US5847650A — Theft resistant circuit assembly

Claim 1

Independent Claim 63 words

A printed circuit board assembly comprising: at least one sheet of electrically non-conductive material; an electrically conductive layer formed on a surface of said sheet, said layer being shaped to provide a portion of an electrical circuit; a security element comprising a film of low magnetic coercivity material which is easily magnetically saturated, said security element being formed on said electrically conductive layer.

Claim 2

Dependent Claim 63 words

A printed circuit board assembly comprising: at least one sheet of electrically non-conductive material; an electrically conductive layer formed on a surface of said sheet, said layer being shaped to provide a portion of an electrical circuit; a security element comprising a film of low magnetic coercivity material which is easily magnetically saturated, said security element being formed on said electrically conductive layer.

Claim 3

Dependent Claim 67 words

A printed circuit board assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive layer is an expansive, continuous layer which forms an electrical ground plane on one side of said one sheet, wherein electrically conductive signal pathways are formed on the other side of said sheet and wherein at least one of said signal pathways is electrically connected to said electrically conductive layer through said one sheet.

Claim 4

Dependent Claim 37 words

A printed circuit board assembly according to claim 1, wherein said board assembly includes at least two sheets of electrically non-conductive material and wherein said electrically conductive layer and said security element are laminated between adjacent sheets.

Claim 5

Dependent Claim 51 words

A printed circuit board assembly according to claim 1, wherein said electrically conductive layer forms a ground plane and wherein a printed electrical circuit is formed on an outer surface of one of said sheets and is connected via a conductor element extending through said one sheet to said ground plane.

Claim 6

Independent Claim 69 words

A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board assembly having theft resistant capability, said method comprising the steps of: forming an electrically conductive layer on a surface of a sheet of electrically non-conductive material, said electrically conductive layer being shaped and arranged to form a portion of an electrical circuit, and depositing on said electrically conductive layer a film of low magnetic coercivity material which is easily magnetically saturated.

Claim 7

Independent Claim 69 words

A method of manufacturing a printed circuit board assembly having theft resistant capability, said method comprising the steps of: forming an electrically conductive layer on a surface of a sheet of electrically non-conductive material, said electrically conductive layer being shaped and arranged to form a portion of an electrical circuit, and depositing on said electrically conductive layer a film of low magnetic coercivity material which is easily magnetically saturated.

Claim 8

Dependent Claim 25 words

A method according to claim 5, wherein a plurality of other sheets are thereafter laminated together to enclose said electrically conductive layer and said film.

Claim 9

Dependent Claim 16 words

A method according to claim 5, wherein said film is formed by electrodeposition by brush plating.

Claim 10

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method according to claim 5, wherein said film is heated to a temperature of at least 100 degrees Centigrade for a duration of at least one hour.

Claim 11

Dependent Claim 35 words

A method according to claim 8, wherein said film is subjected to a steady magnetic field in the range of 70-170 oersteds, and oriented to extend along said film, while said film is being heated.

Claim 12

Dependent Claim 33 words

A method according to claim 8, wherein said film is subjected to a steady magnetic field of about 120 oersteds and oriented to extend along said film, while said film is being heated.

Claim 13

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method according to claim 5, wherein said film is heated to a temperature in the range of 200 degrees Centigrade for a duration of at least five minutes.

Claim 14

Dependent Claim 35 words

A method according to claim 11, wherein said film is subjected to a steady magnetic field in the range of 70-170 oersteds, and oriented to extend along said film, while said film is being heated.

Claim 15

Dependent Claim 33 words

A method according to claim 11, wherein said film is subjected to a steady magnetic field of about 120 oersteds, and oriented to extend along said film, while said film is being heated.

Claim 16

Dependent Claim 64 words

A theft resistant integrated circuit assembly comprising at least one integrated electrical circuit which incorporates a metallic heat dissipation element, and a security member in the form of a film of magnetizable material which becomes driven into and out of magnetic saturation in response to an alternating magnetic interrogation field, said security element being formed directly on the surface of said heat dissipation element.

Claim 17

Dependent Claim 64 words

A theft resistant integrated circuit assembly comprising at least one integrated electrical circuit which incorporates a metallic heat dissipation element, and a security member in the form of a film of magnetizable material which becomes driven into and out of magnetic saturation in response to an alternating magnetic interrogation field, said security element being formed directly on the surface of said heat dissipation element.

Claim 18

Dependent Claim 18 words

A theft resistant integrated circuit assembly according to claim 14, wherein said security member is an amorphous alloy.

Claim 19

Dependent Claim 18 words

A theft resistant integrated circuit assembly according to claim 14, wherein said security member is a crystalline alloy.

Claim 20

Independent Claim 65 words

A method of making a theft resistant integrated circuit assembly said method comprising the steps of providing a metallic heat dissipation element, directly forming on the surface of said heat dissipation element a film of magnetizable material which becomes driven into and out of magnetic saturation in response to an alternating magnetic interrogation field, and mounting said heat dissipation element on an integrated electrical circuit.

Claim 21

Independent Claim 65 words

A method of making a theft resistant integrated circuit assembly said method comprising the steps of providing a metallic heat dissipation element, directly forming on the surface of said heat dissipation element a film of magnetizable material which becomes driven into and out of magnetic saturation in response to an alternating magnetic interrogation field, and mounting said heat dissipation element on an integrated electrical circuit.

Claim 22

Dependent Claim 27 words

A method according to claim 17, wherein said film of magnetizable material is formed by electroplating the material directly onto the surface of said heat dissipation element.

Claim 23

Dependent Claim 30 words

A method according to claim 17, wherein said film of magnetizable material is formed by chemical vapor deposition of the material directly onto the surface of said heat dissipation element.

Claim 24

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method according to claim 17, wherein said film of magnetizable material is formed by electroless plating of the material directly onto the surface of said heat dissipation element.

Claim 25

Dependent Claim 30 words

A method according to claim 17, wherein said film of magnetizable material is formed by thermal spray coating of the material directly onto the surface of said heat dissipation element.

Claim 26

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method according to claim 17, wherein said film of magnetizable material is formed by vacuum coating of the material directly onto the surface of said heat dissipation element.

Claim 27

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method according to claim 17, wherein said film is heated to a temperature of at least 100 degrees Centigrade for a duration of at least one hour.

Claim 28

Dependent Claim 35 words

A method according to claim 23, wherein said film is subjected to a steady magnetic field in the range of 70-170 oersteds, and oriented to extend along said film while said film is being heated.

Claim 29

Dependent Claim 29 words

A method according to claim 17, wherein said film is heated to a temperature in the range of 200 degrees Centigrade for a duration of at least five minutes.

Claim 30

Dependent Claim 33 words

A method according to claim 25, wherein said film is subjected to a steady magnetic field of about 120 oersteds, and oriented to extend along said film while said film is being heated.

Claim 31

Dependent Claim 37 words

A method according to claim 25, wherein said film is subjected to a steady magnetic field in the range of 70 to 170 oersteds, and oriented to extend along said film, while said film is being heated.

Claim 32

Dependent Claim 33 words

A method according to claim 25, wherein said film is subjected to a steady magnetic field of about 120 oersteds, and oriented to extend along said film while said film is being heated.

Claim 33

Dependent Claim 70 words

A theft resistant integrated circuit assembly comprising at least one integrated electrical circuit supported by a rigid non-metallic support element and, a security element in the form of an elongated strip of magnetizable material of nearly zero magnetostriction which becomes driven into and out of magnetic saturation in response to an alternating magnetic field, said security element being mounted to extend along said support element adjacent said integrated electrical circuit.

Claim 34

Dependent Claim 70 words

A theft resistant integrated circuit assembly comprising at least one integrated electrical circuit supported by a rigid non-metallic support element and, a security element in the form of an elongated strip of magnetizable material of nearly zero magnetostriction which becomes driven into and out of magnetic saturation in response to an alternating magnetic field, said security element being mounted to extend along said support element adjacent said integrated electrical circuit.

Claim 35

Dependent Claim 45 words

A theft resistant integrated circuit assembly according to claim 29, wherein said rigid non-metallic element is in the form of a thin wafer-like member and wherein said security element is mounted to extend along an edge surface which defines the thickness of said wafer-like member.

Claim 36

Dependent Claim 35 words

A theft resistant integrated circuit assembly according to claim 30, wherein said security element is adhered to said wafer-like member by means of an adhesive which extends continuously along the length of said security element.

Claim 37

Dependent Claim 18 words

A theft resistant integrated circuit assembly according to claim 31, wherein said security element is an amorphous alloy.

Claim 38

Dependent Claim 31 words

A theft resistant integrated circuit assembly according to claim 29, wherein said security element has associated therewith a plurality of magnetizable deactivation elements which, when magnetized, effectively deactivate said security element.

Claim 39

Dependent Claim 28 words

A theft resistant integrated circuit assembly according to claim 33, wherein said security element with its deactivation elements is embedded in the material of said rigid non-metallic element.

Claim 40

Dependent Claim 32 words

A theft resistant integrated circuit assembly according to claim 33, wherein at least one of the length and spacing of said deactivation elements is irregular along the length of said security element.

Claim 41

Dependent Claim 24 words

A theft resistant integrated circuit assembly according to claim 35, wherein at least one of said length and spacing correspond to an identification code.

Claim 42

Dependent Claim 21 words

A theft resistant integrated circuit assembly according to claim 36, wherein said security element is concealed in said rigid non-metallic element.

Claim 43

Dependent Claim 26 words

A theft resistant integrated circuit assembly according to claim 33, wherein said security element is positioned in a groove which extends along said rigid non-metallic element.

Claim 44

Dependent Claim 30 words

A theft resistant integrated circuit assembly according to claim 38, wherein said security element is held in said groove by means of an adhesive which extends continuously along its length.

Claim 45

Dependent Claim 30 words

A theft resistant integrated circuit assembly according to claim 39, wherein said adhesive is an epoxy material which fills said groove and covers said security element and its deactivation elements.

Claim 46

Independent Claim 102 words

A method of protecting an electronic assembly during successive stages of manufacture and distribution, said method comprising the steps of providing an integrated circuit assembly comprising at least one integrated electrical circuit supported by a rigid non-metallic support element and further comprising a security element in the form of an elongated strip of magnetizable material of nearly zero magnetostriction which becomes driven into and out of magnetic saturation in response to an alternating magnetic field, said security element being mounted to extend along said support element adjacent said integrated electrical circuit and thereafter incorporating said integrated circuit assembly into a larger assembly.

Claim 47

Independent Claim 102 words

A method of protecting an electronic assembly during successive stages of manufacture and distribution, said method comprising the steps of providing an integrated circuit assembly comprising at least one integrated electrical circuit supported by a rigid non-metallic support element and further comprising a security element in the form of an elongated strip of magnetizable material of nearly zero magnetostriction which becomes driven into and out of magnetic saturation in response to an alternating magnetic field, said security element being mounted to extend along said support element adjacent said integrated electrical circuit and thereafter incorporating said integrated circuit assembly into a larger assembly.

Claim 48

Dependent Claim 49 words

A method according to claim 41, wherein said security element has associated therewith a plurality of magnetizable deactivation elements which, when magnetized, effectively deactivate said security element and wherein the magnetized state of said deactivation elements is changed prior to incorporating said integrated circuit assembly into a larger assembly.

Claim 49

Independent Claim 67 words

A method of attaching a security marker to the surface of an object, said method comprising the steps of: coating said security marker with a fluid material which is capable of becoming solid; solidifying said material to form an enclosure which encases said security marker and holds the marker in place mechanically without adhering to it; and thereafter adhering said enclosure to the surface of an object.

Claim 50

Independent Claim 67 words

A method of attaching a security marker to the surface of an object, said method comprising the steps of: coating said security marker with a fluid material which is capable of becoming solid; solidifying said material to form an enclosure which encases said security marker and holds the marker in place mechanically without adhering to it; and thereafter adhering said enclosure to the surface of an object.

Claim 51

Dependent Claim 23 words

A method according to claim 43, wherein said security marker is a metal element and wherein said fluid material is an epoxy resin.

Claim 52

Dependent Claim 20 words

A method according to claim 43, wherein said fluid material is caused to become electrostatically attracted to said security marker.

Claim 53

Dependent Claim 28 words

A method according to claim 43, wherein said step of solidifying said material comprises subjecting said material to sufficiently high temperature for sufficient time to cure said material.

Claim 54

Dependent Claim 38 words

A method according to claim 43, wherein said step of adhering is done by application of a curable adhesive material to said object, placing the encased security marker in said adhesive material and thereafter curing said adhesive material.

Claim 55

Dependent Claim 34 words

A method according to claim 43, wherein said object is a printed circuit board and wherein said encased security marker is adhered to said printed circuit board to extend along an edge surface thereof.

Annuity Stage	Window Opens	Payment Deadline	Surcharge Period Until	Estimated Fee	Status
3.5 Years (Year 4)	2001-12-07	2002-06-08	2002-12-08	$2000.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8)	2005-12-07	2006-06-08	2006-12-08	$3760.00	Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12)	2009-12-07	2010-06-08	2010-12-08	$7700.00	Window Closed / Lapsed

Theft resistant circuit assembly

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