means and bonded to said line means, said encapsulating material being at least as tough as the screen member and chemically similar or more durable than the screen member, 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 when said resistance of said line means changes, a signal will be generated.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
A barrier in combination with an electronic circuit for protecting against intrusions into an electronic assembly including electronic components comprising; screen means surrounding said electronic assembly, said screen means including a flexible unitary membrane wrapped around the electronic assembly and line means formed on a substrate in a pattern that resists access without disturbing said line means, encapsulating material encapsulating said line means and bonded to said line means, said encapsulating material being at least as tough as the screen member and chemically similar or more durable than the screen member, 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 when said resistance of said line means changes, a signal will be generated.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
26 words
The electronic assembly as defined in claim 1 further characterized by preform means interposed between said components and said screen means and supporting said screen means.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said preform means included first and second sections, one disposed on each side of said components.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said sections has a smooth surface in contact with a portion of said unitary flexible membrane.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
18 words
The assembly as defined in claim 4 wherein each of said sections have rounded side and end portions.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
20 words
The assembly as defined in claim 3 wherein one of said sections includes slots to receive leads from said screen.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The assembly as defined in claim 3, wherein screen means includes a main body portion, and flap portions to completely enclose said preforms.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly as defined in claim 2 wherein said electronic assembly includes a circuit card with components mounted thereon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly as defined in claim 8 including alignment means coactable between said screen and said card to provide alignment of the screen on said preforms.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
26 words
The assembly as defined in claim 9 wherein said alignment means includes an alignment opening on said screen and an alignment pin extending from said preform.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly as defined in claim wherein said electronic assembly includes flexible circuit means with said components mounted thereon.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
28 words
The assembly as defined in claim wherein said flexible circuit includes a flexible membrane with circuitry formed on one side and said lines formed on the opposite side.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
13 words
The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein the encapsulant is a polyurethane.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
12 words
The assembly as defined in claim wherein the encapsulant is an epoxy.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
24 words
The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said line means are formed of discrete conductive particles disposed in a solidified matrix of material.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
19 words
The assembly as defined in claim wherein said electronic assembly includes pin means to supply input/output signals and power.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
25 words
The assembly as defined in claim 1 wherein said barrier includes connector means to provide connection and flat cable means for input/output signals and power.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
15 words
The assembly as defined in claim further characterized by means to detect optical input/output signals.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
22 words
The assembly as defined in claim 18 further characterized by said means to detect optical input/output signals including photoelectric energy conversion means.
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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) | 1995-10-27 | 1996-04-27 | 1996-10-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1999-10-27 | 2000-04-27 | 2000-10-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2003-10-27 | 2004-04-27 | 2004-10-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |