Active tamper detection system for electronic modules

• US 20040124980A1
• Filed: 12/28/2002
• Published: 07/01/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 12/28/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Original Assignee: Pitney Bowes Incorporated (Böwe Systec AG)
• Inventors: Macdonald, George M., Rapillo, Ralph A., Sisson, Robert
• Granted Patent: US 6,946,960 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/568.1
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/149 with electric, magnetic, capacitive switch actuation

Abstract

Tamper detecting enclosures are described. In one configuration, an inflated balloon at least partially surrounds a module in an enclosure and biases at least one normally opened switch into a closed position during normal operation. If an attacker attempts to attack the enclosure, the balloon should at least partially deflate and cause the switch to return to its normally opened position thereby detecting the attack. In another configuration, the balloon is adhered to the inside wall of the outer enclosure.

Claims

1. A tamper detecting device comprising:

an outer enclosure for enclosing a module;

at least one switch for detecting a tamper condition; and

at least one balloon inflated with inflation material for biasing the at least one switch to a closed position during normal operation and for releasing the switch during an attack condition.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 further comprising:

at least one probe barrier wall between the outer enclosure and each of the at least one switches.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the at least one switch is operatively connected to a tamper detector that is operatively connected to a tamper response circuit.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the at least one balloon envelopes the module and switch.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the at least one balloon comprises a lower balloon and an upper balloon.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein

the lower balloon comprises at least one bulge.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the module is electronic.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein

the module comprises a non-volatile memory.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the module comprises a non-volatile memory;

and

the tamper response circuit erases at least a portion of the memory if the switch detect a tamper condition.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the at least one switch is a normally opened switch.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the at least one balloon comprises Mylar.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the inflation material comprises argon.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the inflation material comprises a large molecule gas.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein

the inflation material comprises air.

15. A method for assembling a tamper-detection enclosure having an outer shell, at least one inflated balloon and at least one switch comprising:

switching the switch into a tripped position;

installing the inflated balloon within a first time period; and

completing the outer shell.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

removing a restraint from the switch.

17. The method of claim 15, wherein:

the first time period is one hour.

18. The method of claim 15, further comprising:

installing an electronic device into the enclosure; and

entering an assembly start code into an electronic device.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein:

the assembly start code is entered using the switch.

20. A tamper detecting device comprising:

an outer enclosure for enclosing a module;

means for detecting a tamper condition; and

at least one balloon inflated with inflation material for triggering the means for detecting a tamper condition.