A hardware tamperproofing device for an instrument

Abstract

The application discloses a hardware anti-disassembly device of an instrument equipment, which is used for effectively preventing illegal disassembly of the equipment. The application comprises a shell, a fixing member and a hardware anti-disassembly circuit; the hardware anti-disassembly circuit is fixedly arranged in the shell, a potentiometer is arranged on the hardware anti-disassembly circuit, and the position of the potentiometer corresponds to a fixing hole of the shell; the fixing member is used for fixing the shell; a connecting part is arranged on the fixing member; and the fixing member is connected with the potentiometer through the connecting part. When the fixing member rotates, the potentiometer is driven to rotate through the connecting part, so that the output voltage of the potentiometer changes.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of electronic technology, and in particular to a hardware anti-tamper device for instruments and equipment. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, with the expansion of the application scope and the increase in value of instruments and equipment, the phenomenon of illegal dismantling is becoming increasingly serious. Illegal dismantling can not only lead to equipment damage and performance degradation, but also cause the leakage of key technologies, resulting in economic losses for equipment manufacturers and even posing a threat to the safety of users.

[0003] Among existing anti-tampering technologies, many instrument and equipment manufacturers use anti-scratch stickers at the screw holes of the equipment to determine whether the equipment has been illegally disassembled. However, anti-scratch stickers cannot issue an alarm or take timely measures to prevent disassembly when it occurs, and they are easily counterfeited or imitated, greatly reducing their reliability.

[0004] Another anti-tampering technology involves adding a battery and sensors inside the device. The sensors monitor the device's status in real time, and when the device is disassembled, the sensors detect the tampering and trigger an alarm mechanism, simultaneously taking protective measures such as locking device functions and deleting sensitive data. However, adding a battery increases the device's size and weight, which may affect the portability and performance of instruments with strict space and weight constraints. Secondly, batteries pose certain safety risks. During long-term use, batteries may leak or explode. Utility Model Content

[0005] This application discloses a hardware anti-tamper device for an instrument, including: a housing, a fixing component, and a hardware anti-tamper circuit; The hardware anti-tamper circuit is fixedly installed inside the housing, and a potentiometer is provided on the hardware anti-tamper circuit. The position of the potentiometer corresponds to the fixing hole of the housing. The fastener is used to fix the housing; The fixing member is provided with a connecting part, and the fixing member is connected to the potentiometer through the connecting part. When the fixing member rotates, the potentiometer is driven to rotate through the connecting part so that the output voltage of the potentiometer changes.

[0006] Optionally, the fastener is a screw, which is threadedly connected to the housing.

[0007] Optionally, the connecting part of the screw is a latch, and the potentiometer is provided with a slot. The latch and the slot cooperate to connect the screw to the potentiometer.

[0008] Optionally, the latch is a straight latch, which engages with the slot of the potentiometer.

[0009] Optionally, the hardware tamper protection circuit includes: Power supply circuit, first filter circuit, data acquisition and conversion circuit, and controller; The power supply circuit is electrically connected to the potentiometer, the first filter circuit, the acquisition and conversion circuit, and the controller. The potentiometer is electrically connected to the first filter circuit, which is used to filter out noise in the disassembly signal. One end of the acquisition and conversion circuit is electrically connected to the first filter circuit, and the other end is electrically connected to the controller. The acquisition and conversion circuit is used to convert the disassembly signal into a digital signal, and the controller is used to receive the digital signal.

[0010] Optionally, the hardware anti-tamper circuit further includes: a first decoupling circuit; the potentiometer and the first filter circuit are electrically connected through the first decoupling circuit.

[0011] Optionally, the first filter circuit includes a first operational amplifier, a first resistor, and a second capacitor; The potentiometer is electrically connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the first operational amplifier, and the non-inverting input terminal of the first operational amplifier is electrically connected to the output terminal of the first operational amplifier. One end of the first resistor is connected in series with the output terminal of the first operational amplifier, and the other end is electrically connected to one end of the second capacitor and the acquisition and conversion circuit, respectively. The other end of the second capacitor is grounded.

[0012] Optionally, the hardware anti-tamper circuit further includes: a second decoupling circuit; The second decoupling circuit is electrically connected to the power supply circuit, and the second decoupling circuit is used to block parasitic oscillations formed in the power supply.

[0013] Optionally, the first decoupling circuit includes: a first capacitor; One end of the first capacitor is electrically connected to the potentiometer and the first filter circuit, and the other end is grounded.

[0014] Optionally, the first operational amplifier is an LVM321 chip.

[0015] As can be seen from the above technical solutions, this application has the following advantages: The potentiometer's position corresponds to the mounting hole on the housing and is connected to it via a connector on the mounting bracket. The design, where rotation of the mounting bracket causes the potentiometer to rotate, thereby changing the output voltage, allows for real-time detection of whether the device has been disassembled. Any rotation of the mounting bracket will cause a change in the potentiometer's output voltage, making the tamper detection highly sensitive and reliable, effectively preventing unauthorized disassembly of the device.

[0016] Because the potentiometer's output voltage changes in real time as the fixed component rotates, an alarm mechanism can be triggered immediately upon detecting an abnormal voltage, promptly notifying relevant personnel that the equipment may have been illegally disassembled. This provides strong protection for the equipment's safety and helps to take measures as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the equipment or information leakage. Attached Figure Description

[0017] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without creative effort.

[0018] Figure 1 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware anti-tamper device for the instrument and equipment in this application; Figure 2 This is a structural schematic diagram of the hardware anti-tamper circuit and fastener in this application; Figure 3 This is a structural schematic diagram of the screw in this application; Figure 4 This is a schematic diagram of the hardware anti-tamper circuit in this application. The components include: housing 01, fastener 02, hardware anti-tamper circuit 03, connecting part 04, potentiometer 031, first operational amplifier U1, first resistor R1, first capacitor C1, and second capacitor C2. Detailed Implementation

[0019] To address the aforementioned technical problems, this application provides a hardware anti-tampering device for instruments and equipment, which effectively prevents unauthorized disassembly of the equipment.

[0020] In this application, the terms "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "front", "rear", "top", "bottom", "inner", "outer", "middle", "vertical", "horizontal", "lateral", "longitudinal" and other terms indicate the orientation or positional relationship based on the orientation or positional relationship shown in the accompanying drawings. They are only used to describe the relative positional relationship between the components or parts and do not specifically limit the specific installation orientation of each component or part.

[0021] Furthermore, in addition to indicating location or positional relationship, some of the aforementioned terms may also have other meanings. For example, the term "above" may also be used in some cases to indicate a certain dependency or connection relationship. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0022] Furthermore, the terms "installation," "setup," "equipped with," "connection," and "linked" should be interpreted broadly. For example, they can refer to a fixed connection, a detachable connection, or an integral structure; they can refer to a mechanical connection or an electrical connection; they can refer to a direct connection or an indirect connection through an intermediate medium, or an internal connection between two devices, components, or parts. Those skilled in the art can understand the specific meaning of these terms in this application based on the specific circumstances.

[0023] Furthermore, the structures, proportions, sizes, etc., drawn in the accompanying drawings of this application are only used to complement the content disclosed in the specification for those skilled in the art to understand and read, and are not intended to limit the conditions under which this application can be implemented. Therefore, they have no substantial technical significance. Any modification to the structure, change in the proportional relationship, or adjustment of the size, without affecting the effects and purposes that this application can produce, should still fall within the scope of the technical content disclosed in this application.

[0024] The technical solutions of this application will now be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0025] Please see Figures 1-3 This application provides a hardware anti-tamper device for instruments and equipment, including: housing 01, fastener 02 and hardware anti-tamper circuit 03; The hardware anti-tamper circuit 03 is fixedly installed inside the housing 01. The hardware anti-tamper circuit 03 is equipped with a potentiometer 031, and the position of the potentiometer 031 corresponds to the fixing hole of the housing 01. The fixing member 02 is used to fix the housing 01; the fixing member 02 is provided with a connecting part 04, and the fixing member 02 is connected to the potentiometer 031 through the connecting part 04. When the fixing member 02 rotates, the potentiometer 031 is driven to rotate through the connecting part 04 so that the output voltage of the potentiometer 031 changes.

[0026] The hardware anti-tamper circuit 03 is securely installed inside the housing 01, with the potentiometer 031 on it corresponding to the fixing hole in the housing 01. The fixing component 02 serves two purposes: firstly, it secures the housing 01; secondly, it has a connecting part 04 that connects to the potentiometer 031. When someone attempts to disassemble the device by rotating the fixing component 02, the rotation of the fixing component 02 synchronously drives the potentiometer 031 to rotate, since the fixing component 02 is connected to the potentiometer 031 via the connecting part 04. After the potentiometer 031 rotates, its internal resistance changes. According to Ohm's law, a change in resistance in a circuit will cause a change in the output voltage, thus triggering the corresponding anti-tamper alarm mechanism.

[0027] In this embodiment, the potentiometer 031 is positioned corresponding to the fixing hole of the housing 01 and is connected to it via the connecting part 04 on the fixing member 02. The design, which rotates the fixing member 02 to drive the potentiometer 031 to rotate, thereby changing the output voltage, enables real-time detection of whether the device has been disassembled. Whenever the fixing member 02 is rotated, the output voltage of the potentiometer 031 changes, resulting in high sensitivity and reliability of the tamper detection, effectively preventing unauthorized disassembly of the device.

[0028] Since the output voltage of potentiometer 031 changes in real time as the fixed part 02 rotates, once an abnormal voltage is detected, an alarm mechanism can be triggered immediately to promptly notify relevant personnel that the equipment may have been illegally disassembled, providing strong protection for the safety of the equipment and helping to take measures as soon as possible to prevent further damage to the equipment or information leakage.

[0029] In an optional embodiment, the fastener 02 is a screw that is threadedly connected to the housing 01.

[0030] The hardware anti-tamper circuit 03 is fixedly installed inside the housing 01, and the potentiometer 031 on it is positioned corresponding to the hole on the housing 01 through which the screw passes. The screw secures the housing 01 by threading it into the housing 01.

[0031] When the equipment is in normal working order and not disassembled, the screw is in a stable tightened state, and the potentiometer 031 knob is also held in a specific initial position, outputting a stable voltage value. When someone attempts to disassemble the equipment and turns the screw, because the screw is connected to the potentiometer 031, the rotation of the screw will synchronously drive the potentiometer 031 knob to rotate.

[0032] Furthermore, the connecting part 04 of the screw is a locking tenon, and the potentiometer 031 is provided with a locking groove. The locking tenon and the locking groove cooperate to connect the screw and the potentiometer 031.

[0033] The screw serves to fix the housing 01 by being threaded into the housing 01. The connecting part 04 on the screw is designed as a latch, and the potentiometer 031 is provided with a corresponding latch groove.

[0034] When the device is in its normal, undisassembled state, the screw is securely tightened onto the housing 01, with the latch and slot tightly engaged, forming a relatively fixed unit with the screw. When someone attempts to disassemble the device and turns the screw, the engagement of the latch and slot causes the screw to rotate, directly causing the potentiometer 031 to rotate synchronously. After the potentiometer 031 rotates, its internal resistance changes, resulting in a change in the output voltage.

[0035] Furthermore, the latch is a straight latch, which engages with the slot of potentiometer 031.

[0036] Please see Figure 4 In an optional embodiment, the hardware tamper protection circuit 03 further includes: Power supply circuit, first filter circuit, data acquisition and conversion circuit, and controller; The power supply circuit is electrically connected to potentiometer R2, the first filter circuit, the data acquisition and conversion circuit, and the controller. Potentiometer R2 is electrically connected to the first filter circuit, which is used to filter out noise in the disassembly signal. One end of the acquisition and conversion circuit is electrically connected to the first filter circuit, and the other end is electrically connected to the controller. The acquisition and conversion circuit is used to convert the disassembly signal into a digital signal, and the controller is used to receive the digital signal.

[0037] The power supply circuit is electrically connected to potentiometer R2, the first filter circuit, the acquisition and conversion circuit, and the controller to provide a stable operating voltage for these components and ensure that each circuit module can start and operate normally.

[0038] When someone attempts to disassemble the equipment and turns the screw, the slotted clip on the screw causes potentiometer R2 to rotate. The resistance of potentiometer R2 changes with rotation. According to Ohm's law, under the voltage provided by the power supply circuit, the voltage at the output of potentiometer R2 will change, thereby generating an analog voltage signal representing the disassembly action, i.e., a disassembly signal.

[0039] The disassembly signal output by potentiometer R2 may be mixed with various noises, which may come from external electromagnetic interference, circuit noise, etc. The first filter circuit is electrically connected to potentiometer R2, and it can filter the disassembly signal to remove noise components.

[0040] One end of the acquisition and conversion circuit is electrically connected to the first filter circuit to receive the filtered disassembly signal, and the other end is electrically connected to the controller. Its main function is to convert the filtered disassembly signal into a digital signal. Finally, the controller receives the digital signal output by the acquisition and conversion circuit.

[0041] Furthermore, the hardware anti-tamper circuit 03 also includes: a first decoupling circuit; the potentiometer R2 and the first filter circuit are electrically connected through the first decoupling circuit.

[0042] The disassembly signal output by potentiometer R2 may be affected by high-frequency noise and other interference from the power supply circuit during transmission. The first decoupling circuit is set between potentiometer R2 and the first filter circuit. It can effectively filter out the high-frequency noise introduced by the power supply circuit, eliminate coupling interference in the signal, make the signal purer and more stable, and provide good input conditions for subsequent filtering processing.

[0043] Furthermore, the first filter circuit includes a first operational amplifier U1, a first resistor R1, and a second capacitor C2; Potentiometer R2 is electrically connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the first operational amplifier U1, and the non-inverting input terminal of the first operational amplifier U1 is electrically connected to the output terminal of the first operational amplifier U1. One end of the first resistor R1 is connected in series with the output terminal of the first operational amplifier U1, and the other end is electrically connected to one end of the second capacitor C2 and the acquisition and conversion circuit, respectively. The other end of the second capacitor C2 is grounded.

[0044] The disassembly signal output by potentiometer R2 is transmitted to the non-inverting input of the first operational amplifier U1. At this time, the signal may be mixed with various noises, including high-frequency noise and low-frequency interference.

[0045] The non-inverting input and output of the first operational amplifier U1 are directly connected, forming a voltage follower circuit. The voltage follower buffers and isolates the input signal, preventing subsequent circuitry from affecting the output signal of potentiometer R2 and ensuring signal stability during transmission. The signal output from the first operational amplifier U1 is filtered by an RC circuit consisting of the first resistor R1 and the second capacitor C2. The first resistor R1 and the second capacitor C2 form a low-pass filter. When the signal passes through the low-pass filter, high-frequency signals are directly grounded through the second capacitor C2 and do not appear at the output, thus being filtered out. Low-frequency signals mainly flow through the first resistor R1 and generate a corresponding voltage output at the output, allowing them to pass smoothly through the low-pass filter.

[0046] The signal, after low-pass filtering, is output from the connection point of the first resistor R1 and the second capacitor C2 and transmitted to the acquisition and conversion circuit. At this point, high-frequency noise in the signal has been effectively filtered out, leaving only a relatively pure low-frequency signal, which is more conducive to subsequent acquisition and conversion.

[0047] Furthermore, the hardware anti-tamper circuit 03 also includes: a second decoupling circuit; The second decoupling circuit is electrically connected to the power supply circuit and is used to block parasitic oscillations formed within the power supply.

[0048] In the hardware anti-tamper circuit 03, the power supply circuit provides power to the entire circuit. However, inside the power supply, due to the presence of components such as inductors and capacitors, parasitic oscillations may occur under certain conditions.

[0049] When a parasitic oscillation signal occurs, the second decoupling circuit bypasses it to ground, preventing the oscillation signal from propagating in the power supply circuit and thus suppressing its generation and propagation. Simultaneously, the second decoupling circuit prevents high-frequency oscillation signals from entering subsequent circuits, further enhancing the decoupling effect. After processing by the second decoupling circuit, the output voltage of the power supply circuit is more stable, and noise and interference are significantly reduced.

[0050] Furthermore, the first decoupling circuit includes: a first capacitor C1; One end of the first capacitor C1 is electrically connected to the potentiometer R2 and the first filter circuit, and the other end is grounded.

[0051] The first decoupling circuit mainly consists of a first capacitor C1, which is connected between potentiometer R2 and the first filter circuit and grounded. During transmission, the disassembly signal output by potentiometer R2 is subject to interference from various factors, including the power supply and the surrounding environment (such as electromagnetic interference). These interference signals typically have high-frequency characteristics, with frequencies much higher than the effective signal frequency representing the disassembly status of the device. When the high-frequency interference signal reaches the first capacitor C1, the capacitor rapidly charges and discharges, bypassing the interference signal to ground, thereby preventing the high-frequency interference signal from entering the subsequent first filter circuit and acquisition / conversion circuit.

[0052] Furthermore, the first operational amplifier U1 is an LVM321 chip.

[0053] It should be noted that the above description of the disclosed embodiments enables those skilled in the art to implement or use this application. Various modifications to these embodiments will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be implemented in other embodiments without departing from the scope of this application. Therefore, this application is not to be limited to the embodiments shown herein, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein.

Claims

1. A hardware anti-tamper device for an instrument or equipment, characterized in that, include: Housing, fasteners, and hardware anti-tamper circuitry; The hardware anti-tamper circuit is fixedly installed inside the housing, and a potentiometer is provided on the hardware anti-tamper circuit. The position of the potentiometer corresponds to the fixing hole of the housing. The fastener is used to fix the housing; The fixing member is provided with a connecting part, and the fixing member is connected to the potentiometer through the connecting part. When the fixing member rotates, the potentiometer is driven to rotate through the connecting part so that the output voltage of the potentiometer changes.

2. The hardware anti-tamper device according to claim 1, characterized in that, The fastener is a screw, which is threadedly connected to the housing.

3. The hardware anti-tamper device according to claim 2, characterized in that, The screw has a locking tab, and the potentiometer has a slot. The locking tab and the slot work together to connect the screw to the potentiometer.

4. The hardware anti-tamper device according to claim 3, characterized in that, The latch is a straight latch, which engages with the slot of the potentiometer.

5. The hardware tamper protection device according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The hardware tamper protection circuit includes: Power supply circuit, first filter circuit, data acquisition and conversion circuit, and controller; The power supply circuit is electrically connected to the potentiometer, the first filter circuit, the acquisition and conversion circuit, and the controller. The potentiometer is electrically connected to the first filter circuit, which is used to filter out noise in the disassembly signal. One end of the acquisition and conversion circuit is electrically connected to the first filter circuit, and the other end is electrically connected to the controller. The acquisition and conversion circuit is used to convert the disassembly signal into a digital signal, and the controller is used to receive the digital signal.

6. The hardware anti-tamper device according to claim 5, characterized in that, The hardware anti-tamper circuit further includes: a first decoupling circuit; the potentiometer and the first filter circuit are electrically connected through the first decoupling circuit.

7. The hardware anti-tamper device according to claim 6, characterized in that, The first filter circuit includes a first operational amplifier, a first resistor, and a second capacitor; The potentiometer is electrically connected to the non-inverting input terminal of the first operational amplifier, and the non-inverting input terminal of the first operational amplifier is electrically connected to the output terminal of the first operational amplifier. One end of the first resistor is connected in series with the output terminal of the first operational amplifier, and the other end is electrically connected to one end of the second capacitor and the acquisition and conversion circuit, respectively. The other end of the second capacitor is grounded.

8. The hardware anti-tamper device according to claim 7, characterized in that, The hardware anti-tamper circuit also includes: a second decoupling circuit; The second decoupling circuit is electrically connected to the power supply circuit, and the second decoupling circuit is used to block parasitic oscillations formed in the power supply.

9. The hardware anti-tamper device according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The first decoupling circuit includes: a first capacitor; One end of the first capacitor is electrically connected to the potentiometer and the first filter circuit, and the other end is grounded.

10. The hardware anti-tamper device according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first operational amplifier is an LVM321 chip.

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