Electronically expiring device

• US 20050001040A1
• Filed: 07/02/2003
• Published: 01/06/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 07/02/2003
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Berstis, Viktors
• Granted Patent: US 7,048,195 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 235/492
• CPC Class Codes: G04F 1/005 using electronic timing, e.g. counting means pulse time delay arrangements H03K5/13; modifications of electronic switches for introducing a time delay before switching H03K17/28
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/073 Special arrangements for circuits, e.g. for protecting identification code in memory protection against unauthorised use of computer memory G06F12/14

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method and system for expiring a device after a predetermined time period has elapsed. A device, which contains its own internal time cell, is designed to stop working or self-destruct after a predetermined time period has expired. The device uses its own time cell so that the elapsed time period is not altered through an external time source. After the predetermined time period has elapsed, the device or a component of the device self-destructs when connected to a power source.

Claims

1. A method for expiring a device containing a time cell, the method comprising:

discharging a stored electrostatic charge in a charge storage element in the time cell, wherein the time cell has a substantially discharged state before a programming operation and has a controlled discharge state after the programming operation, and wherein the time cell transitions after the programming operation from the controlled discharge state to the substantially discharged state within a predetermined time period after the programming operation;

reading a state of the time cell;

generating a signal from the state of the time cell, wherein the signal indicates whether or not the predetermined time period has elapsed since the time cell was programmed; and

in response to the signal indicating that predetermined time period has elapsed, expiring the device.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

disabling a function or component of the device when the device is exposed to a power source.

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

destroying at least a portion of the device when the device is exposed to a power source.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the at least a portion of the device includes an electrical connection.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the electrical connection is one of a fusible link and a wire.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein the expiring step further comprises:

draining charges from memory cells.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the expiring step further comprises:

setting an expired flag.

8. The method of claim 7 further comprising:

destroying at least a portion of the device when the device is exposed to a power source.

9. The method of claim 1, wherein the device is at least one of a smart card, a value card, a phone card, a credit card, a hotel card, a frequent flyer card, a discount card, a video game, an electronic machine, and an ink cartridge.

10. A system for expiring a device containing a time cell, the system comprising:

discharging means for discharging a stored electrostatic charge in a charge storage element in the time cell, wherein the time cell has a substantially discharged state before a programming operation and has a controlled discharge state after the programming operation, and wherein the time cell transitions after the programming operation from the controlled discharge state to the substantially discharged state within a predetermined time period after the programming operation;

reading means for reading a state of the time cell;

generating means for generating a signal from the state of the time cell, wherein the signal indicates whether or not the predetermined time period has elapsed since the time cell was programmed; and

in response to the signal indicating that predetermined time period has elapsed, expiring means for expiring the device.

11. A self-expiring device comprising:

a time cell, wherein discharge of a stored charge within the time cell causes operating characteristics of at least one component within the time cell to vary in a controlled fashion with the passage of time, such that the time cell becomes capable of producing a time-expiration signal after a predetermined time period has elapsed;

at least one additional circuit component that is required for proper operation of the device; and

disabling circuitry, wherein the disabling circuitry responds to the time cells producing an expiration signal by disabling the at least one additional circuit component.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein the at least one component within the time cell includes a floating gate field effect transistor.

13. The device of claim 12, wherein the floating gate field effect transistor is configured within the time cell such that the floating gate field effect transistor turns on in response to applying power to the time cell after the predetermined period of time has elapsed;

and

wherein turning on the floating gate field effect transistor causes the time expiration signal to be produced.

14. The device of claim 13, wherein the time cell includes a first node, a second node, and a difference amplifier that is connected to the first node and second node;

and

wherein when power is applied to the time cell, the first node reaches a predetermined voltage, the second node reaches a voltage that is determined by an amount of charge stored in a floating gate of the floating gate field effect transistor, and the difference amplifier outputs a voltage that is a difference between the voltage of the first node and the voltage of the second node.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein the first node is connected to a gate terminal of the floating gate field effect transistor and the second node is connected to one of a drain terminal of the floating gate field effect transistor and a source terminal of the floating gate field effect transistor.