Tamper detection using bulk multiple scattering

• US 5,790,025 A
• Filed: 08/01/1996
• Issued: 08/04/1998
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/1996
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Original Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
• Inventors: Amer, Nabil Mahmoud, Gershenfeld, Neil, DiVincenzo, David Peter
• Primary Examiner(s): Hofsass, Jeffery A.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Lee, Benjamin C.
• Application Number:
  US08/695,199
• Time in Patent Office: 733 Days
• Field of Search: 340/557, 340/552, 340/553, 340/554, 340/555, 340/556, 340/571, 340/572, 340/562, 340/541, 367/93, 342/27, 342/28, 250/221, 250/216, 250/215, 250/372
• US Class Current: 340/571
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 13/1481 with optical detection

Abstract

The multiple scattering of coherent radiation in an inhomogeneous medium is used to detect attempted intrusions into a protected area or into a tamper-proof package for such purposes as preventing the unauthorized detection and copying of electronic information used for authentication and coding in electronic commerce, communications, command, and control systems. A key advantage is that any intrusion into the sensed volume will produce a detected change in the measured intensity which will be equal to the full amplitude range if the intrusion is into a cylinder with radius comparable to the wavelength of the sensing radiation. The response of the medium can also be used to provide a unique identity key.

Claims

1. A system for protecting an object comprising:

A. means for emitting coherent radiation;

B. means for detecting said coherent radiation;

wherein said object, emitting means and detecting means are encapsulated and further including means for scattering said coherent radiation.

2. The system of claim 1 in which the source of coherent radiation is a laser.

3. The system of claim 1 in which the source of coherent radiation is an electroluminescent material.

4. The system of claim 1 in which the source of coherent radiation is one selected from the group comprising microwave, radar, and radio sources.

5. The system of claim 1 in which the source of coherent radiation is tunable to measure the unique response of the medium.

6. The system of claim 1 in which the uniqueness of the system is provided by an array of receivers.

7. The system of claim 1 in which the uniqueness of the system is provided by an indexable receiver.

8. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for scattering include voids.

9. The system of claim 1 wherein said means for scattering include solid objects.

10. The system of claim 1 in which the object to be protected is a building or place of business.

11. The system of claim 1 in which the object to be protected is an electronic device.

12. The system of claim 11 in which power or signals to and from said electronic device are carried by unclad optical fibers which are embedded in said encapsulant.

13. The system of claim 1 in which the source of coherent radiation is a source of incoherent radiation which is passed through a narrow-band filter.

14. The system of claim 13 wherein said source of incoherent radiation is a diode.