Security techniques for electronic devices
First Claim
1. A secure electronic system comprising an electronic device, the electronic device comprising electronic circuitry and a thin-film security layer integrated with at least a portion of the electronic circuitry so that physical access of said portion of the electronic circuitry causes an identifiable change in a characteristic of the thin-film security layer, wherein the thin-film security layer comprises a material with an optically responsive characteristic and wherein physical access of said portion of the electronic circuitry causes a change in an optical property of the material with an optically responsive characteristic.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for protecting electronic and other sensitive devices in the event of security breaches such as physical intrusion or access, tampering, and attempts at reverse engineering. One aspect of the present invention provides security systems and methods that utilize an active security measure that can identify a security breach and respond with a protective action. Protective actions may include erasure or randomizing of data or software, activation of an alarm or signal (such as at a remote location), or destruction of any portion of a protected device or circuit or the like.
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Citations
17 Claims
- 1. A secure electronic system comprising an electronic device, the electronic device comprising electronic circuitry and a thin-film security layer integrated with at least a portion of the electronic circuitry so that physical access of said portion of the electronic circuitry causes an identifiable change in a characteristic of the thin-film security layer, wherein the thin-film security layer comprises a material with an optically responsive characteristic and wherein physical access of said portion of the electronic circuitry causes a change in an optical property of the material with an optically responsive characteristic.
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7. A method of securing an electronic device against unauthorized access, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an electronic device having electronic circuitry; and
integrating a thin-film security layer with at least a portion of the electronic circuitry in a manner effective to generate an identifiable change in a characteristic of the thin-film security layer in response to an event indicative of unauthorized access to said portion of the electronic circuitry, wherein the thin-film security layer comprises a material with an optically responsive characteristic and wherein the identifiable change in a characteristic of the thin-film security layer is a change in an optical property the material with an optically responsive characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
- providing an electronic device having electronic circuitry; and
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13. A method of securing an electronic device against unauthorized access, the method comprising the steps of:
- providing an electronic device having electronic circuitry and a thin-film security layer integrated with at least a portion of the electronic circuitry;
causing an identifiable change in a characteristic of the thin-film security layer in response to unauthorized access to said portion of the electronic circuitry; and
initiating a security action in response to the identifiable change in a characteristic of the thin-film security layer, wherein the thin-film security layer comprises a material with an optically responsive characteristic and wherein the identifiable change in a characteristic of the thin-film security layer is a change in an optical property of the material with an optically responsive characteristic. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17)
- providing an electronic device having electronic circuitry and a thin-film security layer integrated with at least a portion of the electronic circuitry;
Specification