Tamper resistant circuitry and portable electronic devices
First Claim
1. Tamper-resistant circuitry for inclusion in an electronic device, the tamper-resistant circuitry comprising:
- wireless receiving circuitry operable to receive an incoming communication;
a first circuit operable to change a signal state in response to the incoming communication; and
a verification sensor circuit coupled to the first circuit and operable to detect a circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use and upon detection of the circuit condition to prevent the change of the signal state; and
wherein the verification sensor circuit comprises;
circuitry for measuring a first parameter associated with at least one node of the first circuit; and
circuitry for comparing the first parameter to a range of acceptable values, wherein the verification sensor is operable to detect the circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use in response to a determination from the comparing that the first parameter is outside the range of acceptable values.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A portable electronic device. Tamper-resistant circuitry for inclusion in an electronic device. The tamper-resistant circuitry comprises wireless receiving circuitry operable to receive an incoming communication. The tamper-resistant circuitry also comprises a first circuit operable to change a signal state in response to the incoming communication. The tamper-resistant circuitry also comprises a verification sensor circuit coupled to the first circuit. The sensor is operable to detect a circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use and upon detection of the circuit condition to prevent the change of the signal state.
43 Citations
42 Claims
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1. Tamper-resistant circuitry for inclusion in an electronic device, the tamper-resistant circuitry comprising:
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wireless receiving circuitry operable to receive an incoming communication; a first circuit operable to change a signal state in response to the incoming communication; and a verification sensor circuit coupled to the first circuit and operable to detect a circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use and upon detection of the circuit condition to prevent the change of the signal state; and wherein the verification sensor circuit comprises; circuitry for measuring a first parameter associated with at least one node of the first circuit; and circuitry for comparing the first parameter to a range of acceptable values, wherein the verification sensor is operable to detect the circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use in response to a determination from the comparing that the first parameter is outside the range of acceptable values. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30)
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2. Tamper-resistant circuitry for inclusion in an electronic device, the tamper-resistant circuitry comprising:
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wireless receiving circuitry operable to receive an incoming communication; a first circuit operable to change a signal state in response to the incoming communication; and a verification sensor circuit coupled to the first circuit and operable to detect a circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use and upon detection of the circuit condition to prevent the change of the signal state wherein the verification sensor circuit is operable to detect the circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use in response to loading a node in the first circuit with different impedances and measuring a respective resultant parameter associated with the node and for each of the different impedances. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5)
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6. Tamper-resistant circuitry for inclusion in an electronic device, the tamper-resistant circuitry comprising:
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wireless receiving circuitry operable to receive an incoming communication; a first circuit operable to change a signal state in response to the incoming communication; and a verification sensor circuit coupled to the first circuit and operable to detect a circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use and upon detection of the circuit condition to prevent the change of the signal state wherein the verification sensor circuit is operable to detect the circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use in response to driving a node in the first circuit with different frequencies and measuring a respective resultant parameter associated with the node and for each of the different frequencies. - View Dependent Claims (7, 8)
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31. A portable electronic device, comprising:
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wireless receiving circuitry operable to receive an incoming communication; a first circuit operable to change a signal state in response to the incoming communication; and a verification sensor circuit coupled to the first circuit and operable to detect a circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use and upon detection of the circuit condition to prevent the change of the signal state; and wherein the verification sensor circuit comprises; circuitry for measuring a first parameter associated with at least one node of the first circuit; and circuitry for comparing the first parameter to a range of acceptable values, wherein the verification sensor is operable to detect the circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use in response to a determination from the comparing that the first parameter is outside the range of acceptable values. - View Dependent Claims (32)
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33. A method of reducing an opportunity for tampering of circuitry in an electronic device, comprising:
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receiving an incoming wireless communication for provoking a change of a signal state by a circuit in response to the incoming wireless communication; and detecting a circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use and upon detection of the circuit condition preventing the change of the signal state by the circuit; and wherein the detecting comprises; measuring a parameter associated with at least one node of the circuit; and comparing the parameter to a range of acceptable values, wherein the detecting detects the circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use when the parameter is outside the range of acceptable values. - View Dependent Claims (34, 35, 36, 37)
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38. A method of reducing an opportunity for tampering of circuitry in an electronic device, comprising:
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receiving an incoming wireless communication for provoking a change of a signal state by a circuit in response to the incoming wireless communication; and detecting a circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use and upon detection of the circuit condition preventing the change of the signal state by the circuit; and wherein the detecting comprises loading a node in the circuit with different impedances and measuring a respective resultant parameter associated with the node for each of the different impedances.
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39. A method of reducing an opportunity for tampering of circuitry in an electronic device, comprising:
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receiving an incoming wireless communication for provoking a change of a signal state by a circuit in response to the incoming wireless communication; detecting a circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use and upon detection of the circuit condition preventing the change of the signal state by the circuit; and wherein the detecting comprises driving a node in the circuit with different frequencies and measuring a respective resultant parameter associated with the node for each of the different frequencies.
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40. A method of reducing an opportunity for tampering of circuitry in an electronic device, comprising:
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receiving an incoming wireless communication for provoking a change of a signal state by a circuit in response to the incoming wireless communication; and detecting a circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use and upon detection of the circuit condition preventing the change of the signal state by the circuit; and wherein the detecting is responsive to evaluating a measured parameter that is selected from a set consisting of a voltage, current, impedance, a change in voltage, a change in current, and a change in impedance.
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41. A portable electronic device, comprising:
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wireless receiving circuitry operable to receive an incoming communication; a first circuit operable to change a signal state in response to the incoming communication; and a verification sensor circuit coupled to the first circuit and operable to detect a circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use and upon detection of the circuit condition to prevent the change of the signal state; wherein the verification sensor circuit is operable to detect the circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use in response to loading a node in the first circuit with different impedances and measuring a respective resultant parameter associated with the node and for each of the different impedances.
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42. A portable electronic device, comprising:
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wireless receiving circuitry operable to receive an incoming communication; a first circuit operable to change a signal state in response to the incoming communication; and a verification sensor circuit coupled to the first circuit and operable to detect a circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use and upon detection of the circuit condition to prevent the change of the signal state; wherein the verification sensor circuit is operable to detect the circuit condition indicative of unauthorized use in response to driving a node in the first circuit with different frequencies and measuring a respective resultant parameter associated with the node and for each of the different frequencies.
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Specification