Secure connector with integrated tamper sensors

• US 7,796,036 B2
• Filed: 11/30/2006
• Issued: 09/14/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/30/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Original Assignee: Honeywell International Inc.
• Inventors: Dalzell, William J., Tucker, James L., Fleischman, Scott G., Heffner, Kenneth H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Wu; Daniel
• Assistant Examiner(s): Sherwin; Ryan W
• Application Number:
  US11/565,390
• Publication Number:
  US 20080132118A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,384 Days
• Field of Search: 340/657, 340/531, 340/541, 340/552, 340/555, 340/686.4, 340/687, 340/686.1, 3405681-5684, 340/686.3, 70439-440
• US Class Current: 340/568.4
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/6683 with built-in sensor
• CPC Class Codes: H01R 13/748 using one or more screws H01R13/746 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 70/8216 Tampering detector

Abstract

A secure connector is provided. The secure connector comprises a casing; a tamper sensor disposed inside the casing and configured to detect unauthorized tamper events; and one or more conductors configured to carry signals, the one or more conductors passing through the tamper sensor.

Claims

1. A secure connector comprising:

a casing;

a tamper sensor disposed inside the casing and configured to detect unauthorized tamper events; and

one or more conductors configured to carry signals, the one or more conductors passing through the tamper sensor, wherein the casing includes a contact which couples the tamper sensor in the secure connector to a tamper sensor in another component external to the secure connector.

2. The secure connector of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of each of the one or more conductors passing through the tamper sensor is bent.

3. The secure connector of claim 1, wherein the tamper sensor comprises one of a fiber optic matrix or an electrical sensor configured to detect changes in electrical characteristics.

4. The secure connector of claim 1, wherein the one or more conductors are configured to carry one of electrical signals or optical signals.

5. The secure connector of claim 1, wherein the casing is configured to crack when excessive force is applied to at least one of the one or more conductors.

6. The secure connector of claim 1, wherein the casing and the one or more conductors are configured as one of a modular connector, a universal serial bus (USB) connector, a D-subminiature connector, a DIN connector, a Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) connector, or an optical connector.

7. The secure connector of claim 1, wherein the one or more conductors are configured as one of cylindrical conductors, flat conductors, or female socket contacts.

8. An electrical system comprising:

at least one secure connector comprising;

a casing;

a tamper sensor disposed inside the casing configured to detect unauthorized tamper events; and

one or more conductors configured to carry signals, the one or more conductors passing through the tamper sensor, wherein the casing includes a connection point configured to couple the tamper sensor in the at least one secure connector to a tamper sensor in another secure connector;

a chassis configured to engage the at least one secure connector such that an end of each of the one or more conductors is accessible outside the chassis; and

a monitoring device coupled to the tamper sensor and configured to control a response to unauthorized tamper events detected by the tamper sensor.

9. The electrical system of claim 8, wherein at least a portion of each of the one or more conductors passing through the tamper sensor is bent.

10. The electrical system of claim 8, wherein the tamper sensor comprises one of a fiber optic matrix or an electrical sensor configured to detect changes in electrical characteristics.

11. The electrical system of claim 8, wherein the one or more conductors are configured to carry one of electrical signals and optical signals.

12. The electrical system of claim 8, wherein the casing is configured to crack when excessive force is applied to at least one of the one or more conductors.

13. The electrical system of claim 8, wherein the at least one secure connector is configured as one of a modular connector, a universal serial bus (USB) connector, a D-subminiature connector, a DIN connector, a Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) connector, or an optical connector.

14. The electrical system of claim 8, wherein the monitoring device, in response to a detected tamper event, is configured to control one of encryption of data on a device inside the chassis, erasure of data on a device inside the chassis, and physical destruction of a device inside the chassis.

15. The electrical system of claim 8, wherein the one or more conductors are configured as one of cylindrical conductors, flat conductors, or female socket contacts.

16. The electrical system of claim 8, wherein the at least one secure connector further comprises a connection point configured to couple the tamper sensor in the at least one secure connector to a tamper sensor in the chassis.

17. A secure connector comprising:

a casing;

a tamper sensor disposed inside the casing and configured to detect unauthorized tamper events, wherein the tamper sensor comprises one of a fiber optic matrix or an electrical sensor configured to detect changes in electrical characteristics; and

one or more conductors configured to conduct one of electrical or optical signals, the one or more conductors passing through the tamper sensor, wherein a section of at least one of the one or more conductors disposed in the tamper sensor is bent, wherein the casing includes a contact which couples the tamper sensor in the secure connector to a tamper sensor in another component external to the secure connector.

18. The secure connector of claim 17, wherein the casing and the one or more conductors are configured as one of a modular connector, a universal serial bus (USB) connector, a D-subminiature connector, a DIN connector, a Joint Test Action Group (JTAG) connector, or an optical connector.